Ebenezer Erskine Pressly

Ebenezer Erskine Pressly (1808-1860) was the first president of Erskine Theological Seminary, beginning his service in 1838.

Ebenezer Erskine Pressly was born on December 23, 1808, in the lower part of Abbeville District, South Carolina. He was the youngest son of William and Elizabeth Hearst Pressly. He lived in Cedar Springs, South Carolina. Pressly entered Miami University at Oxford, Ohio in 1824, at the age of sixteen and graduated in 1826. He went on to study theology under Dr. John T. Pressly. Ebenezer Pressly was installed as pastor of the Generostee and Due West Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church congregations on August 7, 1830. He gave up the position at Generostee in 1838, but continued to serve as pastor of the Due West church for another 30 years, during his tenure as president of the college.

In 1831, Ebenzer Pressly was married to Elizabeth Agnew, daughter of Samuel and Malinda Agnew of Due West, S. C. Fourteen children were born to them, all of these died in infancy except three daughters and one son, Dr. W. L. Pressly, President of Erskine Seminary. On June 20, 1853, his wife died. He later married Mary A. Taylor of Laurens Co., S. C., in 1854. They had two children from this marriage, both dying in infancy.

In 1838 Pressly became a professor at Erskine Theological Seminary and the president of Erskine College. In "The Centennial History of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1803-1903" sketch of his life, Reverend Pressly is called "the father of Erskine College". Reverend Pressly was also President of Anderson College from 1849-1852.

On August 21, 1860, Rev. Pressly was accidentally killed when he was thrown from his buggy while on his way to fill an appointment at Little Mountain. He is buried in Due West Associate Reformed Presbyterian (A.R.P.) Church cemetery in Due West, South Carolina.

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