their government, and invited the Upper St. Mark's Church to unite with them in settling a Minister between them. On the 12th of March following, the Lay-reading commenced. This ardent, but pleasing duty devolved on me. Most of the elder part of the congregation had forgot the form of worship; the younger part had never seen it. They procured Prayer Books, and discovered great willingness to be made acquainted with them. A people willing to learn, are easily taught. In a few Sundays, they became proficient; and nothing could exceed the zeal manifested by all, in becoming firm supporters of our Church. The Lay-reading continued two years and a half, during which time I may say, the greatest part of my time was devoted to the Church and people, and before I declined it, there were twenty-one communicants, out of fifty persons who composed the congregation; most of whom were confirmed by Bishop Dehon. The obligations our Church is under to the different Episcopal Clergymen who visited it, during its infant state particularly, can never be forgot. Their exertions co-operating with ours, have been crowned with a blessing; the worship of our fathers is happily restored."

The Rev. John White Chanler, having been sent by the Bishop, in 1819, as a Missionary to these Churches, from the Protestant Episcopal Society for the Advancement of Christianity in South-Carolina, the opportunity of attending the regular ministrations of a Clergyman, was gladly embraced. They united in the election of Mr. Chanler, and he now officiates alternately in each. The Society generously granted to these Churches, $500 per ann. for three years, in aid of their funds for the support of a Minister. Mr. Chanler was Ordained Deacon, Feb. 16, 1819, by Bishop Bowen, of this Diocess.

A Silver Christening Basin, and a Damask Cloth for the Altar, were lately presented to the lower Church, by Mrs. Mary Grimké Ward, of Charleston.

CHAPTER XIV.

St. David's Parish.

THE Inhabitants residing on Peedee River, in the Parishes of St. Marks, Prince Frederick and Prince George, in Craven County, made application to the Assembly to be erected into a distinct Parish. An Act was accordingly passed, April 12, 1768, establishing the Parish of St. David, to be "bounded by a N. W. line to be run from the northwardmost corner of Williamsburg Township, to Lynche's Creek, and from thence by that Creek to the Provincial line, and that the line, dividing St. Mark's from Prince Frederick's Parish, be carried on in the same course from Great Peedee where it now ends to the Provincial line aforesaid, by which, together with the lines aforesaid, and Lynche's Creek, the new Parish shall be bounded." A Church, Chapel and Parsonage-House were directed to be built; and Claudius Plegues, Philip Pedger, Alexander M'Intosh, George Hicks, Thomas Ellerbee, Robert Allison, Thomas Lide, Charles Bedingfield, James James, Robert Weaver, Thomas Crawford, James Thompson, Thomas Port, and Benjamin Rogers were appointed Commissioners to build the same, to receive subscriptions and to purchase a Glebe. The Inhabitants were to meet and choose Parish Officers, and determine on the most eligible situations for the Church and Chapel. The Rector or Minister

to be elected, receive the same salary, and be subject to the same rules, as Ministers of other Country Parishes.

The first election of Parochial Officers was held Aug. 1, 1768, when the following persons were chosen Claudius Pegues, Philip Pledger, William Godfrey, Charles Bedingfield, Thomas Lide, Thomas Ellerbee, and Thomas Bingham, Vestrymen: Alexander Gordon and Benjamin Rogers, Churchwardens.

A neat Church was built at Cheraw Hill, now called Chatham, on the S. W. side of Peedee river, upon land, given for the purpose, by Ely Kershaw. It is a frame building, on a brick foundation, 53 feet long, 30 wide, and 16 high in the clear, with a cove ceiling, and arched windows. The Chancel is 10 feet by 6. The contract with the builder stated that, it was to be neatly finished and painted for £2600 Cur. It was not finished until 1773. The Rev. James Foulis, officiated for some time in this Parish, in 1770. The Vestry were anxious for a settled Clergyman, but none could be obtained. The Rev. Mr. Hogart, of Eng. was invited to this Cure, but not accepting it, application was made in 1772, to the Rev. Mr. Robinson, to officiate, and if approved of, the Vestry would recommend him for Holy Orders. It is probable that, this gentleman was a Minister of some other communion. The Journals are silent as to the result. They continue down to 1785.

The Rev. Mr. Fowler went to Chatham for a few weeks, by appointment of the Bishop, Dec. 1819, as a Missionary from the Society of "Young Men and others," and was kindly received by the inhabitants. He has since been appointed for a longer period, through the liberal patronage of the Protestant Episcopal Society.

CHAPTER XV.

St. Stephen's Parish.

THIS Parish was taken from St. James', Santee, and was usually called English Santee. It was estab lished by Act of Assembly, May 11, 1754. The boundaries were "the broad road leading from Strawberry to the ferry, commonly known by the name of Skrine's ferry, where the parish line crosses the said road, and from thence along the present broad road leading to the said ferry, till the said road reaches a post with three notches on it, being the mark of a boundary between the plantation of John Gendron, Esq. and the plantation where the said Skrine's ferry was kept as aforesaid, and from thence to continue the same course in a direct line to Santee river, and all the lands which are situate on the west side of the line hereby directed to be made, shall be a distinct Parish." The Chapel of Ease to St. James' Church, fell within the limits of the new Parish, and was declared to be the Parish Church of St. Stephen's. The Rector, or Minister was to be chosen as in other Parishes, and allowed a Salary of £100, Proclamation Money. He was to enjoy all the Privileges of other Parish Ministers, and be subject to the same Rules.

The Rev. Alexander Keith, A. M. who had been Assistant Minister at St. Philip's Church, CharlesTown, was the first Rector of this Parish. The

Church in which he officiated, had formerly been a Chapel of Ease to St. James'. It was built of wood, but was old, and unfit for use, as well from its ruinous condition, as from its insufficiency for the number of worshippers. The inhabitants, therefore, petitioned for a new Parish Church; and an Act was accordingly passed May 19, 1762, appointing John Pamor, Charles Cantey, Philip Porcher, Joseph Pamor, Peter Sinkler, Peter Porcher, Thomas Cooper, Rene Peyre and Samuel Cordes, Commissioners to receive Subscriptions; to build the Church on any part of the Land in St. Stephen, then used for a Churchyard, and to dispose of the Pews.

Upon a brick

The Church is one of the handsomest Country Churches in So. Ca. and would be no mean ornament to Charleston. It is built of brick, and neatly finished. It stands on the main River road, about twelve and a half miles from the Santee Canal. The N. and S. sides are ornamented with six Doric Pilasters, and each end with four of the same Order. at the South side is inscribed A. Howard, Ser. 1767; and on another, F. Villepontoux, Ser, 7, 1767; the names of the Architects. At the East end is a large sashed Window, and the usual Tables of the Commandments, &c. At the West end is a large Gallery, pewed. There are 45 Pews on the ground floor, which is tiled. It has a handsome mahogany Pulpit; on the front pannel, are the Initials I. H. S. The ceiling is finished in the same style as that of St, Michael's, in Charleston.

Mr. Keith left the Province in 1773, and was succeeded by the Rev. Alexander Finlay, who continued here until his death in 1783. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Hurt, who remained in this cure until 1786. After his removal, Mr. Joseph S. Thompson, who had been for many years a tutor in the Parish, read the service of the Church for two years. The Rev. James O'Farrel removed into this Parish from St.