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Transcriber's Comments
REV. ROBERT PATTERSON.
1773-1854.
ROBERT PATTERSON.
1773-1854.
(under construction)
Robert Patterson offered Hugh Henry Brackenridge the only
real competition he received at home in the field of letters.
Both men were popular writers of the day, Patterson serving
the muse of poetry while Brackenridge authored the first fiction printed west of the Alleghenies, Naturally, enough, both men were also interested in the printing business, on which their fame depended, and took direct measures to establish the trade more firmly in Pittsburgh. Because of that fact, the life story of Robert Patterson belongs with the history of the western press as well as with the history of western belles lettres.
He was born on April 1, 1773, in Saratoga County, New
York, the son of Joseph and Jane Moak Patterson. 1 Part of the
Patterson clan already lived in Philadelphia when Joseph
Patterson brought his family to the area around Canonsburg,
Pennsylvania. The new Canonsburg Academy had just opened; in
fact, lessons were conducted on the lawn while the buildings
were being finished. 2 Taking advantage of the opportunity,
"Robert Patterson was the first student to recite at Canonsburg Academy, in 1791, 'under the shade of same sassafras
bushes, growing in a worm fence,' on the banks of Chartiers
Creek." 3 As his uncle (also Robert Patterson) was professor
of mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania, 4 it seemed
logical to send the boy east to finish his education -- as well
as to place him under a watchful eye, perhaps the latter
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insinuation is unfair, for young Robert had decided to enter
the ministry. while he journeyed across the mountains in 1794,
he met George Washington on his way to Pittsburgh to quell the
Whiskey Rebellion. 5 Feelings were to run high and political
tensions increase before Robert's return west.
After graduation, Patterson toured the countryside for
four years and was then licensed to preach, his first pastorates
being in the vicinity of Erie, Pennsylvania. 6 Almost thirty
years of age, he doubtlessly eked out a scant living in the
pulpit, but he was sincerely devoted to his calling. As was
the custom in earlier days, the ministry invariably supplied
presidents for educational institutions; and the thriving
Pittsburgh Academy offered Patterson the president's chair in
1807 for a term of three years. 7 The position was no sinecure;
teaching duties gave him frequent contacts with the students,
among them Samuel Reed Johnston. At the same time, and until
1833, Patterson preached at the Highland Presbyterian Church, 8
and in his spare moments be began to write the poetry which
earned him a local reputation. Native talent plus the best
education then available in the new world made him truly a
man of letters in a generally unlettered era.
At the conclusion of his term at the Academy, Patterson
decided to indulge his interest in books, and in addition to
earn himself a living, by venturing into bookselling with John
Hopkins as a partner. 9 Being a minister and a professor, he
had a fine background for editing and a penchant for choosing
religious and cultural works for publication, At first in
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competition with the well-founded bookstore of Zadok Cramer,
Patterson and Hopkins had the trade to themselves when Cramer
left for the South. Their advertisements in the Gazette were
modest and formal: "Gentlemen who wish to subscribe for this
excellent and complete set of Dr. Johnson's Works, are invited
to set their names on a subscription paper in the Bookstore
of Patterson and Hopkins." 10 In spite of every evidence of a
successful enterprise, the partnership dissolved "by mutual
consent" in 1812, and the firm became "R. & J. Patterson." 11
An amusing note was sounded on the title page of a book published by Patterson about 1813: "The Honest Man's Almanack:
this almanack contains nothing to encourage the evil practices
of liars, drunkards, rogues, lazy fellows, infidels, tories,
cowards, bad husbands, and old bachelors." 12 Sermons are not
necessarily confined to churches, as Patterson evidently was
aware. He made his publishing house fulfill a double purpose.
Canonsburg gave Patterson not only his education, but
also his wife, Jane Canon was the daughter of Colonel John
Canon, founder of the town, whom Patterson had probably met
during his years at school. 13 Although born to prominence,
Jane must have been proud to be courted by one of the more
promising young men of the time -- minister, scholar, and budding poet. Poetry and courtship are related elements, but
Patterson did not become a full-fledged poet until the publication of his book of poems in 1817, 14 before which date he
had submitted several short verse-pieces to the Gazette. 15
Under the pen-name of "The Recluse," he wrote copiously and
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took his efforts seriously, at one time to the extent of publish-
ing two columns in defense of a poem that had been rejected.16
The quality of his prose indicates self-conscious pedantry:
This circumstance, though trivial, leades
me to exult in having selected the Two Roses,
as the first victim for immolation upon the
shrine of taste; for in the first place, it
demolishes every pretext of suspected allusions, which the master of the sacrifice has conjured up from the lurid charnel-house of
egotism; and, in the second place, it relieves
me from an implied engagement to furnish fresh
offerings for his reeking altar. 17
The eternal outraged author! The criticism of Solon Buck is justified by Patterson's outburst:
... very little of the material in the
early papers could pass as belles-lettres.
Prose was now too stilted, now too rhetorical, now far too flowery in comparison with the better prose of the day; poetry often
dripped with sentimentality or swelled with
flatulent bombast ... 18
Patterson is no more guilty than the others who encouraged and employed artificiality of style.
In 1840 Robert Patterson retired from his multiple duties and went to the country to live. He wisely withdrew while he was still prominent and still hearty enough to enjoy his leisure. Fourteen years later, on September 5, 1854, 19 he died, a distinguished contributor to the literature of the frontier.
========== Excerpt from: "PRESBYTERY OF ERIE" ============
...Robert Patterson was the son of Rev. Joseph and Jane (Moak) Patterson. He was descended from a family illustrious for its patriotism, and what is better, for piety and zeal for the service of the Lord. The father of Robert Patterson was born in the north of Ireland, in the year 1752. His father, though but a lad at the time, was at the famous siege of Derry; and the sufferings to which the Patterson family were subjected in consequence of this siege, were most severe and distressing. This branch of the family emigrated from Scotland to Ireland, in consequence of the terrible persecutions, carried on by Claverhouse, under Charles II. The grandfather of Robert Patterson was the son of John, the founder of the Irish branch of the family. 1
1 Sprague's Annals.
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234 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.
Rev. Joseph Patterson, the father of Robert, was licensed to preach the gospel in 1788. He was a most useful and laborious minister, and died at Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1832.
Robert Patterson, the subject of this sketch, was born at Stillwater, New York, on the 1st day of April, 1773, near the spot afterwards celebrated as the field of one of the most severely contested battles of the Revolution. Not long after his birth, his parents removed to Germantown, Pa. The battle of Germantown occurred during the sojourn of the family at that place, and Mr. Patterson, then in his fifth year, distinctly remembered many of its scenes. After a brief residence in York County, the family removed to the West, and took up their abode in Washington County, Pa.
In the spring of 1791, Robert Patterson commenced his academical studies at the Cannonsburg Academy, then just opened. He recited the first lesson that was heard in connection with that institution teacher and pupil seated under the shade of a tree, on the banks of the now classic Chartiers. After prosecuting his studies for three years in the Academy, he went east and entered the senior class of the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in the fall of 1795. On his way to Philadelphia, the journey there being made on horseback, he met the forces sent out by the Government to quell the Whiskey Insurrection.
Mr. Patterson had a great thirst for knowledge. He was not content with his collegiate course, and so lingered in the halls of his Alma Mater after his graduation. He was employed for nearly five years as tutor in the University, at the same time prosecuting, still further, his studies in the languages and higher mathematics.
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 235
He returned to the residence of his father, who was then pastor of the Raccoon Church, in 1800, and on the 30th day of April, 1801, was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Ohio. His theological studies had been prosecuted in part with Rev. Ashbel Green, D. D., while he was connected with the University, and in part under the direction of Dr. McMillan.
The next year after his licensure, Mr. Patterson took a tour over the destitute region of what was afterward the territory of the Presbytery of Erie. He visited the shore of Lake Erie, preached at various places, and finally was encouraged to think of settling in the congregations of Erie and Upper and Lower Greenfield, These latter churches were afterwards known as Middlebrook and North East. Rev. Elisha McCurdy had preceded him here, and soon after Mr. Patterson's first visit, he, in company with Joseph Stockton (4), James Satterfield (6), and his own famous "praying elder," Philip Jackson, organized the churches of Upper Greenfield (Middlebrook) and Lower Greenfield (North East).
At a pro re nata meeting of the Presbytery of Erie, held at Pittsburgh, on the 30th of September, 1802, during the sessions of the Synod of Pittsburgh, Mr. Patterson was received under its care. At the same meeting calls were presented for his pastoral labors from the congregations of Erie and Upper and Lower Greenfield, of which he declared his acceptance. Acts iii. 19 was assigned him as the subject for a sermon as part of trials for ordination. At a meeting of Presbytery held at Lower Greenfield, or North East, on the 1st day of September, 1803, the congregation of Erie, having from some cause declined entering into the
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236 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE,
arrangement, Mr. Patterson was ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of Upper and Lower Greenfield. Here he labored faithfully and with the practice of much self-denial until the 22d day of April, 1807, when at his own request the pastoral relation was dissolved, During his labors in this field he resided at North East, and took frequent missionary tours up and down the Lake, and for a time preached a part of the time at a place called Portland. A wide-spreading fir-tree is still pointed out by an aged citizen of the neighborhood, as having been planted by Mr. Patterson's own hand.
In April, 1807, he accepted an invitation to take charge of the Pittsburgh Academy, now the Western University of Pennsylvania. During the three years he presided over this institution, he numbered among his pupils many who afterwards filled prominent public stations, and who often spoke in grateful terms of his care and faithfulness as an instructor.
In October, 1812, Mr. Patterson was dismissed from the Presbytery of Erie, to connect himself with the Presbytery of Redstone, From 1810 to 1836 he was engaged in secular business, book-selling, and at times the manufacture of paper, having been one of the proprietors of one of the first paper mills established in the West. This business was carried on extensively for nearly a quarter of a century, bringing him into extensive public notice, yet not always resulting in success. Indeed, he suffered many severe reverses, yet was always esteemed a man of most undoubted probity and honor.
During the greater portion of this time, he was stated supply of the Hilands Church, situated about seven miles from Pittsburgh, and in the bounds of the Presbytery
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 237
of Ohio. The people of this charge have often remembered his faithful ministrations; and the recollection of the relationship he had sustained to them, with its many pleasing associations, was a theme of grateful acknowledgment on his part, to the latest period of his life.
In 1840, Mr. Patterson removed to the country a short distance from Pittsburgh. The infirmities of age were now upon him, and he ceased to preach regularly, yet he was always ready, when physical strength would permit, to preach in neighboring churches when they were vacant. For many years increasing spirituality seemed to characterize his mind. The things unseen of the eye of sense absorbed his attention and filled his mind, as was obvious from his reading and conversation. Scarcely a friend or even a stranger paused for a moment at his door, without having their attention called to the things of religion. Rev. Richard Lea who knew him well, remarks that he did not remember a single conversation with him for many years, were the interview long or short, in which the subject of the soul's great interest had not been introduced. In the bosom of his own family, where he was ever the most tender of husbands, and the most affectionate of fathers, and in the enjoyment of that domestic intercourse which had for him a peculiar charm, his spirituality of character and heavenly-mindedness, shone forth with brightest lustre.
His last illness was brief. His disease was dysentery. It assumed an alarming character about a week preceding his departure. When all hope of recovery was precluded, his brother Joseph said to him, "You will soon he with that Jesus whom you have loved so long." He smiled a pleased assent. His brother then remarking
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238 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.
that "God showed the same mercy in breaking up as in building up a family," he replied that "We are too prone to regard only one of God's attributes -- his mercy; forgetting that he was infinite in them all -- his justice as well as his mercy." Other remarks showed that whilst tenderly mindful of those around, his thoughts were with that Saviour he was so soon to see.
On Sabbath afternoon he lapsed into a state of almost lethargy, which continued with little interruption until Tuesday evening, September 5, 1854, when without a quivering muscle, or a heaving sigh, he passed away from earth.
There are perhaps few to whom could be applied with greater propriety the words which were the last he ever read, when he led for the last time the devotions of his family, on the Wednesday preceding his decease: "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." Phil. iii. 20, 21.
In August, 1801, Mr. Patterson was united in marriage to Miss Jean, daughter of Col. John Canon, the proprietor of Cannonsburg. They had seven children, five daughters, and two sons.
The following paper from the pen of Rev. Richard Lea, will throw light upon his character:
"Rev. Robert Patterson, son of Joseph, was like his father in many respects: rather short and heavy, very lively and good natured. He was not a student, but a good scholar; long known in Pittsburgh as a bookseller, but preaching for twenty-five years, nearly every Sabbath,
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BIOGRAPHICAL. 239
in Hilands Church. He had labored previously in Erie County, Pa. He lived many years, in a hearty old age, after his resignation as pastor.
"I never knew one so remarkable for under-valuing self. In judicatories he spoke impulsively, and if replied to pointedly, none enjoyed it more than himself. He would catechize a young man's performance earnestly, and ending with, 'It is too much like my own performances;' or 'It is very poor indeed, but far better than I could do myself.' The severest thing he ever said was, 'Moderator, as a performance, that is more logical and accurate than anything of my own, but I never did preach such a Christless thing. I never will vote for a sermon that has not the slightest perfume of the Rose of Sharon.'
"He often told with great gusto, the following, which was rather at his own expense: --
"'I was riding on horseback through the mud, seven miles to Hilands, to preach on Sabbath morning. A traveller overtook me. I told him he must be fond of violating the Sabbath to travel over such awful roads.
"'And what are you doing, friend?
"'O, I'm going to church.'
"'Do you think it makes much difference to the horse ? Couldn't you get preaching nearer?'
"The church was soon reached, and I said, 'Suppose you come and hear preaching; it will rest both you and your horse.'
"'Who is the preacher?'
"'One Patterson.'
"'Did he preach in Erie once?'
"'Yes.'
"'Then I won't stop -- he is the dryest old stick I ever heard.'
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240 PRESBYTERY OF ERIE.
"His own sermons were all extempore, and very much taken up with the relative duties of husbands and wives, parents and children. He abounded in anecdotes, sure to speak of Jesus; often, with tears, of his mother.
"The text he often parsed -- spoke of nouns and verbs, etc., often exclaiming, 'O, the sweetness of the personal pronouns. Any one can say, a Saviour, the Saviour; it takes a Christian to say, my Lord, my Saviour.'
"Every one wished to lodge him, at Presbytery. He would put all at ease by saying, 'What a bountiful meal God has given you for us.' 'Put as much cream into my coffee as though you kept a cow, and as much sugar as if you had a sugar camp.'
"'Make your tea strong, and weaken with cream and sugar.'
"'Madam! What a nice big boy you have! Give him to Christ, and ask him to make him a missionary.'
"To a lady who asked him what school she should send her daughter to, he replied, 'That one that has the most religion in it.'
"'Don't send your boy into the world until he has found Christ. But if he will go, follow him with prayers and tears. Give him and God no rest, until he is converted.'" ...
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