Page 60 - WPA Book
P. 60
Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
CHURCHES
The Old Linville Baptist Church
Page Two
Subscribed on the day aforesaid, Jane Alderson
John Alderson Martha Newman
Samuel Newman
John Harrison Margaret Castle Berry
William Castle Berry
“Which sd Persons were all that were incorporated in the Church at its first Constitution; but John Thomas
having been baptized before the sd. Constitution, and his brother, James Thomas, the day after the
Constitution; the next day being appointed for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, the sd. Persons came under
the Solemn Ordinance of Laying on of hands, and were received into full Communion and Fellowship in the
church; whose body was then composed of nine Members; and our first Communion consisted but of Eleven
Brethren and Sisters. Rees Thomas and Mary States, belonging to other Churches in Pennsylvania, craved
transient communion, and were admitted. Immediately after constitution, the church gave her call to Samuel
Newman to officiate in the Office of Deacon, which he was to act in upon trial; which call he accordingly
accepted of. They then called him to be Clerk of the Church, and diligently to keep the Church Register by her
Order; and then appointed the second Sabbath in each month to be the Day of Communion, and the Seventh of
the Week before it to be the Day of carrying on Church Business. And, likewise Ordered that there should be a
Register taken of God’s Mercy towards us, in sending Means here to raise a church, which is as followeth,
viz.:”
“SAMUEL NEWMAN and his WIFE, being Members of Montgomery Church, in the county of Philadelphia,
was the first Members of any Baptist Church that settled here. But in some small time after he was settled,
John Harrison, Senior, being convinced of his Duty, to come to the Holy Ordinance of Baptism, went for it
somewhere towards New York, to a place called Oyster-Bay; but was received then a member of no particular
Church; but by a Certificate of his Baptism, was recommended to be received, or associated into any Church of
that Order, where God in His Providence should show most convenient for him. In all this while, there was no
Minister of that Denomination came here. The next family of that Denomination, (whereof the head was a
Member) was Rees Thomas, and he settled on Linville Creek.”
“The next member was a sister, viz. Mary Newman, the wife of Jonathan Newman, belonging to the Church of
Christ in Southampton, in the County of Bucks; as Rees Thomas belonged to the Church of the same Order in
Cumry Township, Lancaster County. About this time Mr. Samuel Eaton (the first Baptist Minister in Orders)
visited these parts and preached at old Mr. Harrison’s, the only Disciple he knew to be in the Place.”
“The next in Order was Mr. Benjamin Griffith, who came on purpose to visit the aforesaid Brother Samuel
Newman. The next after him was our Reverend Brother whom God at last was pleased to send as his
Instrument to mettle* this church.”
“Then God was pleased to visit the Inhabitants of Smith’s Creek, Linville Creek, and North River of
Shenandoah, (the places where now the church is built) by Mr. John Gano (a faithful servant of His) who was
received by the Love and Liking of almost all sorts of People. After him the Rev. Mr. Alderson, visited again
his second Time; and then began to conclude to come and settle; and bought land; and then came, and through
the Grace of God, was instrumental in gathering the Church, by whom also She was constituted, and the first
Pastor of the Church of Christ at Smith's and Linville's Creeks, in Frederick and Augusta County’s, as in the
Covenant afore written specified.”
Page 59 of 482
CHURCHES
The Old Linville Baptist Church
Page Two
Subscribed on the day aforesaid, Jane Alderson
John Alderson Martha Newman
Samuel Newman
John Harrison Margaret Castle Berry
William Castle Berry
“Which sd Persons were all that were incorporated in the Church at its first Constitution; but John Thomas
having been baptized before the sd. Constitution, and his brother, James Thomas, the day after the
Constitution; the next day being appointed for the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, the sd. Persons came under
the Solemn Ordinance of Laying on of hands, and were received into full Communion and Fellowship in the
church; whose body was then composed of nine Members; and our first Communion consisted but of Eleven
Brethren and Sisters. Rees Thomas and Mary States, belonging to other Churches in Pennsylvania, craved
transient communion, and were admitted. Immediately after constitution, the church gave her call to Samuel
Newman to officiate in the Office of Deacon, which he was to act in upon trial; which call he accordingly
accepted of. They then called him to be Clerk of the Church, and diligently to keep the Church Register by her
Order; and then appointed the second Sabbath in each month to be the Day of Communion, and the Seventh of
the Week before it to be the Day of carrying on Church Business. And, likewise Ordered that there should be a
Register taken of God’s Mercy towards us, in sending Means here to raise a church, which is as followeth,
viz.:”
“SAMUEL NEWMAN and his WIFE, being Members of Montgomery Church, in the county of Philadelphia,
was the first Members of any Baptist Church that settled here. But in some small time after he was settled,
John Harrison, Senior, being convinced of his Duty, to come to the Holy Ordinance of Baptism, went for it
somewhere towards New York, to a place called Oyster-Bay; but was received then a member of no particular
Church; but by a Certificate of his Baptism, was recommended to be received, or associated into any Church of
that Order, where God in His Providence should show most convenient for him. In all this while, there was no
Minister of that Denomination came here. The next family of that Denomination, (whereof the head was a
Member) was Rees Thomas, and he settled on Linville Creek.”
“The next member was a sister, viz. Mary Newman, the wife of Jonathan Newman, belonging to the Church of
Christ in Southampton, in the County of Bucks; as Rees Thomas belonged to the Church of the same Order in
Cumry Township, Lancaster County. About this time Mr. Samuel Eaton (the first Baptist Minister in Orders)
visited these parts and preached at old Mr. Harrison’s, the only Disciple he knew to be in the Place.”
“The next in Order was Mr. Benjamin Griffith, who came on purpose to visit the aforesaid Brother Samuel
Newman. The next after him was our Reverend Brother whom God at last was pleased to send as his
Instrument to mettle* this church.”
“Then God was pleased to visit the Inhabitants of Smith’s Creek, Linville Creek, and North River of
Shenandoah, (the places where now the church is built) by Mr. John Gano (a faithful servant of His) who was
received by the Love and Liking of almost all sorts of People. After him the Rev. Mr. Alderson, visited again
his second Time; and then began to conclude to come and settle; and bought land; and then came, and through
the Grace of God, was instrumental in gathering the Church, by whom also She was constituted, and the first
Pastor of the Church of Christ at Smith's and Linville's Creeks, in Frederick and Augusta County’s, as in the
Covenant afore written specified.”
Page 59 of 482
