The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-06-02

the year 1143, were many years ago de-
stroyed by fire.
We are able, however, to obtain some
glimpses of affairs in that early period.
There is tradition of an old log chapel
built on the site Of the present church in
North East, which in time gave way to a
frame structure. There appears to have
been, after a lapse of three years, during
which the Parish was without clergy
man. one REV. Jonec Averen.'' from
Scotland, in the neighborbood. We
have no statements of any official acts
performed by him in the Parish. We
are told that, at some time during the
first nine Years after the organization,
| the vesfry sent petition to the Bishop
of London, under whose care the church
in Maryland had been placed, praying
for the services Of clergyman and a
donation of books for the use of the
parish. 1t has been supposed the large
Bible now in use in st. Mary Anne S
| Church, North East, was presented by
Queen Anne in response to this appeal
The petition is signed by Nicholas Hy-
land, Joseph Young, and others. 1t was
not until 1922, however, that they were
able to obtain regular ministerial ser
vices. l. appears from this petition that
they had erected a church; that the pop
ulation WAS mixed one, and all sorts of
religion prevailed among the people. ~
The Rev. Walter Ross Missionary of
the Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel Chat noble and venerable mis-
sionary organization of the Mother
Church, in full vigor today. was sent
over to. labor in this field. This was in
the year 1929. He had been at New
Castle some time previous to this, and
continued to carry on his work there in
connection with his labors in this parish.
In the year following, the Rev. George
Hackett, was indicted as Rector, though
Mr. Ross continued his work in the
Parish; which singular arrangement, it
is thought, may have been owing to GER
tain complications in regard to bounda-
rles between the heirs of Penn and the
proprietor of Maryland. The erection of
chapel, near Port Deposit, and not far
from Battle Swamp, is supposed to have
been due to the efforts of the Rev. Mr..
Ross the missionary in these parts. The
chapel is thus referred to in the History
of Cecil County: cit was built upon
part of nine acres of land near a
fine spring of water, which was known
as the Indian Spring. Every vestige of
this chapel long since disappeared but
the land is still in the possession of the
vestry of the parish. and is now over
grown with briars and bushes. A very
few ancient tombstones mark the site of
the graveyard
May We not hope that in the not far
distant future the Church may renew her
work i'll that old field, or in the adjacent
region, for which, at present, We are
making no spiritual provision? The
Rev. Mr.. lIackett, the Rector of the
parish, records numerous baptisms, one
of those baptized being an Indian, and
four other colored persons
Under the Rev. William Wye, who sue.
cecded to the parish in 1876. the present
venerable church in North East was
built. The date of erecting appears to
have been in or about the year 1142. A
levy of $500, authorized by law, was
probably of material aid in providing
the necessary expenses. For nearly
century the old church served as the
sanctuary ana spiritual home for wor-
shippers according to the order of the
Prayer book in our own community.
Mention is made of an old church "that
stood in the graveyard, in the Ninth dis
trict on the road from Kinks Mills to
Bay View" the building of which is
asclibed by tradition to our own people;
and which is supposed to have been
erected about this time. Mr.. Wye died
November lG. 1144. and only four days
thereafter the Rev. John Bradford re-
ceived his appointment to the parish
from the Governor, although the vestry,
with extraordinary promptness, only
Mirty-str tours after the departure of the
late incumbent. drew up petition to the
Governor, praying that the same priv
ilege might be extended to them us on a
former occasion, that they might have
the liberty of choosing or making trial
of a minister to supply the vacancy,
before your Excellency suffers one to
come in, such is the wording of the pc
tition. Mr.. Bradford died in 1746. He
was succeeded BY the Rev. John Hamil-
ton, who remained in charge of the
parish until 1913. 1t was during the
rectorship of the Rev. Mr.. Hamilton that
the church was robbed of its communion
service; also that contribution was for
warded to sufferers from fire in Boston;
this in response to an appeal from the
Governor, and as part of a general con-
tribution from the charitably disposed in
the county.
The Rev. Mr.. Hamilton died, in 1913,
and was succeeded by the Rev. William
Thompson. He appears to have been
very jealous, active clergyman. During
the period of his ministrations tent was
erected at the place where the chapel
stood (near Battle Swamp. Here he is
reported by tradition to have preached
for 1,ye ba
Revolutionary War had now come on.
and with it severing of the connection
between Church and State. 1t became
necessary to provide for the salary of the
clergyman by subscription. The list of
subscribers is still extant, containing,
among other names, those of Jacob and
Zebulon Uollingsworth; William, James
and John Crouch; Abraham Mitchell;
Stephen, Isaac and Nicholas Hyland
John Ricketts,; and Samuel and Joseph
Gilpin. Permission was given to the
rector to officiate at the Manor Church or
somewhere in Augustine Parish, every
third Sunday. Soon after this On lIi9),
Mr.. Thompson removed to North SaSsa-
fras Parish, and provision was made for
services in North Elk by the employ
ment of Mr.. Collin Furguson as lay
reader, the Rev. Mr.. Thompson agreeing
to ofliciate once a quarter.
In ISL Mr. Joseph Coudon was appoint
ell lay reader, and served with much ac-
ceptance in that capacity: so much so