Difference between revisions of "Concord Presbyterian Church Cemetery"

Revision as of 13:36, 20 May 2009

Among other famous Carrick residents it was also the burial site of John Maugridge Snowden, mayor of Pittsburgh 1825-1829 and namesake of Snowden Township, later renamed South Park Township.

Link to the South Park Historical Society

The following information was supplied by John L. Snowden:

My name is John L. Snowden. My Great-Great-Great-Greatgrandfather is buried at the Concord Presbyterian Church. My father Don added a maker there a few years ago.

Title: Centennial volume of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, PA., 1784-1884. Imprint: Pittsburgh : Wm. G. Johnston & Co., Printers, 1884. Physical Extent: 259 p. : ill. ; 23 cm. This book may be found on line at: Link to Centennial volume of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, PA., 1784-1884.

From pages 200- 203

SOME EMINENT ELDERS OF THE FIRST CHURCH

The Rev. Dr. James Allison, a member of the First Church during his course of study at the Theological Seminary, and who has good reason for continuing his interest perpetually, in view of the excellent life companion he found there, (a daughter of that most useful elder and admirable citizen, Judge Snowden,) and who worshiped with the church during some years after he became editor of the Presbyterian Banner, appeared with the greatest propriety in the pulpit he had so well known during the last two pastorates and a portion of Dr. Herron's and which he has been always so ready to assist every good work, to aid the occasion with the admirable paper which follows:

The duty of preparing brief sketches of the lives and characters and labors the three elders of this church, has been assigned to me. Each one of them had a marked individuality Each one of them occupied a sphere in life, different from the one occupied by the other two; but they were, alike in the estimation in which they, were held by the people, in their attachment this church and in their love to the King and Head of the Church Universal: and their memories are precious heritages, not only to this church, but also to this community, and should carefully preserved for the benefit of those who are to succeed, the present generation.

JOHN MAUGRIDGE SNOWDEN

The oldest of them in age and the first one of them connected with this church, was the Hon. John Maugridge Snowden. Shortly after the first settlement of Virginia, a large family, by the name of Snowden came to that colony. The Snowdens of New York and Pennsylvania are descended from the Snowdens who came from Virginia about the year 1663. William Snowden who was the great ancestor of John M. Snowden, owned land in what is now Philadelphia in 1669, thirteen years before arrival of William Penn. His son, John Snowden, was born there in 1685, and was one of the founders of the First Presbyterian Church of that city. Isaac Snowden son of John, was one of the founders of the Second Presbyterian Church of the same city.

John Maugridge Snowden, better known as John M. Snowden, was born in Philadelphia, in 1776. His father (William Snowden) was a sea captain, and entered the service, of the Continental Congress at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, was captured by British, and died in one of the "prison ships." His mother was a woman of wonderful energy, of a high order of intelligence, great force of character, and most ardently devoted the cause of American Independence. Not only did she assume the support of her three sons and two daughters, disdaining to receive assistance from her Tory relations on the side of her parents, but she performed a difficult and dangerous part that her country, for which her husband bad died, might be free. She was the trusted friend of General Washington, and from her he received, by means of trusted messengers, his knowledge from time to time, of the numbers and operations of the British while they held Philadelphia.

In early life, John M. Snowden was apprenticed to the celebrated Mathew Carey, to learn the "art and mystery of printing." And the influence of Mr. Carey was felt by his apprentice during his entire. after-life. Mr. Snowden's first, venture on his own account, was in the establishment of a newspaper in connection with his brother-in-law, Mr McCorkel, at Chambersburgh, in this State. But in 1798 they removed to Greensburg, Westmoreland county, where they published "The Farmers Register,' the first newspaper in west after the Pittsburgh Gazette. It acquired a large circulation and wielded great political influence. Here he united with the Presbyterian Church, of which Rev. William Speer, father of the venerable and beloved Dr. James R. Speer, of this city, was then pastor While in Greensburg, he, married Elizabeth Moor, daughter the Hon. John Moor the first President Judge of Western Pennsylvania, and who was one of the leaders in the organization and defense of Pennsylvania at the time of separation from Great Britain. She was in every way fitted to be the wife such a man. Her death took place December 2, 1860.

In 1811, Mr. Snowden removed to Pittsburgh, purchased the Commonwealth newspaper, from Ephraim Pentland, and changed the name to the Mercury, the office of which was at first on Market street, between Third and Fourth streets, and afterwards on Liberty street, near the head of Wood. He continued to be editor of this paper, which was widely circulated and exerted great power upon the public mind, until 1831. In the meantime he published a number of valuable works, and had a large store. By means of the press his sale of books, his social relations, his undoubted integrity, his interest in public affairs and his activity in every good work, he was widely known and recognized as one of the leading citizens of the State of Pennsylvania. He was of medium stature, lithe physical structure, quick in perception and decided in action.

Coming to Pittsburgh about the time that Dr. Herron took charge of this church, he united with it and afterwards was elected one of its elders (in 1812.) He was strongly attached to his pastor, and his pastor set a high estimate upon his sound of judgment and devout piety. The early history of this church was written by Mr. Snowden, and is still in existence. When Pittsburgh obtained a City Charter he was elected an Alderman. He was a Director of the Bank of Pittsburgh, Recorder of Deeds under the administration of Gov. Wolf, Mayor of this city in 1825, '26 and '27, and Clerk of the Orphans' Court.

His close habits of study, his long and varied experience,his broad common sense, and his judicial mind, fitted him, in a remarkable degree, for the important duties devolving upon him when he became Associate Judge with the Hon. Benjamin Patton. He was appointed April 16th, 1840, recommissioned March 31st, 1841, and held the office at the time of his death. While or bench he received high commendations from the public and from the Bar. On more than one occasion be differed with the President Judge as to the law, and so expressed himself to the jury, as he had a right to do. Several times he exhibited an acquaintance with the principles of common law, also of statutory law, which surprised old and learned attorneys. When one of the most intricate and important cases ever tried in this county was pending, the attorneys on both sides agreed, if the President Judge, would retire, to go on with the trial before, A ssociate Judge Snowden. The President Judge left the bench, and Judge Snowden tried the case in a way that elicited the highest admiration and the profoundest respect.

Mr. Snowden stood high in favor with General Jackson. He had recommended a gentleman to President Jackson for an important office. Shortly afterwards a friend of another applicant for the same office appeared before the President and denounced the man recommended by Mr. Snowden, as being utterly unfit for the place. Old Hickory, with eyes Flashing fire, roared out: "How dare you say that? Do you think John M. Snowden would recommend a man unfit for the position? No, never by the eternal!" Mr. Snowden's man got the office.

On the 2d of April, 1845, Mr. Snowden died suddenly of disease of the heart. Years before he had been told by his physicians that his death would be sudden and that it might occur at any time. When the Summons came he was ready to obey, The Pittsburgh Post, of April 3d, 1845, said: "There can be no move evidence of the high estimation in which Judge Snowden was held, than the deep and general concern which is manifested at his death by all manner of persons. Every one seemed to feel that his departure had left a void that cannot be filled. To family and friends, it is useless to say the loss is irreparable."

"Mr. Snowden--a man of strong mind and judgment in all things, worldly and spiritual, was considered a great acquisition to the eldership. I have often heard my father speak of the efficiency of Mr. Snowden and, Mr. Denny, in church courts especially." (Mrs. Smith April,1882.)

This picture is the property of The Snowden Family Collection, and may be used for any non profit purpose if you site the source as The Snowden Family Collection.

(Footnote: This is from Susan Lloyd Rutledge Johnson:

"In some places John M. Snowden's middle name is listed as Maugridge and in others as Morgridge.

I am a descendant of the Hon. John M. Snowden as follows: John Maugridge Snowden's daughter Nancy Snowden married Robbert Robb, Esq. Their son John Maugridge Snowden Robb is my great-grandfather. We have always spelled the middle name as Maugridge and I have only seen it spelled Morgridge on a couple of web sites that speak of the Hon. John M. Snowden. I believe the spelling "Morgridge" to be incorrect."

I have corrected this as suggested by Ms. Johnson.)

John M. Snowden