manuscripts left by Judge Campbell there was found, among them, a paper entitled "Church Beginnings in Michigan." The following is an extract from this paper: "It is not known that any church of England clergyman was ever permanently stationed in Detroit, or elsewhere in what is now Michigan. The only reference to such a person during the British domination is in the marriage in 1770 of Dr. George Christian Anthon, acting post surgeon, who was the father of the distinguished brothers, John, Henry and Charles Anthon, so eminent in their professions in New York. His marriage was solemnized by Chaplain Turring, of the British Army, a part of whose regiment (the Fiftyfifth) was stationed in Detroit. It is not known that he made any long stay in Detroit, and it is not likely that he did so as no other clerical act is recorded. On the contrary there are repeated instances of such action by laymen during the whole British occupation. The British articles of war provided for the performance of chaplain functions by various military officers. Marriages were celebrated by the commanding officer, and he probably officiated at funerals, which were not registered as marriages were. These religious functions were also delegated to the local judge, who generally held a notarial office. The celebrated jurist, John Anthon, was baptised by Thomas Williams (great grandfather of Rev. (now Bishop) G. Mott Williams of Marquette) who was justice, notary and King's receiver. The commanding officer also baptized children on occasions. Day services were conducted for the troops, at which, probably the inhabitants who spoke English attended." Detroit was in the possession of the British subsequently to the surrender to Maj. Robert Rogers in the fall of 1760. After the Treaty of Paris in 1763 the Province of Quebec was organized but it did not include Detroit. The lines of the new province were so drawn that Detroit was left in the Indian country and it was the effort of government to discourage, rather than to encourage, the building up of the post as a civil settlement. When the lines of the province were enlarged, in the Quebec Act of 1774, Detroit was included, but at that time the Revolution had broken out and Great Britain had a more serious task on her hands than that of encouraging the building up this frontier post for any other than military purposes. When that war ended in 1783 it was agreed that Michigan should form a part of the United States and although Detroit was occupied by British troops for thirteen years longer, England had lost all interest in its prosperity. No public buildings were erected, no churches, schools or public institutions were established. While the village was still in British hands the Rev. Dr. Philip Toosey came here and preached for some time and left in 1786. A subscription was raised for his support, but the amounts were never fully paid, and indeed he left here before the term of his engagment was ended. Mr. Toosey subsequently became rector of Quebec and upon the death of the bishop, in 1793, tried to become his successor in office. In this he was not successful and he then accepted the position as commissary of the Bishop of Upper and Lower Canada. In the fall of 1786 the Rev. George Mitchell, at the request of Alexander McKee, Superintendent of the British Indian department, came to Detroit to engage himself as a resident minister of the place. In order to provide for his support he had a subscription paper drawn up which was passed around among the English speaking inhabitants, and those who favored the enterprise attached their names, followed by the amount each was willing to contribute. This original document, yellow with age, water stained and mouse eaten is OLD SCOTCH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AFTER REMOVAL TO WASHINGTON AVENUE in the Burton Collection of the Public Library. The ink shows on its yellow. pages as distinctly as if written yesterday. The document bears the names of probably every Protestant who was living here at that time. There are several papers relating to this affair, as follows: "We, the subscribers, hereby promise to pay unto the Reverend George Mitchell, or his order, the sums annexed to our names respectively, for one year's attendance as clergyman of this District, commencing December 1st. 1786, in quarterly payments: “English inhabitants who have never been applied to or have not subscribed to the maintenance of a ministry. Commodore Grant Paid £5. Major McGreggor Paid £5. Captain Caldwell Mr. Sparkman, Mr. Cornwall, Mr. Cook, Isaac Dolson, James McIntosh, Mr. Hand, Mr. George Forsyth, Mr. Christie, Mr. Girty, Mr. Lyttle, Mr. Harsen, Mr. Graverod, "Collection of the last half year beginning December 1st, 1787 and ending "To William M'Combe Esq. and Messrs. John Askin, James Abbot and George Meldrum. "Gentlemen "At a meeting of the Inhabitants of this Place held at the Council House upon the 1st day of June last, by the Subscription Paper which I proposed, and which was then read, I mentioned your Names as the Gentlemen whom I wished to Act as Vestrymen and superintend the Business of the Congregation. We have not been able to bring Church Matters to that Order and regularity which I could have wished. Various Causes have no doubt contributed to prevent it. The necessary avocations of Business both public and private, the uncertainty which still remains respecting this Post, and other Circumstances render the Situation of a resident Clergyman here very precarious and his Subsistence uncertain. If any thing has been wanting on my Part, it is from you that I should receive Information. I conceive that the taking Subscriptions and collecting money does not properly fall to my Part, but should rather be done by some person appointed by you, or whatever method you should think most advisable. I have taken the liberty to inclose you the Subscription List for last year, and the Ballances due as nearly as I can make them out at present. "There are several of the English Inhabitants about the Fort who I believe. would have subscribed but have never been applied to, whether you think proper to make any application still to such, I submit to your Judgment. I am as you may conceive involved in some small debts, particularly to Mr. Robertson to whom I have been under particular obligations, and to Sergt. Brown for Provisions, and a few others which I could wish to be able to discharge nearly as soon as possible. "As to any future Subscription, I propose none at present more than for Six months as I propose to go down to Montreal, and from thence to Quebec, about the beginning of June next, or about the time that the first Shipping may be expected from England. "An appointment from the Society, if the application has been forwarded & delivered, I have no doubt will take Place. That together with some appointment for the Garrison if it could be obtained, with some Subscription from the Inhabitants, might be very sufficient for the Support of a Clergyman to reside at this Place. Otherwise I do not see that the Inhabitants alone can support one without distressing themselves. I have likewise inclosed my proposals for Six months in which you may do as you think proper. I have the Honour to be with Respect Detroit Dec 8th- 1787 Gentlemen "Your most obedt and "GEORGE MITCHELL." "William M'Combe Esq. & Messrs. John Askin & George Meldrum. "Gentlemen: "As I wish to leave this Place now as soon as possible, I must take the |