On this page: Sources for Rocky Creek Reformed Presbyterian Church
1. History Of The Reformed Presbyterian Church In America, GLASGOW
2. The Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter, Volume 14, No.1, 1876
• Article: Reminiscences of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in South Carolina
• Article: Sketch Of The Covenanters Of Rocky Creek, South Carolina About 1750-1840
• Article: Minutes of the Reformed Presbytery
3. The Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter, Volume 15, No.1, 1877
4. Names In South Carolina, University of South Carolina
5. The Covenanters of Chester County, SC, By Maurice S. ULMER, 1997
6. The Covenanters of South Carolina, By Maurice S. ULMER, 1999
7. Associate Reformed Presbyterian: Early Associate Reformed Presbyterian Article by Robert Latham [sic LATHAN], 1888
8. Bulletins of Chester District Genealogical Society, 1978, Volume 1, Numbers 1 - 4
9. PCA Historical Center
10. RootsWeb Archives
11. Sources for Rev. Samuel Brown WYLIE
Latest update: Wednesday, 23 September, 2015
These sources for the EDGAR family research focus on the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Although we have excerpted the
portions relevant to the EDGAR family, we have also included the location of the full content of each source.
[editorial comment]
1. History Of The Reformed Presbyterian Church In America
[Sourced as History Of The Reformed Presbyterian Church In America, GLASGOW.]
2. The Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter, Volume 14, No. 1
By John W. Sproull, Thomas Sproull, David Burt Willson, James McLeod Willson
Pittsburgh: Printed By Bakewell, & Maethens, No. 71 Grant Street.
January 1876
[• Publication at GoogleBooks]
[• Contributed by Robert Merritte WEBB]
Article: Reminiscences of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in South Carolina
By the Rev. D. S. Faris
[Sourced as The Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter, Vol. 14, 1876; FARIS]
pp 57-58
"Before the church in South Carolina began to decline there were five meeting-houses, besides a number of societies
or out stations, where there was occasional preaching. The centre and parent of all was Edgar's meeting-house,
afterwards called Rocky Creek, and finally the Brick church. It was called Edgar's, because Adam Edgar, one
of the earliest elders, ceded the land on which it stood. (He was an American from Pennsylvania. William Edgar,
elected elder in 1801, was his son, and one of the two elders who in 1819 formed the first session of Bethel
congregation, Illinois.) This house was called Rocky Creek from the stream near which it stood; and afterwards
the Brick church when the old log structure was removed, and a comfortable brick building erected. Near this
meeting-house was the tent, a permanent shelter for the ministers to stand in when the great union sacraments were
so often held. The spot with the burying ground near it, in which lie the remains of King, McKinney, Riley and
Donnelly, may well be viewed with a kind of sacred regard by Covenanters. If the old ground could be occupied
as a mission by our church, it would be a great gratification to many, whose memory still lingers about the place of
their fathers' sepulchers, and the scenes of their childhood."
Article: Sketch Of The Covenanters Of Rocky Creek, South Carolina About 1750-1840
[Also posted at Cathcart / Baskin Genealogy; Transcribed By Phyllis J. Bauer]
[Sourced as The Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter, Vol. 14, 1876; Sketch of the Covenanters]
p174
Rev. Mr. King arrived here in 1792. He settled on the South side of beaver Dam, near Mount Prospect Church, on the
plantation now owned by Mrs. Backstrom. He died in 1798 and is buried at the Brick Church...
Rev. James McKinney was the next in order. Where his residence was, I do not know. He was pastor of the
congregation at the Brick Church and died in 1803, August, and was buried at the Brick Church...
Rev. Thomas Donnelly was licensed to preach at Coldingham, June 1799 -- he settled first somewhere near little
Rocky Creek. He afterwards bought Stephen Harman's place on the north side of Big Rocky Creek -- a plantation
now owned by Mr. George Heath. I recollect hearing him preach at a stand near his house some time in the year
1804. From this date he was the only minister until the arrival of Mr. Riley in 1813, and preached at most of the
churches that will hereafter be mentioned. After the Covenanters had generally removed from the country, Mr.
Donnelly preached at Old Richardson, a Presbyterian Church -- a portion of the time at his own house, there being
some of his people scattered in the country. He and the elder Thomas McClurken married two of the sisters of
David Smith this connection was numerous on little Rocky Creek. Mr. Donnelly's eldest son, Samuel, became a
Presbyterian minister -- now residing in Florida (deceased), his father frequently visited him when he lived at
Liberty Hill, and preached in his son's church. Mr. Donnelly died in 1847 -- his family, after his death removed to
Illinois. It consisted of John, Thomas (who married to John Cathcart's daughter) and Nancy, who married in Illinois,
Riley Linn, the son of Henry Linn. Mr. Donnelly was buried at the Brick Church by the side of McKinney and
King. His wife was also buried in the same place.
The next minister, Rev. Jno. Riley, came into South Carolina in 1813, settled on the south side of Big Rocky Creek,
about a half-mile of Martin's first church, the one burnt. He was a popular preacher. His places of preaching were the
Beaver Dam Church, the Brick Church, and Richmond. He died in 1820, is buried at the Brick Church, some
distance from the other ministers. All have appropriate tombstones.
The Brick Church situated three miles from Pleasant Grove, on the plantation now owned by John Hood, has
all been removed, nothing but the graveyard left. There was a considerable immigration to this country after
1785, but whether this church was built before Mr. King came or not, I do not know. It was first a log building.
The brick building was built about 1810.
p175
Mr. King preached at the Brick Church and probably at other small societies scattered over the country. After the
arrival of Mr. Alley at the Brick church, Mr. John McNinch was tried in the session, and the congregation became
dissatisfied with Mr. Donnelly, which was intrinsically the cause of the churches Smith and McNinch, being built.
...
Rev. Hugh McMillan commenced preaching in the year 1822, at the Brick Church were he had a large school for
a number of years…
Rev. Hugh McMillan and Robert Mondford were gradates of the S.C. College. McMillan commenced preaching
in 1822 at the Brick church where he had for a number of years a large classical school.
(Note by D. M. Little, re-typing the above in 1977: Hugh McMillan, brother or Gavin, born in Chester District, SC, Feb.
1794, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. Returning home, he was elected Professor of languages in
Columbia College. Determining to consecrate himself to the ministry, he entered the Philadelphia Reformed
Presbyterian Seminary, and in 1820 was licensed to preach. After doing missionary work from Ohio to South Carolina,
he was ordained and installed pastor or Rocky Creek Brick Church in 1821. He was married in 1822 to Mary Ann
McClurg of Pittsburgh and was the father of three children, of whom two died in infancy. He taught classical
literature at the Brick Church for a number of years as well as ministering to the congregation there. He
preached one third of his time at the Turkey Creek Church. He was a man of great ability and his antipathy to
slavery soon made his location untenable. In the fall of 1828, on his return from Synod, he visited his brother, Gavin,
at Cedarville, Ohio and assisted in serving the Lord's Supper. The congregation was so pleased with him, and since
Gavin was spending only one-fourth of his time with them, gave Hugh a call, understanding that he wished to
remove from Rocky Creek with as many of his congregation as would accompany him and settle in the free states.)
Article: Minutes of the Reformed Presbytery
Copied from the Original found with the Papers of the Late Rev. Thomas Donnelly.
27 June 1800 - 11 February 1801
[Sourced as The Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter, Vol. 14, 1876; Minutes of the Reformed Presbytery]
p 314
No. 9 January 28th, 1801, Rocky Creek Meeting House (widow Edgar's)
The Committee of the Reformed Presbytery having repaired to South Carolina, met and constituted by prayer,
Rev. Messrs. McKinney and Wylie, ministers; John Kell and David Stormont, ruling elders... 1st. We humbly crave that the
Reformed Presbytery would proceed immediately to take Mr. Thomas Donnelly under presbyterial trials for ordination,
and moderate a call to that import, that so we may have an opportunity of putting a call into his hand. 2d. We crave that
we may be admitted to put a call into the hand of another member of the Reformed Presbytery, as a colleague with Mr.
Donnelly. 3d. We crave that the Presbytery would proceed to the trials and ordination of some elders over us, as five of
our elders are dead, viz., Samuel Lowridge, Adam Edgar, John Wyatt, Thomas Morton and James McQuiston; and
others, through age and infirmity, rendered almost unfit for the exercise of that office. 4th. We supplicate the Reformed
Presbytery for the celebration of the Lord's supper amongst us, and in order thereto for public and private examination
in the different quarters of our connections, at as early a period as opportunity will admit. 5th. We crave the Reformed
Presbytery to take the Rev. Mr. James" McGarragh's situation under consideration, relative to the Reformed
Presbytery's former procedure anent his case. 6th. We crave that Mr. Martin be called to the bar of the Presbytery to
answer his disgraceful and immoral conduct... 2. That a nomination of elders be made, which was accordingly done
as follows: James Harbison, Alexander Martin, Hugh McQuiston, John Cunningham, David Smith, John McNinch,
John Cooper, William Edgar, James Montgomery, Robert Black. This nomination was transmitted to the people among
whom said elders were designed to labor, for their elective concurrence.
p315
No. 10 Rocky Creek Meeting-House Feb 5th, 1801...
5. It was agreed that the following distribution of ministerial labors should be made; until the sacrament: Mr. McKinney
to be first Sabbath at Winsborough; second, at Beaver Dam,; third, at the meeting-house near widow Edgar's. Mr.
Wylie to be first Sabbath, at Robert Hemphill's; second and third, over Cataba river. Mr. Donnelly to be first Sabbath
with Mr. Wylie; second and third, over Broad river...
p316
... to the Rev. Wm. Martin, which was (tendered)* in the following expressions: "Sir, you are hereby required to appear
personally before the committee of the Reformed Presbytery, to meet at the meeting-house near W. Edgar's, upon
Wednesday, the 11th inst., to answer for your withdrawing from the Reformed Presbytery. Signed this 5th day of
February, 1801. "S. B. Wylie, Mod'r."...
No. 11. Meeting-house At Widow Edgar's, Feb 11th, 1801....
3. It was agreed that the former meeting respecting the disposal of ministerial labors should be so far altered, that
Mr. McKinney shall preach on the preparation Sabbath at Little River, and Mr. Wylie at the Rocky Creek
meeting-house.
3. The Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter, Volume 15, No. 1
By John W. Sproull, Thomas Sproull, David Burt Willson, James McLeod Willson
Vol 15. January 1877, No. 1
[• Publication at GoogleBooks]
[• Contributed by Robert Merritte WEBB]
[Sourced as The Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter, Vol. 15, 1877]
page 12 - 14
ARTICLE: Among the Graves of the Worthies.
By S. O. Wylie, D. D.
… It may not be generally known, that several of the early ministers of our church fell at their post in the South, and most of
them in the prime of life. Four of them—William King, James McKinney, John Reiley and James Donnelly—are interred
in the graveyard of the "Old Brick Church," distant some seven or eight miles from Chester C. H. Rev. Campbell
Maddon lies in Winsboro', Fairfield District, adjoining Chester on the south. Many were the tender associations awakened in
the mind of the writer, as he stood at the graves of these worthies, men who did worthily in their day, and whose names are
among his earliest recollections. The inscriptions which mark their sacred graves were procured, and are printed below, that
these just men may be kept in remembrance. For the inscriptions in the graveyard of the "Old Brick Church" we are indebted
to the kindness of Mr. James N. Knox, near Chester, a Christian gentleman of much excellence and highly esteemed in the
community where he resides, and his daughter Jane, by whom they were copied; and for that of Mr. Madden, to his son, Dr.
Thomas B. Madden, of Winsboro', whose kind attentions during our brief stay are gratefully remembered.
13
It is understood that the inscriptions on the stones of Messrs. King, McKinney, Reilly and Madden were prepared by
Mr. Donnelly.
Sacred to the
Memory of the Rev'd.
William King; who departed
this life Aug'st 24th, A. D. 1798, aged
about 50 years.
Within this humble tomb pale Death has laid
A King who mortal sceptre never swayed,
But he himself did rule by Jesus' laws;
In grace and Holy life a pattern was.
In love to God and man he shone conspicuously,
And walked with God in deep humility.
In faithfulness and zeal for Jesus' cause
Few of his fellows to him equal was,
But zeal in him so mixed with moderation,
Made even foes him view with admiration.
Tho' deeply skilled in human learning, he
Taught truths divine with great simplicity,
That perfect God might make his saints thereby,
And through his means Christ's body edify.
The Pastor's, Husband's, Parent's care he shew'd,
While he in earthly house did make abode.
His loss by all bewail'd, tho' felt by none
So much as by this people left alone.
His clay here lies, his soul to heaven is fled;
His people he left on God for to be fed.
-----
Sacred to the
Memory of
The Rev. Jas. McKinney,
Who departed this life Sept. 16th,
A. D. 1802, aged about 45 years.
Death's hand, tho' cold, strikes a most certain blow
In wafting Zion's sons from toil below.
To place them in the Father's house above,
To see him in the fullness of his love.
Eccelesia wails her noble champion laid,
In this low tomb to Death his tribute's paid.
A husband kind, a tender parent he,
To friend and foes a friend he wish'd to be.
Tho' few in letters, human or divine,
Or grace or nature's gifts did so much shine,
Yet, hated by unworthy world, he
By God was thought above its company;
Amidst its threats his clay in quiet lies,
While his immortal part has reach'd the skies.
Truth's foes rejoiced to see her Hero fall,
That to their idols they may join withal.
Spare boasts, truth's foes, tho' whirling winds to heaven
Elijah bore, Elisha soon was given,
By him who in the greatest love can raise
Another champion in McKinney's place.
-----
Sacred to the Memory of
The Revd. John Riley,
Who departed this life
25th August, 1820,
Aged 50 years.
This tomb contains his dust; no more
His voice is heard where it was heard before.
His wife, his people, mourn his labors' end,
And friendly neighbors a departed friend.
14
His gain their loss, his life by death secure
In endless mansions, where joys are pure.
Ye mourners look to Zion's sovereign Lord,
Who can to you another guide afford.
-----
Sacred to the Memory of
Rev. C. Madden,
Who departed this life August 12th, 1828.
Aged 33 years.
Insatiate death! thou sparest none;
To thy vast kingdom all must come.
Didst thou regard the widow's tears,
The orphans' helpless state and years;
Didst thou respect a lettered mind,
Formed to benefit mankind;
Didst thou regard a temper meek,
By grace refined his God to seek;
Didst thou regard Mount Sion's peace,
Her cries to God for gospel grace;—
Our Madden had with us remained,
And peace and joy to us proclaimed.
What hast thou done? thou wast his friend;
Him to his Father's house didst send,
Where he will sing to endless days
The triumph and the Saviour's praise.
His family, his flock, his friend,
To heavenly grace he did commend.
In the Chief Shepherd's hand they're safe
As long as they do live by faith.
-----
In Memory of
Rev. Thomas Donnelly,
Who departed this life
The 28th November, 1847,
In the 76th year of his age,
And the 46th of his ministry.
He was a native of Ireland,
And for many years
Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church
In this vicinity.
"For him to live was Christ—
To die, gain."
[Philippians 1:21]
4. Names In South Carolina
Published Annually at the Department of English, Institute for Southern Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, University of
South Carolina
Vol 22, Winter 1975
[• Publication at Names in South Carolina at University of South Carolina]
[• Contributed by Robert Merritte WEBB]
[ Sourced as USC Names in South Carolina]
page 16
Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, as expected, is located in a grove of trees about five miles from Chester and a quarter
mile off the highway. It was organized in the comparatively late year of 1847. Apparently this place of worship was originally
established as an extension of historic Catholic Presbyterian Church ten miles to the southeast. In fact, Pleasant Grove in early
days was often referred to as Upper Catholic, as well as White's Church and the New Church. The name Pleasant Grove was
also given a nearby school which flourished around the turn of the century. The teacher was usually the minister's wife with
him serving as substitute.
The Brick Church, a Covenanter stronghold, once stood near the present site of the Chester lookout tower. (Natives
always make reference to the fire tower rather than the lookout tower.) Whatever the proper name, the tower serves
as a familiar landmark, a sure direction finder, and a reliable point of reference. No trace of the Covenanter church
can be found today, but the cemetery used by these hardy people is nearby. It is in good condition, fairly
accessible, but hidden away in pine-lands. Strangers should use a guide who will inevitably start out by explaining
that the old cemetery is "near the fire tower."
There are twenty-five marked graves and several unmarked ones in the Covenanter cemetery. Five ministers are buried here,
and family names on tombstones have a Scotch-Irish ring: McMillan, McKinner, Riley, King, Nisbet.
5. The Covenanters of Chester County, SC:
A History of the Rock Creek Reformed Presbyterian Church
By Maurice S. ULMER
Lancaster, South Carolina, 1997
Craftsman Press
[• Excerpted pages in .pdf format.]
[• Contributed by Robert Merritte WEBB]
[Sourced as The Covenanters of Chester County, SC, ULMER 1997]
[cover page]
The Covenanters of Chester County, SC:
A History of the Rock Creek Reformed Presbyterian Church
By Maurice S. Ulmer
Craftsman Press
Lancaster, South Carolina
1997
[page 6]
The Rocky Creek Cemetery
On March 24, 1957 Dr. and Mrs. James V. Crowder copied the markers. (7) In 1997, the markers are still in very good
shape.
[bullets added for presentation clarity]
• MARTHA COOPER / Died 23 January 1813 / aged about 91 years
• MARTHA COOPER / Died 21 March 1823 / aged 25 years
• JOHN COOPER / Died 4 August 1828 / in his 76th year
• Rev. THOMAS DONNELLY / Died 28 November 1847 / in his 76th year of his age / and the 46th of his ministry / He was a
native of Ireland / And for many years / Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church / In this vicinity / For him to live was
Christ / To die gain
• AGNESS DONNELLY / Wife of Rev. THOMAS DONNELLY / Died 4 April 1848 / in her 67th year
• JAMES KELL / Died 19 November 1793 / in his 25th year
• SARAH KELL / Died 20 December 1795 / in her 10th year
• Rev. WILLIAM KING / Died 24 August 1798 / aged about 50 years / Within this humble tomb pale death has laid / A King who
mortal sceptre never swayed / But he himself did rule by Jesus’ laws / In grace and holy life a pattern was / In love to God and
an he shone conspicuously / And walked with God in deep humility / In faithfulness and zeal for Jesus’ cause / Few of his
fellows to him equal was / But zeal so mixed in him with moderation / Made even foes view him with admiration / Tho deeply
skilled in human learning, he / Taught truths divine with great simplicity / That perfect God might make his saints thereby / And
through his means Christ's body edify / The Pastor's, Husband's, Parent's care he shew’d / While he in earthly house did make
abode / His loss by all bewail’d, tho’ felt by none / So much as by this people left alone / His clay here lies, his soul to heaven
fled / His people he left on God for to be fed
• LUCRETIA KNOX / Daughter of HUGH and JANET KROX / Born 1 January 1811 / Died 14 September 1835
• Rev. JAMES McKINNEY / Died 16 September 1802 / aged about 45 years / Death's hand, tho’ cold, strikes a most certain
blow / In wafting Zion's sons from toil below / To place them in the Father's house above / To see him in the fullness of his
love / Ecclesia wails her noble champion laid / In this low tomb to Death his tribute’s paid / A husband kind a tender parent he /
To friend and foes a friend he wish’d to be / Tho’ few in
6
[page 7]
letters, human or divine / Or grace or nature's gifts did so much shine / Yet, hated by unworthy world, he / By God was thought
above its company / Amidst its threats his clay in quiet lies / While his immortal part has reached the skies / Truth’s foes
rejoiced to see her Hero fall / That to their idols they may join withal / Spare boasts, truth's foes, tho’ whirling winds to heaven /
Elijah bore, Elisha soon was given / By him who in the greatest love can raise / Another champion in McKinney’s place
• HUGH McMILLAN / Originally from Ireland / One of the most zealous and earliest of the members of the Reformed Church in
South Carolina to which he continued firmly attached until death / Died 5 January 1818 / in his 66th year
• JANE McMILLAN / Wife of HUGH McMILLAN / Died 5 November 1825 / aged about 75 years
• JOHN McMILLAN / Son of JOHN and MARY McMILLAN / Died 1 October 1821 / aged 1 year / 6 months / 28 days
• MARGARET McMILLAN / A native of County Antrim in Ireland / Consort of ALEXANDER McMILLAN / Died 2 August 1832 /
aged 78 years
• HUGH McMILLAN / a dear and hopeful child / Died 14 July 1827 / in his first year
• MARTIN MCMILLAN / Died 10 October 1826 / aged 72 years
• HANNAH NISBET / Wife of JOHN NISBET / Died 13 August 1847 / aged 65 years
• JOHN NISBET / Died 20 December 1847 / aged 70 years
• JAMES NISBET / Died 20 October 1793 / aged near 50 years
• NANCY NISBET / Wife of JAMES NISBET / Died 17 October 1802 / aged 50 years
• HANNAH NISBET / Daughter of J. T. and J. H. NISBET / Died 24 April 1836 / aged 2 months
• WILLIAM NISBET / Son of JOHN and HANNAH NISBET / Died 17 August 1847 / aged 50 years
• JAMES L. RALPH / 24th S. C. Infantry / CSA / no dates
• Rev. JOHN REILY / Died 25 August 1820 / aged 50 years / This tomb contains his dust; no more / His voice is heard where it
was heard before / His wife, his people, mourn his labor’s end / And friendly neighbors a departed friend / His gain their loss,
his
7
[page 8]
\ life by death secure / In endless mansions, where joys are pure / Ye mourners look to Zion's sovereign Lord / Who can to you
another guide afford
• Mrs. JANE REILY / Wife of REV. JOHN REILY / Died 25 August 1846 / aged near 80 years
• JOHN WILSON / Died 6 October 1826 / aged 8 years / 10 months / 27 days
8
[page 13]
Footnotes
1 Rev. D.S. Paris, "Reminiscences of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in South Caroline,” The Reformed Presbyterian
and Covenanter Volume XIV, Feb. 1876, pp. 57, 58
2 William Helancthon Glasgow, History of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in America (Baltimore, MD: Hill and Harvey
Publishers, 1888) p. 574
3 Robert Lathan, "An Excursion - III,” The ARP, Volume XXXV, No. 36, 6 September, 1888
4 Glasgow, p. 602
5 Constitution and Minutes of the Reformed Presbytery of North America, p. 3
6 William B. Sprague, Annals of the American Associate, Associate Reformed and Reformed Presbyterian Pulpit (New
York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1869) p. 28
7 Louise Kelly Crowder, Tombstone Records of Chester County, SC and Vicinity, Volume 1 (South Carolina Tricentennial,
1970) pp. 36-37
13
6. The Covenanters of South Carolina:
A Brief History of the Work of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the State of South Carolina
By Maurice S. ULMER
Covington, Virginia; 1999
Publisher, The author
Length, 50 pages
[• Excerpted pages in .pdf format.]
[• Contributed by Robert Merritte WEBB]
[Sourced as The Covenanters of South Carolina, ULMER 1999]
[page 1]
Given in Memory
of
The Reverend
William Martin
(1729 - 1806)
Covenanter Pastor
Revolutionary War
Patriot
By Jim Knox
Covington, Virginia
1999
[page 13]
A. R. Presbyterians Carry On History
(This article was published in the News and Reporter. Chester, SC on October 18, 1978. It appears the writer confused the
Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, in both the title and also
the photo captions which were in the original article.)
There were: 20 cars, with headlights on, moving down the rural Chester County road toward the old cemetery, led by a sheriffs
escort and carrying about 75 Reformed Presbyterians, radiantly enthusiastic as they sang the old Psalms.
The people beside the road, in typical Southern fashion, took off their hats in respect for the dead.
What they didn't realize as the caravan passed was that the latest death involved had been in 1847. It was the historical
commemoration of Reformed Presbyterianism in South Carolina, observed by the Southeast Presbytery of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, on Friday and Saturday, October 13 - 14, in Chester County.
Over two centuries before, the first "Covenanters" had moved into the Piedmont along the banks of Rocky Creek,
coming from Pennsylvania, but also from the old countries of Scotland and Ireland. John McDonald and his wife had
pioneered the town of Chester in about 1750, only to be massacred by the Cherokees in 1761.
Crucial to the development had been the announcement posted by Rev. William Martin, pastor of the R.P. congregation of
Kellswater, County of Antrim, N. Ireland, on Jan 3, 1772, "To give notice to his present and former hearers that have a design
to embrace this favorable opportunity to go to a country (S. Carolina) where they may enjoy the comforts of life in abundance
with the free exercise of their religious sentiments." Five boatloads sailed from Belfast in September of that year. As it turned
out, the "abundance" consisted primarily of game to be hunted and trees to be felled, but the "free religion" was very real.
They built their first log house of worship The Rocky Creek Reformed Presbyterian Church building in 1773; and six
other congregations were organized one by one. At the merger of many of the Reformed in the north into the new Associated
(sic) Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1782, the Carolina societies continued the R.P. name and heritage until the official,
national reconstitution of the denomination by James McKinney and his colaborers [sic] in 1798. To a large degree, today's
Reformed Presbyterians owe their church to the Scotch-Irish of Chester County and elsewhere in the southern Piedmont.
The observance in Chester began with the communion service of the stated fall meeting of Southeast Presbytery on Friday
evening, Oct. 13, Rev. David Alexander, pastor of Second Street Presbyterian Church, Albennarle, N.C., who had been
responsible for planning the services, had engraved by hand over 100 polished brass communion tokens, disk-shaped,
marked RPCES on one side and TOKEN 1978 on the other. Though distributed in advance, they were not turned in at the
actual observance of the sacrament, as in the old days, but retained as souvenirs. The Presbytery had prepared psalm
booklets and these were sung, just as in the old days. Dr. Barton Payne, professor at Covenant Theological Seminary, St.
Louis, Mo., let (sic) the worshippers in reviewing the R. P. distinctive beliefs in respect to the inerrancy of Scripture and the
anticipated earthly kingship of Christ, which marked Covenanters, then and now.
Saturday afternoon was caravan time. First stop was the site of what, after 1810, was the "Old Brick Church" of the
Rocky Creek congregation. The building is gone, but the cemetery has been well kept by the Chester Scouts,
encouraged by Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm Marion of Chester. The
13
[page 14]
iron gate and stone wall stand well preserved, for which the R. P. General Synod so faithfiilly took offerings in the
1890's and early 1900's.
Rev. Werner Mietling of the Lexington Church, N.C. had prepared xeroxed copies of four of the long poems that mark the
graves of the former R. P. pastors Rev. Mr. King, McKinney, Riley, and Donnelly. The concluding lines on Rev. McKinney's
gravestone still reads, " Spare boasts, truth's foes: though whirling winds to heaven Elijah bor, Elisha soon was given by Him
who, in the greatest love, can raise Another champion in McKinney's place."
The Reformed Presbyterians began to move to Ohio and Illinois so that by 1832 only one congregation remained in South
Carolina. But it was these covenanters who built the R. P. churches that have continued to this day in the "Northeast Territory",
such as Sparta or Coulterville in southern Illinois.
Rev. Thomas Donnelly served as moderator for the 7th R.P. Synod in 1818; and it is true that next year (1979) will mark the
157th General Synod, R.P.C.E.S. But though he died in 1847 and the last R. P. Church in the area, Bethesda, at Hazelwood,
Chester County, was officially dissolved in the following year, the gathering on Oct. 14 still maintained a number of personal
links with the past.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Faris came from Kansas City to represent their distant ancestor Faris, who had served as a ruling elder in
the early days of the Rocky Creek congregation. Mr. Hugh Henry of Aiken, S.C. was present and related tales from the life of
his great grandfather Henry who, at his death in 1867 was the last of the older S. C. Covenanters -- he would never affiliate
with another denomination. If only he could have waited a little longer -- well, 75 years longer, because it was not until 1942
that Reformed Presbyterianism returned to the Piedmont, with the Faith RP Church, Charlotte, N.C., and 1945, with the
Augusta St. Church, Greenville, S.C.
From the cemetery, located seven miles out east of Chester (highway 44) the caravan wound its way to old Catholic, whose
present building stands three miles west on highway 97. It received its name because it was "Catholic" (universal) for all the
Scottish Presbyterian bodies, starting in 1759. The present (U. P.U.S.) structure back on the old site in the 1840's. But in 1773
the R.P.'s who by this time constituted the majority of the congregation, put up their own building, one mile southeast. As an
early account describes it, "here in the summer of 1773 these pious Covenanters might be seen from day to day, felling trees
and clearing a space of ground upon which they reared a large log meeting house, many of then living in tents at home, till a
place was provided for their services." The caravan could only examine the site -- no building -- it had been burned by the
Tories in 1780. The R. P.’s had no love for the English crown!
The last two stopping points were three miles east (highway 901) on the soil of Mr. Martin's own farm. There, by the stones
that remained from his home, Mr. William Martin himself spoke to the group -- a descendant of the fighting pastor's brother,
James Martin. Their family had moved to Illinois, but some later returned to South Carolina.
The group drank the cool water that still flows from the rocks, over which a spring house once stood. The final service was at
the Rev. William Martin's grave nearby.
Before Rev. Lawrence Withington, of the Anderson Church, and moderator of the SE Presbytery, R.P.C.E.S., pronounced the
final benediction, the tribute written by Adam Loughridege, principal of the Theological Hall, Belfast, of today's Reformed
Presbyterian Church of Ireland, which he had composed for the 200th anniversary of Martin's ordination (1757 - he was the
first R.P. minister to be ordained in Ireland) was read: "We accept the challenge of his life of courage and fidelity to principle,
and we count it an honor to be the heirs
14
[page 15]
and successors of such worthy men in maintaining the same cause, "For Christ's crown and covenant."
So his heirs in America sang the stirring metrical version of Psalm 72, “Christ shall have dominion, over land and sea ...”,
inspired to live more faithfully for our Saviour and King.
Footnotes
1 Rev. D.S. Faris, "Reminiscences of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in South Carolina," The Reformed Presbyterian and
Covenanter Volume XIV, Feb. 1876, pp.57,58
2 William Melancthon Glasgow, History of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in America (Baltimore, MD: Hill and Harvey
Publishers, 1888) p. 574
3 Robert Lathan, "An Excursion-III," The ARP. Volume XXXV, No. 36, 6 September, 1888
4 Glasgow, p. 602
5 Constitution and Minutes of the Reformed Presbytery of North America, p. 3
6 William B. Sprague, Annals of the American Associate, Associate Reformed and Reformed
Presbyterian Pulpit (New York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1869) p. 28
7 Louise Kelly Crowder, Tombstone Records of Chester County, SC and Vicinity, Volume I (South Carolina Tricentennial,
1970) pp. 36-37
HOW TO GET THERE:
The Rocky Creek Cemetery is approximately 6 miles from Chester, SC. If you get on Highway 97 in Chester and head
in the direction of Great Falls, SC, you will not go far until you veer off to the left on county road 44 on which you
will travel until you come to a road on your right which is Fire Tower Road. Turn to your right on Fire Tower Road
and go about a quarter mile. Look to your left. The pulpwood road on which the cemetery is located is hard to see.
Park your vehicle safely on the main road and walk down the pulpwood road. You will pass through pines.
Eventually you will come to the clearing where the cemetery is located.
POSSIBLE LOCATION OF THE OLD CHURCH BUILDING
March 21, 1996
During an excursion to the Rocky Creek Cemetery, Rev. William Roberts and I searched the surrounding area for the
church site. It seemed to be a fruitless search because the ground outside the cemetery is covered with pine
needles and pine trees. As we continued our search, about 200 feet north of the cemetery, we came across brick
chips which appeared to be from very old brick. In the midst of the brick chips we found an arrowhead which was
broken. Could this have been shot at the church building during an attack or had it been lost by hunters of long
ago? We don't know.
It is our best guess that the Brick Church was located 200 feet north of the cemetery, perhaps covering part of the
old pulpwood road. The terrain around the area of the cemetery also supports our guess. The area around the
cemetery drops off; in some areas sharply. The area north of the cemetery has the largest level area for a building
site.
15
7. Associate Reformed Presbyterian: Early Associate Reformed Presbyterian Article by Robert Latham
[sic LATHAN], 1888
Due West, S. Car., Sept. 13, 1888, Vol. XXXV, No. 37, p. 1, Col. 1.
[Sourced as Early Associate Reformed Presbyterian, LATHAN, 1888]
[Posted at Cathcart Family]
[Bio on Robert LATHAN on The Lathan Family History ]
[Excepts posted at Rocky Creek Reformed Presbyterian Church, Cemetery And School and EDGAR Associates.]
8. 1978 Bulletins of Chester District Genealogical Society, Volume 1, Numbers 1 - 4
[Contributed by Loretta EDGAR EMBRY]
[Excerpt pages in 8.5 MB .pdf]
[Sourced as Bulletins of Chester District Genealogical Society, Vol. 1, No. 1 - 4, 1978]
[page 3]
… Donnelly, John Reily, and Campbell Madden - settled at various times in this region of the county.
The Covenanters left the county early in the 1800's on account of the institution of slavery. Slavery was introduced in a very
limited extent into the Scotch—Irish settlements before the Revolutionary War. The Scotch-Irish generally regarded slavery
with disfavor, but after the Revolutionary War, Covenanters and other Scotch-Irish became to a limited extent slave owners. In
1780 the Reformed Presbytery enacted without a dissenting voice that "no slave holder should be allowed the communion of
the church". The Revs. Samuel B. White [sic; should be Samuel B. WYLIE ] and James McKinney were sent to South Carolina
to excommunicate all from the Reformed Presbyterian Church who refused to emancipate their slaves.
[The following paragraphs are from Early Associate Reformed Presbyterian, LATHAM, 1888]
It was said, that in obedience to this enactment of the Presbytery that on one day, fifteen hundred dollars [sic] worth of slaves
[sic] were set free on Rocky Creek. Soon after this, many families migrated to the northwestern part of the country and others
followed.
Some of the Paul's for whom the cemetery is named went about 1807 to Lincoln County, Tennessee. They were accompanied
by Mortons, Murdocks, Edgars, Littles, Wyatts, Carothers, and some other families which I do not now remember.
These organized a church of about twenty members on Elk River. The members left on account of slavery and formed another
settlement in Indiana.
There was another settlement formed by Rocky Creek Covenanters about the same time or a few years later on a region of
country near Nashville, Tennessee. This was known as the Duck River Society. William Edgar, who was a member of
what was called Widow Edgar's Meeting House on Rocky Creek, was an Elder in Duck River Society. This society
imigrated [sic] to Indiana and Illinois.
Several families of Rocky Creek Covenanters formed settlements on the Holston River in East Tennessee.
All or nearly all of the Tennessee societies later went to free states.
Paul's Cemetery is located south of Richburg and about two miles north of the grave of the Rev. William Martin (who brought
six [sic, s/b five] shiploads of Covenanters from Antrim County, Ireland in 1772. - Ed. Note).
Page 3
[page 8]
The Brick Covenanter Church was located on what is known today as the Peden Bridge Road, a few miles west of Paul‘s
Cemetery. The graveyard is on a hill between two branches of the Bull Run. Nothing is left of the old church which stood just
beyond the graveyard to the north.
The recollections of Daniel Green Stinson and the memoirs of Matthew Elder, who grew up among the Covenanters, the
children of the younger McClurkens, the McMillans, James Wilson and others who were his classmates, state that Brick
Church was originally Edgar's Meeting House.
A search through deeds at the Chester County Court House substantiates this tradition. The above historians had called the
first building a log meeting house. At the court house I found a deed for such a building. This indenture was made the eighth
day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one between Adam Edgar of Rocky Creek in
Chester County, Camden District and State of South Carolina, tailor of the one part and James McQueston, Hugh McMillan,
and John Kell of the county, district, and state a foresaid [sic] planters of the other part. This conveys for the sum of one
pound, seventeen shillings, and four pence sterling current money two acres and eighteen poles perches more or less of land
out of a one hundred and fifty acre tract originally granted to Benjamin Mitchell on May 4, 1775 and conveyed to Adam Edgar
on February 3, 1778. This deed included on this land a spring of water and the meeting house. The deed stated that James
McQuiston, Hugh McMillan, John Kell and the congregation under the ministration of the Reformed Presbytery would be in full
possession of all as foresaid [sic] two acres, the spring, meeting house and study house. It stipulated that the said property
could not be sold by any other minister or minister's elder, or member of said congregation to any other Denomination of
professing Christians. The deed was signed by Adam Edgar and signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of Thomas
Donnelly and William Edgar.
Another deed which seems to be conveying the same tract of land was made October 24, 1818 between William Edgar of
Lincoln County, Tennessee, and John Cooper, Daniel McMillan, Hugh McQuiston and David Smith representatives of the
Reformed Presbyterian Congregation of Rocky Cree [sic], Chester District, South Carolina. For the sum of five dollars, William
Edgar conveys to the representatives and their successors forever a certain tract of land containing two acres and twenty-two
poles situated in the District of Chester and the State of South Carolina on the waters of Rocky Creek on which there is
present a Brick Meeting House. This was signed by William Edgar, sealed and delivered before Agnes Adams and Thomas
Moore.
On November 14, 1820, Thomas Moore, for ten dollars paid by John Cooper, Hugh McQuiston and Daniel McMillan,
representatives of the congregation attached to the Brick Meeting House, including Page 8
[page 9]
two acres and 98 poles already conveyed to the congregation by William Edgar, containing nine acres and fourteen poles,
being part of a tract originally granted to Benjamin Mitchell, conveyed by him to Adam Edgar, Thomas Moore. The land was
bounded by David Jamison, James Moore and witnessed by James Cooper and William Moore. Affidavit was made by James
Cooper and it was recorded May 3, 1821.
The Rev. William King had arrived in this area in 1792. He died in 1798 and is buried in the Brick Church Cemetery. He had
two daughters, one of whom married Abram White and had a son, the Rev. W. G. White. The other married Archibald
McGurken and emigrated to Illinois. The widow of the Rev. King married Hugh McQuiston. They had a son and two daughters
who are said to have A moved to Ohio.
It was at Edgar's Meeting House that the Rev. James McKinney and the Rev. Samuel B. Wylie as commissioners from the
Reformed Presbyterian Presbytery in Pittsburgh held the three day sessions during which the church was purged of slavery.
Names of families who worshipped here in the log church and possibly later in the brick structure which was erected in 1810
have not been easy to find. However, old newspaper accounts give names of a few of these families: McMillan, McQuiston,
McKelvey, Nesbit, Hunter, Holliday, Harbison, McClurken, Hemphill, Woodurn, Muford, Cooper, Edgar, McNinch, Smith,
Wilson, Kell, and Storment. Other families certainly were in this church. These accounts also give us names of four of the
elders--John Kell, David Storment, James Wilson, and Thmas McClurken.
The brick building was built by the McClurken family, who also furnished the materials. It was said to be a building of fair
proportion, with comfortable seating arrangements, and an improved form of pulpit.
The Reverend Thomas Donnelly preached at this church for years and is buried there in the graveyard beside the Rev.
McKinney and the Rev. King.
He and Elder Thomas McClurken married sisters of David Smith. This family connection was numerous on Rocky Creek. His
oldest son, Samuel, became a Presbyterian minister who once preached at Liberty Hill, S.C. and was residing in Florida when
he died. After Mr. Donnelly's death in 1847, his family moved to Illinois. The family consisted of: John Thomas, who was
married to John Cathcart's daughter, and Nancy, who was married in Illinois to Riley Lynn, son of Henry Lynn.
In the next issue, we shall continue with other ministers who served Brick Church, as well as ministers who began their early
life in the Covenanter Congregation and went to other parts of the Page 9
9. PCA Historical Center: Archives & Manuscript Repository for the Continuing Presbyterian Church
[Sourced as (Article): PCS Historical Center]
Bethel Reformed Presbyterian Church, Sparta, IL Article, PCA Historical Center
10. RootsWeb Archives
From: "Robert Copeland" <rmc@geneva.edu
Subject: RE: [SCCHEST2] Locations in Chester County
Date: Thu, 06 Jan 2005 11:39:14 -0500
Posted at RootsWeb
I'll just add to John Caldwell's answer a word about the Brick Church (Rocky Creek Meeting House) cemetery. There are a
number of burials there, but only five with headstones: five pastors who served the congregation. Unless you're descended
from one of those five pastors, you'll not find anything helpful by visiting the cemetery (and you'll save yourself a lot of
mosquitos!).
The other burials were marked only with fieldstones. I'm positive that my ancestors Adam Edgar and his wife are buried there,
as they belonged to that church and in fact deeded the land for the church and burial ground out of their "plantation" (i.e.,
small farm); but there is no inscribed stone to say so.
I doubt that there were any burials as late as 1824/34, as the Rocky Creek church closed well before that; the members had
nearly all emigrated further west and north.
Robert M. Copeland
Professor of Music
Director of Choral Activities
Geneva College
3200 College Ave.
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
724-847-6665
rmc@geneva.edu
-----------
From: "John D. Caldwell" <johncaldwell@cox.net
Subject: RE: [SCCHEST2] Locations in Chester County
Date: 01/06/05
Posted at RootsWeb
Brick Church also called Rocky Creek Meeting House is located at 343955N and 0810524W. "Old" is added to church names
to indicate the have been around a long time.
Catholic Presbyterian Church which is usually called "Old Catholic" is located at 343557N and 0810208W.
Big Rocky Creek flows in to the Catawba River just below the Great Falls area at 343322N and 0805346W. Little Rocky Creek
branches from Big Rocky Creek at 343459N and 0805632W.
John D. Caldwell
P. O. Box 1021
Warner Robins, GA 31099-1021
johncaldwell@cox.net
11. Selected Sources for Samuel Brown WYLIE
- Penn University Archives and records Center, Penn Biographies, Samuel Brown Wylie (1773-1852)
- REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (COVENANTED); Samuel Brown Wylie (1773-1852)
- University of Glasgow, People, Samuel Brown Wylie