Notes and Queries
Historical Biographical and Genealogical: Chiefly Relating to Interior Pennsylvania
Edited by William Henry Egle M.D., M.A.
Third Series, Vol. I, Harrisburg The Daily Telegraph Print 1887
The United Presbyterian Congregations of Derry and Paxtang
Paxtang and Derry Churches
(The sketch which is herewith given, and one of Hanover which will follow, were prepared by John Graham, Esq., of Hardin county, Kentucky, a native of Dauphin county. In company with his brothers Hugh and William he visited the old home in 1857, and the sketches were written during 1858 and 1859, embraced in letters to George W. Rogers, of Dayton, O. These have been kindly forwarded to us through Thomas S. McNair, Esq., of Hazleton, Penn., and despite a few errors into which he had been led by works published at the time to which he had reference, they are of interest to all. Written almost thirty years ago, great changes have been wrought. Only one of the three churches is standing - Paxtang. Derry is soon to have a memorial church built on the site of the ancient log church - but Hanover's glory has passed away - the graveyard with its host of pioneer deed alone remaining. As a matter of course, our venerable writer, who has long since passed away from earth, was misled by the writings of others - yet these errors can be forgiven. The principal of these are corrected in the notes appended. - W.H. E.
The United Presbyterian Congregations of Derry and Paxtang by John Graham, Esq.
The section of country comprising the townships of Derry and Paxtang, was mostly settled by emigrants from the north of Ireland and Scotland, who were usually called the Scotch-Irish. Farms were began by them in this region prior to 1713. They had been reared Presbyterians, and one of their first cares was to have the gospel preached in their midst. Taught to worship God in their youth, the sacred lesson of duty to the Father of Mercies was not forgotten by them, amidst the hardships and perils of a life in the wilderness. Rupp says it is evident from authentic sources that the Presbyterians organized the Paxtang and Derry churches in 1720.
Derry church, originally called Spring Creek, is located about fourteen miles east of Harrisburg, on the Reading turnpike, and a short distance from the Lebanon Valley railroad. The church stands on the top of the hill about midway between the turnpike and the large spring which is the head of Spring Creek and is about one hundred yards north of the spring. The church was built in 1720, and is partly surrounded by a grove of large oaks, occupying perhaps eight or ten acres. This grove is part of 160 acres of woodland that in 1717 (a) William Penn the proprietary of Pennsylvania granted to the English Presbyterians to have and to hold forever as the property of a church and school house, to be erected somewhere upon its territory.
Those who would anticipate an architectural curiosity in the church edifice, will not be much disappointed when they see a little, low, one-story, barn-like building of logs, boarded up and down on the outside. It was once painted yellow but time and the weather have nearly removed the paint, and leaves it dark and rusty. This building is about 38 feet square, with a very steep roof. The inside of the building is lines and ceiled with plank, with an aisle running through the house from the north door to the south door, and two other aisles leading to two other doors in the west end of the house. The pulpit is built against the wall at the east end, and to the left of the main north entrance. The Pulpit is a small box of walnut plank, three feet wide, circular in front and so high that a man's head and necktie can only be seen when he is standing in it. The ascent is by a flight of long, narrow steps and closed in by a narrow door. Beneath and in front is another enlaced box, something larger than the pulpit, in which the clerk or chorister stood and lead the song of praise from Sabbath to Sabbath for a lifetime of years. In fancy we yet hear those songs ascending from the worshippers and borne by the breeze upwards to the throne of that Almighty Being in whose praise they were offered. The pews, some thirty or thirty-five in number, remind us of the old times. They are built very narrow, with quite high, straight backs, and closed by doors and without being painted. We think they are illy calculated to accommodate the fashion of the present age.
West of the church some ten or more yards stands the old study house, 15 by 20 feet, with a large fire place in one end - it looks bare, dirty and comfortless. In it, however, are two quaint looking walnut chairs, said t be 140 years old, and in a small cupboard are to be seen the sacramental service (b.) consisting of a large wine pitcher, two large heavy goblets, having a handle on each side, two places, and an oddly carved salver, all made of solid pewter, but polished until they look like silver. Here, also, are the table cloths and napkins. These are still used on communion occasions, for there is worship held here regularly every six weeks.
A few steps north and west of the church is the graveyard, surrounded by a good stone fence covered with plank and lately painted. The yard is kept in good order and repair, and reflects credit on those who have charge of it. Inside of the enclosure it is an immense bed of flowering thyme; the walks and graves are completely covered with this fragrant herb. A graveyard is always a solemn and interesting spot. How many sad memories continually linger about God's acre. Among the many graves in which we took interest in our brief visit to this consecrated spot, we would briefly mention a few. Conspicuous for size is the granite slab inscribed:
"Here lieth the remains of the Rev. William Bertrand, first pastor of this congregation, who departed this life May 1d, 1746, aged 72 years. He dwelt beloved by all, in rational piety, modest hope and cheerful resignation.
Also of the pastor who succeeded him. The memorial slab covering his remains reads:
"Beneath this stone are deposited the remains of an able, faithful, courageous and successful minister of Jesus Christ, the Reverend John Roan, Pastor of Derry, Paxton and Mount Joy congregations, from the year 1745 till Oct. 3d, 1775, when he exchanged a militant for a triumphant life in the 59th year of his age."
The oldest headstone visible is of James Galbraith, who died Aug. 23 d. 1744, aged 78 years. What is singular is that the age of the dead of the last century lying in this graveyard should average 70 years.
A few years ago there was a small frame church erected about four miles from Derry and two miles north of Swatara creek, in Hanover township, but within the bounds of Derry congregation. It is presumed it was built to accommodate the few members (parts of four families) that remained of Hanover congregation, that congregation and church having been vacant since 1846, and also the few belonging to Derry but residing in Hanover, of whom now in 1859, part of one family, William McCord, Esq., along remains. In this little church, however, they have preaching every six weeks by the Rev. A. D. Mitchell.
Paxtang Church (or as it was originally called Fishing Creek Congregation) is one of the oldest in the State. It doubtless had a house for worship before that now is use but of this no information can be certainly derived from the recollections of the living or the record of the dead. Paxtang church still standing about three miles from Harrisburg, was erected about the year 1742, and from documents in the possession f George W. Harris, Esq., it appears that his great grandfather, John Harris, furnished all, or most of the stones used in its construction.
The note is made to correct the supposition of many that Paxtang church was erected previous to the settlement of John Harris on the Susquehanna river, a short time previous to 1719. (c).
The location of Paxtang church is about three miles east of Harrisburg and one-half mile north of Reading turnpike and of the Lebanon Valley railroad. It stands on a gentle hill on rising ground, and on the edge of a handsome grove of old oaks, comprising some six or eight acres of land which is enclosed by a fence, and is a part of the original glebe. The building is of stone about 35 by 65 feet. The walls of stone, plain and substantial, stand as good and straight as when first put up, and the external appearance indicating it to be the production of a past age, makes it but the more attractive. The interior of the house has been repaired and remodeled within a few years and has been made more in keeping with the style and fashion of the present generation.
South and east of the church, and a few yards from it, is the grave yard, surrounded by a substantial stone wall. This enclosure, like that of Derry, is an immense bed of flowering thyme. How pleasing it is to every person of good taste to find the home of the dead, instead of an assemblage of rank grass and briars, crumbling stones and sunken graves to be by pious and affectionate hands so carefully tended and so neatly kept. The pastor resides in a handsome and pleasant parsonage that has been built near to the church by his people.
On October 11th, 1732, appeared George Renick and others from Derry and Paxtang congregations, requiring an answer to the call given by them to Rev. William Bartrem, of New Castle Presbytery. He accepted their call and was installed November 17th, 1732, pastor of Derry and Paxtang congregations. Mr. Bartrem was a native of Ireland, and on his settlement the congregation of Spring Creek assumed the name of Derry and that of Fishing Creek assumed the name of Paxtang. Although Mr. Bartrem is called the first pastor of Derry and Paxtang, yet in 1729 the Presbytery of New Castle allows Derry the one-fifth of the Rev. Mr. Anderson's time; and on November 17th, 1732, the Presbytery of Donegal orders the payment of arrearages due Mr. Anderson by the congregations of Derry and Paxtang.
On the 7th of October, 1735, Mr. Bartrem represented to Presbytery that it is too much labor for him to serve both congregations and that the two churches be separated. On November 18th, 1735, a supplication was presented from the session of the congregation of Derry - desiring that if they should be separated from Paxtang as a district congregation their bound may be so fixed that they may be able to take steps for being supplied. In 1736 in the prospect of Mr. Bartrem's release from the one part of his charge, the people of Paxtang say that they can afford yearly for the support of their minister 60 pounds, one half in money, the other half in hemp, flour, linen, yarn or linen cloth, at market price. The people of Derry say they can pay 55 pounds in like manner. About this time Mr. Bartrem was inquired of by the Presbytery, which of the two congregations he would adhere to. He wished to remain with Derry. The congregation of Paxtang was therefore declared vacant, and the people of Derry were ordered to speedily improve their glebe in order to make it habitable for Mr. Bartrem.
In 1738, the Rev. John Elder (also from Ireland) of the Presbytery of New Castle, accepted a call which was presented to him from the congregation of Paxtang. They promised a "stipend" of 60 pounds in money. His ordination took place on the 22d of December the same year, and was followed by an order of Presbytery that "he and the session take care, that none of these who are deficient as to what they have to pay to Mr. Bartrem by note, or otherwise be admiteed to church privileges till they satisfy Mr. Bartrem."
At a meeting of Presbytery held at Derry church in 1741, Mr. Bartrem asks for a dismission from the congregation of Derry on account of bodily weakness and inability to perform his duties as a pastor. The congregation answered by their representatives, Rowland Chambers and James Carothers, that they had engaged Mr. Bartrem's labors when he was more able, and they were willing to sympathize with him in his weakness. This so engaged Mr. Bartrem to them that he desisted from his suit at that time. Whether Mr. Bartrem remained pastor of the congregation of Derry until his death in 1746, or not, we find no record (d).
About all we have been able to find of their next pastor, the Rev. John Roan, is what appears on his tombstone in Derry graveyard and in the presbyterial records of Donegal in 1768. Reference there is made to an account produced, that the congregations of Derry, Paxtang and Mount Joy were in arrears to the Rev. John Roan, their pastor. Just here dates and records conflict, authors and wise men differ. Mr. Roan's tombstone tells us that he was pastor of Derry, Paxtang and Mount Joy congregations from 1745 to 1775. The records of Donegal presbytery say that the Rev. John Elder was installed pastor of the congregation in Paxtang November 1738. Nevin informs us that in 1791 the Rev. John Elder resigned the pastoral charge of the congregations of Paxtang and Derry with which he had been connected for sixty years, on account of the infirmities of age, and died the July following, at the advanced age of 86 years, beloved in life and in death lamented. Another writer has it that Paxtang and Derry churches were organized on the 15th day of November, 1732, and the first pastor of these two churches was Mr. Bartrem, who was succeeded in 1737 by the Rev. John Elder, who officiated until his death in 1792. We have seen no record to show what time Mr. Elder took charge of Derry congregation, nor at what time he resigned that charge, only what is given above. It is very evident that Mr. Bartrem had charge of Derry in 1741 and after, and what does Mr. Roan's tombstone say? Yet that Mr. Elder was pastor then there can be no doubt.
Mr. Elder was also Colonel of what was in those days called the "Paxtang Boys" or "Rangers," whose business it was to range the country and settlement and protect the people from the scalping knives and tomahawks of the ruthless savages. For a long time he preached with his rifle (sometimes with two rifles) in the pulpit beside him. As a preaching pastor and fighting Colonel, probably he had no superior. The Indians with all their cunning, were never able to catch the old pastor off his guard or surprise him at his post.
In 1793 a call was accepted by the Rev. Nathaniel R. Snowden from the congregations of Derry, Paxtang and Harrisburg. In October, 1795, Mr. Snowden applied for a dissolution of his pastoral relations with Derry. The congregation of Paxtang, by a large majority, declared favor of holding their connection with Derry. This being approved by Presbytery, therefore Paxtang and Derry churches were declared vacant. On the 19th of October, 1799, the Rev. Joshua Williams was installed pastor of the united congregations of Derry and Paxtang, and for two-thirds of his labor, Derry was to pay him 120 pounds and Paxtang for the one-third was to pay him 60 pounds annually. This pastoral relation was dissolved the 30th of June, 1801 at the request of Dr. Williams. In 1803 a call from the two congregations was given to the Rev. James Adair, but before the meeting of presbytery Mr. Adair was removed by death. The next pastor of these two congregations was the Rev. James R. Sharon. (e) At what time he took charge of these congregations we can give no account. We know it was some time previous to 1814. He resigned his charge and removed to some point of the West Branch of the Susquehanna river where he died the 18th of April, 1843. He was, as all know who came within the range of his influence, a sound divine, an exemplary man and a Christian, and diligent in the great work to which his life was consecrated.
In 1843 the congregation of Paxtang obtained leave to procure the services of the Rev. John M. Boggs for six months. In 1844 a call from the congregations of Paxtang and Derry was received and accepted by Mr. Boggs and at his ordination and installation the Rev. Dr. John Moody presided (f). At what time Mr. Boggs left his charge we have no account. The present pastor of these two congregations, the Rev. A. D. Mitchell has had charge of them many years. He labors two-thirds of his time in Paxtang, and one-third between the old Derry church and the new one built in Hanover.
The first Presbyterian church organized in Pennsylvania was at Philadelphia in 1703. In 1716 the first synod was constituted comprising four Presbyteries vix. Of Philadelphia, of New Castle, of Snow Hill and Lay Island. In Sept. 1732, the Presbytery of Donegal was organized. In 1786, Carlisle Presbytery. J. G.
Notes
(a.) Although a church had been erected as early as 1721 or 1722, the warrant for the glebe land was not given until Rev. Mr. Bartrem's pastorate.(b.) The sacramental service and some of the furniture have been removed. As the Memorial church is expected to be erected during the coming summer, all these should be gathered up. It is stated that certain relics have permanently disappeared. As Mr. Hatton has been their custodian for twenty-five years, he should be compelled to produce all, or state where they are.
(c.) The present stone edifice was erected about 1740, not earlier. The statement that the first John Harris furnished the stone for the building of the church, may or may not be true. The authority is merely traditional, and we all know how unreliable tradition is.
(d.) In Mr. Bartem's latter days he was in feeble health, and resigned his pastorate of Derry in 1745, when Rev. John Roan was ordained the minister. Owing to the division in the Presbyterian churches at this period, and the loss of the minutes of the sessions of Paxtang and Derry, all our writers have been much befogged, for during the period when the Rev. Roan was the ordained minister of Derry until his death, he is spoken of as the "Pastor of Derry, Paxtang and Mount Joy" - at The same time the Rev. John Elder was Pastor of Derry and Paxtang congregations. The fact is that the Rev. John Roan was the pastor of the "New Slide" congregation of Derry and the division holding the same views from Paxtang; while the Rev. Mr. Elder was pastor of the "Old Side" congregation of Paxtang, and the division holding similar views from Derry. Hence both Roan and Elder were ministers of Paxtang and Derry during the same period. This explains what Mr. Graham did not rightly understand.
(e.) The Rev. James R. Sharon was installed pastor of Paxtang and Derry, may 29, 1807. He remained the stated minister until his death in 1843.
(f.) Rev. John M. Boggs was ordained April 9, 1845, and installed shortly after. This was dissolved on the 6th of October 1847.
Master Allen's School: The Rutherfords and Grays
Your roll of Master Allen's scholars at Paxtang for the year ending Aug. 31st, 1782, and the agreement which precedes it, are very interesting documents, especially to the descendants of those whose names are found therein; and it is to be hoped you may succeed in digging up more of the same sort. A perusal of them suggests the following: Mr. Allen, as we know, died Feb. 13th, 1819, at the age of eighty years; so that when this agreement was entered into he was about forty-two, and it is probable that this was his first experience at Paxtang.
We find on the roll, the name of William Rutherford, who, when the term ended, was but six years old, and who then and there began his career as a scholar. Twenty-eight years later John P. Rutherford, the son of William, began his education at the same place and under the same master, so that for a period of about thirty years the birch of Allen was industriously plied in Paxtang. Representatives of three generations were urged by him along the rugged path of knowledge. What a huge stack of rod timber must have been consumed; for the stern old master was unsparing in its use. No wonder that the trees in the neighborhood of the old school-house are all either very old or very young.
Several of the scholars of this roll were evidently from a distance and boarded in the valley for the purpose of attending the school. Among these we notice Peggy Gray and Nelly Gray who were doubtless the daughters of Capt. William Gray of Buffalo Valley. Who was Patt M'Cann?
W. F. R.
Old Hanover Church
(The sketch which follows, the writer entitled "The Deserted Church." Shortly after his visit, the building was demolished even to the very foundations.)
The section of country originally comprising the townships of Paxtang, Derry and Hanover, in Dauphin Co., Pa., was in progress of settlement prior to 1719, by emigrants (for the most part) from the north of Ireland and Scotland, who were usually called "The Scotch Irish." Possessing the qualities indispensable to successful pioneer settlers - strength of body and mind combined with unflinching courage - they were alike vigorous in the occupations of peace and in the arts of war. Following up the outposts of the acquisitions of the land by Penn from its tawny occupants, they hoped to become the owners and tillers of its soil. This they did but not without the loss of many a helpless child, of many an endeared wife, father, mother, and relative and friend for many fell victims to the relentless cruelties of the savages who marauded the frontier settlements.
These pioneers brought with them the religious faith and practices of their forefathers, and established their houses of worship with the beginning of their settlements. The congregation of Presbyterians which we are now about to commemorate, once prosperous, now deserted - had its beginning on Monada, now Manada Creek, then in Lancaster county, Penn. The first record of it known, is from the minutes of a meeting of Donegal Presbytery (organized Sept. 1732,) held Nov. 18th, 1735. Lazarus Stewart appeared there to prosecute a supplication of the people of Monada Creek fro a new erection and supplies. In answer to this supplication the Presbytery appointed Messrs. Anderson and Galbraith, of Derry and Wm. Maxwell of Paxtang, to perambulate the bounds between the people of Dery and those of Monada Creek. These commissioners recommended the Presbytery ordered that the people of Monada Creek be created into a distinct congregation, and that the place where now they have begun to build a house is the most convenient place for a meeting house for this people. In May, 1736, it was ordered by Presbytery and agreed to by the people of Monada Creek and Derry, that those living on the borders of these two congregations that are between the two meeting houses, and north of Swatara Creek, should on or before the 1st of November next ending declare in an orderly way whether they would connect themselves with the congregation of Monada Creek or Derry.
We know nothing more about the church edifice that was in process of erection at this period, only that it stood nearly on the same spot where the present one now stands, perhaps a few yards north of it. The location of the church, we are about attempting to describe, lies fifteen miles north of a public road leading from Harrisburg through Jonestown to Reading, and is on a road leading from Palmyra crossing Swatara Creek at Dixen's old ford, to Manada Gap, the gap by which Manada Creek passes through the First or Blue Mountain. The church lies in a very secluded part of the country, although access to and from it in olden time was made easy by many roads and cross-roads.
In 1736 the Rev. Thomas Craighead was sent to supply the churches of Manada Creek, Paxtang, and Conedoguinot. In 1736 the township of Hanover was erected out of Lancaster county, Pa., and the congregation now assumed the name of Hanover. In 1737 a supplication together with a call was made to the Rev. Richard Sankey by John Cunningham and Robert Grier, commissioners from Hanover congregation. They were also authorized to promise Mr. Sankey as an annual salary, sixty pounds, one half in cash, the other half in flour, hemp, flax, linen yarn or cloth at market price. He was the first stationed preacher of this congregation, and at the time of his settlement, there was a glebe farm belonging to the congregation. This farm the trustees of the congregation took the authority upon themselves to present and deed, probably under the impression that his settlement and stay among them would be permanent. But after remaining with them about three years, he left them, sold the farm, and removed to Buffalo in Virginia. This is the tradition current always among the older members of the congregation.
The glebe originally comprised one hundred and sixty acres of wood land which the proprietaries of Pennsylvania granted and donated to the English Presbyterians to have and hold forever, as the property of the church and school house to be erected somewhere upon it. There are yet, however, some seven or eight acres of land belonging to the congregation, including the church and grave yard.
From 1750, (a) the time Mr. Sankey left, there is a considerable length of time about which there is nothing particularly known, but history says that from 1750 to 1765, imagination cannot conceive the perils with which the settlements of Paxtang and Hanover were surrounded. To portray the scenes of horror would be impossible - the heart shrinks from the attempt. Many, very many, were driven from their homes. Old parson Elder, of Paxtang and Derry, remained at his post during the whole time, often preaching with two rifles in the pulpit, and each of the members with a rifle in hand, and sentinels at the door and around the Church. On the 19th of August, 1757, fourteen people were killed in Mr. Sankey's congregation.
In November 1762 the Rev. Robert McMordie received and accepted a call from Hanover congregation with the promise of eighty pounds for his support, to be secured by bond. He appears to have had some difficulty in the congregation at this time, for in 1764 several petitions were sent to Presbytery and read, requesting a dismission of the petitioners from the pastorship of Mr. McMordie until they could see their way clear to join Hanover congregation again. Presbytery allowed the petitioners, for the present, to put themselves under the care of any neighboring minister belonging to Presbytery, so that they might enjoy church privileges. Mr. McMordie withdrew from the pastorship of the congregation in 1768.
Again a lapse of thirteen years occurs of which we know nothing. They may have had a pastor or pastors, duirn that time or they may not, but as the members were a church going people, it is hardly presumable that they were so long without a pastor.
In 1781 the Rev. Matthew Wood received and accepted a call. M. Wood is buried in the grave yard attached to the church. The following inscription appears on his tombstone:
"In memory of the Rev. Matthew Wood, who died Sept 13th, 1784, in the 27th year of his age and third of his ministry. During the short time of his ministry he proved himself a diligent and faithful servant to Christ. In him were united learning, judgment and humility. This Marble Slab was a donation of his affectionate people. Serve Christ humbly on Earth, if you expect to reign triumphant in Heaven."
In Mr. Wood's time there was a Latin School under the control of the trustees of the Church, taught in the study-house adjoining the Church. This, it is believed, was the case with all the pastors connected with the first churches.
The first charter of Hanover church was granted Sep. 7th, 1784, but being afterwards lost, it was renewed in 1846.
A new study house was built at the church in 1784 costing 11pounds 9s. 3d., Pennsylvania currency. A stone fence was built around the grave yard in 1797, and the cost of it was apportioned among one hundred and eight families.
On the 25th of Sept. 1784, a resolution was passed by the trustees of the congregation appointing Capt. James Wilson and six others to collect the balance of the Rev. Matthew Wood's salary, and that the collectors be authorized to sue all those in arrears.
On the 7th of Aug., 1787, it was announced from the pulpit that the Trustees meet and prepare a call for the Rev. James Snodgrass, and on the 18th of March, 1788, the articles for building the present church edifice were entered into and signed by Hugh McCulloch and David Embich, of Lebanon, contractors, and seven trustees of the congregation. The cost of the building was 183 pounds, 7s, 3d.
The Rev. James Snodgrass became pastor in 1788 as appears from the inscription on his tombstone in the graveyard;
"Rev. James Snodgrass, Pastor of the Presbyterian Congregation of West Hanover during the period of fifty-eight years and two months. He was born in Bucks County, Pa., July 23d, 1763, Licensed to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, Dec., 1786, ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Carlisle in May, 1788, and departed this life July 2d, 1846, in the 84th year of his age. Your fathers where are they, and the prophets, do they live forever, Zech. 1st, 5th."
Mr. Snodgrass entered upon the responsible duty of the ministry in the 24th year of his age. This was his first and last congregation. He was also the only stated preacher in the present church building. His last sermon was preached not long before he sank into eternal rest. Perhaps his very last effort at preaching was the funeral of his son-in-law, Doctor William Simonton, who died May 17th, 1846. Since that period the church has been entirely forsaken. No voice for mercy in there offered up unto Him who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
This congregation was strongest from 1790 to 1800. It then contained about 120 families. Some of these lived ten or fifteen miles distant from the church, yet they went to their house of worship just as regularly and much more so, than those who now live within a stone throw of their church. They knew it was their duty, as it is the duty of every frail mortal to attend, whether it was sunshine or rain, summer or winter. In this age of improvement a little matter suffices as an excuse for non attendance at the house of God, if the distance be but one-half so great. And now they consult their ease in their rocking chairs at their homes. At that period you could see every Sabbath morning almost innumerable and endless strings of riders (for then traveling was done on horseback) going toward the house of worship, urging on their weary steeds already tired from the past week's labor.
For some years before this reverend pastor departed this life, the congregation had become so much reduced by death of the older members - and by removals to the far west, the few who were left were unable longer to pay him his salary. Yet he continued to preach the Gospel, while able, to the remnants of the some half dozen families that were left. His salary never large, perhaps $400, became reduced, so that in 1830 he was paid $153 60, and in 1842, perhaps the last received, $143 56.
The church was built of stone, sixty-six by forty-eight feet, in a plain but substantial, and at that time a fashionable style. It was erected in 1788, as appears from a stone in the south side of the building near the centre; "Hoe Templum and Modum Rev. Jacobo Snodgrasso corporatione Hanoverensi a Johane McFadenne aedificatum A.D. 1788." On the south side of the church was a beautiful and charming grove of trees. This was used for pasturing the homes during the preaching and as a shelter for them from the scorching suns of summer and the blasts of winter. A few of the old oaks, about 20, are still remaining near the church, lifting their somber heads over the house; others having become infirm with weight and years, have fallen in wild heaps around it. Solitude and silence surrounds all.
The walls of the building are as good and straight now as when first put up - and will probably withstand the furious northern blasts and the thunder storms for years to come, though it be roofless as it now almost is. The interior of the church is entirely a mass of ruins; the glass in the windows are broken; the sash broken, or nearly so; the broken stones are strewn over the decayed and perforated floor, and the pews are toppling over. The pulpit is so shackling as to be unsafe to enter, while the six or eight steps that lead up to the pulpit and their hand railing, merely hanging together.
What feelings occupy the mind whilst wandering through this ancient house of God, in ruins. These pews once held the venerable forms of our mothers and forefathers, who have long since been laid in their tombs and no member of the former worshippers now living save one, Mr. john McElhenny, now 85 years of age, and born in the congregation. In yonder pulpit for more than a half a century the man of God delivered his exhortations and in eloquent strains pointed his hearers to the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world. Yes, here, where the voice of the pleader once ascended to Heaven in fervent accents, here where the flock once surrounded the altar and received the bread of life, now the only sounds come from the cricket, the owls and the bats that have full possession as they flit mournfully over the forsaken pews, once filled with devout worshippers, with eyes fixed upon the earnest servant of Jesus Christ, and eagerly drinking in the words as they fell from his lips.
Near and north of the church is the graveyard, sixty-eight by fifty-four yards, surrounded by a good stone wall five feet high, well covered with plank and painted. The oldest stone visible was inscribed: "Memento Mori. In memory of James Walker, who deceased April 23d, 1749, in the 40th year of his age." He is supposed to be one of the many killed about that time by the Indians. This head stone was rather a remarkable one. It was about two feet high and made of black slate; but some sacrilegious scoundrel or scoundrels with villainous hands, in the winter of 1858-9, broke it off near the ground and carried it away. Is it not possible that in a few more years the tomb and head stones may be found at the doors of houses serving as entrance steps.
A few steps from the one just noted, is another now visible, and inscribed as follows: In memory of John Craig and Isabella his wife, who were killed by the Indians October 17, 1756. The spot marked by a tree yet standing in a field not far distant from the church, where these unfortunate persons fell in defending themselves from the cruelties of the savages, is yet said to be known and is pointed out. The grave yard is said to have been dug over at least four times in many places. Many of the graves are now covered by rank grass, weeds and briers, where formally friendly hands had planted flowers and sweet thyme, and tombstones have been thatched over with brown moss so as to render illegible the incriptions (inscriptions) in memory of beloved parents and brothers and sisters.
Many of the tombstones have sunk to the level of the surface and doubtless others have gone out of sight; since in the olden times they were not more than 20 or 24 inches above ground. Many stones are bent over and tumbling down and others have fallen and lie scattered around.
Here, side by side, repose the mortal remains of father and mother, husband and wife, brother and sister, awaiting the sound of the last trump. Then and not till then shall they start forth from their sleep of death to meet the Judge of all.
It is a lamentable fact that this once populous and flourishing church, wherein generation after generation had assembled to worship the God of their fathers should have come to this so deserted and forsaken condition. The last of its pastors, who for so many years broke the bread of life to his attached flock, has been gathered to his fathers, surrounded by many of his fold. The remnant have removed to find home far away among strangers and with their descendants worship at other altars.
Reflecting upon these things, and upon the memories of these worshippers of the long, long ago, we are forcibly reminded of our own mortality. As those connected with the erection of this venerable edifice, and their descendants who worshipped under its roof, are all gone. So too with us. A few short years will quickly pass, and as with eagle's wings, we ourselves soon will enter the eternal future, and meet there those worshippers of the olden time of this now ruined and deserted church of Hanover, in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania.
J. G.
Hardin Co, KY, July 29th 1859
The above items, facts &c., have been gathered from many sources and records. In speaking of old Parson John Elder, who had the charge of Derry and Paxtang churches from 1738 to 1791, and was Colonel of what was called the Paxtang Boys or Rangers, it was made his, with his regiment, an indispensable duty to range the country and protect the people from the savages; and the duty was well performed by him both as a preacher and as Colonel of the rangers. The people of Paxtang and Hanover suffered more from the Indians than those further south. The savages came down the river, did their work and then passed eastward near the mountains and through Indian Creek Gap back to the mountains again.
Rev'd Dr. Matthew Brown (Hanover) Rev'd Samuel Bell (Hanover) and Dr. John Moody (Derry), all studied theology with Mr. Snodgrass.
J. G.
Notes:
(a) This is an error. The Rev. Richard Sankey was installed the first pastor of Hanover, August 30, 1738, and continued in charge of that congregation twenty years. He received a call from Virginia on the 6th of June 1759 which he accepted, removing thither the following year.
Elizabeth Parthemore
From the Milford Centre, O., News of the first of March, 1884, we cull the following:
Aunt Betsey Parthemore, as she was familiarly called by the citizens of this place, died at the infirmary last Monday and her remains were brought to Milford and laid in the vault Tuesday morning. Miss Parthemore was one of the oldest citizens in our town. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1795 and came to Milford in 1817, where she resided until about two years ago, when she became an invalid and was taken to the infirmary.
Elizabeth Parthemore, of whom the foregoing is an account, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., July 2, 1794 and died in Milford Centre, Union county, Ohio, Feb.25, 1884. She was the daughter of John Parthemore (1764-1846) and Catharine E. Shell (1767-1828), who was a daughter of Martin Shell.
In this connection it is given as truth and not tradition, that after John and Catharine Parthemore settled below Milford Centre, O., which was about the year 1815, having previously resided near Chillicothe, Ohio, whence they immigrated from Augusta county, Virginia, where they had resided from 1796 to 1812, she hearing of the serious illness of her mother, Mrs. Shell, who resided in Lower Paxtang or West Hanover, Dauphin county, Pa., and learning that a gentleman in Columbus, Ohio, by the name of Heroff (this may be a descendant of Ludwig Heroff who was assessed as a non-associator in 1779 in Derry township, (Dauphin) Lancaster county, Pa.) was coming East and her husband, John Parthemore, accompanied her to Columbus where she was to be accompanied to Penna., by Mr. Heroff, but on arriving there the gentleman was sick and could not proceed on his journey.
John endeavored to persuade his wife to return home with him, but she said, weeping, that she must see her mother once more and after some coaxing she persuaded her husband to return home and care for the children, which he did, and she made the journey, over 600 miles from Columbus, O., to Harrisburg, Pa., on horseback and unaccompanied. On her return to her own home in Ohio she filled her pocket with apple seeds before starting, which she had gathered at the old cider press, and taking them with her she planted them in the nursery and now there is a plot of ground of three acres of an apple orchard from those seeds, not more than two trees bearing the same kind of fruit and the yield a never failing one.
E.W.S.P.
Daniel Kendig
Daniel Kendig, son of John and Elizabeth Kendig, was born at Sunbury, Northumberland county, Pa., March 16, 1802. He went to Middletown when quite young, and was apprenticed to his brother Martin to learn saddlery; subsequently entering into partnership in the lumber trade, then the great business of that town. In 1862 he was appointed Assessor of Internal Revenue for the district, which he held until removed by President Johnson. He was at one time a candidate for sheriff, but defeated; was an elder in the Presbyterian church, and a gentleman of high integrity. He died at Middletown, December 31, 1876, and buried in the cemetery there. Mr. Kendig was twice married - first to Susan Shelly; second, Sarah Rutherford, and left children by both.
Isaac Smith
Isaac Smith, was born about 1780- in Lancaster county, Pa. He came to Dauphin county in the early part of the present century (1800's) and settled near Halifax. When the second war with England was declared, he offered his services to the State, and when in 1814, the city of Baltimore was threatened by the enemy, he marched with a company of volunteers raised in the "Upper End." He represented the county of Dauphin in the General Assembly sessions of 1824-5 and 1825-6. He died about 1834, and is buried in Fetterhoff's church burial ground.
Capt. Smith married Susan Baker of Lancaster county, and their children were William, d.s.p.; Elspy, m. George W. Finney; Lydia, m. Daniel A. Muench; Eliza, m. Oliver Baskins; and Margaret, m. William J. Miller.
Christian King
Christian King, the son of William King, was born near Middletown, Pa., February 1, 1758. Although but a boy, at the outset of the Revolutionary struggle, he entered into the service, and was with Capt. Crouch's company in the skirmish at Chestnut Hill where he was slightly wounded. He subsequently served on the frontiers. When the new county of Dauphin was organized he became quite prominent in political affairs. He strenuously opposed making Harris' Ferry the county seat, justly preferring Middletown, then a village of importance, while the former was not, and where all his business interests were. He was one of the commissioners of the county from 1790 to 1792, and served in the General Assembly from 1793 to 1795. He died on the 1st of May, 1795, in the midst of his sphere of great usefulness, and is interred in the Lutheran graveyard at Middletown. Mr. King married Margaret Toot, daughter of David Toot, and sister of Col. George Toot, b. July 1747; d. Sept. 29, 1782. She was probably his first wife, for by reference to the tombstone records in our possession, we find that Rachel King, wife of Christian King B. in 1763; d. March 22, 1801. Of the children we have no knowledge.
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