Liberty County, Georgia - Progress of the Church Till the Dispersion, 1903

Progress of the Church Till the Dispersion

The church and congregation continued to increase under the ministry of Mr. Osgood, insomuch so that Rev. Archibald Simpson, of Carolina, when passing through on his way to the Altamaha settlement, which people he visited in 1761, expressed astonishment ''at the great and beautiful improvement in the Midway settlement, the fine plantations, the large and well finished meeting house, the good public roads, in what seven years before was looked upon as an almost impenetrable swamp.'

As the result of this steady and continued growth, it was soon found necessary that an addition should be made to the house, ''or some method fallen on to make more room therein.'' The first plan was to ''make the gallery commodious for the whites and a shed be made for the negroes."'

Whether this shed was added does not appear, but according to the statement of Mr. John Ashmore to Dr. Jones, for some time the whites had seats in the gallery with the negroes.! In 1770, it was resolved that ''an aisle be made to the house of twenty-nine by twenty feet, roof porch fashion and hip end.'"' This, however, seems not to have been done till 1772, when it was resolved that the addition should be to tne south side with square pews, ''instead of long ones with seats only in the back parts."'

In addition to the gradual influx of emigrants from Carolina and elsewhere, which added more to the population than the naturalincrease, the record showing nearly as many deaths as births for the first decade; the thing that added strength and influence to the society was the rise and growth of the town of Sunbury upon the coast, and only ten miles distant.

On the 20th day of June, 1958, Captain Mark Carr conveyed to James Maxwell and others three hundred acres of land in trust, to be laid out in lots for a town at Sunbury.

The lots were sold in accordance with the terms of conveyance, and the town of Sunbury soon became a place of considerable size and importance, and also the abode of many of the members of the Midway church and congregation. As the result, we find the following record: "On Monday, December 19, 1763, some of the inhabitants of Sunbury, with many of the country members, met by appointment at our meeting house in the country in order to make out a call for the Rev. John Alexander to reside and preach amongst us, and it was agreed that he should be called as assistant to Rev. Mr. John Osgood, our present pastor, that in case of Mr. Osgood being rendered at any time incapable of preaching by sickness or otherwise, or in case of his being taken from us, that the Rev. Mr. Alexander shall preach a part of his time at this place in the country, and that his preaching in the town and country shall be proportioned to the salary paid him from the members and inhabitants of each place.''2 members and the rising importance of the town of Sunbury, © Rev. John Alexander was called to preach at both places, the proportion being determined by the amount of money paid and number of interested people at each place.

We have no further account of Mr. Alexander. It is presumed he did not accept the position. Who Mr. Alexander was, of what church, or what ever became of him, I have not been able to find out. He seemed, however, to have been - well known in the community and even a citizen of the society. as we find the record of his marriage to Hannah Godfrey March 27, 1764.

Disappointed in not securing the services of Rey. John Alexander, the church in 1767, made out a call to the Rey. - James Edmonds, of South Carolina, who had been co-pastor with Rev. William Hutson, -of the Independent Congrega- - tional church of Charleston, to fill the place offered Mr. Alexander, as assistant or co-pastor with Mr. Osgood. He accepted the place and arrived August 9, 1767, making his home at Sunbury. He preached his first sermon at Midway "'on Wednesday, the 26th day of the same month, and at the Altamaha the 30th and 31st, he agreeing to supply - them also once a month for the first year."'

Mr. Edmonds was a native of London, born about 1720. As described by one who knew him, "'he was in person rather above the ordinary size of men, weighing probably over two hundred pounds, had a full face and heavy eyebrows, yet he was polite, affable, dignified, and more loquacious than usual for one of his age. His manner of preaching was plain, solemn, and unostentatious. His sermons were short, but practical and altogether extempore.'"! He continued as a kind of assistant or missionary minister, living at Sunbury, for about three years. He returned to Charleston in 1770, where he died April, 1793, aged 73. Helost his eve- - sight and was blind the last three years of his life."

2. While at Charleston, he was taken prisoner in 1780 after the fall of the city, and with 129 others as detained pee prisoners on board prison ship Torbay. See Gibbs' loc. His. and Ramsay's His. Vol. I 542

It was during Mr. Edmond's stay in Sunbury that Rev. Archibald Simpson made his second visit, passing through to Altamaha and spent acommunion season at Midway, August 12, 1769, when the three ministers, Rev. Messrs. - Osgood, Edmonds and Simpson officiated on the Lord's day. "The congregation was large and genteel, attentive and tenderly impressed, and the whole occasion reminded him of the many sweet seasons he (Simpson) had enjoyed in Scotland.''! '

After the return of Mr. Edmonds to Charleston, Mr. Osgood now becoming advanced in age and infirm in health, the church began looking around for an assistant and future pastor. They agreed June 26, 1771, upon the form of a call to be sent to New Jersey for a minister; they also agreed in the meanwhile, to have public services continued among themselves by reading sermons.'""

Mr. Osgood's health failed in 1771, two years before his death, but he continued to preach as he was able. During these two years we find that his pulpit was frequently supplied by visiting ministers. On Sabbath, June 16th, he was so ill as not to preach at all. On Monday after he rode in a chaise to Sunbury, where he went on board a vessel to be carried out upon the salts, to which he had been advised by his physician. On Friday of the same week, he returned home very ill, with very little hope either by himself or others of his ever preaching again. His strength, however, rallied and we find him preaching a few times afterwards. The last service he rendered was on May 5, 1773, a day appointed for fasting and prayer to have the gospel continued among them, when, after the reading a sermon by one of the members, Mr. Osgood delivered a short, pathetic exhortation which, said he, would be his last, as it proved. He was present, however, at the communion June 20, 1773, conducted by Rev. Wm. Zubly, and partook of the sacrament,

'no congregation happier in a minister, and no minister happier in a congregation.'' Born and reared in their midst, coming with them from Carolina, sharing their troubles and hardships, and sympathizing with them and serving them so faithtully and long, he only the more endeared himself to them. He was a man that had the interest of the church at heart, and who felt for all classes, even his servants, as ap- - pears from his last letter.1 Dr. Holmes, who became pastor of the church some twelve years after his death, and knowing full well the influence and fragrance of his pious and holy life left behind, says of him in his Annals, that "he was the father and friend as well as the shepherd of his flock.'* Bartram, the English traveler, who visited the community and attended services at the church, speaks of him as 'their pious and venerable pastor.''* So the Rev. Archibald Simpson, of Carolina, in his second visit to Midway in 1769, terms him 'ta Nathanael, an Israelite indeed, much ofa gentleman and yet with the most primitive and plain simplicity in his behavior, by nature and grace of a most mild, frank © and pleasant disposition, and withal a most edifying, delightful and instructive preacher.''* On the chureh record we find this simple yet earnest tribute: 'August 2, 1773, our dear and much honored pastor, the Rev. John Osgood, - us under the Rev. Mr. Fisher, our former pastor in Carolina, and finished his studies in Cambridge College in New England, where he graduated (in 1733), departed this life. He was ordained to the pastoral charge over us November 24th anno 1735, and continued so thirty-eight years and about four months, wanting but a few days.'' Dr. Zubly preached his funeral sermon. His remains were borne by neat by, where they still rest. A monument was erected by the same loving hands, to mark the spot. When the church was burned in 1778 by the British, nothing, not even the among Others, was entirely defaced. But the church and congregation showed their affection for their old pastor and friend by erecting another in 1794, which still stands to mark the resting place of this devoted servant of God. They also ordered the publication of twenty of his sermons.

Temporary Supplies

After the death of Mr. Osgood, and for about four years, the church was without any regular pastor. During this long time they were supplied by visiting ministers and temporary supplies, or else, by some one of the deacons or members reading sermons, as had been done during Mr. Osgood's poor health. Among those supplying the pulpit at different times, during these four years of vacancy, we find the names of Dr. J. J. Zubly, from Savannah, who often visited them; also that of Messrs. Gillis, William Tennent, Piercy, Eccles, Joseph Cook, Daniel Robarts, and Thomas Hill. Most of them preached alternately, and part of the time with seeming regularity, the church in the meantime not relaxing its effort to obtain a minister. Asearly as 1771, in view of Mr. Osgood's declining health, ''a call was made out to be sent to the northward to the college in New Jersey, called Nassau Hall," and a letter forwarded to Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, the president, asking his assistance in getting a minister. Early in 1773, Messrs. Parmenas Way and Benjamin Baker were appointed to write frequently to the college in New Jersey in behalf of the church respecting the call then sent for another minister, and measures proposed for having the gospel preached to them in the meantime. Novem- a student, perhaps a licentiate, foron the 16th of March following it was determined that Mr. Daniel Robarts be detained and that he officiate by praying, and reading either printed, or the Rev. Mr. Osgood's manuscript, sermons among us."' So at the annual meeting March 1, 1775, it was agreed ''that Mr. Robarts be continued upon trial for six months longer, and to allow him five pounds per month, he to pray and read to and among us as heretofore, and follow his studies.'' At the same meeting Rev. Mr. Zubly was invited to supply them once in six weeks, they agreeing to furnish him with horses in coming and going, and at thirty pounds per year.'' In May of the same year, it was agreed to send a call to Mr. William Schenck, the form of which is given upon the records, of which, however, we find nothing more said.

The next effort to obtain a minister was made September 30, 1776, when it was agreed to send toa gentleman, who is now a preacher in Carolina, to visit and preach here with the design to give him a call,'"' and upon his declinature, '"'to * write to Dr. Lyman Hall, now at the northward, to en-. deavor to get a minister for this place from some of the northern provinces."

Later on in October they ''agreed to givea call to some minister for one year's trial, and Messrs. Thomas Quarterman, Robert Quarterman and Thomas Baker were appointed to carry the call and to offer it to any such preacher, as two of them shall agree upon.'' Said messengers carried said call and offered it to Rev. Thomas Henderson, who agreed to visit them, which he did and preached for them the 8th of December, 1776.

At acalled theeting at the beginning of the next year, (January 8, 1777,) the select men were instructed to write to Mr. Henderson and urge him to settle among them. The letter was written and sent to Savannah, but for some reason, was by some recalled without consulting the church.

Mr. Allen Imprisoned

After repeated unsuccessful efforts to obtain a preacher, and nearly four years of this sort of desultory work, a call was made out at the annual meeting in March, 1777, and sent to Rev. Moses Allen, a Presbyterian minister then supplying the Wappetaw church, Carolina, who accepted the same, removed to Midway and preached his first sermon jane 22 0777.

Church Burned

The pastorate of Mr. Allen was very short and unsatisfactory, lasting only one year, and terminating in the midst of disaster and ruin; this being the period of the revolutionary war, and everything ina more or less disordered state. So many of her sons beingin the army, the church barely existed till the year 1778, when the invasion from _ Florida under Col. J. M. Prevost, resulted in the entire breaking up of the church, the burning of the meeting house, the destruction of the farms, the dispersion of the people, and complete breaking up of the community, which state of things continued for four long years.

Mr. Allen being very active in the cause of the revolution made himself very obnoxious to the British. At the fall of Savannah December, 1778, he was taken prisoner, and instead of being sent to Sunbury on parole with the other continental officers, he being a commissioned chaplain of the Georgia brigade, he was kept on board the prison ship. Tired of confinement in his loathsome quarters, on the evening of February 8, 1779, he sought to escape by throwing himself into the river and swimming to an adjacent point, but was drowned in the attempt. His body was washed on a neighboring island and found by some of his friends, who requested a few boards of the captain of a British vessel to make a coffin, but was unable to procure them.

Mr. Allen was born in Northampton, Mass., September 14, 1748, graduated at the college in New Jersey in 1772, licensed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick Feb. 1, 1774, and recommended by them as ''an energetic, prudent and pious man.'' On his way south he spent some days with his friend, James Madison, of Virginia, afterwards president, where he was solicited to pass the winter. He was ordained pastor of the Independent or Congregational church at Wappetaw, Christ's Parish, South Carolina, March 16, 1775, by Rev. Messrs. Zubly, Edmonds and William Tennent. Af ter two years he preached his farewell sermon to that people June &, 1777, and removed to Midway and died as above stated after a short pastorate of only a year, at thirty years of age.! . E

Concerning his gift and power as a minister I have been unable to find out anything. He married Elizabeth Odingsell, whose sister, Mary, was the wife of Gen. James Screven. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Allen married Mr. Elisha Lee, of Great Barrington, Berkshire, Mass., and died December 11, 1843, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. One of the family descendants of Rev. Moses Allen, Mrs. H. H. Dyer, a grand neice, is still living in Rutland, Vermont.

The Dispersion. At From The Dispersion Till The Dismemberment

We here pause a moment, to call attention to the fact, that up to this time we see nothing worthy of note in the history of this people, except the element of trouble. Like their ancestors and many of themselves, who were driven from their old homes in England, with the sea passage, both to Carolina and from thence to Georgia, stormy and tempestuous, they too were driven from their homes after years of hardships and trials attendant upon settlement in a new coun- - try, pre-occupied by a savage and hostile foe. In addition to frequent sickness and death, occasioned by the malarial character of the country, they lived in constant dread of - their Indian neighbors, the records showing that some of them being actually put to death by these heartless savages. Following upon all this was the invasion of the British army, the subjugation of the country, the desolations of their homes, the destruction of their crops and property, the burning of their house of worship, the dispersion of the people, only a few being left and they constantly subject to the insult and violence of marauding bands of Tories and lawless men, and all ending in the complete devastation of the coun- _ty for four long years. These were the principal ingredients in the cup thus far, eloquently but pathetically set forth in the naming by one of the members, of his son, ''Ichabod,"' "the glory has departed."" But like Israel of old in the wilderness, and afterwards in their dispersion; like the Covenanters of Scotland, the Huguenots of France, or like Moses at Midian, and Paulin Arabia, this was but the preparatory stage. Allthis was part of the training necessary to prepare them for their grand mission. Humiliation always precedes exaltation. The cross first, the crown afterwards. F <s God's plan is usually to prepare His people by a baptism of - suffering for every great work. Thus it was in the case of

The Return

The smoke of battle having passed away and peace declared, after a long and sanguinary struggle lasting for seyen years, and resulting in the independence of the American Colonies, these people began in 1782, after four years, dispersion and oppression, to return to their old homes and commenced rebuilding their houses, which had been burned, and repair their farms, which had been desolated. They were not unmindful, however, of their spiritual interest, for this had always been first with them, as with their ancestors. Continuous and coextensive with suffering we have © always perceived an ever constant and accompanying stream of piety in the life of this people: as prayer and fasting before leaving Plymouth, England, daily religious services on board the ship while crossing the Atlantic, prayer and fasting before the ordination of Mr. Lord, prayer on the beech before leaving for Carolina, day of special prayer and fasting on board the brigantine Friendship, frequent days of fasting and prayer before and after their departure from Carolina, as well as numerous seasons of thanksgiying. True therefore to this instinct of their nature, they began very early looking around for a minister to break to them the bread of life. In the year 1783, and before the rebuilding of the church, a number of the members having returned, it was agreed that a call should be given Rev. James Gourlay, a native of Scotland, and a Presbyterian minister about fifty years of age, and at that time settled at Stoney Creek church, Carolina; and though in a crippled and empoverished condition, they offered a salary of one hundred and fifty pounds. The call being presented, an encouraging answer was received. Mr. Thomas Quarterman was appointed to wait upon Mr. Gourlay and urge him to accept the same. Uvon his return Mr. Quarterman reported that

Seeking A Pastor

_ among the objections made by Mr. Gourlay, the most material was the probable division in the church upon the _ question of location of the church building, which had always been an occasion of divided sentiment, but gave it as his opinion that if the question of location was settled at q once he would immediately accept the call, whereupon the a society was called together and the vote taken, and by a a majority of one it was determined that the house should be : built upon the ground where the old one stood. The call 8 was renewed, accompanied with the statement of the fact _..__ that the question of location was definitely settled. But a letter was soon received from Mr. Gourlay, 'wherein he absolutely refused accepting our call.''" The question was then BS: at once raised whether they should make application to Scotland or the northern states for a minister. 'Carried by a majority that application be made to the northward." j Wherefore it was agreed that the select men should write a A letter to the Rev. Mr. Hart asking him to endeavor to influence some young minister to come and settle among _ them. In the meanwhile hearing of a young man, Mr. Abiel Holmes, intending for the ministry and teaching school in » Carolina, the select men were authorized at a meeting in ___ May, 1784, to open correspondence with him with a view _ to his settlement among them to preach for one year.

Bi Mr. Holmes having signified his acceptance of the call, in Ri: August following (1784) commenced preaching among Ke them, and being only a licentiate, in the following year, September 15, 1785, was, upon the request of the church, ordained in the chapel at Yale College, Rev. Levi Hart preaching the ordination sermon, from Galatians I:10, Rev. Dr. Ezra Stiles offering the ordaining prayer, Rev. Rr. Williams giving the charge, and Rev. Warham Williams the right hand of fellowship.

a After preaching one year, Mr. Holmes' health becoming impaired, he went to the north and instead of returning in ; the fall, as he intended, he made arrangement with his friend, Mr., afterwards Rev. Dr. Jedidiah Morse, then a tutor in

Yale College, by which an exchange of duties and place was" : temporarily effected, Mr. Holmes taking his place in the tutorship and the church agreeing ''to pay the salary of Mr. Holmes to the time of his arrival to the northward," and that of Mr. Morse from the time he set off to go to them, and to continue one month after leaving.1 Mr. Morse was ordained November 9, 1786, and next day set sail for Georgia, where he remained six months. Mr. Holmes remained tutor for a year and then returned to his charge in November, 1787, where he remained four years more, (six in all) ate of the church at Cambridge, Mass., and installed pastor January 28, 1792, and continued in that relation for forty years, till his death, which occurred June 4, 1837.

In connection with the call and acceptance of Dr. Holmes, the society resolved to erect a house of worship in place of the one that had been burned. Not yet being in condition to put up such an one as they desired, they resolved to erect a coarse building, which was intended to be only temporary, forty by thirty feet, with posts in the ground and the sides filled with poles, with three doors, with them the prevailing style. It was in this house Dr. Holmes spent his entire ministry of six years. At the same time it was agreed to have the Vestry house rebuilt. It was also found necessary the following year(1785) to build an addition of twelve feet to the east side and a shelter of the same width on the south end for the negroes. The parsonage was erected in 1789.

In 1790, six vears after the erection of the coarse structure above mentioned, the question of a more commodious house of worship was considered and determined. This building, however, was not erected till two years afterwards(1792). The resignation and removal of Mr. Holmes, their pastor, the vear following doubtless had much to do with the delay, and this the more so on account of the somewhat hurried and precipitate manner of his leaving. From the tone of the correspondence the church seemed somewhat aggrieved at his leaving. Having determined to go, he

Upon writing to them afterwards and offering to return and fill out the unexpired year and make a formal leave, the select men were instructed to reply that he was released from further obligations, it being adjudged unnecessary and unwise to impose such a burden and expense for such a_ short service.

Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D., was born in Woodstock, Conn., December 24, 1763. His father was a physician and served as captain during the warin Canada. He graduated at Yale College September 10, 1783, and for six years was pastor of Midway church. It was during his pastorate that President Washington visited Georgia, and the church and _ society appointed a committee to address him a letter. Dr. Holmes was one of the committee. It was also under his ministry that the Library society was revived, of which he was president, Thos. Stevens librarian, Wm. Quarterman treasurer, and Jno. Elliott clerk. Dr. Holmes was twice married. His first wife was Mary, the daughter of President Ezra Stiles, married August 29, 1790. His second was Sarah Wendall, daughter of Oliver Wendall. Of this marriage were five children born, of whom the celebrated Oliver Wendall Holmes, novelist and writer, was the third, born in Cambridge, Mass., August 29,1809, and died in Boston October 7, 1894. After the death of President Stiles, his father-in-law, a great many of his manuscripts were placed in his hands for publication. But his Annals, contained in two volumes, the work of his later years, will ever remain a monument to his erudition and research.

Rey. Cyrus Gildersleeve

After the departure of Mr. Holmes, the church being without a minister applied to the church at Sunbury for part of the services of Rev. Reuben Hitchcock, a Congregational minister, who was at that time a teacher in the town and preaching to them. According to agreement entered into, he was to supply the Midway church once in three weeks. He began preaching to them July 31, 1791, and continued through the rest of the year. In the mean time Mr. Cyrus Gildersleeve visited them, doubtless upon the recommendation of Dr. Rogers, of New York, to whom they had written, ''requesting him to use his endeavors to prevail with some gospel minister to come and settle among them.'' Mr. Gildersleeve was a native of South Orange, New Jersey, a graduate of Nassau Hall, and a licentiate of the Presbytery of New Brunswick. He commenced preaching to them Decem- - ber 11,1791. At the annual meeting in March of next year a regular call was extended to him and upon the solicitation of the church, he went north and was ordained by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, with special reference to the work at Midway, to which place he returned in the fall, and where he remained laboring successfully for more than nineteen years. During this long pastorate the church grew gradually in numbers, but more in influence and strength, the work of Mr. Holmes being ina great measure preparatory toit. Having taken charge just after the dispersion, at the close of the war, with everything in a broken down and dilapidated condition, he spent his ministry principally in repairing the ruins and getting ready for the work of hissuccessor. When Mr. Gildersleeve came, therefore, he found everything in readiness for an onward march. It was about this time the people began to discontinue the culture of rice, - and also to remove to summer resorts for health, which materially reduced the rate of mortality. It was-during this time the large and more comfortable house of worship was erected, which still stands, though rapidly going to decay, the preparatory steps, however, having all bee; taken the year before, Mr. Holmes having spent his entire ministry in of a bell and lightning rods, working upon the gallery, painting the house, and other signs of improvement; also increase of pay of sexton, precentor, and clerk, as well as salary of minister, which was 'raised from £130 to $800, exclusive of the rent of the glebe. It was during his ministry that the project of establishing a County Academy was considered and determined upon; also towards the close of his ministry that the church took action looking to the enlargement of the cemetery and inclosing the same with a substantial brick wall, the work, however, not completed until after he had left, and during the ministry of his successor. Thenumber of church members at the close of the ministry of Dr. Holmes was one hundred and forty-seven. The number reported in 1797, five years after, was one hundred and fiftynine. According to the same rate of increase, the number of

My Dear Brethren : - \ have to communicate only that which must already be known to you in an individual capacity : that is, my expectation of a permanent removal, in the ensuing spring, from the dear people of my charge, with whom my best days have been spent, and my union to whom hath become strong by the growth of my days. My one and only reason for this arrangement is that I may be with my dear children and have them ina healthy clime. Whether the reason be sufficient or not before God, is more than I am able positively to determine. It has been the subject of many sober thoughts tor some months past, and it seems to be one of those cases in which the path of duty is less plain than I could desire. I would have been willing to have deferred this communication a few weeks longer, but it being possible that you may have to take immediate steps to obtain a supply, that there may be no intermission in the ordinances of religion among you, have judged it proper to delay no longer. While doubts, whether my own health will be as good in another climate, in connection with the consideration of the many wisdom to procure a gospel minister, for I cannot at this time promise a continuance with you. May Heavendirect in answer to your prayers and bless you in a matter so important to your religious welfare. 1 am _ with great regard, your brother and obedient servant in a precious Christ,

In the above letter the only reason assigned is that 'he might be with his dear children, and have them ina healthy clime.'' As he seemed himself to have some doubt in his own mind whether the reason would be sufficient before God, we might be allowed to express some doubt in this same direction. :

Upon the reception of the letter, a meeting of the church was called, a committee was appointed to wait upon Mr. Gildersleeve and see if he could not consent to return the next fall and continue as their minister, but declining to make any such promise, the church reluctantly accepted the resignation. Mr. Gildersleeve, after the relinquishment of his charge, removed to New Jersey, and soon after was settled over the church in Bloomfield. He died in Elizabethtown in that state in 1838, aged about sixty-nine years. -

He was twice married, first to Mrs. Renchie Elliott, Jan. 1, 1793, formerly Miss Renchie Norman, who had herself been twice married before, first to Thomas Quarterman, March 29, 1787, and secondly to Senator John Elhiott, July 1,1790. His second marriage was to Mrs. Frances C. Wilkinson, nee Kennedy, May 12, 1805, and who died Feb. 1, 1856, and was buried in Bloomfield.

Rev. Murdoch Murphy

Upon the resignation of Mr. Gildersleeve, the church invited Mr. Murdoch Murphy to preach to them for one year. Mr. Murphy at the time seemed to be preaching in the upper part of the'county at Cannouchee, and withineasy reach. Hence the proposition of some to accede to the offer of Mr. Gildersleeve to remain and preach to them till May or June of next year, leaving it an open question whether he would return or not in' the fall, which being negatived, the second proposition was adopted, that Mr. Murphy be invited to become their minister, and that Mr. Gildersleeve be requested to preach to them until April next, ''as Mr. Murphy's engagement at Cannouchee would not expire until that time."

At first, the choice of Mr. Murphy did not seem to give entire satisfaction. He was chosen only by a vote of twentyeight to thirteen. At the regular meeting in March, 1811, as there was dissatisfaction on the part of a considerable portion of the congregation, it was agreed by a majority that the select men ''take timely measures to procure a minister from Scotland to officiate in this church, commencing on the second Wednesday in March, 1812,'' the time to which Mr. Murphy had been called. This action, however, was rescinded at a called meeting held two months later. In a short while all opposition to Mr. Murphy seemed to have subsided and he continued minister for nearly thirteen years, the people in the meantime showing their appreciation of his services by voting an assessment of seventy-five cents upon each seat, to raise $200 to procure a library for him, and their willingness to sell the glebe land in the lower part of the county, and for his better accommodation to invest the proceeds in the purchase of the plantation of Gen. Stewart in Goshen swamp, for a glebe for the use of the minister, and the increase of the salary from $800 to $1,000 per year, and that too in view of his intimation that he was about to leave them, and as an inducement for him to remain. At the annual meeting in 1818, he stated his intention to remove at the end of the year. The church voted to continue him for six months, and appointed a committee to wait upon him and induce him to remain, and alsoincreased his salary as above stated. The committee reported in a few days to acalled meeting and stated the terms upon which he would remain, to which they cheerfully agreed, viz: 'that they would allow him the privilege of visiting his friends six or eight weeks once in every two years, and this absence to be at a season when the church and society are at their respective summer resorts.'' Mr. Murphy continued four years longer, and again tendered hls resigna- as before, but he being persistent in his purpose, the church accepted his resignation and proceeded to elect Rey. Robert Quarterman as his successor.

Concerning the early life of Mr. Murphy we know little. He came from the Carolinas, but must have been a native of Scotland, or of Scotch parentage, for he could:speak the Gaelic, and used to make occasional visits to a Gaelic settlement upon the Altamaha river, in the county of Montgomery, and conducted the second service in that tongue for their special benefit, the old house used for the purpose standing for a number of years after, and pointed out as a relic of the past. He was a licentiate of Orange Presbytery, N. C., and being appointed in October, 1804, by the Synod of the Carolinas, as a missionary for the part of South Carolina, was received by the Presbytery of South Carolina March 15, 1805. Having received a call from the Black River church, Georgetown district, was ordained and installed pastor of that church May 17, 1805, Rev. Geo. G. McWhorter preaching the sermon and Dr. Stephenson propounding the questions and delivering the charge to the people. He was dismissed back to the Presbytery of Orange March 2, 1809, and received into Harmony Presbytery at Savannah December 7, 1811. After this he seemed to have returned to Robeson county, N. C., from whence he was called to preach to the Revivalist or New/ight party of the Red Bluff church, Little Peedee River, Marlboro district, N. C., and on a different day from Mr. Colin Lindley's appointment. The congregation being divided over the religious excitement of the times, it is said the Antirevivalist or Old Light party built a wall around the church. The keeper of the key (Mr. John McKay) leaped over the fence and opened the door to Mr. Murphy, who held services and without further interruption. He continued to hold services at pri-

_ vate houses until a new house of worship was erected by the -Revivalists, a mile and a halfaway. The new organization was called Sharon church.! Soon afterwards Mr. Murphy came to Georgia. It was during his ministry that the brick wall was built around the Midway graveyard, and also a subscription opened for repairing and repainting the house of worship. The only specimen of his preaching that has fallen into my hands, is his funeral sermon at the death of Rey. Thos. S. Winn, Baptist minister, preached at Midway church January 28, 1819, which sermon was published. If that be taken as a specimen, he must have been a man of fine parts, for it is replete with fine thoughts strongly expressed. He also preached a sermon before the Presbytery of Alabama on Female Benevolence, which was highly complimented by the Presbytery, and ordered published.? This I have never seen. He must have been a rigid disciplinarian from the following incident told me: ''During the lingering illness of Major John Winn, one of the members had a dance at her house, and Mr. Murphy said, 'that will never do, never do,' and upon his suggestion the church dealt with the recalcitrant member, which gave the complete quietus to that amusement for one whole generation.'' Dr. Howe, in his history, speaks of him as ''a man of many virtues.'' He ; resigned his charge at Midway in 1823. After leaving Liberty county he emigrated to Alabama, that he might spend the remainder of his days with his brother John,® who was , living there, and afterwards governor of that state, from ; 1825 to 1829. While there he preached in the bounds of Al- ' abama Presbytery, joining the same November, 1826. About this time he removed to Spring Hill, near Mobile, and continued to preach in and around that place, he being one of the pioneer ministers, whose labors led to the organization of the Government Street Presbyterian church, March payee' He died February 8, 1833.

Rev. Robert Quarterman

Upon the resignation of Mr. Murphy, the eyes of the church were at once turned to Rev. Robert Quarterman, a native born son of the church, who for a number of years had been an acceptable deacon in the same, and who at that time was a licentiate of the Presbytery of Georgia and preaching at Claiborne, Alabama. A man in the prime vigor and maturity of manhood, with a family, being then in the thirty-sixth year of his age. Having accepted the position, he was ordained and installed pastor of the church by the Presbytery of Georgia, which met at Midway May 27, 1823, and continued pastor twenty-six years, until his death in 1849, living all that time in the faithful discharge of duty, honored and revered by all, and of whom we willspeak more particularly when enumerating the native ministers of the church.

Retreats And Co-Pastors

As the colony increased, and the localities first occupied in the midst of the swamp lands proving to be unhealthy, different settlements began to be formed in the upper and higher parts of the county, to which the planters would take their families during the sickly months of summer, returning again after frost to their plantations, each going to the retreat most contiguous and convenient to his farm. Sunbu- - ry, being on the Salts, had already become the home of many, at which place a branch church seems to have been organized and supplied by Rev. Reuben Hitchcock, a Congregational minister, and who also had charge of the academy at. that place; but being inconvenient to many by reason of the distance, it was necessary to search for other places contiguous to the different sections. So we find settlements made at what was first known as the ''Sand Hills,'' some fifteen miles southwest of Midway, afterwards named Walthourville, in honor of Mr. Andrew Walthour, a wealthy planter, who first settled the place; and at ''Gravel Hill," eleven miles to the northwest, afterwards named Flemington, after

Mr. William Fleming, its first settler, and also one of the deacons of the church. So the people in the neighborhood of Riceboro, on the south, went across Bulltown swamp into the edge of McIntosh county and formed a settlement there in the piney woods, some eight miles from the church, and named it ''Jonesville,"' in honor of Mr. Samuel Jones, its first settler. Some few of the families also settled at Cannouchee Bluff and Taylor's Creek, still further northward and on higher ground; and later on, after the decline and abandonment of Sunbury, on account of its increasing unhealthiness, at the little village of Dorchester, about half way between Sunbury and Midway church. To these places the people would go during the summer months, but returning to their farm homes in the winter; thus the congregation became very much scattered. Instead of one, there were three, and part of the time four, of these localities from fifteen to fifty families in them. As might have been anticipated, on account of the inconvenience and expense of moving so often, many began to remain permanently at these retreats, and soon commenced building academies and afterwards church edifices, and on account of the difficulty of at- 'tending at Midway, soon began to clamor for services at these other places. The absolute necessity of more ministers than one soon became apparent, as in the case of Rev. Mr. Edmonds assisting Mr. Osgood after the establishment of Sunbury. So it was determined to employ a colleague and co-pastor to Rev. Robert Quarterman.

Rev. 1. S. K. Axson

In March, 1836, Rev. I. S. K. Axson, a native of Charleston, born October 8, 1813, who had been licensed and ordained by the Charleston Presbytery in 1834, and who was then and had been supplying the old Dorchester church, South Carolina, for two years, was invited to settle as colleague. He accepted the position, removed to Liberty county, and preached his first sermon at Midway, April 29, 1836, and in connection with Rev. Robert Quarterman, supplying the different retreats in connection with Midway. It will be borne in mind that at that time there were different © organizations, but but simply preaching places, the ordinances still being dispensed at Midway. The plan at first through the winter months, at least two-thirds of the ministers' time being given to the retreats. So it being inconvenient for the members to go to that place to have their children baptized, it was agreed'that this ordinance be administered by the pastors at these different retreats, but no~ such relaxation was ever allowed as to the communion ser- _ vice, or the reception of members. These were always attended to at the old church. There the annual

Mr. Axson continued co-pastor until the death of Mr. ~ Quarterman in 1849, when he became senior pastor, and so ~ remained, greatly beloved and endeared to all till his health failed, being afflicted with a throat trouble, which placed him under the necessity of tendering his resignation. The church, unwilling to accept it, granted him a vacation in 1851, being temporarily supplied by Rev. R. M. Baker, a native of Liberty, and one of her sons. Mr. Axson's ill health still continuing, he was in 1852 relieved of duty, with a continuance of his salary, and Rev. John Winn, missionary to the colored people, being employed for half his time during the larger part of the year 1853. Still con- - tinuing infirm, in the fall of this year Mr. Axson agam tendered his resignation, which the church most reluctantly accepted. Being released, he removed to the up country, thinking the climate would be advantageous to his health, and became president of the Female college at Greensboro, Georgia, in 1854, and in addition to his duties, preaching at different times to the churches of Greensboro, Madison, and Washington, tillcalled to the pastorate of the Inde-

Retreats And Pastors

Dr. Axson excelled asa preacher. The pulpit was emphatically his throne. He always brought beaten oil into the sanctuary. His invariable custom was to use the manuscript, which was quite acceptable to the people, who had always been trained to that method of delivery, and which he handled with a great deal of skill. Making his home at Jonesville, from six to twenty miles distant from the greater portion of his field, and a hard student withal, it could hardly be expected that he could do much pastoral visiting. They felt amply compensated, however, for the deprivation in the interesting and instructive discourses with which he favored them. As evidence of his pulpit gifts, and at the same time proof of his modesty and deep devotion to his people, it need only be stated, that though receiving flattering calls to larger fields, as Charleston, Macon, and Columbus, he invariably declined them all; and it seemed necessa- _ ry that the hand of affliction should be put upon him in order to remove him to alarger field. After a pastorate in Savannah of thirty-four years, universally respected and beloved, as in his former field, Dr. Axson died there March 31, 1891, in the 79th year of hisage. The funeral, though on a rainy day, was largely attended. His remains were buried at Laurel Hill cemetery in that city.

Rev. Thomas Sumner Winn

After the failure of Rev. Mr. Quarterman's health in 1847, he was retired as honorary pastor with an annuity of $400, and the church and society met to elect a successor as colleague to Mr. Axson. Several names were put in nomination. After several ballotings, Rev. Thomas Sumner Winn, one of the sons of the church and regular descendant of the first pastor, Rev. John Osgood, was elected, and he entered upon his labors as co-pastor with Mr. Axson in February, 1848.

. Came senior pastor, and being left alone, the church secured - temporarily the partial services of his brother, Rev. John Winn, at that time missionary to the colored people.

In 1854 the church elected as colleague to Mr. Winn, Rev., afterwards Dr. D. L. Buttolph, a native of Norwich, N. Y., a graduate of Williams College and Columbia Seminary, and who was then assisting Rev. Dr. Thomas Smyth, paator of the second church, Charleston, S. C.

Mr. Buttolph had scarcely* commenced his labors as copastor when Mr. Winn, the senior pastor, the next year, 1855, tendered his resignation, after serving the church acceptably for seven vears, and removed to Hale county, Alabama, to accept the pastorate ofa group of churches, to which he had been called, and which he continued to serve for forty years. Thechurch and congregation of Midway were unwilling to accept his resignation and asked him to withdraw it, but upon his refusal to accede to their request, nothing was left on part of the church but to accept it, which they did with reluctance. Mr. Winn's pastorate extended from February, 1848, to February, 1855. We will speak of his labors more fully on a future page.