WAPPETAW CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
By PETRONA ROYALL MCIVER*
In a grove of live oaks. near Highway 11, about fourteen miles from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, stood for nearly two centuries a church established by the settlers of this region. A marker at the burial ground reads:
THIS STONE MARKS THE SPOT
WHERE THE WAPPETAW INDEPENDENT
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH STOOD
THIS CHURCH WAS
PLANTED HERE IN1696 BY A COLONY
OF 52 WHO CAME
FROM NEW ENGLAND
AND LANDED AT
SEAWEE BAY
The settlement came about in this manner. Stephen Bull, a member of the Council, at Governor Archdale's request, entered into a treaty of friendship with Indians living on the coast of North Carolina. This proved to be favorable for some adventurers from New England who were soon after shipwrecked on that coast, and finding themselves surrounded by barbarians, they expected nothing but instant death. To defend themselves, they threw up an entrenchment. The Indians invited them to quit their camp, but they were afraid to do so until hunger urged them to try the hazard. The Indians received them kindly, and not only furnished them with provisions, but also permitted some of them to travel over land to Charleston, to acquaint the Governor with their misfortune. A vessel was then sent to North Carolina which brought them to Cooper River, on the north side of which lands were allotted them and they formed the settlement afterward known by the name of Christ Church Parish.1
* Mrs. William Whilden Mclver, 111 Hibben Street, Mount Pleasant, S. C.
Condensed from A. Hewat, "An Historic Account of . . . South Carolina and Georgia" in B. R. Carroll, Historical Collections of South Carolina... (2 vols., New York, 1836), I, 120, 121; George Howe, History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina (2 Vols., Columbia, 1810), I, 118-119.
[34]
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WAPPETAW CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Information concerning these New Englanders, their church, and their regular and supply ministers, is meager, for the records of the church have been destroyed. But from family records, Jonathan Whilden and his brother John are known to have been among them.
Whilden: The family record states that the Whilden brothers came from New England in 1695/6; that, wrecked near Cape Fear, they with some fifty others were brought to Seewee Bay by Governor Archdale. From Jonathan's will filed in 1736, it is known that his wife's name was Elizabeth, that his eldest son Jonathan was then of age, and that he had other children. Witnesses to the will were William Bollough, Robert Jeffrye, and John Hartman,2 who probably may have been among the Wappetaw settlers. John Whilden's will, proved in 1722/3, shows that his wife's name was Mary, that his one son was John, and his daughters were Mary, Elizabeth, Martha, Sarah, and Lydda. Witnesses to his will were William Rae, Jonathan Whilden, and Sarah Corpfield. All his children were minors.
Bollough. In 1696 William Bollough was witness to Richard Butler's will. In 1715 William, son of William and Elizabeth Bollough was born.8 In 1722, William was remembered in the will of John Hollybush, who left him a horse named Hobby. In 1724 Wappetaw lands were bounded on the southeast by lands of Captain William Bollough. In 1728 Mary, wife of William Bollough, died.4
In 1711 Elizabeth, daughter of John and Martha Bollough, was born.5 In 1743, John Bollough was named executor in the will of Jonathan Murrell, and this John Bollough made his own will in 1764, witnessed by Robert Murrell, Jr., Jeremiah Eden, and William Young, Sr.
In 1780 James Bollough, Sr., made a will; he had a son Elias and a son James, Jr., who, with his friend Robert Vardell, was executor.
Hartman (Harchman, Hatman). The name Harchman appears in the area of the Seewee land owners on Herman Moll's map of 1711, showing the settled area of South Carolina.6 In 1783 a John Hartman made his
2 MS Wills, Inventories, and Miscellaneous Records, herein cited, are copies of old records in the Probate Court, Charleston County Courthouse, and were made by tvpists of the Work's Progress Administration during the depression of the 1930's. Bound in large volumes, these copies are in the Charleston Free Library, References may be readily found there from the general index prepared by the Library staff.
3 "Register of Christ Church Parish", this Magazine, XVIII (1017), 72.
4 Ibid., this Magazine, XX (1919), 126.
5 Ibid., this Magazine, XVIII 53.
6 Year Book, City of Charleston, 1886, p.280.
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will, in which he named his wife Elizabeth and his seven children, John, Susannah Frazer, William, Ann, Elizabeth, Mary, and Richard. His friend William Dorrell was named executor, and witnesses were James Evans, Moses Whitesides, and James Bollough.
Hollybush. Before 1704 John Hollybush was granted land in the Seewee area,1 and in 1706 was born John, son of John and Mary Hollybush.8 In 1722 he made a will leaving the plantation where he then dwelt to his son John, and bequests to James Bollough, to his wife Mary, and her son Thomas Jackson. In 1747 a daughter Alice was born to "Mr. Hollybush and his wife."9 In 1750 John Hollybush was buried.10 In 1762 Plowden Weston married a "Miss Holly Bush".11 In 1787 lands late of John Hollybush were described as bounding Wappetaw Church property on the east
Hendrick. Timothy, son of John Hendrick, died in 1727.12 William, another son, had in 1749 a plantation at Wappetaw bordering lands of James Eden. He left to the Rev. Mr. Zubly, pastor of Wappetaw Church, 100 pounds for a suit of mourning, 100 pounds to the poor of the parish, and to "Joseph and Arnoldus Vanderhorst (brothers-in-law) and Daniel Legare, Exors, my two Silver Canns and my Silver Tankard13 to dispose of for such special Uses as I have directed, and yearly or oftener, for ten years after my decease, Fifty Pounds be paid for the Minister's support." His wife was Mary, and their children were William and Margaret.
Murrell. In 1706, Robert Lewis had letters to administer the estate of John Murrell of "Wandoe", and became guardian of Murrell's children by his wile Elizabeth. In 1743 the will of Jonathan Murrell of Seawee, Christ Church Parish, was proved. He left "Lands where I now live, 300 Acres", and other property to be divided among his wife
7 He had a warrant for 500 acres in 1695. A. S. Salley, (ed.), Warrants for Land in South Carolina, 1692-1711 (Columbia Historical Commission of South Carolina, 1915), p., 90.
8 This Magazine, XVIII, 51.
9 This Magazine, XIX, 116.
10 This Magazine, XX, 255.
11 W. M. Clernens, North and South Carolina Marriage Records (New York, C. 1927), pp.131, 283.
12 This Magazine, XX, 124.
13 These three silver items are part of the communion service of old Wappetaw Church, now in the keeping of the Presbyterian Historical Foundation, Montreat, N.C.
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WAPPETAW CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Elizabeth, sons Anthony and Richard and daughters Elizabeth, Susannah, Sarah, Mary and Martha. His executors were his "Good Neighbors", Capt. Wm. Hendrick, Esq., Joseph Vanderhorst, Richard Capers, John White, John Bollough and John Baskerfield. Witnesses were Robert Murrell, James Eden and Anthony Vardell. In 1764 Robert Murrell witnessed the will of John Bollough of Seawee.
In 1774 John Murrell witnessed the will of Richard Capers of Seawee. In 1781 John and Robert Murrell signed a Wappetaw lease as trustees of Wappetaw Church.14 In 1795, lands of John Jonah Murrell were described as marking a boundary to Seewee property.
Fenwicke. In 1726 Sarah Fenwicke made three bequests to "Dissenting Pastors and their Successors in that Office", one to the church "On the Neck", another at Cainhoy, and the third "to the Dissenting Pastor at Seewee, Ten Pounds a year for twenty years. One Thousand pounds to be paid Capt. John Vanderhorst and Capt. Anthony Mathewes, Trustees, for disposing of the said Thousand to Such Pious Uses as I have signified to them". Other bequests were to her nieces, Susannah Haddrel, Martha Hext, Sarah Hext and to her nephews, Thomas Boone and Hugh Hext.15
Oliver. In 1724 William Smith was bound for a sum to Mark Oliver, Victualler, in the presence of John Barksdale, his Majesty's Justice for the Province.16 In 1730 Mark Oliver's will was proved. He left to "Sonne George" and "Sonnes Thomas, John and Mark," land formerly granted George Smith, son of the first Landgrave, and a tract formerly of George Logan, all in Christ Church Parish. His wife was Isabell, his daughters, Barbara, then in Ireland, and Mary. In 1768 Wappetaw Lands were bounded on the northeast and northwest by lands of Mark Oliver, and he and his wife Rachel conveyed to Joseph Frizer of St Thomas Parish, "200 acres, except ten acres formerly sold to Benjamin Quelch, including the place called Wappetaw Landing now belonging to Richard Capers (except two acres which hath been granted to the Society of Christians commonly called Congregationalists or Independents) where their Meet-
14The original lease is in possession of Mrs. W. W. McIver.
15Sarah's husband, Robert Fenwicke, had made his will in 1723, leaving to her "Sole management and disposal, not doubting of her care to promote therewith Charitable and Pious Works." He left £30 to his brother John in Morpeth, Northumberland, for so much advanced to their father when living. MS Wills and Miscellaneous Records, loc cit., footnote 2, supra.
16 Ibid.
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ing House now stands in Christ Church Parish, South West on the Eastmost branch of Wando River".11
Severance. In 1702 John Seaverance witnessed George Dearsley's will, in 1708 John Boone's will, in 1718 Thos. Fitzgerald's will, and in 1722 he made his own will. He left his sons Joseph and John each "100 Acres" and slaves. To his wife Catherine and his daughter Sarah
White, "All Lands or Plantations to enjoy". Executors were his wife and his son-in-law, John White.
In 1725 a deed of gift is recorded from Katharine Fairchild to John Severance. In 1736 Joseph, son of Joseph and Anne Severance was born, and in 1738 Thos. son of John and Anne Severance was born.18 In the lease of 1787, Wappetaw Lands are noted as bounded to the south by lands late of John Severance.
White. In 1704 George White son of William White was granted 540 acres on the south side of Wando River. This plantation went by inheritance to George and Christian Steward and by purchase to John Vanderhorst.19 John White married Sarah Severance before 1722 (the date of John Severance's will of which "Son-in-law John" was named executor). In 1730 Elizabeth daughter of William and Elizabeth White was born.20 In 1743 John White was named in the will of Jonathan Murrell, executor and "Good Neighbor". In 1749 William White and William White Jr., witnessed Joseph Vanderhorst's will in which John White was named executor and friend. In the lease of 1787, George White was a trustee of Wappetaw Church, and the church property then was bounded on the north by lands late of George White.
Dorrell (Dorel, Darrell). In 1777 the will of Robert Dorrell of Christ Church Parish gave his wife Martha his plantation. His son-in-law was Archibald McDowel, his sons were Jonathan, William, Joseph, Robert, Benjamin, and his daughters were Elizabeth Player and Sarah. His grandchildren were Samuel and Mary Dorrell; witnesses were
17MS Mesne conveyance record, Book K-9, p.69, Charleston County Court-house, is cited in this Magazine, XXV, p.137 A plat by Vignoles & Ravenel, 1820, owned by Mr. Alfred Halsey of Charleston, shows Wappetaw bridge and church. Wappetaw Landing was on Seewee Bay, the summer home of the Capers family, who called it Capernaum.
18 This Magazfne, XVIII, 170, 174.
19 MS Wills and Miscellaneous Records: bounded "North by the River, N. W. on a creek on lands of John Croskeys, S. on lands not yet laid out' E. on lands of John Hollybush, granted by Nathaniel Johnson, Knight."
20 This Magazine, XVIII, 130.
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WAPPETAW CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
William Cook, Samuel DuVa and Edward Whitesides. In 1783 Wm. Dorrell was executor of John Hartman's will, and in 1787 Jonathan Dorrell owned lands to the west of Wappetaw Church lands.
Whiteside: In 1752 Thomas Whiteside made his will; his wife was Sarah, his sons were Thomas, John, William, Edward and Moses; and his daughters, Sarah, Mary, and Elizabeth. Charvil Wingood was a witness. In 1777 Edward Whitesides witnessed Robert Dorrell's will.21
Legaré. Solomon (son of Francois and Anne Lançois Legaré) and his wife Sarah, of First Church, Boston, came to Carolina in 1696. His daughter. Sarah married Thomas Barksdale; their sons were George and Thomas Barksdale.22 His son Daniel of Christ Church Parish was executor of William Hendrick's will, 1749, and of Joseph Vanderhorst's will the same year. In. 1787, the eastern boundary of Wappetaw land was Nathan Legaré's land. He signed the lease of that year as witness, and Daniel, Isaac and Joseph Legaré signed as trustees of Wappetaw Church.
Vanderhorst. In 1715 John Vanderhorst had from George and Christian Steward, sole heirs of George White, son of William White, 540 acres on south side of Wandoe River (bounding on lands of John Croskeys and John Hollybush) granted to George White by Sir Nathaniel Johnson, in 1704. In 1726 Capt. John Vanderhorst was a trustee of Sarah Fenwicke's will. In 1743 Joseph Vanderhorst was named executor and good neighbor in the will of Jonathan Murrell. In 1749 Joseph Vanderhorst of Seewee made his will, leaving lands money and slaves to his wife Mary, his daughter Mary, and two sons Joseph and John: "In case of their death, it shall be put out to interest for the use of the Congregational Minister that officiates at Wappetaw Meeting". Executors were "My friends, Thos. Barksdale Sr., Daniel Legaré, John White and Thos. Barksdale, Jr". Joseph Vanderhorst was buried 12 Jan. 1750. He had been executor of William Hendrick's will in 1749.23
Elizabeth, wife of Arnoldus Vanderhorst was buried at Wappetaw, October 19, 1761.24 Capt. Arnoldus Vanderhorst was delegate to the 2nd
21MS Wills and Miscellaneous Records, loc cit.
22 Transactions of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina, No. 46, p.73, and No.54, p.37. Francis Legare, jeweller, of Braintree, Mass., disinherited his son Solomon in 1710, "Reason, Viz. His deserting my Service and going wholly from me contrary to my mind Some Years before he was of age, and marrying utterly against my will and consent"
23MS Wills and Miscellaneous Records, loc. at.
24The Annals and Parish Register of St. Thomas and St. Denis Parish, in South Carolina, From 1680 to 1884 (Charleston, 1884), p.110. Arnoldus the elder, made
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SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE
Provincial Congress in 1775 and 1776. He did not take protection, and his estate was sequestered by the British, as was that of Joseph Legaré both of Seewee. John Vanderhorst was first lieutenant of the Regulars, and then joined Gen. Marion. As Col. John Vanderhorst he gave land to Zion School in 1784.25
The names of these early land-holders in the Wappetaw area must certainly include some names of the fifty-two New England voyagers who settled there in 1696. Many other family names are associated with the old church, but the family of Capers was in the province before the New England colony arrived.26 This is true also of the Dearsley, Boone, Barksdale, and Hext families. Other names recurring in the locality through the early years but with less frequency, were Wingood, Butler, Polhill, Mathewes, Vardell, Eden, Toomer, Jeffrye, Haddrell, Quelch, Baskerfield, Corpfield, Logan, Watters, Hamlin, Dacres, and Wainrit.
Items found in inventories of the White family in 1723 give some idea of the mores of the times: one "Duroy [corde du roi, corduroy] Coate, One stript Holl [an] d Jacket and Breeches a1' worn, Oznabs [osnaburgs] Coate, Nine Muslin Stocks, one Green Apron, Caine Ivory handled, Brass hilted cutlass and Belt, Powder horns, shot pouches, Flints, Ink horns, dram bottles, Stuff Curtains and Vallens, grindstone, Spinning wheel, Spice box, Spice Mortar, Ox chains, sieves, wedges, and Conveniences for grinding and Hulling Rice, 8 French Books, a pewter Spoons, Barber's Bason Soap and Hone, I musket, 1 periauger and 1 Cannoe."27
The New Englanders who were settled on Seewee Bay in 1696, did not immediately organize Wappetaw Church. Indeed, Dr. George Howe, who had access to many early records, has recorded that the "uncertain date" of the Congregational church of Wappetaw 'belongs to the early part of the next century, and not to this." 28Be that as it may, the first record of a call from Wappetaw for a minister was in 1699, to the Rev. Hugh Adams.
his will Jan.29, 1784, in which he mentions his plantation and Vanderhorst's Island in Christ Church Parish, and a brother Ellas; no sons or daughters were named; witnesses were Joseph Vanderhorst, William Hamlin, John Wainrit.
25 Edward McCrady, South Carolina Under the Royal Government 1719-1776 (New York, 1899), pp.804.503; South Carolina in the Revolution 1775-1780 (New York, 1901), pp.14, 577, 651, 701, 729.
26 A. S. Salley, "Captain William Capers and Some of His Descendants", this Magazine, 11(1901), 273.
27 MS Wills and Miscellaneous Records, loc. cit.
28 Howe, Presbyterian Church in S. C., I, 119.
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WAPPETAW CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Rev. HUGH ADAMS, son of John and Avis Adams, was born May 7, 1676, and was educated at Harvard. He came to the Congregational church in Charleston in August 1698. "The following spring," he wrote, "I was called to settle at a large parish on both sides of the Wando River, where I preached two years." During his ministry at Wappetaw, 1699-1701, two meeting-houses were built for him by his scattered congregations on the two sides of the river.29 His mother died in Charleston in September 1699 during the great yellow fever epidemic of that year, having contracted the disease while attending the Rev. John Cotton (who died September 18), "Mother being the last of that sickness,.' he wrote, "to have a decent funeral."30
Mr. Adams had sickness also, and states: "In South Carolina I was sick of a Putrid Feaver, the Tertian Ague and Feaver, the Dropsie, Scurvy, Pestilence, Hypochondriack Melancholy and Gongra Gout." He studied "Physick and Chururgey" and "recovered a cure for each disease aforesaid." Soon after his marriage to Susannah Winborn in 1701, prosecuted for debt, and with only half of his salary paid, he left Wappetaw Church. "I incurred a debt of sixty pounds," he explains, "for the maintenance of my four young brothers and sisters, I had been sued for thirty pounds, and was liable to be sued for the rest. My wife and I were entertained for about half a year at the home of Col. Robert Daniell, my son and my brothers and sisters, though scattered were yet provided for."31
Mr. Adams moved to Ashley River, and there for two years preached in his home. Troubled by a "mighty preacher of the Anabaptist error," he challenged the Anabaptist to a public debate in the Anglican Church. To avoid arrest for debt, he borrowed a "Virginia white Steed" and sped to the church, only to find the Anabaptists wanted a postponement! The Anglicans and Presbyterians then contributed £60 to pay his debts, and later he was called to South Edisto River. In 1705, with his salary again unpaid, Mr. Adams returned to New England, where he died in 1750.32
29 George N. Edwards, A History of the Independent or Congregational Church of Charleston, South Carolina, Commonly Known as Circular Church (Boston, 1947),p.9.
30 Family records; MS Wills and' Miscellaneous Records, loc. cit.
31 Edwards, Circular Church, p.10.
32 Mr. J. B. Morrison, whose historical address, "Old Wappetaw Church of Christ Church Parish" appeared In the Charleston News and Courier, May 27, 1928, says "It is possible this church was organized by the Rev. John Cotton in 1697, who was then pastor of the. Circular Church in Charleston." But Mr. Cotton did not arrive in Charleston until Dec. 7, 1698, and both Howe and Edwards have shown that Mr. Cotton came to Circular Church as successor to Mr. Adams, when Adams accepted the call to Wappetaw.