Fayette County Genealogy Project

Western Christian Advocate Death Notices 1836-1843

HENTHORN

Died, in great peace, at his residence, near Columbia, Putnam county, Ill., on the 19th of August, 1836, James HENTHORN, in the 66th year of his age. this excellent man was a native of Fayette county, Pa., which in the days of his boyhood was a frontier country. Hence he had not the facilities enjoyed by the youth of the present day. Yet, being taught by the Word and Spirit of God, he early turned his feet to the testimonies of the Lord, which make wise the simple. He sought and found the experimental knowledge of salvation about the same time that the late Rev. Samuel PARKER and James QUINN became the subjects of renewing grace, say 1792. These three pious youths being companions in boyhood, were united as "a band of love, a threefold cord;" and it was thought by many that they all were destined to stand on Zion's walls, as heralds of the gospel of peace. Yet our beloved HENTHORN, although possessed of the spirit of seventy-six, having "pledged life, property, and sacred honor," to be true to the interests of Christ's kingdom, came to the settled conclusion that he had not talents for, or a call to the ministry, but that he might be useful in the church as an exhorter and a leader of people. In this work he engaged with all his heart; and his success and usefulness; proved that he was not mistaken in the will of God concerning him. He held the office of leader and circuit steward for about forty years; first in Old Redstone circuit--then in Perry county, Ohio--and last of all, in Illinois. The writer of these lines has often sat in class where he led, and deliberately thinks, that as a leader, he had few, if any superiors. His questions so affectionate and unaffected, his admonitions so appropriate, his exhortations so fervent, his verses so well chosen, and sung in such melting strains of musical melody and sweetness, that cold and hard indeed must have been the heart that was not moved, melted, yea, fired into devotional fervor in his meetings. In the society of God's people, he was always at home. He loved them, and they loved him. He was a favorite of Bishop ASBURY, who delighted to have him in his company, to hear him sing, converse, and pray, and write for him (for he wrote a beautiful, almost copper-plate hand). but he is gone to his rest and reward. To him, death was not the "king of terrors," nor a "leap into the dark;" but a gentle departure, to "be with Christ, which is far better.:
Highland co., O., Jan 10, 1837.
February 10, 1837, pg 168

WOODERSON

Died, December 22d, 1837, Mrs. Rebecca WOODERSON, aged 55 years. Sister WOODERSON embraced religion in the fifteenth year of her age, and first joined the Methodist Episcopal church, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Twenty-three years since, she removed with her husband to Holmes county, state of Ohio, where she closed her pilgrimage. This country was then a wilderness, where she and a few others formed one of the first Methodist societies in this region. Twelve of the last years of her pilgrimage were attended with constant bodily affliction, which she bore with great christian fortitude. The Bible was her companion, its promises her support to the last.       Geo. Smith.
Wooster, Feb. 1, 1838.
February 16, 1838, pg 172

CHALFONT

Mrs. Margaret CHALFANT, relict of the Rev. Chadds CHALFANT, died near Brownsville, Pennsylvania, on the 19th Dec. last, in the 82d year of her age. We extract the following account of this mother in Israel from a more full account by brother Boyd of the Pittsburgh conference. The deceased was born in Loudon county, Virginia, December the 31st, 1755. Her maiden name was M'MANIMAN. In her 21st years, she was united in marriage with Mr. Chadds CHALFANT. They were permitted to enjoy this happy union about fifty-four years; and were blessed with twelve children, seven of whom are still living, while five are gone to rest: three were called away in the days of infancy, and two in riper years. -- Mother Chalfont's death was preceded by that of her husband about seven years and six months. They were among the early settlers in the neighborhood of Brownsville; and the first fruits of Methodism in that place. It seems that the Rev. Daniel HITT, of precious memory, was the first Methodist preacher that found his way to the habitation of father and mother Chalfant; and delivered the first Methodist sermon for that neighborhood, in their house, on the 3d of May, 1794: and on the 14th of July following, he embraced their house as a regular preaching place: and four weeks after, on the 12th day of August, a class of four persons was formed, including father and mother CHALFANT.

Mother CHALFANT did not enjoy religion at this time, but still held on as an earnest seeker, until the last of December following, when it pleased the Lord to give her the knowledge of salvation, by the remission of her sins, in a class meeting. This was about the thirty-ninth year of her age. From this time she still held on her way, adorning her profession by an upright life, until the thirteenth year of her christian pilgrimage, when on the 3d of May, 1807, while in a class meeting, wrestling earnestly for "a clean heart," the Lord was pleased to give her a clear evidence of entire sanctification, which great blessing she retained in all its power and glory to the end of life; including a period a little over thirty years.

We have seen, from the outline just drawn, that mother CHALFANT professed to be sanctified wholly, as well as to be justified freely, and that these were distinct blessings. some twelve or thirteen years intervening between; that she fixed definite time and place to each. Hence, as she professed to enjoy justification and sanctification, as blessings revealed to the heart by the direct testimony of the Holy Ghost. For a considerable time previous to her death, she was gradually sinking under the weight of her years. And, besides this general infirmity, she was, several times during the last two or three years of her life, greatly prostrated by the hand of affliction. In this way, she was made unusually familiar with "the valley of the shadow of death," ere she was called to enter it. She was almost entirely confined to her bed during the last four months of her life. Her sufferings, which were great, during her last confinement, she bore with that meekness and patience that became the perfect christian. She had lingered so long, with but little more than a vital spark, that her friends could not discover any change for several days previous to her death. Her mental powers did not forsake her to the last: and though she had previously suffered much, she expired at last without a struggle or a groan: and thus sweetly fell asleep in the arms of Jesus, about 8 o'clock, on Tuesday evening, the 19th of December, 1837. Her last testimony was that her work was done, and that she was ready to go.
January 26, 1838, pg 160

HIBBEN

Died, in Hillsboro', Ohio, April 5, 1841, Mrs. Phebe HIBBEN, consort of John HIBBEN, in the 54th year of her age. Sister HIBBEN, was born in Uniontown, Pa., July 30, 1787—embraced religion and joined the Methodist E. Church in her 17th year. She was blessed with a large family of interesting children, most of whom are in the Church. The neediest son (William) is a member of the Indiana conference. He only arrived in time to see his mother die and receive her parting blessing. Sister H. was long a subject of much bodily affliction, but bore it with a marked patience until her final release was signed by the great Head of the Church. I frequently visited her during her last illness, and always found her confiding in her Savior, and bearing her sufferings without a murmur or complaint. Towards the close of her afflictions she sometimes expressed fears that she was not sufficiently resigned to the will of the Lord, being too anxious to leave a world of suffering and go to a world of rest.

A short time before her before her decease she called all the junior members of her family to her bedside and gave them a mother's last advice and blessing, then charged them to meet her in heaven. Her last words to her son William were, "I want to leave this vale of suffering and go home to heaven." O! that the children may remember the mother's dying charge to meet her in heaven.
Wm. I. ELLSWORTH.
Hillsboro', April 15, 1841.
May 7, 1841. pg 12

COOPER

In twenty-six hours after the death of Elizabeth COOPER, Sarah COOPER, wife of Joseph COOPER, followed her in great peace. she was born October 19, 1765 in Fayette county, Pa., and experienced religion in the 24th year of her age. She was united in marriage, August 10, 1793, and subsequently with her husband moved to Ohio in the year 1800. For many years her house was a home for the ministers of the Gospel of Christ, and a place for public preaching and worship of Almighty God. In the year 1836, she removed with her eldest son to this country, where she spent the remainder of her days. The Bible was her chief study, and her constant companion. She spent fifty-two years of her life in the service of her God, giving strong evidence to all around of the truth and excellency of that religion which she professed. After about twelve days sickness, she calmly fell asleep in Jesus. Yes: she now "rests from her labors, and her works do follow her." She and sister Elizabeth were carried together to the house appointed for all living, and were laid in the same grave, there to rest until the resurrection morning. Jas. F. DAVIDSON.
Kalamazoo, Mich., March 8, 1842

YOUNG

Isaac YOUNG died at the residence of his son, H. H. Young, near Mt. Vernon, Knox county, O., on Wednesday, October 19, 1842, aged 82 years and 26 days. He was born in Fairfield county, Conn., Sept. 23, 1760, and was married to Charity Hubbell, of the same county, on the 31st of July, 1785. Thence they removed to Uniontown, Fayette county, Pa. In the year 1788, while attending a Methodist prayer meeting, they were deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaned for redemption. As laboring, heavy-ladened sinners they came to Christ. He gave them rest. They joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, which at that time (according to a note in father Young's journal) numbered but 35,019 members in America, and Bishop Asbury was the only general superintendent. On the morning of the 24th of February, 1814, Charity Young died triumphantly, and doubtless rests in heaven. Father Young, after the death of his wife, moved to the state of Ohio, where he ended his days. During the last few years of his pilgrimage he was much afflicted in body, yet he was "joyful through hope."

(remaining portion containing writings of Isaac Young are omitted)

January 6 1843, pg 152

JENNINGS

My esteemed and venerable kinsman, Benjamin JENNINGS, closed life's journey, in great peace, near Wilmington, Clinton county, Ohio, on the 1st inst. He was born in Fayette county, Pa., more than seventy years ago. His father, David JENNINGS, was one of the first settlers in the Redstone region, and one of the first fruits of Methodism in that country, under the ministry of BREEZE and COOPER. Benjamin was brought to the knowledge of salvation when quite young, and his course from your tho old age was such as becometh the Gospel. I have been acquainted with him as a member of the Church for more than half a century, and in all that length of time, I have known but few, very few persons, of whom I could more cheerfully and confidently say, "He was blameless and harmless—a child of God without rebuke." During his illness he was patient, tranquil, and resigned. The Clinton Republican, in noticing his death, says, that being asked what his prospects were in the world to come, his reply was, "God is love! The faith once delivered to the saints is sufficient, and enables me to rejoice in hope of meeting, in great mercy, my heavenly Father near his glorious throne."
James QUINN
March 9, 1843.
P.S. will the Pittsburg "Advocate" have the kindness to copy the above?
March 24, 1843, pg 196

 

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