Francis Makemie
Encyclopedia
The Rev. Francis Makemie (1658–1708) was an Irish
clergyman, considered to be the founder of Presbyterianism
in United States of America.
Makemie was born into the Ulster-Scots
community in Ramelton
, County Donegal
, part of the Province of Ulster
in the north of Ireland
. He went on to become a clergyman and was ordained by the Presbytery of the Laggan, in West Ulster, in 1682. At the call of Colonel William Stevens, an Episcopalian from Rehobeth, Maryland
, he was sent as a missionary to America, arriving in Maryland
in 1683. In 1683, Makemie founded the first Presbyterian community in the Town of Snow Hill
. The Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Church
is in its fourth building on its third location in the town of Snow Hill. The first building, which was near the river, which was the chief means of travel in the 17th and early 18th centuries, was a log building. A frame building was erected next, a little further away from the water, and during the time the congregation worshiped in this building the current location was purchased and became the site of the cemetery. The third building was of brick and was located on the high ground to the rear of the location of the present building. The remains of the foundation to that building were rediscovered in the late 1980s. The fourth and present building was constructed in 1889 and dedicated to the glory of God and in memory of Francis Makemie. It is the only church in the country allowed to be so named. Makemie also built Rehobeth Presbyterian Church
in Rehobeth, Maryland in Somerset County
which still stands today as the oldest Presbyterian Church in America. In addition he had a hand in founding churches in Salisbury
, Princess Anne
, Berlin
and Pocomoke City
as well as in two places in Virginia
. The Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Church is the first church in the colonies to present a call for a pastor to the Presbytery. Snow Hill was also to be the center of the Presbytery of Snow Hill, which was chartered by the General Assembly, but never activated.
He married Naomi Anderson, the daughter of a successful businessman and landowner. Francis and Naomi had two daughters, Anne and Elizabeth. In 1706, he was instrumental in the founding of the first Presbytery in America.
Makemie eventually went to the Eastern Shore of Virginia
and founded a community there. In 1707, Makemie was arrested by Lord Cornbury, the Governor
of New York
for preaching without a license. He was acquitted of the charges, and this is considered to be a landmark case in favor of religious freedom in America. Makemie died on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in 1708.
Makemie Woods campground, owned and operated by the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is named for Francis Makemie. The camp is located between Williamsburg and Richmond, Virginia.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
clergyman, considered to be the founder of Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
in United States of America.
Makemie was born into the Ulster-Scots
Ulster-Scots
The Ulster Scots are an ethnic group in Ireland, descended from Lowland Scots and English from the border of those two countries, many from the "Border Reivers" culture...
community in Ramelton
Ramelton
Ramelton is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its population is 1,088 .Ramelton is situated at the mouth of the River Lennon, 11 km north of Letterkenny and 4 km east of Milford, on the western shores of Lough Swilly. The town is named from Ráth Mealtáin, , an early Gaelic chieftain...
, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, part of the Province of Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
in the north of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. He went on to become a clergyman and was ordained by the Presbytery of the Laggan, in West Ulster, in 1682. At the call of Colonel William Stevens, an Episcopalian from Rehobeth, Maryland
Rehobeth, Maryland
Rehobeth is an unincorporated community in Somerset County, Maryland, United States. It is located at the east end of Old Rehobeth Road, off Rehobeth Road, on the bank of the Pocomoke River.-References:...
, he was sent as a missionary to America, arriving in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
in 1683. In 1683, Makemie founded the first Presbyterian community in the Town of Snow Hill
Snow Hill, Maryland
Snow Hill is a town in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,409 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Worcester County.-History:...
. The Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Church
Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Church
Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian church located in Snow Hill, Worcester County, Maryland. In 1883, for the 200th anniversary of the organization of the church, it was resolved to build a Makemie Memorial Church in honor of its founder, Reverend Francis Makemie . The...
is in its fourth building on its third location in the town of Snow Hill. The first building, which was near the river, which was the chief means of travel in the 17th and early 18th centuries, was a log building. A frame building was erected next, a little further away from the water, and during the time the congregation worshiped in this building the current location was purchased and became the site of the cemetery. The third building was of brick and was located on the high ground to the rear of the location of the present building. The remains of the foundation to that building were rediscovered in the late 1980s. The fourth and present building was constructed in 1889 and dedicated to the glory of God and in memory of Francis Makemie. It is the only church in the country allowed to be so named. Makemie also built Rehobeth Presbyterian Church
Rehobeth Presbyterian Church
Rehobeth Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian church located at Rehobeth, Somerset County, Maryland. It is a simple one-story Flemish bond brick building, three bays wide by three deep, constructed about 1706. It was remodeled in 1888, and the original clear glass windows were replaced...
in Rehobeth, Maryland in Somerset County
Somerset County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*53.5% White*42.3% Black*0.3% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.5% Other races*3.3% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
which still stands today as the oldest Presbyterian Church in America. In addition he had a hand in founding churches in Salisbury
Salisbury, Maryland
-Demographics:Salisbury is the principal city of the Salisbury-Ocean Pines CSA, a Combined Statistical Area that includes the Salisbury metropolitan area and the Ocean Pines micropolitan area , which had a combined population of 176,657 at the 2010 census.As of the census of 2000, there were...
, Princess Anne
Princess Anne, Maryland
Princess Anne is a town in Somerset County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,313 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Somerset County.Princess Anne is included in the Salisbury, Maryland Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Berlin
Berlin, Maryland
Berlin is a town in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 3,491 at the 2000 census.-History:The town of Berlin had its start around the 1790s, part of the Burley Plantation, a land grant dating back to 1677...
and Pocomoke City
Pocomoke City, Maryland
Pocomoke City, dubbed "the friendliest town on the Eastern Shore", is a city in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. Although renamed in a burst of civic enthusiasm in 1878, the city is regularly referred to by its inhabitants simply as Pocomoke...
as well as in two places in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. The Makemie Memorial Presbyterian Church is the first church in the colonies to present a call for a pastor to the Presbytery. Snow Hill was also to be the center of the Presbytery of Snow Hill, which was chartered by the General Assembly, but never activated.
Makemie eventually went to the Eastern Shore of Virginia
Eastern Shore of Virginia
The Eastern Shore of Virginia consists of two counties on the Atlantic coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The region is part of the Delmarva Peninsula and is separated from the rest of Virginia by the Chesapeake Bay. Its population was 45,553 as of 2010...
and founded a community there. In 1707, Makemie was arrested by Lord Cornbury, the Governor
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
for preaching without a license. He was acquitted of the charges, and this is considered to be a landmark case in favor of religious freedom in America. Makemie died on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in 1708.
Makemie Woods campground, owned and operated by the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is named for Francis Makemie. The camp is located between Williamsburg and Richmond, Virginia.
See also
- List of people on stamps of Ireland
- Presbyterian Church in IrelandPresbyterian Church in IrelandThe Presbyterian Church in Ireland , is the largest Presbyterian denomination in Ireland, and the largest Protestant denomination in Northern Ireland...
- Presbyterian Church (USA)Presbyterian Church (USA)The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
- County DonegalCounty DonegalCounty Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
- UlsterUlsterUlster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
- IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
- Republic of IrelandRepublic of IrelandIreland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
- Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...