Sarah D. Gibson's Book
CHAPTER IX
The following sketch, I obtained from the lives of Mr. Robert Armstrong and Mr. Andrew Fulton, who were sent from Scotland to America, in 1792, as Missionaries to the Associate or Seceder Church of Kentucky.
When they arrived in Philadelphia, on their way to Kentucky, they were shown the petitions which had been sent by the Seceders of Nashville, and the church near Knoxville, Tennessee, begging that a minister might be sent to them.
Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Fulton were urged to visit them. And the minister, Mr. Marshall, in Philadelphia, wrote to the petitioners of the Nashville and Knoxville Churches, of the arrival of the missionaries, and that they were going to Kentucky.
In may, 1798, eight weeks after the missionaries arrived in Kentucky, a man came from Nashville with a petition, begging one of the missionaries to go to Nashville for a short time. Mr. Fulton went to Nashville in June 1798, and stayed there seven weeks and organized a congregation. This congregation soon obtained a permanent minister from Scotland, Mr. William Hume. But many of this congregation objected to slavery, and they moved to Ohio where many of the Kentucky congregations had already gone.
Mr. Fulton said, "Mr. William Turnbull of this Nashville congregation was a most worthy man, and very useful in diffusing religious knowledge among the people." He was from Knoxboroughshire, Scotland, and was born Oct. 29, 1757.
Nashville and Knoxville were both about 200 miles from the places where Mr. Fluton and Mr. Armstrong preached in Kentucky, and it was about 200 miles from Nashville to Knoxville. And all this traveling had to be done on horse back, through unsettled country. Before Mr. Fulton returned to Kentucky, a man arrived from Knoxville with a petition for a minister to go to that place. He waited about ten days, and then Mr. Armstrong went with him. In this place near Knoxville, Mr. Armstrong found fifty families living in the same neighborhood, believing in the doctrines of the Associate Church. He organized a congregation. This was about August 1798 in Blount County, Tennessee. He said of this congregation, "It is without an equal, for consistent stability in holding fast to their profession of religion." Although they repeatedly gave calls to such ministers as they had the opportunity of hearing, they did not obtain a settled pastor until September 20, 1825, when Mr. Carson accepted a call to them. But three persons were then living, who had signed the first petition, 43 years before. The first petition to Philadelphia for a minister was in 1782.
Mr. Armstrong in a letter to Scotland said, "I will tell you how I traveled through the wilderness from Kentucky to Tennessee. I first provided myself with a large wallet, one end contains food for myself, the other end contains food for my horse, and my Indian blanket and my saddle bags, these are all fixed on the horse with the saddle. Some of your proud Scotch ministers will exclaim, 'travel in this mean style!' But this is the way all classes of men travel in this country.
"Three members of the Knoxville congregation met me about 20 miles from the settlement, and there were tears in their eyes, when they told me for more than ten years they had been praying and waiting for such a day. Such a reception was the best encouragement I could wish. In Blount County, Tennessee, the profession of religion was general and here I met persons who had never heard a minister of our church (Seceder), but their religious beliefs were the same."
Mr. Armstrong baptized a number of children at this time, and ordained five elders. I will have more to tell of Mr. Armstrong farther on in my history.
Mr. Fulton was pastor of Drennons Creek, Henry County, Kentucky for 17 years. But on account of slavery, he and most of congregation moved to Madison, Indiana, where he died. He was buried at Carmel. His wife married again, Col. Morrow of South Hanover, Indiana, and his oldest daughter married Rev. Mr. James Adams of Massies Creek, Green County, Ohio.
The Seceder Church in Blount County, was at Blue Springs, Rev. Linn preached there for a short time in 1800. A Mr. Gormley was one of the school teachers, and he was an elder in the church. And Nathaniel was also one of the school teachers, and he was a member of the Seceder Church.
Samuel Hogue, son of James Hogue, was the leader in the singing and elder in the Seceder Church. He owned a farm near Thomas Gibson's. He was a wagon maker, and had a shop, and employed workmen. His sister, Esther Hogue, married a Maxwell, and they owned a farm in the same neighborhood.
CHAPTER X
When Ohio and Indiana were admitted into the Union as free states, many of these people living in Blount County, Tennessee sold their farms and moved to these new states. The Hogues moved early in 1800 to Gibson County, Indiana, near Princeton. James Hogue and his wife died there. And some of their children lived and died there. Some of the Hogues' moved to Warren County, Illinois, early in 1830 to 1835. I do not know the exact date.
John Gibson and some of his sons moved to Green County, Ohio about 1804. His son, Andrew Jackson Gibson married Jennie Stevenson, September 18, 1806, by William McFarland, Esq., in Green County, Ohio.
Two brothers, John and James Stevenson, settled in Green County, Ohio, near Xenia in 1797. They came from Virginia, and they became influential men.
John Gibson's son, William, married Mary Chambers in 1808, in Green County, Ohio. She was born in Chambersburg, PA., October 1, 1782, and Chambersburg was named for her family. In her infancy, her parents moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky, and from there to Green County, Ohio. At the age of 16 years, she joined the Seceder Church in Kentucky.
Thomas Gibson and his family moved to Green County, Ohio in 1807. They crossed the Ohio River at Cincinnati. The following are Thomas Gibson's children, which were born in Blount County, Tennessee:
And Thomas Gibson's children as follows, were born in Green County, Ohio:
Thomas Gibson bought a farm 2 miles east of Xenia, Ohio, on the state road between Cincinnati and Columbus. It is a beautiful farm with a beautiful clear stream of water running through it, with rocky banks and pebbly bottom, and there was a spring, and a spring house, where they kept their milk and butter. Thomas Jefferson was President of the United States when Thomas Gibson moved to Ohio.
There was a Seceder church already established at Massie's Creek, Green County, Ohio.
One of the first settlers in Green county, Ohio, was James Galloway, Sr. He came from Bourbon County, Kentucky in the spring of 1798. He was from Cumberland County, PA. He had five sons and two daughters.
In 1802, or 1803, James Galloway and his son, James, went to Kentucky about surveying business. They visited Samuel Galloway living at McConnells Run, Kentucky, where Rev. Mr. Robert Armstrong preached, he also preached at Davis Fork, Miller's run and Cane Run.
These Places were near Lexington, Kentucky. They heard Mr. Armstrong preach, and the became acquainted with him, and they urged him to come to Green County, Ohio, and preach for the Seceders there. Mr. Armstrong agreed to go, if the people wished him to come.
When the Galloways returned homs, they laid the matter before the church, and the wish was unanimous to have him come. And James Galloway, Jr. was sent to bring Rev. Armstrong. They traveled from Cincinnati, along the road cut by Gen. Wayne when he was fighting the Indians.
Mr. Armstrong preached in the cabin of James Galloway, Sr., to a dozen or fifteen families. The Gibson's are not mentioned, they had not yet moved from Tennessee to Ohio. He also preached at Sugar Creek in the cabin of James Clemssey, to ten or twelve families. He was urged to remain in Green County, Ohio.
But he said if his congregations in Kentucky could be persuaded to come, he was willing if Presbytery agreed to it. For he and all his congregation were opposed to slavery. Mr. Armstrong and almost all of his congregation did move to Green County, Ohio, in the spring of 1804. They settled in the fertile region around Sugar Creek, and Massies Creek. In 1802, Robert Armstrong had married Nancy Andrews of the Nashville Seceder congregation.
Before moving to Ohio, Mr. Armstrong and his wife went from Kentucky to Nashville on horseback, to visit her family. And they rode on horseback from Nashville to Green County, Ohio. Mr. Armstrong married the first couple that was married in Green County, Ohio. The parties were Miss Ann Gowdy, and James Bull.
In the spring of 1805, Mr. Armstrong built his cabin. He bought 301 acres of land of James Galloway, Sr. He had to improve his new farm. He preached to two congregations. He had to visit all the families and catechise them, attend meetings of Presbytery and Synod, often sever hundred miles away, and long and tedious journeys on horse back.
All this meant a very active life. But his sermons were well prepared and delivered with force and earnestness.
A church was soon erected at Massies Creek, on a lot next to the cemetery. It was built of pealed hickory logs, without any floor and with only two windows, and no chimney, and the seats made of puncheon boards, (not cushioned). The people walk from two to twelve miles to church in the winter, and listened to two sermons, and without any fire.
In 1813, this congregation built a church of hewed long, near the first. A historian in writing of this congregation, said it was the most intelligent congregation to be found in the country, and many of the members of this congregation occupied important positions in public life.
Mr. Armstrong preached to this congregation for 17 years. He died October 14, 1821, and he was buried in the old cemetery at Massies Creek. His wife erected a stone to his memory. It was a large flat sandstone, as were all the stones first erected to the memory of the dead in all the oldest cemeteries. There is no trace of either of the old churches now, but the old cemetery is kept in beautiful order by descendants of the Stevenson family, who live in the vicinity.
A Seceder congregation was organized in Xenia in 1814, and some of the families belonging to Massies Creek congregation were transferred to the Xenia congregation. And Thomas Gibson and his children all belonged to this congregation. John Gibson, after moving from Tennessee to Ohio, lived in Preble County, Ohio, for some time.
CHAPTER XI
When the war of 1812 was declared, several of the Gibson's were obliged to go. John Gibson and his sons, Thomas, Andrew, William, and John, and Thomas Gibson's son, John, the two latter men were drafted the same day. And Thomas Gibson's wife and younger children had to plant the corn that spring. Thomas Gibson obtained a substitute as soon as possible, and returned to his family.
About 1825, John Gibson and his wife, Martha, came from Preble County to live with their son, Thomas Gibson, near Xenia. They lived there until their death. Martha (Parks) Gibson died may 15, 1828, age 75 years, and John died May 13, 1830, age 76 years. They both are buried in Massies Creek cemetery, and a large old style sandstone is erected to their memory, and is at the present time in a perfect state of preservation, and stands erect and firm after so many years, but was overgrown with moss, but a knife soon removed that, and the inscription was easily read. And by them lies little Polly, youngest child of Thomas Gibson.
And Andrew Gibson, son of John, is buried in the same cemetery. He died July 13, 1851, age 73 years.
Mr. Adams was the next pastor after Mr. Armstrong. Dr. Simpson Kendall, Robert, and William Kendall, all belonged to this Massies Creek church.
Thomas Gibson saw all of his thirteen children become members of the old Seceder church. He was an earnest true Christian, and he knew the Bible almost by heart, for books were rare in those days, and more time was spent in reading the Bible. He wanted churches and schools everywhere he lived, and always had them. All this children had as good an education as could be obtained in the country schools of those days in new states, and were well informed men and women.
SECTION I
Thomas Gibson's oldest child, Margaret, married James McCallon, near Xenia, Ohio, about 1822. James McCallon was a saddler by trade. And he was Captain of a military company when he lived in Xenia. Margaret and James McCallon were both members of the Seceder church of Xenia.
There children were as follows:
James McCallon moved with his family to Warren County, Illinois, in October 1831.
SECTION II
John Gibson married first, Martha Ann Campbell, July 4, 1816, by Rev. Robert Armstrong. She was born March 28, 1796. Their children are as follows:
John Gibson's wife, Martha Ann Campbell, died June 17, 1828, age 32 years, in Green County, Ohio. He married the second, Ann McNary, May 21, 1829, by Rev. Andrew Pogue. She was born April 16, 1805. Their children are as follows:
John Gibson, and his first wife, and second wife, were all members of the Seceder church, and he was a farmer and a democrat.
He was drafted to go to the War of 1812 in Green County, Ohio. He was then 18 years old. He died in Henderson County, Illinois, Sept. 30, 1858.
SECTION III
Thomas Gibson's third child, Elizabeth, married John Kendall, Dec. 28, 1819, by Rev. Robert Armstrong, near Xenia. Their children were as follows:
Elizabeth and John Kendall were members of the Seceder church in Xenia, Ohio. He was a carpenter and a farmer.
SECTION IV
Thomas Gibson's fourth child, Esther, married James White, June 21, 1827, by Rev. James Adams. He was the son of Thomas White and Hannah (Bigger) White, and he was born in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. His father moved to Ohio in 1814. The children of Esther (Gibson) White and James White were as follows:
They were all members of the Seceder church. James White was a farmer.
SECTION V
Thomas Gibson's fifth child, James, married Sarah Kendall, cousin of John Kendall, Feb. 21, 1826, by Rev. James Adams, near Xenia. Their children were as follows:
CHAPTER XII
Again the Gibsons decided to move to new States where land was plenty at low prices. Indiana was made a State in 1816, and Illinois was made a State in 1818. New farms were to be improved, but many hardships must be encountered before they were established in comfortable homes in the new states.
Andrew, William, John, James Parks, and George Gibson, moved in 1834 to White County, Indiana, near Burnetts Creek. John Gibson settled near Idaville, White County, Ind. James Parks Gibson lived near Idaville for a while, and then he moved to Terra Haute, Ind. George lived near Idaville. But of these Indiana Gibsons, I will have more to tell farther on in my story.
Thomas Gibson's son, John, moved with his family to Sangamon County, Illinois in 1829, and to Warren County, Illinois in 1831. His brothers, James and William, went to see him the winter of 1829, and they told him to move to Warren County, for that their father and 25 families were going to move to Warren County, the next year, from Green County, Ohio. Henderson County was then a part of Warren County, Illinois.
James Gibson and his family, and Samuel Gibson and his family, and Elizabeth (Gibson) Kendall and her husband and family, all moved to Warren County, Illinois in 1830.
Thomas Gibson sold his farm near Xenia, to James McMillen from South Carolina. His farms contained 240 acres of land. It was land cleared of heavy growth of large timber. It was long and laborious work to clear a farm. He lived on this farm twenty-five years. He received 12 per acre for this farm.
James McMillen and twenty-five families wished to leave South Carolina on account of slavery. He sent his son, John, on horseback to look at the land in Green County, Ohio. John McMillen was pleased with Thomas Gibson's farm, and he made an offer for the farm, which was accepted. John returned to South Carolina, and his father was satisfied with the bargain, and the money was sent out to Thomas Gibson. The McMillens moved to Green County, Ohio in 1831, and the two Gibson brothers came from South Carolina with him and settled in Green County, but they were not related to our Gibson family as far as I can trace them. They married into the Stevenson family of Green County, Ohio, and also, our Gibson family married twice into the Stevenson family.
Mr. McMillen made the above mentioned farm into one of the most valuable farms in that part of the state, and he raised fine cattle.
Thomas Gibson moved to Warren County, Illinois in 1831, and he invested in a good many acres of land. He was always very kind to lend a helping hand in the new settlement. Helping his friends and neighbors to erect their cabins, and build their cellar walls and chimneys, for he had learned the stone mason's trade in Baltimore, when he was a very young man, and he was a good cooper, and a wagon maker.