Written as a class paper by Brenton Dickieson for Maritime Christian College
"If history teaches us anything, it is that man in his quest for knowledge and progress, is determined and cannot be deterred."
These are the words of martyred American president John F. Kennedy as he spoke at Rice University in 1962. If anything, the expansion of the New World has proven this principle through the determination of certain pioneer individuals. This principle is also applicable to George Garraty, an individual who was a pioneer in the development of the Restoration Movement in eastern Canada. This gentleman will be the primary focus of this biography, in the hope that all may read and learn from the life of this dynamic individual.
The nineteenth century was an exciting era in the history of the Maritimes. People were immigrating to the Maritimes in vast numbers. The new world offered these people many freedoms, allowing them to find a new life and to chase new dreams. There was a social freedom that had never existed before; along with this social freedom, there came religious freedom. This religious freedom sparked hope and fervor in the lifes of Christian individuals and in the church.
In this religious freedom there grew for the first time an idea that was to be later named the Restoration Movement. This movement was sparked by individuals who believed that the Bible was the only rule of faith and practice, and therefore denominational creeds were divisive and prevent God's will for the church: unity. In the Scriptures, these Restoration pioneers found that denominations didn't exist and the only religious names that should be given to individuals, should be Disciples or Christians; and they also believed that all Christians should be immersed and that the ordinances, or the Lord's Supper, should be distributed weekly.
These beliefs began independent of, although similar to, the movement in the United States. This movement is ultimately fathered by and attributed to, Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Barton w. Stone, and Walter Scott. They believed the aforementioned doctrines and began to vigorously teach them in the United States, naming their churches, which were completely autonomous, "church of Christ" or "Christian church." The followers of this movement were called the "Disciples of Christ" (or "Campbellites" in a derogatory sense) and the movement grew rapidly until the civil war, at which time division began to poison the church.
Although many of the ideas of these Restoration Americans had "infiltrated" the Maritimes by the mid-1800's, the earliest restoration work in the Maritimes was done separate from the former. The Maritime movement was an offshoot of the Scotch Baptists and had a close relationship with these Baptist congregations for quite some time. There were five individuals influenced by the Scotch Baptists who abandoned their creeds to introduce what became known as the restoration ideal: John Scott, John Stewart, Alexander Crawford, James Murray, and John Stevenson. Whether by the act of God, or the determination of these men (and probably by both), the new idea had forcefully advanced.
These men never saw the full force of their preaching, even retained many of their Scotch Baptist influence until their death. However, a second generation of preachers were born, and among them was George Garraty.
It will be attempted to develop this paper chronologically, rather than thematically. Any thematic observations will be made in the appendix or the concluding pages. George Garraty (historically spelled Garity, Garrity, Garrady, Garridy, Garrety, or Garredy) has a confusing life history. His life is shrouded in mystery, leaving the historian hungry for more personal information on Mr. Garraty.
Even Garraty's birth is surrounded in mystery. From a census of the county of Sunbury, N.B. in 1851, it is revealed that there is a Reverend George Garraty living in the parish of Lincoln. This census reveals that he was born in 1811. The exact date of his birth or even the whereabouts of his birth are uncertain. Although some sources indicate that Geo. Garraty was born in the United States, Reuben Butchart's book The Disciples of Christ In Canada Since 1830 (from which we will be referring to quite often during this study) attributes Garraty as a native of Sunbury County, N.B.
Nothing is known about Garraty's childhood and very little is known about his education. Butchart states, "Whilst in Nova Scotia he studied medicine and practised it, and established a drug store that was so prosperous that he had to choose between money and the Kingdom: to his credit he chose the latter, with comparative poverty attached."
If this is true (which, unfortunately might not be the case), then it is very difficult to pinpoint when this might be. He was born in 1811. At the age of 24 he was married in Lincoln, N.B .. The next year Garraty lived in Cornwallis, N.S. and in 1840, he lived in Milton. In 1844 it appears that he was in Liverpool, N.S. and nothing more was heard about him until the late 1850's. Perhaps it is during this time, about 1840-1855, that he received his medical training and established a drugstore. Then one could assume that he received a comparatively good education.
As stated before, George Garraty was born in 1811, and most probably in the town of Lincoln, N.B. There are no public records of his childhood and there is no record of his baptism or christening in denominational records that have been released to the public archives. His religious background is unknown, but we know that at one point he received the gospel, was baptized and felt the need to spread New Testament Christianity. His education was more than likely complete, and eventually led him into the medical field.
On the 17th of August, 1835 George Garraty, who was residing in Lincoln, married Sarah Ann Smith of Burton. They were married by Rev. Frederick W. Miles in Lincoln. In this record, as in many, Geo. Garraty is given the title "Reverend." This may indicate that he was an established minister in a denomination, but most likely recognized that he was preaching in a noticeable capacity. If, however, he was serving in a denomination, then it would likely be a Baptist church, for this is the only denomination closely linked with him.
W.H. Harding records in his research, Beginnings of the Churches of Christ in the Maritimes, that George Garraty began a church in Saint John in 1832, and a building was erected in 1834. Butchart, who derived much of his research from Harding, says that Garraty organized a church in Saint John in 1834, and a building was erected that year on Duke Street. It is true that the church is established in June of 1834, as recorded in "The Christian" magazine, but no credit is given to Garraty. As well there is some personal information from early members of the church who thought that Garraty had not formed the church but had ministered early in the life of the church. It is true that the late 1860's, Garraty begins a pastorate in Saint John, but this is thirty years after the formation of the church. In some unknown way, Garraty was involved in the early development of the church in Saint John.
By comparing W.H. Harding's paper with other historical data, including Butchart himself, we see that W.H. Harding held Garraty in high regard. Butchart indicates that Harding and Garraty had a close relationship. This creates a puzzle. Harding had insight into Garraty's life, which would make one think that his information would be correct. Granted, Harding wrote 35 years after Garraty died, he seemed to embellish on his ministry and exaggerate some. However, Harding does give us valuable insights into the life of Geo. Garraty.
Shortly after his marriage in 1835, it seems he removed to Nova Scotia. Butchart records this: "In 1836, Garraty formed a church in Cornwallis of about 35 members, who were known first as 'Christian Baptists'." However, on page 359 of that same book, Butchart points to either Benjamen Howard or John Doyle as the founder of Cornwallis church. He also states that others may have helped in this effort. In the September, 1840 issue of "The Christian" (W.W. Eaton, editor) records that George Garraty was doing itinerant preaching in Nova Scotia with B. Howard. Donald Crawford as editor of "The Christian" recorded in July of 1900 that Cornwallis was formed in 1838 with thirty-five members as mentioned above. This information shows that Cornwallis started a little later than 1836, as designated by Harding, and Garraty may have been involved in it's formation, but was not the only individual.
"The church at Milton, N.S., was established by George Garraty in 1840." (A statement made by Harding, which shows his partiality towards Garraty). It is more likely that the congregation in Milton was started by W.W. Ashley in 1834. This is the date that the church now accepts as it's beginning. All records indicate that Garraty visited Milton on one of his evangelistic tours. Butchart agrees that it was at this time that Garraty brought about somewhat of a reorganization of the Milton church. He brought several factions together in a revival and inspired the church to continue it's function. B. Howard visited Milton in 1841 and held a revival. In 1856, the Milton congregation created the "Resolution of Coming Together" and ended sectarianism within the group. Some say that Milton sent Garraty out as an evangelist after the Milton revival, others say that he continued on his own support. Whatever the case, Garraty left Milton and in the time thereafter he had a meeting in Kempt, N.S. From all records it seems that he established a strong church in Kempt, although most of the work there was done by Howard Murray in the 1880's.
We get an interesting look at the life of George Garraty in a letter he wrote to "The Christian", recorded in January, 1840. He was commenting on the mentality of those who forbade him to speak in some public meeting houses during his tour up the Saint John River in Nov. 28. He records that he was preaching the "Ancient Gospel" and many were opposed to this talk. He was consequently shut out of many meeting houses, even though they were public, and records in this letter one incident of this matter (see Appendix A). Butchart tells a story of how Garraty was once refused admittance to a hall. He spoke to the assembly in the open air and at the conclusion nineteen people accepted the message and were baptized in a neighborhood lake, resulting in the formation of a church.
It is also certain that Garraty was in New Brunswick in March of 1841. He attended a Wesleyan protracted meeting in Oromocto and worshiped with them there. He listened attentively to the preaching, taking notes. The leaders of the meetings began to warn the assembly against false teachers and even said that there was a false teacher among them perverting the gospel. George Garraty stood up in response and challenged the speaker to point out his false teachings. The speaker could not. Garraty suggested that he speak and allow the other to critique him. The speaker would not allow Garraty to speak, and even backed down to future chances to hear Garraty, which showed the people that the leader could not prove the allegations he had made. (see letter in Appendix B).
It is evident that Garraty spent a great deal of time paramubulating between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. His records become silent from 1841 to 1853. It is assumed that he was living in Liverpool, N.S., for he was distributing "The Christian" in that area in 1847 and 1848. It is during this time, we assume, that Garraty was studying medicine and when he established his drug store. If this is true, it creates an ironic situation.
George and Sarah Garraty gave birth to their first son late 1840 or early 1841. They named this child Alexander Campbell Garraty, which indicates the amount of influence that the Restoration Movement of the States, and Campbell himself, had on Garraty and the Maritimes by the 1840's. Unfortunately, the druggist's son died on May 6, 1844 by eating a poisonous root that he had pulled from the ground. Alexander Campbell Garraty was survived by both parents and by three sisters: Elizabeth (b. 1837), Georgiana (b. 1839), and Emily (b. 1843).
As Butchart indicated, Garraty abandoned riches in pursuit of the progress of the kingdom. He and his family are included in the 1851 census of Lincoln, Sunbury County, N.S. This may indicate that they had returned to Lincoln and were living there. Included in his household was an aged uncle and a young servant boy named William McIntyre. We do not know why he returned to Lincoln, but perhaps it was a result of his decision to return to the ministry.
Around this time, 1850, it is thought that Garraty had preached in Lord's Cove, where a congregation had recently started. The "Christian Standard" records in August 1st of 1914, Garraty was one of the first preachers, whereby the church grew from seventeen to sixty-six. This was written by I.G. Shaw who was the preacher at Lord's Cove in 1914, so it is presumable that this information is reasonably correct.
In 1853, this is written of Garraty by John Dumphy, from Gardiner, Maine, and recorded in A. Campbell's "Millenial Harbinger": Bro. George Garraty, whose name is no doubt familiar to you, made his first visit to us about three weeks ago. He has spoken almost every evening since he came, and is making a powerful effect upon the community. Opposition rages on every side, yet multitudes assemble to hear the new preacher. Investigation is going on in every store and shop, and on almost every corner of the street. Wherever we see a few individuals stan.ding in conversation, it is not hard to conjecture the topic. Meantime, Bro. G. has organized a church numbering seven persons and in all probability in one week hence will number considerably more than twice that number.
Twice more, John Dumphy writes, in July and August of that same year, reporting good progress and a congregation of twenty-two. Recorded in the June 1854 "Millenial Harbinger" George Garraty writes: We commenced operations about thirteen months ago and gather a church of four members. We now number between sixty and seventy, and are in prosperous condition. The people appear to be anxious to hear, learn, and obey the truth. In '53 and '54 he appears to have had a fruitful ministry in Gardiner, Maine, bringing the church to an acceptable size and making an impact on the community. He was in Gardiner again in May of '59, but it appears he didn't stay for long.
W.H. Harding and I.G. Shaw both hold that Garraty preached in Westport in 1855, resulting in the formation of a congregation. However, Butchart and the church records of Westport Church of Christ indictate that Garraty visited in 1859. It seems that he was returning from Gardiner, and was sent by Milton, and was sponsored by the Maritime Christian Missionary Society (MCMS). If he was sponsored by the MCMS, then 1855 would be an improbable date because that was the initial year of the organization (hence the reference to Milton) and the had already hired Donald Crawford and John MacDonald. It seems most likely that Garraty was in Gardiner in May-June of 1859, and he left for Westport where he delivered thirty-six discourses, which resulted in a congregation of twenty members. The following resolution that was passed:
"It is the will of God, and the prayer of our Lord and Saviour, that all his people shall be of one heart and one soul and one mind. We therefore voluntarily proclaim to the world that we take the New Testament only as our constitution, creed, and only rule of faith and practice, and that we will persuade as many as we can to unite upon the great apostolic plan of 'one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism."
This declaration is a superb example of the thoughts and actions of George Garraty and those to whom he ministered. This was the message of his discussions in L'Etete during his meetings in the late 1850's. Harding writes: "Then George Garraty came on the scene, and there was a wonderful ingathering. Backbay and L'Etete were visited, organizations were effected, houses of worship were built, and it looked as if everybody would become Disciples of Christ." David Haddon writes in the history of L'Etete Church of Christ that Garraty preached to the Baptist church there and they embraced New Testament Christianity. He attributes this to the birth of L'Etete church of Christ.
1858 was not the last time Garraty was in that region. He was employed at half salary by the American Christian Missionary Society (ACMS) from late 1859 to 1861, when his funding ceased as a result of the Civil War. During this time he visited St. George, the region which includes Back Bay and L'Etete where it is recorded that he reached 60 Baptists and 70 others. During the time of his employment with the AMCS he delivered hundreds of set discourses, baptized at least 200 people and affected the churches greatly. It seems that the bulk of the work at this time was done in New Brunswick.
It appears that Garraty returned to the United States before accepting a charge with the Christian Church on Duke St., Saint John. At this time he was no longer called "Reverend", instead "Elder" and the congregation in Saint John was known as a Christian Church to the community. According to David Haddon, he served this church for a lengthy period.
In August, 1867, Elder Garraty was approached about an ordination service at his home in Saint John. It seems that the said ordination of Peter McLeod was for the purpose of marrying James Wilson,Jr., of St. John to George Garraty's third daughter, Emily Sophia. One puzzling piece of information has arisen from this research. It is recorded from the archives of New Brunswick that Elder George Garraty was on the 5th of December, 1870. married to Elizabeth S. Jones They were married by Rev. Dr. Brooke at St. Paul's Church in Saint John. First of all, his wife must have died, probably in the States, for no record of her death has been found in the Maritimes. Second of all, the marriage was in a denomination, performed by an ordained clergyman. This was probably because there was no other legal way to have a marriage recognized, and no other means by which to be married.
From other records of deaths and marriages, it seems that Geo. Garraty was living in Saint John until after 1878. However, according to I.G. Shaw he did significant work in the area of Burtt's Corner. In 1871, Garraty travelled there and held an evangelistic meeting, resulting in an organization. The work there was nourished when Benjamen Howard evangelized there. A New Testament organization was finally formed in 1894 by Henry Stevens. Butchart does not recognize the work of Garraty in this area, but there is no reason to rule out the fact that Garraty had done this work. Even at the time when Garraty was ministering at Saint John, it was the center of the Disciples of Christ in New Brunswick. He would have also been serving there when the church underwent what was perhaps a split in 1873. Shaw records that at that time fourteen members left the congregation and started the Coburg St. church.
Besides the significant work that was done by Garraty that has already been mentioned, he has also preached at Southville and Tiverton in Nova Scotia, and New Glasgow (1864) and Crossroads (Lot 48) in Prince Edward Island. Elder George Garraty's contribution to the Restoration cause in the Maritimes is important. Some give him too much credit, and many don't give him enough. Seemingly this would not have bothered him, for he always attributed the success of his work to the Lord.
Unfortunately, very little has been written about his person and character. According to Harding he was the "breaking up plough" of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and was famous for his preaching and teaching programs. W.H. Harding, a friend of Garraty's, said of him: George Garraty was a great preacher; he did not fear man or devil, and was bitterly hated by those who were sectarian and denominational. Conversely, it might be said that he was sweetly loved by those who sought freedom and the truth. He was a fighter of unity and a defender of those who were oppressed by sectarianism. He is linked with almost every congregation in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and is accredited by many to greatness.
Even his work in Maine was highly recognized. In the August, 1868 volume of the "Millenial Harbinger" this was written about him: Bro. Garraty is a veteran in the service. Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are probably more indebted to him more that any other one man, for the pure seed of the word and it's fruits. He has fought many hard battles against sectarianism and infidelity, and has never been driven from the field. He still has the armor on, and is ready and willing to stand in the front ranks of the Lord.
Throughout his entire life, Garraty was determined and could not be deterred from his quest of the knowledge of God, and the progress of the Kingdom. In 1889 Elder George Garraty became totally blind and he retired to Chico, California. He died in May of 1890, at the ripe old age of seventy-nine, probably unaware of how much of an effort he had on the Restoration Cause in the Maritimes. He is an inspiration to all who seek the truth of the New Testament and to all who are determined to see the truth revealed and the kingdom advanced.