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WHICH WO iiuvn ||» V.OIIUIII —rellublo tradition, given by one or the mem-« bcrs lt;( this church, who recently tiled at the uge of 87 years, says when Hhe was a little girl she heard older people sny It originated In this way: There was In the olden time a silll house on the spring branch near the church, and the rustic men of those days would assemble thereon Saturday evenings fora lively time. They would talk and laugh, piny old time games and wrestle, and of course would enjoy the pure product.of the old still. Then soon a scuffle would begin to see wlio could be the stoutest and best man In the crowd. In their wrestles and fisticuffs they would bluster around with uoisy threats, and In some instances fall Into a bard down fight, merely for the purpose of gaining a big reputation. From these rude association* the place received the name of Bull Town, and It Is no wonder. In after years, that a change was made In the name. . . .But. like all bad associations, which never seem to die, the name of Bull Town still lives by Itself nud is used till this day lo des-Ignnte'n certuln body of land In the vicinity of the place where the old church stood over one hundred years ago. The exuct si te of the old house may be seen to-day. It is about three miles to the south-east ol the present location, and within the neighborhood of Monterey. There is a largo gravcyiml near the church which may bo 6een. and a bold spring of pure water bursting out of the rock—all oi which point backward to the olden times of trouble and triumph.History says: At Bull Town was a fort. The outlines of this old fort can be very distinctly seen to-day. It was built of rock, about*:« feet square, and situated about.two hundred yards from the spring on an elevation overlooking the whole surrounding forest for a considerable distance. Tradition ays that Lnnedon Cheves. the father of the lute Mrs. Haskell, was born In this fort.History also says: “In this neighborhood the Indians and the Tories were very active, but In the midstof these scenes It musl not be supposed tbut the worship of God was suspended. Devout worshippers often bowed before Him on theirorms, and It Is asserted that tho Rev. John Harris, tho first pastor of the church, often preached with his gun in ihe pnlplt beside him, and his ammunition .suspended from his neck after the fashion of those days.How thankful tho present pastor nnn members of this old church should be Hint they can leavo theirgunsand ammunition at home, and assemble for the worship of tiod with none to molest or make afraid!In tracing the early history ot* this church up to n certain time, we are dependent mainly upon materials furnished by the Rev. Francis Cummins, I). I)., who was appointed by the Presbytery In 17113 to collect facts In regard to theeaily history of all the churches. These records made by Dr. Cummins wore re-'cclvcd uud approved by the Tresbyicry at thatday ns authentic records, and they weut In-llmcB. and It was his bonst that every rnau In Ills congregation was a Whig. Ho was a member of the Provincial Congress of South Carolina, and in his frontier life he was very useful as a minister and us a physician. He was known ns old Dr. Harris. Although very genial and tolerant he was an uncompromising champion of the faith, and he would not hesitate to demonstrate his belief by physical argumentsAFTER THE CLOSE OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR.At the close of the war he was the only Pres-bytcrlau minister in Abbeville county, but he had a competitor in Rev. Peter McMulien, an Associate Iteformed brother.Mr. McMullen became offended at the fearless Independence of Mr. Harris, dnd at some Innovations In Psalmody upon one occasion, and cave vent to feelings more warlike than Christian, when some ono said to him, “ion had better lake care, old Dr. Harris will get alter you. I dlnna care, ho replied, he may line the better of me in hither and yan, but I hne the ndvonlagc In length.Mr. McMullen preached occasionally as a matter ol kindness to the Rocky River peo-pie. but after Mr. Harris’s day the church was vacant for six years, when the Rev. Robert Mecklln was railed to I he pastorate.“On the 29fb of July.l7K5, he was ordained and Installed pastor of Rocky River church, the Itcv. Jnt=. Edmonds preaching the sermon and delivering the charge to tho pastor and and people.WHEN WAR nAD SMOOTHED ITS WRINKLEDFRONT.“A vast concourse of people assembled nt Davis's bjids'o 011 this occasion lo witness tho ordination and Instalment of Mr. Robert Mecklln Into the pastoral charge of Lower Long Cano and Rocky River. Sucli was the eagerness of the people 10 witness this ceremony that it was deemed advisable 10 selectu suitable s ot between the twoconyri gallons am) there In the rich cathedral or nature the Presbvtery of South Carolina held Its third meeting for this solemn purpose. ThlHordl nation wiw a scene never to lie forgotten, and certainly It was a beautiful sight after the terrors and turmoils of war to behold too large congregations meeting lu the exorcise of their .dmpic worship which requires no tcinple built with hands.No longer wore to be seen tho stocks of muR-kct-s. nor the scutlnel pacing to and fro, but 011 the green grass und under the cool shadow ol the spreading water onks were groups of merry children and happy mothers, whilst the hopetul expression 011 the face of the assembly seated on logs around, was nearly n» sparkling ns the limpid waters which flowed nl their feet.In that assembly could be seen many of the devoted Huguenots who were settlod ten miles l»elow. During Mr. Mecklln’s ministry they docked to thla church in go-nt. numbers.These persecuted, truth loving and noble peo-so tbnt he carried his “Grao Mujoru with him lo the pulpit for his Bible, and upon one occasion went to the church to preach without his coat, being clad In his study gown. Mr. Lewers was succeeded by the v Rev. John DuBose Wilson, who was ordained and Installed May 10th, 1842, but in consequence of falling health he left February S, 1843. not serving tho church one year. Although his stay was short he was loved by all, nud every heart was made snd at the thought Unit such a young, promising and pious minister should be called from his work so soon. He returned to Columbia wherehe lingered but a short lime before the Lord took him.” In October, 1843, the Rev. George W. Boggs began to preach ns stated supply. In the beginning of 181H his engagement terminated, and ho removed to Mississippi. Mr. Boggs had been for years a inlslonary to India anil labored with zeal and faith for the enlightenment and salvation of those poor people. Surely his labors were not In vain, and the greni day of final consummation will reveal the fruit of his work aDd brightness of that crown prepared for those who are Instrumental in turning many from darkness to light. Mr. Boggs was advanced In life when lie returned from the mission field, bringing with him his family of several children born In India. Among them the Rev. Wm. E. Boggs, I). D., ofMemphis. Tennessee and Rev. .SamuelBoggs of Kenlucky. Truly the mantle of tho old prophet has fallen upon worthy sons. In April of 1816 the Rev. Thomas L. McBride commenced preaching here and so continued until theFall of 1851. Undei1 his ministry PeterGlbert,and T. T. Cunningham were o'.ected and ordained elders in Rocky River church and Riobnrd B. Cater, Alexander Hunter und John Baskin were ordained deacons. J. R. Cunningham was afterwu-d added to theSession, but at what particular time Is uot definitely known. Mr. McBride was an acceptable pastor, a sincere and devoted Christian. but, like Mr. Bog£s, his health had been broken In the missionary field. He had Jwe-vlously labored for some years ns a missionary to China, and with Impaired health here-turned to the homo field, and for five years served tho church faithfully tinder his trying infirmities. There Is a high chnlr still lu the church upon which he sat and preached the gospel when unable to stand upon his feet. This old chnlr points our minds back to this servant of Christ, and sits there and silently repeats the exhortation: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will givo thee a crown of life. Mr. McBride reared a family of seven children who are filling places of usefulness In tho kingdom of Christ. One son fills the father's vacant place 1c the ministry—Rev. John T. McBride of Marshall, Texas. Two daughters beeutne the wives of Presbyterian ministers, and the aged wife and mother still survives, although In broken health, and la supported In purt from Invalid Fund of theThe membership of Rocky River church was now lower tlmn It ever had been, ana these few members were scattered ovor a wide(U'*AMr J. R. Cunningham, Mrs. K. V. Til man, nnd Mrs. Jane L. Cntcr lived at Abbeville;Mr. and Mrs. T.T. Cunningham lived above LownUcaville: _ „ ,Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Cu or lived In tho Fork; Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Calhoun, and Mrs. Lanier, were ihe only members living In the vicinity of the church.THE ELDERS AND DEACONS.The officers of the church at present ore ns follows: _Elders—T. T. Cunningham. J. R. Cunningham, P. Glbert, W. C. fiherurd, Wllllnin M. Tne^nri—the latter to be ordained.Deacons—Edwin Culhoun, 1. A. Cater, \V. T. Cunningham. XRECORD OF THE PRESENT MEMBERSHIP. The following brief notes In reference to the members of Rocky River church, It Is hoped, may not prove uninteresting to the readers of the Press und Banner :Miss Laura P. Baskin, daughter of Dr. J. T. Bask in. Joined Providence In 1879. transferred by certificate, pastorale H. C. Fennel.Mrs. Elizabeth Baskin, wife of Dr. J. T. Buskin. Joined in 1879. by certificate from Hopewell, pastorale H. C. Fennel, married In 1873. «Miss Sail 10 Louisa Baskin, from Providence In 1879, pastorate H. C. Fennel, In 1873.Miss Mary Baskin, daughter of Dr. J. T. Baskin, by profession 1111881, pastorate H. C.*Mrs€l#Miiry Lou Bell, born in Abbeville county, by profession December 12. 1880. pastorate II. C. Fennel, married John H. Boll, Jr., March 24,1881, membership ceased by cortlfl-calo. _ . _Mrs. M. Lizzie Benson, born on Penney’s creek, lolncd by certificate, pastorate H. C. Fennel, marriedD. S. Benson, November 16,Mlss'Ma’-y Benson, daughter of Dr. D. S. Benson, born Pcnney's creek, Joined by profession. pastorate II. C. Fenuel.Mrs. Lula Baskin, born Lowndesvllle, January 2,1862, Joined by certificate, pastorate H. C. Fennel, married A. G. Baskin, January 35, 1882.I). S. Benson, bom nt Old Pendleton, January 2‘J, 1S29, Joined by certificate, pastorate H. C. Fennel, married Miss M. E. Miller, November 18,1856. . •Miss Maggie Baskin, daughter of Dr. J- T. Baskin, joined in 1879, by certificate from Providence church, pastorate H. C. Fennel, married James A, Hied, April 8, 1881, membership ceased by transfer to Upper Long Cano, August. 1J*84.Mrs. K. C. Tillman, born In Barnwell county. December 9.1800, Joined by profession In 1H35, married Edwurd Tllmnn, December 23. 1819, who died In 1SS5, a member of the same church. Died 1*^6.William M Taggart, horn Abbeville village, August 10,1884, Joined by profession, pastorate H. C. Fennel, married Miss Caroline Tennent, December 17. 1878, elected elder.Mrs. Caroline Taggart, born at Mlllrose, Edgefield county. July 12.1841 Joined by nro-fesalon, pastorate H. C. Fennel, married Dr. W. M. Taggart, December 17,1873.William P. Pickens, born PeDdleton, February 27,1855, by prolesslon March, 1882, under pastorate H. C. Fenni'l.Mrs. Lizzie Power, born Carrol county. M!s-Blsslpnl, October Ifl iM9. by certificate October, 1891. pastorate H. C. Fennel, married E. F. Power August 29, 1866.Edwin E.Parker, born Lodlmont, Joined Rocky River by profession In 1886, pastorate H. C* Fennel.REMARKS.This roll contains flfty-alx members in all, with five removed by death, aud two dismissed to other churches.During the last eight years the house of worship was torn down, and a new one baa been erected on the same site.During the pastorate of Mr. Fennel, W. C. Shernrd was made an elder and Dr. W. M. Tageart and W. T. Cannlngham, deacons. Dr. Taggart was afterward elected to the eldership.During this long history of one hundred and fourteen years there have been very few vacancies, and none of them fora long time.Rocky River has a worthy record In giving to benevolence, and In supporting Its pastor.Owing to the great distance of which some of the members lived fnm Rocky River, they determined to organize a new chnrch, which church is called Providence, and now located at Lowndesvllle.Rocky River chnrch furnished to the ministry of the Presbyterian church, the following named .preachers:Robert B. Campbell, who married Miss Mary Patterson of this county, removed to Camden, and afterward accepted a call to a chnrch in Mad disou county, Mississippi, where hedlfd,leaving a number of children, among whomare a Judge and two lawyers ;Benjamin Montgomery, nothing Is known of Mr. Montgomery, exoept that he entered the ministry about the beginning of the century ;James C. Patterson, moved to Georgia, was President of a Female College at Griffin, died.William Gray, moved to Tippah county,Miss ;Charles W. Martin, son of Jacob Marlin, taught school In Abbeville. Owing to 111 health did not preaclrregularly In the latter part of his ILfc. Married Miss Susan C. Giles,
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
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