The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1900-07-11
[July II,


labored in the following terms, very suggestive to
some of those ministers who now labor in the same
region, and among of the descendants of those
to whom Hill preached in Maryland "Divine pro-
violence hath cast my lot among loving and willing
people That which, as hope, will make my
work the successful is, the people all
fond of the liturgy and ceremonies"
To what people did Hill minister? We told of
the following event in Presbyterian history which
took place in the year in which King Charles l. was
beheaded: "The flock left by Harrison Gin Virgina)
removed to Maryland in I64o, under the leadership
of Ruling Elder William Durand. They m
vited by the Governor, Captain William Stone with
the promise of liberation, and they settled in Anne
Arundel county, and the adjacent Charles county"
Briggs american Presbytcrianism, page IIo.)
AS Matthew Hill went to Charles county, and
his estate, Popleton, where he probably died, is in
Charles county, near Port Tobacco, it is almost
tain that he served the church planted twenty years
before by Durand and his followers in Charles county
He may also have served those who settled in Ann
Arundel at Providence (now Annapolis) and also
that church which afterwards appears quite a
strong having sixteen trustees, at Pauxent,
it afterwards named, Upper Marlboro, at the
head of tide on Patuxent river.
1t is not improbable that William Durand
elder of this church, He secretary of the colony,
under the Protector and Lord Baltmore's late secre
tary required ito deliver to William Durand the
records of the prSnce and all papers concerning the
same" in the year 1854 "By commission from his
hghness the Lord Protector of the liberty of Eng
land, general assembly of the freemen of the pro-
vince of Maryland was held at Patuxent on the Goth
of October, 1854" (Dnlany's History of Maryland)
After the troubles involved in the changes accom-
panying the Revolution in England the Maryland
colony very prosperous, and increased rapidly in
population There must have been many Presbyte
riart For L2t% BatiUaEe in his tsl1f
thc-Privy Council in England, dVSpg Tie MINISTRY
Matthew HILL states that the population of the coz
ony 10000, and in letter dated July 10, 1917
that he greatest part of the inhabitants of that pro-
vince (three of four at least) do consist of Presby
erians, Independents Anabaptsts and Quakers, those
of the Church of England, we'll those of the
Ronish being the fewest etc.
AS PresbyterianS mentioned first it is fair
conclude that they at least not inferior in
bers to any of the rest numbers" was the point
of the whole assertion He also mentions the fact
that they built churches and sustained their ministers
by voluntary contributions. From this it is not
likely that there several Presbyterian ministers
in the province.
From the language of Hill himself it appears that
he not the only Presbyterian minister in Mary
land. In his letter to Richard Baxter he says: eve
have room for more ministers, though their encour
agement as judge, cannot be altogether great
who already settled; because 1Ve where
the people and the plantations are thickest"
Hill had married the daughter of Walter Bean
Bayne, of the wealthest planters in the colony,
and member Of the Lower House. and after his
losses and perjury, had become we'll off in
worldly goods. He seems to have been actively and
happily engaged in his work for several years. Like
Francis Doughty, he must have preached on both
the eastern and western shores of Maryland. He also
preached in Virginia Most of the settlements were
easily accessible by of little coasting vessels
and doubtless he took advantage of this in his work
for the Master, far and near. But of the particulars
of his ministry will, perhaps, never be informed.