Rev. Benjamine Irvin was the thirty-fourth member of Hanover Presbytery, was a graduate of Princeton University, 1776. Was received as a candidate April 30, 1778, and exhibited pieces of trial given him by Mr. Graham on account of his inability by sickness to attend a previous meeting of Presbytery. Was ordained at Mossy Creek June 20, 1780, pastor of Mossy Creek and Cook's Creek churches. He organized the Harrisonbnrg Presbyterian church in 1786, dividing his time among the three.
Rev. W. C. White, Stated Clerk of the Lexington Presbytery, sent me a full report of the minutes of Lexington Presbytery in reference to Rev. Benjamine Irvin, some of which I will copy.
Lexington Presbytery was erected by the Synod of Philadelphia, May, 1786 -- dividing the Presbytery of Hanover, which then covered Virginia -- and Rev. Benjamine Erwin was one of the charter members when it met at Timber Ridge, Rockbridge County, September 26, 1786.
Vol 1, p. 4, Sept. 1786 To this first meeting he came the second day. He was sent to supply, or visit, the "Calf Pasture" societies with another minister and two elders.
Vol. 1, p. 11, Apr. 10, 1787: Present at a meeting of Presbytery. He seemed to have had trouble about his salary.
P. 13. The committee to Visit Mossy Creek and Cook's Creek churches: Messrs. Archibald Scott and William Wilson, with two elders.
Vol. 1, p. 7, reports that these societies did furnish them with an account of their salary, that they do not consider themselves bound collectively, but only as individuals for Mr. Erwin's support. Presbytery considering the matter of Mr. Erwin's settlement, find his situation very unfavorable, and therefore earnestly recommend to these societies a speedy effective collection of Mr. Erwin's arrears, else a separation would take place.
P. 32, Oct. 23, 1788: The Rev. Mr. Erwin represented to Presbytery that with the consent of Mossy and Cook's Creek churches he had taken the additional charge of Harrisonburg.
Vol. 1, p. 37, April 14, 1789: Present: Meeting Hall's church, now New Monmouth. Rev. Benj. Erwin chosen moderator.
P. 47, Lexington, Oct. 2, 1789: Presbytery 6th session, was opened by a sermon delivered by the Rev. Benjamin Erwin, moderator of our last.
P. 49: The Rev. Benjamin Irvin informs that said churches, Mossy
Creek, Cook's Creek, and Harrisonburg have each agreed with him for one-third of his ministerial labors, and that each society has bound themselves as a collective body to pay him a certain salary.
Vol. 1, P. 90, Sept. 20, 1791: Present: P. 185, Rev. Benj. Erwin with two others appointed a committee to examine students of Lexington Hall Academy.
P. 63, Apr. 23, 1791 -- Bethel. Rev. Benjamin Irvine. Present.
P. 64, Messrs. Irvine * * * interrogated on the case of their absence from last Presbytery -- on hearing their reason Presbytery agreed to sustain them.
P. 69, Apr. 13, 1802 -- New Providence -- in absence of moderator, Rev. Benj. Irvin chosen moderator pro tem. Mr. Irwin had collected twenty dollars for missions, and the only one that had.
P. 146, Nov. 6, 1806 -- New Providence -- Rev. Benjamine Irwin preached opening sermon. 2 Cor. 5-20, "We Are Embassadors for Christ."
P. 264, Apr. 28, 1808: Timber Ridge -- Present.
P. 275: Rev. Benj. Irvin, on request, was permitted to travel without the consent of this Presbytery, and he is hereby recommended affectionately to the attention of the churches among which he may travel.
P. 311, Harrisonburg, Nov. 9, 1809. Absent -- P. 318. Rev. Benjamine Irvin is also dismissed from this Presbytery and recommended to join Transylvania in good standing.
Silver Creek, Ky., Mar. 2, 1915.
Mrs. _____, Corydon, Ind.:
I see in the old church book which dates back to 1775, that Rev. Benjamine Irvine came to Silver Creek church in 1808, as Stated Supply. It says he labored there six or eight years. By his ministration the people of God were thoroughly comforted. Mr. M. F. Arbucle, clerk of the session. From the minutes of Transylvania Oct. 2, 1810, meeting at Danville, Ky., Benjamine Irvin, late of the Presbytery of Lexington having been regularly dismissed to join this Presbytery, was received and invited to take his seat.
"He served Mossy Creek church twenty-eight years, the longest pastorate in her history. The church increased under his care, but his salary was small, and of course retarded his usefulness."
From the "sketch" of Mossy Creek Church, from 1769 to 1808.
Fourth Generation: Sophie Irvin (daughter of Rev. Benjamin Irvin and Sarah Brewster), born in Rockinghatn County, Virginia, married Nathaniel Dunn in Madison County, Ky., and came to Crawfordsville, Ind., in 1825. He was a son of Samuel Dunn and Eleanore Brewster,
his wife. Eleanor Dunn, Sarah Irvin, Jane Irvin, and Agnes Alexander, four sisters, and all daughters of James Brewster, of Rockingham County, Virginia, who died in Jessamine County, Kentucky, 1807, children of Sophie and Nathaniel Dunn.
Sarah Brewster Irvin, born in Rockingham County, Virginia, Dec. 2, 1801, died August 3, 1883, and is buried in the Lexington, Ky., cemetery. She was a daughter of Rev. Benjamin Irvin and Sarah Brewster; married first in 1825 to Benjamin Irvin Dunn, son of Nathaniel Dunn, Sr., and Polly (or Mary) Brewster, grandson of James Dunn and James Brewster, who both died in Jessamine County, Ky. Children of "pretty little Sally Irvin," as familiarly called, and Benjamin Irvin Dunn:
They had two children, William E., born July 7, 1855, and Joda. The latter died at the age of two years. William E. Dunn, when only seventeen years of age, began to study banking, which became his life work. He has been connected with the Citizens' State Bank at Noblesville, Ind., for thirty-five years, rising from bookkeeper to president in 1893, which office he still holds. He was married, Jan. 18, 1888, to Fannie Ross, daughter of George W. Ross and Elizabeth Coon Ross, of Clinton County, Ind. They have three children, all living: Mabel, b. Aug. 14, 1889; Frank Hogan, b. Oct. 18, 1891, and Ross Rutledge, b. Aug. 22, 1894. Mabel married, June 12, 1914, Noel Chester Neal, son of Judge John F. Neal. One child, Elizabeth Ann, b. Apr. 30, 1915.