The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-12-29
SKETCHES
OF
CECIL COUNTY M. E. CHURCHES.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MT.
PLEASANT CHARGE
BY FRED. E. McKINSEY, PASTOR.
Read at Centenary exercises of old Ceci
Circuit.
BY FRED. E. McKINsEY. PASTOR.

Mr.. President, Brethren in tile Ministry,
Laymen:
preparing a historical sketch of Mt.
Pleasant charge, situated within the
boundaries and formerly part of the
old Cecil Circuit, rode by class of men
who being dead yet speaketh," because
of their zeal for souls, loyalty to Metho
dism and love for God. Annalists have
recorded the labors of not a few of those
fathers in the Gospel, and the biograph-
ers of today and of the future will shed
light upon hidden things, yet tongue nor
pen will never explain what matter OF
men all OF those were and how they
fought for God and endured for the
church. Things unknown by men were
known to God and ever will be, Comfort
able thought to saints, especially the mis-
understood aohO haze suffered. but to sim
ners the thought is not comforting) and
He cheered them-Hs servants-in the
hours of conflict with themselves, the
world and devils, supported them IN the
time of need, and rewarded them with
star bedecked crowns for their fidelity
May the sons in the ministry within the
boundaries of the old Circuit, walk as
did their sires-bearing and forbearing
for God. Such as will do SO will just as
signally overcome as did they.
In 1925 or 1926 a log schoolhouse was
erected near what was then called Stony
Battery, afterwards called Vinegar Hill,
but now Mt. Pleasant. Tradition has it
that the peculiar name OF Vinegar Hill
was given the place because of the inva-
sion of the liquor law by the shop-keeper
chasers to evade being closely questioned,
by remarking when enroute to said place
with jugs to procure strong drink that
they we're going up to the store after a
little vinegar. Many yet call the place
Vinegar Hill, and would not be able to
understand that you were referring to a
place with which they have been ac-
quainted, were you to speak of it as Mt.
Pleasant, (Which name was given the
church when erected) very high eleva-
ton, from the summit of which, on a
clear day, five counties can be distinctly
viewed by the naked eye. The pictur-
| esque view from this hilltop is perhaps
unsurpassed by any other to be obtained
| in the neighborhood. About 1880 or 1881
| George Mercer bought parcel of ground
at what is now Liberty Grove, small
village on the Baltimore Central r abroad,
one mile from the first schoolhouse, from
Eli White, upon which was built a more
commodious structure of stone, designed
evidently for two uurposes-as a seat of
learning and place of worship for the
Methodists who, it is not thought. had
a society in the neighborhood at that
time. OF those of the community most
friendly to the peculiar people" were
Eli White and Nicholas Sumpter. The
first named lived in the house now occu-
pied by Mr.. Reese Mcdowell, near Lib
erty Grove, the last named resided near
Colora, in the house now occupied by a
negro family, inst little south OF Geo
Balderston's residence. Upon the lands
of these two friends to the Methodist
people, camp-meetings were held as early
as 1882 and 1888 at which some were
awakened and converted. This led to the
formation of class which met regularly
at the stone schoolhouse, which is snip
posed to have been preaching place OIL
the renowned Cecil Circuit. Undoubtedly
the field was white unto harvest anG
that Methodism was popular and sue
r
cessful Mrs. Ann Brown, now ip
SD year, was an eye witness at tt.
terly meetings, love feasts ar, ,onas
services held in the schoolho'