[Continued]
METHODISM  IN  SHELBYVILLE

(--OR--)

A history of the origin and growth of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Shelbyville, Indiana from 1823 to 1878.

by Rev. Geo. L. Curtiss D.D.
Pastor from 1876 to 1878


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THE  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  OF  THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL
CHURCH  IN  SHELBYVILLE

          The first Sunday School organized in Shelbyville, according to the remembrance of the “oldest inhabitant”, was in 1833.  It was a union school, being principally officered and sustained by Methodists and Presbyterians.  One of the teachers was  Mrs. Margaret Gwyn, and one of the first, if not the first superintendent was  David Thacher.  The school was organized, and for a time held in the cabinet shop of  Mr. Shank,--afterwards in the brick school house, and then in the county seminary.  The school did not live through the winter for a few of the first years, but suspended in the fall to be re-opened in the spring.
          In 1838, Rev. J. W. Sullivan  was the pastor of the Methodist Church in Shelbyville, and a school was organized at the Methodist Church under his administration, with David Thacher as the first superintendent.  In 1839, David Thacher  retired and  Voorhis Conover  became superintendent.  In 1838, William Hacker  returned from the South to Shelbyville and entered the school as a teacher.  With Conover, Hacker was made Assistant Superintendent.  Bro. Hacker continued in connection with the Sunday School in the capacity of either superintendent, secretary, librarian, or teacher, until 1863, when he was compelled to retire on account of loss of hearing.  This school was discontinued in winter on account of the want of wood, (it being in those days a scarce article) and an unwillingness on the part of teachers to work in the winter as well as in summer.
          The school at that time was not the neat and methodical affair of the present.  One who was present describes it as follows:  “While the school was under charge of the first superintendent, there was no special system about it.  We would go there, and after opening the school somewhat as is now done, the first thing was to divide those present into proper classes, one of whom would act as teacher.  When the school adjourned it was not expected that that class would ever meet again.  Toward the latter part of this time, some teachers selected their

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scholars and had them arranged in a class, with a promise to meet the teacher every Sabbath.”  It required time, thought and patient effort to work out the problem of a well organized Sunday School.
          When  Conover  and  Hacker  took charge of the school, they undertook to complete an organization and systemize the work, arranging for regular classes and permanent teachers.  Class books were made out, and a careful record made of attendance and verses recited.
          The earliest official notice of a Sunday School in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Shelbyville is on the 24th of April, 1841, when the question was asked in the Quarterly Conference if there were “any Sunday Schools on the circuit under our care.”  The answer was “None," for the reason that the suspended schools of the fall had not yet been opened in the spring.  Previous to all General Conferences in 1840 the preacher in charge of a circuit or station was not required to report concerning Sunday Schools, but from that time to the present it has been a regular and interesting part of his report to the Quarterly Conference.
          It would be a matter of great interest could one enter more fully into the history of this first denominational organization, but by the lapse of this first time the facts and circumstances have faded out of memory, so that it is impossible to be very minute concerning these early times.
          In the annual report of the Pastor, Rev. Jacob Myers  made Sept. 30, 1843, we find there were four Methodist Sunday Schools on Shelbyville Circuit, with four managers (superintendents), twenty-four teachers, and one hundred and fifty scholars.  This report included the school in Shelbyville, which was then in fair working order.
          The next year, 1844, the school in Shelbyville has six officers, fifteen teachers, and lived through the winter.  From the official notice of its living the whole year, it is probably that this is the first time it ever did so.  Commencing then

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in the spring of 1843, we may calculate that up to 1878, the altar-fire of the Methodist Sunday School has never been allowed to go out.  In that time it is almost a certainty that not twenty Sundays have passed without the school assembling at its accustomed place for Bible study and worship.  It has passed through storm, sleet, frost, heat, everything, but has held on its way with a steady purpose.  In all its history, it has been a continuous means of accomplishing good, and spreading Bible knowledge, and scriptural holiness.
          Conover, on the breaking out of the Mexican War, raised a company of soldiers, was commissioned as captain, and went out to Mexico in 1846, having resigned the Superintendency of the Sunday School.  William Hacker  was elected as Superintendent.  The school was in a flourishing condition--Hacker having brought to it his strict business habits, left on it an impression it has not lost.  The Pastor, Seth Smith, reported to the Quarterly Conference, Jan. 17, 1847, that the school was good and prosperous with fifteen teachers and one hundred scholars.
          Hacker  was succeeded as Superintendent by  J. S. Campbell  who was elected Jan. 1, 1850, and  Mrs. E. Brown  assistant.
          It was in 1845, while  C. B. Davidson  was Pastor, that the first Sunday School Library was purchased for the school.  Mr. D. S. West, a merchant in Shelbyville at that time, became quite interested in the success of the school.  He found at Cincinnati a library of suitable books of about two hundred and fifty volumes, which with the case could be purchased for fifteen dollars.  He ventured to invest.  The library was paid for in due time.  Among others who paid towards it, was a Justice of the Peace, and the Pastor of the church, who agreed to give each his first wedding fee received after the library arrived.  The Justice received a five-franc piece, worth about ninety-five cents, and the preacher soon received twenty-five cents, which sum were duly paid over.  They paid for marrying in those days.  In 1850, Jan. 1, T. G. Randall  was elected Superintendent and  Mrs. Amelia A. Thacher  his assistant.  The reports to the

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Quarterly Conference in these years show a school endeavoring to do good, and having a gradual and permanent growth.  At the close of the year, Dec. 14, the Pastor, J. W. Sullivan, reported an average attendance of one hundred scholars, with twenty teachers and six officers.  In the library were five hundred volumes.  In 1852, Mr. Wm. Hatch, the Superintendent of the Public School, was elected Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School.  Mr. Hatch was a Presbyterian, but worshipped with the Methodists.  Hatch was a good officer, and an efficient worker.  In 1853, Mr. Hatch having removed from Shelbyville, William Hacker  was again elected Superintendent, and continued to 1856.  During the summer of 1855, the town and country were scourged with an alarming and fatal sickness.  The church and school were sadly affected by it.  The school ran down to twenty officers and one hundred and twenty-five scholars.  It required considerable hard labor, after the sickly season passed away, to bring it up to its former standard. October 12, 1856, J. C. Green  was elected Superintendent.  During his administration the school started out upon a new departure.  It was organized with a view to system and grade in study.  There were four departments--the infant, primary, youth and Bible departments.  The intention was, to take the child in the infant class, and by careful preparation in study of the scripture and catechism of the church to grade him into the primary classes, and after a proper time and discipline to bring him to the youths class, and at last to the Bible class, there to remain as a Bible student, or become a well prepared teacher.  This grading of the school and an attempt at uniform lessons was an idea fruitful of great good.  It utilized all departments of study, and brought all classes, from the youngest to the oldest, into sympathy and promoted a generous rivalry in Bible Study.  At the close of  Green’s  first year, the Pastor, W. W. Snyder, reported the school as having twenty-five officers, two hundred scholars, two Bible classes, forty in the infant class.  As this was the first year the infant class was specially reported,

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it is probable that it was the first year of its existence.  Strange as it may now seem, the infants and the old people were both counted out of the school, but from this time on, there is a good place for the infants and the “silver grays”.  In 1857, the school was organized into a Missionary Society, and held quarterly meetings.  January 1, 1863, A. D. Lynch  was elected Superintendent, and  A. Bowman, Assistant, and  George Wright, Secretary.  The history of the school under Lynch’s administration was that of gradual growth.  During the time, greater attention was given to music that ever before.  An organ was purchased and introduced.  At the close Mr. Lynch’s administration, the Pastor, E. L. Dolph  reported an average attendance upon the Sunday School of two hundred and ten, with five Bible classes having an attendance of forty.  In 1873, Dr. Wm. F. Green  was elected Superintendent.  He entered upon the discharge of his duties with vigor and prosecuted his work for five years with zeal and faithfulness.  During this time the Bureau System of Uniform Lessons was adopted, and teachers’ meetings organized for careful preparation of the lessons.  By this uniform lesson system, all departments of the school are studying the same lesson at the same time, and if teachers have done their duty by the classes, they are prepared for a general review, by which the entire school receives the final and a lasting impression of the lesson.  In Oct. 1877, Harry Whitcomb  was elected Superintendent, and  M. B. Robins  and  Mrs. D. J. Shaw  assistants.  The report at present for the school shows the total number of scholars to be two hundred and fifty, with twenty-five officers and teachers, and an average attendance of two hundred and fifteen.  Dr. Royal Jennings  was for several years teacher of the infant class.  He was an earnest, conscientious teacher of the little minds, and sought by all means to impress upon them the necessity of a change of heart, and a pure life with Jesus.  When he was called to leave the school and go South, Miss

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Phebe Robertson  consented to take the place with fear and trembling.  She has shown herself the right person in the right place.  As a teacher of the infant class the mantle of  Dr. Jennings seems to have fallen on worthy shoulders.  The officers and teachers of the school at present are:  Geo. L. Curtiss, Pastor;  Harry Whitcomb, Superintendent;  M. B. Robins and  Mrs. D. J. Shaw, Assistants;  Chancellor K. Bryan, Secretary;  William A. Powell, Treasurer;  J. K. Fessler and  Eddie Young, Librarians;  Ella Mayhew, Organist.  The teachers are: 
Louis T. Machener, 
James C. Bennett, 
Jos. W. Thompson, 
G. L. Curtiss, 
D. W. McDaniel, 
D. J. Shaw, 
Mrs. Howard, 
Cannie Robertson, 
Fannie Dixon,  Ella Sykea, 
Phebe Robertson, 
Eva Lacy, 
Mrs. Senour, 
Carrie Powell, 
Isom Wray, 
J. M. Elliott, 
Dr. Wm. F. Green, 
Tirza Worden, 
Hattie Robbins, 
Mrs. Phillips, 
Sim. J. Thompson. 
From the first, the Sunday School has been an important auxiliary to the church, and has been the means of bringing many souls to conversion, and into the church.  During the existence of the school there have been about three hundred conversions.  No one can tell how much good to individual souls has been made, and how great an amount of Bible knowledge has been disseminated by the means of this school.  The school has had ten different superintendents, over two hundred and fifty teachers, and more than fifteen hundred different scholars, since its organization.  It has gathered for its own expenses and missionary offerings over two thousand dollars.  It has been a medium of extending a great amount of valuable missionary information, and has also been the means of cultivating the spirit of liberality, and quickening many an illiberal soul into the discharge of duty.  It has taught constantly the habit of regularity and promptness in all things, and the excellency of virtue and purity in life.  It has held up the Bible as the great textbook in morals and religion, and enforced the necessity of a clean heart through the atonement of Jesus.  It has ever said,  “Ye must be born again.”

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OTHER  METHODIST  CHURCHES  IN  SHELBY  COUNTY

MARION

          The Methodist Church was the first of the denominations to enter Shelby County and commence its operations with a determination to stay and possess the land.  The first regular preaching place in the county was at the house of  Mrs. Jane Sleeth, alternating with that of William H. Sleeth, one mile north of where Marion has since been located.  Sleeth was a native Virginian, and having enjoyed religious privileges in his early home, he could not forego the same in his new home.  Their houses became an appointment for preaching in the fall of 1821, and  John Sale, and occasionally  Aron Wood,  James Horn  and  William Beechamp, preached to the few that gathered to hear the story of life.  A school-house was built about a fourth of a mile away the next year, and preaching removed to it.  The school-house continued to be the place for meeting until 1840, when a larger school-house was built at Marion, and the society removed to it.  This school-house continued to be the place of worship until the present frame church was erected in 1862.  The society was known as Sleeth’s Class until 1840, when it became Marion.  Mr. Carl Sleeth, of Shelbyville, son of  Wm. H. Sleeth, has in his possession a class paper of the society at Sleeths.  It is a curiosity, and but few such can now be found.  It reads, “Class paper of Sleeth’s class for 1837, Shelbyville Circuit, Indiana Conference.  Ministers in Christ, James Havens,  P. E. Elijah Whitten,  C.P. John B. Birt,  A.P. Leader, J. Winton;  Members of the class --
Jacob Winton, Class-leader; 
J. Winton, 
Wm. H. Sleeth, (Recording Steward), 
Evaline Sleeth, 
Margaret Sleeth, 
Sarah Hacker, 
Caleb Sleeth, 
Thomas Hacker, 
Cynthia Kuster, 
Sarah A. Moffit, 
Robert Benefield, 
Stephen Giel, 
Nancy Giel.” 
On the back is noted the fact that  Harriet Benefield  joined the church March 5, 1837.  All of these persons are now dead except two--Caleb Sleeth and Jane Winton.

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As early as 1833, Jacob Winton was class-leader. He was succeeded in 1834 by Robert Benefield, and again Winton was leader in 1837.  This, the oldest organization in Shelby County, has held on its course, with variable success for fifty-seven years.  It is now a vigorous and healthy church.  It is truly loyal to Methodism.  Under the labor of its present pastor, Rev. John Machlin, A.B; it is doing a good work for that community.  When  Rev. James Corwin  was preacher in 1845, there was a great stir on the subject of temperance about Marion.  It seemed as if Satan and his human agents were stirred to commit the most desperate acts they possibly could to crush out this cause and religion.  Corwin was making a temperance address one evening at Marion.  Before him sat  Mr. Ludlow,  Mr. Mat. Wright  and  Mr. Chapman, three strong temperance men, and a large audience, some favorable, and some hostile to the cause.  Corwin was making some severe thrusts at rum-sellers and rum-drinkers.  In the midst of the meeting the windows were burst open and rotten eggs came flying into the house with the odor of ten thousand balms, with all the balms extracted.  One took the preacher full in the head, and soiled his clothes, Chapman  took one square on the mouth, Wright, by skillful dodging and remarkable activity, missed hitting one, while Ludlow took his full proportion.  Many others received a full share of odors.  For that evening the meeting was slightly disturbed, but the temperance people held on and worked more vigorously than ever, until success crowned the efforts.  Nearly every one who engaged in disturbing the temperance meeting died a violent death and filled a drunkard’s grave.  One rather prominent man made the threat that he would break up the temperance meetings and stop the work of temperance in six months or go to the “bone-yard”.  He used every effort to accomplish his purpose, but in less than six months he died, and sure enough was taken to the grave-yard.  The church at Marion has had a hard struggle and had to

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contend for life, yet she has lived and accomplished an untold amount of good.  Her light has never ceased to burn.  Her power has always been felt.  Choice souls have gone from her communion up to the family above, and more are on the way.

WRAY’S  MEETING  HOUSE

          In the winter of 1821 and ‘22, James  and  Thomas Wray and their wives, and  Hutson Ray  and his wife, came to Shelby County from North Carolina and settled in the woods northwest of Shelbyville about three miles.  They gave a name to the settlement by which it has been known for one half a century, of Wray’s neighborhood.  James Wray was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church in the old North State.  As soon as they had cleared a little patch of ground and planted it in corn in the spring of 1822, they decided to have a Methodist society and preaching in their home.  They sent a man to the White Water at Connersville to ask the authorities of the church to send a preacher.  The territory on the White Water belonged to the Ohio Conference.  Allen Wiley  was on the White Water Circuit, as Preacher in Charge. Arrangements were made for  Rev. Joel Havens  to preach at Wray’s until the session of the Missouri Conference.  In due time  Rev. James Scott  who was Preacher in Charge of Indianapolis Circuit, and in whose territory Wray’s society properly fell, visited the neighborhood and organized the church.  Scott was succeeded the next year by  Jesse Hale  and  George Horn, and they by  John Miller.  After 1825 Wray’s became connected with Shelbyville.  James Scott formed the church in a log cabin built and used by James Wray as a dwelling house.  It was fifteen feet square.  It was built of round poles or small logs, but served its purposes well for a residence and a church.  The original members were  James and  Tabitha Wray,  Thomas and  Elizabeth Wray,  Hutson and  Margaret Ray,  Susanah Bass,  Guilia Byerly,  and  Mrs. Rhoda Templeton.  There were two or three others whose names are now lost.  From this beginning has grown the Wray Methodist

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Episcopal Church, sometimes called  Center Church.  The congregation worshipped in this pole house until it became too numerous for the place, and at the same time accommodate the Wray family.  A large hewed log house was built and occupied by the family as a residence, and the habit of attending church in those days.  Quarterly meetings were great times.  After the membership had spent Friday preceeding as a day of fasting and prayer, the people were in good condition for hearty worship.  They came together, full of the love of God, and love toward each other.  The preaching was with power.  The singing melodious.  The prayers were full of faith.  While the people were poor in this world’s goods, they were rich in faith, and heirs of the Everlasting Kingdom of Heaven.  On these occasions great good was done.  Without a single exception, these charter members of the church at Wray’s lived well, and died in the faith and entered with the people of God into the joyous rest of Heaven.  The society grew so rapidly that in 1829 it became necessary to look out for larger quarters.  Col. Gregory  and  Capt. James Templeton  donated ground for a church, to be free to all denominations.  Neither of these men were at that time members of the church.  On this ground a large hewed log church was erected, and used for years for public worship.  The ground is now used for a grave-yard.  There has been built a good and commodious frame church on ground donated by  Benjamin Bass  adjoining and south of the Grave-yard, by the Methodist Episcopal Church, and another by the Methodist Protestant Church on the north.  The history of Methodism at Wray’s Church is one of continued success.  From its communion many have ascended in chariots of fire to the kingdom of heaven.  Those who remain on earth do not experience such hard times as the fathers did.  In the Judgment Day many will rise up and bless the day that Methodism was established in the Wray’s neighborhood by those sturdy North Carolinians.

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FLATROCK

          In 1852, a frame church was erected almost three miles southwest of Norristown, on Flatrock, about a hundred rods east of Girton’s mill, and a little over a mile above what is now Flatrock Station on the J. M. & I. Railroad, in Shelby County.  Among the members of the church at the budding Ebenezer were Thomas Wooley,  Richard Drake,  Peter Messick,  Mr. Van Syckle.  The society worshipped here until about 1870, when it was removed to Flatrock Station, and used the school-house for meetings, until the present beautiful brick church was built.  Mr. Warner, a wealthy citizen of Flatrock, left in his will a bequest of a thousand dollars to any Methodist society that would build there a church costing not less than $2,500.  The Methodist Church South undertook the work, but were unable to secure money enough.  The Rev. A. M. Thornton, Pastor of the Marietta Circuit, which included this locality, commenced the work, and secured enough to build for the Methodist Episcopal church, a house costing over $3,000.  The bequest of Mr. Warner was paid over to this society, and the church became known as Flatrock, and now is the head of a circuit.  The church is in a flourishing condition, with large congregations, a good parsonage, and the opportunity for being felt in one of the richest portions of the county.  The Flatrock Church met with a sad blow in the accidental drowning of their pastor, Rev. Julius G. Hood, on the night of Feb. 8, 1878, in Flatrock River.  The circumstances of Mr. Hood’s death were very melancholy, and cast a gloom over the entire community.  He was holding a protracted meeting at Toner’s chapel, about twelve miles from his home at Flatrock.  He started for home on Friday evening about 6 o’clock.  It was raining at the time.  There was fear of the streams becoming swollen so as to prevent his getting home the next day.  On his way he forded successfully Lewis Creek, and was seen at ‘ o’clock between the creek and river, which were only a mile apart.  It is supposed that at night he was deceived as to the water in the river.  The ford where he attempted to cross, a few rods above the railroad bridge, is deep and very swift at any time, and with a small rise of water becomes very dangerous.  As the horse and buggy went down into the river, the rapid current swept them and the rider down in the terrible swirl of waters, and he found a watery grave.  The next morning his horse and buggy were found a half mile below the ford.  The whole country turned out to search for the body.  It seemed as though everybody had lost a friend.  A most thorough search was made for weeks, without success.  At last, as his father was walking on the bank of the river weeping for his dead son, he saw in the stream the floating hair of what proved to be the body of his son.  It is supposed that at first the body was covered by sand washed upon him by the rise of the river.  As the water fell the sand was gradually washed away.  The gasses generated raised the trunk and head, while the feet and legs were held down.  He was in the kneeling position when found.  His watch had stopped at ten minutes past eight.  The body was in the water nearly a month.  When Bro. Hood went down into the water he was within less than half a mile of the parsonage where were his family, and could see plainly the lights in their sitting room windows.  The people have been led by his death to think more seriously of eternal things, and rise to a higher spiritual life.  The present pastor, Rev. Tincher Lathrop, is doing a good work, and following up the labors of Mr. Hood, so as to show that good may come out of Evil.

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UNION CHURCH

          Ripple’s class was formed and officially organized in 1833, and continued to be known by that name until recent years, when it was changed to Union.  The first preaching place was at Mr.

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Ripple’s house.  He was one of the old settlers, who, afterward moved West, but has been dead a number of years.  The class afterward occupied a school-house up to about 1849, when a frame church was erected.  This continued to 1864, when the present church was erected.  Regular services and a good Sunday School have been sustained for years.  There are only three or four of the old families remaining--the  Greens,  McFall,  Thompsons, etc.

TONER’S CHAPEL

          Toner’s Chapel, four miles west of Shelbyville, became a recognized preaching place in 1836.  The services were first held in a log building erected as a union church by the neighborhood, at the graveyard east of the present church, and long known as the Hill Graveyard.  The house was also used as a school-house.  After some years, a school-house was built near Mr. Hill’s, and about the place of the present brick school-house.  The society worshipped here until in 1845, a frame church was built, and is still occupied, being known as Toner’s Chapel.  Edward Toner,  Martin Toner,  and  J. M. Barwick  were the leading men in building this house.  The original members are all gone from there.

WALDRON

          Waldron as at present known is the consolidation of the old appointments--Middletown and Conn’s Creek.  Middletown was established in 1836, with  Frank Toler  as class leader, and  Whitten  and  Birt preachers.  In 1844, Thomas Mendenhall   became class leader. Conn’s Creek was organized as an appointment in 1840, at a crossroads, which, since the building of the I. C. & L. R.R. has taken the name of Waldron.  Some of the original members of Conn’s Creek were
William Knight,
Elizabeth Knight,
Levi Knight,
Reitter Chaplett,
Washington Bless and
Mary Bless.
Afterwards Margaret Van Pelt united with them.  They worshipped in a school-house until about twenty-three years ago, when the present brick church was erected, and the society took the name

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of Waldron.  The class leader in 1845 was  George W. Bliss.  It was not long after Waldron became fully established until Middletown society was mostly absorbed.  At present  Rev. George W. Winchester  is doing a good work as the pastor, and under his leadership, the church and Sunday School are making a good record.

WINCHESTER

          Shadley’s society, now known as Winchester, is south of Shelbyville five miles.  It became an appointment in the Shelbyville Circuit in 1842.  The society was formed at Shadley’s house now owned and occupied by  J. W. Wilson, on the Shelbyville and Norristown Pike.  The preaching was at this house until about 1848, when it was removed to  Thomas Maddy’s house, south of the toll gate.  In 1850 a frame church 26 x 36 feet was built at a cost of $240.  Thomas Maddy was president and  Willis Wills  was secretary of the Board of Trustees, and leading parties in building the house and sustaining the church.  Among the old members of the church was  Shadley  and family, Charles Thompson  and wife, Mrs. John Monroe,  Thomas H. Wherrett,  Hannah Wherrett,  and  Kitura Green.  The frame church was replaced by a substantial brick house, dedicated by  Rev. Sampson Tincher, D.D., in Oct. 1872.  To the side and rear in the churchyard is a cemetery, kept with scrupulous care.  The church and its surroundings indicate that the people who worship here have a heart in the service, and “prefer Jerusalem” as their “chief joy”.  The trustees who active in building the present brick church were:  Andrew Maple,  Thomas Thompson,  Job D. Tindall,  John A. Gore  and  John W. Wilson.  The influence of the Winchester Church upon the community has always been for good, both socially and religiously.

BOGGSTOWN

          What, for several years, has been known as Boggstown Methodist Church was organized in 1826 at  Mr. Hough’s, and about 1830 was removed to the house of  Adam McFadden, one mile south

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of the present Boggstown.  Some of the old members of this society were Mr. Hough and wife,  Adam McFadden, and  Mary  his wife,  Jane,  Mary,  and  Sarah McFadden, their daughters,  William Edwards  and  Sophia Edwards,  Reuben Strickler and wife,  Jackson Strickler  and  Caroline Strickler,  James Sonnelly (Donnelly?),  and  David Smith and wife.  There were also three families of Carsons.  The Presbyterians had built a church at Boggstown before this. they offered the use of their church to the Methodists for holding quarterly meetings.  Occasionally quarterly meetings were held at a barn of  Mr. Clsers (Elsers  or  Olsers?), two miles south of Boggstown.  The usual preaching place was at Adam McFadden’s, and continued to be known by that name until about 1850, when the society was called by that name afterwards.  This church has had a hard struggle for life.  It has passed through adversity and fierce trials.  It has been wounded by enemies within and foes without, but it lives, and glorified its Maker in its being.  Long may it live, and grow strong in the Saviour, and always wield a wholesome influence for God and religion.

PLEASANT HILL

          The present Pleasant Hill Church was formed at the house of  John Glenn  in 1830, and retained the name of Glenn’s society for thirty years.  The first class leader was  Andrew Derickson, who was a short time ago living near Ray’s Crossing.  John Glenn is living in Missouri at the ripe age of eighty-one years.  A substantial frame church has been built in the neighborhood of the old Glenn house, largely through the labors of  Rev. David Whitcomb  and  Benjamin Walker. Under the labors of the late Rev. James Davidson the society was largely increased, and for some years was strong and healthy.  It then measurably declined, but is now again rising under the efficient preaching of Rev. John Machlin.

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BRANDYWINE

          About 1827, Garrett G. Harsin  moved from Shelbyville to a farm north of where Fairland has since been located.  Mrs. Seena, a widow living near, consented that a class should be formed and preaching held at her house.  In 1830, the class was taken to  Dement’s house on the Michigan Road, where Brandywine is now.  After this the society was taken to Harsin’s house, then to  Quinn’s house about a mile south of Fairland.  In its multitudinous wanderings it next went to the house of  J. W. Carter  adjoining Fairland in what was called the “School Section.”  During this time Quinn had purchased Dement’s farm at Brandywine, and the society and preaching was taken to his house, where it continued until a church was built in 1849.  The church had at first a hard struggle for life at Brandywine.  Two sets of rough squatters had camped, one above the present town, and the other west. Between the two was a path which crossed Harsin’s farm. These squatters were an idle, worthless, drinking set of people.  They were opposed to everything good, and gave out word that there should never be Methodist preaching in that community.  On several occasions a company would come near where Harsin and others were at work, and hold mock prayer-meetings and preachings, mingling song and profanity in a most blasphemous manner.  They gave notice that the path between their two parties should not be fenced up at the peril of the settlers.  When a fence was built they threw it down and destroyed it.  This they did two or three times, until the settlers in their indignation made the squatters realize that they were doing these things at their peril.  So much feeling was excited in the settlement, by the licentious and lawless life of these squatters, that they were compelled to move on to other parts.  In the course of three years all of them left, and the church was able to go on its way without further persecutions.  In 1847, Sugar Creek (now Fairland) Circuit was formed out of parts of Shelbyville and Edinburg Circuits, and Pleasant View Mission,  Rev. E. R. Ames  was Presiding Elder and  A. H. Shafer

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preacher.  The churches at Wray’s, Brandywine, Boggstown and Wesley Chapel in Shelby County, were in the circuit, and all are now preaching places, except Wesley Chapel, which is still standing unoccupied on a lot on the corner of the  McCue  farm in Hendricks Township.  The title is still in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is worth looking after.  The Quarterly Conference consisted of many well known men, such as  James Wray, a local preacher;  Barnabas Ray  and  Joseph Marshall, exhorters;  Hugh Campbell,  J. J. Smith  and  Thomas Hacker, stewards;
Abraham Cosler, 
Thomas Freeman, 
Elias Stubbs, 
Leonidas Gordon,
John Nail,
David Smith,
O. Kelly,
Rezin Robins,
Elisha Bird and
Rufus Crum, class leaders.
Barnabas Ray and Hugh Campbell moved to Iowa.  Thomas Hacker was recording steward up to 1866, when he resigned and arranged to move to Nebraska, but death suddenly cut short his plans.  He was also a Trustee, and Sunday School Superintendent many years.  An active, conscientious man, he devoted all his energies to the service of God.  At the present time one of the most active members at Brandywine is  Rev. Matthew Sedgwick  who is a local preacher and Recording Steward for the circuit.

FAIRLAND

          The Methodist Episcopal Church was formed at Fairland, in the school-house, while  Matthew Mitchell  was preacher in charge of London Circuit, in 1855.  The first members were Thomas Hacker and family,  Dr. Lewis  and wife,  Peter Snyder  and wife, and  Mrs. Hoskins;  Thomas Hacker was class leader, and Dr. Lewis steward.  These persons are all dead except Mrs. Dr. Lewis, who remains a member of the church at Fairland, and Mrs. Hoskins, who removed to Iowa many years ago.  A building was commenced for a church in 1856 by  Rev. George W. Winchester, and completed in 1858, while  Rev. R. S. Barnes  was pastor, and dedicated by  Dr. E. G. Wood, Jan. 18, 1859.

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A Sunday School was organized before the church was finished, with Dr. Lewis superintendent.  With the exception of about two months suspension in the first year, this has been a living school.  For many years Dr. Lewis was its superintendent.  He died in 1874.  The school at present is in successful operation.  It is doing a good work for the church.  Upon the whole, the church at Fairland is alive and earnest, seeking by all means to glorify its God.  Its present pastor, Rev. J. W. Dashiel, A.M.  is an earnest worker, and is leading on the hosts of God to a certain Victory.

ROBERTS’ CHAPEL

In the Flatrock Circuit, about three miles below Flatrock Station and twenty feet from the line between Shelby and Bartholomew Counties, is a church representing the second oldest Methodist society in this county.  It is now known as Roberts’ Chapel.  The society was formed as early as 1822.  In 1824, Alfred Phelps  came to Shelby Co. and settled in that neighborhood.  He immediately united with the church.  At this time the members consisted of  Henry Buel  and family,  Alfred Phelps  and wife,  Geo. Holmes  and wife,  John Ensley and wife,  Mrs. Sallie Chambers,  Mrs. Knowlton  and  Wm. Collet and family.  At a later day  Dr. Sanders  and family became connected with the church.  Alfred Phelps  was afterwards made a local preacher, and has continued in that office until the present.  The preaching was at private houses until 1846.  Ten years of the time it was at Phelp’s house.  A great camp-meeting was held in the vicinity in 1845, which resulted in the conversion of many souls, and the building of a frame church in 1845.  It was erected about a fourth of a mile from the county line.  This church was superseded by the present handsome brick building situated twenty feet from the county line, built and dedicated in 1870.  This has been a continuous Methodist social for the past fifty-six years.

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NORRISTOWN

          This is among the youngest of the Methodist societies formed in Shelby Co. and is at the south side of the county.  There had been occasional preaching there by Methodist preachers for several years, but the way did not seem to open for the organization of a society.  When  Rev. Wm. Maupin  was pastor of Hope Circuit in 1836, he preached frequently at Norristown, and finally formed a class, and made it a regular appointment in his circuit.  The first class leader was  James Ernch,  since deceased, and  S. D. Spellman  was the first steward.  The class consisted of twelve members.  It has been a growing church, losing many by death and removals, but at present has a membership of forty-four persons, and maintains a good Sunday School.  The society has not built a church.  Many years ago a Union church was built at Norristown, which the Methodists claim a right to occupy in common with others.  There were occasional troubles, such as almost always grow out of Union Church buildings, but for many years no other congregation has appeared to occupy the house.  It is to be hoped the Methodists will build a house of their own, then no question can arise as to rights.  Long may the Norristown church live to do good.

FOUNTAINTOWN

          A Methodist class was formed at Fountaintown in 1857, by Revs. P. I. Rosecrans  and  Thos. Ray, and attached to the Palestine circuit of which  Rev. William G. Ransdall  was preacher in charge.  The church had for its first class leader, Isaac Robertson, and for steward  Ezra Fountain.  A house of worship was commenced in 1874, and finished in 1876;  Rev. W. B. Nichols, pastor.  The church was dedicated free from debt, and remains so at present.  May it never be in debt, but pay as it goes.  Its present membership is about forty.

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THE  CHURCH  TRIUMPHANT

          In the course of half a century there has gathered from the Methodist church in Shelbyville, a large company of happy glorified souls on the other shore of the River of Death.  A company there is now larger than the company remaining on earth.  While the “Church Militant” has been laboring to build up Zion, and fighting the battles of the Lord on earth, she has furnished many from her ranks of active men and women to fill up the ranks of the “Church Triumphant” in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Some have died when young, with all the fairest prospects of a useful life before them.  Some have been cut down in middle life, when the cares and burdens of the day were upon them.  Others have lived to old age, and then in the ripeness of a long experience have welcomed death as “the end of fears”, and entered into the skies.  This company of redeemed ones has been increased by many little children who have deceased in the families of God’s people and have been welcomed by the Savior to a place above.  The church on earth today sing:  “Come let up join our friends above,  That have obtained the prize And on the eagle wings of love,  To joys celestial rise.”  The church of earth and heaven unite to sing:  “Let all the saints terrestrial sing,  With those to glory gone For all the servants of our King,  In Heaven and Earth are one.  One family we dwell in Him;  One church above, beneath -- Though now divided by the stream,  The narrow stream of death.  One army of the living God,  To his command we bow;  Part of the host has crossed the flood,  And part are crossing now.”

Page 76

ADDEND

Since writing the above it is found that a few errors have crept into the account, which cannot be corrected in the body of the work, and hence appear here.  According to the remembrance of  Mrs. Mariah Wray, who was one of the actors, there were five names more that ought to appear as forming the first Methodist Church in Shelbyville, -- Garrett G. Harsin  and  Elizabeth his wife,  Mrs. Elizabeth D. Daily, a widow, daughter of  Harsin,  John D. Harsin  and  Mariah H. Harsin.  She also thinks that  J. C. Sleeth put his letter into the church at the first meeting.  Sleeth and Harsin went to the preaching place at the house of widow Sleeth’s above Marion and met with  Rev. Stephen R. Beggs, and secured a promise that he would visit Shelbyville and preach and form a society.  Harsin came from Kentucky, nearly opposite Madison, Ind.  Mariah Harsin married  Rev. James Wray, and is still living at Fairland.  Where it read a man -- John Grisham -- was killed at the raising of Harsin’s house, it should read  Dr. Archibald Smith’s in the rear of the house now owned and occupied by  Dr. Perry, on Franklin Street.  Where it reads, “Wm. Brown moved to Iowa.”  read Illinois.  Where it reads, “James Templeton” at Wray’s church, read “Isaac”.

[Our thanks to Kathy Ridlen for typing pages 56-76.]

Index  to  online  Curtiss document,  pages  1-76
To return to Rev. Curtiss' book for specific references:
pages 1-20
pages 20-40
pages 40-56
pages 56-76 are published above

Adkinson L. G. 40
Ames E. R. 21, 22, 49, 71
Andes' ... 13
Applegate ... 13, 14
Ayers G. W. 28
Baker Osman C. 24
Ballard ... 13, 14
Barnes R. S. 72
Barrett Elijah 16, 19
Barth J. H. 31
Barwick J. M. 22, 24, 68
Barwick J. S. 17, 49
Bascom Dr. 36
Bass Benjamin 65
Bass Susanah 64
Beall E. J. 9
Bechamp William 62
Becker F., Rev. 33
Beggs Stephen R. 5, 6, 7, 49, 76
Beharrell T. G. 29, 38, 39
Beharrell Thomas G. 50
Benefield Harriet 62
Benefield Robert 62, 63
Bennett ... 19
Bennett James C. 36, 61
Bennett Jeremiah 19, 24, 30
Berry L. W. 49
Berry Lucien 20, 21
Bird Elisha 72
Birt ... 68
Birt J. B. 49
Birt John B. 12, 14, 15, 62
Bless Mary 68
Bless Washington 68
Bonner Charles 9, 49
Bowman A. 60
Bowman Alfred 30
Bridenstine Mrs. 28
Brouse John A. 30, 50
Brown ... 19
Brown Mrs. E. 58
Brown William 25, 29, 34, 76
Bryan Chancellor K. 61
Buel Henry 73
Bussell E. T. Russell? 25
Byerly Guilia 64
Campbell ... 19
Campbell Hugh 72
Campbell J. S. 24, 29, 58
Carter J. W. 71
Carter Joseph 12, 13, 49
Chafee John G. 30, 50
Chambers Sallie 73
Chaplett Reitter 68
Chapman Mr. 63
Clark ... 13
Clark Archibald 14
Clarkson H. 29
Colescott Ralph 45
Collet William 73
Collins Hiram B., Rev. 33
Conover ... 58
Conover Martha 17, 45
Conover Vorhis/Voorhis 16, 17, 19, 56
Conrey D. L. 30, 39
Cooper B. B. 37
Corwin James 63
Corwine James 21, 49
Cosler Abraham 72
Cotton Joseph 25
Cowger Dr. H. 24
Crawford James 22, 49
Crawford S. P. 20, 49
Crum Rufus 72
Curtiss George L. 40, 44, 45, 50, 61
Dailey Elizabeth D., Mrs. 76
Dailey William M. 24
Dane H. S. 18, 19, 49
Dashiel J. W. 73
Davidson C. B. 20, 49, 58
Davidson James 70
Davis Artemus 29, 30, 31
Dement ... 71
Demint ... 13
Devoll Thomas 29, 30
Dirrickson Andrew 10 [I believe this s/b Derrickson]
Dixon Fannie 61
Dolph E. L. 39, 41, 60
Dolph Elihu L. 50
Donnelly James 70
Dorsey James 25
Drake Richard 66
Eddy Augustus 15, 16, 17, 49
Eddy Thomas 27, 28
Edwards Sophia 70
Edwards William 45, 70
Elliott J. M. 34, 61
Elsberry I. N. 12, 49
Emsley John 73
Emsley Mrs. John 73
Enos J. H. 39
Ernch James 74
Evans William 49
Farrow William 14
Fessler J. K. 61
Fountain Ezra 74
Freeman Thomas 72
Giel Nancy 62
Giel Stephen 62
Glenn ... 13, 70
Glenn Elizabeth C. 25
Glenn John 70
Goddard ... 13, 14
Goodrich Catharine 3
Goodrich M. H. 44
Goodrich Nathan 27
Gordon Leonidas 72
Gore John A. 69
Green ... 68
Green J. C. 29, 30, 36, 59
Green Kitura 69
Green Perry H. 34
Green Perry M. 36
Green W. F. 44
Green William F. 36, 40, 60, 61
Gregory ... 65
Griffith ... 4
Griffith N. B. 7, 49
Gunn Thomas 13, 49
Gwyn Margaret, Mrs. 56
Hacker David 14
Hacker Sarah 62
Hacker Thomas 62, 72
Hacker William 17, 22, 24, 26, 29, 44, 56, 58, 59
Hale Jesse 2, 4, 64
Hargrave Richard 17, 49
Harrison Thomas, Rev. 43
Harsin ... 5
Harsin Elizabeth 76
Harsin Garrett G. 76
Harsin George 9, 10, 12, 71
Harsin John D. 76
Harsin Mariah H. 76
Hatch ... 26
Hatch William 59
Havens ... 14
Havens George 16, 49
Havens James 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 23, 49, 62
Havens Joel 64
Heiss Isaac 28
Heiss Jane 45
Heiss Levi 28
Hester J. M. 39
Hill ... 68
Holliday F. C. 29, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 50
Holmes George 73
Holmes Mrs. George 73
Hood Julius G. 66, 67
Hopkins G. G. 28
Horn George 64
Horn James 2, 62
Hoskins Mrs. 72
Hough Mr. 69
Howard Mrs. 61
Hunter Spencer W. 9, 49
Jamison J. K. 36, 37
Jenkins G. P. 40
Jenkins George P. 41, 42, 43, 50
Jennings Royal 38, 39, 60, 61
Jones C. B. 10, 12, 49
Jones J. M. 24
Kelly O. 72
Kennedy George W. 39
Kennerly Jacob 18, 19
Kerns John 8, 49
Kimball Isaac 9, 49
Knight Elizabeth 68
Knight Levi 68
Knight William 68
Knowlton Mrs. 73
Kuster Cynthia 62
Lacy Eva 61
Lacy William 39
Lathrop J. B. 36
Lathrop J. G. 50
Lathrop James B. 37
Lathrop Tincher 67
Lewis Dr. 72, 73
Lewis Mrs. Dr. 72
Liggett ... 13
Lockwood Samuel H., Rev. 33
Long Elijah D. 33
Loucks Christopher 37
Ludlow Mr. 63
Lynch A. D. 36, 60
Lynch R. H. 31
Lynch T. H. 31, 34, 35, 36
Lynch Thomas H. 29, 30, 50
Lytle James 45
Machener Louis T. 61
Machlin John 70
Maddy Thomas 69
Mahan W. S. 29
Maple Andrew 69
Marsh William S. 29
Marshall Joseph 72
Martin J. H. 42
Mason Samuel 36, 37
Mason W. F., Rev. 31
Maupin William 74
Mayhew ... 3
Mayhew Abigal 3
Mayhew Elisha 3, 9, 16, 19
Mayhew Ella 61
Mayhew Sarah 3
McDaniel D. W. 61
McFadden ... 13
McFadden Adam 69, 70
McFadden Jane 70
McFadden Mary (jr) 70
McFadden Mary (sr) 70
McFadden Sarah 70
McFall ... 68
McLain J. F. 27, 28
McLaughlin G. H. 20, 49
Mendenhall Thomas G. 14, 68
Messick Peter 66
Michael J. 14
Miller J. V. R. 18, 49
Miller John 64
Mitchell Matthew 72
Moffit Sarah A. 62
Monroe Mrs. John 69
Montgomery William 29, 30, 50
Moore William 26
Morrison Samuel 9
Mullen John 10
Myers Jacob 19, 49, 57
Nail John 14, 72
Nichols J. 25
Nichols W. B. 74
Olsers Mr. 70
Paris Absalom 14
Parish William 25
Parrish Mary 34
Parrish Rev. 34
Parrish William M. 37
Perry ... 13, 14, 76
Pettit ... 4
Pettit B. 26
Phelps Alfred 73
Phelps Mrs. Alfred 73
Philips Mrs. 61
Pierce John D. 38
Porter A. O. 30
Powell Benjamin 28
Powell Carrie 61
Powell Elijah 29
Powell Martha 45
Powell William A. 61
Prime Nathan 10
Pugh J. B. 39
Quinn ... 13, 71
Raines John 12
Randall James M. 22, 24
Randall T. G. 22, 24, 58
Randall William 26
Ransdall William G. 74
Ray Barnabas 72
Ray Hutson 64
Ray Margaret 64
Ray Thomas 74
Ripple ... 13, 14, 67, 68
Robbins Hattie 61
Roberts ... 73
Roberts R. 44
Roberts Robert 43, 50
Robertson Cannie 61
Robertson Isaac 74
Robertson Phebe, Miss 61
Robertson Sidney 43
Robins ... 19
Robins M. B. 44, 60, 61
Robins Milton 15, 16, 18, 19, 24, 29, 44
Robins Newton 9
Robins Rezin 72
Robinson Anthony 26, 27, 50
Robinson R. D. 38, 39, 50
Rosecrans P. I. 74
Sale ... 4
Sale John 62
Sanders Dr. 73
Sanders W. T. 40
Scott James 16, 17, 49, 64
Sedgwick Matthew 72
Seena Mrs. 71
Senour Mrs. 61
Shadley ... 69
Shafer A. H. 71
Shaffer A. H. 21, 49
Shank Jacob 3
Shaw D. J. 37, 61
Shaw Mrs. D. J. 60, 61
Simpson (Bishop) 21, 32
Sleeth Caleb 62
Sleeth Carl 62
Sleeth Evaline 62
Sleeth J. C. 3, 9, 10, 13
Sleeth Jane 62
Sleeth Margaret 62
Sleeth William H. 10, 14, 20, 21, 62
Smith Archibald M. 10, 11, 76
Smith David 70, 72
Smith Elisha 25
Smith G. C. 31
Smith Giles C./S. 26, 27, 50
Smith J. C. 49
Smith J. J. 72
Smith John C. 8
Smith O. H. 8
Smith Seth 21, 22, 49, 58
Smithers Joseph 27
Snyder Mrs. Peter 72
Snyder Peter 72
Snyder W. W. 27, 28, 50, 59
Sonnelly James 70
Sorden Isaac 19, 21, 24, 45
Sparks Amos 8, 49
Spellman S. D. 74
Sprague J. H. 27, 29, 44
Stallard James H. 29
Stallard Joseph W. 28
Steinback Peter 14
Stivers David 12, 49
Strange ... 4
Strange John 5, 7, 49
Strickler Caroline 70
Strickler Jackson 70
Strickler Mrs. Reuben 70
Strickler Reuben 70
Stubbs Elias 72
Sullivan J. W., Rev. 56
Sullivan John W. 15, 23, 24, 50, 59
Sullivan K. W. (really JW?) 24
Swank/s C. 9, 49
Swift W. 24
Sykea Ella 61
Tarkington Joseph 8, 24, 25, 49, 50
Telton Robert 9
Templeton Isaac 76
Templeton James 65, 76
Templeton Rhoda 64
Templin J. D. 18, 49
Terrell W. 31, 50
Terrell Williamson 42, 51
Tevis Daniel, Rev. 38
Tevis John S. 36, 37, 38, 50
Thacher Amelia A. 14, 45, 58
Thacher David 9, 10, 14, 16, 19, 56
Thompson ... 68
Thompson Charles 39, 69
Thompson Elias 2, 37, 38
Thompson Joseph W. 61
Thompson Mrs. Nathaniel 45
Thompson Nathaniel 25, 26
Thompson Sim. J. 39, 61
Thompson Thomas 69
Thornton A. M. 66
Tincher Sampson 69
Tindall Job D. 69
Toler Frank 68
Toner ... 13, 66, 68
Toner Edward 14, 17, 19, 24, 37, 38, 68
Toner George W. 29
Toner Martin 68
Toner Susan 36
VanGelder David 10
VanPelt Margaret 68
VanPelt Squire 30
VanScyoc ... 2
VanScyoc James 3
VanScyoc Jerusha 3
VanSyckle Mr. 66
Walker Benjamin 70
Walker Frances 9, 16
Walker John 9, 10, 12, 16, 17
Warner Mr. 66
Webb James 19, 49
West D. S. 58
Wheeler E. W. 26
Wherrett Hannah 69
Wherrett Thomas H. 69
Whitcomb David 27, 44, 70
Whitcomb Harry 44, 60, 61
Whitcomb Magdalena 44
Whitten ... 14, 68
Whitten Elijah 13, 15, 49, 62
Wiley ... 4
Wiley Allen 8, 9,49, 64
Wilkinson ... 37
Wilkinson Asbury 25, 26, 50
Wilkinson W. 28
Wills Willis 22, 37, 69
Wilson Isaac H. 4
Wilson J. W. 69
Wilson John W. 69
Wilson Joshua 10
Winchester George W. 72
Winchester John S. 49
Winton J. 62
Winton Jacob 62, 63
Wise John 38
Wood ... 13, 35
Wood Aron 62
Wood E. G. 32, 34, 35, 50, 72
Wooley Thomas 66
Worden Tirza 61
Wray ... 13, 65, 72
Wray Barnabas 14
Wray Elizabeth 64
Wray Isom 61
Wray James 14, 64, 72, 76
Wray Mariah 76
Wray Tabitha 64
Wray Thomas 64
Wright Cyrus 22, 25, 27, 44
Wright George 60
Wright J. F. 44
Wright Mat. 63
Young Eddie 61
Young J. A. 38
Young Nance 45
Young Nathan 10

Index compiled by Phyllis Miller Fleming
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