Silas Milton Andrews, D.D. (1805-1881)

Silas Milton Andrews, D.D., son of George and Catharine (Barr) Andrews, was born March 11th, 1805, in Back Creek Congregation, Rowan County, N.C. He was graduated from the University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill, A. D. 1826; taught a classical school in his native place one and a half year; was for another one and a half years Tutor in the University of North Carolina; entered Princeton Seminary in the Fall of 1828; and was regularly graduated in the Fall of 1831. He was licensed by New Brunswick Presbytery, February 2d, 1831; ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, at Doylestown, Pa., November 16th, 1831, and on the same day installed pastor of the Church of Doylestown and Deep Run. This was his one, uninterrupted, and only charge from that day until his death, a period of forty-nine years and four months. Here he labored steadily, industriously, with marked ability, sound judgment and rare devotion to his one work, concentrating all his efforts on his charge, and taking very little part in outside affairs, gathering in from time to time large numbers of converts, and training and edifying his people in the way of truth, holiness and duty. For the first seventeen years of his pastorate he also conducted a private classical school, in addition to performing his ministerial duties. He died March 7th, 1881.

Dr. Andrews was a quiet, unassuming man, averse to all pretension and ostentation. He possessed excellent scholarship, a well-balanced mind, rare good judgment, and was a Scriptural and impressive preacher. From October 15th, 1848, until the Reunion in 1870, when he declined a re-election, he was Stated Clerk of the Synod of Philadelphia, the duties of which office he was admirably qualified to fulfill by his accuracy, his methodical carefulness, and his fine penmanship. He was held in high respect and warm regard by all who knew him.