Old Redstone; or, Historical sketches of western Presbyterianism, its early ministers, its perilous times, and its first records

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Introduction.— Reasons why the Reminiscences of Early "Western

Introduction

The Lord commanded his people, in ancient times, to stand in the ways, and see and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein ; promising them that thus they should find rest for their souls. In the right performance of this duty, essential aid has often been obtained from well-directed inquiries into the history of God’s methods of providence and grace, with his people, in earlier times. The history of the trials and conflicts of the church, while engaged in the discharge of her great mission — “ to display her banner, because of the truth” — is fraught with lessons “ profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” But every portion of the church has not equal claims upon all, in regard to the earlier periods of her life. Nor can the story of such times be invested with a like interest to every portion of the Christian world. New England Christians must always read with absorbing interest the narratives of the adventures, trials, and sorrows of their pilgrim fathers. Methodists must feel a peculiar interest in the life and character of their great founder. Western Baptists cannot soon forget the thrilling story of their noble pioneer, John Corhley. Can Western Presbyterians cease to cherish a grateful remembrance of those who were instrumental in laying the foundations of our western Zion? But does the early history of Trans-Allegheny Presbyterianism possess any special claims to attention, apart from an affectionate interest in the history of our own ancestors? Does this section of our

INTRODUCTION.

church that was first organized west of the mountains, challenge inquiry into its early times, on any other grounds ? We think it does. We will suggest two or three reasons additional, why such inquiry may be made, without being subjected to the charge of vanity or arrogance.

1. In the first place, extensive portions of the West are deeply indebted, so far as Presbyterianism is concerned, to that part of our church which was once included in the bounds of the Presbytery of Redstone . It will be borne in mind that these hounds included not only all Western Pennsylvania, but a considerable section of Western Virginia. Now, from this region, vast numbers of Presbyterians, from almost the beginning of this century, began to emigrate into the North-western Territory, and to disperse themselves widely over Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. There, in numberless places, they formed the materials out of which the first Presbyterian churches, now spread over the bounds of at least four of our largest western synods, were formed. It is remarkable what great numbers thus removed from almost all the first churches in the bounds of the Redstone Presbytery. This was, perhaps, in part, owing to the very imperfect Scotch-Irish system of farming which generally prevailed; answering well enough, so long as a virgin soil would yield its plentiful returns of crops. But it was a system that soon exhausted the lands. And our ancestors did not understand, or had not the patience to adopt, the methods of the “Pennsylvania Dutch,” as they were called, for recuperating exhausted lands. At any rate, the prospect of cheap fresh lands, and of larger farms across the “big river,” as they called the Ohio, presented too inviting a lure to be resisted. But, though they went to the West too often, perhaps, from mere selfish motives, God had his own purposes to accomplish by them. If they did not carry the gospel with them, and sometimes settled where, for a season, they seldom heard it, they soon contributed largely to invite ministers and build churches all over the West. The influence which Presbyterians from the old Redstone Presbytery thus

INTRODUCTION.

IB exerted, is incalculable. Does not this view of the case justify an inquiry into “the old paths” of our fathers?

2. But, in connexion with this point, let us widen the range of our vision upon the past and future. There was a race of Protestants that originated in the north of Ireland, whose history, in their successive generations, is as remarkable as any that the world contains. Dr. Foote , in his valuable works on North Carolina and Virginia, has shown how, in the wonderful providence of God, this race entered and spread through those States ; some of them, immediately from the land of their fathers — some of them, after a brief sojourn in the Middle States : how they formed the largest portion of the materials out of which were formed the Southern Presbyterian Church : how, commingling with some contributions from the land of the Huguenots, with some from the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland, and with a few from England, they unitedly laid the foundations of our Southern Zion. And he has, in view of the sublimity of their glorious mission, in both works, but especially in the latter, led us back to the earlier history of the Irish Presbyterian Church, and shown us the remote influences that were employed in preparing such a race, and propelling them forward in their course and entrance upon the new world. Dr. Davidson , not overlooking their remarkable origin, but briefly tracing the strange fortunes of the province of Ulster, in Ireland, has given us an account of a portion of this race, and of the results of their labors in Kentucky, and of the rise and progress of Presbyterianism in the mighty Valley of the Mississippi. And he has very properly begun with an account of the Presbyterian Church in Virginia, especially in the valley of Virginia, the principal hive of Presbyterian emigration to Kentucky. Neither of these works is complete without some account of the rise and progress of the Presbyterian Church , west of the Allegheny mountains, in Western Pennsylvania and Western Virginia — that noble, prolific mother of churches throughout the Western States.

INTRODUCTION.

There is something singular in the course of events, in regard to this race, -whence our Church has mainly derived its materials and its strength. Dr. Foote has noticed how many of Q£ir first Presbyterian settlers that eventually reached Virginia and the Carolinas, had tarried for a while in Eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland. It was so, too, in regard to those who found their way toward the West. While many of our forefathers had come immediately from Scotland and Ireland, a large proportion were of those who had sojourned, for a season, east of the mountains, or of their children. The truth is, the stream divided. Part went south, and part west. Even families divided. Some of the j Edgars, GrilJcesons , McMillans, &c., went south — some, to the West. And these streams united again in Kentucky, and elsewhere in the great Valley, and are still uniting . But why was this sojourn in the Middle States ? We may say, indeed, that their western and southern homes were not yet open for them. But was there not another reason in the divine purpose, though employing secondary causes as the immediate instruments of its will ? A sublime mission for them and their children was intended, though altogether concealed from their view. They were not yet prepared for that mission. They must receive that preparation through the great revivals under Whitefield, the Tenants, the Blairs, and a host of others, whom God raised up in the earlier part of the last century, to he instruments in his hands of spreading a new life through the Church. From 1740 to 1760, there was a mighty baptism of the Church of God in this land ; and then were prepared the noble spirits that afterwards were called to so glorious a work in Virginia, North Carolina, and Western Pennsylvania. And these again trained and marshalled those who, in after years, were to spread the gospel through all the West. If Virginia sent her Rices, and her Blythes, and her Carys, to Kentucky; Western Pennsylvania trained and sent forth her M‘Greadys and her Marshals. And if Ohio received from Kentucky and Virginia her Hoges and her Wilsons, she got

INTRODUCTION.

from Pennsylvania her Reas, her Hughes’s, her Welches, and her Andersons. Now, in looking back from our present stand-point upon these great general features of our Zion’s history, can we fail to see the wonder-working hand of God, amidst a thousand other immediate, blessed results, working for the eventual evangelization of this vast Valley of the Mississippi, where every decennial period counts its increase of population, not by thousands, but by millions !

We doubt whether our early fathers, Median, Smith, Power, Dod, and others, had the least conception of the grandeur of their mission, in its bearings upon the future church militant. Dear servants of God ! they thought, perhaps, mainly, of saving souls around them, and of peopling heaven with those who would be their future “crowns of rejoicing.” Little did they dream, at least in the earlier part of their toils, of the vast tide of human beings that were soon to fill the West, and that these were to receive the gospel mainly through instruments and agencies which they first prepared and directed. It is from views of the above character that we are led to think that we do not overrate the interest which belongs to our early history.

3. A very few years have passed since the whole Presbyterian Church was convulsed, from its centre to its circumference, with a mighty conflict, involving great constitutional principles and doctrines of vital importance. There was a time, never to be forgotten, when men’s hearts almost failed them in view of the alarming invasion from without and the extensive defection from within.

But the vessel of the Church, though tempest-tossed and often dashed against the breakers, weathered the storm, and was safely guided into a peaceful haven. The vessel was lightened ; a part of her crew was dismissed, and many, sympathizing with them, voluntarily forsook her. They all rallied in a new vessel, which they call the “ American Presbyterian Church * and perhaps they would have likewise

* Many of them, it is said, labor under a pleasing illusion that it is the same old vessel in which their fathers sailed.

INTRODUCTION.

assumed the name of “ Bible Christians,” had not ’that expression been already monopolized.

Now, what portion of the Church proved most faithful in those trying times ? Comparisons here, perhaps, are invidious. We would not disparage the claims which other portions of our Zion may have to the character of firmness and integrity in that hour of her agony ; hut we verily believe that if any are entitled to the precedence in this case, it is that portion of the Church within the limits of the original Presbytery of the West. Do not the scenes of 1835-6-7 throw an interest around the early history of this part of the Church ? Perhaps we are more indebted, under God, to the early impulse given to the cause of sound Presbyterianism by the ministerial Pioneers of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia, than we have ever duly appreciated. The only man of all the “ first set,” as he called them, of our ministers who lived on till our stormy times began, and who was called home just before they reached their height, was Dr. M‘Millan ; and we know that till his last breath he gave his noble testimony to the cause of Old School Presbyterianism and its distinctive theology. A sermon of Dr. M‘Millan, published in the “ Western Presbyterian Preacher,” abundantly attests this statement. Now, we have ever regarded him as truly representing the views and sentiments of his cotemporaries. He was, ecclesiastically, the “ Charles Carroll, of Carrollton ; the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence;” — yes, of true Presbyterian independence, when the old Presbytery of Redstone spread its banner to the breeze in 1781. Now with such reminiscences of a period within the memory of even the young of the Presbyterian Church, can we fail to regard with some interest the times when, amidst multiplied trials, and dangers, and sorrows, the walls of our Western Zion began to rise ?

4. The Presbyterian Church, from the first day of her American organization, recognised her missionary character. The printed Records of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, and

INTRODUCTION.

of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, prove beyond all question, that through a period of more than eighty years, the Presbyterian Church adhered firmly to the principle and duty of conducting missions at home and abroad through her ecclesiastical organizations. She had a mighty mission to perform, and nobly did she gird herself to the work.

It was by this means that the Gospel was first preached west of the Alleghany Mountains. Missionaries sent out by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia first penetrated the howling wilderness, and proclaimed the glad news of salvation alike to the emigrant , the hunter , the trader , and the Indian. This part of our past history is perhaps little known, and will deserve and shall receive special notice hereafter. But though our Church always, through her early days, and even for more than thirty years after the General Assembly, in 1789, -was called into existence, acted upon the principle that “the Church of Christ, in her organized capacity, is a missionary society for the conversion of the world,”* there came a period when, through an amiable weakness that “ leaned to virtue’s side,” she was seduced from her old propriety. Congregationalists of New England had carried on their missionary operations, not by Ecclesiastical Boards — of which their peculiar form of church organization did not, in the nature of the case, admit — but by voluntary associations. They were doing a noble work in their own way — the best

* If the claims to Scriptural and Apostolic sanction, made alike by Episcopalians, Independents, and Presbyterians, for their respective forms of church organization, be tested by this principle, will it not set in a clear light the stronger claims of Presbyterianism ? If one grand design of the great Head of the Church in setting up and maintaining a visible Christian church in the world be the propagation of the gospel and the conversion of the world, — and who will question this? — then that form of church government which affords the greatest facilities for carrying on the work of missions must be most in accordance with the mind of Christ. Now, cannot prejudice itself discern the superior advantages of Presbyterian organization for carrying out and accomplishing this grand mission of the visible Church of God?

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way of which they were capable with their defective form of church government. They persuaded us, and many among us who had come originally from them united with them, in coaxing us to adopt their way of doing this great work. They were truly eloquent, and profoundly philosophical in their arguments to convince us that we ought to fall in with them, and not only to carry on missions in the same way, hut to take their defective and irresponsible organizations as the channels of our work. These good brethren assured us we would get along much better by adopting their more free and easy system, without Committees or Boards , under ecclesiastical supervision. They succeeded in their object for a time. We do not mean to question their motives. We verily believe they were generally honest. Nay, more ; we have no doubt they thought sincerely they would do us great good, and not evil. It was thought that by a combined movement, under the guidance of the Home Missionary Society, and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, a mightier work for the conversion of the world could be effected. Our Church, in a season when she received a fresh baptism of the Spirit of Missions, constituting her umollia tempora fandi,” yielded her assent. Now during this season of almost universal abandonment of the old Presbyterian principle on the subject of missions through church organization, what portion of our Zion held most firmly to the old paths of our fathers? We have no hesitation in saying it was the portion within the original bounds of the Redstone Presbytery. And here was first revived the good old principle of conducting missions by the Church in her organized capacity. Measures were adopted by the Synod of Pittsburg, and the work of foreign missions was set on foot and carried on for several years by the Synod. Let it never be forgotten that when our present Board of Foreign Missions was organized, it was by a transfer of this whole concern from the Synod of Pittsburg to the General Assembly in 1885. And when in 1836,

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*witb. a New School majority, the Assembly undid and nullified this work of the previous year, that bold stroke of their policy led more than all other things put together to the momentous transactions of the General Assembly of 1837 ! Now, have we not a right to enquire about the early history of this portion of the Church, that aided directly and indirectly to recover her from her former defections, and to reinstate her on the ground ever held by our Zion from the beginning, and on the principles to which she owed, under God, her earliest life ? What does the Presbyterian Church owe to this section of her now wide-spread territory ?

Let us briefly recapitulate, not in the order we have just indicated, but in a somewhat transposed, but equally available order, the above particulars. We hope they are worth summing up.

We remark, then, that that portion of the Presbyterian Church which, in these latter days, made the first effectual movement, through ecclesiastical organization, in the cause of foreign missions, was located in the bounds of the old Redstone Presbytery. The synod of Pittsburg, amongst her sister synods, may be entitled to the same honor, ecclesiastically, which has been assigned, politically, to the State in which it is mainly situated — “the keystone of the federal arch.” Perhaps the phrase, “ the back-bone of the Presbyterian Church,” is more significant. We cheerfully surrender both expressions, if they are thought to savor of ambitious pretension.

Again, this portion of the Church, during the period of its greatest conflict, near twenty years ago, for constitutional principles and rights, against alarming invasion, from without, and extensive defection from thorough Presbyterianism, from within, stood with more firmness and unanimity by her standards of doctrine and order, than almost any other part of our Zion.

Again, extensive portions of the West are deeply indebted

INTRODUCTION.

to that part of our Church which was once included in the hounds of Redstone Presbytery.

We might add a fourth particular, which ought to throw back a deep interest on our early history. The descendants of the Pilgrims remember with pride the efforts of their fathers in the cause of education, almost coeval with their landing on the Plymouth Rock, and are continually proclaiming to the world that, within less than twenty years after that event, Harvard University, (their glory and their shame,) was founded. Well, let it also be remembered that our early Christian fathers embarked in the cause of education, whilst yet their savage foes were prowling around them in their forests, and that two colleges were passing through their infant state , within less than ten years after the Presbytery of Redstone was formed.

We ask, then, cannot much of the thorough orthodoxy , the evangelical and missionary spirit , the noble zeal for education, and the soundness in the faith, propagated through the West, be all traced, under God, to the early state and character of the Western Presbyterian Church? Who were ' those men whom God employed in this great work ? Under what circumstances of trial, of peril, and of self-sacrificing zeal, were the walls of our western Zion built ? On all these accounts, it cannot be uninteresting to many, we think, to learn something about the seven ministers who composed the old Redstone Presbytery for many years, and about the early history of this section of our ecclesiastical territory.

OLD REDSTONE

Chapter I. The Early State Oe The Country, And Its First Settlements

An intelligent survey of our earlier history seems to require some general knowledge, at least, of the secular history of . this portion of the United States. Without this knowledge, much that pertains to the organization and progress of our churches, to the domestic and social condition of our forefathers, and to the hardships and trials of our early ministers, must he involved in obscurity. There are many items in the early records of our first presbytery, that can be understood only by some acquaintance with the history, the laws, usages and customs of those times, and with the general state of society, and condition of the country. It will not, therefore, be deemed aside from the main design of this work, to attempt a comprehensive sketch of this character.

The territory embraced within the limits of the Presbytery of Redstone included all the south-western part of Pennsylvania, and that portion of Virginia which stretches along between the Ohio and the western border of Pennsylvania. This entire scope of country, larger than some of the smaller States of the Union, was, a hundred years ago, the hunting-ground of the Iroquois or Six Nations, the Delawares, and the Shawnees. The French, however, claimed it as theirs by right of discovery. This claim was wholly preposterous, resting upon no solid basis, and was mainly prompted by an ambitious desire to unite their Canadian with their Louisiai

22 FRENCH CLAIMS — EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

nian possessions, and to draw a cordon across the track of the advancing Anglo-Saxon race. Yet, as early as the beginning of the eighteenth century, Bancroft tells us that not a fountain bubbled on the west of the Allegheny, but was claimed as being within the French empire. Louisiana stretched to the head-springs of the Allegheny and the Monongahela, of the Kanawha and the Tennessee. But no subject of either France or England had, before the year 1700, trodden the shores of the Allegheny, the Monongahela, or the Youghiogheny. As early, however, as 1715 and 1720, occasionally a trader would venture west of the Allegheny mountains. And of these, says the historian of Western Pennsylvania, the first was James L. Fort, who resided, in 1700, east of the Susquehanna, but took up his residence west of it, at Le Fort Spring (Carlisle), in 1720. Peter Cleaver, John Evans, Henry Devay, Owen Nicholson, Alexander Magenty, Patrick Burns, John Evans, George Hutchinson, all of Cumberland county, (which then, indeed, included all the south-western part of the State) — also, Barnaby Currin, John M‘Guire, a Mr. Frazer, the latter of whom had at an early day a tradinghouse at Venango (now Franklin), but afterwards on the Monongahela, at the mouth of Turtle creek — all these were traders among the Indians.*

But no attempt had been made by the whites at settlements in this entire region before 1748, when the Ohio Company was formed. The object of this company was to effect settlements on the wild lands west of the Allegheny mountains, through the agency of an association of gentlemen. Mr. Lee, one of the king’s council in Virginia, was at the head of it. With the view of carrying his plan into operation, he associated himself with twelve other persons in Virginia and Maryland, and with Mr. Hanbury, a merchant in London, who formed what they called “ The Ohio Company.” Laurence Washington and his brother, Augustine Washington,

* History of Western Pennsylvania, p. 40.

THE OHIO COMPANY.

(brothers of George Washington,) were among the first who engaged in this scheme. A petition was presented to the king, on behalf of the company, which was approved, and five hundred thousand acres of land were granted almost in the terms requested by the company. The object of the company was to settle the lands, and to carry on the Indian trade upon a large scale. Hitherto the trade with the western Indians had been mostly in the hands of the Pennsylvanians. The company conceived that they might derive an important advantage over their competitors in this trade, from the water communication of the Potomac, and the eastern branches of the Ohio, between the Monongahela and Kanawha rivers, and west of the Allegheny mountains. Though this was a most promising scheme, and met with much favor from the most influential quarters, yet, owing to the various troubles in which the country was involved, from French influence and Indian forays, comparatively little resulted from it. It, however, for some time, greatly promoted emigration into portions of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia.*

* One singular fact, connected with this subject, deserves notice. Mr. Lawrence Washington, upon whom fell the chief management of the affairs of this company, after the death of Mr. Lee, conceived the very plausible plan of inviting the “ Pennsylvania Dutch, ” and their brethren from Germany to colonize this region. Their only objection was the parish taxes they would have to pay to support the Episcopal Church. Mr. Washington exerted himself to get this difficulty removed ; but high church episcopacy was too strong for him ; and so his scheme failed; and a large portion of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia was kept open for a different race— mainly for Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. Thus the intolerant Episcopal Establishment of Virginia was overruled by the purpose and providence of God, to contribute unwittingly to provide a home for many of our fathers ; or rather to keep -open for them such a home. Mr. Washington, in a letter to Mr. Hanbury of London, wrote, “ I conversed with all the Pennsylvania Dutch whom I met — and much recommended their settling. The chief reason against it was the payment of an English clergyman, when few understood, and none made use of him. It has been my opinion, and I hope ever will be, that restraint •; on conscience are cruel, in regard to those on whom

NOBLE SENTIMENTS OF MR. LAWRENCE.

This company sent out Christopher Gist, in 1750, to explore the country from the south branch of the Potomac, northward to the head of Juniata river. He explored this region accordingly, crossed the mountains and reached the Alleghany river by the Yalley of the Kiskeminetas. He crossed the Alleghany about four miles above the forks, where Pittsburg now stands : thence went down the Ohio to some point below Beaver river ; and thence over to the Muskingum valley. The first actual settlement made was within the limits of what is now Fayette Co., in 1752, by Mr. Gist himself, on a tract of land now well known there as Mount Braddock, west of

they are imposed, and injurious to the country imposing them. England, Holland, and Prussia I may quote as examples, and much more Pennsylvania, which has flourished under that delightful liberty, so as to become the admiration of every man who considers the short time it has been settled. As the ministry have thus far shown the true spirit of patriotism, by encouraging the extending of our dominions in America, I doubt not by an application, they would still go further, and complete what they have begun, by procuring some kind of charter to prevent the residents on the Ohio and its branches, from being subject to parish taxes. They all assured me that they might have from Germany any number of settlers, could they but obtain their favorite exemption. I have promised to endeavor for it, and now do my utmost by this letter. 1 am well assured we shall never obtain it by law here. This colony (Virginia), was greatly settled in the latter part of Charles the First’s time, and during the usurpation by the zealous churchmen ; and that spirit which was then brought in has ever since continued , so that, except a few Quakers, we have no dissenters. But what has been the consequence? We have increased by slow degrees, except negroes and convicts ; whilst our neighboring colonies, ‘ whose natural advantages are greatly inferior to ours, have become populous.’” These sentiments do great honor both to the head and heart of Lawrence Washington. But he labored in vain. A proposition was made by several Germans in Pennsylvania, that if they would have the above exemption secured to them, they would take fifty thousand acres of the company’s land and settle it with two hundred families. But nothing was done. Parliament was too busy with public affairs, and the ministry otherwise engaged. And Episcopacy in the colony was unyielding. Blessed be God, that he makes the wrath and even the bigotry of men to praise Him !

QUEEN ALIQUIPPA AND GENERAL WASHINGTON. 25

the Youghiogeny river. Mr. Gist induced eleven families to settle around him on lands supposed to be within the Ohio company’s grant.

The more southern part of Western Pennsylvania (Greene, Washington, Fayette, and part of Somerset), which was supposed to be within the boundaries of Virginia, was visited by adventurers from Maryland, prior to 1754. Among these were Wendel Brown, and his two sons, and Frederick Waltzer, who lived four miles west of Uniontown. David Taggart had settled in the valley which still bears his name, in North- Western Virginia, where several other families came, a few years afterwards, and where the Redstone Presbytery appointed supplies for several years. These were the only settlements attempted prior to Braddock’s defeat ; and those made immediately afterwards — or prior to 1760, were repeatedly molested — families murdered — cabins burnt, — and for a time such settlements were broken up — alternately abandoned and again occupied.

In 1753, when Washington paid his visit to the French at Le Boeuf, he passed through this region going and returning. At that time, Aliquippa , queen of the Delawares, resided at the mouth of the Youghiogeny — now M‘Keesport. Washington paid her a visit and made her a present of a watch-coat and a bottle of rum, “ which latter was thought much the better present of the two.” It is an incident worthy of a passing notice that just one century from that date, the present pastor of the Presbyterian church of that place, the Rev. Nathaniel West, D. D., was there installed in a new and beautiful house of worship. At the time of Washington’s visit, king Shingis had his quarters near the mouth of Chartiers. Then not a single white man was found where Pittsburg now stands. He reached that point November 24th, 1753; and says in his journal, “ As I got down before the canoe, I spent some time in viewing the rivers and the land in the fork, which I think extremely well situated for a fort, as it has the absolute command of both rivers. The land at the point is twenty-five feet above the common surface of the water ; and