Reverend Dr. Manasseh Cutler (1742-1823) was a gradu

In “Celebrating the 150th Year Journey” of our Marietta Presbyterian Church, we need to step back into history even further and later we will explore our
roots in Scotland. Today’s chapter will tell about the five generations of the Cutler family, so crucial to our church history and to Marietta.
Reverend Dr. Manasseh Cutler (1742-1823) was a graduate of Harvard, Yale, a Presbyterian minister, doctor and a
congressman who helped form the Articles of the
Northwest Ordinance of 1787. He was a strong supporter
of the Ohio Company Associates, who established Marietta
in 1788, urging a reluctant congress to purchase one and a
half million acres in the Northwest Territory.
Judge Ephraim Cutler (1767-1853) was the son of Manasseh Cutler. He owned three shares of the Ohio Company’s
purchase. In 1795, his family migrated to Waterford, Ohio from Connecticut and they buried two of their children on
the way. In 1802, he was a member of the convention forming the Constitution of Ohio, introducing the section
which excluded slavery from the state. Later he moved to Washington County, living with the William Cutler family in
the large stone house on the Ohio River, near Constitution. He helped organize the Warren Presbyterian Church in
1828, at Gravel Bank and was a ruling elder there for many years.
Sarah Cutler Dawes (1809-1896) was
the daughter of Ephraim Cutler. It
was in her home in July 1865 that our
church covenant was formed.
General Rufus Dawes (1838-1899)
he was the son of Sarah Cutler
Dawes and was a famous officer
during the Civil War.
Charles Dawes (1865-1951) was
the son of Rufus Dawes. He
became Vice President under
President Coolidge 1925-1929 and
he won the Nobel Peace Prize in
1926.
William P. Cutler (1812-1889) was the son
of Ephraim Cutler and was the founder of
the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad. He
built the two story stone house on the river
but due to lost money in investments the
family sold the home and moved to the
Fourth Street home.
Julia P. Cutler (1814-1904) was the daughter of Ephraim Cutler. She wrote daily in
her journals of the events during the Civil
War, starting with the raid on Fort Sumter.
They had Union soldiers camped on the
river banks by their stone house, waiting
for Morgan’s raiders to cross the river.
She was never married.
Sarah Julia Cutler (1856-1933) was the
daughter of William P. Cutler. She was very
active in our church, teaching Sunday classes,
playing organ and supporting mission work.
She was the last member of the Cutler family in
our church, dying in 1933. Her name was
carried on in the Sarah Cutler Circle for many
years. She was never married.
The Old Stone House of the Cutler Family in Constitution, OH.
The following is a letter to the congregation from the
new Youth & Children’s Director, Joe Webb:
It is indeed a privilege to join the congregation of First
Presbyterian as your new Youth & Children’s Director!
I come to FPC from First United Methodist Church in
Williamstown where I served from 2006-2011 as the
volunteer Director of Youth Ministries. While at FUMC
I led groups of as many as 30 students in weekly teaching
and fellowship sessions as well as special activities, events,
retreats, etc. I have also served as a guest speaker for youth
events throughout the area, in Zelienople, PA, and in
Chesapeake, VA. As a Certified Lay Speaker in the UMC, I
have had the honor to preach at a number of churches of
varying denominations throughout the region.
In addition, I have served in a number of leadership roles in
the local church, and I have taught both youth and adult
Sunday School and small group Bible studies since 2004. I
join several FPC members as part of our local Emmaus
community, and I am serving for the second time as a Lay
Director for this fall’s men’s walk.
I am currently completing my final semester of studies
towards a Master of Arts in Christian Ministries from Asbury
Theological Seminary, where I have focused on ecclesiology
within postmodern culture.
I live in Williamstown with my wife of 27 years, Lorie, and
our daughter, Amanda, a 16-year-old junior at Williamstown
High School. Our older daughter, Anna, 22, recently
graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College and now
lives and works in Pittsburgh.
I specialize in expository teaching to help teens understand
the “big picture” of the scriptural narrative and to draw from
the context of the original biblical authors in order to apply
their teachings to life in today’s world. Striving to grasp those
original understandings brings us to a deeper appreciation for
scripture as our guide to know God and seek his kingdom.
I believe that youth and children’s ministry is first and
foremost family ministry. To that end, I hope to develop
partnerships with parents and families and to facilitate
volunteer development based on spiritual formation and
mutual accountability within covenant relationships. Together,
we will encounter Jesus in new, surprising, and life-changing
ways!
I look forward to getting to know all of you in the coming
weeks. Feel free to contact me at
[email protected] or by phone or text at
304.481.5683.
Shalom,
Joe

Download Report