Matthew Henderson Sr. (1735 - 1795)

Born 25 Apr 1735 in Fifeshire, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Ferris) Henderson — married 1758 in Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 2 Oct 1795 at age 60 in Chartiers Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: David Kenagy [send private message]

Biography

Reverend Matthew Henderson was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, 1735; was graduated in Glasgow; studied theology under Reverend Alexander Moncriff; was licensed to preach in 1756, and ordained in 1758 by the Presbytery of Perth and Dumformline; and at once sent out as a missionary to the Colonies. He took the Oath of Allegiance 26 Mar 1778^[1][2]

Soon after his arrival in America, he settled in Oxford Township, Chester County, where he remained until 1782. He visited the western part of Pennsylvania as early as 1779, preaching at Chartiers and Buffalo. In 1782, he received a call from these congregations to become their pastor and a tract of land was purchased from John Struthers, Jr., the deed for which was dated Jan. 13, 1789.

It contained one hundred and fifty-three acres, and was situated on the north fork of Chartiers Creek, adjoining the properties of John Hays, John Struthers, Jr., and Thomas White. It was part of a tract of land called "South Hill," which was patented Nov.13, 1786. This land had evidently been purchased several years before, as an article of agreement is said to be in existence for a tract of land conveyed to Matthew Henderson by John Struthers, Jr., dated May, 1781. There is also on record a bill of sale dated Dec. 9, 1782 from Alexander Henderson to the Rev. Matthew Henderson, by which was conveyed "One Roan-colored Horse, One Bay Horse, One Red and one Brindle Cow, Six Sheep, furniture of the house, including dresser furniture, Beds and Bed-cloaths, my farming implements, two sows and pigs, my part of grain in the ground. The consideration paid was one hundred and seventy pounds.

Matthew Henderson settled on this land with his wife and children, and lived there until his death in 1795. He had charge not only of the Chartiers and North Buffalo Churches, but also of the congregations of Mingo Creek (now the United Presbyterian Church in Peters township) and of Mill Creek. According to Crumrine, “He was among the most zealous in the organization of the academy in Canonsburg in July, 1791, and remained a stanch and firm friend and supporter of that institution as long as he lived.” ^[3]

"On the evening of October 1st , 1795 he had expressed to his children a wish that they would fell a bee-tree which had been discovered on his farm, and preparations. were accordingly made to proceed to it early in the morning. He had acquainted his daughter Elizabeth, then a child of ten years of age, with their purpose. and told her that if she could get up in the morning without awakening her younger sister, Jane, the might go with him. Accordingly, the next morning he went quietly to her bed and touched her gently to awake her without disturbing her sister. She was soon up and having dressed her self for the expedition, hurried Into her father's room, supposing him also to be ready. She found him on his knees engaged in secret prayer, and immediately withdrew. Soon after this she observed him going down to the spring with a basin and towel to wash himself, as was his custom in the morning. Some time after his returned she again ventured into his room, and an found him engaged in prayer. Soon afterward. he came out, and taking her by the hand he led her to the place where his sons, Ebenezer and Robert, had been for some time engaged in felling the tree. The tree stood upon a bank, and it was supposed would fall down the side of it. Mr. Henderson and his daughter approached towards it on the higher ground, where it was thought was no danger. Here they stood for a little time, at some distance from the tree, awaiting its fall. It proved to be decayed in the centre, and fell much sooner than had been anticipated, and also in a direction opposite to that In which he supposed it to be falling. On this occasion, as usual, he ran, but in the same direction with the falling of the tree. His daughter followed his example, but varied somewhat in her course and escaped any injury. Her father had run to such a distance that it was only the, branches which reached him, and his body was but slightly mutilated. Only a slight flesh wound was discovered on his head, yet he appeared to have died instantly, not having been observed to move or breathe by his sons, who were immediately beside him." ^[4]

Birth

25 Apr 1735

Orwell Parish, Kinross-shire, Scotland

Fifeshire, Scotland

Occupation

Clergyman

Died

2 Oct 1795.

Chartiers Twp., Washington Co., Pennsylvania, USA.

Age: 60.

Burial

Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg, Washington County, Pennsylvania

Notes

Swarthy complexion, an erect & majestic figure and possessed an uncommon force. His voice was remarkable for distinctness and power. He was famous as an outdoor preacher.^[5]

Note: Published sources usually say Fifeshire. This citation from Gentleman's Magazine, obit., He was a native of Kinrossshire.

Ursula Stewart wrote that Matthew Henderson II didn't come over from Scotland but this document says he and his wife Mary Ferris did. He is credited for having helped form Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pa. He is buried in a cemetery on the top of a hill overlooking Cannonsburg. We were there once and I copied the epitaph on his stone.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ D.A.R credentials of Miss Mary Henderson (December) National #290331
2. ↑ Pennsylvania Archives, Series II, Vol. XIV, d. 480
3. ↑ "Reference needed"
4. ↑ Attributed to Elizabeth (Henderson) Murdoch, in "History of Washington County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men"; Crumrine; Pittsburgh; Vols I & II. P. 616, 708, 851
5. ↑ Don French
6. ↑ Esther (Brotzman) Kenagy

• Find-a-grave #20277089

Acknowledgments

• WikiTree profile Henderson-3547 created through the import of Kenagy_2012-10-28.ged on Oct 28, 2012 by David Kenagy. See Changes page for the details of edits.
• WikiTree profile Henderson-3550 created through the import of Kenagy_2012-10-28.ged on Oct 28, 2012 by David Kenagy. See Changes page for the details of edits.
• WikiTree profile Henderson-4136 created through the import of Smith Family Tree-2LAW_2013-04-28_01.ged on Apr 28, 2013. See Changes page for the details of edits.