USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Pencader Hundred > Records of the Welsh Tract Baptist meeting, Pencader Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware, 1701 to 1828, pt 2 > Part 1
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Gc 975.1 D377p no. 42 pt . 2 1954143
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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7 ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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3 1833 02254 3901
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/recordsofwelshtr422wels
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PAPERS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE. XLII.
RECORDS
OF THE
WELSH TRACT
BAPTIST MEETING,
PENCADER HUNDRED,
NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DELAWARE
1701 to 1828.
PT. 2 IN TWO PARTS-PART II.
Copied from the Original Records in the possession of the
Meeting Officials.
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE, WILMINGTON, 1904.
.
1954143
BETHEL BAPTIST MEETING HOUSE. BUILT A. D. 1786.
THE JOHN M. ROGERS PRESS, WILMINGTON, DEL.
SOME SHORT MINUTES OF THE MEETING TOGETHER WITH THE SOLEMN CHURCH COVENANT ENTERED INTO IN 1710-AND THE NAMES OF THE SIGNERS TO THE COVENANT.
Some short minutes of the Baptist Church at the Iron- hill, in the Welsh Tract in New Castle County, in Pencader Hundred, in its first beginning in Wales, as follows as you may see in the Church Book.
The Lord was pleased to incline some of us to come over to Pennsylvania and we consulted with our brethren, and they advised us to be constituted a church before we come over and it was done in the year 1701. And we sailed from Milford Haven in South Wales, and when we arrived in Philadelphia, Penipack and Philadelphia Church received us with christian love on the account of the gospel, &c.
The names of those that were constituted a church in the above mentioned year are as followeth. The Reverend Thomas Griffith was Pastor. Members, Griffith Nicholas, Evan Edmond, John Edward, Elisha Thomas, Enoch Mor- gan, Richard David, James David, Elizabeth Griffith, Lewis Edmond, Mary John, Mary Thomas, Elizabeth Griffith, Jane David, Margaret Matthias and a Jane Morris in all 16.
These people settled first about Penipack, but in the year 1703 they purchased land in New Castle County which was called the Welsh Tract. In the year 1706, they built a meeting house which was called by the publick the Baptist Meeting House at the Ironhill, &c.
In 1710 by reason of a great addition by letters from
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
churches in Wales, and by admission ; here they came to another consideration and what was best to be constituted again, as you see here below a copy of their church covenant and their names annexed thereto, &c.
THE SOLEMN COVENANT OF THE CHURCH AT ITS CON- STITUTION OWNED AND PROFESSED BY US WHOSE NAMES ARE UNDER WRITTEN IN THE YEAR 1710.
We who desire to walk together in the fear of the Lord, do through the assistance of his holy spirit professes our deep and serious humiliation for all our transgressions, and we do also solemnly in the presence of God and each other in the sense of our own unworthyness give up our- selves to the Lord in a church state according to the Apostolick Constitution. That He may be our God, and we may be his people, through the everlasting covenant of his free grace, in which alone we hope to be accepted by Him through his blessed son Jesus Christ whom we take to be our High Priest to justify and sanctify us, and our profit to teach us and to subject to Him as our Law giver and the King of Saints, and to conform to all His holy laws and ordinances for our growth, establishment and consolation that we may be as a holy people and serve him in our gene- ration and wait for his second appearance, as our glorious bridegroom, be fully satisfied in the good ways of Church Communion and the truth of grace (as we hope) in some good measure upon one another spirits. We do solemnly join ourselves together in holy union and fellowship, humbly submitting to the Discipline of the Gosple and all holy duty required of people in such a spiritual relation. Ist.
We do promise & engage to walk in all holiness, godliness,
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
humility and brotherly love, as much as in us lieth to ren- der our communion delightful to God, and comfortable to ourselves and to the rest of the Lords people. 2nd.
We do promise to watch over each others conversation, and not to suffer sin upon one another so far as God shall discover it to us, or any of us, and to stir up one another to love and do good works, to warn, rebuke and admonish one another with meekness according to the rules left by Christ in that behalf, &c.
3rd.
We do promise in an especial manner to pray for one another and for the glory and increase of His church and for the presence of God in it, and the pouring forth of His spirit on it, and His protection over it to His glory. 4th.
We do promise to bear one anothers burdens and infir- mities, to cleave to one another and to have fellow feeling with one another in all conditions both outward and inward as God in His providence shall cast any of us into. 5th.
We do promise to bear with one anothers weakness and failings with much tenderness not discovering to any with- out the Church, nor within unless according to Christ's rule and the order of the Gosple provided in that cause. 6th.
We do promise to strive together for the truths of the Gosple and purity of God's ways and ordinances to avoid causes, occasions of divisions and endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Eph. 4. 3. 7th.
We do promise to meet together on Lord's days, and at
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
other times as the Lord shall give us opportunities to serve and glorify God in the way of his worship, to edifie one another and contrive the good of His church, &c. 8th.
We do promise according to our ability, or as God shall bless us with the good things of this world to communicate to the necessity of the church.
These and all other Gosple duties we humbly submit unto promising and purposing to perform. Not in our own strength being conscious of our own weakness, but in the power and strength of the blessed God, whose we are, and whom we desire to serve, to whom be glory now and for- evermore. Amen.
We whose names are under written, endeavored to adhere to the foregoing rules.
Thomas Griffith
Thomas Morris
Elisha Thomas
Arthur Milcher
Enoch Morgan
Jenkin Jones
James James
John Bolton
Evan Edmond
John Edward
Griffith Nicholas
Hugh Morris
Edward Edwards
Thomas Wild
Richard Owen
Samuel Wild
Hugh David
Thomas John
John Griffith
Thomas John
John Philips
Lewis Philip
Antony Matthew
John Devonald
Rees David
Samuel Griffith
Thomas Evans
David Thomas
Thomas Edmond
Rees Jones, in all 30
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
Mary Wallace
Elizabeth John
Elinor John
Luce Edmond
Elinor Morris
Joan Morgan
Hannah Milcher
Rebeka Edward
Mary David
Caterine Edward
Jane James
Rebeka John, in all 12
CHURCH DISCIPLINE.
BY THOMAS JAMES.
I Tim., 5, 17. Let the Elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.
There is various opinions who these Elders were, but all agree that they were some officers in the Gospel Church, but we know who are the chief officers of the church in our days, that is, Pastors, Elders and Deacons, for these are the officers that do officiate in our church.
Ques.
When can it be said that they rule well ?
Ans.
When they rule according to the direction of the word.
Ques.
What is the duty of the Pastor ?
Ans.
The duty of the Pastor chiefly is to preach the word Acts 6, and likewise the Pastor is chief moderator in the Church Discipline.
Ques.
What is the duty of the ruling Elders in the church ?
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
Ans.
The duty of the Ruling Elder is to assist the Pastor in governing the church but not in preaching the word. Rom. 12, 7 ; I Cor. 12, 28.
Ques.
What is the duty of the Deacons?
Ans. The duty of the Deacon chiefly is to serve in the outward concerns of the church and to serve tables, and they are intrusted with the stock of the church, to provide all necessaries for the church and the poor thereof. And they are likewise by their office to assist the Elders in dis- cipline. Therefore these three set of officers are the chief managers in the church, but all the members of the church have a voice and a vote in church affairs.
Ques.
When are the Elders counted worthy of double honour ? Ans.
When they act the part of faithful Shepherds over the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20, 20.
By taking special care of the affairs of the church and watch over members thereof-to see whether they walk answerable to the rules of the Gospel, and, if any member walk contrary to gospel rule, to deal with him in gospel manner according to the heinousess of his crime, when their comes orderly before the church.
Ques.
What faults ought they to take notice of if they find any of the members guilty ?
Ans.
For a more particular manner, the heinous sins that the
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
apostle mentions in I Cor. 5, 11-6, 9, 10, & and Gal. 5, 20, 21. Fornication, Covetous, Idolaters, Railers, Drunkards, Whitchcraft, hatred variance, Emulation, Wrath, Strife, Sedition, Heresies, Envying Members reviling and such like, and many evil branches grow on the above heinous sins, that ought to be taken notice of.
Ques.
Ought not the Elders and Church to forgive their brethren their sins whatever they may be .- Matt. 6, 11; Eph. 4, 30. Ans.
We must distinguish between transgressions done to our- selves and sins that are more immediately against God. Sins against the first tables are greater than the sins against the second. A man may and ought to forgive injuries done to himself, but can not forgive sins that are more immediately against God.
It is the duty of every Christian to forgive his brother all transgression done to himself upon his real repentance and true sorrow for it, but it is not in the power of man to forgive and discharge a sinner from the justice of God. If any offers to forgive sinners in this respect, as it is a sin against God, doth take upon himself the prerogative of God which is a presumtious sin, for there is none that forgive and discharge a sinner from his sins but God alone. Mark. 2, 7.
Therefore the Elders of the Church ought to be wary and careful how to deal with transgressors that are members of the church, and not to act hastily, on either hand consider- ing that they are to act for God. For they are intrusted as embassadors for Christ, to manage the affairs of His Church here in the world, and when any member falls into sin and
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
his case comes orderly before the church, they ought to be very tender hearted towards him, but not to wink at his sin least they be partakers of his sin. I Tim. 5, 22.
But they ought to examine narrowly the truth and reality of the affair and the heinousness of his crime and deal with him accordingly and when he confesseth his sin and profess repentance they ought to be wary in receiving him except some fruits of repentance will appear because men cannot search the heart to know the reality of his repentance: The safest way is to give reasonable time to prove the sincerity of his repentance that the church may be in some measure satisfied of the reality of his repentance and they are to deal with every one according to the heinousness of their crime.
There is more danger in receiving too hastily than referr- ing for a reasonable time especially sins committed publicly in the face of the open world least they bring reproach on the Church of Christ and disgrace to themselves. I Tim. 3,7.
Therefore they ought to act wary and wisely and use the likeliest way to save the church from ill spoken of by any and they ought likewise to do their endeavors to have the consent of the whole Church especially in every weighty matter.
The duty of the rulers of the church of Christ is very weighty and those who ruleth well ought to be counted worthy of double honor especially those that labor in the word and doctrine.
Both officers and common members ought to strive to follow the advice that the Apostle Paul gives to Timothy.
I Tim. 3, 14, 15.
These things write I unto thee, that thou mayst know how thou ought to behave thyself in the house of God
.
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Ques.
What is the duty of the common member of the House or Church of God?
Ans.
Every member of the church ought to know how to behave in the House of God. There ought to be a strict order and solemn behavior in and among all the members of the family of the House of God.
Every one to behave in his own station as becometh the Gospel of Christ and if any of the members of the House of God walk disorderly the appointed officers of the house . is to examine the affair when it comes orderly before them. I Cor. 14, 40. Let all things be done decently and in order. Ques.
The above instruction of St. Paul is to the officers of the Church, for Timothy was a minister, and not to the common member.
Ans.
It is to be applied to every member, for every member of the church ought likewise to observe and know how he should walk and behave in the House and Church of God. It is the duty of every member to observe the Golden Rule given by Christ the Head of the Church. Ma. 1, 18. Ques.
Is it not the duty of every private member to bring accusa- tion to the Church against offending brothers when they cannot make it according to scripture rule without acquaint- ing the Elders first.
Ans.
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
No. For they ought to acquaint the Elders of the affair first and not declare it to the Church of their own heads, except they were requested by the Church to do so, other- wise it is irregular and disorderly and whoever be guilty of the like are guilty of church reproof. For God is a God of order and a strict order and decency ought to be in His house. Therefore if any private member hath anything in his mind to offer to the Church he ought to acquaint the officers of the Church first, and the officers ought to consult with one another before they lay it before the Church that everything in the House of God might be carried on decently and in good order as becometh the affairs of the House of God, and this will be one means to keep peace unity and concord in the House and Church of God. For if any private member do take upon him the place and duty of any of the officers is a great disorder. By so doing they take the duty of the officers in their own hands. When they see every private member intermeddling in the duties that they are set apart and ordained to officiate therein for it is vain to choose officers to rule and govern in the Church if every private member makes upon himself the govern- ment as well as they, for every one ought in his own station. Rom. 12, 9-6, 7-8.
The Church is a state or body politic in which a strict order ought to be kept or else it will soon run into confusion, divi- sions and schisms. Every church hath a power of govern- ment within itself and the officers of the Church are of God's appointment in order to govern the same. 1 Cor. 12, 28.
And those that are called and set apart to rule therein ought to exert their offices and govern in the name and fear of the Lord.
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
The officers of the Church of God ought to magnify their office that the Head of the Church Christ Jesus may have the glory and that the Lord Jesus may grant them the directions of His holy spirit shall be the prayer of an unworthy member of the Church of Christ.
April 27, 1773.
The above is a true copy taken from a piece that Thomas James, Esqr., wrote concerning Church Discipline which I think ought to be read every monthly meeting day of busi- ness.
MINUTES OF BUSINESS MEETINGS OF WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING 1770 TO 1817.
At a meeting of ye Chl in Welsh Tract, March 31, 1770.
Present Thos. James, Esq. Abel Davine
Morris Thomas
Will™ Buckingham, Jun.
Willm Eynon
Jno. Buckingham
Dan'1 Griffith Jo's Price
Ja's Jones Jacob Lemmon
Will™ Buckingham James Mundel
David Evans John McCormack
Isaiah Lewis
Thos. John
Hugh Glasford
Jno. Davis
Thos. Rhoads
At a meeting of business Saturday, May the 5th, 1770, present, the Reverd Morgan Edwards by the request of this Church and of the members of the sd church.
David Evans, John Bowen, Thomas James, Esq.
William Buckingham, Isaiah Lewis, Richard Lemon, William Buckingham, Hugh Glasford, Daniel Griffith,
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
and upon motion William Eynon, one of the Executors of the last Will and Testament of Thomas Edmond, dec'd, produced his account of trust reposed in him by virtue of sd Will wherein it appeared by the receit of David Davis, dec'd, late minister of sd church, that sd William Eynon had paid unto him the sum of Twenty-four pounds, being the full interest arising out of the monies in his hands for the years 1759 and 1760, being the two succeeding years after the testators death, likewise a receit from David Evans the other Executor appointed under sd Will, for the sum of One Hundred pounds put in his hands dated Oct. 21st, 1760. The interest of which accounted for by him as directed in the Will. The sd William likewise produced authenticated vouchers for the payments of all the Interest money of the one moiety of said donation in his hands from the above date until the first day of August past.
The above settlement approved of us present.
1770, July 25th. It being published two Lord's days pre- ceeding the meeting requesting the Church to meet in order to consult measures for settling a stated ministry in the Church.
The congregation accordingly met and the Rever'd Mr. John Sutton preached a sermon. After the publick service was over the Church and Congregation took into consider- ation of giving Mr. Sutton a call, and due consideration being had on the motion, the question was put whether the Church and congregation would agree to give Mr. Sutton a call, upon which it was unanimously agreed (there being about forty persons present), to give Mr. Sutton a general call, but in case any just reason should arise and it should appear best for the church and Mr. Sutton to part with one
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
year after this date in such case it shall be at the option of either parties or otherwise to remain and be then confirmed.
Received of Joseph Oborn the sum of six pounds being the rent of the Plantation that he rents from the Baptist Church at the foot of the Ironhill which was due the twenty- fifth of March last, T. Tay x, received in the name of sd church, witness my hand,
Nov. 3d, 1770.
ISAIAH LEWIS.
At a meeting of business Saturday Dec. 1, 1770 the church took into consideration the purchasing the Plantation late belonging to the Rever'd Mr. David Davis dec'd for a parsonage on Glebe and for ye purpose appointed Thomas James, John Evans; Esqr., David Evans, Isaiah Lewis, James Jones and Hugh Glasford to visit the premises and treat with the persons impowered to sell the same, and make report of their proceedings to the next meeting of business.
At a meeting of business on Saturday, 5th of January the Church took into consideration the case of Edward Miles and his wife and after some deliberation came to this resolu- tion. That unless he will on this day month appear before the church and show sufficient cause why his wife should not be admitted to her place, or in case of disability of body signify the same, With the reasons under his hand that she will then be admitted to her place in the Church, Mr. Sutton is appointed to serve with this resolution. Mr. Miles having appeared on the evening of the same day requested of the Church to have an opportunity of confering with his wife on the subject, which was granted, but case they should not be so happy as to allodate the matter the above resolution to stand good in every part save the notice.
The Church continues their resolution of Dec. Ist, of
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
treating forth with the proprietors of the land set forth within sd minutes and for ye purpose have appointed Thomas James, John Evans, Abel Davis, Isaiah Lewis and David Evans who are empowered to treat so far respecting to the purchase of sd place, as to know the lowest terms it will be sold for, and make report of their proceedings at our next meeting.
Saturday the 2nd Feb. 1778, After divine service the Church proceeded to business and took under consideration the affair of Edward Miles and his wife, now by her decease before the difference between her and her husband was regularly reported to the church (though the same was in some good measure accommodated between themselves) the church thinks it advisable before he is admitted to his place that he appear before the church this day month &c.
Abel Davis informed the church that he had in his hands Cambridge's Concordance, the property of this church (given by Mr. Carmichael, late of the City of London) sd book is to be disposed for the future as the church shall agree.
Mr. Davis is at present to put it into Mr. Sutton's hands.
The church continues the same committee as was appointed in Jan. last, either to purchase Plantation if any should offer, or otherwise to rent one for the ensuing year for Mr. Sutton, who is to be consulted in either cases and his approbation had respecting the premises.
Saturday the 2nd of March, after devine service, the the church proceeded to business, and concluded Ist
The rule concerning Edward Miles as he is not here to continue to the next meeting of business. 2dly
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
That on any of the members omiting to partake of the ellements at the Lords table, to be enquired of their reasons by the Deakons after the second omission. 3dly
That more officers are needful and that each member con- sider the matter so as to make choice of some one next meet- ing of business.
1772, April 6th
The Church having met after divine service proceed to business and took under consideration the third proposition entered into at the last meeting of business and were unani- mous in the utility of the president and went into the choice of two of their members to be nominated as Elders, accord- ingly the choice of the majority of the church then present fell upon Morris Thomas and John Evans, who are requested to take the matter under consideration and give the church an answer at their next meeting of business.
The church likewise of opinion that it was expedient to nominate two of their members to be assistant Deacons, which choice fell by majority on John Buckingham and Hugh Glasford who are likewise recommended to take the matter under consideration and the church an answer at the next meeting of business.
May ye 4th, 1771
The Church meat this day as usual and forasmuch as the minister could not attend by reason of being abroad, never- theless the Church went on in considering the affairs of the Church, first in calling on the above mentioned members chosen by the Church last meeting for officers in this church, viz: two Elders and two Deacons, the church demanded their answers whether they were willing to stand
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
to the choise of ye church or no, they seems to be slack in giving a peremptory answer, but they took the advise of the Church to take the affair to further consideration until next meeting of business, to be continued till Agust meeting of business.
1771, July 6
At a meeting of business Abel Davis, the acting manager of church lands, paid into the church three pounds, being one moiety of the rent of the Plantation rented by Joseph Oborn. The sd sum of three pounds was paid into the hands of the Reverd Jno. Sutton as part of his salary.
This day Mary McCutchion, a young woman, come well recommended as to her life and conversation in the world, offered herself to baptism, the Church taking the matter under consideration and being well satisfied as to her pro- fession and experience, agreed that the ordinance should be administered to her and accordingly was by the Reverd John Sutton.
1778 August ye 3rd.
At a meeting of business the church examined the amount brought by Isah Lewis Deacon and found on a ballance in his hand two pounds and shilling and six pence on the first of June.
Also that David Eens, Wm. Eynen and Wm. Buckingham speke to the family of the Hughs to give ther reasons of their neglecting their place in the Church at our next meet- ing of business.
Page 9. (No pages 7-8 in the book).
Agust Ist, meeting of business. Thomas James, Esq., Abel Davis and Hugh Glasford were appointed to talk with Joseph Oborn about renting again the plantation bequeathed
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WELSH TRACT BAPTIST MEETING.
by Hugh Morris decd and make report of his terms at the next meeting of business, likewise to examine what repairs is awanting on sd place and the condition it is now in. Sept. 5th.
Ordered that Morris Thomas, Abel Davis, John Boggs and John Evans be a committee to hear the complaint brought by Hugh Glasford against Elizabeth Pritchard and that Morris Thomas request John Peoples to attend sd committee and Abigal Giles and such other evidence be requested to attend, that has knowledge of the affair.
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