Radnor Township (part 2 of 2)

The Radnor Welsh Congregational Church was another of the early established churches in this township. From 1818. when a large accession was made to the Welsh population of Radnor, meetings for prayer and religious conference were held in the Welsh language. These services were held in the cabin home- -1 the settlers, and sometimes in the log chapel, through the courtesy of the Baptist Church. In 1820. Rev. James Davies, of Aberhaferp. North Wales, organized a Congregational Church at the cabin of John Jones (Penlan). The original members were William Penry and his wife, Mary (who died in 1878. aged ninety-two years). John Jones (Penlan), and Mary, his wife. Margaret Morgan. D. Morgan and wife, John A. Jones and wife. J. Jones (Penlan), and Walter Penry were chosen deacons. Mr. Davies, the pastor of this little flock in the wilderness, was a good scholar, educated in the Theological Seminary in North Wales, and an eloquent preacher. In 1822, he received a call to the city of New York, and labored there until 1828, when he returned to Radnor and served the church for rive years. In 1825, Rev. James Perregrin. from Domgay, North Wales, came to Radnor and preached with acceptance for two years. In 1827, Rev. Thomas Stephens, from Oneida County, New York, accepted a call and labored with success for one year. In 1838, Rev. Rees Powell, from South Wales, became pastor of the church, and continued until 1852. Under his labors the church increased. In 1841, the frame meeting-house, 30x40 feet, was built. At the time, this was a great undertaking, but the people had a heart to work and to give, so that in 1842 the dedication services were held - a memorable and interesting occasion. In 1853, Rev. Evans was called, and served the church for three years, preaching in Welsh and English with encouraging results. In 1857, Rev. Rees Powell was recalled, and labored successfully for five years. In 1863, Rev. James Davies, formerly from Hanfair. North Wales, but for several years the efficient pastor of the Welsh Church at Gomer, Allen County, Ohio, was called. During his pastorate, the brick meeting-house was built at a cost of $3,000. On the 7th of April, 1867, twenty-three members were received into the church on profession of faith in Christ, the fruits of a gracious revival. The same year, the useful and venerated pastor died, aged seventy-one years. His grave is in the midst of his people in the old cemetery, honored by a beautiful monument placed there by his sons, James and Benjamin Davies. In 1870. Rev. Thomas Jenkins, of Johnstown. Pennsylvania, was called, and his useful pastorate continued eight years. His successor was Rev. Mr. Evans, who was followed by Rev. J. P. Davis. Rev. J. B. Stevenson, and Rev. Benjamin Harris, the present pastor.

The Radnor Presbyterian Church was organized, in the Dunlap neighborhood, between what is now known as the Stone Church and the village of Radnor, formerly called Delhi. A hewed log church was erected in

1820, in a sugar-grove on the farm of Joseph Bunlap and was widely known as the Dunlap meeting-house. This was the home of B. W. Chidlaw, afterwards so widely known as a minister, and State superintendent of the Ohio Sunday School Association, also as the author of "The Story of My Life." Services were often held in the Welsh language. Conditions changed, and the congregation changed the locality and built the stone church in Scioto Township, and further history of this church will be found in the history of that township.

The Protestant Episcopal was another of the early church organizations of this section of the county. In 1836 Rev. Abraham Edwards, a native of Wales, educated at Kenyon College, and a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church, labored in Radnor, preaching in the Welsh language. A church was established and a house of worship erected. David E. Jones, Richard Savage. William Watkins and Joseph Cox were the vestrymen. In a few years Mr. Edwards left the field, and after his departure, having no regular services, the church disbanded.

Delhi, now Radnor Presbyterian Church. This church was organized April 23, 1849 (New School), by Reverends Henry Shedd, E. W. Torrey and W. S. Spaulding and Elder D. Davids, committee of Presbytery (Franklin N. S.) with twenty-two members. The first elders were Robert Davis. Thomas Cratty and Dr. Albert Mann. The brick church was erected in 1854. The church is still occupied, having recently been re-roofed, papered and otherwise repaired. The church prospered, so that in i860 there were one hundred and two members, and at the time of the reunion of the New School and the Old School, there were ninety-eight members. The community was largely composed of Welsh people and they were a church-going community. Four churches have been maintained in this little village through all these years, and many able and distinguished ministers have supplied these churches. In recent years, through the changes in the community the Presbyterian Church has not been able to keep up its membership with that of former years. The following ministers have supplied this church: Reverends Shedd. Spaulding, O. H. Newton, Evan Evans, Homer McVey, David M. Wilson, Samuel D. Smith. D. S. Anderson, Chester H. Perkins, Nelson H. Crowe, Thomas Hill, Robert A. Watson, Thomas J. Cellar, Frank S. Kreager, A. D. Hawn, and John R. Lloyd, the ' present pastor.

The Welsh Presbyterian is of more modern organization than any other of the Radnor churches. Many of the Welsh settlers were members of the Calvinistic Methodist Church in Wales, but for many years they had no distinctive church relations, but united cheerfull)' with the American Presbyterians or the Welsh Congregationalists. About the year 1N50. it was determined to secure a church, and they occupied the Episcopal building. In faith and church government, the Welsh Calvinist Methodists are almost identical with the Presbyterian Church in this country, and therefore they have adopted the name, and they maintain a correspondence with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, by sending and receiving fraternal delegates, and their young men are educated for the ministry in Presbyterian theological seminaries. The pastors of this church have been Welsh-speaking ministers, good and faithful shepherds of the flock of Christ. Among them may be named Rev. Hugh Roberts, Rev. William Parry, and Rev. Daniel Thomas. In 1877 the congregation built a house of worship, a neat and beautiful temple consecrated to the services of God and the promotion of religion in the community. Their Sunday school was conducted in the Welsh language and is attended by the parents as well as the children, a feature which everywhere characterizes Welsh Sunday schools, in Wales and in the Welsh settlements in this country. The children did not take to the Welsh service and the congregation declined, and in 1892 ceased to hold services. Evan I. Jones secured the house, remodelled it, and now occupies it as a dwelling house.

a Welsh name which means "At the foot of the hill," a name given in memory of the Welsh church in Wales from which the early settlers had come. Before the organization was effected the Welsh settlers were accustomed to meet in their homes for service, and especially in the home of David Perry. The services were held in the Welsh language. The society was formed in 1839. A hewed log church was erected about 1S46 on the lot near by where the brick church now stands, on the Delaware and Warrensburg road, about midway between Delaware and the above village. This log building was used for about ten years, when the present brick building was erected. A lot for a cemetery was purchased at the time when the first building was erected, and in this lot many of the old time settlers are buried. Services and a Sabbath school have been maintained from the beginning. There were thirty members at the time of the organization, and there are ninety at present The minister who supplies the congregation at Radnor preaches for this society in the afternoon. The following ministers have supplied this church : Rev. Powell, Rev. D. A. Evans, Rev. J. B. Davis, Rev. James V. Stephens, and Benjamin Harris, the present pastor, and earlier probably some others.

The first Sunday school in Radnor was established April 18, 1829, in the log meetinghouse. A constitution was adopted and signed by forty-two members, constituting the "Radnor Sunday School Union," John N. Cox and Mi rgan Williams were chosen superintendents, and B. W. Chidlaw. secretary and treasurer. The payment of twenty-five cents constituted any person a member. The original records, still extant, show that the school was eminently successful. The following were the teachers : John Lodwn'g, John Cadwalader, B. W. Chidlaw, David Kyle, Miss M. A. Adams. Mary Foos and Nancy Wolfley. Primers, spellers and the Bible were the text-books. The records show- an attendance of from seventy to ninety scholars. One Sunday six hundred and nine verses of Scripture were recited from memory, and in five months a total of 6,990 verses. In May, 1829, the treasurer went on horseback with a large leather saddle-bag to Gambier, Knox County, Ohio, and invested $6.75 in books published by the American Sunday School Union, and sold by Prof. Wing, of Kenyon College, an early and faithful friend of Sunday schools in Central Ohio. The books were of good service to the youth of Radnor, as they greatly needed such valuable helps in acquiring a taste for mental and moral improvement, and storing their minds with religious knowledge.

-In after y«ars. as churches were organized, other Sunday schools were established and exerted a wide and blessed influence on the rising generation. These schools have been conducted in the Welsh and English languages; popular sentiment has always been in their favor. At present five Sunday schools are sustained in the township, and are accomplishing much good.

Radnor, one of the three original townships of Delaware County, rich and fertile in its soil, substantial and progressive in its citizenship, takes second rank to no farming community in this section of the State. Peopled from its infancy, largely by men of the sturdy Welsh race, the development and improvement of the land and the establishment of schools and churches was accomplished with greater rapidity than is recorded in the experience of most virgin territories. Henry Perry, of Angelsey, South Wales, accompanied by his young sons, Ebenezer and Levi, was the first white settler, coming in the fall of 1803, hut it was not until July of the following year that he became a property owner. He purchased 100 acres of land fur $150 of David Pugh, an extensive land owner, at whose solicitation he had come west from Philadelphia to make settlement.

David Pugh, leaving his native country, Radnorshire, South Wales, crossed the ocean in 1 801, and took up his residence in Baltimore, Maryland. The following year he went to Philadelphia, where he met Dr. Samuel

Jones, who had a warrant for 4,000 acres of United States Military land, in Township 6, Range 20, as designated by the United States Survey. The result of the acquaintance was the employment of young Pugh as an emissary to go west and learn something of the character and value of the land owned by the doctor. Early in 1802 he left Philadelphia and after an adventurous trip on -horseback, lasting two months, arrived at Franklinton, Franklin County, the settlement nearest the land he sought. With an experienced backwoodsman as guide, he made his way northward through an unbroken wilderness to the land, located in the township to which he subsequently gave the name of Radnor, in honor of his native country. The name however is of English origin, the Welsh name of that country being "Maesyfed." After a thorough examination, David Pugh returned to Philadelphia and made a favorable report to Dr. Jones. In the city of Philadelphia, March 2, 1803, for a consideration of $2,650, a transfer was made to David Pugh, of the tract of 4,000 acres, excepting 50 acres given to David Lodwig, and 50 acres donated as a "glebe" for a Baptist or a Presbyterian minister who would locate in the proposed settlement.

Henry Perry, who had but recently arrived in this country, was persuaded by Mr. Pugh to make settlement in this wild country, which he and his two sons did in the fall of 1803, as before mentioned, leaving his wife and two small children in Baltimore. The journey was made on foot, and after many trials and hardships they arrived on the Pugh land. A small clearing was made, a cabin erected and the following spring crops planted on land which they had cleared during the winter. Leaving his young sons (Ebenezer being fifteen and Levi thirteen years old at the time of their arrival) in possession of the cabin, Henry Perry returned to Baltimore for the remainder of his family, which in the early summer he brought West, making the journey in a cart. In 1804, David Pugh returned and had his land surveyed into 100 acre tracts, except 150 acres in the center, which were laid out in town lots, the town to be known as New Baltimore.

And Representative Citizens

Others who came in 1804 and purchased of Mr. Pugh, were Richard Tibbott, John Watkins. John Jones, Hugh Kyle, and David Marks. The year of 1805 witnessed the coming" of the following families: Evan Jenkins, David Davids, Richard Hoskins, David Davies, and John M inter. David Pugh went to his native land in 1806, and in 1807 returned with his sisters, Mary and Hannah, wives of David Perry and John Philips, respectively. The same year, came Mrs. Eleanor Lodwig with her children. Thomas, John and Letitia ; and in 1808. Benjamin Kepler. Elijah Adams. Thomas Warren, and John Foos, came to Radnor with their families.

Radnor Township was created at the time the county was organized, but remained as then constituted only until the meeting of the rirst Commissioners Court, when on June 15, 1808. the township of Marlborough was created out of Radnor territory. Thompson and Troy were later segregated from Radnor and established as separate townships, leaving the latter, in its dimensions, about ten miles north and south and from three to five miles in width.

During the War of 1812, the settlers were kept in turmoil, being in constant fear of attack from the Indians. A block house was erected on the farm of Benjamin Kepler as a retreat for the people, but when an attack became most threatening, many fled to the fort near Franklinton. However, the expected attack never materialized. After the war had closed and peace and safety assured, there was a great influx of new settlers, among them being Mrs. Wasson and her sons; Joseph Dunlap; Samuel Cooper; Robert and John McKinney; Obed Taylor; James and Matthew Fleming; John Jones; Walter Perry. Si"., with his sons, Walter, William, Edward, and Roger ; then Thomas Jones and sons - John A. and Thomas ; Ellis Jones, David E. Jones. Edward Evans. John Owen. Roger Watkins, W'atkin Watkins, William Watkins, John and Humphrey Humphreys, Benjamin Herbert. Morgan D. Morgans, the pioneer blacksmith of the settlement: J. R. Jones, a weaver by trade: J. Jones, a mason; John Cadwalader, Rev. David Calwalader, David Lloyd, John

Davies, a cooper; Mrs. Mary Chidlaw, with her family ; and Robert and Stephen Thomas. Most of these were of Welsh birth. By the time the early thirties were reached, practically all of the lands of the township was owned by actual settlers, and it is a notable fact that few farms of the township have ever been subjected to tax sales.

The first white child born in the county was David Perry, Jr., followed closely by Mary Jones, afterward Mrs. Warner, in 1807. The first death was that of the mother of Hugh Kyle, but there is no record of the date; she was buried in the old cemetery at Radnor. The first marked grave in that cemetery was that of David Davids, who died September 10. 1 8 10. Elijah Adams was the first justice of the peace in Radnor, and Thomas Warren conducted the first tavern, starting in 181 1 in a two story log building.

The village of Delhi, which has been known as Radnor since the advent of the Columbus & Toledo ( Hocking Valley) Railroad, was laid out in August, 1833, for Edward Evans on his farm, near what has been the town site of New Baltimore, before Thomas Warren converted it into a farm. The first house on the town site of Radnor was built in 1805 where the Welsh Methodist Church now stands, and was occupied by Morgan Morgan, the blacksmith. The first store was kept by Obed Taylor. Thomas Taylor was the first postmaster as well as the first tavern keeper. Delhi Lodge No. 250, I. O. O. F., was installed there May 17, 1854, with five charter members, and grew rapidly.

The time the first school was started or by whom it was taught is not known, but it was during the early days of the settlement. In 1821 there were three log school houses in the township, one on the farm of John Philips in the southern part, another on the farm of John Dildine. centrally located, ami the third near the old block house. There are at present eight school districts, with substantial school buildings, and a competent corps of instructors employed.

house. Elder Drake was the first regular pastor, preaching in both Welsh and English. They erected first a log church near the burying ground, and regardless of denomination or religious belief, the settlers assisted in the building, each bringing a hewed log and assisting in the raising. In 1833. near the site of the log church, a stone building was built, and in 1867 a fine edifice was constructed of brick, representing an outlay of $4,500.

The Methodist Episcopal Church had representation there from the first, and in 1808 an itinerant minister preached the first sermon in the township, in the house of Henry Perry. Several years later a few of the families met regularly at the house of Elijah Adams and services were held. It was not until 1838 that a frame house of worship was built and the congregation supplied with regular preaching. In 1855 a brick meeting house was erected.

The Radnor Welsh Congregational Church had its beginning about 1818. when meetings were held in the cabins of the settlers, the language spoken being invariably Welsh. In 1820, Rev. James Davies organized a church in the home of John Jones, and thereafter was not without a pastor for more than a brief period. In 1841 a frame church building was erected and in 1842 was dedicated. In the middle sixties a brick meeting house was erected at a cost of $3,000.

The Radnor Presbyterian Church dates its organization back to 1819, when the Rev. Joseph Hughes of Delaware accepted it as one of his charges. A hewed log meeting-house was built in a sugar grove on the farm of Joseph Dunlap. The erection of a stone church building was begun in 1840 but not completed until 1849. In tne interim, the log church was abandoned and there was no pastor for several years. Through the efforts of Rev. S. R. Hughes, the church resumed its proper place in the world.

The Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in 1836 by Rev. Abram Edwards, and a house of worship was erected but its existence was limited to a very few years.

The Welsh Presbyterian Church was organized in 1850 by the Welsh settlers who were of the Calvinistic Methodist faith before leaving their native land. Their church creed being almost identical with the Presbyterian in America, the church was given the latter name. The first pastor was Rev. Hugh Roberts, and the Welsh language has always been used in preaching in that church. A church edifice was erected in 1877.

The Radnor Sunday School Union, the first Sunday school in Radnor Township, was established April 18, 1829. and continued most actively for many years, but finally was disbanded because Sunday Schools had been established in the respective Churches. Primers, spellers and the Bible were the text books used and the good accomplished by this organization in improving the minds of the young, morally and educationally, can scarcely tie estimated or imagined. Of the members of this union, six became ministers of the Gospel.

The Radnor Township officials in 1908 were: James P. Osborne, justice of the peace; Charles S. Gallant and Edgar Jones, trustees; Charles E. Davis, clerk; Perry J. Griffith, treasurer; Charles R. Watkins. assessor; M. Mays, constable.