CLERICAL ACTS OF REV. JOHN D. McCOLLOUGH
Unfortunately, records kept by clergymen in the Piedmont
from the last century (or even early this century) are a rare
find for genealogists. One of the most geographically
comprehensive records for the Piedmont is that kept by Dr. John
DeWitt McCollough an Episcopal priest who founded most of the
Episcopal churches in the upstate that were established prior to
1900.
Rev. McCollough was born December 8, 1822 at Society Hill,
Darlington County, S. C. He came to the upstate when he was
elected principal of the Glenn Spring Academy in January 1848.
That same year he was ordained a deacon. On July 28, 1850, he
was ordained a priest. He spent the rest of his life (with the
exception of his service as a Confederate chaplain) in the
upstate. His death occurred in Walhalla, Oconee County, S. C. on
January 23, 1902. At that time, he was pastor of a mission
congregation there. He is buried at the Church of the Advent,
Spartanburg, S. C. which he founded.
The records presented here are from a small manuscript
volume at the South Caroliniana Library at the University of
South Carolina, Columbia, s. C. entitled "Record of Clerical acts
by Jno. D. McCollough of South Carolina, who was made a Deacon in
the Church of God in Trinity Church, Columbia by the Rt. Rev. C.
E. Gadsden on the 21st day of June A.D. 1848. Presented for
orders by the Rev. P. J. Shands[.]" This volume is 122 pages in
length and covers the years 1848 through 1865 inclusive. If he
kept records for subsequent years, their whereabouts are unknown.
In addition to the records of a genealogical nature presented in
this and future issues, he kept a detailed record of all services
he conducted which is only of use to a biographer. There are
four basic types of records presented here: