!^^^^„: EHOBOTH BY THE RIVER. >.,.BY o.. r{EV. JOHH siMoWsofi powicSo.^o. ', ' . > POCOMOKE CITY, MD. : 1897 Rehobotli by the River. FOE the purpose of erecting a Monument to the memory of Francis Makemie, the Father of the American Presbyterian Church, at Reho- hotb, Maryland, the Session . of said Church offers this Book, — the" History of Kehoboth Church — for sale at Twenty-five cents per copy, hoping this may be supplemented by good Presbyteriaurs, feel- ing interested in our enterprise by a contribution to such extent as they may feel able. A list of all contributions will be placed in the monument, also published in one of our Church ptvpers. E. (t. Polk, Clerk of Sessioji, has been appointed Treasurer. All donations and subscriptions to the Book may be forwarded to him at Pocomoke City, Maryland. By Order of Session, Ret. J. S. HowK, D.I)., Moderator, r E. G. Polk, — • E LDEKS I E. W. Adams, E. S. Broughtok. r-'-r [Copyright 1897,] BY JOHN SIMONSON HOWK f5Mr'04 " Our mission was from Jesus Christ, and warranted from the Scriptures." — Makemie. POCOMOKE CITY, LEDGER-ENTRBPRTSE. PREFACE. This little sketch is sent forth with the purpose of arousing in Presbyterian hearts a greater interest in a church which lias well been called "The Mother of Ten Thousand Churches." Jhe American Presbyterian Church can never pay the debt of gratitude she owes to Francis MaKemie. The founder of our church in this country has gone to claim a brighter reward tlian any earthly crown. The little church he organized, built loved ministered to, and sought to provide for even a ter his death, is with us still and should not be suffered to (lie ot neglect. I wish especially to acknowledge tl,e kindness and of April. 10135, was (he scene of a miiiinture Uiival battle between two vessels of Governor Calvert's and one of Willinnj Chiyborne's, and several juen were slaii!. After the seltlement of iNlarvland upon the Western Sliore of the Ciiesnpeake, in lOiU, the first incident which affected the history of tiiis ]-e.uion was the famous lieligious Toleration Act of 1019. This was the liist declaration of its kind made bj^ any govern- ment in tlie worJd, Enacted under Governor Stone and at (he time of Croiiwell's })re-euiinence. it was was perhaps brought about through Lord Baltimore's desire to save those of his own Catholic faith from persecution, while, in the providence of God, it re- sulted in making these lands a refuge for the op- pressed and persecuted of every nation. The follow- ing is the wording of the great Act : '' ^^'IIl;l;l■:As, 'Jhe enforciiig of the conscience ih iDaKeisof leligion iiath fretiuently fallen out to be of dangerous consequence in tiioso Colninonwealths wijojp \i lifliii \looi^ j)r*^yterians" says he came to these parts in 1682, but thetiist recoi'd of his presence here is a marriage solemnized by him in December, 1681. It does not seein at all likely that he preceded Kev; Francis Makemie. Makemie was licensed in the latlef part of 1681, and ordained soon ftflfr? aii4 Ual| wUh th© puypoie of ^e}i«?J'i^ Hjm ^^ r missionary to Somerset county, in response to Colonel Stevens' request. He was certninly in Ireland as late as A])ril 1082, and was at Eehoboth in J 083. If Trnil had nccompanied or preceded him, Rev. 8nmuel McMaster, who was for many years the pastor of Makemie's daugliter, would have known of it. He wrote a "Hi.story of the Rehohoth Church," being at the time also pnstor at Snow Hill and Pitts Ci-eek. Tliis book IS unfortunately lost, but the f;ict of his singling out this one of his three charges w^ould go to >show that it was the oldest. In addition lo this, however, the few extracts from th;it History which are yet extant nssert that the first Presbyterian con- giegation was at Ilehobotii, and that Mnkemie was the tn-st pastor of that chuioh. In 1083, the town took another step forward, being made a port of entry. The writer has not the slightest wish to takeanything from the proper honors of Snow Hill, but l)is inves- tigations have all resulted in establishing the superior im})ortance of Rehoboth at tliat date. Of the five ports of entry nnmed in 1(583, Rehoboth is the only one now in existence. Snow Hill is not one of them, but in 1680 "Burrowstown" is "untowned" juui its honors given to Snow Hill, which after that begins to grow in importance, and calls Samuel Davis as iier Presbyteriiui pastor. These are all mntters of lecord. Francis Makeniie was a man of great force of cljaracter, and his works do testify of him. Pie is described as liaving a ty})ical Irish face ;. brown wav- ing hair, ijigh intellectual forehead, fair complexion, exi)ressive blue eyes, and a smooth face. The only 'jiortrait in existence was destroyed by lire early in !tlie present century. 116 was a man of earnest piety hnd a sterling advocate of the doctrines of the West- mi nster Confessi»)n. Ho \vn'- ♦horonghly widei'\wake, 9 iictive in maintaining his rights, careful and prudent in business matters, with a talent for leadership and organization. He had Jiot been long in this country before we can perceive the impress of a master hand. He was not content with tlie organization of Ileho- both church, but traveled about from place to place, })ecoming acquainted with the needs of the country from the Carolinns and Barbndoes northward as far MS INIassachusetts. He organized churches at Pitts Creek, Snow Hill, Manokin, and Wicomico according tore'ijtble tradition. There is also a otrong tradition that he erected a "meeting house" at Steven's Ferry, now Pocomoke City, about eight miles above Reho- both. The early name of this place was Meeting House Landing, which would of itself indicate that either Quakers or Presbyterians hiid a house of wor- shi{) there, and other facts go to show it was the Presbyterians. It seems very ceitaiu that tliere was a church building tiiere, and it may have dated from Makemie's time, but a careful weighing of the best information obtMinai)le would place its erection not earlier than 170G. If it wiis'erected then, it would seem to have been an experiment, and soon abandon- ed as a legular place of worship. Ancestors of some of the oldest heads are said to have attended worship there about 1745, but these may have been the special revival meetings under Kobinsoii and Davies. Some ruins of the building, it is said, remained in 1800. No recordsman be fuund to substantiate this. On the other hand there is good evidence of a Presbyterian pastor, church organization and build- ing, at Ivehoboth in 1G83. Makemie was soon fol- lowed, probably ;tt liis own request, by William Trail and S.imuel J)avis, who are recorded as in Someiset County in 1G81, and by Thomas Wilson 10 l)().«!9 across the ocean, obtaining men and means for the better organization of the young churcli. In 1707, Makemie and Hampton were imprisoned and Make- mie was tried by the infamous Lord Corn bury, in New York, for the crime of preaching the gos[)el and baptizing a child without his permission. Though finally declared not guilty , he was in the end sentenc- ed to pay costs amounting to about four hundred dollars. The verdict aroused popular indignation. The trial was a severe strain to Makemie , and , after his return home his health gradually failed. He drew up his will April 27th, and it was probat<^d August 4th , 1708. He died in the latter part of July. In his will , he remembered his church at Rehoboth, and deeded it the lot on which the present church stands. The vvatermill , though dating from his times, appears to have been the property of Colonel Stevens. The death of Makemie was a blow to the church as a whole, as well as his own particular charge. A worthy successor was soon, however, ui)on the field at Rehoboth, in the person of Rev. John Henry , who entered upon the charge in the latter part of 170S. He " stood high as a divine and as a citizen , and his descendants have stood well in the community/" ()i\e of them was for a time the governor of the State. He married Colonel Jenkins' widow, Lady Alary. This lady was greatly endeared to Makemie, and he had in his will directed that, in case his wife should die, Mrs. Jenkins should have charge of their chil- 12 dren. llcv. and IMrs. Henry Iiiid (wo sons, Robert Jenkins Mnd Jolin Henry, both men of prominence. Colonel llobert Jenkins Hen.ry afterwards became an elder in the Kebobotli ehnrch. This church is repre- sented as bavin grilling elders from the very first, but the names are not mentioned. It is thought tiiat Colonel Stevens may have held this office, but the only ones positively so designated on record are Pierce Bray, in J701, and IMoses Fenton,in 1708. l\ev, John Henry was the author of a manuscript volume of abt)nt 500 pages entitled "Common Place," containing a defense of the Confession of Faith. It was in existence about 182y.. but seems to have been lost. John Heiuy died in 1717, and the church fell to tlie charge of llev. John Hampton, then minister at Snow Hill. In June, 1719, John Clement was ordained to the minis- try and settled at Rehoboth, William Stewart was al the same time ordained and placed in charge of the Manokin church. Clement proved unworthy, and was deposed for drunkenness and imniorality after only a few months. It was not such an unusual thing in clergymen of that day, sad to S'riy. but it was something that no Presbyterian clergyman could do iinpunishedc For this reason Clement's name is not included in the list of Hehoboth's ministers. John Hampton of Snow Plill resumed the charge, and, marrying his predecessor's widow, came to Rehoboth to live. His health soon failed a id he died in 1722, his widow surviving him until 1741:. The grave of the beautiful Mary Hampton is to be seen to-day, with the stone still legible, in a field near Rehoboth, on her old l)lantation. The remains should be removed to the church where her husbands ministered in succession. After this the Rev. AVilliam Stewart of the Ma- nokin church of Princess Anne preached at Reho- both until his death in ITIU. Mi'. Stewart was ah able, energetic man) and had been ordained to the nnnistry.-some years befoie, in the church he was now Ciilied to add to his charge. After liis death, Rev. Patrick Glnseow , his successor at Manokin, preached occasionally at Eehobuth, until he left that field in 174:1. The old Presbytery of l^ewes had been erected in 1735. In 17-11 catne the division of the Synod between Old and New Sides, and it caine with hurtful force upon the weak, struggling churches of the Peninsula ; so that in 1745 nearly all of them, includ- ing llehoboth, were vacant. About this time Revs. ^Villiam jvobirison and Samuel Davies came down the Peninsula on a Presbyterian evangelistic tour, and their work was greatly blessed. They held meetings of great fervor in " the churches in Somerset" especi- ally. Of some of these meetings Samuel Davies wrote ; "A most glorious displa}' of grace. I never saw such a deep spreading concern in my life. In the extremity of a cold winter, tlie attendance was numerous and the people unwearied ; the indications of distress iuid joy were plain. Those were the happiest days of my life." No doubt Rehoboth shar- ed in the refreshment of tliese wonderful meetings , whicli continued at intervals until 1717. Such was the strengthening of the fields that in 1717 Rehoboth united with Manokin in callirg Rev. John Hamble- ton aspasior. Mr. Hambleton continued in the charge until 1757, but ver3^ little can be found on record concerning these years. It appeal's that Mr. Ham- bleton also preached at Snow HilL In one of his communions, as was the custom, he was assisted bj^ another minister, Rev. John Erskin, who received two pounds for his services. Mr. Hambleton attend- ed Synod in 1750. In 1752 Rev. Hugh Henry visited u liio field , and lie wns called ns the next pastor of ^Minokin and llehobotli in 17ij8. Nchemiah King and Colonel lli)bert .fenkins Menry of the Rehohotli session presented the call before Pi'eshytery. Hngh llem-y \v,.s in Jio way related to his predecessor Jolui lltMwy or the latter's son who presented the call. }i\ 1759 iMr. Henry was assisted at coniinnnion by the Jlev. J(^hn Harris. In ]7()o Mr. Henry died* In ]7()4: Rev. Jacob Ker wasinstalled pastor of Mano- kin and Wicomico, by Presbytery, meeting at Princess Anne, Nov. 3d. Rev. John Miller preached, and Jlev. John Harris delivered the charge. Mr. Ker. who was a man of mnch force of character continued to sup])ly Rehoboth, though not as regular pastor, until 177!). He afterward continued in charge at Princess Anne until his death in 1795. Air. Kerwasa patriot, and showed it in his sernions. He was a friend of Mrs. Anne Holden, Makemie'^ daughter, and in 1788 she left him twenty poinids, in her will. The Handys of Princess Anne are descendants of Jacob Ker. For a short time in i79(j Rev. JDhn Collinsj i\ir. Ker's successor, supplied Rehoboth in turn with Rev. Samuel Mc Master, who became i)astor of the Show Hill , Pitts Creek and Rehobotli churches in 1779, after supplying them for a year or two. Messrs. Ker and McMaster, the pastor- of the revolutionary peiiod, were great frieiids, and assisted one another at communion seasons They both preache.l "political s.ormo!)s" of a very Whiggish turn, Cv)nsidering it their duty to educate the c )nscie;ic3s of their [)eople ; and both were held in high esteam ^.lierefor. In si>iie of the disturbel state of the c )uiitry, it was one of the bright periois of t!ie little church at Rehoboth . Wiiile there was a general dearth of religious teachers, yet her wants were supplied. From the diary of 15 I\I;iry Spoiice, of Snow Hill, at jilHUit this (iir.c wo liiid record of Mr. McMaster preaehiDp: le^ularly and adniiTiistering the comiDUMion nt. Eehobotli. After Ills marriage Mr. MoMaster resided on the old place which today bears liis !iaiije, abr)nt midway between the two extreme points of his char,ue. He was a member of the General Assembly in 179J- and 180(5, being each time placed on tiie comiDiltee on Bills and Overtnies. He is described as being in a[)pe;ir- ance a man of somewhat over medium lieight aiid weight, of sm.ooth face, and bald. His eyes weie bright and laughing, and his voice and manner w^cre gentle and jovial. He died at his home in 181J, leaving >pent more than half his life in tlie one charjje. A memorial tablet is erected to Jiis memory in the Pitts Cjeek Presbyteiian church at Pocomoke, and his remains were recer.tlv removed nnd interred in the Presbyterian cemetery at tliat pl'tce. Thus [tnss- ed away a stui'dy friend of Rehoboth, and the ('Id cluirch's first historian. How de})lorable that this iiistoi'3, com})i!ed doubtless imder the oversight of Makemie's daughter, has been lost I About tins period the oldei- meujbejs place tlie elder- ship of Ivalph Miibourne and Stephen Collins. I'he latter is still celebiated as t lie ''Deaf l^lder, " and it is Pnid that an acc(uintof Jiis life has been in pripit, but the writer was unable to obtain a copy. Tlie \ ear 1812, while aj'jparentlv 'passed without legular |)reaching at Rehoboth, was one which deej^ly effected the futuie of the old church, in witnessing the inaugui'a- lioii of a movement for ministerial education tlisit furnished it with most of its ministeis in the days to come. jn May 1813, Rev. Stuart Williamson was installed 1() Creek and Eeliobulb, but lie died after n brief iilness in 1814:. Kev. Calvin Colton is recorded as stated suj)- plj' from 1815 to ]817. There were also one or two neigiiboring preachers who occasionally . tilled the pnlpiL during the same time. In July, 1818, Kev. Stephen Saunders was duly ordained and installed as pastor of Snow Hill, Pitts Creek, and Rehoboth churches. He was a nntive of Connecticut, and possibly the difference in climate and social condi«tions may have resulted in shoi-tening his stay, for he resigned and returned North in October, 1819. In April, 1820, Rev. Thomas B. Balch came from tiie District of Columbia, and was installed pastor of the three churches. He was a young man, in iiis 27th year, wiien he entered upon the charge, and was a fine prencher, and a man gi-eatly beloved by his people. He was, however, not at all strong, and a great sufferer from asthma. Those who remember him say he would frequently have to lie down after preaching.. It would seem that, during his pastoi-.ite, the old Rehoboth church, which had become some- what dilapidated, was re[)aired and made quite com- fortable. ^\'hile the C(jngregations were good, the membership remained small. In 1822 Mr. I?alch's health became so bad that he was obliged to take a temporaiy leave of absence. While thus away. Rev. Jlenry Blatchford, a voung Englishman by biilh, one of Princeton's lirst students, came to supply all four of tiie churches — Snow Hill, Pitts Creek, Reli()l)oth and Manokin. JMr. Spence describes his sermoiis as able^ pungent, and searching making very deep im- l)ressions. He says "I never knew a minister who gained more rapidly upon the affeflions of those wiiom he taught publicly : but especially of tho^i-q 17 \\itli wJiom ]]e mingled in social inleiconrse. A fiiend uho had known Inm irinch longer th.-m T, wrote: 'All who knew him loved him.'" "His le- markable mini.sti-y was to conlinne onl^' a little ()\oy three months. He pieaclied his tij-sl sermon in June, his last in Angust,and died l:^.e])t. 7, 18:22, in the juime of his young manhood. His death siiried and awed the whole community, and the funeral at Princess Anne was attended hy an immense throng filled with solemnity and tenderness. An Ei)iscoi)al cleriiyman , assisted by two Melliodist iiastois , con- ducted the heautiful and impressive ceremonies. His sudden death, while so f;ir away from iiis fatjier and mothei', wife and children nnd early friends, aioused the sympathies of all, and botii the s])eal-ent records be.ui 11 in 1841). A (lescripiion ofihe C()n(Iiti<»ii of llehobotii town jiiul clmrcli in JSIiO. or jibont tlie close of Or, Ijulch's u;istor;iie, is fnrnislied lis froiri the pen of or.eof onr noted jonrnjilistic writers, who liad spent a part of his boyhood in this county. From it we learn thai the little hairilet was fast ^oiiig to docny. Xolrjice i-erriained of the County jail, Imilt there in 1701. The old tjivern was still open, bnt the place w;is lii'- tor rc^pair abhough not the corn lo!tal»le structure V.I! bin that ii is today. As a( first arranr:cd. the ceiling went, up into the gable, onlv ending in a sliL'hr rounded arch, inssiead of a point Whelhfr our ,-t urdy aiicesU)rs could bear cold better tb.-m we, is not known, but it seems liisel> that they sal and suffered in silence. Jn lalei days a lemonstrance was raised against the cold draughts that so seriously affected tiie minister's already delicate heallh. In consequence, the ceiling was lowered and squared, and, for the time, the two narrow gallaries in the ends of the (diuridi were boarded up. and left in obscurity, ent irely separated from the main room of thechuich. J n (his way tlic buildii g was rendered fairly com foitable, as Irving Spencc tells us. The stJitely, high-backed, four sided pews, ami an. oki- tiisitionfcl piiipit half Wiiy lip to ilici ('eilin^^ Woi-© Still retniiied, together with some uncouth .q(oves burning wood, thiit not onl3' i)roved ineffeclive ngainst cold, hut sometimes smoked at such a rate as to destroy the eft'ectof the sermon. The congregation Leathered here, whicii once had filled the church, Inid jiovv dwindled away to about iifty persons. Death and removal luid been busy in this little flock, and to tliese unfavorable influences wei'e soon to l^e added the widespread financial disti-ess, and the Old and New school dissension in the church. Strange to say, the peiiod of about eighteen years which follows lias been tiie one about which it has been most difficult to get satisfactory information. The recollections of tije oldei' members are somewhat contradictory. Letteis and written record? seem to have perished in the flames at various times, and tlie comparative unimportance of the oi»ce floui-ishing town adds to the [)erplexitv. The church was now so weakened as not to be included in the c;ills extend- ed to those who included it among their })reacliing stations. Souietimes, especially in stormy weather, no service would be held for sevei'al months. In spite of this, the neighboring pastors, on both sides, seemed tutrj^ to cherish old llehoboth and frequently preached there, and during at least i)art of the time, the old church had a minister of its own. The wr'ter is assured iluit, although the ministers at Pitts Creek, Revs. Coinelins IJ. Al ustard and James J, Gralf fre- quently Jield services at liehoboth, the chui'ch was lather considered to be attached to the Princess Anne chiU'ge. In this way it was under tlie cai-e of Hew Robert I\I . Laird from 1830 to 1832. lu 1833. Rev. Geoige \V. Kennedy, then a young man 2(3 years of age, took charL,e of the Rehoboth chuich as his sole 20 li-'ld of work, juul oontinned there until tlie Inttei' lurt of 183(>. At some time vv'thiii the next few yCMfs, three men of grent prominence in the cliuich, nil nfterwurcl iNFoderiitors of tlie General Assembly, visited the old field at. varions times, in recognition of its true historic [)osition , and {)reached there. Tnese men were Revs. Robert J. Breckenridge, D.D., lil. I)., Albert Harnes, and Cortlandt Van Jlens- selaer, D.I) ; and the older heads still speak of the great thrones that uathered to liear them. About this time the t)Id church became a subject of the con- tioversies of tlie period, and the noticesof it in periodi- cal literatui'e are colored b\' that fact. From 3837 to 1841, llev. Eliplielet Bosworth ministered to tlie Rehoboth church, lie had several other charges, and weiit about fr()m one to another like a circuit rider, lie was a worker, and devoted himself to liis clinrches, Tho-e who remetnber him ii:\y he w.is a hard driver. From 1812 to 1819 it appears that Rev. Theodore W. Simpson preached at Jlehoboth occasionally and that in this he was assisted at times by Rev. James J. (. I raff, [)ast()r at Snow Hill and Pitts Creek. At this lime the church was in a feeble condition, and if any records were kept they are lost. In October, 1819, Rev. James L. Vail mdigham, D.D., Lf.^. 1)., bei^an [)reaching at Manoki.i jind Re- hoboth. The litile flock at Rehoboth had by this time been reduced to only eight communicants, while the entire congregation numbered between thirty and forty. Captain WhitLington Folic and Commodore John Dryden, venerable and beloved men. were the elders; one being 85, the other 80 years of age. February 17, 18r)0, Dr. Vallandigham was elected pastor, and installed July Ith, following. 21 Ivcv. L. IT. Ciirjstiari preached , Rev. Dr. E. Harrison cluirgcd tlic pastor, ;i!)(l Kev. J. M. Olni.slead chai-Liod tlie people. Isaac II. Drydcti and Wm. C. Whitting- toii woie oidained .and installed elders July J.tii, ISTj^. In Jnly IST)!, tJie chmcl) was rejiaired at an expen.se of !f;7(J0, of winch ."f'-iOO was raised l>y the i)eop]e, and tiie remainder ecjllected by the pastor in Baltimore and Phiiadeliihia. Ihe juilpit was lowered and the .galleries ieo[)ened. Dr. \'allandigham oi-ganizecl a Sabbath school, jiiid- taught the Bible class. His ministry was blest (o liie oliurcli in n^any wa3's. He left the little church, through his wife's ill health, and was nuicii beloved and legretted. Under lii.s. care, the membership had doubled, there being IG enrolled when he left. Bev. Di". X'alinndigham is to-day an hcuioied member of l})e J're.sbytery of Xew Castle, being the oldest r.ctive minister on its roll. His advanced years rest lightly upon him, and he is an interesting and foicible speaker. He has had but tiie two pastorates — at Rehoboiji and IManokin, and at the Head of Christiana Chuich, where he was pastor for more than 40 years. His ministry has been bless- ed with great revivals, at one of which over 140 were received on confession of faith at one time. He is a staunch adherent to the Calvinistic doctrines of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catecliisms, and declares that tiie study of the Scri[)tures and the experiences of his long mini^try have only served to contiim his conviction as to their truth. J>rc Yallandigham left the chuich in a most favora- ble condition for growth, but once more political agitation over the slavery cpiestion and the approach of \vari)ioved serious hindrances When Bev, Austi:i C. Heaton, D.D.,cnme to Behoboth and Manokin in ISof), his vigorous ministry soon .improved thecondi- tlon cti the ohuvdh, sf> tljftt within a fo^v yeuj«s Ijb f^U that some youiiji- iniiiiKter might be placed in tiie cliarge, nnd hisattentioii gi\en to tiie Manokin church alone. Dr. Heaten was a general favorite with the Rehoboth people, and seemed at one time about to form a closer, tenderer tie, by marriage with one of the flock, but the yoiuig lady to whom he was betroth- ed was taken away by deatii. This lady, Miss Eliza- beth Collins, was the daughter of tlie elder Stephen Collins, to whom we have formerly referred — the child of his old age. The line silver communion set now used at liehoboth church was the gift of Miss Col- lins. In 18G2, a young licentiate, Mr. John 11. McKel- way, supplied the liehoboth pulpit for a few months, but was not called. He was followed by Rev. Thomas C. Anderson wlio became pastor of the Rehoboth church in May, 1802. and continued there until 1864, when he resigned. The church was at this time about at a standstill. There were only about 20 mem- bers, and the congregations were quite small. In June, 1801, Eraersoti Graff Polk was ordained to tlie eldership, and removing his residence to Pocomoke about tiiat lime, he secured the services of Rev. Joseph L. Polk, Ph.D., the pastor of tlie church tliere. Dr. Polk continued to officiate at Rehoboth from 1865 until he resigned the charge in 1877, and liis pastoral work in the little flock is remembered with gratitude. He was followed by Rev. Littleton P. Bowen, D.D., who continued in charge from 1878 to 1880. Dr. Powen is spoken of as preaching with tiie glowing fervor of an evangelist, and if his ministry there had been more extended tiie churcii would surely iiave grown. Moreover, lie appreciated tlie iiistoric position of his cliarge, and by ins careful and 23 painstaking investigations he has done more tiian any other to restore Rehoboth to her liglitful j)]ace. He was followed by Rev. James Conway, D.D., Reho- both having now been grouped with Pitts Creek by the Presbytery. Dr. Conway remained only until 1882. His oratorical ability and genial Scottish ways are often spoken of by members of the congre- gation, These frequent changes, with the vacant intervals, had still further reduced the congregations, so that when Rev. Wm. H. Woolverton came to the charge in 1883, he found it struggling for existence. It must not in any way be wondered at, that the people al- most lost hope concerning the future of the church. '1 he church is eigiit miles from Pocomoke, and to take that ride on a cold day, and then attempt to pieach in that great, cold, barn-like structure, to less than a dozen shivering people, was very discouraging, to say the least. The sleepers beneath liad rotted away so that the floor was sinking; and the many windows and doors letting in drau^iits, and thegieat torrents of cold air that poured down from the gal- lei'ies, added to the gen.eral discomfort. In 188(3, when Mr. Woolverton, to the great sorrow of his peo- ple, accepted a call to another charge, the condition of things at Rehoboth demanded an entire renovatioq of the church. For eighteen months both churches remained witli-r out a pastor, and in that peiiod Elder E. H. Polk carried out liis [)hin for the preservation of Rehoboth. He had previously been so earnest, and persistent in ])leading the cause of his l>e!oved chin-c!i l)efore Piesbytery, and {jghtjug her battles wiien lise I'resby- . tery were abnpst deterniined to abandon tiie iiekb^ that the piernbers had begun to gall him "that man 24 from Jleliobolli." He went l)ef()re I'res])yfery and Synod once more, nnd set his cnnse fortii i?i sncii m n;iy its to ol)t;iin from the ^^ynod of Bahimoro $050 for the rep.iiriiiij^ uf tlie old cdiu rcli , lo which ihe little liock , awakened to new Jiopes, added the same amount. With this repairs were hegun, tiiodernizinj^ the interior of the church, and rendering it thoiongh- ]y comfortable. Tlie galleries were i-emoved, ceili: g lowered, flooring renewed, a vestihule .^et off. and the ten windows made iriemorials to departed officers and members. This was in June 18S8, when i!ie writer of this sketcii came into ih.e pastoral chai-ge of liie (wo churches of Pitts Ci'eek and Itehoboth. The churcii was opened and re.dedicaied to the service of 'God in an all day meeting held duly 1, 1888. The pas- tor was assisted by Rev. Jas. (yonway. D.l).. oneof the former pastors. Dr. ('onway i)reached in iJic morn- ing, and. in the afternoon, in a giaceful and elo- quent manner unveiled a n^emorial tablet to Francis INIakemie , set in the wall above the pulpit. The church was crowded to the doors, and some outside were unable to gain admittance. There were then only 2U iriembers, although from that time the congreg.a- tions began to improve. A growing religious interesli led ti)e pastor, in November 18S8, to hold a series of gospel meetings. The results were most gratifung, 20 being added to the church. Since then special meetings have been held nearly every year, with good rcsultSt Ai^ain, in 1803, there was a sweeping revival and 23 were added. Jn all this period tliere has been steady growth, the membership reaching *.)0, with a Sabbath school of 125 meml)ers , and a Christian Endeavor Society with 20 mend)ers. In A\ ril INDI, New ("astle I'reshylery, iiiceting at I'oco- iDoko. came down the river )>y steamer, and vi.-ircd 25 the liistoric s{)Ot, listening (o a most, eloquent address by Rev. Lafnyelte Marks, D. D.. of Wilininutoi., Del. Tliis is t])e orly time New Casile Presbyteiy lias been there, althouuli the Presbytery of Pewes has frequently met at Ilehohoth. In October 181)() , the 213th annivere-ary of the church was celebrated with appioi)riate exercises , although a severe storm sadly interfered with the intended program. The interior of the chuich had been neatly frescoed, the seating grained in oak, and a new carpet laid. Two former pastors, llevs. .lames 2j. Vailandigham, D.i) , LL. D., and Josepli L. Polk, I'h.D., were present and delivered able and interesting addiesses. Dr. Vailandigham is the oldest living pastor of the church. Rev. T. P. Bowen, I). ])., sent a letter of congratulation which was after- wards lead from the [)ulpit. 'i lie memorial lablet nrentioned, which is thought to be the only one erected to Makemie, reads as follows : To FRANCIS MAKEMIE, FATIIEK OF THE Amekicax Pjiesryterian Ciinicii. REHOBOTH. His First and Favorite Child : foujS'ded a. t). 1683. These Sacred Gronnds were Given by Him. He said: " Evci-ytliing should tend Heavenward." The session of the church at ])resent are Messrs, E. G. Polk , E. IS. Bruughtyn and R. \V. Adams. Kl^ 20 der Alex. Uoberlson was ieirK)ved hydentlj this j'e;ir. The othei- faiihfiil oiiicers liave united in coiriiriaiid- ing ihe fidelity and zeal of Mr. Polk. wIjo has now been in tlie eldeishi]) for nearly l]3 years, and but for whom tlie light of this ancient sanctuniy would at one lime have been e.x'tinguished. Tl)e congregation at l^ehobotli averages two hundred. E ven tiie numbers of other chinches around it take a pride in its long Iiisfory, dating frou) the reign of King (yliarles Stuart (he Second. The members are widely scatteied over (he country, making a field 9 miles broad by over 20 miles Icmg. Sonie of (he membeis drive regularly 1") miles to church, and otheis walk 3 or 4 miles. With two othei- good sized congregations, (lie pa!=tor finds a bicycle a necessity in getting fiom phice to place. But the field is nijinifestly too large lor one man ; while (he people, though showing genuine Presbyterian perseverance and plucdc. are too poor to suppoi't a ])astor unaided. For such reasons tlie old field comes before our gre;it church with an appeal which sliould be Jie;iid be- cause of its justice. No other church, e.xcept (hat at Jamaica, iias documen(ary evidence of i(s exis(ence At the early d;ite. 1083, from which Rehoboth begins Ijer ascertained history; and, after careful reading, we feel that J)r. McDonald iias failed to jnake out that the Jamaica church \v;is c'early a Presbyterian church until some j'ears al(er the time (ha( Ahikemie had founded Kehoboth. Our great Cliurch believes th;it a historic value is a real value. Kehoboth Juid all the points of Presbyterian government — parity of tlie minisdy, iiiling elders, and subjection to church (•our(s of .ippeal — from (he beuinning. \Qt more, she was (he Founder's chinch — his favorite charge, Kemembeiing the gieatwork of hiin. whose ar yemains )\& liuried to-duy in uu uniJtni'koci t;i'nv6 across the river fi'um hl^ old chavye, will not tiio great Presbyterian ohiii'iih, out of gratitude, place this little church beyond the fear of neglect, by mu endowment, and erect a suitable monument to Francis jMakomie tliere, upon the very ground which lie gave to be used by Presbyterians ''and none else" forever? 28 . LIST OF REHOBOTH MINISTERS. 1(183—1897. 1 G83-1 (ISO — Francis Makemie. 1686-lf;89— William Trail. 1690-1708— Francis .Makomio. 1708-1717 — Tohn Henry. 1717-1722 — Tohn Hampton. 1723-1734- William Stewart. 1735-1741— J'atrick (Jlascow. 1747-1757— John Hambleton. 1758-1703— ITuo-h Ilenrv. 1764-1779— Jacob Ker. ^ 1779-1811— Samnel McMaster. 1796 —John Collins. 1813-1814— Stnart Williamson. 1815-1817— Calvin Colton. 1818-1819— Stephen Saunders. 1820-1829- Thomas l*>. Balch, D.D. 1822 -Henry Hlatchford. 1830-1832— ilobert M. Laird. 1S33-1836— Oeorire W. Kennedy, D.D. ]S37-1841 — Kliphelet Jk)swortli. 1842-1849— Theodore W. Simpson. 1849-1 853--James F. Vallandio-ham, D.D., IJ.. D. 1855-1861— Austin C. HeatonJ).!). 1862-1864— Thomas C. Anderson. 1865-1877— Joseph F. I'olk, Ph. D. 1 878-1 8S0-Littleton 1\ Ho wen, D.D. 29 List of Rehabofh Ministers. — ContiuKCiL ISSl-lSS^—Jcinies (Joiiwav, 0.!). 1883-1880— William IT. \Voolverton. 1888-.1807— John Sinionsoii Tlowk, D.I). AUTHORITIES CONSULTED. American Presbyter"aiiism— 0. A. Hi'iggs, D.D, Annals of the American Piilpit.^-Wm. B. Sprague, D.I). Catholic and Puritan Settlers of Maryland. — A. P. Dennis, Ph. D. Ohi^plains and Cler2:y of the Revolution. — J. T. Head ley. Cliristian Leaders of tiie Last Century. — -Pev. J. C. Ryle, B. A, Constitutional History of the Presbyterian Church, U. 8. A.— Charles Hodge, DA). Diary of Mary Spence, Snow Hill. 1779-17S2. Days of Makemie, 1G80-1708.— L. P. Bowen, D.D. Early Presbyterianism in Maryland. — Rev. J. W. Mcllvain. Edinburgh Review. (Old files.) Epitome of Presbyterian Church History to 1S07. Wm. H. Roberts, D. D. Ceneral History of Virginia. — Capt. John Smith, Historical Essays. — Cortlandt Va n Rensselaer, D.D. History of England. — T. B. Macaulay. History of the English People. — J. R. Creen,M. A. History of New Castle Presbytery, by Drs. Valla n- digham and Cay ley. History of the Presbyterian Church in America. — irchard Webster. 31 History of the Presbyterian Church in t]ie 1'. S. A.— E. H. Gillett; History of the Rise, Progress, Genius, and C'harac- ter of American Presbyterianism. — Wm. Hill, DA). History of Pocomoke City. — Pev. James Murray. History of the United States. — George Bancroft. Laws of Mary hind. Letters on the Early History of the Presbyterian Cliurch. — L'ving Spence. Makemie's Narratiyeof a New and Unusual Ameii- can Imprisonment. Makemie's WilL Methodism of the Peninsula. — Kev. E. W. Todd. Minutes of the General Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly. Old Churches, Ministers, and Families of \'irginia. — Bishop Meade. Old Land Patents, owned by Mr. E. W. McMaster, Somerset county, Md. Old Tombstones vt and near PehoboLh. Presbyterianism. Article in E ncyc. Britannica. C. A. Briggs, D. D, Old Family Letters. Presbyterian Peview. — (Old hies.) ]*resbyterians. — George P. Hays, D.I). Pecords of Somerset, Accomack, and Worcester* counties. Se.