David Proudfoot

David Proudfit (3) was educated at Dobbin's Classical School in Gettysburg.* He studied theology with Rev. John Jamison, and was licensed April 5, 1795, by the Second Presbytery of Pennsylvania. "With Matthew Henderson, Jr., he went on a mis-

eionary tour to Kentucky in 1797. They took the road, passable only for horsemen, just constructed by Ebenezer and Jonathan Zane, in accordance with an Act of Congress passed May, 1796. They endured great hardships, fording swollen streams amid floating ice, sleeping in the open air when they would wake to find themselves covered with several inches of snow."

After his return Rev. David Proudfit was ordained, Nov. 14, 1798, and installed pastor of Laurel Hill congregation, including Dunlap's Creek and East Liberty, Pa. After twenty-six years he removed to Crooked Creek, Muskingum County, 0., where he died June 11,

1830. "

During his ministry of 34 years he preached every Sabbath except two. On one of these high water prevented him from reaching his appointment, on the other he was unable to speak aloud from a cold. "

He preached the last Sabbath of his life, though obliged to sit during the sermon from weakness, and died the following Friday." (From Rev. T. P. Proudfit's Genealogy.) "

The Rev. David Proudfit was a large man, six feet in height, strong and athletic; deep through the chest, but slightly round-shouldered.

In 1776 Eev. Alexander Dobbin erected the stone house now standing at the intersection of Washington street and the Emmetsburg road, close by the National Cemetery. It served as dwelling, academy, and church. It is the oldest Covenanter church building in this country, and is as strong as when built. (J. M. Q.)

A lover of music, he sang well and played gracefully on the violin. Could carry two parts, 'treble' and bass, of the dear old psalm tunes, with voice and violin. Loyal to his ancestry, much of his music was Scotch. His sweet-toned violin and many remembered tunes descended to his son, Robert. The violin is now the valued and well-preserved

possession of his grandson, David Morrow Proudfit." (From D. M. Proudfit's Genealogy.)