Re: Hargrave Family - England to Indiana
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In reply to:
Re: Hargrave Family - England to Indiana
12/22/00
William,
I think Richard is your man.See his biography below.
Ray Justus
Chandler, AZ
Richard HARGRAVE
From A Historical, Biographical and Genealogical Account of Certain Branches of the DEBRULER and HARGRAVE FAMILIESby Eva DeBruler (1938)
Richard Hargrave, a son of William and Sarah, was born in Caswell county, North Carolina Dec. 5, 1803.He was fourteen years of age when the family migrated to Indiana.The light-haired, blue-eyed youth never forgot the pleasant associations they left behind and often spoke of them.He was an industrious student but often he gave more time to subjects rather than books.He gave his mind to subjects while making a hand in the field.In June, 1821, when just seventeen years of age, he was licensed to preach but continued to work on his father's farm.In the fall of 1822, he attended a Cumberland Presbyterian campmeeting at the Shiloh camp grounds in Dubois county and heard a sermon by the leader, Rev. Lowry.After the services, he had a long conversation with that good man and was encouraged by him to enter the ministry in earnest.Thus, a Dubois county camp meeting was instrumental in giving courage to the young man who subsequently preached in every county in Indiana except two.He began his work as an assistant on the circuit which included his father's home.
When Rev. Richard Hargrave was about fifty-three years of age he said of himself, "This day, thirty-two years ago, I left the home of my youth to trace the weary tracks of itinerant toil.Then I had to ask my father's leave to start; till now my Heavenly Father has not given me leave to stop.Each successive year between then and now has been controlled by others, and not by my own election, except that, in my call to God's holy work.I chose to give all things to Him.Around this central idea of my life has since revolved my all of active effort and weary toil.As the trying, stern realities of the itinerancy have passed what alterations have I witnessed, both in condition and feelings!None, I thank Heaven, in my one purpose.This calling has had its sunshine and cloud, its smile and frown, its flattery and censure, its joys and sorrows, its perils and God's defense and gracious stay."
The first ministerial circuit to which Rev. Richard Hargrave was assigned was Patoka.That Methodist Episcopal circuit included Pike, Gibson, Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.There was not a finished church building on the circuit.When in Evansville he preached in a small school building.The day he was twenty-one, he preached his first sermon on the Salem circuit, which included Sullivan, Vigo, Knox and Parke counties.On March 10,1829, when in charge of the Paoli circuit, he married Nancy A. Posey of Bruceville, Knox county.She was a daughter of Richard and Nancy, the former a Methodist preacher of note.Dr. William Graham, a prominent preacher, said of her "She was worthy of him in all respects and just a such a companion as his somewhat peculiar temperament and habits required . . . . . one of those elect [sp.?] ladies, whom to know was to admire and love."
After his marriage, Rev. Hargrave continued to ride the circuit but spent as much time as possible with his family.His subsequent assignments were:Franklin, 1830; Carlisle, 1831; Crawfordsville, 1832; Lafayette, 1833; Manchester, 1840-'41; Ladoga. 1832; Crawfordsville, 1843; Newtown 1844-'45; Indianapolis District, 1846-'48; Greencastle District, 1842-'52; Lafayette District, 1853; Shawnee Prairie, 1854-'55; Perrysville, 1856; Pine Village, 1857; Frankfort, 1858; Delphi District, 1859; superannuated, 1860-'63; Thorntown, 1864-'65; Battle Ground, 1866; Monticello District, 1867; Battleground District, 1867; Battleground District; 1868; Terre Haute District, 1869-'70 and again placed on the superannuated list in the fall of 1871.He remained in that relation until his death but continued to preach when his impaired health would permit.During his last superannuation he averaged two hundred sermons a year.he attended the conference in September, 1878 and from that time until the following March he preached one hundred and four sermons at various places.His wife died June 12, 1871.How he mourned her death!It was difficult for him to become reconciled to his loneliness but he continued to preach with unitiring [sp.] zeal.He preached his last sermon at Lebanon, Indiana.He became ill and went to the home of his daughter Caroline, near Attica, Indiana.In this home his wife had been tenderly cared for during her last illness.After lingering for sixteen weeks, Rev. Richard Hargrave passed on June 23, 1879.Both he and Nancy A. were laid to rest in Bethel cemetery, east of Attica.
William Graham, D.D. said of Rev. Richard Hargrave:He "was a royal preacher.He is justly ranked with the first class of pulpit orators of his day. . . . .In personal appearance, though, not of majestic mien, yet he was impressive and any one would have taken him to be a man of mark.In height about five feet nine inches; of heavy compact frame; broad, high and intellectual forehead. . . . impassioned earnestness beamed in his every feature."He also said that he had a remarkable voice, well modulated, pleasant to the hearer, and that his manner in the pulpit was greatly in his favor; that his outward appearance was the honest expression of his soul;that planning for selfish ends was foreign to his nature, to his taste and to his habits.
Rev. Richard Hargrave wrote many sacred poems, fifty-seven of which were published after his death.The following is the last hymn that he wrote:
ADIEU TO LIFE
In affliction's fiery trial,
Though I pass life's failing days,
God I claim in self-denial
And His mercy still I'll praise!
Languor all my flesh pervading,
Warns me that my end is nigh;
Earthly hopes are dimly fading;
Brighter-visions bloom on high.
O, for gracious resignation
To his will, who can not err!
Hope shall be m consolation--
Joy shall still my bosom cheer!
Claim me not, ye friends who love me!
Homeward bound I pass before;
Crowns and diadems above me
Beck me where I'll die no more!
Lay me to my slumbers quiet,
In my cold and lonely bed;
Till the resurrection fiat
Wake to life the sleeping dead!
With angelic hosts in glory,
I will swell redemption's song:
With the blood-washed chant the story,
While the ages roll along!
The children of Richard and Nancy A. Hargrave were:Sarah Francis, William Posey, Caroline Indiana, Richard Watson, Mary Elizabeth, Martha Ann, Lucy Ellen and John Wesley.Martha Ann died young.
More Replies:
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Re: Hargrave Family - England to Indiana
charlene Burn 6/26/04
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Re: Hargrave Family - England to Indiana
Ray Justus 6/26/04
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Re: Hargrave Family - England to Indiana