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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistory of Concord Church 1775-1913 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES Microfilmed by DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY Archives and Records Section Raleigh, North Carolina Sanaa Teal wae ' ~~ CONCORD DTS: MNOS TNO TOC TT aan STATESVILLE N C CHURCH HISTORY. DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY ARCHIVES AND RECORDS SECTION CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY This is to certify that the microphotographs appearing on this film are true and accurate reproductions of records originated during the normal course of business by the LRERE // BOuw7Y At.b, STaréses lle, 4c: and consist of Cc Aiea ed. _AYs fon 1295 -/443 The records begin with Cdvead yt Ge sg and end with It is further certified that the above records were microfilmed in conformity with the provisions of the General Statutes of North Carolina, chapter 8-45.1 and 8-45.4, "Uniform Photographic Copies of Business and Public Recorde as Evidence Act"; that the microphotographic processes accurately reproduce the records so microfilmed; that the film forms a durable medium for reproducing the original, if necessary; and that the film used conforms to American National Standards Institute, Spectficatione for Safety Photographic Film, ANSI PH 1.25-1976 and American National Standards Institute, Specifications for Photographic Film for Archival Records, Silver-Gelatin on Cellulose Ester Base, ANSI PH 1.28-1976. This is further to certify that the microphotographic processes were accomplished by the undersigned on the date and at the reduction ratio indicated below. Date Filming of this Reel Began LAete SF (G21 Reduction Ratio 4é Vv Date Filming of this Reel Ended _ Microfilm Camera Operator CONCORD CHURCH Oo Zz E 5 3 O 4 J a) a zs = on a oO — wn tf ~ Cl By S. W. STEVENSON, M. D. MOORESVILLE, N. C. PRICE FIFTY CENTS DRADY PRINTING COMPANY Staresvusa, N.C 1913 CONCORD CHURCH. 1775---1913 ONCORD Church is situated five and one-half miles west of Statesville, N. C., on the rail- road leading from Statesville to Taylorsville, N. C., in the village of Loray. It was formed from Fourth Creek church (States- ville) about 1775. No one knows the exact date, as the early records of this church are lost, but the records of Bethany Presbyterian church show that church to have been organized from Fourth Creek church in 1775. This church (Bethany) celebrated its one hundreth anniversary in the summer of 1875. Common tradition says that Concord church and Bethany church were set off from Fourth Creek church at the same time, by the mutual consent of all concerned. 6 _ Mrs. Rachel Davidson Watts, who was born in Fort Dobbs and is buried in Concord cemetery, aged one hundred and two years, stated, while living, that Concord church was organized during the year that the men all went away to fight the Indians; but as the men went to fight the Indians more than once, this does not fix the date. There seems to be no docu- mentary evidence of the exact date of this organiza- tion. Tradition puts it 1774 or 1775. Rumple’s “History of Rowan County” states that there was a point near Morrison’s Mill where people assembled for preaching and for having their chil- dren baptised as early as 1750 or 1755, and that a minister by the name of Thompson held meetings here more than once between these dates. It is reas- onable to suppose that this was the beginning of Con- cord church, as Morrison’s Mill was on Third Creek, one mile south of this church. The mill was running when the people of this coun- ty were forced to take refuge from the French and Indians in Fort Dobbs. The invaders burned . the dwellings and barns of this settlement but spared the mill. Some thought that the Indians spared it from ¢. superstitious fear, but others thought that the French officers expected to capture and occupy the 7 country, and would need the mill; therefore they re- _ strained the Indians from burning it. The latter is the more reasonable supposition. The names of the persons who composed this congregation for the first half century of its existence were—Adams, Alexander, Bagwell, Boyd, Brown, Brady, Carson, Crawford, Eidson, Ervin, Gibson, Har- ris, Hooper, Hill, King, Lewis, Morrison, Murdock, McCollum, Mears, McLelland, McKnight, McFarland, Milligan, Purviance, Potts, Punch, Stewart, Summers, Stevenson, Sumpter, Stone, Scott, Thomas, Watts, Waugh, Woodsides, Woods and Wilson, There were no doubt others whose names have not been preserv- ed by local tradition, The most of these people were of Irish, English and Scotch blood, so blended in the old country by inter-marriage as to form a compound race of a unique type of sturdy men and women who have been named Scotch-Irish. The Scotch-Irish race has made its own history in these American States and it is such as needs no eulogy from me. Concord church has made for herself a character for sound theology, good morals, and vital piety which I can enhance only by an effort to preserve the mem- ory thereof. Aah «bie the) sd Aon” pres a ode a Se ee oe a ? ate PI SP FEL H de eal : 2% iat ~ oS 8 The site of the first Concord church building was on a square lot, containing about four acres, which lay south of the cemetery but did not include it; for many years after its organization, this congregation buried its dead in the Morrison cemetery, one mile southwest of the church, no cemetery being in exis- tence at the church until 1822. This church site was given, for the purpose of erecting this church, either by William Carson or his son, Lindsay Carson. Wil- liam Carson bought of Lord Granville before -the Revolutionary War about one thousand acres of land, the old grant of which I have seen. He (William Carson) fell dead at the Concord church spring, and the land descended to his son, Lindsay Carson, Lind- say Carson was the father of the celebrated American Scout, Christopher (“Kit”) Carson, who died in New Mexico in the year 1868. Whether William Carson, the father, or Lindsay Carson, the son, donated this piece of land, we have no means of deciding. The original church building was made of logs and stood one hundred yards southwest of the ceme- tery (there was no cemetery then). What the shape and dimensions of this building were, I have no means of knowing. What I have heard old people say of it, leads me to believe that it was Just a rough building ar be J Wenge eT < ¢ ~~ owe 9 of hewed logs. With very few exceptions, those who knew it have passed away. The second church building was not built on this Carson lot, but was built on the corner of a lot given by Mrs. Mary Harris, widow of Samuel Harris. He was one of the first elders ofthis church, and died and was buried in the Morrison cemetery. Mrs. Mary Harris gave this lot for a cemetery, and the second church was built on the southwest cor- ner of this cemetery lot. The first person that was ever buricd in this cemetery was “Lame” Jimmie Potts. He was buried in September, 1822. The second person was a boy, Lemuel Hudson, The third was Sarah Kollock Adams, to whose grave there is erected a marble slab, showing age and date of death. She died in July, 1826. Another James Potts is also buried here. The second church building was a large frame building, two stories high and was an imposing struct- ure for a country church of that time. The pulpit was on a platform at the north end. At the south end there were two doors. There were two aisles and three rows of seats, which would seat about five hundred persons, It was lighted at night by burning oe +? 10 tallow candles in tin chandeliers placed around the walls. The pews between the aisles were long enough to accomodate two families. The side pews were shorter and were occupied by one family each. Each family had a pew and sat together. The second floor of this church was a gallery on three sides. ° From the middle to the end where the pulpit was below, was open. The upper floor was occupied by the color- ed members of the congregation. The entrance to this floor was by two stairways from outside at the front corners of the building. This building was erected about 1836. I cannot give the exact date, but service was being held in the old church as late as 1834 and 35. As late as 1850 there were afew tents standing on the church grounds, but no camp meetings were held at Concord church after this date. The Rev. Mr. Eagleton in his sketch of Concord church says the session requested Rev. Stephen Frontis to hold a camp meeting at Con- cord church in the year 1829, which he did, with the assistance of five other ministers. One result of the camp meeting was the adding of forty new members to the church; another was the calling of Rev. H. N. Pharr as supply for one-half of his time. When the first camp meeting was held and when the last one was also held will be recorded in another place. RRR OR ernep men mre ge perenne tee penal See oN oor err Swern t f™ ee ee ~ 1] The last of the old tents disappeared about the beginning of the Civil War. One of these tents was vuilt of split chestnut logs and is now standing one mile and a half east of the church where it was moved fifty years ago, and it is now used for a stable. The third church building, which is the present one, is a frame building of modern style of architect- ure and stands on a new lot north of the cemetery, and presents quite a handsome appearance. It was erected some time in the year 1899. It fronts on the railroad and is surrounded by a nice lawn with cultivated shade trees. Another plot of ground has been added to the east end of the cemetery, and the first person to be buried there was Mr. Rufus Feim- ster of Scott's, Iredell county, North Carolina, The rock wall around the cemetery was built in 1828. The wall around the Morrison cemetery was built the fol- lowing summer. The First Bench of Elders. Although Concord was set off from Fourth Creek church ten years after its (Fourth Creek’s) organiza- ton, not one of the elders lived in the bounds of the new church. The elders of Fourth Creek were James arr, Willlam Stevenson, John Stevenson, John Mur- 12 dock, Mussentine Matthews, Andrew McKenzie and John McLelland. The first elders at Concord were James Adams (Sen.), James Purviance, John Purviance, William Watts, William McKnight, Samuel Harris, Abraham Hill and Thomas Morrison. No other elders were in- stalled until 1803, when James Hill and John Morri- son were installed. On February 12, 1816, James Adams, Jr. and William Stevenson were installed by Dr. Hall. (From Eagleton’s paper). At five different times between 1816 and 1852 elders were installed in this church as follows: Thomas Stevenson, William Morrison, J. B. Thomas, Joseph Watts, Andrew Ad- ams, James L. Hill, Thomas M. Hill, William Ross Stevenson, Fielding Watts, Abner Morrison, Charles H. King and William Sydney Stevenson. In 1862 John Watts, Junius M. Alexander, Houston Brown, and David Hart were installed. From 1862 to 1909, the following have served at different periods: Rufus Gibson, H. C. Summers, John O. McLelland, A. C. Sharpe, H. T. Burke, Dr. Mc. Gibson, Lewis F. Steven- son, James Ervin Summers, W. B. Gibson, Preston Watts, H. L. Morrison, Thomas Vickery and Cicero Fulp. The elders serving at this date are Lewis F. Stevenson, W. B. Gibson, H. L. Morrison, H. C. Sum- OO ee or RP neers eqepernr ' wire om Pp ey - 13 mers, Preston Watts, Thomas Vickery and Cicero Fulp, Since 1909 H. L. Morrison elder in Concord church has died, W. B. Gibson and Cicero Fulp have gone to other churches. At a late election John B. Summers and D. B. Morrison were elected and installed as elders. The elders serving today are: L. F. Stevenson, 1. V. Vickery, J. P. Watts, John B. Summers and D. B. Morrison. The Pastors. REV. JAMES HALL. Rev. James Hall, D. D., served Concord church as stated supply from the time of its organization un- til April 8, 1778, when he was installed pastor for one-third of his time. He was pastor of this church until 1790 when he vesigned his pastorate at both Concord and Fourth Creek, and spent the remainder of his life as pastor for Bethany and in public services for the Church at large. He died in 1826. He was probably the strongest and most able all round man that Iredell county has ever produced. He was a soldier, an educator of youth, a Master of Arts, a Doc- * ning é | | : Dp eynin e er ee l4 tor of Divinity, a Home Missionary, and a man of in- tor-State reputation along religious and educational lines. Had he lived in this day, he would have been entitled to the degree of LL.D. REV. LEWIS FEUILLETEAU WILSON. Rev. Lewis F. Wilson, M. D., became pastor of Concord and Fourth Creek churches in June, 1793. He died December 11, 1804. He was born on the island of St. Christopher. His father was an English- man, his mother was a French woman. He received his primary education at a grammar school in Lon- don. He took his literary degree at Princeton, New Jersey. He was licensed to preach by Orange Pres- bytery, North Carolina, in 1791. His wife was a kinswoman of Dr. James Hall. He was a man of ability and was much beloved by his congregations. He died in December, 1804, and is buried in the ceme- tery at Bethany church, and has a tomb stone erected to his grave. His type of religion was gentle and emphasized the love and mercy of God; that of Dr. Hall’s was stern and emphasized the terrors of the law. ST TT Oe rey —c- ee ae “TT ~- — a TEN 1s REV. THOMAS T. HALL. The Rev. Thomas T. Hall commenced serving the people of Concord church as stated supply in 1806, and he ministered to them in this capactty until 1812, when he moved to the State of Tennessee. Whether he preached at Fourth Creek or not, I have no means of knowing. REV. RICHARD H. KING. In January, 1818, Rev. Richard H. King became pastor of this church and so continued until 1817, when he moved to east Tennessee. Richard King was prepared for college at Clio’s Nursery, and took his literary degree at Princeton, New Jersey. He prac- ticed law for a time, professed religion at one of the camp meetings of that day and entered the ministry. Foote, in his “sketches,” says on page 330, that “Rich- ard King was esteemed the man of the finest powers of mind ever trained in Western North Carolina.” He was a very large man, had a stentorian voice that could be heard two miles (Eagleton) and was a nat- vral orator and a very popular speaker. The people uf that generation thought that Richard King and Judge Edward Harris were the two ablest men Con- cord congregation had produced up to that date. 16 REV. JOHN IRWIN. In February, 1819, Rev. John Irwin, a newly li- censed minister commenced preaching at ‘Concord church. For ten years he labored earnestly in this congregation. He preached his farewell sermon No- vember 28, 1828. REV. HENRY N. PHARR. On January 15, 1831, Rev. Henry N. Pharr be- came stated supply for this church. In 1832 or 33 he was installed as pastor of this church for half of his time. Salem church was organized in 1832. He preached there and at Smyrna, in Catawba county. A few years later Shiloh was organized on this side of the Cataw- ba River and Smyrna was abandoned as a church, and the congregation was enrolled at Shiloh. Rev. Henry N. Pharr was pastor of Concord and Shiloh churches until January, 1854, when he moved to Alabama. He returned to North Carolina in 1858 or 59 and became pastor of Philadelphia church in Mecklenburg county, where he ended his days. He died suddenly from apoplexy. Rev. Henry N. Pharr was astrong maninthe church. He was commanding in appearance; he was polished and magnetic in his PONCE TAY PORN eee wot ou eR TT | | | 17 manner: ; he led his congregations in religious move- ments and in educational reforms and was greatly respected and loved by his congregations. He taught yocal music and was master of it. He was a strong advocate of temperance. The Iredell County Tem- perance Society was organized during his pastorate, and he was one of its first presidents. He was a faith- ful pastor and was very much loved by his people. Ilis wife was Miss Amanda King of Iredell county. He had four sons—Samuel, Winslow, William and Junius. He had four daughters—Margaret, Lucinda, Mary and Amanda. They are all dead. Only one grand child lives at this date, His name is William Flow of Cabarrus county, North Carolina. His moth- er was Mary, the third daughter, who was the wife of the late Dr. Flow of Cabarrus county, North Carolina. Rey. G. E. Eagleton in his sketch of Concord church, gives it as his opinion that Mr. Pharr’s churches did not give him an adequate support, which, he says, they were abundantly able to do. This may or may not be true. The facts in the case, in my opin- ion, are as follows: Mr. Pharr owned a very large, rich plantation, comprising what is now known as both the John Cornelius and the Franklin Cornelius places. Ile also had it stocked with a number of grown up 18 negroes, which should have made an abundant sup- port for the entire Pharr family if they had been properly managed and directed. His congregations paid him, so far as I can learn, about four or five hundred dollars a year. Those were slow-going times when money was scarce. His members got their cash by hauling their farm products to Fayetteville, North Carolina, Camden and Cheraw, South Carolina. This money was dear in the earning, and naturally spent very carefully. His congregations were loyal to him, they were proud of him as a pastor, they loved him as few pastors are ever loved, and they paid him as much cash as any other pastor in Iredell county was re- ceiving at that time. REV. MUNROE T. ALLEN. In the month of June, 1854, Rev. Munroe T. Allen became stated supply for one year. His pulpit minis- trations were most excellent. His sermons were able and orthodox in every respect, but outside of the pulpit he was so strange and different from Mr. Pharr, that at the end of the year his congregations decided not to employ him for another year. He thought he had not been fairly treated, and talked imprudently, and there were divisions in the congre- { | f t a (ee RO eR ene EI? a Se 19 gations as to whether he had been as kindly treat- ed as he should have been; some bitterness sprang up over this question which lasted for several years. Mr. Allen was, in my opinion, a victim of mild in- sanity, and was not morally responsible for many of his actions. He joined the Baptist church and moved to Oregon. REV. T. W. IRWIN. In November, 1856, Rev. T. W. Irwin became pas- tor of Concord and Shiloh churches. He was a very active man, in the prime of life, a good preacher and an acceptable pastor. His congregations were well satisfied with his ministrations, and when he left them, they gave him up with regret. In 1859 he mov- ed to South Carolina to look after certain property interests which demanded his attention REV. J. SCOTT BARR. In 1861, Rev. J. Scott Barr became stated supply to Concord and Shiloh churches. He was an earnest, faithful preacher, whose health was poor, and as the civil war was going on at that time, his work was hin- dered by the general let down in morals, religion and civility which prevailed, and always prevails in such discordant times. He was loyal! to the Southern 20 Church, but in no sense an offensive partizan and should have had a united congregation to co-operate with him; but such was not the case, however. He moved to Lincoln county, North Carolina, in 1864. REV. G. E. EAGLETON. oer In February, 1865, Rev. G. E. Eagleton became a stated supply to Concord and Shiloh churches. He came from east Tennessee, He was probably thirty- five years of age, anda strong man. After the Brown- low faction, with the aid of Federal troops, captured east Tennessee, they inaugurated such a reign of ter- ror that Mr. Eagleton, who had acted as chaplain for some Southern troops, had to escape for his life. His wife was a descendant of the Iredell county Kings, who had moved to Tennessee forty years prior to his coming here, He came here hoping to find refuge among his wife’s relatives ond was not disappointed. Oliver Woods and Elam Morrison went to east Ten- nessee after Lee’s surrender and brought Mrs. Eagle- ton and her three children to Concord church in wagons. He was a man of strong intellect, an able preacher and a man of courage, tender and kind in his disposition. He labored here over three years and then went to Arkansas. There was just enough TOL oy oe ene) tet on + or PPR TA PCT oeapey ’ ; PS GTEC inate “ 21 of coldness toward him to keep the congregation from having him installed pastor and he interpreted this to mean that his services were not acceptable. A large majority of his members were sorry to see him go. This congregation as a whole had a very high regard for Mr. Eagleton and he might have re- mained with them if he had known the true senti- ment of his members. From the time Mr. Eagleton left until Rev. W. C. Brown was installed, which was about 1897, this church was vacant so much of the time and had so many short terms of stated supply, that I cannot more than name the ministers who were employed from time to time. They were—E. F. Rockwell, W. A. Wood, S. C. Millen, J. T. Bradley, R. G. Thurston, W. R. McLelland, P. P. Winn, Charles Tidball and E E. Pressly, with the exceptions of P. P. Winn and E. E. Pressly, one year was about the limit of their engagements. . REV. W. C. BROWN. Rev. W. C. Brown succeeded Mr. Pressly and was installed pastor of Concord, Clio, and New Salem churches. The last named church had been set off from Concord during the service of Mr, Winn. 2 eee tg e nN Nm Shiloh had been grouped with other churches. Mr. Brown proved to be a very acceptable pastor to these congregations. He was a most excellent man as well as a good preacher and a kind and faithful pastor. These churches have become entirely harmonious and have taken on new life during his administra- tion. REV. E. D. BROWN. He has been succeeded by Rev. E. D. Brown, who seems in every way a worthy successor to W. C. Brown. These men were class mates at Union The- ological Seminary but are in no way related. Since E,. D. Brown came, these congregations have built a beautiful manse in Loray. Before new Salem and Clio churches were organized, Concord church had about 250 members. Mr. Eagleton puts the member- ship at these figures in 1868. Deacons Concord church was without deacons until 1866. Rev. W. W. Pharr informs me that Rocky River church was long without deacons. Concord church had a treasurer, who collected the salary and turned it over to the minister, and three trustees who man- aged the property of the church. ay | E 23 Concord was strictly Calvanistic in faith, but laid much stress on their congregational rights in decid- ing many points. They considered deacons superflu- ous officers. The trustees and treasurer were good enough, so they thought. But when Mr. Eagleton came, he wanted deacons. His first efforts consisted in suggestions which were not followed. He, being a man of strong will and great courage, demanded deacons. the session agreed to have an election, and James Mears, Lewis F. Stevenson, H. C. Summers and R. R. Hill were elected and installed about 1866. There has been a board of deacons in this church from then until now. The following persons have been installed as deacons at various times since 1866: J. C. Vick- ery, J. C. Gibson, G. A. Brown, James Ervin Sum- mers, James Ewing Stevenson, A. F. Morrison, T. P. Stevenson, John N. Summers, Henry L. Stevenson, N. P. Alexander, T. W. Vickery, Clarence McLelland, Dalton Lackey, Alexander F. Lewis and L. C. Stev- enson, The present board is: John N. Summers, Ilenry L. Stevenson, Clarence McLelland, Dalton Lackey, Alexander F. Lewis and L. C. Stevenson. Since 1909 Deacon A. F. Lewis has died and Robert He did this in such a firm, but kind way that ° a weet ee en tar mannan nn a i> 8 ane wenn nn oewtene n aren] 68 ee Fe ae ees Ss ee 24 Sem “-, . Murdock and Neil Summers have been elected and installed. The deacons serving now are: H. L. Stevenson, C. A. McLelland, Dalton Lackey, Robt. Murdock and \Ust !~” —Neik Summers and L. C. Stevenson. The number of members reported to Presbytery in 1913 was 269. The Sunday School In 1824 there was a great inter-denominationat interest taken in Sunday schools in these United States. The Sunday school union was formed and under its management, Sunday school library books were published, and a series of Scripture lessons were printed and used in the Sunday schools. The oldest person I have found who was born and raised in Concord congregation is now ninety two years old. She is a colored woman who is illiterate but quite intelligent. She has lived all her days within four miles of Concord church and she says that when she was a child, Elders Jamey Adams and Thomas Stevenson conducted a Sunday school in the old log church. She was born in 1817; in 1824 she would be seven years old. A member of this church 25 - a P4 -? 6 2-— > we : who is over eighty years of age says that in 1834 he _ attended Sunday school in the old log church and that the school was conducted by James Adams and Thomas Stevenson. It is more than probable that this Sunday school was inaugurated about the time of this general Sunday school movement. A Sunday school has been conducted continuously from these dates to the present time. When I was a child and until I was grown up, this Sunday school was largely attended, the library books were much sought after and eagerly read. The Su- perintendents were appointed by the session and were mostly selected from the bench of elders, but fre- quently from the body of non-office bearing members. All those who could read were divided into classes of ten or twelve persons and had a teacher. The boys and girls were in separate classes, with teachers of their own sex. In the morning these classes studied and recited the union lesson for that day; in the af- ternoon the classes were all thrown into one large class and the same lesson was gone over with the su- perintendent as teacher. I think that it is safe to say that the Concord Sunday school has been from 1824 to 1913 the equal Ai “ ee ee Ee oles esd Oe «3 q Ae eat ibe eS, ek: Be Ca at eee ci — meet wee 26 in merit of any other Sunday school in Concord Pres- bytery. , At this date it is the custom in most churches to have one hour of Sunday school before the sermon, in such churches as have preaching every Sabbath, Concord church has preaching twice a month. I am informed that Concord Sunday school meets every Sabbath in the month. The International Sunday School Scripture les- sons, after having been formulated by each sect to conform to their doctrinal beliefs, are now in almost universal use. I suppose Concord Sunday school uses these lessons. I shall"always remember with pleasure my Sun- day school days at Concord church, and I am grateful - my heart for the great benefit which I derived from the perusal of the library books, owned and dis- tributed in this school. These books contained the essence of sound morals and true piety without a thing of a partizan or ultra-sectarian nature. They were broad, evangelical in tone, and full of interest- ing matter and were read with both pleasure and profit. wprmangenny: 27 Ministers from Concord Congregation The ministers of the gospel who were from this church are as follows: Rev. Hugh Wilson, D. D., who went to Texas; Rev. L. F. Wilson, Jr., who went to Virginia; Rev. William Franklin Watts whose grave is in Concora cemetery. Franklin Church in Rowan county was named Franklin in memory of him. Rev. Alburtis L. Watts who labored in Steel Creek congregation and is buried in Steel Creek cemetery, Mecklenburg county, North Carolina; Rev. Stanhope King who went West and joined the Baptists; Rev. James B. King who died from cholera at Selma, Alabama; Rev. Thomas T. Scott who went West and joined the Episcopalians, was made Bishop and died in New York City, July, 1867; Rev. Samuel H. Stevenson who died in Illinois; Rev. James Calvin Stewart of the Methodist church in California, was president of the University of California and was murdered by high- way robbers in Louisiana in 1866; Rev. L. L. Stewart and Rev. J. Curtis Stewart, who went to the Northern Presbyterian Church at the end of the Civil War; t-« = = sted tie “ar. aie x x 28 Rev. L. L. Stewart died in Rutherford county and Rev. J. Curtis Stewart. died in Buncombe county North Carolina; Rev. Winslow Watts, who wa tor of Prospect and Back Creek churches — county, North Carolina. He was ial Sn _ Creek cemetery. Rev. James C. Alexander who " pastor of Buffalo and Bethel churches, Guilford ¢ ty, North Carolina. He is buried at one of oi churches, Rev. Lewis Sherrill, who went West ie died ; Rev. E. Sherrill, who went to Misslesionl: a Pinckney Summers, who joined the Methodist E i. copal Church and went to Tennessee: Rev. S od re who joined the Methodist ie laécpt Coa anc went to Georgia; Rev. J. Rufus Masters, o a Church ” Texas. His father was ideas asters and his mother was Margaret McLelland They moved to Texas when Rufus was a aledt b “a a W. R. McLelland, who was pastor of inathaar: aan jan elec Troutman churches and whe i xas while attending a session of the South oan of the Presbyterian Church in ; Kev. James Ervin Summers. w i tor in Cabarrus county, North uation ie din aie tere is organizing mission churches in ell ¢ ancey counties in the mountains of 29 North Carolina, inside the bounds of Concord Pres- bytery; and Rev. L. W. Morrison of the Methodist Episcopal Church, California. Campmeetings In another place I mentioned the fact that camp meetings were held at Concord church, that the ses- sion requested Rev. Stephen Frontis to hold one of these meetings in 1829. Mr. Eagleton states in his manuscript that it was tradition that in the win- ter of 1801-2 that Dr. Hall and Dr. McCorkle and oth- ers, held a campmeeting in Randolph county, and that ubout fifty persons, among whom were James L. Hill and James Adams (no other names mentioned), went from Concord and Bethany congregations, that the awakening known in history as the “great re- vival of 1800,” was felt at this meeting, and spread abroad, and in the Autumn of 1802 reached Concord congregation, and the first camp meeting was then held, and that many others were held from time to time, with great spiritual outpourings. The last one was held in 1849. BIO Di mee Sl G %> 3 ree |. f° ae: a ip he te q oe | > é “| wae | 3 mn eae “came | | > ima a ‘ 30 Churches Set Off from Concord In 1832 Sale hurch m cnurch was set off from Concord church. It was located five miles east of T, v6 North Carolina, near the present town i denite. When the Presbyterian churen aa a ized at Taylorsville, Salem church was alm 7 sorbed by that organization, although it = “a its organization until New Salem was or — when old Salem Was absorbed and Mecdead” _ Shiloh church Was set off, Mr. Eagleton Says in hi : a : 1S paper, in 1850. It is located eight miles south of Concord church. Elder J. B. Thon.as of Concord oii: tis be as included in this organization This church j not n it wi i ; OW, as it was formerly, included in the C pastorate, cio New Sale I aiem church, which ; » Wiich 1s southwest of C cord ¢ i i wa — about eight miles distant and Clio church which is eight miles “ee “es north of Concord f cord church, wer set of ; | oe F about 1880. They are both included In the ores © : present pastorate. Deacon N, P Alexander was j ; } in th ; Yew S e bounds of New Salem and belongs to that church now. Deacon R. R Hill wag j © ae a3 In the : church when it was set off bounds of Clio » and he is a ruling 2 in that church now. nee ae 31 Concord church, notwithstanding it has been di- vided four times, has at this date (1913) two hundred and sixty-nine members. Revolutionary Soldiers Captain James Alexander is buried in Concord cemetery. He died in 1835, aged eighty-seven years. He came from Pennsylvania and was a regular sol- dier in the army of Washington for several years. He was at home on furlough and fought as a volunteer at the battle of Ramseur’s Mill. John Stewart ana his father, mother and brother came from Pennsyl- vania before the French and Indian War and settled on what is now known as the Nicholas Stikeleather place. They took refuge in Fort Dobbs in 1756. They ventured out to get some fodder during their stay at Fort Dobbs, and the Indians killed his father and brother but John Stewart got away in Fourth Creek swamp and reached the fort that night. He swore vengeance against all red skins and went with every compnay that formed to fight the indians. It is said that on these raids he spared neither age nor sex. When the Revolutionary War came on he went to Washington's army and did not come home until the end. It is said that when the call came for men Det ee att ms ,. v leh baie : g B of his older brothers lived in Fourth Cre ek congreg greg 32 . that he was working in a new ground and th left his mattock Sticking i in the ground and that when he returned he found it again, but the handle had entirely rotted away. He is buried in the Morrison cemetery in an unmarked grave. John Wallace was a cav alry soldier in Washi ton’s army. Washing- He lived on the Charlot i t é te an - boro road, one-half mile i hem church. He teenth century. T. W. Vickery, one above what is now Bethle- died in the first quarter of the nine- He was the great grandfather of of the present bench of elders. Lindsay Carson was ac aptain of troops a ’ : nd was in the expedit ; a ion that was orga ized to re-enforce e berore ~- VALUE wUilL our use was Gre n k > re the I ittie of ( il ord C t Ho ce Abram Hill was in the battle of Ramseur’s Mill and wi the troor ane with the troops that went to assist Green at Guilford Court House. : William Stevenson, afterward Cowan’s Ford and with the enforce Green. an elder, was at troops that went to re- He was only eighteen years old. Two $s were in the regular army, but ation. 33 One of the Watts was a regular soldier and re- ceived a grant of land on Duck River, middle Tennes- see, for his services. William McLelland was at the battle of Cowan’s Ford and was captured near Shepherd’s Cross Roads and is supposed to have died in prison. That was in February, 1781, and Cornwallis surrendered at York: town, Virginia, in October, 1781, but nothing was heard of William McLelland after his capture. He was the father of “Saddler” John McLelland. Andrew Carson is said to have been in commruni- cation with Green, Marion and Sumpter, and often carried dispatches to and from these generals. I have seen a copy of an old letter which was written sixty years ago by a grandson of Samuel Har- ris, who stated that his grandfather and his three eldest uncles, James, William and Edward Farris, all bore arms at different times during the Revolu- tionary struggle. On page three hundred and seventy-four of Wheeler’s History of North Carolina, I find that the Committee of Safety for Rowan county appointed James Purviance captain and John Purviance lieu- tenant in 1775. I suppose these men are the same as Sa rded ie ee Eee ao Pe ee a ater tal i _ ee A he ae ‘i SOOT CY MELROSE TO ves 1 a 4 : 3 in . fe b 4 i % A 7 4 Ny Es tek ph tae! cf Nii > habla P dade Sem fool tags antigen tinned A ee ite, ee) _ e 34 are. mentioned No doubt but that many others whose n anes and deeds are forgotte the war f 0 2 sitll thal “al arn but no histor to learn at awe 2 From what I oh ae -_ s late date, this congregation een able was not p ed n th op f - re resent 1 e tro 3 of the war o 181 the war : with Mexico. , nor Confederate Soldiers Among those wh from Con 0 entered the Con ed or ee ror the en wired L. Hill, aetiidin toa Brown, (ruling elder), J 0 hashieia-tihe ae aera ee Carolina Hill, Lieutenant ir manesiorsville; William Re ra ant Jehan & thins n Junior Reserves, bitted: “ Reese ment, killed; “sea wn North iets teu. Alexander, bap Alexander, killed; eee egi- Bey, co ata Se Boyd, killed; mt Lee felter, Milled: dene es Crawford, died; a Meneve Fink, kill uke, killed; Joseph F od- » killed, Rufus Guy, killed; ers cae 2d; Marion Gib- so , d ’ “ sMSU . Cc G J ’ ed, Me H J0p B h n ied Ste N art n kill B 1 . er, T ad. Pp N sVU,p 8 ‘ ls b th } a 1 I Op ( othe 3) i d { l Hoc er eison Gs) er r r eim 1 as elder. s at the organization of Con n were actiy i active patriots during 35 d; Franklin Lewis, died; mes Lewis, die ustus McLelland, died; Lewis, died; Ja Monroe Morrison, died; Aug Washington McLelland, died; Lee McLelland, died; Martin Sides, Christopher Sides, Charles Sides, died or killed; William Summers killed; Thomas Leroy died; Washington Stevenson, killed; John killed; Dickson Walker, killed; Jesse Waugh, killed; Martin Yates, n died. The following came home at the end of the war: Nelson Alexander, James Crawford, Mark Davis, David Fink, Moses Fink, Henry Fink, Joseph Gibson, Lieutenant Amos Guy, Captain A. A. Bill, Lieutenant M. W. Hill, R. R. Hill, Nelson Lewis, Alexander F. Lewis, E. F. Morrison, A. F. Morrison, w. C. Mor- rison, Calvin Morrison, A. J. Morrison, James Mor- rison, John F. Murdock, Henry Merkin, John Mc- Lelland, Archie McFarland, Samuel Moore, xz G Sharpe, W. F. Sharpe, John M. F. Woodsides, Joseph Gillespie Woodsides, Silas Watts, Thomas Watts, W. G. Weston, W. L. Weston, A. C. Yates. Stevenson, Stikeleather, Waugh, died; Wilson killed, Wm. Hall Stevenso ’ ind sods ins Gate tld de Sot) Met slate, on hg, Witt | He 36 Lawyers As to how many lawyers went out from Concord congregation, I am not informed. Judge Edward Harris was a son of Samuel Harris, one of the first elders. He (Judge Edward Harris) lived in New Berne, North Carolina and died in Lumberton, North Carolina, while holding court and is buried there. He was a graduate of Princeton, New Jersey, and is said to have been a very able man. Amos Fry of Bry- son City, North Carolina, and who is now a State Senator, is a son of a female member of Concord church. W. F. Stevenson of Cheraw, South Carolina, is a son of one of the elders of this church. These are ail the lawyers that I have any knowl- edge of from this congregation. Doctors of Medicine Before 1840 I have no information on this sub- ject. Since that time the following have entered that profession from this congregation: J. R. B. Adams, James Beaty McLelland, John A. McLelland, J. A. K. Thomas, John Shelton, M. W. Hill, James Summers, John Rockwell McLelland, S. W. Stevenson, James E. Me. Stevenson, E. Clayton Stevenson, Francis Mil- a J R. . es hnarpe, . . King, Jam .c.§ Samuel A Harvey BLevensO snails James A Stevenson, Watts, Ss. . Q Alexander was a McLelland, A. ~ Alexander. ° 0 sessions. King and a Mecklenburg member fro Cheraw, h Carolina and was South C House % Speak f Repre- er of the mbers of Concord ; int, 1 nave up to this poi mber of this <a ps 3 f FE 3 ; f > 3 5 3 a 4 ry 7 > ee anes LT — i c_ — Sapabeniihesedies eh ae a nee vse, ae 38 spoken ‘of this congregation as a body, in a historic and a statistical sense only. I have been advised by my friends that the merits of certain lay members, not only deserve, but de- mand personal mention. I feel the force of this ad- vice but I shrink from the responsibility of such a task. However, I will try to do my duty and hope that I may keep within the bounds of truth and equity. From the time I was 12 to 18 years old the fol- lowing men would lead in prayer in the public congre- gation whe nasked to do so: James Adams, Levi N. Alexander, Houston Brown, Christian Clodfelter, David Hart, Thomas Hill, Robert Boyd, Feilding Watts, John Watts, William Morrison, Abner Morri- son, Junius Alexander, Wm. Ross Stevenson, Frank- lin Stevenson, James Ewing Stevenson, Wm. Sidney Stevenson, J. Hervey Stevenson, Lewis F. Stevenson and Rufus Gibson. Of all these Lewis Stevenson alone remains. Some of these men lived ten miles from the church. James Adams and Thomas Hi... were near neighbors. They traveled over country roads and had to ford South Yadkin river; but their attendance was constant and faithful. James Ad- ams was for many years clerk of the session. It was . t. Col. Junius 39 ted to note written by him that yk f writing this sketch. He raise Lage as the father of the |2 ie in Adams, of a manuscript me the idea 0 excellent family. J. R. B. Adams, : Cool Spring. He was the +o es, John B., Winslow ane * ape | tee re twins. The Rev- Winslo latter We of John Espy Watts, of Texas James Adams church and there en i k moved late in life to Fifth Cree ded his days. e family. prof. J. M. W. Hill, Lieut. . Be Hill, ruling ton of States- | urg township, iy fore marriage ed to 4 ed @ remarkabl i Hill, Dr. ee a ior Reserves: R _ A. A. Hamp s of Sharpesb Mrs. Hill’s name he ” This couple liv Thomas Hill rais was Miss Matiss@ Stevenson. @. good old ag mn oldest one of the inently pious man and 3 called by almost one child, @ he late W™- e first forrisom was the rilliam sa was an em ligious leaders; he was universally every one : : Sead daughter, Eliza; , ~~ Curtis McLelland. She is said rife of t have been th —s ~ ——— —e ee 40 child th 3: ea = Rev. Richard King baptized in th ri ; uring his pastoral service. Willi a ison lived to be very old , illiam Mor- Feilding Watts was faithf inna s faithful and ~ nt mnee =_— nae forward a, a ;' rothers who were P ua See Elbertus Watts, late a. buried in the rend mcrae or aa be onco aia senile Alabama, is his son ar She oe : ale a was also his son. T. A. otis aitailied sree as any man I ever knew. ‘te aie rilliant. He was as strong a tog ma ee cae . other man of his ‘ictilesittie, sane on congregation, but in Iredell ‘ike. ee eilding Watts passed away soo n after David Hart came late in life fr ain eae 7 } ite rom Orange cou a se and was faithful in all of his ak ae as also an excellent citizen. He andfather of Elder D. B. Morris e . B. Mc on. "7 Ch 5 ! J theran odfelt c ri tian Cl eiter ame fre n the Lu Church; was a very pious, worthy nan in every re- spect. His son, I elix Cl odfelter ,» was killed ar the 4\ battle of Sharpsburs- When and where Mr. Clodfel- ter died Iam not informed. Houston Brown came from Prospect church to ord. Naturally speaking, he was @ man some- arnest, consistent 3 Conc 3 what above mediocrity, was an @ ‘j Christian elder. He married Robt. Boyd's daughter d in the trenches at Petersburg. and was kille John Watts was @ justice of n the upper end of dfather of Preston Watts 0 the peace and a lead- ing citizen i the congregation and was the gran f the pres- ; ent board of elders. i quiet man and f his Church duties, 4 good neigh- ¢ citizen. One of his sons is a n California. -* > Co S ao “ yw _ ° “ “3 - w °o 5 4 2 faithful to all o ’ bor and @ patrioti Methodist minister i Levi N. Alexander and Robert Boyd were not el- ders but very well qualified to fill an elder’s office. Their religious lives were above reproach. Boyd was e faithful champion of the temperance cause. Alex- ander was frequently superintendent of the Sunday school; his oldest son, James C. Alexander, Ws a Presbyterian minister, his second son, Junius M. Alexander, W85 a ruling elder, his third son, Henry Lee Alexander, was killed in the civil war. The Alexander family was highly respected. * =e near een ots Pat _ 1 amas dee ki FE ™ 43 : The Stevensons h : i ave always b i prominent in this delbhdies ee daughter. She was the wife of the late J. H. Scroggs } , So much so, that I ; and the mother of Rev. J. R. Scrosss a presiding el- James Ewing der in the Methodist Church. His son, Stevenson, Was a deacon in this church and was also one of the most successful common school teachers I ho "ey pe, however, that no one will attribute t : motives. o me such ever knew. He left a family of boys, some of whom are church officers and all of whom sustain gooa characters and are men of influence. had first thou ght that I would mak i ake no personal - ’ : z any lay member, for fear some might be ad written this sketch to exploit my kindred e _-. 5 oe ketenes : Co Willi yens ee the furst of the elders of that i our sons and six da 5 tal meg eng ag gee Franklin Stevenson was once elected deacon but Bes iene. een a ] - etton and dectined to serve, was faithful to the church, and was ann iid De, a worthy citizen and was highly esteemed by his Franklin and Jam es. Mrs. H a oe oo neighbors. He lived to be very old. Thomas Steven- Ross, and their father, William, were : fl P i | ] i ae in local family his : tory and it has b lai Dr. Rockwell ° : s been claimed that got many items of local hi . gon, his brother and things about the eae of men 7 contemporaneous members of the poard of elders | Bethany and Concord rao 4 ions of Fourth Creek, during the last days of William Stevenson This j o , er. ‘ . - Thomas Stevenson, my grandfather, w was an unusual occurrence in family history- FS est son. He died when I w . er, was the old- _- s speak of the memb was six years ofd. I will Thomas Stevenson died when I was six years old. | am e er ical - ‘ ot tra” ibers of his family later. I know little of him except from the opinion of others. | > Ross Stevenson was elected elder iri—li He was, held in greet reverence by the men of his er and was soon rated as the hiciakt = a generation who survived him. He raised five sons ae a . — I heard a preacher say that Kess os of the and five daughters. His second daughter was the could put more theology in one of is ie evenson mother of Rev. John Harris. His oldest son, Samuel any layman he had ever heard.” He ber ar on ' H. Stevenson, was a Presbyterian minister; he lived oe — his ministerial life in the State of Illinois. He died ¥5 44 at the age of eighty-four. His second son, William Sidney Stevenson, was my father. He was a quiet, thoughtful man, fervently pious and a leader in re- ligious work. He was an elder for thirty years and clerk of session for twenty. He was social in his home-life and loved company and made his visitors welcome. He was fond of vocal music, which made a bond of union between him and the young people. They were very fond of him and often visited him and in his last years he was a fireside teacher of mor- ality, politeness and religion. He was a local his- torian of reputation. The editor of the Statesville “Mascot” in speaking of his death said “much local history died with him.” He was a deep thinker, careful in his conclusions, always had the courage to stand by his convictions, but was liberal towards other people’s opinions. J. Hervey Stevenson was the third son. When I say he was a remarkable man I am expressing it mildly. .He had the brightest and clearest mind of any man I have ever known. In childhood he was sv weak and sickly, he could not go to school. He learn- ed to read when four years old, at home; his attend- ance at school did not amount to more than one year. When a young man he went to Kentucky and became oe Tew, = ee 45 a traveling collector for some eastern publishing house; his business required him to travel over a scope of country from Cincinnati to New York and Boston; part of his time was spent in these cities. He was engaged in this work for five years and in that time he gained a technical knowledge of business ways and methods which fitted him for the duties of life. He had a few standard books D’Aubigue’s History of the Reformation, McAuley’s History of England and Frost’s Pictorial History of the United States, and he was quite familiar with their contents. He knew the history of the Protestant Church from Martin Luther’s time on up, the history of England from William the Conqueror to the days of Gladstone, and the history of the United States from the landing of the Pilgrims to the administrations of Grover Cleveland. If questioned about any period in English history, as the “War of the Roses,” “the misrule of the Stuarts” or “the boldness and military ability” of Oliver Cromwell, he would give the salient points interspersed with striking laconic comments which were of special interest. On such subjects as engaged his attention for the last twenty years of his life such as the duties of sheriffs, administrators, executors and guardians, he was unusually clear and correct. 46 E. M. Stevenson was the fourth son. He was a man of prominence in his community. He repre- sented Alexander county in the State convention of 1866, he was a member of the House of Representa- tives and also State Senator more than once. He was clerk of the Superior Court of Alexander county, for 12 years and was a man of affairs in his day. He was a ruling elder in the church of his town and was a delegate to the different church courts almost con- tinuously. His Christian character was spotless and he was often spoken of in his latter days as “the grand old man.” He came as near being an ideal character as any man I ever knew. The fifth son, Lewis F. Stevenson, is now in his 86th year. He ‘is well and strong for one of his age. He lives at Loray. He was a deacon in early life but has been an elder for many years. He has al- ways lived an upright, consistent Christian life, and is highly esteemed by all who know him, and seems to be enjoying a happy old age. Rufus Gibson came as an elder from Bethany congregation. He was a man of sterling worth and lovely Christian character and a zealous supporter of the church. Three of his sons were church officers, James was a deacon, W. B. and Dr. Mc., were elders. 47 W. B. is now president of the Farmers’ Union in Ire- dell county and is highly respected. Dr. Gibson was a popular physician and died in Taylorsville some years ago. The late Dr. John A. McLelland was raised near Concord church, first settled near the Catawba river. When Shiloh church was organized his name was enrolled there and he was installed elder. His family, however, were all members at Concord. He served as elder at Shiloh until his death, He was a man of prominence, an able physician, a bold champion of temperance, and more or less, a traveling local moral force. He was much loved and respected. He died in the prime of life in 1866. The Women of Concord Congregation I have not indulged in any personal comments about the women of this congregation but I now say unhesitatingly, that in intellectual strength, in moral force, in church devotion, in purity of purpose, in generous hospitality and in kindness of heart they were the full equals of the men. Now, what more need I say on that subject? 48 Concord church has always been, and is at this time, a center of as pure religion and of as sound morals as can be found in North Carolina. Not a single murder has been committed by a member of any of these Presbyterian families in all these one hundred and thirty years. No felony of any kind has been committed, and very few misdemeanors, and very few litigations have taken place in the whole history of this church. The people are of the middle class type, are intelligent, social, polite and industri- ous; and in this congregation is one of the most suit- able places to live in peace and rear a respectable family that can be found anywhere in this Southland. They have always been, and are now, an agricultural people, and this is why every one who has been for- tunate enough to get a college education has gone out to other communities. In writing this imperfect sketch, my only mo- tive has been to preserve a history of the early life of this church, and perpetuate the memory of such things as deserve to live. I would have muuch pre- ferred that some one else had done so, but such an one did not materialize. There are doubtless many mistakes in it but I have done the bese I could under adverse circumstances, and at this late date, I am ee —— 49 indebted to the manuscripts of James Adams and Rev. G. E. Eagleton for much that is contained in this sketch; and to the present members of this church, I now dedicate these frail and imperfect lines. S. W. STEVENSON. Mooresville, N. C., September, 1913. Ps ba) ce Mes DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY ARCHIVES AND RECORDS SECTION CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY This is to certify that the microphotographs appearing on this film are true and accurate reprcductions of records originated during the normal course of business by the LREXD E // BOuw7Y Concern fees byfeataw Chiwch Rt-b, STaréser lle, 4. C« and consist of Chureed Aishw 1295-93 The records begin with Ove 2 Coved page, and end with paae YS wag 7 7 It is further certified that the above records were microfilmed in conformity with the provisions of the General Statutes of North Carolina, chapter 8-45.1 and 8-45.4, "Uniform Photographic Copies of Business and Public Records ae Evidence Act"; that the microphotographic processes accurately reproduce the records so microfilmed; that the film forms a durable medium for reproducing the original, if necessary; and that the film used conforms to American National Standards Institute, Specifications for Safety Photographic Film, ANSI PH 1.25-1976 and American National Standards Institute, Specifications for Photographic Film for Archival Records, Silver-Gelatin on Cellulose Ester Base, ANSI PH 1.28-1976. This is further to certify that the microphotographic processes were accomplished by the undersigned on the date and at the reduction ratio indicated below. Date Filming of this Reel Began Dc¥pte. S (GH _ Reduction Ratio Lé Vv Date Filming of this Reel Ended DSH SER Where 2, LT chef Microfilm Camera Operator END OF REEL