Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: April 1981 Volume 19 Number 2, Pages 41–45

The Saga of Andrew Garden

Chester T. Winters

Page 41

There is a small footstone in the cemetery of the Great Valley Baptist Church, sitting more or less by itself. The headstone is no longer there, and on the footstone are engraved simply the initials "A.G." Some years ago I determined to find out, if I could, who "A.G," was. The following is what I discovered.

In the first place, "A.G." must stand for Andrew Garden, for in the 18th century records he is the only person with those initials. Andrew Garden is also known to have been a fifer during the Revolutionary War, and later a schoolmaster at the Old Eagle School.

Proceeding from this, I discovered that he was baptized on September 28, 1788 at the age of 20. On February 25, 1792, he was appointed Church Clerk, so apparently, as befitting a school teacher, he was able to read and to write. But while he is known as a school teacher, the minute books of the Church show another side to Andrew Garden, his relationship to the Church, and the patience of the Church.

In the minutes for November 25, 1797, for example, it was recorded

"Andrew Garden and Thomas Jones are said to be guilty of excessively using intoxicating liquors to the Dishonor of Religion, the Church requests the deacons to inform said members that the Church wishes them not to commune, before the subject can be investigated, and with said members to attend our next Church meeting."

Page 42

A month later, on December 23, 1797, it was recorded

"Andrew Garden and Thomas Jones both appeared and acknowledged the justness of the charge and professed repentance for their sin, but as this charge had been form­ally against said Brethren, the Church are not free for them to commune at present: they therefore remain suspended for a further satisfaction and evidence to the world of their sincere repentance and purpose of heart to walk worthy of the Gospel."

Apparently the evidence of their "sincere repentance" was satisfactory by the following February, for in the minutes of February 21, 1798, it was noted

"Our Brethren Thomas Jones and Andrew Garden after a suitable admonition, were unaminously restored to communion."

About four and a half years later, Garden transferred from the Church for a while; the minutes for November 27, 1805 acknowledge

"On the request of Andrew Garden to have a letter of recommendation to the Ridge Church, agreed that Brother David Jones write one and send it to him."

By September 21, 1805, however, it was noted

"Andrew Garden apparently returned to membership of Valley Church, as his name reappears as one of the members present at Church meeting of this date."

It was a little more than seven years before he is again mentioned, but on January 23, 1813 it was noted

"Andrew Garden appeared, and acknowledged his fault in his unbecoming conduct at the last Election, he expressed his wish that in the future he might through grace, be enabled to walk worthy of the gospel, the Brethren agree that he should be admitted to Communion."

It lasted for about a year. On February 16, 1814 it was again recorded

"Whereas, a Certain report has, for some time past, had considerable circulation and same coming to the ears of the Church, respecting certain outbreakings and unbecoming practices of Michael McClees and Andrew Garden, the Church therefore have appointed Brethren Jonathan Phillips and John Given to request the attendance of Michael McClees and Brethren Enoch Jones and Abraham King to request the attendance of Andrew Garden, at our next Church meeting."

The findings, as reported in April, were not altogether favorable, although, as indicated by a later "minute" the same day, nor were they altogether unfavorable.

Page 43

"(1) Whereas Michael McClees and Andrew Garden are charged with unbecoming conduct, in particular intoxication; they are by this Church suspended from Communion till their cases can be further investigated and decided on by the Church. ...

(3) After making bhe first minute Andrew Garden appeared and produced two papers signed by Mr. Smith, recruiting officer, and the Tavern Keeper that the reports respecting Andrew Garden were false, and that while he was in his Service, he conducted himself with propriety. The Church is satisfied by these testimonies that Andrew Garden is not guilty of the Charges as far as respects his conduct at the Spread Eagle, but from the reports of other persons the Church wishes another hearing."

In July the matter was resolved favorably, the minutes for July 23, 1814 noting

"The case of Brother Andrew Garden being brought before the Church — after having the explanations given by him, the Church agreed that he should be restored to his place."

It was about another year and a half before he was again suspended. In the minutes for January 27, 1816 it was recorded

"Brother Garden was again charged with intoxication while attending public worship on the fifth Lord's Day in last month, which he denies. The Church, however, believing the accusation to be too well founded — resolved that he, Brother Garden, be suspended until the Church are satisfied of a reformation."

And five months later he was again restored to his place in the Church, it being recorded on June 22, 1816

"Brother Andrew Garden appeared before the Church, and confessed that he was sorry that he had given wrath to his Brethren to think he was intoxicated; but said he was not conscious that the case was really so, and hopes that his brethren may be reconciled to him, and pray for him that he through grace, may be enabled so to walk as to give no offense to this Brethren."

Upon this minute, the Church agreed that he should be restored to his place in the Church.

The saga continues. On November 27, 1819

"Charges for intoxication were brought against Andrew Garden, but the Church thought it prudent not to act at present on his case, but leave it for next Church Meeting, therefore he is considered out of fellowship until the Church decide thereon."

Page 44

On December 25, it was noted

"The case of Andrew Garden was postponed till next Church meeting."

And, on February 26, 1820,

"Brother Andrew Garden made a humble confession that he was overtaken in a fault. Which proved satisfactory to the Church and he is reinstated."

And, again, on August 24., 1824.,

"Brother Andrew Garden's case was taken up; he being charged with intoxication, to which fault he confessed. The Church agree that he be suspended from communion until they are satisfied to receive him again."

His confession did not stem "unfavorable" reports, as noted in the minutes on October 23, 1824,

"The case of Brother Garden was then introduced, but laid over on account of an unfavorable report being in circulation in reference to him."

But by December 25, 1824 it was resolved, when

"After worship, the case of Brother Garden as first in order came under consideration. And after a few remarks from different members as also from Brother Garden himself, it was, on motion, agreed that he be admitted to his seat as formerly."

A different problem arose two and a half years later. The minutes for July 21," 1827 inform us

"The Church having heard with much concern and regret of certain misconduct in one of her members, to wit, Brother Andrew Garden, in regards to a case of very improper deportment towards his wife. The said brother being present is examined as to the premises, and on hearing, it is ordered that said Brother be suspended communion with the Church until they shall see cause to restore him again to his place."

Again he expressed his sorrow, and on November 24, 1827 it was recorded

"The case of Brother Garden being taken up, he being pre­sent and heard, and on expressing sorrow for his conduct, he was, on motion, restored to his place."

There is still more. On September 26, 1335 it was recorded

"The church being informed that Brother Andrew Garden has been seen intoxicated; on motion it was agreed to ap­point a committee to visit him, and report in his case.

Page 45

Deacons Pugh and Siter were appointed."

In this instance, Garden denied the charge. On October 27, 1835 it was reported in the minutes

"In the case of Brother Andrew Garden, Brother Siter on behalf of the committee reported that they had visited the aged brother; but he now being present was permitted to speak for himself, and positively denied being intoxicated. The person not being present who had charged him with the fault, the committee was continued and he suspended until the church should be satisfied of his innocence."

He reasserted his innocence a month later, as reported in the minutes for November 21, 1835,

"The case of Brother A. Garden being next called at his request, he again asserted that he was innocent and protested against his accusers; The committee reported that Brother Charles Green said he saw him laying along side of the rail road and a jug by him. After some remarks made on the occasion; the Church agreed to postpone the further consideration of the case until nest Church meeting."

His argument apparently prevailed, for on January 11, 1836 it was reported

"The case of Brother A. Garden, Deacon Pugh on behalf of the committee stated that he had taken considerable pains to ascertain the fact of intoxication that he was charged with, and from the best information he could get, he believed that he was not drunk at the time spoken of. Therefore, on motion, it was agreed that he be invited to take his seat at the communion table from which he had been excluded."

Finally, the tale ends with a note in the minutes of September 23, 1837, it being recorded on that date that

"The decease of several members during the past year are here recorded, viz. Mrs. Rachel Cleaver, Mrs. DinahMoore, Phoebe Freeman, James Bittle, Andrew Garden ..."

The only postscript that I think need be made to the "Saga of Andrew Garden" is that said by Jesus in Matthew 18:22, "Not seven times, but seventy times seven"!