Memories of Three Score Years and Ten

Library of Congress Memories of three score years and ten. Richard McIlwaine, D.D., LL.D. FRONTISPIECE Memories of Three Score Years and Ten BY RICHARD McILWAINE, D.D., LL.D. ILLUSTRATED LC New York and Washington THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1908 08-19140 F231 M15 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Two Copies Receive JUN 20 1903 Jun 20 1908 CLASS A 210075 COPY B. COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY LC DEDICATION These recollections are affectionately dedicated to the descendants of my father and mother and of their brothers and sisters—four generations of whom are now represented in Virginia and as many in the Emerald Isle—with the fervent prayer that they may take their fathers' God to be their God, and walk in the light of His word. PREFACE Memories of three score years and ten. http://www.loc.gov/resource/lhbcb.19140 Library of Congress This volume was begun with special reference to my kinspeople. As it developed it seemed to contain matter of interest to a wider circle; sketches of honored and useful men and women, whose memory ought to be cherished; scenes in bygone days and stirring times, little known to the present generation; suggestions drawn from experience, which may be of value, specially to the young entering on the duties of life. It covers a period of nearly “three-score years and ten,” spent under a variety of conditions, embracing: childhood; school days; college, university and seminary life; a visit in youth to Ireland, the home of my ancestors; travel and study abroad at a later period; pastoral work in Amelia, Farmville and Lynchburg, Virginia; service in the army of the Confederate States as lieutenant and chaplain; the progress and close of the Civil War and of Reconstruction in Virginia; a period of service as Secretary of Missions of the Southern Presbyterian Church (1872–1883), including Reconstruction in South Carolina (1872–5); presidency of Hampden-Sidney College (1883–1904), and membership in the Constitutional Convention of Virginia (1901–2). It includes residences outside of my native State in Edinburgh, Scotland; Columbia, South Carolina; and Baltimore, Maryland. It is written in plain, colloquial style, without reference to rhetorical effect, as my life has been spent in the discharge of plain duty, mostly among plain people, by whom, chiefly, it will be read, when read at all. Some of the recollections are of things told me by friends and relatives, and I have endeavored to state everything with absolute accuracy; others, to a considerable extent, are sustained by written and printed documents in my possession or accessible to me. I trust it may prove useful to some of my fellow-men. If so, it will be the occasion of thanksgiving in my declining years. R. M. Richmond, Va. vii Memories of three score years and ten. http://www.loc.gov/resource/lhbcb.19140 Library of Congress CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I Ancestry and Kinspeople II CHAPTER II Household servants—Aunt Charity—Aunt Hannah and Uncle Peter—Burwell Zilks, etc. 9 CHAPTER III Early school days—Teachers—Miss Phoebe Swart—My first cigar—The social life of Richmond and Petersburg compared—My first fight—Milk-sops vs. bullies 26 CHAPTER IV School days (continued):—The Amelia Springs—The Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs—A movement for temperance in Petersburg—John B. Gough—D'Arcy Paul 31 CHAPTER V School days (continued):—The Petersburg Classical Institute-Rev. E. D. Saunders, principal—Hon. Roger A. Pryor-Burning of old Tabb Street Church and erection of the present edifice—Rev. John Leyburn, Pastor—A present of a Bible from Mr. Saunders 36 CHAPTER VI Student life at Hampden-Sidney, 1850–'53—Mode of travel at that day —State of the college after the death of President Cushing (1836), and the rupture in the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. (1837)—Inauguration of scholarships and its result— Medical College in Richmond—Dr. J. P. Mettauer and his medical school in Prince Edward 41 CHAPTER VII Student life at Hampden-Sidney (continued):—Modes of conveyance—Rev. F. S. Sampson, D. D., and family—Rev. S. L. Graham, D. D.—Trouble in college—Revival —Davy Ross 45 Memories of three score years and ten. http://www.loc.gov/resource/lhbcb.19140 Library of Congress CHAPTER VIII Student life at Hampden-Sidney (continued):—Rev. Dr. L. W. viii Green, president—A social party at Dr. Green's—The oldest student—Farmville socially considered—Professors Martin, Venable, and Wilson—Comparison of classes, 1853–1903 —Some graduates of 1851, '52, and '53 54 CHAPTER IX Student life at Hampden-Sidney (continued):—Beta Theta Pi Fraternity —Meeting of the organization in Washington, D. C.—The 22d of February and Commencement at this time—The literary societies—The trustees—Fishing for a compliment—Graduation and choice of the bar for life-work—Harvard vs. the University of Virginia 64 CHAPTER X Visit to Ireland—Crystal Palace in New York—My grandmother and kinspeople at Gledstown—A temperance speech—A discussion on religion with an Irish farmer—A fine crop of wheat—The city of Coleraine and Giant's Causeway—County and city of Galway—Hon. Mr. O'Flaherty, Member of Parliament from Dublin—My first sleeping-car—Cork, Killarney, Dublin, London, Oxford, Scotland, and return to Ireland— Mary McElroy, a servant in the family for more than sixty years 74 CHAPTER XI The University of Virginia, 1853–'55—Professors—Students—My two best teachers—No entrance examination—English examination—Two incidents—A confession of Christ—Temptations and encouragements—The study of law abandoned— The chaplain—Nightly religious services for six weeks—A pious colporteur—Two incidents 85 CHAPTER XII University of Virginia (continued):—Lieut. M. F. Maury—Rev. Dr. John A. Broadus—Crawford H. Toy—Rev. J. H. Smith—Sunday school in the Ragged Mountains —Autograph book—A student duel—William Wertenbaker, postmaster and librarian 95 Memories of three score years and ten. http://www.loc.gov/resource/lhbcb.19140 Library of Congress CHAPTER XIII Union Theological Seminary, 1855–'57—Its professors—Preaching to the negroes on Sunday afternoon—My first sermon—The word of God is the Sword of the Spirit 102 CHAPTER XIV Union Theological Seminary (continued):—Unwritten sermons required of students—A notable scouring in two cases—The ix experience of Rev. W. S. Plumer at Princeton—Rev. Dr. Archibald Alexander—One of his old students at Hampden-Sidney 109 CHAPTER XV Union Theological Seminary (continued):—Licensure—Death of Rev. Dr. B. H. Rice, Pastor—Rev. Dr. W. S. Plumer—End of my course—Plans for marriage and study in Europe—The Presbytery of East Hanover—Rev. Dr. A. A. Hodge—His removal from Virginia—Rev. Dr. B. Gildersleeve—Rev. Dr. T. V. Moore—Rev. Alexander Martin 116 CHAPTER XVI The Continent, Ireland, and Edinburgh, 1857–'58—Marriage—Sail for Havre—Paris—Switzerland—Germany—Belgium and Holland—Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Fry—Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Alexander—The Prince of Wales—Spurgeon—An experience in Liverpool—At Gledstown with our loved ones—Mr. and Mrs. Hill of Edinburgh—Mr. David Dunlop, Sr., of Petersburg—Rev. Dr. William Cunningham, Principal of the Free-Church College—Its Faculty—Experiences at the hospitable homes of Drs. Cunningham and Smeaton—Address on Slavery 127 CHAPTER XVII Edinburgh (continued):—Dr. Duncan—Snuffing—The doctor in a strait— Established and Free Church Assemblies—Modes of assent and dissent—The McMillan case—Drs. Candlish, Rainey, Guthrie, and Hannah—Hugh Miller—Movement for temperance—Short sessions but good students 136 CHAPTER XVIII On the Atlantic, 1858—Loss of books—Good Mrs. Hill—A Presbyterian preacher from the Northwest—A rebuff by a busy officer—Services on board next day— Mrs. General Meagher—A sick man 146 Memories of three score years and ten. http://www.loc.gov/resource/lhbcb.19140 Library of Congress CHAPTER XIX Namozine—Amelia, 1858–1861—A large field—Change in conditions— First day at Namozine—W. A. Reese—Sixty men hearers and not a woman—Joseph B. Wilson—Osborne Talley and his sister Polly—A Methodist immersionist—A sermon on Baptism—One convert—The number of Job's sheep and Miss Polly—Close communion— Carroll C.-H., Va. 150 CHAPTER XX Namozine, 1858–'59—Col. W. F. C. Gregory and his servants—Rev. Jesse Powers—His characteristics—Some strenuous x work—Presents for preaching funerals— A happy solution—The building of Hebron church 159 CHAPTER XXI Amelia Church, 1858–1861—Arrangement of services—First trial of all-day pastoral visiting—The character and condition of the people—A self-centered Christian— Protracted meeting aided by Rev. Dr. Hoge—Systematic beneficence inaugurated 166 CHAPTER XXII Amelia (continued):—A revival conducted by Rev. Edward Martin—Case of discipline—Colored members—Old Uncle Hampton—Preaching to the colored people— Good Mrs. Jefferson—A sermon at Paineville to six persons and its sequence 174 CHAPTER XXIII Amelia (continued):—Troublous times—The question of slavery— Unionists and Secessionists—Oration at Amelia Springs, July 4, 1859—Day of national fasting, humiliation, and prayer, January 4, 1860—Presbytery of East Hanover in Fredericksburg, April, 1861—Lincoln's proclamation calling for troops from non-seceding States—Virginia secedes—“The Amelia Minute Men” organized—Patriotic beneficence of Dr. Joseph B. Anderson—Resignation of pastorate and joining of the army—The 44th Virginia Regiment, C. S. A.—March to Beverly, Randolph county, and retreat after the defeat of our forces at Laurel Hill and Rich Mountain—Col. Edward Johnson in command 182 CHAPTER XXIV Service in the field, 1861–'62—Spirit of the troops—Few drinking men— Stampede in crossing the Allegheny—Camped at Monterey—Greenbrier River—Top of Memories of three score years and ten.

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