Memoirs of the Rev. Thomas Cleland, D.D., comp. from his private papers

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Chapter I . Introductory Remarks

It is proposed to spread upon these pares a brief memoir of the life and labors of the Rev. Dr. Thomas Cleland, of Kentucky, lately deceased. The necessary information is supplied in his private papers, but particularly in an autobiography which he prepared in 1«48. This was intended not for the public eye, but for the use of his children and intimate friends, at whose request it was written. These friends have deemed it proper, however, to publish such parts of it as are of public interest, together with such portions as relate to his career as a minister of the Gospel, and indicate the early training by which the Providence and Grace of God raised him up for the work set before him. 3

In order to a just appreciation of his character, both personal and professional, it is needful to survey the sphere into which his life was cast. He was a man of his time : in many things the product and type of the region and the period in which he spent his days. What was there, then, peculiar in the conditions under which he came into the service of the Church ?

The first of these conditions is found in the fact that he was one of the pioneers of Kentucky ; not too young to be reckoned among the second generation of that remarkable body of men. In the year 1789, a few months after the first inauguration of Washington, the Cleland family descended the river Ohio, after the manner and amidst the dangers of that navigation, in a flat-boat floating with the stream, the banks of which were infested with hostile Indians. In the following year the family settled in what is now called Marion county, Thomas being in the twelfth year of his age. Sixteen years only before that settlement was effected, James Harrod built his log cabin, perhaps the first in the State, near the spot now occupied by Harrodsburg. Daniel Boone's fort on the river Kentucky had been erected not more than fifteen years, and the original block-house at Lexington about eight. The terrible siege of

Logan's fort, and the brilliant march of Clarke upon Yincennes and Kaskaskia, the disastrous expedition of Bowman against Ckillicothe, and the bloody but decisive battle of the Blue Licks, had all occurred at periods the most remote of which was not more than thirteen, and the nearest only eight years earlier than the settlement of the family. The sites now occupied by the towns of Danville, Harrodsburg, Lebanon and Springfield, were marked by a few log dwellings, or were covered by the unbroken forests. Xotmore than eleven years had passed since the McAfees, and McCouns, and Armstrongs had settled near the spot where, seventy years ago, they built a house of worship, which they called Xew Providence Church, in acknowledgment of God's protection over their infant colony ; where, for forty-five years, their descendants have received the word of God from Dr. Cleland's lips, and where they have now given him a reverent burial with their kindred. Wayne's treaty was not formed until four years after he came to the county, and he was a young man of two and twenty when the century which is now on the wane began its cycle. His life as a pioneer lad will be described in his own words in another part of this volume. To that manner of early life, those who knew him will readily refer much of his manhood and force of character, and much that was attractive in him ; his vigorous constitution, the resolution with which he met difficulties and opposition, the primitive structure of his dwelling and its appointments; his frankness and honesty, the simplicity of his manners, dress and mode of thought and expression ; the familiarity of his interc ourse with all classes of people; his genial humor; his fondness for the implements of frontier life — the ax and the rifle ; his hearty and unostentatious hospitality at home, and his exemplary patience with what his younger brethren find intolerable, — bad roads, bad weather, and rough fare when on duty abroad.

He belonged, also, to the second generation of the pioneer preachers of Kentucky. Father Rice, Terah Templin, Robert Marshall, and those immediate fellow laborers among the Presbyterians were much older than he ; so were Wm. Hickman, Lewis Craig and John Gano among the Baptists, and Francis Poythness, Benjamin Ogden and James Haw among the Methodists ; though the most of these were alive when he began his ministry. He wTas, however, the cotemporary, among the Presbyterians, of Carey II. Allen, John P. Campbell, James Blythe, John Lyle, Robert Stewart,

Archibald Cameron and Joshua L. Wilson. Being, by a few years, younger than any of them, he survived them all, and brought down to the present year, the type of that generation of powerful preachers.

To this we add, on a wider survey of his sphere in life, that his cotemporaries in other professions were great men — great in any comparison. Henry Clay and7 Felix Grundy were his seniors by a year only; Joseph Hamilton Davies and John Boyle by two years; John Allen, John Rowan and John Pope by from four to seven years;" while Wm. T. Barry, Ben. Hardin and Benjamin Mills were younger than he. Very few of these men, in the active period of life, were professedly religious, and the points of immediate contact between the professions of the law and the ministry of the Gospel were not very numerous. But the influences which those classes of public men exert on each other through their influence on the community in the bosom of which both have their spheres, the taste for forensic eloquence created by great lawyers and politicians acting on the pulpit, and the love of justice and the sense of responsibility to God, acquired from the instructions of the pulpit, re-acting on the tribunal of justice and the forum — all these considerations must be weighed in our estimate of public men.

The biography now before us connects itself, also, with the most decisive events which have marked the progress of the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky. His ministry of fiftyfive years, commencing with his licensure in 1803, and terminating with his death in 1858, is covered by the period both of rapid growth and earnest controversy in the Presbyterianism of Kentucky. He participated as an extorter in the revival of 1801-2 ; and as an ordained minister of the "Word in the work of Grace which was wrought in the years beginning with 1826, and terminating with 1829. He labored in camp meetings, which then were approved among the Presbyterians ; and then in protracted and sacramental meetings anions: all the churches of Central Kentucky ; and, indeed, in nearly all the larger congregations throughout the State. As early as 1803 he extended his missionary tours as far as Wayne county, in Kentucky; and, in 1805, he followed a wilderness trace as far as Yincennes, Indiana, to preach the word in places never before visited by a Presbyterian minister. He was actively engaged in nearly all the controversies and debates through which the church passed from time to time. He was a member of the commission which brought to a crisis the affairs of the Cumberland Presbytery: he took part in the proceedings which resulted in the deposition of Thomas B. Craighead, and the defeat of the Pelagian party : at the death of John B. Campbell, who had led the opposition to the New Light Theology, he took up his pen against the Arian and Socinian errors of Barton W. Stone : he entered warmly into the controversy with President Holley and his friends in the Transylvanian University, and labored at the foundation of Centre College when that institution became necessary to the maintenance of the truth : he publicly defended the principles of the Protestant faith against the Roman Catholics, the doctrines of the Divine decrees against the Arminians, and of the covenants against the Baptists, and the doctrines of grace against the reformers; and, finally, he shared in the proceedings which resulted in the division of the Presbyterian Church in 1837. Having identified himself with what is known as the Constitutional or Xew School General Assembly, he was one of the most venerable and trusted Councilors of that branch of Presbyterianism.

Chapter II

Autobiography, Parentage and Birth — Removal to Maryland, to Kentucky — Settlement in Marion County — His early habits and manner of life as a Pioneer and Hunter — Early Education at Home, at Greensbarg, Pisgah and Lexington.

[We now commence the history of his life, as he has himself exhibited it in the autobiographical sketch already described.]

" Thomas Cleland, the writer of this brief sketch, was born in Fairfax county, Va., May 22, 1778. About the third or fourth year of his age, he removed with the family into Montgomery county, Md., where he remained eight years. In regard to his ancestry he knows but little. His father was an humble mechanic ; his principal calling was that of making spinningwheels, but could do almost any thiug in wood or iron, that any one else could do. He was very poor as to this world's goods, and withal very feeble in his physical constitution. He had only an ordinary English education, but he possessed a good share of common sense, and his intellect was rather above the common order. Beyond my father I have no knowledge of my paternal ancestry.

' My mother's maiden name was Richards. She was a plain woman, a kind mother, and in domestic life rather excelling than otherwise, in regard to economy and good management. Father and mother both were highly respected by their neighbors and all acquaintances. Neither of them ever publicly professed religion. They were very moral and friendly toward religious people, and raised their family in good repute.

The principal object that drew my father over into Maryland, was to take charge of an old mill establishment, by lease, "for eight years. It was on Seneca creek, and owned by a widow Perry, and was much out of repair. Father being an excellent mechanic, soon repaired it and gained a large custom, took his wheat to Ellicot's mills, laid out the proceeds in goods at Baltimore, and established a small country store at home ; and thus acquired a small property which enabled him to rise above povertv and advance a little in the world. During this time I went to school to different teachers — Timothy Sullivan, Alexander Penman and Geo. Dyson. The first two wrere Irish rcdemptioners, as they were called, compelled to serve for a limited time to pay the expense of their passage across the ocean. The latter was an Englishman. Besides the common reading, he made us memorize the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostle's creed. The Old and E"ew Testaments were read as schools books ; and here I may say I received my earliest impressions, though very feeble indeed, by this course at school. The teacher was himself an Episcopalian, and my father's prepossessions were that way also. I am confirmed in this impression from what I have heard him intimate, but more especially from the fact that he had been prevailed on to have his children down to my sister Mary below me, " Christened" as it was called, by an Episcopalian clergyman, who occasionally visited the family.

[It has been already observed that his early life, as a pioneer of the region where he spent the most of his clays, exerted a controlling influence in the formation of his character. The graphic skill with which he describes this part of his career indicates the impression which it made upon not only his memory, but his manhood.]

In the fall of 1789, father made his arrangements to remove to Kentucky, Washington county, where he had procured an entry of 500 acres of forest laud. My maternal grandmother resided near Red Stone, as it was then called, on the Monougahela river. He started September 23, and arrived October 9, nearly two

LIFE OF DPt, CLELAND. 19

months, and there remained until father built a flat-boat, in which to descend the Ohio river. We left the last day of November ; I was in my twelfth year, and on account of a recent illness had to be carried to the boat. The descent of the river in these times was perilous, frequent attacks were made by the 'Indians on boats descending, attended sometimes with severe loss of life and property. We ascertained that they had made frequent attempts of this kind. Boats were iired on both before and behind us. But a kind providence interposed in our behalf — being safely conducted until we reached a small stream called Goose creek, a short distance above Louisville, Ky. I was sick the whole time, confined to my bed, but soon after recovered.

We were compelled, for want of better accommodation, to remain in our boat two weeks. Afterward, a small cabin, about twelve feet square, was obtained, a few miles out from the river, belonging to Col. Richard Taylor, father of the renowned hero of Monterey and Buena Vista. This residence was in the edge of a dense cane-brake. Here we were saluted every niffht with the howling; of wolves.

In the meantime father had gone to look for his land, and, if possible, to have erected a hasty building for our accommodation. He reached the neighborhood, examined the premises, selected the spot, engaged the workmen, and then was taken with a violent attack of pleurisy, a disease to which he was liable, and which ultimately ended his days. He was absent more than six weeks without our knowing the cause. The family were in painful suspense. The Taylor family, old and young, were very hospitable and kind to us. William, Hancock, and "Little Zack," as General Taylor was then called, were my playmates. Mrs. Taylor conceived a great fondness for my mother, and treated her as a sister.

At length father returned, very feeble indeed; we had well-nigh lost him. About the last of April we started for our new home, at which we soon arrived in safety. Every thing was new, rough and wild. A large cabin, with open cracks and puncheon floors, homely poles with boards across for ceiling, a tall dense forest all around, bears, wolves, with all manner of venomous reptiles in profusion. There was no time to be lost. Owin^ to father's illness and late arrival, the season was far advanced. The mattock, the ax and maul were put speedily into operation; father having a delicate constitution, could not labor out, or do any thing in the way of farming. But there was one who had been an inmate of the family some eight or ten years, a maternal uncle, familiarly called "Uncle Sammy" (Richards). He had been brought up a farmer. He was our leader. The ground was laid out, and at it we went day and niefht. I was from a child fond of an ax— always my favorite tool. Our force was my uncle and myself, two colored boys and two colored women. Up came the grubs, down went the saplings and undergrowth. Several acres were covered with the brush, the result of the days of chopping and grubbing. At night the fires sent forth light all around from the brush heaps burning here and there as fast as we could put and pile on. This was amusement, as well as work, and had to be continued in order to keep pace with mattock and ax, until ten or eleven o'clock at night. Late in the season as it was we made out to inclose and cultivate twelve acres of ground. Every blade, top and ear, were saved, and carefully secured, which, with pumpkins, and a cellar well stored, with potatoes, we made quite a flattering appearance for persons unaccustomed to the arts and toils of farming. These were indeed times that tried men's souls, and bodies too. I was now twelve years old, May, 1790. Here commenced a new era in my juvenile life, every thing to do to obtain a livelihood — the forest to clear away, buildings to erect, the hand-mill to push around to obtain bread. Sometimes 1 was mounted on a three-bushel bag of corn to take to the nearest mill, which was thirteen miles distant, three miles below where Springfield now stands, then an unbroken forest.

I soon became from necessity, as well as from inclination, an active, fierce, and persevering adventurer, after wolves, bears, etc. For feats of activity, such as jumping, racing and climbing trees, my equal was not to be found. ISo one had more ambition to excel in log-rolling, horse-racing, corn-husking races, than myself. For my hardy endurance, and well-known strength, I carried the soubriquet of " Pine Knot" and " jackscrew" In all these dangerous positions, in house raisings, athletic exercises, and night huntings, etc., I was wonderfully preserved by an unseen hand, reserved, I trust, for noble deeds, which at that time had not the shadow of an existence in my thoughtless and untutored mind.

Energy and perseverance were two distinguishing traits in my character. I vaunted myself upon my external morality, and had the approbation of parents, neighbors, and all. As to my early religious impressions, the removal to this country, the novelties continually presented, and the avocations in which I was nceessarily engaged, left no room for their operation.

[His fondness for the diversions of the woods was a marked peculiarity in his taste through the whole of his life. This peculiarity was due to the sports of his youth in a country full of game. Those wmich he describes below relate to the year 1793-4, when he was only fifteen or sixteen years of age.]

I resumed more vigorously than ever the various avocations and pursuits of the day — farming, log-rolling, and hunting wild animals, coons, foxes, wild cats and wolves. The two latter were very mischievous, depredating upon our sheep, pigs, etc. In the course of some two or three years I had trapped in ivolf-pens more than a dozen large, full-grown wolves, and in one way and another, twice as many of the wild-cat race, and smaller game without number. Both from necessity and inclination, I had declared war against the whole concern. Ambition, energy, perseverance and determination, carried me on regardless of clanger.

Never was I alarmed by these animals but once. It was early in March, the moon was shining brightly, the air was soft and balmy. While I was standing quietly waiting for the return of my dogs, I saw three large wolves coming directly toward me. They came within less than ten steps of me. Hearing the noise of them approach among the leaves and sticks, the fleetest dog sprang right toward them. I saw the foremost spring to one side, while the other two fled backward, with all the dogs in full pursuit. Being alone, I feared the one that had been left behind might attack me, I stood with my ax, the only weapon I had, ready, my heart palpitating, and my eyes all around me; but I saw him not. The dogs, on their return, gave him a second chase, and after returning I made all haste homeward, the dogs all ahead, I could not keep one behind me, but kept looking back, not knowing but that I might be pursued. One of the dogs having gone aside from the road, I parsed him, walking briskly. He came in behind, now close up to me. As I looked back, I was sure it was a wolf. The ax is drawn in the twinkling of an eye, with earnest cry for the dogs, " Here, here, here." But before the blow was given, I was happily relieved by the whining voice and wagging tail of one of my favorite dogs. This panic was more agitating than the first. But I arrived home, and crept softly into bed, and made no report of my adventure to the family. On another occasion the dogs treed a wild-cat early in the night. Thinking it to be a fox,

LIFE OF DFv. CLELAND. 25

I went up to make it jump off, that the clogs might have a race. But in this I was mistaken ; it was a wild-cat. It growled fearfully, and came at me. I knocked it off with my fist, it sprang* to the ground and eluded the grasp of the dogs. They ran it almost out of hearing, but returned still in chase. It treed not far distant. .1 sent a small negro boy I had with me for my shot-gun. He came, and I fired at it twice. I climbed up again, and as it came toward me I again knocked it off. He again eluded the dogs, and took another tree larger and higher than either of the preceding. I again fired at him, but to no purpose. Again reloaded, then felled a smaller tree against the one he was on, climbed up till near him, I shot, he fell. I triumphed and returned home at midnight. It was the largest animal of the race that had ever been seen.

[The account which he gives of his schoolboy days is interesting, as indicating the means of education which were in use at that early period in the history of Kentucky. In the summer of '92 or '93, his father sent him and his youngest sister to school, six or seven miles distant, going on the Monday and returning on the Friday of each week. Two or three years ■ afterward, when in the eighteenth year of his age he resumed his course of study.] 4

But now commences a new era in my juvenile life. My father having seven children to provide for, and being, in moderate circumstances, not only from this consideration, but also from nattering representations made to him b}T several young lawyers of his acquaintance, that a fine harvest for that profession was in full prospect in Kentucky, was induced to select me for that profession, thinking, if I succeeded in that calling, I could more readily support myself in future domestic life. With this object in view, and having previously made the necessary arrangement for books, boarding, etc., I set out with him for Greensburg, county seat of Green county, on first day of January, 1795. We arrived late in the evening, and lodged with Mr. John Allen, the place selected for my boarding. I was now in my eighteenth year. I was first under the superintendence of Jas. Allen, Esq., who was a young lawyer and clerk of the county. With him I commenced Eudiman's Latin grammar, which I went through in two weeks, including the revision. During my stay there, some eight or nine months, I read all the Latin authors commonly used in those days, amounting to nine books, from Cotderius to Odd inclusive. I also committed to memory several lengthy orations — Cicero against Verres, Cataline, etc. These I sometimes, for amusement, as well as practice, delivered at the top of my voice from some of the tallest poplar saplings, which yet remained on the unimproved lots of the newly laid off town. The spot had been formerly cultivated, but long since abandoned on account of the Indians, and now had grown up into a dense and flourishing thicket, or young forest. From this elevated position my oratory could be heard all over this new and growing village. The orations were selected from the " Art of Speaking," a book of the 12 mo. size. I memorized from two to three pages of this book from daylight to breakfast in the morning.

Time rolls on. The spring of '96 arrives. My eighteenth year is closed. My studies must be resumed. The " Kentucky Academy," recently established at Pisgah, Woodford county, is my next place of location. At this Institution I spent eighteen months o£ the most interesting and important portion of my early life. Here I entered upon a most ardent and persevering pursuit after literary acquirements. During all the time of my sojourn here, I pursued my literary studies with uncommon ardor and industry. My candle was often burning until 12 or 1 o'clock at night, after all had long laid down to sleep. Many nights I slept not more than four hours. Never did any one read with more avidity, a novel or romance, than I did the story of Dido and Eneas in Virgil. I sometimes got 400 lines at a lesson. I read the Odes of Horace in nine days, including the revision. Passed rapidly through the " Satires," " Cicero's Orations; " then the Greek Testament, Lucian's Dialogues, and then was forwarded with the foremost class, which had just commenced the second book of Xenephon's Cycropcedia, which author was as far as I ever wrent in the dead languages.

Chapter III

Enrly Religious Impressions — At Twelve years of Age in Maryland — At Fourteen at Home — At Eighteen in Greensburg — At Nineteen at Pisgah — At Twenty-two at Lexington — Sudden Death of His Father.

After spending twelve or fourteen months at Pisgah, he found his health giving way under his severe course of study, and returned to his labor on the farm and to his sports in the woods. In the autumn of 1799, when he was in the twenty-second year of his age, he went to Lexington to finish his education, at the Transylvania University. But his studies were, in the course of a few weeks, suddenly terminated by the death, first of his mother, then soon afterwards of his father. These events changed the course of his life. But it is necessary, at this point, to go back in the narrative, and trace the progress of his religious experience from the beginning up to the close of his residence at the university, and the death of his parents.

[Of his early religious impressions he thus writes :]

Of these I was not wholly destitute in those

30 LIFE OF BR. CLELAND.

days; but how to account for their origin and character I have found no small difficulty. I was considered a retiring and unassuming backwoods boy. Nothing rash, vile, outbreaking or immoral in mv character. From what I read at school, and incidentally learned elsewhere, I believed in a judgment to come; everlasting happiness and misery. " Eternity '" forever, "Endless duration" were fearful terms, and terrible for me to think upon. I knew no religion but external morality ; and, because I did not swear and do many other wicked things, I considered myself in a tolerably safe condition. Yea, I thought I kept my accounts with my Maker pretty well squared up. I knew no more of utter sinfulness — the need of regeneration— the agency of the Spirit — the need of atonement — the mediation of Christ, etc., etc., than a dark, untutored Indian. The thought that I might die suddenly ; that death might unexpectedly overtake me before I had straightened up every thing, was perplexing. How I got the impression, I can not tell ; yet, I firmly believed that, if any thing should remain against me unadjusted, and father or mother, or any one else, would pray for me after death, all would be right, and no charge would be against me at the day of judgment. But here ao-ain I became unsettled and doubtful. I was not assured that father or mother ever prayed at all ; or, if they did, possibly I might be forgotten, and then all was over with me. I could not do the work myself, nor by any means awaken their attention and sympathies in my behalf. Here then was the crisis, — the turning point. What course should I pursue ? Why, just this ; I must be good — altogether a good man before I die. But how to be that good man, — who is he ? Where is he to be found ? If I become a lawyer, will that do ? Xo, all lawyers go to hell under a curse — "Wo unto lawyers." So thought I then. What of doctors? Xever knew but one — the one who doctored me for the bite of a mad cat — the scars of which still remain. The doctor may be a good man, but it is very uncertain. A preacher! ah ! that is the man, the very nm n for me. Xo mistake about his being a good man. The very act of preaching is proof certain as holy writ, that he is a good man. Xo man would preach ; nay, no man could preach, unless he was a good man. So I conclud.ed to make sure of the matter. I must somehow get to be a preacher, in order to make sure of the good man when I come to die. From that day singular as it may be, I never wavered, never hesitated one moment, as to what I would choose, were I ever called into public life. Here**! find the origin, the very gem, or per-

LIFE OF DR. CLELAND.

haps the embryo existence of my earliest thoughts and impressions ; erroneous as they were, that first directed and fixed mv determination towards the ministry.

[This statement appears to relate to the period of early youth, before the removal of the family to Kentucky, and consequently while he was not more than twelve years of age, after the settlement of the family in Marion county.]

In the summer of 1792 or 1793, father sent me and my youngest sister to school, about six miles distant, to a Methodist preacher, Kev. Thomas Kyle, with whom we boarded from Monday till Friday evening, weekly. On a certain day in every month there came along the Circuit Rider, who, by request of our teacher, heard the pupils rehearse a small catechism at the close of the forenoon session. This he did as we stood in spelling ranks. I stood head uniformly, had memorized the catechism, and answered with the rest. He then proceeded to prayer and exhortation, with great vehemence and effervescence, until nearly the whole female part of the school became in a perfect uproar, crying for mercy, exhorting careless brothers and some others of the male sex to repent and give up their hearts to God..