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Excerpts from Cromwell's Comments
Use the links above to
read and learn about Harrison County, as recorded by columnist John
M. Cromwell.
Cromwell Comments on
Schools
The following two items are excerpts from
"Cromwell's Comments" as they appeared in the Cynthiana Democrat
in February, 1928. The book's texts include footnotes by William
Penn and George Slade which are not shown here, but which update the
references made by John Cromwell in his articles.
Early Schools
Prefacing that which I propose to relate concerning
the Early Schools of Cynthiana, I wish to say that the article in
Perrin’s History relative to Schools was written by the late Prof. L. G.
Marshall, then principal of the graded school of Cynthiana, and in my
opinion was very exhaustive, as he seemed to have left no stone unturned
in his search for facts bearing on the subject, consulting records,
wherever available, and talking with many of the older citizens; and
remember that the history was written almost fifty years ago,
consequently there were many living men whose memories harked back to
almost the year 1800.
In an old deed recorded in 1804 we find that
Benjamin Harrison and the original trustees of the town of Cynthiana
deeded to the trustees of Harrison Academy a lot, now forming part of
the Old Cemetery, in the northern part of Cynthiana, the consideration
therefore being fifty Spanish milled dollars.
On the lot, in an old stone structure, the first
school was established. Here we find Samuel Endicott, described as a
distinguished classical teacher, “swayed the scepter as early as 1806,”
and Dr. Geo. H. Perrin, whom we shall find later as the first president
of the reorganized Harrison Academy, one of his pupils. In 1813 Jesse
Olds and his son, Augustus, occupied the Academy, as principal and
assistant, during the absence of Endicott. These seemed to have
alternated in teaching in the old stone building during its use as a
school. Jas. Kelly is also mentioned as a teacher of those early times,
and still another Irishman, William Germany, famed as a teacher of
languages, also seems to have been connected with the school after it
was moved to the new site. My grandfather, Henry F. Cromwell, and Maj.
Newt Miller are mentioned as pupils of William Germany, in the old stone
building.
On March 15th, 1817, we find recorded another deed,
this time from Benjamin Warfield and Sarah, his wife, conveying to
Galvin Morrison and William Brown, trustees of Harrison Academy, parts
of lots 1 and 2 in Hinkson's Addition, town of Cynthiana, for the
purpose of erecting a “seminary building." ”This would be the site on
the east side of Church street, on which stood the school building torn
down some years ago, and would also indicate that the citizens had come
to the conclusion that the old stone building had outlived its
usefulness. So here we will leave it, for, like Mose’s sepulchre, no man
knoweth where it stood.
There is no record of a building being erected on
the new site till the year 1820, tho it is thought that there was a
building of some kind on the lot when it was purchased, and that it was
used for a few years, and also that both sites were used for a time.
The building which was erected in 1820 is described
as “a pretty considerable one,” and also as having a commodious stone
basement, in which, strange to relate, “horses were sometimes stabled
and fed,” probably the steeds of country pupils.
In 1851 this building was torn down, and a much
larger, brick two-story building was erected, finished in 1853. The
upper story was used for a number of years by the Freemasons as a lodge
room, under some kind of a joint arrangement not exactly set forth, but
that they had some financial interest is evident, for in 1872 when the
school was reorganized they were paid the sum of $2,000.00 for a quit
claim deed.
Before we proceed to the reorganization
proceedings, it is interesting to note on just what basis the old
schools were run. It is recorded that very early, it does not appear how
early, but probably at the beginning of 1789, the County Court received
authority to appoint trustees of Harrison Academy. There is no record of
the names of any trustees appointed, but we know that Dr. Geo. H. Perrin
was elected President of the Board of Trustees and that he served from
1825 till 1864.
It is further recorded that the trustees elected
their principal, allowing him to select his own assistants. It was
customary to charge him, at least in the later years of the Academy,
$100 annual rent, which, however, he might expend if he thought proper
in supplying suitable conveniences about the school building. The
principal furnished his own fuel, janitor, apparatus, and paid his
assistants. The County Court kept the house in repair, “such as it was,”
and the Freemasons defrayed their own expenses. As no salary for the
Principal is mentioned, we are to infer that his remuneration depended
on the number of pupils enrolled.
On May 14th, 1872, at a regular meeting of the City
Council, Mayor Caleb Musser presiding, Councilman A. J. Beale introduced
an ordinance to open a public school in the City of Cynthiana. The
ordinance on being read was adopted by unanimous vote.
Meanwhile, there had been provided no buildings or
grounds for the accommodation of the new City School, but it was soon
ascertained that the Board Trustees of the Harrison Academy were willing
to transfer their charge to the City Council, under an enabling act of
the Assembly, which was duly obtained, and that Saint Andrew’s Lodge,
would, for a consideration, transfer their rights to the Council.
In 1878 the City Council relinquished control, by
act of the General Assembly, and thus was launched the City School of
Cynthiana, which has continued on down to this day, with perhaps a few
modifications from time to time as occasion may have required.
The Board, in the year 1882, was as follows:
Officers, Dr. Hervey McDowell, President; Luther VanHook,
Vice-President; Lewis M. Martin, Clerk; William H. Throckmorton,
Treasurer. Trustees, T. A. Frazer, W. W. Longmore, Dr. A. J. Beale,
Chas. Rieckle, W. C. Musselman
It would ill accord with my duty were I to close
this article without paying tribute to Prof. L. G. Marshall, the beloved
principal of the City School for so many years, and under whom I sat as
a student for five years. He was an elegant gentleman, an accomplished
scholar, and comprehensive instructor. We all loved him, as evidenced by
the fact that his remains lie in beautiful Battle Grove today, guarded
by an appropriate monument erected to his memory by the Cynthiana City
School Alumni.
Early Schools
(Concluded)
The records show that the first Catholic school in
Cynthiana was taught by Miss Annie Reilly, of Covington, Ky., in 1858.
While visiting the family of a Mr. Barrett she was induced to gather the
children together and open a school in Wall’s school house, then being
used by the congregation as a place of worship. During the Civil War the
classes were moved to Main street to a house where now stands the
Linehan home; and finally to a frame building in the rear of the present
church edifice. Here under various teachers the school continued to
flourish until 1886, when it ceased to function for a period of about
thirty-five years.
In 1919, when Bishop Brossart came to Cynthiana to
administer confirmation he preached a sermon on Catholic Education, and
urged the people to complete the parish plant by establishing a school.
Evidently his sermon was to bear fruit, for we soon find that the
congregation, under the able leadership of their pastor, Father Carroll,
quickly subscribed about $12,000.00, and shortly purchased the old
Trimble property, fronting on Main street, and soon, under the auspices
of the Sisters of Divine Providence, their school was established.
Colored Schools
We find that the first colored school was opened
about the year 1868; and our historian says: - “It is pleasantly
situated on the so-called ‘Common,’ in a comfortable building, near the
river.” This would be the old brick structure on Water street, recently
converted into a steam laundry – the school having been removed some
years previously to the old hospital site, where it continues to
flourish under the management of Prof. Newsom.
The Moore Fund
It is proper here that we mention the name of Henry
C. Moore. He was the son of William Moore, the first Clerk of the County
and Circuit Courts, and founded what has since been known as the “Moore
Fund.” He died in 1832 , and by his will set aside half of his estate,
$15,000, for the education of poor orphan children in Harrison County.
This disposition of his property was contested by the heirs till 1838,
when the will was sustained. The fund was then loaned to the county at
six per cent, and the annual income, about $800.00, distributed
semi-annually to pay for the education of poor orphans.
On March 12, 1860, the County Court ordered that a
marble shaft be erected over the grave of Henry C. Moore, in the Old
Cemetery, which order was executed by the same. In 1868, also by Court
order, it was moved to Battle Grove Cemetery, and stands today, “a
genuine tribute of a grateful people to a noble benefactor.” This was a
laudable act on the part of the Court, and yet, had it not been done,
the name of Henry C. Moore would have been secure. For it needed no
tablet, either of marble or bronze, to perpetuate the memory of this
good man in the hearts of each succeeding generation of the people of
Harrison County.
Private Schools
The first private school of which we have record
was taught by Mrs. J. B. Anderson, on Main street, in 1833. This
location was evidently, at the time our history was compiled, lost in
the mist of antiquity, as the exact spot was not designated. Then comes
Mrs. Isette, possibly a few years later, as it is recorded that as late
as 1841 “she taught a school of decided excellence, in the little frame
house on the west side of Main street, now the property of J. S.
Withers. Many of my readers will doubtless remember “the little frame
house;” it stood in the corner of Mr. Withers’ yard at the time the
property was cut up into building lots by J. B. Berry.
Mrs. Delling’s School
Next comes Mrs. Louisa Ormsby, and we find her, in
1851, opening a school on the corner of Court Square and Pike Street, in
a building erected by Maj. William K. Wall, which later came to be
generally known as “Walls’ School House.” Here Mrs. Ormsby taught
successfully for several years, and then moved to the “Anderson” site on
Main street. Mrs. Ormsby moved again, this time to a little frame house
which she had, in the meantime, purchased, corner of Pleasant and
Walnut. In this location she continued to conduct a school until 1861,
when she was married to Mr. C. T. Delling, at that time one of the
prominent merchants of Cynthiana, and of more than usual
accomplishments;” also says that she gave up teaching after her
marriage, but in more modern times, and after the death of her husband,
she again conducted a school at her late residence, now the home of
Judge R. C. Clary, her grandson.
The Wall School House
Having brought our private schools down to the year
1861, it appears that we are not able to take them up again until after
the Civil War, as in the interim we have no recorded data. Now getting
back to the old Wall school house, in which schools appear to have been
held, pretty continuously since the early [eighteen] forties. My father
was a pupil at the Wall school house, and I have heard him mention many
of his schoolmates, none living now, I believe, with the exception of
Judge J. T. Simon. I was talking with my friend, W. B. Redmon, a short
time ago, who attended the Wall school house, beginning in the year
1867. He mentioned Miss Mollie Mitchell and Miss Fannie Holton as his
first teachers. The former was an Ohio woman, and died very recently in
Cincinnati; the latter afterwards became the wife of Green R. Keller,
for a few years editor of the “Democrat,” and later for a number of
years of the Carlisle Mercury. Other teachers mentioned by Mr. Redmon
were Jos. Blair, who had been a student at the Cynthiana Graded School
and afterwards became a lawyer and moved to Missouri; also Prof. Alex
Sanders, brother of the late Mrs. Mattie C. VanDeren.
Prof. N. F. Smith
Now comes Prof. N. F. Smith, who in 1872
established a very superior school for boys, though I think he also had
a few girl students at times. This school was located in a large brick
residence building; my grandfather, Henry F. Cromwell, once owned it and
resided there during the Civil War. It was located on the corner of the
Oddville pike and Miller street, and was a very desirable location for a
school, the house being roomy and grounds large.
Prof. Smith was a unique character. He had a
classical education, was an especially fine mathematician and also well
grounded in languages. He had been a Confederate soldier and delighted
in telling of his war experiences. I have heard more than one of his old
students relate that, when it so happened the boys were not up on their
lesson, they would contrive to get him started on one of his war
stories, which would usually be drawn out until the time allotted to the
class had been taken up. He was, however, an able teacher, and turned
out many excellent scholars, one of his boys, William Keller, “handsome
Bill,” made his mark in journalism in N. Y. City.
In 1876, Miss Lizzie Corbin opened a select school
in the residence of the late Prof. John Henry Smith. Here for several
years she conducted an up-to-date school for girls. She later accepted
an engagement with the Midway [Female] Orphan School and continued as
its head until her death.
John Henry Smith
I am reminded here that I have left out, in its
proper sequence, the name of Prof. John Henry Smith, later to be known
by one and all as “Pap Smith.” He was an Englishman, and educated at the
University of Cambridge. Professor Marshall says of him: “He was perhaps
the most learned of the long line of Principals who held the reins in
old Harrison.” He seems to have been a man of strong personality and,
probably with the exception of Prof. Marshall, the most oft-quoted man
of school reputation. He was principal of Harrison Academy in 1848, and
also conducted private schools in various places, at one time in the
Wall school house. Although a school teacher, he seems to have
accumulated considerable means, for we learn that he purchased
considerable property on west Pike street, including the brick dwelling
now occupied by Mrs. J. H. Smith. The residence he sold later to the
late Judge J. S. Boyd, building himself a home just west of it, where he
lived the life of a retired scholar, until his death, in 1876. Most of
us older folk will remember his widow, Mrs. Nancy West Smith, who lived
for a number of years near the corner, on east Pleasant street, dying in
the late nineties.
Harrison Female College
In 1878, Mr. J. A. Brown purchased what was then
known as the “Broadwell” home later known as the Elks’ Home, now the
site of several beautiful residences. At that time it was an ideal
location for that which it afterwards became, “Harrison Female College,”
as the old residence had many rooms of ample size and the surrounding
grounds were spacious and well shaded.
Here, presided over by Mrs. Brown, “Miss Lizzie,”
many fair lassies were graduated from time to time; and, altho it was
slightly in advance of “co-education.” A few boys, probably the latter,
were taken on their solemn obligation under no circumstances to make
love to the “fair lassies.” One such I have in mind now, for he not only
seems to have taken such an obligation at the time, but also to have
kept it, on down to the present day. I refer to my good friend, Mr. W.
W. Ammerman.
(Originally published in
The Cynthiana Democrat in the issues for February 16 and 23, 1928)
Cromwell Comments on
World War I
The following item is an excerpt from "Cromwell's
Comments." The book's texts include footnotes by William
Penn and George Slade which are not shown here, but which update the
references made by John Cromwell in his articles.
War
History of
Harrison County
Coming now to the World War, beside which all previous wars sink into
insignificance, we stand appalled when we attempt to sum up its consequences.
In the first place it took a toll of 23,000,000 lives: 10,000,000 soldiers and
13,000,000 civilians. When we add to this the fact that 23,000,000 soldiers
were wounded or missing, 9,000,000 children were orphaned and 10,000,000 persons
became refugees and the further fact that the toll of lives was taken from the
ablest and best of the world’s population, the summing up seems staggering
beyond belief. In money the World War cost three hundred and forty billion
dollars, a sum so stupendous that the human mind fails to grasp it.
We are all tolerable familiar with the incident which precipitated the
gigantic struggle, beginning on that fateful day of August, 1914, which was to
last four long years, and which in the meantime was to embroil most of the first
class powers of the world; we are not so familiar perhaps with the causes
underlying it all. In effect, "der tag", that is the day Germany thought she
was ready to start her march to World Empire. We use the word "thought"
advisably, for as it fell out she made several mistakes in her reckoning, not
the least of them, that little Belgium would allow her a free passage thru her
territories to attack France, and then the incident of the scrap of paper, so
denominated by the Kaiser. This incident brought England into the conflict,
which, taken together with Belgium’s stubborn opposition, halted Germany at the
Somme, and forced her to fight a defensive warfare on the western front there
after. The entrance of the United States into the conflict was also another
actor which Germany had not counted on, and so it was that she soon found
herself beset on three sides, Russian and Italy on the east, the English fleet
controlling the seas, and England, France and eventually the United States
holding her on the western front. And so we find that Germany was soon to learn
to use an old adage, that "the best laid plans of mice and men gang oft agley."
But hold on here, we did not start out to write a history of the World
War, but rather to tell you about the part the boys of old Harrison played in
it. Come to think of it, however, we are not even equipped to do that, since
during most of its duration we were in California. While there, however, we
were, so to speak, right in the midst of it, working part of the time in a munition plant.
North Island, lying at the entrance of San Diego Bay, was the training
ground for the boys in the aviation corps; so planes got to be as familiar a
sight as, well, flies around a sugar barrel. And here we recall an incident on
the day after we heard the news of the armistice. In the celebration held to
celebrate the event 251 planes were in the air. Not that one could actually
count that many, as they were flying in squads of about fifties, V-shape, you
know, like wild geese. A squad came flying over the city (there were crowds
atop the tall buildings, this writer among the number). When suddenly from the
leading plane a man came hurtling down. Naturally the crowd held their breath,
but breathed freely again when it was seen that it was a man of straw.
At Camp Kearney there were thousands of Khaki clad boys in training
and at Balboa Park hundreds of sailor boys. Another not to be forgotten
incident I recall. Madam Schumann-Heink sang for the soldier boys on a
Christmas Eve night at the Plaza. Thousands of onlookers crowded the plaza
grounds, and I talked to people from a dozen different states.
But hold on again, two pages of copy, and we have not gotten to our
subject yet. Well, as sure as the Democrat comes out next week, we promise to
tell you at least, a little, about the part played by our boys in the "big" war.
. . .
A promise is a promise, and I’m making good this week, provided the
stars do not fall, thus preventing The Democrat from coming out. As told last
week we were not in Cynthiana during most of the duration of the U. S. part in
the World War.
However, we may say that we saw the beginning, and the ending in old
Harrison. Since on a September morning in 1917 we saw the first batch of
drafted men come from the courthouse and march south on Main street to entrain
for camp. And here’s a funny thing in psychology, it’s been almost exactly 21
years, and while I probably recognized ninety-five per cent of these boys at the
time, I am unable to name but two of them at this writing, Dr. Paul Lail and
Kinney Smith. And now for the ending, I reached home in March of 1919, just in
time to do my modest bit in the Victory Liberty Loan drive.
But to get down to brass tacks. In search of information on the
subject, I called at the Court House the other day, and the obliging officials
placed at my disposal a well bound volume, and told me to help myself. Opening
up the book the first thing to meet the eye was a clipping from The Democrat of
May 1, 1919, captioned as follows: "World War Statistics," it went on to say in
part: "As usual Harrison County went over the top in the Victory Liberty Loan
drive. Up to the last night a total of $446,000 has been subscribed, quota was
$420,000."
And again. "The greatest credit should be accorded R. S. Withers,
Chairman, and Mrs. J. W. Daizelle, Mrs. W. G. Wiglesworth and their co-workers
for their splendid work during the campaign."
Turning over a few pages I found that Harrison county furnished 405
men, 1916 to 1918. Of these, the following "did not come back:"
Died of disease – Cecil Whalen, Howard Cooper, Herbert Crawford,
Luther Debruler, John Fitzgerald, Emery Ferguson, William W. Gardner, John
Goodnight, Lieut. J. Quincy Jewett, Orville Jones, Dawson Lemmons, Lonnie
Mullin, H. R. Pulliam, Jas. Hardin Sparks, Walter H. Williams, Stephen Woodward,
Orie C. Givens, Frazier Smith, the two last named colored. Killed in action –
Stephen B. Whalen, Claud D. Wilson, Corp. Jas. H. Parsons. Died of wounds
overseas – James H. McHarney. Checking back with my original authority, I
believe this list is substantially correct, 22 men who made the supreme
sacrifice out of 405 enlisted. But, you know all of them took the chance.
I could go on, from memory, and perhaps name a dozen boys who did not
wait for the draft, but enlisted in various branches of the service; but fearful
that I might omit some name, I am not going to attempt it. Anyhow it is a
matter of record in the archives of the War Department. Their names are written
there.
I will, however, name an individual. He did not enlist in Harrison
county, but we will ever claim him as our own. I refer to the late beloved
editor of The Democrat. Joe [Costello] enlisted in St. Louis, was soon sent
overseas where he took part in several engagements. He escaped wounds, but was
gassed, which in all probability accounted for his subsequent ill healthy, and
untimely death.
(Originally published in
The Cynthiana Democrat in the issues for June 30 and July 7, 1938)
Cromwell Comments on
the Census
The 1930
Census
Noticed in
The Democrat week before last that in our district it will require
250 enumerators to compile the census next spring, and that they will be
appointed by Porter M. Gray, who will open an office in the
Federal
Building
at Cattlesburg about the first of December, and about Jan. first will
select his field assistants for the counties. Now here is a tip to
all those who may desire to help Uncle Sam in counting noses--brush up
on your civil service, and apply forthwith to Mr. Gray.
From the Lexington Herald, of recent date, we get some information in
regard to the census in the country at large. It will take
approximately 100,000 people to complete it; and on the census of 1930
will be based on the redistricting of congress. William H. Steuart
will be director of the census, and has already appointed nearly all of
his 400 lieutenants. Mr. Steuart in an interview given out at
Washington said—“The hardest job we have is to make the people realize
that the census can only be as complete as they can make it,” and “to
convince them that what they want to know about themselves must come
from themselves;” and that “the census takers this year will ask more
questions than ever before,” and that, “further, it has always been
found that some persons are reluctant about giving information of a
personal character.”
Mr. Steuart also said that by the third week in April the census takers
will be able to begin making announcements.
Origins of the Word
Census
It comes from the Latin sensus,which in old Roman times meant a
registered itemized statement of one’s property for the purpose of
taxation; but in modern times it has come to mean “an enumeration of the
inhabitants of a country, accompanied by such other information as may
be deemed useful.” We find that in the following countries a
decennial census is taken; the United States, England, Switzerland,
Sweden, Norway, Holland, Belgium and Portugal.
Birth of Christ
We read in the New Testament, Luke, 2nd, verses 1 and 3—“And it came to
pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus
that all the world should be taxed; and all went to be taxed, every one
to his own city.” So in this old Roman custom of taxation we have
the fulfillment of the age-old prophecy that Christ should be born in
Bethlehem of Judea, for while Nazareth was the home of Joseph and Mary,
they were of the house and lineage of David, and therefore must come to
the City of
David,
Bethlehem,
to be taxed.
First Census
Dates back to about 1350 B.C., to the time of the wandering of the
children of Israel in the wilderness. We read in the first chapter
of numbers, first and second verses, as follows: “And the Lord
spake unto Moses, in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the
congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year
after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, take ye the sum
of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families,
by the house of their fathers, with the number of their families, every
male by their polls.”
Now let everybody get ready to stand up and be counted. The 1920
census gave us 3,857. We want to make it, at least, 4,500 for
1930, so that when asked by some stranger—what’s the population of
Cynthiana, we can assume a nonchalant air and reply, oh! About 5,000.
P.S. —Noticed in the Thanksgiving issue of The Democrat that the
“paragrapher” wants a substitute phrase for “getting along nicely.”
Am offering—“fine, thank you.”
(Originally published in
The Cynthiana Democrat in the issues for December 12, 1929)
Cromwell Comments on
Churches
In
the twenties, thirties, and forties John Cromwell, former Cynthiana mayor and
columnist for The Cynthiana Democrat, wrote a column entitled "Cromwell's
Comments," many of which touched on and explored the local history of Cynthiana
and Harrison County. He often drew on "Our Historian" as a source, a
reference to William H. Perrin and the history he edited in 1882 (History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and
Nicholas Counties, Kentucky), the text of which appears in several other
locations at HarrisonCountyKy.US. By the time
John Cromwell began writing his column,
nearly half a century had passed since the history's publication, and Cromwell's
articles
brought each of the segments regarding church history up-to-date.
Links to some of his
articles about the churches of Cynthiana follow.
These
texts help to further demonstrate the depth and content of what you may find if
you should like to add Cromwell's Comments to your own library.
To see more about the
history of the churches of Cynthiana or the county,
click here and follow the links there to the church of your interest.
Historic African American
Churches
The
following article was entitled "African Methodist Episcopal" which was
originally published in the December 22, 1938 issue of the paper:
We are told that in September, 1787, Richard Allen, of Philadelphia, Pa.,
organized the A. M. E. Church. But we are not informed as to just what period
this movement reached Kentucky. However, we find the following on the subject:
“Long before the Emancipation Proclamation the church had many organizations,
preaching missions and meeting places in Kentucky”; and also that the Missouri
Annual Conference was organized in Quinn Chapel church at Louisville, Ky., on
September 13, 1855, Quinn Chapel having been organized 17 years before in 1838.
Coming now to Cynthiana, we find that the Negro Methodists built a church in
1853, two years before the conference was organized in Louisville. We are
informed by the historian Perrin, that this building cost $1,000.00, would
comfortably seat 300 people and was located on East Pleasant street. Here the
congregation met for a quarter of a century. But in the early 1870’s the
trustees sold the old church building to the Colored United Brethren of
Friendship Society for $300.
Many who chance to read this will recall the old U. B. F. [United Brethren of
Friendship] Hall. It stood on the site now occupied by the brick bungalow
erected recently by J. W. “Buddy” Plummer, which is occupied at present by Mrs.
Edith Button and her mother.
The church then purchased from W. L. Northcutt, for $700, a plot of ground on
West Pleasant street, a few hundred yards east from the new bridge which is now
in process of construction. On this lot a new brick house of worship was
erected, being completed in 1871. The building cost, including a good bell, was
$5,000, and a home for the pastor, adjoining, cost $250. Our historian
commenting on this edifice, writing in 1882, said, “It will easily seat 500
people; it is nicely furnished, has windows of stained glass, carpeted aisles,
and is giving general satisfaction.” “The brick work was done by the late J. J.
Parish, of our city.” “The colored Methodists now have a membership of 260.”
The congregation is still occupying the house of worship as above described,
which is being redecorated at this time. In a recent interview with the pastor,
Rev. Edward Arthur Simmons, he kindly placed at my disposal, a handsomely bound
little volume, “The Book of Redemption and of Perpetuity of the Church,”
recently compiled by himself, which we have used largely in this write up. In
this booklet he given a list of the pastors who have served the church since
1865, in number with their years of service. He also informed us that they
contemplate the erection of a new parsonage in the near future, and that the
present membership of the church is 134.
In 1857, the Colored Baptists of Cynthiana bought of W. J. Parish a lot on the
bank of the river, about four hundred yards south of the railroad depot, and
thereon built a small brick church, costing about $700. In a few years the
house was enlarged at an expense of $2,500, and then had a seating capacity of
250. The situation, however, was not satisfactory, as the trains passed too
close to the windows. In 1850 [probably should be 1880], the property was sold
to W. H. Wilson, for $275. Certainly a very low price,” says our historian, and
we are inclined to agree with him. During this same year the trustees purchased
of Henry Palmer, colored, for $300, a building lot on the corner of Bridge and
Church streets, present site of the church. In 1881, a new brick edifice was
erected on this lot, by Ed Clark, colored, of Lexington. Our historian says
here, “It is a large and spacious building, capable of seating when finished,
500 people.” At that writing, 1882, the building had not been completed, but
services were being held in the basement every Sunday. It is estimated that the
church, when completed, will have cost about $4,000. The membership, 300.
Interviewing the Rev. W. D. Mason, who has had charge of the Macedonian church
for about sixteen years, we were informed that the congregation numbers 275,
also that he has charge, in addition to his duties in Cynthiana, of a little
church at Shady Nook of forty odd members. In connection with the church
building is a handsome brick bungalow parsonage, located on Poplar street,
between Mill and Pleasant.
No account of the Colored Baptist church in Cynthiana would be completed without
mention of Elder John Johnson, its faithful Shepherd for a quarter of a
century. He was a familiar figure on our streets in the seventies, esteemed
alike by whites and blacks. Many who chance to read this will recall his
baptismal services, held in South Licking, usually on Sunday afternoons in the
presence of large crowds lining both banks of the stream. He was proud of the
number of his converts, kept an accurate account of his baptisms in a little
book which he carried with him, and it is our recollection that they ran well
into the eight hundreds at the time of his passing.
The Ebenezer Episcopal Methodist Church, established in Cynthiana in 1892, under
the administration of the Rev. J. H. Ross, who served it as pastor for two
years, this little congregation of 65 members is in a flourishing condition.
The building was erected in 1892 by the late A. T. Rees. It is of frame, very
commodious and stands on Locust street about midway between Penn and Mill. The
little congregation had a hard time financially for a number of years, but we
were informed, in a recent interview, by its pastor, the Rev. E. E. Hamblen, who
is entering upon his seventh year of service with the congregation, that they
are now entirely out of debt, and this includes also an indebtedness on the
parsonage, which was recently liquidated. The parsonage directly across the
street from the church building, is a comfortable home and taken together with
the church building, speaks well for the zeal of so small a body of worshippers
and the financial acumen of the present pastor. We were also informed by Bro.
Hamblen that there is a body of Christians of the same persuasion located at
Leesburg, who have a house of worship, with a part time preacher.
The
Episcopal (Anglican) Church
In the
twenties, thirties, and forties John Cromwell, former Cynthiana mayor and
columnist for The Cynthiana Democrat, wrote a column entitled "Cromwell's
Comments," many of which touched on and explored the local history of Cynthiana
and Harrison County. He often drew on "Our Historian" as a source, a reference
to William H. Perrin's 1882 History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas
Counties, Kentucky, the text of which precedes this text, however nearly
half a century had passed since its publication, and John Cromwell brought each
of the segments regarding church history up-to-date. The following article was
entitled "Episcopal Church" which was originally published in the December 15,
1938 issue of the paper:
The
Episcopal or Protestant Episcopal church is that branch of the church in America
which became independent of the Church of England in 1789, by adopting a
constitution of its own. Previous to 1811 the church made but little progress.
However, during the next ten years such advancement was made that there were
churches in thirteen states.
Altho the first religious service in Kentucky is said to have been held in 1775,
at Boonesboro, by Episcopalian minister, Rev. John Lythe, it would seem that
this denomination took hold but slowly in the new settlement, which has been
attributed to the fact that the Revolutionary War having just ended, the people
were still prejudiced against all things English.
We
are told by the late Professor L. G. Marshall, who furnished the data on
churches and schools for Perrin’s history of Cynthiana, compiled in 1882 – “The
doctrines of the Church of England were first promulgated in Cynthiana by Dr.
Berkley, of Lexington, in 1846.” In 1847 Rev. G. G. Moore, rector of the
Episcopal Church in Paris, visited Cynthiana in the interests of his order, once
a month, and organized a church of four members. Service was held in the court
house; sometimes by courtesy in the Methodist, and sometimes in the Presbyterian
church.
After the retirement of Mr. Moore, we find no special pastor in charge for two
or three years, till 1852, when Rev. Carter Page was church rector, and held the
office until 1862. Mr. Page was an able and popular preacher, and also an
eminent teacher of the classics.
One of the four members who constituted the church at its first organization was
Dr. George H. Perrin, of whom more anon. In 1852 the church had no house of
worship, and in that year a lot on Walnut street, fronting Mill, was purchased
from Henry F. Cromwell for $225.00 and the building begun.
Again our historian says – “the building cost only $6,500, and carried to its
present degree of completion in 1854, when it was duly consecrated to Bishop
Benjamin Bosworth Smith of Kentucky”; and that $5,000.00 of the expense was
supplied by Dr. Perrin, and $1,000 contributed by William Thompson.
We
are further told that the church was built according to a model of an old church
in England – “Stokes Poges”- which was furnished by Bishop Smith, and that this
model was to be seen in Cynthiana for a number of years after the building was
finished. In this connection we also call attention to the fact that the
Episcopalians are unique in that they are the only congregation in Cynthiana
still using their original house of worship, after an occupancy four score years
and five.
Writing for Cynthiana readers a description of the outside of this fine old
church building is scarcely necessary, it may be in order, however, to briefly
mention the “inside”. The three memorial windows, over the altar, are
commemorative to Dr. George H. Perrin, Rev. Carter Page and Rev. George Weeks.
The altar is hand carved. The carving having been done by some members of the
church some friends of the church and Rev. Dyer, a former pastor. At opposite
sides of the altar, on the walls, appear the creed, and commandments, gold
letters on a black back-ground form the tablets. The pipe organ, the first to
come to Cynthiana, is still in use, bearing the date, 1881. There are also
other memorials of departed loved ones placed there by their families.
Adjoining the church building is a commodious rectory.
We
have mentioned some of the pastors who served the Church of the Advent in its
early years. We now propose to take up the line of pastors who followed them;
these according to a list furnished us by Mrs. Henry W. Oxley, who also included
in her notes other valuable data in reference to the interior decorations of the
church building. Reverends, G. G. Moore, 1847; H. H. Reid, 1849; Carter Page,
1850 to 1862; Chas. Stewart; Dr. Silas Totten; Walter Tearn; Charles T. Kellog;
J. S. Johnson; George A. Weeks; Edward S. Cross; John T. Spivey; C. L. Pindar;
Rolla Dyer; F. A. Ridout, Jr.; H. E. Spears; H. H. Sneed; R. C. Caswall; John S.
Banks; J. E. Thompson; George Henry Harris; Walter Cain; J. J. Clapton; Paul
Due; J. H. Chillington; Harold Boone; Herbert G. Purchase; George R. Madison.
The presiding Bishop of the Cynthiana Diocese at this period is the Rt. Rev. H.
P. Almon Abbott, of Lexington, whom we all know and admire.
Here ends our series of articles on the churches of Cynthiana; and having gone
to considerable pains to collect the data relative to each individual church, we
hope they have been followed with a modicum of interest by our readers. Not only
so, but we even dare to hope that some scrapbook minded individuals have
preserved the clippings for further reference.
Cynthiana
Baptist Church
In
the twenties, thirties, and forties John Cromwell, former Cynthiana mayor and
columnist for The Cynthiana Democrat, wrote a column entitled "Cromwell's
Comments," many of which touched on and explored the local history of Cynthiana
and Harrison County. He often drew on "Our Historian" as a source, a
reference to William H. Perrin's 1882 History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and
Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, the text of which precedes this text, however
nearly half a century had passed since its publication, and John Cromwell
brought each of the segments regarding church history up-to-date. The
following article was entitled "The Baptist Church in Cynthiana" which was
originally published in the November 24, 1938 issue of the paper:
It is recorded that the Baptists were the first of the denominations to
establish themselves in the new settlement of Kentucky also that Squire Boone,
brother to Daniel Boone, was a Baptist minister, though it is a fact that he
seemed to have done more plundering than preaching. It is further recorded that
the first Baptist preacher to arrive in Kentucky, Rev. Thomas Tinsley; conducted
services at Fort Harrod in 1776.
While it is not possible to trace the first Baptist family that settled in the
confines of Cynthiana, we do know that there were Baptist families residing in
the Indian Creek neighborhood as early as 1790 as witnessed by the fact that the
old church building standing there today was erected in that year; which by the
way celebrated its148th anniversary with fitting ceremonies a short time ago.
Coming now right square down to our text, Prof. I. G. Marshall, who by the way I
believe was a of the Baptist persuasion, in his opening paragraph on the Baptist
church in Cynthiana, writing in 1882, says in part, “The Baptists, tho always
numerous in Kentucky, do not seem to have obtained an early foothold here in
their church capacity.” But in 1867 Rev. Dr. S. L. Helm having delivered a
powerful series of discourses in Cynthiana, aided by Rev. J. R. Barbee, a life
long resident of the vicinity, the first Baptist Church of Cynthiana, composed
of twelve members, was organized under their care.
The
little church, as usual with houseless churches, held regular services in the
court house, Rev. Geo. W. Varden, of Paris, becoming their first pastor. In
1869, Rev. A. F. Baker had charge; 1870, W. W. Williams; 1872-74 Robert Ryland;
1875-76 , A. L. Jourdan; 1876-77, R. L. Helm; 1877-92, Cleon Keyes.
We now come to the erection of the first house of worship by the Baptist
Congregation. In August of 1871, a lot was purchased on the east side of Walnut
street (now site of the garage adjacent to the Rohs Theatre) from Mrs. Seargeant
for $800. John VanDeren, C. O. Land, Samuel O. Eckler and Paul King were
appointed a building committee, and the contract for the erection of the
building was given to Samuel O. Eckler. In the spring of 1875, the house was
completed at a cost of approximately $8,000, and all but $500 of the amount
paid. In January of the aforesaid year, Rev. Henry McDonald, professor in the
Theological Department of Georgetown College, was invited to deliver the
dedicatory address. Our historian here tells us that every foot of room in the
house was occupied, and that when it was announced that a debt of $500 still
remained to be paid, it turned out to be an easy matter to raise the money
before the congregation was dismissed and that Elder Jordan [Jourdan] in
announcing the result said,” We wanted $500; well, we get it, we got more than
that, good measure, running over, pressed down and shaken together.”
Our historian then goes on and mentions some “special” contributions. Felix G.
Ashbrook, presented the bell; Mrs. Artie Ashbrook, the communion set; Mrs. Felix
Ashbrook, the carpets; Miss Georgie Richardson presented a fine cabinet organ;
Mrs. Paul King supplied the pulpit with an elegant quarto bible; Mrs. John
VanDeren and Mrs. W. C. Musselman provided the handsome chandeliers. The
membership of the church, 1882, is given as about 75.
Coming now to the second church building on the same site, we are drawing our
information from “The Baptist Bulletin”, established 1915, by C. W. Elsey and
placed at our disposal by C. M. Jewett. Defective workmanship on the first
house of worship was continuous source of expense and annoyance. In 1890, the
church extended a full time call to Rev. H. A. Bagby, and in short, his
congregation and of the community at large.
It only remains now to mention the “third” House of Worship to be erected by the
Baptist Congregation in Cynthiana, and we have done. We shall be brief, as the
handsome building standing on the corner of Pleasant and Church streets speaks
for itself; the stately Corinthian pillars; the inscription over the Pleasant
street entrance, “THE HOUSE OF PRAYER,” and the historical data on the corner
stone, “Constituted, 1867; First Building, 1875; second building, 1882; present
building, 1914.
St. Edward
Catholic Church, Cynthiana
In
the twenties, thirties, and forties John Cromwell, former Cynthiana mayor and
columnist for The Cynthiana Democrat, wrote a column entitled "Cromwell's
Comments," many of which touched on and explored the local history of Cynthiana
and Harrison County. He often drew on "Our Historian" as a source, a
reference to William H. Perrin's 1882 History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and
Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, the text of which precedes this text, however
nearly half a century had passed since its publication, and John Cromwell
brought each of the segments regarding church history up-to-date. The
following article was entitled "Catholicism in Cynthiana" which was originally
published in the November 3, 1938 issue of the paper:
The first Catholic services in Harrison County were held in Broadwell’s meeting
house, on the Ruddle’s Mills pike, by Father Kroeger, from Holy Trinity church,
Cincinnati, in 1849. After Father Kroeger, came Fathers Elkman, Lancaster,
McMahon and McGuire. Then came as missionaries from 1849 to 1853, once to 3
times a year. In 1853, Rt. Rev. George A. Carroll, first Bishop of the Diocese
of Covington, sent Father Force as pastor of this congregation, residence in
Paris, he having for his parish Paris, Cynthiana and Falmouth. Services were
held once a month and every alternate fifth Sunday in a month. After Father
Force, there came in succession Fathers Allen, Perry and Brandts, assisted by
Fathers Devine, Wright and Quinn; then Fathers Brossart, Major, Cook, Feighery,
in succession; and 1882 Father Merschmann, assisted by Father Sang.
From 1853 to 1862, services were held in Wall’s Schoolhouse, corner Pike and
Court streets, now Smith-Rees Co. In 1853 Louis Pollmeyer, Thomas English and
Patrick McCaffrey, Trustees, purchased a lot from William T. Redmon, on Walnut
street, running back to the railroad. This lot being rejected by the Bishop,
was sold, and, in 1861, the Rev. E. H. Brandts purchased of William Roper the
lot on which the church now stands for $500. Father Brandts built a frame
church, and a schoolhouse in the rear of it, in 1862, at an expense of $3,000.
The work on these buildings was done by John O. Day.
In 1871, the frame church was moved back on the lot and the foundation of the
present structure was built by Thomas Lowry. The corner stone was laid the same
year under the auspices of Rev. E. H. Brandts by Rt. Rev. A. M. Toebbe, Bishop.
In 1873, Rev. F. Brossart, then pastor, had the building put up and placed under
roof. The brick work was done by J. J. Parish; the lumber work was done by
Mills & Spellmire, of Cincinnati, the slate roof was put on by Bierman & Co.,
also of Cincinnati.
In 1875, Father Major, then pastor, having had the floor and the windows put in,
the church was dedicated in October of that year. In 1881, Fathers Gadker and
Merschmann called and commenced plastering the church; this part of the work was
completed July 1st, 1882. The church when finished cost $30,000, according to
the estimate of Mr. Pickett, the architect.
Thus far, in my story of Catholicism in Cynthiana, I have been following
Perrin’s history; compiled in 1882, which left off more than half a century ago
with the church unfinished, and Father Merschmann as its presiding genius.
Writing today it is hardly necessary to say that the church building was
completed in due course, and stands now as a monument to those of the Catholic
faith who wrought so well in the long ago, leaving for their successors in the
faith the handsome building as it stands today.
In conclusion, with the help of my good friend, Miss Maggie English, I am able
to give the names of the pastors who have served Saint Edwards Church since
Father Merschmann’s time: Father Baumeister, Father F. Donnelly, Father McGrady,
Father Jones, Father Kehoe, Father Adeisberger, Father Bealer, Father Lingel,
Father D. F. Carroll and the present incumbent, whom we all know, and
appreciate, Father Curry.
The
Christian Church of Cynthiana
|
The Christian
Church, Main & Mill Streets
(Photo by
Philip Naff) |
The
following article was entitled "The Christian Church in Cynthiana" which was
originally published in the December 8, 1938 issue of the paper:
Dr. A. W. Fortune, in his book, “Disciples in Kentucky,” opens his chapter on
the “Beginning of The Barton W. Stone Movement” as follows – on the crest of a
greatly sloping bank, a few rods from the pike between Paris and Little Rock, is
a little meeting house which was the birth place of the Christian church. Here
“The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery” was decreed years
before Thomas Campbell published the “Declaration and Address, and before
Alexander Campbell, his son, had come to America.
It would appear, therefore, that the term “Campbellites,” which is sometimes
applied to this denomination of christians is a misnomer; if anything, it should
rather be “Stoneites.” As a matter of fact, in the early inception of the
movement it was variously termed Christian Reformers and Disciples of Christ,
with the first appellation finding favor in Kentucky where the movement had its
beginning.
The Christian church in Cynthiana was organized in 1827, when Barton W. Stone
was in the zenith of his fame, and Alexander Campbell had just reached secured
greatness. The adherents of these two great christian leaders had not then
united, for John Rogers says. In his biography of John T. Johnson: “this union
did not take place till 1831-32.” So it was that on a day 111 years ago; eleven
individuals met and organized themselves into a church body; their names –
Eleven Todd, Rebecca Miller, Patsy Kemp, Eliza Haggerty, Catherine Douglas,
Hannah Wall, Margaret Miller, Jemima Todd, Mary Porter and Polly Ann Hagerty.
Note here that there is only one man, which would seem to indicate that then, as
now, the ladies took the lead in matters religious. Commenting here our
historian said – “these eleven names ought to form a perpetual church roll of
honor”; and as a matter of fact they have since done that very thing, as they
are listed today on a bronze plaque affixed to the wall on the right as one
enters the church from the Main street entrance. We are also informed here that
the membership at the end of the year 1829 was seventy-eight, and that it
gradually increased until by the end of 1841 that was 275.
The
church met for worship in the court house, or in private dwellings as occasion
required for three or four years, but measures were taken in the second year to
procure a lot and erect a house of its own. At a meeting held at Bro. John
Trimble’s home, on Monday night, the 19th of January, 1829, a building committee
hitherto appointed, reported that they had purchased a lot, corner of Main and
Mill streets (the present site of the Christian church). Another meeting was
held the next year, but did not show what the church building had progressed in
the interim. Six years later we find the following entry on the minutes (with
no explanation in the meantime): “At a meeting of the members of the Christian
Church, held at the Christian Meeting House in Cynthiana on Monday the 7th of
November, 1836.” And so ends the old record entire: nothing further is told in
writing of the erection of the first Meeting House except register of name of
members up to 1840.
However, we get out of this the fact that the meeting House was built; and we
have the following from the Souvenir History of the Christian Church of
Cynthiana, compiled in 1901 by W. S. Cason, Lilly Webster, Maud Smith and Bettie
M. Cromwell in re the old Meeting House –” It deserves more mention than the
existing records of our space allows, for its walls had re-echoed the voices of
the most forcible preachers of the first part of the century. Marion W. Stone,
Thomas and Alexander Campbell, ‘Raccoon John Smith,’ John T. Johnson, Walter
Scott and others.”
Coming now to the second church building on the site, we learn that in 1867 the
old house was taken down, and the present edifice was erected as an expense of
approximately $8,000.00. Our authority goes on here into an elaborate
description of the building, but lack of space forbids that we follow him: many
who chance to read this will recall it. However, we will mention some special
gifts with names of the donors – chandeliers furnished by Henry E. Shawhan; work
in fresco by T. J. Megibben; pulpit by C. B. Cook; seats by Thos. V. Ashbrook;
stained glass window, by G. W. Taylor.
As pastors serving the church between 1841 and 1850, arranged in the order
indicated below, we are advised to place Elders Poole, Weakley, Joshua Irwin,
John M. Holton, John A. Gano (1847), John A. Dearbon, R. H. Forrester, and John
C. Tompkins. Between 1856 and 1861 we arrange Samuel Rogers assisted by his son,
John I. Rogers, T. N. Arnold in 1862, and R. C. Ricketts in 1863 and 1864. In
1866, J. D. Wilroth; in 1867 Allen Broadburne, from 1867 to 1871 D. W. Case. In
1871, E. Y. Pinkerton and J. B. Jones. In 1872, J. C. Frank, four years. In
1876, J. C. Walden, a man who commanded great respect in the community, and
served four years. Mr. Walden was succeeded in 1880 by William Stanley, C. B.
Edgar, 1884; J. J. Morgan, Mch. 1889 to end of year G. W. Yancey; 1890-1894; J.
J. Haley, 1895-1904; W. E. Ellis, 1905-1912; J. D. Armistead, 1912-1922; Clyde
Darsie, 1922-1936; C. N. Barnette, 1937; still with us, and has won the
affections of his congregation, as well as the esteem of the community at large.
We now come to the present house of worship of the Christian Congregation in
Cynthiana, the third to stand on the same site. As we remarked in writing of the
Baptist church edifice, comment is unnecessary here, just walk around and
inspect this handsome church home for yourself. It may be proper, however, that
we set down here the names of the building Committee; William Addams, W. T.
Lafferty, W. S. Cason, Bailey D. Berry, M. C. Swinford, S. J. Ashbrook, J. S.
Withers; all of whom, with the exception of Mr. Swinford, have passed into the
beyond since the edifice was dedicated in 1901. It is also worthy of note that
the stone used in the building is a peculiar kind of limestone, scarce in this
vicinity, and was quarried, for the most part, from a field south of and
adjoining Battle Grove cemetery. It was owned by W. B. Redmon. The stone was
dressed on the ground, and laid in the walls under the supervision of J. R.
Poindexter. Des Jardins & Hayward of Cincinnati were the architects and the
late A. T. Rees was superintendent of construction.
The
Methodist Church of Cynthiana
The
following article was entitled "Methodism in Cynthiana" which was originally
published in the November 17, 1938 issue of the paper:
Methodism had its birth in England, when on the night of May 24, 1738, John W
Wesley felt his heart strangely warmed.” Twenty-five years later the movement
reached America.
It would be interesting to know who was the first Methodist to come to
Cynthiana. But who he was, when he arrived, and where he came to, are matters
of history, that lie forever buried in a forgotten past.
However, when it comes to the matter of trying to establish the site of the
first Methodist church building in Harrison County, we are able to approximate
the truth, as it would appear from the best data obtainable that an old log
building erected at East Broadwell in the late 1790’s, or possibly the very
early 1800’s will about fill the bill. At least, we have not been able to obtain
any facts which would indicate an earlier Methodist church building in the
county. I am giving here what the “History of Methodism in Kentucky,” brought
out in 1935, has to say on the subject:
“About three miles from Cynthiana, on the road from that place to Ruddle’s
Mills, stood old Mount Gerazim, where the Western Conference was held in both
1803 and 1804. And again, “Mount Gerazim”, or [East] Broadwell, is a historic
church. It was built about the beginning of the “last century” (1800). The
ground where it stands was given jointly by Richard Timberlake and Samuel
Broadwell. The first house was built of blue ash logs. This house was burnt
about 1825, accidentally, when the brick house now standing was erected.”
Many of us doubtless recall the old brick church on East Broadwell, razed
fifteen or twenty years ago. It stood on land now owned by Cleve and Miles
McKee, about half a mile from the Jones Filling Station, in the old grave
yard. The writer has good cause to remember it, as he made his debut in
pursuit of an education within its walls, more years back than he is willing to
admit; later, to change to the old log school house which stood in the church
yard, adjacent to the church building. This old log school house was doubtless
coincident with the “first” church building as say grandmother Nichols, uncle
Harry Ward and William T. Redmon, (father of W. B. Redmon, were likewise pupils
there in their youthful days, along about 1812.)
But back to our subject, proper. Calling on “Perrin” now, we learn that “It was
twenty-five years after the establishment of the town before any effective steps
were taken toward the creation of sacred edifices, but there is ample evidence
that almost coincident with the beginning of the place, religious people and
religious assemblies were numerous. Bishop Kavanaugh, when a young resident
here about 1815, engaged in the printing office of John Keenan, remembers his
uncle, LeRoy Cole, a Methodist who lived about a mile from town (this would be
in the rear part of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Cooper and Lawson Oxley) he
also recalled Rev. William Rainey, and Rev. Moreland, as Methodist ministers of
the early days.” And here, if it may be allowed, I will again digress, to say
that Bro. Cole rests in the old grave yard at East Broadwell.
On the 9th of October, 1818, Richard Henderson, and Fanny, his wife, deeded to
Le Roy Cole, Peter Barrett, John Frazer, Joshua Jones, James Finley and Carter
Anderson, trustees of the Methodist church, the lot on which the Methodist
church stands today, and on this lot a commodious brick church was erected in
1820. This building burned in 1844, and in the following year was replaced by a
smaller edifice, also of brick, and fronting on Church street. In this second
church, we are told by L. G. Marshal, writing for “Perrin” in 1882, that a
conference was held in 1869, with Bishop Kavanaugh presiding.
At this conference, Rev. C. W. Miller, then presiding elder, and resident of
Covington, “was assigned in the pastoral charge of the Methodist church of
Cynthiana.” Early in 1870 steps were taken to erect a more suitable house of
worship. The old house fronting on Church Street was razed, and the contractors
Humble and Son of Covington, had soon erected a handsome and very comfortable
church edifice fronting on Pike street, this time. The whole cost of the work,
including inside decoration and finishing cost about $11,000, and in November of
1870, was dedicated by the Rev. Dr. E W. Schon of Louisville. In conclusion,
our authority, writing in 1882, says: “Meantime, the church under the guidance
of an able pastor, with its new house of worship, and with its largely increased
membership, entered upon a period of prosperity which has continued until the
present time.”
And now we come to the fourth and present church building to be erected by the
Methodist brethren on the same site. No remarks necessary here, unless it be to
state that a stone in two of the corners bears date of 1905. And that a
handsome addition has recently been completed at a cost of $10,000, also a new
organ installed.
We have seen where Rev. C. W. Miller was given charge of the congregation at a
conference held in Cynthiana in 1869, and noted the names of several of the
early pastors who preached in the first church, but we were unable to obtain the
names of the line of pastors in charge from 1820 to 1844, when Rev. W. C. Dandy
took charge; then in order we have the following:
S. S. Deering, 1847; Richard Holden, 1849; James Wells, 1850; Rev. Johnson,
1851; J. W. Minor, 1852; W. W. Trainer, 1853; Rev. Smith, 1854; Jacob Ditzler,
1855; William H. Winter, 1856; B. F. Sedwick, 1858; Samuel Kelley, 1860; W. J.
Snively, 1861; S. X. Hall, 1862; Samuel Kelley, 1863-64; J. W. Wightman,[1864,
S. S. Deering], 1866, C. W. Miller, 1869; R. Hiner, 1873; Rev. Reynolds, 1874;
John R. Deering, 1875; W. J. Snively, 1876; B. F. Sedwick, 1878; James A.
Henderson, 1881; M. W. Miner, 1883; H. P. Walker, 1885; D. B. Cooper, 1888; G.
W. Young, 1892; E. L. Southgate, 1895; C. F. Oney, 1898; Felix K. Struve;1901;
J. L. Clark, 1905; O. T. O’Rear, 1908; M. T. Chandler, 1912; J. P. Strother,
1916; Felix K. Struve, 1919; J. E. Moss, 1921; M. T. Clark, 1927; W. P. Fryman,
1929; R. J. Yoak, 1935; Dr. R. T. Brown, 1936. And we are happy to say, still
with us at this writing. Beginning with Rev. J. A. Henderson, I may state that
I have personally known and admired all of these men, and also recall Bro.
Sedwick; and was a schoolmate of Felix K. Struve’s back in, but that would be
telling.
The
Cynthiana Presbyterian Church
The
following article was entitled "Presbyterians in Cynthiana" which was originally
published in the December 1, 1938 issue of the paper:
Presbyterianism was established in Scotland in 1560 under the leadership of John
Knox and in 1592 it was ratified by the Scottish Parliament. It gained an early
foothold in America and we are told Presbyterians were among the early New
England colonists and many settled about Boston and formed the majority of the
colony of Massachusetts Bay. The first American Presbytery was organized in
1707.
Taking Prof. L. G. Marshall, writing in 1882 for “Perrin,” as our guide and
mentor, we learn that no reliable information has been obtained as to the
precise time the Presbyterian church was organized in Cynthiana, but on the
[21st] day of August, 1820, Richard [Henderson] and his wife Fanny, conveyed as
a gift to [Benjamin] Robinson, Alexander [Downing], and Isaac Miller, trustees
of the Cynthiana congregation of Presbyterians a lot of ground for the purpose
of having erected thereon a house of worship and a pound for horses. To this
was added by Isaac Miller an adjoining lot, also a gift. Our historian then
goes on to bound the lot in the usual terms of legal phraseology which stripped
of its verbosity indicated that the lot was directly across the street from the
residence of Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Plummer on East Pleasant street.
Using now as our authority Judge Mac Swinford writing in 1929, we find that a
brick building some 40 by 60 feet was erected on the lot presented by the
Hendersons but there is no existing record of the building committee, the
builders or the cost. This building was the first Presbyterian church to be
erected in Cynthiana and was used until about 1836.
In 1836-37 William Lamme donated to the church the lot on Main street where the
present church building stands. The building on the Pleasant street lot was
taken down and rebuilt on the Main street lot. The carpenter work was done by
Samuel Williams, the brick work by William English.
Coming now to the erection of the third Presbyterian house of worship, we find
that in 1876 the old building was razed, and that during the three or four years
succeeding, the present fine edifice was erected. Our historian remarks that
“It is the most beautiful house of public worship ever built in Harrison
county.” The plan was furnished by an architect of Cincinnati. The building
committee composed of J. Q. Ward, D. A. Givens, and R. C. Wherritt. Cost of the
building was $14,000. It has been suggested that this building was one of the
few church buildings that was actually paid for and out of debt at the time it
was dedicated.
In 1909 a beautiful pipe organ was installed, and in 1920 memorial windows. The
W. A. Cook Memorial Annex was built in 1921 at a cost of $7,162. The new manse
adjoining the church property was erected in 1927 at a cost of $8,253.
The Presbyterian congregation seems to have never had a resident pastor until
1861, when Rev. George Morrison took charge. Here we are indebted to the late
C. A. Leonard, writing for a little booklet compiled by Judge Swinford on the
occasion of the Centennial anniversary of the Presbyterian church, 1929, for the
line of pastors serving the church. He gives us a table, beginning in 1830,
with the exception of 1843, Rev. A. E. Thorne, and 1855-56, Rev. W. H. Forsythe
the years are indicated “vacant”, or “stated supply.” After Morrison, 1861,
came Rev. John D. Kinniard, 1865; Rev. John D. Mathews, 1866; Rev. H. Glask,
1870; Rev. B. M. Hobson, 1873; Rev. J. E. Triplett, 1879; Rev. J. S. VanMeter,
1881; Rev. W. G. Keady, 1886; then Rev. Cary F. Moore, 1908 who served the
church over a period of twenty years, resigning on April 1, 1928. Our historian
says of Dr. Moore, “No history of the Cynthiana Presbyterian church would be
complete without a tribute to Cary F. Moore and an acknowledgment of the love
and esteem with which he and Mrs. Moore were held by all the community.” And
this writer feels sure that the “entire community” subscribed to the statement.
Next in order is the line of pastors we have Rev. Vincent P. Merrell, 1928; then
the present incumbent, Rev. E. B. Wooten; comment unnecessary here, as we all
know, and like him.
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