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Subject: Re: Richard Furman From: Robert M Butler Date: December 28, 1999
CW..This may help..Robert McLemore (Bob) Butler, Fuquay Varina, NC
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WELSH NECK BAPTIST CHURCH..SOME HISTORY
The Welsh Neck Baptist Church, was founded in January
1738, in the town of Society Hill, South Carolina......in
Darlington County.
In the year 1701 a party of immigrants, having been previously constituted
into a church, left Wales for the shores of America. Their first settlement
was at Pennepeck (also called Lower Dublin). The church there was
constituted in
the year 1687 of Welsh immigrants. Pennepeck in what is now the State of
Pennsylvania. Here they continued a year and a half, during which time the
Church increased from 12 to 27. From this place they removed to another
point, then
in the Provenance of Pennsylvania, but now in the State of Delaware, having
purchased a tract of thirty thousand acres of land, from individuals who had
derived their possession
From William Penn. They built themselves a house of worship, and until this
time the Church continues to exist under the appellation of the Welsh Tract
Church. From this church several others have originated, and among them the
Church which is established in Society Hill, South Carolina.
In 1737, 30 individuals, bearing the family names of James, Devonald, Evans,
Jones, Wilds and Harry removed from the Welsh Tract into the neighborhood of
Society Hill, South Carolina and in January 1738 were constituted into a
church.
At that time there were but two other Baptist Church in Carolina, viz.:
Charleston and Ashley River. The latter of these having become extinct,
this Church is the next oldest within the State of South Carolina being in
Society Hill . The first name by which it was known was that of the Pee Dee
Church, but in process of time, when other Churches had been planted in the
same region, it became necessary to give
it a more distinctive appellation. It was then called the Welsh Neck Church.
Many years afterward, when the house of worship upon the bank of the river
had been abandoned, and
one at Society Hill, S.C. occupied in its stead, it was determined to make a
corresponding change in the Name, but this decision was in a short time
reversed.
In 1743, one of their members, Philip James was ordained to the work of the
Ministry, in the 42nd year of his age. He served them for ten years. At
his death Rev. John Brown his
colleague became pastor. Mr. Brown's pastoral care of the Church was of
very short continuance. He was succeeded by Rev. Joshua Edwards, a native
of Wales, baptized in the
Welsh Tract, and ordained at the Pee Dee. His successor was the Rev.
Robert Williams. He was the grandfather of the late Gen. David R. Williams,
formerly Governor of the State
of South Carolina. During the time of his ministry with the Church his
labors were greatly blessed among certain Churches in North Carolina. Of
his successor, Rev. Nicholas
Bedgegood was the next minister. He was born January 30, 1730 or 31st. at
Thornburg in Gloucestershire. Bred a Churchman, came to America in 1751.
Embraced the sentiments of the Baptist July 19,1757 and had the ordnance
administered to him at Charleston by Rev. Oliver Hart. He was ordained in
February 1759 and became minister of the Church in the month of April
following. He took charge of the Church in 1759 and held it until 1765.
Then Rev. Evan Pugh was the pastor. He was born in Pennsylvania, educated
a Quaker.
Rev. Elhannon Winchester assumed the care of the Church in 1775 or 1776 and
continued until September in 1779. During the last year of his pastorate a
large addition was made to the number of members and 240 persons were
baptized.
The next successor was the Rev. Mr. Botsford in November 1779. The troubles
of war induced him to retire in June of the following year into Virginia,
whence he returned in 1782. During the time of his absence the Church was
supplied by
the Rev. Joshua Lewis. Mr. Botsford occupied the pastoral office until the
close of the year 1796. During his stay with the Church 65 persons were
baptized and of this number are
some of the members now living. (taken from information in 1963 )
After a monthly supply of the pulpit during the year 1797 the Rev. David
Cooper the Rev. David Lilly became pastor in 1798 and continued in the
office several years.
The next pastor was Rev. Frame Woods. He occupied the office about eight
years, vacating in 1807.
There was no Record in 1808.
In 1809 Rev. Daniel White was chosen pastor. Mr. White was a Scotchman by
Birth. In 1811 he resigned. But at their request he acted as their supply
during ensuing year.
In 1813 Rev. William Dossey was invited in February 1814 and continued until
1832.
Deacons John David, Abel Edwards, Samuel Evans, Samuel Wilson, Evander
McIver, Peter Edwards, John Kirven, William Kirven, Daniel Campbell all
served their Church as well as their community and was thought of in the
highest regards.
The origin of other Churches began among those which are known to have
sprung immediately from the Welsh Neck Baptist Church in Society Hill,
South Carolina are: Cape Fear in North Carolina. Salem in Marlboro County
(formerly Three Creek).Cheraw, Black Creek, Mechanicsville and Antioch (the
last three being in Darlington County.
(Page 2 contd.)
A Church formerly known by the name of Lynch's Creek and having three places
of worship, also originated from this church. This church was probably
divided into the churches known as the Upper and Lower Forks of Lynch's
Creek. Also
going back, we hear of appointments in other neighborhoods - of William
Byrd's out of which the Church at Antioch began and at Bethel, 5 miles from
the seat of the Church on the
road to Cheraw. The membership of the Church was widely extended,
especially to the Northwest and Northeast.
After Rev. Dossey resigned the Church turned its attention upon another
minister, a young man whose praise was already in the Churches as an
effective preacher of the Gospel, Rev. James C. Furman. A committee of two
of the younger brethren were appointed to visit him and
personally solicit a visit from him.The brethren R. W. McIver and I. D.
Wilson, betook themselves to their sulkies, and cheerfully traversed the
long distance to the Fairfield District. The visit was made and a hearty
call was given by
the Church, in October 13, 1833 the record of its acceptance was made. The
new pastor came at the beginning of 1834, very frail, and in feeble health;
indeed it was necessary for him to take 5 months' leave of absence in the
1st. year of his pastorship, to travel and recruit his health.Meantime,
Brother Hard, a student of the Furman Theological Institution was engaged as
supply.
At the beginning of Rev. Dossey's ministry the Church was strong. it was
now stronger in various elements - in Members, in Wealth, in Culture, in
Social Influence and in ready and intelligent activity. In Rev.Dossy's
pastorship
the Church experienced a more rapid extension than it had before. In Rev.
Furman's it enjoyed a higher development of its spiritual character, of
missionary zeal, and beneficence, and an increase of its influence in the
denomination in the State and at large.The venerable and trusted John F.
Wilson; the sagacious and zealous Dan'l
Campbell; the McIvers - Dr. John K. and Peter K. par nobile fratrum, and T.
P. Lide, whose memory is so fragrant wherever he was known - these were the
leaders of the Church in the deacon's office, while a faithful band of
intelligent, devout and liberal men and women gave them
close following. Shall we not pause to record at least the names of some
whose character and work made an abiding impression upon the life of the
church? Alexander Sparks, of large heart and large means, D.R.W. McIver,
the earnest
advocate of his Master's claims; I.D. Wilson, R.G. Edwards, P.C. Edwards,
The Kirvens, Alexander W. McIver, and the man in whose great heart, until
but recently that heart was stelled in dealth, the interests of this Church
filled
so large a place - Dr. S. H. Pressley.
A parsonage, the first the Church ever built, was made ready for the pastor
the 2nd year of his ministry. It stood on land given by D.R.W. McIver,
adjoining the Wilds place. The meeting-house began to be too strait for the
congregation, and so there appears, early in this period, record of some
discussion as to what shall be done. Again and again it appears: "Shall we
repair or shall we build a new one?" At last in June 1840, the people had a
mind to
build. So on June 4, 1843 it was dedicated.
The new house of worship-the fourth erected by the Church, was constructed
of the best materials and with excellent workmanship, and cost, according to
the building committee's recorded report, $7,159.57. Soon after the
meeting-house was finished, a baptistery was constructed on the site of the
present one. This baptistery was build of material taken from the old
meeting-house. Until this time, 1843, baptism had been administered in the
lower mill pond.
The change of the location of the meeting house from the bank of the river
to Society Hill took place sometime previous to the year 1803. The precise
date of their removal is unknown. This hill, so called from the
circumstance that
the St. David's Society built on it their Academy. The original lot on
which the meeting house was built consisted of two acres, and was a gift
From Capt. William Denitt.
In 1835 the church was requested by the State Convention to allow the pastor
Rev. James C. Furman to serve that body as agent. James C. Furman was born
in Charleston on December 5, 1809. He was the son of the distinguished Dr.
Richard Furman. The Church cheerfully permitted him to give a season of
seven weeks to an agency for the Convention. In 1837 the pastor was elected
to a Professorship in Furman
Theological Institution. In the close of 1840 the pastor received a call to
the Second or Wentworth Street Church in Charleston. The Church seems to
have had an impression that the pastor's work was not done yet - that the
removal to Charleston was an episode. It is
related that good deacon Wilson would insist upon it that "Brother Furman"
would return, so the Church made only temporary arrangements. Brother
Wilkins, of Antioch and Brother Richard Furman of Cheraw, were engaged to
supply the pulpit.
Subject: WELSH NECK BAPTIST CHURCH, Society Hill, S.C.
contd.
It is pleasant to picture the scene, an the Lords day July 3rd, when after
devine service the venerable "Deacon Wilson, in behalf of the Church, gave
the right hand of fellowship to
the Rev. J.C. Furman, cordially welcoming him again to the communion and
the pastoral care of the Church." It may be suspected that there were some
truly eloquent strains in those welcoming words. But it was not long that
the happy
connection was renewed. Dr. Furman's pastorship extended our a period of 11
years. He has been heard to refer to this period in his life as "Golden
Days".The Trustees of the Theological Institution were pressing him to
devote himself to this work. He could no longer refuse and on December
15,1844 communicated to the Church his purpose to accept the professorship
offered him and on December 22,1844 the pastor preached his farewell sermon.
The Church soon recurred the pastoral services of Rev. Samuel Furman, an
elder brother of Dr. James C. Furman. Mr. Samuel Furman resigned the care of
the Church an December 4, 1847. On December 19th his son Rev. Richard
Furman was elected.
On July 28,1851 Deacon John F. Wilson died . A Prince in Israel fell that
day. He was the faithful servant of the Church in all self-denying labor for
her interest. A generous
supporter of every good cause, ready for every good word and work, the
worthy representative of the Church in all general meetings; the zealous
guardian of the purity and spirituality of the Church. Deacon Wilson was a
good gift of God to the Welsh Neck Church, and his godly character
impressed itself deeply upon the church. John F. Wilson was Born November
04, 1782 and Died July 28, 1851. His wife was Elizabeth I. Wilson, daughter
of Isaac and Ann Deliessfline. She was Born December 25,1790 and Died June
12, 1812. His second wife was Hannah Kolb Wilson, she was
Born December 02, 1792 and Died September 28, 1854.
On December 18, 1853 Dr. Richard Furman tendered his resignation to accept
the call of the Greenville Church. The Church lost no time in electing a
successor to Dr. Richard Furman. Rev. W.M.Wingate was their choice. But
before he could come he was elected to a professorship in Wake Forest
College in North Carolina.
During the year of 1854 the Church was without a pastor.It again undertook
an important building enterprise. They had loss possession of their
parsonage property on account of defect of Title. Brother A. Sparks
purchased a most desirable lot near the meeting house.
In March 1855 Rev. J.C. Phelps was elected pastor. Began November 15th.
Mr. Phelps resigned November 5, 1861. When he left the Church in 1861, the
dreadful throes of Civil
War were upon the people. The male membership of the Church had become
reduced before the war began. The elder men had died but few young men came
into the Church during the last pastorate.
Rev. J.O.B. Dargan, D.D. Pastor of the Black Creek Church, supplied the
pulpit a part of the time and their former much-loved pastor Rev. Furman,
D.D. served them occasionally. And when a minister could not be engaged the
Deacon Dr. Pressley would conduct the worship.
Dr. S.H. Pressley Died February 18,1885, he was 67 years old. For 45 years
he practiced in the community of Society Hill, South Carolina. He was
married to Jane Daughon Pressley she was Born October 16,1820 and Died July
27,1851. His second wife was Sarah M. Presley, she was the
daughter of Dr. J.K. and S.E. McIver. She was Born July 20,1831 and Died
January 29,1899.
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This is a description of the pastor's residence.
This charming residence was built in 1855 to house the
pastors of the Welsh Neck Baptist Church. The church is the
second oldest Baptist church in South Carolina and one of the
oldest in the South. It as founded in 1738 by Welsh
settlers from Delaware. The name was derived from the land
in the wide bend in the Pee Dee River where the Welsh
originally settled.
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File: Welsh Neck Baptist..South Carolina RMB 11-2-1999
Revised: 12-23-1999
----- Original Message -----
From: gslat
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