Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1856-12-02

REv. THOMAS b. CRAIGEEAD well deserves to be
mentioned and highly honored, as one who, st
very early PERIOD contributed by his tsaents, zeal
and piety. to the organization and religious and
literary training of society upon the Cumberland
river.
In personal appearance, be was large and dig
ni6ed-a tsll, erect man-with rather rough, fud-
dy completion, strongly marked Gestures, sandy
hair, and blue intellectual eyes, stsid in gait and
gesticulstiou, with distinct voice and clear enun-
citation. He had much of the grace and high
bearing of the Scotch Irish Independent.
The distinguishing traits of many of the present
Inhabitants in Kentucky and Tennessee, may east
ly be traced to well known psrentsge institutions,
and education: And, as Mr.. Flint says of the hair
dy and enterprising pioneers who established the
benefits of civilization and christianity in the from
tier settlements of Virginia and North Carolina
(now constituting the two great States previously
namely -"their posterity are tall, muscular and
industrious rsce, and they have inherited from
their forefathers Independence and integrity OF
character, exemplary MORALS and deep reverence
for the institutions of religion"
And we know that many of them have been
been distinguished for impressive elocut on with
out ever having studied the artistic rules of logic
or of rhetoric.
The Rev. THos. B. CRATeHEAD, as an orator,
was unusually calm, seldom vehement--and yet
as a speaker was popular, persuasive and some.
assemblies of the people, who, like himself loved
the fresh air of the country, the trials of new set
Elements the rights of conscience, the freedom OF
person. the indulgence of pure sentiment, the wide
expansion and high range of thought, research and
utterance Thought should be toll-free."
He deserves to be clsssed among the earliest
advocates of learning known in the history OF
Kentucky and Tennessee. But two or three In
sttutions of learning in all the valley Of the Ae-
ghany mountains have so early date as the
NASHVILLE University Its youthful title was "Ds-
wilson Academy
| Mr.. CRAIeHEADs devotion to the cause of edu.
| cation never faltered; and to his zeal and exer.
| tons are we indebted more than to any other
| man. for the origin and endowment of the Nash
| vile University.
| He was the patron of learning,-the teacher of
youth, the counsellor and instructor OF the aged.
At the sick bed and in the house of mourning, it
wss his duty and his pleasure TO speak the words
| of comfort.
He was placed at the head of the nine Trustees
| named in the original act establish ng Davidson
Academy" taught its first class, and nursed it in
its infancy with the diligeut attention and fond
deviation of doting parent. He was the ever
present President of the Board, and so acted from
the 10Th of August, 1875, to the oath of October,
l809-the entire period of its being called by the
| County Academical name, and at the early period
of its Collegiate River title, -"Cumberlsnd Col
lege"-sometimes called Davidson College"
Mr.. CRAIGHEAD inherited from his Presbyterian
father Rev. ALEXANDER CRAIGHEAD, love for
American Independence, and the free range of
mind in all the fields of study, and the right and
duty to communicate whatsoever is believed will
contribute to moral intellectual and social improve
ment and elevation. He could not brook dicta-
ton and tyranny, either political ecclesiastical
His early associations had been near and among
the men who acquired distinction by the "Meck-
lenburg Declaration of Independence"
AS illustrative of the character of the times and
of the political views and sympathies Of the Craig
lead family and their associates we will mention
the strange and republican certificate of Church
membership given by Rev. John Craighead to Mr..
James Crawford in October, l777: it is certified
that he is member in regular standing and then
| added, evidently as additional CONNIE ndstion,
that he is friendly and favoraby disposed to the
cause of American Liberty"
| Alexander, the father of Thomas B. Craighesd,
was known as a leader of al independent party
in the church, called New Side," and he so per-
| sisted In the maintenance and open svowal of his
opinions that he was suspended from the ministry
for contumacy, by order Of the New Brunswick
Presbytery, IN l74l Yet after, and notwithstand-
ing the suspension, he orgaaized congregation at
Sugar Creek, N. c., and continued to minister to q
destitute and anxious people THIS was in 1857
and he oficiated there for several years and ultl
his DEATH which occurred in l766.
Thomas B. Craghead was born at Sugar Creek,
North Carolina, --, 1853, and died at his resi-
dencc, Spring Hill, Tor HAysborough) Davidson
| county, Tennessee, in the fell of 1924.
He was graduate of Nassau Hall, of the class
| of l775,-studled for the ministry and was ordan
ed by the Presby t.ry Of Orange iu 1880, and for
SONS time preached to the congregation which his
father had organs 81 at Sugar Creek,
| He married daughter OF the Rev. John Brown,
| of Airulpia Ia pierUv aVarshlu knnWn
Presbyterian Church his ory), and as the tile OF
emigration was then up and rolling its waves ever
the mountains, and settling its adventurous p)pu-
lstion upon the extensive and rich lands OF Ken
lucky, be cast his fortunes upon its pillows and
moved with the people into the wilderness, and
was sometimes leader in settlements, as he
was always helper, active and useful.
Although usually sedate, he was a man OF ex.
Citab.e temperament, at times erratic, inconsis.
tent and contradictory, subjectirg himself to mis-
apprehension and to Misrepresentation. So that,
while living, he felt the shafts and the pangs; and
| dead, bis character has deserved more truthful
J and commendable notice than it has yet received.
He ardently loved the word Of God, AMI ear D.
estly preached the necessity of repentance and OF
faith in Jesus Christ.
Bat that he, at times, held and published senti-
ments contrary TO the summary OF doctrines and
body Of divinity cherished by the branch OF the
church to which he belonged aud that he, at times,
boldly advanced doctrines, which afterwards he
voluntarily renowned as errors,-we have often
heard, and suppose to be true.
| Bat here is fact to be thrown into the balances
opposite to all theories and speculstions-the sur
vIving members of his church and the aged chris
tiGns now living, who had the privilege of know
ing him intimately, cherish and REL ere his memory.
He lived at period of remarkable religious fer
yor. The times and the people were noted for
novelty, excitement and change There is no sim
liar condition Of the public mind in the his
tory of the American settements-never such
peculiar religious excitement and commotlon
twas the period of "bodiy exercises of jerks,
of unknown tongues, Of barking and bowling like
dogs
Rev. Mr.. McNeman, who was in the midst of
all these scenes, and excused if he did not com
mend and encourage them, says that persons of
great responsibility would initiate dogs on all tours,
jumping, barking and howliug-aud repeat verses
of scripture thus, Every knee shall bow-wow-
WOW; every tongue sha contess-ess essl-David.
sons Hist. of p in Kentucky,
Ii has been said, "t1at was the day for zsslots
and errorists, and its cycle may be found in ear
lier and in later days The time has not yet been
when in some branch of science and in some por-
ton of the world, there not zeal with lack of
knowledge, and something for truth to combat;
but better this by far than dead sea Of stupidity
or the iavineible arrogance of infalibility.
There s ever day to contend earnestly for the
faith-for the truth. But not always all the
true soldiers of the cross well and fully equipped,
having on the entire panoply of the gospel In