USA > Delaware > New Castle County > New Castle > Sketch of early ecclesiastical affairs in New Castle, Delaware, and history of Immanuel Church > Part 8
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"Ordered that the Church Wardens, Vestrymen or some of them do purchase of the Lady Keith the Bell now used for the Church at any rate not exceeding Two shillings p pound and that it be bought in the name of the Person who shall happen to bargain for the same or such other way as shall to them seem most proper for securing the same to the use of the Church." Lady Keith was the wife of Sir Wm. Keith, Lieut. Governor under Penn, and this may have been the old Dutch bell which a former Lieut. Governor took away from the Church. It is well known that Sir Wm. Keith became in very straightened circumstances while in office, which may account for the sale of the bell. There is no other reference to the matter in the parish records.
The Rev. Mr. Hackett referred to in the next letter from Mr. Ross was a young clergyinen who had a small parish in Maryland and assisted his father-in-law, Mr. Ross, in his Missionary work. His grave and tomb- stone are in Immanuel Church yard at the east end of the Church.
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Mr. Ross, to the Secretary.
"New Castle, Pensilvania March 22, 1733-4
Rev'd Sir :
I make no doubt but you'd have an account of the Revd. Mr. Hacket's death, from different quarters : but as he was my neighbor, & my son-in-law, it concerns me in a particular manner to acquaint you with this, to me melancholy news. He departed this life the 7th of this instant, being seized with a pleurisy a few days be- fore, in full strength & vigour. This distemper proved mortal to many in his parish, this last winter, as well as to him. His death is lamented by everybody here that knew him but the loss touches none more sensibly here than myself. He maintained a character, & by his ob- liging, generous temper & unwearied diligence in his mission, he so far gained the hearts of his people that his memory is had in the greatest veneration. His great misfortune was that he was surprisingly in debt to one Mr. Millar, in London (how or by what management I will not say), before he came over into America. This unavoidably led him to run into debt in this country for his present support. Had he lived 2 or 3 years longer he would have surmounted all his difficulties ; but as his case now stands, his creditors must suffer, & his widow commence a beggar. What relief she & her 2 children can expect in these parts, must come from me ; but considering my circumstances, her deliverance must come from another quarter. The Hon. Society have shown compassion to their poor widows of their missionaries heretofore, & I hope my daughter will not be excluded from sharing in this bounty. I assure you she is left in those circumstances that render her a real object of pity. But what need have I to plead for her ? I
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am persuaded there is no occasion to offer inotives to engage their charity in a case that is so very evident, & must melt that heart where it finds admittance.
The Church in Pensilvania & adjacent countrys enjoy, at present, greater peace that she was favoured with for some time past. Her adversarys have run them- selves out of breath, & their victory being so small and & unprofitable they are ashamed of being so zealous to so little purpose.
As to iny congregation here, there is no change in it that I can put down as worthy of your remark, save that I baptized one adult grown man, of a sober life, about 2 weeks ago. Please not to observe that as I am willing to water, so I decline no opportunity to plant. This leads me to go abroad, into the desolate corners of the country, where I think I can be serviceable, & thus best answer the end of my inission.
This liberty I seldom take on Sundays, which, if I did, should think it no harm, so long as the church gained ground by it. I told you, in iny last, that I preached to a new congregation in that part of the coun- try known by the name of London Tract. On the 19th, of this instant, I visited my new flock, which I found was considerably increased, & will, I trust, deserve, in a short time, the notice of the Hon'ble Board. I baptized two children, & fixt a day to visit them again. I can say no more at present, but that I am.
Revd. Sir, yours &c., &c.
GEO. ROSS."
Mr. Ross to the Secretary.
"New Castle, June 15, 1736.
Reverend Sir :
The church in this place has lately lost two of its
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chief supporters, particularly one William Read, a per- son of singular piety, and the greatest benefactor I had in all my parish. This, tho' a great discouragement, has not determined me to lay hold of the favor the Honorable Society were pleased to grant me, in giving me leave to quit iny station for a better. I must be sorely pinched, indeed, e'er I can resolve leaving my mission, wherein I have been so many years employed ; and therefore, be assured that as long as I can subsist upon iny salary here, I will continue and do iny utmost to promote the interest of religion, as I am in duty bound. The number of communicants here, are ordi- narily 16; at Easter and other high holidays, near upon 40. My hearers are generally poor, and of a mean appearance. Many of them are new comers, from the North of Ireland, who sit now in pews formerly pos- sessed by those who were reputed gentlemen. So great a change have I lived to see in my congregation. With much ado, I collected as much money as bought me a surplice, but some grand villian has not suffered us to enjoy it long. We are now where we were, and like to continue so, unless you please to use your interest to relieve our misfortune. We want, likewise, a larger Church Bible, to supply the dimness of iny eye. This I hope you'll take into consideration. The bearer, Mr. William Carry, lived in this Town, as a preacher to a Meeting, above a twelve Month past, in high esteem for his virtue and learning. How far I was instru- mental to gain him to our side, I shall not presume to say. You'll find, by his ample credentials, how worthy he is for your regard, and how fit for the service of the Society. The church of Dover, in this Government, is now vacant, by good Mr. Frazer's returning to England. I wish Mr. Carry may be named his successor. Your
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assistance in forwarding his laudable design will be àn indelible obligation upon, Reverend Sir, :
Your most humble Servant,
GEO. ROSS.": :
In November 1739, the Calvinistic Methodist, George Whitefield, passed through Delaware on his celebrated journey to Georgia: His progress was accom- panied by the greatest excitement. The "Pennsylvania Gazette" of that time says: "On Thursday last the Rev. Mr. Whitefield left this city, and was accompanied to Chester by about one hundred and fifty horse, and preached there to about seven thousand people. On
Friday he preached twice at Willings Town to about five thousand, and on Saturday, at New Castle, to about two thousand five hundred, and the same evening, at Christiana Bridge, to about three thousand; on Sunday at White Clay Creek, he preached twice, resting about half an hour between the sermons, to about eight thousand, of whom three thousand it is computed, came on horse back. It rained most of the time, and yet they stood in the open air."
The next two letters of Mr. Ross refer to this event and its consequences.
Mr. Geo. Ross to the Secretary. :
"New Castle, August 4, 1741.
Rev'd Sir.
As to my proper charge, the Church in this Place is in a state of peace and unity, while the flame of dis- sension scorches the neighbouring meetings. This they owe to their fondness of that wild enthusiast, Whitefield, who when he found he could not sow his tares in the 8
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field of our Church so plentifully as elsewhere, recom- mended a set of men among the Presbyterians as unruly as himself, as the only ministers fit to be heard and followed, and they have answered his purpose by rais- ing of a new Sect from among themselves, more angry and more fierce than any that has hitherto sprung from the unhappy separation. I have a few of Whitefield's admirers among my Flock, but gentle lenitives have kept them as yet from breaking thro' the fold. I live in good harmony with the Dissenters in this Village; the moderate part of them frequent my Church with. as much freedom as they are wont to resort with to their own meetings.
Your most obedient servant,
GEO. ROSS."
(Extract.)
"New Castle, June 3, 1742.
Reverend Sir.
I have had no uneasiness given me from the People among whom I serve, save from two or three weak creatures who have absented for some time from public worship, under the notion of New Light and conviction; one of whom a young woman, had such fits of convic- tion, or rather disturbed imagination, that she made the very bed whereon she lay to shake and tremble with her violent agitations. Several in her condition made away with themselves, and her friends were apprehen- sive her new religion would terminate in the same fear- ful end. But, thro' mercy, she is upon the mending hand and attends the church in some measure as hereto- fore. This delusion is owing to Whitefield's partizans, who, breaking through the rules of their own professed
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discipline, are turned universalists, in scattering their wild fire throughout the whole country. Their appear- ing in Print has given their opponents a handle to expose their madness; and many who were carried away with their raging novelty, are come to their sober senses.
I am, Rev'd Sir,
Your most obliged and most h'ble serv't,
GEO. ROSS."
Mr. Ross to the Secretary,
"New Castle, March 6, 1744-5.
Reverend Sir:
I acquainted you more than once that the Flock with which I am intrusted is what Grotius understands by that expression, little strength in Apocalyps, 3 chap. 8 v. Modic Ecclesia; a mean, ordinary congregation, both in respect of number and substance. This ebb of the Church here can be by no means laid to my charge, for all the Country about me can bear witness to my dili- gence in the execution of my function, & to this purpose I besought our Governor to testify to the Society in iny behalf, & to let them know the source of the poor ap- pearance he observes among us, and this he promised to do with his convenience. The truth is, the village is in a ruinous condition, without Trade, & meanly in- habited; & most of the few that inhabit it are strongly prepossed against our way, an l th y' the Meeting House be deserted, they choose to stay at home, rather than attend our worship. This is matter of fact, as to those in years, but the Youth in Town are otherwise inclined. There are several of them who are iny constant hear- ers, & some have applied to me for Prayer Books, which
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I am resolved to supply them with, even at my own ex- pense, for I might disoblige them if I put them off with the hopes of a supply from home. This good disposition in the rising generation makes me hope that the Church here will recover its former lustre, & be entitled to your regard (more) than it is at present. The communicants are persons of very orderly lives, & it is & shall be my endeavor to gain over to their number as many as possi- bly I can, & in this I trust I can succeed, there being the greatest harmony betwixt me & my people. I have nothing more of moment to offer to your consideration at this time, and so remain
Rev'd Sir &c.,
GEO. ROSS."
Mr. Ross to the Secretary.
"New Castle Nov. 23, 1745.
Reverend Sir:
As to the Church whereof I am a servant, it is for the most part of my own training up. I have been now about 40 years in the Mission, & most of my present hearers I have Baptized & catechized myself, & if I might express myself without imputation of vanity, they are as true conformists, both in principle & practice as any congregation upon this main.
'Tis no small advantage to the Church here, as to its quietness and increase, that the Meeting House is wholly deserted. The inhabitants of this village must now either come to our Church or sleep at home. The latter, the old folks, whose prejudices are deeply rooted, choose to do. The former, the younger sort, comply with, as being free from the frightful denunciations of an Evening Lecture.
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NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE.
Our place of worship is in good repair, having a Steeple with a Bell, fit for our purpose. As old com- municants die, so new ones succeed almost in number equal, & this is the reason why my account in this point is much the same from year to year. Divine Ser- vice is duly performed at stated times, tho' I am pretty far advanced in years. I intend if providence allows it, to visit my neighbouring vacant Church as often as I can this Winter Season, hoping you'll take this case into your consideration, with your convenience.
I am, Revd. Sir, etc.
GEO. ROSS."
Mr. Ross to the Secretary.
"New Castle Upon Delaware, Oct. 13, 1752. Rev'd Sir:
I am at this time upon the verge of extreme old age, being according to my own computation, in the 73d year of my life, and the 47 of my mission. Hence some imagine that I am not only the oldest Missionary, but the oldest man in the Mission. Be that as it will, I have been very often exercised for 2 years past with those maladies and infirmities which are commonly incident to my present stage of life. This, to my no small mor- tification, interrupted my former correspondence with you, and perhaps exposed me to the charge of negligence. My service at this time is confined to the mean village of New Castle, where little or nothing occuring besides the common offices of a settled cure, it was not in my power to offer anything to your consideration that de- served a place in your collection. As to the Behaviour of my hearers at the public worship, it is not to be com- plained of, save that the word Amen, for want of a clerk,
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IMMANUEL CHURCH,
is much suppressed amongst us. As I am in a tottering condition, this may happen to be my last to you. If this should be the case, I beg this may transmit my most hearty acknowledgments to the Hon'ble Society for their innumerable favours conferred upon me in the course of a long mission; which, had my lot fallen any- where but in a poor sinking town, would have prov'd, I believe, more successful. I cannot clear myself from oversights & mistakes in the course of so many years, but, thank God, he has been pleased in his great good- ness, to preserve me from such blots and stains as would do harnı to the cause I was engaged to maintain,-the Honor, I mean, and interest of the Church of England, from which I never varied from the day I wrote man. I cannot conclude without paying my just acknowledg- ments to you, who upon all occasions showed yourself a constant advocate for and real friend to,
Rev'd Sir,
Your most obliged & most humble servant,
GEO. ROSS."
The above is the last letter from Mr. Ross among the records of the London Society. He lived nearly nearly two years after this, but with impaired health. Whoever has followed this history during the long incumbency of Mr. Ross, must be thoroughly con- vinced that the charges made concerning him after he removed from New Castle to Chester were entirely un- justified. Any clergyman who has remained forty-three years in one parish cannot be called "A Wandering Star." Mr. Ross was undoubtedly a man of more than ordinary ability. Many of his descendents have been distin- guished men. One of his sons was a signer of the
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Declaration of Independence: Two were clergymen and another a distinguished member of the Philadelphia Bar. A sketch of the Life of Rev. Georgs Ross is given. at page 51 of the Life of George Read by W. T. Read, Esq.
Immanuel Church was presented by the vestry of Christ Church Philadelphia, in the year 1754, with a "spindle and vane" which had been in use on that Church. It was probably placed on the belfry of the Church. There is no mention of the matter in the Church records but an extract from the minutes of the vestry of Christ Church in the handwriting of Bishop White, and now in the possession of a lady of Immanuel Church states the fact of the presentation. The follow- ing is a copy of the paper.
"Extract from ye minutes of ye vestry of Christ Church, at a meeting on ye 28 of Dec. 1754. Ordered, that ye old spindle and vein, belonging to Christ Church in Philadelphia, when taken down, be delivered to Mr. John Ross, for ye use of Emanuel Church in New Castle.
A true Extract
WM. WHITE.
Dec. 22, 1827
John Read Esq."
During the incumbency of Mr. Ross and long after, there was the utmost good feeling between Pastors and people of Immanuel Church and the Swedish Church in Wilmington. There were occasional exchanges of ser- vices by the Ministers and frequent assistance by one to the other in cases of sickness. During the short vacan-
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cies in the Church at New Castle the Swedish minister at "Old Swedes" was relied upon, and never in vain, to conduct services. This was especially the case during the incumbency of Old Swedes by Rey. Mr. Biork.
(
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NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE.
CHAPTER, VIII. 1754-1788.
Rev. Clement Brooke arrives and resigns after fifteen months In- cumbency. Rev. Aaron Cleaveland appointed and dies. Sketch of his Life. Rev. Aeneas Ross appointed. Repairs to Church. Extract from letter from Mr. Ross. Letter from same about St. James' Church. Revolutionary War. Mr. Ross' Death. Rev. Charles Henry Wharton, Rector. His Reception into the Church &c. Mr. Wharton resigns. Rev. Robert Clay elected.
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The church did not long remain vacant after the death of Mr. Ross. On July 28, 1755 we find this min- ute in the Parish Records.
"This day the Reverend Mr. Clement Brooke came into Emanuel Church and produced his credentials from the Right Reverend Father in God, Thomas, Lord Bishop of London, and also a letter from the Reverend Doctor Bearcroft Secretary of the Royal Society for propagating the Gospel in foreign parts, appointing the said Rev. Clement Brooke minister of Emanuel Church at New Castle, which letter being presented to the members of the said Church then present, was read and runs in the following words, viz.
"Charter House, March 31, 1755.
Worthy Gentlemen:
The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts hath appointed the bearer, the Reverend Mr. Clement Brooke, a worthy Clergyman in the full
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orders of the church of England, that produced very good Testimonials of his good Behaviour, to be their mission. ary to you, in the room of the very worthy Mr. Ross, deceased; nor have you been thus long without a minis- ter being appointed to your church. Mr. Penn the pro- prietor recommended the Rev. Mr. Baron, Missionary at St. Bartholomew's, in South Carolina to be appointed missionary to your church, to which the society con- sented, but he being happily situate there, desires to con- tinue at St. Bartholomew's, and therefore the society hath now appointed Mr. Clement Brooke to your Church with a salary of 50€ per annum from them, and expect and make no doubt but that you will contribute according to your very best abilities towards his further support, recommending you and him to God's Blessing, and praying for your Eternal Salvation.
I am gentlemen your very faithful Humble servant,
PHILIP BEARCROFT,
Secretary.
And the aforesaid Reverend Missionary having read the Thirty-nine articles of the Church of England, and made the Declaration in the Act of Uniformity, was re- ceived and accepted by the said members with all due respect and satisfaction, the Key of the Church & Bell roap beingdelivered to him.
Being present Jno. V. Gezell Vestrymen. Rich'd McWilliam Church Warden. .
Slater Clay.
Geo. Monro. Saml Vanleuvenigh. Jas. Boggs."
Rev. Mr. Brooke remained in charge of the
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NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE.
church only about fifteen months and resigned Oct. 25, 1756.
The Rev. Aaron Cleaveland was the next minister appointed to New Castle, as appears by the following let- ler from the Secretary of the society to the Church War- dens and Vestrymen.
Charter House, July 1, 1757.
"Good Gentlemen:
The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts have granted your request & appointed Mr. Cleaveland their missionary to your church, but it is upon this express condition, which is now a standing Rule in all their Missions, that you provide him with a good House & Glebe, & not less than Twenty pounds sterling per annum towards his more comfortable support. Heartily recommending you & Mr. Cleaveland to God's Blessing,
I am sir, your very faithful humble servant, PHILIP BEARCROFT, (I)
Secretary."
Mr. Cleaveland was a native of Massachusetts and a graduate of Harvard College. He became a Congrega- tional minister and so remained until 1754 when his views changed. He went to England for ordination, was ordained by the Bishop of London in the sum- mer of 1755, and appointed by the Society Missionary to Lewes in this State. For some reason or other the people of Lewes objected to receiving him but he was anxiously desired by the people of New Castle. The Rev. Dr. Wm. Smith writing to Rev. Dr. Bearcroft, the Secretary, Nov. Ist, 1756, says : "I was in New Castle
(1) Records of Vestry R. 46.
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IMMANUEL CHURCH,
lately, and find all the people mightily set upon having Mr. Cleaveland for their missionary : and at their press- ing instances he now supplies them, as he is kept out of his mission at Lewes by a mnost worthless Fellow of the name of Harris. I wish Mr. Cleaveland may be ordained at New Castle, which he will soon render a flourishing congregation, as he is a worthy man and a popular Preacher." (1) The church at New Castle was to be congratulated on having a man of such ability sent them ; but their good fortune was short lived, as Mr. Cleaveland died August 11, 1757, at the house of Benj. Franklin, in Philadelphia, where he had stopped while on a journey to Connecticut to bring his family to New Castle. A sketch of Mr. Cleaveland's life may be found in Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit.
Upon the demise of Mr. Cleaveland the Society appointed Rev. Aeneas Ross, their missionary to New Castle. The Secretary in his letter dated May 3rd, 1758, announcing the appointment of Mr. Ross, says : "The Society for the Propagation, &ct., heartily con- dole with you on your loss by the death of their worthy missionary to you, Mr. Cleveland, & to supply his place as soon as might be, they have appointed Mr. Ross, missionary at Oxford, to be their inissionary to you upon his humble Petition to be removed to you. His Father was long your worthy imissionary, & the Society imagines upon that account Mr. Ross, his son, will be acceptable to you, & prove a worthy successor of his Father, and it is expected that by your liberal contribu- tions for his good services you will assist towards his confortable support, recommending you & him to God's
(1) Historical Collection P. E. Ch., for Penna., p. 564.
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NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE.
Blessing, & praying for it on all Mr. Ross' pious labors among you. I am, &c.,
PHILIP BEARCROFT,
Secretary." (I)
The Rev. Aeneas Ross, born Sept. 7th, 1716, was a son of Rev. George Ross. He was ordained in London in 1739, and returned to this country in June, 1741, two months after the death of Rev. Mr. Cummings, rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia. He was induced to supply the vacancy in that church until the Bishop of London could be heard from. Mr. Ross' ministrations were so agreeable to the vestry and congregation that on May 27, 1742, the wardens and vestry of Christ Church addressed a letter to the London Society, "moved by their own inclination, as well as the fre- quent importunities of the parishioners," and requested that Mr. Ross be appointed their minister. But
arrangements were then being made by the Society to appoint Rev. Dr. Jenney, of Hempstead, N. Y. Dr. Jenney was sent in the autumn of that year, and the vestry requested him to make Mr. Ross his assistant. Dr. Jenney "gladly approved of and received the Rev. Mr. Ross as his assistant in said church." He acted as assistant rector at Christ Church until July 14, 1743, when he resigned in order to give his whole services to the churches at Oxford and White Marsh. He married in Philadelphia, in 1745, and went to reside at German- town as a convenient location, being equi-distant between his two missions. Upon Mr. Ross' arrival at New Castle the report is recorded in the minutes of the vestry that "The af's'd Rev. Aeneas Ross having declared to conform to the Liturgy of the Church of
(1) Records of Vestry, p. 46.
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England, as it is now established was received & accepted by the members of said church with all due respect & satisfaction, being present, William Till, Esq., Mr. John V'ngezell, Doctor Jacob Ross, Rev. Mr. Nonandre, Mr. James Boggs, Mr. Zac. V'nLeuvenigh, John McGhee & Stephen Enos."
On June 4, 1759, the vestry declared that the church was much out of repair and ordered that a sub- scription be made. It does not appear from the records whether or not the needed repairs were made at that time. The following two letters were written by Mr. Aeneas Ross to the Society, and were the only letters written by him from New Castle that appear among the records of the Society.
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