As elsewhere, the settlers were predominantly of Calvinistic stock; for of all the then prominent faiths Calvinism was nearest to their feelings and ways of thought.  Of the great recognized creeds it was the most republican in its tendencies, and so the best suited to the backwoodsmen.  They disliked Anglicanism as much as they abhorred and despised Romanism—­theoretically at least, for practically then as now frontiersmen were liberal to one another’s religious opinions, and the staunch friend and good hunter might follow whatever creed he wished, provided he did not intrude it on others.  But backwoods Calvinism differed widely from the creed as first taught.  It was professed by thorough-going Americans, essentially free and liberty-loving, who would not for a moment have tolerated a theocracy in their midst.  Their social, religious, and political systems were such as naturally flourished in a country remarkable for its temper of rough and self-asserting equality.  Nevertheless the old Calvinistic spirit left a peculiar stamp on this wild border democracy.  More than any thing else, it gave the backwoodsmen their code of right and wrong.  Though they were a hard, narrow, dogged people, yet they intensely believed in their own standards and ideals.  Often warped and twisted, mentally and morally, by the strain of their existence, they at least always retained the fundamental virtues of hardihood and manliness.

Presbyterianism was not, however, destined even here to remain the leading frontier creed.  Other sects still more democratic, still more in keeping with backwoods life and thought, largely supplanted it.  Methodism did not become a power until after the close of the Revolution; but the Baptists followed close on the heels of the Presbyterians.  They, too, soon built log meeting-houses here and there, while their preachers cleared the forest and hunted elk and buffalo like the other pioneer settlers. [Footnote:  Ramsey, 144.]

To all the churches the preacher and congregation alike went armed, the latter leaning their rifles in their pews or near their seats, while the pastor let his stand beside the pulpit.  On week-days the clergymen usually worked in the fields in company with the rest of the settlers; all with their rifles close at hand and a guard stationed.  In more than one instance when such a party was attacked by Indians the servant of the Lord showed himself as skilled in the use of carnal weapons as were any of his warlike parishioners.

The leaders of the frontiersmen were drawn from among several families, which, having taken firm root, were growing into the position of backwoods gentry.  Of course the use of this term does not imply any sharp social distinctions in backwoods life, for there were none such.  The poorest and richest met on terms of perfect equality, slept in one another’s houses, and dined at one another’s tables.  But certain families, by dint of their thrift, the ability they showed in civil affairs, or the prowess of some of their members in time of war, had risen to acknowledged headship.