Rev. John Agnew, Loyalist to the Crown
John Agnew, b. 1727, in Middlesex, London, England, son of Jacob Agnew of Kirmanock, Galloway. He married Maria Theresa O’SHEAL, daughter of David O’SHEAL. ( Maria Theresa was aka Teresa.) She was born bet. 1721-1740 in Virginia and d. 8 February 1795. John Agnew d. 19 May 1812 in Monckton House, St. Mary’s Parish, York Co., NB,Canada.(OSHEAL CHUMLEY, 2003, by J.V. Michael Motes and later references were found at numerous websites, i.e. New Brunswick Loyalist, Sharon Dubeau)
Albertson and Albertson (2003), stated “Josiah Parker’s home…was near the prominent, Tory, Rev. John Agnew.” Agnew “lived in Portsmouth, Virginia, at the SW corner of Crawford Street and North Street” (p. 19, Portsmouth, Virginia)
REV. JOHN AGNEW’S FAMOUS SERMON AT CHUCKATUCK CHURCH
The Rev. John Agnew, a Loyalist, was chosen as minister for Chuckatuck Church in 1754. During his ministry, the talk of independence and the fury toward England gradually increased. Agnew’s loyalty to England drove him to give his famous sermon in 1775, “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesars.”
It was Agnew’s conviction that those who supported independence were sinners, and it was his duty to God to root out the ungrateful and ungodly. According to Hesperides (1907), “He proceeded to decry the sins of disloyalty and rebellion (p.236). Vestryman, William Cowper, approached the pulpit and ordered Agnew to leave. At Cowper’s demand, Agnew exclaimed, “I am about my Master’s business!” Cowper further roared, “Which Master, your Master in Heaven or your Master over the seas?” Agnew left the pulpit, refusing to show violence and cause a riot; however, the controversy continued, and he was later arrested.
Copyright 2006, Connie Chumley Stringer