SEE FOUR COVENANTER CEMETERY ROSTERS THIS PAGE
City Directories and History: A remarkable history of Chester County including that of Kate’s Fort (Steele’s Fort), Cherokee Indian raids, the Covenanters of Chester County and much more. The pamphlet recalls: in 1787 the Rev. Matthew Lynn arriving as a missionary from the ARP Church and the following year, the Rev. James Boyce arriving and beginning to preach at Edward McDaniel’s and a stand near present day Hopewell Church.
*** Remember that many of the names that are associated with this pamphlet are also listed across Chester County’s R&R pages, including Catholic Church, other pages on Covenanters, multiple Mayhugh’s Heritage maps, and see R&R History links this page to additional research publications.
BEAVER DAM CHURCH: One source states that the Rev. James McGarrah came to Beaver Dam Church in 1791 to preach and begin the ARP movement with the Rev. Wm. Martin. A year later in 1792 another Reformed Presbyterian minister, the Rev. William King was also sent to S.C.
Mary Elder writes her father, Mr. Matthew Elder’s memories in 1886 – “Beaver Dam Church was located on a branch on the north side of Big Rocky Creek, on a plantation now owned by Stephen D.H. Ferguson. It was about a mile from the (Rev.) Mr. King’s and (Rev.) Mr. McGarrah’s. I do not know when it was organized but probably about the time Mr. McGarrah arrived in 1791. The bounds of the congregation were: the Kells, Ervins, Orrs, Littles, Rodmans, Lynns, Bells, Ewings, Blairs, John Rock, Paul Guthrie and many others.”
Mr. Elder further noted: In about 1790-1800 John Orr arrived, a highly educated man who taught the classics to many in the community including, James A. Hemphill and Alex Curry. He moved to Indiana in 1832, reportedly walking the whole way. In other writings he recalls the merchant Daniel McMillan (Covenanter), housed visiting ministers Fisher and Scott (1829), and Black and McMaster (183). Others mentioned were the Rev. Garvin McMillan and Mrs. Dan Wright.
BRICK CHURCH: This source states the Brick Church was located about three miles from Pleasant Grove Church on the plantation of John Hood, all removed, only the graveyard left…. It was first a log church, the date of which I do not know, preached at by Mr. King and later about 1810 a brick church. In another section of Elder’s recollections he states that the Brick Church was built by the McClurkens…
THE RICHMOND CHURCH: The church was located on the Chester and Fairfield County lines built ca. 1800 or before. Here worshipped the elder James Cathcart and his son John Cathcart, also the Marshalls, Richmonds, Jim Hood, Alexander Kell, Sproals, Hugh Henry, the McMasters, Dan Wright, David McMill…, James Strormont and others under the pastorage of Rev. Maddon.
Mr. Elder recalled: The Rev. Riley received Isabella Hicklin, her sister Jane Cloud and Mrs. Sarah Hicklin into the Richmond Church about 1813 even though each family were large slave owners.
MCNINCH CHURCH: Built by John McNinch himself about 1813 and situated three miles east of Chester. It was attended by the McNinch family, (Whanis) family, and Andrew Crawford. Mr. Elder failed to recall others. Mr. Elder later writes, “Mr. McNinch sold his fine house in Chester and bought a plantation southeast of Chester where he built a fine house and his own church.” (John McNinch or Jonathan McNinch and his wife Isabel McNinch were both Covenanters.)
SMITHS CHURCH: This church was located on Little Rocky Creek about six miles west of Catholic Church. It was attended by several Smith families, kin to the Rev. Thomas Donnelly. Mr. Elder states it was built on David Smith’s land, who was the brother-in-law of the Rev. Donnelly, described as a substantial frame church. It was constructed about a mile from John McDonald’s place of settlement on Rocky Creek in 1752, the first settler in the area.
TURKEY CREEK CHURCH: Mr. Elder also states there was a church in York County about three miles west of McConnells, S.C., down the Chester and Lenoir Railroad, where the Wilsons and Wrights worshipped under the Rev. Hugh McMillan.
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R&R HISTORY LINK: Bio of the Rev. William Martin of Chester County, S.C. by Mrs. Jno. M. Bell – UN Date
R&R HISTORY LINK: Covenanters at Old Rocky Creek Reformed Church by M.S. Ulmer – 1997
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