Daily Republican., 1879-04-14
FOURTH EDITION.
MON0RIRG A PASTOR.
what BecOmes Of the Henry Clay
Factory Boys.

what Becomes Of the Henry Clay
Factory Boys.
Rev. James Roberts, pastor Of the
Presbyterian church at Coatsville, af'
ter leaving his church on Thursday
evening at the close of the prayer meet
ing services, wended his way to the
parsonage only to fud it in possession
Of his friends. who answered his knock
aud kindly offered to take charge Of his
hat and umbrella, after which he was
ushered into the presence of about two
hundred friends who reminded him
that the occasion was the fifth anniver-
sary of his wedding. In the parlors
there were plants and flowers in abuh-
dance, and on the piano We're piled up
numerous gifts Of great variety, which
were not only ornamental but useful.
All access from without TO the dining
room was closed, and none but the
powers in charge were allowed to enter
When the hour Of their pleasure ar.
rived, the doors we're opened, and Mr..
Roberts and his wife we're invited out
to the rsfreshment table. This was
another surprise, as they were not
aware that any provision had been
made for feastipg so great q multitude.
After the sppetites OF all present had
been satisfied, Mr.. A. b. Harlan made
happy speech and congratulated Rev.
Mr.. Roberts upon the fifth anniversary
OF his welded life.
The pastor responded very happily
and humorously saying that he had
served the congregation during six
years Of single life and five years
OF married life, and he was more
than satisfied with the latter. He ad-
vised the young men who were pres
ent to find their other half as soon as
possible, and the young ladies never
to throw good cffsr over their should
ers.
While the company was largely made
up of the Presbyterian Church congre-
cation, the Methodist church was rep
resented by MIR. William Mast, who is
one OF its prominent and otclal mem
bers. The Baptist church was repre-
sented by its pastor, Rev. K. Wildman
and wife. and the Episcopal church by
Mrs. Fields, wife of the pastor, Rev. &.
G. Fields.
Rev. James Roberts, the pastor so
highly honorsd, has history of local
interest to Wilmington.
His,father John Roberts. came to this
country from Scotland and settled up
on the Brandywine banks few years
after his brother Thomas Roberts, who
had preceded him. James Roberts nov
the Coatesville pastor worked for some
years in the Henry Clay factory when
his father dying ahd leaving wife and
eight children, who were looked after
by the brother Thomas, James was sent
to Mr.. Gayleys school at Media, by
John Peoples now cashier of the Union
National Bank, and few other friends.
From this school he went on through
all the grades Of education necessary
to prepare him for the ministry. He
has been stationed at Coatcsville for the
last eleven years, and is immensely pop
ular there, having built up large con
gregation who honor and respect him
Two of his brothers, Charles and
John, are cotton manufacturers OF Cnes-
ter and leading and influential citizens.
The family have been staunch Presby-
terians. Mr.. Roberts uncle Thomas,
father Of George r. Roberts, of this
city, having been Pres byterian preach
er in Scotland, and finished his life in
Philadelphia few years ago, as min-
lister Of the Methodist denomination.
john Roberts another of the family was
leading Presbyterian minister in
Scotland.
The family to which Rev. Mr.. Roberts
belonged is remarkably healthy, none
but the father having died since they
came to this country. 1t is almost re-
markable, that three of the leading
ministers of the present time should
have all been factory boys together in
Henry Clay Factory at the same time,
and these three boys are Rev. James
Roberts, pastor Of Coatesville Presby-
terian Chnrch, Rev. John France, pas
tor Of Newark NJ. L. Church, and Rev.
George Cummins, now Presiding Elder
of thin North Philadelphia District,
Philadelphia, of the M. f. Church.
The people on the Banks of the Brandy
wine will no doubt be pleased to hear OF
the advancement of their former facto.