Memoir of Rev. James Chisholm ... : with memoranda of the pestilence which raged in that city during the summer and autumn of 1855

Front matter

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A' v V

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Contents

PAGE

Birth — Lineage — Childhood — School-days — Letter of Hon. Mr. Upham — Sunday-school — Love of Music — Innocence of character — Regard for the feelings of others, . . 1

Chapter II. 1832—1836

College Life at Harvard University — Letters from Rev. J. Very and Dr. H. Bigelow — Graduation — Attainments — Esteem of the Professors — Account of Gen. Jackson's receiving the degree of LL.D — Leaves College, . . .12

Chapter III

Goes to Jefferson County, Ya., as Assistant Teacher — Letter of Rev. Dr. Jones — First Serious Impressions of Religion — Becomes a Member of the Church in Washington City — Confirmation — Determines to study for the Ministry — Enters the Virginia Theological Seminary — His Views — Ordained, 22

IV CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IY.

PAGE

Partial Engagement in Albemarle County, Ya. — Letter from Mrs. W. C. Rives — Letter — Letter from Mrs. Page- Labors among the Colored People — Description of the Country and People, . . . . . . .31

CHAPTER Y.

Settlement in Norborne Parish, Berkeley County — Yisiting the Sick — Manner of his Ministrations — Letters from Martinsburg and Hedgesville — "A Scene in our Parish," . 40

CHAPTER VI,

His Marriage — Letter — Tertullian — Resides in Martinsburg —His First-born— Escape of the Child from Death, . 52

CHAPTER VII.

His Course as a Pastor — Sunday-Schools-^Biblc-Classes — Attachments of the Colored People — Letters, . .69

CHAPTER VIII.

Removal from Berkeley — Letters on the Subject — Numbers added to Communion — This not the only Test of Fidelity and Usefulness — Resignation — Removes to Portsmouth — Identification with the People — Letter to the Author — Journey together in Company to Convention in Wheeling, in 1853 — Incidents — Letter, 68

CONTENTS. V

CHAPTER IX.

PAGE

From May, 1853, to May, 1854— Lynchburg Convention — Death of his Wife — Lines on the Same— Letter to his Brother-in-Law, 16

CHAPTER X.

Pestilence in Portsmouth and Norfolk — Journal of Events for the First Month, 88

CHAPTER XI.

The Pestilence — Letters to Various Persons during the subsequent Days of his Life — To his Son "William, the Author, and Others, 108

CHAPTER XII.

The Pestilence — Letter to Mrs. Holliday — His Brothers, Sisters, and Others, 122

CHAPTER XII.

The Pestilence— Death of his Second Son — Interesting Incident of Same— Effect upon Mr. C.'s Spirits— 111 Effects of Agitation in Times of Sickness — Lines on the Death of his Son— His Last Writing— Death— Letter of E. A. Hatton, 138

CHAPTER XIV.

Account of Mr. Chisholm by his Sister-in-law— Further In-

VI CONTENTS.

PAGE

cidents of Character — His Purpose to remain in Portsmouth under any Circumstances considered — False reports of Protestant Ministers — Thoughts on their Course as compared with that of Roman Catholics — Reasons why . Ministers from Other Places do not volunteer their Services — Conclusion, 153

Discourse on the Death of Rev. James Chisholm, . .117

INTRODUCTORY NOTE.

The author was compelled to prepare this work in a short space of time, amidst many professional and other engagements ; nor had he at the time access to Mr. Chisholm's papers, which were in Portsmouth. Those papers have since been received, (that is, such of them as were spared by robbers, who, after the pestilence abated, and before the inhabitants returned, rushed in and plundered and stripped his house, along with many others,) and have been carefully examined. They contain much matter by which this volume might be extended, to the gratification, no doubt, of many readers ; but on the whole, the author would not think it expedient to increase its size, to the hazard of its greater circulation.

Martixsburg-, Berkeley Co., Ya., March, 1856.

MEMOIR OF REV. JAMES CHISHOLM.

CHAPTEE I.

1815—1832.

Birth — Lineage — Childhood — School-days — Letter of Hon. Mr. Upham — Sunday-school — Love of Music — Innocence of character — Regard for the feelings of others.

The following entry is yet to be seen in the family Bible of William and Maetha Chisholm — preserved by their family ; most of whom are yet resident in the town of Salem, Massachu-

" JAMES, BORN SEPTEMBER 30TH, 1815."

About forty years after, the newspapers of the town of Salem contained this announcement :

" Portsmouth, Ya., Sept 16th, 1855.

" The Rev. James Chtsholm, Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, died last night, at the Naval Hospital." 1

Before this event was made known, thousands of anxious hearts, in Virginia and in New England, were awaiting the result of the pestilential fever, which, after sparing this faithful servant of Christ and man of humanity, almost to the end of the fearful yellow-fever visitation of 1855, struck him down on Friday, the 7th of September. If we were to judge from the deep and widely-spread interest felt for this good man, we might say with the wise King of Israel : " A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death, than the day of one's birth."

It has been suggested that a sketch of his life, but more particularly a narrative of the close of it, might serve the Cause, to which that life was devoted; and in the service of which that life was yielded up, in the martyr-spirit, freely and knowingly.

If " History be Philosophy teaching by example," it is especially true of Biography. The philosophy of human life may be more worthy of note than the philosophy of politics or war. Still more true is it, that the pure example of a holy, consistent Christian life, with its calm, triumphant Christian ending, may teach us better and higher things than the rise and fall of empires.

LINEAGE — ANCESTORS. 3

It is the intention of the person, to whom the honorable task has been assigned of writing a brief sketch of the life of the Eev. James Chisholm, to make this little work a true picture of the faithful shepherd under circumstances of the greatest possible dangers and trials.

It is always interesting to know the lineage of the person whose biography is presented to us. In the case of Mr. Chisholm, we may perhaps trace certain distinctive features of character, from his somewhat peculiar ancestry.

His father, William Chisholm, was a Scotch gentleman, of a family allied or belonging to the clan of that name — the chieftain of which has always been known by the definite title of "The Chisholm" The romantic loyalty of the former head of this ancient house, is well succeeded by the piety and patriotism of the present chief.

"William Chisholm, son of Alexander and Isabella (Frazer) Chisholm, was born at Inverness, Scotland, on the 24th of September, 1772 ; and thus by the paternal grandmother, he was derived also from the ancient clan " Frazer." Martha Vincent, the wife of William, and mother of our James Chisholm, was the grand-daughter of Matthew Vincent, an Italian gentleman from Tuscany.

The loyalty of this family to the house of Stuart, down to the rebellion of 1745, is matter of history. At that time the great-grandfather of our gentle Christian pastor, also called William Chisholm — who was a man of great athletic powers, and of tried fidelity to his prince, Charles Edward — was intrusted with the business of carrying some of his most confidential dispatches, which, besides the peril, demanded the utmost celerity and the greatest physical endurance. These trusts were performed so as to call forth the wonder of even the hardy highlanders who were the principal followers of that hapless aspirant to the British throne.

This faithful old adherent of the " Prince" was the last person seen by his grand-son when he left his native land for the sea service, under his cousin, Captain William Frazer, of the ship Friendship. He was thus brought by the vicissitudes of a commercial life, to Boston, where he first settled, and afterwards to Salem.

The father of Mr. Chisholm, who had received his early education in Scotland, died when this son, at the age of twelve, had been but six months in the High-School at Salem* Such an event is always a serious one to a younger son.

CHILDHOOD. 5

The situation of the family made, in this instance, no exception to the rule. It was determined, however, by two elder brothers and a sister, that the plan of life laid out by the father, should be carried out by a thorough collegiate education at their own expense. In treating of his college life we shall see how faithfully both parties fulfilled this family compact — the fraternal guardians by furnishing the means, and the young scholar by assiduity in his studies, and by a full repayment of the expenses of his education out of his first earnings as a teacher.

But let us not anticipate. "We should not underrate the very earliest impressions made upon the individual, in deciding upon his character from the exhibitions of his mature life. The importance of this earliest period of life is every day more and more appreciated. The child is father to the man. The fireside influences, the home teachings, the maternal heart-lessons, the treatment by brothers and sisters — must always lay the ground color to the tapestry ; and while college-life, new associations, professional studies, and duties, may to some extent overlay this — perhaps adorn it with bright-hued flowers, or deepen the tint with heavier shadows, still the predomi- 1* nant hue prevails and is never entirely lost ; and in times that try and test the soul, while these will pass off that will shine forth — the primitive maternal stamp and impression. This was eminently true of the subject of our history, James Chisholm — the very singleness and inartificiality of his character, made it eminently true of him. Perhaps there never was a man who carried through life more of all that was engaging, ingenuous, and innocent, in childhood, than he did. To the day of his death his tastes were as simple and child-like, as when he was a school-boy in his native town. He enjoyed all the innocent pleasures of life with the zest of early youth. His face had a beaming and happy expression. He was marked by an unstudied, modest, and almost awkward style of carriage ; somewhat shrinking and bashful in his attitudes, and rapid in his walk ; and a slight lisp in his speech conveyed the idea of a gentle trustfulness in his intercourse. From his early childhood he esteemed it a recreation to pursue any course of voluntary study. He loved to read aloud any thing that interested him. He could be seen, whenever he was permitted, reading aloud to his mother while she was engaged in her domestic duties, such works

HIS LOVE OF READING. 7

as Mungo Park, and Denham and Clapperton's Travels, and many similar works ; and as the maternal auditor moved from place to place, in the exercise of her needful household duties, little James would shift his position from spot to spot, so as to reach her ear — sometimes sitting . at the bottom of a flight of steps, sometimes standing by her side, book in hand, reading aloud to his mother. All the time that he was at school he was a morning student. From his earliest childhood, through life, he was an early riser : he might be seen by the lark, before sun-rising, at the window of a little room which he had chosen for his study, poring over his books. There being no fire in it was no sufficient cause to drive him from his perch, until the cold of a northern winter brought him down to the family rooms. Though small of stature, he was blessed with excellent health and its concomitant, (when preserved by temperance,) buoyant spirits ; there was something of the great-grandfather William's power of endurance of physical toil, and love of bodily exercise, in him. He was a great walker — never neglected his daily walk, and frequently, when a student at Cambridge, he would walk over to Salem, seventeen miles, without fatigue or exhaustion ; and long after

8 MEMOIE OF REV. JAMES CHISHOLM.

these days, when lie resided at Hedgesville, his country parish, in Virginia, his mountain parishioners would wonder, when they would meet their pastor in his lonely walks upon the mountainside, what Mr. Chisholm could possibly be seeking after among the hills and hollows of their romantic mountain country.

In March, 1830, he entered the Latin School of Salem. Here he was prepared for college, and from which, in due time, he was sent to the University of Harvard. It remained to his brothers and a sister to carry out his father's intention of giving him a complete university education. The object of this fraternal kindness has fully paid back this aid : first, literally, by working for, earning, and returning the outlay insolido; but more, a thousand-fold more satisfactorily, in the fruits of those labors which his attainments made effectual. The redeemed souls of many, black and white, seals to his sacred ministry ; the luminous example shining now in the eyes of all men, through his noble, devoted, martyr-like services in the pestilence-stricken community. May this example live for the encouragement of others to aid a struggling youth. Even twenty-five years after, a friend of the family, distinguished in the political

SCHOOL-DAYS. 9

world, and a trusty and watchful friend of their brother, thus writes to the brother :

" I know well the generous efforts and sacrifices made by you, and other members of his family, to secure his education ; and the persevering firmness and resolute strength of purpose with which he surmounted obstacles, and pursued his object to the end."

Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive. If we only could remember what a glorious usury of blessing is the certain reward of disinterested, self-denying kindness to others, we should be more willing than we are to lay up our treasure where no one can break through and steal the principal, and where the interest, in a liberal per cent, is often paid out to us here, by the all-bountiful Keeper of the fund.

This same constant and judicious friend of the family had his attention first drawn to them by observing James Chisholm at the examination of the scholars of the Grammar School, when Judge Story, since so widely known as a great jurist, delivered the prize of a book to this gentle little boy. This gentleman, known in the highest councils of the Republic, and as one of her historians> in referring with warm feeling to his young protege, says :

10 MEM01E OF REV. JAMES CHISHOLM.

" About a quarter of a century ago, my attention was particularly attracted to a gentle and amiable lad in our Latin School. His frame was slight ; but it was evident, even then, in his childhood, the abode of an intellect more than ordinarily spiritual and

elevated There was something, even then, quite noticeable,

indeed, I might say, very peculiarly attractive, in his aspect and deportment. His expression was benignant, gentle, and intelligent. A lovely spirit slwne through his 'pure and transparent countenance. Decision and meekness were, at once, each traced with extraordinary distinctness in his manners and bearing. From that time I have cherished a special interest in him, encouraging him in the pursuit of an education, and rejoicing in his usefulness as a Christian minister. He was graduated with honorable distinction at Cambridge, in 1836. The records of tho University attest the success of his efforts, and the honorable parts assigned him in the public performances of his class, show that he stood among its first scholars."

I need not say that lie was a regular attendant upon cliurcli and upon the Sunday-school. His taste for sacred music and high proficiency in the art, was first imparted by the Sunday-school singing, which he loved to join in. One of the most remarkable characteristics of this excellent man was his purity of mind. Eidicule could not touch him. He received what was intended as a sneer, oftentimes, in such a simple, thankful spirit, as an intended favor or compliment, that the blush was flung upon the assailant's cheek. He would not know the meaning of " filthiness and foolish talk-

CHAR ACTEEISTICS. 1 1

ing," but appeared to have attained to the grace of being " wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil." He never touched intoxicating drink, or tobacco in any shape, and yet he made no parade of his abstinence.

CHAPTEE II.

1832—1836.

College Life at Harvard University — Letters from Rev. J. Yery and Dr. H. Bigelo:7 — Graduation — Attainments — Esteem of the Professors — Account of Gen. Jackson's receiving the degree of LL.D — Leaves College.

In the order of time, we should next refer to the college life of our subject. In so doing we shall enter into no detail of his four years' studies, nor any disquisition upon college life, keeping to the duty of exhibiting the character of Mr. Chisholm in his college life, from which it will not be inferred that a bad life in college is no bar to honor and usefulness in after-life. I give extracts from numerous testimonials to his worth, and the estimate in which he was held by the good. The Eev. Jones Yery, an old class-mate, writes :

"He was a member with Mr. Thomas Bernard West, of Salem, now deceased, and myself of a small Society for religious improvement, which held meetings once a week, during most of my college course. I remember these meetings with great satisfac-

COLLEGE-LIFE. 13

tion, as hours well and happily spent ; and I doubt not that they were so remembered by all who participated in them. During the senior year, Mr. Chisholm, Mr. West, and myself occupied the whole upper story of the third entry, in Holworthy. James was fond of singing, and often on Sabbath evenings he would enter my room and say: ' Come, let us sing some hymns;' and we spent many Sabbath evenings in singing together."

Dr. Henry Bigelow, of West-Newton, Mass., writes :

" I know his constant faithfulness to duty, how religiously he sought to conform to every rule of discipline and order, how earnest to perform to the utmost of his ability every task set before him. Of an almost feminine delicacy of manners, and much social reserve, he mixed but little in the social recreations of college life ; of course had no sympathy with those light or grave trespasses in college discipline which are so frequent and so popular at that thoughtless period of unfledged manhood. Of course he had to meet the light laugh at his weakness, or see the scornful finger of the more heartless offender pointed at hi3 retreating figure, or hear a jest at his too tender conscience. All such expressions never drew from him a word of complaint, far less of retort. He seemed calm and happy in his chosen way. So he never lost caste with his class-mates, never forfeited that respect which must ever be accorded to even the most scrupulous adherence to principle. He had more than respect, he had their high esteem ; for it was not unknown to them that there was the heart of a widowed mother to be pained and rent by any wandering from the path of virtue ; that there were the eyes of kind and generous friends to observe the first evidence that their kindness had been misplaced, or their generosity ill-requited. If such 2 considerations bad their influence upon the tenor of his life, as doubtless they did, if they helped to strengthen him in his weakness against the temptations of youth, and associates, does it not declare what a blessing even our afflictions and privations may be to us, under God — ' what an exceeding weight of glory, they may work out for us ' ?

" Our college life was not wholly an uncheckered one. Rebellion against authority — organized resistance to law was the order of the day. The black flag was unfurled, and every member of the class was ordered to rally around Rebellion-tree. I remember well the queries in many minds whether Chisk^lm could be made to appear. All familiar with college KCq know how great the difliculty of resisting the clamor of a class, how necessary it is to yield to it or sacrifice for over after all fellowship with class-mates. After waiting lo*g, after every other straggler had come in, as a last resort a strong committee were sent to bring in the last one. He came to the spot, but very soon escaped to his room. The most conspicuous act of disorder at that time was the marching of the whole class in double file, to the chapel at prayer-time, entering the opposite door, and crossing the entire chapel to their seats. Fortunately, our friend escaped this trial, as he was then a monitor of another class, and obliged to be at his post. So that when the whole class was shortly after dismissed from college for three months, he, with one other under like circumstances, was excepted."

In August, 1836, lie graduated with honor, in a class of many bright and able young men. The finished scholarship attained here, shone out afterwards in his compositions, conversation, and sermons, in spite of a retiring modesty which unaf-

ADVANCEMENT IN LANGUAGES. 15

fectedly kept these accomplishments in the background. How many of Mr. Chisholm's friends and acquaintance, are even yet unaware of the extent and accuracy of his attainments? His memory was (without any system of mnemonics) almost infallible, even as to dates, names, and minute events. Thus his accurate recollection made his days a series of anniversaries to him, and his scholastic attainments seemed as fresh in 1855, as they were in 1835. Besides, he kept up his knowledge of the languages, for the attainment of which he had a. wonderful gift, by a diary or common-place book, in which entries were made, sometimes daily, in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, Spanish, German, and Italian. He not only read and wrote these languages, but spoke some of them with facility. He who pens these lines has heard him converse in German, French, and Italian, during the hours of one evening's entertainment. His taste in the choice of language was so precise and fastidious, that it often gave to his conversation and extemporary addresses the appearance of hesitancy ; for his scrupulousness in the choice of words to express his meaning would sometimes make him, after using one word or phrase, present another apparently synony-

16 MEMOIR 0# REV. JAMES CHISHOLM.

mous, but on scrutiny, varying from the first, and always conveying a more accurate shade of meaning.

In college, as in every situation of life, a distinction was accorded to him higher than academic honors — the cordial love and affection which he won for himself from all who came in contact with him ; the private esteem of the professors and officers of the college, as well as that of his fellows. President Quincy presented him with a "Detur," in a copy of the British poets; and whenever during his college course, this distinguished president and historian of the University was asked of the standing of Chisholm: "He is a good fellow — (your brother, your son) — stands high." And so the steward of the College, Mr. Sparhawk, speaking of him would say: "He is a fine young man, always orderly" And so when in August, 1852, the Eev. Mr. Chisholm, with his wife and two children, revisited Harvard, (just twenty years after he, as a wondering freshman first looked upon its stately buildings and pendent elms,) the same old librarian, J. L. Sibley, Esq., was at his post, presiding over the finest library in the United States. He was of course recognized by the visitor ; for the faces of the old

ANECDOTE OF THE OLD LIBKAKIAN. 17

habitues of the College, as well as the campus, the landscape, and the localities, are not things ever to be forgotten by the collegian — while tlie passing crowd of many youthful faces may well confuse the powers of memory and recognition in the stationary officer of a large university. "Do you remember me ? " said tlie returned graduate to the librarian, after his twenty years' absence. Mr. Sibley replied: "I forget your name, but I remember you: when you were here you were a good boy." How unaffectedly complimentary in its natural and simple truthfulness ! A man of good taste would prize it above bis parchment diploma, with its swelling Latin compliments, and pendent seals to attest them.

We can not forbear transcribing a letter which he addressed at this time to his elder brother, Joseph Chisholm, Esq., of Salem — of whom it may be said, more emphatically than of any other, that he stood towards James in bco parentis. He watched over his early life, followed him with paternal solicitude to his distant Southern home — and feels now, in gathering up the memorials and mementos of his beloved younger brother, as a father does when lie collects the personal effects and relics of a departed son. This letter is inter- 2* esting as containing a picture of the ceremonies of the installation of President Andrew Jackson as LL.D., by the officials of Harvard. Lest Major Jack Downing's burlesque portraiture of this event should, by possibility, (so strange are sometimes the sources of history,) go down the current of time as a true narrative of this memorable investiture of collegiate honors, I give a cotemporary sketch by an ingenuous youth of eighteen :

" Cambridge, Wednesday p.m., June 26, 1833. "Dear Brother:

" I have nothing particular to write about, as it is so short a time since I saw you, except the President's visit to Cambridge, which took place this forenoon, and the particulars of which will, I suppose, have reached you before this letter. However, as I have nothing else to write, I will describe it, rather I guess for my own gratification than for yours. In the forenoon the sky was overcast, but the temperature of the weather was just right. At quarter before 10 a.m., the students assembled in the chapel and took their respective seats. At 10 o'clock the President of the United States, and President Quincy, entered the chapel, walking arm in arm, and followed by the President's suite, the College faculty, and other great men. The two Presidents took their seats on the staging in front of the pulpit, and before them the above-mentioned officers. Firstty. President Quincy arose and delivered a complimentary address of about ten minutes' length, in which he set forth Jackson's civil and military virtues in glowing colors, and gave a short history of the rise, progress,

.

JACKSON'S INSTALLATION AS LL.D. 19

and success of Harvard University. The Chief-Magistrate then arose and made a brief reply, which, through his extreme feebleness, was scarcely audible, much less intelligible. One of the members of the senior class then delivered a complimentary oration in Latin of about ten minutes' duration ; after which President Quincy made a short Latin address, and wound it up by conferring upon President Jackson the honorary degree of LL.D. The chapel services were then concluded by an anthem, to the tune of ' Old Hundred.' The members of the University (graduates and under-graduates) then formed themselves into a procession, and escorted the Chief-Magistrate, first to the Library Hall, and thence to President Quincy's house, where* refreshments were provided and the chief officers of the nation were introduced to those of the college. It was rather a strange sight to see persons of so much political cunning, antiquated learning, and military freedom, all mixed up together. On one side you could see Jackson and Quincy in earnest conversation ; on another, Rev. Dr. "Ware, or Dr. Popkin, with Yan Buren and Hull, etc. The Chief-Magistrate and his suite then proceeded in close carriages to Bunker Hill, at half-past eleven o'clock. This was the end of his reception at Cambridge. The President's health is visibly on the decline, and many are of opinion that if ho proceeds much farther at present, he will not live to see Washington again. Indeed, you would be surprised to see the alteration which four days have made in him. On Friday last, when he came to Boston, his countenance was of a lively red, which, although his natural color, was unusual for persons of his age, considering the fatigues he has undergone : to-day he was deadly pale, could hardly speak, and seems to have acquired a dozen wrinkles within the time."

When Mr. Cliisliolm left college lie was within a month, of his majority. He had no worldly goods, no estate in expectancy, no rich relatives, no physical strength or skill — not even a handicraft, to make Iris bread wherewith. He had a debt of honor to discharge to those kindhearted relatives who had with self-denial met his college bills. This young man now about to enter life, had perhaps less to begin upon than a very large proportion of those who, at the age of twenty-one, enter the race of life, in our active, stirring land. Yet he felt that he owed a debt to society and his country, as well as to mother, brothers, and sisters. His principles of action and feelings in the outset of life, are here embodied in the very words of one, who stands towards him as a surviving sister, whose life-long attachment to this brother was almost passing the love of woman. She thus writes to the author :