Who was Francis Makemie?

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Francis Makemie is remembered as the "Father of American Presbyterianism." Equally significant was his stand for religious liberty for all colonists when he willingly withstood imprisonment and won a trial for "preaching without a license."  Makemie Woods is named for this man of faith and courage, who after coming to the colonies made his home on the Eastern Shore and had a significant role in the cultivation of a number of the churches of the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia.  Two bear the name Makemie:  Makemie Presbyterian Church, in Accomac, and Naomi Makemie Presbyterian Church, named for his wife, in Onancock.

Key events in the life of Francis Makemie:

  • Born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1658
  • Studied in Scotland at the University of Glascow, and was ordained a "missionary to America" in 1682
  • In 1683, he answered the request of  Colonel William Stevens for a  Presbyterian minister to come to Maryland.
  • Established the Rehobeth Presbyterian Church in 1683, and began numerous other Presbyterian mettings and congregations throughout the area.
  • In the spring of 1706, he organized the first Presbytery meeting, and was elected its first moderator.
  • In January 1707, he was arrested in New York for "preaching without license." He did in fact have licenses from two other colonies, and had met the requirements for the Act of Toleration in Barbados.
  • He was imprisoned for six weeks (though he could have chosen to pay a substantial fine and been released), declared innocent and acquitted at trial, and then forced to pay for his own prosecution, an action declared so unjust that the New York Assembly passed a law preventing such action in the future.  This trial was hailed as a landmark decision for religious freedom in the colonies.
  • Makemie died one year later at his farm on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, in 1708.  A commemorative park and statue now mark the place believed to be where he is buried in Temperanceville, VA.

 

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To learn more about the life about this fascinating man,  research the links below.  Or, for a more personal account, consider a presentation by our Assistant Director Anthony Burcher.  In first person narrative, Anthony Burcher presents an historical interpretation of the life of Frances Makemie, including interesting facts about the cultural, religious and political situation of the late 17th and early 18th centuries.  The presentation usually last 15 - 30 minutes, and can be tailored to fit the interests of your church or civic organization.

Francis Makemie Links:

 

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Contact Info:
Anthony Burcher
c/o Makemie Woods
PO Box 39
Barhamsville VA 23011
mike@makwoods.org ("Mike" Burcher--checked daily) or
anthony@makwoods.org
800-566-1496