A history of the Brethren in Virginia

Introduction

History Is always a fascinating subject. Few things appeal to us more strongly than the achievements of generations that have passed. Their trials, their difficulties, the light and the shade of their varied experiences were not very different from those that we shall have to encounter. And our prospects for acquitting ourselves in the battle of life better than they have done will depend very largely on how well we have learned the lesson of their successes and failures.

As a people, we Dunkers have been strangely careless in regard to our past. We have kept few records and many of these are imperfect and incomplete. Like true men in any great cause, our predecessors have been content to work patiently and in obscurity, trusting to Providence for results, and little suspecting the far-reaching significance with which their humble labors were fraught. They little dreamed that they were making history, and that of the truest and noblest sort. Had they done so, they might have kept a fuller and more accurate record of their doings.

The fact that, until recently, we have given no adequate account of ourselves to the world has led to endless confusion and misunderstanding. I suppose no people have been less understood and more persistently misrepresented than we. We have been accused of holding views that we never held, and have been identified with bodies with which we never had anv-

INTRODUCTION

thing in common. Yet we have ourselves chiefly to blame for this state of things. We have not put ourselves to the pains of correcting the errors.

Within the last score of years, hov^ever, some highly commendable work has been done to set ourselves right before our fellow men. This period has witnessed a remarkable awakening of interest in our early history, and much valuable information has been brought to light. Every new contribution to our knowledge of these earlier times is hailed with eager interest.

There are various phases of our history as a church, however, that have not yet been exploited, and there is much interesting history of a local character that is only awaiting the chronicler. This latter is an inviting and fruitful field, and will doubtless, in the years to come, yield a rich harvest of inspiring truth, when the facts are once culled out and recorded. It is to this latter class that the present work belongs.

When persecutions and war drove many of our early Brethren away from their adopted homes in Pennsylvania, the broad and fertile valley of the Shenandoah oflfered them an inviting asylum. And here many of them settled. Since the first of them located here and began to build up churches one whole century and one-third of another have passed away, yet in all this time they have had no historian — no one to preserve a record of their work. Consequently many important facts of their lives, their labors, their heroism, have been irretrievably lost. But if facts have perished, the results of their labors still live.

In making a careful investigation of this field and

vi

INTRODUCTION

bringing" to light its varied activities Brother Zigler has done an excellent piece of work, and has placed the church at large and the Virginia churches in particular under lasting obligations. His diligent researches have resulted in unlocking unsuspected stores of wealth. He has succeeded in giving to his narrative a degree of fulness and completeness that to the casual student would have seemed impossible.

He has done for the churches in Virginia what should be done in many other parts of the Brotherhood. It is to be hoped that his example may be an encouragement to others to do a like service for their sections.

I have read the book with a great deal of interest. It Is a fascinating story, in which our own ancestors are the actors. The role that they have played in this life drama, and the noble manner in which they played it, ought to be an inspiration to us. The book will do much good and deserves to be widely circulated and read. Jno. S. Flory,

Vli

The following pages were the outgrowth of a series of lectures on the Second District of Virginia delivered at Bridgewater College during the Bible Term of 1904. For a time thereafter it was the purpose of the District Mission Board to publish the work in pamphlet form, but the lack of sufficient reliable data at that time with other causes deterred the prosecution of the plan. In the years that have intervened additional matter has been obtained to such an extent that the present volume appears much beyond its first intended proportions and now assumes the title of " A History of the Brethren in Virginia." This, however, was only accomplished by a most persistent and painstaking research.

Content with the consciousness of having done their part in the uplift of their fellow men, the Brethren in Virginia left few early records of their struggle to establish and maintain primitive Christianity in this fair Southland. If it were possible to have the story told over again by the actors themselves, or could we lift the curtain that veils the past and look upon the scenes of bygone years as they transpired, how much more complete the record would be ! But the Hps that then spoke are stilled forever; the hands that could have written are cold in death ; and the past is obliterated by a pall as dark as midnight. Wherefore, it only remains for the writer of the present to gather the

ix facts thread by thread and weave them in one by one until the whole record is given.

Of the works now extant none of them purport to give more than a fragmentary account of the church in Virginia. These writers have been content to circumscribe their narratives to a given period of history, or to a delineation of the lives of distinguished individuals. These have served the important purpose of giving information on the special subjects in hand. Yet little effort has been made to record the events as they transpired and the causes leading thereto. For this reason few people have been so little understood by the general public. This condition has been true throughout the different periods. Especially was this so in their opposition to slavery during that dark epoch of American history and in their refusal to participate in the unfortunate conflict between the North and the South. In no less degree is this true of the position of the church, at the present time, against hurtful and un-Christian indulgences. Wherefore, there is a growing demand for further information relative to the works of righteousness of our forefathers and more knowledge of the present activity of the church.

To meet these requirements this volume is written, and no labor has been spared to make the work authentic. But this was by no means a small undertaking on account, as previously mentioned, of a lack of direct records. In order to supply this deficiency, the facts needed to be gleaned from old letters, ancient documents, county records, and the archives of the state and the nation. Although the undertaking at

X first appeared by no means promising, yet the field has proven a surprisingly fruitful one and the character and amount of matter obtained has far surpassed the most sanguine expectation. This was true to such an extent that in numerous instances it became a problem which should be used to exemplify the point under consideration.

In this connection the author would acknowledge with a deep feeling of gratitude his indebtedness to the many individuals who so kindly assisted in this work and contributed of their knowledge to make this volume worthy of its present claims. To enumerate all of these would make a long list. Many of them, however, appear in connection with the articles written expressly for this work. At this place grateful acknowledgement is made of the helpful service of Eld. T. C. Denton, Daleville, Virginia, who was appointed by the District Meeting of the First District of Virginia to collate data ; Dr. John S. Flory, Bridgewater College, for translation of old papers and other valuable service rendered ; Eld. C. D. Hylton, Trinity, Virginia, for assistance in numerous ways ; Rev. S. L. Bowman, Daphna, Virginia, for special investigation relative to early settlers in Roclcingham County ; Pres. W. B. Yount, Bridgewater College, for valuable suggestions ; Eld. George Wine, Ottobine, Virginia, who contributed liberally of his fund of information ; and David J. Wine, Forrestville, A^irginia, for data relative to the settlers in Shenandoah County. In addition to these, Eld. Benjamin Miller, Eld. Samuel Driver, Eld. Daniel Hays, Eld. J. M. Kagey, and Eld. S. A. Sanger assisted in the work by helpful suggestions and per-

xi sonal observations. Furthermore, the author would especially make mention of old papers of exceeding value, without which a history of the church in Virginia would be very incomplete, contributed by Eld. John P. Zigler, now deceased, and Michael Zigler, Broadway, Virginia. Sisters Sadie Zigler and Rebecca Bowman furnished a number of the illustrations. To all these and to many other brethren and sisters, who contributed by helpful suggestions and words of encouragement, the author would express his sincere thanks.

The work of collating material, although arduous, was not devoid of pleasure. The discovery of an additional record ; the finding of a new link in the chain of evidence and beholding a fact newly brought to light was the great power that sustained during these hours of search. The data has been carefully used as collated except the correction of grammatical errors and abridgment in some instances. If any omissions have been unjustly made, it is unknown to the author.

The title of the book has been suggested by the repeated affectionate use of the term Brethren in their correspondence. Especially was this true during the dark and trying times of the Civil War. In this instance it is used in full recognition of the name German Baptist Brethren as sanctioned by the General Conference of the church and should be so understood by the reader. The names Dunkard, Dunker, Tunker. etc., are only used as they appear in some of the old writings.

In addition to the past records of the church, a carefully prepared map is given, which shows the xii localities in which the Brethren live and the division of the State into the two districts. Also an account of the present activities of the church is written in the closing chapters of the book.

How successfully the work is accomplished, the reader is the best judge. May all that has been done go forth on a mission of love to the honor and glory

of God. D. H. ZiGLER

Broadway, Virginia,

February, ij, ipo8.

Xlll

Chapter I

Organization of the Church in Germany — The Flight to America — The Sojourn in Pennsylvania.

That the reader may more fully comprehend the following chapters relative to the German Baptist Brethren in Virginia, an account chiefly from the writing of Alexander Mack, Jr., of the organization of the church in Germany and their subsequent flight from persecution in that country to America, is here given. In addition thereto, a brief notice is made of the half century of prosperity in the New World and their final dispersion caused by the hand of oppression in Pennsylvania.

From the writing of Eld. Mack, Jr., we learn that the organization of the Brethren Church was an outgrowth of the great reformatory movement that swept over Germany during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The Pietists, as tKey are known, embraced all shades of religious opinion. They eagerly sought to restore the waning piety of the Protestant churches. As long as they kept before them this one virtue they prospered greatly. This appears to have been especially marked during the first few years of the eighteenth century. They held house-to>-house meetings besides their regular services. At the meetings the young converts would present themselves for further instruction in spiritual life. Unfortunately for them, their frequent meetings and signal success awakened the jealousy of their enemies; persecution followed and many were driven from their homes. A number of them found refuge in Wittgenstein, which was governed by a friendly count. Although the country was rough and the soil barren, the leniency of this local government caused a great influx of people. Schwarzenau became a chief center of these refugees.

It soon became apparent to some of these Pietists that a closer organization was necessary in order to administer discipline among themselves, but, coming from different localities, their views were as widely different on almost all Christian duties except those of devotion and piety. It was a difficult task to collect a sufficient number of one mind, to establish a congregation. Some of them rejected any form of discipline, whatever: others returned to the churches from whence they came ; and still others drifted into outright infidelity. There were some, however, who, notwithstanding this state of perturbation, were sincerely desirous of finding the footprints of primitive Christianity and follow the example of the Savior. They were fully convinced of the necessity of faith and obedience in order to obtain salvation.

In the year 1708, eight persons entered into a covenant with each other, by the help of God to endeavor to attain to the answer of a good conscience by rendering obedience to all the commands of the Lord Jesus, and follow Him as their Good Shepherd and Leader through good and evil report. The names of these eight persons are George Greby and Lucas Fetter, of Hesse Cassel ; Alexander Mack and Anna Margaretta Mack, of Schriesheim ; Andrew Bonney and Johanna 20 o o

Bonney, of Basel, Switzerland; John Kippin and Johanna Kippin, of Wiirtemberg. These five brethren and three sisters covenanted under the bond of the Cross of Jesus Christ, to labor together in the unity of the faith as a church. So solicitous were they of attaining unto the Truth that every evidence was prayerfully and carefully weighed. By consulting history, they found that primitive Christians in the first and second centuries were uniformly planted into the likeness of His death by baptism in water by a threefold immersion. But they were unwilling to rest their faith upon the authority of history alone. They searched the New Testament Scriptures and found abundant teaching for the same. One of their number, Alexander Mack, had labored in word and doctrine in different parts of Germany. He was chosen their minister, and, true to Scriptural precedent, their first act was to engage in Christian baptism. Early one morning, the day or month is not given, they resorted to the riverside to engage in this solemn ordinance. After a season of devotion, each of them was taken into the water and was baptized by the threefold immersion, as directed by Christ. On their return from the water and when they had changed their clothing, they were filled with much joy and the word of the Lord, " Be fruitful and multiply," came to them with great force.

The young church, thus filled with the spirit of missions, became very zealous in spreading the Gospel and during the next seven years was a period of great activity. These eight persons grew more and more in the faith of the Gospel and bore testimony of the 22

ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH

Truth in the public assembly. The Lord bestowed upon them His special blessing in an abundant manner. Many believers were added to them and churches were established in different places. Especially at Schwarzenau, a large congregation of believers assembled. The Lord also called a number of laborers into His vineyard. This large accession drew public attention to them and, while they received the blessings of God on the one hand, they encountered the enemies of Truth on the other. Therefore, for the sake of God's Word, they needed to bear persecution. Some were robbed of their property, which they appeared to submit to joyfully. Others were cast into prison. A minister, Christian Libe, was compelled to serve at the galleys on board one of the ships, being coupled with ungodly miscreants to work at the rudder. Yet none of these things moved them. The fact that poverty, imprisonment, and tribulations seemed but to make them more joyful, caused others to look on in astonishment. Then, they were subjected to a sort of catechism in the form of subtle questions. These were submitted to them by some of the most learned men of the land, in the hope of confusing the Brethren and thereby drawing them from the faith, or bringing them into disrepute. Forty questions were submitted to the church with a request to answer them. In this the Brethren were amazingly successful. Much wisdom and sagacity is seen in the answers given. So well pleased was the church at Schwarzenau, that it was decided to publish the forty questions with the answers for the instruction of the uninformed.

This is believed to have been the first publication by the Brethren. Reprints have been made at different times in America both in the German and EngUsh languages. The first of these is in the German, pub- Hshed by Christopher Sower, Jr., in 1774. In 1854 Henry Kurtz gave them in the Enghsh through the columns of the Gospel Visitor. Other reprints were also made. It being the first literary work of the Brethren it is interesting to the student of history, but the scope of this volume does not admit its insertion here. This brief reference to it must suffice.

Persecution, augmented by internal troubles, put these pious people to the sorest tests. They were driven from place to place. Some went to Friesland. Others fled to Holland. In the summer of 1719, twenty families embarked on a Flemish vessel at Friesland, for America. They landed at Philadelphia in the autumn of the same year. Like Paul and Barnabas, some strong disputations arose among them on the way, but their fidelity to their religion was very marked as the following incident will show: While on their voyage, a furious storm arose. The sails were lowered and much of the merchandise was thrown overboard. The captain was about to give up all hope, but by the direction of Providence, he went to the humble apartment occupied by these brethren and sisters. In much astonishment, he beheld them engaged in singing and prayer as though the sea was calm. With renewed courage, he returned to his post with the declaration that Almighty God will never let the ship sink with such pious people on board. On landing at Philadelphia they became widely separated and began their struggles amid the wilds of the new country. 24

THE SOJOURN IN PENNSYLVANIA.

Little is known of their spiritual growth in the next few years, save that the smouldering embers of religious fervor were kept alive. At this time a plan was agreed upon to visit the isolated members and extend to them a true Christian greeting. Accordingly, Peter Becker, John Gomery, and George Bulsar Gantz were appointed. Their visit was crowned with much success and is looked upon as the first endeavor in home missions in America. From this time on, love and union prevailed. The church was aroused to greater activity. Many were added to the church by baptism and the number was augmented by arrivals from •^Germany.

During these years, the sorest of persecution was being experienced by the Brethren in the native land. The church at Schwarzenau was practically disbanded from this cause. From there the believers fled to West Friesland and thence went into Holland. Or^ July 7, 1729, Alexander Mack, his three sons, and about fifty-nine families among whom were 126 members took passage on the ship Allen, to join their brethren in America. After a voyage of seventy-one days, they landed at Philadelphia. This large increase in membership was the occasion of much joy. The presence of Alexander Mack and other leaders of the church greatly inspired the church to more endeavor for the Lord. New organizations were formed in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey. A season of great prosperity followed, lasting nearly a half century. However, these zealous Christians were to undergo a sore trial of their fidelity to the doctrines they had been

THE SOJOURN IN PENNSYLVANIA.

so energetically and earnestly proclaiming to the American people.

The desire to throw off the English yoke had been smouldering in the hearts of many of the American people and it only took the adoption of such measures as the Stamp Act and the enforcement of the Writs of Assistance to fan these smouldering embers into a flame. This speedily led to the war of the Revolution. In this the Brethren could not engage, however much they may have sympathized with the Americans, for reasons that follow :

1. The Spirit of Christ and the Word of God forbade carnal warfare. As early as August 20, 1739, Christopher Sower published an article on the inconsistency of Christian nations engaging in war with each other. In this article he showed how inconsistent warfare is with the teaching of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

2. They knew that there is a better way for nations to settle their differences, as well as individuals, than to resort to killing each other.

Yet their refusal to take up arms seemed not to be understood. They were classed among the Tories, and with the passions of men's hearts aroused by the spirit of warfare, little opportunity was given them to explain.

Again, when they were presented with an oath renouncing the king of England and swearing allegiance to the American government, the words of Jesus came to them, which says. Matt. 5 : 34, '' But I say unto you, Swear not at all ; neither by heaven ; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool; neither by Jerusalem ; for it is the city of the Great King." Also, the words of the apostle, James 5 : 12, " But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any oath : but let your yea be yea ; and your nay, nay ; lest ye fall into condemnation."

As a consequence of this, their property was taken from them and they suffered many indignities at the hand of the rougher individuals of the community. Eld. Christopher Sower, who was a wealthy printer, lost all of his property. Tons of Bibles ready for binding were destroyed, while he, much disfigured by maltreatment, was driven seven miles to General Washington's headquarters. However, the commander-in-chief ordered his release. ]\Iany others suffered a like deprivation of their property, and, as in the time of the apostles, '' were scattered abroad " to seek protection and cheap homes for their families. Furthermore, wherever they went they preached the Gospel and churches were established. Some of them went north and west into the interior of Pennsylvania ; a few made their abode in IMaryland ; and others migrated farther south into A'irginia. It is the object of this volume to chronicle in the succeeding chapters the acts of these, mentioned last.

A MAP O

Indicating where the Brethren are line, as recently agreed upon, betw< also includes the eastern half of No and a number of the counties in W( trict.

Indicates a membership of more than 2,000.

Indicates a membership of more than 1,000 in county.

Indicates a membership of more than 500 in county.

Indicates a membership of various numbers of less than 500.

VIRGINIA.

ited in the State and showing the the two districts. The first district Carolina and part of West Virginia ; Virginia belong to the second dis-

District I^ine.

Chapter II

Migration to Virginia — The Valley of Virginia — Causes Leading to the Settlement in the Valley.

When the Brethren came south from Pennsylvania and Maryland they nearly all settled in the Valley of Virginia. This is a beautiful and fertile expanse of country between the Blue Ridge and the first ranges of the Alleghany Mountains. It extends from the Potomac River at Harper's Ferry southwest to the Tennessee line. In measurement, it averages about twenty miles in width and is three hundred miles long. It is, virtually, an extension of the well-known Cumberland Valley and is equal to it in productiveness and beauty of landscape. There were two sections in which these colonists made their homes. The first territory is now embraced by the counties of Shenandoah, Rockingham, and Augusta in the north, and Franklin, Botetourt, Floyd, and Roanoke counties include that portion farther south. This left an intervening territory of about fifty miles in width between them.

They left but few records and what is known of their lives must be gathered from diversity of sources. Yet, we are glad that enough can be secured in this way to form a correct conclusion of the noble lives they lived and the powerful influence for good in the respective communities in which they made their homes.

It cannot be claimed that these Brethren were the first to settle in the Valley of Virginia as some have presumed, but they were among the earliest immigrants to the different parts in which they located. Kerchiyal, in his " History of the Valley," page 50, says : " A large majority of our first immigrants were from Pennsylvania, composed of native Germans or German extraction. There were, however, a number direct from Germany, several from Maryland and New Jersey, and a few from New York. These immigrants brought with them the religion, habits and customs of their ancestors. They were composed generally of three religious sects ; viz., Lutheran^ Mennonites and Calvinists with a few Tunkers. They generally settled in neighborhoods pretty much together." The " Tunkers " as the author pleases to call the Brethren, were " a few." This coincides with facts that shall be presented more fully in a succeeding chapter. At this place, it is sufficient to say that it is generally accepted that John Garber from York County, Pennsylvania, was the first member of the Brethren to locate in the northern part, or the Shenandoah Valley, if not the first in Virginia. He evidently came about the year 1775 or 1776. On his first visit, he was not accompanied by his family. The purpose for which he came is not made clear. His object may have been to " spy out the land " in view of future permanent settlement. For it is known that he was joined by his family later on as the records will show. Yet, it is equally probable that his coming was prompted by a missionary spirit. He is known to have been a minister of ability, and, not unlike the Hackleton cobbler, William Carey, he made

MIGRATION TO VIRGINIA

and cobbled shoes for a support, that he could preach a free Gospel to the people.

His brethren did not join him until after the oppression in Pennsylvania. This, in itself, is evidence that it was not financial gain that caused him to move tc Virginia when he did.

Eld. Jacob Miller is the first minister known to have lived in the more southerly settlement of the Brethren. His home was in Franklin County and it is believed that he located there near the time that John Garber settled in Shenandoah County. Where he came from is not definitely known, but it is most likely that he migrated from Pennsylvania or Maryland, as he was a German. A few years later, he was joined by an Englishman named William Smith, who requested baptism and was subsequently elected to the ministry. His home was in Floyd County but these brethren traveled and labored together much in the ministry. The one would preach in German and the other in English.

In the introductory chapter, it has been shown how the Brethren in Pennsylvania refused to engage in warfare or take an oath. As a consequence of this, their property was confiscated. Therefore, destitute of earthly possessions they entered this new country.

Nothing but stout hearts and a firm reliance on the promises of God could have carried them through such experiences. Yet God never forsakes his people in their faithfulness to him. This is abundantly shown in this instance, for rich was the inheritance they were to possess. In their lives, we see fulfilled the words of Christ, Mark 10: 29, 30, "There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions ; and in the world to come eternal life." A study of the Church in Virginia will convince any one of the literal fulfillment of this promise of Christ.

As a pledge to the words of the dear Master and with a spirit of paternal affection, the great Valley of Virginia lay as with outstretched arm to receive the homeless refugees and give to them cheap homes with peace and plenty. Here land could still be gotten by grant from the government, or bought at a nominal cost. In the records of Shenandoah County reference is made to a grant of four hundred acres of land on Holman's Creek to Eld. Martin Garber. Others also procured homes at a very small outlay of money. The provisional government gave them the necessary protection and the Red Man of the forest was very kindly disposed toward these settlers from the north.

A slight digression at this place is necessary to notice the unusual conditions that made it possible for the Brethren to procure such cheap homes with protection in the Valley of Virginia, while the country east of the Blue Ridge had been settled for more than a century and a half and protection not yet fully assured in that part of the colony. Notable among these was the intolerant spirit manifest throughout the older portions of the colony toward all Dissenters from the English Church. This, together with the unfavorable relationship between the English colonists 32