Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-09-25

yam in effect refused to obey and was
severely dealt with. His place was
supplied by the appointment of An
drew ArnOt Gellatly and Arnot were
the first ministers of the Associate or
Secession church in America. They
landed in 1853.
About the time that Gellatly and Ar
not arrived in Pennsylvania, Alexan-
der Craighead to get rid of the odium
in which he was held on account of
his pamphlet. removed to Virginia. In
July 1875. Braddock was defeated by
the Indians and the whole frontier of
| the state of Virginia left exposed to
the mercy of those infuriated savages.
region in which Alexander Craighead
was settled. Again he determined to
change his place of abode. Crossing
the Blue Ridge he descended into the
peaceful territory now known as Meek
lenburg county. North Carolina.
A number of years previous to this
time, two streams of population had
been pouring in this region. One
stream came mainly from Lancaster,
Chester and Bucks counties, Pennsyl-
vania. The other came directly from
Ireland, through the port of Charleston,
South Carolina. The two streams had
a common origin. Both came bubbling
up from the Scotch Irish population of
Ulster, Ireland.
In September. 1853, Alexander Craig
head became the pastor of Rocky Riv-
er congregation. Here was the first
Presbyterian congregation in western
North Carolina. The first Presbyterian
minister in this region was Alexander
Craighead In this quiet territory he
preached the pure gospel of the Sa-
viour and indoctrinated, his hearers in
the principles of civil liberty. In a
spiritual and civil point of view, the
labors of this good man were greatly
blessed The churches which bear the
respective names Of Poplar Tent,
Rocky River, Centre, Hopewell. Prov
idence, Sugar Greek and Steel Creek
all sprang into existence as fruits of
his laborS. The land was fertile and
the people being Industrious and NOR
al, soon accumulated an abundance Of
the necessaries of life.
In March. 1916, Alexander Craighead
died and was buried in Sugar Creek
grave yard No monument marks the
spot where his ashes repose. Tradition
says that when the coffin which con-
tained his remains was taken to the
graveyard. il was borne by four men
on two sassafras handspikes. When
the grave was filling up, these sassa-
fras poles were thrust into the grave,
one at the head and the other at the
foot. as a temporary mark for the
grave. These sassafras handspikes
grew and continued until recently, to
mark the resting place of the ashes Of
this faithful minister of the gospel and
staunch advocate of civil and religious
liberty.
The signers of the Mecklenburg
Declaration of Independence were all
members of the congregations founded
by Alexander Craighead.
When the body Of John Knox was
laid in the grave, the Regent, Norton
looked upon it and pronounced in an
audible voice the well-known words,
There lies he who never feared the
face of man" All Scotland had i'm
bibed the spirit of the great reformer.
When the British commander entered
Mecklenburg county, he pronounced 1t
a hornets nest" All that region had
imbibed the spirit of Alexander Craig
head He was dead but he had left
the impress of his mind upon the in
habitants of the whole county. The
whole territory passed over by Greene
in his retreat before the pursuing
British earl, had been brought under
the influence of Craighead and his
successors. Greene and his army were
hailed as friends, while the British
were regarded as the enemies of the
country. Greene knew he was amongst
friends. whilst CORVALLIS soon found
out that he was in the midst Of bitter
and unmitigating enemies of tyrants.
TO BE CONTINUED.