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PRINCETON, N. J.
Purchased by the
Mi's. Robert Lenox Kennedy Church History Fund.
BX 9211 .N628 S86 1898
^891: ''^^''^" Ernest, i860)
History of the Big Spring
Gilbert E. Swope,
HISTORY
OF THE
Big Spiiiig PiesHylenaD CH
NEWVILLE, PA.
•737== '898.
BY
(Silbevt Ernest Swope,
Author of '*A History of the S'wopc Family/'
With an Introduction by
REV. EBENEZER ERSKINE, D. D.
NEWVILLE. PA.,
TIMES STEAM PRINTING HOUSE:
1898.
II
PREFACE.
In presenting this little liistory of the Big Spring Presbyte-
rian Church, we feel quite safe in saying that we are giving all
that is obtainable regarding the congregation, and more than we
expected to find when we began our work. Owing to the fact
that there were no records in possession of the congregation prior
to 1830 except an old trustees minute book, the prospect for ob-
taining data was not very encouraging. However, by careful
inquiry among the old families of the church and other means,
we were enabled to find that herein given. Through the kind-
ness of Miss Jennie W. Davidson, a great granddaughter of Rev.
Samuel Wilson, we were given permission to examine a great
mass of old family papers, the accumulation of more than a cen-
tury. Among these papers we were fortunate enough to find
much valuable matter, relating not only to the ministry of Rev.
Samuel Wilson but also to that of some of his predecessors. No
regular session books seem to have been kept by the early pas-
tors, all the records found being on detached pieces of paper.
The earliest record found bears date Dec. 12, IT68, and records a
case of discipline.
We are indebted largely for the matter contained in the sketches
of the pastors of the church to the "Centennial Memorial of the
Presbytery of Carlisle." We gi'eatfully acknowledge the interest
shown and the assistance given by the pastor of the Big Spring
Church, the Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, D. D. We are pleased to
api)end the address delivered by Dr. Erskine at the celebrati(m
of the founding of Log College.
It is valuable as an historic document, a,nd finds here a fitting
place because of its treatment on the Presbyterian church in the
Cumberland Valley.
Our thanks are also due and very cheerfully given to Mr.
John W. Strohm, editor of the "Xewville Times," whose interest
in local history and genealogy is well known, and whose co-op-
eration has made the publication of this volume possible.
GILBERT E. SWOPE,
Aug. IT, 1898. Newville, Pa.
Ill
IfntrobuctioiL
Tliis brief and coin])rehensive volume may be very properly styled a
documentary history of the Bif^ yprinjj: Presbyterian Church and con-
gregation, and a genealogy of many of its families.
Its author, Mr. Gilbert E. Swope, is an enthusiast on the subject of
genealogy and an exjjert in the discovery and use of old documents
bearing on the history of families and churches.
As the result of his patient and laborious researches, the names of
nearly all the families of this venerable church ami congregation have
been rescued from an impending oblivion, and a list of most of its elders,
trustees and families have been preserved. No sessional records are in
possession of the congregation prior to 1830. It was the custom of
many pastors prior to that date to keep a roll of members, of admis-
sions to the church, of baptisms and marriages, and to make a record
only of cases of discipline and to submit the same to presbytery for ex-
amination and a]>i)roval, then to consider it of no further value nor
worthy of preservation.
Mr. Swope, discovered paj)ers left by the Rev. Samuel Wilson,
pastor from 1787 to 1799, stored away in an old trunk and found in the
garret of one of his descen<1ents, and gained access to certain other
papers which had been left by Rev. Dr. Joshua Williams, pastor from
1802 to 1829, and found in possession of some of his relatives in the dis-
tant west. These documents have thrown a flood of light upon the his-
tory of this church from 177o to 18.30, more than half a century, and
which if not <liscovered, would have soon been lost sight of forever.
It is a great matter to have recovered thus the names of all the fam-
ilies of that period, many of them reaching back to the origin of the
church, the divisions of the congregation into districts, the names of the
parents and children, and members of the church in each district; and
also the names of the elders to whose supervision these districts were
assigned, and still more several lists of theological questions given out
annually by Mr. Wilson for the careful study of the people, and for
an examination on the same, by pastor or elder.
IV
The character of these questions indicate not only a high degree of
religious intelligence upon the part of the minister l)ut also imply cor-
responding intelligence on part of the people. These, in connection
with regular examinations of the young on the catechism, and of the
more advanced on chapters in the Confession of faith, go to show the
modes of reUgious instruction and training peculiar to that period of
the church and widely prevalent in other congregations of that day,
and which in connection with the faithful preaching of the word on the
Sabbath, had a most important influence in the way of awakening the
minds of the people in relation to religious subjects, in the quickening
of religious thought and inquiry, and in the development of well in-
structed and stable Christians as to matters of doctrine and duty, all
leading to exemplary and consistent Christian living.
To trace the origin and progress of individual churches, whose his-
tory runs back to the hrst settlement of the country, to give the names,
individuals and families which have composed the same, to put on
record reliable accounts of the origin, lives and characters of the minis-
ters, the distinctive characteristics of their faith and modes of conducting
the worship of their congregations, and of their general pastoral ser-
vices ; to give a true and reliable history of their growth and progress,
as has here been done by Mr. Swope, is to render a very important ser-
vice in relation to the foundation and character of the church in this
country.
The Big Spring Presbyterian Church, as indicated by the lists of
admissions to its membership, has been blessed with revivals of religion
from time to time, through all its history, giving increased vitality to
the church as well as considerable accessions to its membership. Such
seasons, of greater or less power have been enjoyed in 1794, 1822, 1832,
1833 and 1834. The revivial of 1877 was doubtless one of the most re-
markable awakenings of the whole conmiunity in the history of the
church, resulting in the admission of over one hundred and twenty
members to the church of all ages, on confession of their faith, and of
some two hundred more to the churches in the town. A careful exam-
ination into the origin of our early congregations, as to their ministers
and people, and as to their standards of doctrine and form of govern-
ment and modes of worship, as learned from their history and records,
is of special importance, as throwing light upon the actual character of
the church in these respects from the beginning. Whatever difficulty
may be experienced in some parts of the country in this respect, none
need be felt in regard to the churches of this valley, nor of the State of
Pennsylvania.
The settlement of the Cumberland Valley and the constitution of its
churches, is directly traceable to that great providential movement
which took place among the Scotch Irish Presbyterians settled in the
province of Ulster, in the north of Ireland, which runs back to near the
bepniiiiiii of tlio JNtli (viilniv, :iii(l wliii'li led to a steady and increasingr
stream of emigration from tiiat Province to this country, and which
added fjreatiy to tlie .strength and character of the Presbyterian Church
in America. And this state of things in Ulster, was only a ]>art of that
wider movement wliich took jdace in Scotland, England, France and
Holland, as well as in Ulster. The history of Presbyterian colonization
in America, is largely tlie result of pa[)al and ])relatic jjcrsecutions in
Europe. By the act of uniformity passed in 16(52, two thousand Pres-
byterian ministers were cast out of the Church of England. A consid-
erable nundjer of wliom found refuge in this country, cliiefly in New
England.
By reason of the persecutions of the Reformed Cliurches of France,
which were strictly Presbyterian in government and Calvinistic in doc-
trine, and which was consummated under Louis XIV. by the revocation
of the edict of Nantes in 1()85, two hundred thousand French protest-
ants sullereil martyrdom, and about seven hundred thousand were
driven from the kingdom, many of whom found tiieir way to this
country. Two thousand churches, witli their ministers, were nearly ex-
tirpated by that cruel and bloody persecution.
" Modern history," it is said, " hardly affords a parallel to the cruelty
an<l oppression under which Scotland groaned for nearly thirty years,"
under the reigns of James II. and of Charles I. and Charles II. and all
in su])}iort of Fi)iscoi)acy and under the instigation of the Bishops.
i\I altitudes of learned and pious ministers were ejecte<l from their par-
ishes, and ignorant and ungodly men substituted in their places, upon
whose ministrations, unedifying as they were, the i)eople were forced
to attend under severe penalties.
The ejected ministers were prohibited from preaching or praying in
public, even in fields or other retired places. To enforce these oppres-
sive laws, exorbitant fines were imposed, torture was freely resorted to
to extort evidence, the ])risons were tilled with victims of oppression,
soldiers were quartere<l upon defenceless families, and allowed the great-
est license and many were massacred ujjon the public highways. It is
no wonder that the Scotch Presbyterians abhorred episcopacy. In
their views ami experience, it was identical with oppression, despotism
and impiety.
Considerintr their long continued persecution, the wonder has been
exi>ressed, that they did not rise up en masse and forsake the country.
The hope of overthrowing ejnscopacy and of regaining their liberties,
constrained the majority of them to withstand their ojipressors. Emi-
gration from Scotland by reason of such oppression, while not so great
as might have been exjiected, was yet consiilerable. Four thousand
Presbyterians are reported to have come into New Englan<l prior to
l(i4(), many of whom were from Scotland. In 1729 a church was organ-
ized in Boston, composed of Scotcli and Irish Presbyterians. The
VI
First Church in New York City, composed chiefly of Scotch and Irish
Presbyterians, was organized previous to 1716, and called the Rev.
James Anderson, a Scotch Presbyterian minister from New Castle, Dela-
ware, to become their first pastor.
The emigrants from Scotland to east New Jersey were many and in-
fluential. They came in such numbers, says Bancroft, as to give to the
rising commonwealth, a character which a century and a half have not
effaced. But it was to Pennsylvania and the Carolinas, that a larger
and increasing stream of emigration from Scotland and the North of
Ireland came. The latter in much larger numbers than the former.
The Presbyterians in Ulster were rendered exceedingly uncomfortable
by reason of the tyrany and exactions of their despotic monarchs, by
the restrictions and penalties imposed by parliament, the intolerance
and persecutions instigated by the Bishops and the rapacity and greed
of the landlords. Among the laws enacted intended to harass and an-
noy them, was what was called the Test Act, which prohibited them
from holding any office in DubUn or the province. This was followed
by the Marriage Act by which they were forbidden to be married by
their own ministers, and rendered liable to arraignment for immorality
in the ecclesiastical courts for such marriage. Worse than all, what was
known as the Schism Act, was passed in 1714, which would have swept
the Presbyterian Church of Ireland well nigh out of existence, had not .
Queen Anne died before it could be enforced.
These and other like acts estranged the people from their country,
and caused them to turn tlieir attention to the new colonies then being
planted in America, where they might secure for themselves and fami-
ilies' future homes, and the blessings of civil and religious liberty, de-
nied them in their own land. The consequence was that as far back as
1713, both ministers and people began to come to America. In this
great movement, the Kev. Thomas Craighead, a minister of consider-
able prominence, with some others led the way. In 1715 he came to
New England, in 1724 he removed to Pennsylvania and 17o7, became
the first pastor of the Big Spring Church. Some six thousand Scotch
Ii;ish are said to have come in 1720. Later on they are reported to have
come at the rate of twelve thousand from year to year. Cumberland
County, which in the outset included Franklin, was chiefly settled by
them. From 1736 onward, they crossed over at Harrisburg in great
numbers and settled in this vicinity along the Conodoguinit and the
Big Spring more numerously than elsewhere, by reason of the junction
of tliese two streams of water at nearly right angles. Out of these
sturdy, rugged Scotch Irish people, this church was originally organ-
ized.
From here they spread on down the valley into Virginia, the Caro-
linas and Tennessee, many erossins the mountains over into Western
Pennsylvania and farther down across into Kentuckv. A thousand fam-
VII
ilies are said to liave arriveil in the state of North Carolina i'roni the
more northerly settlements in 17(54. No other country, says Dr. Ram-
sey, furnished the ])rovince of South Carolina with so many citizens as
the North of Ireland. These strict Presbyterians driven here largelj'
by tlie persecution.s to which they had been subjected at home, the
Scotch, the Scotcli Irish, the Dutch from Holland and the French
Huguenots, laid the foundations of the Presbyterian Church in Boston,
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, INIaryland, the Carolinas and
Georgia, through all which sections of country they settled in great
nund)ers. In 1705, the first Presbytery was organized in Philadelphia.
In 171() the tirst Synod was formed. In 1729 the Westminster Standards
were adojtted by the Synod.
This last event took place eiglit years before the organization of this
church. The Rev. Thomas Craighead, its first minister, was a member
of that Synod and voted for the adopting act.
Before the settlement of the second ])astor, the Rev. John Blair, in
1742, the church had divided into two branches, the Ul<l and the New
Side. Both .sides, however, adhered with equal tenacity to the Stand-
ards adopted, and regarded themselves as identical in doctrine, govern-
ment and worship with the Church of Scotland.
While adojiting the Confession of Faith as containing the system of
doctrine set forth in the Holy Scriptures, and approving the form of
government and the directory for worship, as conformable to the word
of God, at the same time all who held to the essential doctrines of
Christianity were cordially invited and freely, welcomed into the com-
nuinion of the church. An important distinction has always been made
between Christian and ministerial comnninion. We are bound to re-
gard and treat as Christians all who make a credible ]>rofession of faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ and accept of the essential doctrines of the
Christian religion. The lowest terms of salvation are the highest terms
of Christian communion. What will take a soul to Heaven should take
it in the Church on earth.
The terms of miaisterial comumnion are different. The conditions
upon which ministers are admitted to office in the church is not merely
acceptance of the essential doctrines of the .Gospel, but the .sincere
adoi)tion of the Confessiijn of Faith as containing the system of doctrine
taught in the Scriptures. Those called and chosen to be teachers and
rulers must be .sound in the faith, ami therefore accept the standards
of tlie church as the church's authorized and accepted interpretatiim of
the teacliings of God's most holy word.
No one applying for admission to the Pre.sbyterian Church will be
rejected, nor any one already a minister of the church be subjected to
discii>line who is not supposed to reject some of the distinctive <loctrines
taught in this system .set forth in the Confession of Faith and Cate-
chisms of the Church. That .system is the Reformed or Calvinistic sys-
VIII
tern in contnuliHtinctiun to the Armenian, Pelagian, semi-Pelagian or
Socinian systems held by other branches of the nominally Christian
Cliurch.
It was on this basis the Presbyterian Church was organized in this
country. On this basis the church has had a remarkable growth. From
an organization of live ministers and three ruling elders in 17Q5, it has
grown in less than two centuries into a Church extending over all this
wide spread land and into all heathen countries on the same doctrinal
basis. This church contains 7,429 ministers, 1,428 candidates for the
ministry, 477 licentiates, 7,631 churches, 27,874 ruhng elders and 960,-
911 church members. May it ever continue to live and prosper on the
same divine basis. EBENEZEK EKSKINE.
Newville, Pa., August, 1898.
■ifflfrcC- i, '
Rev. Ebenezeh Erskine, D. D.
The I3ig Spring
Iprcsb^tevian Cbuvcb.
HE lands in the "Kittoclitinny", or present
Cumberland Valley, were not purchased from
the Indians until October 1736, and wei'e not,
therefore, before that time open for sale. But for seve-
ral years |)rior to that period the agents of the proprie-
tors knowing the i'eelings of the Indians to be favoral)le
had encouraged settlers to come hither, and had issued
to them special licenses for the securing and settlement
of such lands beyond the Susquehanna as might please
them. ■•'
After the lands of the valley were finally thrown
open to settlers, there was a great influx of emigrants,
many coming from the old-settled counties of Lancaster
and Chester, and many directly from Ireland. Most of
the settlers being Irish and Scotch Irish, very few of
other nationalities were found here until a much hiter
date. These people first sought the land bordering on
the streams of water because of the convenience of an
abundance of water, and of timber which grew along
the water courses. Thus we find that very soon after
the land was thrown open for settlement, the invit-
ing lands of this vicinity attracted a large population to
tlie l)orders of the Conodoguinet Creek and the Big
Spring. One of tlie first acts of our forefathers after
locating land and building homes lor themselves and
families was to ])rovide a spiritual home or place for the
worship of God.
* Note Hi.st. Franklin Cu. McCaulev.
10 THE BIG SPRING
The Presbyterians who settled in the neighborhood of
the Big Spring organized a congregation not hiter than
the spring of 1737. On the 22nd of June the people
of Hopewell petitioned Presbytery for their eoncurrence
in drawing a call to the Rev. Thomas Craighead. About
this time the name of this j^eople was changed from the
people of the Conodoguinet to the people of Penns-
boro and Hopewell, the line having been run in 1735
from the north to the south mountain by way of the
Big Spring dividing the valley. All e^ist of that line
was called Pennsboro and all west of it Hopewell. By
the "people of Hopewell" referred to in the call to Mr.
Craighead no doubt were included the congregation at
Middle Spring as well as Big Spring. They were both
known by the general name of "Hopewell" and indi-
vidually Big Spring as Lower Hopewell, and Middle
Spring as Upper Hopewell. The congregation of Ui)-
per Pennsboro objected to the call to Mr. Craighead and
the establishment of a church on the Big Spring as an
encroachment upon their territory, as there was a rule of
Presbytery not allowing congregations to be located
within ten miles of each other. The Presbytery ap-
pointed a committee to look over the territory and con-
fer with the people on the calling of a pastor and the
location of a house of worship. This conference was
held at the house of James McFarlane on the Big
Spring in 1737. The committee reported to Presbytery
in November 1737, and notwithstanding the urgency of
the congregation and the imjiatience of Mr. Craighead,
action was deferred until the next year. On Aug. 31,
1738, Presbytery appointed Mr. Alexander Craighead to
install Mr. Thomas Craighead the second Friday in
I • i; 1 "S 1 ? Y TVAi TAN VU VRCH . 1 1
Octohcr 5111(1 tlial lie "send ;iii c'dic't to be piiMishcd
timc'ously iK't'orc." JNIr. Ch'aii;lieud's j)astorate was a
short one as lie died the fbllowini;' year. At this time lie
was well advanced in life, but his mental powers con-
tinued in their full vigor. "He still preached with
great power and impressiveness. Under his disij )urses
the peo])le were at times deeply and ])owerfully moved
and often when dismissed were unwilling to leave.
On one of these occasions near the close of April
17o9, at a communion season in the Eig Spring Church,
wdien having ])reache(l until quite exhausted, he waved
his hand being unable to pronounce the benediction
and exclaimed : 'Farewell ! Farewell' and sank down
and expired in the pulpit." Tradition says that his re-
mains were buried beneath the present church edifice,
but this is very doubtful as this church was not l)uilt
until fifty years after his death. It is more probable
that lie Avas buried beneath the church he built and in
which he preached, as was the custom at that time.
12 THE BIG SPRING
PASTORATE OF REV. JOHN BLAIR, D. D.
After the demise of Rev. Thomas Craio'head the Bi2:
Spring congregation was without a regularly installed
pastor until 1742. They had been supplied however
during this time by Mr. James Lyon of Ireland, who
was then under the care of the Presbyter)^ of New
Castle, and by others sent out by Presbytery of Done-
gal. On the 27th of December, 1742, Rev. John Blair
was installed pastor of the Big Spring Churc^li in con-
nection with the Middle Spring and Rocky Spring con-
gregations. The records kept dui'ing his ministry are
the earliest positive evidence we have of the three
churches being under one pastor. Although it is very
probable that Rev.- Thomas Craighead preached in those
churches at the same time he ministered to the people at
Big S])ring. Rev. S. S. Wylie, in his history of the
Middle Spring Church, seems quite positive of the fact,
and cites very plausible evidence to sustain his position.
If the people of Big Spring were unable to support a
pastor alone in 1742, and later, it is not very probable
that they could do so in 1738.
We learn from the sessional records of the Middle
Spring Church (1742) that "the minister and elders of
Big Spring, Middle Spring, and Rocky Spring, met at
Middle Spring in order to settle the division of the
ministers' labors among the three congregations." They
agreed upon the following arrangemenr, "that the
ministers' labors be equally divided in a third part to
each place, as being most for the glory of God and good
of his people." It was also, "upon motion of the
elders of Big Spring, left to them, the people, and Mr.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCII. 1 3
Blair, to converse ainong theiiiselves in respect to the
snl)scri])tions of the Big Spring Congregation." Mr.
Blair during his ministry here resided at Middle Spring
on a farm of two hundred and twelve acres the warrant
of which bears date ()ct()l)er r)tli, 1743. It is said that
"he and his wife, with their hired servants, lived in a
style quite above tlieir ])lain country parishioners. The
people were extremely kind to jNIr. J^lair and his young
wife, so that tiiey often had a superabundance of the
good things of tliis life." Just how long Mr. Blair con-
tinued in this field of labor is uncertain. Webster in
his history, and Sprague in his annals of the American
Pulpit, who, quotes from Webster, both give the date of
his leaving the "Three Springs" as December 28, 1748.
The last record in the session book kept during his
ministry at Middle Spring is dated February 8th, 1749.
All agree that JMr. Blair was driven from his field of
labor by the incursions of the Indians. There were no
Indian troubles in 1749, l)ut after the defeat of Ih-ad-
dock July 9, 1755, and the retreat of Dunbar, this
valley was sw^pt by fire, sword, scalping knife, and the
tomahawk of the cruel savage. Hundreds of people
left the valley foi- the interior counties and others took
refuge in the larger towns and forts of the valley. It is
not imj^robable that Mr. Blair was among those who left
the valley for safety, and we are inclined to accept the
opinion of those who give his departure as being 1755,
or even later. Another evidence of his presence here at
a late date is the following receij^t in the hands of Rev.
S. S. Wylie. "Septend)er 11th, 1757, received from John
Johnson, 2 £ and 2 d. which appears to me to be in full
of stepens dueRev. John ]>lair "by me, David Megaw."
14 THE BIG SPRING
PASTORATE OF REV. GEO. DUFFIELD, D. D.
Probably owing to the distracted condition of the
country resuUing from the Indian troubles a successor to
Rev. John Blair was not called until 1759. In that
year the congregations of Carlisle and Big Spring united
in a call to the Rev. George Duffield, I). D., but he was
not installed until the third AVednesday of September,
1759. According to the terms of his call, one third of
his time was to be given to Big Spring and two thirds to
Carlisle. In 1761, an effort was made by the Big
Spring congregation to obtain the one half of Mr. Duf-
field's labors. To this, the congregation of Carlisle
objected and gave notice l)y commissioners that if Pres-
bytery would not allow them the two thirds of his time
they w^ould at the next meeting make application for all
his time. At the next meeting of Presbytery after con-
sidering the claims of each party it was decided in view
of Mr. Duffield not being physically able to endure the
fatigue of giving one-half his time to Big Spring, that
he should give one third of his time to Big Spring and
tw^o thirds to Carlisle as agreed upon when the call was
made out, and that the salary should be in the same
proportion. This arrangement continued until 1769
when Mr. Duffield's relation to Big Spring was dissolved
on account of the salary promised, having been allowed
to fall in arrears.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 15
pastoratp: of rev. wili.iam linn, 1). J).
The siuressor of Rev. Dr. Duificld ;is pastor oF the
Big Spring congregation wa« the Rev. William J /inn.
He received a call from this congregation April 9, 1777,
and Avas installed October 8, 1777. Tlie congregation
at this time seems to have increased sufficiently to justify
them in securing the services of a pastor for themselves
alone. Mr. Linn remained as pastor of the congrega-
tion until 1784 when he resigned to become Principal of
Washington Academy, in Somerset County, Md. The
relations of ]\Ir. Linn and the Big Spring congregation
seem to have 1)een very }>leasant. In letters in my poss-
ession Avritten by him to his friend John Heap then liv-
ing in Baltimore he expresses much affection for his late
parishioners the congregation of Big Spring. In one of
these letters written from Washington Academy June
28, 1785, he gives the imjiression that the congregation
of Big Spring recalled him to become their pastor. We
quote from it as follows "The invitation from Big
Spring is singular and unexpected, and lays me under
additional ol)ligations to that people. I would fain
enough, if it was prudent and consistent with duty, re-
turn to my old walks and old field. I have not refused
the invitation from Big S])ring, nor have I greatly en-
couraged it. The same line I have persued as to }n'os-
pects held out from Elizabethtown. I am really un-
determined and know not what to do. Big Spring is
most eliii;ible l)ecaus(^ most obscure and retired." We
regret very nuich that a very careful search has failed
to reveal a record of the ministerial acts of Dr. Linn or
either of his predecessors.
16 THE BIG SPRING
THE PASTORATE OF REV. SAMUEL WILSON,
After the resignation of Rev. William Linn there was
a vacancy of three years in the Big Spring Church.
Just why the pulpit was vacant for so long a time we
are unable to state, but we know that efforts were made
to secure a pastor. On the 21st of March, 178(), a call
was extended to the Rev. Samuel Wilson. The call was
accepted and Mr. Wilson was installed June 20, 1787.
His pastorate was one of activity and prosperity for the
congregation. The different de|)artments of church
work were well organized and good results followed.
Many accessions were made to the church, anew church
building was erected, and the Borough of Newville laid
out on the church lands. Mr. Wilson was pains-taking
and accurate in keeping a record of his church work,
and fortunately the records have been preserved although
hidden in a garret for a century, and just brought to
light. These records we are glad to give as they are
valuable not only to the church but to the community.
Mr. Wilson after a faithful ministry of almost thirteen
years closed his life as pastor of the congregation. Mar.
4th, 1799.
CALL EXTENDED TO KEV. SAMUEL WILSON,
"We, the subscribers of this paper, members of the
Presbyterian Congregation of Big Spring, taking into
consideration that we have been for a considerable time
without a gospel minister, by the removal of the Rev.
Mr. William Linn, our late worthy pastor, and being
satisfied with the piety, learning, character and minister-
riUOJSli YTEKl AN ClHJJtM I .
10
ial qualifications of Mr. Sanuiel AVilson, preaclicr of
the gosj)el, of whom we have had trial hy his })reaeliinii;
among us, do here])y invite, call and entreat you, the
said Samut'l Wilson, to hee<mie oiii* minister, and to take
charge and oversight of our souls in the Lord. We
promise you all due ohedience in the Lord, and that we
will attend the divine ordinances, administered by you,
and submit to your discipline according to the rules of
our Society, and w^e entreat the Reverend Presbytery of
Donegal, to tJike the said Mr. Samuel Wilson on trial for
the holy ministry, and on his being found qualified, to
ordain him as a minister. In witness wdiereof we have
subscribed this paper at Big Spring, this twenty-first
day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand,
seven hundred and eighty-six."
John McKeehan.
Sanuiel JNTcCormick.
Hugh Laughlin.
David Ralston.
Robert Patterson.
John Bell.
S. Cunningham.
James Graham.
Hugh Patton.
Margaret McKcan.
Jrio. Ewing.
Solomon Lightcap.
AVilliam Giffen.
R(jl)ert Bovard.
William Hodge.
Charles Leiper.
Wni. McFarlane.
John Reid.
John Hodge, Sr.
William Duncan.
James Irwine.
John Brown.
John O'Neal.
William Douglass.
Alexander Officer.
James Officer.
Thomas Espey.
James Gillespie.
Stnnuel Hawthorn.
James Robinston.
Ah'xander Leckey.
John McFarland.
Richard Woods.
James Johnson.
20
THE BIG SPUING
Robert Bell.
Alex. Laughlin.
Sam'l. Finley.
Samuel Blair.
Thomas Jacob.
Thomas Buchanan.
Joseph McKibben.
John Allison.
John Bell.
Jos. Pollock.
Jas. Laughlin.
Robert Hutchison.
Atchison Laughlin.
John Mitchell.
Samuel Mathers.
William Wilson.
Francis Donald.
James McQuon.
James Wilson.
George Little.
John Brown.
Jarmon Jacobs.
John Davidson.
Alexander Thompson.
Robert Shannon.
Joseph Parks.
William McCracken.
Samuel Lindsay.
Matthew Wilson.
William Lindsay.
John Whiten, Jr.
EUzabeth McCullough.
Thomas Grier.
Ann Browster.
John Lusk.
David Lusk.
William Lusk.
Alexander McBride, Jr.
William Milligan.
Agnes Irwin e.
William Hunter.
Wilham Walker.
Robert Walker.
Robert Patterson.
James Turner.
Adam Bratton.
Joseph Walker.
William Hunter.
James Huston.
Catherine Brown.
Margaret McClure.
James Armstrong.
Jared Graham.
Margaret McFarland.
SUBSCRIBERS TO THE SALARY OF REV. SAMUEL WILSON.
"Big Spring, Cumberland Co. Pa., March 21, 1786.
We, the subscribers of this paper and members of
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 21
the Presbyterijui C'Ongregiition of J^ig Spring, do lu'ie-
by bind jind ol)lige ourselves to pay annually to Mr.
Bamuel Wilson, preacher of the gospel, on his being or-
dained to be our niinister, and while he shall diseharge
the duties of the said office, the sum of one hundred
and fifty pounds, Pennsylvania Currency in specie.
AVe will also allow him the use of the house and glebe
])Ossesse(l by our former minister, with sufficient security
for the payment of the above sum during his incum-
bency."
d.
Alexander Laughlin,
John Davidson,
Robert Shannon,
David Williamson,
Thomas Buchanan,
Alexander Thompson,
James Jack,
William Denning,
Andrew Bell,
John Allison,
Robert Patterson,
David Ralston,
John McKeehan,
Hugh Laughlin,
John BelC
Jeremiah McKibben,
Jame« Graham,
Joseph Parks,
Charles Luper,
George McKeehan, 1 5
Hugh Patton, 1 10
t.
s.
10
If)
5
10
5
10
5
10
15
10
10
5
10
10
15
22 THE BIG SPRING
£. S. d.
Margaret McKean, 10
William Giffin, 15
William Hodge, 1 5
Alexander McKeeliaii, 1
William McCracken, 1 10
William McFarlane, . 1 10
Samuel McCormick, 1 5
William Laughlin, 1 15
Thomas Jacob, 1
Andrew Walker, 15
Rannuel Blair, 1 o
Samuel Findley, 1 10
S. Cunningham, 1
Jno. Ewing, 1
Robert Bovard, 10
Hannah Bovard, 10
Solomon Lightcap, 1 5
Jas. Pollock, 1
Jas. Laughlin, 1 10
Atchison Laughlin, 1
Robert Hutchison, 1
John Mitchell^ 7 6
Samuel Mathers, 1 5
Jarmon Jacobs, 1
John Reed, 15
John Hodge, Sr, 5
AVilliam Duncan, 8 6
James Irvine, 3
John Brown, 2
MEMBERS RECEIVED INTO THE BIG SPRING PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH BY THE REV. SAMUEL WILSON.
PRESBYTEKIAN CHURCH.
23
This list is not complete as it does not begin until four
years after he was installed pastor of the church.
JUNE 1791.
Samuel Anderson and William McNicholas admitted
from Ireland.
Isaac Shannon,
. Jean iShannon,
Margaret McFarlane.
Jennie iVdams.
John Connelly.
Thomas Glenn.
Martha Ewing.
Samuel Fenton.
John Parks.
Eleanor Reid.
John Boyd.
Jean Ewing.
Ann Fenton.
Joseph Gourd.
Isabel Anderson.
Robert Officer.
Margaret Gourd.
F. Work.
Robert Sterrit.
Mrs. Sterrit, his wife.
A. Elliott.
James Fenton.
Gabriel McKimins.
Alexander Glenn.
Jean Glenn.
John Laughlin.
Margaret Carson.
Ann Espey.
Ruth Hamilton.
SEP. 39, 1791.
Mary Morrison.
Katherine Jacob.
William Porterfield.
Mary Walker.
Robert INIorrison.
John Reid.
John Adams.
HAY 23, 1792.
Mary Laughlin.
David Officer.
John Anderson.
Mary Mathers.
OCT. 18, 1792.
Jennie Hannon.
Hugh Bryson.
Daughter of John Purdy
Hannah Carson.
Mary Laughlin.
MAY 29, 1793.
John Carson, Jr.
24
THE BIG SPRING
Rosaniia McFarlane.
Peggy Johnson.
John Patton.
Hezekiah Patton.
OCT. 19, 1793-
Sidney Forhner.
Betsy McKeehan.
Martha Gillespie.
Daughter of W. Ewing.
Katherine Forhner.
Jennie Johnson.
Alexander Work.
Kobert Gillespie.
George Gillespie.
Thomas Jacob.
Elizabeth Jacob.
M. Thompson.
Mary Johnson.
Eliz. Sterrit.
Jane McCormick.
Mary Wilson.
James Patton.
Saml. Emit.
Robert Johnson.
John Shannon.
Matthew Laughlin.
Phebe Laughlin.
Priscilla Forhner.
Mary Forhner.
Jean Plain.
Samuel Moyer and wife.
Elizabeth Martin.
Betsy McFarlane.
Nathaniel Gillespie.
Posanna Work.
Jared Martin, Jr.
MAY 1794-
Mary Shannon.
Margaret Shannon.
Joseph Shannon.
Jane McKinsey.
Mary Shannon.
Samuel Bryson.
Sarah McEntire.
Thomas McCormick.
James Lindsey and wife.
Joseph McCormick.
McGoffine.
Major Finley.
Polly Finley.
SEPT. 30, 1794-
James Moor.
Martha Adams.
Rob. Kilgore and wife.
James McGoffine.
MAY 20, 1795.
Thomas Morton and wife, Joseph Morton and wife,
PRE8BYTEKIAN CHURCH.
25
j\Hss RjiniHey, James Purdy.
OCT. 20, 1795.
Mary Pollock, Kiitli Cook, Nancy Hughs, \>i/c of
Alex. Glenn.
JUNE 8, 1796.
flolin DavidHon.
Mary Green.
Adam Wilson.
Andrew Taylor.
Hugh Thompson.
Samuel Thompson.
Margaret McKeehan.
Elizabeth Espy.
Betsy Work.
Susanna Work.
Nancy Brown.
Alexander Thompson.
Leary McCormick.
Peggy Thompson.
David Williamson.
Elizabeth Johnson.
Mrs. Isaiah Graham,
James Montgomery.
Wm. Connely and wife.
John Green.
Sally Green.
Mary Rjunsey.
Jolin Peeples and wife.
Nancv Douc;las.
Elizabeth Davidson.
Elizabeth Geddes.
Dr. John Geddes.
Nancy Roberts.
Sam. Lightcap and wife.
Obadiah Patterson and wife.
OCT. 1796.
Tamar Williamson.
Nancy Shannon.
Daniel McGuire.
Theo. McClure.
Ginny Bell.
Susanna Hutchison.
Martha Hutchison.
JUNE 14, 1797.
Samuel McElheny.
OCT. 25, 1797.
Jenny Eliot.
AUG. 29, 1798.
Mrs. Bryson.
Elizaljeth Espey.
Robt. Peeples and wife.
Isaiah Graham.
26 THE BIG SPRING
A PETITION FOR THE ELECTION OF AN ELDER.
"To the Rev. Samuel Wilson and the session of the
Big Spring Congregation.
The humble petition of the subscribers shovveth that
in consequence of the death of Mr. John Lusk, elder of
this quarter, we were, and still continue to l^e in want of
such a guardian to preside over us as a ruling elder.
We therefore petition your honors to grant us your con-
sent to nominate and appoint one of our number for our
elder. And in consequence of our return of an elder
your wisdoms will be j^leased to confirm our choice, if
no legal objections appear to hinder. And your pe-
titioners as in duty will ever pray &o.
James Ramsey. William Browster.
Nathan Ramsey. John Huston.
Thomas Woods. Thomas Norton.
Andrew Huston. Archibald McCullough.
Samuel Woods. Joseph Turner.
William Woods, Jr. John Turner.
Alexander McBride, Jr. William Roan.
AVilliam Gladen. Nathaniel Eckels.
Andrew Browster. William Lusk."
"To The Rev. Mr. Wilson :— Reverend Sir,
I enclose you the petition of the Southern part of the
Big Spring Congregation, with a desire that they should
be heard, and if so it will be convenient for the quarter
to meet at the house of Mr. James Ramsey to have the
election, and the sooner the better with conveniency.
This from your sincere friend, Alexander McBride, Jr.
Dec. 10, 1789."
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. li
PKOCEEDINGS OF A IMKKTINCi OF SESSION.
"The session of the ]>ig Sprinii; Congregation serious-
ly affected on the one hand with the deehning state of
religion, the decay of real piety, and on the other with
the prevalence of vice and profanity, view it as a matter
truly distressing the many professors of Christ's holy re-
ligion who attend upon the distinguishing ordinances of
his church manifest such a dis})Osition to encourage
balls and otJier criminal amusements. Also that they
allow themselves in drunkenness, in the proftination of
God's name, in various species of gambling, a neglect of
family worshi}), as well as attending upon the jtublic
means of grace, and notwithstanding live in the belief
that they have a continued right to the sealing
ordinances of the church and are offended if these are
refused to them. Session, very sensible that there' is a
fault in such conduct, and not desirous to clear them-
selves, afraid that a charge of unfaithfulness to God and
the souls of men should justly fall on them lest tliey
])artake in the sins of others, unanimously agree to en-
deavor a reformation in these things. They know well
that wherever the ffiult may lie it is not in the discipline
of the cluirch whicli makes all the errors enumerated
censurable, but rather in a lack of discipline among
ourselves. In order to a reform, tliey are assured that
some change must take place witli respect to the mode
of admission. They have no doubt that the evil in
many cases may lie traced to a delicacy in mendjers
with persons applying on the Sabbath for the baptism of
children. If re[)orts have been in circulation unfavor-
able to Christian character, there is then little time or
28 THE BIG SPRING
opportunity to inquire into them, and it has been feared
that if persons were then kept back, offense would be
taken, and no doubt reports are sometimes groundless.
To prevent then the growing evil and the prostitution of
holy ordinances, the members of session respectively
engage that they will use every lawful means which be-
longs to their office in order to a knowledge of those
who are members of their own district, that they will
not recommend any one chargeable with any of the
glaring crimes above taken notice of. It is unanimously
agreed in session that in the future that any persons
who have in view to attend upon the ordinances of
bajotism some time before, signify their intention to the
member of session in the district in which he lives,
or if there be no member of session in the district, the
one most convenient, so that the member previous to his
recommending him may have an opportunity of con-
versing with him before he recommends him, and that
the blessing of God may succeed this attemj^t for the re-
formation of this society, upon whose account it is essay-
ed, is the earnest prayer of the respective meml)ers."
MEMBERS AND ADHERENTS OF THE BIG SPRING
CHURCH, 1789. 1
About 1789 Rev. Sanuiel Wilson made lists of mem-
bers and adherents of the church dividing them into
districts, and over each district, an elder was placed.
The lists give the ages of the persons, and states
whether they were in communion, not in communion,
and whether they were baptized. The communicant
memljers of the church are shown in these lists bv a
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 29
star following a name. There is no date at-
tached to the lists, but eom})arin_i>- the ages given of
persons whose ages we positively know, we feel (juite
safe in saying, the lists were made in 1789. Dating
back from that time, the number of years given to each
person, will give al)()ut the year in which they were
born.
One of the duties of the elder, was, to visit the people
and catechise tliem. Questions having been previously
])repare(l by the pastor and given to the members to com-
mit to memory, or, at least to obtain a correct under-
standing of them. These visitations of the elder were
made annually.
JOHN Carson's district. questions and members.
1. Who was the penman of the Book of Genesis?
When is it generally thought to have been written, and
wliat length of time does that history contain ?
2. What are the principal doctrines and events
recorded in this book ?
o. What do you understtmd by creation, and is it a
woi'k peculiar to God only ?
4. What seems to be the order of creation, and
wliat was the work of each day ?
5. What are those called who do not acknowledge
divine revelation ? AVhat objections do they offer
against ]\Ioses and his writings, and how are their argu-
ments confuted ?
(). What rational arguments can be offered in favor
of Moses, that his mission was from God and that his
writings were of divine inspiration ?
7. What scripture prophesies have been fulfilled
and what are at present fulfilling or yet to be fulfilled ?
30
THE BIG SPRING
These with the ninth chapter
Faith to be examined upon.
of the Confession of
Eobert Mickie 68,
Agnes Mickie 64,
David Mickie 22,
Elenor Mickie 20,
Hannah Mickie 18,
Phillis, a negro.
Thomas E. Fullerton 21,
Isabel Fullerton 18,
John Ackman 30,
Mary Ackman 28,
Elenor Laughlin 70,
Matthew Laughlin 30,
Paul Laughlin 27,
Doctor I^aughlin 24,
Peggy McCune 17,
Samuel McCune 16,
John McCune 12,
William M. Flin 7,
Isabel IMcCune 50,
Robert McCune 17,
Pebecca Parks 13,
William Parks 11,
David Parks 9,
Priscilla Carson 35,
Elisha Carson 20,
John Carson 18,
Hannah Carson 16,
Joseph McGuffine 32,
Jane McGuffine 27,
William McGuffine 9,
Mary McGuffine 7,
Robert McGuffine 4,
William Leman
Samuel Leman 7,
Martha Leman 29,
William Leman 5,
James Johnston 23,
Margaret Johnston 22,
Ro])ert Johnston 20,
William Auld 30,
Christiana Auld 25,
Mary Auld 7,
Martha Ewing 70,
Samuel Findlay 35,
James Denny 21,
William McCracken 35,
Elizabeth McCracken
Betsy Peoples 16,
Robert Peoj^les 14,
Martha McCracken 9,
Jenny McCracken 7,
Jonathan, a Negro,
Prudence Farhner 19,
Robert INIickie 45,
Isamiah jMickie 35,
Andrew Mickie 12,
Mary Mickie 10,
Thomas Mickie 7,
John Smith 20,
Jonathan Kilgore 27,
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 31
Ruth Kilgore 22, John Caklwell 20, ='=
John Caklwell a mem- Elizabeth Caldwell
ber of session. Samuel Caldwell 14,
Anne Caldwell 45, ''' Ann Caldwell 12,
James Caldwell
Families, ^ 24.
Persons in full Communion, 14^
WILLIAM Lindsay's district, questions and members.
1. What are the different kinds of faith taken no-
tice of in the scripture ?
2. A¥hat are the marks by which true faith is dis-
tinguished from all other kinds ?
3. Whither does saving faith lie in assent or con-
sent ?
4. What reason would you assign wdiy no actions
are acceptable to God, but such as flow from faith ?
5. Will it then follow, that wicked and unregenerace
persons, may as well transgress the law of God, as en-
deiivor the observance of it ?
6. Must we turn from sin in order to come to Christ
by faith ?
7. Seeing faith is the act of the believing soul, in
wdiat sense then, is it said to be the gift of God ?
These, with the eighth chapter of the Confession of
Faith, to be examined upon at John Woods' AVednes-
day, Dec. 30th.
William Hunter
60, =^
David Shannon
55,
Jane Hunter
60, *
Sarah Shannon
47,
John Mclntire
Lenard Sliannon
21,
Bally Mclntire
18,
Samuel Sliannon
19,
Joseph Hunter
14,
Patty Cowley
8,
32
THE BIG SPRING
William Warrington 9,
William Walker 50, *
Jane Walker 50, '"''
Elizabeth Walker 25,
James Walker 19,
William Walker 18,
Rachel Walker 16,
Jane Walker 15,
Samuel Walker 10,
Joseph Walker 45, '''
Kachel Walker 40, *
Mary Walker 18,
Elizabeth Walker 16,
Jane Walker 12,
Isabel Walker 9,
Hannah Walker 7,
James Walker 6,
Andrew Walker 40,
Mary Walker 38, *
James Walker 18, ='=
Joseph Walker 11,
Jane Walker 9,
Betsy Walker 7,
Robert Walker 56, ='=
Margaret Walker 50, ='=
Mary Walker 19,
John Walker 17,
Elizabeth Walker 14,
Margaret Walker 8,
Robert Walker 6,
Gabriel Glen 55, *
Jane Glen 40, *
Rachel Mills 24, *
Gabriel Glen 50,
William Glen . 9,
Jenny Glen 7,
Jared Graham 24,
Jenny Graham 20,
John Brown 55, '""
Martha Brown 50, '^
Mary Brown 20, *
John Brown 18,
William Brown 15,
Agnes Brown 16,
James Brown 11,
James McGovern 35,
Ann McGovern 20,
Mary JNIcGovern 8,
Francis Donnel
George Lightel
Sarah Lightel
William Hunter 50, *
Jane Hunter 50, '*'
James Hunter 17,
Agnes Hunter 17,
William Hunter 15,
Lcithie Hunter 13,
Jane Hunter 11,
Lathie Wilson
John McTeer 23, =^=
Agnes McTeer 20, =^
Adam Brattan 35,
Martha Brattan 9,
John Gilmore
TRESBYTERIAN CHUKCH.
3;
AVilliam Wilson
(50, =^
David Ewing
24, =
Mary Wilson
59, ='
' Elizabeth Ewing
22,
Snnuiel Wilson
25,
James Graham
60,
Mary AViLson
20,
Susannah Graham
45,
Margaret Sayers
17,.
Thomas Graham
21,
James Wilson
27,
Arthur Graham
19,
Margaret Wilson
2!2 ■'
' Isaiah Graham
18,
AVilfiam Giffin
35, "
James Graham
14,
Elenor Giflin
30, ■'
'■ Elizabeth Moor
18,
Betsy Giffin
11,
Margaret ]\Ioor
12,
Sally Giffin
5,
Robert Boyd
16,
Joseph Pollock
30,
INIargaret ^IcFarlane
55, =
INIary Pollock
28,
Robert ]\IcFarlane
Thomas Jacob
30,
Ann McFarlane
19,
Illlizabeth Jacob
27,
^lary McFarlane
16,
Elenor Jacob
12,
Elizabeth McFarlane 13,
Mary Jacob
9,
Hannah McFarlane
10,
William Patton
25,
William Brisby
40, =
IMary Patton
25,
Sarah Brisby
35, =^
William Ferguson
Nancy Brisby
13,
James ]Marslil)ank
25,
Betsy Brisby
12.
William Patton
80, '^
■ William Brisby
10
Janet Patton
78, ''
John Brisby
8,
John Patton
30,
Elizabeth Wilson
70, ==
William Patton
27,
^latthew Wilson
28,
^Margaret Patton
25,
Prudence Pen well
16,
William Deviiijiort
23,
Joseph Edmonston
25,
Robert Patton
12,
Agnes Edmonston
22,
Samuel Bayle
30,
Adam Conelly
17,
IMartha P>ayle
25,
James McFarlane
27,
Horace ])rattan
17,
i:iizabeth McFarlane
23,
Anne Brattan
15,
Ceasar and Dick,
'64:
THE BIG
SPRING
James Johnson
30, ''
Joseph Woods
14,
Martha Johnson
28, *
Adam Hays
86,
Peggy Johnson
10,
Joseph Hays
23,
Jenny Johnson
6,
Anne Hays
18,
Samuel Lindsy
60, =^-
John Green
16,
Nancy Lindsy
55,
Nancy Allen
13,
Samuel Lindsy
Patrick Gibson
*
Robert Lindsy
Martha Gibson
^
Jenny Lindsy
20,
James Connelly
22
Nancy Lindsy
16,
William Connelly
20,
William Lindsy
^7,
Elizabeth Connelly
18,
Jane Lindsy
Charity Connelly
17,
Robert Huston
50,
Joseph Means
26, =^=
Martha Huston
50, *
Nancy Means
24, ='••
Nancy Huston
20,
John McFarlane
60,
Peggy Huston
18,
Elizabeth McFarlane
50,
John Espy
20, =^=
Sarah McFarlane
20,
William Clark
24, ===
James McFarlane
16,
John Love
27,
Robert McFarlane
14,
Margaret Love
25,
Andrew McFarlane
14,
James Love
25,
Thomas Buclianan
30,
Thomas Love
22,
Agnes Buchanan
28,
William Clark
67, ■■'•
Robert Buchanan
8,
Agnes Clark
•s-
William Buchannan
6,
John Clark
13,
Jenny McClellan
14,
JoIki Woods
80, ===
William jNIcFarlane
56,
Jane Woods
80, =^=
Eliza] )eth McFarlane
50,
Richard Woods
27,
David Murray
22,
Isabel Woods
35,
Anne McClellan
16,
.Robert Woods
25,
James Hall
9,
Polly Woods
18,
Families,
44
:,
The big spring, northeast of the
CHURCH, at the old LAUGHLIN MILL
PKESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Wt
JOHN BELL S DISTRICT.
QUESTIONS AND MEMBERS.
1. What do you iiiulerstiUKl by creation? Is it a
work ])eciiliar to God ?
2. How will you prove from scripture and reason,
in opposition to Aristotle and others, that the world is
not eternal ?
3. How will you prove both from scripture and
reason, that the world neither came by chance, nor yet
made itself?
4. How will you defend the Mosaic account, which
asserts, that the world has not existed 6000 years, against
ancient history, which tells us of Egyptian records for
more than thirteen thousand years, and the Bal)ylo-
nians, speak of things done four hundred and seventy
thousand years before, and the Chinese tell of things,
still longer done.
The third chapter of the Confession of Faith also to
be examined upon.
Elleanor Gillespie
Geo. Gillespie (absent)25,
James Gorly
Sal, a negro,
James Gillespie
Jane Gillespie
William (lillesj)ie
Mat. ]\I. Gillespie
John Tall)art
Rebecca Armstrong
James Johnston
James Johnston
Alexander Johnston
67,
Mary Johnston
14,
)25,
John Johnston,
10,
7,
Jane Johnston
8,
James Johnston
5,
38,
Robert Dunbar
30,
Samuel Wilson
26,
7,
Samuel Hawthorn
32,
5,
Margaret Hawthorn
28,
10,
James Hawthorn
9,
50 ='=
George Kelsy
60,
78, ^'
Elizabeth Kelsy
28,
38, =^=
Jane Kelsy
20,
16,
George Kelsy
22,
THE BIG SPRING
Elizabeth Bell
52, *
Jennet McClure
25,
Katharine Brown
50, *
Hannah Anderson
23,
Kobert Bell
24, *
Margaret ]\IcClure
19,
Jane Bell
22,
Andrew McClure
21,
William Bell
24,
James Laird
34, *
Joseph Bell
17,
Jane Laird
94 *
George Bell
15,
Joseph Halbert
20,
John Bell
13,
John O'Neil
40, *
Thomas Bell
12,
Thomas Espey
50, *
Katharine Bell
10,
Ann Espey
42, ■■^■
Alexander Officer
60, =^=
JNIargaret Espey
20, =^=
Mary Officer
67, ■■'
William Espey
18, --^^
James Officer
36, ^=
Rachel Espey
16,
Mary Qfficer
30, =•=
Ann Espey
13,
Jane Gordon
19,
Robert Espey
11,
Katharine Gray
20,
Elizabeth Espey
9,
Samnel Miller
17,
James Espey
7,
William Douglas
47, ^•
Robert McClure
55, *
Mary Douglas
41, ='=
Margaret McClure
20,
Margaret Douglas
16,
Nancy McClure
16,
Agnes Douglas
14,
Robert McClure
14,
John Douglas
12,
Mary McClure
12,
Mary Douglas
10,
Betsy McClure
7,
William Douglas
7,
Alexander Leckey
26, =^
Margaret McClure
55,
Elizabeth Leckey
29, =^=
Families,
16.
In full communion,
27.
Total number of persons.
79.
ROBERT PATTERSON S DISTRICT.
This was called the Yellow Breeches district, and
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 89
extended south from the turnpike, to the Yellow
Breeches Creek, east, to the Cumberland Furnace, on
the Yellow Breeches, and west to Jacksonville.
QUESTIONS AND MEMBERS.
1. What description would you give of Heaven?
2. Upon what is the believers' title to Heaven
founded ?
3. Has (xod |)romiscd Heaven to believers abso-
lutely, or does he require conditions on their part ?
4. Can believers under the new covenant dispensa-
tion, who have once a right to Heaven, by their niis-
conduct, lose it and forfeit their right ?
5. Is the doctrine of the saints perseverance founded
on scripture ? If so, how will you prove it, and defend
the doctrine arainst those who denv it ?
6. How will you make it appear from scripture and
experience, that there is no such thing as sinless perfec-
tion in this life ?
7. Seeing Heaven is an holy place, and nothing
unclean can enter into it at any time, then are believers
made completely holy and fitted for Heaven?
These, with the sixth chapter of the Confession of
Faith to be examined upon.
Thomas Glen
(JO, '■■
Deborah Patterson
18,
Elizal)eth Glen
54, =^=
Daniel Kelly
30,
Thomas Glen
21,
Elizabeth Kelly
3G,
Alexander Glen
19,
Christian Kelly
50,
John (lien
17,
William Kelly
1(>,
Barah Patterson
(30, *
Ann Kelly
14,
Obediah Patterson
25,
Richard Kelly
12,
Zacheus Patterson
20,
James Houston
70,
40 THE BIG
SPRING
John Huston
24,
Mary Woods,
20,
Andrew Huston
22,
Mat, a negro.
Sarah Huston
26, ='=
William Woods
25, *
Jane Huston
18,
Jane Woods
22, *
Thomas Norton
40,
Nathan Woods
8,
Sarah Norton
36,
Samuel Goodling
15,
Betsy Norton
9,
John Mitchel
10,
Thomas Norton
7,
Janet Ramsey
60, '■'
Elizabeth McCulloch 56, *
Nathan Ramsey
25, =^=
James McCulloch
20,
Mary Ramsey
13, *
Robert McCulloch
12,
Agnes Ramsey
17,
Rosian Adair
8,
Elizabeth Ramsey
16,
William Wagstas
30,
Margaret Ramsey
14,
Charity Wagstas
19,
Alexander McBride
26,
Agnes Irwin
70, *
Tabitha McBride
24,
Thomas Grier
35, ===
Mary Patterson
60, =^
Jane Grier
25, *
Esther Patterson
20,
Ann Browster
60, ===
Ann Patterson
18,
William .Browster
25,
Sarah Patterson
16,
Alexander Browster
22,
Elizabeth Patterson
14,
Mary Carithers
28, ===
Thomas Patterson
12,
Charles McConel
56, ''■
Robert Johnston
30,
Isabel McConel
46, =^=
Ann Johnston
35,
Eleanor McConel
17,
Margaret Harper
28,
Martha McConel
1(3,
John Lemon
45, =^=
Mary McConel
13,
Elizabeth Lemon
35, ='=
Jenny McConel
10,
Jane Lemon
14,
John McConel
7,
Nancy Lemon
12,
William Woods
60, =•'
Polly Lemon
10,
Samuel Woods
26,
Robert Fowler
30,
Jenny Woods
24,
Elizabeth Fowler
19,
John Woods
22
John Fowler
23,
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
41
William Ewing
40, ■■'
Jane Ewing
44, ''■■
elane Ewiiii;-
35, ''■
Thomas Ewing
16,
Nancy Ewing
14,
Rebecea Ewing
14,
Robert Ewing
9,
Anna Ewing
11,
William E wing-
7,
James Ewing
7,
Alexander Ewing
5,
Thomas Adams
30, ===
Ka tlia ri ne Cra wford
12,
Agnes Adams
28, =^=
Thomas Ewing
45, ■'
Jenny Adams
14,
Mariany Ewing
40, ^
Samuel Adams
10,
John Ewing
15,
Richard Adams
7,
Rebecca Pawing
(>,
David McCurdy
m, ='=
Alexander Clark
12,
]\Irs. McCurdy
57, =^=
Elenor Reigli
60, ='=
James McCurdy,
25,
Samuel Reigh
Mary Morris
Mary Reigh
16,
David McCurdy
20,
Joseph Gourd
25,
Janet McCurdy
19,
JMargaret Gourd
24,
Nancy Lowry
18,
Nancy Homes
Adam Clelland
35, *
John ISIcCurdy
20,
Jane Clelland
45, ''
Elizabeth JNlcCurdy
24,
John Calvert
20,
Josepli Van Horn
30, *
Eleo Galbraith
9,
Annie Van Horn
25,
William Appleby
35, *
John Ewdng
50, ='=
Nancy Appleby
28, =•=
Sarah Ewing
48, =='
Eliza Appleby
14,
Jane Ewing
2'^
J. Appleby
12,
William Ewing
20,
Jane Appleby
10,
Martha Ewing
18,
John Appleby
9,
Matthew Ewing
16,
James Deeper
45, =^=
Mary Ewing
12,
Mary Deeper
40, ===
James Ewing
10,
Allen Deeper
16,
Rebecca Ewing
8,
Martha Deeper
13,
James Ewing
52, =^=
James Deeper
11,
4Z THE
BIG
SPRING
Sally Leeper
9,
William
Hunter
23,
Jack, a mulatto.
Elizabetl
I Hunter
21,
Families,
•
33,
Persons in full communion,
46 .
Total number of
persons,
148.
KOBERT LUSK S DISTRICT.
Robert Lusk, was one of five brothers, who emigrated
from Ireland at an early date, and settled in this vicin-
ity. He bought a farm in Mifflin township, known
as the "Fountain of Health Farm," which had been
w^arranted to Andrew McElwain, about 1730. Robert
Lusk married Martha McClure of Adams County.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
1. Upon what account was the feast of pentecost
observed, and what remarkable things happened at that
time ?
2. What were the different laws God gave to His
people, and what were their various uses ?
3. Why are the ten commandments called die moral
law ?
4. With what different forms hatli God clothed the
moral law ?
o. What do you understand l)y the law of nature?
6. What do you understand by the law as a cov-
enant of works ?
7. What do you understand by the law as a rule of
life ?
These, Avith the seventh chapter of the Confession of
Faith, to be examined upon.
Mary Sterret 80, * David Sterret 50, '^
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
43
Rachel Sterret
Rol)ert Sterret
Bryee I. Sterret
David Sterret
Elizabeth Sterret
John Sterret
William Sterret
Elizabeth MeMiillaii
Sandoii, a negro.
Ned, a negro.
Andrew Patterson
Mdvy Patterson
Jane Patterson
Nathan Patterson
Samuel Patterson
James Patterson
Sarali Patterson
William Stephenson
Jane Stephenson
Elizabeth Stephenson
James Stevenson
James JNIcElwain
Mary INIeElwain
John MeElwain
Kutli MeElwain
Andrew MeElwain
Elizabeth MeElwain
Elizabeth Mason
Mary MeElwain
Ilol)ert ^leElwain
Jane Melillwain
Mary MeElwain
48, =^=
Robert IMeElwain
22
24,
Elizabeth MeElwain
2o!
22,
John Paten
50, *
20,
Francis Paten
:i:
18,
William Paten
20, =^=
16,
James Paten
18,
10,
John Paten
IH,
8,
Josepli Paten
14,
Mary Paten
12,
Thomas Paten
9,
35, ''
Robert Paten
7,
:i:
Fanny Paten
7,
15,
Joseph Shannon
25,
13,
Mary Shannon
26,
11,
John MOrroAV
30, -
^>,
Hannah Morrow
')() :;:
-^•'>
8,
JNlary Morro\v
8,
40, ===
David Ramsey
110, ===
33, ===
Sarali Ramsey
13,
12,
Anne Ramsey
n,
10,
INIargaret Ramsey
i>,
37, =^=
J\Iaiy Ramsey
7,
12,
David Ramsey
5,
10,
Robert Lusk
27, ''
7,
INIartlia Lusk
21, =^=
33, =^=
Jane Lusk
4,
30, =^=
Thomas Martin
17,
Mary Martin
25,
8,
Rosa una Martin
18,
7,
John INIartin
16,
5,
Jane Martin
14,
70,
James Hamilton
:i:
44
THE BIG
SPRING
George Hamilton
■•H
Betsy Johnson
Eutli Hamilton
Robert Bell
48, *
Andrew Bell
40,
Jane Bell
49, *
Betsy Bell
13,
Walter Bell
16,
Samuel Bell
10,
William Bell
15,
Matty Bell
7,
David Bell
13,
John Bell
17,
Peggy Bell
11,
John MeClure
17,
Families,
16.
In full communion,
22.
Total number of persons,
81.
SAMUEL M COKMICK's DISTRICT.
Samuel M'Cormick, was born 1726, and died Sept.
4th, 1803. He married Eliza Bowman, who was born
1727, and died Oct. 7th, 1811, He settled in Mifflin
Township, prior to 1781. He fii-st purchased the farm,
now known as the Asper farm. This he sold, and
bought from William McFarlane, the farm below Doub-
ling Gap, on which he died, now owned by W. H.
McCrea. That he was greatly concerned for his own,
and the spiritual welfare of the people over which he
had charge, is evinced by his many letters to his pastor,
on these subjects.
LIST OF
MEMBERS.
Isabella Hall
67 ===
John Montroe
62,
Ruth Cook
14,
Mary Ann Montroe
31,
John Reed
50, *
]\Iargaret Montroe
14,
Sarah Reed
34, ===
William Montroe
9,
Elizal)eth Long
10,
Reul)en Montroe
6,
Sanuiel Lowry
9,
Sarah Denison
84,
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
45
Martha French
Tliomas JMatliers
Mary MatluT.s
Margaret Mathers
William Mathers
Jane Mather.s
]\Iary Fen ton
Samuel Fenton
Ann P'enton
James Fenton
Robert Fenton
Samuel Fenton
John Fenton
Andrew Thompson
IMary Thompson
Mary Ann Thompson
Hugh Thorn 1)80 n
Sanuiel Thompson
Hannah Tlioiupson
Andrew Thompson
James W. Thompson
James Walker
Jane Walker
George Tayloi*
Elenor Taylor
George Taylor
Naney Taylor
James Patterson
Mary Patterson
Naney Pattei'son
Thomas Patterson
Robert Patterson
45, =^=
Isaac Durbara
50, '-'
54, ■■'•
Jane Durbara
20, ='=
50, ''
Reuben Dui'bara
20,
20,
John Durbara
18,
18,
Alexander McClin-
10,
toek
40, =^=
80, ===
Sarah MeClintock
39, ===
40,
David Dougherty
19, *
80,
John Stars
19, *
13,
Elizabeth Palm
11, ■■■^■■
11,
James Bran nan
40,
1),
Mary Bran nan
19,
7,
John Brannan
16,
40, *
Thomas Brannan
12,
40, ='=
William Brannan
9,
18,
John JVIcFarlane
50, '^
10,
Mary McFarlane
50, ='=
14,
James McFarlane
26,
12,
Margaret McFarlane
24,
10,
Elizabeth McFarlane
il5.
8,
Jolm McFarlane
13,
2(3, =^=
Alexander McFarlane 11 ,
25, =^=
Ann McFarlane
10,
60,
William McFarlane
8,
55,
John Shannon
33,
24,
Agnes Sliannon
30,
20,
Mary Sliannon
12,
40, *
Ann Shannon
11,
88, ===
Andrew Shannon
9,
15,
Sarah Sliannon
7,
12,
John AYallace
32,
10,
Elizabeth Wallace
30,
46 THE BIG
SPRING
William Mophet
36, *
Nelly Gallespie
10,
Kebecca Mophet
38, ''
Grace, a negro.
Jane Mophet
12,
Nathaniel Gallespie
33,
Phoebe Mophet
10,
Martha Gallespie
32,
Thomas Barnes
70,
Millie Gallespie
10,
Grizel Barnes
55, *
Mary Gallespie
8,
Margaret Barnes
27,
Ann Galle'spie
(3,
David Barnes
20,
Thomas Pennel
16,
Robert Barnes
17,
Sarah Majoirs
45,
Elizabeth McCormick,
Elizabeth Majoirs
21,
wife of the elder
60, -''
Isaac Majoirs
11,
Joseph McCormick
23,
Nancy Majoirs
9,
Thomas McCormick
21,
Hugli Ramsey
30,
Ann McCormick
18, ■-•'■■
Margaret Ramsey
25, '■■
Jane McCormick
16,
John Mitchel
25, ■■■'■■
John Purdie
40, ===
Margaret Mitchel
Margaret Purdie
40, ''
Samuel Mitel lel
35, ^'
Thomas Purdie
18,
Mary ]\Iitchel
34, ^
James Purdie
14,
John Mitchel
14,
Rachel Purdie
12,
Ezekiel Mitchel
11,
Mary Purdie
10,
James Mitchel
7,
John Purdie
8,
Alexander Elliott
35, ''■
Robert Gallespie
45,
Agnes Elliott
35, -■'
Elizabeth Gallespie
40,
Jan net Elliott
13,
William Gallespie
19,
Mary Elliott
10,
Samuel Gallespie
14,
Catliarine Elliott
8,
Nancy Gallespie
12,
In full communion,
31
5.
Total number of persons, 12;
3.
DAVID EALSTON S DISTRICT.
David Ralston, was a son of Andrew Ralston, who
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 47
settled, 1728, on the farm now owned l)y Mrs. Parker,
opposite the Newville station. David was one of five
cliikh-en, and came into possession of his father's farm,
where he H\'ed until 1800, when he moved to West-
moreland County, and died near Greensburg, 1810.
He was twice married, first to a Miss Scott, second to
Miss Elizabeth McCHntock. Both wives died at Big
Spring. By his first wife, David Kalston had issue:
Elizabeth married Thomas Jacob; Jane married, first,
a Mr. McDonald, and secondly, a Mr. Taylor; Elenor
married a ]\Ir. Miller; James married Ruth Carson; An-
drew married Miss Kirkpatrick. By his second wife
David Ralston had issue: Agnes married a Mr. Alls-
worth; Margaret married a Mr. Moorhead; Ann mar-
ried Mr. Banks; Mary unmarried; Sarah unmarried;
David married Lacv McAllister.
LIST OF
MEMBERS.
John Brown
40,
John Turner
60,
Elizabeth Brown
38,
Mary Turner
56,
Adam Brown
18,
Joseph Turner
20,
Mary Brown
16,
Sally Turner
6,
Margaret Brown
14,
Thomas Moore
60,
Elizabeth Brown
12,
Saml. Moore
Hannah Brown
10,
John Mitchel
Josej^h Brown
8,
I^acy Mitchel
Ann Brown
<>,
Jennet Mathers
50,
William Smith
32, ■■■'
' Samuel Mathers
Sarah Smith
30, '
' Isabella Mathers
33,
Robert Smith
John Mathers
12,
John Smith
Tliomas Mathers
10,
Elizabeth Smith
Joseph Mathers
25,
Mary Smith
Eleanor Mathers
23,
48
THE BIG SPRINC4
Robert Hutchison
Mary Hutchison
Nancy Hutchison
Robert Hutchison
Mary Hutchison
Waher, a negro.
John Adams
Jenny Adams
Elizabeth Ralston,
wife of the elder
Nancy Ralston
Margaret Ralston
Amy Ralston
Mary Ralston
Sally Ralston
David Ralston
John Reed
Eleanor Reed
Sally Reed
Grant, a negro.
John Hodge
Agnes Hodge
William Laughlin
Mary Laughlin
James Lauglilin
John Laughlin
William Laughlin
Rachel, a negro.
Catherine Atchison
Atchison Laughlin
Families,
Persons in full
50, *
Rosannah Hutchison, 18,
48, ''■■
Martha Hutchison
16,
14,
Mary Laughlin
♦
12,
Margaret McKein
85, *
10,
William McKein
19,
Mary McKein
17,
27,
Elizabeth McKein
14,
20,
Mary Patton
30, ''
Elizabeth McEntin
e 28, '-■
45, ''
James Mitchel
50, *
14,
Mary Mitchel
48, *
12,
Eve Mitcliel
10,
Elizabeth Mitchel
8,
Rebecca Mitchel
13,
V,
James Mitchel
9,
5,
Mary INlitchel
7,
20,
William Duncan
26,
25,
Margaret Duncan
23,
7,
Charity Davis
James Irw'in
12,
81, =^
'■ Isa])el Irwin
60, '
'• John Irwin
61),
Mary Irwin
48,
Mary Irwin
17,
Eleanor Irwin
15,
Caleb Ardiler
30,
1),
Jane Ardiler
28,
Francis Morris
9,
Garman Jacobs
29,
•■i-
Katherine Jacobs
24,
14.
communion,
19.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
49
Persons not in communion,
Total nunil)er of jiersons,
70.
89".
HUGH LAUGHLIN S DISTRICT.
Jane Laughlin 84, *
Buhard Brines 12,
David, a negro. 25,
Alexander Laughlin 52, '''
Charity Laughlin o7, '''
Susana Laughlin 15,
Ann Laughlin 10,
John Laughlin 8,
Eve, a negro.
Jaek, "
Hall, "
Robert jMcCormiek 30,
Esther McCorniick o8,
Wm. Nisbit, (absent) 28,
Esther Nisbit 19,
JamesStewart (absent)28,
Thomas Martin
Eleanor Stewart 22,
Thomas Montgomery 20,
Rebecca McMullin 13,
John Allen 20,
Isal)ella Allen 20,
Hugh Allen 57, ='=
Jennet Allen 50,
Elizabeth Allen 18,
Alexander Allen 19,
Jenny Allen 14,
David Allen 13,
David Williamson 35,
Samuel Williamson 13,
Hugh McElhenny 30,
Margaret McElhenny 33,
Hugh Kirkpatrick 13,
Richard Nicholdson 73,
Mary Nicholdson 77,
James Nicholdson 33,
Mary Nicholdson 33,
Isaac Shannon 18,
James Steen 13,
Sal, a negro.
Pomp, "
Robert Shannon 64,
Jane Shannon 63,
Sarah Shannon 30,
John Shannon 33,
Mary Shannon 20,
Mary McGuffin 5,
Robert Morrison 56,
Elizabeth Morrison 58,
Robert INIorrison 20,
Mary Morrison 16,
William Morrison 18,
Samuel McElhenny 40,
Mary McElheiuiy 38,
Oeorge Sully 16,
Rebecca McElhenny 66,
50
THE BIG SPKTNG
Martha McCasland 47,
William Montgomery 14,
Sarah McGlanghliii
and family,
Robert Barr and fam-
John Gorrel 47,
Isabella Gorrel 50,
Isabel Moor 9,
Joseph Shannon and family
John McGuffine 30,
William Hanna 60, *
Samuel Morrow 60, '''
Jane Morrow 50, '•'
William McGuffine 20, '''
John Bell 45, =^=
Martha Bell 38, •*=
Walter McClure 16,
Jenny Bell 8,
William Bryson 60, *
Margaret Bryson 53, '""
Rebecca Bryson 26, *
Families,
JOHN
James Laughlin QS,
Mary Laughlin 30,
Robert Laughlin 24,
Hugh Laughlin 18,
William Laughlin 20,
Elizabeth Laughlin 15,
Robert M. Gopock 8,
Samuel Bryson
Hugli Bryson
Ellenor DonovA^ay
Allen Means
Alexander Wier
William Carnahan
Martha Carnahan
Jose])li Carnahan
Robert Carnahan
Judith Carnahan
Rob't Mathers and f;
John Wright
Jennet Wright
Margaret Wright
William Thompson
Ellenor Thompson
Aaron Hains
Tom, a negro.
Hannah "
Matthew Thompson
Ann Thomj^son
Mary Allison
25.
77 -l'
19,
15,
10,
24,
24,
77,
m,
25,
24,
mily,
30,
30,
18,
81,
71,
12,
30,
23,
9,
ROBINSON S DISTKICT,
Esther Robinson
Mary Robinson
Esther Robinson
John Robinson
William Thompson
Jane Thompson
Sally Chapman
50,
10,
7,
5,
25,
24,
PKESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
51
Susanna Tliouipson 5i),
Alexander Thompson 28,
Leacy Tlionipson 24,
Peo-gy Tlionipson 22,
20,
10,
50,
86,
17,
14,
20,
8,
82,
28,
23,
21,
10,
60,
25,
28,
21,
17,
Hugh Thoni])son
Sally Grier
Adam Carnahan
Agnes Carnalian
James Carnahan
Agnes Carnalian
Adam Carnahan
Elizid)et]i Carnahan
Joseph Wilson
]\Iary Wilson
Joseph Wilson
William Wilson
Ann Wilson
Ann Kennedy
Jane Jack
James Jack
Cynthia Jack
Andrew Jack
Hannah Jack
John Wilt and family
Agnes McGoffine
James McCofTine
John McGoffine
S. Work
Sal, a Negro.
Williaiu work
Families, 1(5.
60,
85,
88,
25,
Elizabeth Work
Alexander Work
James Work
Susanna Work
S. Work
John Work
Maiy Work
James Carson
Mary Carson
Janet Carson
Solomon Lightcap
Mary Lightcap
Samuel Lightcap
Solomon Lightcap
Levi Lightcap
Nancy Lightcap
Elizabeth Lightcap
William Lightcap
Godfrey Lightcap
Thomas Lightcap
John Morain
Sandi Morain
John Moiain
John Laughlin
]\Iargaret Laughlin
James Carithers
Jeremiah McKibben
]\Iary McKibben
Fan, a Negro.
28,
20,
18,
16,
14,
27,
28,
89,
81,
9,
60,
55,
25,
24,
22,
21,
20,
18,
16,
14,
65, *
76, *
30,
80,
28, *
8,
81,
29,
Total number of persons
Persons in full communion, 11.
72.
52
THE BIG SPRING
JOHN MCKEEHAN S DISTRICT,
John McKeehan, was one of four brothers, Avho set-
tled in West Pennsboro townshij), at an early date.
His brothers were, Benjamin, James and Alexander.
He died March 7, 1813, aged 75 years. His wife
Elizabeth, died June 20, 1822, aged 77 years.
LIST OF MEMBERS.
James Turner
21),
Rebecca Rijipet
10,
Mary Turner
29,
Mary Rippet
8,
James Walker(absent) 30,
Matthew Davidson
Johnson
43, ===
and famil}^
Thomas Johnson
57, =^=
George McKeelian
40,
Mary Johnson
21 ''
Mary jNIcKeehan
30,
Jean Johnson
17, ■■'■■
Mary McKeehan
6,
Margaret Johnson
13,
Jenny McKeehan
7,
Johnson
8,
Randle Blair
40,
William Miller
i21,
Charity Blair
38,
John Miller
20,
John ]]lair^
16,
James Houston
OO,
Daniel Blair
13,
Isabel Houston
25,
Jenny Blair
9,
Robert Houston
6,
Elizabeth McKeehan 45,
John Davidson
42 -
George McKeehan
18,
Leacy Davidson
38, "''
James McKeelian
16,
John Davidson
16,
John McKeelian
14,
James Davidson
14,
Samuel McKeehan
11,
Ann Davidson
9,
Alexander McKeelian 9,
Bill, a negro.
Mary Ann McKeehf
m,
David Glen
36, '■■
James Atchison
68,
Mary Glen
26, ===
Elizabeth Atchison
m,
AVilliam Ha una
11.
Jacob Atchison
^3,
John' Rippet
40,
Benjamin Atchison
20,
Elizabeth Rippet
34,
Deborah Boyd
45,
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 55
John Boyd
19,
Peggy McKeehan
14.
George Boyd
15,
John McKeehan
13,
Jaiiies Boyd
13,
Betsy McKeehan
10,
Eleanor Boyd
10,
Margaret Eager,
Benjamin McKeehan
30,
Robert Beard,
IMargaret McKeehan
27,
Elizabeth Beard
35,
Elizabeth McKeehan
25,
Margaret Beard
17,
James McKeehan
35, *
James Beard
12,
Mary McKeehan
30, *
Anne Beard
10,
Nancy McKeehan
16,
Families,
17
.
In full communion.
14
,
Total number of
" persons.
68
1,
MARRIAGES
BY REV. SAMUEL WILSON.
Appleby, William, and Agnes McCurdy, Feb. 7, 1787.
Atchison, Joseph, and Elizabeth Moor, Mar. 26, 1789.
Alexander, James, and Margaret Harper, Oct. 25,
1792.
Armstrong, James, and Nancy Lemond, Apr. 8, 1794.
Armstrong, James, and Liggat, Nov. 4, 1794.
Armstrong, Robert, and Mary McDowell, Apr. 30,
1795.
Anderson, James, and Eleanor Crow, June 27, 1797.
Barr, Robert, and Elizabeth Allen, May 27, 1788.
Bell, Roljert, and Rachel Espey, May 29, 1788.
Browster, William, and Margaret Robison, Mar. 1,
1790.
Blair, and Hunter, Oct. 23, 1792.
Blain, Robert, and Mary Craig, Feb. 17, 1795.
Bell, Joseph, and Elizabeth Sharp, Apr. 30, 1795.
56 THE BIG SPRING
Barr, John, and Sarah Gailly, (?) May 5, 1795.
Brown, Alexander, and Mary Jacob, Dec. 8, 1795.
Brown, William, and Rachel Walker, July 28, 1796.
Bell, William, and Elizabeth Stephenson, Sept. 15,
1796.
Boyd, George, and Elizabeth Brown, Mar. 2, 1797-
Brandon, Thomas, and Mary Fertig, Jan. 9, 1798.
Clark, Henry, and Mary Lowry, Oct. 25, 1788.
Crowel, and Walker, July 24, 1789.
Carson, Elisha, and Margaret Eager, Mar. 29, 1791.
Carnahan, Robert, and Agnes Wallace, (?) Oct, 10,
1791.
Cowdeu, William, and Eliza Whit clock, Apr. 29,
1793.
Crowel, Samuel, and Mary Walker; May 26, 1795.
Carnahan, James, and Katharine Drugon, (?) Jan.- 20,
1797.
Crow, George, and Margaret McElwain, Aug. 17, 1797.
Culver, Levi, and Nancy Agnew, Dec. 22, 1796.
Durbarrow, and Martin, May 13, 1793.
Duncan, William, and Nancy McKeehan, May 31,
1792.
Davidson, John, and Betsy Young, Sept. 30, 1794.
Davidson, Francis, and Elizabeth Myler, Apr. 30,
1795.
Doudas, John, and Nancv McDowell, Mar. 1, 1798.
Duncan, James, and Mary Evving, June 5, 1798.
Emmett, Samuel, and Rebecca Bryson, June 19, 1788.
Espey, John, and Margaret Huston, Nov. 10, 1789.
Elder, John, and JNIonemy, (?) Aug. 15, 1793.
FuUerton, Thomas Elder, and Isabella McCune, Mar.
27, 1788.
PRESBYTERIAN CITURCIT. 57
Fowler, John, and Eleanor INIickie, Feb. 19, 1789.
Finley, Samuel, and Polly Brown, INIay 5, 1789.
Fox, John, and Rachel Crowell, Nov. 22, 179G.
Fleming, James, and Jenny Cloyd, July 17, 1798.
Frother, Joseph, and Nancy Liggate, Nov. 20, 1798.
Graham, Francis, and Margaret Randies, May 22, 1788.
Graham, Isaiah, and Nancy Lindsay, Feb. 12, 1793.
Geddes, Dr. John, and Elizabeth Peebles, June 17,
1794.
Green, John, and Barbara Ridsbaugh, Feb. 24, 1794.
Glenn, Alexander jind Susanna McKinstre, June 11,
1795.
Geddes, James, and Margaret Douglass, Mar. 1, 1796.
Graham, Arthur, and Nancy McClure, Feb. 14, 1797.
Gillespie, David, and Rebecca Rippet, ]\Iar. 8, 1798.
Glendenning, James, and Rebecca Armstrong, June
12, 1798.
Huston, John, and Deborah Patterson, Dec. 15, 1789.
Huston, Robert, and Agnes Bell, Sept. 2, 1793.
Harper, William, and Esther Patterson, A]:>r. 1, 1794.
Hughs, Thomas, and Nancy Crawford, May 1, 1794.
Hanna, James, and Reed, June 10, 1794.
Hempliill, James, and Cynthia Jack, Sept. 3, 1795.
Hawkes, John, and Christian Espey, Aug. 1(), 179G.
Hadden, (?) Thomas, and IVFary Dridge, Mar. 14, 1797.
Holmes, George, and Sarah Armstrong, Aug. 14, 1798.
Jones, Hugli, and Anne Gamble, June 21, 1787.
Johnson, Andrew, and Elizabeth Johnson, Dec. 18,
1788.
Jones, James, and Betsy Bell, June 10, 1794.
Johnston, Alexander, and Mary Armstrong, Dec. 30,
1794.
58 THE BIG SPRING
Kennedy, John, and Martha (Ti-aham, Apr. 2"J, 1787.
Ker. William and Mary AYoods, May 12, 1789.
Kilgore, Robert, and Margaret Kelly, Jan. 20, 1791.
Kirkpatriek, James, and Margaret MeKtx^han, Apr.
7, 1791.
Kerr, Matthew, and Elizabeth Work. Jan. 1. 1793.
Kelly. James, and Sanih Lttnderdale, Jidy lo, 1794.
Liiughlin, Dr. Thomas, and Betsy Laughlin, Jan. 24,
1791.
Leeeo<.'k, William, and Margtiret Falkner, May 30,
1793.
Laughlin, Matthew, and Phebe Piper, Apr. 29, 1794.
Lightcap, William, and Mary MeElwain, Feb. 23,
179i>.
Lindsy, Robeit, and Betsy Connelly, Feb. 21. 1797.
Laughlin, Pr. Thomas, and Nancy Piper. July 18,
1797.
MoCleary, John and Elizabeth Ewing, Jidy 5. 1787-
MoRory, Samuel and Anne Speuee, Dec. 4. 1788.
McGlaughlin, Daniel, and Elizabeth Lightcap, Feb.
5, 1789.
McCurdy, David, and Appelby. Aug. 25,
1789.*
McEhvaiu, R.. and McGlaughlin, Oct. 7. 1789.
Mayes, Samuel, and Barbara Harper, Dei'. 17, 1789.
McCormick, Joseph, and Leacy Thompson, Jan. 19,
17W.
McEhvain Andrew, and Marg-aret Bell, Aug. 26,
171H).
McGuffine. William and Elizabeth Porter. Jan. 25,
1791.
McCausland, Mark, and Sallv Hunter.
PRE8BYTEKIAX CHIHICH. 59
Morrison, Robert and Susanna Work, Oct. 11, 1791.
McClaran, Thomas, and Hannah Mickey, Oct. 20,
1791.
Moor, Samuel, and McConnel, Jan. 7, 1792.
Mason, Isaac, and Ehzabeth Kirkpatrick, June 7,
1792.
Martin, Tliomas, and Widow Stewart, Aug. 16, 1792.
McCune, Samuel, and Hannah Brady, Dec. 26, 1798.
McFaden, John, and Nancy Harper, June 10, 1794.
Michal, John, and Katharine Carrick, June 10, 1794.
INIurdock, Robert, and Elizabeth Cummins, Nov. 18,
1794.
McCormick, Robert, and Elizabeth McCullough, Nov.
27, 1794.
Marshall, John, and Jane Leacock, Apr. 21, 1795.
McGoffine, and Sarah Crair, May 4, 1795.
Martin, John, and Hannah Thompson, Jan. 14, 1796.
McKean, William, and Sarah Auld, June 80, 1796.
McKeehan, John, and Betsy McKeehan, Oct. 25, 1796.
Murphy, Philip, and Jane Apr. 21, 1797.
McCormick, Joseph, and Charity Connelly, Apr. 27,
1797.
Mathers, Robert, and Nancy Carnahan, Feb. 8, 1798.
McLandburg, John, and Margaret Young, Feb. 5,
1799.
Mitchel, Andrew, and Mary Ann McKeehan, Feb. 13,
1799.
Nicholdson, John, and Mary McElwain, July 29, 1794.
Patton, John, and Elizabeth McEntire, Aug. 18, 1789.
Patterson, Obediah, and Anne Patterson, INIay 5, 1791.
Porterlield, William, and Mary Shannon, April 21,
1795.
60 THE BIG SPRING
Patton, Jolin, and Sarah Shannon, May 14, 1795.
Pennwell, Thomas, and Rachel Rodman, April 19, 1796.
Plnnkett, Isaac, and Lydia Hanna, May 24, 1796.
Peebles, Robert, and Jane Kennedy, June 21, 1796.
Patton, Andrew, and Mary Patton, Oct. 18, 1796.
Patterson, Nathan, and Nancy Laughlin, Dec. 13, 1798.
Patterson, Robert, and Armstrong, Sept. 27,
1792.
Patterson, John, and Jenny Neal, Oct. 11, 1792.
Quigley, James, and Grizelda McKinney, March 31,
1795.
Rainey, James, and Elizabeth Brownfield, April 23,
1795.
Roberts, John, and Nancy Gillespie, May 12, 1795.
Smith, Archibald, and Mary Anderson, Aug. 24, 1789.
Shannon, Isaac, and Jane Porter, Feb. 1, 1791.
Seelly, William, and Morrow, Oct. 31, 1791.
Shannon, Leonard, and Jane Walker, Jan. 3, 1793.
Sterrett, James, and Margaret ]\IcClure, Dec. 9, 1793.
Sterrett, Benjamin, and Peggy Bell, March 27, 1794.
Scroggs, Allan, and Peggy Craig, Sept. 22, 1795.
Steel, Robert, and Letty Work, Oct. 27, 1795.
Scott, John, and Mary McFarlane, April 5, 1796.
Stephenson, James, and Elizabeth Sterrett, May 10,
179().
Shannon, James, and Elizabeth Gees, March 16, 1797,
Sharp, David, and Isabella Orr, Aug. 14, 1798.
Thompson, Matthew, and Ruth Robinson, June 16,
179(;.
Taylor, Andrew, and Mary Lightcap, Feb. 6, 1798.
Vanhorn, Joseph, and Martha Ewing, Nov. 22, 1792.
Vanderbelt, Cornelius, and Mary Steel.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 61
Woodbiirn, Matthew, and Katharine Fulton, Feb. 12,
1799.
Wilson, Samuel, and Peggy Espey, June 11, 1789.
Wallace, Patrick, and Safly Officer, Sept. 20, 1791.
Wallace, Hugh, and Margaret Dearmon, July 2, 1792.
Woodburn, James, and Nancy Martin, Feb. 14, 1793.
Woodruff, Anthony, and ]\lary Chapman, March 5,
1793.
Young, John, and Sarah McCann, Sept. 18, 1798.
THE ADDRESS IN THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY USED BY REV.
SAMUEL WILSON.
"Regular publication has been made of these persons
intending to join in the near relation of husband and
wife.
No objections have yet been made. I now call upon
any person, who has any such to make, that he now
speak, or forever hold his peace. We find no objec-
tions from without, but as it has been the custom of
our cluirch, in the solemnization of marriage, to put it
seriously to the persons themselves, whether they know
any cause, either by previous contract, or otherwise,
wliy they may not be joined together in the near rela-
tion, that they declare it. It is true, such contracts do
not bind in law, but it is as true, tliat they do bind
conscience, and persons ought seriously to consider such
matters before they violate them. Persons may con-
sider suc'li (luostious improper, as it is not likely that
they came jniljlicly to declare these things, but consider
these are matters in which conscience alone is concerned,
and if persons will injure themselves, it is no reason
why those wlio are authorized to solenniize marriage
62 THE BIG SPUING
should not faithfully discharge their duty. I then ask
you sir, whether you know any lawful reason, why you
may not be joined in marriage to this woman Avho
stands on your left hand — do you know any reason ?
Do you know madam, any lawful reason, why you may
not be joined in marriage to this man, who stands upon
your right hand — Do you know any reason ? Mar-
riage is an early institution of God's ow^n appointment;
it took place between our first parents in a state of inno-
cence, and therefore, is said to be honorable in all, and
the bed undefiled, but whoremongers and adulterers,
God will judge. Marriage is to be between one man
and one woman, and there are certain degrees of con-
sanguinity, which have been generally forbidden. The
equal proportion of the different sexes forbids polyg-
amy, or having more wives than one; the males in every
age being to the females, as thirteen to twelve, or
twenty to nineteen, as though infinite wisdom had so
ordered it, that overplus of males, should make their
deficiency by war and other dangerous occupations.
Altliough the form of marriage has varied in every
age and nation, yet the essential part of it appears to be
the consent of the parties, declared before witnesses;
private consent, of whatever kind or nature it may be,
will never come higher than a contract, and in conse-
(]uence will not bind in law.
The design of marriage is, that fornication may be
avoided, and as our race is more dignified than the
lower creations, so then, our passions should l)e regu-
lated l)y reason and religion. It is likewise intended
for prochicing a legitimate offspring, and a seed for the
church. There are duties incumbent upon those who
PRESBYTERIAN (HITRCH. 08
enter this relation, some of tlieni are equally binding
upon both ])arties, some uj>on one jiarty, some upon the
other. First, it is equally binding u])on you both, to
love eaeh others' persons, to avoid freedom with all
others, wliieh formerly might have been excusable, to
keep each others' lawful secrets, fidelity to the marriage
bed, and if God shall give you an offs])ring, it will be
mutually l)inding uj)on you both, to consult their spirit-
ual, as well as their temporal concerns. Secondly, it
will be particularly binding upon you, sir, who is to be
the head of the family, to maintain the authority which
God hath given you. In every society there nmst be a
head, and in families, by divine authority, this is given
to the man, but as woman was given to man for an
helpmeet and a bosom companion, you are not to treat
this woman in a tyranical manner, much less as a slave,
but to love and kindly entreat her, as becomes you
towards one so nearly allied to you. The relation is so
jiear, tliat a man is said to leave father and mother and
cleave to his wife, and the twain shall be one flesh, and
to show that love is due to such, it is added, no man
ever hated his own flesh, but noui'isheth and cherisheth
it. Lastly, it is incumbent u[)on you, madam, who is
to be the wife, to acknowledge the authority of him
who is to be your hus1)an(l, and for this, you have the
exam])le of Sarah, who is commended for calling Abra-
ham Lord.
It seems to ])e your i)i'ivilege in matters in which you
and he. cannot agree, that you advise with him, endeav-
oring in an easy way, by persuasion, to gain him to
your side; but if you cannot in this way gain your
point, it is lil and proper that you sul)mit in matters
64 THE BIG SPRING
ill which conscience is not concerned. It will be your
duty in a particular manner, to use good economy in
regard to those things which may be placed in your
hands. In a word, you are to he industrious in your
place and station."
THE PASTORATE OF REV. JOSHUA WIL-
LIAMS, D. D.
After the death of Rev. Samuel Wilson, and before
the settlement of Rev. Joshua Williams, we find the
pulpit was supplied by the following clergymen: Revs.
Robert Wilson, Thomas Greer, P. Davidson, JNIatthew
Brown, Mr. Burck, Willinm Wilson, Mr. Anderson,
Mr. Linn, Mr. Herron, Samuel Waugh, Mr. Kennedy,
Dr. Cooper, Mr, Williams, and Rol)ert Logan. The
preaching of the latter seems to have pleased the con-
gregation, as a subscrijDtion pa])er was circulated in
1800, with a view of raising salary and giving him a
call. AYliether a call was extended or not, we have
been unable to find. A call was extended to Rev.
Joshua Williams, then pastor of tlie churches of Derry
and Paxton, which was accepted. He was installed
April 14, 18012. Dr. Williams' ministry of twenty-
seven years, was one of uninterrupted liarmony and
kindly feeling, between pastor and people, as usually
attends the ministrations of an able preacher and a
faithful pastor. In this congregation, he married oGO
couples. On the marriage of John Scouller and Jane
Brown, April 4, 1809, the bans were published the last
time in the Big Spring Church. He baptized six hun-
dred and seventy-four children, and admitted four hun-
dred and fifty-two persons to the communion of the
PRESBYTEIITAN CHURCH. 65
church. During the latter part of his ministry, the
use of tokens were dispensed with at eonnuunion. In
1817, the first ISabbath school was organizetl in the
church as a union school. Its organization was largely
due to the efforts of John INIoor, who afterwards became
superintendent, in which capacity he served for a num-
ber of years. For several years, during the ministry of
Dr. Williams, James Work was clerk or leader of the
sino-inff. He acted as such, at least from 1817 to 1824,
at a salar}^ of twenty-five dollars per annum. At a
later date, John Davidson was precentor. In 1821), Dr.
Williams severed his connection as ])astor of the church
owing to failure of health.
MEMBERS RECEIVED INTO THE BIG SPRING CHURCH BY
REV. JOSHUA WILLIAMS, D. D.
MAY 1, 1802.
Mary Duncan. Andrew Thompson.
John I^aughlin. Abraham Dunbar.
OCTOBER, 1802.
William Cilenn and wife. William Davidson.
Matthew Thompson and Jane Lindsy.
wife. Mr. McBride.
INlatthew Adams and wife. Charles 8haw.
Jane Adams. Mrs Clendenning.
Sanuiel Williamson and Rachel Fox.
wife.
JUNE 12, 1803.
Jane INIcCracken. Sanuu'l jMcCracken.
Mrs. McBride. John Clendenning.
Widow Ripet. Richard Adams and wife.
John Martin and wife. Rebecca Lonir.
66 THE BIG SPRING
Mrs. Clendenning. Mary Brown.
SEPT. 11, 1803.
Alexander McBetli and JMartlia Hamilton.
wife. Polly Laughlin.
Samuel Sibbet and wife. Selfridge and wife.
Charity Laughlin.
JUi\E 4, 1804.
Elizalieth Flint. Henry James.
Lacy Davidson. Susan Davidson.
John McKeehan, jr.
OCT, 28, 1804.
James IMathers. Agnes Kingi)orough.
JNIary Heden. James Fleming.
MAY H), 1805.
Isabella Davidson. Frances Hays.
Robert Thompson. Widow Vanderbilt.
Ann Davidson. James Graham.
OCTOBER 14, 1805.
Mary Stephenson. ]\Iary Morrow.
Mary Woods. Nathan Woods.
MAY 13, 180G.
Mrs. McEntire. Jane McFarlane.
Jane Stephenson.
OCTOBERS, 1806.
James Sharp and wife. Nathan Means.
Katharine Elliott. Martha Montgomery.
Joseph Williams. Kachel Williams.
Ann Montgomery.
MAY 10, 1807.
AVilliam Green. Margaret Buchanan.
Martha Roberts.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 67
OCTOBER 4, 1807.
Tlionias Connelly. Jane Lindsay.
Mary Garnel. Benjamin Garncl.
Mary Connelly. Elizabeth Duncan.
MAY 8, 1808.
Mary Russel. Jane Boyd.
Nancy Harper. ]\Iartlia Boyd.
William Boyd. Catharine Pollock.
OCTOBER 30, 1808.
Mary JMcGuffin. Martha Graham.
Corneliu.s Yanderl)ilt and Snsana Graham,
wife.
MAY 18, 1809.
Daniel Leckey. James jNIcCord.
David Bine.
OCTOBER 22, 1809.
John Benson and wife. Susan Davidson.
Joseph Duncan and wife. Nancy Davidson.
John McWilliams and Joseph Baker.
wife. John Williamson.
JUNE 2, 1810.
William Williams. Paul Pierce.
Sarah Leckey. ]\Iary McGuffin.
JMartha Sharp. George Leckey.
James Montgomery. Mary Sharp.
Sarah Leckey. Philip Warner.
Mary Williams. Thomas Wallace.
Mrs. Irvine and daugliter.
OCTOBER 21, IslO.
Catharine Laugldin. Barton Gray.
Martha Donaldson. PLinnah Laughlin.
Prutlence Davidson. llobert McBride.
68
THE BIG SPRING
Rhoda Thompson.
Margaret Gray.
Elizabeth Pollock.
Jane Donaldson.
Thompson.
Eleanor Vanderbilt.
JUNE 18, 1811.
Robert Espey and wife. Ann Wallace.
James Irvine.
Nancy Gillespie.
Mrs. Knettle.
Eleanor Brown.
Jane James.
David Davidson.
William Vandyke.
]Maria Patton.
Ralph Ewing.
Samuel McKeehan.
John McClellan.
Eleanor Dahr.
Rachel Glenn.
Ann Gillesj^ie.
William Lindsay.
John Brown.
OCTOBER, 1811.
John Bawyer.
Ewinc.
Deborah McKeehan.
]\Iartlia McKeehan.
JUNE 1812.
Catharine Dougherty,
Robert McElwain.
Eleanor Mickey.
Priscilla Carson.
]\Iartha Lytle.
Jane McElwain.
OCTOBER 25, 1812.
Sally Blair. Jane Davidson.
Rosanna INIcCord. Andrew JNIcCord.
George Davidson and wife. John McBride.
John Ross.
JUNE 6, 1813.
AVilliam Bell. John McCune and
Francis Fulton and wife.
Eliza McFarlane.
John Gourd.
John Means.
Susana McCormick.
Nancy Mickey.
Mary Gourd.
wife.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 69
OCTOBER 24, 1813.
Ezra MoiTi«oii. John McBride and wife.
AiulreAv Morrow and wife. William McFarlane.
John Shields.
MAY 1, 1814.
William Connelly. Jane Montgomery, wife
INIartha Cowen. of John.
John Montgomery. Mary Green.
Jo8e})h Hershaw and wife. Elizabeth Montgomery.
Elizaheth Ijyneh. Sarah Lowry.
MAY 14, 1815. .
]\rary Alexander. Wm. McCune and wife.
Wm. Davidson and wife. Maria Laughlin.
OCTOBER 1, 1815.
Eliza Geddes. Eliza Fleming.
jNlary Huston. John Johnston.
,Tose})h Brown. James Laughlin, jr.
Eliza Woods. Rosanna McCoy.
«Jane Wilson. Jane Johnston, wife of
Xaney Huston. John.
J)avid Ross. John Brown.
MAY 12, 181(5.
John Shannon and wife. Samuel Tvindsay.
AVilliam Coojier and wife. Jeddiah Hadden.
Margaret ^McFarlane. Sarah Harper.
OCTOBER 20, 181(5.
Widow^ Brown. Eliza Ross.
Priscilla Leacock. Mary Fi-eneh.
James Ray. Rachel Crawford.
Alexander Laughlin and .Joseph Connelly,
wife. John French.
70
THE BIG SPUING
MAY 1817.
Nancy Graham. Esther McWilliams.
William Brattan. John Mathers.
Alexander Glenn. Thomas Walker.
Polly McClure.
OCTOBER, 1811.
Alexander Donaldson and James Green.
wife.
Andrew McCandlish and
wife.
Thomas IMcEntire
wife.
Mary l^avidson.
John Gray and wife.
Elizabeth Thompson
Mary McEntire.
Susanna McElwain.'
Nancy Langhlin.
Elizabeth Buchanan.
Mary McKnight.
Elizabeth McEntire.
Mary Dunbar.
Martha Peebles.
Josiah Hood.
James Oliver.
Elizabeth McClure.
Alexander Williamson,
Rosanna Dunbar.
Joseph Thompson.
Elizabeth Cowen.
Ann Leckey.
Elizabeth Kennedy,
and William McBride.
Catharine Dougherty.
Mary Leckey.
Sarah McElwain.
MAY, 1818.
John Dickson.
Eliza Laughlin.
Margaret Huston.
Ma rga ret McK n igh t,
William McElwain.
Samuel Culbertson.
INIary Buchanan.
OCTOBER, 1818.
Jane Fleming.
Eleanor Davidson.
Mrs. Crowel.
Isabella Dunbar.
Mary Thompson.
William Brittan.
Arthur Graham.
James Williamson.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
73
MAY 9, 1819.
Lydin Jacob.
Ebeiiezer Campbell and
wife.
OCTOBER 10, 1819.
Mary Allen.
Elizabeth White.
Nancy Lindsay.
Moses Williamson.
John Langhlin.
Jane G. Williams.
Thomas Piper.
John Heagy.
Eliza Heagy.
MAY 21, 1820.
Nancy Buchanan.
William Lnsk.
Mary Lnsk.
Gusilla Kelly.
Ann Laird.
Mrs. King.
Kebecca Pierce.
Joseph Jacob.
Mary Wilson.
Eleanor Morrow.
JMargaret Carnahan.
Elizabeth Kilgore.
Rebecca Murphy.
Elizal)etli Mickey.
]\Liry Wallace.
Jane Cowen.
William Allen.
William Morrow.
Thomas Sibbet.
Hannah McCune.
James Barr.
jNfargaret Langhlin.
Sarah Buchanan.
OCTOBER 22, 1820.
Mrs. McKane and daugh- p]mily Davidson.
ter.
Matthew Davidson.
William Davidson.
Thomas Leacock.
]\rary Beatty.
James Allen.
Jane Allen.
James Beatty, jr.
Harry Culbertson.
MAY, 1821.
Jane Ewing.
Ruth Harlan.
Jane McBride.
OCTOBER, 1821.
Nancy Graham.
Agnes Brown.
74
THE BIG SPRING
Samuel McCormick
James Lindsay.
Margaret Shields.
Agnes Richie.
Elizabath Boyd.
Elizabeth Fitzsimmons
Lacy Ralston.
Mary Caldwell.
Eleanor Thompson.
Esther Thompson.
Rachel Sterrett.
Eliza McFarlane.
Elsey McElwain.
Mary McElwain.
Eliza Vanderbilt.
Susanna Holmes.
Eleanor Montgomery.
David Ralston.
Sanuiel Graliam
Elizabeth Graham.
John Davidson.
Jacob Stough.
Margaret Stough.
Nancy York.
Nancy Tliornton.
Joseph McKibben,
Tabitha McKiblien.
Mary Donnelly.
Joseph JMcElheny.
Isabel Leckey.
Emily Leckey.
Eleanor Brittan.
]\Liry Brittan.
JUNE 2, 1822.
William French.
James Ross.
Andrew Thompson.
James McElwain.
Peter Wilt.
Pati'ick Fitzsimons.
James Mitchel.
Jane Mitchel, wife of
James.
James Davidson.
Eliza Wills.
Ann Davidson, wiie of
James.
Mary jMorrow.
OCTOBER 13, 1822.
Mary Williams.
Elizabeth Ewing.
Mary Gillespie.
William Laughlin.
Mariah McCormick.
JUNE 13, 1823.
Jane McElheny.
Ezra Morrison.
John McKeehan.
Tabitha McKeehan.
Eliz;d)eth Davidson.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
75
William Duncan.
Kev. David SU'rrett
Tabitha Reed.
]\Iargaret JMcCune.
iAfark McKeehan.
Eliza 8terrett.
Eliza McCormick.
Jude Carnahan.
William Carnahan.
Margaret 8il)l)et.
Nancy Kennedy.
Jane Lindsay.
Eliza Conn el.
Mary Brown.
Isaac Koontz.
Isabella McKibben
Joiin Lee.
Martha Weakley.
IMargaret Geddes.
Re^)ecra Miller.
William Atchison.
Rol)ert Kennedy.
rli)hii EwinLi:.
OCTOBER 5, 1828.
Eleanor Wilt.
Esther Wilt.
Susan Irvin.
Sarah Koontz.
MAY 30, 1824.
Jane Koontz.
Samuel French.
John Wilt.
Benjamin Cooper.
Sarah Cooper.
Isabella Richie.
Joshua D. Williams.
OCTOBER 10, 1824.
Mary Brown.
Isal)ella Johnson.
Sarah Geddes.
lA^wis H. Williams.
MAY, 1825.
James Logan.
MAY 26, 1826.
Isabel Kilgore.
Jane Buchanan.
Letitia Work.
Susanna Work.
Ellis Thompson.
Matthew Laird.
Susanna Laiid
Matthew.
JUNE 2, 1827.
Eliza K. ^Nlelroy.
wife of JNIargaret Carnahan.
Hannah McCune.
76 THE BIG SPRING
Jane Phillips. Sarah Patterson.
Jane Smith. Catharine Leckey.
Mrs. Lindsy.
JUNE, 1828.
Jacob Fosnanght. Jane MeBride.
Mary Fosnanght, wife of James Fulton.
Jacob. Isabella Fulton.
William Brown. Robert Adams.
Jane BroAvn, wife of Wil- Ann Adams, wife of Bob-
liam. ert.
Samuel Miller. James Devenport.
BAPTISMS BY REV. JOSHUA WILLIAMS, D. D.
The records of Dr. Williams do not give the names
of children baptized until 1821, consequently this
record is incomj^lete.
John Laughlin, son of William Davidson, born Nov.
10, 1816, baptized May 6, 1821.
William INIiller, son of William Davidson, born Kov.
19, 1820, baptized May 6, 1821.
Robert, son of Isaac Koontz, liorn Jan. 2, 1819, baptized
June 4, 1821.
Isaac, son of Isaac Koontz, Ijorn Sept. 27, 1820, baptized
June 4, 1821.
M'dvj A., daughter of John McWilliams, born June 12,
1809, baptized June 4, 1821.
James, son of John INIcWilliams, l)orn Feb. 21, 1812,
baptized June 4, 1821.
Eliza, daughter of John McWilliams, l)orn Dec. 8, 1816,
baptized June 4, 1821.
Hetty G., daughter of John INIcWilliams, born June 1,
1820, bai)tized June 4, 1821.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 77
Tlieressa J., daughter of George Espy, born Feb. 14,
1814, baptized June 4, 1821.
Augustus A., son of George Espy, born June 16, 1816,
baptized June 4, 1821.
Addah L., daughter of George Espy, born May 19, 1817,
])aptized June 4, 1821.
Mills B., son of George Espy, born Oct. V.), 1820, bap-
tized June 4, 1821.
Mary Jane, daughter of Josiah Hood, born June 20,
1818, baptized June 4, 1821.
Margaret A., daughter of Josiah Hood, born Feb. 9,
1820, baptized June 4, 1821.
Ruth Harlan, aged 27 years, baptized June 4. 1821.
John M., son of Ruth Harlan, baptized 1821.
Secustus, son of Jane McBride, born Nov. 2, 1820, bap-
tized June 4, 1821.
David, son of Robert McBride, born ISept. 15, 1801,
baptized June 4, 1821.
Margaret, daughter of John Gourd, born Feb. 1, 1812.
William, son of John Gourd, born Sept. 14, 1814.
Joseph D., son of John Gourd, l)orn April 19, 1818.
Nancy, daughter of Francis Fulton, born Feb. 16, 1802.
F. Huston, son of Francis Fulton, born April 16, 1805.
Isabel, daughter of Francis Fulton, l)orn April 17, 1807.
Kezia, daughter of Francis Fulton, l)orn Nov. 5, 1810.
Matilda, daughter of Francis Fulton, born Oct. 15, 1812.
A\'illiani Harjier Wallace, born May 15, 1819, baptized
Oct. 18. 1819.
Elizabeth Ralston Jacob, born July 9, 1818.
Eleanor Jacol), l)orn May 16, 1816.
John, son of Henry Drudge.
Jane, daughter of Henry Drudge.
78 THE BIG SPRING
Sarah, daughter of Henry Drudge.
Wilson, son of Henry Drudge.
Mary, daughter of Henry Drudge.
Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Drudge.
Cassendannah, daughter of Henry Drudge.
Rosanna, daughter of Henry Drudge.
Mary Ellen, daughter of Henry Drudge.
Mary Nicholdson, daughter of Richard and Rosanna
McElvain, born Oct. 13, 1808.
Andrew Thompson, son of Richard and Rosanna McEl-
vain, born June 18, 1811.
Elizabeth Bell, daughter of Richard and Rosanna McEl-
vain, born March, 1818.
Mary Jane, daughter of Richard and Rosanna JNIcEl-
vain, born March, 18, 1816.
James, son of Richard and Rosanna McElvain, born
March 12, 1819.
Marjory Ellen, daughter of Richard and Rosanna McEl-
vain, born Sept. 4, 1822.
Ruth Rosanna, daughter of Ricliard and Rosanna Mc-
Elvain, born Nov. 13, 1825.
Margaret Bell, daughter of James and Alice McElvain,
born Nov. 20, 1824.
Andrew McKinney, son of James and Alice McElvain,
born April 11, 1827.
Jane, daughter of James and Alice McElvain, born
March 18, 1823.
William S., son of James and Alice McElvain, born
Dec. 30, 1829.
MAKRIAGES 15 Y THE REV. JOSHUA WILLI AMS, D. D.
Applegate, John and jMary Rightmyer, May 13, 1802.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 70
Adams, Henry and Mary McKeelian, July 2'2, 1802.
Asper, John and INFcKinney, INIay 20, 1813.
Armor, k^amncl and Jrlannali Davis, Ang. 7, 1821.
Alter, Benjamin and Nancy Lindsay, JNIar. 20, 1823.
Adams, Thomas and Jane Eliza Adams, Nov. 19, 1835.
Easier, Thomas and Maria Wynkoop, Oct. 27, 1836.
Bigler, Jacob and Snsanna Duck, July 11, 1803. Par-
ents of Governor Jolm I^igler, of California and Gov-
ernor William Bigler of Pennsylvania.
Brady, Joseph and Barbara Bheme (?), Mar. 12, 1807.
Brown, John and Eleanor Gillespie, Mar. 17, 1807.
Benson, John and Elizal)etli Gray, Dec. 10, 1807.
Baker, Sanuiel and Jane McElwain, Dec. 1, 1808.
Bell, George and Mary Willis, Apr. 2(), 1810.
Butler, Jolm and Nancy Hunter, Mar. 28, 1811.
Ballentine, George and Letitia Martin, Ai)r. 1), 1811.
Brackenridge, Andrew and Martha Sharp, Apr. 7, 1812.
I^erkley, Robert and Elizabeth Martin, Apr. 6, 1813.
lilain, Thomas and Mary Sliar]), Apr. 14, 1813.
Baker, Jacob and Mary Kincade, Nov. 23, 1815.
Blain, John and P^lizabeth Kilgore, Mar. 25, 1819.
Brown, Joseph and Nancy Richie, July 25, 1821.
Benner, Josepli and Elizabeth Cook, Oct. 2, 1823.
Brown, Jo)in and Mary Richie, Mar. 30, 1824.
Barr, William and Sarah Geddes, July 27, 1825.
Carnahan, Adam and Rutli McElwain, Feb. 25, 1802.
Craighead, (ieorge and Polly (Tillespie, Apr. 1, 1802.
Connelly, AVilliam and Rachel Scroggs, Apr. 20, 1802.
Clemmons. James and Nancy Hanna, Aug. IH, 1803.
Carson, Andrew and Mary Fortner, Apr. 8, 180().
Charlton, Robert and Pliel)e HoU, July 2, 1807.
Campbell, James and Elizabeth French, Oct. 3, 1809.
80 THE BIG SPRING
Campbell, David and Sarah Cooper, Jan. 30, 1812.
Crow, John and Sally , Jnly 1, 1813.
Carothers, Andrew and INIary Hays, Dec. 8, 1814.
Coulter, Joseph and Mary Wilson, Sept. 24, 1816.
Connelly, Joseph and Jane Carotliers, Apr. 24, 1817.
Carson, John E., and Jane Peeple (?), June 18, 1818.
Clark, Jacob and Margaret , Sept. 22, 1818.
Carnahan, William and Mary Huston, Oct. 13, 1818.
Carothers, John R. and Margaret McBride, Nov. 12,
1818.
Clendennin, James and Elizabeth l^arr, May, 27, 1819.
Cull)ertson, Samuel and Mary Ury, May 23, 1820.
Cope, Philip and Elizabeth Uxor,' Nov. 30, 1820.
Carothers, Josiali and Mary McNair, Oct. 4, 1821.
Cook, Thomas and Sarah Scroggs, Mar. 5, 1822>
Crowell, James and Mary Leckey, Mar. 18, 1824.
Carnahan, AVilliam and Margaret Cooper, May 27, 1825.
Carothers, James and Mary C. Carothers, Apr. 24, 1827.
Carothers, Martin and Ellen Duffy, Oct. 12, 1827.
Clark, Peter and Hester Ward, Nov. 2(3, 1834.
Cope, Benjamin and Sarah McDowell, Apr. 25, 1822.
Duncan, William and Mary JMitchel, Dec. 1,1801.
Dowds, Robert and Rachel Willis, Apr. 10, 180(3.
Davidson, James and Jane McFarlane, June 23, 1807.
Davidson, George and Jennie MeKeehan, Mar. 23,
1807.
Davidson, Patrick and Nancy Randolph, May 18, 1809.
Dahr, Joseph and Eleanor Vanderbilt, Nov. (3, 1810.
Douglas, George and Grissy MeKeehan, Feb. 12, 1811.
Douglas, William and Eleanor Brown, Apr. 20, 1812.
Dearmond, William and Martha Gourd, Apr. 23, 1812.
Davidson, Alexander and Jane Woodburn, Oct. 14^1813.
PRESBYTEKIAN CHURCH. 81
Davidson, William and Mary Miller, Nov. 8, 1814.
Davidson, Matthew and Emily Woodburn, Oct. 28,1819.
Duncan, William and Isabella McCune, Oct. 5, 1820.
Davidson, John and Margaret Walker, Dec. 11, 1823.
Duncan, William and Nancy Fulton, Mar. 30, 1824.
Duncan, Joseph and Jane McNickle, Dec. 30, 1824.
Donaldson, Thomtis and Eleanor Turner, Feb. 10, 1825.
Davidson, John and Eleanor Thompson, June 9, 1825.
Duffy, John and Sarah Longwell, Aug. 2, 1827.
Davidson, William and Ann Leckey, May 1, 1828.
Davidson, Sanuiel and Catharine Leckey, Oct. 19, 1830.
Davidson, James and Ann Logan, Apr. 5, 1831.
Dickson, John and Jane McKnight, June 20, 1822.
Endsly, James and Elizabeth Walker, Mar. 12, 1805.
Ewing, James and Eleanor Gillespie, Apr. 25, 1809.
Espy, Robert and Elizabeth Carson, Mar. 14, 1810.
Espy, George and Rebecca Glenn, Feb. 4, 1813.
Ewing, James and Elizabeth Gillespie, Oct. 21, 1813.
Ege, Joseph and Jane Woodburn, Oct. 7, 1829.
Fuhrhob, Godlieb and Eva Smith, Dec. 10, 1807.
Fulton, John and Sa41y Wills, Feb. 29, 1816.
Fenton, John and Elizabeth Carson, Jan. 28, 1819.
Fulton, James and Mary McKinnie (?), Apr. 29, 1819.
Farrier, David and Jane Ryan, Mar. 25, 1824.
French, James and Jane Cowen, Apr. 5, 1826.
Graham, Thomas and Mary McKeehan, Mar. 16, 1802.
Glenn, William and Rosanna Thompson, Apr. 15, 1802.
Grier, James and Amy Espy, Feb. 12, 1805.
Glenn, James and ^Mary Reid, ]\Iay 8, 1806.
Greenwood, John and Catharine Ferguson, Sept. 17,
1807.
Gray, Barton and Margaret Mickey,- Feb. 23, 1810.
82 THE BIG SPUING
Giffiii, Robert and Catharine McCrea, May 9, 1811.
Glenn, David and Jane McKeehan, Feb. 11, 1812.
Geese, Cbristian and Elizabeth Mahon, July 1, 1813.
Greenfield, Hugh and Nancy Tliompson, Mar. 9, 1815.
Graham, Rev. James and Rachel Glenn, Nov. 26, 1815.
Glenn, Alexander and Maria Laughlin, Mar. 5, 1816.
Graham, Robert and Elizabeth McFarlane, Feb. 10,
1824.
Graham, George and Elizabeth Alter, Feb. o, 1830.
Greason, Samuel Carothers and Mary Davidson, Nov.
23, 1837.
Hays, William T. and Polly I\lcKil3l)in, Apr. 24, 1804.
Hard, John W. and Ann Brown, Nov. 4, 1806.
Herron, Thomas and Margaret Drudge, Nov. 26, 1807.
Hudson, George and Catharine Pollock, Feb. 9, 1809.
Huston, James and Rachel Crowel, Aug. 31, 1809.
Hamil, William and Mary Allen, Jan. 25, 1810.
Hays, Patrick and Margaret Mickey, Jan. 30, 1810.
Huston, Jonathan and Nancy Mickey, Jan. 4, 1810.
Hudson, James and Mary Pollock, 1810.
Hutton, John and Harriett HeigH Feb. 18, 1813.
Huston, James and Sally McCullough, Mar. 17, 1814.
Hamilton, John and Lydia McKeehan, Mar. 12, 1816.
Haden, Jedediah and Mary Painter, May 30, 1816.
Hume, James and ]\Luy McWilliams, Apr. 9, 1818.
Heagy, David and ]\Iary A. Young, July 9, 1821.
Holms, John and Elizabeth Albert, Mar. 25, 1824.
Herron, James and Isabella Johnson, Sept. 15, 1815.
Huston, Samuel and Ann Fulton, Dec; 22, 1825.
Irvin, James and Prudence Leckey, Mar. 8, 1808.
Irvine, Samuel and Rosanna Dunbar, Apr. 14, 1829.
Jacob, Thomas and Jane Pierce, May 20, 1810.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Jacob, THoinas and Catharine INIcDonald, 1810.
Johnston, John and Jane Hnston, Jan, 26, 1815.
Jaekson, Jolm and EHzahetli Rouse (?), Mar. 2, 1820.
Jacob, David and Eleanor Davidson, Mar. 8, 1821.
Johnston, John and Elizabeth Pollock, Nov. 8, 1821.
Kelly, Robert and Sarah Norton, Dee. 31, 1807.
Kean, John and Jane Adams, Mar. 14, 1805.
Kinkaide, James and Dianna Lee, Nov. 9, 1809.
Kerr, Alexander and Sarali Galbraith, Mar. 3, 1814.
Kilgore, Snnuiel and Snsan Thompson, Mar. 14, 1816.
Kinkaide, William and Elizabeth Scoby, Apr. 1, 1817.
Koontz, Isaac and Jane Carnahan, Mar. 26, 1818.
Kennedy, Robert and Nancy Kilgore, May 13, 1820.
KeiT, William and Eliza Sterrett, June 15, 1824.
Kennedy, James and Maria Barr, May 3, 1825.
Kilgore, Ezekiel and Elizabeth Graham, Nov. 9, 1825.
Knettle, William and Lacy Lindsay, Jan. 3, 1828.
Kilgore, Jesse and Nancy Sharp, Aug. 13, 1828.
Kinsley, Jacob and Charlotte Roberts, Apr. 8, 1830.
Lightcap, Thomas and Widow Delany, Apr. 21, 1803.
Lemon, Hugh and Rachel Hays, Apr. 24, 1804.
Leckey, George and Sarah Crowel, Nov. 22, 1808.
Leckey, Daniel and Ann Davidson, Mar. 16, 1809.
Lee, George and Sally Latshaw, Mar. 28, 1811.
Lee, John and Elizabeth Fulton, A])r. 21, 1812.
Laugldin, John and Margaret Alexander, May 18, 1813.
Linn, Samuel and Catharine Laughlin, Dec. 2, 1813.
Laughlin, John and Margaret Jones, June 30, 1814.
Laughlin, John and Mary Williamson, Dec. 5, 1815.
IJnn, AVilliam Jind Hannah Laughlin, Apr. 2, 1816.
Lindsay, Samuel and Elizabeth Atchison, Oct. 23, 1817.
Lytic, George and Barbara Cami)bell, Feb. 26, 1818.
84 THE BIG SPRING
Leacock, Thomas and Elizabeth Fleming, Aug. 5, 1818.
Lowery, Isaac and Hannah Martin, Dec. 25, 1821.
Linn, John and Mary McClure, Mar. 11, 1814.
Logan, James and Ann Laird, Mar. 23, 1824.
Leckey, George and Nancy Davidson, July 28, 1825.
Leburn, Robert and Nancy Bell, Feb. 14, 1826. (Col-
ored.)
Lefevre, David Alter and Mary H. Wilt, Mar. 20, 1827.
Logan, George and Nancy Huston, Oct. 4, 1827.
Lindsay, William and Mary Forbes, June 4, 1818.
Mason, Thomas and Nancy Kennedy, Mar. 80, 1802.
McGuire, Thomas and Rachel Purdy, Mar. 1, 1803.
McKinstry, Alexander and Sarah McDonald, Nov. 27,
1804.
McElrow, Hugh and Margaret Duncan, Apr. 29, 1806.
Morrow, James and Rachel Ingram, Dec. 31, 1807.
Maxwell, George and Mary Fulton, Feb. 2, 1808.
McCord, James and Susan Davidson, Feb. 11, 1808.
McKinney, Andrew and Sarah Young, Mar. 24, 1808.
INIcElwain, Robert and Jane Shannon, Apr. 12, 1808.
Martin, John and Ann Montgomery, A}n\ 14, 1808.
McKeehan, Samuel and Deborah McBride, Nov. 3, 1808.
McWilliams, John and Sarah Dickson, Nov. 24, 1808.
McClelland, Elias and .Mary McKinney, Dec. 22, 1808.
Martin, John and Rebecca Montgomery, Jan. 23, 1810.
McKeehan, Robert and Mary Trego, Feb. 23, 1810.
McFarlane, Robert and Eleanor Jacob, Apr. 26, 1803.
McKeehan, Samuel and Mary McKeehan, Mar. 26, 1812.
Montgomery, James and Margaret Walker, Apr. 7,1812.
Montgomery, John and Jane Fulton, Sept. 9, 1812.
Milroy, William Rodman and Nanc}^ Kingsborough,
Oct. 13, 1812.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 85
McCiilloiigh, William and Mary McGiiffin, Nov. 2, 1813.
JMcCord, Robert and I.acy Davidson, Feb. 3, 1814.
McKibben, John and l8ai)ella Mitchell, Mar. 3, 1814.
Mateer, Andrew'and Ann Huston, Mar. 24, 1814.
Martin, Joshua and Eliza Williamson, Nov. 9, 1815.
JSrathers, Robert and Mary Ingram, Feb. 1, 1816.
Mathers, John and Naney Huston, Feb. 15, 1816.
McLane, William and Hannah McPherson,Feb.29,1816-
Moore, John and Rachel McCullougli, Mar. 11, 1816.
McFarlane, Robert and Jane Kilgore, May 2, 1816.
jNIacfee, William and Elizabeth Sensebaugh, May 27,
1816.
Montgomery, William and Sally Barr, Nov. 24, 1816.
McElhenny, Robert and Margaret Carnahan, Mar. 28,
1817.
McBride, Robert and Jane Scroggs, May 15, 1817.
McDowell, John and Mary Laird, Mar. 12, 1818.
Morrow, William and Catharine Dougherty, Mar. 25,
1819.
McCord, James and Jane Sturges, July 1, 1819.
Maxwell, John and Jane Buchanan, Aug. 12, 1819.
McDermond, Joseph and Nancy , Nov. 30, 1819.
McKibben, Chambers and Jane Bell, Feb. 10, 1820.
McCullough, William and Jane JMorrow (?), INIar, 2, 1820.
INIathers, John and INIartha Peebles, Mar. 30, 1820.
McDonald, John and Elizabeth Moore, Oct. 5, 1820.
McKeehan, Mark and Elizabeth Vanderbilt,Dec.7,1820.
McDonald, Daniel and Elizabeth Kennedy, Oct. 18,1821.
McClelland, John and Eleanor INIorrow, Mar. 27, 1821.
McNeil, Sanuiel and Ann Irwin, Feb. 7, 1822.
McKeehan, John and Tabitha McBride, May 7, 1822.
McFarlane, James and Sarah Shannon, ]\Iar. 12, 1822.
86 THE BIG SPRING
Moore, John and Molly Wilson, Mar. 14, 1822.
McKibben, Jose^pli and Tabitha McCulloch, Apr. 11,
1822.
McCune, Thomas and Sarah Fulton, Oct. 7, 1822.
Myers, Jacob and Nancy McBride, Feb. 27, 1823.
McCandlish, John and Maria McCormick,Mar.l3, 1823.
McClelland, William and Sarah Wilson, Mar. 27, 1823.
McCulloch, Thomas and Isabella Blean, Apr. 3, 1823.
Mitchel, William and Mary Stephenson, July 3, 1823.
McCune, Joseph and Mary Davidson, Apr. 27, 1824.
McCullough, John and Elizabeth Cowen (?), Sept. 28,
1824.
McCormick, Samuel and Susanna Alter, INIar. 3, 1825.
McCaleb, J. and Sarah Uhler, Mar. 24, 1825.
McCord, Robert and Margaret Woodburn, Oct. 25,1825.
McCormick, Thomas and Jane Harper, Dec. 13, 1825.
McFarlane, Alexander and Rosanna jNIcCanon, July 7,
1826.
McFarlane, Clemens and Lydia Miller, Mar. 8, 1826.
Miller, Samuel and Rachel Thompson, Jan. 18, 1827.
McKinstry, James and Margaret Ha3's, Dec. 3, 1828.
McKee, James and Isabella Fulton, Jan. 8, 1829.
Murdock, John and Sarah Saunders, Feb. 27, 1834.
McCachran, Rev. Robert and Jane Laughlin, Nov. 11,
1834.
McCulloch, John and Jane Dunbar, Aug. 12, 1835.
Miller, Thomas and Margaret Meradith, Nov. 5, 1835.
Montgomery, James Ramsey and Nancy Kilgore, Nov.
25, 1823.
Niven, John and Martha McCrackon, INIay 11, 1802.
Norton, Thomas and Fanny Gray, Jan. 28, 1802.
Niven, David and Marv , Feb. 1, 1810.
PRESBYTEKIAN CHURCH. 87
Nelson, John and Elizabeth Ewing, Dec. 7, 1815.
Nisbit, Fisher and J. Adams, Mar. 4, 1824.
Noble, Daniel and Rachel George, Mar. 16, 1826.
Nicklo, William and Catharine , Mar. 13, 1827.
Orr, John and Eleanor Moore, Dec. 24, 1807.
Oliver, John and Susan Sheldon, Jan. 19, 1815.
Oxor, John and Elizabeth Roberts, Nov. 4, 1817.
Oxor, George and Elizabeth Stewart, Oct. 7, 1819.
Patterson, Samuel and INIary Stuart, Apr. 1, 1802.
Patterson, James and Betsy Williamson, Apr. 18, 1805.
Piper, James and Catharine Irvine, Mar. 6, 1812.
Palm, Adam and Nancy Asken, Dec. 17, 1813.
Pierce, Andrew and Rel)ecca McKibben, Dec. 3, 1813.
Patton, Morgan and Elizabeth Campbell, Mar. 21, 1822.
Richy, James and INTary McElwain, Feb. 4, 1802.
Russel, William and Mary Elliott, May 31, 1803.
Rees, John and Margaret Brown, Oct. 3, 1805.
Ripton, John and Isabella Mathers, June 18, 1807.
Ross, Simon and Isabella Beaty, Mar. 14, 1810.
Robertison, Thomas and Elizabeth Shannon, June 18,
1S12.
Ross, Joseph and Catharine , Mar. 25, 1813.
Reynolds, David and Eleanor Orr, Nov. 9, 1813.
Richie, William and Elizabeth Gourd, Dec. 26, 1816.
R^dston, David and Leacy McAlister, Mar. 6, 1821.
Roberts, Robert and Isal)ella Grimes, May 31, 1821.
Riley, Jolm and Mary Duffy, Sept. 1821.
Randolj)h, John and Mary Knettle, Jan. 3, 1822.
Ripton, Peter and Louisa Ross, Apr. 22, 1824.
Ray, William and Anne INIcDonald, Aug. 12, 1824.
Ross, John and Esther McWilliams, Jan. 24, 1825.
Roberts, Andrew and Catharine Crotzer, Mar. 16, 1829.
88 THE BIG SPRING
Randolph, Paul and Betsy E. Leckey, June 9, 1829.
Shulenberger, Henry and Betsy Riglitmier, Apr. 30,
1805.
Stevenson, James and Mary Morrow, Oct. 24, 1805.
Steel, John and Anna Weaver, Dec. 4, 1806.
Stuart, James and Jane McElwain, May 29, 1807.
Scroggs, Moses and Peggy Tliom])son, Dee. 10, 1807.
Stow, John and Mary A. Geese, Nov. 24, 1808. •
Scouller, John and Jane Brown, Apr. 4, 1809.
Shannon, Hugh and Ruhanna McElwain, Aug. 3,
1811.
Spangler, Sanuiel and Rebecca Eager, Oct. 15, 1812.
Shields, James and Nanc}^ Martin, June 15, 1813.
Sharp, John and Martha Huston, Dec. 13, 1814.
Sharp, John and Jane McCune, Mar. 19, 1815.
Stevenson, and Sally Hays, Mar. 28, -181(3.
Smith, George W. and Margaret Weakly, July 29,
1817.
Sharp, William and Jane Wilson, June 5, 1821.
Skiles, Davis and Elizabeth Moor, Oct. 18, 1821.
Skelly, David and Jane Dougherty, Mar. 28, 1822.
Skelly, Robert and Wilson, Dec. 12, 1822.
Sturm, David and Elizabeth Wolf, Feb. 10, 1824.
Shannon, James and Martha Matliers, June 10, 1824.
Shaw, John and Hetty Wilt, Mar. 30, 1826.
Smitli, Joseph and Eliza McCormick, June 28, 1827.
Smith, William and IMaria Dougherty, Jan, 31, 1828.
Stough, Samuel and Mary Peeples, Apr. 15, 1829.
Smith, John and Jane Cooper, June, 23, 1834.
Snyder, Jonathan and Catharine Lehmon, Oct. 2, 1834.
Stephens, William L. and Margaret Elliott, June 2,1835.
Sterrett, Wilson and Ezemiah Hays, Mar. 1, 1835.
Communion Tokens.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 91
Thompson, John and Elizabeth King, Nov. 19, 1807.
Thompson, Hugh and P]lizabeth Scroggs, Jan. 19, 1815.
Turner, Jose}))! and Rosa una Abernethy, Apr. 4, 1820.
Underwood, John and Priscilla Leacock, Mar. 18, 1824.
Vandyke, WiUiam and Nancy Duncan, Apr. 1, 1813.
Wih, John and Elizabeth Ripton, Dec. 22, 1801.
AVilson, Robert and Dorcus Hays, Mar. 9, 1802.
Woods, Matthew and Jane Galbraith, Dec. 23, 1802.
Weakley, Isaac and Martha Brittain, Mar. 10, 1803.
Walker, Robert and Jane Long, Dec. 25, 1805.
Wallace, Samuel and Eleanor Gillespie, Sept. 15, 1807.
Williams, AVilliam and Mary , Oct. 27, 1809.
Walker, Alexander and Sarah Martin, Mar. 26, 1812.
Witlirow, Samuel and Mary Laughlin, Feb. 16, 1813.
Walker, David and Maria Patton, Dec. 17, 1813.
Woodburn, James and Eliza Jacob, Jan. 20, 1814.
Withrow, William and Elizabeth IMcKibben, Feb. 12,
1818.
Wallace, Thomas and ^lary Harper, Apr. 7, 1818.
Weakley, James and p:iiza Geddes, Feb. 23, 1819.
Wigly, Joseph and Elizabeth , Aug. 23, 1821.
AVoodburn, Skiles and Margaret McKeehan, Dec. 20,
1821.
Wills, Dr. David and Elizabeth Peebles, Feb. 14, 1822.
Workman, William and Elizabeth Carothers, Dec. 5,
1822.
Wightman, William and Mary Dunfee, Feb. 19, 1824.
Woodburn, William and Margaret Geddes, Jan. 22, 1828.
AVilliains, Lewis H. and Tabitha McKeehan, Feb. 15,
1831.
Wilson, Rol)ert and Martha J. Beatty, Oct. 25, 1832.
Woodburn, George and Mary C. Williams, Dec. 11,1833.
92
THE BIG SPRING
MEMBERS OF THE FEMALE
Deborah McKeehan,
Ann Brittain,
Nancy Laughlin,
Eliza Laughlin,
Eleanor Davidson,
Jane Wilson,
Elizabeth Pollock,
Elizabeth McKain,
Mary Brattan,
Elizabeth Atchison,
Margaret McK night,
Jane McKnight,
Mary Davidson,
Isabel Johnston,
Jane Laughlin,
Sarah Leckey,
Mary Leckey,
Ann Leckey,
Jemima Crowell,
Sarah Shannon,
Margaret Carson,
Rachel Crawford,
Rebecca McCracken,
Margaret Woodburn,
Martha Peebles,
Nancy Gillespie,
BIBLE CLASS, JUNE 11, 1817.
Ann Gillespie,
Nancy Graham,
Mary JMcKnight,
Nancy Buchanan,
Priscilla Carson,
Nancy Lindsay,
Alice Thompson,
Margaret McBride,
Catharine Dougherty,
Sarah Geddes,
Lucy Walker,
Rosanna Dunbar,
Eliza Geddes,
Eliza Peebles,
Jane G. Williams,
Ann Wallace,
Keziah McKibben,
Margaret Adams,
Margaret McCandlish,
Jane McCullough,
Eleanor Brattan,
Mary Thompson,
Elizabeth Piper,
Priscilla Leacock,
Ruth Roan,
MEMBERS OF THE MALE BIBLE CLASS, JUNE 11, 1817.
Paul Pierce, Chambers McKibben,
Samuel Lindsay, William Barr,
George McCarron, Thompson Glenn,
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
93
James C. Williams,
James Lau<;liliii, jr.,
Samuel Davidson,
John Shannon,
William Crawford,
Joseph MeKibben,
James Davidsoh,
Andrew Pierce,
William McCulloch,
Joseph Brown,
Dr. John P. Geddes,
William Lindsay,
John Mathers,
Samuel Culbertson,
James Fenton,
Ezekiel Kilii;ore,
John MeCulloch,
Ralph Ewing,
John Davidson,
James Shannon,
Rev. Alexander Sharp,
James Weakley,
Thomas Wallace,
George W. Woodburn,
Andrew Cooper,
Samuel Graham.
DISTRICTS, ELDERS, HEADS OF FAMILIES AND NUMBER OF
PERSONS IN EACH FAMILY IN 1808.
William Stephenson's
AVilliam Ste})henson
Joseph McElhenny
William Brown
James Shelly
John Martin
David Sterrett
Thomas Martin,
James Stephenson,
Hugh McElhenny
Andrew McElwain
Andrew Patterson
Thomas McCormick's District, Lower Mifflin.
Thomas McCormick 5, Mrs. Mitchel
District, Upper Mifflin.
6,
Walter Bell
4,
4,
John Gorrel,
5,
John Allen,
6,
John Shannon
4,
5,
John Morrow
8,
5,
James INIcElwain
4,
Paul Martin
6,
David INIontgomery
6,
^^
Robert Barr,
4,
Thomas Martin,
8,
4,
94 THE
; EiG
SPRING
James Fenton,
Nathaniel Gillespie
5,
Henry Knettle
4,
Widow Walker
5,
Widow McClintock
6,
Robei-t Gillespie
5,
John McFarlane
5,
William Mathews
2,
Joseph McCormick
7,
Andrew Thompson
8,
Alexander Elliott
7,
James Purdy
4,
Robert Fenton,
James McFarlane
5,
James Brown's District, Newton Township.
James Brown
7,
Lewis Rightmyer
11,
James Beatty
11,
Robert Peebles
5,
James Irvine
6,
Cornelius Vanderbilt
6,
Robert Mickey
7,
William Mathers
7,
James Laird's District, North Frankford.
James Laird,
Widow Dickson,
George Dougherty,
Robert Gillespie,
Thomas Officer,
Alexander Leckey,
Widow Gillespie,
James Sharp,
Colonel Crawford,
James Clemmons,
Thomas Espy,
Joseph Hunter,
Matthew Wilson,
William Lindsay's
District, South Frankford and
part
of West Pennsboro townshi
P-
William Lindsay
6,
James McFarlane
12,
Isaiah Graham
7,
William Connelly
3,
Robert McFarlane
2,
Jared Graham
12,
James Johnson
4,
Thomas Graliam
3,
James Graham
Robert Lindsay
5,
Arthur Graliam
(3,
Joseph Connelly
3,
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
95
Alexander Thompson's
Lauglilin — Upper Mifflin a
Alexander Thompson 8,
Matthew Thom])son 6,
Samnel Morrow H,
William Morrow 8,
James Nicholdson 2,
James Work 8,
Mary JNIcCune,
John MeCune,
James Mickey,
Hngli Thompson 8,
James McGuffin 8,
David Morrow 9,
Samuel Williamson 4,
Alexander I^aughlin 8,
District — Succeeded Hugh
nd North Newton Township.
Robert INIcCune
Hugh McCune,
Jesse Kilgore,
David IMickey,
William Thompson
John Cooper
Robert Carnahan
David Williamson
John Laughlin
Jonathan Martin
Samuel McCune,
William Kilgore,
John Long
3,
12,
9,
9,
12.
3,
3,
2,
Thomas Jacob's District,
Newville.
Thomas Jacob 5
David George 2
Jolm Fox 4
WiUiam Bell 5
John Fatton 4
Jeremiah McKibben 8
James Ross 5
Thomas Kennedy 7
Jolni Davidson 12
Adam Bratton 8
William Russel 2
James McFarlane 2
James Brown 7,
South Mifflin Township and
Andrew Thompson 8,
Mrs. Glenn 5,
William Walker 7,
John Roberts 6,
John Michel 4,
John Carson 5,
James Woodburn 4,
John Davidson 7,
David Ralston 6,
Letitia Wilson 2,
Stephen Rhine 2,
Dr. John Geddes 5,
Thomas Clark 2,
96 THE
BIG
SPRING
John Dunbar
4,
William Glenn
2,
James Reed
4,
Leonard Shuman
6,
Mr. Wilson
3,
Philip Murphy
5,
John Walker
4,
Rosa una McFarlane
3,
James Kirkpatrick
4,
Elisha Carson
9,
Gilbert Moon
3,
Atchisons Laughlin'g
» District.
Atchison Laughlin
11,
Widow Ripton
4,
Samuel Hays
3,
INIatthew Adams
3,
Samuel Sibbet
7,
William Duncan
6,
David Glenn
9,
William Pipet
6,
Samuel Gourd
6,
John Brown
5,
John Boyd
6,
Richard Adams
2,
David Ralston
3,
William McDannel,Esq
'7
Alexander McBeth
10,
Thomas Adams
9,
Jas. and Wni. Laughlin
7,
Joseph Shaw
3,
William Bell
6,
Samuel Mathers
8,
Nathaniel Eccles
7,
Joseph Mathers
8,
Robert McBride
7,
Thomas Johnson
5,
John McKeehan's Distr
ship.
John McKeehan 5,
George McKeehan,
John Smith 7,
Matthew Davidson 8,
Lewis Williams (Pastor's
father) 7,
William McFarlane 5,
James McKeehan 5,
James Huston 8,
ict. West Pennsboro Town-
William Miller
John Davidson, Esq.
Richard Woods
Benjamin McKeehan
William Ferguson
John Miller
John Gray
Alexander Weakley
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
97
Nathan Ramsey's District.
Nathan Ramsey,
Thomas Norton,
Natlian Means,
Jolin Gray,
William Ewing,
Eliza Ramsey,
Sarah Norton,
Mrs. Adams,
Joseph Gourd,
Nathan Woods,
Mrs. Gray,
Thomas Adams,
Mrs. McKinstry,
Mrs. Ewing,
Margaret' Ramsey,
Ann Patterson,
James McKinstry,
Mrs. Gourd,
Jane Woods,
Elizabeth Glenn,
Alexander McBride,
^=C="JIIIB1-C^^
98 THE BIG SPRING
THE PASTORATE OF REV. ROBERT
McCACHRAN.
After the resignation of Dr. Williams the congrega-
tion became divided in an attempt to call a pastor. A
portion favoring Rev. John W. Nevin, and others Rev.
John Kennedy, who was afterwards professor of mathe-
matics in Jefferson College, Pa. They however finally
united on the Rev. Robert McCacliran, and in the fall
of 1830, sent a commissioner to prosecute the call before
the Presbytery of New Castle, of which he was a mem-
ber. The call w^as accepted and Mr. McCachran was in-
stalled pastor April 13, 1831. The diligent, faithful and
conscientious pastoral work performed by IMr. McCach-
ran is shown by the large accessions to the church dur-
ing his ministry. There were received into its com-
munion, five hundred and seventy-five members. Four
hundred and eighty-five of these were received on pro-
fession of faith and ninety on certificate. '""In the
years 1832, 1833 and 1834 there seems to have been
almost a continuous revival of religion in the church, re-
sulting during that time in an accession of over one
hundred and forty members on confession of faith. As
an evidence of the deep interest in spirtual things which
at that time existed, a prayer meeting was instituted and
sustained for a period, at day light in the morning."
He baptized three hundred and ninety-eight children,
and married two hundred and eight couples.
After the first year or two of Mr. McCachran's ministry,
the exclusive use of psalms in public worship was aban-
doned. He resigned the pastoral charge of the Big
Spring Church October 8, 1851.
* Memorial Presbytery, Carlisle.
Rev. Robert McCachran.
rRESBYTKKIAX ClIUKCH. 99
.:\FAi;inA(;Ks r.vTiii; i;i;n'. i;()15i;i;t im'cacuhan.
Adams, p]])liri;mi and Eli/.alx'tli Wavy, Nov. 1(), 1840.
AllRTt, John and CiitJiarini' i\Ic-l)annell, Nov. 12, 1846.
Bratton, Georoe nnd Jane Sharp, Jan. 7, 1882.
BaiT, Sanuiel and Eliza McC'une, Fcl). 5, 18o/).
Boyd, James and Jane McCnne, Dec. 17, IcSoo.
Black, Pliili}) and JNlaiy Murray, June 18, 1837.
Brown, Jose])lj and jNIary J. Davidson, Feh. 18, 1838.
Bessor, William and Eliza Gri]), Feh. 22, 1841.
Blankney, George and Margaret Denny, Apr, 7, 1842.
Belt, Burt and Elizabeth Harris, Aug. (3, 184(3.
Butler, John and Barali Hart, Sept. 28, 1847.
J^lean, Jesse and Agnes BroAvn.
Barr, John and Jane Barr, Sept. 8, LSrK).
Bartnett, John M. and Lavina Conner, May 22, 1857.
Brown, Thomas and Susanna Creamer, Aug. 3, 1854.
Bush, John and Sarah J. McCune, Nov. 28, 1854.
Bowers, John and Nancy Landis, Feb. 29, 18(30.
Boyles, Alexander and Jane Blean, Sept. 23, 1869.
Claudy, George and Catherine Rodgers, Mar. 26, 1833.
Connelly, Joseph and Eliza Connelly, Jan. 29, 1835.
Cope, and Eliza Stough, May 81, 1836.
Cook, Fenix and Elizabeth McDannel, Sept. 21, 1837.
Casey, John and Martha Hye, Mar. 3, 1842.
Cremer, Tlieodore H. and Martha J. Graham, June 15,
1848.
Cobean, William and IMaiy .McFarlane, Nov. 2 1848.
Carothers, Andrew and Louisa Bender, June 28, 1849.
Grain, and Sarah G. Adams, April 12, 1857.
Cochran, Stephen and JNIargaret Griffin, Dec. 4, 1857.
Cooper, James and Eliza ^Nfon-ow, Dec. 9, 1857.
Cole, Sanuiel and Hetty Johnson, Mar. 28, 1867.
100 THE BIG SPRING
Carlisle, T. Calvin and Kebecca J. McCachran, Mar. 9^
1854.
Duffield, Kobert E. and MlssTorbet, June 22, 1837.
Dunlap, Daniel and Eliza Heflleman, Mar. 14, 1838.
De Peyster, Robert and Virginia E. Bhepherd, July
17, 1838.
Davidson, William and Kosanna McFarlane, Sept, IB,
1838.
Dunlap, William and Eliza])eth Skiles, Nov. 2(3, 1840.
Davidson, John and Mary Randolph, Jan. 7, 1841.
Dallas, William and Elizabeth Boyd, Mar. 16, 1841.
Dunfee, John, and Sarah Talbert, Sept. 3, 1842.
Dunlap, James and Lucetta Hays, Feb. 26, 1846.
Davidson William and Hannah Hoover, Sept, 17, 1846.
Ervin, James B. and Isabella McEhvain, Nov. 30,
1831.
Elliott, John and Dorothy Myers, Sept. 23, 1847.
Frank, Henry and Eliza Kellen, Nov. 15, 1836.
Filer, David and Sarah Keller, Oct. 11, 1838.
Finkenbinder, John and Jane Beaston, Dec. 9, 1841.
Filer, David and Esther Smith, Oct. 24, 1845.
Frazer, Wilson and Mary Mechey, Jan. 6, 1848.
Gaster, John and Sarah Jane Lee, Dec. 20, 1832.
Graham, William and Nancy Davidson, Jan. 19, 1837.
Geddes, Thomas M. and Lacy McCord, I\Iar, 16, 1837.
Gray, James and Mary A. McCune, July 3, 1840.
Gray, Thomas and Elizabeth Drudge, June 3, 1845.
Goodman, Alfred and Mary A. Singleton, Aug. 12,1847.
Gayman, and INIercer, Jan, 1, 1852.
Garman, John and Emily McKeehan, Jan, 19, 1843.
Hudson, Jonathan and Widow Thompson, Jan. 21,
1836.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 101
Hood, John amlKinih A. AYallace, Nov. !">, 1841.
Hac'kett, Ivobert and IVIargaret Thompson, Jan. 14, 1843.
Hume, William D. and Hetty McWilliams, Sept. 12,
1844.
Harris, and Susan Wilt, Sept. 4, 1845.
Holler, John and Sarah Ramp, Apr. 19, 1849.
Hamil, George and Margaret E. Johnson, May 24, 1849.
Haekett, Thomas and Ruth E. Davidson, July 30, 1850.
Hefflefinger, Thomas and Martha McElhenney, Oct. 19,
1869. "
Irvine, Dr. James R. and Sarah Bella Davidson, June
27, 1839.
Irvine, Samuel and Isabella Kilgore, Mar. 15, 1838.
Irvine, Dr. James R. and Mary Johnson, May 17, 1842.
Irvine, Dr. James R. and Jane Morrow, Sept. 25, 1849.
Johnson, Andrew and Eliza J. Martin. Mar. 23, 1831.
Johnson, Henry and Kate Hawkins, Nov. 18, 18G8.
Kelso, John and Matilda Fulton, Nov. 6, 1832.
Keans, John and Emily Ramp, Jan. 29, 1840.
Koons, Isaac and Harriet Kilgore, Jan. 29, 1846.
Kishler, Jacob and Whistler, Feb. 2, 1847.
Keeper, Augustus A. and Margaret A. Woods, Dec. 16,
1847.
Keizer, David and Mary A. Bender, Oct. 4, 1849.
Kelso, John and Mary Duncan, Dec. 5, 1850.
Kelley, Cornelius and Brown, 1860.
Lemon, and Royal, June, 19, 1836.
Lindsay, James and Jane Brown, Nov. 18, 1840.
Lindenburg, Charles and Susan Mauer, Nov. 30, 1848.
Landis, David and Mary A. Albert, Apr. 25, 1850.
Lenny, William and Catharine Elliott, May 27, 1857.
102 THE BIG SPRING
Mullin, William and Eliza Whitecap, Feb. 21, 1833.
McCoy, Joshua and Sarah McCarroll, Dec. 6, 1831.
McElvain, John S. and Jane Stej^henson, Mar. 2, 1833.
McKibben, Joseph and Mary McCord, Sept. 3, 1834.
McCuUough, James and Margaret McKeehan, Jan. 22,
1835.
McKeehan, Joseph and Mary J. Skiles, Dec. 1835.
McGinness, J. H. W. and Catharine A. Laughlin, Oct.
23, 1851.
Markward, Isaac and Jane Dougherty, Feb. 18, 1838.
McCune, William and Mary A. Hays. Apr. 5, 1838.
Miller, Joseph and Elizabeth Thompson, Mar. 14, 1839.
Myers, Jeremiah and ^McKeehan, Feb. 23, 1840.
Moody, Joseph and Ezemiah Mickey, Feb. 27, 1840.
McKeehan, Robert and Rebecca C. Skiles, JNIar. 5, 1840.
McCullough, Samuel and Mary J. McKeehan, Dec. 24,
1840.
McKee, Alexander and Francia Bowan, Nov. 15, 1841.
Middleton, Andrew and Nancy Elliott, Jan. 3, 1843.
McFarlane, Robert and Lydia B. McKinney, Feb. 9,
1843.
McLaughlin, Samuel and Maria Harper, Feb. 21, 1843.
McKeehan, Benjamin and Kinkaid, Jan. 4,
1844.
Myers, Benjamin and Eliza Carothers, Feb. 10, 1845.
McCoy, Daniel and Mary E. McElvain, Sept. 4, 1845.
INIcCandlish, Thomas and Mary W. Coyle, Dec. 25, 1845.
McDannel, William and INIary Martin, Jan. 8, 1846.
McCullough, W. Linn, and Ann E. Glenn, Nov. 11,
1846.
McLaughlin, William and Eliza A. Moore, Jan. 21,
1847.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 103
Montgomery, Robert ami Rachel Thompson, Jan. 28,
1847.
IMcCnllouo-h, James and INlartha Brown, Feb. 4, 1847.
Myers, Henry and IMary A. Ram]i, Fel). 17, 1848.
Matthews, Edward and Velotta Bnsh, Apr. 18, 1848.
McKinney, Thomas and Jane Rachel Glenn, May 11,
1848.
McCnllono-h, William H. and Sarah Mickey, Jan. 18,
1840.
IMiller, and Elizabeth Walker, Oct, 14, 1850.
McCnllongh, T. Henderson and Rebecca Herron, Feb.
13, 1851.
McCnllough, Robert and Jane Dnncan, Mar. 25, 1852.
^[cCune, S. Elder and Margaret J. Langhlin, Nov. 17,
1859.
Mart, Alexander G. and Sarah J. Miller.
McCachran, Robert and JNIattie McCandlisli, Dec. 16,
1874.
Nettle. George and Stewart, Jan. 27, 1835.
North, Andrew and Margaret Myers, Jan. 28, 1841.
Nave, George and Barbara French, June 17, 1841.
Noftsker, George W. and Susan Green, Jan. 25, 1848.
Oliver, James and Mary McCachran, May 15, 1872.
Patterson, James and Eliza Montgomery, Jan. 10, 1839.
Pilgrim, Henry and Maria Miller, June 13, 1850.
Patterson, and Margaret ^lartin, Oct. 14, 1850.
Peters, John and Alice Baxter, Sept. 10, 1802.
Richards, Robert and Susan Spear, Jan. 29, 1834.
Russel, Fauster and Mary Mateer, Feb. 12, 1835.
Reed, David L. and Mary Fitzsinnnons, Apr. 5, 1836.
Reed, James and p:iizabeth Elliott, Mar. 20, 1857.
Richardson, James and Isabella Vanlever, Apr. 15, 1866.
104 THE BIG SPRING
Richardson, William and Ann Wilson, Sept. 23, 1869.
Steel, James and Mary McElvain, Mar. 15, 1831.
Shaw, James and Catharine Goodhart, Mar. 13, 1834.
Stoneberger, William and Josephine Roberts, Dec. 12,
1835.
Stewart, Mitchel and Miller, June 23, 1836.
Sailor, Isaac and Lucetta Rutgers, Jan. 24, 1839.
Smith, John and Brown, Oct., 1840.
Scouller, William and Eleanor Jacob, Nov. 26, 1840.
Straw, William and Catharine Albert, Jan. 7, 1841.
Snodgrass. William and Nancy Fulwiler, Jan. 16, 1844.
Sharp, Samuel and Eliza A, McKeehan, Mar. 5, 1844.
Snodgrass, Benjamin and Nancy Buchanan, Mar. 26,
1844.
Steel, Robert and Mary IMcCandlish, Nov. 26, 1844.
Stevick, Jacob and Snoke, Aug. 12, 1847.
Shover, B. and McDonnel, Sept. 23, 1847.
Sanders, William nnd Eliza Layburn, Dec. 16, 1847.
Snyder, Jacob and Hannah M. Randolph, Sept. 9, 1850.
Stickfield, Michael and Dolly Wilkison, Nov. 24, 1833.
Spree, John and M. A. Runsher, Feb. 29, 1860.
Sprigs, David and Margaret A. W.Baxter, Sept. 10,1862.
Stanton, William and Annie Kennedy, Mar. 8, 1866.
ShuUenberger, Adam and Adaza Hefflefinger, Nov. 25,
1869.
Treat, William and Wilhemina Rudgers, Apr. 16, 1833.
Thompson, John and Sarah Peebles, Mar. 26, 1835.
Thompson, James and Isabella Kilgore, Nov. 19, 1835.
Thompson, Matthew and Elizabeth Jacob, Sept. 1, 1836.
Thompson, Hugh and Jane Kennedy, Apr. 1, 1841.
Tritt, Samuel and Julia Heagy, Oct. 17, 1844.
Torbet, Robert and Mary Mitten, Nov. 30, 1848.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 105
Topley, Al)sal()iii II. ;iiul Sai-jih K. CJ;inliU'r,Feb. 15, 1852.
Trego, Jnnics S. and l.i/zit' 1{. Naolc, Mar. 25, 187o.
Thoiiipsoii, C1iai-lt's and Savilla Jolin.soii.
Woodrow, Enoch and Jane Vanderbilt, July ol, 1831.
AVilson, Irving and Ann Weaver, Aug. 7, 18o2.
AYeaver, John H. and Lacy MeCord, Mar. (>, 18o;3.
AVallace, Thomas and Mrs. Wilson, Feb. 13, 1834.
Watson, George and Mrs. Eliza J. Johnson, July 24,
1834.
Weidner, James and Elizabeth Spear, May 20, 1836.
AYoodburn, James and Jane Johnson, Jan. 10, 1837.
Whistler, Christopher and Filer, June 7, 1838.
Wolir, George and Eliza Harper, Dee. 27, 1838.
White, Robert and Jane Ferguson. Feb. 18, 1841.
Wise, Michael and Donnelly, Sept. 9, 1841.
Williams, Joseph C. and Sarah J. McKeehan, Jan. 12,
1843.
Wilson, Jose})h and Esther Butler, Nov. 20, 1845.
Woodburn, Benjamin and Elizabeth A. Brown, Jan. 1,
184H.
Welcome, David and INIargaret Elliott, Sept. 23, 1847.
Woods, John and Rachel Layburn, Nov. 22, 1841).
AVhisler, Elijah and Mary Nyas, Jan. 10, 18-50.
Watson, Christian and Elizabeth Duify, Aug. 27, 1850.
Woodburn, John and Lucinda Stewart, Feb. 26, 1859.
Zeigler, John and Jane Russell, Nov. 28, 1833.
Zug, John and Margaretta A. Hood, July 28, 1841.
BATTISJIS J5Y KKV. ROBERT M CACHRAN.
Atchison, Andrew Mitcliel, son of William and Nancy,
Aug. 30, 183().
Alexander, William, son of William and Anna, July
106 THE BIG 8PRING
23,1832.
Adams, Margaret J., daughter of Robert, May 10, 1834.
Adams, Jemima, daughter of Robert, July 30, 1836.
Adams, Susanna, daughter of Robert, Aug. 9, 1839.
Allen, Jesse K., son of James and Jane, Get. 30, 1841.
Adams, Martha S., daughter of Ephriam and Elizabeth,
Barr, Aug. 7, 1842.
Adams, Rebecca E., daughter of Robert, Oct. 13, 1842.
Adams Margaret Clark, daughter of Ephriam and Eliz-
abeth, May 4, 1844.
Brown, Elizabeth, daughter of William and Jane, Aug.
14, 1831.
Brown, Margaretta, daughter of Joseph, Apr. 13, 1832.
*Brown, Elizabeth J., daughter of John, Oct. 21, 1832.
*Brown, Agnes R., daughter of John, Oct. 21, 1832.
Bales, Thomas J., son of Eliza, Nov. 25, 1832.
Barr Mary A., daughter of Hugh, May 11, 1833.
Bales, Jane McFarlane, daughter of Eliza. Nov. 25,
1832.
Bro"wn, Joseph Tliom])son, son of William, July 7,
1833.
Brattan, James Sharp, son of George, INlar. 10, 1834.
Brow^n, Sarah I., daughter of Joseph, Sept. 7, 1834.
Barr, Robert Lusk, son of Hugh, June 10, 1835.
Barr, Alexander, son of William and Sarah, Dec. 5,
1835.
Barr, John Geddes, son of William and Sarah, Dec. 5,
1835.
Barr Margaret L., daughter of William and Sarah,
Dec. 5, '1835.
Brown Caroline, daughter of Joseph, May 15, 1836.
*Twins.
,i'.V-
d..,. -iiMAf
"V"*-'' !
t^-n^^v^r-r-
V w>'\UV^V
tf."
J«'
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 109
BniT, J. W., son of Willinni, (apothecary) July 8, 1838.
BroAvn, iSliiry J., (ljiii<;litcr of Willisnu, Aug. 24, 1838.
Ijiut, Esther Thoiiipsoii, (laughter of Hugh aiul Martha,
Dee. 18, 1838.
Brown, Andrew MeElwain, sou of William, July 11,1841.
Boyd, Rebecca, daughtei- of James and Jane, Nov. 11,
i842.
Brown, Banuiel A., son of John and Lacy, Aug. (), 1843.
r,arr, Hugh A., son of Hugh and Martha, Oct. 20, 1843.
j>est, Frances, daughter of Henry, May 4, 1844.
]>rown, John C, son of William, June 23, 1844.
Brown, Ellen D., daughter of Lacy, Aug. 10, 1844.
Best, Richard, son of Henry, Nov. 8. 1844.
Best, Robert, son of Henry, Aug. 8, 1846.
Best, Sarah E., daughter of Henry, May 12, 1849.
Best, James, son of Henry and Catharine, Nov. 8, 1850.
Coyle, William H.,son of Scott and Nancy, Sept. 13, 1834.
Coyle, Robert Elliott, son of Andrew and Eliza, Dec.
22, 1833.
Carnahan, John McD., son of William, INFar. 29, 1835.
Coyle, Samuel McCord, son of John and Eliza, Sept. 6,
"1835.
Coyle, Martha Linn, daughter of Scott and Nancy, May
1, 1836.
Claudy, William B., son of George and Catharine, May
15, 1836.
Coyle, David Linn, son of Andrew and Eliza, Dec. 31,
1837.
Claudy, Samuel R., son of George and Catharine, Jan.
20, 1838.
Cook, Hannah E., June 12, 1842..
Cook, Alfred Dewey, son of Samuel, Nov. 11, 1842.
110 THE BIG SPRING
Cook, Caroline, daughter ol Samuel and Jane, Nov. 11,
1842.
Claudy, Margaret E., daughter of George and Catharine,
Jan. 19, 1845.
Cook, George Grove, son of Felix and Elizabeth, Aug.
23, 1846.
Davidson, Alex. Leckey, son of Samuel and Catharine,
Mar. 25, 1832.
Davidson, Sarah E., daughter of John, June 10, 1832.
Duncan, James Mitchel, son of John and Harriet, June
30, 1833.
Davidson, James Wilson, son of John and Eliza, Apr.
20, 1834.
Davidson, Isabella A., daughter of Matthew, Apr. 23,
1834.
Davidson, John Blair, son of Samuel, July 29, 1834.
Davidson, Rebecca E., daughter of Alex, and Jane, Nov.
22, 1834.
Davidson, Nancy E., daughter of John and Eliza, May
7, 1837.
Davidson, Marjory T., daughter of John and Eleanor,
Apr. 27, 1838. *
Davidson, Elizabeth A., daughter of Samuel and Catha-
rine, May 19, 1839.
Davidson, John Young, son of William and Rosanna,
Nov. 1, 1839.
Dunlap, William, son of Daniel and Eliza, Nov. 1, 1839.
Davidson, Robert McFarlane, son of William and Ro-
sanna, Aug. 6, 1843.
Dunfee, John T., son of John and Sarah, Aug. 10, 1844,
Davidson, Mary Jane, daughter of John and IMar^^, JNIay
10, 1845.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Ill
Davidson, Ellen Jacol), (l;iui;iitt'r of William and Ro-
sa nna, flune 7, 1(S4().
Davidson, Arabella, dauiihter of (leorjie G. and Jane,
June 7, 184(').
Dunfee, Marv E., daughter of John and Sarah, Feb. 5,
1847.
Dunla]), Addella, daughter of Daniel and Frances, June
1(), 1847.
Dunlap, Mary, daughter of Daniel and Frances, June
1(3, 1847.
Dunla]), Virginia, daughter of Daniel and Frances, June
1(), 1847.
Davidson, George E.,son of George and Jane, Nov. 12,
1847.
Davidson, Samuel Rankin, son of William, Nov. 3, 1849.
Dunlap, Anna, daughter of Daniel and Frances, Feb. 3,
1850.
Dunfee, John Rankin, son of John and Sarah, Nov. 8,
1849.
Davidson, Sarah E., daughter of William, Ma}^ 9, 1851.
Davidson, John H., son of George and Jane, Sept. 21,
1851.
Ege, Mary A., daughter of Joseph and Jane, Aug. 25,
'l835.
Ege, Frances Hopkins, daughter of Jose})h and Jane,
May, 24, 1850.
Ege, Mary E., daughter of Joseph and Jane, May 24,
1850.
Fulton, Sarah, daughter of James, Oct. 7, 1832.
Fulton, Francis, son of James, Mar. 29, 1835.
Fulton, Elizabeth J., daughter of Houston and Jane,
Apr. IG, 1836.
112 THE BIG SPRING
Fulton, David Blean, son of James and Grizzelda, Oct.
3, 1836.
Fulton, Samuel H., son of Houston and Sarah, Oct. 14,
1837.
Fulton, Mary E., daughter of Houston and Sarah, Apr,
24, 1841.
Fulton, Martha, daughter of James, Aug. 7, 1842.
Ferguson, David Morrow, son of William and Mary,
July 20, 1845.
Fulton, James, son of James, .Aug. 8, 1846.
Ferguson, Mary J., daughter of William and Mary, Sept.
6, 1845.
Fosnot, John C, son of Jacob, Feb. 16, 1832.
Glenn, Atchison L., son of Alexander and Maria, 1831.
Givler, Martha J., daughter of Benjamin and Isabella,
Apr. 1, 1832.
Givler, Thomas McFarlane, son of Benjamin and Isa-
bella, Apr. 1, 1832.
Geddes, William M., son of Dr. John P. and Catharine,
July 2, 1832.
Gaster, John Henderson, son of James and Sarah, June
1, 1834.
Geddes, Charles King, son of Dr. John P. and Cath-
arine, Apr. 16, 1836.
Gillespie, James Stewart, son of Samuel, May 14, 1837.
Geddes, Williamson Niven, son of Dr. John P., Aug.
9, 1837.
Gillespie, Alfred Ewing, son of Samuel, Nov. 1, 1839.
Graham, John Davidson, son of William and Nancy,
Aug, 8, 1840.
Gilmore, David McKinney, son of James and Eleanor,
Aug. 16, 1840.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 118
Gillespie, Sarah T., daughter of George and Lucinda,
Apr. 22, 1842.
Graham, James MeFarlaiK", son of William and Nancy,
Aug. 14, 1842.
Gillespie, Thomas G., son of George and Lueinda, May
12, 1843.
Gillesjiie, Sarah E., daughter of Samuel, July, 16, 1843.
Green, IMatilda I., daughter of Sanuiel and Mary, Feb.
8, 1844.
Gilmore, Nancy Jane, daughter of James and Eleanor,
June 23, 1844.
Graham, William Finley, son of William and Nancy,
July 21, 1844.
Green, Barbara I., daughter of Sanuiel and Mary, May
17, 1846.
Gillespie, John A., son of Samuel, May 24, 1846.
Gillespie, Albert Stewart, son of George and Lucinda,
Nov. 8, 1846.
Gilmore, Lydia B., daughter of James and Eleanor, Nov.
8, 1846.
Graham, Arthur, son of William and Nancy, Oct. 10,
1847.
Green, Joseph E., son of Samuel and Mary, May 27,
1848.
Glenn, Anna M., daughter of William M. and Mary,
Aug. 19, 1848.
Gillespie, Elizabeth J., daughter of George and Lucinda,
May 11, 1849.
Gillespie, Samuel S., son of George and lAicinda, Nov-
3, 1849.
Glenn, Robert E., son of William M. and Mary, Aug.
9, 1850.
114 THE BIG SPRING
Graham, Alfred Mateer, 8on of AVilliam and Nancy,
Sept. 8, 1850.
Green, John C, son of Samuel and Mary, Apr. 1, 1851.
Green, Mary G., danghter of Samuel and IMary, Apr. 1,
1851.
Harlan, Mary C, Aug. 14, 18ol.
Harper, Sarah A., Sept. 24, 1831.
Hood, Jane S., Nov. 13, 1831.
Herron, Margaret Davidson, daughter of James, Jan. 15,
1832.
Harlan, Jacob W., Mar. 7, 1832.
Harlan, Catharine, Mar. 7, 1832.
Harlan, Samuel A., Mar. 7, 1832.
Herron, Mary, E., daughter of James, Aug. 25, 1833.
Harlan, Eliza J., Sept. 9, 1833.
Harlan, Caroline, daughter of George, Nov. 10, 1833.
Harper, Margaret, daughter of William, July 12, 1835.
Harlan, Jane E., daughter of George, Aug. 25, 1835.
Herron, James Johnson, son of James, July 30, 1836.
Herron, William, son of James, Se])t. 3, 1838.
Hudson, Martha E., daughter of Jonathan, Aug. 24, 1838.
Hays, John Sharp, son of Robert and Hannah, ]\Iay
13, 1843.
Hackett, Ross, son of Robert and ISIargaret, Aug. 17,
1845.
Hood, John Wallace, son of John and Sarah, May 18,
1846.
Humes, Emma M., daughter of William and Hetty,
Aug. 8, 1846.
Hays, Edwin R., son of Robert and Hannah, Nov. 7, 1846.
Hackett, Mary E., daughter of Robert and Mary, Aug.
7, 1847.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 115
lluiiR', James J)avid80ii, son of William and Hetty,
An--. It), lcS48.
Hood, Margaret Harpei', dangliter of Jolm and Harah,
Aug. 8, 1849.
Huston, John 1). Line, son of James, Aug. o, 1849.
Hume, Jolm JNIcWilliams, son of William and Hetty,
Aug. 9, 1851.
Hood, Walter L., son of John and Sarah, Sept. 21, 1851.
Irvine, James B., son of James and Isahella, July 7,
1833.
Irvine, James Davidson, son of Dr. James R. and Sarah,
]Mar. 18, 1840.
Irvine, Susan M. S., daughter of Sanuiel and Margaret,
May 24, 1848. '
Jacob, Joseph A., son of Joseph, Sept. 24, 1831.
Johnson, John Bell, son of William B. and Ann, Aug.
25, 1839.
Johnson, Robert G., son of William B. and Ann, May
12, 1843.
Johnson, William Houston, son of William B. and Ann,
Feb. 5, 1847.
Koons, Thomas, son of Isaac and Jane, Apr. 13, 1832.
Kelley, Mary A., daughter of Jane, Aug. 29, 1832.
Kelley, Alexander, son of Jane, Aug. 29, 1832.
Kelley, Emaline, daughter of Jane, Aug. 29, 1832.
Kelley, William, son of Jane, Aug. 29, 1832.
Kelley, Sarah J., daughter of Jane, Aug. 29, 1832.
Ker, David Sterrett, son of William and Eliza, Oct. 21,
1832.
Kennedy, Alexander Barr, son of James and Maria,
Dec. 10, 1832.
Kennedy, Thomas, son of James and Maria, Dec. 16,1832.
116 THE BIG HPRTNG
Kennedy, Robert, son of James and Maria, Dec. 16, 1832.
Kelley, Ann G., daughter of Grizelda, Aug. 2, 1833.
Kelley, Samuel Kennedy, son of Jane, Sept. 28, 1834.
Ker, Elizabeth J., daughter of William and Eliza, July
12, 1835.
Kennedy, John, son of James and Maria, Aug. 2, 1835.
Kilgore, Nancy J., daughter of Ezekiel and Elizabeth,
Aug. 25, 1835.
Kilgore, Ezekiel J., son of Ezekiel and Elizaheth, Aug.
25, 1835.
Kilgore, William M., son of Ezekiel and Elizabeth, Aug.
25, 1835.
Kelso, Mary E., daughter of John and Matilda, Jan. 31,
1836.
Koons, James, son of Isaac, Apr. 16, 1830.
Kelley, Margaret, daughter of Jane, Apr. 16, 1836.
Kennedy, Margaret, daughter of James and Maria, Aug.
18, 1837.
Ker, Mary I., daughter of William and Eliza, May 20,
1838. "
Kelley, John A., son of Jane, July 15, 1838.
Koons, Joseph, son of Isaac, Sept. 3, 1838.
Kilgore, INlary E., daughter of Jesse and IMary, Dec. 25,
1838.
Kinsley, George, son of Jacob and Charlotte, Jan. 15,
1839.
Kiasley, John R., son of Jacob and Charlotte, Jan. 15,
1839.
Kennedy, James JMcFarlane, son of James and Maria,
Apr. 11, 1841.
Knettle, Hannah M., daughter of George, Oct. 30, 1841.
Kelley, Margaret, daughter of Grizelda, Sept. 18, 1842.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 117
Kelley, George 8., son of Grizelda, Sept. 18, 1842.
Knettle, J;unes H., son of George, May 12, 184o.
Kennedy, William L., son of James and INfaria, May 13,
1848.'
Kennedy, John G., son of rlames and Maria, May 10,
1845.
Kennedy, JNIary Barr, daughter of James and Maria,
Jnly 25, 1847.
Knettle, Lauretta, daughter of George, June 11, 1848.
Knettle, Jane E., daughter of George, July 14, 1851.
Lee, Sanuiel, Sept. 24, 1881.
Lindsey, Joseph H., Sept. 24,' 1881.
Lefevre, Kitty A., May 10, 1884.
Lefevre, Isaac Lawrence, INIay 10, 1834.
Lefevre, Mary E., May 10, 1884.
Lefevre, Peter Wilt, son of David and Mary A., Mar.
29, 1885.
Lytle, Annie M., daughter of William, June 18, 1847.
Lyttle, Sarah E., daughter of William, June 18, 1847.
McKeehan, Mary, daughter ot John and Eleanor, Apr.
24, 1881.
McKeehan, Mar}'^, daughter of Benjamin, Apr. 24, 1831.
McFarlane, Daniel Ligget, 1881.
McCune, Sarah ,)., daughter of John and Mary A., Apr.
1,1882.
McKeehan, jNIargaret, daughter of John and Eleanor,
Aug. 26, 1882.
McElvain, James R., son of James, Sept. 8, 1882.
Mathers, Susan, daughter of Thomas, Se])t. 8, 1882.
Moore, Martha, daughter of Mary, Sej^t. 15, 1882.
Martin, Sarah E., daughter of John, Sept. 15, 1832.
McFarlane, Martha E., May 2, 1838,
118 THE BIG SPKING
McFarlane, Margaret, May 2, 1833.
McElhenny, Margaret J., daughter of James, June 23,
1833.
McElvain, Robert McCacliran,soii of Robert, July 7,1833.
McElvaiu, Elleu, daughter of William and Susanna,
May 11, 1833.
McGaw, Sarah M., daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth,
July 24, 1833.
McGaw, James, son of Samuel and Eliziibetli, July 24,
1833.
McGaw, Isal)ella, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth,
July 24, 1833.
McFarlane, Jane S., Sept. 7, 1833.
Mc Williams, John, son of John and Sarah, Feb. 9, 1834.
McGaw, Jane E., daughter of Elizabeth, May 10, 1834.
Mickey, Hays, son of Lucetta, May 10, 1834.
McKeehan, David, son of John and Eleanor, May 10,
1834.
Miller, Mary, daughter of Samuel and Rachel, July (>,
1834.
McCune, Margaretta, daughter of John and Mary A.,
Sept. 12, 1834.
McFarlane, Robert, daughter of Clemens and Lydia,
Sept. 13, 1834.
McFarlane, Jane M., daughter of Clemens and Lydia,
Sept. 13, 1834.
McBride, David, son of Andrew and Hannah, Sept. 15,
1834.
McCune, Ellen, Culbertson, daughter of Hugh, Mar. 29,
1835.
McElhenny, James, son of James and Eliz{il)eth, Mar.
29, 1835.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 119
IMilk'r, Lewis, hoii of Joseph, Aii<i;. oO, 1885.
MeCncliran, Robert, son of Rev. Rolu'it aiul Jane, Apr.
1(), 183().
Melveelian, Beiijaiiiiii, son of John and Eleanor, Dec.
11, 1886.
JNIcCune, Rebecca, daughter of Hugh, Dec. 27, 1836.
IMcKibben, Susan M., daughter of Jose])h and Nancy,
Jan. 28, 1887.
McCachraii, j\Iary C, daughter of Rev. Robert, Aug. 20,
1837.
McKeehan, iNlary C, daughter of Joseph and Mary,
Aug. 21, 1887^
Michels, James, son of Jane, Feb. 6, 1888.
Micliels, Samuel, son of Jane, Feb. 6, 1838.
Michels, William, son of Jane, Feb. (), 1838.
McGaw, Scott, son of Samuel and Elizabeth, Feb. 6,
1888.
McGaw, Mary, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth, Feb.
6, 1888.
McElhenny, Robert, son of James and Elizabeth, Aug.
11, 1888.
McCune, Ezemiah, daughter of William and Mary A.,
Aug. 9, 1839.
Mickey, Margaret E., daughter of Benjamin and Eliza,
Aug. 9, 1839.
McKeehan, John, son of John and Eleanor, Oct. 20,
1889.
McCune, Ann M., daughter of Hugh B., July 12, 1840.
Morrow, Jane, daughter of John S. and Rachel, Dec. 11,
1840.
Morrow, William Stevenson, son of John S. aud Rachel,
Dec. 11, 1840.
120 THE BIG SPRING
Morrow, Eliza, daughter of John S. and Rachel, Bee. 11,
1840.
Morrow, Rachel, daughter of John S. and Rachel, Dec.
11, 1840.
Morrow, John Benton, son of John B. and Rachel, Dec.
11, 1840.
Mickey, Rebecca 8., daughter of Benjamin and Eliza,
Aug. 18, 1841.
McCune, Hannah M., daughter of AVilliam and Mary A.,
Oct. 30, 1841.
McKeehan, Albert, son of John and Eleanor, Apr. 22,
1842.
McKeehan, Rebecca J., daughter of Joseph and Mary
J., Apr. 2o, 1842.
McCune, Samuel, son of Hugh, July 31, 1842.
McKeehan, Jane M., daughter of Robert and Caroline,
Apr. 25, 1842.
McGaw% John, son of Samuel and Elizal)eth, Oct. 13,
1842.
McGaw, George W., son of Samuel and Elizabeth, Oct.
13, 1842.
McLaughlin, Margaret A., daughter of Samuel and Ma-
ria, May 4, 1844.
McFarlane, Jane E., daughter of Robert and I^ydia B.,
June, 23, 1844.
McKeehan, Ellen, daughter of John and Eleanor, Aug.
10, 1844.
MorroAv, Emma, daughter of John S, and Rachel, Aug.
10, 1844.
McCune, William A., son of Hugh, Nov. 20, 1844.
Mickey, Benjamin J., son of Benjamin and Eliza, Nov.
20, 1844.
PRESBYTEKIAK CHURCH. 121
Mc'KeeliMii, (u'orov, son of Robert mihI Caroline, Mar.
12, 184o.
McLaugliliii, J);mi('l llar[H'r, son of Saimu-l and Maria,
Nov.' 8, 1845.
McLauglilin, Robert, Apr. 20, 184().
^MeLanglilin, ^uwm, wife of Robert, Apr. 20, 1846.
McLauglilin, I.avina, (laughter of Robert and 8usan,
Apr.\>0, 184().
McLaughlin, Eliza E., daughter of Robert and 8usan,
Apr.'20, 184().
McLaughlin, Enialine, daughter of Rol)ert and Husan,
Apr. 20, 184(>.
McLaughlin, Zacliariah, son of Robert and Susan, Apr.
20, 1846.
McLaughlin, Rol)ert J., son of Robert and Susan, Apr.
20, 1840.
McFarlane, John Finley, son of I. G. and Margaret,
May 18, 184(*).
^IcWillianis, Albert, son ol Jane, Aug. 8, 1846.
]McCune, Sanuiel Brady, son of William and Mary A.,
Nov. 7, 1846.
McCoy, William A. Shann(jn, son of Daniel and Marg-
aret, Feb. 5, 1847.
McKeehan, Robert M., son of Robert and Caroline, Nov.
12, 1847.
McFarlane, Anna ^I., daughter of I. G. and Margaret,
Nov. 12, 1847.
Mickey, Sarah Belle, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth,
Nov. lr>, 1847.
McDannel, John Martin, son of William and Mary,
June, 11, 1848.
McLaughlin, Samuel J., son of Samuel and Maria, Aug.
122 THE BIG SPRING
19, 1848.
McKiniiey, Maria, daughter of Thomas and Rachel, May
12, 1849.
McFarlane, James Graham, son of J. G. and Margaret,
July 8, 1849.
McCune, Cyrus, son of Hugh, July 22, 1849.
Mickey, John E., son of Robert and Elizabeth, Aug. 3,
1849.
Montgomery, Hannah E., daughter of Robert and Ra-
chel, Feb. 3, 1850.
McDannel, Jane A., daughter of William and Mary,
Feb. 3, 1850.
McKeehan, Emma, daughter of Robert and Mary, Aug.
10, 1850.
McKinney, David A., son of Thomas and Rachel, Feb.
7, 1851.
Mickey, Laura A., daughter of Robert and Eliziibeth,
Feb. 7, 1851.
Morrow, Ada, daughter of John S. and Rachel, July 14,
1851.
Owens, Benjamin, F., son of Albert and Hannah, Aug.
10, 1850.
Piper, Maria E., daughter of Elder and Elizabeth, Nov,
9, 1850.
Piper, John A., son of Andrew and Eliza, June 10, 1832.
Philips, Nancy I., daughter of Edward, Oct. 21, 1832.
Pierce, William, son of Andrew and Rebecca, Mar. 31,
1833.
Piper, James, son of Andrew, May 11, 1833.
Philips, John G., son of Edward, Oct. 16, 1836.
Patterson, William O., son of Samuel H., Feb. 6, 1838.
Richie, Elizabeth, daughter of William and Elizabeth.
PRRSBYTERIAN CHURCH. 1 2o
Nov. 6, 1881.
Rea, John INIcKeehan, son of Joseph and Adaline, Nov.
27, 1881.
Ralston, IMary E., dau^^liter David and Ellen, Sept. 15,
1882.
Richards, Andrew T., son of Robert and Susan, Aug.
12, 1887.
Roberts, John, son of Andrew and Catharine, Jan. 9,
1889.
Roberts, AVilliani H., son of Andrew and Catharine, Jan.
9, 1889.
Roberts, Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew and Catharine,
Jan. 9, 1889.
Roberts, Robert Gillespie, son of Andrew and Catharine,
Apr. 24, 1841.
Rankin, William F., son of Dr. A. and Mary J., Mar.
29, 184(3.
Ross, Alexander, McWilliams, son of John and Hetty,
Sept. f), 188o.
Randolph, Alexander L., son of Paul and Amelia, Dec.
27, 1888.
Smith, Lacy J., Sept. 24, 1881.
Skelly, Robert M., Mar. 4, 1882.
Sponseler, Jane, daughter of Widow, Apr. 14, 1882.
Skelly, Margaret J., daughter of Jane, Sept. 8, 1882.
Sharp, Alexander McNitt, son of Samuel H. and Eliza-
beth, Sept. 18, 1884.
Sterritt, Isabella E., daughter of David and Rebecca,
Aug. 25, 1885.
Shaw, Peter Wilt, son of John F., Se]>t. 2, 1885.
Swiler, William Davidson, son of James, Jan. 16, 1886.
Swiler, Christopher Hume, son of James, Apr. 1, 1888.
124 THE BIG SPRING
Sailor, William J., son of Isaac and Lucetta, Apr. 25,
1840.
Stewart, Jane A., daughter of John and Rebecca, Apr.
24, 1841.
Seitz, John Wilson, son of Abraham, July 11, 1841.
Smith, Margaret J., daughter of James and Matilda,
May 17, 1841.
Stewart, Susan E., daughter of John and Rebecca A.,
Aug. 7, 1842.
Smith, Sarah I., daughter of James, Ma}^ 13, 1843.
Swiler, Sarah E., daughter of James, May 13, 1843.
Saylor, Rebecca J., daughter of Isaac and Lucetta, Nov.
26, 1843.
StcAvart, John M., son of John and Rebecca, Aug. 10,
1844.
Stewart, Mary E., daughter of John and Rebecca, May
26, 1846.
Stewart, Caroline E., daughter of John and Rebecca,
June 11, 1848.
Smith, James Houston, son of James, May 12, 1849.
Thompson, Margaret A., July 7, 1833.
Thompson, Robert Houston, Sept. 22, 1833.
Thompson, Alexander, son of Alexander, Dec. 19, 1834.
Tritt, Samuel R., son of William and Wilhemina, Dec.
19, 1834.
Thompson, Alexander, son of John and Sarah, July 30,
1836.
Tritt, Elizabeth A., son of Maj. Samuel, Sept. 4, 1836.
Tritt, Sarah E., daughter of William and Wilhemina,
Aug. 27, 1837.
Thompson, Ellen S., daughter of Matthew and Eliza-
beth, Aug. 11, 1838.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 125
Tiitl, Jane M., daiightei of Samuel, Apr. 24, 1841.
Toibet, Josejih Wallace, son of George and Tabitha,
June 80, 1841.
Trego, Mary E., daughter of Joseph and Margaret, Mar.
12, 1845.
Trego, Margaret D., daughter of Joseph and Margaret,
Mar. 12, 1845.
Tritt, Martha E., daughter of Samuel and Julia, June, 7,
1846.
Trego, Rachel R., daughter of Joseph and Margaret, Oct.
10, 1847.
Tritt, George W., son of Samuel and Julia, Nov. 12,
1847.
UnderAvood, William E., Sept. 24, 1881.
Underwood, JaneE., Sept. 24, 1831.
Vanderbilt, Jane E., daughter of Cornelius, May 17,
1840.
Vanard, Letitia, Peter Wilt guardian, July 29, 1840.
Vanard, Wilson, Peter Wilt guardian, July 29, 1840.
Vanderbilt, Enoch, son of John and Jane, May 10,1845.
Vanderbilt, William A., son of Cornelius and Mahala,
Aug. 8,1848.
Vanbeaver, IMary K., daughter of Joseph and Rebecca,
Oct. 14, 184().'
Vanbeaver, Isabella Oliver, daughter of Jose})li and Re-
becca, Oct. 14, 1840.
Vanderbilt, Jane E., daughter of John and Jane, Mar.
18, 1849.
Wilt, John, son of William and Mary, Apr. 14, 1832.
Wilt, Jane Mary, daughter of William and INIary, Apr.
14, 1882.
Woods, Sanuiel, son of William, July, 22, 1832.
126 THE BIG SPEIXG
Wilson, John 8., son of Maiy, Aug. 2(>, 1832.
Wilt, Eliza J., daughter of Hannah, Oct. 7, 1832.
Wilt, Catharine S.,"aaughter of Hanna, Oct. 7, 1832.
Wilt, Rachel A. M., daughter of Hanna, Oct. 7, 1832.
Woods, Dorcas J., daughter of WiUiani, Apr. 12, 1834.
Woods, Martha I., daughter of William, June 7, 1835.
Williams, Jane Whiteside, daughter of Louis H. and Ta-
bitha, Jan. 28, 1837.
Woodburn, James H., son of George and Mary, Jan. 17,
1838.
Woodburn, John J., son of James and Jane, Apr. 27,
1838.
Wallace, Samuel Gowdy, son of Thomas, Apr. 28, 1838,
Wallace, AVilliam Laird, son of Thomas, Apr. 28, 1838. •
AVoods, William, son of William and Margaret, July 1,
1838.
Watson, John M., son of George and Eliza J., Aug. 11,
1838.
Work, James Scott, son of James and Margaret, Jan. 25,
1840.
Watson, William E., son of George and Eliza J., Dec.
7, 1840. ^
Work, Thomas McFarlane, son of John and Margaret,
June 18, 1843.
Watson, Beaty, son of George and Sarah, May 10, 1845.
Woodburn, Joseph A., son of John and Ann, Aug. 8,
1846.
Woodburn, Laura, daughter of John and Ann, Aug. 8,
1846.
Williams, Samuel M., son of Joseph H. and Sarah I.,
Feb. 5, 1847.
Watson, Martha J., daughter of George, Nov. 12, 1847.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 127
Woods, William, son of Paxtoii and Jane, Aug. 9, 1851.
Woods, James Woodl)urn, son of Paxton and Jane, Dec.
22, ISoO.
Woods, Thomas Jacob, son of Paxton and Jane, Dec*
22, 1850.
Woods, Elizabeth J., daughter of Paxton and Jane, Dec.
22, 1850.
AVoods, Margaret A., daughter of Paxton and Jane, Dec.
22, 1850.
Woods, Samuel A., son of Paxton and Jane, Aug. 9,
1851.
Watson, Anna M., daughter of George and Sarah, Aug,
17, 1851.
Zeigler, Nancy Herron, daughter of Dr. and Sarah, Aug.
19, 1850.
QM^S'-i
^J^|s>*--^
128 THE BIG SPRIXG
PASTOKATE OF REV. JAMES S. H. HENDER-
SON.
At a congTegatiunal meeting held April 19, 1851, a
luianiinoiis call was extended to Rev. Robert Johnson,
which call was not accepted. On the 2(3th of the fol-
lowing July the congregation elected Rev. J. S. H. Hen-
derson, pastor of the Big Spring Church. Mr. Hender-
son accepted the call and soon after entered upon his
pastoral duties. During the ministry of Mr. Hender-
son very serious difficulties arose between the pastor and
meml^ers of the congregation, wliich resulted in many
leaving the church. The trouble Avas taken to Presby-
tery and that hodj found nolliing to censure in JNIr.
Henderson. In October, 18(32, tlie pastoral relation ex-
isting between the Big Spring congregation and Mr. Hen-
derson was dissolved. The congregation expressed their
confidence in Mr. Henderson by passing the following
resolution: "Resolved, that we regret the necessity
Avhicli impelled Mr. Henderson to ask for the dissolu-
tion of the pastoral relation; tliat we cordially bear testi-
mony to the f lithtulness of our beloved pastor during
the time he was with us, and still have unwavering con-
fidence in him as a servant of Jesus Christ, and a faith-
ful messenger of the Church of God; that in going from
us he bears Avitli him our ])rayers for his success and
happiness, and we cordially commend him to the love
and care of the Christain community where his lot may
be cast." Mr. Henderson received into the church two
hundred and fifteen members; baptized one hundred and
sixty children, and married ninety-seven couples.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 129
PASTORATE OF REV. PHILIP H. MOAVRY,
D. D.
Rev. P. H. ]\ro\vry w;is elected ])astor of the Big
Spring Cliureli October 17, 1863, and entered upon his
pastoral duties the foUowing December. He was in-
stalled June, 1864.
The short niinistrv of Dr. Mowry was marked ])y ad-
vancement in temporal and spiritual things. Unkind
feelings of former years were, to a great extent, healed.
A deep religious feeling pervaded the congregation, ])ar-
ticularly was this the case during the months of April
and May, 18(i(). Special services were held by the pas-
tor which resulted in large accessions to the church. The
church ediiice was remodeled, and the ])ipe organ now^
in use was ])urchased. The use of tables in the adminis-
tration of the comnuuiion were dispensed with l)y reso-
lution of the session, September 0, 1864. In October,
18()8, the pastoi'al relation was severed. The efficient
work performed by Dr. Mowry and the high esteem in
which he was held by the congregation is best expressed
by an extract from resolutions passed by the congrega-
tion at the time of his resignation. "'Resolved, that the
jwstoral relation existing betw^een this congregation and
Rev. P. H. Mowi'v, lias been marked by uninterrupted
harmony and good feeling; that we have every reason to
be thankful for the signal manner in which his labors
in our midst have l)een blest, and that he carries with
him our highest esteem and warmest affection." One
hundred and thirty-six mend)ers were added to the
church during this jinstorate.
130 THE BIG SPEING
PASTORATE OF REV. EBENEZER ERSKINE,
D. D.
On the 17tli of August, 1869, the congregation elected
Rev. Dr. Erskine pastor. He accepted the call and en-
tered his ministerial duties October 9, 1869. During
the ministry of Dr. Erskine, pastor and people have
done aggressive church work. Special series of services
were introduced from time to time, resulting in several
revivals of religion. The most note w^orthy of which
was the revival of 1876. In the last week of December,
1875, Rev. Ed^yard P. Hammond preached for a couple
of days which was followed by union services by the
different pastors of the town in their respective churches?
for six wrecks. These services produced a profound im-
pression upon the community and resulted in nuicli
good. Business in the town was almost suspended for a
time, people giving themselves up to church going and
conversation on matters of religion. Many accessions
were made to all the churches, the Presbyterian receiving
one hundred and two members. The next largest in
gathering followed the special union services held in the
different churches of New^ville by Rev. Francis E.
Smiley in 1892. At that time thirty-three personsj
united with the Big Spring Church.
The congregation led by the pastor has taken ad-
vanced grounds on the moral questions of the day, es-
pecially in temperance lines. Five Missionary societies
and a Christian Endeavor Society have been organized
during Dr. Erskine's ministry. Notwithstanding the
frequent demands upon his time by the church at large,
rarely a Sunday passes w^ithout finding Dr. Erskine in
his pulpit faithfully presenting the offers of siilvation to
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 131
tlie impenitent, and strengthen ing cliristians in their
most holy faith. Five hundred and seventeen persons
have been added to tlie eliurch durino; the ministry of
Dr. Erskine. We take from the hist report of Dr. Ers-
kiiie to tlie Presbytery on the State of Eeligion in the
conoreiration, tlie followini;-: "Number of members of
the ehurch, three hiindi-cd and thi]'t3'-nine. Four servi-
ces are held on the Sabbath and one during the week
the greater part of the year. The attendance has been
generally good. The catechism is taught in the Sabbath
School. The Avoman's and young people's missionary
societies are well attended, and are active and liberal in
support of the work. The spirituality of the church has
been much quickened during the past winter by a series
of special religious services. Five hundred and ninety-
six dollars were contributed during the year for Home
and Foreign Missions. The cause of temperance has
been strengthened and advanced during the year. The
gospel, however, is our chief dependence in the moral
elevation of the community when faithfully preached,
attended by the demonstration of the Holy Spirit, which
makes it the power of (jod unto salvation to all true
believers."
BJII|=S>=4^
132 THE BIG SPEING
CHURCH BUILDINGS.
The first cliiircli building was erected in 1737 or 1738,
shortly after the organization of the congregation. It
was a log structure and stood in the present grave yard
until 1790. We have nothing descriptive of its appear-
ance or arrangement. In 1790 the congregation built a
large stone church in the style then prevailing. It is
said the plan was furnished by Rev. Robert Davidson,
then pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, and
afterwards president of Dickinson College. The two
back ]>ews along the south wall in every tier from east to
west wall were raised above the floo]*; the one next the
Avail about sixteen inches. The one in front of it about
eisi'ht inches. The same was true of the elevation of the
back pews in the tiers on the east and west of the pulpit.
Every pew in the church had its price marked on it in
shillings and pence, varying from sixty shillings the
highest to twenty shillings the lowest. The raised pews
at the back walls were about eight shillings higher than
those before them. The church was heated by three
stoves placed in the three aisles leading from the front
doors. The pulpit was placed high against the north
wall and was reached by a flight of steps on each side.
The pews had high straight backs.
In 1832 the propriety of building a new churcli or re-
modeling the old one was agitated, and in February of
that year the congregation resolved to build a new
cliurch and voted three thousand dollars for the ])ur-
pose. The records of the church show considerable
confliction of opinion in the matter and, although it was
frequently brought before the congregation and board of
trustees, nothing was accomplished for several years.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 135
Some of the hu-iiiIkts wvw in favor of using the "funds
of the ehuivli " ^vllit*ll were tlie quit rents and the sale of
quit rents, others oj-»])Osed this vigoi'ously. Finally
more tleeisive aetion ^vas taken. On January 25, 1840,
the congregation instructed the trustees to raise funds
and proceed to the I'epairing of tlie ehureh, and at a
meeting held the fifteenth of the following Feln'uary die
congregation "resolved that the trustees are hereby auth-
orized and required to appro])riate three years interest
accruing from the monies and bank stock, together with
three years quit rents, accruing from the lots in the
borough of KeAvville, to the repairing and remodeling of
this house, provided the sum does not exceed seven hun-
dred dollars. "From this time the work of remodeling
proceeded without interruption until completion. The
trustees in conjunction with the congregation decided on
making the following changes in the church edifice:
The pul]iit was to lie placed in the east end of the
church, and a lobby of nine and a half feet was to be
taken from the west end of the church and over the
lobljy a gallery was to l)e made. The two jirincipal
aisles were to be six feet wide, and to run east and west.
The aisle in front of the pulpit was to be seven and a
half feet wide. The pews on the right and left of the
])ulpit were to be eight feet in length, and the two last
l)ews in the west end were to be raised across the whole
range, and all i)ews to have panel doors. There were
to be four windows on each side of the Iniilding and two
at each end, lowered to the standard of making windows
in modern churches, each window to contain twenty-four
panes of glass, twelve by iburteen. There were to be two
doors opposite the aisle running north and south; two
136 THE BIG SPrvING
doors from the west end from the lobby into the church,
and a large door from the west end to enter the lobby,
with circular top and glass above. Thi'ee center pieces
were to be placed on the ceiling, A new floor was to be
laid. A cupola was to be placed on the west end in
which a bell was directed to be hung. The bell, hoAv-
ever, was not bought until 1854. All of these changes
seem to have been made and the work completed by the
fall of 1841, for on the second of November of that year
at a meeting of the trustees a committee w^as appointed
to settle with the contractor, Jacol) Zeigler. The report
made of the expense of remodeling the church shows an
ex]ienditure of two thousand three hundred and thirty-
nine dollars and thirty-hve cents. Prior to 18oo the
cupola appears to have become damaged by some means,
and in the fall and winter of 1858 it was taken down
and replaced by another. About this time the two
small rooms in the lobby were removed and stairs to the
gallery placed at each end of the lobby. A bell was
purchased and placed in the new cupola at an expense
of one hundred and seventy-five dollars, and was re-
ported as being paid for at a meeting of the congrega-
tion February 12, 1854. In 1865 the gallery of the
church was taken down and a platform erected in its
place for the use of the choir and the accommodation of
the \n\^e organ which was purchased at that time. The
pulpit was lowered and a new carpet was laid. At a
a congregational meeting held Novem})er 28, 1880, it
was resolved to remodel the old church building. This
was done during the year 1881, and the remodeled edi-
fice was reopened for worship.
The improvements consisted of erecting a spacious and
rRESBYTERTAN CHURCH. 137
well appointed lecture room at tlie east end of the church,
the same being divided into two apartments for Sabbath
School ]iur]wses; the erection of a square tower with
belfry on the soutli side of the church; the enlarging of
the audience room l)y adding a recess to the east end for
the pulpit; erecting a porch at the Avest end serving the
])urpose of a vestibule, and adding a recess at the north
and soutli sides in which the stoves are placed. The
audience room was changed by a broad central aisle
running east and west, and side aisles along the south
and north walls. The church was furnished with hand-
some gothic pews in walnut and chestnut; gothic pulpit,
furniture in walnut, and crimson carpet. The ceiling
was raised in gothic shape to the rafters and ornamented
in stucco work, finished in white. The organ Avas placed
to the left of the pulpit on a raised platform. The old
square windows were changed to gothic, memorials to
the families of James McFarlane, Daniel McDannel,
Andrew Rdston, Robert. Mickey, Samuel and Deborah
]McKeehan, James and Susan McCord, Rev. Samuel
Wilson, Rev. Joslma AVilliams, D. D., Daniel Leckey
and David McKiniiey.
When the church Avas remodeled in 1841 the exterior
was rough coated, after a few vears this coatins: fell off
in ])atches and gave the walls a very unsiglitly appear-
ance. It was aojain coated in 1881. In 18U4 it was all
removed showing the solid stone masonry erected by
the fatliers over a century ago.
In the summer and fall of 1896 the interior of the
Church was greatly beautified, largely due to tlie exer-
tions of the ladits of the congregation. The walls
were handsomely frescoed; a brussels carpet in green
138 THE BIG SPRING
was laid; the pews cushioned throughout; an artistic
brass rail was placed around the organ loft, from Avhieh
was hung curtains of green A^elour; all ])resenting a har-
monious and pleasing effect. The amount ex]iended on
these improvements, Avas seventeen hundred and sixty-
four dollars.
Tradition says, that a log study or session house was
built near the first church, but we have no records
showing the fact. In 1796, a stone building was erect-
ed at the north side of the church, at a cost of about
$500. Archibald McCoy, was the contractor. This
]juilding was called by some, a study house, by others,
a session house, and was also known as the school house
from the fact that a Latin school was taught there for a
numl)er of years. This building stood until about
1840, when it was taken down and a Inick building
erected at the east end of the churcli. This building
served for school and sessional pur]:)oses until the erec-
tion of the present lecture room in the rear of the
church in 1881.
OCCUPANTS OF PEWS IN 1790.
NO.
1. Rev. Banuiel Wilson.
2. John Davidson, Andrew Patterson.
8. liobert Patterson, Andrew Patterson.
4. James Graham, Jared Graham.
5. Samuel Woods, William Wotjds, Joseph Pollock.
(3. John Leniond, Thos. Glenn, W. Woods,
7. John McKeehan, James Huston.
8. Alexander Ofhcei-, William Douglas.
9. Matthew Davidson.
10. Samuel Blair, William .Alitten.
PRESBYTERIAN CHITRCH.
WEST
130
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SMALL EAST ENTR>
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140 THE BIG SPRING
11. William Clark.
12. Benjamin McKeehan, George McKeehan.
13. William Given, William Wilson.
14. Thomas Johnson, John Bo3^d.
15. Joseph Connelly, John Connelly, William French.
16. John McDonald, John Davidson, A. Leckey.
17. James McCune, William Auld, John Monroe.
18. Thomas Espey, James Johnson.
19. William Brattan, John Brattan.
20. John Ewing, William Ewing.
21. James McFalane, Widow McFarlane.
22. William McFarlane, Alex. Buchanan, Alex. Boyle.
23. James Laughlin, William Laughlin.
24. John Hays, James Woodburn.
25. James Graham, Samuel Lindsay.
26. George Lefevre.
27. Samuel Reauge, Maiy Reauge, R. Beard, D. Craw-
ford.
28. John Espey, George Espey, John McDowell.
29. John Beale, James Johnson.
30. John Rippet, John Shannon.
31. Widow Cummins, James Kirkpatrick.
32. Richard Woods, Gabriel Glenn.
33. David Stevick, James Nicholson.
34. James Irwin, Matthew Ramsey.
35. Thomas Jacobs, David Ralston.
36. Paul Martin, Thomas McGuffin, I. Dearborough.
37. Robert Hutchinson, John Patton.
38. James Turner, John Turner.
39. Samuel Mathers, Joseph Mathers.
40. John Reid, W. Hunter, A. Brown, D. Gallespie.
41. James McKeehan, Jarman Jacobs.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 141
42. William Liisk, John Caldwell.
48. IMatthcw Walker, Samuel Fiiiley.
44. Jere McKibben, Benjamin Stewart, James Brown.
45. John Brown, James McCulloch.
46. Robert IMcClure, James Laird, Matthew Wilson.
47. John Huston, Thomas Norton, Alexander Mc-
Bride.
48. William ]^rys<)n, Hugh Allen.
4U. John Carson, Samuel Emmett, Joseph Parks.
50. John McCune, Samuel Wier.
51. Hugh Laughlin, Alexander Laughlin.
52. Robert ^leFarlane, William Thompson.
53. Samuel Morrow, Samuel McCormick.
54. R(jbert Mickey, James Jack.
i)~). Robert Shannon, William Stevens.
5(i. Solomon Lightca]), Daniel McLaughlin.
57. Robert AValker, James AValker, Samuel AVilson.
58. James INIcGuffog, William McGuffog, John Rob-
inson,
59. John AVork.
60. Nathaniel Roberts, Gillespie.
6L Alexander iNIcClintock, Adam Carnahan.
62. John Morain, Dr. Laughlin.
{'}'.]. Adam r>ratton, George Gillespie, Thomas Gillespie.
64. Robert ^lickey, Andrew ^lickey, Carna-
han.
60. Thomas McDonald, William McDonald, William
Hunter.
()(>. James Mickey, ^^'ilbam Kilgore.
1)7. d()sc])h Vanhorn, riohn Kelley, fJo!&ej)h Kclley.
()8. William Duncan, John Doyle, Henry Clark.
6U. Alexander Elliott, Thomas Mathers.
142 THE BIG SPEING
70. Samuel Walker, McCiine.
71. Win. Walker, Andrew Walker, D. Walker, Rol)-
ert Officer.
72. Tlionias Kennedy, John Bratton.
73. Samuel McEllienn}^ and sons, John Morrow.
74. Joseph Wilson, Jesse Kilgore, Robert Kilgore.
75. Andrew MeElwain, John Bell.
76. John Purdy, David Ramsey, rfohn Walker.
77. John Brown, Widow Wallcer.
78. John McFarLuie, John Mitchell, 'Samuel Mitchell.
79. Alexander Thompson, William Thompson.
80. James W. Appleby, James McCurdy.
81. Rol^ert MeElwain, Nellie Stewart.
82. David Williamson, Andrew Thompson.
83. Robert Beale, Andrew Beale.
84. James Hamilton, Robert Lusk.
PRESBYTERIAN CHTTRCH. 148
THE GLEBE.
The (jlel>e or land belonging to the church, consisted
of eighty-nine acres and some perches. A Avarrant for
this tract was issued from the Land Office of the Prov-
ence, Ma rcli 2, 1744, to William Lemond, James Walker,
Alexander IMcClintock and David Killough, for the use
of and in tract for the Presbyterian congregation of Big
Spring. This trust was called "Eeliance" and was held
under the original warrant until the 23rd of September,
1794, when it Avas patented by the State authorities.
The congregation built a stone parsonage on the glebe
on the high ground on the north side of JMain street
near the Big Spring, the ruins of which stood until a
few years ago. The parsonage was occupied by the pas-
tor until some time after the- settlement of Mr. Wilson.
He bought a fju-m on the north side of the Conodoguinet
where he built a stone house. The farm is now
owned by his great grand son, James W. Sharp. Dur-
ing Mr. Wilson's residence over the creek the parsonage
was rented. On Jan. 10th, 1707, the parsonage prop-
erty was offered at pu])lic sale. Rev. Samuel Wilson
jnirchased it at £35 8d. per acre for about live acres.
The propriety of laying out a town on the glebe land
]i;i<I been discussed several years before it was laccom-
])lished. The first record of a meeting of the trustees or
congregation when the expediency of laying out a town
was considered, is taken from the trustees minute book
of ] 7S(S; the first Ixxik u^cd after tlie church was incor-
l^orated. The cluirch was inc()r])orated Fe])ruary 27,
1785, under the style and title of "The First Presbyter-
ian Church in Newton townshij) in the County of Cum-
berhmd. The resolutions t<iken from that book are as
144 THE BIG SPRING
follows:
"Aug. 16, 1700. — It was moved find agreed that the
time for laying off the town ujwn the glebe be defered
until the next meeting."
"Friday, Aug. 20. The trustees met for laying off
the town upon the glebe land, agreeable to instructions
from the congregation, and their own resolutions of the
last meeting, but on Rev. Mr. Wilson's opposition
thereto, the trustees agreed to postpone the prosecution
of the business until they had further instructions from
the congregation."
"Sept. 9, 1790.— The trustees met and laid off sixty
lots of ground, sixty feet front aud one hundred feet
back; after which they directed Mr. Vanhorn to make a
drawing of the same, and appointed the president, Mr.
Mathias, INIr. Vanhorn and the secretary, a committee to
meet the following Tuesday at the office of the secretary
for the purpose of making a plan, &c., for the disposi-
tion of lots." The plan drawn consisted of one street.
Main street, to run from the spring to the west, with
Glebe alley running parallel on its south, and Cove
alley on its north; to be crossed by the streets Corpora-
tion, High and West; the former two to extend north to
the boundary of the glebe. Building lots were laid out
on these streets, and all the remaining land of the tract
was divided into parcels of from two to five acres for pas-
ture and tillage.
"Sept. 16. — The trustees met. The committee sub-
mitting the plan of the town and the conditions of sale
to them; it was agreed as follows: That the town shall
be called Newville, that the lots already laid off be dis-
posed of by lottery, at a rate of six dollars a ticket re-
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 145
serving one and forty-fonr, which shall be sold at public
vendue. That all the lots fronting on INIain street be
subject to a ground rent of ten sliillings. No. 1 of
the reserved lots to be subject to a ground rent of twelve
shillings, and No. 44 to sixteen shillings and eight pence.
That adventures j)ay one-third of the ju'ice of their tick-
ets in hand, and give their ol)ligation for the balance,
])ayable in three months."
Oct. 28. — The day appointed for the sale of reserved
lots, and likewise for the drawing of the lottery. The
sale and drawing was postponed until Thursday of No-
venibei".
Nov. 4. — The trustees proceeded to tlie s;de of lot No.
1, which was duly ])urchased l)y William Laugldin,
sen., for the sum of eighty pounds currency, and lot 44,
by George INIcKeehan, for the sum of eighteen pounds,
twelve shillings. The sale being over, they proceeded
to the drawing of the lottery. The following scale of
drawing was the result:
Sixty lots were drawn at about three pounds each.
On the 12tli of December, six were sold for six dollars
the lot. The balance of the lots w^re not drawn but
were sold at jnivate sale. The ])asture lots were sold at
from $24 to f27 per acre. Al)out eiglit acres of the
north-east corner, was reserved for parsonage use, and
subsequently sold to the Rev. S. Wilson. The reason
lots Nos. 1 and 44 were considered more valuable, was
their water ])rivileges, they bordering on the spring.
All of the lots were deeded in limited fee with a reserv-
ed incuml)rance, which was to yield an annual six per
cent rent to the church. The incumbrance on the
front lots, as given in the foregoing resolutions, was
146 , THE BIG SPEING
|22.22, each making an annual quit rent of $1.33; on
the back lots, $17.90 each, with a quit rent of |1.07;
and upon the out lots, |lo.38 per acre, with a quit rent
of eighty cents.
The collection of these rents as well as the other rev-
enues of the church, was ahvays annoying, and the rec-
ords abound in different methods that were employed
for their collection. Borne v/ere of a rather severe char-
acter and would hardly l)e tolerated in this day. On
one occasion, we find that "Pews will l)e declared vacant
and given to others if rent is not ])aid at the end of the
year." On another, "Resolved that all persons who are
indebted to the congregation, be notified to pay in six
weeks, or suit will be instituted for recovery of the same.
Provided that in no case, suit be brought against any
desolate or indigent female, or any other individual
wdiom the trustees may consider from sickness, poverty,
or like cause, to be unable to pay at present." For
many years the collectors of the church funds were giv-
en five per cent of their collections for tlieir troulde and
to stimulate them to greater activity. The trustees of
the church in 183(>, resolved to abolish the quit rents
by collecting the incumbrance and giving the owner of
the property a deed in fee simple. Many persons took
advantage of the offer, but some of the quit rents were
held by the church as late as 1884. Ha])pily for all
parties, the contentions which existed for so many 3a^ars
between the church and the town over the right of the
congregation to collect the ground rents, have passed
away, and now all things move along smoothly. It is
thought by many, that those eaily difficulties over the
ground rent, served to retard the growth of the town.
PRESBYTERIAN CHUJICH. 147
Tlie original purchasers of lots from the trustees were
Lu(hvip; Andrews, David Auld, Wm. Auld, Henry
Aughinhaup,h, Pliilij) l>eek, Isaiah Bhiir, ,John Boyd,
James Boyd, John Ih-atton, Wm. Cowden, George Car-
mer, Sanmel Crowel, John Clark, Joseph Crawford, John
Davidson, John Dunl)ar,Sanuiel Finley, Thomas George,
James CJraham, Patrick Greer, Andrew Harvey, Abra-
ham Hiklebrand, Hugh Holmes, John Jacob, Isaac Jam-
ison, (icorge Keiser, William Leiper, William Laughlin,
Felix Scott, Martha Lusk, Robert Lusk, Thomas Lusk,
David McClintock, Sanuiel ]5^IcCullocli, Archy McCoy,
Henry JMcDermond, Sanmel Mcllheny, William McEl-
wain, Jere. McKibben, Daniel McQuire, P]zra McCall,
George ]\IcKeehan, William McFarkme, William Mc-
Gonegal, Isaac ]\Iason, Jolm Mason, Titus Miller, John
Moore, Sanuiel JNIorrow, John Nickle, James Nicholson,
David Ogler, Robert (Officer, James Patrick, William
Poiteiiield, Williaiu l^^tton, Samuel Silver, Leonard
Shannon, Daniel Souri)ike, Brice Sterrett, Matthew
Thompson, John Turner, J. I). Waltenl)erger, John
Wcily, Sanuiel Wilson, Hugh Wallace, David William-
son, Thomas Wilson, James AVoodburn, Alexander
Work.
The folhjwing is a co]\y of one of the first deeds
granted by the Big S})ring Church, dated Aug. 25, 1797:
"Tliis Indenture Witnesseth, That John Carson,
George McKeehan, Samuel Matthias, Thomas Jacobs,
dolin Davidson, ^Ir., Alex. 'l'h()m])son, John Geddes,
Ks(js., the present trustees of the incorporated congrega-
tion of Big Sj)ring, in Cumberland County, and State of
I'cnnsylvania, have in virtue of the trust reposed in us
by the said congregation, and in considenillon of the
148 THE BIG SPEIXG
sum of two pounds, two shillings and two pence in full,
have bargained, &q., to , of Newville, Newton
township (here follows a description of the lot); being
the same lot drawn at the lottery of the said town lots,
on the 4th of March, 1790; and it is part of a tract of
land surveyed in persuance of a warrant dated March 20,
1744, granted to William Lemond and others, in trust
for the said congregation, containing 89 acres and 105
j^erches, and allowances as expressed in the patent
granted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under
the hand of Thomas Mifflin, Esq., Governor, and the
seal of the said Commonwealth, to the said John Carson,
&c., and successors of said congregation, dated at Phila-
delphia, September 23, 1794, together with all the sing-
ular, &c., to have and to hold, &c. Attest, John Ged-
des, John Dunbar, John Carson."
The house in which Kevs. William I^inn and Samuel
Wilson lived having passed out of the possession of the
congregation, no necessity for a parsonage was felt dur-
ing the ministry of Dr. Williams or j\lr. McCachran, as
they owned farms upon which they lived. After the loca-
tion of Mr. Henderson this necessity arose. The congre-
gation on January 26, 1854, authorized the trustees to sell
the remaining quit rents on borough lots, and invest the
proceeds of such sales in a lot on which a parsonage was
to be erected. The lot was not, however, purcliased until
January 28, 1857, when the trustees l^ought from Peter
A. Ahl, one acre of ground on what is now Parsonage
Street, this ground included lots Nos. 55, 53, 51, 49, 47,
and 32 feet in width of lot No. 45. The price paid was
four hundred dollars. Immediately after the purchase
of a lot a comfortable and commodious brick ]:)arsonage
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
149
was built at a cost ot twenty-thi'ee hundred and twenty-
two dollars. This was improved in 18(36, by the ad-
dition of a porch in front of the house, and in 1888 the
property was enclosed by an iron fence.
- — ^=0"fIIS«'
150 THE BIG SPRI^'G
RULING ELDERS OF THE CHURCH.
SABBATH SCHOOL AND SOCIETIES OF THE CHURCH.
The first elders of whom we have an account, we
find taking part in a joint meeting of the sessions of the
Big Spring, Middle Spring and Rocky Spring churches
in 1743.''' They Avere probably among the first or-
dained after the organization of the congregation.
Their names were: David Killough and Samuel Lem-
ond.
We find James Walker and Alexander McClintock,
associated with William Lemond and David Killough,
in obtaining a warrant for the glebe land in 1744, and
presume they were also elders, but we have nothing defi-
nite to prove it.
The elders in 1790 and dui'ing the ministry of Rev.
Samuel AVilson, were William Lindsay, John Carson,
Robert Lusk, John Lusk, William Bell, Thos. Jacob,
Samuel jMcCormick, Robert Patterson, John Robinson,
Hugh Laughlin, John Bell, John McKeehan, David
Ralston, John Caldwell, William Stevenson.
During the ministry of Rev. Joshua Williams, the
following elders were ordained:
Nathan Ramsey, Alexander Thompson, Thomas
McCormick, Isaiah Graham, Richard Woods, John
McCune, James Brown, Atchison Laughlin, James
Laird.
The following were ordaiiied by Dr. Williams, Sept.
29, 1827:
Robert McElwain, Nathan Woods, Sanuiel McKee-
han.
♦Session Book of Middle spring Chuixli.
PRESBYTEKIAN CHURCH. 153
The following were ordained July 80, 1836:
David Ralston, William Davidson, James Laughlin,
James McElhenny, Andrew Coyle, Samuel Davidson.
The following were ordained Nov. 17, 1848:
William Ker, William Green, James Fulton, Joseph
Jacob.
TJie following were elected Nov. 22, 1858:
Thomas Stougli, William Brown, Wm. Mills Glenn,
Robert Mickey, James B. Leckey.
The following were elected Nov. 19, 1870:
George Gillespie, D. D. G. Duncan, and William
Green, re-elected.
The following were elected Nov. 17, 1877, and ordain-
ed f>b. 16, 1878:
Samuel A. McCune, Peter Ritner, John Wagner,
David A. McKinney, Edwin R. Hays.
Tlie following were elected June 27, 1893:
Dr. John C. Claudy, James Cunningham, George W.
Swigert, John F. Kendig, Dr. E. J. Zook.
The Sabbath School was organized in 1817. It was
not exclusively Presbyterian. It was called a union
school although most of its officers and teachers were
Presbyterians. Rev. Alexander Sharp, D. D., then a
vouns; man attending Latin school in Newville, was the
first sui)erintendcnt. The following in the order they
are given have l)cen superintendents of the school. We
have been unable to fix the exact date of the incumbency
of all. Alexander Sharp in 1817; Nathan Reid, John
Moore, several years prior to 1831; Andrew Thompson,
rTames Laugldin, James R. Irvine, the first sn])erintend-
cnt after the school was made exclusively Presbyterian;
Andrew Coylc, W. B. Johnson, Josei)h C. Williams,
154 THE BIG SPRING
John M. Davidson, J. Hunter Herron, in 1860; J. Blair
Davidson, in 1862; James R. Brewster, in 1865; Thomas
Stongli, W. H. Thompson, David A. McKinney, 1877
to 1880; Thomas Stongh, 1880 to 1892; Edwin R.
Hays elected 1892 the present incumhent.
On July 5, 1814, a Ladies' Bible Society was organized
under the name of the Newville Bible Society as an aux-
iliary of the Philadelphia Bible Society. As the society
has always been officered by a Presbyterian it has
been looked upon as an organization of that church.
The society organized with fifty-six members each of
whom were to pay an annual membership fee of one
dollar. The treasurer Avas the principal, and for many
years has been the only officer of the society. The
treasurers have been in the order given, ]\Irs. Elizabeth
Davidson, Mrs. Jane McCandlish, Mrs. Agnes Wood-
burn, IMrs. Ann Davidson, Mrs. Jane McFarlane, jNIiss
Jennie W. Davidson and Mrs. Jane McCandlish the
present treasurer.
The first Home Missionary Society of the church was
organized February 14, 1867; Rev. P. H. Mowry, pres-
ident. The Society of Ho})eful Workers was organized
1871; Miss Mamie McCandlish was tlie first president.
The Young Ladies' Branch of Workers, organized 1873,
with INIrs. ]\Iargaret Stough as president. The Ladies'
Foreign Missionary Society was organized Nov. 1, 1879;
Mrs. J. B. Morrow was the first president. The Young
Ladies' Branch of Hope, organized Nov. 15, 1878, with
Mrs. J. B. Morrow as president. The Boys' Band organ-
ized March, 1878; Mrs. Jennie E. Hays, president. The
Christian Endeavor Society was organized Dec. 8, 1889;
Mrs. Belle McK. Hays Swope, was its first president.
PJlEyUYTEEIAN CllUKCII. 155
SONS OF THE CHURCH WHO HAVE EN-
TERED THE MINISTRY.
James Graham was a. son of James Graham who lived
in Westpennsboro township. He was born October 16,
1775, and died June 5, 1848. He was graduated from
Dickinson College, 1797. He read theology, and was
licensed to preach in November, 1800. He accepted a
call to the Beulah Presbyterian Church, in Allegheny
County, Pa., and was ordained and installed pastor of
that church October 18, 1804, and so continued until
his death. He married Elizabeth ISIartin, of Sunbury,
Pa., June 14, 1804.
Alexander Williamson was a son of David and Tamar
Williamson. He was born in Mifflin township, Septem-
ber 17, 1797. He wns graduated from Jefferson Col-
lege in 1818. He entered Princeton Seminary in 1819,
from which he was graduated in 1822. He died at
Corydon, Ind., July 14, 1809, after having served
faithAdly, laboriously and with much self denial as a
home missionary, in building new churches in a mala-
rious region of country, for a quarter of a century.
IMcKnight Williamson, was a son of David and Ta-
mar AVilliamson. He was born in IMifflin township on
his father's farm, Feb. 28, 1800. He graduated at Jef-
ferson College in 1820. He entered Princeton Theolog-
ical Seminary in 1822, and graduated in 1825. His
first pastorate was the Dickinson congregation, not more
than a dozen miles from his home. He was ordained
and installed there, Oct. 20, 1827. Most of his minis-
try was spent in the State of Ohio.
Moses Williamson, was also a son of David and Ta-
mar Williamson. He was born on his father's farm
156 THE BIG SPEING
near Newville, May 7, 1802. He made a public pro-
fession of his faith and was received into the Big Spring
church in the seventeenth year of his age. He was
graduated from Dickinson College in 1824. He en-
tered Princeton Theological Seminary in 1825, from
which he was graduated in 1828. He was licensed by
the Presbytery of Carlisle, April 28, 1828. He after-
wards spent six months in study at Andover Theolog-
ical seminary, and subsequently became paetor of the
Presbyterian church, at Cold Spring, Cape May Co., N.
J., where he remained for over a half a century. He
married Sept. 15, 1834, Emily H., daugliter of Hum-
phrey Huges, of Cape May. He died Oct. 80, 1880.
J. Davidson Randolph, was a son of Paul and Betsy
(Lecky) Randolph. He was born May 16, 1831, died
May 23, 1897. He graduated from the College of New
Jersey, 1858, and from Princeton Theological Seminary
1861. He was licensed by the Carlisle Presbytery, June
13, 1860. He was ordained and installed pastor of the
Presbyterian church at Frenchtown and Kingwood,M<iy"
16, 1864, and later served the congregations of Pitts-
grove, Daretown, Christiana and Atglen, where he died.
William McCandlish, although not born within the
bounds of the Big Spring Church, was reared here and
can be called a son of the church. He was born in
Scotland, Sept. 12, 1810. His father, Alexander Mc-
Candlish, came to this country in 1817, and settled near
Newville, and died there in 1821. William, after many
struggles against poverty, entered Jefferson College,
from which he was graduated, 1834. He entered the
Western Theological Seminary in 1834, graduating in
1837; licensed Sept. 1837, by the Presbytery of Car-
PRESBYTEillAN CHUKCH. 157
lisle; ordained May 1839 by the Presbytery of Wooster,
O. He ^vas actively engaged in the ministry of the
Presbyterian Church for forty-five years and died in
Omaha, Neb., Aug. 4, 1884.
Samuel Davidson, was a son of John and Nancy
(Sterrett) Davidson, of Westpennsboro township. He
entered the ministry of the Presbyterian Church and
supplied the churches of Derry and Paxton, between
1790 and 1800. He died prior to 1800.
Williamson Nevin Geddes, Ph. D., son of Dr. John
P., and Catharine I. (McClay) Geddes, was born in
Newville, Pa., Dec. 28, 1836. He was graduated from
Jefferson College in 1854, entered Princeton Theolog-
ical Seminary, from which he graduated in 1858. He
taught several high grade schools in Virginia, Mary-
land and New Jersey; was stated supply at Charlestown,
W. Va., in 1869 and 1870; was ordained by the Pres-
bytery of Carlisle, May 5, 1871; pastor of the Presbyte-
rian Church in Waynesboro, Pa., in 1871. In 1872 he
accepted the chair of Latin and mathematics in Han-
over Colleire Ind., where he remained until 1876. He
was one of the editorial staff of the "Standard Diction-
ary" recently published.
John Hood Laughlin, son of John and Jane (Hood)
Laughlin, was born at Newville, March 23, 1854. He
was graduated from the College of New Jersey and from
Princeton Seminary in 1877. He was ordained April
13, 1881, by the Presley tery of Carlisle, a missionary,
and sailed for China September 1881, where he still
labors. He married first, July 9, 1881, Annie Johnson
who died in China, leaving an infant daughter. He
married secondly, Aug. 17, 1886, Jennie Anderson.
158 THE BIG SPRING
PASTORS OF THE BIG SPRING CHURCH.
REV. THOMAS CRAIGHEAD,
Rev. Thomas Craighead belonged to a family of mi-
nisters. He was a son of Rev. Robert Craighead, a
native of Scotland and pastor in Derry and Doneagh-
more, Ireland. He was a brother of Rev. Robert Craig-
head, Jr., who was moderator of the Synod of Ireland.
Thomas Craighead was born in Scotland and studied
medicine there, but afterwards read theology under his
father in Derry, and was licensed to preach the Gospel,
was ordained and settled some ten or more years in
Ireland. In consequence of the numerous grievances
to which the Presbyterians were subject in Ireland, he
joined a company of emigrants and came to America.
He first settled in Freetown, Mass., Avhere he continued
for some time, but became dissatisfied because of a want
of sufficient support. Cotton Mather, the distinguished
minister of Boston at tliat time, urged his friends at
Freeport to "provide for his continuance and spoke of
him as a man of an excellent spirit, and should he be
driven from among you it would be such a damage as is
not to be thought of without horror." In January, 1724,
he became a member of the New Castle Presbytery and
accepted an invitation to preach at White Clay Creek
and Brandy Wine. In 1733, he was called to Pequea,
Penna,, where he was very active in gathering and
building up new congregations. He was released from
Pequea September 19, 1736.
At a meeting of Presbytery, October 27, 1736, Rev.
Thomas Craighead was appointed to supply Conodo-
guinet for six months. The following year he was called
PRESBYTEEIAN CHURCH. 159
to !su|)ply the people of Hopewell, but was not installed
until October 13, 1738, on account of the difficulty in
locating the church on the Big Spring, and a trouble in
his own family, he having without consulting his ses-
sion suspended his wife from church })rivileges, because
she failed to live in peace in the same house with her
daughter-in-law. He did not live to minister to the
congregation on the Big (Spring more than seven months,
but died suddenly the latter part of April, 1739, just
after preaching an eloquent discourse to his people. His
doctrinal views were in strict accordance with the West-
minster slandards, to which^ he was warndy attached,
and which he had adopted both in the Presbytery of
New Castle and Donegal as the confession of his faith.
Mr. Craighead left four sons, Thomas, Andrew, Alex-
ander and John. John was a farmer and lived south of
Carlisle.
RKV. JOHN BLAIR, D. D.
Rev. John Blair was born in Ireland in 1720, and
cjune to this country when quite young, and most prob-
ably his father settled ne^ir Brandy wine or Red Clay
Churches in Chester County, Pa., as the name of AVil-
li:nn Blair occurs as an elder from there in 1729 and
1732. He and his brother 8anmel received their classi-
cal and theological education under William Tennent at
the IjOg College at Neshaminy, Bucks County, Pa. He
was licensed to preach by the New Side Presbytery of
New Castle, and was ordained pastor of the congrega-
tions of the Tliree Springs, Big, Middle and Rocky, De-
cendjer 27, 1742. During his pastorate here he made
visits to Virginia, the last in 174(>, preaching with great
160 THE BIG SPRING
power and effect in various places, organizing several
new congregations, and leaving where ever he went an
abiding impression of his learning and piety. It is
st<ited by some writers that he resigned his pastorate of
the churches of the Three Springs December, 1748, but
this is probably incorrect. Whilst the exact date of his
resignation is involved in much uncertainty, the weight
of evidence points to the year 1755. In 1757 he ac-
cepted a call to the church at Faggs Manor, Chestei-
County, which had been made vacant by the death of
his distinguished brother. Rev. Samuel Blair. Here he
remained ten years, taking his brother's place both as
pastor of the church and principal of the classical school
which his brother had conducted. In 17G7 he was
chosen to fill the newly founded chair of divinity in
Princeton College, and was also chosen vice-president,
and was its acting president until Dr. Witherspoon en-
tered upon his duties in 1769. It soon became evident
that the fund contributed to endow the chair of divinity
was insufiicient for the supjwrt of the professor. Ac-
cordingly Dr. Blair resigned his position and Dr. With-
erspoon performed the duties of both positions. Dr.
Blair then accepted a call to Walkill, Orange County,
N. Y., where he continued until his death, December 8,
1771, at the age of fifty-one. Dr. Blair was without
doubt among the foremost preachers of his time. Dr.
Archibald Alexander expressed the opinion that "Dr.
Blair as a tlieologion wa^ not inferior to any man in the
Presbyterian Church in his day. He was a judicious
and persuasive preacher, and througli his preaching sin-
ners were converted and the children of God edified.
His disposition was uncommonly patient, placid, benev-
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 161
olent, disinterested and cheerful. He was too mild to
indulge in bitterness or severity." Dr. Blair married
the daughter of John Durburrow, of Philadelphia. The
Rev. John 1). Blair, D. D., of Riehniond, Va., was his
son. His daughter was married to the Rev. Dr. William
Linn, one of his successors in the church of Big Spring.
His jnddished writings are Animadversions on
"Thoughts on the Examination and Trials of Candi-
dates," "The Synods of New York and Philadelphia
Vindicated," "A Treatise on Regeneration," "A Treatise
on the Nature and Use of the Means of Grace."
REV. GEORGE DUFFIELD, I). I>.
Rev. George Duffield was born in Pequea township,
Lancaster County, Pa., October 7, 1782. He was the
third son of George and IMargaret Duffield who came to
that place from the north of Ireland, between 1725 and
17o0. His parents were of French Huguenot extrac-
tion, the family having first taken refuge in England
and later settled in the north of Ireland. The name was
originally Du Field. The subject of this sketch was
pre[)ared for college at the Academy of Newark, Dele-
ware, and graduated at Princeton in 1752. He studied
theology under Dr. Smith at Pequea; w\as tutor in Prince-
ton College from 1754 to 1756, and was licensed by the
Newcastle Presbytery, Ncav Side, March 11, 1756. He
was called to the churches of Big Spring and Carlisle,
New Side, some time in 1757, but was not ordained un-
til September, 1759. In 17(58 Mr. Duffield was called
to the second church in Philadelphia, which had l)een
organized out of the followers of Mr. Whitefield, and of
which Rev. (filbert Tennent, one of the most remark-
162 THE BIG SPRING
able preachers of that day was the pastor. This call
was not accepted, and in 1768 it was renewed, but Pres-
bytery declined to place it in his hands. In 1769 his
relation with the Big Spring church was dissolved, and
in August of that year a call was presented for one-third
of his time from the newly organized congregation of
Monaghan. This call was accepted and he was released
from Big Spring and was installed there Nov. 14, 1769.
May 21, 1772, a call was presented from the Third
Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, w^hich after much
consideration was accepted. He was installed pastor of
that church notwithstanding the opposition of its elders,
the Presbytery and the trustees of the First Church, and
continued in this relation until Iiis death, February 2,
1790. His remains w^ere buried beneath the central
aisle of that church. Dr. Duffield was a man of ardent
temperment, an earnest, zealous and popular preacher, in
hearty sympathy wdth the great revival movement, and
with the followers of Whitefield. He was equally zeal-
ous and patriotic in the cause of his country, and threw
himself with all the ardor of his nature into the cause
of independence. He was chosen Chaplain of the Con-
tinental Congress, and was often found following the
army, doing all that he could to encourage, comfort and
stimulate the soldiers, and in preaching to them the gos-
pel and administering to them its consolations. Dr.
Duffield was the first stated clerk of the General Assem-
bly. He was twice married, first to a daughter of the
Rev. Samuel Blair. She died September 25, 1757, at
Carlisle. He married secondly JMargaret, sister of Gen-
eral John Armstrong, of Carlisle. By this marriage he
left U\o children, one of them being the father of the
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Ifio
late Dr. Duffiekl of Carlisle and Detroit.
REV. WILLIAM LINN, D. D.
Rev. William Linn was born in Lnrgan township,
Franklin County, Pa., February 27, 1752. He was
the oldest son of William Linn, a rulin<!; elder in the
Middle Sprinp; Presbyterian Church. His mother is be-
lieved to have (bed in 8hippensburg, Novend3er, 1755,
where the family had taken refuge in consequence of the
Indian raids at that time. His grand father had come
from Ireland in 1732 and settled first in Chester County,
and from tlience had come, prior to 1750, to the Cum-
berland Valley and purchased and settled upon a tract
of land where William was born. After persuing a
]H'eparatory course under Rev. George Duffield and in
the school of Rev. Robert Smith, at Pequea, Mr. Linn
entered Princeton College and graduated in the class of
1772. He studied theology under his pastor, Rev.
Robert Cooper, D. D., and seems to have been licensed
and ordained by the First Presbytery of Philadelphia,
or that of New Castle, in 1775 or 1776, and was ap-
pointed Chaplain to the Fifth and Sixth Pennsylvania
Battalions, February 15, 1776. Shortly after Magaws
battalion was ordered to Canada, when Mr. Linn re-
signed because circumstances would not admit of his
protracted absence from home. He received a call to
the Big Spring Church, April 9, 1777, and was installed
pastor of that church October 3, 1777. Here he con-
tinued until 1784, performing faithfully the duties of
j^astor and preacher. He was then elected principal of
Washington Academy, Somerset County, jNId. At the
end of one year on account of sickness in his family he
164 THE BIG SPRING
was obliged to resign and remove from that region. He
accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church at Elizabeth-
town, N. J., in 1786, and in 1787 he was called to be
collegiate pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church in the
city of New York, which position he accepted and occu-
pied until 1805. After entering upon his work here he
was chosen the first Cha])lain to Congress, May, 1789.
In his position in New York, Dr. Linn rose to great
eminence in the ministry, find attained a reputation
tor talents and eloquence second to no other minister at
that time in the city. Dr. Linn resigned the pastorate
in New York in 1805, on account of declining health,
and removed to Albany, N. Y. He there engaged to
supply the church, preaching once each Sabbath for one
year. In the meantime he was chosen president of
Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., but was unable to
accept the position on account of rapidly failing health.
He died in Albany, January, 1808. Dr. Linn Avas
thrice married, first January 10, 1774, to Rebecca,
daughter of Rev. John Blair, by whom he had seven
children, one of which was Rev. John Bkiir Linn, D. D.
He married secondly, Catharine, widow of Dr. Moore,
of New York and had one son. He married thirdly,
Helen Hanson, they had one son.
REV. SAMUEL WILSON.
Rev. Samuel Wilson was born 1754, in Letterkenny
township, Cumberland, noAV Franklin County, Pa., in
sight of the old Rocky Spring Church, in which his par-
ents worshiped, and in tlie grave yard of which several
generations of his fimily are buried. He was the fourth
son of John Wilson, a farmer of Scotch Irish parentage.
PRESBYTEKIAN CHURCH. 165
and his wife Sarah Reid. The youngest son of the
family entered the army where he contracted camp fever
and came home and died in 1778. Samuel attended
his brother during his sickness and also contracted the
disease and was very ill. During this sickness he re-
solved, if his life was spared, to devote it to the service
of God in the work of the christian ministry. Accord-
ingly, on his recovery, he relinquished farming and
went to Princeton College, from which he was gradu-
ated in 1782. He studied theology under Dr. Cooper
at ^Middle Spring; was licensed by the Presbytery of
Donegal, Octol)er 17, 1786; called to be pastor of
the Big Spring Church, and ordained and installed June
20,1787. "He continued to labor faithfully, acceptably,
and usefully in the Big Spring congregation until his
death." Soon after his settlement in the ministry he
married Jane, daughter of Archibald ^lahon, of Ship-
pensburg, Pa., and grand daughter of David and Martha
JNlahon, of Rai, County Donegal, Ireland. They had
two children, John, who died January 80, 1800, aged
sixteen years, and flane, who married Dr. William M.
Sharj), of Newville, and who died there July, 1876. A
number of the great grand cliildren, and great, great
grand children of Rev. Samuel Wilson, are now mem-
bers of the Big Spring Church. He died March 4,
171M), and rests beneath a large marble slab which the
massive walls of the church he built in his earl}^ minis-
try shade from the slanting rays of the setting sun.
iu:v. .losHCA willia:\is, d. d.
Rev. Joshua Williams was of Welsh descent. His
grand father, Joshua, came to this country prior to 1764,
166 THE BIG SPKIXG
and located in the Welnli settlement in Chester County,
Pa. He had two sons, Louis and Joshua, both of whom
served in the Revolutionary war. Louis married Mary
Hudson and settled at Dillsburg, York County, Pa.,
w^here they raised a family of eleven children. The
Rev. Joshua was the third son and was ])orn March 8,
1768. He jH-epared for college at Gettysburg, Pa., un-
der the tuition of Rev. Mr. Dobbin, and entered Dickin-
son College from which he was graduated 1795. He
read theology under Rev. Dr. Cooper, at Middle Spring,
and was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery
of Carlisle, in 1797. In the following year he was called
to become the pastor of the churches of Paxton and
Derry, and was ordained and installed by the Presby-
tery of Carlisle, October 2, 1799. After laboring there
with increasing usefulness for two years, he received a
call to the church of Big Spring, which lie accepted, and
was installed there April 14, 1802. Here he continued
for twenty-seven years, the able minister and faithful
pastor of this people, when, in 1829, in consequence of
imjiaired health, he resigned.
It is said that "few men in tlie ministr}^ of the Pres-
byterian Church of the eminent talents, learning, piety
and usefulness of Dr. Joshua Williams, were so little
known to the church at large. This was doubtless ow-
ing to the quiet and retired life which he lived, and to
the absence in him of everything like a spirit of self as-
sertion, or obtrusiveness. He was by nature possessed
of an acute and vigorous intellect. His judgment was
regarded as sound and discriminating, and he had a re-
mai-kable taste and aptitude for metaphysical reasoning.
His mind was richly stored with the results of extensive
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCir. 107
reading, cloye observation and miu-li reflection, all sys-
tematically arranged and at his command. As a
})reaclier of the gospel, Dr. Williams was grave and
solemn in manner and richly scri^jtiiral and instructive in
matter. The great doctrines of the cross were not held
by him as mere theoretical beliefs, but constituted the
very life of his own soul. As a pastor he was regular
and faithful in family visitation and in the catechetical
instruction of all classes of people". He married, June
15, 1800, Eleanor Campbell, who died April 28, 1856,
aged seventy-six years. They had six sons and three
daughters. Dr. Williams died Aug. 21, 1888, and rests
in the grave yard of the Big Spring Church, Newville.
REV. ROBERT M CACIIRAN.
Rev. Robert McCachran was descended from a Scotch
ancestr3\ His great grand father, accompanied by his
wife, four sons and one daughter, emigrated from Can-
tyre, near Campl)ellstown, Scotland, about 1725, and
settled in the Forks of the Brandywine, Chester County,
Pa. Robert McCachran, the second son of John Mc-
Cachran and Isabella Cunningham, was born at the
Forks of the Brandywine, Chester County, Pa., Septem-
ber 24, 1798. He early manifested a strong desire for
a liberal education, and as there was no school in his
immediate neighborhood where the higher branches of
an English education were taught, he walked daily three
miles in winter to a school affording those advantages.
This he continued to do for some time, when a classical
school was opened at Brandywine manor, by the Rev.
John Grier. ISlr. jNIcCachran entered this school and
remained there until its removal from the place, when
168 THE BIG SPEING
he entered the Academy at West Nottingham, Md., in
charge of Rev. James W. Magaw, a successful and po[)-
ular educator in those times. At the end of the course
of study in this Academy, INIr. McCachran entered the
junior class in Dickinson College, Carlisle, where he re-
ceived his collegiate training. After completing his
course at Dickinson, he taught for a season in the Acad-
emy at Newark, Del., and then entered Princeton Theo-
logical Seminary in 1824, from which he was graduated
in 1827. He was licensed to preach the gospel liy the
Presbytery of New Castle, April, 1827, and in the Au-
tumn of the same year a field of labor was opened to
him at Middletown, DeleAvare County, Pa. In connec-
tion with his Avork in this church, he gave half of his
time to missionary work in Deleware and adjoining
counties. He was ordained at New Castle, Del., May
19, 1829. In 1830, because of ill health, he resigned
his charge. After his resignation he made a journey on
horse back in quest of health and another field of labor,
up through Lancaster, York, Cumberland and Franklin
counties, preaching as the opportunity presented. He
preached several sermons in the church at Newville,
which had recently become vacant by the resignation of
Kev. Joshua Williams, and so pleased were the people
with his ministrations that they gave him a call which
was accepted, and he was installed pastor of that church
April 13, 1831. Mr. McCachran labored Avith great
diligence and success in the Big Si)ring Church for
twenty-one years, resigning October 8, 1851. He then
turned his attention to the establishment of a classical
school for the training of young men for college and the
ministry. He erected a suitable building near Newville
Rev. Philip H. Mowry, D. D.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURl'H. 171
avIhtc 1k' siRressfiilly coiuliU'tcd tlic scliool until 1864,
when it was discoiitiinu'd iKraiist* of a loss of students
occasioned hy tlie civil war. "]\lr. IMcCacliran was a man
of great simplicity of cliai-actei-. He was sincere in his
religious convictions and conscientious in the i)erform-
ance of duty. He was well read in the ancient classics
and in the works of tlie old divines of the seventeenth
centur}'. He was in the constant habit of daily reading
the New Testament in the original Greek language. As
a preachei" he was sinij)le, plain, scriptural and orthodox.
He was generally regarded as excelling most of his
brethren in the brevity, comprehensiveness and felicity
of ex])ression in his prayeis." For many years he was
stated clerk of the Presbytery, and always an active
member of the jstanding committee on languages, and
conducted his examinations with due consideration and
acceptableness. In his j)rivate life he was ipiietly and
unostentiously charitable to the poor, and especially so
to the colored })eo})le, many of whom were greatly as-
sisted by his counsels and liberality." It can be truly
said of him that his entire life was in all respects most
exemplary and blameless, and his end Avas in peace." He
died February "2'}, 1885. On November 11, 1834, he
married Jane Laughlin, who was born August 3, 1802,
and died Novend)er 27, 1871. 81ie was a daughter of
Atchison Laughlin, a ruling elder in the church. To
them were born two childien, Mary and Robert, the
lallcr is now a successful attorncy-at-law in Newville,
and re])resented his district in the Legislature of
Pennsvlvania from 1878 to 1882.
REV. JAMES S. 11. IIEXDERSOX.
172 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Rev. James S. H. Henderson was born in Frederick
County, Md., September 20, 1815. He pursued his the-
ological studies in Union Theological Seminary, N. Y,,
and Princeton Seminary, N. J,, graduating from the lat-
ter in the year, 1842. He was ordained by the Presby-
tery, of Nashville, Tenn., 1842, and spent some time in
home missionary work. In 1844 he was installed pas-
tor of the Presl)yterian Church at Augusta, Ky., where
he remained ten years. In 1852 he accepted a call to
the Big Spring Church, New^ville, Pa, He resigned the
church at Newville in 1861, and removed to Montgom-
ery County, Md., where he became stated supply of the
church at Neelsville. He ministered to this congrega-
tion for nearly eighteen years, until his death, August
17, 1882. His ministry there was very successfuL
although the church at Neelsville was a small one. He
organized a congregation at Boyds and these two became
one pastorate. Both congregations built handsome
church edifices prior to his death and were in a flourish-
ing condition. He was married in 1842 to Rosanna J.
Neel, daughter of James Neel, one of the original mem-
bers of the church bearing his name, who with a
daughter and six sons survive him. One of the latter is
a clergyman of the Presbyterian Cliurch.
REV. PIITLir H. MOWRY, P. D.
Rev. Philip Henry Mowry was born in Allegheny,
Pa., March 6, 1837. His flither, a graduate of the
Western University of Pennsylvania, and of Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia, practiced medicine in Al-
legheny from March, 1880, until his death, March 14,
1895. His grand father, Philip Mowry, was born in
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 17o
Pittsburi;;, Pa,, 1777, where liis great grand fatlier,
Christian M. Mo wry, a soldier of tlie RevoUitionary
war, settled hut a short time before. His mother, A.
Rebekah Riddle, was a daughter of James M. Riddle, a
lawyer, born in the Chimberland Valley, and wdio set-
tled in Pittsburg in 18P2, after marrying Elizabeth
Weaver, of CumbeT'land County, Pa. Rev. P. H.
iNIowry graduated from Washington College, Cannons-
burg, in 18r)8, and from the Western Theological Sem-
inary in 1S()1. On leaving the Theological Seminary
he was called to the Fourth Presbyterian Church of
Philadel})hia and ordained by the Presbytery of Phila-
delphia, October 8, 1861, and at the same time installed
pastor of the church. In October, 1868, he was called
to the Big Spring Church, Newville, and entered uj)on
his ministerial work here the following December. After
a very successful })astorate of five years he resigned the
Rig Spring Church and accepted a call from the second
Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Ohio. He remained
in Springfield five years when he accepted a call to the
First Presbyterian Church of Chester, Pa., entering upon
his pastoral work October 1, 1873. There he remains
greatly beloved by his people and respected by all. Dr.
Mowry married, October 2o, 1861, Catharine A. daughter
of William H. Richardson of Greensburg, Pa. She died
January '20, 1881, leaving children — Fllizabeth, Henri-
etta, Robert Bruce, Fred, Philip, Rebecca and jNIary.
Dr. Mowry married secondly, April 18, 1889, Sarah
W., daughter of William E. Du Bois, of Philadelphia.
RFA". F.I}ENi:ZER P:R8KTNK, P. I).
Rev. Ebenezer Erskine is a son of John Erskine and
174 THE BIG SPKING
his wife Margaret Trainer. John Erskine wan the fifth
in descent from Rev. Henry Erskine, father of Revs.
Ebenezer and Ralph Erskine, founders of the Secession
Church, of Scotknd. He came from County Down, Ire-
land, to this country at the close of the Revolutionary
war, and after remaining for a time in Philadelphia, set-
tled in Ridley township, Deleware County, Pa. There
the subject of our sketch was l)orn, January ol, 1821.
He prepared for college in the celebrated classical school
of Joseph P. Engles in Philadelphia, and entered Jeffer-
son College, in 1839, from which he was graduated in
1848. In 1844 and 1845 he was principal of the Potts-
town Academy. After resigning this })Osition, he en-
tered Princeton Theological Beminary October, 1845,
from which he was graduated May, 1848. He was
ordained and installed pastor of the Penn Presbyterian
Church, Philadelphia, September 11. 1849. There he
remained until 1851, when he accepted a call to Colum-
bia, Pa. He remained as })astor of the church at
Columbia until 1857, when he resigned to accept a call
to the Presbyterian Church at Sterling, 111. He resigned
the church at Sterling in 18(35, to undertake, at the re-
quest of several of his ministerial brethren, the founding
of a Presbyterian College in Northern Illinois. TJiis led
to the establishment by him of the "North Western
Presbyterion " at C/hicago, in the fall of 18G5, of whicli
he was editor and proprietor. This paj^er was a means
of communication with the cliurches. The attempted
founding of the college was delayed on account of the
church controversies arising out of the civil war, the re-
union of the two branches of the Pres})yterian Church,
and in relation to the Theological Seminary of the
PRESBYTERIAN CllUIU'lf. 17-"
Northwest. In 1809 lie neeepted a iinaninious call to
become pastor of the J>ig S])riiig Presl)yteriaii Churcli in
NewviHe, where he yet remains, faithfully diseharging
his ))a8toral duties. Dr. P]rskine has occupied many
jiositions of importance and res})onsil)ility in the Pres-
hvterian Church. He has heen moderator of the Synod
of Harrisl)urg; moderator of the Synod of Pennsylvania;
a mend)er of five tGeneral Assemblies; a director in the
North Western Theological Seminary, Chicago, from
l.S(>") to 1(S()9, and has been a director of Princeton The-
ological Seminary for the past twenty years. At the
meeting of (Tcneral Assenddy at Paltimore, 1875, he
was aj)pointed a mem])er of the comnuttee of conference
on fraternal relations between the General Assenddies
north and south. At the meeting of General Assembly
at Saratoga, in 1890, he was chairman of the committee
on revision that rej^orted the plan of revision to the
General Assembly which was unanimously adopted. He
was also author of the resolution instructing the com-
mittee on revision not to report anything that would im-
pair the integrity of the Reformed or Calvinistic S3^stenl
as set forth in the confession of faith. He was also a
mend)er of the permanent committee on the revision of
the AVestminster Confession of Faith which continued its
work for two years, and on its being reported to the
General Assembly and handed down to the Presbyteries
was not accepted. Dr. Erskine and Drs. Patton and
Cireen of Princeton were among the conservative mem-
hers of the connnittee and unfavorable to some of the
changes reconnnended by the majority. In 1889 Dr.
Erskine together with Dr. George Norcross and Rev.
Mr. West [>ublislied a history of the Carlisle Presbytery
176 THE BIG SPRING
including biographical sketches of deceased members.
This is a very full and complete work, the result of much
pains taking labor, and a valuable contribution to the
history of Presbyterian ism in this countr}-.
Possessing more than ordinary intellectual endow-
ments, Dr. Erskine ranks high in the Presbyterian
Church as a well read and sound tlieologion. He is a
man of strong and decided convictions, and of great
courage and strength of purpose. His sermons are full
of thought and instruction; his matter solid and rewards
the attention of those who are serious and thoughtful
and who care more for sound scriptural and theological
instruction, than for ornaments of rhetoric and mere
empty declamation. He is noted for a remarkably clear
voice, an earnest, persuasive and impressive manner well
adapted to his matter. He is faithful and conscientious
in the discharge of all his ministerial work allowins;
nothing to interfere with what he considers duty.
Dr. Erskine married, October 7, 1874, Helen M.,
daughter of James and Margaret (Sharp) McKeehan,
a descendent of two of the oldest and most respected
families in the vicinity of Newville. They have two
daughters, Helen and INlary, residing at home.
. — ^c=c>.i3lI».{?<;p^^^^>^^§-<|i-<:^^4=^X}-«^ — •
THE BIG SPKING 177
IN THE GRAVE YARD.
The earliest burials clustered around the old oak tree
with its l)roa(l s[)readini;' branches in the south-eastern
]>art of the i!;raveyard, and near where the old log
church stood. To the superficial observer, there seems
to be nuicli unoccu])ied space there, but this is not the
case. In nearly every foot of ground rests the remains
of the pioneer settlers and their children, although no
tablet luai'ks their resting place. There are very few" of
the first and second generations of the residents of this
section who sleep in marked graves. Among many we
have in mind, we mention the Fenton family of thirty
persons, the grave of not one of whom is marked. The
first of the family was Samuel Fenton. His son Sam-
uel was a soldier in the Revolutionary Avar, and his
son James was a Colonel in the war of 1812. In the
]irogress of time, the graveyard gradually extended
towards the church, the lower or south and eastern part
bordering upon the spring, being very rocky, was used
as quarries from an early date, and thus became a source
of revenue to the church. In 18G8, that portion was
sold off, leaving sixteen feet along the fence for a road.
In 1 858, the western side of the graveyard was made on
a line with the eastern side of Corporation street. This
change in the boundary, left a number of graves of
colored peo})le outside of the enclosure in that part of
the street between the fence and the property now owned
by Sanuiel Ernst. The first record we find of an en-
closure, is Sept. 17115, when Archibald McCoy was paid
fi)r 'MS perch of stone, at one dollar and forty cents
]>cr perch, for a graveyard wall. Four years later, the
trustees "Resolved to cover the graveyard wall and en-
178 THE BIG SPRING
close a yard around the meeting house." Home okl per-
sons remember when they were young, of seeing the re-
mains of this wall on the south side oi' the graveyard,
along the spring, near the water's edge, and to this day
can be seen running east and west, through the grave-
yard, about forty feet from the present fence dividing
the church from the graveyard, a ridge of stone covered
with earth ami grass, which was doubtless the founda-
tion of the wall. This ridge extends from the eastern
extremity of the graveyard, west to the Boyd lot where
it is broken by the terracing of the lot.
OUK FATHERS RESTINCt PLACE.
BY )!KI-rJC M KINNEY SWUPK.
Tall trees lift vip their to\verin<,' heads
As if upon the sky to trace
Their shades, and o'er the church they sherl
A stately dipjnity and grace.
Within those ancient walls of stone,
Each generation as it passed.
Found Christ's own hlootl could guilt atone,
At His blest feet their burdens cast.
And drifting silently away,
Time faded into endless day.
On the sloping turf by the old gray walls,
The sunlight casts its slanting beams
Across the path where the shadow falls.
And touches the graves viith golden streams.
The soft wind sighing among the pines
Whispers of perfect peace o'erhead,
And the spring as onward it slowly winds
Murmurs a requiem for the dead.
Its waters caressing the grassy steep
Where heroes and loved ones sweetly sleep.
Ivife's turmoil in each year that passes.
Disturbs no rest in that calm s])ot,
And silently the waving grasses
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 170
Mark moutuls of earth too .soon forgot.
Some slumber on in nameless places,
Some lie 'ueath monuments of stone,
.\nd hearts were sore to lose the faces
That gather now around the throne.
Peaceful the soldier's quiet sleep,
Laurels of fame his winding sheet.
Oh. sacred spot of hallowed sorrow
Guard well the dust in thine embrace;
The brightness of a glail tomorrow
Dawns o'er our fathers' slumbering place.
Thrice holy sejtulchre, to thy
Blest shadows tender memory twines.
Where pastors in thy bosom lie.
And consecrated earth enshrines.
Faithful they were who rest from the strife,
'Neath the sha<les where they offered the
Bread of J.ife.
Fair home for the reapers' treasured spoils
Life's sweetest hopes lie in thy breast.
And mortals cease from wearied toils,
For unto all He giveth rest.
Time steals no beauty and the air
Breathes heavenlv benedictions there.
INSCRIPTIONS FROM TOMBSTONES OF PERSONS BORN
PRIOR TO 1800.
Adnms, Robert, b. Oct. 2, 1798; d. May 14, 1874.
Adams, Margaret, b. 1766; d. 1840.
Allen, John, b. 1791; d. Feb. 10, 1817.
Allen, James W., 1). June 25, 1789; d. June 19, 1869.
Auxer, Elizabeth, wife of Geo., b. Oct. 2, 1796; d. April
11, 1845.
Wiwv, Sarah, dau. of Dr. John Geddes, b. 1802; d. Jan.
27, 1888.
]>arr, Alexander, b. 17()4; d. Hept. 4, 1881.
i^ryson, William, 1). 1728; d. June 13, 1800.
Brownson, Mary, dau. of Thomas, b. 1764; d. Sept. 8,
180 THE BIG SPRING
1807.
Brown, James, b. Dee. 81, 1778; d. Get. 11, 1822.
Brown, Martlia, wife of James, b. Aug. 10, 1792; d.
Feb. 7, 1852.
Brown, John, b. Sept. ID, 1752; d. Jan. 10, 1842.
Brown, Margaret, wife of John, b. 1748; d. Sept. 17,
1886.
Brown, Mary, b. April 12, 1788; d. Sept. 16, 1862.
Brown, James, b. 1777; d. July 81, 1862.
Brown, Nancy, wife of James b. July 5, 1800; d. Oct.
15, 1835. .
Brown, William, 1). 1797; d. May 18, 1864.
Brown, Jane, wife of William,^ b. Sept. 21, 1802; d.
Mar. 10, 1877.
Brown, Rachel, b. 1769; d. Mar. 24, 1805.
Brown, Joseph, b. 1777; d. July 81, 1862.
Brown, Nancy, wife of Josepli, 1). July 8, 1800; d. Oct.
18, 1885.
Bratton, Adam, b. 1741; d. June 6, 1820.
Bratton, Ann, wife of Adam, h. 1752; d. Dec. 26, 1840.
Bratton, Samuel, b. 1796; d. Aug. 16, 1864.
Bratton, William, b. 1791; d. Mar. 11, 1862.
Bratton, George, b. 1784; d. Sept. 18, 1860.
Bratton, Mary, b. 1786; d. July 28, 1857.
Bratton, Eleanor, dau. of Adam, b. 1780; d. Sept. 20,
1848.
Bratton, William, son of Adam, b. 1796.
Buchanan, Mary, b. 1768; d. Oct. 16, 1828.
Buchanan, William, d. July 7, 1843.
Buchanan, Ezekiel, d. Aug. 81, 1831.
Buchanan, Robert, d. May 8, 1888.
Buchanan, Elizabeth, d. Aug. 25, 1863.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 181
Buchanan, Gen. Tlionias, b. 1747; d. Oct. 13, 1823. (A
soldier of the Revolutionary War.)
Binner, Marv E., b. 1772; d. Aug. 1853.
Boyd, William, b. Jan. 5, 1778; d. Fel). 2, 1846.
Boyd, Martha, wife of William, b. Dec. 14, 1779; d.
Apr. 8, 1848.
Butler, Samuel, b, P^eb. 2, 1778; d. Apr. 27, 1850.
Butler, Sallie, wife of Samuel, b". Apr. 4, 1793; d. Mar.
15, 1881.
Carnahan, Judith, wife of Robert, b. 1763; d. May 21,
1835.
Carnahan, jNFary, wife of William, b. 1793; d. Sept. 7,
1823.
Garson, Hannan, b. 1774; d. April 5, 1844.
Garson, Priseilla, b. 1791; d. Aug. l(i, 1864.
Campbell, William, b. Oct. 26, 1789; d. Apr. 1, 1864.
Cobean, William, b. 1795; d. Aug. (5, 1859.
Cobean, Mar}' McFarlane, wife of William, b. 1805; d.
Oct. 4, 1855.
Conway, Mary, b. 1765; d. May 8, 1823.
Cook, Sanuiel, b. 1799; d. July 18, 1841.
Cook, Jane, b. 1794; d. Aug. 31, 1843.
Cox, Mary, b. 1800; d. Dec. 3, 1866.
Davidson, George, b. Oct. 27, 1777; d. June 12, 1856.
Davidson, Jane, wifi' of (leorge, b. Mar. 13, 1779; d.
Dec. (), 1863.
Davidson, Ann, b. Nov., 1788; d. Feb. 16, 1866.
Davidson, John, b. Dec. 15, 178(>; d. Jan. 9, 1840.
David.son, Eleanor ]{., b. Apr. 15, 1797; d. Jan. 3, 1877.
Davidson, James, b. 1790; d. Sept. 27, 1858.
Davidson, Ann, wife of James, b. 1794; d. June 8, 1827.
Davidson, Ann, wife of James, b. 1791; d. Sept.l7, 1867.
182 THE BIG .SPRING
Davidson, William, b. Dec. 2. 1788; d. Aug. 25, 1843.
Davidson, Mary, wife of William, b. Nov. 18, 1796; d:
Apr. 3, 1848.
Davidson, Alexander, b. June 14, 1787; d.Oet. 19,1865.
Davidson; Jane, wife of Alex., b. Nov. 29, 1790; d.
Aug. 19, 1879.
Davidson, John, b. 1743; d. 1823.
Davidson, John, b. Feb. 27, 1772; d. May 10, 1810.
Davidson, li^lizabeth Young, wife of John, b. 1772; d.
Sept. 14, 1823.
Denning, William, b. 1737; d. Dec. 19, 1830. (The
maker of the first wrought-iron cannon of the Revo-
lutionary War.)
Dougherty, George, d. aged 82 years.
Dougherty, Rachel, wife of Geo., b. 1789; d. 1856.
Duey, Conrad, b. 1769; d. Oct. 15, 1833.
Duey, Rachel, wife of Conrad, b. 1779; d. Feb. 22, 1854.
Dunbar, Isabella, b. 1799; d. Sept. 25, 1824.
Dunbar, Mary, b. 1772; d. Jan. 30, 1830.
Dunbar, John, b. 1767; d. Oct. 18, 1829.
Duncan, Eliza Smith, wife of Capt. David, 1). June 8,
1789; d. Aug. 7, 1863.
Ewing, Elizabeth, dau. of Geo. Gillespie, b. 1790; d.
Jan. 16, 1846.
Elliott, Nancy, b. 1772; d. Apr. 16, 1798.
Elliott, Thomas, b. 1787; d. Mar. 19, 1849.
Elliott, Mrs. Elizabeth, 1>. July 13, 1794; d. Feb. 19,
1859.
Ferguson, William, b. 1758; d. Apr. 23, 1834. (A
soldier in Revolution, and maker of the carriages for
the cannon of William Denning.)
Fulton, Francis, b. 1764; d. Oct. 16, 1843.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 183
Fulton, Sarali, wife of Fniiicis, b. 1768; d. Aug. 4,1834.
Fulton, Jiinies, 1). Ot. 10, 1795; d. Aug. 17, 18()0.
(;:iill)r:iitli, Willinm, 1). 1731; d. Nov., 1815.
(};iill)niitli, Sarah, wife of William, b. Oct. 4, 1748; d.
Jan. 1>2, 1827.
Geddes, Dr. John, b. Aug. 16, 1766; d. Dec. 5, 1840.
Geddes, KH/alx-th lV('l)les, b. Fel). 8, 1772; d. May 20,
183<).
Geddes, Dr. John P., b. Oct. 10, 1799; d. Dec. 8, 1837.
Geese, Christian, b. Jan. 17, 1788; d. Nov. 24, 1814.
(liffin, Catharine, b. 1786; d. Jan. 15, 1834.
Gillespie, Nathaniel, b. 1744; d. Aug. 16, 1824.
Gillespie. JNIartha, b. Apr. 20, 1747, d. June 25, 1819.
Gillespie, Ann, b. 1782; d. Nov. 16, 1827.
Gillespie, Nancy, b. 1786; d. Aug. 21, 1835.
Glenn, Alexander, b. Feb. 22, 1787; d. Nov. 13, 1835.
Glenn, Maria, wife of Alexander, b. May 17, 1792; d.
May 28, 1841.
Graham, Martha, b. 1731; d. July 22, 1779.
Graliam, James, b. 1725; d. Sept. 2, 1807.
Graham, Isaiah, b. 1769; d. Aug. 27, 1835.
Graham, Nancy, wife of Isaiah, b. Aug. 17, 1772; d.
Fel). 17, 1841.
Graham, Nancy, b. June 17, 1798; d. Jan. 19, 1863.
(Graliam, Robert, b. 1800; d. Jan. 24, 1873.
Graham, Eliza, wife of Robert, b. 1799; d. Dec. 6, 1855.
Green, John, 1). Aug., 1769; d. Feb. 12, 1846.
Harlan, James, b. 1791; d. June 21, 1832.
Harlan, George, b. Jan. 13, 1794; d. Mar. 11, 1873.
Harlan, Eliza])eth H., wife of George, b. Apr. 9, 1811;
(1. Aug. 9, 1858.
Harlan, Ruth, b. .Mar. 15, 1792; d. Feb. 2, 1854.
184 THE BIG SPRING
Hays, Patrick, b. 1760; d. July 28, 1856.
Hays, Margaret Mickey, wife of Patrick, b. 1770; cl.
Jan. 25, 1837.
Haiina, Samuel, b. 1792, cl. Fel). 8, 1825.
Hamia, Else, wife of Samuel, b. 1772; cl. Feb. 10,
1850.
Haiina, Jolni, ]). 1765; cl. Oct. 11, 1823.
Hamil, Mary, wife of Wm., b. 1787; d. Oct. 13, 1811.
Hackett, Henry G., b. Feb. 12, 1792; d. Dec. 7. 1845.
Hackett, Mary, wife of Henry, b. Dec. 4, 1794; d. Sept.
28, 1854.
Harper, John, husband of Jean, who, his journey fin-
ished and got to his rest Sept. 12, 1804, aged 73 yrs.
Harper, Robert, b. 1770; d. Nov. 19, 1802.
Harper, Samuel, b. 1775; d. Apr. 15, 1802.
Harper, Sarah, wife of Samuel, b. 1768; d. Mar. H\
1848.
Harper, David, h. 1774; d. June 3, 1801.
Harper, Maj. John, b. Nov. 29, 1793; d. Oct. 11, 1846.
Harper, Andrew, 1). 1799; d. Jan. 19, 1827.
Harper, Elizabeth, b. July 1806; d. Oct. 10, 1827.
Harper, William, b. 1761- d. INIay 18, 1824.
Harper, Esther, wife of Wm., b. 1762; d. Apr. 13,
1827.
Harper, Jean, wife of John, b. 1735; d. Mar. 16, 1808.
Hari^er, James, b. 1757; d. Fel). 13, 181(i.
Harper, JNIargaret, dan. of James b. 1798; d. Aug. 8,
1817.
Harper, John, b. June 22, 1795; d. June 5, 1847.
Harper, Margaret, wife of eJohn, and dan. of John, of
Adams Co., b. 1811; d. May 21, 1836.
Harper, Elzabeth,, wife of John, b. 1772; d. Mar. 27,
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 185
IcSlP,.
House, John, I). 1782; (1. Nov., 1872. (A soldier of
tl.c Warof 1812.)
House, Elizal)etli, wife of John, 1). 1784; d. 1863.
Hustou, Jauies, b. 1784; d. June 17, 1825.
Huston, James, b. 1782; d. June 17, 1828.
Hunter, Joseph, b. 177-"); d. June 28, 1835.
Hood, Josiali, b. An- 11, 17l>4; d. Oct. 2, 1873.
Hood, Sarah, wife of Josiah, b. Sept. 28, 1794; d.
Mar. 18, 1852.
Hefflenian, Michael, b. Mar. 9, 1780; d. July 24, 1845.
Heffleman, Mary, wife of Michael, b. Dec. 22, 1785; d.
Fel). 2, 1837."
Heap, John.
Irvine, Samuel, b. 1747; d. Mar. 9, 1806.
Irvine, Mary, wife of Samuel, b. 1744: d. Oct. 28, 1819.
Irvine, MisJ Eutli, b. July, 1777; d. Dec. 21, 1859.
Irvine, Rosaona, Avife of Samuel, b. 1797; d. April 4,
1834.
Irvine, Samuel, 1). 1785; d. May 10, 1849.
Irvine, Isabella, wife of Samuel, b. 1803; d. July 12,
1839.
Irvine, ^largaret McClelland; wife of Samuel, b. Sept.
21, 1803; d. Sept. 2, 188(3.
Irwin, James, h. 1776; d. Feb. 22, 1854.
Ii-win, Prudence, b. 1784; d. Oct. 20, 1818.
Jacobs, Adam, b. Oct., 1787; d. Aug. 17, 1872.
Jacobs, Marjory, wife of Adam, b. July 1, 1795; d. Apr.
30, 1865.'
Jacobs, Sarah Leuney, wile of Adam, b. 1787; d. Aug.
30, 1834.
Jacob, Joseph, b. 1782; d. Oct. 9, 1864.
186 THE BIG HPKING
Jacob, Lydia, wife of Joseph, b. 1785; d. Dec. 20, 1849.
Johnson, John, b. 1780; d. Sept. 8, 1841.
Johnson, EUzabeth, b. 1788; d. Unr. 2, 1847.
Kelley, John, b. 1791; d. March 1, 1804.
Kelley, Grizelda, b. 179H; d. March 23, 1864.
Ker, Sarah, wife of Alex., b. 1784; d. June 29, 1838.
Ker, William, 1). Jan. 1, 1755; d. Oct. 8, 1845.
Ker, William, b. Oct. 30, 1791; d. Sept. 20, 1874.
Ker, Eliza B., wife of William, b. Sei)t. 16, 1806; d.
Dec. 24, 1844.
Kennedy, Thomas, 1). 1744; d. 1831.
Kennedy, Margaret, wife of Thomas, b. 1759; d. Jan,
16, 1826.
Kilgore, William, b. 1756; d. Oct. 11, 1823.
Kilgore, Isabella, wife of William, b. Oct. 1761; d. Feb.
18, 1826.
Kilgore, Jesse, b. Dec. 13, 1773; d. Aug. 19, 1823.
Kilgore, James, b. March 20, 1771; d. Dec. 5, 1834.
Kilgore, Bobert, b. Sept. 7, 1799; d. Aug. 27, 1878.
Kinsley, John, b. 1780; d. Dec. 13, 1851.
Klink,"^ George, b. May 23, 1792; d. Jan. 30, 1869.
Klink, Elizabeth, wife of George, b. 1795; d. March 24,
1875.
Knight, Thomas H., b. Nov. 8, 1795; d. Apr. 30, 1852.
Knight, Elizabeth, wife of Thomas, b. Mar. 11, 1805; d.
Apr. 17, 1863.
Knettle, Henry, b. 1774; d. July 5, 'iS4r).
Knettle, Hannah, wife of Henry, b, 1778; d. Oct. 27,
1854.
Koons, Isaac, b. Sept., 1792; d. Nov. 19, 1874.
Laughlin, James, b. Sept. 14, 1783; d. Feb. 11, 1851.
Laughlin, Atcheson, b. 1756; d. Jan. 11, 1825.
PREKI5YTKKIA.V CIHIK H. 189
LiUii;liliii, M;irv, wife of Atclicsoii, 1.. ITflO; d. Oct. 22,
1842.
L;iu-liliii, AVilliani K., 1.. Vv\k C, 17S1; d. Fcl). 12, 1835.
L;iui;li]iii, JjiiiK's, 1). April IS, 1770; d. 18r)2.
]j;iiii;Iiliii, rioliii, 1). i\l;ii('li 1"), 177'"); died ;it se;i.
Ltmoldiii, AVilli:mi 1). An--. 17, 1778; d. duiic 21 , 1844.
L;iiii;liliii, dniiics, 1). Si'j)t. 14, 178'); d. I'd). 11, 1851.
Liiughlin, AgiK's, 1). Aug. 7, 171)4; d. Aug. 18, 1871.
Laughliu, P:iiz;dH'tli, b. Nov. 1(), 171H); d. Feb. 21, 1864.
Laughliii, Atdiesoii, b. Vvh. 8, 1799; d. July 7, 1876.
Laird, C'atliarine, b. Juue, 17()4; d. fhiiie lo, 1850.
Laird, Hugh, ]). 1787; d. Sept. oO, 1815.
Laird, Thomas, b. 1794; d. April 19, 1880.
Laird, James, Es(j., 1). 1753; d. (At. 10, 1884.
Laird, Robert, b. 1789; d. Jan. 15, 1848.
Lenney, Isaac, h. 1793; d. Aug. 14, 1848.
Lenuey, Haunah, wife of Isaac, b. 1797; d. Aug. 16,
1869.
Lenney, Elizabeth, b. 1782; d. Jan. 17, 1847.
Lenney, iSarah, wife of Adam Jacobs, b. 1787; d. Aug.
30, 1834.
Lenney, William, b. 1782; d. Oct. 20, 1823.
Lenney, Sarah, wife of William, b. 1789; d. March, 17,
1862.
Leckey, Haiah J]., b. Sept. 1, 1789; d. Oct. 6, 1823.
Leckey, Alexander, b. 1740; d. Mar. 16, 1818.
Leckey, Elizabeth, wife of Alexander, b. 1765; d. Nov.
16, 1817.
Leckey, Daniel, I). Sept. 4, 1783; d. March 3, 1854.
Leckey, Ann Davidson, wife of Daniel, d. Sept. 5, 1843.
Leckey, Sarah; dau. of Alexander, b. July 5, 1787; d.
Dec., 1859.
190 TJIE BIG SPRING
Leckey, Isabella, b. 1799; d. Dee. 1862.
Leckey, 8arab, b. July 5, 1787; d. Dec. 1859.
Lindsay, William, b. July (3, 1798; d. Jan. 23, 1838.
Lindsay, Mary Forbes, wife of William, b. April 27,
178(5; d. Oct. 26, 1842.
Lindsay, Jane, b. Oct. 1760; d. INIay 4, 1837.
Logan, James, b. 1782; d. Oct. 26, 1828.
Logan, Alexander, b. July 22, 1795; d. Nov. 12, 1870.
Logan, Martha, wife of Alex, b. 1797; d. Nov. 7, 1873.
MaUiers, William, b. 1760; d, Oct. 18, 1850.
McCacliran, Isabella, 1:». at Abbington, near Philadel-
phia, Jan. 8, 1765; d. Jan. 12, 1851.
McCachran, Rev. Eobert, h. Sept. 24, 1796; d. Fel). 25,
1885. (Pastor of Big Spring Presbyterian Cluircli.)
McCachran, Jane Laughlin, wife of Rev. Robert, b.
Aug. 3, 1802; d. Nov. 27, 1871.
McCachran, James, b. Jan. 1, 1797; d. Aug. 25, 1885.
McCachran, Rachel, wife of James, b. Feb. 1803; d.
Dec. 22, 1859.
McCormick, Samuel, b. 1726; d. Sept. 4, 1803.
McCormick, Eliza]:>etli, wife of Samuel, h. 1727; d. Oct.
7, 1811.
McCormick, Thomas, b. May 29, 1766; d. Jan. lij, 1835.
McCormick, Margaret Young, wife of Thomas, b. Jan.
20, 1766; d. Feb. 20, 1824.
McCandlish William, b. 1768; d. Apr. 9, 1827.
McCandlish, Jane, wife of William, b. 1781; d. Aug.
4, 1827.
McCandlish, Maria, wife of John, b. 1802; d. Oct. 1,
1827.
McCulloch, James, son of John. b. 1761; d. Aug. 13,
1825.
tf^
y rRENJiYTKUIAN (IHIRCH. 191
MeCulloeli, Swu IIi-ihUtsuii, wife of John, ]). 1773;
(1. June 24, 1(S47.
McCiilhx'li, John, 1). 1741; d. May U), 1808.
McCulloch, Elizah(.(h Hueston, wife of John, b. 1740;
d. 181:5.
MeCulloeli, William, h. 1778; d. Nov. 8, 1824.
MeCidloeh, 8arah M., b. 1782; d. April 4, 1834.
McCulloch, John, of Dickinson, b. 1771; d. Feb. 5, 1847.
McCulloch, Mary Williamson, wife of John, b. 1773; d.
Sept. o, ]8()2.
McCulloch, David, )). Dec. K;, 171)8; d. Nov. 22, 1859.
McCulloch, l^x'tsy Covle, wife of David, b. Sept. 3, 1804;
d. Dec. 28, 1882.
McCulloch, Jane Dunbar, wife of John, b. 1805; d.
Minvh 7, 1838.
McCrea, William, b. 1759; d. 1837.
McCrea, Margaret, wife of William, b. 1759; d. 1822.
McCrea William, 1). July 21, 1800; d. Oct. 25, 1885.
McCracken, Capt. William, b. 1753; d. Jan. 1(), 1803.
(A Revolutionary soldier.)
McDannell, Daniel, b. in Ireland, Nov. 11, 1722; d.
March 27, 1789.
McDannell, Jane, wife of Daniel, b. in Ireland, Jan. 1,
172(5; d. June 28, 1795.
McDannell, Mrs. Elizabeth, 1). Oct. 18, 1790; d. May
25, 18()(3.
McDajinell, Margaret, b. March 6, 1797; d. May 8, 1809.
McDannell, Daniel, b. July 18, 1751; d. June 26, 1811.
McDannell, Daniel; son of Daniel, b. March 23, 1792;
d. Nov. 13, 1825.
McDannell, Jane, b. 1765; d. Feb. 18, 1842.
McDannell, John, b. 1729; d. Jan. 1, 1800.
192 THE BIG SPRING
McDowell, Margaret, b. Dec. 80, 1792; d. June 9, 1851.
McDowell, Elizabeth, b. Nov. 16, 1797; d. June 8, 1851.
McDowell, Mary, b. 17(58; d. Dec. 24, 1884.
McDowell, 8amuel, b. 17(54; d. Apr. 24, 1880.
McDowell, Mary, b. Sept. 18, 1794; d. Apr. 28, 1863.
McDowell, John, b. 1778; d. Jan. 9, 1829.
McDowell, Margaret Laird, wife of John, 1^. Dec. 19,
1790; d. Maf 30, 1855.
McElwain, Ilobert, b. 1781; d. Jan. 18, 1853.
McElwain, Jane, wife of Robert, b. 1790; d. May 12,
1869.
McElwain, Andrew, jr., 1). April 19, 1785; d. Aug. 10,
1840.
McElwain, Mary, wife of Andrew, b. July 16, 1798;
d. Oct. 27, 1868.
McFarlane, William, b. 1757; d. Jan. 29, 1802.
McFarlane, Esther, b. 17(59; d. Feb. 18, 1789.
McFarlane, Eleanor, b. 1776; d. Oct. 19, 1814.
McFarlane, Elizabeth, b. 1767; d. March 16, 1816.
McFarlane, James, b. 1757; d. Dec. 1(3, 1807.
McFarlane, Elizabeth, wife of James, b. 1764; d. March
26, 1814.
McFarlane, Robert, b. Nov. 15, 1784; d. April 24, 1838.
McFarlane, Lydia, wife of Clemens, b. Aug. 1799; d.
March 20, 1846.
McFarlane, William, I). 1744; d. April 3, 1811.
McFarlane, Robert, b. Oct. 23, 1776; d. Sept. 14, 1847.
McFarlane, Jane, wife of Robert, b. Nov. 21, 1799; d.
Feb. 1, 1882.
McFarlane, Jane, wife of Rol)ert, b. 1787; d. March 11,
1833.
McFarlane, Rosanna, b. 1734; d. Nov. 26, 1812.
ria':.si)VTi;i;iAx (iirucu. 193
j\rrFm-l;nus PntnVk, I). 1727; d. :\I:»ivli Ki, 1702.
Mrlllu'iiiiy, ^r;irL;;irc't, wife of Ivohcrt, 1). 171)2; d. Apr.
22, 188r).
Alclntire, Jolin, 1.. MI'k d. Aui;-. H\, 1«30.
Mc'Tntii'c, M;ir<;ai'('t, wife of Join), 1). 17r)l*);d. 8e])t. 17,
1830.
Mt'Keehaii, iH-iijainiii, 1). An--. 2, 1718; d. (Jet. 23,
1814.
McKeelian, Margaret, wife of ])eiijaiiiin, It. Feb. 22,
1758; d. A|>r.*24, 182*1.
INIeKeeliaii, Samuel, 1). 178(>; d. Dee. 12, 1870.
MeKeehaii, Deboi'ah, wife of Samuel, b. 1780; d. x\pril
30, 18(;7.
MeKeehan, Rol)ert, b. Oet. 13, 1784; d. April 26, 1868.
MeKeeliau, jNlary Trego, wife of Rol)ert, b. March 24,
1782; d. Feb. 28, 1854.
:\leKibbeu, Joseph, 1). 1704; d. Nov. 13, 1836.
MeKinstry, James, b..l805; d. Jan. 30, 1846.
MeMouigal, AVilliam, b. 1766; d. July 14, 1813.
:MeMonioal, xVgues, b. 1755; d. May 10, 1812.
MeWilliams, Robert, b. 1786; d. Mar. 10, 1813.
Megaw, James, b. 1775; d. May 26, 1838.
Megaw, Sarah, b. 1770; d. May 24, 1846.
Mickey, Robert, b. Dec. 21, 1746; d. Dec. 3, 1827.
Mickey, Ezemiah, b. 1755; d. Dec. 8, 1830.
Mickey, James, b. 1705; d. 1835.
Mickey, Lucetta, wife of James, b. 1802; d. 1862.
Miller, Henry, b. Jan. 1, 1777; d. Jan. 23, 1838.
jNlorrow, John S., b. July 26, 1788; d. April 16, 1863.
MolHt, Robert, b. iNIay 6, 1700; d. Sept. 14, 1856.
Nicholson, Richard, b. 1713; d. Dec. 18, 1702.
Nicholson, Marv, b. 1708; d. Jan. 5, 1703,
194 THE BIG SPRING
Nickey, Jacob, b. Jan. 4, 1797; d. Jan. 1, 1886.
Neal, James, sr., d. Feb. 27, 1793.
Neal, Sarali, wife of James, d. 8ept. 13, 1814.
Over, Keziah, wife of Samuel, b. Sept. 23, 1800; d. July
28, 1861.
Pollock, Mary, wife of Joseph, b. 1758; d. Aug. 1838.
Pierce, Paul, b. 1716; d. June 7, 1794.
Pierce Joseph, b. 1756; d. Aug. 30, 180(3.
Pierce, Jane, wife of Joseph, b. Dec. 1768; d. Feb. 25,
1827.
Patterson, Elizabeth, b. 1772; d. Mar. 8, 1798.
Patterson Andrew, b. 1730; d. Nov. 10, 1792.
Patterson, Mary, wife of Andrew, b. 1734; d. March
15, 1827.
Patterson, Thomas, son of Andi'ew, I). 1773; d. Dec. 10,
1822.
Patterson, Obediah, b. 1762; d. March 10, 1804.
Patterson, Ann, wife of Obediah,. b. 1798; d. March 5,
1840.
Patton, Elizabeth, b. Jan. 3, 1797; d. Feb. 4, 1870.
Peebles, Capt. William, killed at the battle of Flat Bush,
L. I., 1776.
Peebles, Capt. Robert, b. 1776; d. Jan. 7, 1830.
Phillips, Edward, b. 1796; d. Dec. 25, 1857.
Phillips, Jane, wife of Edward, b. 1793; d. Dec. 22,
1870.
Randolph, Mary Knettle, wife of John, b. 1800; d. Dec.
12, 1841.
Ralston, Mary, b. 1779; d. Feb. 13, 1852;
Ralston, David, b. 1783; d. March 8, 1849.
Ralston, Lacy, wife of David, b. 1790; d. Jan. 28, 1863.
Reed, James, b. 1789; d. May 12, 1842.
rni:sr.YTi;i;iAX ciiukch. 195
Reed, llii^ii, 1.. I7S:5; <1. IS'iil
Riehy, William, h. 1 7('.(); d. Feb. I), 1cS30.
JSliarp, Janu's, h. Jan. 27, 177'J; d. Feb. L^S, 1823.
Starrett, James, 1). July, 17()<S; d. June 18, 1812.
HtenvU, David, 1.. April, 17(')7; d. July 2(), 1825.
Htarrett, Martha, wiJ'e of Robert, daughter of Thomas
Woods, b. in Lancaster County, July 25, 1801; d. 1838.
Sterrett, David, 1). 17-1(1; d. Nov. 2, 1790.
Sterrett, David, b. Apr. 4, 1800; d. INIay O, 1864.
Sterrett, Rebecea, wife of David, b. Aug. 11, 1802; d.
Mar. 7, 18()5.
Sterrett, Rachel, 1). 179(i; d. Dee. 28, 1823.
^teel, Robert, h. 1766; d. Aug. 17, 1836.
Steel; Mary, wife of Kobert, b. Fel). 1, 1776; d. Aug.
19, 1859.
Stevenson, John, b. 1739; d. Aug. 19, 1777.
Stevenson, Rachel, wife of John, dau. of Alex. Scroggs,
b. 1756; d. Apr. 30, 1780.
Stevenson, Jane, b. 1758; d. 1818.
Stevenson, William, b. 1741; d. Dee. 1, 1817.
Stevenson, Margaret, d. Aj)r. 1, 1821.
Stevenson, John, 1). 1780; d. Jan. 1, 1835.
Stevenson, John, b. 178(); d. Fel). 14, 1835.
Stevenson, Mary, b. 1783; d. Feb. 11, 1837.
Stevenson, William, b. Sept. 22, 1792; d. Nov. 27, 1848.
Smith, Hugh, b. 1750; d. Mar. 17, 1823.
Smith, Elizabeth McCormick, wife of Hugh, b. 1764; d.
.A[ay, 22, 1822.
Smith, Renjamin, b. 1747; d. Oct. 16, 1838.
Thompson, jNIatthew, b. 1754; d. Oct. 19, 1823.
Thompson, Joseph, b. 1786; d. Nov. 5, 1832.
Trego, Rebecca, wife of Moses, b; 1762; d. Oct. 7, 1823.
196 THE BIG SPUING
Wallace, John, h. 1744; d. Dec. 12, 1814.
Wallace, Agnes, h. 17(17; d. May 28, 1827.
Wallace, Margaret, b. 1792; d. A]ni\ 2, 1855.
Wallace, John, b. 1798; d. 1876.
Wallace, Mary, wife of John, b. 1801; d. 1887.
Wallace, Thomas, b. Nov. 27, 1792; d. Sept. 30, 1832.
Wallace, Mary, wife of Thomas, 1). Nov. 22, 1796; d.
Apr. 13, 1838.
Weakley, Samuel, b. 1755; d. Fel). 10, 1829.
Weakley, Hetty, b. 1755; d. Oct. 1, 1819.
Weakley, John, 1). 1778; d. Nov. 22, 1826.
Weakley, INIartha, b. 1778; d. Oct. 1, 1857.
Wilt, Peter, b. 177(); d. July 23, 1842.
Wilson, Samuel, 1). 1748; d. Apr. 3, 1837.
Wilson, Matthew, 1). 174(r, d. Jan.6, 1824.
Wilson, Rev. Samuel, 1). 1754; d. Mar. 4, 1799. (Pas-
tor Big Spring Presl)ytcrian Church.)
Wilson, Jane, wife of Rev. Samuel, b. 1761; d. May 29,
1835.
Wilson, John, son of Rev. Sanuiel, b. 1793; d. Jan. 30,
1809.
Williamson, William, 1). 1791; d. Apr. 24, 1837.
Williamson, Tamar, wife of David, b. 1763; d. Mar. 23,
1813.
Williams, Catharine, wife of George, b. Aug. 5, 1780;
d. Mar. 5, 1862.
Williams, Rev. Joshua, D. D., b. 1767; d. Aug. 21, 1838.
(Pastor Big Spring Presbyterian Church.)
Williams, Eleanor, wife of Rev. Joshua, b. 1780; d.
Apr. 28, 1856.
Williams, James C, son of Rev. Joshua, b. 1801; d. 1822.
Whitley, Andrew, b. 1769; d. Dec. 7, 1848.
o
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I
rti
?; £^
> m
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1 ■
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 199
SOLDIERS BURIED IN THE GRAVE YARD.
Allen, J. K., Kebellion.
Boose, Jonatlian, War 1812.
Brandon, Thomas, Rebellion.
Barr, John, Rel^ellion.
BaiT, Alexander, Rebellion.
Brown, John, b. Bept. 19, 1752; d. Jan. 10, 1842, Rev-
olution.
BroAvn, George, Co. E, 187 Pa. Inft.
Butler, Corp. Elliott, Co. A, 127 U. S. C. I.
Buchanan, Gen. Thomas, b. 1747; d. Oct. 13, 1823,
Revolution.
Crawford, Sargt. G. W., Co. G, 45th U. S. C. Inft.
Denning, William, b. 1737, d. Dec. 19, 1830, Revolu-
tion.
Fenton, Samuel, Revolution.
Fenton, John, War of 1812.
Fenton, Col. James, b. 1776, War of 1812.
Fulton, Robert H., d. Aug. IH, 1891, Rebellion.
Fry, Cai)t. Jesse R., b. 1832; d. 1893, Co. D, 77th Regt.
Pa. Vol., Rel)ellion.
Ferguson, William, Revolution.
Graham, Sargent George W., b. May (>, 1841; killed
May 10, 1803.
George, 8. C, Co. E, 127 Pa. Inft.
Hays, John S., 1). 1842; d. Mar. 29, 1877. Sargt. 130
Reg. Pa. Vol.
House, John, b. 1782; d. Nov. 1872, War of 1812.
Hackett, Thompson, b. Dec. 28, 1844; d. Apr. 14, 1893,
Rebellion.
Howard, Nicholas, d. Nov. 18, 1847, War of 1812.
Hood, Josiah, 1». Aug. 11, 179^1; d. Oct. 2, 1873, AVar
200 THE BIG KPRING
McElwaiii, Thomas, War of 1812.
MeCuUough, Leo, b. May, 27; 1842, Rebellion.
Mc Williams, John, War*^of 1812.
Moffitt, David 8., b. Sept. 18. 1818; d. May, 8, 1888,
Rebellion.
MeCracken, Ca])t. William, b. 1758; d. Jan. 1(3, 1803,
Revolution.
Nehf, George, Co. I, 12 Reg. Pa., Reserv. Vol.
Neal, Col. Joseph, d. Mar. 25, 1838, War of 1812.
Perry, Abram, Co. K, U. S. C. Inft.
Peebles, Capt. William, killed at the battle of Flat
Bush, L. I., 1776.
Peebles, Capt. Robert, b. 1776; d. Jan. 7, 1830, War of
1812.
Roberts, Capt. John, War of 1812.
Richardson, John H., Rebellion.
Stewart, Samuel I., Co. K, 158 Reg. Pa. Inft.
of 1812.
Ickes, Charles, Rebellion.
Jenkens, George, Co. B, 23rd U. S. C. I.
Johnson, William H., d. July 16, 1869, Rebellion.
Johnson, John Bell, U. S. N.
Kinsley, J. R., Co. H, 3rd Pa. Cal.
Kyle, Samuel, War of 1812.
Kennedy, John, War of 1812.
Knight, James, U. S. Navy, Rebellion.
Laughlin, William, killed at the battle of Fredericks-
burg, Dec. 13, 1862.
Martin, Sargent D. E., Co. I, 201 Pa. Inft.
McCune, J.' A., Co. M, 7th Pa. Cal.
McElwain, Robert, b. 1781; d. Jan. 18, 1853, War of
1812.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
201
Snowdei), Sargt. Samuel S., Co. G, 8th U. S. C. Inft.
Snowden, James H., Co. A, 24tli U. S. C. I.
Tiirbet, William, Mexican War.
Vanderbilt, C. H., Rel)ellion.
Zeio-ler, Samuel R., b. Oct. 22, 184G; d. Mar. 15, 1897,
Ilebellion.
<— ?=o>p)»-
=^X}-«Wf=C=4 — •
202
THE BIG .SPRING
API^EISTDIXES.
APPENDIX A.
Ill giving the adherents of the Big Spring Church in
John Carson's district on page 30, the following ])ersons
were inadvertently omitted
Samuel McCune 14,
Hugh McCune 12,
John McCune 60;'=
Mary McCune 40,='"
Adam Fullerton 16,
James Fullerton 14,
Alexander Fullerton 11,
John McCune 9,
Robert McCune 7,
Samuel Weir 66,'''
Jane Weir 30,'''
George Weir 30,
Margaret Weir 25,
Agnes Marten,
George, a Negro,
Elizabeth Kilgore
Jei;*se Kilgore
Kobert Kilgore
William Kilgore,
Isabel Kilgore
Mary Hawks
James Mickey
Agnes Mickey
Joseph Parks
Rebecca Parks
Thomas Parks
Joseph Parks
Anna Parks
John C. Parks
70,'^^
19,
21,
24,
19,
o5,'''
50,'=^
20,
18,
16,
14.
PJRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 203
APPENDIX V>.
The Presbyterians of the Cum=
berland Valley.
An Address at the Celebration of the Founding of the
Log College, at Neshaminy, Pa., September 5, (889.
i5Y ni:v. i:i'.i-:ni:zkk khskim:, d. J).
Mr. Cli(tirman and (Jirifitiaii lUdJircn:
There is an instiiK'tive tciidi'iH-y in llic liiiinan miiKl
to trace all things to tluir natui-il and proper origin.
Discoverers and ex})l()rers follow rivei's to their sonrees.
Naturalists seek to traee all animal and vegetable organ-
isms to their original germs. Philologists run back
Mords to their roots. The great problem of the ages, in
all the speculative schools of thought has been, what is
the origin of moral evil? What is the origin of the ma-
terial u;iivi'rse?
It is under the inlluence of this j)rinciple of causation,
of antecedent and consequent, that we are here gathered
to-dav to celebrate the founding of the Log College by
the elder William Tennent, as the first academical and
theological school witliin the bounds of the Presbyterian
Church of the United S^tates for the training of young
men for the work of the ministry. On this historic spot,
with all its interesting historic envii'onnicnts, we have
assend)]ed, that here, Avith uncovered heads we may ac-
knowledge, with gratitude to God, the obligations we
ai-e under to the consecrated, self denying founder of an
humble institution, which sent out an infbience that has
])ei'vack'd the church and the nation.
We are here not from any su])erstitious regard for this
histoiic ])lace; nor with any mere affectation of interest
in i]i(<(' liistoric scenes which we ck* n(»t feel; but to call to
204 THE BIG SPRING
mind the life, character and labors of William Teniient,
the history of the school which he here established, and
to inquire what were the faith, the spirit and the princi-
ples which animated and governed him and which found
expression in the young men of talent and energy whom
he here trained. The orthodox, Calvinistic faith, the evan-
gelical spirit, and the consecrated life of William Tenn-
ent, which he impressed upon and infused into the
young men here trained, are what made the Log Col-
lege so famous in the history of the Presbyterian Church.
AVilliam Tennent lived in those he here trained, more
than in his work as a minister of the Gos]:)el or any
other thing which he accomplished. From this school
went forth young men who, like Barnabas, were full of
faith and of the Holy Ghost. The character of the
school m this respect was the seo'et of its great power
for good. This line of thought I cannot further pursue.
I have been asked by the committee in charge of these
services to say something in regard to the Presbyterians
of the Cumberland Valley, and tlieir relationship to the
Log College.
THE CUMBERLAND VALLEY.
Perhaps there are those here to-day who would like
to know just where and what this Cumberland Valley is.
I answer, that it is a part of that extended valley
which lies between two chains of that great Appallachian
range of hills and mountains whicli runs in a northeast-
erly and southwesterly direction across the eastern half
of this continent and which is trom twelve to twenty
miles in width, the whole length of it. Starting out
from the southern part of the State of Vermont, under
different names at different stages of its progress, it runs
down through eastern New York, crossing the Hudson
at Newburg; coming on through Pennsylvania, it crosses
the Delaware at Easton, the Susquehanna at Harrisburg
and the Potomac at Harper's Ferry; and running on
down through Virginia, it crosses the James River at
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 205
Lyiiclibnrg and then runs around through Tennessee
and on down into Alabama.
Now, that Y>i\v{ of tills extended valley which is called
Cund)erland \'alley, is that part which lies between the
Susquehanna and the Potoni'ac rivers and takes its name
from Cunil)erland County, the first county organized in
it, and which name was taken from that of a county in
the North of England, bordering on Scotland.
By many it has been much regretted that it had not
been allowed to retain its original Indian name, that of
the Kittatinny Valley, the valley of endless mountains.
ITS SCENERY, SOIL AND CLIMATE.
From the Susquehanna to the Potomac, the Kitta-
tinny, or the North ]\Iountain, as it is commonly called,
lifts up its long and almost level line of summit to the
height of from seven to twelve hundred feet above the
surfaceof the valley, ])resenting to the eye all along, a
varying aspect of extended forests with here and there
intervening patches of rocks, the changing draper}'^ of
floating mists, the fleeing shadows of ever passing clouds,
and all the diversified lines of spring, summer and
autumn foliage. To the dwellers in the valley it is ever
a most pleasing object of sight and very restful and
grateful to the eye.
The Soutii Mountain, which runs along the other side,
slopes more gi'adually into the valley than the North and
is broken into knobs and sjmrs with deep intervening
recesses, and is alike an object pleasant to behold.
The surface of the valley itself, is varied by hills,
plains and dales, and is noted for the fertility of its soil,
for its numerous great and evei' flowing springs and its
clear running streams, for its abundant crops of grain
and its pure and l)racing atmosphere. In all these re-
spects it is perhaps unsurpassed l)y any other valley of
equal extent in any part of the American continent.
Attractive as this valley thus is, its settlement was
delaved bv reason of the Indian claim to it, which was
206 THE BIG SPRING
not purchased until the year 1736 and also somewhat
by reason of the controversy pending between the two
Provinces of Pennsylvania and Maryland in relation to
the boundary line between them which was not adjusted
until 1787, nor confirmed by Mason and Dixon's survev
until 1763.
EARLY SETTLERS.
By whom w^as this beautiful valley first settled? The
answer is almost exclusively by the Scotch Irish Presby-
terians, a people of the same race and of the same relig-
ious faith and worship with the founders and alumni of
the Log College.
It is not for me to tell you in detail here to-day who
the Scotch Irish Presbyterians were. That task has been
assigned to our friend Dr. Muchmore, who has been
everywhere and knows everybody, and like most editors,
almost everything.
I must ans^Yer the question, however, who were the
Presbyterians, that were the chief original settlers of the
Cumberland Valley? In doing so let it suffice here to
to say, that they w^ere Scotch Irish Presbyterians; and
that they were very much a Scotch colony, induced by
James the First to settle on the forfeited lands of the
Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnel in the Province of Ulster,
with its nine counties in the North or Ireland. The
story of the English conquest of Ireland is one of great
interest at the present time. AVhen Pope Adrian in
1166 made a grant of Ireland to England, it was on two
conditions. The first was that they were to have Ireland
when they could get it. The second was that the Pope
was to liave an annual tax in perpetuity of a penny a
family. This was the origin of Peter's pence, wliicli they
still continue to pay.
England found the native Irish a peo])le hard to con-
quer and still worse to govern.' Their troubles in this
respect are still not ended. For a long time they tried
to i:)lacate their Irish sul^jects ))}' a liberal bestowment of
CRCCTtC «Y nt ST»Tt Of
rCNDSTLVANU
m MCMOirr or
WILXJ&M DENNING
1HC PATRIOTIC BUCJCSIifTM U
rORCCR OF DKOUGHT IROX UVUflj
I I OURINC THE hcvximowunr cm.'
eOM 1737 -DttD 1810.
PKESBYlKinAN (liUllCH. 207
titles of nobility, and restoration of lands, but in vain.
For a ])eriod of more than three hundred years the Eng-
lish rule was limited to Dublin and its vicinity. Half
of the people of Ulster perished in the successive rebel-
lions and conflicts, they were wasted by wars, starved by
famines, and rethieed to the lowest state of ])overty and
wretchedness. Still they hated English domination.
The break of Heniy the Eighth with the Pope did not
improve tlie situation. Elizal)etli's distinctive Pretestant-
ism made her I'cign still more offensive. It was not
until the Scottish James came to the throne, and resorted
to tlie old Roman })olicy of confiscation that Ulster was
subdued. He confiscated five hundred thousand ncres
of land in various parts of the Province. On these
lands the hardy and loyal Scotch gentry and ]ieople
were induced to settle. To do so, they left the hills and
glens and lowlands and mists of Scotland, where they
had so heroi(*ally battled for the rights of conscience and
the Crown riglits of Christ, and came and sojourned for
a time beneath the moister skies of Ulster, and there
took on a milder type of character and a more evangeli-
cal and warmer type of religion, b}' reason of the
gracious revivals of religion with which their churches
Avere blessed. These were the Scotch Irish Presby-
terians.
As soon as America was open for settlement, the
Scotch and the Scotch Irish wei'c among the earliest em-
igrants, and with their restless energy and spirit of ad-
venture, they touched the American coast at almost
every point from Nova Scotia, to which they gave its
name, to the Carolinas. But their main settlements
wen^ in Pennsylvania and the Carolinas. The reason of
this was, the laws of the Provinces of New York and
Virginia, and their Provincial officers were unfriendly to
the coming of any ministers except those of the Church
of England. This was illustrated in the experience of
the Rev. James Anderson, an able and thoroughly edu-
208 THE BIG Sl'KING
cated minister of the Church of Scotland, sent over in
answer to overtures from Mr. Makemie, McNish and
others, for the express purpose of settling in Virginia,
but who after a stay of six months, for the reasons stated,
abandoned the attempt and came north and settled in
1710, at New Castle, Delaware; and in 1716 was called to
be the fij'st pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in the
city of New York ; and on the other hand by the arrest,
imprisonment and prosecution of the Rev. Mr. Makemie,
the father of the Presbyterian Church in America, "as a
roving minister" in the city of New York. The tidings
of these things Avent back to Ulster and Scotland, and
had the effect of largely preventing the people from
going where they could not take their ministers with
them. Wherever this people went, they brought their
Presbyterianism with them.
The Scotch Irish were far more numerous among the
earlier emigrants into Pennsylvania than the Scotch.
Not being allied to Ireland by any long standing tra-
ditions or sacred memories, and being there greatly
oppressed and harassed by the tyranny and exactions of
a despotic and profligate monarch, and the restrictions
and penalties imposed by an obsequious parliament, and
by the intolerance and persecutions instigated by a
haughty hierarchy, these things, with the rapacity and
greed of the landlords, determined great and increasing
numbers of them to come to America. And learning
that under the liberal charter and the free laws of the
Province of Pennsylvania, equal rights and all the
advantages of civil and religious liberty were guaranteed
alike to all the settlers, they were attracted in large num-
bers to the free Province of Pennsylvania.
As they left their homes with their fmiilies, for the
reasons stated, to seek new homes across the seas and in
the wilderness of another continent, the reasons actuating
them had come to be in their minds solemn and grave
considerations. Tliev had suffered for the ri<»;hts of con-
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 200
science and liberty to worship God in both their former
homes.
These early Scotcli Iiish Presl)yterian settlers were
<»;enerally agriculturists. When therefore they landed
at Wilmington or Philadelphia, they were not drawn to
the towns or cities, l)ut went at once into the rural dis-
tricts and settled generally on lands along the streams of
water, or in vicinity of the great springs which abounded
in the country; as along White Clay creek in Delaware,
the Ih-andywine and Octorara creeks in Chester county,
Pa., on the Neshaminy and other streams here in Bucks
county, or fai'ther on up as at the Forks of the Delaware
in Northampton county; along the Pequeaand Donegal
streams and springs in Lancaster county, and on the
banks of Swatara and Fishing creeks in what is now
Dau])hin county.
Then when encouragement was given and licenses
were granted they began to cross over the Susquehanna
at Harris's ferry, now Hairisburg, from 1726 to 1786.
Crossing over at Harrisburg they settled along the Cono-
doguinetand about the Big Spring, Middle Spring, Fall-
ing S})ring and Rocky Spring, in tlie central part of the
valley, and on up along the Conococheague and its sev-
eral brandies, in the vicinity of what is now Chand)ers-
burg and ^lercersburg.
Land wai-rants were sold from 173(5 onwards. From
that time a great tide of emigration set into all these reg-
ions in the valley. From thence this tide of enn'gration
flowed on to the Potomac and on down the valley of
Virginia into the Carolinas and Tennessee and across
into Kentucky.
When the valley was thus fully open to settlement,
its a [tractions were so great, that a large influx of peo-
ple at once set into it. Those who came were princi-
])ally immigrants from the north of Ireland, Scotch Irish
Presbytei'ians, or peojile of tlie same nationality and of
the same religious iaith and order from the earlier settle-
210 THE BIG SPRING
ments in the Province of Pennsylvania. They were
generally snbstantial farmers, men of steady habits, hardy,
energetic, industrions and enterprising, with sufficient
capital for the improvement and extension of their farms.
They selected their lands with a vie^v to permanent resi-
dence and as future homes for their families. Many of
the dwelling houses of these first settlers in Cumberland
Valley were built of hewn logs, two stories high, well
and strongly built, with several apartments above and
below. As early as 1744, many stone houses of two
stories were erected in different parts of the valley. Some
of these are still standing, and are substantial and com-
fortable dwellings.
Nine-tenths of all who came thus into the valley at
that period were Scotch Irish people. They were a
people who had been trained up under the Westminster
Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Cate-
chisms. They were generally an intelligent, sincere,
honest. Christian people, with a religious c)iaracter and
life based upon the doctrines and duties set forth in the
standards of the Presbyterian Church and diligently in-
culcated upon their minds from their youth up.
As the settlements progressed, congi-egations were or-
ganized. By 1740, there were about one thousand
families in what is now Cumberland and Franklin
counties, and out of these there were at that time eiglit
or nine congregations organized. These were Silver's
Spring and Meeting House (Carlisle), Big Spring (New-
ville). Middle Spring, Rocky Spring, Falling Spring
(Chambersburg), Upper, Lower and West Conoco-
cheague (Mercersburg, Greencastle and Welsh Run).
It was within the jjounds of the first of these last three
congregations mentioned (Mercersburg, called after Gen-
eral Mercer who fell in the battle of Princeton), that the
mother of our worthy and excellent Chief jMagistrate,
Mr. Harrison, who has honored us by his presence here
to-day, and the part he has taken in these services, had
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 211
her birth and religious training. All these congrega-
tions erected at once church buildings, and not satisfied
^vitli licentiates or untrained ministers, they all sought
cihicated, well trained and settled pastors.
Tlie early Presbyterian ministers of the valley were
all, witli but one exception, of Scotch or Bcotcli Irish
antecedents and all graduates of some college or univers-
ity. These people had been trained up under such
niinistei's at tlieir former homes and they would be satis-
fied with none other here. They were intelligent enough
to know the difference between thoroughly educated
ministers, men sound in the faith and skilled in matters
of casuistry and those who were mere smatterers in
divine knowledge and christian experience.
Sinniltaneously with the organization of churches, was
the erection of school houses in every neighborhood, and
the procuring of suitable sclioolmasters, men of good
moral and religious character and of the other necessary
(]ualifications. In these schools the common branches
of an ordinary English education were taught. In all
of them the Bible was the standard daily reader and the
Shorter Catechism was recited each day and reviewed on
Saturday morning.
The government of this extended community in the
early history of these settlements was largely patriarchal
in its character. The father of each family was the
])ro})het, priest and king of his own household. He
taught and trained his family in the knowledge, worship
and service of God. Subordination to parental authority
was a matter of universal inculcation, and obedience to
])arents was the settled rule with respect to the youth of
the entire communit)'.
The great instrumentalities for the instruction and
training of the young were the home, the school and the
church. "Their religion," as Carlisle has somewhere
said, "was the chief fact about them." It was the con-
trolling thing in the family and in all their social inter-
212 THE BIG SFEIIsTI
course and domestic relations. Witli them the "chief
end of man," was practically to serve and glorify God.
With Sir William Hamilton, they could have said that
"the great end of man is man," realizing that the more
highly and perfectly man was developed physically, in-
tellectually, morally and s])iritually, the more he would
honor and glorify his Maker. "They were a people of
a book, and that book was the Bible." It was read daily
in the family at family worship, and in the schools, and
not only read but ably and clearly expounded on the
Sabl^ath. With Dr. Thoinas Arnold, of Rugby (but
not with his degenerate progeny), they regarded the
school not merely as "a place where a certain amount of
general learning might be obtained, but as a sphere of
intellectual, moral and religious discipline, where
healthy and vigorous characters are formed, and where
the youth are trained for the duties, struggles and re-
sponsibilities of life." With them no system of educa-
tion Avas complete, in which thorough moral and relig-
ious discipline was omitted. Tlie great conservator and
arbiter of right among them was the well regulated re-
ligious and moral sentiment of the comnuinity.
As these original settlers were chiefly farmers, they
went on improving their farms, educating their children,
and in providing for the subsistence of tlieir families find
the support of their schools and churches.
As I have said, in 1740 there were in Cumberland
and Franklin counties about one thousand families and
eight or nine organized churches, none of them nearer to
each other than from eight to ten miles. In 1850, as
shown by the census, there were in these two counties
four thousand and eighty-nine farms, the greater part of
which were still in the hands of the descendents of the
original settlers.
Now the peculiarity of the Presbyterians of the Cum-
berland Valley is, that here for forty years was to be
seen a Scotch Irish Presbyterian settlement more uni-
PKESBYTEKIAN CllUJlC'H. 213
versal and extended, than was to be seen anywhere else
iijxtn this continent, a people not only of the same
nationality but of the same religious faith and worsliip;
of the same homogeneous tastes and dispositions, dwell-
ing together in peace and harmony, and ])erforming
towards each other all the offices of good neighborhood;
a people of great integrity and uprightness of character,
of pure and lofty j)atriotism and of intelligent and con-
sistent jiict}-. Here was the Pres])yterian Church of
Ulster transferred to American soil, existing undei* a
government where equal rights were guaranteed to all its
citizens, a people knowing their own rights and respect-
ing the equal rights of others. To what was their pecu-
liarity as a religious community due? Is it to be as-
cribed to any peculiarity as to race or blood? to their
Celtic sprightliness combined with their Teutonic obstin-
acy and firmness? to soil or climate? We answer no.
Whatever may be due to these elements of soil, climate,
race or blood, their chief peculiarity was due to the prov-
idential and religious tniining which they had received.
Coming as they did out of those fierce and protracted
persecutions which they and their fathers had endured
in Ireland and Scotland, they came with their Bibles and
Confessions of Faith in their hands, and well stored
away in their minds.
They came ready to inscribe in bold characters u|»on
their banners here, the three great fundamental ])rinci-
])les of Presbyterian ism and also of religious and civil
liberty, for which they had so bravely struggled, viz.:
loyalty to Christ as the supreme and only head of the
church, the parity of the ministry, and the right of every
congregation to choose its own officei's. Of the truth
and importance of these fundamental principles, the
Scotch and Scotch Irish Presbyterian ministers and peo-
ple, were so fully pursuaded that no sacrifice was too
great to be endured, rather than either renounce or be-
trav them.
214 THE BIG WPEING
The Presbyterians of Scotland and Ireland having
been called as the}" had been to contend amid the niosl
cruel and bloody prosecutions, under which many thou-
sands of them had sacrificed their lives for the supreme
headship of Christ over his church, and as a consequence
for its freedom from kingly and priestly domination, they
became the foremost friends, advocates and defenders of
religious and civil liberty, as against the usurpations and
tyranny of both ecclesiastical and civil rulers.
The union of church and state had been so close and
dependent, and the relations of religious and civil liberty
so intimate in their bearing on each other, that those
who contended for the former, soon forfeited the favor of
the kings and prelates. No portion of the earl}" settlers
of this country so clearly comprehended the separate
spheres of church and state, as tlie Scotch and Scotch
Irish Presbyterians; and, as a consequence, while they
were unwilling to allow the cliurch to be interfered with
or controlled by the secular power; so for fear of such
usurpations as they had already suffered from, they
would neither ask nor receive aid from the state nor
sul)mit to its dictation or authority in matters of relig-
ious faith and v*'orship.
In their ])ast experience, the natural and constant al-
lies of civil despotism had been the Romish and Episco-
pal hierarchies, and the Presley terians of Ireland and
Scotland in their resistance to tyranny and oppression
ha.d suffei'cd more from the latter than from the former,
for the reason that the Episcopal Church was more fre-
quently in the ascendancy and her prelates had much
greater influence over their civil rulers and oppressors.
The greatest friends and promoters of religious and
civil liberty in this land, liistory shows, were the Scotch
and Scotch Irish Presljyterians, the Puritans of England,
the Dutch of Holland and the Huguenots of France.
Presbyterian ism, as it came therefore into the Cum-
berland Valley a century and a half ago, was not a thing
PRESBYTEKIAN rHUKCH. 215
crude in its priiici])les and cliaotic in its elements, but on
the contrary was a clearly defined and tliorouglily devel-
oped system of religious faith and order. It did not
come here as something that was passive and plastic, to
be determined in its character and history by the force
of circumstances, or by the accident of its mere environ-
ment, but its earliest propagators came with positive
o})inions, with well settled ])rinci])les and with deep and
strong convictions of truth and duty and with clear con-
ceptions of their mission in laying tlie foundations of the
church in this new world.
The early Presl)yterian ministei's came with a system
of doctrine that was distinct and sharply defined, with a
form of government conformed to the word of God, and
with a mode of worship that was at once simple, h?crip-
tural and spiritual.
In tracing back, however, the lines of influence that
entered into the formation of our earliest Churches and
Presbyteries in this land, the student of history cannot
stop at Ireland or Scotland or England or France or
Holland. All the lines along which the faith of the
Keformed churches and also of religion and civil liberty
and popular education, are traceable, stop not in any of
these countries, but all run through and l)eyond them to
that valley whicJi lies eni])Osomed in the mountains of
Switzerland and to the banks of that beautiful lake on
wliich stands the city of Geneva, whicli has for its great-
est distinction, and will have through all time, that it
was the home and the scene of the labors and achieve-
ments of Jolin Calvin, t)ie great tlieologian of the Refor-
mation. Here it was that John Knox, many learned
P^nglish Puritans in the bloody times of Mary, as well
as the Huguenots of France, fleeing fi-om the persecutions
at home, found their way, and there acquired a more
thorough knowledge of the great doctrines of the Re-
formed faith and of the principles of religious and civil
liberty, and there Ijchekl a people governed l)y laws of
216 THE BIG SPRING
their own making, a commonwealth without kings or
nobles, a church without priests or prelates, and which
acknowledged no head but Christ, and whose doctrines,
government, laws and officers were all drawn directly
from the word of God, and which had no authority to
bind the conscience of any one, any further tlian they
were sustained by the express statements of the Scrip-
tures, or by plain inference from their expressed teaching.
It was thence that our earliest ministers received their
chief impress. They were cast in the mould of that
system of religious faith and worship known as the
"Calvinistic," a system, says Froude, "which has ever
borne an inflexible front to illusion and mendacity, and
has preferred rather to be ground to powder like flint,
than to bend before violence, or melt under enervating
temptation." To Scotland belongs the great distinction
of having perhaps more fully and clearly perceived and
held fast the Reformed Calvinistic faith than any other
country. Says Macaulay: "To the attempt to enslave
Scotland, England owes its freedom," and it may be
added, the United States their religious and civil liberty.
This was due to their rigid adherence to the principles of
Knox and Calvin. These were the principles which
revolutionized Western EurojX^, emancipated the masses
of the people from civil and religious despotism and
secured civil and religious liberty for the United States
of America.
Let some people think and talk as they may, the
American revolutionary war Avas a Presbyterian war,
waged chiefly by the English Puritants (half of whom
were originally Presbyterians), and the Scotch Irish
Presbyterians, for the securement of independence of
Great Britain and the enjoyment of civil and religious
liberty. As soon as the trouble rose at Boston, with the
mother country, the cry rang out from the Presbyterians
of North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jer-
sey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia in favor of inde-
I'KEISEYTEKIAX rilLKCH. 217
pendcnce. The immortal AVithcrspoon voiced the sen-
liiiieiil in the Continental Congress. Patrick Henry
re-eclioed it in the valle}' of Virginia. The Presbyteri-
ans of the Cnml^erhuid Valley rose up cnmasse and min-
ist(>rs and people joined the war of independence. Gen-
erals Armstrong, Irvine and the gallant Mercer com-
manded the trooi)s, Reverends John Steel and John
Craigliead went forth as cajilains of companies, and Drs.
John King, Robert Coojier and George Duffield as
chaplains in the army.
The reason of all this readiness to go, over and above
the love of liberty and their sense of right and justice
inspired by their religion and regulated b}- the Divine
law, was that they held in remembrance the grievances
which they had endured. They had come through the
iircs of fierce and prolonged persecutions. They liad
forsaken their homes as the President has so well said
to-day "for God and liberty," and by the help of God,
they were determined that the shackles of oppression
should not be rivited upon them here.
Such is the estimate which in this brief and hurried
survey, we place ujion the character, principles and hab-
its of the Scotch Irish Presbyterians of the Cumberland
Valley. We do not claim for them peifection by any
means. We do not deny that they had their defects,
which neither we nor they would seek to palliate or
justify. But like the sun, which has its spots, so what-
ever defects they may have had, they were all over-
powered and obscured by the greater effulgence of the
mass of excellencies wliich adorned their charactei*s, and
were exemplified in their lives.
Without any disparagement of the Quakers or the
( Jermans, the other two general divisions of the early
settlers in the Province of Pennsylvania, we speak thus
more earnestly with resj)ect to the Scotch Irish Presl^y-
terians, from the conviction that as a ]U'Oj)le, justice has
not vet been done them either in the historv or the liter-
218 THE BIG HPKING
ature of the country.
THE LOG COLLEGE.
Now what of the relation of the Presbyterians of the
Cumberland Valley to the Log College?
Soon after the withdrawal of the New Side party from
the Synod in 1741, the people of Hopewell, which in-
cluded Big Spring, Middle Spring and Rocky Spring
congregations, and the New Side portions of Derry, Up-
per Pennsboro, Conococheague and other parts of con-
gregations, sent supplications to the New Side Presby-
teries of New Castle and New Brunswick for supplies,
and Revs. Campbell and Rowland were sent to visit
them.
Rev. John Rowland was an Alumnus of the Log Col-
lege and licentiate of the Presbytery of New Brunswick.
Although his licensure was irregular and became the
occasion of a violent controversy, which issued in the
division of the churcli, yet he was a strong and impres-
sive preacher, and his ministry was extraordinarily
blessed in what is now Lr.wrenceville and Pennington,
New Jersey, to the bringing about of a great revival of
religion in both congregations. When he came into the
Cumberland Valley he came fresh from these revival
scenes, and much in the spirit of Whitefield and the
Tennents. Mr. Rowland's preacliing is represented as
having been with great 1)0 wer and marked residts
through all these congregations.
In 1742, Big Spring, Middle Spring and Rocky Spring
churches united in calling Dr. John Blair, an alumnus
of the Log College and licentiate of the Presbytery of
New Castle to become their pastor. Mr. Blair continued
pastor of these three congregations until 1748, and most
probably until 1756, when the incursions of the Indians
led to his withdrawal. In 1757 he succeeded his de-
ceased brother Samuel, at Faggs Manor. In 17{)7 he
was chosen Vice President and Professor of Divinity in
Princeton College, from wliich position he modestly re-
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 21 1)
tired in 1769, in favor of Dr. Witherspoon. He died in
AVnlkill, New York, in 1771 in tlie fifty-second year of
liis age.
John Blair, like his brother Samuel, was among the
most talented and gifted ministers of his day. He is
believed to have had no snj)erior as a theologian at that
time. He was a man of clear and strong convictions
with respect to the do(;trines of grace, and preached them
witli great clearness and force. His ministry to the
three congregations in the Valley was eminently blessed
to the awakening of the impenitent and the edification
of the peo])le of God. Its influence in favor of an ortho-
dox faith and a warm evangelical l)iety, is felt in these
congregations until this day.
Few men ii] the history of the church have had so
many distinguished persons named after them. Dr.
Samuel Stanhope and Dr. John Blair Smith were the
children of one sister, and the Kices of Virginia were the
childien of another sister. Dr. William Linn was his
son-in-law and Dr. John Blair Linn his grandson.
Francis P. Blair, the editor of the Globe in Washington,
and father of Montgomery and General Frank P. Blair,
was also a grandson. In the inscription upon his tomb,
he is spoken of as a man of genius, a good scholar, an
excellent divine, an eminent Christian, a man of great
])rudence and a laborious and successful minister, who
lived 2;reatlv beloved and died ij;reatlv lamented.
Rev. John Roan, an alumnus of the Log College, and
a l)old and fearless preachei* was settled over the united
New Side congregations of Paxton, Derry and Conewago
in 174o, and labored there until his death in 1775, and
lies buried in the graveyard at Derry. On his tomb is
inscribed, "Here lies the remains of nn able, faithful,
courageous and successful minister of Christ." And
finally, Dr. Benjamin Rush and Governor John Dickin-
son, pu])ils of Dr. Sanuiel Fiidey, an alumiuis of the Log
College, while at Nottingham, Maryland, and therefore
220 THE BIG SPRING
graiiclsous of the Log College, were the founders of Dick-
inson College.
Few parts of the Church or country therefore received
a more direct or deeper impress from the Log College
than the Cumberland Valley.
Notwithstanding the distractions and the divisions oc-
casioned by two violent religious controversies, the deso-
lations caused by three protracted wars, and that great-
est of all calamities, the loss of Dickinson College to the
Presbyterian cause, the Churches of the Valley continue
their existence and many of them have had a steady and
solid growth. They have been distinguished all through
their history generally for a strict adherence to the West-
minster Standards, for a warm evangelical piety, for zeal
in the promotion of revivals of religion, for their mis-
sionary spirit, and for their regard for higher Christian
education. And although these churches have been
subject to a constant depletion from the great attraction
of the larger towns and cities of the older states; to a
perpetual stream of emigration to the more fertile ])rairie
lands and growing towns of the great west, and to the
steady influx of the German population from the Ger-
man settlements in the State, still the general roll of
membership has not been diminished, and the highest
j^oint of Christian benevolence ever attained was reached
the past year.
What Ulster has long been with res])ect to the whole
religious world, the Cumberland Valley has been in re-
lation to all parts of this wide spread land. A perpetual
stream of emigration has gone out from it to strengthen
the churches of the older towns and cities and to form
new ones in all ]^arts of the Great West.
PRESBYTEKIAN ClIUKCH. 221
CHURCH ORGANIZATION 1898.
PASTOR.
REV. EBENEZER ER8KINE, D. D.
RULING PXDERH.
EDWIN R. HAYS, ROBERT MICKEY,
JOHN F. KENDIG, GEORGE W. SWIGERT,
ELIJAH J. ZOOK, M. D.
TRUSTKl^S.
W. ALEXANDER McCULLOUGH, Pres.,
ROBERT H. SOLLENBERGER,
DANIEL LECKEY,
HON. HARRY MANNING,
ATCHISON LAUGHLIN,
W. LINN DUNCAN,
JOHN S. ELLIOTT.
TREASURER.
JOHN S. ELLIOTT.
CHOIR MASTER. ORGANIST.
WILLIAM J. LAUGHLIN, REBECCA WAGNER.
SUPT. OF SABBATH SCHOOL.
EDWIN R. HAYS.
ASSISTANT SUPT. SA IJBATII SCHOOL.
GEORGE W. SWIGERT.
SUPT. OF INFANT SCHOOL.
MRS. MARY ELLEN AHL.
SEXTON.
JOSEPH WILT.
222
THE BIG SPKING
CONTENTS.
Introduction by Kev. K. Erskiue, D. L>.
Pastorate of Rev. Thomas Craighead, ,
Pastorate of Kev. John Blair, D. D., .
Pastorate of Rev. George Duffield, D. D.,
Pastorate of Rev. William Linn, D. D.,
Pastorate of Rev. Haniuel Wilson,
(Jail of Rev. Samuel Wilson, .
Subscribers to the Salary of Rev. Samuel Wilson,
Members Received into the Church by the Rev. Samuel Wilson,
Petition for the Election of an Elder,
Proceedings of a Meeting of Session,
Members and Adherents of the Church in 1789,
John Carson's District,
William Lindsay's District,
John Bell's District, :
Robert Patterson's District,
Robert Lusk's District,
Samuel McCormick's District,
David Ralston's District,
Hugh Laughlin's District,
John Robinson's District,
John McKeehan's District,
Marriages by Rev. Samuel Wilson,
Address in the Marriage Ceremony of Kev. Samuel Wilson
Pastorate of Rev. Joshua Williams,
Members Received into the Church by Rev. Joshua WiUiams, D.D.
Baptisms by Rev. Joshua Williams, D: D.,
Marriages by Rev. Joshua Williams, D. D.,
Members of tlie Female Bible Class in 1817,
Members of the Male Bible Class in 1817,
Districts, Elders and Heails of Families in 1808
Pastorate of Rev. Robert McCachran, .
Marriages by Rev. J^obert McCachran,
Baptisms by Rev. Robert McCuchran. .
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
223
Pastorate of Rev. James S. H. Henderson,
Pastorate of Rev. Philip H. Mowry, D. D.,
Pastorate of Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, D. 1).,
Church Buildings,
Occupants of Pews in 17i>0,
The Glebe, .
Ruling Elders and Societies of the Church,
Sons of the Church who have Entered the Ministry
Pastors of the Church,
Rev. Thomas Craighead,
Rev. John Blair, D. D..
Rev. George Duffield, D. D., .
Rev. William ]Jnn,D. D.,
Rev. Samuel Wilson,
Rev. Joshua Williams, D. D.,
Rev. Robert McCachran,
Rev. James 8. H. Henderson,
Rev. Philip H. Mowry, D. D.,
Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, D. D.
In the Grave Yard,
Oiu- Father's Resting Place (Poem),
Inscriptions from Tomb Stones,
Soldiers Burie<l in the Grave Yard,
Appendix A, . . ■
Ai>pendix B. Address by Rev. E. Erskine, D. D.,
Church Organization 1898,
128
129
130
132
138
143
150
155
158
158
159
161
163
164
1(35
167
171
172
173
177
178
179
199
202
203
221
ERRATA.
On p;io;e 105, iniuTia<<e of John M. Woodhnrn ami Lnr-imla Stewart,
should be Feb. 26, lcSo7.
On page 14o, "This trust was called Reliance," read. This tract was
called Reliance.
On page 110 -'John T. Dunfee," read James T. Dunfee.
On page 191, "McCulloch Jane Henderson," read McCulloch Mary
Henderson, wife of James.
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