C6e li&rarp of t$e Unb&mity of Boitb Carolina Collection of j$ort& Carolintana Wbi0 noofe toag ptegmttD UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00043135464 This book must not be taken from the Library building. Form No. 471 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from e of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of Cultural F http://archive.org/details/presbyteriancongOOspen The Presbyterian Congregation on Rocky River - i - sj rnnr tw». ,- * *■ *4"< \% : ';■$ ** V- *k ' * :•• .-.-."»» \ u -J I u >Vf / *^SHf : I The ^rcsbjJterian Congregation on Hockg Utoer By Thomas Hugh Svcncc, Jr. Rocky River Presbyterian Church Concord, North Carolina 1954 Copyright 1954 by Rocky River Presbyterian Church TYPOGRAPHY, PRINTING, AND BINDING IN THE U. S. A. BY KINGSPORT PRESS, INC., KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE To the memory of THOMAS HUGH SPENCE Ulster-lorn Scot Pastor of Rocky River Church 1916-1931 Preface The interests and endeavors of a considerable number of per- sons have contributed to this volume. Its preparation was under- taken at the request of Harvey Wilson Moore and Rev. George M. Wilcox, seventeenth and present pastor of Rocky River. Miss Madeline Orr gave largely of her time and talents, while Wil- liam Kemp Alexander and James R. Morrison lent valuable as- sistance in checking certain data embodied in its publication. Mrs. R. T. Coit, Mrs. Margaret Matthews, Mrs. John Nisbet, and Miss Elizabeth Hoyt have rendered a somewhat similar serv- ice, while Dr. Chalmers Davidson has made a number of con- structive suggestions concerning the earlier chapters. Misses Adelaide and Eugenia Lore graciously placed their ex- tensive historical and genealogical collections at the disposal of the author. Readers are accordingly indebted to them for the substance of Appendices G, H, I, and J; and are under like ob- ligation to Mrs. George F. Stratton for the inclusion of Ap- pendix L. Through the introduction of the materials comprising the sev- eral appendices, it was proposed to augment the narrative of the text by thus supplying much factual information that could not conveniently be included in the body of the book. The Statisti- cal Tables, for example, afford a comprehensive view of the Church's work of well above a century past, while the Marriage Records embrace more than six hundred weddings of intimate concern to great numbers who revere Rocky River. vii PREFACE It is the prayer of the author that those who read these pages may experience that quickening of interest and deepening of af- fection for this noble Congregation which came to him in the recording of its blessed and eventful history. T.H.S.Jr. The Historical Foundation, Montreat, North Carolina. January i, 1954. vni Contents CHAPTER PAGE Preface vii Rocky River xiii I. Alexander Craighead and the Early Years ... 3 II. Times of Testing 20 III. The Ministry of John Alakemie Wilson . ... 33 IV. The Academy and Certain Alumni 47 V. A Burning and a Shining Light 57 VI. Days of Daniel Penick 63 VII. War and the End of an Era 79 VIII. Servants in the Congregation 88 IX. To the Close of the Century 105 X. Nineteen Hundred and After 137 XI. To Serve the Present Age 155 May Meeting 168 Appendix A. Pastors of Rocky River 173 B. The Eldership 173 C. The Diaconate 175 D. Sunday School Superintendents 175 E. Presidents of the Women of the Church . . . 176 F. Ministers from Rocky River 176 G. Patriots and Soldiers of the Revolutionary Period . 177 H. Confederate Casualties 179 ix CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. Quarters of the Congregation 181 J. Early Graveyards 182 K. Statistical Reports, 1836-1953 186 L. Marriage Records, 1822-1870 189 Bibliography 213 Index 223 Illustrations Facing Page Church and Educational Building Frontispiece George Marshall Wilcox 20 Harvey Wilson Moore 34 Some Nineteenth Century Pastors 58 Session House 68 The Manse 68 The Church Building 76 Pulpit of Present Church 76 Sunday School Class Number 1 1 106 Pastors of the Twentieth Century 138 Young Men's Sunday School Class 150 Leaders in Building Program ( 1 ) 1 60 Leaders in Building Program (2) 164 The Elders 172 The Deacons 174 XI Rocky River The waters of more than two centuries have followed the course of Rocky River toward the Eastern Sea since the van- guard of the Scotch-Irish settled along its banks and branches. Yet it is difficult to know just when or where to begin a history of the congregation known by the name of that stream, for no one can fix the precise time at which the church had its origin nor determine with exactitude where its story really began. The foundations were laid beyond the seas, amid the verdant valleys of Ulster, or, even earlier, upon the heathered hills of Scotland. But there is no uncertainty in regard to that staunch and sturdy race who made their way across the Atlantic, settled for a season in Pennsylvania, and then resumed the march to rest only intermittently until the Yadkin had been forded and the region of Rocky River attained. There are excellent works on the Ulster and Pennsylvania in- terludes, while the Scottish story has long been recorded by vari- ous competent pens. It is, therefore, presently proposed to begin the record of Rocky River on that watercourse which lent its name to the congregation. The River was accurately named, in part at least; for it is rocky beyond dispute. As to whether the somewhat pretentious designation of river is warranted may be open to discussion, but Rocky River it was in the days of the forefathers, and as such it is known by their children's children of this late hour, in spite of a happily futile Mid-Eighteenth Cen- tury effort to christen it Johnston's River. xiii The Presbyterian Congregation on Rocky River CHAPTER I Alexander Craighead and the Early Years Rocky River is first encountered by name in official ecclesiasti- cal annals when the New Side Synod of New York, on October 3, 1755, appointed a certain Mr. John Clark "to take a journey into Virginia and North Carolina, to supply the vacancies there for six months, betwixt this and the next Synod, particularly at Rocky River and Sugar Creek, at the Hawfields, Enno, Ilico, and Dan Rivers." 1 By this time the Scotch-Irish and their inevitable Presbyterian- ism had become hopefully established in several areas between the Yadkin and Catawba rivers. Even while Synod was in the act of commissioning Mr. Clark for his Southern journey, an- other minister of the New Side persuasion was in the midst of a mission to Piedmont Carolina, and on that specific day only a few miles from Rocky River. Hugh McAden had ridden down from Pennsylvania at the beginning of June and by September 12 had crossed the Yadkin to enter the confines of the present Presbytery of Concord. 2 Here he found a number of churches functioning with their houses of worship already erected. According to a journal which he kept, and which has been largely preserved in William Henry Foote's Sketches of North Carolina, this itinerant evangelist of an early era found a church building not far from a Mr. Brandon's, known as the Lower Meeting-House when the deed for the land upon which it was erected was granted in 1753. 3 This was later designated as Cath- 1 Records of the Presbyterian Church, p. 265. 2 W. H. Foote, Sketches of North Carolina, p. 167. 3 Ibid. CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER ey's Meeting-House and finally called by the Apocalyptic name of Thyatira. Soon afterward, McAden preached in another such house two miles from Justice Carruth's, which was probably Coddle Creek; and also in a "New meeting-house," three miles from the residence of Captain Osborne, presumably to be identi- fied with Centre. 4 Proceeding southward he came to the home of Justice Alex- ander on October 12, which fell on Sunday, and preached in the afternoon. McAden was now in the territory of Rocky River and a memorable drought had taken fast hold on the land. On Wednesday he preached at Major Harris', three miles from Jus- tice Alexander's, and on Friday at the residence of David Cald- well, five or six miles further on. Here his congregation was small. His next stop was with William Alexander, whence he moved on to James Alexander's, "on Sugar Creek," twelve miles away. 5 After a season spent in South Carolina, McAden returned by way of Rocky River; and after he had passed to Cathey's Meet- ing House was urged by that people to remain in the South as their pastor and divide his time with them and with Rocky River, but was moved to decline this call. 6 Its extension, however, indi- cates that Rocky River was at this time regarded as being able to provide for one-half the support of a minister. In 1753, the Old Side Synod of Philadelphia, once opposed but now considerably less inimical to their New Side brethren, had directed Mr. (Robert) McAiordie and a Mr. Donaldson "to show a special regard to the vacancies of North Carolina, espe- cially betwixt the Atkin and Catoba rivers" while absent in the South upon a contemplated missionary tour. 7 While no particular i Ibid., p. 168. Dr. Jethro Rumple judged the "house" near Justice Carruth's to have been Fourth Creek (Memorial Sermon Preached at Centre Church, p. 26). 5 Foote, op. cit., pp. 168-169. 6 Ibid., p. 170. 7 Records of the Presbyterian Church, p. 210. ALEXANDER CRAIGHEAD AND THE EARLY YEARS congregations are mentioned by name, it is significant that Foote has asserted that Rocky River is "the oldest church in the upper country." 8 The establishment of such a series of meeting-houses as Mc- Aden found in 1755 requires time — some years at least — and the presence of Presbyterians in an earlier decade is confirmed by a supplication "from many people of North Carolina" presented to the Synod of Philadelphia on May 24, 1 744- 9 This appeal seems to have come from the Piedmont, since Rev. John Thomson, who later settled in that region, was instructed to "correspond" with its authors. 10 According to tradition, John Rodgers was the first settler in the Rocky River community, arriving in 1732 from Pennsyl- vania. His cabin was built on the north bank of the River, one- half mile below the mouth of Back Creek. The same source holds that William White and Robert Harris came a year or two later. 11 In recording the movement of the early settlers from the North of Ireland to this region, Foote identifies the particular points of their residence in the following words: As was usual, they came in a company: Col. Robert Harris, on Reedy Creek; his brother, Samuel Harris, on Clear Creek; Andrew Davis, on Reedy Creek; Moses Shelby, on Clear Creek; Wm. White and his two brothers, James and Archibald, on or near Rocky River; David Caldwell, on Caldwell's Creek; and Adam Alexander on Clear Creek. . . . The Morrison family came early to Rocky River from Scotland, making a short sojourn in Pennsyl- vania. 12 A ford across Rocky River between the homes of William White and Robert Harris is said to have led to the location of 8 Foote, op. cit., p. 186. 9 Records of the Presbyterian Church, p. 175. 10 T. H. Spence, Jr., and W. L. Lingle, Addresses Delivered at the Sesqiricen- tennial of Concord Presbytery, p. 3. 11 J. B. Mack, A Historical Sketch of Rocky River Church, pp. 5-6. 12 Foote, op. cit., p. 480. CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER the first church building, which was constructed of logs, at that convenient spot, though the exact time of its erection and details of arrangements are unknown. 13 In any event, it was sufficiently early for the building to be referred to in 1765 as "the old meet- ing house on Rocky River," 14 though it is possible that the term "old" was primarily intended to distinguish the building in ques- tion from other meeting-houses in use at that date. 15 It is unlikely that the Scotch Irish would long remain without a place of worship. Rocky River Church may never have been organized in ordinary fashion, but rather instituted in unstudied continuation of the expression of the Christian Faith in its cor- porate form on the part of those drawn southward from the Middle Colonies. That many of the Ulsterites tarried not in- definitely in Pennsylvania, or Virginia, but pushed on into the territory beyond is not difficult of explanation. In Pennsylvania land was not to be had save at considerable cost, 16 and it is to be remembered that the Scotch-Irish were actually Scotch and short of funds, besides; while in Virginia the Established Church was dominant to an extent not at all congenial to the Presbyterians from across the seas. 17 In Carolina, land was not overly dear, and worship after the Presbyterian fashion brought no actual inter- ference at the hands of civil authorities, particularly in those far inland regions with which this narrative is concerned. 18 But the original motive prompting the settlement along Rocky River was of a nobler genesis than desire for the cheap lands of Carolina. Writing in 1755, Governor Arthur Dobbs, who ten years before had, with John Selwyn, acquired four hundred thousand acres of land in Piedmont Carolina, including much of the territory through which Rocky River runs, described the 13 Mack, op. cit., p. 6. 14 D. A. Tompkins, History of Mecklenburg County and the City of Char- lotte, Vol. I, p. 75. 15 Foote, op. cit., p. 168. 16 W. F. Dunaway, The Scotch-Irish of Colonial Pennsylvania, p. 103. 17 Foote, op. cit., p. 79. 18 Ibid., p. 187. 6 ALEXANDER CRAIGHEAD AND THE EARLY YEARS settlers as "a Colony from Ireland removed from Pennsylvania, of what we call Scotch-Irish Presbyterians who with others in the neighbouring Tracts had settled together in order to have a teacher of their own opinion and choice." 19 Two facts impressed Governor Dobbs in regard to these people, the little clothing which they wore and the large families which they reared. He visited between thirty and forty households, and reported that, with two exceptions, the number of children in each ranged from five to ten. 20 In the early autumn of 1757, Rev. John Martin, lately ordained by the Presbytery of Hanover, was in North Carolina and ap- parently recuperating from an illness. 21 In response to certain pleas for services from congregations in that Colony, the Pres- bytery, on September 28, directed Mr. Martin to preach for six Sabbaths at Rocky River, and one each at Hawfields and Hico, with the remainder of his time until the next meeting of Pres- bytery to be spent at his own discretion. 22 Such continued minis- trations suggest that the clergyman was residing, at least tem- porarily, near Rocky River, and imply a congregation of recog- nized significance. Nothing is known as to the fulfilling of these commissions, but on the 25th of January of the next year (1758) Presbytery was informed, through a letter from Mr. Martin, that he had become associated with the Indian Mission. 23 ALEXANDER CRAIGHEAD The first pastor of Rocky River was presumably a child of Rev. Thomas Craighead 2i and certainly a son of thunder. Elijah and John the Baptist must surely be reckoned among his Biblical kinsfolk and John Knox accounted his spiritual ancestor. 19 Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. V, p. 356. 20 Ibid., p. 355. 21 Minutes of Hanover Presbytery, Vol. I, p. 19. 22 Ibid., p. 20. 23 Ibid., p. 22. 24 Richard Webster, A History of the Presbyterian CJnirch in America, p. 434; Charles A. Briggs, American Presbyterianism, p. 274. CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Rev. Thomas Craighead, who was said to have been a native of Scotland, held pastorates in the northern portion of Ireland before embarking for the new world in 17 15. He resided suc- cessively in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Delaware, before reaching Pennsylvania in 1733. 25 Alexander Craighead was licensed by the Presbytery of Done- gal (Pennsylvania) on October 16, 1734, 26 and was ordained and installed as pastor of the Middle Octorara Church by the same Presbytery on November 19 of the following year. 27 Contrary to the wishes of a neighboring pastor, he insisted upon preaching within the bounds of the nearby New London congregation, as- serting that ministers should not be limited to a single parish, a remark strikingly similar to one for which another religious leader has been repeatedly applauded. The Presbytery, however, took a somewhat different view of the matter, and when it at- tempted to try him for latitudinarian views of this nature, cou- pled with other charges, 28 at his own church in keeping with current custom, the sessions of the court were interrupted by the clamor of his sympathizers who had gathered for the proceed- ings. Nevertheless, he was suspended from the ministry at this time (December 1 1, 1740), but not before he had renounced the authority of the Presbytery. 29 Later ( 1 742 ) he became affiliated with the Reformed Presby- terian group in Pennsylvania, known, as in Scotland, as Cove- nanters or Cameronians, and assisted in building a Covenanter church at Octorara. 30 That Craighead was specifically enrolled as a minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church has been 25 Webster, op. cit., pp. 381-383. 26 Presbytery of Carlisle, Centennial Memorial, Vol. I, pp. 422-423. Variations in spelling of the family name are Craghead and Creaghead. 27 Ibid.; Minutes of Donegal Presbytery, Vol. I, p. 97. 28 Guy S. Klett, Presbyterians in Colonial Pennsylva?iia, pp. 165-166. 29 W. Melancthon Glasgow, History of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, p. 466; Charles Hodge, Constitutional History of the Presbyterian Church, Part II, pp. 142-143. 30 Glasgow, op. cit., p. 467. 8 ALEXANDER CRAIGHEAD AND THE EARLY YEARS questioned by as eminent an authority as Dr. Lathan who writes: "Although Air. Craighead cooperated with the Covenanters, he was never a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church." The same author, however, has previously related how Craighead was chosen as President of the first known General Meeting' of their "Societies" which was held at Middle Octorara on March 4, 1744; 31 and he does not appear to have been listed among the clergy of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of Amer- ica for a dozen or more years. In January, 1742, Craighead led his people in a picturesque re- vival of the old Scottish Covenants, and, in consequence pub- lished an extended booklet dealing with these ceremonies and their interpretation. 32 In a publication pertaining to a somewhat later observance of these Covenanter solemnities, his antagonism toward the King was acutely manifested, not, moreover, without an element of the dramatic. Both the National Covenant of 1580-81 and the Solemn League and Covenant of the days of the Westminster Assembly were reproduced. To these were attached footnotes prepared by Craighead. Herein references to the "King's Majesty" in the covenants were conveniently explained by the words "That is, the lawful supreme Magistrate." A "paper" of this general period, apparently that growing out of the January, 1742, matter, and ascribed to Mr. Craighead, prompted Thomas Cookson, Esq., "one of his majesty's justices," to prefer a protest before the Synod of Philadelphia, as it met on May 26, 1743; whereupon the Synod expressed its divergence from the ideas set forth in that instrument. The terms employed by that body in regard to the declarations of the "paper" are quite specific and not at all ambiguous: "It is full of treason, sedition, and distraction, and grievous perverting of the sacred oracles to the ruin of all societies and civil government, and 31 Robert Lathan, History of the Associate Reformed Synod of the South, pp. 115, 113. 32 Discourse Concerning the Covenants. 33 Renewal of the Covenants, pp. 53, 59, 61. CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER directly and diametrically opposite to our religious principles." 3i Thus did the members of Synod hold up their collective hands in holy horror at the doctrines of an erstwhile colleague. Stu- dents of history and less scholarly mortals, whose acquaintance with past events is gained in more informal and perhaps less arduous fashion, may recall that some thirty-three years later, Presbyterian clergymen of Pennsylvania and adjacent regions ex- hibited a radically different point of view regarding the discharge of their obligations to the British authorities. Craighead characteristically replied, both to the King's repre- sentative and to the Synod, by again renewing the covenants, preaching a sermon which might well be calculated to call down upon him the continued condemnation of the Crown and censure of the Church, and appraising the literate public of such activities and proclivities by publishing an account of these proceedings. 35 Simply because Mr. Craighead both uttered and circulated statements which maligned the King did not mean that he was upon the verge of instituting a rebellion against that more or less gracious sovereign. As a matter of fact, the accepted practice of the Covenanters in giving public expression to their religious, and incidentally civil, convictions inevitably involved an indict- ment of the Crown; since it was in protest against the settlement made between the Church and State upon the accession of Wil- liam and Mary that this particular branch of the church origi- nated. Those who renewed the covenants at Middle Octorara were not content with merely reviving the customs and reproducing the texts of their Scottish forefathers, but added, for good meas- ure or bad, certain elements of their own. This Americanized, but still staunchly Scottish, section is entitled "The Declaration, Protestation, and Testimony of a Suffering Remnant of the Anti- Popish, Anti-Lutherian, Anti-Prelatick, Anti-Erastian, Anti-Lati- 34 Records of the Presbyterian Church, p. 165. 35 Renewal of the Covenants. IO ALEXANDER CRAIGHEAD AND THE EARLY YEARS tudinarian, Anti-Sectarian, true Presbyterian Church of Christ, in America," though those of critical tendencies might be led to observe that a perceptible tinge of sectarianism could be detected in the very course of the denial of its existence. 36 That the King's deputy should feel called upon to enter an ob- jection to the activities of a minister holding the views set forth in the publication just described is not surprising; for an examina- tion of certain passages in which the Protestation pays it respects, or rather disrespects, to the Ruling House and its representatives, past, present, and future, renders such resentment understand- able: 9thly, We do likewise enter our Testimony against George the I. his having any legal Right to rule over this Realm, because he being an outlandish Lutherian; and likewise against George the II. for their being sworn Prelaticks, the Head of Malignants, and Pro- tectors of Sectarian Hereticks, and Electorv Princes of Brunswick, in chusing of new Emporers, which is their giving their power to the Beast; and for their Confederacy with Popish Princes, directly contrary to the second Commandment; and for Want of their Scriptural and national Qualifications, as is above said; and for their being established Head of the Church by the Laws of Eng- land; 3 ' and with an eye to future eventualities: iothly, We likewise state our Testimony against all that shall suc- ceed them under these Limitations to the Crown. 3S After a time, Craighead quarreled with the Covenanters, but not until he had made an effort to secure additional ministers of that particular Presbyterian persuasion from Scotland. 39 In 1 75 1 , he wrote to the General Associate (Anti-Burgher) Synod for similar assistance, which supplication was presented at the Au- 36 Ibid., pp. 43-50. 37 Ibid., pp. 47-48. 33 Ibid., p. 48. 39 Reformed Presbyterian Church, Reformation Principles Exhibited, p. 97; Glasgow, op. cit., p. 467. I I CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER gust, 1 75 1, meeting of the body. Efforts on the part of Synod to send workers in response to this appeal were frustrated for a time, 40 and by October 3, 1753, Craighead had once more be- come aligned with the confederation of American Presbyterian- ism through membership in New Castle Presbytery of the Synod of New York. 41 Along with this shift of affiliation there also came a change of scenery, for he joined the large number of sojourners in Penn- sylvania who pushed southward to find a new home in the Valley of Virginia. Here he purchased, in 1753, 533 acres of the Borden Tract in what is now Bath County, and settled on the Cowpas- ture River near Windy Cove; 42 having, in the previous summer done the prescribed obeisance to the Anglican Church as re- flected in the civil laws of Virginia. The records of a court held for Augusta County on August 22, 1752, after noting the recog- nition of "a Presbyterian Meeting House in the forks of James River" as a "Public Place of worship," reveal that "The Rever- end Alexander Craighead a Dissenting minister in Open Court took the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken in- stead of the Oaths of Alligiance and Supremacy made and Sub- scribed the Test and the thirty nine articles except what by the Act of Toleration is Excepted which on his motion is ordered to be Certified." 43 Life was far from languidly void of excitement in these new surroundings; for his son-in-law, William Richardson, at a later period writes of Craighead, "This Gentleman has been twice driven from his congregation in Virginia," 4i whatever this may signify; while his daughter, Rachel, described the narrowness 40 John McKerrow, History of the Secession Church, p. 257. 41 Records of the Presbyterian Church, p. 251; J. G. Craighead, The Craig- head Family, p. 41. 42 Oren F. Morton, A History of Rockbridge County, p. 344. 43 Augusta County, Order Book, Vol. 3, p. 326. 44 Diary and Journal, p. 6. 12 ALEXANDER CRAIGHEAD AND THE EARLY YEARS of the family's escape on one occasion by saying, "As they went out at one door the Indians came in at the other." 45 Since Mr. Craighead was absent from the first meeting of Han- over Presbytery, of which he was a charter member, held at Hanover, December 3, 1755, Rev. John Brown, who was serving as minister in the general locality of Craighead's Virginia home, was commissioned to notify him of an appointed day of fasting and prayer. 40 Though also absent from the meeting of March 18, 1756, convened at Providence, he was "appointed to supply two Sabbaths in the Vacancies in Augusta," the county in which his property lay at that time. 47 Three more Virginia points were as- signed to him to be supplied following the Presbytery of Septem- ber 28, 1757. These were Louisa, Bird, and North-Mountain. 48 He was among the members of Presbytery who gathered at Cumberland on January 25, 1758; and at that session was desig- nated to make a southward trip, visiting Meherrin (Virginia), Nutbush (North Carolina), and Rocky River. The remainder of the journey was to be spent in filling vacancies at his discre- tion; and it seems that it was the intent of the court to have him employ the intervening time until the next meeting of Presbytery on the journey. 49 The visit to Rocky River must have resulted in the beginning of an attachment between this roaming Scot and the people of the community; for the Presbytery, on April 26 of that year, was presented with a call from members of that Church "request- ing that Mr. Craighead might take the pastoral care of them." A letter from him, which probably accompanied the call, "informed the Presbytery . . . that he accepts." ou By this time he was pre- 45 E. W. Caruthers, A Sketch of the Life and Character of the Rev. David Caldwell, D.D., p. 27. 46 Minutes of Hanover Presbytery, Vol. I, pp. 1-2. i7 lbid., V . 5 . 48 Ibid., p. 21. 49 Ibid., pp. 21, 23. 50 Ibid., p. 24. 13 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER sumably, not only on the ground, but regularly in the pulpit. In entering North Carolina from Virginia he did not thereby remove himself beyond that sphere in which the civil laws were so drawn as to favor the clergy of the Episcopal Church. In April, 1 74 1, a statute had been enacted by the General Assembly of North Carolina prescribing the manner of marriage within the Colony and decreeing that wedding ceremonies should be performed by a minister of the Established Church or by a justice of the peace. 51 This, says Caruthers, was extensively ignored by Presbyterian ministers within its bounds to such an extent as to move the legis- lative body, in November of 1766, to pass a law validating mar- riages previously performed by Presbyterian or other Dissenting clergy, and providing for the legality of those thus celebrated in the future. 52 Although the act was "declared void and of none effect" by the King on April 22, 1772, 53 the affair provides an indicative commentary upon Presbyterian practice during Craig- head's days in the Colony. Against a background of such general disregard, it is not difficult to assume that one who had already proved himself, literally and repeatedly, a dissenter from the dis- senters, would neither be embarrassed nor hampered in the exer- cise of his Presbyterian prerogatives. Some difficulty was experienced in securing a minister to of- ficiate at the installation at so remote a place as Rocky River, but this was ultimately solved by charging Rev. William Richardson to care for the matter as he proceeded toward the Cherokee Na- tion on a missionary tour. 54 When Richardson arrived at Craighead's home on Novem- ber 1, 1758, he found a large family of six daughters and two sons 51 State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XXIII, pp. 158-161. 52 David Caldwell, pp. 73-74; State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XXIII, pp. 672-674. 53 Caruthers, David Caldwell, p. 74; Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. IX, pp. 284-285. 54 Minutes of Hanover Presbytery, Vol. I, p. (10). See note in Bibliography. ALEXANDER CRAIGHEAD AND THE EARLY YEARS — a household numerically fit to take its place among the settlers whom Governor Dobbs described three years before. 55 The names of the Craighead children were Margaret, Agnes (Nancy) , Jane, Rachel, Alary, Elizabeth, Robert, and Thomas; while Mrs. Craighead's given name was Jane. 56 The day following was spent by the visitor in combating an incipient illness; while, on the next, he preached and rode some five miles in order to give notice of the forthcoming installation which had been set for the next Monday. On Sunday, the guest minister preached again for his host "in one of his houses," while the activity of Mr. Craighead in riding twenty miles in fulfill- ment of a preaching engagement supplies specific insight into the generously exacting demands made upon a frontier minister of two hundred years ago. 57 The entry in Richardson's journal which tells of the installa- tion of the first regularly settled Presbyterian pastor between the Yadkin and Catawba rivers is brief but exact, "Preached & in- stalled Mr. Craighead." This memorable service took place on Monday, November 6, 1758. 58 Craighead was not the first Presbyterian clergyman known to have made his home in the Piedmont. Rev. John Thomson, to whom reference has previously been made, appears to have set- tled, in his old age, in what is now Iredell County in 1 75 1, near the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Samuel Baker. There is no record of Thomson assuming a regular pastorate, but he rather seems to have preached at a number of points over a con- siderable area for some two years, until his death in 1 753. 09 Perhaps it should be added that the hostility of the Cherokees prevented the young would-be missionary from carrying out his 55 Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. V, p. 355. 56 Richardson, op. cit., p. 6; Mecklenburg County, Will Book, Vol. A, p. 167 Vz. 57 Richardson, op. cit., p. 6. 58 Ibid., p. 7. 59 John G. Herndon, John Thomson, pp. 57-58; E. F. Rockwell, History of Fourth Creek Church, p. 19. 15 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER plan for an evangelistic tour among them. His trip, however, was far from futile; for he not only served at the installation in the name of the Presbytery, but quite likely initiated, wittingly or otherwise, such negotiations as later resulted in his marriage to Nancy, daughter of Mr. Craighead. 60 As to the latter's ministry in North Carolina, little is directly known. Between its beginning and the report of his decease, the records of Presbytery supply few details, and no congregational or sessional minutes have been preserved to tell of his labors of that far day. The miles which he rode on horseback, his ministry to the sick and dying, the sermons which he preached over a wide area, and the celebrations of the Lord's Supper lie hidden beneath the obscuring passage of nineteen decades. Among the ruling elders from Hanover Presbytery at the meeting of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia held in the city of fraternal affection in 1761, was David Caldwell, identified by Dr. Foote, though called Daniel Caldwell, as a Rocky River elder. 61 Craighead attended one meeting of Hanover Presbytery after his settlement in North Carolina, being present at the ses- sions held in Bird Church, Goochland County, Virginia, on April 7-8, 1762; and was rewarded for his long journey of more than two hundred and fifty miles with the moderatorship. At this time he was directed to supply for two Sabbaths at Fourth Creek. 62 Mecklenburg County was set off from Anson by an act of the General Assembly of North Carolina of December n, 1762, and appears to have actually begun the exercise of its functions on February 26, 1763. 63 The proposal to locate the county court at Charlotte, though ultimately carried out, is said to have met with opposition from the people of Rocky River under the leadership of Martin Phif er, who was serving as representative of the county in the Colonial Assembly. 64 00 George Howe, History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina, Vol. I, p. 293. 61 Foote, op. cit., p. 479. 62 Minutes of Hanover Presbytery, Vol. I, pp. (44-46) . 63 Tompkins, op. cit., Vol. I, pp. 29-30. 64 Ibid., pp. 31-32. 16 ALEXANDER CRAIGHEAD AND THE EARLY YEARS The year 1764 was an eventful one in the history of North State Presbyterianism; for the Synod of New York and Phila- delphia, meeting on May 23, appointed two of its number, Elihu Spencer and Alexander McWhorter, to proceed to the territory occupied by the congregations under its jurisdiction in that col- ony with a view to effectively organizing and establishing the various local churches. By their commission they were instructed to "form societies, help them in adjusting their bounds, ordain elders, administer sealing ordinances, instruct the people in disci- pline" and inform them as to how "they shall proceed to obtain the stated ministry." 65 The minutes of Synod of the following year (1765) record the accomplishment of this mission, but supply no information as to its details. 66 It is presumed that the bounds of the congregations of Mecklenburg and those of the churches of the adjoining coun- ties were fixed at this time. An early document connected with the acquisition of property following this organizational incursion cites certain specifications in regard to the lands obtained for this purpose. A drawing is accompanied by a verbal description of the holdings, and the resultant document follows: Surveyed May the 18th 1765 for the use of the congregation liv- ing about and upon the waters of Rocky River — Twenty two acres of land, being a parcel of M. McCulloh's N. C. Barony. Be- ginning at a white oak, running thence N. 74 W 2 1 poles to a Black Oak. Thence N 16 E 70 poles to a Spanish Oak; thence S 74 E 50 poles to a Black Oak, thence S 16 W 56 poles to a hick- ory thence N 61 W 25 poles to a Spanish Oak, then S 65 W 34 poles to the beginning. Nath. Alexander By and ch. B. Geo. Alexander James Wallace 65 Records of the Presbyterian Church, pp. 339-340. 66 Ibid., p. 343. 17 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER The Beginning corner of the within survey a white oak stands from the rocks at the head of the spring south 1 1 l / 2 degrees dist 3 3 poles 6T While not apparent from the paper itself, a comparison of the boundaries described with those of the original deed for the Poplar Tent property indicates that these lands were intended for this newly constituted congregation. 68 Somewhat surprising is the discovery in the Minutes of the Synod for 1761 of a supplication for supplies from Rocky River, 69 though Sugar Creek is not included in the list of seven congregations thus seeking preaching. 70 The fact that both of these churches presented a call for the services of Rev. Nathan Kerr to Synod on May 29, 1766, soon after the death of their pioneer pastor, points toward Craighead as having continued to serve them, in name at least, until his death in March of that year. 71 The Records of Hanover Presbytery give no intimation that the pastoral relationship with Rocky River, established in 1758, was ever dissolved by that court. 72 Notwithstanding his wanderings, controversies, and cares of a sizable family, Mr. Craighead managed to accumulate consider- able property. According to his will, dated April 9, 1765, and recorded in Mecklenburg County, his holdings included four plantations. One of these was that on which he resided at the time of his death, or certainly when his testament was drawn up; a second, on Long Creek in the same general section of North Carolina; a third, in Augusta County, Virginia, which embraced some 310 acres in his judgment; and a fourth, on Fishing Creek, "containing by estimation 500 ac." This document does not enumerate his slaves, but there were a number of them; since he 67 Based on a copy of the original made by Eugenia Lore. 68 Cabarrus County, Record of Deeds, Book 5, p. 173. 69 Records of the Presbyterian Church, p. 310. 70 Ibid. 71 Records of the Presbyterian Church, p. 360. Glasgow gives the date of his death as March 12, 1766 (Op. cit., 468). 72 Passim. 18 ALEXANDER CRAIGHEAD AND THE EARLY YEARS refers to "all the negroes I now possess," and willed one such servant to each of his six daughters. 73 The old warrior's work was well done. Six months after his death, Governor Tryon, on October i, 1766, in the course of a letter to Rev. Daniel Burton, Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, bore unintentional testimony to ef- fectiveness of the ministry of the first pastor of Rocky River and a wide region round. After referring to the inhabitants of the Colony of Carolina, the Governor concluded, "Those of Meck- lenburg county are almost all Presbyterians." 7i Far from the spot of his birth, the body of Alexander Craig- head was laid to rest near the Sugar Creek Meeting-house in a grave marked by two legendary sassafras staves which were used to carry his coffin, and are reputed to have taken root and grown into trees after having been placed in the ground to mark the place of his burial. 70 His spirit was borne to that irenic realm beyond the touch of all contention, while his labors continue to bear fruit through succeeding years as Rocky River and the other six churches of Mecklenburg, together with those numer- ous congregations set off from them, move forward with the advance of the Kingdom of his Lord and ours. 73 Mecklenburg County, Will Book, Vol. A, pp. 167K-168. 74 Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VII, p. 260. 75 Foote, op. cit., p. 192. 19 CHAPTER II Times of Testing After the death of Craighead, the Church was not immediately successful in obtaining a pastor. As has been noted, Rev. Nathan Kerr was called to Rocky River and Sugar Creek in 1766, but declined these overtures. 1 That the congregations of the Pied- mont were anxiously desirous of securing a settled minister is ap- parent from the following extract from the Minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia of the year 1767: The following congregations in North Carolina, viz: Sugar Creek, Fishing Creek, Bethel, the Jersey Settlement, Centre Con- gregation, Poplar Tent, and Rocky River, united in a petition for one or more, of the Rev. Messrs. Spencer, Lewis, McWhorter, and James Caldwell, to be sent there, promising for their encour- agement that the sum of eighty pounds be paid by any of these congregations in which he shall choose to spend half of his time, and another eighty pounds by the vacant congregations he shall supply; this petition being read, the several gentlemen mentioned in it were interrogated whether they would comply with this re- quest, to which each of them returned a negative answer. 2 HEZEKIAH JAMES BALCH Two years later (1769), Hezekiah James Balch, who had been licensed by Donegal Presbytery on April 20, 1768, was appointed to make a trip into the South and his Presbytery was authorized 1 Records of the Fresbyterian Church, pp. 360, 367. 2 Ibid., p. 374. 20 GEORGE MARSHALL WILCOX Pastor, 1941- TIMES OF TESTING to ordain him upon his passing a satisfactory examination and acceptance of a call from Carolina. 3 Mr. Balch was born on Deer Creek, Hartford County, Mary- land, in the year 1746, the oldest son of Col. James and Anne Goodwine Balch. 4 He graduated from the College of New Jersey (1766), and studied Divinity under Rev. John Strain. 5 In the same class at the College was a relative, Hezekiah Balch; and the partial identity of the two names has led to considerable confu- sion, since each served as a Presbyterian minister in North Caro- lina, Hezekiah Balch later moving to Tennessee. On June 22, 1769, a call for Hezekiah James Balch was pre- sented before the Presbytery of Donegal from Rocky River and Poplar Tent congregations. At this same meeting of Presbytery, Mr. Balch was censured because of the manner of his marriage, the chief charge apparently arising from the fact that the cere- mony was performed by a minister of the Church of England. 6 The wife thus acquired under such allegedly reprehensible cir- cumstances bore the given name of Martha, 7 while her family name is said to have been Sconnel. In November of 1769, Balch was ordained and, if the record is to be read literally, installed in absentia (that of the congregations) over Rocky River and Pop- lar Tent. 8 His departure for North Carolina, so far as final removal was concerned, was delayed until at least June of 1770. 9 Extant rec- ords indicate that he engaged in several land deals in what is now Cabarrus County, through one of which, he, on March 30, 1769, acquired eighty-eight acres of land from William and Elizabeth 3 Ibid., p. 399. 4 George W. Graham, The Mecklenburg Declaration, p. 115; Journal of the Presbyterian Historical Society, June 1905, p. 79. 5 Minutes of the Presbytery of Donegal, Vol. II, p. 241. 6 Ibid., pp. 318-319. 7 Mecklenburg County, Record of Deeds, Book 7, p. 310. 8 Minutes of the Presbytery of Donegal, Vol. II, pp. 344, 347; Presbytery of Carlisle, Centennial Manorial, Vol. I, pp. 422-423. 9 Ibid., Vol. Ill, p. 7. 21 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Ross for a consideration of fifty pounds in "Proclamation money." This property was designated as lying between English Buffalo and Coddle creeks, and is in the vicinity of the Jackson Training School of today. 10 Mr. Balch has been depicted as playing a conspicuous part in the provocative events taking place in Charlotte in May, 1775. 11 He seems to have died the following year, his death being placed by Dr. George Graham "in the summer of 1776." 12 In any event, it occurred before August 22, 1777; for a document of that date refers to him as deceased. 13 Having been buried in the center of the Poplar Tent cemetery, his tomb was unmarked for many years. In 1847, according to the Historian of Poplar Tent, a large, flat stone was placed over the grave, which reads: Beneath this Marble repose the mortal remains of the REV. HEZEKIAH JAMES BALCH first pastor of Poplar Tent con- gregation and one of the original members of Orange Presbytery. . . . He was distinguished as one of the committee of three who prepared that immortal document the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, and his eloquence the more effectual from his acknowledged wisdom, purity of motive and dignity of character, contributed much to the unanimous adoption of that instrument on the 20th of May 1775. 14 THE BLACK BOYS The part, or parts, played by Rocky River in the revolt of the Regulators were diverse; and the more spectacular nature of the exploits of certain younger members of the community has largely tended to obscure the certainly more cautious and per- haps less heroic actions of the more staid citizenry. In the year 1771, when it became evident that rather stringent 10 Mecklenburg County, Records of Deeds, Book 4, pp. 485-487. 11 Graham, op. cit., p. 115. 12 Ibid., p. 116. 13 Mecklenburg County, Record of Deeds, Vol. 7, p. 310. 14 Wm. S. Harris, Historical Sketch of Poplar Tent Church, 1924 ed., p. 37. 22 TIMES OF TESTING measures must necessarily be invoked if the Regulator uprising was to be suppressed, Governor Tryon made arrangements for the securing of certain military supplies for this purpose. A quan- tity of powder and other martial paraphernalia having been col- lected in Charlotte, several wagons were obtained to transport these articles to the central portion of the State. But a few young men of the Rocky River and adjoining sec- tions were to take a hand in the matter. One of the participants enumerates the members of the group as James White, Jr., John White, Jr., William W T hite, Robert Caruthers, Robert Davis, Benjamin Cockran, Joshua Hadley, William W 7 hite "son of the Widow White," and James Ashmore. 10 Having learned of the supplies dispatched for the use of the Royal Forces, they laid plans for summary and speedy action. According to the testimony of James Ashmore, they, disguised as Indians and having discolored their faces, thereby to acquire the appellation of "Black Boys," proceeded to Phifer's Muster Ground, three miles west of Concord and on the road between Charlotte and Salisbury. Here they intercepted the wagons laden with ammunition. The powder was unloaded and dumped in a heap; blankets, leggins, and kettles were added to the pile; and a train of powder run from the whole. After James AVhite had fired his pistol into this train, the ensuing explosion effectually disposed of the powder and greatly damaged the other equip- ment, which appears to have received further attention to insure its destruction. 16 During the course of these necessarily hasty malevolent prepa- rations preceding the disposal of the supplies, one of the Black Boys was recognized by a wagondriver as his own brother, Rob- ert Caruthers. Turning to him and speaking in a low voice, so as not to be heard by anyone else, the driver, James, said, "You'll 15 Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VIII, pp. 622-623. See also Foote, op. cit., pp. 480-481; Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. IX, p. 57. 16 Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VIII, pp. 622-623. J. H. Wheeler, Historical Sketches of North Carolina, II, pp. 65-66. 2 3 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER rue this, Bob." "Hold your tongue, Jim," was the reply. With the coming of the Revolution, some years later, both of the brothers were aligned with the Colonists. 17 On the nth of June, 177 1, Governor Try on issued a procla- mation in which an offer of pardon was made to the majority of those who had been associated with the Regulator movement, on condition that they should come to his camp, or to that of Gen- eral Hugh Waddell, before the tenth of July, and give certain indications of loyalty. "All those concerned in blowing up Gen- eral Waddell's Ammunition" were specifically excluded from this contingent clemency, however, as were a number of other particular individuals. 18 The Governor and his subordinates embarked upon a pro- longed and strenuous series of efforts to capture the miscreants, employing various devices and resorting to almost every con- ceivable stratagem for their apprehension. At length, according to a report furnished the historian Wheeler, and originating with R. Kirkpatrick of Rocky River, two of their number who were half-brothers, enticed by the promise of immunity to any mem- ber of the group who would turn informer, determined, un- known to one another, to reveal the identity of the members of the band. 19 A memorial of this unhappy act is preserved in a dep- osition made by James Ashmore under date of June 22, 1771, and incorporated in the Colonial Records of North Carolina. 20 In the late autumn of the same year a petition for the pardon of the Black Boys was laid before the Governor at Newbern. This was drawn up in the name of "a Number of the Distressed Inhabitants of Rocky River & Coddle Creek Settlement," and 17 E. W. Caruthers, Revolutionary Incidents and Sketches of Character, p. 37, footnote. 18 Hugh Williamson, History of North Carolina, Vol. II, p. 150; Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VIII, pp. 617-618. 19 J. H. Wheeler, op. cit., II, p. 66. 20 Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VIII, pp. 622-623. 2 4 TIMES OF TESTING depicts the incident at Phifer's Muster Ground in a somewhat different light from that in which it generally appears in subse- quent records and ensuing traditions. The paper begins, "That whereas a Certain No of young men, Ignorant of their Duty to our Sovereign Lord the King, riotously Assembled in a wicked manner," and proceeds to attribute the destruction of the pow- der, not to a commendable patriotism, but at least partially to an overindulgence in spirituous liquors. 21 The names of the signatories of this petition are of interest, not only in connection with the incident involved, but because of their leadership in the communities; and are as follows: Moses Shelby Samuel Loftain Mathew Stewart John Morison David Slough Saml Harris James Morison Robert McMurrey William White John Davis John Russel Rob Russel James Russel Wm Scott Robert Campbell William Blair Thomas Hall Thomas Smith William Addem Robert McCallan James Callwall James Harriss William Sper John Callwall Oliver Wiley James Harris David Caldwell 22 George Davys The stirring scenes in Charlotte during the month of May, 1775, must surely have been of concern to the people of Rocky River, particularly in view of the leadership exercised by their Pastor, Hezekiah James Balch, in these transactions. 23 Alexander Craighead had been dead almost a decade, but an ample — perhaps a double — portion of his spirit was in evidence as Presbyterians across his wide parish moved toward effectual realization of the ultimate implications of the ideas which he had expressed, cer- 21 Ibid., Vol. IX, pp. 98-99. 22 Ibid., p. 99. 23 Foote, op. cit., pp. 35-36. 25 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER tainly in writing in the Middle Colonies, and undoubtedly by word of mouth in Carolina. 24 And Presbyterians, even in Penn- sylvania, began the unstudied vindication of the prophet whom they had officially repudiated a generation before. The ensuing war came close to Rocky River in the fall of 1780, as General William Lee Davidson, after making his way southward from Salisbury, established headquarters in the vi- cinity. On the 8th of October he wrote General Jethro Sumner from "Camp, Rocky River," which he located thirteen and one- half miles north-east of Charlotte. While Davidson was en- camped there, skirmishes were reported in the surrounding terri- tory. He does not seem to have worshipped at Rocky River meeting house on the Sunday which was spent in the region, for by two in the afternoon of that day he was engaged in military correspondence. 25 It is likely that he was considerably north of the Church, since the road between Charlotte and Salisbury crossed the River near the site of the present bridge on the new highway connecting these two cities. That Rocky River and the surrounding territory were generously represented in the Revo- lutionary movement and in the American Army is indicated by the list of Soldiers and Patriots inserted toward the close of this volume. 26 After worshipping for more than twenty years near the early ford, the people of Rocky River lifted up their eyes toward the hills to the south-east, and a second log church was built upon an eminence somewhat less than two miles from the original lo- cation. This site is marked by a graveyard which is only three hundred yards to the north-east of the present brick building. The removal, according to Daniel Penick, took place about the year 1776. 27 24 Charles C. Hanna, The Scotch-Irish, Vol. II, p. 43 ; Synod of North Carolina, Centennial Addresses, p. 15. 25 State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XIV, pp. 677, 679. 26 See Appendix G. 27 Minutes of the Session of Rocky River Church, Vol. I, p. 3. 26 TIMES OF TESTING In 1777, a case involving "J ames Balch, a member of Rocky River church" was referred to Orange Presbytery for adjudica- tion. The defendant had been suspended from church privileges by the Session, and appealed to Presbytery for a reversal of that sentence. The Presbytery, meeting at North Buffalo on June 3, 1777, voted that the evidence on which the Rocky River Session had based its judgement was insufficient. 28 Balch, thereupon, requested Presbytery to permit him to take the Oath of Purgation in connection with the charge, and his petition was granted. According to this procedure, the accused took an oath to the effect that he was innocent of the offence with which he was charged. Caruthers was of the opinion that this was the sole instance in which the Presbytery of Orange administered this oath. 29 It appears that the same matter was later brought before Hanover Presbytery, after Mr. Balch had moved within the bounds of that body. 30 Thomas B. Craighead, son of Alexander, was licensed as a probationer for the Gospel ministry at a meeting of Orange Presbytery held at Fourth Creek on April 11, 1778, thus begin- ning his ministerial career as the first of a number of sons of pastors of Rocky River who have entered upon that sacred call- ing. 31 ROBERT ARCHIBALD Robert Archibald was the next pastor. He entered the min- istry, by way of the medical profession, after graduating from the College of New Jersey in 1772. 32 Caruthers writes, "Robert Archibald, who had been licensed in the fall of 1775, was or- dained and settled as pastor of Poplar Tent and Rocky River 28 E. W. Caruthers, A Sketch of the Life and Character of Rev. David Cald- well, D. D., p. 200. 29 Ibid. 30 Minutes of Hanover Presbytery, Vol. II, p. 173. 31 Caruthers, David Caldtvell, p. 197. 32 Foote, op. cit., p. 442. 27 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER churches on the 7th of October, 1778." 33 The facility with which this author sets exact dates in connection with a number of such proceedings indicates that he had some indirect access to the factual contents of the early Minutes of Orange Presby- tery which had been burned when the home of the Stated Clerk was destroyed by fire on the night of January 1, 1827, at Hills- boro, North Carolina. Mrs. Archibald's given name was Katherine. An indenture made on December 20, 1786, indicates this fact. 34 She is said to have been a daughter of Moses Shelby. Archibald made his home in the Poplar Tent section of his field of labor, and in keeping with the custom of many Presbyterian clergymen of that day, he combined the duties of schoolmaster with those of the pastor- ate, as well as utilizing the knowledge which he had acquired as a physician to the advantage of his people. 35 A meeting of Presbytery was held at Rocky River in Decem- ber of the year 1780; for on the 15th of that month Francis Cummins was licensed to preach at a session convened in Rocky River Church. 36 Like his ministerial predecessor, Archibald is recorded as having participated in a number of transactions in- volving real estate in the region of Coddle Creek and Rocky River. 37 No roll of members of Rocky River of the early years has been preserved. The First Federal Census of the United States, taken in the year 1790, provides a list of heads of families living in the immediate territory of the Church. Many of the names preserved are definitely associated with the Congregation. Some served as elders, while at least ten of them signed the call for the services of Rev. John M. Wilson which was drawn up eleven 33 Caruthers, David Caldwell, p. 196. 34 Mecklenburg County, Record of Deeds, Book 13, pp. 108-109. 35 Harris, op. cit., p. 7. 36 W. B. Sprague, Annals of the American Pidpit, Vol. Ill, p. 419. 37 Mecklenburg County, Record of Deeds, Book 11, pp. 37-38; Book 12, p. 11; Book 13, pp. 108-109, 431-433. 28 TIMES OF TESTING years later. A number lie buried in the cemeteries pertaining to Rocky River. 38 During the Eighteenth Century the people of Rocky River had followed the traditional Scotch-Irish pattern of relatively small land holdings, as contrasted with the plantation system prevalent in other sections of the South. Consequently the num- ber of slaves in the Congregation was limited. The 1790 Census reveals that among those households making up the immediate Rocky River community the slaves totaled only eighty-seven, or an average of less than one to the family, while the largest number of such servants possessed by any one resident was eleven. These were owned by Samuel Harris. 39 The Pastor, Mr. Archibald, residing at Poplar Tent, reported four slaves. 40 When the settlement of the Scotch-Irish along Rocky River began, the territory was in New Hanover County, which had been constituted in 1728. In 1734, Bladen was set off from New Hanover, and for some years Rocky River lay in this county. Anson was formed from Bladen in 1749; and Mecklenburg, as earlier noted, dates from 1762. Thirty years later, in 1792, the Rocky River community was detached from that County with the formation of Cabarrus; and since that time has lain within the boundaries of the latter. 41 Mr. Archibald's ministry was the longest which Rocky River had enjoyed up to that time, in fact, only three pastors have exceeded him in length of service. Its termination was occasioned by theological abberations in the course of which he proceeded to proclaim the doctrine of Universalism, or the ultimate salva- tion of all mankind. These difficulties began about 1792; 42 and he was suspended from the ministry, and also from the commun- 38 United States, Bureau of Census, Heads of Families . . . North Carolina, p. 162. 39 Ibid. 40 Ibid., p. 159. 41 Wheeler, op. cit., II, pp. 276, 35, 21, 254, 63. 42 Caruthers, David Caldwell, p. 253. 29 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER ion of the Presbyterian Church, on October 4, 1794, by Orange Presbytery, meeting by direction of the Synod of the Carolinas. 43 When Concord Presbytery held its first regular meeting in the spring of 1796, Mr. Archibald sent a letter to that body which contained "a challenge to a public disputation on ye doc- trine of universal salvation," with the intimation that the chal- lenger had "procured a clerk who is master of short hand for the purpose of writing & printing 500 copies of ye argument to be brought forward at said disputation." 44 It is needless to say that Presbytery did not see fit to engage in such a contest, but professed a willingness to discuss the matter in a somewhat less dramatic manner. 45 The pastoral relationship between him and the Church had been dissolved some months before the action of Orange Pres- bytery in suspending Mr. Archibald from the ministry; for he is designated as "Without a charge," and another pastor, Rev. Alexander Caldwell, is listed as serving Rocky River and Poplar Tent, in the General Assembly Minutes of 1794. 46 The matter was finally resolved by Archibald's deposition from the min- istry at the hands of Concord Presbytery on March 28, 1798. 47 During the pastoral interim following, Rev. James Hall and Rev. Joseph D. Kilpatrick were sent by Presbytery to conduct a communion service at Rocky River. This marked the beginning of a spiritual awakening characterized by Foote as "one of the most blessed of the numerous revivals enjoyed by Rocky River church." 48 ALEXANDER CALDWELL Alexander Caldwell, a grandson of the Church and son of Rev. David and Rachel Craighead Caldwell, was the next pastor. He assumed charge of the Congregation at the time of his ordina- 43 Minutes of the Synod of the Carolinas, Vol. I, pp. 1 19-120. 44 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. I, p. 11. 45 Ibid., p. 12. 46 Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., 1794, p. 30. 47 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. I, p. 42. 48 Foote, op. cit., p. 482. 30 TIMES OF TESTING tion which took place before October 2, 1793, 49 and began a ministry which, for a season, proved of great acceptance. 50 Writ- ing a half-century later, Dr. Foote described him as of "superior mental endowments . . . portly gait, engaging manners, and eminent Christian character." 51 His wife was Sarah, daughter of Major John Davidson of Rural Hill Plantation, in the Hope- well Congregation; and their three children were living as late as 1873. 52 An end was brought to what had begun as a happy and prom- ising relationship between pastor and people by the mental derangement of Air. Caldwell. This termination was effected through an act of Concord Presbytery, in session at Sugar Creek, on March 29, 1797. 53 During the next several years, while the Church was without a regularly settled pastor, it was supplied, for some months at least, by John Couser, licentiate of the Presbytery of South Caro- lina. On October 20, 1798, he obtained leave to preach within the bounds of the Presbytery of Concord until its next stated session, 54 and in the following March a request was presented from Rocky River for "a continuation of Mr. Couser's labors," which was granted. 55 At the same meeting of Presbytery, Rev. S. C. Caldwell was directed to preach on one Sunday at Rocky River and to catechise the congregation. 56 On the 26th of the March following (1800), four different ministers were desig- nated to supply the Church for one Sunday each and two of the number to act as catechists in this connection. 57 The early part of the year 1 800 was marked by a heavy snow- 49 Minutes of the Synod of the Carolinas, Vol. I, pp. 95-96; Foote, op. cit., p. 482. 50 Foote, op. cit., p. 482. 51 Ibid. 52 Harris, op. cit., p. 8; J. B. Alexander, Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlers of the Hopewell Section, pp. 26-27 . 53 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. I, p. 28. 54 Ibid., p. 64. 55 Ibid., p. 68. 5e Ibid.,p. 71. 57 Ibid., p. 85. 31 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER fall in West Central North Carolina, which lay on the ground for a month to the detriment of the roads. 58 Such conditions were, as usual, reflected in the numbers attending worship at the Church. The death of Balch, the defection of Archibald, and the de- rangement which overtook Caldwell were not without their ef- fects; but, in the providence of God, a new century lay ahead, and with its advent there appeared the light of a brighter day. 58 Francis Asbury, The Journal of the Rev. Francis Asbury, Vol. II, p. 369. 32 CHAPTER III The Ministry of John Makemie Wilson A future President of the United States, as well as a future Pres- byterian, was the distant cousin and sometime guest and playmate of the next Rocky River pastor. As one of a considerable number of Carolinians fleeing before the advance of the victorious British after the defeat of General Gates at Camden, young Andrew Jackson sought out the house of his relative, the Widow Wilson, who resided within the bounds of the Sugar Creek Congregation. Here he was hospita- bly received in ill-starred September of the year 1780, and re- mained until the following February. 1 Jackson's biographer, James Parton, who enjoyed an extended and informing conversation with a son of John M. Wilson, has preserved a characteristic and perhaps prophetic incident in this portion of the early life of Old Hickory. Young Andy was oc- casionally commissioned to take damaged kitchen utensils to the neighborhood blacksmith shop for repairs. Upon the return from this chore, he uniformly displayed some implement of warfare which he had managed to manufacture while at the smith's. Years afterward John Wilson recalled having once remarked to his mother that "Andy will fight his way in the world." 2 He did; and Andrew Jackson not only received the highest honors at the command of a grateful nation, but eventually united with the Presbyterian Church, having in the quiet of the after years found 1 James Parton, Life of Andrew Jackson, Vol. I, pp. 73-75; George Wilson, Sketch of John M. Wilson, p. 1. 2 Parton, op. cit., pp. 74-75. 33 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER that same Lord who laid hold upon young Wilson and called him to preach the Everlasting Gospel. John Makemie Wilson was born in the environs of Sugar Creek in 1769. His father, James Wilson, a native of England, had migrated to Pennsylvania where he was for a time a merchant in Philadelphia, before joining one of the numerous bands which set out for the land of additional promise beyond the rivers of Carolina. An active combatant in the Revolutionary War, the elder Wilson died during its course, leaving, in addition to his widow, several children. 3 At the age of twelve, John was placed in Charlotte under the tutelage of Dr. Thomas Henderson. Then he entered Hampden- Sydney College to vie for first honors with Moses Waddel, who was to be marked by fame as an outstanding educator; and he later pursued the study of theology under Dr. James Hall of Bethany. 4 In the summer of 1793, the young candidate was licensed by Orange Presbytery, 5 and was soon dispatched upon a missionary tour by the Synod of the Carolinas. Beginning in early Decem- ber of that year, he returned at the end of January, 1794. Mr. Wilson's summary of the mission reads: "In the whole of my journey rode near a thousand miles, and in all preached eight Sabbaths and eight week days, and in the whole received ^9. 19. o hard money count." 6 He was ordained by the Presbytery of Orange before Oc- tober 1, 1 795; 7 and began his first regular work in Burke County, North Carolina, where he not only acquired valuable ministerial experience, but also a wife in the person of Miss Mary Erwin, daughter of Alexander Erwin of that county, 8 who was known 3 Sprague, op. cit., Vol. IV, p. 90; Mecklenburg County, Will Book, Vol. G, p. 30. Makemie is also found as McCamy and McKemie. 4 Watchman of the South, Nov. 24, 1842, p. 53 (1). 5 Ibid. 6 Minutes of the Synod of the Carolinas, Vol. I, p. 138. 7 Ibid., p. 164. 8 Sprague, op. cit., Vol. IV, p. 92. 34 HARVEY WILSON AIOORE Great-Grandson of John Makemie Wilson Promoter of Program of Advance THE MINISTRY OF JOHN MAKEMIE WILSON as "Pretty Polly." 9 He was already a member of Concord Pres- bytery when, in 1801, the overture looking toward his assump- tion of the pastorate at Rocky River was made; for his field of labor in Burke County, then even as now, lay within the bounds of that organization. He was serving the older congregation of Quaker Meadows and its more recently organized daughter in the town of Morganton. The call made out for his services gives definite indication of the identity of certain of the leading members of Rocky River, and contributes as substantially to an understanding of the finan- cial aspects of church support at the beginning of the Nineteenth Century. This document bore the signatures of 1 19 persons and promised an annual salary of $319.75 for two-thirds of the pro- spective minister's time. 10 It was proposed that its remainder be devoted to the neighboring congregation of Philadelphia which, under the name of Clear Creek, had been set off from Rocky River a generation before. The largest subscription set down upon the call was $6.00, with ten of the underwriters obligating themselves for that sum each year. These were Archibald McCurdy, George Davis, John McLealland, Joseph Welsh, Robert Davis, Samuel Harris, Sr., William Morrison, the elder, Wm. Robb, Sr., Robert McCach- ran, and Oliver Wiley. Pledging themselves for $5.00 were Andrew Davis, Wm. Morrison, Jr., Wm. Alexander, and Hugh Cimmons; while James Stafford subscribed $4.50. Twenty-six individuals, whose names are unknown, each agreed to make a yearly contribution of $4.00 for this purpose. 11 In those days the settlement of a pastor in a new charge was not to be undertaken with undue haste. The call was submitted to Presbytery, meeting at Steele Creek on October 1, 1801. It is clear from the manner in which the Moderator was instructed 9 Liberty Hall Chapter, D. A. R., (Charlotte, N. C), Genealogical Records, p- 55- 10 North Carolina Presbyterian, Sept. 3, 1875, p. 3. u Ibid. 35 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER to forward this paper to Mr. Wilson that the future pastor was not present on that occasion. 12 On the 30th of the following March (1802), Presbytery, then in session at New Providence, was informed that the calls from Rocky River and Philadelphia were accepted. 13 In the meantime, Mr. Wilson had given signal intention of such purpose by obtaining a home in the Mecklenburg region. On November 25, 1 801, he purchased from Chas. T. Alexander a tract of land embracing 327 acres lying in Cabarrus and Meck- lenburg counties "on the waters of Clear Creek." This land had formerly constituted a portion of "the Brick house Plantation," and the house which gave name to the estate was included in the transaction. The price paid for this homestead was $1275.00, as is shown by the deed conveying title to the property which was recorded on June 18, 1802. 14 Three ministers, Samuel Caldwell, John Carrigan, and James Wallis, were appointed by Presbytery to install the pastor, to- gether with Ruling Elders James Robison and John Smith. The time for this service was set for the last Friday of April, 1802; and it was specified that the installation as it related to Phila- delphia, as well as Rocky River, was to take place in the latter meeting-house. 15 It was in the autumn of 1803 that Rocky River first enter- tained Concord Presbytery. Eight ministerial members, including the host pastor, and five ruling elders assembled on Tuesday, September 6, for the opening session; and final adjournment was taken on the following Thursday. 16 The meeting was largely occupied with matters of routine nature; though a petition signed by more than fifty persons praying for the restoration of a min- ister-member, who had been adjudged guilty of succumbing to 12 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. I, p. 116. 13 Ibid., p. 1 20. 14 Mecklenburg County, Record of Deeds, Book 17, p. 706. 15 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. I, p. 1 20. 16 Ibid., pp. 153-159. 36 THE MINISTRY OF JOHN MAKEMIE WILSON a weakness for whiskey and had been suspended by Presbytery at an earlier meeeting, was presented. This formal request met with unfavorable action. 17 While the expression of thanks which has come to characterize later meetings of presbytery is not dis- cernible in the minutes, there is no reason to believe that the visit- ing brethren were not hospitably entertained. The earliest available figures on the membership of Rocky River date from 1 806, when a report prepared at the instance of the General Assembly lists the total as 221. At this time, Phila- delphia reported 80 communicants. 18 An early improvement in this pastorate was the replacement of the second log church by a more pretentious and commodious frame structure which was built within the bounds of what is now the cemetery lying to the north of the present brick church. Erected in 1807, this building measured forty by sixty-five feet, and was the house of worship of the people for more than half a century. 19 By way of celebration of the completion of the church, the Synod of the Carolinas was entertained at Rocky River at its meeting in 1807. This Twentieth session of that court was con- vened on Thursday, October 1, and a sermon preached by the retiring moderator, Rev. James W. Stephenson, from the last clause of the third verse of Micah 2, "For this time is evil" Moses Waddel, a former classmate of the Pastor, as has been noted, was chosen moderator. 20 The question of moment before the Synod at that time was presented through a complaint of the Second Presbytery of South Carolina against the First Presbytery in regard to the fail- ure of the latter to prefer charges against one of its members, Rev. W. C. Davis, who had reputedly been disseminating hetero- dox doctrine. Synod recommended to the First Presbytery that 17 Ibid., pp. 155-157- 18 Ibid., p. 207. 19 Mack, op. cit., p. 15. 20 Minutes of the Synod of the Carolinas, Vol. II, pp. 185, 187. 37 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER it proceed with the case "as duty and discipline may appear to direct." 21 It may be added that this Presbytery showed little inclination to bring Mr. Davis to trial, and the matter was ulti- mately disposed of by dissolving the First Presbytery and as- signing Davis to membership in Concord, which subsequently deposed him from the ministry, but not before he had withdrawn in anticipation of such measures and founded the Independent Presbyterian Church. 22 This consisted of a number of associated congregations, located chiefly in lower North and upper South Carolina, and was received into the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States of America in 1863. During the course of Synod's sessions, it was "on motion, Resolved, that the Fourth Wednesday of November next, be observed as a day of thanksgiving for the late revival, and prayer for its continuance." 23 Interest of that day in what is now known as Home Missions, or Church Extension, is indicated by the fact that pages 204-210 of the Minutes of Synod are given over to the report of a missionary tour made by Rev. James Hall, while that of Rev. Wm. H. Barr occupies some six or seven pages of the text of the Record. 24 The Spears Graveyard, located one and one-half miles to the south-east of the present church, and con- taining the remains of a considerable number of early members of Rocky River, was deeded to Enoch Morgan, James Morri- son, Isaiah Speiars and Elisha Speiars, as commissioners "acting in behalf of and for all those interested in the said ground," by Joseph Gates Speiars on July 18, 1808. 25 In 1 8 1 o the Rocky River Pastor received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the University of North Carolina, as 21 Ibid., pp. 189-192. 22 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. I, p. 333; Independent Presbyterian Church, Constitution and For?n of Government, p. 3. 23 Minutes of the Synod of the Carolinas, Vol. II, p. 204. 24 Ibid., pp. 21 1-2 1 8. 25 Adelaide and Eugenia Lore and Robert Hall Morrison, The Morrison fam- ily, pp. 491-492. 38 THE MINISTRY OF JOHN MAKEMIE WILSON this oldest of state universities turned to bestow a general and merited acclaim upon the Presbyterian ministry of the State. Eight degrees were awarded and each of them to a clergyman of that denomination. The title of Doctor of Divinity was con- ferred upon David Caldwell, James Hall, and James McRee; while Samuel Craighead Caldwell, John Robinson, William Left- wich Turner, and James Wallis, along with Mr. Wilson, were recipients of the M. A. award. 26 The same year, Mr. Wilson represented Concord Presbytery in the General Assembly which convened in the city of Phila- delphia. 27 He had been elected a commissioner to the preceding Assembly (1809), but did not attend that meeting. 255 The Gen- eral Assembly of 181 3 divided the Synod of the Carolinas, thereby erecting two such bodies, the one to be known as the Synod of North Carolina and the other as that of South Caro- lina and Georgia. The Presbytery of Concord and, of course, Rocky River Church, were naturally attached to the former, with which they have since remained. 29 An early contribution to the spread of Presbyterianism in the deeper South was made by the Congregation in 18 16 when four families, those of William Morrison, Robert C. Morrison, Mc- Ewen Morrison, and Enoch Morgan, moved to Fort Jackson, Alabama, ten miles north of Montgomery. Having been joined by several similar groups from North Carolina in the following year, they removed to a section described as Pleasant Valley, in the vicinity of the present city of Selma. 30 In November, 18 18, Rev. Francis Porter passed through this region on a missionary itinerary. A church appears to have been organized by him on 26 North Carolina University, Alumni History, p. 748. 27 Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., 18 10, p. 261. 28 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. I, p. 277; Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., 1809, p. 209. 29 Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., 1813, p. 70; Thomas H. Spence, Survey of Records and Minutes, p. 21. 30 Sarah E. Phillips, A Historical Sketch of Valley Creek Church, pp. 4-6. 39 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER the 20th of that month, and the Lord's Supper celebrated in the grove at the home of William Morrison on the following day. 31 Thus, through a migration from Rocky River, Valley Creek, one of the earliest of Presbyterian churches in Alabama, was formed. The Synod of North Carolina adjourned in 1816 with the expressly published intention of meeting the following year at Rocky River, and a determined effort was made to carry out these plans. The first attempt to hold such sessions was on Thurs- day, October 2, 18 17. When it became evident that a quorum was lacking, those present waited for "a considerable time;" and then the Moderator (of the 18 16 meeting) adjourned the group until the morning of the next day. The same procedure was re- peated on Friday and again on Saturday. On Monday it became clear that a quorum could not be secured; and it was decided to forego further attempts until October of 1818, and to assem- ble at that time in Fayetteville. 32 About the year 18 19, members of Rocky River, Philadelphia, and Bethany churches organized a single beneficent society for the purpose of aiding in the spread of the Gospel and also in the relief of the poor. After a time, this was divided to form separate organizations in each of the churches. 33 The religious welfare of the colored population was the ob- ject of an early concern on the part of the Church. By 1820, two Sunday Schools were being conducted for the benefit of slaves within the bounds of Rocky River. 34 The General Assembly of 1821 appointed the Rocky River minister as a member of a special committee, constituted of three clergymen from each synod, which was charged with making arrangements for the publication of a new edition of the Con- 31 Boston Recorder, Nov. 20, 1819, pp. 189-190 (1-2). 32 Minutes of the Synod of North Carolina, Vol. I, pp. 60-62. 33 Robert Hall Morrison, Letter to James Morrison, Feb. 12, 1820. 34 Ibid. 40 THE MINISTRY OF JOHN MAKEMIE WILSON stitution of the Church. 35 Among further honors conferred upon Mr. Wilson, was his election as Moderator of the Synod of North Carolina at its meeting in Salisbury in the year 182 i. 3G EARLY MECKLENBURG PRESBYTERY Mecklenburg Presbytery was set off from Concord in 1824 by the Synod in session at Statesville. This new and short-lived or- ganization included the churches of Mecklenburg- and Cabarrus counties, with some territory west of the Catawba River. 37 Its second meeting was held at Rocky River on September 6-7, 1825, with four ministers and six elders present. Since four of its ministerial members were recorded as absent, it can be seen that the Presbytery was weak, too weak to continue long. 3S A member of Concord Presbytery in attendance was Rev. Hugh Wilson, a native of the Bethany Congregation and an alumnus of Rocky River Academy. Mecklenburg Presbytery took the following action in regard to Mr. Wilson and his work among the Indians: Whereas the members of the Concord Presbytery have entered into measures for the purpose of endeavouring to support the Revd. Hugh Wilson Missionary in the Chickasaw Nation; re- solved that if they fail of complete success the Presbytery of Mecklenburg stand ready to join with them in that work of char- ity. 39 Early Mecklenburg was frequently occupied with plans and provisions for the so-called "Southern Professorship" in the The- ological Seminary at Princeton, New Jersey. During the third meeting of Presbytery, held at Waxhaw, April 4, 1826, it was reported that "Revd. John M. Wilson paid thirty dollars which 35 iMinutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., 182 1, p. 12. 36 Minutes of the Synod of North Carolina, Vol. I, p. 149. 37 Ibid., pp. 315-316, 320-321, 328-335. 38 Minutes of Mecklenburg Presbvtery (Earlv), Vol. I, p. 6. 39 Ibid., p. 8. 4 1 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER completes his subscription on behalf of Rocky River of $250" for this chair. 40 Mrs. Wilson died on August 7, 1826, according to the inscrip- tion on her tombstone in the Rocky River cemetery. One of the occasional insights afforded by the statistical re- ports on Rocky River in its earlier years is embodied in the Min- utes of Mecklenburg Presbytery under date of April 5, 1826. This entry, covering the united congregations of Rocky River and Philadelphia, shows that during the previous year there were enrolled 390 communicants in the two churches, twenty-five having been added during that period and two dismissed, while fifty-five children and one adult had been baptized. 41 A touch of professional, as well as local, color is to be discerned in the home address of Mr. Wilson, which is given, in this gen- eral period, as "Morrisons Tan-Yard." 42 One of the later acts of Mecklenburg Presbytery was to re- ceive Rev. Robert Hall Morrison from the Presbytery of Fay- etteville, and to install him as pastor over Sugar Creek and Char- lotte churches. This was done on June 8, 1827, at the Sugar Creek meeting-house, where Presbytery was in session. 43 The title to the old-burying ground, lying several hundred yards to the north-east of the present church, was transferred to the Trustees of Rocky River by two deeds. These were executed by Valentine Kirkpatrick and Hector McCacran and are dated July 31, 1827. 44 Evidently convinced that its venture in expansion had not been justified, the Synod of North Carolina, at its meeting in 1827, dissolved the Presbytery of Mecklenburg and returned its ministers and churches to that of Concord, from which they had 40 1 bid., p. 10. 41 Ibid., p. 12. 42 Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., 1829, p. 499. 43 Minutes of Mecklenburg Presbytery (Early), Vol. I, pp. 20-21. 44 Cabarrus County, Record of Deeds, Book 11, p. 28. 42 THE MINISTRY OF JOHN MAKEMIE WILSON been drawn to constitute the forerunner of the great Mecklen- burg Presbytery of the present day. 45 Rather strangely, the final report from Mecklenburg to the General Assembly, that of 1828, indicated that this Presbytery was actually larger than Concord from a numerical standpoint, consisting of 1645 communicants compared with Concord's 1633. The latter listed 13 ministers and 30 churches, however, against figures of 7 and 15 for Meck- lenburg. 46 The University of North Carolina, which nineteen years ear- lier had awarded an honorary M. A. degree to the Rocky River minister and schoolmaster, took further cognizance of his proven abilities by conferring upon him the degree of Doctor of Di- vinity at the commencement of 1829. 47 A note in a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, periodical of the fol- lowing year relates the crystallization of missionary interest in Rocky River and Philadelphia churches in the organization of an Auxiliary of the Board of Missions. 48 Such action was to be expected in the field of one who was blessed in the winning of souls. A contemporary states that "it was no uncommon thing to witness from twenty to thirty persons received by him into the church at one time." 49 Dr. Jethro Rumple has preserved a pleasing commentary upon the esteem in which Dr. Wilson was held by the dignitaries of his day: "It was his custom to visit the county seat during court week and pay his respects to the judges; by whom he was greatly respected and honored with a seat by their side, so long as he would remain in the courthouse." 50 As a peacemaker he acquired a unique reputation; and so effective were his influence and ex- 45 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. II, p. 122. 46 Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., 1828, p. 317. 47 North Carolina University, Alumni History, p. 748. ^Missionary Reporter, Apr. 1, 1830, pp. 218-219 (10-11). Bound with Chris- tian Advocate. 49 W. B. Sprague, Annals of the American Pulpit, Vol. IV, p. 94. 50 North Carolina Presbyterian, July 3, 1878, p. 1. 43 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER ertions toward this end among his parishioners, "that it was com- paratively rare for suits to be taken by the members of his churches to the civil courts." 51 In contrast, he is said to have been subjected to persecution at the hands of certain persons hostile to him, but the details of these evil endeavors are unknown. 52 Some insight into the methods employed by this Pastor for the instruction of his people is evidenced in the sketch by Dr. Morrison, who tells of the diligence with which he examined the members of his congregations in the Confession of Faith and the Catechisms of the Church. These examinations were con- ducted in the several sections of the two churches to which he ministered. Adults were quizzed in the doctrines of the Scrip- tures, as well as on the teachings of the Confession, though it might well be observed that the two are strikingly similar. 53 Against the background of such training, it is not difficult to appreciate the judgement pronounced by Dr. Morrison, that in the days of his esteemed preceptor, no such country congrega- tion as Rocky River was to be found south of Pennsylvania. 54 Continuing interest in the spread of the Gospel resulted in the formation of a "Young Men's Missionary Society of Concord Presbytery." A solicitation conducted by a special representa- tive in behalf of the work supported by this organization in 1830 bore fruit in a contribution in the sum of $47.27 from Rocky River. 55 A memento of the observance of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper during these days is preserved in the form of a commun- ion token, now displayed in the Historical Foundation at Mon- treat, North Carolina. This unusually small metal (probably pewter) coin was acquired through the late Ruling Elder Samuel 51 Sprague, op. cit., Vol. IV, p. 93. 52 Watchman of the South, Nov. 24, 1842, p. 53 (1). 53 Ibid. 54 Ibid. 55 Southern Religious Telegraph, Sept. 18, 1830, p. 149 (1). 44 THE MINISTRY OF JOHN MAKEMIE WILSON Black. The only visible inscription consists of the letters MW in the form of a monogram, presumably representing the pastor under the name of Makemie Wilson. Mrs. W. R. Grey of David- son has related how she and other children at Rocky River used a bag of tokens in their play many years ago. 56 Dr. Wilson's last illness began with his attendance upon the sessions of the Presbytery, held at Morganton in the year 1830. Though unwell for a number of months, his death was surpris- ingly sudden, taking place on Saturday, July 30, 183 1. 57 An old friend, Dr. John Robinson of Poplar Tent, had previously ar- ranged to preach at Rocky River on the following day, and arrived on Saturday afternoon for that purpose, without any knowledge of what had occurred. On Sunday, the funeral serv- ices were held at Rocky River and conducted by Dr. Robinson. Many of the people of Philadelphia united with those of the local congregation to pay their respects to one who had been with them for almost a third of a century. Since it proved impossible to accommodate the throng in the building, the services were held in the grove; and thereafter the body of the first minister to be buried at the Church was laid to rest. 08 In appraising the ministry of Dr. Wilson, Robert Hall Mor- rison asserted that "the memorials of his usefulness will be long visible below." 59 That this prediction has been fulfilled in an even more literal sense than was ever intended by its author may be vouched for by those who have sat in the present church build- ing and gazed, perhaps when they should have been intent upon the words of one or another of his successors, at the tablet which hangs upon the wall to the rear of the pulpit, bearing the inscrip- tion: 56 James F. Hurley and Julia G. Eagan, The Prophet of Zion-Parnassus, pp. 79-80. 57 Watchman of the South, Nov. 24, 1842, pp. 53-54 (1-2); Charleston Ob- server, Aug. 13, 1 83 1, p. 131 (3). 58 Watchman of the South, Nov. 24, 1842, p. 54 (2). 59 Sprague, op. cit., Vol. IV, p. 94. 45 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER SACRED To the memory of the learned, pious, and ven- erable minister of the gospel Rev. JOHN M. WILSON, D.D. who departed this life July 30th 183 1. Aged 62 years, for about 30 years the able, faithful and beloved Pastor of Rocky-River and Philadelphia Churches. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." And visitors to his grave in the cemetery adjacent to the church will recognize this language as the substance of that which, now considerably impaired by the attacks of time, is let- tered upon the stone erected, well beyond a century ago, over the resting place of that great and good man whose life and char- acter called forth such repeated eulogy. 46 CHAPTER IV The Academy and Certain Alumni In 1812, Mr. Wilson and a number of members of the congre- gations instituted a classical school which was to become remark- ably instrumental in the extension of the Kingdom of God in the immediate community, throughout the bounds of the Pres- bytery, across the Southland, and even in far-off Africa; for sev- eral of its students were to preach repeatedly at Rocky River on various occasions, others to hold pastorates in Concord Presby- tery, one to serve as the first president of Davidson College, an- other to organize the first Presbyterian church in the Republic of Texas, and still another to lay down his life in the Dark Con- tinent in an abbreviated but blessed endeavor to carry the Light of the World to those who dwelt in that distant and shadowed realm. Rocky River Academy was incorporated on November 16, 1 8 1 2, through the following act of the State legislature: Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North- Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the Reverend John M. Wilson, William Morrison, junior, William Gillems, John Morrison, James Morrison, Archibald M'Clerty, Enoch Morgan and Charles Taylor Alexander, be, and they are hereby ordained and constituted a body corporate, to be known by the name of TRUSTEES OF THE ROCKY RIVER ACADEMY and by that name shall have perpetual succession; and they or their successors or a majority of them by the name aforesaid, shall be able and capable in law, to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded in any of the Courts of Record within this state; and shall take, demand, and receive any property real or personal, and any monies or other things which shall be given for 47 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER the use of said Academy, and the same to apply according to the will of the donor, and by gift, purchase, or devise, to take, and have and possess, receive, enjoy, and retain, to them and their successors forever, any lands, rents or tenements of what nature or kind soever in special confidence, that the same or profits therof be applied to and for the purpose of establishing and en- dowing the said Academy. 1 A major function of this academy was the preparation of boys for entrance into the University of North Carolina, an institu- tion which was attended by a considerable number of its gradu- ates, or for some college, such as Hampden-Sydney. It is to be remembered that Davidson was not founded until 1837, some years after the death of Dr. Wilson. The school was located about one mile from the residence of its Principal, between the two churches which he served. The minister not only acted as the head, but also the teacher, of the Academy. Some of the students who lived sufficiently near walked or rode horseback each day between their homes and this seat of learning, 2 while those from a distance, either secured boarding accommodations in the community, or occupied cabins nearby. As late as 19 17, long after the private academy had given way to a unit of the State educational system, boys were living in this manner in order to attend the public school; and in 1953 one of these buildings still stands as a reminder of that distant but glorious day when Rocky River was making her noble and notable contribution to the education of the young men of her own and other congregations. Schoolboys of the early Nineteenth Century were not alto- gether unlike those of later generations. Elam J. Morrison, for example, confessed that one of the reasons prompting his enroll- ment in the Academy, which he and his associates knew as "the 1 North Carolina, Laws of the State of North Carolina enacted in the year 1812, Chapter CII, pp. 37-38. 2 Thomas E. Davis, Autobiography, p. 8; The Presbyterian, May 15, 1869, p. 3. 48 THE ACADEMY AND CERTAIN ALUMNI Latin school," was a dislike for farm work. He also admitted that he was "shamefully idle" during the greater portion of his course of study, although demonstrating somewhat more diligence by way of application during the last six months of time spent in the institution. 3 A former pupil of the Academy, in describing Mr. Wilson's service through the school, has written: "His great excellency as a teacher consisted, not merely in making good scholars of those who were willing to improve their opportunities, but in the happy moral influence which he exerted over them." Perhaps this is a partial explanation of the large proportion of graduates who entered the ministry. This same competent commentator held the Principal's powers as a disciplinarian in high regard and testified that "instances of disorder among his pupils were of very rare occurrence, and in very few cases were complaints heard of disturbance to the neighborhood originating from his school." 4 His work was not always completed when Professor Wilson had prepared a boy for the State University or for some college; for there were at least three of the alumni of the Academy who, having finished their training in an institution of the latter type, returned to pursue the study of Theology under the guidance of its Principal. James Stafford, who resided six miles from the school, after graduation from the University of North Carolina in 1820, began preparation for the ministry under Mr. Wilson. The candidate made a trip once or twice a week for conference with his instructor, which involved a recitation and such occa- sional examinations as might be stipulated by the teacher. 5 In the comparatively brief time during which the Academy operated under the supervision of its Founder, twenty-five young men were enrolled as students who later became ministers of the Gospel, and some fifteen of this group were from Rocky River 3 Elam J. Morrison, Autobiography. 4 Watchman of the South, Nov. 24, 1842, p. 53 (1). 5 The Presbyterian, May 15, 1869, p. 3. 49 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER and adjacent communities. The list of these, as compiled by one of their number, Robert Hall Morrison, is as follows: Thomas Alexander, A. R. Barr (Foote has A. R. Pharr), Charles LeRoy Boyd, John L. Davies, William B. Davies, Thomas Davis, John McK. Erwin, Robert Hall, Cyrus Johnston, Robert Rufus King, Nicholson R. Morgan, Elam Johnston Morrison, James Morri- son, James Elijah Morrison, Robert Hall Morrison, William Newton Morrison, Dion C. Pharr, Henry N. Pharr, John Silli- man, James Stafford, James B. Stafford, Samuel L. Watson, Alex- ander E. Wilson, Hugh Wilson, John Makemie Wilson, Jr. 6 The educational interests of the Rocky River minister and schoolmaster were not confined to his famous Academy. In the early i82o's, in the course of proposals looking toward the es- tablishment of an institution of advanced learning in the Pied- mont, he evidently evinced both concern and leadership in plans which were laid for Western College, a project which was des- tined to fall short of actual operation, yet which served to clear the way for another institution which was to open during the course of the next decade under the name of Davidson College. 7 Several years after its suspension in 1824, an effort was put forth to reactivate the Academy. Mr. Wilson proposed to act as superintendent, while his son was to be an associate instructor in classical and scientific subjects. An advertisement appearing in the Catawba Journal of June 19, 1827, set forth the purpose to re-open the Academy and, in regard to living quarters and expenses, stated that "boarding can be had in respectable fami- lies at $70 per year, including every appendage, candles ex- cepted." 8 ROBERT HALL MORRISON Among the pupils of the Academy, none was more to distin- guish himself than Robert Hall Morrison, who was a native of 6 Watchman of the South, Nov. 24, 1842, p. 53 (1). 7 J. Alston Ramsay, Historical Sketch of Concord Presbytery, pp. 69-70. 8 Charles L. Coon, North Carolina Schools and Academies, p. 329. 50 THE ACADEMY AND CERTAIN ALUMNI the Rocky River community. It is neither necessary nor fitting that the life and work of Dr. Morrison be extensively treated in these pages, but the very nature of events calls for a consideration of his vital and prolonged relationship with the Church at Rocky River. Not only was he born within the confines of the Congregation, to receive the benefits of the ministrations of the Church, and to pursue his education at the Academy; but he also studied Theology under its Principal. On numerous occasions he was re- called to the church of his childhood to speak at sacramental seasons or to minister at the funeral of some friend and member. Public acquaintance with the work of John Makemie Wilson is due in considerable measure to the relevant chapter in Foote's Sketches of North Carolina. A comparison with this section of the Sketches with a lengthy article (curiously denominated a Short Sketch) which appeared in the Watchman of the South 9 from the pen of Dr. Morrison, concerning the life and services of Dr. Wilson, will reveal that Foote not only based his treat- ment upon the earlier story, but freely reproduced portions of the tribute from the Watchman. Dr. Morrison was invited to deliver the funeral sermon after the death of Daniel Penick, and into that discourse he wove many facts relating to the life and family of that deceased pastor, as well as much of the history of the Church. The greater portion of the Morrison ministry was conven- iently exercised in Concord and, both earlier and later, in Meck- lenburg presbyteries. As a matter of fact, Dr. Morrison was the only ministerial member of both of the presbyteries known by the latter name, beginning his work at Sugar Creek and Charlotte just before the dissolution of the earlier court and entering the second Mecklenburg as a charter member upon its erection in 1869. 10 9 Nov. 24, 1842, pp. 53-54 (1-2). 10 Minutes of Mecklenburg Presbytery (Early), Vol. I, pp. 20-21; Ibid., (Pres- ent), Vol. I, p. 1. 51 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER A lengthy period of retirement, covering the years 1 840-1 889, during the greater portion of which he acted as stated supply of various churches, afforded an excellent opportunity, of which he obviously took ample advantage, to make numerous excur- sions from his country seat at Cottage Home, in Lincoln County, to the congregation of his birth. Chapters following will set forth some of the ways in which this distinguished son of the Church habitually renewed the ties which bound him, across the ex- tended years, to that community from which he had sprung. THREE SONS OF THE MANSE John Makemie Wilson, Jr., was born on October 21, 1808, several years after the settlement of his father at Rocky River. Having graduated from Washington College, Virginia, with honors in 1827, he embarked upon the study of law and was licensed to practice at the bar. In 183 1 he was married to Miss Philadelphia H. Fox of Spottsylvania County, Virginia; and two years later both he and his wife were converted. 11 That one who had been reared in such a home and church had not found his Saviour until this period of life is one of those mysteries which are difficult of comprehension. He then decided to abandon the practice of law and turned toward preparation for the ministry, for which he was licensed in 1835 by Concord Presbytery in session at Rocky River, 12 and ordained and installed as pastor at Bethany as Presbytery met in that church on November 10, 1837. 13 He later served at Mor- ganton, an old charge of his father's, from which he went to Missouri, being dismissed to the Presbytery of that name on October 3, 185 1. 14 Later he removed to Texas, where he died 11 Washington and Lee University, Catalogue of the Officers and Alumni, p. 80; E. F. Rockwell, Biographical Sketch Book, p. 21; Texas Presbyterian, July 15, 1881, p. 5. 12 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. Ill, pp. 122-123. 13 Ibid., Vol. IV, p. 73. 14 Ibid., Vol. V, pp. 574-575- 52 THE ACADEMY AND CERTAIN ALUMNI at his home near Seguin, Guadaloupe County, on June 29, 1881. 15 Joseph Harvey Wilson, a son of the older John Makemie, was a member of the same class at Washington College as was John Makemie, Jr. Upon graduation, he entered the legal profession in which he gained eminent distinction. He established his resi- dence at Charlotte, N. C, and was elected to the Legislature of North Carolina as a member of the Senate, serving as Speaker of this body. His death occurred on September 13, 1884. 16 A third son of John Makemie Wilson, Alexander E., born in Mecklenburg County, December ir, 1803, first decided to pre- pare himself for service as a physician because of an impediment of speech, which he supposed would interfere with his usefulness as a minister of the Gospel. Having completed his studies, he began the practice of medicine, when his attention was directed toward the great need for the evangelization of Africa, probably through the influence of Rev. Daniel Lindley, then pastor at Rocky River. Thereupon, he gave up his practice, secured train- ing in Theology, and was ordained by Concord Presbytery in the fall of 1834, at a meeting held in Rocky River Church. 17 After his marriage to Miss Mary Jane Smithey of Richmond, Virginia, who was born on November 30, 1 8 1 3, the couple went to Boston, from which port they were to sail for Cape Town, South Africa, in company with Rev. and Mrs. Daniel Lindley and several other missionaries. 18 In this city an impressive farewell meeting was held in the Park Street Church on November 23, 1834, at which twelve missionaries were present, when an ad- dress was delivered by Rev. David Abeel. On the 3rd of De- cember, Dr. and Mrs. Wilson, Rev. and Mrs. Daniel Lindley, who, as will be seen from the following chapter, had given up the work at Rocky River in order to go as a missionary, with 15 Texas Presbyterian, July 15, 1881, p. 5. 16 Washington and Lee University, Catalogue of the Officers and Alumni, p. 80. 17 Foote, op. cit., p. 487; Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. Ill, p. 97. 1S Missionary Herald, Jan. 1835, p. 32. 53 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Rev. and Mrs. Henry I. Venable of Kentucky, embarked for Africa, together with another group of missionaries who also contemplated work in that continent. The parties sailed on the barque Burlington. 19 After a favorable voyage of sixty-four days, they landed at Cape Town on the 5th of February, 1835. On March 19, the Wilsons, Lindleys, and Venables set out on a thousand mile trek for the country of the Mosalekatsi. 20 Two months were required to cover the 635 miles from Cape Town to Griquatown. On one occasion, fourteen oxen were necessary to draw a single wagon through a mountain pass, and altogether not less than one hundred oxen were used in pulling the three wagons of the party between the two towns. 21 When Griquatown was reached, it seemed that the oxen had suffered more than the mis- sionaries, due in considerable part to the lack of rains and the resultant shortage of grass. 22 Messrs. Lindley and Venable proceeded alone from this point to Mosega, where it was determined to establish the base for the mission. Dr. Wilson and the three women remained at Griqua- town, and later moved forward to Kuruman, no miles to the north. 23 During their stay at Griquatown, a daughter was born to the Wilsons. By June 15, 1836, the entire party was at Mosega. Their reception by the local ruler was encouraging and prospects for the work appeared bright. 24 But the members of the mission were now afflicted by a severe illness, ascribed by Dr. Wilson to the fact that the clay floor of the house which they inhabited had not thoroughly dried. Mrs. 19 Ibid. 20 Ibid., July 1835, p. 281. 21 Ibid., Nov. 1835, p. 435. 22 Ibid., Sept. 1836, p. 342. 23 Ibid., Jan. 1837, pp. 37-39. 24 Ibid., July 1837, pp. 291, 337; E. W. Smith, Life and Times of Daniel Lind- ley, p. 70. 54 THE ACADEMY AND CERTAIN ALUMNI Jane Wilson fell victim to this ailment and died on September 18, 1836. 25 Eighty-five years later, in 192 1, a lettered stone, evidently a relic from her grave, was discovered among others gathered for building the foundation for a railway near Ottoshoop, South Africa. This appears to have been inscribed by Dr. Wilson im- mediately following the death of his wife, to be deposited in the grave in which he himself laid her remains. "Her spirit," it affirms, "was called away to join ye assembly of ye just in heaven, soon after she commenced her toils in this land." 26 Dr. Wilson returned to the United States in order to make arrangements for the care of his infant daughter. "Against the earnest remonstrance of his friends, he again sailed July, 1839, joining Dr. (J. Leighton) Wilson at Cape Palmas soon after- wards. Before sailing, however, he was married a second time to Miss Mary Hardcastle, of New York, who after his death mar- ried the Rev. Mr. Griswold, of the same mission." 27 Alexander Wilson's course was not long; and after a brief, but heroic, effort in behalf of the Lord he, on October 13, 1841, passed on into that place prepared for him among "ye assembly of ye just in heaven." 2S Dr. J. Leighton Wilson, in a letter written on the day of the valiant missionary's translation, gives an inspiring picture of the closing scenes in the earthly life of this son of Rocky River who, in the language of a memorial adopted by Concord Pres- bytery, "devoted the best of his days to the best of all Causes." 29 The Academy building has long since disappeared and the voices of its students silenced these many years, while the schol- arly Principal himself, well above a century ago, was transported 25 Missionary Herald, July 1837, p. 293. 26 Edyth Kaigh-Eustace, The Tragedy of Mosega, pp. 21-22. 27 The Missionary, Oct. 1900, p. 449; Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. IV, p. 310; Harvey Newcomb, A Cyclopedia of Missions, p. 93. 28 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. IV, p. 310. 29 Hampden C. DuBose, Memoirs of Rev. John Leighton Wilson, D.D., pp. 91-93; Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. IV, p. 310. 55 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER to those fair halls of higher learning to sit at the feet of the Master of all good teachers. But, in the providence of God, nei- ther religion nor education is exactly the same since the ministry of that school conducted by Dr. Wilson, to the end that the youth of his and other congregations might know the truth and through that knowledge might be free. 56 CHAPTER V A Burning and a Shining Light The ministry of Daniel Lindley, the next pastor of Rocky River, was brief, brilliant, and a fragment, albeit a glorious one, of his crowded career of consecrated service. A native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he was born on August 24, 1801, Daniel Lindley, the eldest of nine chil- dren, graduated from Ohio University, Waterford, Ohio, with the class of 1824. At this time his father was serving as a pro- fessor in the University. Some time was spent as a teacher before entering Union Seminary at Hampden-Sydney, Virginia. After his graduation from this institution, he was licensed by Orange Presbytery, October 10, 183 1. 1 James Elijah Morrison was a classmate of Lindley 's at the Sem- inary, who, upon the former's invitation, came for a visit to the Rocky River community. The result of this apparently for- tuitous journey was a call from the Church to become its min- ister. Permission having been obtained from Concord Presbytery for its prosecution before the Presbytery of Orange, arrange- ments were perfected for him to settle at the Church. 2 ACADEMIC INTERLUDE While Rocky River Academy rose to its highest fame under the leadership of Dr. W T ilson, the school continued its work on into the Twentieth Century when it was superseded by the pub- 1 Union Theological Seminary, General Catalogue, p. 54; Minutes of Orange Presbytery, Vol. 1831-1836, pp. 9-10; North Carolina Presbyterian, June 15, 1881, p. t. 2 Alinutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. II, pp. 281, 286. 57 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER lie schools. After the Wilson regime the instructor was usually a layman. In the 1830's, Professor R. McDowell took charge of the in- stitution. By this time it had moved from its original location and was operated in the vicinity of the Church. In 1835, a deed to "77 square poles" of land, on the waters of Reedy Creek, was made to the Trustees by Cyrus Alexander, as executor of Philan- dra Alexander. 3 In the days of Professor McDowell, Robert Newton and Thomas E. Davis, two brothers who lived near the site of the present Harrisburg, were among the students. Robert, who at- tended the Academy earlier than his brother, walked the three miles and back to his home each day. When Thomas E. Davis entered the school, he managed to cover an amazing amount of work in the one year for which he remained. By building a little room eight feet square between his home and the family spring he was enabled to devote the maximum of time to undisturbed study. 4 Young Thomas Davis was not only a diligent student but also a proficient musician, mastering several instruments through ap- plication on rainy days when farm work was impractical. 5 He has left an account of how he "led all the night-singings for years in the neighborhood." 6 So successful was the administration of Mr. McDowell, that one historian of a much later day was led to designate it as "a veritable fount of blessings to the community and to the church at large." 7 Even though the curriculum was intended to serve by way of 3 Cabarrus County, Record of Deeds, Book 12, p. 418. 4 Thomas E. Davis, Autobiography, pp. 9-10; Mecklenburg Presbytery, Bi- ographies of the Deceased Ministers, 1869 to 1900, p. 1. 5 Thomas E. Davis, op. cit., pp. 5-6. 6 Ibid., p. 6. 7 I. S. McElroy, So?ne Pioneer Presbyterian Preachers of the Piedmont North Carolina, p. 28. 58 Daniel Lindley 1832-1834 Daniel Allen Penick 1837-1870 [oseph Bingham Mack 1871-1875 James Morton Wharey 1876-1886 John Gray Anderson 1888-1893 Richard Venable Lancaster 1 894- 1 896 SOME NINETEENTH CENTURY PASTORS A BURNING AND A SHINING LIGHT preliminary to that of the liberal arts college, certain elements of the course of study, as indicated by detailed contemporary testimony, show that it was a formidable one, calculated to give pause to the college student of today. A student of McDowell's wrote: I went through the Grammar, Latin Reader, the Bucolics, five Aeniads & most of Georgics of Virgil & started Greek in one year & studied Geographv Fridav evenings. I used to read one hun- dred lines in the Georgics of Virgil at a lesson. s Education in the field of Religion was also advancing about this time. Several Sunday Schools, which had previously been conducted in various sections of the Congregation, were consoli- dated into a central school at the Church in the spring of 1832. By April this organization numbered 150 scholars and was con- tinuing to grow. It possessed a library valued at between sixty and seventy dollars. 9 This collection of books evidently grew with rapidity and within the next several years numbered almost five hundred vol- umes. Elizabeth, Leander, and Robert Kirkpatrick were among the more frequent patrons of the library, the first named having withdrawn seventy-seven books in the year 1834. 10 With Samuel Morrison serving as superintendent, the teach- ers were examined each Sunday on the lesson for the following one. "It is an interesting sight," observed a member, "to see old men with their spectacles giving instructions to a class of young men & little boys." The same commentator continued, "Young men & ladies of 25 & 30 years are scholars. The old men wish to prepare these young men & women to take their places as teachers." n 8 Thomas E. Davis, op. cit., p. 10. 9 Jas. E. Morrison, Letter to James Morrison, April 20, 1832. 10 Librarian's Record, pp. 11-12. 11 Jas. E. Morrison, op. cit. 59 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Even before Mr. Lindley's installation, the ingathering of souls which was to characterize his ministry began to be manifest. In connection with a sacramental service on the last Sunday of March, 1832, fifty-six members were admitted into the Church on profession of faith, as four visiting ministers assisted in the attendant services. 12 Concord Presbytery met at Rocky River on November 7, 1832, for the ordination and installation of the incoming pastor, who preached a sermon from Hebrews 7:25, and was examined in the several branches of theology. This was followed by an ordination sermon delivered by Robert Hall Morrison, while Rev. John Williamson and Rev. John Robinson also participated in the exercises. The climax of these solemnities came when "Mr. Lindley having kneeled down, was by prayer and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery solemnly ordained to the holy office of the Gospel ministry and installed Pastor of Rocky River Church." 13 Morrison Caldwell, in his contribution to Dr. Mack's Histori- cal Sketch of Rocky River Church, appraised the accomplish- ments of Lindley in this pastorate by saying, "In less than three years ... he accomplished what might well have been claimed as a life's work;" and the author proceeded to adduce evidence toward a substantiation of this unusual statement: a temperance society organized under his leadership with 500 members in a day when sentiment for such causes had in general made but slight progress, and the marked growth of the Church during his short ministry. 14 According to the Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., during the church years 1832-33, 1833-34, a total of 246 names were added to the church roll on profession of faith, 15 12 Ibid. 13 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. Ill, pp. 25-26. 14 P. 9. 15 Pp. 595 and 166 respectively. The 163 persons received on profession of faith in the year 183 2-1 83 3 is the highest on record. See also Charleston Ob- server, Feb. 23, 1833, p. 30 (2). 60 A BURNING AND A SHINING LIGHT as the fervent winsomeness of the young Northerner captured the hearts of his Southern constituency. This was a general season of refreshing in many parts of the Church throughout the South. The Virginia cono-reo-ation, New Providence, to which a native of Rocky River, Rev. James Mor- rison, had ministered for a number of years, reported 270 addi- tions during the church year ending with March, 1834. 16 Some suo-o-estion of the reasons for the success of Daniel Lind- ley at Rocky River may be gained from a descriptive apprecia- tion of him, which was written with respect to his wider service, almost fifty years after his pastorate there. This reads in part: Dr. Lindley was of peculiarly genial temperament, and many will remember his simple but graphic discourses, in which, with a mild sweet voice, a benign countenance, an irresistible vein of wit, and a warm, loving heart for his Saviour and his race, he held his audiences spell-bound, and sent them away, not onlv delighted but permanently interested in the great work of Missions. 17 In 1834, he made a trip to Philadelphia as a representative of Concord Presbytery to the General xAssembly. ls But a longer and more momentous journey was, even earlier, in the offing for this preacher of the Word; for he, like the Tarsian Traveller at Troas had heard a call, in this instance not from a man of Macedonia, but from those sitting in the spiritual darkness of Africa. Presbytery was requested to release him from his charge, and this was done at a meeting held at Poplar Tent on April 4, 1834.- Daniel Lindley was the only one of Rocky River's seventeen ministers who had not been married by the termination of his pastorate. The deficiency was soon remedied, however, for his wedding to Miss Lucy Allen occurred on November 20, 1834, 16 Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., 1834, p. 162. 17 Foreign Missionary , Oct. 1880, p. 209. 18 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. Ill, pp. 66, 79-80. 19 Ibid., p. 74. 6l CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER almost upon the eve of their sailing for Africa in company with Dr. and Mrs. Wilson and other missionaries, as recorded in the preceding chapter. 20 Unlike his colleagues, the Wilsons, Lindley labored for many years upon the mission field, finally leaving Africa in 1873, when the health of Mrs. Lindley prompted their return to the United States; and, in the meantime, his work was of compelling signi- ficance. 21 On a certain occasion he baptized 186 children and administered this sacrament to almost 7,000 during the cumu- lated course of his ministry. 22 The noted leader of the Boers, Paul Kruger, was among those whom he received into the church. 23 Dr. Lindley died on September 3, 1880, at Morristown, New Jersey. 24 The choice of Daniel Lindley for inclusion in the necessarily selective Dictionary of American Biography is indicative of his imprint upon the world at large; 25 and the recent publication (1952) of his comprehensive biography under the title The Life and Times of Daniel Lindley 26 reveals the place accorded this apparently chance visitor, whose love for Rocky River never waned across the thousands of miles long separating him from his first pastorate among that long favored people. 20 Southern Religious Telegraph, Nov. 28, 1834, p. 191 (3); Dictionary of American Biography, Vol. XXI, p. 499. 21 Dictionary of American Biography, Vol. XXI, p. 499. 22 Ibid. 23 Howard C. Hillegas, Oom Paul's People, p. 116. 24 North Carolina Presbyterian, June 15, 1881, p. 1. 25 Dictionary of American Biography, Vol. XXI, p. 499. 26 This work, by Edwin W. Smith, was published in New York City. Pages 34-44 and 429-433 relate to Rocky River. 62 CHAPTER VI Days of Daniel Penick Daniel Allen Penick first preached from the pulpit of the frame church at Rocky River on June 12, 1835, and was buried beneath its site on January 10, 1870. Between these dates trans- spired many happenings of historical significance, and to their recital the three following chapters are dedicated. A debt is due to Mr. Penick, not only for his extended and efficacious ministry, but also for much of the available docu- mentary information relating to these labors. In the beginning, he procured, or caused to be procured, a large record volume at a cost of $5.25, judging from the price-mark which is still on the back of the flyleaf. But this was not all. At a meeting of the Session held many months before his installation, on Septem- ber 18, 1835, he was "appointed, for the present, clerk of Ses- sion." * In spite of the implied temporal limitation of this action, he served for more than twenty-seven years, relinquishing the office on May 21, 1863. 2 Furthermore, in addition to the regular entries of the proceedings of the Session, he was accustomed to add brief summaries of occurrences in the Congregation under the head of "Notes." In view of these facts he may well be re- garded as the historian of his times. And of the earlier days, too; for the first two pages of the oldest extant volume of the Records of the Session, beginning with 1835, are devoted to an historical sketch of Rocky River. While slightly inaccurate at several points, in the light of data 1 Minutes of the Session of Rocky River Church, Vol. I, p. 5. Future refer- ences to these Minutes will be given simply by volume and page numbers. 2 1, 245. 63 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER later discovered, this narrative is of unusual value in that it was written some eighty years after the first specific entry mention- ing Rocky River in the Minutes of the Synod of New York. It is also to be remembered that this record antedates the sketch of John M. Wilson by Robert Hall Morrison by seven years, and was penned eleven years before the appearance of Foote's Sketches of North Carolina. By inheritance, the new Pastor was a Presbyterian. His father, Col. Nathaniel Penick, served as a ruling elder in the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, situated in the Virginia County of the same name, for many years. It was within this congregation that Daniel Allen Penick was born on October 27, 1797. 3 He was graduated from nearby Hampden-Sydney College in the year 1821, with the degree of A. B., and spent the three follow- ing years at the somewhat more remote Theological Seminary at Princeton, New Jersey. 4 During this time he began his memora- ble work among the colored population in connection with a Sunday School for Negroes. 5 Powhatan County, adjoining Cumberland on the east, was the field of his first labors after returning from Princeton. Having been licensed by Hanover Presbytery on October 30, 1824, 6 he was ordained by that same body on the fourth of December of the following year. 7 There is an account in a diary which he kept of a blessed revival of religion in that region during the spring and summer of 1825, as a result of which about 150 persons were converted. In May of that year, a Presbyterian church was or- ganized in the County with twelve members, a number which was soon increased to sixty. 8 On September 20, 1825, he married Miss Agnes Ann Tinsley. 9 3 R. H. A4orrison, A Funeral Sermon, p. 5. 4 Ibid. 5 Ibid.; Daniel A. Penick, Diary, 1821-1822, under date of Feb. 24, 1822. 6 R. H. Morrison, A Funeral Sermon, p. 5. ''Family Visitor, Dec. 10, 1825, p. 3. 8 R. H. Morrison, A Funeral Sermon, p. 5. 9 Ibid. 64 DAYS OF DANIEL PENICK In 1828 he moved to Milton, a village lying in the central portion of North Carolina, just below the Virginia line. During a ministry of seven years here, Air. Penick supplemented his duties as pastor by serving as general supervisor of the Milton Female iVcademy, in which he also, at times, acted as instructor. 10 In 1833, one of the few extended literary productions from his pen was published in the Southern Religious Telegraph. This treatise was entitled Early Piety. Exemplified in the character of Mary Frances Huntington, a young girl who had died as the result of an attack of scarlet fever. 11 Although his work at Rocky River began in 1835, he was not actually installed as pastor until almost two years had passed. The first six months of his ministry were characterized, among other things, by a controversy with the Methodists, in the course of which a number of members left the Church to unite with that denomination, 12 which was probably among the factors which led to a decline in membership from 500 in 1834 13 t0 400 in 1836, 14 no figures having been preserved for 1835. So se- rious did the matter become that the Session felt constrained to issue a three-page deliverance upon the subject, and it was or- dered read from the pulpit to the Congregation. 10 This was done on December 6, 1835, "to a full house." 16 The document noted an evidence of proselyting on the part of the Methodists, and called attention to the fact that "there is a real & a wide differ- ence between the Calvanistick & the Arminian systems." 17 A happier note for the new pastor is struck in the statement that "The monthly concert for prayer is generally attended in 10 Minutes of the Session of the Milton Church, Vol. I, p. 43; Southern Re- ligious Telegraph, Sept. 30, 183 1, p. 159 (3); Visitor and Telegraph, Nov. 22, 1828, p. 187 (3). 11 March 15, 1833, p. 41 (1). 12 I, 8. 13 Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., 1834, p. 166. 14 Ibid., 1836, p. 390. 15 I, 7- 16 I, 10. 17 1, 8-10. 65 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER the different quarters, & in some instances collections are taken up for foreign missions." 18 This division of the Congregation into districts, under the name of Quarters, for purposes of ad- ministration, is repeatedly evidenced by subsequent records. It was the practice to give each Quarter representation on the Ses- sion by electing elders on the basis of their residence in these several localities. The practical effects of religion upon the life of the members of the Church is effectively set forth in an entry during this period, under the date of May i, 1836: On Monday afternoon, at the close of the meeting; two members of the Church, who had been at considerable variance — one of whom was about to prosecute the other — having already tabled charges; came together & amicably settled all their differences. 19 The sanction of disciplinary processes was enhanced by an enactment of the Session on November 28, 1835. This prescribed that "every case of actual discipline'''' should be published from the pulpit, together with such details as the names of the parties concerned and the offenses of which they were found guilty. 20 An unusual problem was created in 1837, when R. Kirkpatrick, upon being summoned to testify in a case before the Session, "stated that he had deliberately made up his mind to give evi- dence in no case, except a criminal prosecution at the civil bar, & requested the Session to excuse him" from appearing. 21 This that body declined to do and censured him for his refusal to • 22 serve as a witness. Beginning with the church year 183 5-1 836, statistical and nar- rative reports, as submitted to Concord Presbytery, are found in the Sessional Records, and are also published in the Minutes of 18 1, 11. 19 1, 13. 20 1, 7. 21 1, 17. 22 1, 19. 66 DAYS OF DANIEL PENICK the General Assembly. A total membership of 444 was indicated by the first such report, which also showed that six adults and thirty-six infants had been baptized during the year ending March 31, 1836. Gifts to the cause of Foreign Missions amounted to $290. 00. 23 Thirty-eight additions on profession of faith were shown by figures for the following year (1 836-1 837), together with a to- tal membership of 475. One hundred and eighty-six children and youth had been examined on the Shorter Catechism and about two hundred adults on the doctrines of the Concession of Faith. 24 It is small wonder that Rocky River enjoyed an enviable repu- tation for theological literacy in those days! The formal installation of the Pastor, who had already served for almost two years, took place on May 6, 1837, with Dr. John Robinson of Poplar Tent and Rev. Robert Hall Morrison, the Rocky River boy who had recently become the first president of Davidson College, officiating. 25 Two days later, Mr. Morri- son preached a sermon on temperance which resulted in forty- seven whites and four blacks signing the Pledge, nineteen of the latter having already taken a similar step several days before. 26 Rocky River not only supplied Davidson with its first presi- dent, but four members of the earliest graduating class, that of 1 840, were from the community and each of them had formerly been a member of the Church. These students, and subsequent alumni, were Robert Newton Davis, William Flinn, Thomas D. Houston, and Archibald Neely. Two of the number, Davis and Flinn, entered the ministry to multiply their usefulness in the wider circles of the church at large. 27 Andrew Davis, David Miller, John Morrison, John Phifer, and 23 1, 12. 24 1, 16. 25 1, 21; A. W. Miller and D. H. Hill, Memorial Sketches of Rev. Robert Hall Morrison, D.D., p. 3. 26 1, 21. 27 Davidson College, Alimrni Catalogue, pp. 41-43. 67 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER James Query constituted the bench of elders when Mr. Penick began his ministry, according to a record which he himself has left. 28 Reflecting that period when gold mining was a profitable in- dustry in the section, is a charge preferred against a church mem- ber by the Session late in 1837 °f having mixed "jeweler's gold" with "soil gold," in an effort, which apparently proved fruitless, to sell the former for more than its market value. The accused confessed to having put "two pieces of jeweler's gold — viz. a slide & part of a ring of a watch chain — weighing two pen. wt. & a half" in a ladle of molten soil gold which was being "fluxed" for him. As a result, he was suspended from the Church. 29 The controversy between the Old and New School parties which, not only agitated, but disrupted the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America about this time, was scarcely, if at all, noticed at Rocky River. The New School found slight favor in the eastern area of Concord Presbytery; and Rocky River moved along with the Old School wing of American Pres- byterianism in company with almost all of the churches of North Carolina, although several congregations in the western portion of the State joined the New School Assembly. 30 Dr. John Breckenridge, Agent for the Assembly's Board of Foreign Missions, was a distinguished visitor in the autumn of 1838. After preaching to the congregation, he secured subscrip- tions in the amount of $200.00 for the cause which he repre- sented. 31 It is likely that the Session House was erected early in 1839. Minutes of the Session of previous years bear the entry "R. River Church" as the place of meeting. The record for April 21, 1839, begins with the words "R. River Session House," and concludes 28 1, 4. 29 1, 32-38. 30 T. H. Spence, Jr., and W. L. Lingle, op. cit., p. 6. For example, see Minutes of Morganton Presbytery, Vol. I, pp. 107-110. 31 1, 53- 68 THE MANSE DAYS OF DANIEL PENICK with the statement "Adjourned into the house for publick wor- ship." 32 The "Semicentennary" — of the General Assembly? — was ap- propriately observed on the Second Sabbath of December in that year (1839), the day being given over to thanksgiving and prayer, with a fitting sermon and a subscription of some $85.00 taken for the Board of Publication. 33 Elders were elected on May 4, 1840; and the proceedings are described as having been "conducted with entire good order & a Christian spirit," perhaps suggesting that some such ballotings were known to have moved along in less happy fashion. Those elected, with a number of votes received by each, were Robert Caldwell (in), Walter F. Pharr (98), John S. McClarty (89), Alexander McClarty (86), and Joseph B. White (48 ). 34 All of these, with the exception of Mr. W nite, were installed on Sep- tember 20. 35 Four days later, E. B. Burns was chosen as elder from Phifers Quarter. 36 The people were not unmindful of their obligation to have a part in the preparation of workers for the ministry. In 1841, be- fore Thomas E. Davis was to leave in a two-horse carriage with Walter W. Pharr to enter Union Seminary at Hampden-Sydney, the Church presented him with a purse of Si 25.00; and repeated this benefaction once and again during his second and third years at the Seminary, although he never returned home until the completion of his theological study. 37 Another echo of the gold mining industry is found in a refer- ence from the Rocky River Session to Concord Presbytery early in 1846. This concerned the operation of mining machinery on the Sabbath Day. Presbytery's deliverance, as issued in April of 32 1, 54. 33 1, 58. 34 1, 70. 35 1, 77. 36 1, 78. 37 Thomas E. Davis, Autobiography, pp. 15-16. 69 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER that year, laid down the broad principle that such work was not in general to be justified, but added "At the same time Presby. would not say that there may not be times, places and circum- stances which may constitute a fair exception to this general rule, in which cases the Sessions of the churches must exercise sound discretion;" and this, in turn, was followed by a warning against licensing or encouraging the desecration of the Sabbath. 38 On July 4, 1847, John H. White, Sandy McKindley, and Rob- ert Harvey Morrison were inducted into the office of elder. 39 Up to this time, the Minutes are largely silent as to the Church's representation in Presbytery or Synod. J. H. White was elected, on September 28, 1847, to attend the next meeting of the Synod of North Carolina to be held at Fayetteville; 40 and from that date on numerous entries relating to the selection of such repre- sentatives are encountered. The now all-but-forgotten Mexican War is recalled by a rec- ommendation made to the Congregation in an action under the date of November 17, 1847, which provided that the sixteenth day of the following month be observed "as a day of special humiliation, fasting & prayer — That the God of nations may avert the fearful evils of this war & speedily bring about an hon- orable peace." 41 Concord Presbytery returned to Rocky River for its meeting in the spring of 1848, the sessions beginning on Friday, April 14, and continuing through the following Tuesday. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was observed on the Sabbath, when Rev. Robert Hall Morrison (now D.D.), and Rev. J. M. H. Adams preached to "large and attentive" congregations. 42 A white member of the Congregation was arraigned before the Session on September 1, 1848, on the charge of "unchristian 38 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. IV, pp. 552-553. 39 1, 132. 40 1, 137- 41 1, 141-142. 42 1, 143. 70 DAYS OF DANIEL PENICK conduct," the specific indictment accusing him of "making a violent assault without provocation upon the person of a colored member of this church belonging to Mr. Saml. Kimmons, named Caleb — & 2. In using profane language." 43 Several weeks later the accused admitted his guilt to the Session and "confessed that he had sinned against God & his brethren." The case was then dismissed, but not before the penitent had received "a suitable admonition." 44 Certain evidences of God's visitation, of which we shall pres- ently speak more particularly, led to the desirability of enlarging the seating capacity of the church building; and these alterations were carried out during the year 1851. In the opinion of Robert Hall Morrison, such changes resulted in "quite an improve- ment." 45 The pulpit, which had previously been 'at the side of the auditorium, was placed at the end of the building. Two new galleries were added and the seating capacity of the edifice thereby appreciably increased. Altogether, the appearance of the church was considerably improved by these operations. 46 The second and latest, if such a term may be applied to an event of more than a century ago, actual meeting of Synod to be held at Rocky River took place in 1851, beginning at 1 1 o'clock on October 9. Between fifty and sixty members were in at- tendance. Pleasant weather contributed to the delightfulness of the gathering. Six or seven hundred people partook of the Lord's Supper as it was celebrated on the Sabbath, while between twenty-five hundred and three thousand were present on that day. Rev. Drury Lacy and Rev. W. N. Mebane were the preach- ers for the morning and afternoon on this high occasion. 47 The spring communion season of the next year (1852) was of particular interest in that Rev. Peter T. Penick, son of the Pastor, 43 1, 144. 44 1, 145. 45 R. H. Morrison, Letter to James Morrison, Oct. 15, 1851. 46 Ibid. 47 1, 159-160. Minutes of the Synod of North Carolina, 1851, pp. 3-4. 71 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER who had been ordained on November 8, 1850, was one of the four ministers who assisted in the services. 48 He was to return for a number of such celebrations in the years to follow. SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS The Revival of 1849 ranks among the greatest of such out- pourings of the Spirit visited upon the Church. The ministers in attendance during the course of eleven days in the latter part of August included W. W. Pharr, Cyrus Johnston, James E. Morri- son, S. C. Pharr, and John Scheck of the Lutheran Church. Al- together, thirty-two sermons were delivered. As the meeting progressed, people came in crowds to the enquiry room. The atmosphere was described as one of "no great excitement of ani- mal feelings," and it was added that there was no approach to disorder. Eighty-eight members were received by profession dur- ing this period and two by letter. 49 The year 1853 was marked by the visit of the greatest evange- list produced by the Presbyterian Church in the South, and the resultant meeting which is numbered among the most fruitful ever held at Rocky River. Daniel Baker did not remain long, but his preaching was with power. Accustomed to seeing the mani- festations of the salvation of the souls of men as he was, this great preacher of the Word grew gratefully enthusiastic as he reviewed the results of his brief stay in the Congregation. But he tells his own story in a letter addressed to Mrs. Baker: Rocky River Church, Penicks, July 28th, 1853. Help me to bless the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonder- ful works to me, and to the people round about here! I thought the meeting in Charlotte was a glorious one, which lasted some ten or twelve days, and was blessed to the hopeful conversion of some fifty precious souls. I thought that the meeting at David- son College, which was of scarcely seven days' continuance, and 48 1, 162. 49 1, 147-149. 72 DAYS OF DANIEL PENICK turned out more than thirty converts, of whom twenty-two were College students, was also a glorious meeting; but I must say, that the meeting at Rocky River church, which closed yesterday, seems to bear off the palm. Commencing on Thursday, it wound up on the following Wednesday; and, to our joy and astonish- ment, some seventy or eighty persons occupied the seats assigned to young converts! Of these, some forty-five or fifty were prom- ising sons of pious parents. What a harvest reaped down in one week! To God be all the praise! How thankful should I be that my voice fails not, although I am made to do all the preaching. Now in relation to another matter — for the services of last week I have received for the College nearly three hundred dollars! Surely the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places, and I have a goodly heritage. Blessed be God! Yesterday evening I received a letter from a pastor not far distant, who promises me three hun- dred dollars for the College if I will visit his church! Your affectionate husband, Daniel Baker. 50 To this need be but added the following extract from the Minutes of the Session of September 8: "At several intervals, eighty-seven persons, who presented themselves as candidates for church membership, were examined & admitted to full com- munion." 51 In the three following years, four of the children offered for baptism were called by the name of Daniel Baker. 52 Soon after Daniel Baker's visit, John Caldwell and McAmy A. White took their seats as Elders, being ordained and installed on September 25, 1853. 53 John M. Query, Joseph O. Pharr, and L. C. Kirkpatrick were elected to the same office on September 12, 1857, and were inducted into the Eldership on January 3 of the next year. 54 The Academy, which had continued with the usual ebb and 50 William M. Baker, The Life and Labours of the Rev. Daniel Baker, D. D., pp. 478-479- 51 1, 170. 52 1, 407-410. 53 1, 171. 54 I, 206. 73 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER flow of significance and influence, was, at this time, under the direction of Captain Silas Lindsley. 55 Rocky River reached the peak of her membership in 1856, for the report to Presbytery of March 31 showed 650 communi- cants, 202 of whom were Colored, the latter figure also being the highest in the history of the Church. 56 The Minutes of the Gen- eral Assembly show that Rocky River was the largest church in the Synod of North Carolina at this time, as was likewise true during a number of other years around the middle of the Nine- teenth Century. Up to this time, Concord and Charlotte seemed to have been the places to which members of the Church were accustomed to resort for an unsteadying indulgence in intoxicants, or at least it was in these towns that their excesses were most frequently detected. Harris' Depot now comes into prominence as a third center for the display of intemperance. 57 It may be added that court week was the favorite occasion for such imbibings, and the various sales, conducted at sundry times and places, were also marked by repeated resort to the always-too-popular bottle. An innovation was introduced in the method of taking col- lections for benevolent causes early in 1859, when the Session voted, with one member dissenting, to send a canvasser to each family in order to give every individual an opportunity to con- tribute to all the Boards of the Church. This system replaced the previous arrangement whereby such offerings were received "publickly, after preaching, in the church, on Sabbath." Mem- bers of the Session, two for each Quarter, were commissioned to care for the matter through the year. Record books were sup- plied these canvassers in which the names of the contributors were entered, and then transferred to a book kept by the Pastor. 58 The financial report of the Church for the year 1 858-1 859 55 Jerome Dowd, Sketches of Prominent Living North Carolinians, p. 274. 56 1, 184. 57 1, 180, 186, 213. 58 I, 214. 74 DAYS OF DANIEL PENICK supplied convincing evidence of the effectiveness of this scheme, while that for the following year showed a continuation of the same trend: Cause 1857-58 1858-59 1859-60 Domestic Missions $ 64.00 $145.50 $ 167.85 Foreign Missions 90.00 135.00 226.10 Education 52.00 102.50 774-55 Publication 90.00 44.00 25.70 Church Extension 68.50 20.70 Presbyterial 20.00 20.75 35.00 Congregational 890.00 826.00 1359.00 Miscellaneous 59.40 50.00 59 On two occasions in the 1850's, Daniel Penick was accorded the covetable privilege of assisting in the induction of a son into the Gospel ministry. The eighth of November, 1850, was the occa- sion of a short journey to Philadelphia Church in order to preach the sermon in connection with the ordination and installation of Peter Tinsley Penick over the Philadelphia and Union congre- gations. 60 Thirty-four years later Peter Tinsley was to serve as Moderator of the Synod of North Carolina at its meeting in Winston. 61 The second such trip took place on January 28, 1858, in the other direction, to Poplar Tent, when the Rocky River pastor and Peter Tinsley Penick participated in the ordination and installation of Daniel A. Penick, Jr., over that congregation. At this time the Father delivered the sermon, while the incoming pastor received his charge from his Brother. 62 Progress in matters other than those relating to finances is set forth in the Narrative Report for 1859-60, which tells that "monthly prayer meetings, at six different points, have been regularly & encouragingly attended," while Sabbath Schools for 59 1, 206, 218, 228. 60 Minutes of Concord Presbyter)', Vol. V, p. 531. 61 Minutes of the Synod of North Carolina, 1884, p. 519. 62 Minutes of Concord Presbyter)', Vol. VI, p. 384. 75 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER both whites and blacks were said to enjoy a good attendance and "to be effective & promisory of good." 63 THE "NEW BRICK CHURCH" Daniel Penick, in the absence of exact information, concluded that Rocky River had its beginnings about the year 1757. Ac- cordingly, on October 1, 1857, ne preached what was termed a "Century Sermon," having selected as his text I Samuel 7:12, "Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." 64 The discourse was not confined to the past, for the preacher proceeded to inquire of his congregation: Why might we not make this the occasion of constructing, or at least determining and preparing to construct, a new and more commodious house of worship, of more durable materials, which shall be at once an honor to the memory of our forefathers, and a suitable monument of our gratitude and thanksgiving to God? With earnestness, I ask, Why? 65 His people answered with their hearts, their hands, and their purses; and the present church building is the embodiment of that response. Several years were occupied in the crystalization of purposes and formulation of plans. On January 4, i860, at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation, the proposition for building a house of worship was formally presented and only two votes were cast in opposition to the undertaking. 66 Subscription lists were prepared for the signatures of the resi- dents of the several Quarters, with the understanding that pay- 63 1, 228. 64 R. H. Morrison, A Funeral Sermon, pp. 9-10. 65 Ibid., p. 10. 66 This information and that set forth in the two following paragraphs was derived from the subscription lists and Treasurer's Record relating to the build- ing of the present church. 76 PULPIT OF PRESENT CHURCH George M. Wilcox, the pastor, stands before memorial tablets to two of his distinguished predecessors. DAYS OF DANIEL PENICK ment would be made, one-third when the contract for the build- ing was let, one-third six months later, and the remainder upon the completion of the work. Ruling Elder Sandy McKindley acted as Treasurer of the fund which was well subscribed by the 30th of March of the same year; for the people had a mind to the work. Contributions ranged from the sum of $250.00, credited to Hugh S. Pharr, to a donation of twenty-five cents, including one gift of fifty cents from Mumford and Ruth, servants of the Treasurer; while an unnamed "Hired servant" of T. S. White donated $2.00 toward the building. The total cost of the "New Brick Church," as it is repeatedly called in the papers relating to its financing, appears to have been slightly in excess of $6,000.00. Detailed disbursements were made as follows: P. H. H. Saurs $~ t .495-77 Taylor and Allison .,461.35 Allen Cruse for bolts 6.21K Horas Alexander for cleaning rubbish from under the church 3.00 Wm. Murlock 30.00 Franklin Stafford for furniture 66.25 C. H. Dejournet for pulpit furniture 15.00 Inspired by the prospect of a new church, the women of the congregation purchased a communion service of silver plate. It was procured at a cost of $40.00, and used for the first time at the May Meeting of 1 860. 6 " One of the large plates from the older pewter set, measuring fifteen inches in diameter, after having been presented to Mrs. J. M. Wharey, wife of a successor of Mr. Penick, was enameled a shade of blue. In the early io^'s, this item of hallowed association was placed in the Historical Founda- tion at Montreat, North Carolina, through Miss Mary Black of Davidson, another daughter of Rocky River, who, at that time, was serving as Historian of the Woman's Auxiliary of Concord 67 1, 230. 77 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Presbytery. The acquired coloring had previously been removed through the solicited interest of members of the Chemistry De- partment of Davidson College. Sunday, May 2, 1861, was the day for the dedication of the new church. A sermon was preached by the Pastor on Psalm 122:1, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." Other ministers having a part in the exercises associated with the consecration of the edifice were R. N. Davis, Henry N. Pharr, Walter W. Pharr, Wm. W. Pharr, and Daniel A. Penick, Jr. 68 Eighty-eight years, save a single day, were to elapse before the people of Rocky River would again convene for such a purpose. 68 1, 232. 78 CHAPTER VII War and the End of an Era God's movements are not only mysterious but timely. While the poet Cowper is generally associated with the recall of the former truth, Robert Hall Morrison, in his sermon occasioned by the death of Mr. Penick, reminded his hearers of the latter fact as illustrated in the erection of the new church, and concluded, "Thus we see the hand of a kind Providence leading to its con- struction, before your means of doing it were diminished by subsequent changes." 1 So far as Rocky River was concerned, these changes proved both dire and devastating. In the autumn of 1861, after the Philadelphia General As- sembly, which met in May, passed the divisive Gardiner Spring Resolution, and before the organization of the Church in the South, as the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States of America, had taken place, the Rocky River Session adopted a paper in the prevailing spirit of the times. Beginning with cer- tain introductory remarks based upon the action of the Phila- delphia Assembly, three resolutions declared independence so far as the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was concerned, called for an organization of Presbyterians in the Confederacy, and overtured Concord Presbytery to separate from the old Assembly and to form a connection with a similar body then in prospect for the South. 2 Since these sentiments were general throughout the greater portion of the Southern congre- gations, a Presbyterian Church in the Confederacy soon became 1 R. H. Morrison, A Funeral Sermon, p. 10. 2 1, 233-234; North Carolina Presbyterian, Sept. 21, 1861, p. 2. 79 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER a reality, with the first General Assembly meeting at Augusta, Georgia, in December, 1861. The Rocky River Pastor was among the representatives elected by Concord Presbytery as commissioners to the fateful Phila- delphia General Assembly which met in the spring of 1861. 3 In the fall of that year a paper was presented to Presbytery in ex- planation of the failure of these commissioners to attend the Assembly. This was signed by Daniel Penick, Jesse Rankin, and William Murdock. 4 The first reason set forth for their "declining to attend" was that their presence was apparently not desired, since no reply had been received to a request for the assignment of quarters, although the entertainment committee in Philadelphia had in- vited them to indicate their wishes for such accommodations. It was also stated that private letters had been received from that place advising against attendance, and that some of the city periodicals moreover advised the same thing in regard to the whole Southern delegation. In addition, Mr. Lincoln's Proclama- tion and the Blockade were interpreted as a declaration of war; and it was doubted if they would be able to reach Philadelphia. The last reason advanced was the belief that the absence of Southern representatives would "tend to prevent the discussion of all questions which might lead to a division of the church." It is needless to add that the brethren were not censured by Con- cord Presbytery for failure to fulfil their commissions. In September, 1861, Daniel Penick felt constrained, because of certain rumors which he had heard, to write a letter for publica- tion in the North Carolina Presbyterian? defending the loyalty to the Confederate government of his son-in-law, Rev. E. D. Junkin. Mr. Junkin was then serving as pastor of the New Provi- dence Church in Virginia and continued in this relationship, not only throughout the war, but for fifteen years longer, thereby 3 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. VI, p. 676. 4 Ibid., pp. 732-734- 5 Ibid. 6 Sept. 14, 1861, p. 2. 80 WAR AND THE END OF AN ERA bearing convincing testimony to his devotion to the Southern cause. When representatives of the Southern presbyteries met in Au- gusta on December 4, 1861, for the organization of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States of America, a son of Rocky River, Robert Hall Morrison, was present as a commissioner from Concord Presbytery. Dr. Morri- son was, along with B. M. Palmer and J. N. Waddel, nominated for moderator of that body; but asked that his name be with- drawn on account of the state of his health. After Dr. Waddel had made a similar request, Dr. Palmer was elected by acclama- tion. 7 A joint meeting of the Session and Trustees of Rocky River was held on October 25, 1863, looking toward provision for the education of children of such deceased soldiers as had been gen- erally connected with that church, of whom, as will be noted from Appendix H, there were a number by this time. After a full discussion of the situation, the following action was taken: Resolved 1st We the Elders & Trustees of Rocky River Church, do hereby express our cordial approval of the action of the Synod of North Carolina at its sessions in Goldsborough in making pro- vision looking to the education of the children of deceased sol- diers. Resolved 2nd With a view of aiding in this patriotic & benevo- lent work, we will make special efforts to see that all such indigent children of such deceased soldiers, within the bounds of our Con- gregation are so provided for as to receive at least as good an education as they would have received had their fathers not sac- rificed their lives in defense of their country. Resolved 3 — That each member of this body be expected to report to Session all such cases imthin his knowledge as need as- sistance. 8 In December of the same year a committee of five, consisting of Hugh S. Pharr, Samuel Pharr, J. S. Query, J. C. Barnhardt, 7 Assembly Reporter, Dec. 5, 1861, pp. 11-12. 8 1, 247. 8l CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER and R. M. McEachern, was appointed by the Session and Trus- tees to take special charge of providing for the children of in- digent soldiers by securing places for them to live, receiving and disbursing funds for their benefit, and reporting their actions to the Session and Trustees. 9 In the spring of 1864, the Session reported that Sabbath Schools for both the white and colored members of the Congre- gation had been kept up during the year past, saving during the winter months; and that the Pastor had been paid a salary of $1507.00 in Confederate money. 10 Further light upon ministerial support in the later War years is evidenced by an entry in the Treasurer's Book under the date of 1864. This is in the form of a receipt given by the Pastor in which he acknowledges the sum of $2667.00 in Confederate currency "towards salary for the year 1864." In addition, Mr. Penick indicated that he had been the recipient, "from various individuals at various times," of 102 bushels of corn, 685 pounds of pork, and 308 pounds of flour, all of which was credited on his salary. 11 The report on gifts to benevolent causes for the year 1 864-1 865 is followed by the no- tation, "Remark. The above was paid in Confederate Money & became worthless in the hands of the Treasurer." 12 But if the Pastor suffered privation because of the War, his people incurred even greater hardship and anguish both upon the field of battle and by the fireside at home. Some idea of the Rocky River men in the armies of the Confederacy may be gathered from the number who lost their lives in the struggle. The officers of Company H of the 7th North Carolina Regiment were almost all from the Church, including 2nd Lieutenant Dixon B. Penick, son of the Minister, 13 and many of the privates of this command were likewise from the Congregation. 14 9 1, 248-249. 10 1, 250. 11 Rocky River Treasurer's Book, Vol. I, pp. 18-19. 121,252. 13 North Carolina, General Assembly, Roster of North Carolina Troops in the War between the States, Vol. I, p. 262. u lbid., pp. 262-265. 82 WAR AND THE END OF AN ERA While the colored members remained with the Church during- the conflict, soon after its termination the greater portion of them departed. This will be considered in the next chapter. After they had left, only 332 members were reported in the spring of 1867. In the meantime, further additions had been made to the eldership. In 1866, James L. Morrison, Robert C. Caldwell, Abram C. Alexander, and Dixon B. Penick were elected to that office on August 31, 15 and installed on November 25. 16 Compelling evidence that God had not forsaken His people, despite the chastening to which they had been and were being subjected, was afforded by the ingathering of souls which took place in the autumn of this year. In connection with a series of services conducted by Dr. Robert Nail, thirty members were added to the Church on profession, their reception taking place on the last day of November. 17 Concord Presbytery held its spring meeting of the year fol- lowing (1867) at Rocky River and a full attendance was re- ported, 18 this being the last session of Presbytery meeting in the Church before the setting off of Mecklenburg Presbytery in 1869. To this meeting was submitted a report from the Session which told of monthly prayer meetings held in five Quarters of the Congregation. A "large & interesting Bible Class under the supervision & instruction of our Pastor" was also mentioned. That the term "Bible" is not to be construed in overly literal fashion is indicated by the supplementary statement that the group thus characterized was engaged in a study of the Conces- sion of Faith. 19 A new order of church officers, that of Deacon, is now en- countered in the Records of Rocky River, when a "Note" under date of August 15, 1868, indicates that these officials were di- rected to solicit contributions toward the Church's quota of the 15 1, 268-269. 16 1, 270. 17 1, 271. 18 1, 271-273. 19 1, 274-275. 83 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER "Evangelists Fund." 20 These servers of tables appt-ar to have been first elected in 1867. 21 Meetings for prayer in each of the five districts, assembling on Saturday evening before the first Sabbath of each month, were held in 1 868-1 869, and a "plan of weekly collections" was in- troduced in an effort to secure funds "for the furtherance of the Gospel." 22 It was stated that the amount promised, eight hundred dollars, had been paid the Pastor by way of salary. This was coupled with the confession that it was not considered sufficient for his support, but it was added, by way of apology, that "he is satisfied with that amount." 23 Two elders were installed in 1869, William S. White on April 18, 24 and Dr. J. R. Wilson on October iq. 25 For a long period (1 841-1869), Mr. Penick served as a trustee of Davidson College, and during a portion of that time (1866- 1868) he acted as president of the Board; and was also a member of the governing body of Union Theological Seminary in Vir- ginia. 26 Early in his ministry he had been honored by the Synod of North Carolina, when at its meeting in 1839 at Lincolnton, he was elected moderator. 27 His immediate family was large, consisting of six sons and a like number of daughters. Five of these children were born be- fore his arrival at Rocky River. The names of the twelve were Peter Tinsley (1 826-1 886); Maria Brown (1 828-1 883); Rosilla Allen, Mrs. G. L. Phifer (1830-1909); Nathaniel Hill (1832- 1857); Daniel Allen (1834-1922); Dixon Brown (1836-1910); Agnes Anne, Mrs. E. D. Junkin (1838-1911); Mary Frances, 20 1, 279. 21 Register, Vol. II, pp. 24-25, 28-31. 22 1, 282. 23 I, 282. 24 I, 283. 25 1, 289. 26 Davidson College, Alumni Catalogue,^. 5-6; Union Theological Seminary, General Catalogue, p. 33. 27 Minutes of the Synod of North Carolina, Vol. II, p. 575. 84 WAR AND THE END OF AN ERA Mrs. Albert Baumann ( 1 841—192 1 ) ; Elizabeth Virginia ( 1843— 191 5); George Willis (1 845-1 845. 6 days); Emma Garland, Mrs. John M. Brown (1846-1923); Edward Payson (i848-i932). 2S Thus approaches the end of an era and that of one of the Church's great pastorates. Daniel Penick had not only known Rocky River in the days of her glory, he had been, in the provi- dence of God, an instrument in ushering in this golden age. Like an unfaltering soldier of Jesus Christ, he remained faithful as her fortunes ebbed in the wake of war, and carried her people, and his, before the throne of God in prayer, despite an enfeebled body which betokened the end of his long pilgrimage of ministry and mercy. In these evening hours, his country seat, located some four miles to the south of the Church, was held in high repute for its beauty and charm and, above all, for the graciousness of its mas- ter. A neighboring pastor, Rev. E. H. Harding of Concord, has inquiringly written in a descriptive vein, "Who that has ever been a guest there does not recall with pleasure Glenburnie, with its noble oaks on one side, and the graceful elms on the other, the green grassplots and the flowers, and the venerable old man dis- pensing his hospitality with cordial heart and benign face!" 29 On his way to the annual meeting of Synod in 1869, in com- pany with Rev. John Al. Sherwood, he expressed a conviction that this was to be, for him, the last of such journeyings. 30 For a year or more before this time, he had been subjected to a dis- tressing cough, while it was remarked by one close to him that during "all fall and winter he seemed to be ripening for Heaven." 31 Early in the new year, on January 8, 1870, he was seized with a severe chill and lapsed into semiconsciousness. It 28 Names and dates furnished by Professor Daniel Allen Penick of Austin, Texas, grandson of the Rocky River Pastor of the same name and son of Dixon Brown Penick. 29 North Carolina Presbyterian, Jan. 19, 1870, p. 2. 30 Ibid. 31 R. H. Morrison, A Funeral Sermon, p. 7. 85 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER was about four in the afternoon that he passed from the transient scene of his extended and blessed ministry into the presence of the Lord. 32 Funeral services were held on the ioth in that church which still stands as a memorial to his efforts. One of his oldest friends, Rev. Robert Burwell, presided at the exercises in the church, during which the congregation passed in procession for a last look at him to whom they had owed so much for so long. His body was borne to the cemetery by the Elders of Rocky River, and there Rev. Walter W. Pharr took charge of the service. With a gracious sense of the appropriate, the grave had been dug be- neath the site of the pulpit of the old church from which he had preached for a quarter of a century. 33 In keeping with the custom of the times, Robert Hall Morri- son, so often recalled to his home church to take part in various occasional services, was invited once more to deliver "A Funeral Sermon in Commemoration of the Character and Labors" of the late Pastor. This was on February 27, 1870. "It is no part of wisdom," the speaker began, '"to overlook or underate the tri- umphs of death," having chosen as his text First Corinthians 15:55-57. This discourse was later printed by the Session, and is not only of a Scriptural and evengelical nature, but preserves many facts concerning Daniel Penick, his family, and his minis- terial service, as has been noted in an earlier chapter (IV) . 34 Thus, Dr. Morrison, who had represented the Presbytery in establishing the pastoral tie between Daniel Penick and the Church, pro- nounced the requiem upon an association which was richly blessed to the salvation and shepherding of souls over a period of three and a half decades. And then the departed leader took his place with Dr. Wilson, not only in a figurative, but also in a very evident sense; for a sec- 32 Ibid. 33 North Carolina Presbyterian, Jan. 19, 1870, p. 2. 34 R. H. Morrison, A Funeral Sermon, all. 86 WAR AND THE END OF AN ERA ond marble tablet was erected above the pulpit, bearing the words: Rev. DANIEL A. PENICK, Born Oct. 27th 1797, Died Jan. 8th 1870, in the 73 rd year of his age. He was the beloved Pastor of Rocky River Church for 34 years. During his ministry 887 were wooed to this Church, and 1375 were baptized. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, They rest from their labors and their works do follow them." Much of that outline of Rocky River history with which many of her sons and daughters of the present generation are familiar has doubtless been derived from these two memorials of those whom a grateful congregation has thus delighted to honor. 87 CHAPTER VIII Servants in the Congregation The staunch, brick house of worship at Rocky River, dating, as has been noted, from i860, is characterized by commodious gal- leries raised on three sides of the interior. Separate outside door- ways open upon stairs leading to these side balconies to form entrances designed for the use of the members designated as "Servants" in the records of the Church, but more popularly known to later generations as the slaves of the antebellum era. These servants were reckoned real members of Rocky River. Their children were baptized by her ministers. They were ex- amined on their knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ as they pre- sented themselves as candidates for communing membership, even as they were amenable to the discipline of the Session along with their white masters. And when they passed from their labors in the red fields of Cabarrus into that far land beyond the west- ern slopes of the Piedmont, it was with the rites and benedic- tions of the Church that their bodies were committed to the earth to await the resurrection from among the dead. Several facts suggest the directing of special attention to the slaves of this particular congregation. There were many of them enrolled, the total during the church year 1855-56 reaching 202 out of an aggregate membership of 650. 1 As a matter of fact, only several churches in the entire Assembly listed a larger colored membership at that time than did Rocky River. These were all in South Carolina, being Indiantown, with 303 Negro members out of a total of 413; Salem, with 274 of 349; Kingstree at Wil- 1 Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., 1856, p. 685. 88 SERVANTS IN THE CONGREGATION liamsburg, which reported 258 colored and 152 white members; and John's and Wadlamaw Islands, where 434 of the 470 com- municants were of African descent. 2 Furthermore, substantial records are available for such an investigation; while a rather pro- nounced ignorance of the religious relationships of this group seems to prompt a presentation of such facts as tend to shed light upon the Church and its Negro constituency of a century ago. Extant records have considerable to contribute toward an understanding of the manner of reception of servants into the membership of the Church, the discipline exercised over them by the governing body of the local congregation, and the circum- stances under which, at the close of the War, they were led to desert Rocky River for other ecclesiastical associations. RECEPTION At Rocky River, in keeping with Presbyterian theory and practice, baptized children were accounted members, albeit not fully privileged ones, of the Church. Daniel Penick baptized hundreds of Negroes, beginning with Caroline, daughter of Nat and Maria, servants of R. Bigger, on August 16, 1835. 3 Like their masters, the parents occasionally expressed an af- fection for a minister of the past or present by naming their child for such a spiritual leader. Thus the second infant of African descent baptized by Mr. Penick was Daniel Lindley, son of Jack and Lenny, servants of Dr. Alexander, 4 while John McAmy was evidently the namesake of John Makemie Wilson. The favorite of all significant names chosen by the servants was that of Wash- ington, most often George, but at times in some other combina- tion. The baptismal lists from 1835 through 1864 indicate that no less than twenty slaves were baptized with the name of that one who was first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts and 2 Ibid., pp. 691-693. 3 I, 382. 4 I, 382. 5 I, 388. 89 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER imaginations of the servants who were wont to worship at Rocky River. 6 But the time came when the majority of the baptized servants desired to make a profession of faith and to consciously and de- liberately associate themselves with the Church. Under such circumstances, it was necessary for the candidate to appear be- fore the Session and submit to an examination as to his or her Christian knowledge and belief. A requisite in this connection was a letter from the master. On April 26, 1840, Jack, servant of W. Andrew, presented himself for examination and was in- structed to bring a note on the following Wednesday or Friday; 7 while Ned, servant of M. G. Johnston, appeared as the bearer of such a note on June 10, 1849; and, after due deliberation, was received into full church privileges. 8 Further details of this nature are revealed by an entry in the Minutes of the Session of the John's and Wadlamaw Islands Church of South Carolina, pertaining to a meeting held in 1856: The following servants were received as members on examination, after having been two years under the care of the Colored Leaders; three months under the special instruction of the pastor of the Church, and after having brought tickets from their masters, certi- fying to their good moral character, and granting them permission to unite with the church. This is followed by the names of the thirty slaves thus received. 9 The reception of whites and Negroes at the same meetings of the Session supplies certain notes of interest. In the minutes of the Rocky River Sessional meeting of September 18, 1835, the name of Mrs. Daniel A. Penick, wife of the newly-elected Pas- tor, is entered immediately following that of "Caesar, servant of Mr. Jas. Morrison." 10 On May 3, 1850 an illustrative entry oc- curs: 6 1, 382-418, 360-363. 7 1, 69. 8 1, 147. 9 Vol. 1856-1911, pp. 1-2. 10 1, 5- 90 SERVANTS IN THE CONGREGATION The following persons, after careful examination, were admitted to full privileges as members of the church viz. Ruth — servt. of Mr. S. M. AlcKindley Rachel — do do do Miss Tirza A. Wilson " Sarah N. Pharr. 11 Five servants of the Pastor were received on September 23, 1859, when Lucy Ann, Roland, Ned, Tom, and Clemantene met the Session and passed a creditable examination. 12 The possession of such a number of slaves is to be explained by the fact that Mr. Penick engaged in extensive farming operations on his plan- tation, located a mile to the south of Pioneer Mills. Numbers of servants were received into full membership in connection w r ith the occasional revivals which swept over the Congregation under the preaching of visiting ministers. During the latter part of August, 1849, a ser ies of such services resulted in the addition of eighty-eight new members, but only seven of this group w T ere slaves. 13 At this time Calvin Parms, described as a "free man in service of A. Stewart," and Rilla, "in service of P. Morrison," also united w r ith the Church. 14 That the examinations connected with the reception of mem- bers were much more than mere routine is indicated by a minute dated April 29, 1853, which shows that several white persons and Negroes were received; but that one of the latter was advised to defer application on account of his defective knowledge of re- ligious and Christian principles. 10 Twenty-four applications for full membership were made on May 4, 1838. Fourteen of these resulted in favorable action, and of this number five were serv- ants, while ten were "put off," six of these belonging to the same group. 16 There was, in 1852, at the home of Dr. C. Alexander, 11 1, 152. 12 1, 471. 13 1, 456-457- 14 1, 456-457- 15 1, 169. 16 1, 47-48. 9i CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER "an old darkey whose name was Uncle Ned," who was "very- old and bed ridden." The Session was convened by his couch; he was received upon profession of faith in his Savior, baptized, and the Lord's Supper thereupon administered to him. 17 Certificates of dismissal were occasionally issued to servants in order that their membership might be transferred to other con- gregations. A notation to this intent is dated December 27, 1835, and reads: "Dismissed by order of Session, Moses & Ruth — serv- ants of Dr. Wilson's estate — to join at Ebenezer." 18 Jack and Jude were similarly dismissed on February 28 of the following year, having been sold by their former master to "a member of Poplar Tent." 19 That these were not exceptional cases may be inferred from the fact that a number of names of servants in the Register of members are followed by the statement "Trans- ferred." 20 Even before the close of the Eighteenth Century, the Synod of the Carolinas had inculcated the obligation of religious in- struction upon the heads of families who were "possessed of slaves." These owners were admonished "to be careful to give, not only such verbal instruction to those of mature age as their circumstances will admit;" but were also cautioned to "teach the Children to read the Scriptures so as to be able to receive instruc- tions from them." 21 MARRIAGE One hundred and seventy-nine marriages are recorded in Volume One of the Sessional Records and it is not without sig- nificance that none of these was between servants. While the minister of Rocky River baptized their children, there is no evi- dence, at this point at least, that he officiated at their weddings. 17 1, 166. 18 1, 11. 19 1, 11. 20 I, 421, 424, 426 et al. 21 Minutes of the Synod of the Carolinas, Vol. I, p. 197. 92 SERVANTS IN THE CONGREGATION It is to be remembered that either husband or wife might be separated from the other by sale, thus rendering it impossible for them to take such vows as were demanded by the church with the assurance that they would be able to fulfil them. Dr. Charles C. Jones has left a contemporary account of the proceedings generally attendant upon the taking of a wife by a slave, when he writes of the contracting parties: They are not required to be married in any particular form, nor by any particular persons. Their ceremonies are performed by their own watchmen or teachers, by some white minister, or as it frequently happens, not at all; the consent of owners and of the parties immediately interested, and a public acknowledgement of each other, being deemed sufficient. 22 DISCIPLINE The Christmas Dancing Frolick of 1855 constitutes the basis of what was perhaps the most picturesque instance of disciplinary action involving servants in the records of Rocky River. Al- though not generally known until the middle of the year follow- ing, this escapade resulted in the infliction of suspension upon two of its principals and throws considerable light upon the so- cial aspects of plantation life of that distant day. The affair is first encountered upon the Sessional Records un- der date of July 29, 1856, when Common Fame charged Elic, servant of W. S. Pharr, "with having gotten up a dancing frolick during the last Christmas holidays, at an out-house of his Master: with having told lies about it, & with having had several fights on the occasion." 23 The same accuser indicted John, servant of S. C. Harris, as a participant, not only in the frolick, but also in the fighting. 24 22 C. C. Jones, The Religions Instruction of the Negroes in the United States, p. 133. 23 I, 189. 24 1, 189. 93 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER A fairly adequate and quite human picture of the celebration and its attendant improprieties may be reconstructed from the combined testimony of several witnesses who appeared before the Session during the hearings growing out of the incident. One of the defendants, John, had "appointed" a frolick to be held during the Christmas season. The original intention of its pro- moter had been to conduct the festivities in an outhouse belong- ing to a Mr. McEachern. This building, upon investigation, proved to be filled with cotton; thus necessitating a search for other quarters in which to gather by way of seasonal convivi- ality. 25 At this point Elic appears, not only to have come into the pic- ture, but to have taken charge of the proceedings. An appeal hav- ing been made to him, he "proposed to take fire, open the door, & make on the fire at the Howie house," which seems to have been a more exact designation for the building in which the revellers gathered. 26 After starting the fire, which was fed with dried brush, Elic evidently turned to less gracious activities, fighting with one Jerry, and knocking down the latter's sister, Lucinda, when she moved to rescue her harassed relative. 27 So much for the composite story of the witnesses at the trial. On his part, Elic, who, strangely enough, "had reported the case to the Session at first," contended that he had inadvertantly "come upon the frolickers on his way to see a sick neighbor;" but even this recital of benevolent intention failed to sway the Session, and Elic was suspended from the rights of church mem- bership, in company with his co-defendant, John. 28 Another relic of Christmas fellowship is found in a pass, for some unexplained reason still remaining in the back of the Church Treasurer's Book kept by Sandy McKindley. It appears that this volume did double duty for a time, and that Mr. McKindley was 25 1, 192. 26 1, 192. 27 1, 192-193. 28 1, 193-194- 94 SERVANTS IN THE CONGREGATION in the habit of writing such notes at the bottom of the pages toward its back, and cutting out the missives for the use of those concerned. In any event, the brief note reads: "Violette has leave to pass to S. Pharr's Esqr to-day — home tomorrow. Sandy McKinley," and is dated December 26, 1864. 29 But to return to Elic, or rather his sentence — Suspension was the usual penalty imposed upon members who were found guilty when tried by the Session. It barred the offender from partici- pation in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper and the privilege of baptism for his or her children during the period for which it was inflicted. The duration was generally for an indefinite period — until fruits of repentance had been manifest to the satis- faction of the Session. A lighter punishment was that of admoni- tion, which consisted of a formal rebuke administered in the name, and generally in the presence, of that judicatory. The minister was ordinarily charged with its infliction. Excommuni- cation, or the excision of the guilty party from the church, was rarely, but sometimes, invoked. Upon conviction, the name of an offender was frequently read from the pulpit at a subsequent service. This custom was confirmed by an enactment of the Session of November 28, 1835, set forth in the following terms: Session further resolved that the congn be notified on tomorrow that, in future, they will publish from the pulpit every case of actual discipline, — stating the names of persons disciplined, the offences for which they have been disciplined, & the penalties inflicted: — that all may know the true standing of their brethren. 30 These stipulations, needless to say, applied, and were applied, to all members both white and colored, though there are several ex- ceptional instances on record in which peculiar circumstances and considerations led to their suspension. 29 Rocky River Treasurer's Book, Vol. I, last page in volume. S0 I,7. 95 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER The sins for which servants were tried are neither unfamiliar nor obsolete: stealing, lying, fighting, profanity, and all too fre- quent breaches of the Seventh Commandment; and, as is true with every race in each succeeding generation, these iniquities had a perverse way of leading the one to another, or others. A servant of John Davis, bearing the prophetic name of Amos, was arraigned on September 20, 1841. It will be noted that the counts preferred against this Nineteenth Century servant bear a marked likeness to those sins denounced by his Eighth Cen- tury b.c. namesake at the shrine set up at Bethel. The four-fold accusation charged Amos with the following sins: 1. With theft, in taking a pair of pantaloons belonging to Jack, servt of W. Andrew — 2. With lying-in denying that he stole them — 3. With profane swearing — & 4. With fighting said Jack upon his claiming his pantaloons. 31 At a later meeting of the Session, Amos confessed his errors, was suspended and the facts in the case were duly stated to the con- gregation in public assembly. 32 A somewhat more spectacular and potentially hazardous case involved Mumford, servant of G. L. Phifer, who was charged with "having in possession & attempting to use a pistol." 33 When pursued, ran the testimony, he threw his weapon into a thicket, and was whipped for insubordination. 34 After being suspended by the court of the Church, 35 he was restored to fellowship and church privileges in the following year. 36 That the discipline imposed by the Church was effective is to be judged from the number of instances in which restoration followed its infliction. Interesting in this connection is the affair of Jesse, who, in 1854, was charged "with unchristian conduct, 31 1, 87-88. 32 1, 89-90. 33 1, 175. 34 1, 176. 35 1, 177. 36 1, 182. 96 SERVANTS IN THE CONGREGATION in having absconded from his Master & an attempt to make his way to a free state." In a not altogether consistently logical con- fession, he expressed sorrow for "what he had done if it was wrong;" but added that "he does feel at the present like doing the same again." 3? As with Amos, his suspension was followed by restoration. 38 In 1856, a Negro woman was charged with having deserted her husband for another man. Her explanation was that "she liked the latter better than she did the former," though the phraseology may be that of the Clerk of Session rather than the defendant. Although she later confessed her wrongdoing, the Session, after "much talk with her, & effort to instruct & properly impress her mind," eventually administered the extreme penalty of ex- ■ • go communication. A rather puzzling question confronted the churches of the Presbyterian order, along with those of other systems of govern- ment, in the early Nineteenth Century in regard to the marital status of slaves. The problem has been intimated in connection with the matter of marriage ceremonies. The Synod of the Caro- linas, meeting at Rocky River in 1807, had submitted for its con- sideration the following query: "Shall a slave who has been ad- mitted to sealing ordinances, and marries another wife, or hus- band, during the life of the former, who has been involuntarily separated, be continued a member of the church?" 40 The diffi- culties involved in making reply were tacitly recognized, and substantially avoided, when the Synod gave answer in these words: "Synod recommends the decision of all such cases to the Church sessions where they may occur; but at the same time, earnestly recommend to all church sessions, to guard against all wanton, and unnecessary separation of such persons." 41 37 1, 174. 38 1, 182. 39 1, 188, 191. 40 Minutes of the Synod of the Carolinas, Vol. II, p. 189. 41 Ibid. 97 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER A case in which white persons took little part, save to sit as arbiters and to aid and abet one of the parties in the controversy, was initiated at a meeting of the Session held on November 23, 1837. At this time, a member of that body, Ruling Elder John Phifer, presented a request in the name of Moses, servant of J. Russell, asking leave to prosecute Julia, also of Mr. Russell's household, "for telling lies." In view of the fact that the master of the two prospective litigants was of the opinion that the matter should be further investigated, it was resolved to hold a hearing on December 8, at 2 p.m., to which those primarily concerned and two witnesses, Peggy and Jane, were summonsed. 42 Session met at the time appointed and the witnesses presented their testimony. Mr. Russell, who was present, was asked to state his opinion of Julia and Moses. In the honesty and veracity of the latter he expressed entire confidence, but of Julia, he said that she had a bad temper and was much given to lying. 43 After con- sidering the matter, the Session found the defendant guilty and decreed her suspension until she should give evidence of repent- ance. Her prosecutor, however, did not escape unscathed; for it was "ordered also that Moses be admonished, in the presence of the Session, against indulging an unchristian spirit or course of conduct toward Julia, & also against absenting himself from the ordinances of the church." 44 A religious, or perhaps irreligious, drama, with an all-servant cast, is introduced in the records of a Session meeting held on October 13, 1841, when Abram, servant of Mrs. M. Alexander, was indicted for "stealing & lying in reference to a pocketbook & the use he made of its contents which belonged to Martin, servant of Mrs. Margt. Harris." 45 A hearing was held on December 15, at which time Anderson, servant of Samuel Harris, testified that he had been summonsed 42 1, 38-39. 43 1, 41. 44 1, 41. 45 1, 89. 98 SERVANTS IN THE CONGREGATION to settle a difference between Abram and Martin. Abram, he said, had contended that the pocketbook had been found by Moses, servant of Mrs. Pharr; but the unexpected appearance of Moses necessitated a hasty modification of the story and an ad- mission that the original discovery had been made by him. Martin reported that he had lost a pocketbook on Saturday night or Sunday morning of the Fall Sacrament, and that Abram had seen him searching for it. The latter inquired if it contained any- thing of value and was told that it did. Martin further stated that he had identified a piece of money from the pocketbook which was in possession of a man who said that it had been paid to him by Abram. 46 The suspect admitted that this was substantially true; and since Abram had confessed, Martin had his money, and the defendant had denied any intention of stealing, the Session determined that he should receive the relatively light sentence of admonition in its presence. After this had been administered, the case was closed. 47 It is not to be assumed that all proceedings resulted in convic- tion, though such was the usual outcome. This was due to the fact that considerable likelihood of guilt was indicated before a matter was entered into by the Session. During the War years, in 1862, Elic and Moses were accused of, and each denied, "hav- ing each stolen wheat & taken it to Mr. S. C. Harris' Mill." 4S The wheat in question had been presented at the mill so late at night as to necessitate arousing the miller from his sleep, after which he declined to grind the grain until he had consulted the owner of the establishment. In this instance, the Session did not concur with Common Fame, since the charge was not sustained; al- though the parties concerned were warned "to be on their guard against all unlawful trading" and cautioned against being abroad 46 I, 92-93- 47 I, 93- 48 I, 236. 99 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER "at suspicious hours & without the knowledge & permission of their owners." 49 Drunkenness was an offence for which surprisingly few serv- ants were brought to trial, though many white men were indicted on this charge. The fact that Negroes were among those recorded as signing the Temperance Pledge would indicate that they shared the weakness of certain of their owners for strong drink. 5 " Strangely enough, a Negro woman was among those so ar- raigned. It should be stated that the charge of using profane lan- guage, apparently at the aforesaid Christmas Frolick, was com- bined with the accusation of drunkenness at Harris Depot. 51 A prevalent note in the dealings of the Session with the Negro constituency of the Church is that of desperate reality. He who regards the transactions attendant upon such relationships as a proper source of condescending amusement on the part of a later generation utterly fails to grasp the design and function of discipline in that earlier age. Zealous for the purity of the Church and constantly concerned for the welfare of the servants, the Session moved with no undue haste in the infliction of penalties, and anticipated, even in their imposition, such a change of heart and reformation of life as would warrant the removal of these sanctions. But if the slaves had their weaknesses along certain lines, there were matters in which they seem to have acquitted themselves in a highly creditable manner. Their attendance upon the services of the Church and their attitude as worshippers brought forth the commendation of their Pastor as he looked back across the long years of an unremitting ministry among them. Specifically referring to the period immediately following the erection of the present edifice, he describes the assembled group as "orderly and (it was hoped) devout participants in the weekly worship of the 49 1, 237-239. 50 1, 21. 51 1, 186. 100 SERVANTS IN THE CONGREGATION sanctuary — many of them with Hymn-books in use, apparently, and doubtless as deeply, interested, contented and profited as any of the congregation." 52 The Minutes of the Session record no instance in which a servant was accused of unbecoming- conduct during- religious services or upon the church grounds. That there were difficulties along these lines in connection with some assemblages of slaves for the purpose of worship is indicated in a warning issued by that Apostle to the Negroes of the South, Dr. Charles C. Jones. In 1852, he wrote: "Close attention should be paid to their de- portment, lest they choose the seasons of public worship for seasons of business and pleasure; and what is more, for settling up their disputes in regular covibatsT 53 Here he seems to have been referring primarily to gatherings exclusively for the benefit of Negroes. EXODUS Daniel Penick himself is authority for the statement that one of the major reasons for the erection of the great, brick church at Rocky River was a desire to make more adequate provision for the spiritual welfare of the servants of the congregation. 04 It was his purpose and that of his members to prepare an edifice which would house the colored portion of the worshippers in a manner impossible in the frame structure which preceded it. But the new building was not long to serve such a purpose. Even before the War, there seems to have been some decline in the number of colored members at Rocky River. During the years of conflict, however, there was an actual increase in such names on the church roll, the numbers rising from 170 in April, 1 86 1, to 180 in the same month of 1865. During this period, the total communicants dropped from 601 to 529. 05 The two long 52 North Carolina Presbyterian, June 26, 1867, p. 1. 53 Jones, op. cit., p. 262. 54 North Carolina Presbyterian, June 26, 1867, p. 1. 55 1, 231, 252. IOI CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER galleries on the sides of the church building were sometimes crowded, and usually filled, with servants at worship. 56 With the close of the War, it was natural to expect some change in interest and attendance. By 1866, the colored member- ship had largely absented themselves from preaching services. 57 In an effort to remedy this state of affairs, the Session requested those desiring to remain in affiliation with Rocky River to give an in- dication of that purpose; and a readiness was expressed to grant letters to such churches as other colored communicants might wish to join. 58 Matters assumed an encouraging aspect. The Sun- day School which was conducted by the Church for the Negroes was well attended during the summer and fall of 1866. Spelling and reading were taught, as well as the Catechisms of the Church, together with Bible history and doctrine. Suitable textbooks had been procured, and these were either sold or donated to those in need of them. By April of 1867, about fifty of the former colored members had expressed a desire to be regarded as permanent members of Rocky River and this number was later increased to seventy-five or eighty. 59 On the third Sunday of that month, however, the situation was decidedly and abruptly changed by the appearance of a stranger. After attending the usual morning service, he mingled with the freedmen and announced his purpose to preach. He was intro- duced to the Pastor as "Rev. Mr. Doland," or so his name was understood. His sermon was described by Mr. Penick as con- taining nothing of an objectionable character. 60 Three weeks later he returned and organized a church among the Negroes, ordained five of them as elders, and appointed a like number of trustees, baptized the child of a woman under suspen- sion by Rocky River, and promised to provide a school. Such 56 North Carolina Presbyterian, June 26, 1867, p. 1. 57 1, 267. 58 1, 267. 59 North Carolina Presbyterian, June 26, 1867, p. 1. 60 Ibid. I02 SERVANTS IN THE CONGREGATION activities were combined with an assiduous effort to alienate the affections of the former slaves from the Pastor of the Church, who wrote that the fault was not with the Negroes, who were turned against him by their "new friends." 61 On April 27, 1866, four colored members had been received on profession by the Rocky River Session and nine dismissed to "connect themselves with the African Church." G2 On July 2, 1867, a number of requests were presented for letters of transfer to what was termed the "Colored Presbyterian Church of Rocky River." These certificates were granted. 63 With the reduction of Negro membership in Rocky River and the neighboring churches of Cabarrus County, that of the con- gregations organized for freedmen by the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (Northern) showed a cor- responding increase. Rev. Luke Dorland, the minister referred to by Mr. Penick, was reported by the Board of Domestic Missions of that denomination as laboring among freedmen during the early portion of 1867, with headquarters at Concord, N. C. 64 Twelve months later, he is described as responsible for work at "Concord, Poplar Tent, Bethpage, Rocky River and Ramah, N. C.;" and as having received sixty-two members on examina- tion and 170 by certificate during the church year 1867-68. Two churches, one of them evidently near Rocky River, had been organized during that period, and the membership of his field totalled 365. 63 It is obvious that many of these had been drawn from the long established Presbyterian churches of the communities in which they resided. "Rocky River (col'd)" Presbyterian Church first appears in the Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., in 1868, with 61 Ibid. 62 I, 264-266. 63 1, 273-274. 64 Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., Board of Domestic Missions, Sixty- fifth Annual Report, p. 28. 65 Ibid., Sixty-sixth Annual Report, p. 34. 103 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER an even one hundred members, fourteen of whom had been added by examination and eighty-six received by letter. 60 By 1 87 1, the name of this congregation, which then embraced 161 mem- bers with 200 in Sunday School, had been changed to Belief ont. 67 A few scattered evidences of colored membership follow in the Rocky River records, but chiefly as though to emphasize the fact that the majority of such members were seeking affiliations elsewhere. As late as 1873, "Edward Litaker (colored)" was re- ceived by certificate from the Bethpage Church, es while two years before "John Harris (col'd)" had been restored by the Ses- sion and immediately dismissed to Bellefont. 09 By the spring of 1873, the 1872-1873 report to Concord Presbytery contained the ominous statement: "There is no effort made for the religious instruction of the Negroes." 70 By this time Bellefont was show- ing slight signs of decline, reporting a membership of 158 and a Sunday School enrollment of 75. 71 In 1952 the number of com- municants was 143, while the Sunday School listed 105 mem- bers. 72 Despite the defects of these distant days, they well up from the past with a strange winsomeness; and he who walks in the great and goodly grove of Rocky River is possessed of no enviable in- sight if unable to draw from such departed yesterdays some memorial of the worshippers of a century ago, who, long since all, servant and master alike, have been ushered before a Tribunal of greater authority and wiser insight than was ever possessed by the venerable Session of that classic congregation. 66 Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., 1868, p. 750. 67 Ibid., 187 1, p. 695. GS II, 29-30. 69 II, 18. 70 II, 41. 71 Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A., 1873, p. 667. 72 Ibid., Part I, 1952, p. 556. 104 CHAPTER IX To the Close of the Century The May Meeting of 187 1 found Rocky River possessed of a new book for sessional records which represented an expenditure of $4.50 on the part of Solomon Harris, the donor. 1 William S. Plumer, the only man elected moderator of the General Assem- bly before the division of 1861 and who also served as that of the Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, was among the ministers who participated in the services of this gracious occasion. Some one thousand persons were present on the last great day of the feast, and about 450 of them joined in the communion celebration which marked its climax. 2 An un- usual and pathetic interlude characterized this Sabbath, and is re- corded in the succinctly striking entry, "During the intermission on Sunday, an old man, a stranger was buried in the graveyard." JOSEPH BINGHAM MACK On the twelfth of the following August, Rev. Joseph Bingham Mack was installed as the "Eighth Pastor of Rocky River," ac- cording to his own account, by a commission of Presbytery con- sisting of Wm. W. Pharr, Daniel A. Penick, Jr., and Jethro Rum- ple. These ministers preached the sermon and propounded the constitutional questions prescribed for such occasions, charged the pastor, and delivered the charge to the people, in the order named. 4 1 II, flyleaf. 2 II, i'o. 3 II, 10. 4 II, 11. 105 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER The incoming minister, a native of New York State, was born on Christmas eve of the year 1838. A graduate of Jackson Col- lege, Columbia, Tennessee, he attended Danville Seminary and completed the course of study at Columbia at the opening of the War between the States. Beginning his ministry in Harmony Presbytery of the Synod of South Carolina, he was soon serving with the Confederate Army as chaplain of the 55th Tennessee Regiment, and acted in this capacity from 1862 to 1864. After the close of the War, he was installed in Zion Church, Charles- ton, South Carolina, where Rev. J. L. Girardeau had carried on his great work among the Negroes of that city. This was fol- lowed by a short term as evangelist for Charleston Presbytery before assuming the work at Rocky River. Mrs. Mack was the former Miss Harriet Banks. 5 Another member of the Mack household who arrived at this time was three-year-old Edward. In later years he was to become distinguished as Professor of Old Testament studies at Union Seminary in Virginia, and, in 1939, to serve as Moderator of the General Assembly. 6 Up to this time, the Rocky River pastors had customarily pro- vided their own homes. After Mr. Mack accepted the call, it became evident that there was no suitable place in which his family might live. This fact so weighed upon the mind of Ruling Elder Robert Harvey Morrison that he arranged for his own family to move into two small houses on his farm, permitting the incoming minister to occupy the Morrison home; thus surpassing even the Great Woman of Shunem in gracious hospitality toward the clergy. 7 Mr. Morrison devoted the seasons between his farm work to trips through the Piedmont section of the State as colporteur. Dr. Walter L. Lingle tells of one of a number of overnight visits made to his home in the Thyatira Congregation, and of how he, 5 Scott, p. 424; Presbyterian Standard, June 5, 1912, p. 5. 6 Scott, p. 423. 7 Lore and Morrison, op. cit., p. 62. 106 < 9- Ufe — o >^ M « CQ P >."" D ~ (— i to 2 > . u i> " ^ y~. <"^ u" < - *rm K "" r- l< •-! tH t-T o u s o" CJ "~" ^ ,£3 _0 C '£ O o IZ > o PC a u 5 2 g . o WU S- -~ U ££ Q B , u C C « C tj bn P : • ** UF £ ■ S to £ Q i. tH ^ +■» cT p" ^ * o bo H £ £ I -= ^ © 2 C .§ ^ b — -5 > ct Or TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY as a boy, purchased a copy of Pilgrim's Progress, the first book bought with his own money, for seventy-five cents from the traveller from Rocky River. 8 Referring to Mr. Morrison, Dr. Lingle writes, "He was a plain farmer and his name probably never got into the newspapers." 9 Newspapers or not, it assuredly deserves an honored place in the history of that Congregation which he served as Elder for forty-eight years, in addition to dis- seminating good literature among that and many other churches of western North Carolina. "Sitting upon his beautiful black mare with the grace of a cavalry leader he galloped into the homes and into the hearts of his people," are the words applied to the new pastor by one who was a boy when Mr. Mack arrived. 10 On August 31, 1871, very soon after his installation, a group of one hundred young people, gathered at a singing school at Rocky River, were addressed by Rev. William Banks of Waxhaw. This marked the beoinnino- f a season of revival which resulted in the addition of fifty-four members to the Church on profession of faith and three by cer- tificate. Rev. Walter W. Pharr was associated with Mr. Banks and the Pastor in these services. 11 At the beginning of that church year the total membership stood at 290. During its course sixty- seven persons were received on confession, while fourteen were added by letter. 12 Soon after the arrival of Mr. Mack, a number of changes were instituted in the work and affairs of the Church. For many years it had been customary during the summer months to hold two preaching services each Sunday, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. It was now becoming apparent that con- stituents living at outlying points were more and more absenting themselves from these ordinances. Moreover, churches of other 8 Christian Observer, Nov. 1, 1950, p. 3. 9 Ibid. 10 Mack, op. cit., p. 12. 11 II, 17. 12 Minutes of the General Assembly, 1872, p. 251. 107 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER denominations, more conveniently situated, were "making sad inroads" on the membership. Confronted by this problem, it was decided by the Session to discontinue the afternoon service at the church and substitute meetings held in rotation at strategic points in the Rocky River territory. Visible advantages of this change are suggested by the following list of places chosen for these preaching services, with the average attendance at each of them: Pioneer Mills ioo Rocky Ridge 180 Sossamon's School House 160 The Depot 300 When such numbers are compared with an average at the church of 175 in winter and 300 in summer, it is not difficult to appreci- ate the enthusiasm with which the success of the altered plan was reported to Presbytery in the spring of 1872. 13 Progress in the Sunday School was also a cause for gratitude. Uniform lesson papers were welcomed as of distinct merit, and Songs of Praise, a newly adopted book secured from Richmond, hailed as of advantage when compared with the "Hymn Book designed for adults, & not for the lambs of the flock." To a "well selected library" was credited a quickening of interest in the study of the Bible. 14 It is probable that much of the success of these times was due to the new Pastor himself. "Such was the magnetism and such the momentum of this man that he swept all before him," wrote Morrison Caldwell, who continues, "I can see him now as he came into the Sunday School and personally taught or led in the singing of the 'new tunes,' such as: 'Around the throne of God in Heaven, thousands of children stand'; 'There is a happy land,' etc." 15 But not all the innovations proposed by the Pastor were ac- cepted without question, in fact, there seem to have been numer- ous questions. Evidently moved by the tenacity with which his 13 II, 39-40. 14 II, 40. 15 Alack, op. cit., p. 12. 108 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY parishoners continued to walk in the ancient paths with respect to the conduct of the affairs of the Congregation, Mr. Alack was led to prepare and deliver a sermon, under the guise of a dream, in which he set forth his protest against the manifest tendency with which the Church was wont to cling unflinchingly to the old and, with like diligence, to eschew the new. He dreamed; and with him the elders of Rocky River were carried into the heights until they stood before the gates of the Heavenly City. From its jeweled walls there came the sweet strains of a celestial anthem resounding in notes of rapturous joy. Upon inquiry on the part of one of the elders, the members of the Session were informed that they were listening to the "New Song of Moses and the Lamb." The startled interrogator then asked, "What place is this?" Upon being informed that it was the "New Jerusalem," the elders proclaimed in unison, "This is no place for us. Back to Rocky River! " 16 The oral versions of this celebrated sermon are somewhat variant as to certain of the details, though all are in general agree- ment both as to the intent of the speaker and the content of his discourse. And either because of, or without regard to, or in spite of this visionary expostulation, the minister managed to make a number of changes even in the conduct of ecclesiastical affairs of those whom he served, notwithstanding their traditional averseness to customs other than those sanctioned by the benediction of by- gone days. The plan followed in raising funds for benevolences is set forth in the 1 871-1872 report. This provided for two offerings each year for each of these causes, by which every person was given an opportunity to "obey the command 'Freely ye have received, freely give.' " 17 Three elders and an additional deacon were elected on Friday, 16 McElrov, op. cit., pp. 27-28. 17 II, 41- 109 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER May 3, 1872, after a sermon by the Pastor on the previous day devoted to the qualifications of Ruling Elders and Deacons. 18 In consequence, S. E. W. Pharr and Col. J. C. Barnhardt were in- stalled as elders on September 15, 19 James Query White, who was also elected to this office, having declined to serve. 20 Matthias L. Harris had been inducted as deacon during the previous July. 21 But all choirs, that of Rocky River among them, have not always been so harmonious as that of Mr. Mack's dream. Con- troversy centering around the choir held the attention of the Ses- sion at a meeting in July, 1872. "A great deal of hard feeling" had culminated in a fight in Concord between two of the members of the Church; and there were other evidences that the singers, like Euodias and Syntyche, were not altogether of one mind. The Session, as a result, assumed immediate control of the choir, di- rected that body to elect a leader, framed certain rules for its guidance, and provided that "any member of the choir disobey- ing these rules must leave the choir & come down stairs," 22 these evidently being the days in which the musicians occupied the gallery in the rear of the church. A happy sequel to this difficulty was enacted eight days later, when the two principals in the fight appeared before the Session and "expressed deep sorrow for the same," and shook hands. 23 A characteristic caution, as well as adherence to Presbyterian practice, was exhibited by the Session on September 1, 1872, by which the reception of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Thompson was post- poned, even though they had passed a satisfactory examination looking toward being received into church membership. It de- veloped that the applicants were already affiliated, one with the 18 II, 2j. 19 11, 26. 20 II, 26. 21 II, 23. 22 II, 23-24. 23 II, 24. 1 10 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY Methodist and the other with the Baptist church; so it was de- cided to await the arrival of letters of reference from their local congregations. 24 The wisdom of this procedure was demonstrated when, on May 2, 1873, such certificates were presented and acted upon by the Session. 25 The delightful brick manse, which for three-quarters of a cen- tury has been the home of the pastors of Rocky River, was ready for occupancy early in 1873. Built at a time when tastes in resi- dences led to the erection of a building characterized by dignity and grace, as well as excellent adaptation to its intended purpose, this charming house possesses a rare attractiveness which reflects that of the church building several hundred yards away. Ac- cording to a news report published in January, 1873, t ^e cost of the structure was $3,000.00. Mr. Mack had just moved into the manse at this time. 26 The appraised rental value of such a dwelling in the 1870's may be inferred from the annual report for 1872-187 3, in the course of which the following statement occurs, "We promise our Pastor $1200 and a house; or $1300 a year;" 2T and it should be added that fifteen acres of land were attached to the house. The salary specified was termed sufficient for the minister's sup- port "if he is economical." 2S By way of preparation for the May Meeting in 1873, services were held for several days during the preceding week at Plun- kett's School House, Pioneer Mills, and the Depot, with worship at the church on Friday. 29 An election set for the choice of an additional deacon on that day was postponed because of the prevalent high water; 30 and difficulties continued to beset efforts 24 II, 26. 25 II, 30. 26 Christian Observer, Jan. 29, 1873, p. 4. 27 II, 41. 28 II, 41. 29 II, 29. 30 II, 31. I I I CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER to increase the Diaconate when Charles H. Erwin, who was elected three days later, 31 declined to serve." The problem of ministering to the families on the fringes of the Congregation, which had led to the provision of preaching services on summer Sunday afternoons in the different Quarters, was approached in a more drastic manner on July 27, 1873, when Zion Church was organized by representatives of Concord Pres- bytery with fourteen members, two ruling elders, and two dea- cons. 33 Located about five and one-half miles to the northeast of Rocky River, this new congregation was to a remarkable extent, composed of members of the White Family and drawn from Rocky River. The prevalence of this name in Zion Church is illustrated by an entry in the Sessional Records of Zion under date of November 23, 1888, entitled "An item of history." This note records the ordination and installation of Caleb R. White and Walter P. W T hite as ruling elders, and that of Lindley H. White and Lindley P. White as deacons. The service of installa- tion was conducted by Rev. J. G. Anderson, the Pastor, and A. G. White, N. G. White, and S. W. White, elders. 34 Samuel Pharr was elected to the Rocky River eldership and Leroy McKee Morrison a deacon on August 2, 1873. These of- ficers were installed on June 14, 1874. 35 About this time dis- ciplinary action on the part of the Session began to assume a somewhat lighter form than had been the case during the minis- try of Daniel Penick. The spring of 1874 found the Church confronted by a debt in excess of $1,400.00. A conference held by the Session, the Dea- cons, and the Trustees revealed that much of this had been cared for either by payment or subscription, but the Deacons were 31 II, 34. 32 11,35. 33 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. VII, p. 1004. 34 A4inut.es of Session of Zion Church, Vol. II, p. 10. 35 II, 36, 48. I 12 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY urged to make a thorough canvass toward its complete liquida- tion. 36 Zion Church presented a request that monthly services held by the Minister of Rocky River in the "Quarter across the River" be conducted in that church, and Air. Mack was re- quested to hold semi-annual communion services at Zion. This dual petition was granted bv the Session on May 17, 1874. 3 ' The Sunday School continued to flourish, and it was possible to report in the spring of 1874 that "for the first time in many years" the school had been operated through the winter months. 38 On May 31, the request of D. H. White to be permitted to cease to act as deacon in the Factory Quarter was granted, and R. Ben- ton White was requested to assist as collector in the River Quar- ter. 39 Rev. Daniel Lindlev, who came to Rocky River for his first pastorate in 183 1, arrived at Harris Depot on Tuesday, August 18, 1874, after an absence of almost forty years. Two days after his return, the communion season was beo-un with a sermon by Father Lindley. "Though 73 years of age, he seemed to have al- most the elasticity of a young man, & preached 8 times during the 1 1 days meeting." Ministerially associated with this saint from beyond the seas in the conduct of the meeting were L. McKin- non, Walter W. Pharr, S. C. Alexander, James Elijah Morrison, and the Pastor. Twenty-six sermons were preached. In spite of the interference of wet weather, it proved a glorious season, in the course of which forty-five were added to the membership on profession and three by certificate. Eighteen of the new members were described as from "non-Presbvterian families." A special meeting of the Session was held at the residence of Frederick Starnes in February, 1875, at which time Mrs. Martha 36 II, 38. 37 11,46-47. 38 11,43. 39 II, 47. 40 II, 55-56. I I 3 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Bryson, "a blind & aged lady," was received into the membership of the Church on confession of her faith. 41 Two days later the same group was convened to consider problems growing out of the sale of intoxicants. Whereupon, a petition was addressed to the Legislature of North Carolina in this connection. In consequence, a law was enacted by that body which made it a misdemeanor to sell liquor within two and one- half miles of the Church building. 42 The records of this period reveal that intemperance presented a recurring difficulty, not only in the life of the community, but also in the affairs of the Church. 43 At the end of March, 1875, the number of members stood at 394, the highest since the disastrous days of the War, with an average attendance of 185 in winter and 325 in summer. A salary of $1500.00 and manse was promised the Minister for the coming year. It was in glowing terms that the annual report for 1874- 1875 spoke of the condition of the finances of the Church. 44 Deacon J. Melancthon Black, who had been partially incapaci- tated by paralysis, was given permission to cease his service in that office in the spring of 1875. 45 In April, the Diaconate was augmented by the election of Robert Benton White from the Factory Quarter, Joseph R. White representing Black's Quarter, and Robert L. Query who was a resident of Query's Quarter. They were installed in June ( 1 8 7 5 ) . 46 Incipient interdenominational complications are suggested by a sessional entry under date of August 29, which records the ap- pointment of an elder to interview a feminine member of Rocky River in regard to her "bad behaviour" at a neighboring church of a sister denomination. 47 41 II, 58. 42 II, 59. 43 II, 59-61. 44 II, 62-63. 45 II, 64. 46 II, 66. 47 II, 67. 114 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY Early in 1875, Mr. Mack requested a dissolution of the pastoral relationship. The Congregation, however, indicated its attitude toward such contemplated change by declining, on the one hand, to concur in the matter and promising, on the other, to add $300.00 per year to his salary. As a result, Presbytery did not re- lease him. 48 As the same year drew toward its close, the Pastor re- peated his petition to Presbytery, basing it upon the grounds of his physical weakness, whereupon it was granted; for he had per- suaded the Congregation, at a meeting held on November 14, 1875, to join in his plea. Presbytery, accordingly, severed the pastoral tie on December 8. 49 Thus closed a ministry which was richly blessed to the salvation of souls, the promotion of the grace of giving, and the development of the Church. After leaving Rocky River, Dr. Mack served the Church at large in several capacities, acting as evangelist, financial agent for Columbia Seminary and also for Davidson College, and holding several pastorates. A large number of conversions followed his preaching; he had a part in the organization of many churches and in the erection of not a few church buildings; and was instru- mental in influencing many young men to enter the ministry. 50 JAMES MORTON WHAREY The pastorate was not vacant for long. A letter from Professor R. L. Dabney was read on February 26, 1876, in which that vet- eran of the sword and Word recommended Rev. James Morton Wharey as a prospective minister. 01 On the 13th of May, a call was extended to Mr. Wharey at a meeting presided over by Rev. L. McKinnon, then Pastor at Concord. 52 48 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. VIII, pp. 91-92. 49 II, 73; Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. VIII, p. 168. 50 Presbyterian Standard, June 5, 1912, p. 5; Minutes of the Synod of Georgia, 1912, p. 46. 31 II, 81. The author is indebted to a daughter of Dr. Wharey, Mrs. W. R. Grey of Davidson, North Carolina, for reading the portion of this chapter con- cerning the pastorate of her father, and for several factual suggestions which she made in regard to its contents. 52 II, 84. 115 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Born on January 28, 1839, in Goochland County, Virginia, the new pastor was the son of Rev. James Wharey. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College and Union Theological Semi- nary in Virginia. Like his predecessor at Rocky River, he had served as chaplain in the Army of the Confederacy. Immediately before coming to North Carolina, he had been pastor of the Cumberland Church in the Virginia County of the same name for some nine years, during which period he had married Mrs. Mary W. Overton of that County on July 23,1 868. 53 The relaxation of disciplinary measures during the previous ministry appears to have proven disappointing; for soon after the arrival of Mr. Wharey it was decided by the Session that names of members who had been suspended should again be read from the pulpit in accord with a practice of some years earlier. 54 Even the publication of the names of these errants failed to settle the problem relating to church discipline, for a number of cases soon pressed for action by the Session. The Pastor was requested by that body to "give such instruction on this subject as he may deem proper." 55 At the beginning of the new pastorate, Ruling Elder S. E. W. Pharr, who had been serving as Clerk of the Session, resigned and the practice of having the Pastor act in that capacity was re- newed. 56 Musical matters were soon to the fore again when Henry White resigned as chorister on February 1, 1877. There- upon, Dixon Penick was requested to lead the singing with Mr. White acting as his assistant. 57 About this time, it was decided to celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper four times each year, with communion services in February and November in addition to the regular spring and fall observances. 58 53 Scott, p. 762. 54 II, 90. 55 II, 99. 56 II, 92. 57 II, 95- 58 II, 95- Il6 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY In the meantime, the Rocky River Ladies Christian Associa- tion began to operate under a constitution adopted in 1876 which provided for four meetings each year and fixed the officers of the organization as President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and five collectors. 59 Mrs. Agnes Penick was elected the first President and Mrs. Mary Wharey, wife of the Pastor, chosen Vice-President, with Mrs. Ada Blair as Secretary-Treasurer. 60 The names of fifty-five persons were entered upon the earliest roll of membership. 61 The Association undertook to furnish a room in the manse, in consequence of which a debt was incurred. This obligation proved of some embarrassment, but was ulti- mately liquidated. 62 Life in, and of, the Church is reflected by the annual report covering 1 876-1 877. Placing thirty-four communicants on the "reserved Roll" had reduced the total membership to 343. 63 Av- erage attendance had been 175 in winter and 300 in summer, which percentages of the total can be equalled by few congrega- tions in this age of paved highways, motor cars, central heating, and allied gages and gadgets of material, and often materialistic, progress. A Sunday School was conducted during the summer by one of the deacons. In the winter, this gave way to a Bible class. The minister was not faring so well, since payments on his salary were trailing promises by $ioo.oo. 64 John Dwight Morrison was elected Superintendent of the Sunday School for the ensuing year. 65 Rev. J. B. Mack returned to assist in the services connected with the spring communion of 1877. On Saturday he delivered what was to become the famous Historical Address on Rocky River. So flattering was the reception accorded this discourse 59 Minutes of the Rocky River Ladies Christian Association, Vol. I, p. 3. 60 Ibid., p. 5- 61 Ibid., pp. 6-1 1. 62 Ibid., p. 65. 63 II, 102. 64 II, 103. 65 II, 104. IJ 7 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER that an immediate proposal was made for its publication. 66 By way of contrast, the plague of intemperance beset the commu- nity. 67 A request from M. L. Harris to be allowed to demit the office of deacon was declined. 68 Four in the afternoon was the appointed hour for regional Sab- bath preaching services. These were held in rotation at Harris- burg, Sossamon's School House, Morrison's Quarter, and in Zion Church. 69 On June 30, 1877, Ruling Elder John M. Black laid down his duties in Rocky River to enter into that rest reserved for the peo- ple of God, having adorned that high office for more than forty years. Pages 1 1 2-1 1 3 of the Second Volume of the Sessional Rec- ords bear tribute to this native and servant of the Church. An apparent innovation in services is disclosed in the report to Presbytery of March 31, 1878, in a prayer meeting, held on dif- ferent Saturday afternoons, in several sections of the Congrega- tion. Attendance was recorded as ranging from fifty to seventy- five. 70 Two Bible classes were conducted during the winter under the leadership of the Pastor and of Rev. P. M. Custer, Principal of the Academy. 71 Financial affairs were in an acute state, with the Pastor's salary now $300.00 in arrears, 72 while about one-half of the previous year's benevolent gifts had been derived from a legacy of Mrs. Jane Howie. 73 By April, the combination of "pe- culiar financial pressure" and loss of membership led to an ar- rangement with Mr. Wharey whereby he agreed to a reduction in salary bringing his stipend down to $1,050.00 per annum; 74 66 II, 105. 67 II, 1 09-1 10. 68 II, 106. 69 II, 108. 70 II, 1 19-120. 71 II, 120. 72 II, 120. 73 II, 121. 74 II, 128. 118 Query's 62 Black's Church 65 River Morrison's 34 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY and even this had not been fully paid at the end of the church year. 75 John Makemie Wilson White was installed as ruling elder over the Congregation on August 16, 1878, to begin a lengthy period of diligent service which was to terminate only with his death in 1936. 76 Intemperance was now becoming so prevalent as to de- mand the Session's attention meeting after meeting. 77 Baptized non-communicants were accurately enumerated by Quarters in the spring of 1880, with the following results: 23 52 34 making a total of 2 36. 78 A prayer service was begun by the young men of the Congre- gation in the winter of 1 879-1 880. Considerable interest in the undertaking was evidenced for a season, but this seems to have greatly abated by spring. 79 Winter congregations were large, due to good weather, good roads, and good health. 8 " Some idea of the religious reading of the community is to be gathered from an item in the 1 879-1 880 report to Presbytery, in which it was stated that between thirty-five and forty copies of the North Carolina Pres- byterian were received regularly and that there were two or three subscribers to the Christian Observer.* 1 This same docu- ment expressed an opinion that family worship was greatly neg- lected. 82 Plans for the organization of a Sunday School at Harrisburg were laid in the spring of 1881, with Deacon Elam Query as 75 II, 141. 76 II, 124-125. 77 II, 127-137. 78 II, 139. 79 II, 140. 80 II, 141. 81 II, 142. 82 II, 142. 119 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER superintendent. A similar school, in charge of Ruling Elder John M. W. White and Robert Gourley, was proposed for Sossamon's School House; while A. C. Alexander and Augustine Osborne, teacher at Rocky River Academy, were elected associate super- intendents for the Sunday School at the Church. 83 Rocky River was host to what must have been a rather dismal meeting of Concord Presbytery from March 30 to April 1, 188 1 ; for a note in the Session Book, patently penned in a melancholy strain, affirms that "Many of our people were sick & the weather was dreadfully stormy." 84 Better things for the future, however, were promised in the ordination of Thomas Lee Martin and J. Dwight Morrison as ruling elders on July 23, of that year. 85 Interest in Rocky River's past is intimated in an act of the Ses- sion of the same date, whereby the Pastor, J. C. Barnhardt, and J. D. Morrison were appointed to prepare a history of the Church. S6 Permission was later given this committee to take a collection to defray the expenses of its publication at a regular church service. 87 November 26 was set apart as a day of thanks- giving, humiliation, and prayer, 88 and the communion service set for the following February (1882) was omitted because of bad weather and the resulting almost impassable condition of the roads. 89 A yearning to return to the old customs is seen in a decision of the Session, officially made on February 20, to hold two services at the Church on each Sunday until July "by way of trial." 90 The experiment proved convincing, if not successful, for by the end of the time specified the Session was ready to vote unani- mously to resume the system of holding a morning service at the 83 II, 151. 84 II, 151. 85 II, 154. 86 II, 154. 87 II, 159. 88 II, 157. 89 II, 158. 90 II, 158-159. I20 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY Church with afternoon preaching in one of the several Quarters. 91 Some idea of the extent of arrears into which the Church had fallen in meeting its financial obligations may be gathered from the fact that a receipt was issued by the Pastor of some years back, Rev. J. B. Mack, under date of January 4, 1882, in ac- knowledgement of $36.00 on his salary for 1875. 92 Current dis- bursements in early 1882 included an item of $64.00 in support of Rev. W. B. Arrowood, evangelist for Stanley County, who was acting in that capacity as a result of a recently inaugurated effort put forth by Concord Presbytery in the eastern portion of its ter- ritory. 93 On May 13, the day on which this contribution for evangelism was made, John A. Barnhardt was elected deacon. 94 Later in the spring, plans were completed whereby Mr. Wharey was to spend three months of the approaching summer preaching in the mountainous region of the Presbytery. A. Walker White, a member of the Church and candidate for the ministry, supplied the pulpit during the Pastor's absence and Col. Jacob C. Barnhardt acted as moderator of the Session. 90 Beginning early in 1883, Zion Church was permitted to have the Rocky River Pastor preach at services held in the afternoon on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. 96 Sunday Schools projected at the end of the church year 1 882-1 883, to- gether with their superintendents, were as follows: Church A. C. Alexander Harrisburg Dixon Penick Smith's School House J. D. Morrison Pioneer Mills J. C. Barnhardt Sossamon's J. M. W. White 91 II, 165. 92 Rocky River Treasurer's Book, Vol. II, p. unnumbered. 93 II, 162-163. 94 II, 163. 95 II, 164. 96 II, 167. 97 II, 169. 121 97 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Fruitful services were held in the Church in December, which were conducted by Rev. Jethro Rumple of Salisbury and Rev. N. M. Woods of Charlotte, during the course of which it was stated that "the Spirit of God seemed to be present in great power." Swollen watercourses were encountered by those who set out for worship on the morning of the sacramental Sabbath of this meeting. 9S Regulations prescribing the reading from the pul- pit of the names of offenders against the discipline of the Church, which had been enacted, or rather reenacted, some eight years before, were now rescinded." Extension of the Sunday School enterprise continued to be pushed, as D. Henry White and L. McKee Morrison were ap- pointed to open a branch Sunday School in the neighborhood of Black's (Lipe's) Mill, while J. L. Stafford was charged with a similar duty in the vicinity of his own home. 100 Another evidence of spiritual concern of early 1885 is found in a prayer meeting service, conducted on Wednesday nights at the Academy, which was attended in an encouraging manner by the young people of the community. 101 Altogether, these were the days calculated to gratify all those interested in what a later age was to term Re- ligious Education. The enrollment of the Sunday Schools sur- passed anything previously recorded. One hundred and fifteen were on the roll at the beginning of April, 1883. Twelve months later, this figure had been more than tripled and stood at 37 1 . An- other year brought the total to 428, the highest to be discovered in the available records of the Church. 102 This expansion was a local example of a quickening interest and accentuated develop- ment in the Sunday School movement throughout the nation. During these days the Academy was occupying a position of influence, and under the leadership of Rev. P. M. Custer, Pro- 98 II, 172. "II, 178. 100 II, 182. 101 II, 184. 102 Minutes of the General Assembly, 1885, p. 499. 122 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY fessor Augustine Osborne, and Professor H. C. Dunn, who acted as principals at different times, achieved a rising eminence. 103 A peculiarly distressing tragedy befell a Rocky River family on September 7, 1883. William Burns, infant son of J. C. and E. Ann Sosserman, who had been baptized during the course of the day's services at the Church, "was thrown from his Mother's arms by a sudden lurch of the wagon on their way home from church near Caldwell Creek and died in a few hours." 104 James Lee Morrison, known to the Congregation as "Uncle Jimmy," died on March 27, 1885. 105 Page 193 of the Second Vol- ume of the Sessional Records bears an inscription as a "Tribute of Respect" to his memory and work. E. C. Davis and Dr. D. W. Flowe were ordained and installed as ruling elders on July 12, while Julius B. Morrison was added to the Diaconate in a like manner one week later. 106 During the summer of 1885, a bridge was built across Rocky River, to render perennial assistance to members of the Congre- gation to the north of the stream in making it possible for them to reach the Church even when the River ran high because of continued rains. 107 Musical matters surged to the fore at Rocky River during the months following. D. B. Porter was, upon request of the choir leaders, appointed an additional chorister in the late summer. 108 But profound innovation in the praise of the sanctuary was im- pending. A petition, signed by some 150 persons, was presented to the Session on September 23, asking permission for the intro- duction of an organ "to assist the singers in conducting the wor- ship of God." Not only was the desire thus expressed granted, but a committee was appointed to secure a suitable instrument 103 Mack, op. cit., p. 13. 104 Register, Vol. II, p. 85. 105 II, 183. 106 II, 189. 107 Wharey, James M., Pastor's Diary and Clerical Record, 1885, entries for Julv 6 and Aug. 10. 168 II, 191. 123 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER for this purpose. 109 By February, 1886, its duties had been dis- charged and the organ installed at a cost of $165.00. This instru- ment was placed, on instruction from the Session, "in the mid- dle block of seats about Ys back from the pulpit," probably with the intention of rendering maximum service so far as the body of the congregation was concerned. J. M. Harris and D. B. Porter were appointed organists, with Mrs. J. M. Wharey and Mrs. John A. Barnhardt, Mrs. N. E. Meisinheimer, and Miss Ida Bur- leyson, as assistants. 110 Dr. Walter L. Lingle has recently written an appreciative description of Mr. Wharey and his preaching, as he tells of the communion services at his home church, Thyatira: A4y favorite preacher, of all those who came from time to time to help in the communion meetings, was Dr. James M. Wharey, who was pastor of the Rocky River Church, and later of the First Church of Mooresville. He was a large man and preached with deep emotion. Not only so, but he used many illustrations taken from everyday life, or from his experiences as a chaplain in the Confederate Army. That kind of preaching made a larger appeal to a boy than abstract theological sermons. 111 The pastoral relationship between Mr., and later Dr., Wharey and Rocky River was dissolved by Concord Presbytery in the summer of 1886, on July 26. 112 He then moved to Mooresville, North Carolina, to serve the church there until 1905. 113 It was in 1890 that the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Hampden-Sydney College. 114 Upon his departure, Col. J. C. Barnhardt was appointed moderator of the Session and Dr. D. W. Flowe selected to serve as Clerk. 115 It was ordered that re- 109 II, 192. 110 II, 194. 111 W. L. Lingle, Thyatira Presbyterian Church, pp. 64-65. 112 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. VIII, pp. 887-888. 113 Scott, p. 762. 114 Ibid. 115 II, 202. 124 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY ligious services be conducted each Sunday by some member of the Session; but moved perhaps by some apprehension as to the outcome of this plan, the elders immediately proceeded to chose a committee to make arrangements for preaching services by some minister as often as possible while the Church was without a pastor. 116 Rev. D. S. McAllister had been called as pastor by the summer of 1887; for on August 8, he was invited by the Session to "act as a corresponding and advisory member" until he had been re- ceived by Concord Presbytery, installed as pastor, and taken his place as moderator. 117 This installation never took place; for a month later the prospective pastor had become convinced that he should forego all intention of remaining at Rocky River, and gave a detailed statement to the Session of the reason prompting such a drastic reversal of plans. 118 The unusual, but entirely ade- quate and equally sensible, explanation advanced for this decision lay in the discovery that he was unable to speak in such a manner as to be effectively heard in the large auditorium of the Church. JOHN GRAY ANDERSON Such progress had been made by January, 1 888, that Rev. John Gray Anderson could be referred to as Pastor-Elect. 119 He was installed on Tuesday, May 4, with Rev. R. A. Webb and Rev. J. M. Wharey officiating at the service. 120 Thereupon, Dr. Flowe resigned as Clerk of Session and was replaced by Mr. Ander- son. 121 Like several ministers before him, Mr. Anderson was a native of Virginia, having been born near Gordonsville on December 8, 116 II, 203. 117 II, 218. 118 II, 219. 119 II, 221. 120 iMinutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. IX, pp. 152, 181. 121 II, 226. 125 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER 1850. In the course of time, a year at Hampden-Sydney and a season at the University of Virginia were followed by several years spent as farmer and teacher. After attending Union Semi- nary in Virginia, 1 875-1 878, he was ordained on May 2, 1879, and served a number of churches in the state of his birth before coming to Rocky River. 122 A constitution was adopted for the Young People's Missionary Society on March 2, 1888. In this document the time of meeting was set for "the Friday night before the full moon of every month." The circulation of missionary literature and especially the placing of the periodical, The Missionary , in every home were among the objectives of the Society. 123 After several months, or perhaps moons, of experimentation, the time was changed to the "Saturday night nearest the full moon" of each month. 124 About this time, a systematic and thorough scheme was adopted by the Congregation looking toward the active partici- pation of its members in the upbuilding of the Church. Under the title "Plan of Work for Rocky River Church," a printed slip was distributed to the members on which eighteen different ave- nues of service were listed, embracing such possibilities as "dis- covering and relieving distress among the poor," assisting in the Sabbath Schools in several specific ways, "praying for the pas- tor"; and, as item 17, "reconciling persons at variance with each other." Members were requested to check the types of work in which they were willing to engage on two copies of this form, retaining one for frequent reference as a reminder of their com- mitments, and returning the second to the Pastor for his informa- tion and that of the elders and deacons having oversight of the matter in the not-altogether-mathematical five Quarters of the Congregation: the Church, Query's, Morrison's, Sossamon's, and 122 Scott, p. 14. 123 Minutes of Rocky River Young People's Missionary Society, Vol. I, p. 194. 124 Ibid., p. 195. 126 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY the River. This plan was ratified by a vote of the membership on June 24, 1888. 125 During the same year, the church building was reroofed, the structure now being about twenty-seven years old, and some painting was done on the woodwork, probably the exterior. The total cost of these repairs was $2 7o.84. 126 The year 1889 was inauspiciously ushered in with a difficulty at Sossamon's School House, and the Pastor was deputized to at- tend a public meeting there by way of investigation and report. 127 He learned, as did the Session shortly afterwards, that the ma- jority of the people present at the gathering preferred to make their organization a union Sunday School. 128 Twenty-three years of service as a ruling elder was ended by the death of Abraham Cicero Alexander on January 8, 1889, as is indicated by page 237 of the Second Volume of Records of the Session which is dedicated to commemorating his spiritual leader- ship. The 1 888-1 889 report shows thirty-one members received on profession of faith and the total membership as 313. 129 Laird H. Alexander and Alexander Newton Harris were added to the eldership by installation on August 31, 1889, while J. Harvey Spears and Jas. M. Harris were elected deacons on the same day. 130 Foreign Missions began to claim the attention of the churches of Cabarrus County in 1890, and Rocky River agreed to make an effort to raise the sum of $225.00 toward the support of a mis- sionary in conjunction with neighboring congregations. 131 The report made under date of March 31, 1891, reveals that gifts to this cause amounted to $347. 54. 132 125 Extract from Flan of Work for Rocky River Church, 1888. 126 Treasurer's Book of Rocky River Church, Vol. II, p. unnumbered. 127 II, 233. 128 II, 235. 129 II, 238. 130 II, 243. 131 II, 248. 132 II, 270. 127 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Sunday Schools were again flourishing, for the 1 889-1 890 re- port showed a total of 372 enrolled, while the membership of the Church was listed at 305. 133 William E. Harris was chosen as deacon at an election conducted during the May Meeting of 1890, 134 while E. E. Gribble, from the River Quarter, and W. N. Spears, as representative of the Morrison Quarter, were elected to similar offices a year later. 135 Several grounds for encouragement were enumerated as 1890- 189 1 was passed in retrospect in the yearly narrative to Presby- tery. A Young Men's prayer meeting was noted, an improvement in the matter of intemperance reported, and a blessed meeting, in which the youthful, but even then undoubtedly eloquent, Rev. Egbert W. Smith assisted, were cited as causes for grati- tude. 136 Plans for the church year 1891-1892 called for a change in the arrangements for Sunday afternoon preaching in the Quar- ters, whereby the Pastor was requested to use his own judgement in this connection, rather than feeling obligated to conduct serv- ices at centers in these districts in rotation. 137 The report for the twelve-month period of 1 891-1892 exhibited several distressing notations, such as "a decided falling off" in Sunday School in- terest, and a "painful" reference to intemperance and worldly amusements. 138 The Young People's Missionary Society was clearly a prospering organization in 1893, when the roll listed sixty-seven names, although an examination of this register might well lead to the conclusion that the term "Young" was being interpreted in somewhat elastic fashion. 139 The Farmers' Alliance became a potent factor in the political life of the community during the ministry of Mr. Anderson; and, 133 II, 253. 134 II, 256. 135 II, 272. 136 II, 268-269. 137 II, 267. 138 II, 284-285. 139 Minutes of Rocky River Young People's Missionary Society, Vol. I, p. 5. 128 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY as time progressed, he became decidedly involved in its activi- ties. Eventually, quite a portion of the strength of the Alliance was transferred to the Populist Party. The exertions of the Pas- tor in these connections met with the disapproval of a portion of the Congregation, and the controversy which ensued resulted in his decision to leave the Church at Rocky River. 140 His min- istry came to an end on April 13, 1893, as Concord Presbytery dissolved the relationship at Mr. Anderson's request, with the stipulation that such action become effective on May i. 141 After several years at Millersburg, Kentucky, he moved to the far South and labored in a distinguished manner in Florida and Alabama, dying at Tampa on September 18, 1944, at the advanced age of 93. 142 Hampden-Sydney awarded to him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1902. 143 RICHARD VENABLE LANCASTER Rev. Richard Venable Lancaster, who had returned during the previous year from a term as missionary to China, was called as pastor at a congregational meeting held on March 1 1, 1894, 144 to be installed by a commission of Presbytery, which included Dr. J. M. Wharey, on the 5th of May. 145 The new minister, like Daniel Penick, was a native of Cumberland County, Virginia, where he was born in 1863. A graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and Union Seminary in Virginia, he had sailed for China soon after the completion of his seminary course. Mr. Lancaster was married to Miss Mary Littlepage Holladay of Hampden- Sydney on November 27, 1889, the wedding taking place at Yokohama, Japan. 146 140 Conversations with older Rocky River residents. 141 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. X, p. 63. 142 Scott, 1950 ed., p. 15. 143 Hampden-Sidney College, General Catalogue of Officers and Students, p. 42. 144 II, 298. 145 II, 301. 146 Scott, p. 388. 129 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER The Session took cognizance of the newly-established orphans' home at Barium Springs, when a collection was authorized in the Sunday Schools on the fourth Sunday of each month for this cause. 147 Many persons were received into the membership of the Church during July, 1 894, and these accessions were largely responsible for an ability to report an unusually large total of fifty-two on profession during the church year (1 894-1 895), with 366 members on the roll. 148 D. B. Porter replaced James M. Harris as organist in May, 1895, upon the resignation of the latter. Misses Mary Query and Lula Davis were, at that time, designated as Mr. Porter's assist- ants. 149 In consequence of disturbances during the services of worship at the church in the early fall of that year, the Clerk of Session was instructed to prepare a letter, addressed to the Congregation, concerning such untoward conduct. 150 Having recently installed a pastor who had returned from China, an act of what might be termed reciprocity was involved in the recom- mendation by the Session of Miss Claude Grier for missionary service, on September 29, 1895. 151 A reflection of intra-congregational difficulties, as well as of some not so ancient history, is evident in a sessional overture to Concord Presbytery under date of March 28, 1896. This paper reads: The Session of Rocky River Church respectfully overtures the Presbytery of Concord to adopt the following or like paper and order it read in the churches The Presbytery of Concord in the exercise of its pastoral authority and with a deep sense of the im- portance of the subject would call the attention of all the churches under its care to the following 1st It is a fixed principle of our Church not to pass upon the merits of political questions except where they affect the morals or the religion of our people 2 But 147 II, 302. 148 II, 304-305, 310. 149 II, 311. 150 II, 312. 151 n, 313. 130 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY in differences between brethren even when these differences are concerning matters that concern and effect the State we feel bound to warn all that such contentions should be conducted in the spirit of Christ For ye are all brethren and have one hope of your calling 3 The Presbytery therefore most affectionately and earnestly urges upon our people the necessity of much prayer to enable us to live as becometh the Gospel during the political tur- moil of the present year. . . , 152 Presbytery not only adopted the overture, but ordered it pub- lished in the North Carolina Presbyterian. 153 Another church was established partially within Rocky River's contracting territory, when White Hall, located five miles along the Concord road, was organized on Saturday afternoon, May 9, 1896, with twenty-four members. Jas. B. White was, thereupon, elected ruling elder. 104 Six members had been dismissed from Rocky River to become charter members at White Hall. 155 Within six months, Rocky River was to release eight more com- municants for the organization of yet another congregation. 156 This was Patterson, six miles to the north, which was officially constituted on October 3, 1896. 107 Two months after this, Mr. Lancaster was released from the pastorate at Rocky River and Zion churches at a special meeting of Presbytery. 158 His later ministry, in addition to the regular pastorate, included the presidency of Belhaven College, Jackson, Mississippi, and the directorship of religious work in State In- stitutions for Virginia. In 1906, he was honored with the award 152 II, 314-315- 153 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. X, pp. 229-230. 154 Ibid., p. 254. 155 II, 317. The original membership of White Hall was largely drawn from Zion, and the former congregation, therefore, was the ecclesiastical granddaugh- ter, rather than daughter, of Rocky River. Following the death of its last surviving member, the name of White Hall was erased from the roll of Con- cord Presbyters' on September 6, 1922 (Minutes of Concord Presbvterv, Vol. XIV, p. 68). 156 II, 318. 157 Minutes of Concord Presbvtery, Vol. X, pp. 289-290. 158 Ibid., p. 285. J3 1 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER of the degree of Doctor of Divinity by King College. Dr. Lan- caster died at Ashland, Virginia, on May 12, 1938. 159 Rocky River was the scene of a remarkably novel event in the field of science and medicine near the close of the year 1897. Dr. Henry Louis Smith, brilliant young professor of physics at Davidson College, had, almost two years before, demonstrated the possibility of locating a foreign body within the human organism by means of a recently devised machine, when he photographed a bullet which had been fired into the hand of a cadaver used for dissecting purposes at the North Carolina Medical College, then located at Davidson. An account of the experiment and a photograph taken in this connection appeared in the Charlotte Observer™ and this publication led to wide interest in the possi- bilities of the rays which had been discovered by the German scientist, William Conrad Roentgen, toward the close of 1895, furnishing a basis for the experiments of the Davidson physicist in early 1896. Among those who learned of Dr. Smith's investigations was William E. Harris, a deacon in Rocky River Church, who lived in a house located some quarter of a mile from the Rocky River Grove and several hundred yards south of the Manse, which is now owned and occupied by Ruling Elder Hoyte M. McCachren and his family. But the concern of Mr. Harris, like that of Jairus of long ago, was far more than that of an academic nature; for his young daughter, Ellen, was suffering from a severe affliction of the throat. In November, 1897, the child had swallowed a thimble which was, providentially, of the open-end variety. 161 Some weeks after the accident, at the end of December, Dr. 159 Scott, p. 388. 160 Feb. 27, 1896; see also issue of Dec. 14, 1947. 161 A manuscript account of this misadventure and its remedy, prepared by Mrs. Elva Harris, mother of Ellen Harris, in the fall of 1952, has supplied first-hand information. This is likewise true of a letter written by Dr. Smith to Dr. Robert H. Lafferty under date of Nov. 29, 192 1. Mrs. Mack D. Reid, who lived for a time in the house involved in this incident with the grand- mother of Ellen, has furnished further facts incorporated in this story. 132 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY Smith promptly responded to a plea to come to her aid. His ap- paratus was loaded in a hack or a wagon — there are divergences in the reports at this point — and the thirty miles from Davidson to Rocky River were covered as speedily as possible. Placing the girl in a hammock, which had been improvised from a sheet, and setting up the equipment in a front corner room on the first floor of the farm house, the professor worked long and diligently in his effort to locate the obstruction. Finally he said to Mrs. Har- ris, "I am persuaded the thimble is not in your child's body." Up to this point, the girl had been lving on her back. Turning her upon her side, Dr. Smith made further efforts and exclaimed, "I can see the thimble as clearly as if I had it in my hand." A photograph was then made for the guidance of the physicians and the approximate location indicated by means of an ink spot on Ellen's throat. Both patient and machine were transferred to Charlotte, the latter, however, by way of Davidson, to which point it was trans- ported in a carryall driven by Ruling Elder James Taylor of the Harrisburg Church. The surgeons were unwilling to proceed upon the basis of the picture made by Dr. Smith and insisted upon seeing the thimble by means of the X-ray, which explains the dispatch of the device to Charlotte. An operation was performed in late December for its removal, and, after a prolonged con- valescence, Ellen recovered. 162 A contemporary publication, the Davidson College Magazine, which appeared about two weeks after the operation, described this graciously effective experiment as "the first recorded case in the state in which the X-ray has been successfully used as a means of surgical diagnosis." With the passing- of time, the geo- graphical area embraced came to be greatly enlarged, and the affair ultimately gained repute as the first use in America of the X-ray for such purposes. Actually, the invention was being uti- 162 An interview with Air. Taylor in the fall of 1952 supplemented the fore- going. 133 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER lized as an aid to surgery in the city of Philadelphia more than eighteen months before the incident in which Ellen Harris and the Rocky River community played such prominent parts. 163 CORNELIUS MILLER The next pastor was Rev. Cornelius Miller, to whom a call was extended on February 21, 1897. 164 Mr. Miller was, at that time, serving as Evangelist for Orange Presbytery. His installation took place on June 13. 165 Mississippi was the native state of this new pastor, who had served in the Confederate Army as a cav- alryman. He graduated from the University of Mississippi after the close of the War, in 1871, and studied theology at Union Seminary in Virginia. Before coming to Rocky River he had preached in a number of churches in North Carolina and was, for a brief period, pastor in Texas. The new hostess at the Manse was the former Miss Mary L. Scales of Rockingham County, North Carolina, her marriage to Mr. Miller having taken place on December 12, 1876. 166 Among the early problems confronting, if not actually await- ing, the minister was that of the time of meeting for the Young People's Society. The Session confirmed his suggestion that these gatherings take place during the daylight hours, or in the early evening, at a meeting held in July. By the 6th of August, how- ever, the second option was withdrawn and it was insisted that the meetings be scheduled for the afternoon. 167 The news of this later action was conveyed to the Young People by the Pastor on August 14, as indicated by a minute of the Society, which also 163 Davidson College Magazine, Jan. 1898; Book of the South, p. 178; Who's Who in North Carolina, p. 478; E. Alexander, The Query History, p. un- numbered; Annals of Surgery, Vol. XXIV, pp. 217-218. For an interesting preliminary to this account, additional details, and certain minor variations, see Asheville Citizen-Times, Sept. 27, 1953, Sect. A, p. 10. 164 II, 320. 165 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. X, p. 346. 166 Scott, pp. 498-499. 167 II, 324-326. 134 TO THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY records the official acquiescence of its members as they bowed to the unavoidable and inevitable, in the brief entry, "After a few remarks from Mr. Miller the Society decided to hold its meeting in the afternoon instead of at night." 16S A leave of absence was granted the Pastor during October, to be devoted to evangelistic work in Stokes County. 169 Another of Rocky River's sons to enter the ministry, J. Marc Harris, was endorsed as a candidate about this time. 170 D. B. Porter, who had been appointed to lead the singing of the congregation in the previous year, now suggested that Elber Morrison be installed as chorister. This was done in March, 1898, and Air. Porter assumed the duties of organist. 171 On August 28, 1 898, James C. Thompson was installed as elder. 172 Tribulations for the country church, not only continued, but increased. The Session, at the instance of the Pastor, on Septem- ber 2, 1898, overtured the Presbytery of Concord to move in behalf of these rural congregations "weakened by removal of their young men and often of their most substantial families to the towns." 173 By way of remedy it was suggested that such members continue to support the church from which they had gone out through contributions to its current expense budget, "especially in cases where these persons still own the land from which they have removed." 174 Forty-five years later the revival and application of this general idea was to prove quite effectual in the case of Rocky River. Churches receiving members under such transfers were also called upon to provide funds for the support of the country churches from which these additions had 168 Minutes of Rocky River Young People's Society, Vol. I, p. 90. 169 II, 326. 170 II, 327. 171 II, 331. 172 II, 342- 173 II, 343-345- 174 II, 344- 175 II, 344-345- 135 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Further indication of the situation in which Rocky River found herself in regard to financial matters is seen in a petition of the Session of the day following, which sought a reduction in the Church's Presbyterial Assessment from $30.00 to $20.00 per year, 176 while Presbytery's recognition of such straits is shown by the granting of the request. 177 Mr. Miller announced his election as Evangelist for Stokes County in the following summer (1899), and left soon afterward to take up this work. 178 E. C. Davis was then elected Clerk of the Session, on September 10, 1899; and thus ended the custom of having the Minister also serve as Clerk, a practice which dated back to at least the time of Daniel Penick. 179 After his departure from Rocky River, Mr. Miller held pas- torates in North Carolina and Tennessee, prior to his death at Dalton, Georgia, on February 13, i9i2. 1S0 176 II, 346. 177 II, 348. 178 II, 365-366. 179 II, 367. 180 Scott, p. 499. 136 CHAPTER X Nineteen Hundred and After ROBERT JUNIUS HUNTER Robert Junius Hunter, native of Mecklenburg County in which he was born on February 15, 1867, came to Rocky River as stated supply in 1900. 1 Educated at Davidson College and Princeton and Louisville seminaries, he had been licensed by Transylvania Presbytery in 1 899, but had not yet been ordained when he took up his work at Rocky River. On December 1 1 , 1900, he was married to Miss Annie Russell Gaines of Louisville, Kentucky, in that city. 2 His ordination and installation took place on Friday, May 3, 1901, at the eleven o'clock services, and were conducted by a commission of Concord Presbytery consisting of three ministers, C. Preston, G. H. Cornelson, and W. A. Gillon, with Ruling Elders J. B. White, S. W. White, and A. N. Harris. The then very newly ordained minister was installed at Zion by the same representatives of the Presbytery on the afternoon of that day. 3 It was deemed expedient to reorganize the Young People's Missionary Society in 1900; and a new constitution was adopted on June 9 of that year, in which it was provided that when a member was absent from a meeting and failed to send his or her offering, a collector, representing the delinquent's Quarter, was to call upon the absentee for payment. 4 Two aged members of the Session, Dr. D. W. Flowe and 1 Scott, p. 340; II, 373. 2 Scott, p. 340. 3 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. X, p. 587. 4 Minutes of Rocky River Young People's Missionary Society, Vol. I, pp. 178-179- 137 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER John Query, died about this time, the former on May 23, 1900, and the latter on February 17, 1901. 5 A trend, definitely detrimental to the rural church, which, as has been stated, had become evident toward the close of the Nineteenth Century, continued in accelerated fashion with the early years of the Twentieth. The general movement of popula- tion into the towns exerted a debilitating influence upon many of the country congregations, including Rocky River. This was the day of the development of the cotton manufacturing industry in Cabarrus and the surrounding counties. With disconcerting regularity, members were dismissed at succeeding meetings of the Session and the result was manifested in the general decline of the Church's numerical strength. As one after another of Her choice sons and daughters transferred their membership to as- sume positions of leadership in their new affiliations, it was at near tragic cost to the home congregation. It will be recalled that the peak of membership came in the year 1856, when 650 were enrolled; although in later compari- sons it should be remembered that 202 of this number were Ne- groes who, in succeeding generations, were formed into separate churches. When matters had somewhat subsided after the end of the War, only 290 communicants were to be counted in 1871. Under the leadership of Mr. Mack, this figure rose to 394 in 1875. In 1887, when the Church suffered the usual experience of those without a pastor, there was a decline to 275. By 1895 this had risen to 366, and from that point there was a gradual reduc- tion for a period of sixteen years. 6 But it was not altogether a matter of removals. In 1885, Rocky River reported 240 baptized non-communicants, a promising source of future accessions. Ten years later, the number stood at 200, and by 1901 it had decreased to 150. In 1909, the last 5 II, 374-375, 384. 6 Minutes of the General Assembly: 1871, p. 106; 1875, p. 145; 1887, p. 315; 1895, p. 494- I38 Robert Junius Hunter 1901-1908 James Lapsley 1909-1916 Thomas Hugh Spence John Addison Ricks 1916-193 1 1932-1941 PASTORS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY NINETEEN HUNDRED AND AFTER year when this item was included in the statistical tables of the Minutes of the General Assembly, only 45 such potential com- municants were reported. 7 An election, held in the fall of 1901, resulted in the ordination and installation of John F. Alexander and J. Hall M. White as elders. 8 By this time the number of Sunday Schools within the bounds of the Congregation had been reduced to two. A. N. Harris was elected superintendent of the school at the Church, while John F. Alexander was chosen to head the organization at Harrisburg. 9 E. A. Morrison resigned as choir leader in Au- gust, 1902, and his resignation was accepted with great reluc- tance and appropriate appreciation of what he had accomplished in this position. 10 Some months later, Miss Sue McEachern was appointed assistant organist. 11 Twenty-six members were added to the Church in 1903- 1904, twenty-two of whom were received on examination; 12 but mounting dismissions to other churches tended to prevent the roll from growing as might otherwise have been expected. Mr. Hunter remained at Rocky River until the summer of 1908, when he moved to Canton, North Carolina, in an effort to secure relief from Malaria which had afflicted him for some time. Believing that his new charge would be only temporary, he undertook it as stated supply and served the Canton Church as such until 1920, doing what he himself judged to have been probably the best work of his ministerial career, though never installed as pastor. He later acted as pastor of the Beulah Church at Buechel, Kentucky; and for fifteen years, previous to his re- tirement in 1940, was at the West Avenue Church, Gastonia, North Carolina. His death took place on June 18, 1947. 13 7 Ibid.: 1885, p. 499; 1895, p. 494; 1 901, p. 173; 1909, p. 175. 8 III, 2-3. 9 III, 3. 10 III, 7. 11 III, 10. 12 Minutes of the General Assembly, 1904, p. 166. 13 Minutes of the Synod of North Carolina, 1947, p. 495. J 39 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER HARRISBURG CHURCH ORGANIZED Since the building of the railway line between Charlotte and Salisbury and the establishment of a station at what was origi- nally called Harris' Depot, that settlement had become more and more important as one of the centers of the Congregation radiat- ing from the Church, which lay three miles to the east. As a point selected for Sunday afternoon services and the location of a flourishing Sunday School, Harrisburg continued to grow in significance in the territory to which Rocky River ministered. The culmination of these religious activities and interest came in 1903 with the organization of a separate church. As a prelimi- nary to this act, the Rocky River Session met at the home of M. M. Morrison in Harrisburg, and granted letters of dismissal to sixteen or seventeen members who proposed to unite with the prospective congregation. 14 On July 2 1 , a commission, composed of ministers and consisting of G. H. Cornelson, Jr., W. A. Gil- Ion, and Mr. Hunter, met in compliance with the directions of Concord Presbytery, and formed the Presbyterians of the Har- risburg territory into a church known by that name. Twenty persons constituted the charter membership. D. L. Morrison, D. B. McEachern, Jno. F. Alexander, and D. N. Johnson were then elected elders, while S. W. Houston, Z. M. Stafford, and Ellis Morrison were selected for deacons. Messrs. Morrison and McEachern were then installed as elders, and Mr. Houston set apart for, and inducted into, the office of deacon. 15 DISSOLUTION OF ZION CHURCH The organization of Harrisburg was soon followed by the dis- solution of Zion Church, which, as previously noted, had been established in the northeastern area of Rocky River's parish in 1873. Concord Presbytery, at a called meeting held on Janu- 14 III, 14. 15 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. X, p. 752. 140 NINETEEN HUNDRED AND AFTER ary 7, 1904, was informed that the membership of Zion had dwindled to a point where but one resident member, Ruling Elder S. W. White, and two nonresidents remained upon the roll. Presbytery, accordingly, dissolved the church and transferred the membership of Mr. White to the First Church of Concord. 16 JAMES LAPSLEY The Church, as had proven generally true under such cir- cumstances, was not long without a pastor; for Rev. James Laps- ley was installed on May 1, 1909, with three ministers, J. M. Grier, J. W. Lafferty, and R. A. Lapsley, Jr., acting in the name of the Presbytery in the formation of this relationship. The same commission installed him at Harrisburg in the afternoon of that day. 17 The new Pastor was a son of the first layman to be elected Moderator of the Southern General Assembly and brother of the heroic Samuel Norvell Lapsley who died as a pioneer mis- sionary in the Congo in 1892. Rev. James Lapsley was 49 years of age when he came to Rocky River. He was unusually talented from a mechanical standpoint, producing a total of eighty-seven inventions. Mrs. Lapsley was the former Miss Flora Morrow of Hartselle, Alabama. 18 In 1 909 the name of the Woman's Organization was changed from "The Agnes Penick Benevolent Society" to "The Agnes Penick Missionary Society." 19 Many such as should be saved were brought into the Church during the next several years, twenty-five persons being received on profession in 1909-19 10 and forty, two years later. 20 Samuel Black and Clifford O. McEachern were made elders 16 Ibid., Vol XI, p. 5. 17 Ibid., Vol. XI, pp. 367, 404- 18 Scott, p. 391. 19 Ethel Hudson Morrison, History of Woman's Auxiliary of Rocky River Church, 1876-1925. 20 Minutes of the General Assembly: 1910, p. 210; 1912, p. 209. 141 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER in 191 1, 21 and Mr. Black was elected Clerk of Session and Super- intendent of the Sunday School in 191 2. The latter vacancy was created through the resignation of A. N. Harris, while that in the clerkship was occasioned by the retirement of E. C. Davis. 22 The "Young Men's Prayer Meeting" was credited with a gift of $44.25 to the Barium Springs Orphanage in the annual report for 1911-1912. 23 A new well was drilled at the Manse about the beginning of 1 9 14, and a pump installed. A committee was then ap- pointed to solicit funds to cover the cost of this provision for the temporal welfare of the minister and his family. 24 The Pres- bytery of Concord met at Rocky River on April 21-23, r 9 J 4» but the only local touch in the records of these sessions relates to a visit of its members to the Jackson Training School. 25 Mr. Lapsley left Rocky River in the spring of 19 16 after a ministry characterized by numerous additions to the membership of the Church. He removed to Florida to assume charge, as stated supply, of the St. Andrews and Panama City churches in that State. Later work was done in North Carolina and Virginia, pre- ceding his death at Craigsville, Virginia, on July 30, 1930. 26 HOMECOMING OF 1912 During Mr. Lapsley 's pastorate, in August, 191 2, an elaborate homecoming was held at Rocky River. The Session had laid plans for the season at a meeting held in early July, which was followed by a gathering in Concord for the same purpose. 27 The formal program was held on August 15, and began at ten-thirty in the morning with an invocation led by Dr. John G. 21 HI, 54. 22 HI, 57. 23 III, 58. 24 III, 67. 25 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. XIII, p. 17. 26 Scott, p. 391. 27 III, 59- 142 NINETEEN HUNDRED AND AFTER Anderson, pastor from 1888 until 1893. President D. H. Hill of the State Agricultural and Mechanical College at Raleigh was the chief orator of the occasion, and delivered an address on the "Character of Rocky River Pioneers." Dr. Hill was a grandson of Robert Hall Morrison and sustained the same relationship to Rocky River Church. Eulogies upon the life and labors of the ecclesiastical fathers in this Israel of the New World were next in the order of exercises, tributes to John M. Wilson by Rev. Daniel Penick Junkin, to Daniel Penick by Rev. E. P. Davis, to Joseph B. Mack by Rev. A. Walker White, to James Morton Wharey by Rev. J. M. Harris, preceding the benediction by Rev. R. C. Morrison. All of these participants had intimate con- nections with Rocky River. A "Discussion of Preservation of Grave Yards" was included in the activities of the occasion. 28 Music for the day was furnished by the Rocky River Choir and a choir representing Camp Number 2 1 2 of the Confederate Veterans from Concord. These old soldiers — it was forty-seven years since Appomattox — called forth the following comment from the Editor of the Presbyterian Standard: "Just under the pulpit sat the choir of veterans ... of the Concord Camp, men who seemed to belong to the heroic age which the speakers were holding before us . . . They sang the old hymns with a fervor that touched every heart." 29 An estimate set the number of persons present at 2500. Mor- rison Caldwell was chiefly responsible for the arrangements for the occasion, the echoes of which did not die down for a num- ber of years following, while memories of the event still remain with many who were in attendance upon the exercises. 30 As a sequel to this celebration, a plot of land, traditionally the site of the earliest house of worship erected on Rocky River, was 28 m, 60. 29 August 21, 1912, p. 1. 30 III, 60. H3 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER gratuitously transferred to the Trustees of the Congregation by- Mrs. L. L. Plott. The deed, dated March 30, 19 14, described the area as "the first burying ground in Cabarrus." 31 This spot, now covered by a clump of small trees, was found by the writer, upon the occasion of a visit in the summer of 1950, to be marked by a number of rough stones as though suggest- ing the location of several graves. Two such markers are spaced so as to indicate the resting place of a young child. A monument erected on the land bears, on one side, the inscription: HERE WAS ERECTED IN 1754 THE FIRST ROCKY RIVER CHURCH. A. CRAIGHEAD, PASTOR and on the other: THE FIRST CHURCH BETWEEN YADKIN AND CATAWBA RIVERS THIS SPOT WAS THE FIRST GRAVEYARD IN CABARRUS CO. N. C. THOMAS HUGH SPENCE The history of Rocky River, from the standpoint of the au- thor, falls into three periods: 1, those elusive years prior to 1835 for the reconstruction of which materials are only sparsely avail- able; 2, from the arrival of Daniel Penick with his illuminating pen until, 3, one sunny September afternoon in the year 1916, when the writer rode from the railway station at Harrisburg to the Rocky River manse on a wagon driven by James Barnhardt and loaded with household possessions, to take up his abode in that delightful brick house; but only until the following morn- 31 Cabarrus County, Record of Deeds, Book 81, pp. 422-423; III, 67. I44 NINETEEN HUNDRED AND AFTER ing when he set out to enroll as a freshman in Davidson College. From that day in early autumn, more than a third of a century ago, a sustained contact has been maintained with Rocky River. Rev. Thomas Hugh Spence was a native of Northern Ireland, having been born near Ballymena, County Antrim, on Septem- ber 30, 1866. He migrated to the United States in 1887. Decid- ing, several years later to enter the ministry, he studied at the Rock Hill (South Carolina) High School, Davidson College, concluding his course there in 1897, and Columbia Seminary from which he was graduated in 1905. A pastorate of several years (1 905-1 909) in Rowan County, North Carolina, was fol- lowed by seven years spent at Smithfield in the eastern portion of the state. Between his college and seminary training, he mar- ried Miss Anna Grace Sparrow of Davidson. 32 His installation at Rocky River took place on October 29, 1916. 33 During his pastorate the membership of the Church re- mained at a rather constant figure of about 200. 34 Contributions to benevolences during the early 1920's rose to new heights, with a total of $2,803.00 given to such causes during the year 1920- 192 1, 35 an amount not to be exceeded until thirty-one years had passed. The elders of Rocky River seemed to have formed a custom of homegoing in two's, and, in x\pril and October of 191 9, Laird Alexander and E. C. Davis passed into the presence of their Lord. 36 F. S. Pharr and W. E. Alexander were added to the Ses- sion after election to the eldership on June 25, 1922. 37 The late teens were still essentially the horse and buggy days. Though a few motor cars had been introduced into the com- munity, they were necessarily handled, not only with due regard 32 Scott, p. 676; Minutes of Concord Presbyter}', Vol. XIII, p. 227. 33 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. XIII, p. 227. 34 See Appendix K. 35 Ibid. 36 m, 95-96. 37 in, 112. i45 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER to their mechanical eccentricities, but also with deliberate def- erence to the condition of the sundry array of dirt roads in the territory occupied by the Congregation. Considerable numbers of the church members were invariably found in "Town" (Concord) each Saturday, wagons and buggies largely serving as conveyances. The Academy, long associated with the community, had been superseded by a public high school, located just across the road from the Church grove, and was a center for Saturday baseball games during the summer for those who were able to forego the attractions of the County Seat and others who stopped by on their return from that congrega- tional rendezvous. August was the month for social functions; since crops, had been "laid by" and farmers, while not entirely freed from work, found its pressure greatly lessened. This meant that the young people could conveniently gather in various homes during the evening, either in response to a specific invi- tation to a party or by way of simply "dropping in." The Christmas season of 191 6 was an occasion of which recol- lections still remain so far as at least one of the participants in its series of festivities is concerned. Centering around the Aber- nethy, Barnhardt, and Black homes at Pioneer Mills, with an ex- cursion to the W. D. Harrys', some nine miles to the north and on beyond Harrisburg, what now would probably be termed simple pleasures of that week of more than thirty years ago are yet among the bright memories of one who was at home for the holidays from college. In this connection, that same student can still recall an expe- rience, of the sort which it is rather difficult to forget, associated with a trip by train from Charlotte to Harrisburg in the fall of 19 1 6. Two ladies were seated just in front of the traveller; and it soon became apparent that they were whiling away the four- teen miles, or thirty minutes, of the journey with a discussion, not only of their new pastor, but of the entire Spence family. It was with some relief that the not disinterested listener heard 146 NINETEEN HUNDRED AND AFTER them each profess an incompetence to pass judgement upon their unsuspected auditor on the grounds that he had been away from home for the greater part of the time since the arrival of the Spences at Rocky River, thereby depriving them of an oppor- tunity either to note his virtues or to observe his vices, though their conclusions may not have been couched in these precise terms. In 1920 the Rocky River choir won for the fourth time a silver cup which had been offered for competition among the various choirs which gathered for the annual Sunday School conven- tions, thereby securing permanent possession of this trophy. 38 At one of these contests, a partisan of a neighboring congregation and an elder from Rocky River came near resorting to blows as a sequel to acute discord growing out of this rivalry in sacred harmony. The Church focused much of her attention upon the War during the years 191 7-1 9 18, and a number of her sons entered the armed services. Gold mining activities at Pioneer Mills, three miles to the south of the Church, were resumed, after a lapse of many years. Much of the energy expended in this connection, however, was consumed in pumping water from the shaft of the long disused mine, and the yield of metal was negligible. The extensive dependence of the Congregation upon farming as a source of income, coupled with the fact that much of the land in the general vicinity of the Church was in the hands of non-Presbyterians, proved an element of financial weakness over a long period of years. It was not until the general introduction of the motor car that it was possible for those employed in Con- cord, and other industrial centers, to reside in the bounds of the congregation and find such gainful employment where work of this type was available. The condition of the Church building and that of its surround- ing grove were subjects of discussion at the annual meeting of 38 Inscription on cup. 147 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER the Congregation held on January 10, 1923. At this time plans were made for considerable repair work on the Church. 39 It was also decided to prune those trees which appeared to call for such treatment and to plant additional ones in certain spots on the grounds. 40 In the fall of that year (1923), the Synod of North Carolina, evidently moved by a study of the State map which shows Cabar- rus County in the role of an intruder into the territory of Meck- lenburg Presbytery, and demonstrating a more perfect acquaint- ance with geography than with Concord and Cabarrus traditions, took action transferring that county, together with its ministers and churches, to Mecklenburg, the presbytery of its obvious geographical affinity. 41 The Session of Rocky River joined the majority of such bodies in the County in petitioning Synod to rescind its order and restore Cabarrus to Concord Presbytery. 42 The retransfer was promptly effected by Synod in 1924, 43 which thereby tacitly and tactfully reaffirmed its adherence to the sec- tion of the Confession of Faith which teaches that courts of that gradation, as well as councils, are not to be judged universally inerrant. During this brief period when Rocky River was once more counted among the churches of Mecklenburg, a rather perplex- ing entry appears upon the minutes of that presbytery, in which it is asserted that "Rocky River Church was given permission to change its name to Morgan Memorial Church." 44 By way of clarification, it should be added that the Rocky River in question was a church located in a neighboring county which had pre- viously been associated with Mecklenburg Presbytery; and it is likely that the change was prompted by an understandable de- 39 III, 114. 40 in, 114. 41 Minutes of the Synod of North Carolina, Vol. 1923, p. 207. 42 III, 123. 43 Minutes of the Synod of North Carolina, Vol. 1924, p. 348. 44 Minutes of Mecklenburg Presbytery, fall 1923, p. 25. 148 NINETEEN HUNDRED AND AFTER sire to obviate the inevitable confusion of having two churches by the same name in one presbytery. 45 Additions to the Diaconate were made with the accession of F. W. Pharr and M. D. Reid to this body through vote of the Congregation, their ordination and installation taking place on February 22, 1925. 46 The desirability of some measures for keep- ing the different cemeteries associated with the Church in proper order had long been recognized; and on January 6, 1926, steps were initiated toward this end, with the selection of Ruling Eld- ers J. M. W. White, Sam Black, and W. M. Morrison, as a com- mittee to raise funds for the endowment of "the several grave- yards in which Rocky River Church is interested." 4T A report made to the Congregation five years later indicated that this fund then amounted to $99i.oo. 48 W. A. Alexander was ordained and installed as an elder on April 29, 1927, while, at the same time, Daniel Alexander and Floyd Parrish were added to the number of deacons. 49 The death of Elder J. H. Spears occurred in the year following (1928) on December io. 50 A two months' vacation was granted the Pastor in 1927 "in order that he might visit his people in Scotland and Ireland." 51 On the ensuing trip, Air. Spence spent the first week of June with the author and his wife in Dunfermline, Scotland, where the son, a divinity student at the University of Edinburgh, was serving as assistant to the pastor of the North United Free Church (now St. Johns). On Sunday, June 5, the Rocky River pastor was guest minister to that congregation in a town famed, in the long ago, for the pious and illustrious Queen Margaret and, 45 A situation existing in certain presbyteries at the present time. 46 III, 124. 47 III, 129-130. 48 III, 154. 49 III, 137. 50 III, 145. 51 III, 137. I49 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER in later years, as the birthplace of the wealthy and generous An- drew Carnegie. While the Church at Harrisburg had been set off from the parent congregation at Rocky River as early as 1903, the same pastor had continued to serve both churches, with services in the morning at Rocky River and in the afternoon at Harrisburg. In 1930 the pastoral relationship between Mr. Spence and Harris- burg was dissolved and this congregation secured a full-time min- ister in the person of Licentiate, and later Reverend, F. N. Wilson. 52 Mr. Spence's pastorate, which ended on March 31, 193 1, was the third longest in the extended history of Rocky River, only those clerical patriarchs, John M. Wilson and Daniel Penick, ex- ceeding him in length of service. He was later at nearby Patter- son Church, first as stated supply and then as pastor until his death on May 9, 1937. His grave, near the present Rocky River church building, is marked by an impressive stone, which, as indicated by the inscription which it bears, was erected by the churches of Harrisburg, Patterson, and Rocky River in apprecia- tion of his ministrations among these congregations, each occupy- ing territory which originally pertained to Rocky River. 53 JOHN ADDISON RICKS The next pastor was a young man, recently graduated from Union Seminary after having received his collegiate training at Davidson College. Rev. John A. Ricks was a native of Green- ville, North Carolina, born, like Dr. J. B. Mack, on Christmas Eve, but sixty-eight years later (1906). He was licensed by Con- cord Presbytery on October 4, 1932. 54 His ordination and in- stallation took place in Rocky River Church on October 30, of that year; and were in charge of a commission of Presbytery con- sisting of three ministers — C. M. Richards, T. H. Spence, and 52 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. XV, pp. 200, 215, 226, 244-245. 53 Ibid., Vols. XV, p. 191; XVI, p. 221. 54 Scott, p. 609. 150 ff" " ^^w ^i— %zn p \im tit !:.'!! H l hi urn.-* •»*- . wiiiiiinn t#m i j£M-- ^ r J P 4 y^j MpJI 'Sj^f; 2%J6t ft, v. 7'YA .*:-# tr S |^^ • ; .IKS, bp (jKTl T- 'V u " rt 2 ~ si r~ bp w >*■* C U o ►> 3 " H r T3 u S « e J= s x « o t ■ g <4 — _ U U — ££ — « ^ .2 >' « ° .c *S y s ° u '~ 7" IT* — r^X y u •*" u u _ o - Lh a > £5 "« '5 X r , Vol. XVI, p. 437. 155 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Ruling Elder John J. Barnhardt constituted the commission of Presbytery for his installation on July 27.* The new pastor was born at Elberton, Georgia, August 8, 1883. He attended Presbyterian College of South Carolina and Davidson in succession, graduating from the latter in 1904. The degree of Bachelor of Divinity was received from Columbia Sem- inary five years later. Mr. Wilcox was pastor at Walhalla, South Carolina, 1909-19 1 5; Bennettsville, in the same State, 191 5—1926; and had gone to the Vineville Church in the latter year. During his ministry at Walhalla, he was married to Miss Stiles Marion Coe of Richland, South Carolina, the ceremony taking place on October 4, 191 1. 5 Henry Wilcox, a brother of the pastor, made the Church a gift of new hymn books several months after the ministerial member of the family came to Rocky River. 6 Clarence F. Blume, Eugene P. Morrison, and Clegg M. Mc- Cachren were elected deacons on October 13, 1942, and were ordained and installed on the 26th of that month. 7 Upon the res- ignation of Sam Black, who had served as superintendent of the Sunday School since 191 2, William Chenault Spence was elected his successor on March 31, i94i. s THE WAR The War of 1 941 -1945 could not fail to manifest its effects in the life of the community. Such secondary matters as ration- ing and shortages were, in spite of their frequent introduction into conversation, recognized as of minor consequence. That the sons of Rocky River were engaged in mortal struggle on battle- fields and aboard ships scattered around the world, was the thing that mattered. The Rocky River service flag carried numerous ^Ibid. 5 Scott, p. 770. 6 III, 216. 7 III, 219. 8 III, 212. 156 TO SERVE THE PRESENT AGE stars, two of which were wrought in gold before the end of the conflict. Peter Boger Bost, son of Peter Boger and Jenny Hudson Bost, was the first such casualty. He was born in Cabarrus County, December 20, 1905, and was baptized in May of the following year. 9 At an early age he united with Rocky River upon pro- fession of faith. 10 He was a student at Mount Pleasant Collegiate Institute and later attended Davidson College, participating ex- tensively in athletics both during his school and college days and in later life. 11 Boger enlisted in the Marine Corps, receiving his basic train- ing at Parris Island, South Carolina. While stationed at Norfolk, Virginia, he became ill, and was taken to the Naval Hospital at Washington, where his death occurred on July 29, 1943. Funeral services were held at Rocky River and he was buried at Boger's Chapel, the resting place of his Father, who died when Boger was an infant. 12 John Daniel Boger, the second Rocky River boy to give his life in the service of his country during the late War, was born on April 5, 1920, on the Old Charlotte Road, several miles to the south of Concord. He was the son of Charles E. and Elise Barnhardt Boger, and grandson of John A. and Sallie E. Barn- hardt. John was baptized on November 14, 1920, and was re- ceived into full membership of Rocky River Church on May 3, 193 1. He attended the public schools in Concord and was a grad- uate of North Carolina State College at Raleigh. 13 Immediately after graduation he entered the Quartermaster Corps, and, after eleven months of service, was transferred to the Army Air Corps. For two years he served as instructor in 9 Anna S. Spence, Rocky River Casualties in the Great War. 10 Ibid. 11 Ibid. 12 Ibid.; History of Cabarrus County in the Wars, p. 19. 13 Anna S. Spence, Rocky River Casualties; Rocky River Church, Service of Dedication of Audio-Visual Equipment. 157 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER the Gulf Coast Training Command. Assigned to overseas serv- ice, he flew over the Holy Land on Christmas Eve, 1944, on the way to India where he was stationed. In the course of his third trip from Kurmitola, India, to Kumching, China, he was reported missing in action on January 6, 1945. At the time of his death he held the rank of Captain. "Captain Boger had a reputation for energy and earnestness of purpose," wrote General Carl Spaatz, Commandant of the Air Corps, in a letter addressed to his Parents under date of April 19, 1946; and the same officer added, "His many friends will not forget the competence and integrity which marked him." 14 On the afternoon of Sunday, May 2, 1948, a special service was held in the Church. At this time a complete collection of audio-visual equipment was presented to the Congregation by the immediate family of Captain Boger in memory of this young son of Rocky River. The presentation was made by James Philip Boger and the speech of acceptance by William Chenault Spence, as General Superintendent of the Sunday School. 15 Not since the erection of the Manse in the 1870's had a con- struction project of major proportions been undertaken at Rocky River. The need of additional space for the activities of the Sun- day School and the desirability of a community center had be- come more and more apparent, while the church building itself stood in need of renovation and the addition of a heating plant. Under the leadership of Mr. Wilcox, who by this time had not only evidenced an enthusiasm of his own, but had revealed that happy ability to impart it to others, an initial step toward the providing of such equipment was taken at a congregational meet- ing held on April 25, 1943. At this time a committee, consisting of W. K. Alexander, J. Lee White, Hoyte McCachren, W. M. Morrison, and William Chenault Spence, was appointed to "draw 14 History of Cabarrus County in the Wars, p. 19; Anna S. Spence, Rocky River Casualties. 15 Rocky River Church, Service of Dedication of Audio-Visual Equipment. 158 TO SERVE THE PRESENT AGE plans and solicit funds for the Community Building." 16 In this connection it was proposed "to make a list of former members and sons and daughters of Rocky River" which would be utilized in the raising of these desired funds. This duty was entrusted to R. A. Alexander, W. E. Alexander, Sam Black, E. A. Morrison, Ralph Morrison, and F. W. Pharr. 17 Looking toward what was termed the "Church Improvement Program," a committee was constituted of all the officers of the Church with F. M. Parrish as chairman. 18 An attractive folder of six pages was distributed which was addressed "To the Chil- dren who have gone out from her and to other friends of Rocky River Presbyterian Church," setting forth the need for the pro- posed building and soliciting the support of those to whom the publication was directed. The estimated cost of the new struc- ture was, at that time, set at $2 5,ooo.oo. 19 A drawing of the ex- terior of the building as originally envisioned and three floor plans were presented. 20 But it was not proposed to call upon the Sons and Daughters of the Church without having the then present members do their part in the program for improving the plant and facilities. The membership undertook, within five years, to i, Install a mod- ern heating plant in the church building; 2, Renovate and repair the interior of that structure, including a new roof, but without changing the appearance of the venerable building; 3, Beautify the premises; 4, Obtain the services of a full-time caretaker; 5, In- stall an organ. 21 The appeal of the publication was enhanced by the reproduction of photographs of the Church and Manse, to- gether with a view of the Session House before restoration and another after it had been thus improved. 16 III, 223. 17 III, 223. 18 III, 223. 19 Rocky River Church, Progress! Posterity! Perpetuation! 20 Ibid. 21 Ibid. l S9 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER In the autumn of 1947, another booklet was published with a drawing of the Church and proposed Sunday School building on the front cover. This was the work of Col. J. Norman Pease of Charlotte, authority on ante-bellum design, who had prepared plans for the new building in keeping with the architectural fea- tures of the Church. It was reported that the cost of the addition, which was to be connected with the Church by a colonade, had risen, along with almost everything else, to $50,000.00; and that one-half of the necessary sum was in hand. 22 "Rocky River's early contribution to Christian Education" was portrayed in the booklet, with a note on Rocky River Academy of the early Nineteenth Century, and a list of its twenty-five ministerial alumni. A catalogue of Rocky River pastors was also included. 23 The "Building Committee," as indicated by this publication, consisted of Harvey Wilson Moore of Charlotte, great-grandson of Rev. John Makemie Wilson, Chairman; William H. Barnhardt of Charlotte, son of the late J. A. Barnhardt and himself a son of Rocky River; Thomas M. Barnhardt, likewise of Charlotte, grandson of Rocky River; Hugh M. Grey of Concord, grand- son of Dr. James M. Wharey; Fred Wilson Morrison of Wash- ington, D. C, son of Rocky River; Jones Y. Pharr of Concord, son of Rocky River; and the Pastor. 24 John J. Barnhardt was to render significant service in connection with the work of this group. By this time, Mrs. Edna Parsley Barnhardt of Charlotte had arranged for the installation of a Hammond organ and chimes in the sanctuary. This gift was made in memory of her husband, Charles Eugene Barnhardt (1883-1938), and was dedicated at a service held on the afternoon of Sunday, June 23, 1946. Samuel Goodman was guest organist and Buford Goodman, guest pian- ist. The program for the occasion described Mr. Barnhardt as 22 Rocky River Church, Report on the Progress toward Perpetuating for Posterity. 23 Ibid. 2i lbid. 160 Harvey Wilson AIoore Chairman Thomas M. Barnhardt John J. Barnhardt William H. Barnhardt LEADERS IN BUILDING PROGRAM (i) TO SERVE THE PRESENT AGE one who "was born in our community, baptized in our church and confessed his faith in Christ before our session." 2o One of Rocky River's long links with a memorable past was severed on August 27, 1946, with the death of Mrs. W. H. (Fran- ces Dorton) Hudson. She was a great-granddaughter of Rev. John Makemie Wilson, and had passed her ninety-third birthday at the time of her homegoing. Airs. Elizabeth Stafford Howie, a member of the Church for sixty-four years, died on October 1 2 at the age of eighty-five. 26 In consequence of an election held in the following year, William W. Carriker, James Ray Flowers, and John Scott Pharr began their work as deacons on March 3, 1947. 27 The May Meeting of 1947 was the occasion of the return of the son of a former pastor, when Rev. Samuel Baxter Lapsley, son of Rev. James Lapsley and nephew and namesake of the pioneer missionary to the Congo, was the visiting preacher. On this Sunday, May 4, printed church bulletins were distributed to the worshippers for the first time in the history of the Congre- gation. The year 1948 was marked by the death of two elders, long and intimately associated with Rocky River. William McKee Morrison died on May 15, and Sam Black on December 1 1. Each was prominent in the affairs of their community and county, but both were best known for their association with the Church. They were born and spent their entire lives in its vicinity, and were laid to rest in the cemetery which is hallowed by the re- mains of three pastors, a number of deacons, and many of the ruling elders of the Congregation. Of wise and deliberate judgement, Mr. Morrison, who was gen- erally greeted as Buck by his friends and neighbors, lent recur- rent aid in the consideration and conduct of the affairs of the 25 Rocky River Church, Service of Dedication — Memorial Organ and Chimes. 26 Anna S. Spence, History of Woman's Auxiliary of Rocky River Church, 1 946- 1 947. 27 III, 238-239. l6l CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Church. He was elected an elder in 1920, 28 and served loyally and constructively as a member of the Session until the time of his death. On September 10, 1 919, he was married to Miss Ethel Hudson, great-great-granddaughter of Rev. John M. Wilson. 29 Sam Black, or Squire, as he was widely and affectionately known to young and old alike, occupies a unique place in the history of the Church. Son of John M. Black, who was a mem- ber of the Session for forty-one years, he himself became an elder in 1 9 1 1 . During the following year he was made superin- tendent of the Sunday School and Clerk of the Session. 30 Al- together, he served on that body for thirty-seven years, acted as its Clerk for thirty-six, and as Sunday School superintendent for twenty-nine. A familiar figure as the congregation gathered for worship from Sabbath to Sabbath, the offices of trust which he was chosen to fill testify to the esteem in which he was held by the Church. His invitations to the Woman's Auxiliary to schedule their an- nual "all-day" meetings at his home during the summer season were accepted with recollections of his former, and in anticipa- tion of his future, hospitality on such occasions. As one who touched the life of the Church at numerous points, he has now taken his place in a tradition stretching back across the many, many years that have passed since Presbyterians began to wor- ship God on Rocky River. Following the death of Mr. Black, S. Corum Pharr was elected Clerk of Session, after serving for a time as Acting Clerk. 31 In the spring of 1 949, Deacons Clarence F. Blume, Eugene P. Mor- rison, Clegg M. McCachren, together with Troy H. Linker and William M. White, were added to the eldership. 32 The Board of Deacons having been thus depleted through the loss of the first 28 in, 103. 29 Lore and Morrison, op. cit., p. 225. 30 HI, 57- 31 III, 258. 32 III, 256, 258. 162 TO SERVE THE PRESENT AGE three of these new elders, it was decided to add to its number; whereupon, Foy B. Parrish and James R. Morrison, in addition to all the foregoing, were inducted into office on April 3 of that year. 33 DEDICATION OF EDUCATIONAL BUILDING Sunday, May 1, 1949, was among the great and glorious days in the history of Rocky River, for on that date the dedication of the Educational Building took place. Saturday had been marked by persistent and excessive rainfall, and the early light of the Sabbath disclosed low hanging clouds of threatening mein. This resulted in the making of preparations to serve dinner to the expected attendants in the new building, if this should prove necessary. 34 Never had the grounds looked lovelier than as early arrivals began to gather for Sunday School. Not only had the grove been put into fine condition, but the results of extensive grading and the laying of gravel driveways in the vicinity of the church were apparent. J. Lee White was responsible for these latter improve- ments, which were carried out at his personal expense. After the usual Sunday School, the eleven o'clock service, at which the writer was privileged to preach, was concluded with the traditional observance of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The offering, in keeping with a long standing custom, was des- ignated for the cause of Foreign Missions. By this time, weather indications were such as to warrant the spreading of dinner upon two long tables which had been set up in the grove; and it was here that this meal was served. Rev. Locke White, D. D., member of a family long associated with Rocky River and pastor of historic New Providence Church in Virginia, preached the dedicatory sermon at a service beginning at two-thirty in the afternoon. The text was I Chroni- 33 III, 258. 34 The writer has drawn upon his presence on this occasion for certain facts. 163 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER cles 29:3, and his topic "Devotion for the house of the Lord." The Pastor presided at the service of dedication in the absence of Harvey W. Moore, who was prevented from attending by illness. The Scripture lesson was read by Dr. White from a hand- some Bible which was later sent by Mr. Wilcox, in the name of the Congregation, to Mr. Moore in recognition of his untiring and visibly fruitful service as Chairman of the Building Com- mittee. 35 John J. Barnhardt, a son of Rocky River, who had taken a prominent part in the financing and construction of the edifice, made the formal presentation of the new building, which was accepted by Ralph Morrison, a trustee of the Church. The con- gregation then adjourned to the court between the two buildings for the Litany, conducted by Mr. Wilcox, followed by the prayer of dedication, the latter led by Rev. John A. Carriker, who went into the ministry from Rocky River. The church choir, directed by Mrs. R. A. Sappenfield, Jr., was assisted by that of Mitchell College, which rendered several appropriate special numbers during the day. 36 While the program, as printed for the dedication, called for "Inspection of the Building" after the second service, many guests took advantage of the period preceding the afternoon as- sembly for this revealing tour. They found a structure, furnished and equipped, which would do credit to any congregation, rep- resenting a total outlay of $82,500. From the attractive nursery to the dignified and fittingly furnished session room, the plant was one to bring joy to the hearts of all lovers of Rocky River. It was a long hark from the first rude house of logs erected for the worship of God by the people of the community two cen- turies before. The occasion was not complete for large numbers without a 35 Concord Tribune, May 2, 1949, p. 1; Historical Foundation News, July 1949, p. 1. 36 Concord Tribune, May 2, 1949, p. 1; Rocky River Church, Bulletin, May 1, 1949. 164 I Iugh M. Grey Fred Wilson .Morrison Jones Y. Pharr J. Lee White Chairman Congregational Building Committee LEADERS IN BUILDING PROGRAM (2) TO SERVE THE PRESENT AGE trip to the cemetery to the rear of the church where many a loved one slept after having served God in their day and gen- eration. Then, with the departure of the worshippers and the coming of night, the day ended; but only to mark the beginning of a more effective ministry in the name of God on the part of Rocky River, to be made possible by the splendid building which had been consecrated to the advancement of His Kingdom and the glory of His Name during its course. Concerning the beneficence of the Sons and Daughters of Rocky River, combined with the efforts of the current congre- gation, the Editor of the Concord Presbyterian, the official pub- lication of the Presbytery, was soon to write: "They have made Rocky River one of the best equipped country churches in our Assembly — it is doubtful if there is another quite so well equipped." 37 Seventy-five years before, Daniel Lindley, whose local jour- neying and world travels must surely have served to make him an authority on the subject, had characterized the roads around Rocky River as "probably the worst under the sun." 3S Now, at provokingly long last, a hard-surfaced highway was built to the Church, being completed in the summer of 1949. Rocky River was given an opportunity to utilize her newly acquired facilities for the entertainment of friends throughout Concord Presbytery when that court held its spring meeting for 1950 in the Church. This was on April n, and the following extract from the report of the Committee on Resolutions, as adopted by the Presbytery, gives expression to a sense prevalent on that occasion: We came here to do the Lord's work, but we have paused many times during the day to rejoice in the Lord's handiwork, to note unmistakable evidence of the Providential Hand which alone could have shaped such a people and such a place. 39 37 Concord Presbyterian, May 15, 1949, p. 3. 38 E. W. Smith, Life and Times of Daniel Lindley, p. 432. 39 Minutes of Concord Presbytery, Vol. XVIII, p. 134. 165 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER For the visitor to Rocky River is not only reminded of her sto- ried past, but also of Him Whose gracious will has guided that people across the cumulated years. On Sunday, May 7, 1950, a large bronze tablet, set in the out- side of the east wall of the church, was unveiled. This plaque bears the following restrainedly impressive wording: COMMEMORATING ROCKY RIVER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ORGANIZED ABOUT 175 1 CABARRUS COUNTY FORMERLY MECKLENBURG ALEXANDER CRAIGHEAD CALLED AS REGULAR PASTOR APRIL 1758. HE INSTILLED PRINCIPLES OF CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN THE PEOPLE HE SERVED AND IN 1771-1775 THEY ANNOUNCED TO THE WORLD THEIR IDEA OF INDEPENDENCE ALL DELEGATES TO CELEBRATED CONVENTION IN CHARLOTTE MAY 1775, WERE FROA4 THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF MECKLENBURG COUNTY, OF WHICH THIS IS THE MOTHER CHURCH. ERECTED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA SOCIETY OF COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA UNDER AUSPICES OF THE CABARRUS COUNTY COMMITTEE 1950 Participants in the attendant exercises included Harvey W. Moore, Tommy Pharr, Thomas R. Smith, Jr., Mrs. Thomas R. Smith of Albemarle, North Carolina, and W. G. Caswell, a former principal of the Academy. 40 40 Concord Tribune, May 8, 1950, pp. 1-2. 166 TO SERVE THE PRESENT AGE Gifts reported by the Church for the year 1 949-1 950 were in excess of those of any like period in the history of Rocky River, with a total of $ 1 5,407 contributed to all causes. 41 In 1951, when William Chenault Spence, who had held office for ten years, relinquished the superintendency of the Sunday School, Wilton A. McCachren was elected as his successor. 42 It is a noteworthy fact that, beginning with the induction of A. Newton Harris as superintendent in 1900, only four persons have served in this capacity. Ruling Elder William E. Alexander died on August 6, 1952, at the age of eighty-four; and the Session took appreciative offi- cial action concerning his service to the Church. 43 As has been true in so many instances in the past, a son continues the work of the family as an official of the Congregation. In this case, William Kemp Alexander has held the office of Deacon since 1934. Yet another historic occurrence is to be noted; for on the afternoon of Sunday, September 6, 1953, formal recognition, embodied in permanent form, was taken of the gift of the Edu- cational Building by the children of Rocky River. This was in the nature of the unveiling of a "Plaque of Appreciation" which records the gratitude of the local congregation to the donors of the structure. With the Pastor, Rev. George M. Wilcox, pre- siding, the Plaque was unveiled by Mrs. John W. Russell and Mrs. G. Alvice Miller. The speaker for the exercises was J. Lee W T hite, Chairman of the Local Building Committee. His address was followed by the consideration of a subject which proved, not only aptly appropriate for the occasion, but a fitting one with which to close the record of the Lord's work through two centuries among the people on Rocky River — "We Look into the Future." 44 41 Minutes of the General Assembly, 1950, pp. 218-219. 42 III, 280. 43 III, 305. 44 Rocky River Church, Bulletin, Sept. 6, 1953, 2:00 p.m. 167 May Meeting There is more to the story than can be expressed through words or set down in characters upon the pages of a book. To belong to Rocky River is an experience to be forever cherished by all those who have been initiated into the gracious fellowship of her children, and one which can never be forgotten by any of that privileged number. And the epitome of such realization is to be discerned in the May Meeting, that hallowed home- coming of mystic fascination for all who have gone forth from the sacred precincts of the Mother Church. For many years the first Sunday in the month of May has been set apart as the season for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, the corresponding Sunday in September being observed in like manner, while a later custom of holding a winter com- munion service has been revived during the recent past. A morn- ing meeting for worship, culminating in the Sacrament, such as was described in the preceding chapter, is followed by dinner in the grove, at which the attendants customarily gather by families in the fashion of ancient Israel. A second assembly is held in the afternoon, after which the congregation, drawn not only from the immediate membership of Rocky River, but derived in large part from those whose roots are there, is loath to depart. It is the day of days, as it were, the Christian counterpart of the Pass- over, Pentecost, and Tabernacles all combined in one. It has been said by them of olden time that no one could fully appreciate the meaning of rejoicing who had not been present 168 MAY MEETING at the symbolic pouring out of the water at the Feast of Tab- ernacles. The Sons and Daughters of Rocky River repeatedly echo this blessed conviction as they convene in the grove to hold fellowship with one another, and then pass on into the church to gather around the Table of the Lord. In that high and holy hour but scant imagination is required to look back across the two centuries past to that far-off day when some itinerant herald of the Evangel, ministering in the name of the Saviour, took bread and blessed and brake it in celebration of the first such service in the community. The May Meeting not only reflects the joy of the treasured feasts of Israel, but stands as an earnest of that uninterrupted o-atherino - around the Father's table, when the saints of all a^es shall drink anew of the fruit of the vine in the blessed Kingdom of their Redeemer. It is not only a backward look to the days of Alexander Craighead, and John Makemie Wilson, and Daniel Lindley, and Father Penick, but a prospect of the time when they, and those who follow them across the intervening years, shall assemble in that house not made with hands, at the end of the age, beside the waters of another River, which flow forever by the throne of God. 169 Appendix u — CD = r^ — w - u 13 ? Su o ^ § CD — H w c- (H u o Z c-^< < o u •- C « •r" «> =3 r* § c • o -c u "art ■< bo" ^ "^ -»^ qj K ■u. H) tr »£ APPENDIX B. THE ELDERSHIP— Continued Troy H. Linker 1949- Clegg M. McCachren 1949- Clerk of Session, 1952— Eugene P. Morrison William M. White 1949- 1949- C. THE DIACONATE John M. W. Alexander J. Melancthon Black John Dwight Morrison Elam M. Query David Henry White Matthias L. Harris LeRov McKee Morrison Robert L. Query Joseph R. White Robert Benton White J. Lafayette Stafford John M. W. White Robert A. Gourley Alexander Newton Harris John A. Barnhardt Julius B. Morrison James M. Harris John Harvey Spears William E. Harris E. E. Gribble William N. Spears 1867-] 904 1867-1 875 1867-1 881 1867- 888 1867- 874 1872- 878 1874-, 903 1875- 877 1875- 877 1875- 886 1877-; 1877- 878 1879-: 1879- 889 1882- [889 1885-: 1889- [895 1889- [918 1890- 1900 1891- '899 1891- 1926 Edward S. Erwin ? James C. Thompson ? W. Edney Harris 1901 Abner D. Wilson 1901 W. Albert Alexander 1908 R. Arthur Alexander ? C. Samuel McCurdy ? Frank W. Pharr Mack D. Reid Daniel Alexander Floyd M. Parrish Mack C. Howie John W. Russell John C. Sossamon William Kemp Alexander Charles M. Miller Clarence F. Blume Clegg M. McCachren 1942 Eugene P. Morrison 1942 William W. Carriker James Ray Flowers John Scott Pharr Foy B. Parrish James R. Morrison 1925- 1925- 1927- 1927- J 933- !933" J933- 1934- *934" 1942- •1927 ■1898 -1926 ■1906 ■191 1 -1951 -1934 -1934 -1944 1937 ! 949 1949 1949 J 947~ J 947- J 947- 1949- 1949- D. SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS Joseph Flinn Samuel Morrison John M. Black 1832 J. Dwight Morrison ?-i! Abram C. Alexander and 1 880-1! John R. Wilson 175 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER D. SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS— Continued Abram C. Alexander Samuel Black 1912-1941 and 1881- -1883 William Chenault Augustine Osborne Spence 1941-1951 Abram C. Alexander 1883- -1887 Wilton A. Elam Columbus Davis 1887- -1900 McCachren 1951- Alexander N. Harris 1900- -1912 E. PRESIDENTS OF THE WOMEN OF THE CHURCH AND PRECEDING ORGANIZATIONS The following are known to Mrs. D. A. (Agnes) Penick Mrs. S. A. Grier Rev. Jno. G. Anderson Rev. R. V. Lancaster Mrs. W. C. Taylor Mrs. J. C. Black Mrs. Harvey Spears Mrs. T. H. Spence A4rs. Edward Erwin Mrs. F. W. Pharr Mrs. R. A. Sappenfield have served in this capacity: Mrs. Frank Teeter Mrs. W. M. Morrison Mrs. W. M. Linker Mrs. Eugene Morrison Mrs. Hoyte McCachren Mrs. John Russell Mrs. George Wilcox Mrs. Ray Flowers Mrs. W. M. White Mrs. Wilton A. A4cCachren F. MINISTERS FROM ROCKY RIVER Name Edgar F. Alexander John A. Carriker Robert Davis Thomas E. Davis John M. Erwin William Flinn Joseph M. Harris James Aiorrison James E. Morrison Richard C. Morrison Robert H. Morrison William N. Morrison Born Ordained Died 1866 1892 1895 1892 1919 1818 1845 1871 1809 1845 1883 1789 ? 1840 1818 1845 1894 1870 1899 l 795 1817 1870 1805 1834 1892 1862 1893 1930 1798 1821 1889 1810 1837 1885 176 APPENDIX F. A4INISTERS FROM ROCKY RIVER— Continued Daniel A. Penick, Jr. 1834 1858 1922 Peter T. Penick 1826 1850 1886 Henry N. Pharr 1799 1825 1862 Walter S. Pharr 1790 1820 1866 Walter W. Pharr 1813 1844 1886 William W. Pharr 1832 1858 1912 George H. Ricks 191 1 *939 Thomas H. Spence, Jr. 1899 1924 A. Walker White 1850 1883 !935 Alexander E. Wilson 1803 1834 1 841 John M. Wilson, Jr. 1808 1837 1881 G. PATRIOTS AND SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD Rev. Hezekiah James Balch, pastor of Rocky River and Poplar Tent churches, prayed openly for the safety of the "Black Boys" while they were in hiding. William S. Alexander Thomas Allen Robert Anderson James Andrew William Andrew John Bigger (Constable) Robert Bigger John Black James Bradshaw John Bradshaw Robert Bradshaw James Burns Charles Caldwell (Constable) David Caldwell, Capt. John Caldwell Robert Caldwell Andrew Campbell Charles Campbell William Campbell John Carothers Robert Carothers. "Black Boy." Benjamin Cochran. "Black Boy." John Cochran Robert Cochran William Cochran John Davis Robert Davis. "Black Boy." Thomas Davis William Davis John Dickson Charles Dorton William Dorton William Driskill Alexander Ferguson Thomas Ferguson Thomas Gourley James Harris, Capt. Robert Harris, Capt. Robert Harris, Col., of Reedy Creek 177 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER G. PATRIOTS AND SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD— Continued Robert Harris, Col., of Rocky River Samuel Harris, Major Thomas Harris, Sheriff William Harris Joshua Headley. "Black Boy." Samuel Houie Thomas Irwin Nathaniel Johnston Alexander Kimmons Hugh Kimmons Valentine Kirkpatrick John McAnulty, Capt. James McClellan, Jr. James McClellan, Sgt. Hugh McEachern James McEachern Robert McEachern Thomas McFadden, Capt. Charles McGinnis, Colonel in Pa. Benjamin McGraw James McGraw Joseph McGraw David McKinley Allen McLain Alexander McLarty Alexander McLarty, Jr. Archibald McLarty Thomas McLure Robert McMurray James Martin Griffith Morris Duncan Morrison James Morrison John Morrison, d. 1777. John Morrison, to Tenn. Robert Morrison William Morrison (Big) William Morrison (Miller) John Neely David Newell Francis Newell John Newell William Newell Walter Pharr William Pickens James Plunkett James Plunkett, Jr. Alexander Porter David Purvians James Purvians Alexander Query Joseph Rogers Seth Rogers Francis Ross, Lt. Hugh Ross James Ross John Ross William Ross David Russell James Russell, Sgt. John Russell Robert Russell Robert Russell, Jr. Alexander Scott James Scott, Capt. John Scott William Scott Evan Shelby Moses Shelby Thomas Shelby John Simons Hugh Smith Francis Snell William Spears George Stafford 178 APPENDIX G. PATRIOTS AND SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD— Continued James Stafford James Stafford, Jr. John Stafford James Tagert David Taylor William Townsend William Voyles William Waddington Andrew Walker Aaron Wallace Thomas Watson Joseph Welch Andrew White Archibald White Archibald White, Jr. David White James White James White, Major. "Black Boy." John White, son of James. "Black Boy." John White, son of Thomas Joseph White Robert White Samuel White Thomas White William White, son of James. "Black Boy." William White, son of William. "Black Boy." Moses Wiley Oliver Wiley, Capt. H. CONFEDERATE CASUALTIES Name Dion E. Alexander Elam N. Alexander * John Milton Alexander Wm. Horace Alexander George W. H. Andrew * Robert McK. W. Bigger James A. Black John Lee Black Robert M. Caldwell * Thomas M. Erwin Edwin M. Harris * Milas E. Harris * William C. Harris * William Johnston * McAmy W. Kirkpatrick Joseph R. McAnulty Albert B. A4cClellan * John S. McCommon Cicero Hector McEachern Died Age Place of Death July 3, 1863 20 Gettysburg 1864 37 Rock Island, 111. July 5, 1862 35 Richmond July 9, 1862 Richmond Oct. 14, 1863 3° Bristoe Station July 25, 1863 30 July 4, 1862 33 June 10, 1863 28 Virginia May 3, 1863 26 Chancellorsville July 3, 1863 Gettysburg July 24, 1863 26 Petersburg Aug. 26, 1864 2 4 Spottsylvania May 3, 1863 3 1 Petersburg May 4, 1863 28 Fredericksburg Aug. 16, 1864 26 Ox Hill June 27, 1862 29 Cold Harbor July 8, 1862 2 3 Richmond 1862 Hospital July 28, 1864 36 179 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER H. CONFEDERATE CASUALTIES— Continued Name Died Age Place of Death Z. Monroe McEachern 22 Chancellorsville J. M. W. McKindley July 10, 1862 3 2 James Alexander McLarty Sept. 3, 1862 3 2 Joseph G. Martin Oct. 3, 1864 Adolphus Mehaffey * May 6, 1864 33 Wilderness Joseph Mc. Miller July 9, 1863 Gettysburg John McKemie Morrison * May 3, 1864 n Richmond Quincy C. Morrison * Aug. 7, 1863 35 Thomas H. Neely * Feb. 9, 1863 2 9 Richmond Cicero H. Pharr Feb. 1865 36 Federal prison John Calhoun Pharr Apr. 7, 1865 30 Richmond John E. S. Pharr Sept. 11, 1863 Fredericksburg John Milton Pharr Sept. 2, 1862 33 Fairfax C. H. Rolin Watkins Pharr * May 12, 1862 18 Wm. Roland Pharr * Nov. 28, 1863 2 5 Hospital James Penick Query * Oct. 26, 1863 25 Salisbury John N. Query Sept. 17, 1862 2 5 Sharpsburg Robert Sidney Query Feb. 1865 44 Hilton Head, S.C. McKemie Wilson Russell Sept. 17, 1862 34 Sharpsburg Eli Jefferson Smith Sept. 1, 1863 2 4 Ox Hill Hugh J. Smith Nov. 10, 1863 2 9 Isaac N. Smith March 1863 22 Camp Wm. White Smith May 3, 1863 2 7 Chancellorsville Calvin A. Snell Oct. 18, 1862 30 Cyrus A. D. Snell * Nov. 10, 1862 28 Josiah W. Spears Richmond Winslow F. Spears Apr. 8, 1862 2 3 Erastus S. Stancil Dec. 13, 1862 2 5 Fredericksburg Wm. Lindley Stancil March 1863 2 3 Lynchburg James H. Walker * July 1, 1863 3 2 Gettysburg James Hall Walker * Apr. 7, 1862 36 Joe Calvin Welch Aug. 2, 1862 33 Alexander R. White July 26, 1864 26 Richmond Daniel C. White * Jan. 2, 1862 2 5 Camp Francis M. White Apr. 3, 1862 26 Camp Franklin Orr White July 1863 2 7 Gettysburg James E. White June 1864 Spottsylvania ISO APPENDIX H. CONFEDERATE CASUALTIES— Continued Name Died Age Place of Death James Milton White July 28, 1864 20 Reams' Station John Wilson White June 3, 1863 2 4 Petersburg Marshall Lindley White June 29, 1862 21 Willis' Chapel Phillip P. White 1862 20 Camp Richard Jay White May 12, 1864 2 4 Spottsylvania Thomas Hall White * Feb. 9, 1863 2 9 Richmond Washington B. White June 27, 1862 36 Gaines' Mill William Shaw White Sept. 30, 1864 25 Near Petersburg Wm. Robinson White July 1863 2 9 Gettysburg * Marker in Rocky River cemetery. I. QUARTERS OF THE CONGREGATION The Quarters, or districts into which the Congregation was di- vided for purposes of administration and supervision, were set off during the pastorate of Hezekiah James Balch. The First or, as afterward called, Smith Quarter had as its original elder James Morrison. Others who, with their families, resided in this quarter were William Andrew, John Caldwell, Andrew Davis, Alexander Kimmons, Charles, David, and John McKinley, James W. Morgan, John and Robert Morrison, Walter Smiley Pharr, Hugh and William Pickens, Joseph, Moses, and Seth Rogers, Francis, James, John, and William Ross, Moses and Thomas Shelby, Hugh Smith, James Snell, William Spears, Arthur and James Stafford, Sam- uel Stewart, Thomas and William Watson, Moses Wiley; and later, J. C. Barnhardt, Levi Parks, D. A. Penick, and Allison F. Woods. The Second, or Church Quarter, was under the care of Col. Rob- ert Harris of Reedy Creek. Here were found the families of An- drew, Charles, and Thomas Campbell, Robert and Thomas Davis, James and Thomas Harris, Alexander Huie, William Johnston, Rob- ert, Valentine, and William Kirkpatrick, Isaac, John, and Joseph McClellan, Hector, John, and Peter R. McEachern, Thomas Mc- Fadden, James McKinley, Francis, James, Laird, and Robert Mc- Murray, John Neely, Walter Pharr, James Porter, and James White. Later came the Archibald family, James, John, and Robert Carothers, Washington Harris, James L. Morrison, S. E. W. Pharr, John Phifer, and Nathan Phillips. The Third, known as Black's Quarter, was first under the super- 181 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER vision of Francis Newell. In this territory lived John and Joseph Bigger, John and Melancthon Black, James and John Bradshaw, Charles Dorton, Thomas Erwin, Robert and Thomas Gourley, John Hartwick, William Hudson, William McAnulty, Archibald Mc- Curdy, the McEacherns, David McKinley, David Miller, James Plunkett, James Purvians, James S. Russell, Chas. E. Sehorn, John and Martin Sossamon, George Teeter, Aaron Wallace, James Walker, and Archibald, John, Samuel, and Thomas White. The Fourth was known as the Query Quarter. Its first elder was David Caldwell. Families within its borders were those of the Coch- rans — John, Robert, and William, John Gingles, Robert Harris of Rocky River and Robert Harris, Jr., along with William Harris, David Long, Charles C. McGinnis, Samuel Pharr, Alexander Query, and James Wilson, together with others living beyond what is now Harrisburg. The Fifth was eventually to be known as the Factory Quarter, and its elder was William Scott. In this quarter resided William S. Alex- ander, William H. Archibald, James Ashmore, Hezekiah James Balch, James Burns, John Dickson, Alexander Ferguson, Joshua Headley, Peter and Samuel Huie, Charles McCommon, Griffith Mor- ris, Benjamin, Joseph, and Samuel Patron, John Phifer, John Rodg- ers, David and James and Robert Russell, Alexander and John Scott, James Tagert, Lewis Townsend, Andrew Walker, and William White. As the Congregation grew, another quarter, presided over by James Bradshaw, Sr., was formed by a division of Number Five; but this was discontinued in 1820. When Rocky River was first established it served a wide radius but as other churches were organized — Sugar Creek, Poplar Tent, and Clear Creek (Philadelphia) — the lines were shortened; and it was after this that the quarters were instituted. With the passing of time, there were changes in the family names whereby the different quarters were designated. J. EARLY GRAVEYARDS There are a number of graveyards with legible markers still stand- ing in which early members of Rocky River were buried. The larger of these are the old burying ground across the Concord Road from the present church building, Spears Graveyard, about one and one- 182 APPENDIX half miles to the Southeast, and the cemetery to the rear of the church. In addition, some of the men and women associated with Rocky River in the years gone by were laid to rest in the Pharr and Stafford burying grounds, at Rocky Ridge, at Zion Church, and in the Memorial Garden in Concord, as well as other spots not listed above. In the case of the two oldest graveyards with markers bearing inscriptions, the old Rocky River and Spears, names appearing upon the stones are indicated, together with the substance of the vital data relating to the persons concerned. Abbreviations employed in this connection are obvious: d. for died, a. for age (at time of death), and dau. for daughter. Old Rocky River Sarah Alexander, wife of Wm. S. A., d. Nov. 27, 1799; William S. Alexander d. Oct. 26, 1826, a. 75; Elizabeth Alexander (Black), wife of W. S. B., d. Nov. 29, 1796; James Burns d. Nov. 14, 1817, a. 49; Penelope Burns d. Dec. 28, 1830, a. 59; Penelope C. Burns d. Dec. 28, 1839, a. 17; Samuel Burns d. June 9, 1799, a. 10 months; Andrew Campbell d. Oct. 14, 1796, a. 41; Margrat Carother, wife of Rob- ert C, d. Aug. 12, 1 794, a. 40; Walter Fair d. Dec. 22, 1799, a. 59; Zeno Kirkpatrick d. Dec. 10, ?, a. 2; James M. McKinley, Oct. 19, 1783 — Jan. 5, 18 10; Rebecca McKinley, wife of J. M. McK., Nov. 5, 178 1— Sept. 20, 1825; Thomas McLellan d. Nov. 29, 1807, a. 25; (See final paragraph be- low); M. W. A. 58 1804; M. S. W. A. 97 1799; Abagail Morrison d. Oct. 6, 1825, a. 65; Catherine Morrison, Sept. 12, 1789 — Oct. 19, 1792; Three infants of William and Abagail Morrison; William Mor- rison d. Nov. 10, 182 1, a. 65; David Russell d. Jan. 29, 1831, a. 66; Elizabeth Russell d. March 6, 1837, a. 60; James Russell, Sr., 1733 — Feb. 21, 1799; Jane Russell d. July 29, 1823, a. 82; Mary Russell, wife of Robert R., d. Jan. 13, 1847; Robert Russell, Jr., Oct. 3, 1772 — Jan. 20, 1791; William Rus- sell, Sept. 19, 1772 — Feb. 13, 1799; James Scott, Revolutionary sol- dier, Dec. 3, 1753 — May 24, 1817; Margaret Scott, wife of John S., d. Nov. 1 80 1, a. 31; Agnes White, Aug. 20, 1784 — Alar. 7, 1807; Archie White; Elam S. White d. Oct. 18, 1838, a. 30; Elizabeth White, July 11, 1791 — Nov. 17, 1793; Elizabeth M. White d. Mar. 26, 1845; Frances White, 183 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER wife of Joseph W., d. Sept. 7, 1823, a. 58; Jane White, wife of Wil- liam W., Sr., d. May 18, 1837, a. 83; Jane White d. May 23, 1844, a. 63; Jean White, dau. of William W., March 19, 1789 — Jan. 9, 1805; John R. White d. July 12, 1822, a. 27; Joseph White d. Oct. 6, 1842, a. 80; Margaret White, wife of Thomas W., ? 17, 1778 — July 18, 1809; Robert White d. Feb. 23, 1810, a. 33; Sarah White, dau. of William W., Oct. 13, 1786 — Oct. 10, 1807; Sarah White d. Oct. 25, 1 8 10, a. 6; William White, Sr., Mar. 12, 175 1 — July 10, 1794; William White, Jr., son of Wm. W., June 13, 1775 — Oct. 18, 1799. A stone, on which it is impossible to decipher the name, supplies the following facts regarding its subject: 1750 — Dec. 3, 1832. The Historical Records Survey (1939) also lists the following: Martha McMurray d. Dec. 11, 1798, a. 15; R. E. McMurray d. May 4, 1798, a. 14; Sat. M. McMurray d. May 24, 1800, a. 25. Spears Barbara Andrew d. July 1, 1800; William Andrew, Aug. 13, 1758 — Mar. 13, 1806; Agnes Archibald, wife of W. H. A., Jan. 29, 1794— Oct. 1, 1886; Bost Infant, son of J. M. & A. M. H. Bost, b. & d. June 20, 1856; James Bradshaw, d. Feb. 19, 1809, a. 67; Rob- ert Caldwell d. Nov. 6, 1832, a. 75; Ann Cochran, wife of Robert C, d. Oct. 10, 1889, a. 63; Cyrus H. Cochran d. Sept. 21, 1838, a. 21; Elam W. Cochran, son of Robert & Ann G, d. Feb. 12, 18 13, a. 14; Elizabeth Cochran d. A4ar. 23, 1818, a. 73; Malinda Cochran, wife of Robert B. C, d. Jan. 31, 1846, a. 54; Martha Cochran, dau. of Robert & Ann C, d. Dec. 23, 1818, a. 20; Robert Cochran, June 21, 1764 — July 28, 1837, married Ann C, Mar. 7, 1797; Robert Cochran d. April 28, 1822; Robert Brice Cochran d. Nov. 2, 1824, a. 31; Wil- liam Cochran, Sr. d. Oct. 2, 1829, a. 77; Amelia Davis, wife of Thomas D., Jan. 3, 1782 — July 2, 1853; Samuel Davis d. May 13, 1822, a. 38; Thomas Davis, d. Aug. 7, 1819, a. 42; David Dorton d. Feb. 9, 1847, a. 70; John Gingles, May 15, 1769 — July 28, 1831; Rachel Gingles, Apr. 18, 1772 — Oct. 30, 1825; H. D. Grigles, Apr. 13, 1836— Aug. 8, 1837; W. H. H. Grigles b. July 18, 1 84 1, a. 8 months; Margaret Harris, wife of Robert H., d. May 27, 1811, a. 37; Martha Harris, wife of Samuel H., d. Aug. 2, 1797, a. 29; Martha Harris, wife of William H., d. Jan. 25, 1818, a. 44; Elizabeth Kimmons d. Oct. 15, 1850, a. 70; Margaret Kimmons 184 APPENDIX d. Nov. 22, 1852, a. 65; James M. King d. April 3, 1845, a. 19; Ma- tilda King, wife of Richard K., d. Feb. 22, 1844, a. 44; Richard King, Jan. 5, 1795 — May 7, 1854; Margaret Kirkpatrick, wife of Robert K., d. July 7, 1822, a. 31 and Milus C. Kirkpatrick, son of Robert K., d. July 7, 1822, a. 5 months (both on one stone); Capt. Archibald McCurdy, Revolutionary soldier, d. Nov. 10, 1843, a. 92; Archibald McCurdy, Jr., son of Capt. Archibald McC; Sophia McCurdy, dau. of Capt. Archibald McC; Enoch Morgan, son of J. W. & T. H. M., d. Sept. 15, 1849, a. 17; Jane C. Morgan, dau. of J. W. & T. H. M., d. Sept. 3, 1840, a. 10; John W. Morgan, d. Aug. 14, 1845, a - 4^; Sarah H. Morgan, dau. of J. W. & T. H. M., d. July 18, 1843, a. 5; T. H. Morgan, wife of J. W. M., 1803 — July 2, 1857; Thomas R. Morgan d. June 9, 1845, a. 20; Capt. James Morrison d. Oct. 30, 1804, a. 78; James Morrison d. Sept. 16, 1824, a. 47; James Morrison d. Sept. 4, 1846, a. 78; Jennet Morrison d. Feb. 4, 18 10, a. 75; John Morrison (no dates); John Morrison, Jan. 2, 1768 — Mar. 13, 1846; Lura Morrison, wife of Sam- uel M., d. Dec. 14, 1810, a. 26; Margaret Morrison, wife of James M., d. Sept. 6, 1844, a. 67; Margret Morrison, wife of James M., d. Nov. 24, 18 17, a. 47; Mary Morrison d. Sept. 13, 1821, a. 45; Mary Morrison, wife of James M., a. 58; Robert Morrison d. Aug. 10, 1 8 10, a. 82; Sarah Morrison d. Oct. 6, 18 16, a. 77; Sarah Morrison, wife of Samuel M., d. Dec. 14, 18 10, a. 26; Thomas Morrison, d. July 17, 1 8 15, a. 31; E. Pickens (1827 only date given); Isaac Ross, Grandfr., Mar. 1, 1708 — Feb. 13, 1760; M. Ross, wife of Isaac R., June 30, 1722 — May 20, 1766; Robert Russell, Mar. 28, 1790 — June 21, 1838; George Simons d. 1829, a. 27; Margaret Simons, wife of Thomas S., d. 1826, a. 67; Thomas Simons d. 1806, a. 51; William Spears (Monument with U. S. seal) d. Mar. 2, 1803, a. 72; Mary Wilie, wife of Oliver Wilie, d. Aug. 21, 1822, a. 78; Mary Wiley, wife of Moses Wiley, d. June 7, 1818; Oliver Wiley d. Dec. 1802, a. 61. 185 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER K. STATISTICAL REPORTS, 1 836-1953 Years Pastors -a 3 o O §1 -a x T3« ,s T3 O 3 CS -^ oj p "3.-S c c mo PhCC fc 0. 3 « OH a a 3 II OO 1836 Daniel Penick, P. E. 18 1 400 6 36 390 8 1837 38 3 475 13 51 303 10 1838 Daniel Penick, P. 24 4 529 10 59 274 15 1839 , 28 - 535 11 39 292 8 1840 ' 25 2 545 8 38 248 11 1841 ' 12 2 552 5 39 172 8 1842 ' 10 4 505 1 50 266 7 1843 12 1 497 1 33 288 8 1844 . 23 3 495 1 31 232 8 1845 ' 8 2 483 2 19 108 7 1846 ' 30 3 471 7 42 132 - 1847 ' 21 5 125 476 7 21 107 7 1848 ' 11 4 127 478 2 24 117 8 1849 ' 7 10 130 485 1 39 120 8 1850 ' 100 2 194 576 13 29 101 7 1851 19 2 151 587 6 36 195 594 46 1852 5 3 149 577 - 39 128 800 31 1853 ' 8 1 148 571 3 31 275 554 49 1854 ' 95 2 180 649 28 28 988 730 84 1855 27 - 195 646 11 35 228 850 17 1856 ' 15 3 202 650 4 43 191 770 552 1857 ' 25 2 143 573 6 32 326 758 128 1858 ' 14 4 150 568 5 32 296 890 826 20 1859 17 3 156 575 3 39 494 79 1860 ' 37 6 176 616 12 46 - 1359 35 1861 ' 18 5 170 601 4 35 635 5711 65 1862 11 4 174 602 2 56 331 637 120 1863 ' 4 4 177 599 - 37 491 2096 304 1864 ' 14 9 176 523 3 35 926 1590 471 1865 ' 19 1 180 529 5 36 1261 - - 1866 ' 25 4 383 6 44 154 1128 30 1867 ' 47 5 332 2 16 167 856 60 1868 ' - - 316 - 1 100 183 732 962 60 1869 ' " " 3 5 311 - 19 160 291 30 186 APPENDIX K. STATISTICAL REPORTS, 183 6-195 3— Continued Years Pastors -a 3 a e3 Q a §1 31 T3 03 -a k ■nig -a a "a S B a 03 '5 3 S § s a HO | ~5 0. -O <3 « 1 ,5 m •a .t> £ z >,B M s G'-S S 3 org So B O 03O M S3 Pho5 1 ! £ 0. 3 X OH a "3 ja £ a ■^ 00 1870 V. 2 9 307 - 16 100 199 1062 280 1871 J. B. Mack, P. E. 4 1 290 - 16 80 294 250 - 55 1872 J. B. Mack, P. 67 14 350 5 18 170 472 1169 800 100 1873 14 4 352 3 13 175 601 1374 1338 - 1874 27 9 366 3 23 175 589 900 489 - 1875 10 6 55 6 394 17 23 175 362 1400 1038 170 1876 V. 10 8 9 6 394 - 22 175 344 1350 186 44 1877 J. M. Wharey, P. E. 9 6 6 - 343 - 17 170 132 590 400 - 1878 J. M. Wharey, P. 9 8 8 4 351 1 9 175 178 1011 29 72 1879 " 10 6 2 3 330 - 13 75 120 950 104 123 1880 " 10 6 - 1 300 - 20 160 127 1117 50 56 1881 " 9 8 7 1 300 1 13 125 421 959 - 56 1882 " ' 10 7 7 2 290 1 24 100 89 876 49 70 1883 " 10 8 8 2 265 1 16 115 248 1165 106 100 1884 " 10 8 24 12 300 4 32 371 251 984 91 30 1885 " ' 8 8 13 9 300 1 10 428 348 1221 76 313 1886 " ' 9 8 6 9 297 - 21 348 265 865 203 36 1887 V. 10 7 13 3 275 2 22 160 103 619 218 - 1888 J. G. Anderson, P. 10 7 20 7 285 2 20 256 117 210 287 30 1889 " " 9 7 31 10 313 1 15 305 413 1000 471 91 1890 " " 10 5 7 14 305 2 18 372 438 933 108 62 1891 " " 10 5 30 10 335 2 18 266 707 1033 87 151 1892 10 7 8 4 332 3 23 244 505 908 128 84 1893 V. 9 6 5 5 326 - 15 222 429 1089 130 75 1894 R. V. Lancaster, P. E. 9 6 7 5 326 - 15 169 304 444 44 58 1895 R. V. Lancaster, P. 9 7 52 8 366 12 11 236 492 650 70 32 1896 " " " " 8 7 - 5 358 - 14 292 402 635 95 35 1897 C. Miller, P. E. 8 7 - 7 350 - 12 246 374 555 144 19 1898 C. Miller, P. 8 7 24 18 356 - 12 161 347 525 98 35 1899 " 8 6 8 2 341 1 9 145 337 644 71 20 1900 S. S. 8 6 3 2 335 - 11 84 249 485 100 - 1901 P. E. 5 5 5 4 310 3 8 102 420 474 124 20 1902 ! R. J. Hunter, P. 7 7 12 3 230 - 5 165 360 600 20 141 1903 7 7 9 4 240 - 7 109 341 548 91 25 1904 " 8 7 22 4 200 - 14 106 419 535 102 20 187 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER K. STATISTICAL REPORTS, 1836-1953 — Continued Years Pastors "O a a a §1 11 -a x £ ■ota a *a "2 a "0 a ce a - 1 J a HO | "3 a "O t3 J3 ft "0 -a -►= CO S ■So a £ a c -^> S'a > c a a MO lb eS"3 P-ICG §1 t ft 3 K OH 3 A 11 00 1905 R. J. Hunter, P. 8 6 2 3 190 - 7 338 550 83 20 1906 7 5 5 6 180 - 7 98 448 586 147 104 1907 " " 7 5 3 - 185 - 7 98 456 652 66 85 1908 7 5 5 1 185 - 8 108 408 606 137 20 1909 J. Lapsley, P. E. 7 6 1 1 158 - 11 129 303 357 238 - 1910 J. Lapsley, P. 7 5 25 2 172 3 8 109 368 595 28 1911 7 6 2 2 156 - 1 108 396 675 20 1912 " 8 5 40 4 206 5 6 110 414 575 10 121 1913 " 9 5 13 2 218 7 6 88 465 640 169 - 1914 " 7 6 1 2 220 - 5 90 438 655 383 5 1915 " 7 6 22 - 233 - 6 121 555 628 89 1916 V. 6 6 12 2 200 - 6 113 468 575 113 20 1917 T. H. Spence, P. 6 6 1 1 200 - 2 114 552 250 333 20 1918 6 6 5 9 205 1 7 144 765 700 1919 7 5 4 3 205 1 6 120 951 900 204 - 1920 5 5 4 10 210 1 3 100 2495 1015 189 - 1921 7 5 3 14 210 - 4 120 2803 1000 396 - 1922 6 5 16 7 210 5 5 - 2456 1000 220 180 1923 8 6 - - 200 - 3 144 1556 1000 735 70 1924 8 6 6 7 200 1 4 146 1227 1000 438 - 1925 8 8 8 - 200 1 3 140 1454 1000 110 - 1926 8 7 7 6 200 - 2 160 1130 1000 219 - 1927 " " 8 5 10 1 200 1 5 176 1211 1000 288 - 1928 " " 8 6 3 - 200 - - 176 936 1000 332 425 1929 " " 8 6 5 6 200 - 3 176 890 1000 506 157 1930 " " 8 6 7 4 200 - - 162 1043 1000 288 - 1931 V. 8 6 7 1 206 - 2 162 558 1000 217 - 1932 John Ricks, P. E. 8 6 2 1 200 - - 150 335 415 576 7 1933 John Ricks, P. 9 9 22 12 238 8 14 175 202 630 110 - 1934 " 8 9 24 3 260 12 8 202 334 1000 377 - 1935 " 9 8 5 10 270 3 - 253 433 1000 296 295 1936 | ' 9 8 7 3 263 5 1 252 577 1000 480 159 1937 1 " 10 8 10 2 274 1 5 234 542 1000 420 1450 1938 10 8 9 10 278 2 5 239 670 1000 496 73 1939 " " " 8 8 20 6 294 11 1 223 731 1000 395 332 APPENDIX K. STATISTICAL REPORTS, 1836-195 3— Continued Years Pastors -a 3 a OS a a §1 11 -a S c-2 -atg a ca 'S TJ 3 -2 g *3 a CS 3 "rt d 'o HO | "so, -1 C'-S ►Spa * g -o c S 3 a a a 3 "Sr2 a MO I- 1 | fc a. 3 « OH a .2 3 ll OO 1940 John Ricks, P. 9 8 1 296 - - 233 638 1200 493 1093 1941 V. 9 8 6 4 296 4 6 220 430 1000 599 62 1942 G. M. Wilcox, P. 9 8 6 10 300 - 3 203 450 1205 1135 232 1943 " ' 9 11 9 2 299 4 2 156 782 1500 598 304 1944 " 9 11 2 4 299 2 4 175 800 1500 875 772 1945 " ' 9 10 6 - 301 2 3 175 827 1500 946 240 1946 " ' 9 10 1 9 303 1 8 175 1159 1800 874 2100 1947 " ' 9 13 3 11 305 2 5 175 1518 1925 2122 6223 1948 " ' 11 13 2 5 303 1 2 175 2341 2544 2547 3368 1949 1. ■ 14 12 7 4 300 5 4 235 2104 2700 2568 2553 1950 " ' 14 12 6 5 306 - 7 220 2282 2700 4893 5532 1951 " ' 14 12 7 9 314 5 4 254 2063 2700 4045 286 1952 " ' 14 11 6 5 290 2 7 250 2887 3000 4362 4549 1953 " ' 13 11 4 6 295 - 5 220 3033 3300 4510 - L. A4ARRIAGE RECORDS, 1 822-1 870 To Joshua Harris, "Maker of coffins in the Rocky River Settle- ment," we are indebted for a three-fold record which embraces: 1. Baptisms from September 23, 1827 through April 29, 1859; 2. Deaths occurring from January 25, 1817 until September 12, 1859, the final entry, necessarily in another hand, representing the decease of the Recorder himself; 3. Marriages taking place from February 19, 1822 and closing about July, 1859, the first noted being one of the several weddings of Joshua Harris. For this period, the Harris records form the basis of the following entries. During the years of his pastorate, Daniel Penick preserved a cata- logue of those who were united in marriage under the general aus- pices of the Church, the greater part of the ceremonies being performed by Mr. Penick. These are found in the First Volume of the Minutes of the Rocky River Session. When a marriage so re- corded does not appear in the Harris list, it has been entered in the proper chronological sequence below and marked (DAP). Note is 189 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER also made of certain instances in which the Penick data vary from, or supplement, those of Joshua Harris. Notations of these differ- ences, or additions, are enclosed in parentheses, and prefaced by the initials DAP. A careful examination reveals that a number of the weddings listed by Mr. Harris were those of parties not formally connected with Rocky River Church. Comparisons also indicate that he sometimes assigned an event to that date on which he had tardily learned of its occurrence. The spellings are those of the original Compiler and of the Church records. It is judged that many descended from these unions will find interest in their recording by contemporaries. In the absence of other indications, weddings not dated took place at the same time as those preceding in the list. Uncertain dates are marked by ? Marriages 1822 Feb. 19 Joshua Harris to Elizabeth Harris 1826 July 1 3 Walter F. Pharr to Jane Stafford Aug. 3 Robert Bigar to Martha Robinson Sept. 2 8 Ewd. Harris to Margert Harris 1828 March 4 John Gingles, Sen. to Emelia Davis John Gingles, Jr. to Dorcas McGinnis April 19 Solomon Harris to Jane Phillips July 25 Joseph Mehaffey to Isabella Harris Sept. 17 John C. Cochran to Polly Davis — Cochran 18 — Polly 26 Dec. 1 1 Henderson Rodgers to Sarah Pharr 1 8 Walter F. Pharr to Sarah Morrison 1829 Jan. 29 Jeremiah Stegall to Clemmingtine Morrison John McLarty to Cracida McLellen March 5 Franklin Stafford to Mary Pharr 190 APPENDIX Feb. 18 Marc? 1 4 May l 3 June 1 1 July J 3 2 7 Aug. 2 4 Sept. 9 14 Dec. 7 9 25 Jan. 20 27 Feb. 2 4 March 3 J 7 April 28 June 2 July 26 Oct. 6 r 3 Nov. 1 3 J 5 Dec. 1 8 l 5 29 1830 Wm. Bever to Matilda Pharr Dr. James Gilmore to Sarah Harris George M. Harris to Sarah Shaver Hampton Pharr to Catherine Morrison Lot Hamilton to Polly Davis Davis Dixon to Polly McLane McCamy Alexander to Margeret Bowls Richard Martin to Elizabeth Littleton E. H. Davis to Linny Gingles R. C. Cochran to Statira McKinley J. M. Morrison to Polly Johnston Winslow Alexander to Margert Alexander Josiah Harris to Margert Purvians 1831 Henry Pharr to Polly Davis William Davis to Margert Parks James Caldwell to Polly Dixon Sandy McKinley to Ann Hope Jo. McCombs to Prudy Johnston R. C. Harris to Polly Alexander John McEchran to Jane Pharr Jesse W. Harris to Addaline Alexander Nathaniel Harris to Mary Gilmore Green Newel to Sarah McLellen Wm. McLellen to Burniece Black Wm. Hays to Violet Harris Nat. Johnston to Polly Welch Wm. Nicolson to Catherine Pharr James Cochran to Mary Cathey Robt. McLellen to Polly McEchran Mr. Walker to Cynthv Spears A. Smith to Sarah AlcLellen 1832 Jan. 5 Eli Stafford to Eliza McCombs 1 2 Hugh Bain to Ann Allen June 21 Dr. Maxwell to Margeret McLarty 191 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Sept. Oct. Nov. 20 13 Hall Burns to Mary Groves S. A. Stewart to Elizabeth Cochran Dan Melchor to Elonor McUrdy Alphrad Bost to Elizabeth Bradshaw Elija Davis to Teressa Smith Wm. McLellen to Teressa McEchran 1833 Wm. T. Alexander to Margert Harris March 2 8 July 18 Harvey Morrison to Margeret Cochran Dec. 26 Curtis Kirkpatrick to Elizabeth Alexander 1834 Mr. Chambers to Mary Wilson D. Bradshaw to Eliza Flinn Elias Huie to Polly Jackson Levi Parks to Tirza Davis R. W. Harris to Mary Stafford Sandy McKinley to E. Morrison Hampton White to Peggy Query John Huei to Eliza McLellen C. H. Gingles to Mary Alorrison Go. McLure to Eliza Pharr Elias McLellen to Fanny Townzen Isaac Wilson to Miss Walace Wm. Caldwell to Eliza Query Jan. 14 March 2 7 May 20 Aug. 26 Sept. 2 Oct. 21 2 7 Nov. 25 Dec. Feb. 5 10 2 5 March 26 May 7 June 9 Oct. 16 Nov. Dec. 2 9 6 1835 Rufis Reed to Polly Wilson Rev. John Irwin to Mrs. Neyle Dr. Gipson to Elizabeth Phifer Sandy Query to Miss Cannon Sam McKee to Cinthy Morrison John Wilson to Martha Parks George Monteeth to Livina Garretson Joshua Harris to Sarah M. Mehaffey Silas P. Stewart to Martha C. Lemmond Mr. Towle to Sarah Snell Richard R. Carson to Harriet Wilson (DAP) 192 APPENDIX Dec. 10 Alexander W. Allen to Jane White (DAP) 22 Aquinus White to Clarrissa White (DAP) 1836 Feb. 2 John Query to Delina Alexander 4 Stephen Ecock to Caroline Newel James Allen to Mary Richeson Wm. P. Harris to lYiartha Cochran James Alexander to Miss Allen Hovis McBaul to Amanda Moon (DAP) Joseph L. Black to Mary McCachren (DAP) Jo. McCombs to Martha Parks Zimri Johnston to Miss Keighlor James Morris to D. Walker Harvey Davis to Mary Spear (DAP: 8; Elam H. Davis to May C. Spears) Robt. McLellan to Matilda Kimmons J. M. Black to Elizabeth Johnston Moses Alexander to Margaret Allen John Allen to Dorcas Cochran 9 l 7 2 3 ? 2 5 March 1 5 2 4 Sept. 7 20 Nov. 2 3 Dec. 22 Feb. 23 March April ? Oct. 26 Dec. 28 Jan. teb. 22 Sept. 5 2 7 Oct. 1 1 Dec. 22 1837 Dr. Hapholbt to Dorcas Foster Thos. S. Martin to Dorcas E. Tucker (DAP) John A. Davis to Margt. E. Spears (DAP) David R. Kelough to Elizabeth Erwin (DAP) Rev. Angus Johnston to Mary A. Spears (DAP) 1838 Cisro Alexander to Mary Cochran (DAP: A. C. Al- exander) P. Townzen to Mary Ross (DAP: H. P. Townsend) Sam Kimmons to Tirza Stafford (DAP: 20) David Newel to Matilda Harris Hope Cochran to Jane Harris Jim Andrives to Sarah Farr John Gingles to Clementine Purvines (DAP: Purvi- ance) Silas Collwell to A valine Query (DAP: Caldwell) Wm. A. Sosaman to Sarah Dixon (DAP) 193 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER 1839 Jan. 8 Josiah L. Phillips to Margt. Wilson (DAP) D. M. Taylor to H. C. Harris (DAP: 22) Joshua Teter to Margaret Callwell John Bost to Suphfira Brown Wm. Remes to Catherine Farr 1840 J. B. White to Ann M. Harris (DAP: 22) Jo. O. Pharr to Luesa Black Andrew Alexander to Miss Montooth Jo Cochran to Catherine Macnite Wm. T. Alexander to Mary Orr L. H. Harris to Harriet Alexander Robt. Mcibon to Jane Blunt J. C. Pharr to Poly Davis Rev. W. S. Pharr to Miss Allison R. L. Archibald to Sarah Archibald (DAP: Sarah R. Bradshaw) Joshua Harris to Susan White (DAP) D. Ingram to Martha Alexander D. White to Caroline Walker Alfred Brown to Margaret Bost (DAP) J. Porter to Mary Harris, sister of Mack Harris 1 841 James L. Morrison to Elizabeth White (DAP) Andrew Flinn to Sarah Means John F. Morrison to Elvira R. McLelland (DAP) Harvey Scott to Margeret Morrison Robt. Strube to Eliza Huie J. M. Black to Eliza Weddington John M. Morrison to Mary Davis (DAP) John Teeter to Sally Cook John L. Morrison to Margert Davis Harvey Spears to Mary McLellen Sam Harris to Catherine Watson Nat Johnston to Margert Welch Jas. Orr to Nancy Cochran P. D. Furr to Elizabeth McEchran 194 24 May 6 23 2 4 Jan. 21 March 1 7 24 April H June 11 3° July l 5 28 Aug. 4 20 Oct. 6 2 9 Nov. 8 Dec. l 7 2 3 Jan. 21 Feb. 2 April J 5 July 2 7 Aug. 10 Sept. *4 2 5 28 Oct. 5 Nov. 9 16 l 9 Dec. 16 APPENDIX Jan. 6 Feb. 8 2 4 March 12 4 April 12 3° June i July 12 Aug. 30 Sept. I Dec. 2 9 1842 George Alexander to Sarah Pharris Harvey Taylor to Mary Purvians Horace Alexander to Marget White Wm. Underwood to Martha Newel Wm. Cartor to Mary Ann Taylor (DAP: 10) James White to Mary Hickingbeckim R. W. Allison to Ann Phifer (DAP: May 31) Rev. G. W. Gibbs to Ceny Morgan (DAP: Geo. M. Gibbs) J. R. Weddington to Narcissa Black N. Penigar to Tirza White E. P. Cochran to Mary McGinnis Allen Boger to Hesse White Jan. l l Feb. 2 14 16 2 3 April 13 25 July ? Aug. 21 Nov. 28 1843 Dr. Hapholdt to Sarah A. Williamson J. C. McLellen to Sarah Harris R. Cravan to Elizabeth Pharr (DAP: Geo. W. Craven; Farr) J. C. Sosserman to Sarah Burns Nat Alexander to Adaline Davis H. H. Pharr to Joanna Davis Loranizo Strube to Elizabeth White Jo Cochran to Martha Sample Robert Knox to Margaret Bain (DAP) Harvey McLellen to Margert Morrison Robert Young to L. E. Phifer (DAP) Jan. 31: Jan. 2 5 Feb. 6 8 22 March » 7 8 May 16 July 2 5 1844 Dr. Gilmore to Hetty Alexander Dr. McLellen to Margert Purvians P. D. Furr to Elizabeth Harris (Josh) Wilson Blackwelder to S. H. Scott (DAP) Miles Lemmons to Mary Means Jesse Luallen to Linny AicLellen Eli Stafford to Jane Cochran Wm. G. Newell to Cressida S. Black (DAP) 195 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER July ? Joseph M. Black to R. McEachern (DAP) Dec. 17 Leird Query to Mary Scott (DAP: James L.) 1845 Jan. 1 2 Henry Garmon to Martha White Feb. 6 Elisha Scott to Mary Kimmons March 20 Thos. White to Elizabeth Alexander (DAP: 13) April 4 Hampton Speir to E. Barnhardt (Earnhardt) June 12 A. F. Woods to Mary Gilliam July 17 Dr. R. W. Martin to Ceny McLellen (DAP: 16) 29 Milton Hunter to Jane Wilson Aug. 1 2 Isaac Alexander to Carline Morrison Wm. Miller to Serena Morrison (DAP: David W.) Sept. 1 8 Wm. Rodgers to Martha Bell 23 Wm. Morrison to Mary Newel (DAP: 18) Oct. 16 Saml. Kimmons to Dorcas Pharr (DAP) Nov. 4 R. H. Morrison to Mary Stewart 25 Harvey Morrison to Martha Pharr L. C. Kirkpatrick to Burnies White Dec. 1 3 Robt. Query to Emely McGinnis Franklin Irwin to Minka McGinnis 1 8 Cases Cochran to Margeret Galloway 23 Henderson Davis to Mary Rodgers (DAP: Thomas H.) Chas. McGinnis to Lucreia Kirkpatrick 1846 Jan. 8 McCamy A. Harris to M. I. Alexander (DAP) May 1 2 John Newel to Jane Swearingin July 28 Dr. Gilmore to Elizabeth Alexander Aug. 4 Wm. T. Alexander to Margery Cohan 6 Jonathan Smith to Margert Caldwell 11 A. J. York to Burnies Long C. N. White (shff) to Josephine Brown Dec. 3 Hugh C. Cochran to Jane Hunter 8 Robt. S. Young to Miss Burton 9 J. H. Wilson to Mary Phifer Batte Irwin to Mary Robinson 1 5 Jefferson Hunter to Cracida Cochran 196 APPENDIX Dec. 17 R. L. Cochran to Martha McGinnis 31 J. M. Alexander to Herriet Harris (DAP: D. Alex- ander) 1847 Saml. Caldwell to Mary Alexander W. Yates to C. McClellan (DAP) George L. Phifer to Rose Penick Cisro Alexander to Mary White J. M. Query to Sarah Cochran John Frazor to Jane Davis Dr. Rankin to Elizabeth Alexander Randsom Winecoff to Hetty Bost John M. Morrison to Herriet Newel Lee Morris to Mary Parks Leroy Morrison to Margeret Pharr (DAP: George L. to M. M.) Orrison Hoggs to Mrs. Kirkpatrick John McLarty to Miss Smith Rev. Walter Wellington Pharr to Miss Bain Alex- ander Lee Garretson to Burnies Hadley Mr. Wolf to Mary Ann Davis Franklin Alexander to Miss Craige Agustis Pharr to Miss Handcock Sam Black to Lydda McEchran P. D. Furr to Elizabeth Davis 1848 Jas. C. Morrison to Jane White Rev. Mr. Lafferty to Miss Chamberlane John Gingles to Elizabeth B. Harris Mr. Johnston to Susan Caldwell Saml. White to Martha Bio-q-ar John W. Davis to Martha Wolf W. T. McAnulty to Polly Stogner Stephen Wilson to Jane Flow Jas. McEchran to Miss Fisher J. Wilson to Mary Jane Allan 197 Jan. 7 21 Feb. 23 April May 28 6 1 1 25 June July 2 4 3 22 Aug. l 7 Sept. Nov. 16 4 18 Dec. 25 2 4 9 Jan. 28 Feb. 1 March 1 2 8 9 16 April May July 30 1 1 4 4 ii 12 "3 Aug. 17 2 4 26 ? Oct. 4 5 10 Nov. 2 9 Dec. 1 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER July 6 John H. Bryen to Carcida B. Harris Milton Hunter to Martha Rodgers Martin L. Phifer to Miss Hoyl Robt. Caldwell to Mary Cochran Isaac Snell to Jane Towle Williamson Wallace to Mary Morris Dr. M. M. Orr to Miss Fox Hon. D. M. Barringer to Miss Weathery Isaac Harris to Mary Burns Thos. P. Rodgers to Emely Alexander Amzi Cook to Margery McGinnis Wade Flow to Margaret Cuthberson Cornells Alexander to Mary Caldwell 2 1 McCamy Alexander to Mary Hunter Adw. Neel to Caroline Hunter Wm. B. Phillips to Cene Newel Joshua Hartsil to Palina Turner William Petree to Elizabeth Galloway 1849 Jan. 1 7 James Dortin to Margeret Means Feb. 1 Samuel Pharr to Martha Scott John D. Morrison to Elizabeth Wilson John Kilpatrick to Herriet Orr 8 Lawsen Blackwelder to Matilda Gingles Dr. Bingham to Miss Harris 1 5 Garretson Blair to Margeret Query John Orr to Miss Harris March 8 Ad. Johnston to Polly Johnston Robert White to Mary Corzine April 10 Wm. F. Phifer to Miss M. M. White John Weddington to Elizabeth Hart Rev. Saml. C. Pharr to Miss Springsteel Col. Rea to Martha McEchran Mr. Stough to Mary Morrison Robinson White to Mary Query Jo. W. Scott to Martha Brown Hale Weddington to Margaret Hart Mr. Garretson to Sarah McGinnis 198 22 May 10 Aug. 2 23 Sept. 4 Nov. 1 ? APPENDIX Nov. 1 3 Chas. Caldwell to Jinny Cochran 15 Mr. Jimmison to Sarah Alexander 20 Asa Bost to Carline Venderburg 2 2 Alfrad Area to Margeret Pharr Dec. 1 3 Cyrenas Alexander to Margeret Ann Cochran 19 Mr. Northern to Luise Gingles 20 R. C. White to Dorcas Alexander Mr. Wolf to Sarah White (DAP: D. C. Wolfe) James Newel to A4iss Howel Mr. Howel to Miss Gray Lawrance Dry to Ann Brien Adam Alexander to Miss Kate Stokes Jasper Gowyer to Nancy L. Flemming 27 Thos. F. Brian to Emely Davis 1850 Rev. R. H. Lafferty to Cornelie Parks Wm. Underwod to Miss Bostian Orrison Hodges to Susan Wallace Warren Meloan to Amanda White Joseph Miller to Miss Carrigan Berryhill to Ann Taylor Wm. GrifTeth to Emely Reid Alfrad McEchran to Herriet Johnston John McKinley to Polly Hutson Robert R. Brown to Miss Haul Samuel Blair to Minty Query Jo Irvin to May Ann Ray Thos. Ferguson to Elizabeth Feruguson Thomas H. McLellen to Martha Elizabeth Harris John Bradshaw to Mary Phifer Wm. Huie to Sarah Lyde Dr. James Stewart to Margeret Morrison Alfrad Martin to Elizabeth Keeler Robert M. White to Margt. E. Dunn (DAP) A4ilton Hunter to Mary Montgomery Hampton Newel to Harriet Bradshaw Wm. B. Cochran to Rachel Caldwell 199 j an. 5 10 17 2 4 26 Feb. 3 1 19 21 26 May June 3° 18 July 2 5 9 10 Aug. 3° 22 Sept. Oct. 2 5 22 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Nov. 19 Rev. Wm. Barringer to Miss Lavinia Alston, of Chatham 23 Wm. Rodgers to Eliza Strube 26 David Taylor to Catherine Pharr 28 John Brafford to Esther Newel Sam. Garretson to Miss Hunter Dec. 10 Mr. Craford to Rebecca Harris 19 Nathaniel White to Sarah Martin Hall Hudson to Frances White 1851 D. W. Faggot to Elizabeth Swearingin Hugh Harris to Mary Walker J. M. Alexander to Rebecca Martin L. C. Kirkpartick to Carline McLellen Mike Festerman to Polly Howell Matthias Boger to Catherine Burns Rev. Aaron Quay to Jane Huie Washington Brien to Sally Gray Calvin Hood to Ann Newel Wm. Carter to Jane Baker Hope Caldwell to Miss Wilson Chas. McGinnis to Caroline Alexander 28 Sandy White to Sarah Hudson Harvey Henderson to Harriet Dixon Sam. Burns to Elizabeth Harris Sept. 30 Hugh Taylor to Jane McEchran Oct. 4 J. Williford to Eliza Black 7 R. L. Cochran to C. M. Irwin McCamy Dickson to Margaret Huie 9 Saml. Gilmore to Margaret Alexander 14 J. L. Badger to Mary McMillan Nov. 6 Wm. White to Martha Neely (DAP: Nov. 7) Dec. 3 Wilson Wallace to Caroline Harrison 4 Robt. Query to Adargeret Caldwell 1852 Jan. 6 F. S. Weddington to E. Ann Scott 13 N. A. Kirkpatrick to J. L. Pharr 200 Jan. 16 Feb. 30 18 2 5 ? April May 3 7 July 2 9 28 Aug. 12 26 APPENDIX Feb. 24 James Cannon to Georgia White Dr. McKee to Margeret Sadler March 18 S. ? Caldwell to Alary C. Welch 25 Mr. Huie to Frances Lyde April 8 McCamy A. White to Elizabeth White May 6 John Slone to Sarah Stewart James Grible to Sarah Houston June 1 George Bost to Blackwelder 3 Pinkney Caldwell to Sarah Russel ? Mr. Hutcheson to Dorcas Lucky July 27 Sandy Query to Jamima Walker 29 Blumer White to Ann Winecoff Aug. 10 R. R. King to Martha Morris Dr. L. C. Kirkpatrick to Miss M. C. C. Buchanan David Newell to Miss Burns Sept. 16 Adam Clontz to Mary Weddington 2 1 Hadrick to Betcy Burns Oct. 7 Dr. McKee Houston to Mary Black 14 Rev. P. T. Penick to Miss Bay ley (DAP: Sarah L. Bailey) John Morrison to Patcy Morrison Mr. Peoples to Miss Neel Nov. 1 8 Sam K. W. Snell to Jinnet Harris Dec. 9 L. S. Williams to Lucy Dillard John Purvians to Miss Pennigar Jas. Russell to Mary M. Irwin 14 Robt. Cochran to Tirzah Eugene Cochran 2 1 Jacob McMurdy to Sally White Elam Wiggons to Erixeny Hodge i853 Jan. 1 3 Lock Gipson to Miss Babcock ? S. G. Scott to Frances Scott — never did ? Mark Festerman to Miss Gardner ? Danl. Penninger to Stancil ? John Gorder to Stancil 1 8 Lawson Cochran to Susan McCaleb 2 1 Charles Starns to Esther White 27 Washington Russel to Sarah Flow 201 23 April 4 6 ? 26 28 May 12 June 1 2 3 July 7 Aug. 18 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Feb. 10 James Carter to Mary Ann Robinson Jo Reed to Cornelie Brown Tom H. Strube to Martha Walls James E. Morrison to Juley Colter Elam N. Alexander to Malissa Tolliston John Dixon to Miss Grier Mr. Slone to Harriet Black James Page to E. Jane McAnulty Sandy Flow to Elizabeth Gingles Peter Brown to Christena Crawford John Cross to Catherine Pitts Rachal Neely to Maxwell Rev. Mr. May to Jane Harrison Lee Venderburg to Miss Brawley 2 5 Sam Huie to Harriet T. Cochran John Hunter to Martha Lee Sept. 8 Green Hodge to Aiargery Orr 27 Tilrow Blair to Lock Parks ? John Brown to Miss Karr 29 Wm. Cochran to Lidda Towls Oct. 9 Matthias Klutts to Pelina Sprinkle Nov. 1 Chas. M. McKinley to Mary E. Harris (DAP: Oct. 1) 2 J. Tom Downs to Margeret Joanna Orr 24 Jas. A. Harris to Margeret Burns Alex Scott to Mat Ann Cochran (DAP: Martha Cochran) ? Dr. Dillard to Mag Brown Dec. 2 J. C. A. Cochran to Margeret Porter 1 5 David M. Corzine to Mary Hudson 20 Cis McEchran to Pha. Archibald (DAP: Cicero) 22 Dicon Caldwell to Elizabeth McLean 27 John Hardwick to Miss Ceny Nely? (DAP: E. C. Neely) 1854 Jan. 6 Lawson Black to Sarah Morrison ? Henry Garmon to Hartsil Suffirer 26 Jo. Calvin Welsh to Tamanda Wilson Feb. 2 Wm. Morris to Eliza McCombs 202 Feb. 22 March 2 14 April 4 May 2 5 ? July 3 22 Aug. 2 2 2 4 Sept. 7 20 Oct. 4 Dec. *4 ? 14 28 APPENDIX R. B. Cochran to Elizabeth Query David M. Russel to Nancy Hunter Dan Peninger to Mary Catherine Pharr P. Milton Morris to Lu Alexander Rufus Barringer to Miss Morrison James Carson to Molly Williams Thos. Still to Palina Barber Rev. J. L. Watt to A. L. Neal John P. Moor to Martha Parks Wm. P. Rich to Martha Jane Martin Jo. Walker to Polly Hunter Rev. S. Ross to Neomy Caldwell J. B. Alley to Sarah A. MeharTey Dr. Sam Gilmore to Jane S. Pharr McCamy W. Caldwell to Amanda Query John Walker to Martha Porter Wm. Orr to Sarah Rogers Wm. Garretson to Martha Bingham Decator McGinnis to M. C. Cochran Abner Goodson to Sarah Young 1855 Jan. 1 8 Seth Spears to Sarah I. Townzen Spain Gray to Polly Hegler Jackson V. Bost to Gray 22 Ibson Cannon to Emely Baker 23 Cisro McLellen to Catherine Smith Ben Glen to Catherine Gingles 30 Columbus White to Antenet T. Alexander (DAP: E. A. Alexander) Feb. 1 Col. R. M. Cochran to Marv Davis John Gibson to Jane McCalab 8 Robt. Caldwell to Martha Cochran 14 Joshua Harris to Ann Levina Lingle 15 James C. McLellen to Marv Rodgers Wilson Bigger to Elizabeth Bost David Miller to Miss Long Harris Polk to Elizabeth Bockem Wm. L. Archibald to Caroline Bradshaw 203 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Feb. 28 March 6 20 22 April 10 11 12 May June July Aug. Sept. Nov. Dec. 19 10 31 16 22 30 1 2 5 2 7 1 6 1 4 5 *3 20 George Alexander to Sarah Getton R. M. Biggers to M. E. Bost (DAP) Thos. Jordan to Clemmentine Stancil (DAP) James Nelson to Frances S. Cochran H. P. Townzen to Mary Brown King John O. Bost to Ann Hall King R. C. H. Cochran to Barbara Cochran Thos. Alexander to Sarah Jones James Irwin to Elizabeth M. Newell James Carter to Martha J. Hadley (DAP: Headly) John M. Morehead to Sarah Phifer Tobias Linker to Mary Biggar L. B. Krimmenger to Vashti Gilmore Sam Krimmenger to Mary Ann Swaringame Franklin Stafford to Mary Caldwell Rev. C. Caldwell to F. A. McKinley S. E. W. Pharr to F. I. Cochran Jess Hudgens to Sarah Pharr John Springs to Elizabeth C. Stafford Wm. Brawley to Miss M. J. York John Revvels to Eliza Carter Wm. A. Deal to Salome Lingle Jackson Bost to Linny Swearingame James Walker to Jane Pharr Adolphus Gipson to Mary A. Moss Dr. Davidson to Molly Elms Peter Albright to Addeline Cress Martin Bost to Rose Crowel Lions to Mag Springs Joab Camble to Sarah Johnston Sam J. Harris to Elizabeth McEchran James H. McLellen to Sarah Davis Isaac Allison to Mary Robinson Hugh J. Smith to Margret W. Kirkpatrick 1856 Jan. 29 David Garritson to Margerat McLean Jacob Dove to Margerat White 3 1 Manless Harris to Martha L. Harris 204 APPENDIX March 1 3 April 9 22 May 5 21 Aug. J 4 28 Sept. 2 23 2 5 Nov. 18 2 7 Dec. 4 9 10 1 1 2 3 A. Newton Harris to Jane A. Smith Harvey Scott to Eliza Towls S. Washington Harris to Martha Davis Archibald Melone to Cate Swaringame Robt. R. Brown to Elizabeth Pharr John Morrison to Isable Morrison Elonor Davis to Mr. Foster John Wilson to Sidney Davis Columbus Q. Morrison to Susan Gray (DAP: Q. C; Sept. 3) Wm. R. Cochran to Ceny D. Harris (Josh) Sam Luin to Jane Gibson Pleasant Hodges to Sarah Cochran Cornells Alexander to Mary Caldwell Franklin Caldwell to Wilson Robt. Cochran to Margery Cochran John M. McEchran to Jos. Archibald Jack Black to Jane Russel John W. McKibbin to Dovey Murph Bill Carter to Prudy Turner James A. Black to Eliza Area 1857 Jan. 6 R. R. King to Sarah Parks 10 2 9 Feb. 12 l 7 March 1 3 April 1 3° May 12 *4 21 Wm. Blue to Margerat White George Farr to Margerat Pharr McCamy White to Martha Sprinkle Conner Flow to Martha Gingles Wm. F. Harkey to Lenora Cochran John Treelore to Margerat Speir (DAP: Mar. Treloa) Robert Caldwell to Margeret I. Harris (Josh) Wm. H. Howie to Mary I. White (DAP) Monroe Sloop to Cate Albright Peter Albright to Cate Bostian J. W. Patron to Miss C. C. Johnston (DAP) Robt. B. White to Martha H. Alexander Rev. S. C. Alexander to Mary Homes Brown 12; 205 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER June ? July 7 Aug. 2 7 Sept. l 5 Oct. l 5 29 Nov. 4 Dec. 22 31 J. L. Moody to Sarah Blacke Sam McKee Stafford to Mary C. McKinley Levi Leech to Cinda Page Sam Wharton to E. C. Alexander Cox to Patsy Sweringame Wm. Caldwell to Senera Caldwell Wm. Cochran to Eliza Bain Rev. P. T. Penick to Eliza J. Bingham Rev. D. A. Penick, Jr. to Eliza L. McKneely T. B. Slone to Sarah Ann McCorkle Caleb McCurdy to Martha Bost Feb. ? 1 1 March 4 9 2 5 April 2 7 May June Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. 20 3 10 12 14 5 14 19 28 1 1 2 5 3° Dec. 2 16 ? 2 3 1858 Saml. A. Stewart to Mrs. Stewart John M. Fink to Sarah Gingles James Alexander to A4ary Caldwell A. D. Parks to Isabella Wilson John Harry to Susan Shalby Henry Howey to Mary Johnston Charles Cochran to Ceny Cochran Logan Wilson to Josephene Hunter Rev. Alexr. Sinclair to Laura Brevard Davidson David White to Jane Huei Elam M. Query to Josephene Wilson Rev. E. D. Junkin to Agnes A. Penick Rev. I. G. AlcGlaughlin to M. McElwee Dr. McKee Houston to Mary Watson Caleb N. White to Miss Coleman Jackson Slone to M. Jane Goodman Mr. John A. Dorton to Miss Narcissa A. Archibald (DAP) Lee Houston to Martha Alexander Chas. H. Irwin to C. Eliza B. Bost Wm. C. Harris to M. M. T. Davis B. B. Young to Isabella M. Lingle Wilson A. Lingle to Martha J. Lynch Cyrenas Alexander to Martha Kirk Jas. A. Kirkpatrick to Emelia E. White 206 APPENDIX l8 59 Jan. 6 John Cochran to M. Festerman 1 8 Elias Morrison to Jane Reames Feb. 10 Monroe Russel to Martha Martin Wm. W. Speir to A4artha Earnhardt ? G. W. H. Andrew to Sarah Alexander 17 Arastus Stancil to Teressa Alexander (DAP: E. S. Stansil) ? Henry Bever to Aveline Flow ? James A4cCaul (83 yrs) to Miss Culberson (17) March 2 E. B. Burns to Elizabeth Brown May 5 Thos. H. McClellin to Barbara Cochran 10 Conner Reed to Luisa Caldwell June 2 1 Wm. R. Pharr to Jane Amanda King July 28 Rev. R. H. Caldwell to Emely Caldwell ? Ci Harris to Emely Alexander ? E. A. Miller to Ann Bost Here ends the register kept by Joshua Harris. Marriage lists fol- lowing are from the Records of Rocky River Church (Sessional Minutes, Vol. I) during the later years of the pastorate of Daniel Penick and that portion of 1 870 following his death. 1859 (Continued) Caleb Linker and E. C. White Joseph R. McLellan and M. C. Long Dixon B. Penick to Elizabeth A. Cochran M. W. Johnston to A. H. Bost T. R. Bennet to M. J. Townsend i860 Eli J. Smith to D. J. Kirkpatrick Isaack B. Teater to D. S. Harris M. A. Lipe to Martha M. Erwin J. C. Pharr and R. M. King Cyrus A. Snell and Margaret A. Porter 1861 J. L. Davis and J. M. Russell T. M. Johnston and Sarah Pharr 207 Sept. !5 Oct. 2 9 18 Dec. 3i J 3 Jan. Aug. Sept. Nov. 3 H 6 2 7 Dec. 1 1 Jan. 3 March 29 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER May i James Campbell and F. D. Alexander Nov. 27 Wm. Johnston to V. S. Pharr 1862 Feb. 20 T. G. Davis to E. Spears Aug. 7 T. A. Davis and M. E. White 1863 Jan. 1 R. M. McEachern and M. E. Tucker Feb. 25 ? L. Stafford and C. E. McKindly 1864 Oct. ? Henry Pharr and Ann Davis 1865 Jan. ? John Caldwell and S. N. Pharr June 22 John M. Alexander to M. F. Query Sept. 1 2 Isaac C. McClelan to M. W. Smith J. B. Morrison to Betty Scott Oct. ? Nat. McClelan to M. C. Smith Nov. ? S. K. W. Snell to E. E. Query Dec. 14 Robert Snell to M. M. Query 1866 Jan. 2 D. L. Alexander to E. McClelan Feb. 6 William Harris to Cynthia E. Spears July 24 John H. Caldwell to Sarah L. Parks Nov. 1 5 William Nicholson to M. E. L. Morrison M. L. Pharr and M. L. Kirkptarick 27 Thomas McKinley and F. L. Alexander Dec. 11 S. H. Alexander and M. M. McClellan 1 3 Walter McClain to Margaret A. Martin 20 Robert Cope to Mary E. Spears 1867 Jan. 17 Joseph McClellan and Martha A. Russel 3 1 John M. Black to Sarah A. Erwin Feb. 14 John M. McClarty to E. M. Black 19 John M. W. Alexander to E. A. Morrison 208 APPENDIX June 26 Sept. 5 Jan. 30 ? Feb. ? April July Sept. 30 28 8 10 Oct. 15 20 Nov. 1 1 Dec. 22 R. H. Caldwell to M. Q. Pharr B. Boyd to M. C. L. Pharr 1868 Joshua Teater to Harriet C. Alexander J as. B. White to ?. WinecofT Stricland to E. J. McEachern Thos. H. McClellan to Mrs. Mary Query S. A. Harris to E. C. Wharton D. H. White to Laura Hampton Joseph R. White to M. J. White David Cline to Jane W. Morrison Elam C. Davis to E. E. Kirkptarick William S. White to Fanny White William L. Morrison to A4ary Black Charles Miller to Sally Spears 1869 Jan. 25 Robt. Scruggs to Julia A. Biggers May 1 1 John Freeze to Mary H. Scott Aug. 10 A. Bauman to Mary F. Penick Oct. 28 Wm. Townsand to E. J. Martin Nov. 17 Dr. D. W. Flow to Mollie J. Pharr Eddie P. Penick to Maria L. Morrison 1870 Charles H. Erwin to Virginia Johnston Hugh S. Pharr to Mary Means Joshua Teeter to Mary Carigan Victor Query to Martha Barnhardt Jan. 5 Feb. ? Nov. 2 4 Dec. 12 209 Bibliography Bibliography A. Minutes, Records, and Reports of Ecclesiastical Bodies B. Miscellaneous Manuscripts C. Books and Pamphlets D. Periodicals A. MINUTES, RECORDS, AND REPORTS OF ECCLESIASTICAL BODIES (Minutes unless otherwise designated) I. CONGREGATIONS (all manuscript) i . John's and Wadmalaw Islands, South Carolina Session: Vol. 1856-1911. 2. Milton, North Carolina Session: Vol. I, 1 826-1 850. 3. Rocky River Church Register: Vols. I — III, 1 835-1953. Vol. I is in first volume of Minutes of Session. Librarian's Record: Vol. 1832-? Session: Vols. I — III, 1 835-1953. Treasurer's Record: Vols. I— III, 1 836-1 898. Also Building Fund Treasurer's books, subscription lists, and similar papers relating to the erection of the present house of worship. In possession of J. Lee White, Concord, N. C. Women of the Church (various names): Vols. I— II, 1876- 1888. Young People (various names): Vols. I— II, 1893-1917. 4. Zion, Cabarrus County, North Carolina Session: Vol. II, 1 886-1904. II. PRESBYTERIES 1. Concord: Vols. I-IX, 1 795-1 892 (manuscript); Vols. X- XVIII, 1 892-1953 (printed). 213 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER 2. Donegal: Vols. I — III, 1732-1777 (manuscript). In Presbyte- rian Historical Society, Philadelphia, Pa. 3. Hanover: Vols. I — II, 1 755—1785 (manuscript). Pages 1-28 of Volume I, and so numbered, are in the front of the volume. After the union of the Synod of New York and that of Philadelphia in 1758, the Clerk turned to the back of the book and began his entries, where pages 1-46 are numbered in parentheses. This scheme is followed in references. In Library of Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, Va. 4. Mecklenburg (Early): Vol. I, 1 825-1 828 (manuscript). 5. Mecklenburg (Present): Vol. I, 1 869-1 876 (manuscript); fall 1923 (printed). 6. Morganton: Vol. I, 1 836-1 840 (manuscript). 7. Orange: Vol. 1831-1836 (manuscript). 8. The (Philadelphia) Presbytery: Vol. ijo6-iji6. In Records of the Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, Pa., 1841, 1852, 1904, the last with index). This volume also contains the Minutes of the Synod of Philadelphia, 17 17-1758; of the Synod of New York, 1745-175 8; and of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, 1758-1788. Page references are to the 1904 edition. III. SYNODS 1. Carolinas: Vols. I— II, 1788—18 12 (manuscript). 2. Georgia: Vol. 191 2 (printed). 3. New York (See under The Presbytery above). 4. New York and Philadelphia (See under The Presbytery above). 5. North Carolina: Vols. I— III, 181 3-1843 (manuscript); 1851, 1884, 1923-1924, 1927, 1947 (printed). IV. GENERAL ASSEMBLIES 1. Presbyterian Church in the United States: Vols. 1861-1953 (printed). As Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States of America, 1 861-1865. In references as Minutes of the General Assembly. 2. Presbyterian Church in the United States of America: Vols. 1794, 1809-1810, 1 8 1 3, 1821, 1828-1829, 1832-1861, 1868, 1 87 1, 1873, 1952 (printed). All are so-called Old School 214 BIBLIOGRAPHY during period of Old and New School division. In refer- ences as Minutes of the General Assembly, U. S. A. V. BOARDS Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, Board of Domestic Missions, Sixty-fifth and Sixty-sixth annual re- ports, 1 867-1 868 (printed). Exact titles of printed minutes are variant, and references to min- utes, whether manuscript or printed, are never italicized except in case of those published in the Records of the Fresbyterian Church. B. A4ISCELLANEOUS MANUSCRIPTS Augusta County, Virginia. Order Book, Vol. 3. In county court house, Staunton, Va. Cabarrus County. Record of Deeds, Books 5, n-12, 81. In county court house, Concord, N. C. Davis, Thomas E. Autobiography. Harris, Elva. Account of Removal of Thimble. Harris, Joshua. Records. In possession of Mrs. George F. Stratton, Charlotte, N. C. Liberty Hall Chapter, D. A. R. Genealogical Record. In Public Li- brary, Charlotte, N. C. Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Record of Deeds, Books 4, 7, 1 1-1 3, 17. In county court house, Charlotte, N. C. Will Book, Vols. A and G. In county court house, Charlotte, N. C. Mecklenburg Presbytery. Biographies of the Deceased Ministers, 1869 to 1900. Morrison, Elam J. Autobiography. In Possession of Miss Mary King, Concord, N. C. Morrison, Ethel Hudson. History of Woman's Auxiliary of Rocky River Church, 1876—1925. Morrison, James Elijah. Letter to James Morrison, April 20, 1832. In Southern Historical Collection, Chapel Hill, N. C. Morrison, Robert Hall. Letters to James Morrison, Feb. 12, 1820, and Oct. 15, 1 851. In Southern Historical Collection. Penick, Daniel Allen. Diary, 1821-1822. In Southern Historical Col- lection. 215 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Ramsay, J. Alston. Historical Sketch of Concord Presbytery, March 29th, 1796 to March 31st, 1896. Richardson, William. Diary and Journal, 1758-17 59. In New York Public Library. Rockwell, Elijah F. Biographical Sketch Book. History of Fourth Creek Church. Rumple, Jethro. Memorial Sermon Preached at Centre Church . . . April 1 st, 1896. Smith, Henry Louis. Letter to Robert H. LafFerty, Nov. 29, 192 1. In Davidson College Library, Davidson, N. C. Spence, Anna Sparrow. History of Woman's Auxiliary of Rocky River Church, 1946- 1947. Rocky River Casualties in the Great War, 1941-1945. Wharey, James M. Pastor's Diary and Clerical Record, 1885. Wilson, George. Sketch of John M. Wilson. 1 896. Manuscripts of all types not located elsewhere are in the Histori- cal Foundation of the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches, Mon- treat, N. C. C. BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS Alexander, Eugene, compiler. The Query History. Back Creek Church. 1934. Alexander, J. B. Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlers of the Hopewell Section. Charlotte, N. C. 1897. The History of Mecklenburg Coimty from 1740 to 1900. Char- lotte, N. C. 1902. Asbury, Francis. The Journal of the Rev. Francis As bury. 3 vols. New York. 1821. Vol. II. Baker, William M. The Life and Labours of the Rev. Daniel Baker, D. D. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, n. d. A Book of the South. New Orleans, n. d. Briggs, Charles Augustus. American Presbyterianism, Its Origin and Early History. New York. 1885. Caruthers, E. W. A Sketch of the Life and Character of the Rev. David Caldwell, D. D. Greensborough, N. C. 1842. Revolutionary hicidents and Sketches of Character Chiefly in the "Old North State." Philadelphia. 1854. 216 BIBLIOGRAPHY Colonial Records of North Carolina. See North Carolina. Coon, Charles L. North Carolina Schools and Academies, 1790- 1840. Raleigh. 19 15. Craighead, Alexander. A Renewal of the Covenants, n. p. Reprinted 1748. Craighead, James Geddes. The Craighead Family. Philadelphia, Pa. 1876. Creaghead, Alexander. A Discourse Concerning the Covenants: Containing the Substance of Two Sermons, Preached at Middle- Octarara January 10, and 17 1141,2. Philadelphia. Printed by B. Franklin for the Author. 1742. The writer has never seen this publication which is listed in Evans. Davidson College. Alumni Catalogue of Davidson College, David- son, N. C, 1837-1924. Thomas Wilson Lingle, editor. Charlotte, N. C. 1924. Dictionary of American Biography. Vol. XXI. New York. 1944. Dowd, Jerome. Sketches of Prominent hiving North Carolinians. Raleigh, N. C. 1888. DuBose, Hampden C. Memoirs of Rev. John Leighton Wilson, D. D. Richmond, Va. 1895. Dunaway, Wayland F. The Scotch-Irish of Colonial Pennsylvania. Chapel Hill. 1944. Foote, William H. Sketches of North Carolina, Historical and Bio- graphical. New York. 1846. Reprinted, 19 12. References are to the latter edition. Glasgow, W. Melancthon. History of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in America. Baltimore. 1888. Graham, George W. The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independ- ence, May 20, 177$, and Lives of its Signers. New York and Wash- ington. 1905. Hampden-Sidney College. General Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Hampden-Sidney College, Virginia, 1776-1906. Rich- mond. 1908. Hanna, Charles A. The Scotch-Irish or the Scot in North Britain, North Ireland, and North America. 2 vols. New York and Lon- don. 1902. Harris, William S. Historical Sketch of Poplar Tent Church. Charlotte, N. C. 1873. Reprinted with an additional article by 217 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER W. Hampton Eubank. Concord, N. C. 1924. Page references are to original edition unless otherwise indicated. Herndon, John Goodwin. John Thomson, n. p. 1943. Hillegas, Howard C. Oom Paul's People. New York. 1900. History of American Missions to the Heatheji from their Com- mence to the Present Time. Worcester. 1840. A History of Cabarrus County in the Wars. n. p. (1947). Hodge, Charles. The Constitutional History of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. 2 parts. Philadelphia, n. d. Howe, George. History of the Presbyterian Church in South Caro- lina. 2 vols. Columbia, S. C. 1870-188 3. Vol. I. Hurley, James F. and Eagan, Julia Goode. The Prophet of Zion- Parnassus. Richmond, Va. n. d. Independent Presbyterian Church. The Constitution and Form of Government of the Independent Presbyterian Church. Colum- bia. 1839. Jones, Charles C. The Religious Instruction of the Negroes in the United States. Savannah. 1842. Kaigh-Eustace, Edyth. The Tragedy of Mosega. n. p., n. d. Klett, Guy S. Presbyterians in Colonial Pennsylvania. Philadelphia. *937- Lathan, Robert. History of the Associate Reformed Synod of the South. Harrisburg, Pa. 1882. Lingle, Walter L. Thyatira Presbyterian Church. Statesville, N. C. n. d. Lore, Adelaide and Eugenia, and Morrison, Robert Hall. The Morrison Family of the Rocky River Settlement of North Carolina — History and Genealogy, n. p. (c. 1950). Mack, Jos. B. A Historical Sketch of Rocky River Church from l 115 t0 l $15- To which is appended a Fore-word and an After- word by Morrison Caldwell, Esq. n. p. 191 3. McElroy, I. S. Some Presbyterian Preachers of the Pied?nont North Carolina, n. p., n. d. M'Kerrow, John. History of the Secession Church. Edinburgh and London. 1845. Miller, A. W. and Hill, D. H. Memorial Sketches of Rev. Robert Hall Morrison, D. D., Charlotte, N. C. 1889. Morrison, Robert Hall. A Funeral Sermon in Commemoration of 218 BIBLIOGRAPHY the Character and Labors of Rev. Daniel Allen Penick, Sen. Char- lotte, N. C. n. d. Morton, Oren F. A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia. Staunton, Va. 1920. Newcomb, Harvey. A Cyclopedia of Missions. New York. 1855. North Carolina. The Colonial Records of North Carolina. Wil- liam L. Saunders, collector and editor. 10 vols. Raleigh. 1 886-1 890. Vols. V, VI-IX. General Assembly. Roster of North Carolina Troops in the War between the States. Prepared by John W. Moore. 4 vols. Raleigh. 1882. Laws of the State of North Carolina enacted in the year 1812. Raleigh. 181 3. The State Records of North Carolina. 16 vols. Walter Clark, collector and editor. Various places. 1 895-1905. Vols. XIV, XXII. Volumes are numbered 11-26. North Carolina University. Alumni History of the University of North Carolina. Daniel Lindsey Grant, editor and compiler. 2nd ed. n. p. 1924. Parton, James. Life of Andrew Jackson. 3 vols. New York. 1861. Vol. I. Phillips, Sarah E. A Historical Sketch of Valley Creek Church. 2nd ed. n. p., n. d. Presbytery of Carlisle. The Centennial Memorial. 2 vols. Harris- burg. 1889. Records of the Presbyterian Church. See The (Philadelphia) Pres- bytery (A, II, 8). Reformed Presbyterian Church. Reformation Principles Exhibited by the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Philadelphia. 1849. Rocky River Presbyterian Church. Bulletin: May 1, 1949; Sept. 6, 1953, 2 P.M. Extract from Plan of Work of Rocky River Church. Broadside of around 1888. Progress! Posterity! Perpetuation! Folder (1943). Report on the Progress toward Perpetuating for Posterity. Pamphlet of 1947. — Service of Dedication of Audio-Visual Equipment. 1948. — Service of Dedication of Education Building. 1949. 219 CONGREGATION ON ROCKY RIVER Service of Dedication of Memorial Organ and Chimes. 1946. Rumple, Jethro. A History of Rowan County, North Carolina. Salisbury, N. C. 1881. Scott, Eugene C. Ministerial Directory of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. 1861-1941. Austin, Texas. 1942; 2nd ed. Revised and Sup- plemented, 1942-1950. Atlanta, Ga. 1950. Earlier edition cited as Scott; 1950 edition indicated in reference. Shaw, Cornelia, compiler. Davidson College. New York. n. d. Smith, Edwin W. The Life and Times of Daniel Lindley. New York. n. d. Spence, T. H., Jr. and Lingle, W. L. Addresses Delivered at the Sesquicentennial of Concord Presbytery, Oct. 16, 1945. Morgan- ton, N. C. n. d. Spence, Thomas H. Survey of Records and Minutes in the Histori- cal Foundation of the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches. Mon- treat, N. C. 1943. Sprague, William B. Annals of the American Pulpit. Vols. Ill and IV. New York. 1858 and 1859. State Records of North Carolina. See North Carolina. Synod of North Carolina. Centennial Addresses (1913). n. p., n. d. Tompkins, D. A. History of Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte. 2 vols. Charlotte, N. C. 1903. Union Theological Seminary. General Catalogue of the Trustees, Officers, Professors and Alumni of Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, 1807-1924. Edited by Walter W. Moore et al. Rich- mond, Va. 1924. United States, Bureau of Census. Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States taken in the Year 1790, North Caro- lina. Washington. 1908. Washington and Lee University. Catalogue of the Officers and Alumni of Washington and Lee University , Lexington, Va., 1749- 1888. Baltimore. 1888. Webster, Richard. A History of the Presbyterian Church in Amer- ica, from its Origin until the Year 1760. Philadelphia. 1857. Wheeler, John H. Historical Sketches of North Carolina from IJ84 to 18 p. 2 vols, in one. Philadelphia. 1851. Who's Who in North Carolina. Chicago. 1947. Williamson, Hugh. The History of North Carolina. 2 vols. Phila- delphia. 1 81 2. Vol. II. 220 BIBLIOGRAPHY D. PERIODICALS Annals of Surgery. Philadelphia, Pa. Vol. XXIV, July-Dec. 1896. Asheville Citizen-Times. Asheville, N. C. Sept. 27, 1953. Assembly Reporter. Augusta, Ga. Dec. 5, 1861. Boston Recorder. Boston, Mass. Nov. 20, 18 19. Charleston Observer. Charleston, S. C. Aug. 13, 1831; Feb. 23, 1833. Charlotte Observer. Charlotte, N. C. Feb. 27, 1896; Dec. 14, 1947; Oct. 29, 1950. Christian Observer. Louisville, Ky. Jan. 29, 1873; May 12, 1926; Oct. 4, 1933; Nov. 1, 1950. Concord Presbyterian. Morganton, N. C. May 15, 1949. Concord Tribune. Concord, N. C. May 2, 1949; May 8, 1950. Davidson College Magazine. Davidson, N. C. Jan. 1 898. Family Visitor. Richmond, Va. Dec. 10, 1825. Foreign Missionary . New York, N. Y. Oct. 1880. Historical Foundation News. Montreat, N. C. July 1949. Journal of the Presbyterian Historical Society. Philadelphia, Pa. June 1905. Missionary . Nashville, Tenn. Oct. 1900. Missionary Herald. Boston, Mass. Jan., July, Nov. 1835; Sept. 1836; Jan., July 1837. Missionary Reporter. Philadelphia, Pa. i\pr. 1, 1830. North Carolina Presbyterian. Favetteville, N. C; Wilmington, N. C. Sept. 14 and 21, 1861; June 26, 1S67; Jan. 19, 1870; Sept. 3, 1875; July 3, 1878; June 15, 1881. Presbyterian. Philadelphia, Pa., and New York, N. Y. May 15, 1869. Presbyterian Standard. Charlotte, N. C. June 5, Aug. 21, 1912. Southern Religious Telegraph. Richmond, Va. Sept. 18, 1830; Sept. 30, 1 831; March 15, 1833; Nov. 28, 1834. Texas Presbyterian. St. Louis, Mo. July 15, 1881. Visitor and Telegraph. Richmond, Va. Nov. 22, 1828. Watchman of the South. Richmond, Va. Nov. 24, 1842. 22 1 Index Index This index is primarily designed for reference to persons and places, together with certain topics, which are treated in the narrative section of the volume. Several general references to the Appendix are also included. Abeel, David, 53 Abernethy, 146 Academy, Rocky River, Chap. IV, and 41, 57-59, 73-74. Il8 > I2 °> 122-23, J 4^> x 54> I( ^o, I( 56 Adams, J. M. H., 70 Addem, William, 25 Africa, 47, 53-55, 61-62 African Church, 103 Agnes Penick Benevolent Society, 141 Agnes Penick Missionary Society, 141 Albemarle, 166 Alexander, Abram C. (Abraham Cicero), 83, 120-21, 127 Alexander, Adam, 5 Alexander, C, 89, 91-92 Alexander, Charles Taylor, 25, 36, 47 Alexander, Cyrus, 58 Alexander, Daniel, 149 Alexander, George, 17 Alexander, Horas, 77 Alexander, James, 4 Alexander, John F., 139-40 Alexander, Justice, 4 Alexander, L. H., 127, 145 Alexander, Mrs. M., 98 Alexander, Nathaniel, 17 Alexander, Philandra, 58 Alexander, R. A., 159 Alexander, S. C, 113 Alexander, Thomas, 50 Alexander, W. A., 149 Alexander, W. E., 145, 151, 159, 167 Alexander, W. K., 151, 158, 167 Alexander, William, 4, 35 Allen, Lucy (Mrs. Daniel Lind- ley), 61-62 Anderson, John Gray, 112, 125-29, 142-43 Andrew, W., 90, 96 Anglican Church, 12 Anson County, 16, 29 Antrim County, 145 Appomattox, 143 Archibald, Robert, 27-30, 32 Archibald, Mrs. Robert, 28 Arrowood, R. S., 155 Arrowood, W. B., 121 Ashland, Va., 132 Ashmore, James, 23-24 Audio-visual equipment, 158 Augusta, Ga., 80 Augusta County, 12-13, l8 Austin, Texas, 85 footnote Automobiles, 117, 145-47 Back Creek, 5 Baker, Daniel, 72-73 Baker, Samuel, 15 Balch, Anne Goodwine, 21 Balch, Hezekiah, 21 Balch, Hezekiah James, 20-22, 25, 3 2 Balch, Mrs. Hezekiah James, 21 225 INDEX Balch, James (Father of H. J.), 21 Balch, James, 27 Balch, Martha, 21 Ballymena, North Ireland, 145 Banks, Harriet (Mrs. Joseph B. Mack), 106 Banks, William, 107 Baptist Church, 1 1 1 Barium Springs Orphanage, 130, 142 Barnhardt, 146 Barnhardt, Charles Eugene, 160-61 Barnhardt, Mrs. Charles Eugene, (Edna Parsley), 160 Barnhardt, J. C., 81-82, no, 120- 121, 124 Barnhardt, James, 144 Barnhardt, John A., 121, 157, 160 Barnhardt, Mrs. John A. (Sallie E.), 124, 157 Barnhardt, John J., 156, 160, 164 Barnhardt, Thomas M., 160 Barnhardt, William H., 160 Barr, A. R., 50 Barr, William H., 38 Baseball, 146 Bath County, 12 Baton Rouge, La., 152 Bauman, Mrs. Albert, 84-85 Bedford, Va., 152 Belhaven College, 131 Belief ont Church, 104 Bennettsville, S. C, 156 Bethany Church, 34, 40-41, 52 Bethel, Palestine, 96 Bethel Church, 20 Bethpage Church, 103-04 Beulah Church, 139 Bigger, R., 89 Bird Church, 13, 16 Black, 146 Black, J. Melancthon, 114 Black, John M., 118, 162 Black, Mary, 77-78 Black, Sam (See Samuel) Black, Samuel, 44-45, 141-42, 149, 152, 156, 159, 161-62 Black Boys, 22-25 Black's (Lipe's) Mill, 122 Black's Quarter, Appendix I, and 114, 119 Bladen County, 29 Blair, Mrs. Ada, 1 1 7 Blair, William, 25 Blume, Clarence, 156, 162 Boers, 62 Boger, Charles E., 157 Boger, Mrs. Charles E. (Elise Barnhardt), 157 Boger, James Philip, 158 Boger, John Daniel, 157-58 Boger's Chapel, 157 Borden Tract, 1 2 Bost, Peter Boger, 157 Bost, Mrs. Peter Boger, 157 Bost, Peter Boger (Jr.), 157 Boston, Mass., 53 Boyd, Charles Leroy, 50 Brandon, 3 Breckenridge, John, 68 Brick House Plantation, 36 Bridge, 123 Brown, John, 13 Brown, Mrs. John M., 85 Bryson, Mrs. Martha, 1 13-14 Buechel, Ky., 139 Bulletins, 161 Burial of stranger, 105 Burke County, 34-35 Burleyson, Ida, 124 Burlington, 54 Burns, E. B., 69 Burton, Daniel, 19 Burwell, Robert, 86 Cabarrus County, 21, 29, 36, 41, 88, 103, 127, 138, 144, 148, 157, 166 Caldwell, Alexander, 30-32, 155 Caldwell, Mrs. Alexander, 31 Caldwell, David (elder), 4-5, 16, Caldwell, David (father of Alexan- der), 30, 39 226 INDEX Caldwell, Mrs. David, 30 Caldwell, James, 20 Caldwell, John, 73 Caldwell, Morrison, 60, 108, 143 Caldwell, Robert, 69 Caldwell, Robert C, 83 Caldwell, S. C, 31, 39 Caldwell, Samuel, 36 Caldwell's Creek, 123 Callwall, James, 25 Callwall, John, 25 Camden, S. C, 33 Cameronians, 8 Campbell, Robert, 25 Canton, 139 Canton Church, 139 Cape Palmas, Western Africa, $5 Cape Town, South Africa, 53-54 Carnegie, Andrew, 149-50 Carolinas, Synod of, 30, 34, 37, 39, 92, 97 Carrigan, John, 36 Carriker, John A., 164 Carriker, William W., 161 Carruth, Justice, 4, 4 footnote Caruthers, Eli W., 14, 27 Caruthers, James, 23-24 Caruthers, Robert, 23-24 Casualties, Confederate, Appen- dix H. Caswell, W. G., 150-151, 166 Catawba Journal, 50 Catawba River, 3-4, 15, 41, 144 Cathey's Meeting House (Thy- atira), 3-4 Census of 1790, 28-29 Centennial, 76 Centre Church, 4, 20 Charleston, S. C, 106 Charleston Presbytery, 106 Charlotte, 16, 22-23, 25-26, 34, 42, 5*» 53. 72, 74, I2 2, 133. H0> H6, 160, 166 Charlotte Observer, 132 Cherokees, 15 Chickasaw Nation, 41 China, 129-30 China Grove, 153 Choir, 109-10, 116, 123-24, 130, 135, 139, 143, 147, 164 Choir, Confederate Veterans', 143 Christian Observer, 119 Church Building, 5-6, 26, 37, 63, 71, 76-78, 88, 101-02, no, 114, 123, 125, 127, 144, 147-48, 154, 158-61, 163-67 Church of England, 21 Cimmons, Hugh, 35 Clark, John, 3 Clear Creek, 5, 36 Clear Creek Church (Philadel- phia), 35 Club House, 154 Cockran, Benjamin, 23 Coddle Creek, 22, 24, 28 Coddle Creek Church, 4 Coe, Stiles Marion (Mrs. George Marshall Wilcox), 156 College of New Jersey, 27 Colonial Dames, 166 Colonial Records of North Caro- lina, 24 Colored Members, Chap. VIII, and 70-71, 74, 83, 138 Columbia, Tenn., 106 Columbia Seminary, 106, 115, 145, 156 Communion Service, 77-78, 151-52 Communion Token, 44-45 Community Building, 158-59 Company H, 82 Concord, 23, 74, 85, 103, 110, 115, 142-43, 146-47, 157, 160 Concord First Church, 141, 151 Concord Presbyterian, 165 Concord Presbytery, 3, 30-31, 35- 36, 38-39, 41-45, 47, 51-53, 55, 57, 60-61, 66, 68-70, 77-81, 83, 86, 104-05, 112, 115, 1 19-21, 124- 25, 128, 130-31, 131 footnote, I35-37* 140-42, i4 8 , W J 5 2 -53, 155-56, 165 Concord Road, 131 Congo, The, 161 227 INDEX Cookson, Thomas, 9 Cornelson, G. H., Jr. (G. H.), 137, 140 Cottage Home, 52 Couser, John, 31, 155 Covenanters, 8-1 1 Covenants, 9- 11 Cowpasture River, 12 Cowper (poet), 79 Craghead, 8 footnote Craighead, Agnes (Nancy), 15-16 Craighead, Alexander, Chap. I, and 25, 27, 144, 166, 169 Craighead, Mrs. Alexander (Jane), Craighead, Elizabeth, 15 Craighead, Jane (daughter of Alexander), 15 Craighead, Margaret, 15 Craighead, Mary, 15 Craighead, Nancy (See Agnes), 15-16 Craighead, Rachel, 12-13, 15, 30 Craighead, Robert, 15 Craighead, Thomas, 7-8 Craighead, Thomas B., 15, 27 Craigsville, Va., 142 Creaghead, 8 footnote Cruse, Allen, 77 Cumberland, Va., 13 Cumberland Church, 64, 116 Cumberland County, 64, 116, 129, Cummins, Francis, 28 Custer, P. M., 118, 122-23 Dabney, R. L., 115 Dalton, Ga., 136 Dan River, 3 Danville Seminary, 106 Davidson, 45, 77, 115 footnote, 132-33, 145 Davidson, John, 31 Davidson, Sarah (See Mrs. Alex- ander Caldwell), 31 Davidson, William L., 26 Davidson College, 47-48, 50, 67, 7 2 ~73» 7 8 > 8 4> "5» !3 2 , !37> x 45" 46, 150, 156-57 Davidson College Magazine, 133 Davies, John L., 50 Davies, William B., 50 Davis, Andrew, 5, 35, 67-68 Davis, E. G, 123, 136, 142, 145 Davis, E. P., 143 Davis, George, 35 Davis, John, 25 Davis, Mrs. John, 96 Davis, Lula, 130 Davis, Robert, 23, 35 Davis, Robert Newton, 58, 67, 78 Davis, Thomas E., 50, 58-59, 69 Davis, W. C, 37-38 Davys, George, 25 Day of Prayer, 70, 120 Deacons, Appendix C Deer Creek, Md., 21 Dejournet, C. H., 77 Depot, The (Harrisburg), 108, m Dictionary of American Biogra- phy, 62 Dobbs, Gov. Arthur, 6-7, 15 Doland (See Dorland) Donaldson, , 4 Donegal Presbytery, 8, 20-21 Dorland, Luke, 102-3 Dream, 108-10 Dunfermline, Scotland, 149 Dunn, H. G, 122-23 Ebenezer Church, 92 Ed Erwin Fund, 153-54 Educational Building, 158-60, 163— 65, 167 Elberton, Ga., 156 Elders, Appendix B Elijah, 7 English Buffalo Creek, 22 Enno, 3 Episcopal Church (See also Angli- can Church, Church of England, Established Church), 14 Erwin, Alexander, 34 Erwin, Charles H., 111-12 228 INDEX Erwin, Edward, 153-54 Erwin, John McK., 50 Erwin, Mary (Mrs. John Ma- kemie Wilson), 34-35 Established Church, 6, 14 Euodias, no Factory Quarter, Appendix I, and 113-14 Farmers' Alliance, 128-29 Fayetteville, 40, 70 Fayetteville Presbytery, 42 Fishing Creek, 18 Fishing Creek Church, 20 Flinn, William, 67 Flowe, D. W., 123-25, 137-38 Flowers, James Ray, 161 Foote, William H., 3-5, 16, 30-31, Forks of James River, 12 Fort Jackson, Ala., 39 Forth Creek Church, 4 footnote, 16, 27 Fox, Philadelphia H. (Mrs. John Makemie Wilson, Jr.), 52 Gaines, Annie Russell (Mrs. Rob- ert Junius Hunter), 137 Gardiner Spring Resolution, 79 Gastonia, 139 Gates, General, 33 Gaudaloupe County, 53 General Associate Synod, 11-12 George I, King, 11 George, II, King, n Gillems, William, 47 Gillon, W. A., 137, 140 Girardeau, J. L., 106 Glasgow, W. Melancthon, 18 footnote Glenburnie, 85 Gold Mining, 68-70, 147 Goldsborough, 81 Goochland County, 16, 116 Goodman, Buford, 160 Goodman, Samuel, 160 Gordonsville, Va., 125 Gourley, Robert, 120 Graham, George, 22 Graveyards, Appendix J, and 22, 2(5 > 2 9> 37-3 8 5 4 2 > 4 6 > 86 > I0 5> J 43- 44, 149-50, 153 footnote, 161, 164-65 Great Woman, 106 Greenville, N. C, 150 Grey, Hugh M., 160 Grey, Mrs. W. R., 45, 115 foot- note Gribble, E. E., 128 Grier, Claude, 130 Grier, J. M., 141 Griquatown, South Africa, 54 Griswold, Rev. Mr., 55 Hadley, Joshua, 23 Hall, James, 30, 34, 38-39 Hall, Robert, 50 Hall, Thomas, 25 Hampden-Sydney College, 34, 48, 57, 64, 116, 124, 126, 129 Hanna, George, 155 Hanover, Va., 13 Hanover Presbytery, 7, 13, 16, 18, 27,64 Hardcastle, Mary (Mrs. Alexan- der Erwin Wilson), §^ Harding, E. H, 85 Harmony Presbytery, 106 Harris, A. N., 127, 137, 139, 142, 167 Harris, Ellen, 132, 132 footnote, J 33-34 Harris, Mrs. Elva (Mrs. William E.), 132 footnote Harr Harr: Harr Harr Harr Harr Harr Harr Harr s, J. Marc, 135, 143 s, James, 25 s, James M., 124, 127, 130 s, John, 104 s, Major, 4 s, Mrs. Margaret, 98 s, Matthias L., no, 118 s, Robert, 5 s, S. C, 93, 99 Harris, Samuel, 98 229 INDEX Harris, Samuel, Sr., 5, 25, 29, 35 Harris, Solomon, 105 Harris, William E., 128, 132 Harris, Mrs. William E., 132-33 Harris Depot, 74, 100, 113 Harrisburg, 58, 11 8-21, 139-40, 144, 146, 150, 154 Harrisburg Church, 133, 140-41, 150 Harriss, James, 25 Harrys', W. D., 146 Hartford County, 21 Hartselle, Ala., 141 Hawfields Church, 7 Henderson, Thomas, 34 Hico Church, 7 Hill, D. H., 143 Hillsboro, 28 Historical Address, n 7-1 8 Historical Foundation, 44, 77-78, 152 Historical Sketch, 60 Holladay, Mary Littlepage (Mrs. Richard Venable Lancaster), 129 Holv Land, 158 Homecoming of 191 2, 142-43 Homecoming of 1933, 151 Hopewell Church, 31 Houston, S. W., 140 Houston, Thomas D., 67 Howie, Mrs. Elizabeth Stafford, 161 Howie, Mrs. Jane, 118 Howie, Mack C, 151 Howie House, 94 Hudson, Ethel (Mrs. William Mc- Kee Morrison), 162 Hudson, Mrs. W. H., 161 Hunter, Robert Junius, 137-39 Hunter, Mrs. Robert Junius, 137 Huntington, Mary Frances, 65 Hymn books, 101, 108, 156 Hico, 3 Immanuel Church, 153 Independent Presbyterian Church, India, 158 Indiantown Church, 88 Iredell County, 15 Ireland, 7, 149 Jackson, Andrew, 33-34 Jackson, Miss., 131 Jackson College, 106 Jackson Training School, 22, 142 Jersey Settlement, 20 John the Baptist, 7 John's and Wadmalaw Islands Church, 88-90 Johnson, D. N., 140 Johnston, Cyrus, 50, 72 Johnston, M. G., 90 Johnston's River, xiii Jones, Charles C, 93, 101 Junkin, Daniel Penick, 143 Junkin, E. D., 80-81 Junkin, Mrs. E. D., 84 Kerr, Nathan, 18, 20 Kilpatrick, J. D., 30 Kimmons, Samuel, 71 King, Robert Rufus, 50 King College, 132 Kingstree Church, 88-89 Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth, 59 Kirkpatrick, L. C, 59, 73 Kirkpatrick, R., 24, 59, 66 Kirkpatrick, Valentine, 42 Knox, John, 7 Kruger, Paul, 61 Kumching, China, 158 Kurmitola, India, 158 Kuruman, South Africa, 54 Lacy, Drury, 71 Ladies Christian Association, 1 1 7 Lafferty, J. W., 141 Lafferty, Robert H., 132 footnote Lancaster, Richard Venable, 129, 131-32 230 INDEX Lancaster, Mrs. Richard Venable, 129 Lapsley, James, 141-42, 161 Lapsley, Mrs. James, 141 Lapsley, R. A., Jr., 141 Lapsley, Samuel B., 161 Lapsley, Samuel Norvell, 141 Lathan, Robert, 9 Lewis, Rev. Mr., 20 Library, 59, 108, 152 Life and Times of Daniel Lindley, 62 Lincoln (Abraham), 80 Lincoln County, 52 Lincolnton, 84 Lindley, Daniel, Chap. V., and 53- 54, 113, 165, 169 Lindley, Mrs. Daniel, 53-54, 61-62 Lindsley, Silas, 73-74 Lingle, Walter L., 106-07, I2 4 Linker, Troy H., 162 Lipe's (Black's) Mill, 122 Litaker, Edward, 104 Loftain, Samuel, 25 Long Creek, 18 Lore, Eugenia, 18 footnote Louisa Church, 13 Louisville, Ky., 137 Louisville Seminary, 137 Lower Meeting House, 3-4 Lutheran Church, 72 McAden, Hugh, 3-5 McAllister, D. S., 125 McCachran (See also McCachren, McCacran, McEachern) McCachran, Robert, 35 McCachren, Clegg M., 156, 162 McCachren, Hoyte M., 132, 152- 53, 158 McCachren, Wilton A., 167 McCacran, Hector, 42 McCallan, Robert, 25 McCamy, 34 footnote McClarty, Alexander, 69 McClarty, John S., 69 McClerty, Archibald, 47 McCulloch's N. C. Barony, 17 McCurdy, Archibald, 35 McCurdy, C. S., 151 McDowell, Robert, 58-59 McEachern, C. O., 141-42 McEachern, D. B., 140 McEachern, R. M., 82 McEachern, Sue, 139 McKamie, 34 footnote McKemie, 34 footnote McKindley, S. M. (Sandy), 70, 77, 9i, 94-95 McKinnon, L., 113, 115 McLealland, John, 35 McMordie, Robert, 4 McMurrey, Robert, 25 McRee, James, 39 McWhorter, Alexander, 17, 20 Mack, Edward, 106, 153 Mack, Joseph B., 105-11, 113-115, 117-18, 121, 138, 143, 150 Mack, Mrs. Joseph B., 106 Macon, Ga., 155 Manse, m, 114, 117, 132, 134, 142, 144, 154, 158-59 Margaret, Queen, 149 Marriage of Slaves, 92-93 Marriages, Appendix L Martin, John, 7 Martin, Thomas Lee, 120 Mebane, W. N., 71 Mecklenburg County, 16-19, 2 9-> 3 6 * 4 1 , 53> !37> l66 Mecklenburg Declaration, 22, 25, 166 Mecklenburg Presbytery, 41-43, 51, 83, 148-49 Meherrin, Va., 13 Meisinheimer, Mrs. N. E., 124 Methodist Church, 6^, in Mexican War, 70 Middle Octorara, Pa., 9-10 Middle Octorara Church, 8 Miller, C. M., 151 Miller, Cornelius, 134-36 Miller, Mrs. Cornelius, 134 Miller, David, 67-68 231 INDEX Miller, Mrs. G. Alvice, 167 Millersburg, Ky., 129 A4ilton, 6s Milton Female Academy, 6$ Ministers from Rocky River, Ap- pendix F Missionary ■, 126 Missouri Presbytery, 52 Mitchell College Choir, 164 Montgomery, Ala., 39 Montreat, 44, 77, 152 Moore, Harvey Wilson, 160, 164, 166 Mooresville, 124 Mooresville First Church, 124 Morgan, Enoch, 38-39, 47 Morgan, Nicholson R., 50 Morgan Memorial Church, 148-49 Morganton, 35, 45, 52 Morganton Presbytery, 68 footnote Morison, James, 25 Morison, John, 25 Morrison, D. L., 140 Morrison, E. A. (Elber), 135, 139, I5 1 ' l 59 Morrison, Elam J., 48-50 Morrison, Elber (See E. A.) Morrison, Ellis, 140 Morrison, Eugene P., 156, 162 Morrison, Fred Wilson, 160 Morrison, James, 38, 47, 90 Morrison, Rev. James, 50, 61 Morrison, James Elijah, 50, 57, 72, Morrison, James L., 83, 123 Morrison, James R., 163 Morrison, John, 47, 67-68 Morrison, John Dwight, 117, 120- 21 Morrison, Julius B., 123 Morrison, Leroy McKee, 112, 122 Morrison, McEwen, 39 Morrison, M. M., 140 Morrison, P., 91 Morrison, R. C, 143 Morrison, Ralph, 159, 164 Morrison, Robert C, 39 Morrison, Robert Hall, 42, 44-45, 50-52, 60, 64, 67, 70-71, 79, 81, 86, 143 Morrison, Robert Harvey, 70, 106-07 Morrison, Samuel, 59 Morrison, William, 35, 39-40 Morrison, William, Jr., 35, 47 Morrison, William McKee, 149, 153-54, I 5^, 161-62 Morrison, Mrs. William McKee, 162 Morrison, William Newton, 50 Morrison Family, 5 Morrison's Quarter, 1 18-19, I2< 5, 128 Morrisons Tan- Yard, 42 Morristown, N. J., 62 Morrow, Flora (Mrs. James Laps- ley), 141 Mosalekatsi, Country of, 54 Mosega, 54 Mount Pleasant Collegiate Insti- tute, 157 Mumford and Ruth, 77 Murdock, William, 80 Murlock, Wm., 77 Nail, Robert, 83 National Covenant, 9 Neely, Archibald, 67 New Castle Presbytery, 1 2 New Hanover County, 29 New London Church, 8 New Meeting-House (Centre?), 4 New Providence Church, N. C. (See Providence), 36 New Providence Church, Va., 61, 80, 163 New School, 68 New Side, 4 New York City, 62 footnote New York, Synod of, 3, 12, 64 New York and Philadelphia, Synod of, 16-18, 20 Newbern, 24 Norfolk, Va., 157 232 INDEX North Buffalo, 27 North Carolina General Assembly, 14, 16 North Carolina Legislature, 47, 53, 114 North Carolina Medical College, 132 North Carolina Presbyterian, 80, 119, 131 North Carolina State College, 143, 157 North Carolina, Svnod of, 39-43, 70-71, 75, 81, 84-85, 148 North Mountain Church, 13 North United Free Church, 149 Northern Ireland, 145 Nutbush Church, 13 Oath of Purgation, 27 Octorara, Pa., 8 Ohio University, 57 Old Charlotte Road, 157 Old School, 68 Old Side, 4 Organ, 123-24, 159-160 Orange Presbytery, 22, 27-28, 30, 34, 57, 134 Osborne, Augustine, 120, 122-23 Osborne, Capt., 4 Ottoshoop, South Africa, §§ Overton, Mrs. Mary W. (Mrs. James Morton Wharey), 116 Palmer, B. M., 81 Panama City Church, 142 Park Street Church, 53 Parms, Calvin, 91 Parris Island, S. C, 157 Parrish, Floyd M., 149, 159 Parrish, Foy B., 163 Parton, James, 33 Pastors, Appendix A Patriots and Soldiers of the Revo- lutionary Period, Appendix G Patterson Church, 131, 150, 152 Pease, J. Norman, 160 Penick, Agnes Ann (Mrs. E. D. Junkin), 84 Penick, Daniel Allen, Chaps. VI- VII, and 26, 51, 89-92, 101-03, 112, 129, 136, 143-44, I 5°> l &9 Penick, Mrs. Daniel Allen, 64, 90, ".7 Penick, Daniel Allen, Jr., 75, 78, 84, 105 Penick, Daniel Allen (III), 85 foot- note Penick, Dixon B., 82-84, 85 foot- note, 116, 121 Penick, Edward Payson, 85 Penick, Elizabeth, 85 Penick, Emma Garland (Mrs. John M. Brown), 85 Penick, George Willis, 85 Penick, Maria Brown, 84 Penick, Mary Frances (Airs. Albert Bauman), 84-85 Penick, Nathaniel (father of Dan- iel Allen), 64 Penick, Nathaniel Hill, 84 Penick, Peter Tinsley, 71, 75, 84 Penick, Rosilla Allen (Mrs. G. L. Phifer), 84 Penicks, 72 Pharr, A. R., 50 Pharr, Dion C, 50 Pharr, F. S., 145 Pharr, F. W., 149, 151, 159 Pharr, Henry N., 50, 78 Pharr, Hugh S., 77, 81-82 Pharr, John Scott, 161 Pharr, Jones Y., 160 Pharr, Joseph O., 73 Pharr, Mrs., 99 Pharr, S. C, 72 Pharr, S. Corum, 151, 162 Pharr, S. E. W., no, 116 Pharr, Samuel, 81-82, 95, 112 Pharr, Sarah N, 91 Pharr, Tommy, 166 Pharr, W. S., 93 Pharr, W. W, 72 Pharr, Walter F., 69 233 INDEX Pharr, Walter W., 69, 78, 86, 107, Pharr, William W., 78, 105 Phifer, G. L., 96 Phifer, Mrs. G. L., 84 Phifer, John, 67-68, 98 Phifer, Martin, 16 Phifer's Muster Ground, 23, 25 Phifer's Quarter, 69 Philadelphia, Pa., 16, 34, 39, 43, 61, 80, 134 Philadelphia (Clear Creek) Church, 35-37, 40, 42- 43, 45-46, 75 Philadelphia, Synod of, 4-5, 9-10 Pilgrim's Progress, 107 Pioneer Mills, 91, 108, in, 121, 146-47 Plan of Work, 126 Pleasant Valley, Ala., 39 Plott, Mrs. L. L., 143-44 Plumer, W. S., 105 Plunkett's School House, in Poplar Tent, 18, 20-22, 28-30, 45, 61, 67, 75, 92, 103 Populist Party, 129 Porter, D. B., 123-24, 130, 135 Porter, Francis, 39-40 Powhatan County, 64 Prayer meetings, 75, 84, 1 18-19, 122, 128, 142 Presbyterian Church, U. S., 79-80 Presbyterian College of South Carolina, 156 Presbyterian Standard, 143 Preston, C, 137 Princeton Seminary, 64, 137 Providence Church, Va., 13 Quaker Meadows Church, 35 Quarters, Appendix I, and 66, 69, 74, 76-77, 83-84, 1 12-14, 1 18-19, 121, 126-28 Query, Elam, 119-20 Query, J. S., 81-82 Query, James, 68 Query, John, 137-138 Query, John M., 73 Query, Mary, 130 Query, Robert L., 114 Query's Quarter, Appendix I, and 114, 119, 126 Ramah, 103 Rankin, Jesse, 80 Reedy Creek, 5, 58 Reformed Presbyterian Church, 8-1 1 Regulators, 22-25 Reid, M. D., 149 Reid, Mrs. M. D., 132 footnote Republic of Texas, 47 Revival, 30, 38, 60, 64, 72-73, 83, 91, 107, 113, 122, 128 Richards, C. M., 150 Richardson, William, 12, 14-16 Richardson, Mrs. William (Agnes Craighead), 15-16 Richland, S. C, 156 Richmond, Va., 108 Ricks, George, 152 Ricks, John Addison, 150-51, 151 footnote, 152-53, 155 Ricks, Mrs. John Addison, 152 Ricks, Mrs. John Addison, Sr., 152 River Quarter, 113, 119, 126-28 Robb, William, Sr., 35 Robinson, John, 39, 45, 60, 67 Robison, James, 36 Rock Hill High School, 145 Rockingham County, 134 Rocky Ridge, 108 Rocky River Colored Presbyterian Church, 103-104 Rodgers, John, 5 Roentgen, William Conrad, 132 Ross, Elizabeth, 21-22 Ross, William, 21-22 Rowan County, 145, 153 Rumple, Jethro, 4 footnote, 43, 105, 122 Rural Hill Plantation, 31 Russel, James, 25 Russel, John, 25 2 34 INDEX Russel, Rob, 25 Russell, J., 98 Russell, John, 151 Russell, Mrs. John, 167 St. Andrews Church, 142 St. John's Church (See North United Free Church), 149 Salem Church, 88 Salisbury, 23, 26, 41, 122, 140 Sappenfield, Airs. R. A., Jr., 164 Saurs, P. H. H., 77 Scales, Alary L. (Airs. Cornelius Miller), 134 Scheck, John, 72 Sconnel, Alartha (Airs. Hezekiah James Balch), 21 Scotland, 8, 149-50 Scott, Wm., 25 Selma, Ala., 39 Semicentennary, 69 Selwyn, John, 6 Senguin, Texas, 53 Session House, 68-69, 159 Shelby, Katherine (Airs. Robert Archibald), 28 Sherwood, John Al., 85 Silliman, John, 50 Singing School, 107 Sketches of North Carolina, 3, 51, 64 Slaves, Chap. VIII, and 18-19, 2 9> 7°-7i» 77 Slaves, Names of: Abram, 98-99; Amos, 96-97; Anderson, 98-99; Caesar, 90; Caleb, 71; Caroline, 89; Clemmantene, 91; Daniel Lindley, 89; Elic, servant of W. S. Pharr, 93-95; Elic, ?, 99- 100; George Washington, 89; Jack, servant of Dr. Alexander, 89; Jack, servant of W. Andrew, 90, 96; Jack, ?, 92; Jane, 98; Jerry, 94; Jesse, 96-97; John, 93- 94; John AlcCamy, 89; Jude, 92; Julia, 98; Lenny, 89; Lucinda, 94; Lucy Ann, 91; Alaria, 89; Alartin, 98-99; Aloses, of Dr. Wilson's estate, 92; Aloses, servant of Airs. Pharr, 99; Aloses, servant of J. Russell, 98; Aloses, ?, 99-100; Mumford, servant of S. M. Mc- Kindley, 77; Alumford, servant of G. L. Phifer, 96; Nat, 89; Ned, servant of C. Alexander (?), 91- 92; Ned, servant of Daniel Allen Penick, 91; Ned, servant of M. G. Johnston, 90; Peggy, 98; Rachel, 91; Rilla, 91; Roland, 91; Ruth, servant of S. M. AlcKind- ley, 77, 91; Ruth, of Dr. Wilson's estate, 92; Tom, 91; Violette, 95; Washington, 89. Slough, David, 25 Smith, Edwin W., 62 footnote Smith, Egbert W., 128 Smith, Henry Louis, 132, 132 foot- note, 133 Smith, John, 36 Smith, Airs. Thomas R., 166 Smith, Thomas R., Jr., 166 Smith Quarter, Appendix I Smithey, Alary Jane (Airs. Alexan- der Erwin Wilson) Smithfield, 145 Smith's School House, 121 Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, 19 Solemn League and Covenant, 9 Songs of Praise, 108 Sosserman, E. Ann, 123 Sosserman, J. G, 123 Sosserman, William B., 123 Sossoman, John G, 151 Sossoman's Quarter, 126 Sossoman's School House, 108, 118, 120-21, 127 South Carolina and Georgia, Svnod of, 39 South Carolina, First Presbvterv, 37-38 South Carolina, Presbytery of, 31 2 35 INDEX South Carolina, Second Presbytery, Southern Professorship, 41-42 Spaatz, Carl, 158 Sparrow, Anna Grace (Mrs. Thomas Hugh Spence), H5 Spears, J. Harvey, 127, 149 Spears, L. V., 151 Spears, W. N., 128 Spears Graveyard, Appendix J, and 38 Speiars, Elisha, 38 Speiars, Isaiah, 38 Speiars, Joseph Gates, 38 Spence, Thomas Hugh, 144-47, 149-50, 152 Spence, Mrs. Thomas Hugh, 145 Spence, Thomas Hugh, Jr., 144-47, 149, 163 Spence, Mrs. Thomas Hugh, Jr., 149 Spence, William Chenault, 152-53, 156, 158, 167 Spence Family, 146-47 Spencer, Elihu, 17, 20 Sper, William, 25 Stafford, Franklin, 77 Stafford, James, 35 Stafford, James (II), 49-50 Stafford, James B., 50 Stafford, J. L., 122 Stafford, Z. M., 140 Stanley County, 121 Starnes, Frederick, 1 1 3 Statesville, 41 Statistics, Appendix K Steel Creek, 35 Stephenson, James W., 37 Stewart, A., 91 Stewart, Matthew, 25 Stokes County, 135-136 Strain, John, 21 Sugar Creek, 3-4, 18-20, 31, 33-34, 4 2 > 5 1 Sumner, Jethro, 26 Sunday School, Colored, 40, 64, 75-76, 82, 102, 104 Sunday School, White, 59, 75-76, 82, 108, 113, 117, 119-22, 126-28, 130, 139-40, 142, 151-53, 156, 158, 162-64, '67 Sunday School Superintendents, Appendix D Sunday School Teachers, 59 Syntyche, no Tampa, Fla., 129 Taylor, James, 133, 133 footnote Taylor, Mrs. W. C, 152 Taylor and Allison, 77 Thompson, James G, 110-11, 135 Thompson, Mrs. James G, iio-n Thomson, John, 5, 15 Thyatira Church, 3-4, 106, 124 Tinsley, Agnes Ann (Mrs. Daniel Allen Penick), 64 Transylvania Presbytery, 137 Try on, Gov. William, 23-24 Turner, W. L., 39 Turner, Mamye Snow (Mrs. John Addison Ricks), 152 Ulster, xiii Ulsterites, 6 Union Church, 75 Union Theological Seminary, 57, 69, 84, 106, 116, 126, 129, 134, !5o, 153 Universalism, 29-30 University of Edinburgh, 149 University of Mississippi, 134 University of North Carolina, 38- 39, 43, 48-49 University of Virginia, 126 Valley Creek Church, 40 Valley of Virginia, 12 Venable, Henry I., 54 Venable, Mrs. Henry I., 54 Vineville Church, 155-56 Waddel, J. N., 81 Waddel, Moses, 34, 37 236 INDEX Waddell, Hugh, 24 Walhalla, S. C, 156 Wallace, James, 17 Wallis, James, 36, 39 Washington, D. G, 157, 160 Washington College, 52-53 Washington County, 57 W atchman of the South, 51 Waterford, Ohio, 57 Watson, Samuel L., 50 Waxhaw, 41, 107 Webb, R. A., 125 Welsh, Joseph, 35 West Avenue Church, 139 Western College, 50 Westminster Assembly, 9 Wharey, James, 116 Wharey, James Morton, 115, 115 footnote, 116, 1 1 8-2 1, 124-25, 129, 143, 160 Wharey, Mrs. James Morton (Mrs. Mary W. Overton), 77, 1 16-17, 124 Wheeler, John H., 24 White, Archibald, 5 White, A. G., 112 White, A. Walker, 121, 143 White, Caleb R., 112 White, D. H., 113, 122 White, Henry, 116 White, J. Hall M., 139, 151 White, J. Lee, 158, 163, 167 White, James, 5 White, James, Jr., 23 White, James B., 131, 137 White, James Query, no White, John, Jr., 23 White, J. H., 70 White, John M. W., 1 19-21, 149 White, Joseph B., 69 White, Joseph R., 114 White, Lindley H., 112 White, Lindley P., 112 White, Locke, 163-64 White, McAmy A., 73 White, N. G., 112 White, Robert Benton, 1 13—14 White, S. W., 112, 137, 141 White, T. S., 77 White, Walter P., 112 White, William, 5, 25 White, William, Black Boy, 23 White, William, Black Boy, son of Widow, 23 White, William M., 162 WTiite, William S., 84 White Family, 1 1 2 White Hall Church, 131, 131 foot- note Wilcox, George Marshall, 155-56, 158, 164, 167 Wilcox, Mrs. George Marshall, 1 56 Wilcox, Henry, 156 Wiley, Oliver, 25, 35 William and Mary, 10 Williamsburg, S. C, 88-89 Williamson, John, 60 Wilson, Alexander Envin, 50, 53- H, 62 Wilson, Mrs. Alexander Erwin (Mary Hardcastle), 55 Wilson, Mrs. Alexander Erwin (Mary Jane Smithey), 53-55, 62 Wilson, F. N., 150-51 Wilson, Hugh, 41, 50 Wilson, J. Leighton, 55 Wilson, J. R., 84 Wilson, James, 34 Wilson, John Makemie, Chaps. Ill— IV, and 28, 57-58, 64, 86, 89, 92, *43> i5°» *55, 160-162, 169 Wilson, Mrs. John Makemie, 34- 35) 42 Wilson, John Makemie, Jr., 50, 52- 53 Wilson, Mrs. John Makemie, Jr. (Philadelphia Fox), 52 Wilson, Joseph Harvey, 53 Wilson, Tirza, 91 Wilson, Widow, 33 Windy Cove, 12 Winston, 75 237 INDEX Women of the Church, Presidents, Appendix E Woods, N. M., 122 World War I, 147 World War II, 156-58 X-ray, 132-34 Yadkin River, xiii, 3-4, 15, 144 Yokohama, Japan, 129 Zion Church, 11 2-1 3, 118, 121, 131, 131 footnote, 137, 140-41 Zion Church, Charleston, S. C, 106