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ROCKY EWER CHURCH.As it Was Organized in 1764—As it Exists in 1887.AFTER THE CONFLICTS OF MORE THAN A ttuITDr.SD YEARS, THE OLD CHURCH IS STILL AN HONOR TO ITS FOUNDERS, AND A PRIDE TO THEIR DESCENDANTS.Records In Which the Early History of the Long CaneB is Closely Allied, and in Which all Presbyterians MuBt Feel an Interest.REMARKABLE SUCCESS OF THE PRESENT PASTOR-NOTABLE FIDELITY OF ITS MEMBERSHIP.Brief Historical Sketch of Rooky River Presbytcriou Church In Abbeville County, Prepared by Rev. II. €. Fennel, the Present Pastor, lor Publication In the “Prew and Runner.'*Rocky River church is situated on the east side or Rocky River, In the western limits or Abbeville county, and Is about fourteen miles from Abbeville Court House. Bui since the date of its organization the name and location of the church have been changed. The first name was “Bull Town,” the origin 01 which we havo no certain kuowledge, but a reliable tradition, given by one of the mem-i.r-rH tf this church, who recently died at theamong them as their stated pastor until October. 1771*.” . , . , ,At this lime he was released from his pastoral charge on the ground of bodily Indisposition, still serving the churches as occasional supply until they could obtain the services of another pastor.”We have further proof that Rocky River was an organIzctl church even prior to 1775, In tho recorded fact that the Rev. Win. Tenucut, some of win. e descendants are In this regionto-dav and members of this church, made a tour through the State In 1775 preaching thogospel, and after his sorinon ho would address the people In the Interest of on association of that day In*which those who subscribed to It bound themselves by every tie of religion and honor to stand up for the defence of South Carolina nntl the whole country.It was on this scml-rellglous ind semi-war-like mission that “Rev. Win. Tcnnent, on the 2nd of September. 1775, preached at Bull Town to one of the most crowded assemblies he ever saw.REMOVAL OF THE CHURCH TC ITS PRESENT LOCATION.While, then, the c-xncl date of organization of this church cannot be definitely settled, we can safely say It was an organized churchdur-Ine the ministry of Mr. Harris, which commenced In 1772 and ended 1779. It was during tho period of his pastorate that the church was moved from Bull Town to its present location. A large frame building was here erected. The same old frame Is still In the body of the present Dew house, and the name changed to Rocky III ver.Among the first Eiders we find the names of Mr. Russell, Win. McKinley and Jas.Caldwell.The church lifter Mr. Harris’day of active service wus occasionally supplied by him and It is said. ‘The ihreo preaching stations above mentioned, (Bull Town, Fort Boone. Long Caue, i. e. Hopewell}, grew under his core to be regular organized churches.“Mr. Harris, as history states, was not above medium stature and his severe determination commanded the respect of all who knew him. lie was regarded as a zealous missionary, a Judicious, pious and exemplary minister of the gospel. Bold, enthusiastic and independent, he was peculiarly fitted for those stirring times, and It was his boast that every man In his congregation was a Whig. Ho was a inem-the old church dissipated, and—as we shall see Inter on In this hiutory—the church which was organized lu the troublous days of an early settlement, and which has resisted tho vicissitudes of a hundred years, an.I outlived the conHlets of two great wars, is now In a most prosperous condition, and lives a blessing to Its faithful members, who have stood by It through ull the varying scenes of a life time.J. K. CUNNINGHAM FURNISHES MANUSCRIPT SKETCHES BY WILLIAM SPKEK, ESQ., BEGINNING IN 1S3C.Mr. J. It. Cunningham furnishes a brief sketch of Rocky River church In the handwriting of Mr. William .Speer. This short mnnmcrlpt of Mr. Speer agrees wilh In. Howe that Dr. Waddell vacated the pulpit in 1835 but that the ltev. William H. Davis camp In 183G Instead oT lS37and remained two years, leaving at the close of 1828.Mr. Davis, It Is said, came from Tennessee. He was an un married man, and a graduate of Mary villa College. lie nflcry-»-d moved to WHllngton and married Mary E. Moragne, a woman of superior talent, a sister of John B. Moragne who was killed near tho City of Mexico, and whose body was brought home and hurled with military honors at WHllngton church lit the presence of an Immense concourse of people. Mr. Davis lived there as pastor ol WHllngton church fora number of years. He reared a large family, and afier the war moved to Union Point, Georgia, wnero he Is still living. Recently he won accl den tally thrown from a buggy and seriously injured. He Is now wlthont a pastoral charge, but Is a good and faithful servant whose life has been snout in the Master’s services, and now about ready to enter tho rest and Joy of the Church triumphant.At the commencement of 1830 the church procured tho labors of the Rev. Jas. Lowers who remained two years, leaving In 18-10. Mr. f.ewers was unmarried, and lived a great part of his time among his books. He was n native of Ireland, a great' classical scholar, eloquent preacher with a flow of language rarely possessed. He was peculiar for his absent-mindedness, so much so that be curried his “Grao Mujora with him to the pulpit for his Bible, and upon oneGood Hope and Providence churches. He Is a modest, unassuming and useful man. Rocky River and Providence church at liOwiulcsvllle were separated. The connection of Mi. Llgon with Rocky River church was severed. He then accepted a call to Good Hope In Ander-on and since then he has been pastor of Provldcuco and Good Hope churches.After Mr. LI eon resigned the church was vacant for thrco yenrs. During this vacancy the Rev. K. F. Hyde acted os supply for a short time. Ho was born In the Provlnco ofOntario. Dominion ot Canada, May 1st, 1814Church andHe was reared In the Episcopal from choice became a Presbyterian. He grad-ualcd at Union College In 1811. and In the same year entered the Seminary at Columbia and graduated In 1814. In 1845 he married Miss C. A. Hammond, but she lived only about three years after their marriage. Soon after her death he married Miss N. A. Hunter of Laurens county who, with live daughters survive him, and are living In Andersoncounty.ROLL CALL OF THE CHURCH.Officer* anti Members of Rocky Hirer Church — Nolen Since the Beginning of Mr. Fennel's Pastorale.In May. 187.8, the Rov. H. C. Fennel was Invited as slated supply and soon afterward wiih called lo the pastorate. Ho wan reared In Chester county—graduated from Erskinc College and came directly from the Seminary at Columbia and was a licentiate of Bc’.bol Presbytery.Everything was gloomy and discouraging, except the fidelity and religious zeal of the few remaining members. The house was old an 1 had gono much lo decay, and presented a picture of desolation. The membership was reduced to ten: T. T. Cunningham, J. R. Cunningham, T. A. Cater. E. Calhoun. Mrs. T. T. Cunningham, Mm. TO. Calhoun. Mrs. T. A. Cn lor, Mrs. Til man, Mrs. Jane L. Cater, Mrs. Eliza Lnnier.profession in 1881, pastorate H.C. Fennel, rair-rled C.G. McAllister 1874.Mrs. Leila T. Miller, born Abbeville county. June 10.18G1,Joined August. 1881, by profession, pastorate H. C. Fennel, married 8. A. Miller, November, 1882.Robert W. Miller, born Abbeville county.August 15. 1857, Joined by profession August, 1354, pastorate’H. C. Fennel, married Miss L.M. Cochran, November 19,1879.Mrs. Lula M. Miller, bom Abbeville county, March 25,1855. Joined by certificate In 1886,Sistorate H.C. Fennel, married R. W. Miller, ovember 19, 1879.TICK DISCOURAGING SITUATION,.... ■____i. ■ _ _«■ oi..Mrs.Edna.Smith, born in Abbeville county, November 29.1.819. Joined Providence church at Lowndesvllle In 1858, transferred by certificate to Rocky River In 1881, pastorate H. C. Fennel, married to William M. Smith, January 31,1850.James R. Speer, born Magnolia, January 13, 1882, Joined by profession August, ISS8, pastorate H. C. Fennel.Miss Carrie E. Speer, bom Magnolia, Joined by profession August, 1880, pastorate H. C.Fennel. ‘Mrs. Mary Sue Speer, born Abbeville county. August 22. 1862. by certificate, 1879. pastor-nte H. C. Fennel, married George W. Speer, Juno 20.1872.William C.Shemrd, born August 15 1851,fined by certificate In 1880, married MIrs M. Cl I nkscales. September 12, 1877, elected elder 18S0.Mrs. M. Elizabeth Shernrd, born Abbeville county. 1858. Joined by certificate In 1880, pastorate II. C. Kennel, inurrled W. C. Sherard Sej)tembcr 12,1877.Miss Alice E. Speer, daughter of E. H. Speer, born Magnolia, by profession August. 18m pastorate H. C. Fennel.William M. Smith; born In Abbeville county, March 18.1797, Joined by certificate, pastorate H. C. Fennel, married Edna Morrow, Januorv.31.1850. now deceased.Mrs. Sarah C. Speer, born Lowndesvllle, February 15, IKK, Joined by profession ot Providence church, 1885, by certificate lo Rocky River, 1881, pastorate H. C. Fennel, married February 10,1853 to Elijah H. 8peer, membership ceased by death July 14,1885.T.ch Mrs. K. C. Tillman, born In Barnwell coun-.. J I 1.1 n lUiW) Inin Kir nrnbuolAn In
Newspaper Details
Abbeville Press and Banner
Abbeville, South Carolina, US
Wed, May 25, 1887
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Marleta C.
NA, 26 Oct 2024
Other Publications Near Abbeville, South Carolina
The Abbeville Press
The Abbeville Messenger
The Abbeville Bulletin
The Abbeville Banner
The Independent Press
