My Genealogy Home Page:Information about Frances McKemy
Frances McKemy (b. 1690)
Notes for Frances McKemy:
"He is a jack-at-all-trades; he is a preacher, a doctor of physic, a merchant, a counselor at law, and which is worst of all, a disturber of governments."
Lord Cornbury, Governor of New York.
The following excerpt from The Writings and Life of Francis Makemie by the Rev. Dr. Boyd Schlenther provides us a wonderful introduction to Francis:
"Francis Makemie was born of Scottish parentage near Ramelton, County Donegal, Ulster, about the year 1658. No details of his early life are known, but he was enrolled in the University of Glasgow ("Franciscus Makemius Scoto Hyburnus") in February of 1676, Trinity College in Dublin being closed to Dissenters at that time. The only personal description we have is that he was blue-eyed, brown-haired, with a fair complexion, and "an intellectual forehead and the dignified mien of a true Irish gentleman." He had at least two brothers and one sister, all of whom remained in Ireland all of their lives. As a boy, Makemie witnessed the extensive persecution of Presbyterians in Ulster and Scotland, which followed the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660."
Francis traveled along the coasts of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and in the island colony of Barbados in the British Isles. Around 1687, he purchased land in Accomack County, Virginia. From here he also engaged in trade, for ministers residing outside the larger cities did not regularly receive a stipend and so were required to find other means of support.
It was while in Accomack County that Francis met and married his wife Naomi Anderson, the daughter of the wealthy and influential William Anderson. Anderson may have encouraged and financed Francis before his death in 1698. Francis and Naomi had two daughters, Anne and Elizabeth. Elizabeth died sometime before her father made his will in 1708, while Anne grew to womanhood and married three times.
Francis died in the summer of 1708, scarcely fifty years old. He left a widow and a daughter.
Interesting Makemie Facts
Makemie was a miller by trade
Makemie spent six weeks in jail (After being charged with preaching without a license by Lord Cornbury. He was later acquitted, but this incident is fascinating for historians of free speech. Take a look at the article by David O. Beale and Terry Kane for details.)
He owned a tremendous library of over one thousand volumes in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and English.
The Presbyterian Historical Society has named an award after him. The award recognizes outstanding published books in American Presbyterian/Reformed history.
In 1982, the Irish Post Office issued a 24p stamp in honor of Francis. To view the stamp, click here. Many thanks to Barbara Haumesser!
FRANCIS MAKEMIE
(Presbyter of Christ in Americas 1683-1708)
TO thee, plain hero of a rugged race,
We bring the meed of praise too long delayed!
Thy fearless word and faithful work have made
For God's Republic firmer path and place
In this New World: thou hast proclaimed the grace
And power of Christ in many a forest glade,
Teaching the truth that leaves men unafraid
Of frowning tyranny or death's dark face.
Oh, who can tell how much we owe to thee,
Makemie, and to labour such as thine,
For all that makes America the shrine
Of faith untrammeled and of conscience free?
Stand here, grey stone, and consecrate the sod
Where rests this brave Scotch-Irish man of God!
Poem by Henry Van Dyke published in his book The White Bees, copyright 1909.
Francis Makemie Church, Accomac, Virginia
Photo contributed by John Cain.
Original Francis Makemie statue restored behind church. Contributed to this site by John Cain. Thanks, John!
The above photograph was contributed to this site by John Cain. Thanks, John!
A copy of Francis' Certificate to be a Dissenter Preacher can be accessed here. A dissenter was a term generally known as someone who disagreed with the Established Church. During the early days of the church in the colonies, the denomination was not as clearly defined as it is today. Other Dissenters were Puritans (Cotton Mather) and some Puritans were Presbyterians. The certificate is stored at the Accomack County Court Records Book at the courthouse in Accomac. (Side note: the city is Accomac; the county Accomack.)
A copy of Francis' will is also transcribed within this site (thanks to Marjory!), and may be accessed here.
A scan of the detailed map in the book, The Days of Makemie; or, The Vine Planted, A.D. 1680-1708 by Rev. I.P. Bowen, can be viewed here. The map shows 17 different landmarks relating to Francis' life and work.
Al McKemy has graciously shared information and photographs from his roadtrip into "Makemie Territory" here.
Kent McKamy passed along information about a plaque found in Battery Park, New York City. It reads,
FRANCIS MAKEMIE Near this site in 1707 Francis Makemie, a native of Ireland and Father of American Presbyterianism, challended the edict of Lord Cornbury, governor of the colony, forbidding him from preaching here. The services he conducted in William Jackson's home resulted in his being indicted for preaching a "pernicious doctrine". His spirited court appearances resulted in his acquittal. It was the first great victory here for religious liberty.
July 17, 1982
Irish Institute of New York
There are extensive resources for researching Francis MaKemie available on the Internet, so I won't try to reproduce the information here. Rather, I will point out several that are of particular interest, but are in no particular order.
Francis Makemie: Champion of Religious Liberty by David O. Beale and Terry Kane
The First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York: A Brief History of First Church
Rev. Francis Makemie's Ideals
Francis Makemie: Onancock Resident with an Impact on America
The Francis Makemie Society
The Presbyterian Meeting House. Francis Makemie worshipped here during his time in Ireland.
Rehobeth Presbyterian Church . Long-standing tradition indicates that Makemie organized this church.
Additional links can be found here.
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Last modified: Saturday, 09-Apr-2005 20:14:55 MDT