In a message dated 10/26/1999 12:02:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
[email protected] writes:

 
>  The following is a brief summary of the history of St. John in the 
> Wilderness 
>  Episcopal church.  One of our list members asked for it and I thought 
others 
> 
>  might benefit.  There is a book (hardcover, 134 pages) that can be 
purchased 
> 
>  from the Church for $22.50.  Mailing address is PO Box 185, Flat Rock, NC 
>  28731.  It is a very lovely church and worth a trip to see.  There is a 
>  cemetery around the church.  I did not find a listing of those buried in 
the 
> 
>  cemetery in the book but there is book at the Hendersonville Library that 
>  lists those who owned or own plots.  I purchased the book just because I 
> love 
>  history and it is very descriptive of the area and customs.  Originally it 
>  was just St. John Church but it seems folks from Charleston referred to 
the 
>  mountain lands as "The Wilderness."  The church was originally the 
creation 
>  of Susan Baring wife of Chalres Baring.  He moved here to the mountains 
>  because she was suffering in the heat at the coast having previously lived 
> in 
>  the cool climate of the British Isles.  Susan built a little private 
chapel 
>  on their property but it burned and was replaced with the brick structure. 
 
>  They started building their home in 1827 but the brick church was given to 
>  the Episcopal church by the Barings in 1836.  (I cannot do the story 
justice 
> 
>  in this posting.)  Other affluent people from Charleston and Savannah 
moved 
>  to the area attracted by the pleasant weather.  The first Vestry (1836) 
>  included Charles Baring, Daniel Blake, Arthur Blake, Rawlins Lowndes, 
>  Adolphus Tudor, Thomas Lowndes, John Parker, Rutledge Parker and William 
>  Lowndes.  In 1841 Andrew Johnstone and Edmund Molyneux were added.  Other 
>  charter members included two Browns, two Edmonstons, Adolphus Tudor and 
>  Hester Wild. Others associated with the early days were Dr. Mitchell King, 
>  Elliotts, Mrs. Davis, Christopher G. Memminger, Frederick Rutledge, The 
>  Reverend Mr. CC. Pinckney, Singleton, Prioleau.  Izard Middleton, H. T. 
>  Farmer, E. L. Trenholm, Mitchell C. King, J. M. Bennett, Wm. M. Hazzard, 
L.P.
>  
>  King, Drayton, Henrietta A. Rhett, Wm. Aiken, WM. H. Wilkinson, Julia D. 
>  Hastie.  I have just taken these names from various parts of the book. 
There 
> 
>  was also a Count Marie Joseph Gabirel ST. Xaveir deChosiseul who was from 
>  France and was appointed Consul to Charleston and SAvannah.  His son 
Charles 
> 
>  surveyed the newly established town of Hedersonville, later moved to New 
>  Orleans and was Confederate Lieutenant Colonel in the 7th Regiment of the 
>  Louisiana Infantry.  He is buried in the church cemetery.  Hope some of 
this 
> 
>  helps someone.  Many of the above names are found on the cemetery list but 
>  there are some others.  I will do look ups if you like but all I have is 
the 
> 
>  last name of the plot owner.  If you enjoy history you would enjoy a visit 
> to 
>  the church and cemetery.  Yesterday was my first visit and I live near by. 
 
> I 
>  plan to go again after reading the book.  sandy  
>  
>  
Hi, What county is this church located? Is it possible to order the book?
Thanks, Pat

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