The midland journal., 1914-11-20

celebrated its Iooth anniversary on
Thursday. Nov. IL. Perfect fall weather
Favored the celebration and the meeting
was largely attended and greatly enjoyed
by everyone. Many old members and
friends came back for the day. and Others
unable to be present sent letters of regret
and feIicitation.
Addresses we're made by Rev. John A.
Nesbitt. a SON of Nottingham, and now
pastor of the Presbyterian church al
Catonsville, Md; Rev. John McElmoyle,
Elkton. Nd; Rev James T. Marshall,
Washington, D. c.. who married niece
of Rev Samuel A Gayley, and the Rev.
Winired w. Shaw. of Mt Washington.
Md Other ministers present were Rev.
Joseph q. Faivra, Nottingham, Pa. and
Rev. David E Shaw, pastor emeritus.
Rev. F. Harl Huffman, pastor of the
West Nottingham Presbyterian Church,
delivered an interesting historical sketch
Of the church at the afternoon session.
In the evening the Rev William Hiram
Foulks. D. D.. Secretary of the Presby-
terian Board of Relief and Sustentation,
gave an address based on the introduc-
ton to the Presbyterian Book of Disci-
pline. 1t was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
At the noon hour free luncheon, such as
the West Nottingham ladies alone know
how to prepare, was served. From to
in the evening supper was served. For
this meal charge of IS cents was made,
$loo being taken In.
Following is the historical sketch of the
church delivered by Rev. Mr.. Huffman:
The foundations, Of Presbyterianism in
this community were laid early in the
18th century. The Nottingham settle
ment undoubtedly grew outof the dispute
between William Penn and Lord Balt-
more over the boundary between their re-
spective territories. Baltimore claimed
that his territory extended several miles
to the north of here. while Penn declared
that his grant gave him an outlet through
the Chesapeake Bay And to hold the
territory Penn lin 1902 had atract of land
embracing 1900 acres. surveyed, and
laid out in lots" This tract extended
from the Blue Ball to the East of us to
within a mile and half OF the mouth of
the Octoraro on the West. And its South
ern boundary was the Wallace road. a
quarter of a mile to the north of West
Nottingham church. This tract was
known as the Nottingham settlement
lust why it was given this name we do
not know Some have thought that 1t
was given this name because its first set
tiers were fIom Nottingh England.
but we have every reason to believe that
this was not the case, and that the first
settlers were from Chich, ster in Southern
England.
But at the same time that Penn was
pushing in from the North. Baltimore was
pushing in from the South, and there was
soon presented in this community "the
spectacle of persons interspersed among
each other claiming the protection OF
different governments.
The FIRST settlers of Nottingham were
the Browns and Reynoldses, members OF
the Society OF Friends. They were soon
followed by the Presbyte rians. who
were sufficiently numerous in 1924 to
have congregation and church build
ing. These early Presbyterians were
chiefly Scotch-Irish. Just why the Scotch
Irish should have been settled in the very
heart OF this disputed territory, between
the Quakers and Catholics. we do not
know except that tradition says that Penn
believed the Quakers to be OF too mild
and non militant a type. to take the
aggressive in disputed territory. so that
he brought in the Scotch-Irish, of whose
fighting qualities he was assured Atany
rate they got here. and soon began To-
make their influence felt in life of the
community. Like the rest of their
countrymen. driven from England by
prosecution and scattered along the Allan
tic coast. they had borne the burdens of
uniformity and arbitrary rule. They had
been-reviled and prosecuted. They knew
the meaning Of injustice. They had come
to new country in search of liberty and
freedom, and they Immediately set about
to establish it, taking an active part both
10 community life and in the larger life of
the Colonies. thus playing large part in
laying the foundations of both Presby-
terianism and liberty in America.
Concerning the founding of West Not
bingham there are two traditions. One is
that the first church stood about three and
ahalf miles to the northwest of where the
church now stands. and half mile north
west from the Red Turkey. one of the
many hotels scattered through this section