Item

Access and use

Location of collection:
University of Virginia, Special Collections Dept.
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400110
160 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Brenda Gunn
Phone: (434) 924-1037
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Restrictions:

Terms of access:

Preferred citation:

Papers of John Skinner, Accession #4818-a, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Papers of John Skinner, Accession #4818-a, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Background

Biographical / historical:

This collection contains appeals, complaints, correspondence, and other papers, 1847-1848, 23 items, in the case of the Reverend John Skinner, put on trial by Presbytery of Lexington on the charge of libel and defamation against the President and Professors of Washington College, three of whom are in the ministry with him, in a pamphlet written by Dr. Skinner.

In the pamphlet (not present), he accused the President and Professors of participating in producing dissatisfaction with his ministry (pages 76-77); treating the students publicly with contempt; acting as police and "spying through key holes"; professors being very jealous of their authority; said the professors feared Dr. Skinner coming to examine their classes; states that the college dignitaries have a disposition to inflict their wrath on students who wrote a letter of sympathy for Skinner (page 80); accused the President and professors of Washington College of acting to prevent the address of the Rev. Dr. Alexander, who had come by appointment, to the student body (pages 83-84); wrote very specific accusations against his fellow ministers, Rev. Ruffner, Rev. Calhoun, and Rev. Armstrong (pages 81-90), which included the approval of dancing, statements that Washington College was not a Presbyterian College, interfering with his ministry, and communing with Episcopalians, latitudinarianism, among other complaints; and accusing Major J.T.L. Preston (page 65), an elder in the church of Lexington, of unsound doctrine.

The Reverend John Skinner, according to the charges, wrote about himself, "I am a Presbyterian minister of Scottish caliber & I have been set & appointed as sentinel at the gates of the Presbyterian Church here; & since you & your other Presbyterian Professors have playing such 'fantastic tricks before high heaven' in my absence - I am determined just to keep a more vigilant watch in future." For more details see the manuscript Copy of Charges & Specifications exhibited against Dr. John Skinner, February 4-March 22, [1848], and the printed items in Rare Books, including: Case of the Rev. John Skinner, D.D., and the Presbyterian Church of Lexington [BX9193.S45S45 1847], Record of the Presbytery of Lexington, convened for the Trial of the Rev. John Skinner, D.D. [BX9193.S45 P7 1848]; and Sundry Papers in the Lexington Church Case [BX9193.S45 S5 1848].

Acquisition information:
The collection was purchased by the Library from Jerry N. Showalter, 2007 November 19.
Physical location: