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These records rouae oy ir. uuniimns were received mid approved by the Presbytery at thatday as “authentic records, and they went into the hands of Dr. George Howe, when he compiled his history of the Presbyterian church In South Carolina In tracing the early history of this church It wni be necessary to notice, In part, the history of other churches In the county nl that day, especially that of Upperand Lower Long Cane. The curly und eventful history of these three churches up to a certain tlfnc, Is so closely related and Interwoven that the records do not speak of one without referring to the other, and this Is most natural when we rejnomber the disturbed and ever chunging condition of those days. It was a time when the country was unsettled and In u stale of excitement und war. The first question to be determined Ik theDATE OF ORGANIZATION OF THIS CHURCH The present Manual of the Presbytery olSouth Carolina says that Hocky Uiver, Upperiope-Long Cano and Lower Long Cane (now Hope-well) were all organized in 17$*, and I believe that Upper Long Cane recently commemorated her centennial under that Impression. But tho Manual Is guess work, and the Long Cane centennial was n great historical blunder, although It was a grand occasion.The Presbylorlul records approved and accepted shortly after 1793, cleurly prove that these three churches—Upper Long Cune, Hope-well and Rocky River—were organized at least ten years prior to 17*1, and thnl they had settled pastors at that time, as we shall see.Tho only way to determine their sge Is to go back to the beginning and dig It out of tne records. Dr. Howe, drawing from the manuscript of Dr. Cummins, says: The first Important settlement was made In Abbevillecounty In 1756 by eight families of the Presby terlan faith. The majority of these being ofthe name of Calhoun, the particular settle ment took Its name from them. This colony, headed by Patrick Calhoun, the father of Hie great statesman, was not only the first Presbyterian Kett.ipnient In the county, buL nbr.ul the first or any kind.It Is said, Previous to the settlement of Patrick Calhoun and his friends there wore only two families of while settlers in the northwestern extremity of tho province.By the year 1759 the number of l’roby lerlnn famines had Increased to between twenty nnd thirty. The views nnd e xpectat ions of these settlers were to form a Presbyterian church, but In 1701 tho Cherokee Indians broke In upon them, killed twenty-two persons and carried fourteen Into captivity, nnd dispersed the survivors. In this stnteof dispersion they remained for two years, nnd then returned with considerable additions to ihelr numbers.About the end of 176-1 the Indians again broko In nnd committed some deeds of barbarity. Tho people took refuge In such fortified places us they could reach. There were twenty-HCven men. one hundred nnd three women and chlldlen In Fort Boone, thirty-sevcn men, one hundred nnd five women and children In a fort at the I.ongCnucs. Thus they were situated until the year LGI when tlie’Rev. Wm. Richardson visited them ok a preacher of the gospel, and although Ids visit was short, lie contributed something towardsbe organization of the church.WAS IT ROCKY RIVER, LONG CANE OR LOWER LONG CANE?This Is the first notice of any effort. towards “the organization of the church In Abbeville county, and this was In 1761. But the question arises, what church? Was it Rocky River. Upper Long Cune or Lower Long Cane, now Hopewell, that the Rev. Win. Richardson contributed something towards organIz-thev flocked to this church In great numbers. These persecuted, truth loving and noble people, many of whose descendants are still living In thlfc region to-day, never lost their love for God’s house. After Ihelr own church had ceased to be, and they could no longer worship iu tlielr own native tongue they flocked to Hopewell and Rocky River, thinking them-selves happy they could meet nnd commemorate the love of tlielr departed Lord.History says. “It was affecting to seo them meet at tills place always saluting each other with a kins, white the tears flowed down their cheeks. They wept, yea they wept when they remembered Zion. These wonderful Huguenots, I hose heavenly minded pecple who manifested such devotion to the church that they could walk over ten miles through the heat and the cold to hear the gospel preached, occupy and deserve a sucred place In the history of Roeky River church.HIS GRAVE IS WITH U8--THE MEMORY OFHIS ASSOCIATES IS PRESERVED.Mr. Mockllu'K ministry lusted only three yearn, and while engaged hi pastoral work he was stricken with fever and died, nnd his grave Ik with us until till-* day. The bench of elders at this time were Nathan Lusk.Samuel Barter, Hugh Mcckllu, (brotherof the deceased pastor), Robert Allen nnd Wm. Baskin.The church was vacant but a short time after Mr. Mecklin's death. Having a love for the gospel and a high appreciation of the means of grace and being still united with Hopewell they preferred a cull to Rev. Francis Cummins, D. D., who nccepted their call and became pastor In 17*9. In this relation he continued until 1796 when Ills connection with Hopewell ceased, but lie still retained his connection with Rocky River nnd continued his valuable services In this church until 1803 when the pastoral relation was dissolved nnd he removed to the state of Georgia. While here bis wife died und was hurled at Rooky River graveyard, leaving several children, one of whom married Dr. Hnuchcll, nnd resided v«*rv iifur Rocky Itlvor church lor many years. Tlie Doctor nnd Ills family went to f he West, about 1838 or 1*10, and his wife Is since dead.THE BEGINNING OF THE fcF.XTITRY—FACTS RY JAMES If. BASKIN, ANDREW GILES,WILLIAM SHEER.History says, “Dr. Cummins was a fine scholar, a well rend theologian. He was uncommonly gifted in prayer, was vivid nnd dear In his conceptions nnd had great power In the use of language.’’HIh pus to rate lusted for fourteen years nnd this church. In common with many others, Is indebted to his pen for all the reliable facts In lis history from the beginning down to the time of Ills departure in 1HU3.From this date until 1*31 wo nre dependent for the correct history of this church upon fjtclB taken from the manuscripts of Jumos 11. Baskin. Andrew Giles nnd William Speer, whose concurrent testimony nooneeun doubt.I quote the language of Dr. Howe In whose bund these pnpers were placed, After the removal of Dr. Cummins the church was vacant one year, and In 1804 the Kev John Simpsonserved the people as stated supply ill lIn 180.3 the Rev. Dr. Waddell took charge ot the church In which lie continued until near tho close of ISIL During Ills pastorate the elders were Ezekl ?1 Calhoun, Wm. Culdwell and Robert Cozby.“On the 29th of October, 181-1, tho church preferred a call to the Rev. James Gamble who served through this decade, and also had the charge of u large school or considerable influence.“About 1810 Joslah Patterson was added toniiDis.ure, uuu uiu Jigeu win miu muuier nunsurvives, although In broken health, and la supported in purt from Invalid Fund of the Church. She spends the men of her llmo at Pendleton, S. C., to which place Mr. McBride moved after leaving Rocky River church and where his Inst Inborn were exerted In the Master’s cnuso. Ho graduated at Athens, Gu., and a few years before his death the degree of D. I), was conforred upon him. In the year 1852 tho Rev. Joseph Glbert began his labors with this church and remained ns pastor until November, 1*39. During Hits pastorate Hie membership of the church was between twenty-five aud thirty. Mr. Glbert was reared in this church, wns baptised within the old walls,and, In the providence ot God was called to baptize othore and preach the gospel unto thoso who had watched him from fils Infancy. He wqk u descendant of the wonderful Huguonot family, and manifested many of their noble peculiarities and would speakhis convIctlouH of truth without the fen - .*man. He was educated In part at Due West, S. C., under the cure of John S. Prossly, graduated at Athens, Ga.. and received his theological education at the Thnoloelenl Seminary In Columbia. He came to Rocky Itlverut the age of thirty-seven years-was married to Mis* Mury Stanley, retired seven children who with lila wifes1 III survive him. Mr. filbert was noted for Ids piety from his youth. He dedicated himself to the ministry In early life and spent forty years lo that hard and high vocal Ion. On leaving Rocky River hemoved tlt;» Mississippi nnd died at Mt. OlivetIn that State In 18*1. TIiuh the name ofGI-bert has been erased from the roll of :’:e Presbyterian ministry by the hand of- death. Juno 29. I860, theREV. J. DEWITT BURKHEAD WAS INSTALLED PASTOR IN IStK), WHEN THE WAR BROKEOUT.Rev. J. DeWItt Burkhead was Installed pastor of Hits church nnd resigned in Ixid. During this time the Jnte Charles T. Haskell was ordained -mi elder and T. A Cater a deacon. The membership was small, hut Mr. Burkhead was n successful pastor and worked with energy under many disadvantages and intcrrjpllons. Heciimo a young man fresh from the Ncrnlnary at. Columbia nnd wns licensed ordained, und Installed here as pastor of Rocky Hirer and Providence. Afierward he married u Miss Anderson mid lived midway between Lhe two churches, ns a happy country pastor. But soon lie wns called from his quiet parsonage In defence of lil.s country and served awhlfe during the early part of the unhappy strife between tho States. Immediately after the war he moved to Athens, On., and thonco from place to place doing evungellfitlc work wlih a success which few men ever realized. His preaching l» plain and logical and nowerfnl. Ho uever falls lo Mill* the souls of his hearers by his eloquent appeals to their Intellects and consciences. It Ih easy to see that he has made his work a practical study. When lie was a young pastor here he practised the art of oratory like a school boy preparing for Ills commencement speed'.. Ho now carries the honor of 1. D.After Mr. Burkhead vacated the pulpit the church was supplied for a short time during the year 1808 by Rev. J. (). Lindsay, ID., of Due West, who nt that period was filling the place of an evnnvellst for a groupof vucant churches Including Rocky River. Mr. Lindsay Is a native of Abbeville county : was reared and educated at Due West, and wav licensed and ordained a minister In the Associate Reformed Presbyterian I’huroh— the church of his father Mr. James Lindsay, who gnvo his prayers and much of his money to F.ruldue College. But very soon after Mr.Cane, August. 1*8-1.Thomas A. Cater, horn Monterey, February 8.1835, joined by profession October, 1854, pas-lorato Joseph Glbert married Mrs. Sarah C. Giles, May 3, I860, elected deacon, 1S61.Edwin Calhoun, born it Willlngton, January 21, 1839, Joined Rocky River by profession in 1865, pastorate J. DcWltt Burkhead, married Miss Sarah S. Tllnian In 1SJ0, elected deacon, 1870.Mrs. Surah S. Calhoun, born Monterey. May 28, 1813.Joined by profession, 186.5, under pastorate J. DeWItt Burkhcnd, married Edwin Calhoun, December 19,1S60.Miss Frances M. Calhoun, Joined ly profession In 1881, undei pastorate H. C. Fcunel.Miss Lizzie Clinkscules, born 1856. Joined by certificate, pastorate H. C.. Fennel, married W. C. Sherard, .September 12, 1877, died March 12.1885. . „ ,Mrs. Surali Caroline Cater, born Parks Creek. Abbeville county, September 20, 1823, Joined Upper Long Cane by profession lu 1844. pastorate of Dr. Turner, and Rocky River by certificate In 1*19, pastorate T. L. McBryde. married J. P. Giles Aril'. 15, 18:7, and married T. A. Cater May 3. I860.Mrs. Jane I,. Cuter, born nt Smith r Cross Roads, Abbeville county, January 11. 1M3, Joined by profession first Sunday In Novem-Dcr, 18iN, nnstornto It. B. Cater, D. D., murrled Richard B. Cater, nephew of the preacher, August, 1S32, by Rev. Moses Waddell. D. D.J. R. Cunningham, born Abbeville county, Aurll 2, 18*22,Joined by profession In 1948. pastorate of Rev. Thomas L. McBryde. married by Rev. Thomas L. McBryde. to Miss Sarah Louisa Giles January 22, 1851, elected elder several years before the war, perhaps la 1656.Thomas Twining Cunningham, born Abbeville county, October 27, 1817, Joined by pro-“jBifesslon In 184H. pastorate of T. L. McBryde, married Miss Frances Nichols Moore, Dec. 16. 181.5, and on November 16. 1853. married Miss AugustaSinionds. ordained cider May, 1*51.Mrs. Louisa Augusta Conn Ingham, born Clmrleslon, October 11, 1827. Joined church January 1, 1*13. transferred by certificate from Central Presbytorlan church to Rocky River October 22,1K1, paslornte Rev. Joseph Glbcrl, married Thomas Twining Cunningham, November 16. 1853.William Tit us Cunningham, bom Monterey, June 36,18is, Joined In 177. by certlflcat**, pas tonite II. C. Fennel, married MImk Annie E. Bask In. November 10,1875, elected Deacon in 18*3..Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Cunningham, born Lowndcsvllle, June 1G. 1819,Joined In 1877. by rortifhrnte, pastorate H. C. Fennel, married W.T. C’uniiingh.un. in 1S78.Mrs. snrali clinkscules, born Warren ton, December-20,1622,Joined by certificate H. C. Fennel, married A. J. Cllnkscales, February 3. 1812.Mrs. Minnie A. Fennel, born at Due West, lolned Upper Long Cane by profession In 1882,by certificate trnnKloiTod to Rocky River,pastorale of II. C. Fennel, married Rev. H. C. Fcunel, 1877.G.Pierre Glbert.Joined 184-5, by certificate from church In Mississippi, puKtorate T. L. Mc-Bryde. married Miss Marla It. Carrington, I8ff, eloct.nl elder May 1851.Mrs. Marla R. Giber:, born In Hancock county, Georgia, Joined Mt. Zion church, Ga„ lu 1811. transferred lo Roeky River. In 1847 pastorate!’. L. McBryde, murrled Picrro Glbert, 1617.Miss Pauline V. Glbert. daughter of Pierre Glbert. lolned by certificate from Mllledeo-tauent scnooi in Aooeviue. uwing 10 in health did not preactrTegularly iu the latter part of his life. Married Miss Susan C. Giles, daughter of ’Squire Andrew Giles of this county. They died leaving two children— Lyman W. Martin, a lawyer of 8eale, Ala., ahd Mrs. Luara A. Pooser, of Orangeburg county. S. C;Joseph Glbert, graduated at Athens College, moved to Mississippi, since deceased ;Robert B. McMuIIIn. graduated at Athens, moved to Tennessee, died:James Porter McMuIIln, g^duated at Athens, moved to Green county, Alabama, married Miss Fulton of that county, waa chaplain of a Confederate Regiment, and In a charge near Atlanta, was killed In 18*4.There Is a fact worthy of statement here In the history of this church. It has hod nineteen supplies or pastors, and with few exceptions they have all been young men, fresh and Inexperlenoed from the Seminary. They would come and stay long enough to lenrn how to preach and teen seek a better place, leaving the the old ohurch to go through the same work of calling and training another theological studeut But she did her work well. Not one of her young pastors ever wentiwny and became u failure through this long Istory of one hundred and fourteen years.May this old church live long and prosper.STONY POINT ITEMS.Short Stops aud I/onR Buna — New* and Notes of the Thriving Town.Stony Point, S. C., May 28. 1887.The season has been quite favorable upon the growing crops, for the past week.Miss Lillie McGee and Mr. G. W. Hodges, two of Cokesbury's most popular young people. have been visiting In Col. Law's family.Mias Bessie C’othran. of Tro.v, has charge of our school, and from what we can learn, has already captured 1he hearts of her pupils. Mav fibeBpend a pleasant term.Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Godbold, of Cokesbury, spent yesterday in town.Hon. F. A. Connor is visiting In Mr. David Aiken’s family.Mr. nnd Mrs. Sam. Tnrner. of Greenwood, have been on a r.ecent visit to relatives in thla place.Mrs. Sue Pinson, after a protracted trip to Greenville. Pickens and Laurens, Is at home.Mrs. O’Neal I has returned Iroin Greenville.Mr. Charles Thomson, or Spartanburg, wh* In town recently, and expressed himself ns charmed with our place, but more so with our people. Ahem!We have bad oneor two delightful dancee within tho past month.Mr. J. H. O'Neal!, our model young farmer.is preparing to bull’d at an early date, quite on attractive residencein town. Wbal doea it mean? Walt and see.The Sabbath school has been organized wIUi Mr. D. D. Rampy as superlutendent, and Mr.* L. K. Dantzlerns secretary.Master Joe Aiken, of CokeRbury, Is making tils home for the present with his brother, Mr. David Aiken.Two of Coronaca's best young men came to Stouy Point to go fishing, but we learn that they got no farther than the spring,—lost the bait, you know.Mrs. P. B. Uonoor, of Laurens. Is spending some time with relatives in town. •Mrs. Ingraham, who has been spending several months with her mother. Mrs. Stacey, will leave for her home in the “Lone Star’ nt an early day. .The auple crop Is very fair, but peacheR— ill a s' Mr. O’Neall will have a few of tbe ear-
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
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