The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-12-15
SKETCHES
CECIL COUNTY M. E. CHURCHES.
METHODISM IN PORT DEPOSIT.
BY THE REV. j. p. OTIS.

METHODISM IN PORT DEPOSIT.
BY THE REV. J. P. OTIS.
In 1906 Lawrence McCombs, one OF
the giants that were in those early days
of Methodism, took local relation and
settled near the head of Chesapeake Bay
posit-what there was of it then being
called Bells Ferry and partly Rock Run
for in 1912 Lawrence McCombs, who
can hardly have been any other than he,
is named as one of the corporators of the
bridge, and in 1914 he preached in that
neigh hborhood. The town was named
but the northern part of it being then
the most important commercially, when
at length Methodism was organized in
Port Deposit it was known in the min
utes down to about 1927 as Rock Run.
Others followed McCombs, who re entered
the effective ranks in 1915, but no organ
iLdbiOu dS cuOCbcu I'LL 1919, "utu IcN.
John Goforth, who in 1915 had charge of
Cecil Circuit, established a regular ap-
pointment in Lyons schoolhouse, then
situated on hill overhanging the mill at
Rock Run, but long since demolished
Afterward he preached in public houses
in the village. In 1920 he organized a
olaoa Of hnY oyl
pointed Thos. Patterson leader. About
this time a small two weeks circuit was
formed, (out of the upper corner of Cecil,
and perhaps some work near Strasburg,
called Rock RUM, with Port Deposit III
it and John Goforth in charge. Probably
about this time Mr.. Goforth, who was a
good preacher and a devoted aud spirit
ual man, but frail in health, settled on
his farm near Port Deposit, where he
must have died about 1885 He is buried,
with many other noble meu and women
of God, in Hopewell cemetery.
In 1924 he was on Dauphin Circuit and
in 1926 was junior preacher for Cecil CIR
cult. He was virtually in charge o. Rock
Run the first three years OF It's history
QS19 to 1921 and IN the latter year the
first or "PApaw" Church was built
against the bill about the middle of the
town, or land donated by the mother Of
Hou. J. A. j. Creswell. II is a solid stone
building, 36140. In 1922 Philip Dickson
was in charge, but in 1928 Goforth, then
out Of the effective ranks, had charge
again. In 1923 Samuel Grace was in
charge, and in 1925 Port Deposit seems
to have been for the first and only time
in formal union with Cecil Circuit. under
the pastorate of Thos. Miller and John
Talley. In 1926 Strasburg Circuit was
formed and seems to have included Port
Deposit-Heury Boehm and w. W. Wal
lace being the pastors. In 1927 Port De-
posit Circuit was formed out of Port De-
posit, Hopewell and Asbury John Goforth
again become pastor for two years-his
last effective service In 1929 J. B. Ayars
was pastor.
In 1880, according to Our church record,
Port Deposit was again united with
Strasburg Circuit and Geo. Woolley and
VIM. Bloomer we're pastors; in 1881 Thos.
McCarroll and Robert E. Kemp; in 1882
Thos. McCarroll and J. B. Hagany; 1888
Jacob Gruber, and John Spear and Geo.
Woolly. sup; 1884; Levi Storks and Ed.
Kennard, but Levi Storks was transfer
red to Wilmington and Ed. Kennard put
in charge with John A. Roche-senior
among the now living pastors-as junior.
From 1880 to 1884 John Goforth, who
had been so largely Unidentified with the
early days of Port Methodism, appears
on the minutes as ssupernumerary or super
annuate in connection with Strasburg
Circuit, residing, of course, on his farm
near Port. Certainly Port Deposit has
reason to cherish his memory. In 1885,
on petition, Port Deposit was made sta
ton, with J. V. Potts as pastor. The first
leaders and stewards meeting was held
April 2Sth, 1885, at the house of Daniel
Megredy Rev. J. V. Potts,
Daniel Megredy, Edward T. Tarring,
Eli Cameron, VIM. X. Reynolds and Jas
Barnes. In 1886 Thomas Hickey became
pastor aud died January 23d, 1887. In
1S37-'3S R. NJ. Greenbank; in 1889 40
VIM. WTiggins. In May, 1889 the official
board resolved to build new church,
and besides subscribing large amount
on the spot, entered into written agree
ment that whatever might be necessary
to clear the church of debt on the day of
dedication should be assumed by them in
the ratio of their first subscriptions. Tho
board consisted of John Thompson, Eli
jah Reynolds, Ed. Tarr!ng, John F.
Knight, Alex. Brown, James Barnes,
George W. Thomson, Robert Kerr,
Abram Chandler, Daniel Megredy, Jos.
w. Abrams, E D. McClenahan, Anthony
Smith aud David Gilmore. 1t is
solid granite structure, 40 by IS,
directly opposite the first or "Papaw"
Church, and was dedicated December
29th, 1899, Revs. John Kennaday and
Matthew Sorin preaching the services.
In it, March, 1870, was held the second
session of the Wilmington Conference
The pastors in this building were ss fol
lows: 1S4l to 1S42, j. Cunningham; 1S43
to 1914, j. Mason; 1S45, S. Townsend; :;
1S46 to 1S47. w. 81. Elliott; 1S4S, John
L. Taft; 1S49 to 1850, George Lacey, and
his health failing in the summer of 1850,
w. W. McMichael was appointed to fin
ish the year; 1851, J. D. Curtis; 1853 to
1853 II. Colclazer; 1854, H. F. Hurn; 1855
to 1856, Henry E. Gilroy, with William
Hammond, sup'y, as assistant in the Sec
ond year, brother Gilroy having been
seriously injured soon after coming. 1t
! was in the end of this term that the IA
nous food of 1857 occurred submerging
the parsonage then used and which stands
south of the second church, so that the
! family had to be taken out at the second
story and so surprising brother Ham,
mond, who was from the mother coun-
try, that he remarked This beats Heng-