Rev. George Aeneas Ross ^957,1090

  General Notes:

Rev. George ROSS was born in 1679 in Balblair, Parish of Fern, Ross-shire, Scotland. In a brief autobiography he was said to have written for his son John, Rev. George Ross said he was "born in the North of Scotland in the Shire of Ross in the Parish of Fern, about four or five miles from the Shire between two Firths, one the Firth of Murray, the other the Firth of Dornoch. The land lying between the two Firths terminates in the noted point called Tarbat Ness." He died on 18 NOV 1753 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. He was buried in Immanuel Church, New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. In the autobiography written by Rev. George Ross he said "There was great hope of seeing worthy Mr. George mount the Presbyterian pulpit, but Alas! the closer he applied himself to reading the stronger his aversion grew to the party then uppermost in Scotland, he observed the leading men of that side to be sour, censorious and hypocritical. The young student decided to attach himself to the Church of England and after a diligent study of its principles, wrote to Aeneas McKensie, Chaplain of the Earl of Cromarty, Secretary of State for Scotland, then at London, inquiring as to his prospects for advancement in England, and receiving an encouraging reply, with the assistance of his brother and the leading men of the Episcopal party in Scotland was enabled to make his way to London with a recommendation from the Bishop of Edinburgh. On his arrival he presented himself to the Bishop of London, who received him kindly and ordered him to attend the next ordination, at which time he, his friend McKensie and several others were put in Deacon's orders, nine days after his arrival in London. He was soon promoted to a chaplaincy on board a man of war, at a salary of eighty pounds sterling per annum; but not liking the captain he returned to London and found his friend McKensie making application to the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, then newly incorporated, for a mission abroad. Mr. Ross was easily persuaded to join him in the application, and their applications resulted in both being appointed missionaries, McKensie to Staten Island, and Ross to New Castle on the Delaware, in America."

Rev. Ross graduated from the University of Edinburg in 1700 and the Divinity School in 1703. He emigrated to the United States, arriving in Philadelphia 23 Aug 1705. He was ordained by the Bishop of London (Episcopal) and was rector of Immanuel Church, New Castle, Delaware, from June 1705 to July 1708, and then again from October 1714 to his death in 1754. Immanuel Church still stands at the corner of Second and Harmony Streets.

Rev. Ross took up his position as rector of Immanuel Church in New Castle and reported to the Society 17 May 1706 that there were but few church people at New Castle. "We have many Opposers, both from without and from within; yet, blessed be God, we faint not, neither are we discouraged...The Presbyterians have a meeting in Town, and the Anabaptists have another in the Country." The Anglican church In New Castle was organized in 1703 as a result of services held from occasionally in private homes since about 1689. A church was built in 1706 on the site of Fort Casimir but was not consecrated at that time because there was no Bishop of the Church of England in America.

By 1708, Rev. Ross was complaining of financial difficulties: there was no legal provision for the support of the clergy, and he was obliged to pay thirty pounds a year for his accommodations. He could not live there except for the generosity of a man whose son he instructed in Latin. In 1708, somewhat discouraged, Rev. Ross moved to Chester, PA. He had recently married and hoped to better maintain his family by keeping a boarding school, in addition to his ministerial duties at St. Paul's Church. Rev. Ross excused himself to the Society for moving away, saying he had suffered grievances which the congregation refused to redress, and expressed his hope the Society would approve his move. The Society did not, and suspended his stipend during his Chester ministry. Rev. Ross then went to Maryland but did not remain long, moving on to Philadelphia where he was accused by Rev. Evan Evans of trying to take over a school there. The Bishop of London felt that Rev. Ross's conduct was blameworthy and complained to the Society. Rev. Ross felt it was incumbent on him to vindicate himself in person before his ecclesiastical superiors, so he returned to Great Britain in 1710. He evidently convinced the Bishop that his conduct was excusable because the Bishop wrote "I am so well satisfied in Mr. Ross' innocence, that I am of the opinion we ought to pay him his arrears when we can, and that it will be best to send him to Chester for the convenience of his family." Thus reinstated, Rev. Ross started for America, however he fell into the hands of the French and was carried prisoner to France. His release was secured in 1711 and he was back in Chester, PA by Jan 1712. Here he was much concerned over the progress of Quakerism, which was then regarded as a pernicious heresy and subversive of patriotic principles.

Rev. Ross held services not only at Chester, PA , but also Concord, PA (St. John's Church 1708-1712) and Chichester, PA. He was reappointed as rector of Immanuel Church in New Castle, DE in 1714, and remained until his death in 1754. Rev. Ross was buried under the chancel of Immanuel Church, but the church has no record of his date of death and his grave is unmarked. On a wall of the church is a commemorative tablet erected by his great-granddaughter Mary Ross which reads: "To the Glory of God and in memory of Rev. George Ross First Rector of this Church, sent as a missionary in 1703, by the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. He was the son of David Ross, of Balblair, Ross-shire, Scotland. Born 1680. He graduated at the University of Edinburgh in 1700, and after serving this Parish faithfully for fifty years, died at New Castle in the 75th year of his age. He was eminent for his piety, learning, and zeal for the cause of Christ."

He was married to Joanna WILLIAMS about 1707 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. Joanna WILLIAMS was born about 1690 in RI. She died on 29 SEP 1726. She was buried in Immanuel Church, New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. Her tomb is near the eastern gable of the church. Rev. George ROSS and Joanna WILLIAMS had the following children:
6 i. David ROSS was born about 1708 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. He died before 1754. David was said to have married Sarah Rolfe. She was from the line of Thomas Rolfe, son of John and Rebecca Rolfe. Rebecca was the Indian princess Pocahontas. David and Sarah had four children: Daniel; George; John, born 1732; and James Michael, born about 1740 and died 1801 in Stonycreek Twp., Somerset Co., PA.
David was said to be a Church of England missionary. However, Edmund Hayes Bell, a Ross family researcher at the turn of the century, said in a letter to Frank Willing Leach, another Ross researcher: "I have never been able to locate him at Albany, N.Y., and doubt his having been a clergyman...The name of Rev. David Ross does not appear in the records of the London Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts nor can it be found in any of the records of St. Pater's Church, Albany, N.Y. or of the Episcopal Church in New York State. On the other hand, Holcomb's History of Immanuel Church, New Castle, De, pg. 178, mentions Rev. David Ross, and Mr. Thompson Read in his life of George Read of Delaware, pg. 62, mentions Rev. George Ross' eldest son David who died a missionary of the Church of England at Albany, N.Y."
+7 ii. Margaret ROSS.
+8 iii. John ROSS.
+9 iv. Aeneas ROSS.
+10 v. Ann Catharine ROSS.
+11 vi. Jacob ROSS.

He was married to Anna Catherine VAN GEZEL (daughter of Jacob VAN GEZEL and Gertrude REYNIER) about 1728 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. Anna Catherine VAN GEZEL was born in 1689 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. She was christened on 20 OCT 1689 in Dutch Reformed Church, New York City, NY. Witnesses at the christening were Reynier Williams, Hendrick Boelen, and Femmetje Kock. She died after 1748. She was known as "Catherine" by family and friends. Rev. George ROSS and Anna Catherine VAN GEZEL had the following children:
+12 i. George ROSS.
+13 ii. Gertrude ROSS.
+14 iii. Catherine ROSS.
+15 iv. Elizabeth ROSS.
+16 v. Susanna ROSS.
+17 vi. Mary ROSS.
+18 vii. James ROSS.

SOURCES
1. John W. Jordan. Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania. The Lewis Publishing Co., NY & Chicago, 1911, Vol. II, pg. 1247-1251, 974.8 J82 CAL. Ross PA3.
2. Ross PA3.
3. John W. Jordan. Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania. The Lewis Publishing Co., NY & Chicago, 1911, Vol. II, pg. 1247-1251, 974.8 J82 CL. Ross PA3.
4. American Antiquarian Society. 1936,Vol. 46, pg. 290-312, F028.0305 NL.
5. John W. Jordan. Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania. The Lewis Publishing Co., NY & Chicago, 1911, Vol. II, pg. 1247-1251, 974.8 J82 CL. Ross PA3.
6. Ibid. Ross PA3.
7. Sketch of Early Ecclesiastical Affairs in New Castle, Delaware, and History of Immanuel Church. FHL film #1320688, Item 5.
8. John W. Jordan. Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania. The Lewis Publishing Co., NY & Chicago, 1911, Vol. II, pg. 1247-1251, 974.8 J82 CL. Ross PA3.
9. Pennsylvania Vital Records. Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine of History and Biography, 1983, Vol. II and III, 974.8 P415 CL. pg. 542, Ross PA10.
10. Ibid. pg. 542, Ross PA10.
11. Ibid. pg. 542, Ross PA10.
12. Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Biographical Sketches of Members of Constitutional Convention 1776. Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 1880, Vol. IV, 230-231. Ross PA12.
13. Kenneth Scott. National Genealogical Society, Washington, D.C., 1971, pg. 114. pg.
14. H.M.J. Klein and William Diller. The History of St. James Church (Protestant-Episcopal), Lancaster, PA 1744-1944. 1944, pg. 48, 974.8 K64. pg. 48.
15. John W. Jordan. Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania. The Lewis Publishing Co., NY & Chicago, 1911, Vol. II, pg. 1247-1251, 974.8 J82 CL. Ross PA3.
16. Will Book Q, Vol. 1, page 327 (1832).
17. Marriages and Deaths from Newspapers of Lancaster Co. PA, 1821-1830, 1831-1840, Lancaster Examiner, 974.8 W949.
18. Pennsylvania German Church Records of Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, Etc. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1983, Vol. 1, G929.3478 P3834. pg. 135.
19. Lancaster Historical Society. Papers and Addresses from the 1956 Lancaster Co. Historical Society Journal. 1906-08, Vol. 11-12, 974.8 L244.
20. Marriages and Deaths from Newspapers of Lancaster Co., PA 1821-1830 & 1831-1840, Lancaster Journal, 974.8 W949.
21. Pennsylvania German Church Records of Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Burials, Etc. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1983, Vol. 1, G929.3478 P3834. pg. 122.
22. Pennsylvania Archives Third Series. Provincial Papers: Proprietary and Other Tax Lists of the County of Chester for the Years 1774, 1779, 1780, 1781, 1785. published 1897, Vol. 12, pg. 765 and 707. Barefoot, PA6.
23. Photocopy of page from family bible with handwritten notations of birth of children of Dr. Benjamin and Rebecca Ross Barefoot. Ross PA1.
24. Ibid. Ross PA1.
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my very good son [John Ross -- dated 1752]

You have enclosed an answer, to your repeated request, wherein you may observe, the easy & regular steps, Providence conducted me to settle in the Country. You may trace your original, from a pure stream, to as pure a fountain. If my posterity contract any blemish, it must proceed from themselves. No original guilt can be imparted to them. Tis well, the rise of many familys in these parts, is like the head of the Nile unknown. Their glory consists in their obscurity. Tis your satisfaction, that it is otherwise with you, your escutcheon, is without blot, or stain. Contend then for the honor of your family, by a kind and generous behaviour, towards the several branches of it. Relieve them from contempt by your beneficence, and put them above the worst, by exercising that ability towards them, which God has blessed you with: which if you do, God will gather you in his good time, to your honest, and worthy progenitors. I have a quick sense of your filial favors, and you may be sure, that I am Dear son,

your most obliged
affectionate father
Geo. Ross
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The Life of the Reverend George Ross

George Ross Rector (as he is styled in his Presentation) of the Church of New Castle was the second son, that came to mans Estate, of David Ross of Balblair, a gentlemen of moderate fortune, but of great integrity, and Margaret his wife born in the north of Scotland, and in the Parish of Fern, in the Shire? of Ross, about 4 or 5 miles from the shire between two arms of the sea. The Firth f___tum of Murray (Moray), the other of Dornoch. The land laying between the two firths, terminates in a noted point, called Tarbat Ness.

He was put to school very early, and made progress in the Latin tongue, under the care of the schoolmaster in Tain, and being of a promising genius, his father asked him, as they were going to a farm, a little what he would be, to which the son answered a scholar, (young as he was into? inspiration) a scholar you shall be replied the father. When he was about fourteen years of age, his oldest brother, Andrew, requested his father to send him, to him, to Edinburgh. Accordingly he was sent, but for the first twelve months, little to his advantage, for instead of advancing him in his learning, he made him attend to his office, and write from morning till night, often without his dinner, to his great disappointment, not through want of affection to his brother, but through hurry of business and much company. The father being informed of this low, or no education, ordered him to be put to school, and fitted for the university. Andrew lost his slave, and George was once more, put in the way of being a scholar. He took his degree of Master of Arts at Edinburgh in the year 1700--- with this feather in his cap, he returned home, and soon after became Tutor to the Lord of May, his son, for which he was allowed ten pounds sterling per annum, great wages in that part of the world, and at that time of day. Having some ---- cash of his own, and some what to see Edinburgh again & taking leave of his father (the last time he ever saw him) not without some coolness on the sons side, for that the father didn't add weight enough to his blessing as the son expected; (and even at this time, he was not without thought, of seeing foreign countries.) I say taking leave of his father, he proceeds in his journey to Edinburgh, and there entered his name among the students of Divinity, the worthy Mr. Meldrum being Professor. There were great hopes of seeing Mr. George mount the Presbyterian Pulpit, but alas the closer he applied himself to reading, the stronger his aversion grew, to the party then uppermost in Scotland. He observed the leading men of that side to be sour, censorious & hypocritical. He could not digest, the ministers odd gestures, grimaces, dry mouths & screwed faces in their pulpits. He could not comply with their practices, even to save him from a want of bread. Their Horrible Decretum (as Mr. Calvin the author calls it) of Reprobation gave him a surfeit of their Principles, and as to their Church Government, he was satisfied that it was a spacious? Beast?, the genuine product of Core's? Rebellion, of proud Presbyterians against their Lawful Bishops. While he prayed among the students as an orthodox brother, he was diligent in informing himself, of the principles of the Church of England, which he approved of so well, that he was resolved as soon as he could find encouragement to set out for England. Mr. Aneas McKenzie, Chaplin to the Earl of Cromarty, Secretary of State for Scotland, was then at London to whom he opened himself upon that head; Mr. McKenzie being of the same way of thinking answered him that he might depend upon being employed as a Chaplin on board a man of war the least says he you can expect. Mr. McKenzie's letter he communicated to his brother, who upon mature deliberation, with some leading men of the Episcopal party, procured him a bill of exchange, for L18 11s 9d sterling thru straight away and provided & honoured with a recommendation from the Bishop of Edinburgh then outed by the Revolution, he bid adue to his native country, after suffering much in the flesh, by colledge diet, among a set of canting Pharisees, and went to London by sea, and upon his safe arrival waited upon the Bishop of London, who received him very kindly, and ordered him to attend the next ordination, at which his friend McKenzie with several other candidates were put into Deacons orders. This happened nine days after his arrival in London, which proved no small mortification to the winning part at Edinburgh, and a triumph to those of the contrary party. He was soon promoted to a Chaplainship of L80. Stealing on board a man of war, but the Chaplin being a haughty fellow, he grew sick of his station, & resolved to quit it, as soon as he could be otherwise provided for. Returning to London he found his friend McKenzie, making application to the society for the propagation of the Gospel (then newly Incorporated) for a mission. He was easily persuaded to engage with him in so commendable a design. Upon the societies being satisfied (after full trial) with their character & abilities they were both admitted missionaries. McKenzie for Staten Island and Ross for New Castle, who arrived there July 1705. And continued in the said societys service (save a few years he resided at whither he removed for his healths sake) ever since. He now being in his 73 year, how he behaved himself is best known, from the constant regard of his parishioners.
Geo. Ross

NOTES:
David Ross, Sr. died April 1710 in Scotland
David Ross, Sr. married Margaret STRONACH
George's letter and autobiography was written to his son John in 1752
Rev. George died 1753/54
Typed as the Rev. George wrote it, as best could ¹⁰⁸⁵

  Research Notes:

October 2001
*Source for this history: The New Castle Heritage Trail brochure, published by the Mayor and Council of New Castle and the Historic New Castle Visitors Bureau.

History of New Castle
Immanuel is located in the heart of Old New Castle a living village of well preserved colonial and federal homes and public buildings. A stroll through New Castle will reveal the original capital of Delaware, the site where William Penn landed in America, as well as beautiful 17th, 18th and 19th century buildings - all within a 7-block walk of the Delaware River.

IMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH On The Green

History of the Church

A Colonial Church
Immanuel Church was founded in 1689 and was the first parish of the Church of England in Delaware (then still part of Pennsylvania). Work on a church building began in 1703, and was completed in 1708.

The Reverend George (Aeneas) ROSS was the first rector of Immanuel, arriving in 1705 as a missionary sent by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Ross served as rector for Immanuel parish from 1705 until 1708 and then again from 1714 to 1754. Much like today, Ross offered two services on Sunday, and administered Communion regularly. He also served in other churches in the area, and was willing to travel to meet the needs of the colonial occupation.

Anglicans were in the minority in the colony, which had been heavily settled by Presbyterians, Anabaptists, and Quakers. Ross felt a keen sense of competition, and made it his life's work to bring as many people in the village to Anglicanism as possible. Although he often grumbled about the lack of dedicated attendance, Ross was successful in his goal, and left a flourishing church behind him

Revolutionary Times and Beyond

The American Revolution was a difficult time for the Anglican Church in the colonies. As the official state church of England, it struggled to find a role once the United States and England were no longer considered one nation. Although the church continued to exist and became self-governing as the Episcopal Church after the war, many of its members questioned its legitimacy and whether it should continue to exist.

This doubt was evident in New Castle - during the later years of the 18th century, the church had become dilapidated to the point where it was dangerous to be inside. The rector at the time, Robert Clay, himself "loaned" the parish 1600 dollars to perform repairs on the church.

Remarkably, members of the parish decided in 1820, despite declining membership and interest, to invest heavily in improvement of the church building. William Strickland, the most noted American architect of the early 19th century, directed the improvements, which included the addition of the bell tower and an extension of the transepts. And the parish's faith paid off - within a short time, the parish was among the leaders in the diocese and as the Episcopal Church enjoyed a resurgence in the mid-nineteenth century, Immanuel too grew and prospered.

Starting in the late 1850s, the interior of the church was changed to suit Victorian tastes. The interior was again altered around 1900, when Victorian elements were replaced with Colonial Revival architectural features. This style reflected an idealized vision of what Immanuel once was, but did not accurately reflect the way the church ever actually looked.

From the Ashes

On February 1, 1980, embers from a fire in the marsh by the river caught in the wind and landed on Immanuel's roof. The church was badly damaged in the ensuing fire, one of the more traumatic events in the town of New Castle's long history. Talk to any long-time resident of New Castle today, and they most likely will be able to tell you exactly what they were doing when they heard that Immanuel was on fire.

Although the building was damaged, the spirit of the congregation remained strong and faithful. They resolved to rebuild the church and continue to worship on the same spot where Anglicans had worshipped for so many years. The church was restored to its 1820 design, with modifications to the sanctuary to accommodate modern needs. The church was rededicated on December 18, 1982.

Immanuel has had 28 rectors serve as its leader, the latest being Edward Eastman Godden, who has been here since 1989 (as of 2001). Always mindful of our past, in the future the parish of Immanuel Church faces many challenges, including decisions about the maintenance of historic buildings in its care and the challenge of maintaining service and fellowship amid the busyness of modern life.
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Immanuel Church - 1793; Tower - 1822; Rebuilt - 1980

Founded in 1689, this was the first Anglican church in Delaware. This building began as a small structure much like the Presbyterian church, but was significantly enlarged during the Federal period. A fire in 1980 burned all but the walls, and those walls were used in reconstructing the church. The cemetery contains many of Delaware's most important historical figures, including Governors, Senators and "Signers," The church is open daily and visitors are invited to services.
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http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/philadelphia/bios/cfofphil/r-1.txt ¹⁰⁸⁵

  Burial Notes:

Unmarked Grave Under Chancel Of Immanuel Church

  Life Events:

• Graduated-Graduate: University Of Edinburgh, 1700, Edinburgh, , Midlothian, Scotland. ¹⁰⁴⁹

• Graduated-Divinity: Presbyterian, 1703. ¹⁰⁴⁹

• Immigration, 23 Aug 1705, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. ¹⁰⁴⁹ Missionary To New Castle, Delaware

• Military: British Navy - Chaplain. ¹⁰⁴⁹

• Occupation: Ordained Minister, Church Of England. ¹⁰⁴⁹

George married Joanna Williams about 1707 in New Castle, New Castle, Delaware, USA ⁶⁵⁴.^,1049 (Joanna Williams was born in 1680 in New Castle County, Delaware, USA,⁶⁵⁴ died on 29 Sep 1726 in New Castle, New Castle, Delaware, USA ¹⁰⁴⁹ and was buried about 29 Sep 1726 in Immanuel Protestant Episcopal Church (New Castle, New Castle, Delaware, USA) ¹⁰⁴⁹.)

George next married Anna Catherine "Catherine" Von Gezel in 1729 in New Castle, New Castle, Delaware, USA.⁶⁵⁴ (Anna Catherine "Catherine" Von Gezel was born on 20 Sep 1689 in New Castle, New Castle, Delaware, USA ¹⁰⁶⁹, christened on 20 Oct 1689 in New York, New York, New York, USA ¹⁰⁶⁹ and died after 1748 in New Castle, New Castle, Delaware, USA ¹⁰⁶⁹.)