Memoir of Rev. Charles Tennent
Birth — Immigration — Education — Settlement in the ministry at Whiteclay Creek — Great revival under the preaching of Mr. Whitefield — Removal and death.
From an original document, a small memorandum-book, kept by the Rev. William Tennent, sen., we learn, that his fourth son, Charles, was born at Colerain, in the county of Down, on the third day of May, in the year 1711, and was baptized by the Rev. Richard Donnell. At the time of his father’s emigration from Ireland, he was, therefore, a boy of seven years of age. He, as well as his older
* By the memoranda referred to above, we are able to authenticate some things relating to the founder of the Log College, and to correct some other things, inserted in the history. This document came into the possession of the editor, since the first part of this volume was printed. We learn from the forementioned autograph, that the Rev. William Tennent, sen,, was married on the 15th day of May, 1702, in the county of Down, in the north of Ireland; that he was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church of Ireland on the first day of July, 1704; and ordained priest, or presbyter in the same, on the 22d day of September, 1706, brothers received his education under the paternal roof or rather in the Log College. He appears, however to have been less distinguished than either of his brothers; but seems to have been a respectable minister of the gospel, and was early settled in the Presbyterian congregation of Whiteclay Creek, in the state of Delaware. Soon after his settlement, in this place, the great revival under the preaching of Whitefield commenced, and was very powerful in this congregation. During this remarkable season of divine influence, Mr. Whitefield spent some days with Mr. Charles Tennent, and assisted him in the administration of the Lord’s Supper; preaching to vast multitudes of people every day of the solemniity, which continued four days, according to custom.
The dates of the birth of his children are, Gilbert Tennent born in the county of Armagh, on the 5th October, 1703, and baptized the following day.
William was born in the county of Antrim, on the 5th day of January, 1705.
John was born in the county of Antrim, on the 12th of September, 1706, and was baptized the following day.
Charles, was born in the county of Down, on the 3d day of May, 1711.
Eleanor was born in the county of Down, on the 27th of December, 1708.
Mr. W, Tennent, sen., arrived with his family, in Philadelphia, September, 1718.
On the 22d of November, 1718, he was settled in the parish of East Chester, New York. And on the 3d of May, 1720, removed to the town of Bedford, New York.
These are the only memoranda of any importance, in this document.
This information, the writer obtained, many years ago, from one of the subjects of the revival, Mrs. Douglass, the sister of Charles Thompson, Sec’y of the continental congress, and grandmother of the late Rev. James Douglass, of Fayetteville, North Carohna, so highly esteemed as a spiritual, searching, evangelical preacher. This old lady appeared to me to be as eminently pious, as any person I ever knew. She informed me, that while Mr. Whitefield spoke at the tables, in administering the sacrament, he poured forth such a flood of tears, that his cambric handkerchief was wetted as if it had been dipped in water. She spoke of that day as by far the most glorious she had ever witnessed. Her account of the Rev. Charles Tennent, was, that he was a plain, good preacher; but not distinguished for great abilities. I was surprized to find that this pious old lady was no longer a member of the Presbyterian church, but had long ago, joined the communion of the Seceders. Upon enquiry it appeared, that this change had been made by her and some others, in consequence of the union entered into with the Old Side, in 1758. The congregation of Whiteclay Creek, of which Mr. Tennent was the pastor, was situated in the neighbourhood of some congregations, the ministers and members of which opposed the revival, and represented the whole as a delusion of the devil.
The friends, and especially the subjects of the revivalj could not but consider these opposers as the enemies of vital piety, and, therefore, felt no disposition to hold any fellowship with them. They were, therefore, astonished and offended, when they understood that a union between the two parties had been consummated. As soon as Mr. Tennent returned from the synod, in Philadelpha, where the union had been agreed on, Mrs. Douglass went to him, and expostulated with him on the subject, ^^’ Oh! Mr. Tennent,’^ said she,” how could you consent to enter into communion with those, who so wickedly reviled the glorious work of God’s grace in this land? As for myself, I never can, and never will; until they profess repentance for their grievous sin, in speaking contemptuously of the work of the Holy Spirit.’’ And accordingly, she went and joined the Seceders, who had begun to form societies, in severai parts of Pennsylvania, and continued in their communion until her dying day. But her heart was still with the evangelical part of the Presbyterian church, and all her children entered into the communion of that church. Two of her sons, James Douglass, and Daniel Douglass, some forty years ago, were pious, intelligent, and estimable elders in the Presbyterian church in iilexandria, D. C, of which, the Rev. Dr. Muir, was the respected pastor. No doubt, the views of this good lady in regard to the union, so happily formed between the dissentient parties in the Presbyterian church, were narrow, yet they were very natural and arose from her acquamtance with the Old Side party being confined to those immediately around her, who had taken a very active part in ridiculing and maligning this blessed reformation, by which many sinners were converted, and turned from darkness to light, and fi;om the power of Satan unto God. The writer, in his youth, has known some people who would indulge in the most violent wrath, at any favourable mention of Mr. Whitefield; and yet they professed to believe the very doctrines which he preached. A large part of those, however, who belonged to the Old Side, were actuated by no such spirit; but were quiet, orderly, well informed Christians, who were very careful in the religious instruction of their own families; and very strict and conscientious in all the duties of religion.
Some years before his death, Mr. Charles Tennent removed from Whiteclay Creek, to Buckingham church, in Maryland, where he ended his days, and where it is presumed, his remains were interred. Of his latter days, and of the circumstances of his decease, we have received no authentic information. A dark cloud of oblivion seems to rest on the close of his life.
It may be proper, however, to observe, that he had a son, the Rev. William M. Tennent, who, after receiving a finished education, entered the holy ministry and became pastor of the Presbyterian church in Abington, in the vicinity of Philadelphia. He married a daughter of the Rev. Dr. Rodgers, of New York, and received the honourable degree of Doctor of Divinity from Yale College.
He was a man of great sweetness of temper and politeness of manners; and was distinguished for his hospitality. His house was seldom without the company of friends and acquaintances; and all who had the privilege of visiting at this pleasant retreat, were delighted with their cordial reception and kind entertainment. His last sickness was long, but in it he was in a great measure exempt from pain, and was blessed with an uninterrupted assurance of the favour of God. The writer, then residing in Philadelphia, frequently saw and conversed with him; and he must say, he never saw any person in a sweeter, calmer, happier state of mind, and it continued for many weeks. He died in the year 1811 or 1812.
It is believed that no male descendant of any branch of the Tennent family now remains in this part of the country; though there are several in South Carolinia. Indeed the only descendant of the Founder of the Log College, known to us, is a grand-daughter of the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, who resides - in Philadelphia.