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:
http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/pitttext-idx.pl?notisid=00agb4058m&type=header
>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 MORGRIDGE SNOWDEN
(note from John L. Snowden; I have never seen his middle name spelled this
way before, and I feel that Dr. Allison spelled it wrong)
The oldest of them in age and the first one of them connected with this
church, was the Hon. John Morgridge 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 Morgridge Snowden, better known as John M. Snowden, was born in
Philadelphia, in 1776. His father 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, Associate 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.)
==================================
Descendants of John Maugridge Snowden
Generation No. 1
1. JOHN MAUGRIDGE7 SNOWDEN (WILLIAM6, JAMES5, JOHN4, JOHN3, WILLIAM2,
JOHN1) was born January 13, 1776 in Philadelphia, Pa., and died April 02,
1845 in Allegheny City, Pa.. He married ELIZABETH MOOR November 24, 1801 in
Pa, daughter of JOHN MOORE and ELIZABETH PARR. She was born February 06,
1782 in Westmoreland Co., Pa., and died December 02, 1860 in Allegheny Co.,
Pa..
Children of JOHN SNOWDEN and ELIZABETH MOOR are:
i. JOHN MOOR8 SNOWDEN, b. August 14, 1806, Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., PA;
d. September 26, 1863, Oregon, Ogle Co., Ill; m. ELIZABETH ELLIOTT, November
10, 1831, PA; b. October 1810, PA; d. August 15, 1864, Oregon, Ogle Co., Ill.
ii. ELIZABETH SNOWDEN, b. November 16, 1804, Pa; d. Abt. 1887, New York, New
York (Brooklyn); m. GEORGE OGDEN, May 20, 1824, Pa.; b. 1794, N.Y.; d.
January 29, 1859.
iii. JOSEPH SNOWDEN, b. Abt. 1808, Pa.; m. JULIA WESTON; b. Abt. 1815,
N.Y..
iv. SAMUEL SNOWDEN, b. Abt. 1811, Pa; d. Bef. March 1861; m. SELINA S.
GILLILAND; b. 1814, Pa; d. Bef. March 1861
v. FRANCIS LAIRD SNOWDEN, b. July 18, 1816; d. April 03, 1876; m. (1) ELIZA
SARAH OLVER, Bef. 1846; b. September 1824, Illinois; d. April 25, 1865; m.
(2) FRANCES ?, Aft. 1865; b. Abt. 1816, Va..
vi. HARRIET SNOWDEN, b. Abt. 1822; m. JOSEPH R. KERR.
vii. EDMUND SNOWDEN, b. Abt. 1824; m. ANNA SMITH.
viii. NANCEY MOOR SNOWDEN, b. Abt. 1826; m. ROBERT ROBB; b. 1820, Pa.
ix. CAROLINE SNOWDEN, b. Abt. 1827; m. JAMES ALLISON, November 06, 1856; b.
September 27, 1828, Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pa..
x. ELLEN SNOWDEN, b. Abt. 1830, Pa.; m. THOMAS KIDDO WILSON; b. January 08,
1827, Upper Saint Clair Twp., Allegheny Co., Pa..
xi. WILLIAM SNOWDEN. (died young)
xii. KATHRINE SNOWDEN.(died young)
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For additional information please contact John L. Snowden