The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-04-21
BUILDERS Of
ERSK|NE COLLEGE
(Rev. J. S. Moffatt, D. d.

this country in 1888. He had learn
ed the trade of a tailor. After
coming to America he determined to
acquire a classical education. He
worked at his trade, and clerked IN
a store in Philadelphia, until by eco
nomy he saved enough money to
start upon his educational course.
He graduated from Dickinson Col
lege, Pa. He felt called to the
ministry and studied theology under
Rev. Mr.. Lynn. He became pastor
of Hopewell congregation in Ches-
ter, S. c., which charge included
Union and New Hope congregations.
He served this charge until his
death in 1882 and in the graveyard
of old Hopewell his grave may be
seen until this day.
DR.. Hemphill was first married to
Miss Lynn, the daughter of his theo-
logical preceptor. His second mar
riage was to Mrs. Mary Hemphill,
the widow of DR.. Andrew Hemphill.
: Her maiden name was, Mary Nixon.
One Of the children of the second
marriage was Robert Nixon, who
was born Dec. 10th, 1916. 20. .
He did not avail himself of col
lege education. He was the pupil
of Master McClerkin, great teach
er in his day.. Under his tutelage
Mr.. Hemphill received a good En-
glish education. The home of cul-
ture in which he was reared also
contributed much III an educational
way. He went into the store of
William Moffatt in early manhood
and received good training in the
business of merchandising. do
not know whether he ever engaged
in merchandising on his own account
During my>knowledge of him he was
!. engaged in farming. He had an
attractive and hospitable home and
a large farm near Hopewell church.
He was successful farmer and ac-
cumulated a considerable estate.
He was fond of reading and was
well versed in the works of standard
literature as we'll as in current liter
ature. -.
He was a man of high honor and
of strict integrity. His recognized
uprightness and his breadth of in
formation made him a man of mark
ed influence in his community.
He was member and liberal sup
porter of the congregation of which
his father had been pastor for so
many years.
Mr.. Hemphill never married. A
faithful old colored woman and her
husband lived in the yard, looked af-
ter the home and ministered to his
needs. .r.
The old colored people who had
served him were devotedly attached
to him. I have heard an interest
ing story about one of his slaves
from whom Sherman's soldiers tried
to wring\ information concerning
hidden treasure. But no amount
of torture could prevail upon him
J, to be unfaithful to the interests of
his old master. Nothing could more
powerfully testify to the kindness
and love of heart which wrought
in his servants such loyalty. Mr..
Hemphill was of a very jovial dispo-
sition and could see the humorous
side of a situation. He was fine
judge of men and delighted in a
jocular way to take off their peculi-
arities, faults and foibles. To some
he seemed 'brusque. To one who
owed him debt and was protesting
that he would pay the debt even if
he had to dig it out of the ground,
Mr.. Hemphill replied, eyes, when
you dig it out of the ground I sus-
pect I will be under the ground"
He stood Loyalty by his pastor.
More than once I have heard him
speak in the most appreciative way
of his old pastors, Messrs. Brice and
Flenniken, and of his then pastor,
Rev. j. A. White.
He had high estimate of the
place and work of Erskine College.
He realized that it was fundamental
70 the maintenance of the church,