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Archiver > OLD-FREDERICK-CO-VA > 1999-06 > 0930091763


From: <>
Subject: Re: Meeting House
Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 18:49:23 EDT


Hi Everyone,

The following excerpt from a Jefferson County history may help clear up
the question of the Hopewell (Bullskin) Meeting of the Donegal Presbytery.

Bushong, M.K.1941. A History of Jefferson County West Virginia. Jefferson
Publishing Co., Charles Town, West Virginia.

p. 19 - The Potomoke Presbyterian Church has already been treated in
connection with early settlements in Jefferson County. In 1740, or perhaps a
year or two earlier, members of that denomination erected a building at the
headspring of Bullskin Run, near Summit Point. However, it was not until
November 25, 1771, that the land was deeded by David Castleman and wife to
Isaac Larew, John Riley, John Oliver, George Hampton, William Rankin, and
William McCormick, trustees. Although the house of worship was commonly known
as the Bullskin Church, its ecclesiastical name was Hopewell. The latter name
appears in the records of the Presbytery of Donegal as early as April 2,
1740, and is frequently mentioned thereafter...The Bullskin, or Hopewell,
congregation continued to meet at Summit Point until about 1800. By that time
the building had fallen into decay and it was decided to worship in the new
union church at Smithfield, the title to which was held by the Lutherans.
After April 24, 1819, the Hopewell name was changed to Smithfield. Services
were continued until April 19, 1933, when the membership became so small that
the Winchester Presbytery dissolved the church.

This may clarify some of the confusion on the use of the name Hopewell.

Ken McCormick

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