SO. CA. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE Vol 25
INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE CHURCH YARD OF THE INDEPENDENT OR CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT WAPPETAW, CHRIST CHURCH PARISH
This deserted church yard[1] is beautifully situated in a live oak grove, Christ Church Parish, on the Georgetown road, Wando Neck, about 17 miles from Charleston, three miles from Seewee Bay; and near Wappetaw Bridge. All remains of the Church have disappeared.
Such history of this Congregation as we have is to be found in History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina by Dr. George Howe, and an admirable sketch (not yet printed) compiled by J. B. Morrison, an elder of the New Wappetaw Church, at McCellanville.
The land upon which the Church stood was granted Sept. 18, 1697 to George Smith, son of the first Landgrave and Governor, Thomas Smith.[2] George Smith, of Berkley, planter, June 8, 1724, conveyed to Mark Oliver of Charles Town, 190 acres, on Eastern Branch of Wando River, N. W. on late of Capt. George Dearsley, S. E. on Capt. William Ballough, on N. E. on said George Smith.[3]
On 2d. August 1768, Mark Oliver of Christ Church parish, planter, and Rachel his wife, convey to Joseph Frizer of St. Thomas parish Shoemaker, 200 acres (except 10 acres formerly sold to Benjamin Quelch, including the place commonly called Wappetaw landing and now belonging to Richard Capers, and also except two acres "which hath been granted to the Society of Christians commonly called Congregationalists or Independants where their meeting house now stands") in Christ Church Parish, bounding S. W. on Eastmost Branch of Wando River, S. E., on Richard Joy, formerly of William Ballough N. E. and N. W. on other lands of said Mark Oliver. Said land originally granted to George Smith 18 Sept 1697.[4]
On 13th Dec. 1821, the Independent Congregational Church in Christ Church Parish, worshiping at Wappetaw, convey to Plowden Weston, by the officers Richard T. Morrison Anthony V. Toomer, Joseph Frazer, Elish Whilden and Elias Whilden, for $1200, tract of land purchased by the Church of Paul Severance, containing by resurvey 85 acres, bounding to N. W. on Joseph Fraser, E. on Glebe of said Church, S. E. and W. on Plowden Weston.[5]
The plat shows the church on two acres "a donation from Mark Oliver."
The date of Oliver's gift, was not found. Possibly there was an earlier Church nearer to Seewee, and the congregation moved to Wappetaw after 1728.
Howe (vol. 1, p. 119) states that a company of New England emigrants, fifty-two in number were shipwrecked at Cape Fear; Gov. Archdale sent a vessel for them, and settled them on the north side of Cooper River, on Seewee Bay, in 1695 or '96, and this Colony, he thinks, formed the Seewee, or Wappetaw Congregation. There has been no accurate material found concerning the earliest history of this Congregation; the first pastor we have a record of was the Rev. William Porter, "Minister of a Congregation at Seawee" who certified that banns had been duly published for John Vanderhorst and Mary Elizabeth Forssin, married Jan. 14, 1734 (Circular Church Register, this Magazine Vol. XII, p. 53.) The next pastor was the Rev. Job Parker, who was buried Oct. 28, 1735 (Howe, v. 1, p. 206). The next pastor we have record of was the Rev. John Joachim Zubly who probably served between 1748 and 1757. He was followed in July, 1759 by Rev. John Martin, of Virginia, who removed to Wiltown about 1772; the Rev. Moses Allen of Massachusetts was the next pastor, being ordained 16 March, 1775; he removed to Midway, Georgia, in June 1777. The Rev. Mr. Atkins followed; he was murdered in the parsonage near the Church, by his negroes, as was supposed, at the instigation of the British. Tarlton and his Legion occupied the Church as barracks. They burnt it when they were evacuating Charleston in 1782, all of the books and records of the church appear to have been destroyed at the same time[6]
138 SO. CA. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE
The church was incorporated as the Independent Church in Christ Church Parish in 1786. The Rev. Daniel McCalla became pastor in 1788, who remained until his death in 1809; he was an able man, much beloved and admired.[7] The church was repaired and had a number of clergy, including Rev. Daniel DuPre, Dr. Palmer Senior, and Dr. Girardeau in 1849. Rev. M. Baillett a northerner held the pulpit for one year in 1852. The Rev. Mr. Cater was pastor from 1853 to 1860; Rev. H. B. Cunningham, the last pastor of this Church filled the pulpit in 1861.
The building was used by both the Confederate and Union Armies, the latter using the pews for fire wood in 1865.[8] The building fell in to decay, and was a total ruin by 1897.[9] The congregation was divided between Mt. Pleasant and McCellanville.
The church silver and linen is in the possession of the church at McCellanville. There are two silver cups, marked "W. Hendricks;" two silver plates marked "Independent Congregational Church Christ Church Parish," and an interesting tankard or pitcher marked "D. Webb. "[10]
INSCRIPTIONS COLLECTED BY ANNE KING GREGORIE
Father. Mother / In Memorian / Nathan L. Toomer / March 4 1812. Sept. 29, 1873 /. Anna M. A. Toomer / April 26, 1820. May 15, 1868./ Erected by J. B. Toomer / TOOMER.
Sacred / To the Memory of / Richard V. Toomer / Oct. 7 March, A. D. 1842 / Aged two years 5 months and 4 days / [six lines of verse].
Henry A. Vanderhorst / the 2nd. Son of / N. L. and A. M. A. / Toomer / was born on the / 19th of July 1845 / and died on the 21st. of Nov. 1848.
This Tablet / is erected in memory of / Mrs. Mary D. Toomer / wife of I)r. A. V. Toomer / who died June 1st 1845 / Aged sixty-six years two months / and thirteen days/
[24 lines of original verse apparantly written by her child]
INSCRIPTIONS FROM CHURCH YARD AT WAPPETAW 139
Also of Eliza D. Toomer / Only Daughter of / Doctor A. V. and Mrs. M. D. Toomer / Who died June 6th 1822 / aged 6 years 4 months and 20 days.
Sacred / To the Memory of / Sarah R. Toomer / Died May 18th 1889 / Aged 72 years / A noble Christian / Woman.
Our Father / Moses Whitesides / Born Dec. 23, 1818 / Died July 17, 1886 /.
In Memory of / Susan H. Whitesides / Consort of / Moses Whitesides / who departed this life / Oct. 28th. A. D. 1857 / aged 36 years. 4 mos. & 23 days / Of a meek and gentle Spirit / She was a loving and faithful wife / A tender and affectionate Mother / A kind, and pleasant Neighbor / In death she had hope in Jesus / Also of their Son / David M. Whitesides / who died Aug. 5th 1858 / Aged 1 year 10 mos. & 16 days / [6 lines of verse]
Martha M. Fraser / Wife of / Maurice M. Jervey / Born / Jan. 4 1823 / Died / Jan. 14, 1906 / "Blessed are the pure in / heart for they shall see God."
In Memory / of / Benjamin Whitesides / who departed this life / Sept. 20th. / A.D. 1859 / Aged 66 years 6 months and 16 days / [6 lines of verse]
In Memory / of / Mrs. Mary Anderson / Relict of / Capt. James Anderson / and Daughter of Thomas Hamlin Esq. / Died Dec. 28th. 1859 / Aged 70 years / She was a native of this Parish / and for the greater part of her /three score and ten years, / a communicant of Wappetaw Church / [6 lines of eulogy]
Sacred / To the Memory of / Capt. James Anderson / Who died on the 15th of April Anno Domini 1842 / Aged Forty Nine Years / "Virum justum et tenacemo prospositr." / Diligent in business— / Proverbial for honesty— / Wise in counsel- / In Politics Republican / In Morals and Religion sound / In doctrine just and consistent / In practice—sedulous / of rational improvement, / He left an example for Society / By whom he lived respected / and died lamented / and resigned.
Sacred to the
Memory of / William Henry Venning / Eldest
Son of / Wm. Crawford & Sarah D. Venning / who died on the / 20th of October
1858 / after five clays illness / Aged 8 years 7 months 29 days / [16 lines of
verse]
140 SO. CA. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE
Sacred to the Memory of / Robert M. Venning / Second son of Wm. Crawford & Sarah D. Venning / who departed this life / after a brief illness / on the 1st. of November 1858 / Aged 4 years 9 months 16 days [9 lines of verse]
In Memory / of / Lieut. James Anderson / 5th. S. C. Cay. C. S. A. / Born December 5th. 1828 / Died August 18th. 1864 / "The law of kindness was upon / his lips and ever flowed / from his heart."
[This stone is prostrated; has a well carved palmetto at top.]
To the / Memory of / Mary Louisa / Infant Daughter of James & Esther Ann / Anderson. / Died July 3rd 1860 / aged 13 months and 20 days [8 lines of verse.]
The Remains / of / Mrs. Jane H. N. Witherspoon / Consort of Dr. John R. Witherspoon / & only daughter of the Revd Daniel / & Mrs. Eliza McCalla / She was born in Virginia the 15th of October 1780 / & died the 23rd February 1808 aged 27 years / & 4 months / She sleeps in Christ & will awake in his likeness / at the Resurrection of the Just.
In Testimony / of / affection and respect / for the / Memory of their late worthy Pastor / the Revd. Daniel McCalla, D.D. / this Monument has been erected / by the / Members and Supporters of the Wappetaw / Church who for 21 years enjoyed the / distinguished benefit of his ministerial / labours. / He was born at Neshameny Pennsylvania / on the 23rd of July 1748 / and / died at the Grove in this Parish / on the 6th of April 1809, / aged 60 years 8 months and 14 days. / In this excellent Man were combined / The Virtues of the Christian / The accomplishments of the Gentleman / The erudition of the profound scholar; / The Patriotism of -76 / and / The energies of a faithful servant of Christ / He rests from his labours / and / His works do follow him /.
Mrs. Eliza McCalla / Relict of the late Revd. Dr. McCalla / and second Daughter of the late Revd John Todd of Virginia / was born the 8th of June 1758 / and died the 3rd of Novr. 1809 / aged 51 tears, 4 mos. and 26 days / In the character of this amiable / Lady, simplicity of manner, / warmth of affection and undissembled piety / shone conspicuous / [4 lines of verse]
[The three above tombs arc surrounded by a brick wall.]
INSCRIPTIONS FROM CHURCH YARD AT WAPPETAW 141
Sacred / To the Memory of Mr Ann White / Consort of George White, / who departed this life on the / 30th of December, 1811 / aged 54 years and 8 Days. / [4 lines of verse.] This Marble is Erected and the above / inscribed to her memory by her only daughter / M. E. White.
Erected / To the Memory of / John White / who departed this life / On the 3rd of December 1845 / aged 63 years 4 months and 6 Days.
This Stone / is erected / to the Memory of / William Whilden / who died 1st Jan 1851; aged 43 years, 3 months / and 23 days.
This stone / is erected / to the memory of / Elisha Whilden / who died 9th July 1857 / aged 57 years 5 months / and 24 days.
Sacred / to the / memory of / Elias Whilden Senr / who was born / Dec. 16th 1765 / and died / June 16th 1835. [Two line quotation.]
In Memory of / Vanderhorst Toomer / Morrison / who died the 11th May 1862 / Aged Two Months and Two Days / [3 verses four lines each]
Here Rests / In hopes of a glorious Resurrection / The Mortal Remains / of / Mrs. Elizabeth A. Morrison / Beloved Consort of / Richard T. Norrison Junr / Who Died / Feb. 15th 1859 / Aged 41 Years & 6 Months / As a wife, Faithful and Loving / As a Daughter, Mother and Sister / Dutiful and most Affectionate / As a Friend, Constant and True / A Good Neighbor /A Kind Mistress / and / Given to Hospitality / She Died / Beloved and Lamented / by all who knew her. [4 lines of verse.]
Erected / By his bereaved Parents / To the Memory of / William Henry Morrison /Who died 11th Septr 1855 / Aged Six Years, Six Months / and Eleven Days. / [8 lines of verse.]
This Marble is Erected / By his affectionate children / To the memory of / Richard Morrison / Who after a long life of activity / Usefulness and Piety fell asleep / In Jesus March 23rd 1860 / aged 78 years, 11 months / and 15 Days / He was emphatically a man / Of Truth / True to his religion and / True to his God. / Having filled with kindness, fidelity / And dignity the several relations / Of Father, Master and Citizen / His mortal remains here peacefully / await the sound of the archangel's Trumps / "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."