USA > Delaware > New Castle County > New Castle > Sketch of early ecclesiastical affairs in New Castle, Delaware, and history of Immanuel Church > Part 7
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Until the year 1721, the name of the Church was invariably spelled Emanuel. In the record of the parish
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IMMANUEL CHURCH,
meeting of April 9, 1721, the name was spelled Immanuel, and was so spelled in the Minutes for a few years when they went back to "Emanuel" and con- tinued to spell in that way until 1819, since which time it has invariably been spelled "Immanuel." No reason is given for the change in 1819, but it seems to have been done deliberately.
Mr. Ross to the Secretary.
"New Castle 17th Sept. 1720.
SIR:
The Rev. Mr. Hesselius waits upon the Society with the hearty good wishes of all his good brethren the clergy of Pennsylvania, but of none more than myself, who have had the advantage as well as satisfaction of being his near neighbour for several years. He is a man of undoubted veracity, so that his account of church affairs may be firmly relied on.
The Church at New Castle is environed with greater numbers of Dissenters, than ever, by reason of their fresh recruits sent us of late from the North of Ireland. They call themselves Scotch Irish ignavum pecus, and the bitterest railers against the Church that ever trod upon American ground. I wish I had better neiglibours or keener weapons to stop their career. Bishop King's pieces are found the most effectual to that purpose. It would be taken as a singular mark of the Hon'ble Society's regard for this Church, would they be pleased to supply us with two or three dozen of the above great man's Books concerning the invention of men & with as many of the parts lie wrote to main- tain the said Book against one Boise. This would be a welcome present to a people who are threatened with an
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NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE.
inundation of these fiery zealots, to give us laws & rule over us with a high hand.
There has been no addition to our number of com- municants since Easter last, nor have I baptized any adults save one in that time. I have no more to add at present, but that I have accustomed myself of late to preach twice on Sundays during the summer, and once in two weeks on a Litany day in the country Church (St. James') that I might not be outstripped in diligence by those who would amuse the world by a more than ordinary application in lecturing.
I am, Sir, etc., GEO. ROSS."
In the next letter to the Society Mr. Ross tells of his other charges and that he officiates at New Castle only every third Sunday. The Maryland parish which he had charge of was St. Mary Anne a parish in Cecil Co. at North East. He was in charge of this parish as appears by the records of the Church in Maryland as early as 1722, probably he was officiating there much earlier, and continued in charge until after 1731. As to the work at St. James' Church White Clay Creek, (now Mill Creek Hundred,) Mr. Ross had cared for it from his first arrival at New Castle, in fact it was a part of the New Castle parish, and for some years the people in the neighborhood worshiped at New Castle but they built a frame chapel in 1716 & 1717, and after that, services were regularly held there. In 1728, a missionary was sent them but remained only a short time. In 1729, the inhabitants at St. James' in a letter to the Society ask- ing that another missionary be sent them, say, "we are sensible that the Revd. Mr. Ross, missionary at New
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IMMANUEL CHURCH,
Castle will oppose this to the utmost of his power, but we think very unreasonably and very barbarously; for, seeing he has accepted of a parish in Maryland, 'tis plain that it is impossible for him to attend New Castle Church and ours too. We are informed that he calls our Church a Chappel of ease to New Castle, but we absolutely deny this and are able to prove the contrary. We own however that it is a Chappel of ease to him, for he has not preached nor officiated in it these eighteen months past; and, indeed it is morally impossible for the reason before mentioned." The following letters from Mr. Ross will speak for themselves and all con- tain interesting information.
Mr. Ross to the Secretary.
"New Castle, 4th June, 1725.
Sir :
After I had read yours of 25th August last, I was pretty confident the Books you mentioned in your letter were on this side the Main, but when I enquired I was so convinced. I hoped in vain, so that as to any help at present, to enable ine to deal with gainsayers, I find myself where I was, saving your good advice, which I shall carefully observe in my endeavors to secure peace and unity in the great mystical body. The copy of minutes herewith enclosed, I humbly offer to the perusal of my Honorable Superiors, to satisfy them where I alternately serve the church, and why I have partly resolved to preach at New Castle but every 3rd Sunday. The people here, in whose bounty I have but a small share, think I do them an injury because I preach any- where else on Sundays, alleging that I am allowed a salary from home merely to serve them. On the other hand, I made bold to acquaint them that if they take
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NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE.
no more care to support me than they have done here- tofore, they have no right at all to my service. To make this assertion good I laid before them a copy of what you wrote to the church at Apoquinimink. Now whether they or I have the right side of the argument, I appeal to you, and beg your resolution by the first opportunity. To speak frankly, sir, were it not for some small assistance I have for serving a small parish in Maryland, on the confines of New Castle County, I could not possibly stay in this penurious town, and if the Honorable Society will think fit to confine me and my service to New Castle, 'tis more than probable I will be forced to follow their last Missionary, Mr. Humphreys, who was drove from Chester by the In my Maryland
inhuman neglect of Parishioners.
cure, there is an apparent reformation. The people are become sober and serious, however remarkable they were formerly for their unbounded latitude. When I
officiate at New Castle I commonly preach twice a day on Sundays, or otherwise in the afternoon. I catechize according to Doctor Beveridge's inethod, and some- times when I have none to catechise, I presume to explain, without using notes, some portion of the Ist or 2nd lesson, which, being a practice among our Dis- senters serves to cool their prejudices, if not totally to reconcile them to the church ; especially considering that I am fixed where, to speak without Book is looked upon by many to be absolutely necessary to edification. The greatest number of those who communicate at Emanuel Church, at New Castle, are livers in the coun- try, who have built Saint James' Chapel, in their own neighbourhood. Here I have served on week days for some years, but now since your letter to Apoquinimink has come to their knowledge, they insist upon my com-
7
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IMMANUEL CHURCH,
.
ing among them on the Lord's day, promising to answer the expectation of the venerable Board. I have actually given thein some hopes of complying with their request, but with the utmost submission to my superiors, leaving it to them to direct me in this point, as shall seem to them most convenient. But, at the same time I beg leave to say that where my Mission is attended with greatest success, and my labors meet with the truest regard, there I humbly conceive I inay, with proper bounds, most cordially as well as inost fre- quently exercise iny Ministerial Function.
I am, Sir, Your Most Obd't Servt,
GEO. ROSS."
Mr. Ross to the Secretary.
"New Castle, October, 9, 1725.
Sir :
In your letter of 25th August, 1724, you were pleased to tell ine that the Honorable Society had ordered 3 dozen of the Invention of Men, etc., and as many of the defence of that Excellent Book, to be sent to me, for which favor I return them my very hearty thanks. I am now to acquaint you that I have received the complete number of the Inventions, etc., you mentioned, but not one of the defence. This I suppose proceeded from an oversight in those to whose care this affair was com- mitted, and will, I hope, be redressed by the first op- portunity. As a mnotive to this, permit me to observe to you that many under iny care, especially in the Country, are very much strengthened and confirmed in their affection to the Established Church since the society's present has been distributed among them, and particu- larly that upon my laying before them what the Bishop had said upon frequent communion. I had the next
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NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE.
Sacrament day about 30 communicants whereas except in extraordinary times, I rarely have not above the half of that number. The truth is, since that useful Book is come among us, the chase is turned and the zeal of our Dissenting Brethren, or more truly, their mali- cious clamors, are insensibly abated.
We hear no more of their Scotch Irish champions, who |can no more stand before our venerable Authors. than Dagon before the ark. The church in this place is put in some good repair, and were it not for a leading inan, a Colonel, who is disobliged because I refused to give him the Sacrainent, but according to the rules of the Church, the state of Religion here would have a more promising aspect, and I myself should have less reason to complain of the slender provision that is made by my hearers in this town for iny support. Among® them I serve, now and then, a neighboring Church in Maryland. This they find fault with and I am willing to mnend the matter, provided they'1 allow me something for my subsistance while I am em- ployed wholly in their service. A letter from you to admonish them of their duty towards the Missionary may be of singular use to me, and make me easy in the Mission, wherein I have served now above 20 years.
I am, sir, Your most humble Servt,
GEO. ROSS."
Mr. Ross to the Secretary.
"New Castle, October 4, 1729.
Sir.
I persuade myself that you'll be agreeably enter- tained wlien I assure you that religion never appeared in this place in so shining and lively a state as it does at.
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IMMANUEL CHURCH,
present. That generation is almost extinct who were my hearers at my first settling here, and those who succeed them are a set of very honest, zealous church- men, whose lives adorn their profession, and cool the hearts of those who are prejudiced against our grave, and manly worship. We are blessed with peace and mutual love, and none among us are tainted with new and strange opinions. The Sacrament of our Lord's death is regularly administered, and a devout number constantly receive it. Two adults were lately baptized, and a good many children are carefully instructed in the faith. To maintain the ground we have so remarkably gained, I humbly propose that a small salary of six pounds per annum may be allowed to a catechist or schoolmaster, in this place to encour- age his instructing youth in the Church Catechism. The Government under which I live has no such thing as a heart. Charity at present, is our only remedy.
I have been alarıned, of late, with some account from your Treasurer, as if I was in arrears to him. His mistake is owing to his placing and dating iny mission at the end of the month, whereas it begun the Ist September, and so I have drawn iny bills, heretofore, without being questioned. I desire I may not suffer, thro' inadvertence of a new hand. I am poor, though one of your oldest Missionaries. The consideration whereof, and that I have several children to provide for, may claim relief, rather than a nice scrutiny, from the Honorable Board.
I am, Sir,
Your most humble Servt,
GEORGE ROSS."
I01
NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE.
Mr. Ross to the Secretary.
"New Castle in Pennsylvania, Nov. 7, 1732. Revd Sir:
It cannot be expected, without the intervention of extraordinary means, that the Church should flourish in a country where to revolt from her doctrine & discipline is both profitable and fashionable. To exemplify this, I am to observe to you, with no small concern that the congregation to which I belong is not so large as I have seen it heretofore, by reason of apostates in power, who industriously encourage the forsaking of our assemblys & promote the cause of infidelity, as if their happiness consisted therein. An Harangue was made here t'other day, from the bench of Justices exposing those for Idiots who pay any regard to Priests or Churches. Imagine yourself among a set of Tindalls or Woolstons, & hence you may frame a just Idea of the conduct and deport- ment of many of our chief rulers & statesman.
This, tho' a true state of this colony, you are not to publish, unless you are resolved to prefer me to the Honor of Martyrdom. To be a missionary here, in the present posture of affairs, is in good earnest to fight with beasts of Ephesus. Nothing but hacking & hewing is left unattempted to discourage us & drive us away. Our subscriptions are nullities, whilst our hearers are publicly laughed at by those who make the greatest figure for parting with their money to support-as they say-a pack of cheats & villians. This being premised give me leave to say-for necessity obliges me-that my salary as matters stand here at present comes short of a handsome maintenance. My old subscribers are all dead, and a much poorer as well as a less generous race is come in their room. What they promise many of
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IMMANUEL CHURCH,
them never perform; & if I seek for redress, I am sure to lose iny money and my hearers. I can safely say I have not above £12 per annum honestly paid to me by sub- scription, I mean of this country currency. This, with my salary, affords a mean support, with which I am willing to be content, if the Hon. Society shall think fit to judge me unworthy of better treatment, after I have spent 27 years in their employ, for the service of the Gospel. If it should please God to take ine hence, in my present circumstances, believe me, I have a quarter's salary left to defray the expenses of my funeral which is a sufficient argument of my poverty & the meanness of my support. An augmentation has already been allowed to some who neither wanted it so much, or had a better claim to it than myself. I have already observed to you that I have been a missionary 27 years, & gave, I presume, general satisfaction in the mission. I am willing to finish my course, but I would depart like their servant in circumstances suitable to their goodness & bounty, not in a mean & contemptible state least the uncircumcised in heart should rejoice. If,
therefore, the considerations of the discouragements that attend the mission in these parts, my age and long service, together with a large family, iny Hon'ble Benefactors would be pleased to settle {80 yearly, as long as I continue in the mission, which cannot be very long ordine nature, I should think myself not only highly favored, but also be distinguished as a good old soldier in the cause of the truth. All this I humbly submit to their charitable & pious consideration, & so I pass to a more agreeable head.
The church here is served, & I trust as carefully as the instruction of my superiors require & my ability can
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NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE.
reach. I am absent from New Castle, but one Sunday in a month, to supply a neighbouring cure, on the borders of Maryland. The income of iny Maryland cure, where- of a share goes to my assistant, is paid in Tobacco & considerable of that weed being at present very con- temptible. The small parish was formerly a help to me, but now it fails & that failure has obliged mne to have resource to the charity of the Society. My frankness in this particular may serve to remove exceptions, & demonstrate my sincerity. The stated seasons of public prayers in the forenoons, on Wednesdays & Fridays, & on all Holy days, are duly observed in those few that at- · tend the hours of devotion. I count myself happy, & in them the church is honored. The duty of catechising is discharged with good success Mr. Lewis's exposi- tion has been said by heart several times, by somne par- ticular catechumens, to the applause of the youth & the satisfaction of the congregation. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is very frequently & fervently celebrated; & however some Demas's have forsaken the public assembleys, & have listed themselves among our free- thinkers, yet God be thanked, the number of communi- cants is entire still & not to be shaken, I hope, by the present infectious wind.
As to the people of White Clay Creek, (St. James,') I have had no encouragement, or so much as a general request to go among them, since Mr. Campbell, that stirring man, amused them with promises of returning from England, in the quality of their missionary, or procuring one of them. That unhappy man acted the Incendiary so much, that he made them believe that the way to get a missionary entirely to themselves was to affront me, & by all means to discourage my coming
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IMMANUEL CHURCH,
among them. The Society may indulge them in their humour, & settle a young man in the skirt of their par. ish, which cannot in the least affect or hurt my interest; but a precedent of that nature can be no great encourage- ment to the building of chapels, when it shall appear, that to rear a chapel is to dismember a small congre- gation. I shall say nothing of their ingratitude to mne, but 'tis proper to let the society know that they have more vanity than judgment, else they could not have the assurance to petition for a favour which entire coun- ties are deprived of, & which I am sure they are not able to make any addition to. They have been without a head & a heart since the death of one Jaines Robinson, a true & zealous son of the church, & that's the reason why they have been imposed upon to trouble the society The people of Chester are desirous to have Mr. Back- house's Bro. encouraged from home, to keep school in their village ; & some of them, my old acquaintences, prayed that I would write in their behalf. The Board was pleased, while I was incumbent in said town to allow a school inaster there £60, per annum. This, if resettled with a small addition, will be attended, I make no doubt, with good consequences, in a place where no church school can subsist, by reason of powerful Quaker- ismn, without the bounty of the most generous inen. I am a beggar myself & must not transgress the rules of modesty so far as to be importunate in asking alms for others, I recommending myself to your favor & interces- sion by vouchsafing of which, you'l highly oblige yours &c., &c. GEORGE ROSS."
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NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE.
CHAPTER VII. 1733-1754.
Letier from MY. Ross. List of Pew-holders. Charges for Burials. Purchase of Bell from Lady Keith. Letter from Mr. Ross. Letter from Mr. Ross concerning Discouragements. White- field and the Furore created by him. Two Letters from Mr. Ross on Whitefield. Two letters from Mr. Ross on the Condi- tion of the Church in 1745. Last Letter from MY. Ross. His Death.
Mr. Ross to the Secretary.
"New Castle, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1733. Rev'd Sir.
The falling away I complained of and lamented, in my letter to you of November 1732, sensibly abates among us. The Sallies of that Spirit that prevailed for some years in these parts are neither so frequent nor so vigor- ous. Nay, I may say what Parmenio in Curtius said to his troops, in the battle of Arbela, with a small varia- tion, "Videmus isstos qui ferocites medo instabant pedem, referrere subito pavore per territos," and there- fore may justly encourage my brethren, in the words of that great general, "quid cessatis anne fugientibus quidem pares estis." Thus stands religion at present, with respect to our mockers in this colony, while some of our Traditors are making of easy advance towards making a reconciliation with their persecuted mother; and I hope in time, it may be said of many of them, that they preach the faith which once they destroyed.
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IMMANUEL CHURCH,
My friend at London has signified to me what the Honorable Society were pleased to decree in my favor. I humbly thank them for their seasonable relief, and to demonstrate, by real services my gratitude, I have laid hold of all opportunitys to exert myself to the utmost in the discharge of my mission, not only at home, but abroad. Having learned, from one Mr. Montgomery, in an accidental conversation, that there were several new settlers in his neighborhood from Ireland, who pro- fessed themselves members of the Church of England, but that they were in danger of falling away, because were like sheep without a shepherd, I offered iny services, immediately, and fixed upon a day to preach among them. Accordingly, May last, 15th day, I went to the said Montgomery's house, and in his barn, the most convenient place he had, I read prayers and preached to a large congregation. It consisted of a mixt multitude, among whom were inany Presbyterians, who are by far the majority of the people of that corner of the land. The church people were very thankful, and rejoiced that they had an opportunity of serving God their own way, in the part of the province so far from any missionary. This Montgomery's house lies about 24 iniles from New Castle, in Chester County, but some iniles more distant from the Town of Chester, I baptized 10 children, and church't 6 women.
I discoursed with one woman, in the Quaker way, upon the subject of baptismn. Her husband is a church- man, by whose means I found an opportunity of acquainting the wife with my thoughts upon that head, which is so warinly run down by Friends. What iny success was time has not yet discovered. I was extremely well pleased to see so many of the congrega-
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NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE.
tion so well versed in and so regular in their depertinent at Divine service. This, with the hopes of enlarging the borders of our Lord's Kingdom engaged me to proinise them my assistance once a month, as long as the season allowed ine to travel so far from home. I made good my promise to them as may be seen from the following journal : On St. Barnabas' Day I preached at the said Robt. Montgomery's house, baptised 3 children & fixed on the 6th of August to attend the church there again. August 6th I preached the third time at Robt. Montgomery's. The congregation was not so large as it had formerly been, there being a rumor spread abroad among the people that I had altered the day of meeting. I baptised 2 children. Sept. 3rd, I preached the 4th time at the said place but people not having due notice, the congregation was not so full as at first. October 2d, I preached again at Montgoin- erie's audience, which was numerous, & broke up with general satisfaction. What pleased particularly was my commenting, without notes, upon the 2d lesson, as I very often do in country places, to show the Dis- senters what we can do, as well as. others, and to gain them in their own, while innocent way. This takes wondrously well with the people I have to deal with, in the corner I am speaking of. They are, for the most part, North Country Irish, & are to be gained by approaching in a method suitable to their taste; & thus I endeavor, I hope agreeably. to my superior's mind, to reunite prejudiced persons to our sound but misrepresented communion. If the society thinks fit to send a missionary to this new congregation, known. by the name of the church at London Grove, in Ches- ter County in Pensilvania, there is room enough for an active laborer to reap a plentiful harvest. The same
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IMNANUEL CHURCH,
missionary may have White Clay Creek Chapel, com- monly called St. James' Church, comprehended within his bounds since it is in the neighborhood of the said Grove. The country is inhabited back from this tract of land called the Grove 50 or 60 miles, & that gener- ally by those termed Scotch-Irish. A clergyman settled at the Grove will open a door for the future progress of the church's increase & unity.
I am, Rev'd Sir, &c., &c., GEO. ROSS."
On June 10, 1728, the several pews in the Church with the names of their holders were recorded in the Minutes of the Vestry as follows:
I The Governor's Pew 15 Peter Peterson's
2 Late of Richard Ha'liwell
16 Cornelius Kettles
3 Late of Joseph Woods
17 Peter Hances
4 Samuel Lowman 18 Richard Grafton
5 Col. John French
19 James Sykes .
6 William Battels 20 William Reads
7 Messrs Yeates & Coutts
21 Mr. Ross' & Mr. Shaw's
8 Sam'l Kirby & Xtopher Eaton 22 Late of John Cann
9 Thomas Deakyne 23 Vacant
IO John Welsh's 24
II John Lands 25
12 John Lefevre & Thos. Gozels 26
13 Late of Rich. Reynolds 27
14 Peter Jaquets 28 4 €
Under the same date the charges for burials in the Church yard are given as follows:
"For breaking the Ground, Four Shillings & six pence, to be paid to the Church Wardens by the Dece'dts, Heirs, Ex'rs or Adm'ts for the repairs of the Church and Church Yard Fence.
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NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE.
To the Minister towards his support, Six Slills To the Clerk for his attendance & Register, Four Shills To the Grave Digger or Sexton, Four Shills
To Do. for a cominon Invitation Three Shills
To Do. for tolling ye Bell for a funeral Two Shills"
For a number of years about this time the records of the Vestry are made up almost entirely of orders and agreements about pews. Permits were given to build pews: abandoned pews assigned: and pews transferred from one holder to another upon application to the Ves- try; all of these transactions are carefully recorded and but little else; occasionally a matter of interest like this which is taken from the Minutes of January 6, 1731.
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