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CHAPTER XXXIII.`

ALEXANDER MCWHORTER.

HIS EARLY LIFE.-ZEAL IN THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY.-SENT SOUTH BY CONGRESS TO ROUSE THE INHABITANTS.-ACCOMPANIES WASHINGTON IN HIS RETREAT THROUGH NEW JERSEY.-MADE CHAPLAIN OF KNOX'S BRIGADE.-LEAVES THE ARMY.-SETTLES IN NORTH CAROLINA.-HIS LIBRARY AND FURNITURE DESTROYED BY THE BRITISH.-FLEES TO PENNSYLVANIA.-Sent TO ENGLAND TO RAISE FUNDS FOR PRINCETON COLLEGE.-REVISITS HIS NATIVE PLACE.-HIS DEATH.

ALTHOUGH the subject of the following sketch moved amid some of the most stirring scenes of the Revolution, and was identified with many of its leading events, the details and incidents necessary to a proper appreciation of his services are sadly wanting.

He was born in Newcastle, Delaware, July 15th, 1734, though his parents removed when he was a mere boy to North Carolina. He was licensed to preach in 1758, and continued to discharge his duties as pastor with great success till the breaking out of the Revolution. He was at the North in search of health when the battle of Bunker Hill set the land in a blaze, and immediately flung himself with such zeal into the struggle that Congress sent him to North Carolina to rouse the people to take sides with the other Colonies. His enthusiastic appeals kindled the hate of the Tories of that State, and he was pursued with the utmost malignity, and met with such determined opposition that he at length abandoned the effort and returned North.

In the summer of 1776 he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Yale College. The next winter found him by the side of Washington in the gloomy retreat through the Jerseys, and on the frozen banks of the Delaware, concerting with him on what was to be done for the salvation of the state. On the night of the 26th of December he marched through the driving sleet to Trenton, and with a heart full of joy and devout thanksgiving heard the shout of victory that lifted the land from the abyss of despair, and shed a bright though transient gleam of light on the all enshrouding darkness. He gave his whole time and effort to the army, encountering hardships and making sacrifices for the common good with a cheerfulness and zeal that endeared him to Washington and the other officers. In the summer of 1778 General Knox made an urgent request that he should become the chaplain of his brigade, then encamped with the main army at White Plains. He consented, and frequently in his sermons to the troops had Washington for a hearer. The latter esteemed him highly, and often invited him to headquarters. During the summer his wife was struck with lightning, and although not killed received such a shock to her constitution that he felt it his duty to resign his chaplaincy and return home to attend to her and the family. In 1779 he received a call from the congregation of Charlotte, Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, and at the same time an invitation to be president of Charlotte Academy. Both of these he accepted. He had not been settled here long, however, when the approach of Cornwallis, spreading devastation on every

VISIT TO BIRTHPLACE.

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side, compelled him to flee with his family. On his return he found that his library, furniture and other property had become the spoil of the invaders, and fearing repeated attacks he left the place and set his face northward. He preached afterwards for a few years in Abingdon, in Pennsylvania, but in 1802, after Princeton College was burned, he, at the earnest request of the trustees, went to England to solicit aid for its reërection.

In his old age, feeling a strong desire to visit his native place in Delaware, he took a colored servant, and in a light carriage traveled slowly to Newcastle. Dr. Murray, of Elizabethtown, thus relates the following incident of this visit, obtained from Dr. Miller, of Princeton: "Driving up to the door of the house in which he was born-now old and dilapidated-he asked the woman who came to the door who lived there. Being answered, he asked again who lived there before them. Having received a reply, he again asked, 'Who lived there before them?' The woman could not tell. He then asked her if she had ever heard of a family who once lived there by the name of McWhorter. 'What name did you say?' said the woman. 'McWhorter,' replied the doctor. 'I never heard of such a family,' said she. He then drove to a neighboring house, where an uncle, a brother of his father, used to live. He asked the same questions, and received the same answers. Returning to the house of his birth, he left his carriage and asked for a tumbler, saying, 'There is one place here that knows me and that I know.' And leaning on the arm of his servant he hobbled to a

spring at the bottom of the garden from which he used to drink when a boy. He stood over it for some time, and drank of its waters until he could drink no more. He then hobbled back to his carriage, repeating these words as he entered it-the tears streaming from his eyes- The places that now know us will know us no more forever.'

He died the 20th of July, 1807, calm, patient, and at times triumphant, and passed to his reward. The noble patriot, however, lived to see his country not only free, but rapidly advancing to that rank among nations which she has since taken.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

MOSES ALLEN.

HIS EARLY LIFE.-A FRIEND OF MADISON.-SETTLES IN MIDWAY, Georgia. —HIS PATRIOTIC EFFORTS.-CHAPLAIN IN THE ARMY.-HIS HOUSE AND CHURCH BURNED. IN THE BATTLE BEFORE SAVANNAH.-IS TAKEN PRISONER.-CONFINED ON BOARD A PRISON SHIP.-HIS SUFFERINGS.-BRUTALITY OF HIS CAPTORS. — ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE.-IS DROWNED.-DENIED DECENT BURIAL.

THERE were not two nobler, more devoted patriots in the revolution than the two brothers, Thomas and Moses Allen. The latter was born in Northampton, Mass., Sept 14th, 1748. He received his education at Princeton College, where he graduated in 1772, and two years after was licensed to preach by the presbytery of New Brunswick. A friend and classmate of young Madison, he, soon after receiving license, made a visit to him at the house of his father, Col. Madison, where he spent several days, and by whom he was invited to preach at the Court House. His discourse delighted the people so much that he was requested to spend the winter there. In the March following he preached at Christ's Church, twenty miles from Charleston, South Carolina. Having received ordination, he remained here till 1777, when he removed to Midway, Georgia. Though surrounded by tories in his new home, some of whom formed a part of his congregation, he took open ground against the mother country. He thought it no sacrilege to preach rebellion from the

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