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Mr. W.R. McEwen had a tailoring business in Petersburg in those days and a number of his daughters and his son, Sam, were saved in those seasons of blessing. Sam became a well-known servant of the Lord and was much used of God in leading souls to the Saviour in [[Virginia]]. The youngest son, Hugh, was also born in Virginia and saved early in life. He, too, became a fervent soul-winner and minister of the Word of God. He also has finished his course.
In Matoaca the preachers built a new hall (known today as [[Matoaca Gospel Hall]]). Mr. Lamb was a carpenter, Mr. Bradford a plasterer, and Mr. James Hamilton from [[Scotland]], who labored fervently in the gospel with them, made and carried the mortar and a good hall was built for the young assembly. The home of Mr. Brockwell was opened then for the Lord's servants. (Editor's note: this assembly is known in 2020 as [[Matoaca Gospel Hall, VA|Matoaca Gospel Hall]] and is located in the same structure.)
In those pioneer days trials of various kinds abounded, yet through evil report and good report, "as poor, yet making many rich," these heralds of the Cross kept on their way, laying a good foundation in clear-cut gospel preaching, planting assemblies and teaching after the pattern of the New Testament. They had but "one purse," in the form of a little box and all funds were put in there, but often it was from door to door with tracts and preached in the tent. There was an ingathering of souls and many were baptized and an assembly planted.