"The Ligonier Echo" issue of 7 October 1891, p. 1

OLD-TIME RECOLLECTIONS.

The Old Knox Farm-Rev. Swan Hurt-Dispute with a Mormon-Congregation Prosperous.

No. XII.

Mr. Editor-Your paper is surely becoming very interesting in historical detail of the Valley and old Fort Ligonier. It would be well to be careful of annual dates, as they are very confusing when not correct. For instance, in speaking of the house of Gov. Johnston's nativity being built in 1575 was most likely in 1775. In the manuscript plan of Fort Ligonier by Capt. Knox, I would be glad if his first name could be given or if he was the progenitor of the old gent, Robert Knox, who owned the large farm joining the Hermitage on the east and among the early settlers. There was a tract of 400 acres that lay between this farm and my father's once owned by Knox and now by Menohers and others. This Capt. Knox may have been the father of Robt. Knox and at one time owned these 800 acres. This Col. Pollock may also have been a progenitor of the Pollocks, they also being among the early settlers of the valley, as I see it stated in history that John Pollock was born in Mt. Pleasant in 1893, his parents being driven there from the valley by incursion of the Indians-a common thing in those days.

The Knox farm was divided between Martin and James, and the old homestead part was what Rev. Swan first owned and afterwards the other part also, and both the brothers moved to Ohio. when Rev. Swan moved to Johnstown he sold to the men that perhaps owned it ever since. He was never suited to do any work on a farm, and still less so after sustaining the severe fracture of his limb, by which he was always very lame. This occurred only a few years before he left the valley, otherwise he may not have left so soon. After paying his hirelings his profits of farming were not good. His wife knew more of managing the farm than himself, but she had a large family to look after in the house. She was very domestic, never traveled any, only to go with the Reverend in a Dearburn wagon to General Assembly, which was held in Philadelphia in 1837. It was quite a trip, but old horse "Tobe" conveyed them through handsomely, going 40 or 50 miles per day. She was much interested with the trip, as I heard her relate it to my mother and describe the fine churches, red cushions and gilt-bound bibles on the pulpits, and also her surprise when meeting people on the street and they did not speak in passing, being a new experience to her from the western country custom.

He was a man that did not court controversy, but when it came in his way he could sustain his side very well. There was a Mormon elder or preacher came to Ligonier and sought admission into the Presbyterian church, but was refused, still Dr. Miller managed to get him in. He was anxious to hear what he had to say and the doctor said he talked wonderfully well to a small audience, but didn't seem to have much depth of thought. The next day Rev. Swan happened in town and met him in the store of Hargnett & Miller.

They were talking very socially for a time and the Mormon seemed to have plenty to say, but he did not relish the questions Rev. Swan got to asking him in reference to the support their Divine Revelations had in the way of miracle prophecy and something said of one of their preachers walking in the water and some way had removed a plank and was near being drowned. The man seemed to have a call to leave then and the Rev. and the Dr. were very much amazed at the discomforture. Perhaps Squire Hargnett was also present and heard the discussion. I never heard of any other Mormons around the Ligonier valley.

Shortly after this Rev. Swan received a severe fracture from falling from a loaded wagon of hay in the meadow, which laid him up for many months and there was much anxiety lest it prove fatal. Dr. Emerson, of Blairsville was called in consultation. Charles Donaldson, half-brother of Rev. Dr. Donaldson, came up every night for awhile after harvesting all day to help take care of the Reverend. After he got able to come out to preach he had, for some time to sit on a chair and deliver his sermons. At the lower church, it was a difficult matter to get him into the high pulpit which was nearly to the ceiling. The pulpits at the other churches were not so high and consequently not so difficult.

For many years after his settlement in this charge, he seemed able to endure the cold remarkably well. In those days overshoes were not in use. For a time after his marriage he lived on the land of Col. Moorhead, about twelve miles from the upper church, and it is said that on cold days he would ride the entire distance without warming on the way, and having only a plaid cloak fastened at the top and it would fly out behind sailing in the breeze while he was riding. We have seen him passing the old Hermitage school at full canter-now called loaping and the boys would say there goes the preacher sailing on old "Tobe." He never seemed to be prevented from filling his appointments in all kinds of weather and yet I never knew his voice to be affected with a cold or of his being sick from exposure. Being raised in that hardy country, Scotland, he was not easily affected by cold.

The congregation became large and prosperous under his care. The lower one had the house of worship weather-boarded and painted and the inside repaired; the upper one built a large stone church, and Ligonier a commodious brick structure. Everything was prosperous when he left about 17 years after first coming and not 12 years as stated in a previous article.

It is possible that he regretted leaving as he was much disappointed with the church at Johnstown to where he went on leaving Ligonier. His first wife and oldest daughter died in a few years after settling there. Not many years after he removed to the west, but finally returned and spent the last few years of his life in Blairsville where he died about twelve years ago.

A NEIGHBOR.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

"The Ligonier Echo" issue of 14 October 1891, p. 2

OLD-TIME RECOLLECTIONS.

Rev. Jos. Scroggs as an Able Minister, a Fine Scholar and Exempliary Man-Fifty Seven Years in the Ministry-His Social Relations and Death, etc.

No. XIII.

Mr. Editor:-In turning attention to the history and ministerial services of Rev. Joseph Scroggs of the valley, I would state although he was the first settled pastor of the Seceder church, there was before him a Rev. Mathew Henderson who afterwards preached and administered church ordinances from the forks of Yough, whose father also was a minister of that Denomination, who originally came from Scotland. My grandfather was inclined to join that denomination on account of introducing the new hymns and psalms into Rev. Hill's church, but not being so well pleased with the style of preaching, finally concluded to stay where he was, but always used the old psalms in family worship, giving out one line at a time and using the oldest of old tunes, the same as they did in the Seceder church in those days. I can mind when it was said that some of the members left that church when some new tunes were used and two lines given out in singing.

Rev. Scroggs' history as taken from the Book of Ministerial History of the U.P. Church states that he was a nephew of the Rev. Elijah Scroggs and was born March 1, 1793, near Newville, Pa.; when eight years old his parents moved to Washington county; graduated with honor at Jefferson College at the age of sixteen; studied Theology with Dr. Anderson at service; was licensed to preach in October, 1813, by Ohio Presbytery and ordained the third Monday of October, 1815, by Chartien Presbytery; was installed at his ordination as pastor of congregations of Fairfield and Donegal, Westmoreland county, Pa.; continued pastor until 1872, when he resigned, after a pastorate of 57 years, although he continued to supply until his death, which took place April 2d, 1873. Intellectually, morally, spiritually and ministerially, Dr. Scroggs was very much more than ordinary and he also possessed wonderful physical powers. He had a vein of humor and wit-did not like a man who could not bear a joke. His conversational powers were of the highest order.

In controversy or argument of the most warming subjects he manifested the most accomplished traits of a fully equipped logician, never showing the least excitement or irritation and could not be thrown into a passion, but remained cool and calm and would present his expressions with telling effect. In his common preaching he did not drag into his sermons the disputed doctrines and practices of other denominations, but at times would branch off on singing uninspired composition in the churches and was at times a little severe on the Armenian doctrine, that I have no doubt but he considered his duty as a faithful minister, but never was in the least discourteous or abusive.

In reference to uninspired composition in church worship, I will make some observation on the subject. I had two sisters whose husbands were in the U.P. church, and at times of communion they would hear much on the sin of idolatry in using hymns in church worship, and of course they would convey the news home to mother, and her reply would be that they were not more of uninspired composition than their preacher's explanation of the old psalms, before the people could understand to sing them. But she in the meantime told Rev. Swan that it might be well to preach a sermon on the subject to the effect that psalms were for Old Testament times, and I do not remember if he did, but I can well remember of his common views on the subject to the effect that psalms were for Old Testament times, and for the new we were enjoined to use prose, hymns and spiritual songs in worship to suit the new times of our Savior's having come and not to yet come, and to fail in doing this was considered sinful. He had been severe on Armenian doctrine and Able Fisher called on him to try and advise him or instruct on the doctrines, and they had a friendly talk, but not being able to accomplish his object, proposed coming again and bringing one of the preachers, and was advised to do so, and he would be glad to see him.

There was a township pauper lying at Martin Knox's, a poor overseer, not expected to live, and Rev. Scroggs called and instructed him in religious matters, but a neighboring Catholic family had Dr. Stillinger of Blairsville come and perform extreme unction, and the minister and priest met in a very free discussion in the best of spirit, as Dr. Stillinger was also a high class man, whom I knew well. I think Rev. Scroggs was invited to witness the ceremony, if he would not interrupt. "I would not interrupt at all," was the reply, but I don't remember if he did stay. The discussion was very interesting to all present. Rev. Scroggs was considered a highly educated man, and his word was, like Rev. Hill's a power among his people.

His wife was of the Hannah family of Washington county. They had a family of four sons and five or six daughters. He was married twice and died eighteen years ago. His second wife survived him. Thomas, his oldest son, studied medicine with Dr. Cummins in Ligonier and he and I attended lectures together in Philadelphia in 1843-4, and I always considered him a first-class man. I was not much acquainted with the other boys, but one died when nine or ten years of age.

Dr. McGowan's account of Sabbath schools at Ligonier and Laughlinstown and that notedly fine man, "Yankee Clark," and Wm. St. Clair I will notice more fully in my next as well as the Presbyterian Sabbath school and church music in those days. I hope Mr. Hargnett will continue to write and give an account of the vast amount of butter and dried apples that was shipped to Baltimore, for I was well acquainted with a young man who took wagon loads of both to Abbot & Hiser. He also carried to some men in Baltimore a three hundred dollar roll of bank notes-no checks nor drafts on banks in those days.

A NEIGHBOR.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

"The Ligonier Echo" issue of 21 October 1891, p. 1

OLD-TIME RECOLLECTIONS.

The Families of Revs. Scroggs and Swan-Rev. Swan's Experience in the West-His Death in Blairsville-Presbyterian Congregation of Ligonier, etc.

No. XIV.

Mr. Editor:-With a few more remarks I will close the account of Rev. Scroggs and his congregation, as well as of Rev. Swan, and then take up something else in the course of history and interesting items and incidents.

When living in Blairsville in the latter part of the sixties, Dr. Scroggs came there to assist Dr. Collins at communion services, and I was glad of the opportunity of hearing him preach once more and had him take dinner with us before returning home, and we had quite a talk over old friendship. He was then very aged, but his preaching and praying was of the former force and clearness. On another occasion I met with him at a large meeting in the Methodist church of Ligonier, where Rev. Davis, of Latrobe, was invited to lecture to the schools on education, and he and all the clergymen of the place were present, and Rev. Scroggs was called on to close the meeting with prayer, and Rev. Ross Stevenson said to me, "Did you ever hear a prayer so finely clothed in scripture quotations?" and I said I thought not. And truly that was his eminent ability, that he had scripture to fit into everything so well. His oldest son was married in Beaver county, where he practiced medicine and died young. The second daughter married Rev. Robt. Pollock, D.D., who settled in Ohio and died many years ago, and I think his widow still lives in Western Ohio. It was the understanding that an older brother of this James Pollock was to have been married to the oldest daughter, but being a well advanced student for the ministry, he with his cousin James went to Kentucky to teach and thus help themselves through college. Both were attacked there with Kentucky fever and died young. This girl afterwards married a schoolmate. The third or fourth daughter was married to a Rev. Anderson, who settled in Allegheny City, and both husband and wife died shortly afterwards. I was not much acquainted with the younger portion of the family, as they were small when I left home.

In closing I will now add some remarks in regard to Rev. Swan. He was naturally a Scotch gentleman and not the semblance of that brogue, but clear and decidedly good English. He was good to ask questions, but not of the kind to meddle in other people's business, but strictly high-classed and ministerially to learn of the state and condition of the church and people, and how they enjoyed the preaching of particular sermons and doctrines as taught in the Presbyterian church. After leaving Johnstown he served the church of Armagh and Centersville for a time before moving west, and there is where his first wife died and perhaps where he married the second, as I recently learned. I think he never settled as pastor of any church then in the west, but preached in many places, and with his son, Samuel now eminent doctor of Johnstown, invested in real estate with good profits; also in Chicago that on account of the big fire he was in danger of losing, but think it was recovered. About 1870 he returned to Pennsylvania and bought a nice quiet home in Blairsville, where he died. While I was there at one time on business I called to see him and found him very near his end, and appearingly, as it were, half way to heaven in spirit and almost insensible to things of this world, and with the light and joy of heaven fully pictured on his face, fully manifesting that the trials and afflictions of this world had worked out for him an exceeding and eternal wait of glory, that he was lying and waiting for in peaceful bliss without any pain or suffering of body or mind. His first family consisted of one son, the doctor of Johnstown, and five daughters, the second of three sons and three or four daughters, all now living in the west but the one son. His second wife died from a severe fall received in the west before he returned to this State.

I will now say something of the Ligonier congregation and leave off old Fairfield until I close with Rev. Hill. This congregation was organized 1819 or '20 before the close of Rev. Hill's ministry by the election of Nathaniel Kirkwood, Thos. Wilson and John and Robt. McConaughy as elders. Although Methodistism was about this time introduced, this congregation prospered well and on communion occasions the church was too small and their meetings were conducted in the beautiful grove back of the old burying ground, where a tent and seating arrangements were made, with a long communion table constructed with a white linen spread on it. Many tables were necessary on these occasions for the communicants. Immense gatherings of the lower and upper congregations as well as outsiders from the surrounding country would gather there to hear the most able reaching by eminent ministers of the Blairsville Presbytery, such as Dr. Kirkpatrick, Revs. W. Hughes, A. Torrance, Thos. Davis and Robt. Henry, of Greensburg. The latter's wife was a sister to President Buchannan. Rev. Henry died young.

The church music was led by my uncle, Robt. McConaughy, for a time, but he did not profess to be a scienced singer, and only used such tunes as he used in family worship at home. John Wilson, of the Fairfield congregation, next succeeded him and was a fine singer, having a strong melodious voice, and I think he taught music schools. He was a brother of Jas. Wilson, who was among the first missionaries to India, and was employed at Ligonier with his uncle Thomas, in manufacturing nails by cutting them with a machine and heading them with a hammer. Dr. Johnston Miller was the [unclear] to lead in singing, and he was quite a learned man in music, his natural ability perhaps not to be equaled. His voice was not as strong as Wilson's, but he always managed to have a bass singing support for large meetings at out-door services in the grove in the persons of his brother, Jacob, and Paul Hugus, a clerk in Col. Mendall's store. These two were fine singers.

In reference to Sabbath schools in the Presbyterian church, since I can remember they were held in connection with prayer meeting on days when there were no preaching. The system of that day was, the one leading would read a chapter, give out a hymn, all sing and then pray. This would be repeated by another in the same manner. Then the young would recite catechism and scripture without any particular school organization. Some of these young folks would commit three and four hundred verses in a week.

This "Yankee Clark" and Wm. St. Clair no doubt had interesting Sabbath services in Laughlinstown, and I think 'Squire Louther was also with them. I remember this Mr. Clark's family well. He lived in 'Squire Jas. Clark's property in that town for a time and then moved to the Layton land, two miles north of Ligonier. He and Dr. Miller and I think Jos. Moorhead were elected about 1830 as the second lot of elders at Ligonier. Mr. C. was very emotional and would exhort in prayer, in which he was very able and a good christian gentleman. He in a few years moved to Jefferson county, Pa., and became wealthy by dealing in lumber and lumber lands.

A NEIGHBOR.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

"The Ligonier Echo" issue of 28 October 1891, p. 1

OLD-TIME RECOLLECTIONS.

More Items in Reference to the Families of Revs. Swan and Scroggs-Religious Activity in the Different Churches of the Valley.

No. XV.

Mr. Editor:-I must yet say a few words of those clergymen that were such able and acceptable ministers living side by side as close neighbors, their lands joining, living as brethren in Christ.

There is no doubt but Rev. Swan could have put in all his days of the ministry there, the same as Rev. Scroggs, only that he was unduly persuaded to leave for a place better suited, owing to his lameness. He finally went not only to his own sad disappointment but his people's grief and sorrow. The style of church-going in those days was on horseback and at the time of my leaving home Rev. Scroggs could load four or five horses with two and three on a horse, and Rev. Swan nearly the same number, for we all traveled the same road most of the way to the old Fairfield churches. I suppose Rev. Scroggs never got a buggy until he sold his farm and moved to town and many of his family had left. Neither did Rev. Swan have anything of the kind except on his trip to Philadelphia, mentioned in a previous paper, and for that I think we loaned him ours. He could neither hitch up or direct, but on that occasion "old Tobe" was easily driven and his wife was close by to watch the lines. Horseback riding was all the go. I remember that shortly before Rev. Swan left the valley that a party on horseback consisting of his niece and nephew and hired help, four or five in all, and about as many from the McConaughy house, started from the house of the reverend and went to the top of Laurel Hill, about four miles direct from the "Cresin" spring. Through the woods, without road or path, we went up to the top to a beautiful flat on the summit of the mountain. Here each of the party gathered fully a bushel of whortleberries, and they came across and killed four rattlesnakes on the route and were home before night. We never before gathered so many berries in one day, nor had we ever seen or killed a snake on the mountains previous to this with all our much berry picking. Rev. Swan was not along himself. I never heard of his trying to gather berries, and no doubt it would have been amusing to see him trying. Never even saw him try to cut or split wood, it would not have been safe for him. Among the books was where he was at home and where he mostly staid, reading and writing. It was said he studied and wrote out all his sermons but never used the manuscript in the pulpit. He wrote in a large book about the size and style of a school Bible and carried it in his pocket and you could see him looking it over as he rode along.

I do not remember of Rev. Scroggs ever being on the mountain for the noted luscious berries, but he may have been with his whole family-a thing very common in those days. His family were of literary ability with himself perhaps if tested. The son Thomas while a student of medicine with Dr. Cummins once delivered an excellent temperance lecture and did it in good style to a large audience. I also saw a letter of one of the younger daughters to my youngest sister on the death of our brother, Robert McC., in 1852, that did high credit to the writer for true christian sympathy as well as bright natural ability. The Hanna family, of whom Mrs. Scroggs was a member, were of high literary ability. I used to hear one of her brothers preach at Cannonsburg. He was a professor in the seminary there and I think moved to Xenia, Ohio, some years afterwards.

The Presbyterian S.S. progressed well and became large, joined with prayer meeting under the management of Dr. Miller and the assistance of other elders and members of the church. I think they would have a short intermission between the school and prayer meeting as the doctor would read a sermon and a very good one from a book. He was a good an excellent reader with good intonation and emphasis equal to a preacher in effect, and indeed better than many sermons I have heard. About 1830 there was much excitement in religious circles and many additions to the church, and uncle Robert McConaughy's second daughter I remember as one who was much interested and would exhort almost any one she would meet, and would pray in meeting a very good sensible prayer, too-a thing not common then in the Presbyterian church, but common in the M.E. church. They mingled a good deal with these people and finally he dropped his eldership and joined with the daughter and no one interfered, but my father urged him to stay with the church he was raised in. Aunt and an oldest daughter, however, continued in the Presbyterian church for about ten years and then they joined and all the family as they became of proper age.

"Yankee" Clark was emotional and zealous in exhortation and in prayer meeting, not in use in that day in the Presbyterian church, but now common. There being somewhat of tender feelings in that direction, elder Thomas Wilson visited my father on the subject of having it stopped, as he was a close adherent to the old paths and a strict regulationist. I do not know what passed between them in conversation, but we boys had talked at home something of the subject of these exhortations and his warm able style of praying. I never learned of his being interfered with in the matter.

In those days there was also a Yankee in the upper Pleasant Grove Presbyterian congregation by the name of Seamor Moses, and being of a devotedly religious character was elected an elder, and like Elder "Yankee" Clark was a very able man in prayer and of much the same dialect as Elder Clark. He was a farmer and mechanic and did the carpenter work and painting of the then large and new stone church of Pleasant Grove. His wife was of the Caven family and they with many others of that family connection moved in early times to the northwestern part of the State of Indiana and no doubt were a good accession to the church and society of that State.

Of this upper congregation and the first camp meeting in the valley and some of their able preachers, I shall write in my next number.

A NEIGHBOR.

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

[Note: For those readers who have read this far, I thought it appropriate that you be rewarded with several amusing anecdotes that were published on the same pages as Dr. McConaughy's articles in the October 1891 issues:]

"George Denies It.": George W. Deeds, a liveryman residing at Ligonier, and James Sible, of Donegal, were out gathering chestnuts yesterday in the vicinity of Youngstown. They were both up the same tree and both on the same limb. The limb broke and they were precipitated to the ground, a distance of about 20 feet. Deeds' left arm was broken and he was otherwise cut and bruised about the body, while his companion, Sible, escaped with a few slight bruises.-Jeannette Star.

We have every reason to believe the above story to be a fake, as Deeds is hale healthy without any broken limbs, and further, George wouldn't climb a tree if it were full of water-melons.

"Wormy Chestnut.": We were informed by Hamilton Smith that he opened a common-sized chestnut and found within twenty-one live and kicking worms. He assures us that this is no chestnut lie but a fact that can be substantiated by J.G. Albright who was present and saw the chestnut and the worms.

"Got a Horn.": Elmer Deeds has traded his organ for an E-flat cornet horn and now we expect to see him as a prominent figure in some band. As a blower we have no doubt Elmer would be a success.

"Smashed His Horn.": Last week it gave us pleasure to state that our genial, good hearted Idle Park friend "Elmer Deeds had got a horn" but this week with tears in our eyes we are compelled to proclaim "smashed his horn." Last Tuesday he hied himself to Stahlstown, horn in hand to add his melodious chords to the sweet strains of music, but ill fate to it, he laid his horn down and some fellow sat down on it and smashed it flat. Now Deeds mourns his flattened horn as one who would not be comforted, as the music has departed from the horn and hopes of leading the band are frustrated. We saw the smashed horn which is nothing but a wreck of its former glory.

'Smashed horn, no more to blow aloud
In tones both sweet and sad,
Thy music's missed, thy beauty gone,
No more thy sound shall make us glad.'