USA > Delaware > Sussex County > Some records of Sussex County, Delaware > Part 26
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NOTE .- This was omitted by Mr. Beckett in his copy of this letter. -D. R. K.
And now in answer to the remaining part of the queries, the truth is there is no house nor land provided for the minister nor any Library but that which the Hon. Socy. was pleased to allow, when they sent over the present Missionary, and there is no public school in all the County, the general custom being, for what they call a neigh- bourhood (which lies some times 4 or 5 miles distant, one part from another) to hire a person for a certain sum and term to teach their children to read and write English, for whose accommodation they meet together at a place agreed upon, cut down a number of trees and build a log house in a few hours, (as illustrious as that in which Pope Sixtus Quintus was born) whither they send their children every day during the term for it ought to be observed by way of commendation of the American Planters nowadays, that whatever pains or charge it may cost, they seldom omit to have their children instructed in Reading & writing the English Tongue.
The number of negros (Freemen & Slaves) in this county are 241 according to the exactest calculations that I can get having procured a particular list of them from a person in each hundred who could
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SOME RECORDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY.
most commodiously take an account of them, several of them both bond & free I have baptized since my coming here, but far the greatest part of them do yet remain unbaptized, and (it is to be feared) un- instructed, however it is to be hoped those good sermons and dis- courses which have been sent over by the charity of the Honourable Society and that excellent letter which was lately transmitted to the Masters and Mistresses of families in America in order to persuade them to instruct and have their negros baptized (by the Ld. Bishop of London will in a short time produce a very good effect. St. John Baptists church was raised on Wednesday the 27th of March 1728. The frame is of white Oak, the dimensions are as follows viz. 30 feet long 20 broad & 12 feet between the plate and sill. It stands about the Center of the county in the forest of Sussex and is inscribed to St. John the Baptist.
The covering of the wall is to be of Cypress board and the roof of shingles of the same wood which is most used here for the like pur- poses as the rain will not cause it to Rot. The work is to be carry'd on by the voluntary contribution of the inhabitants as it has already been raised on that foundation-
Thus I have written to you every thing material that with any certainty I know or could learn concerning the state of religion here in answer to your queries. These matters here are in their infancy at present, but seem to grow and gather strength, and that they may still do so to maturity and long flourish to the honor of God and the increase of true Piety and Virtue is the ardent wish and Prayer of Sir
Your very humble servt. WILLIAM BECKET Missionary at Lewes.
OCT. 11th, 1728.
REVEREND SIR :- In obedience to the commands of the Honour- able Society I here send you a Historical account of my parish, which shall be as brief as will consist with what is requisite to make it full and clear, properties essentially necessary to a good history, and herein I shall exactly follow the method laid down in your letter to me in June last on this subject.
1. My Parish comprehends the whole county of Sussex, in the Territories of Penna (as it is commonly styled) or Counties of N. Castle Kent and Sussex on Delaware bounded on the East by Del. Bay, Somerset Coy, Md. on the South and west and Kent on Dela- ware on the North-in length about 30 and in breadth about 12 or 14 miles, Latitude about 39 degrees North.
In this County are 4 churches erected none as yet finished, but 3 of them so far carried on, as to admit of the decent performance of Divine Worship, every Sunday alternately, I shall give you a par- ticular but brief account of each in the order in which they were raised.
1st. St. Matthews in Cedar Creek Hundred.
2d. St. Georges in Indian River do
3rd. St. Peters in Lewes & R. do
4th. St John Baptists in Broadkill do
The 2 first of these churches were erected before my coming here-the 2 last since my arrival here as the Societies Missionary.
4
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS.
Of the former I shall give as good an account as I can procure, from the inhabitants of the County. Of the latter upon my own knowledge.
St. Matthews Church Cedar Creek was raised in the year 1707 being the first building that was erected for the service of God and Religion in this Country according to the Rites and Usages of the Church of England. It is a Timber building, the wall covered with boards of Cypress, and the roof with cypress shingles, the floor has been laid, a pulpit, desk, Communion Table and some pews, were built about 4 years ago but the inside of the church is not yet finished.
The dimensions are as follows, Thirty feet long 20 wide 12 between joysts viz. between plate & sill The reason why the building was left unfinished was, because of the difficulty they had in getting a missionary, who had contributed towards the building of it, But why they have not gone on with the building since their church was supplyed, is not so clear. The work was begun and has been carried on by contribution, but as the subscription has for as much as I can learn been lost, so I cannot get any account of the Contributors names or of the sums they gave.
The congregation here is numerous being generally on Sundays when the weather is good to travel about 200 persons the church not being large enough to contain many more than one half of the num- ber, though a small gallery has been raised across one end of the church. I am in hopes however to persuade them shortly to enlarge it. The first Missionary here was the Rev. William Black, now of Accomack County in Virginia, who staid near two years, after his departure the people had no minister settled among them for about 12 years, untill the year 1721 when the present Missionary arrived here. But they were sometimes visited by the Rev. Mr. Ross who came above 100 miles to preach to them & baptize their children and by the Rev. Mr. Adams who came nearly 90 miles during this long vacancy, whose Christian zeal and charity deserve to be mentioned with gratitude on this occasion.
St. George's Chapel in Indian River hundred, 9 miles distant from Lewes was raised in December 1719, The frame of Oak-the length of it was 25 feet the breadth 20 and the height 12 feet. The walls and roof were covered with red oak boards and thus remained till the year 1725 when a new addition of 15 feet was made to it; the older part of this building has a pulpit, gallery and floor, the new part is not yet floor'd, but we have agree'd with a workman this year to cover the whole roof with cypress shingles and to lay the floor of the new part, the congregation frequenting this chapel consist usually of about 200 people.
This Building was rais'd as all the churches in this Government are by voluntary contribution. The sum contributed towards carry- ing on the work at first was £34 15d. 8s. and the repairing and enlarging it since, has cost about as much more. The Contributors were about 66 in number to raise the first sum. The people here are constant attenders on the public service and annually contribute something of their small substance towards the carrying on the building of their yet unfinished chappel & the maintenance of their minister.
OCT. 11, 1728.
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SOME RECORDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY.
Petition of Arthur Usher.
TO THE VENERABLE AND HONY THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPOGATION OF THE GOSPEL IN FOREIGN PARTS :
The Petition of Arthur Usher Humbly Sheweth That Your Pe- titioner being advised by Physicians to live in a warm Climate for the Recovery of his health, doth therefore offer himself as a Missionary and having already laid the Testimonials of his Good Life & Conver- sation before the Lord Bishop of London, is likewise ready to lay the same before the Said Society who he hopes will take him into their Consideration if there be a Vacancy.
And ye Petr (as in duty bound) Will Pray etc
ARTHUR USHER.
Mr. Ushers Testimonials.
HENRICUS Providentia Divina Clonensis Episcopus Dilecto Nobis in Christo Reverendo Arthurio Usher Cf.
JACOB HANNING, Reg's.
Ilen
Clonensis
Scriptum a Virgo Eptuno in [ L. s. ] Gyston en Virilaren Friend Ordinaria tent & Died blonen 21> die May Aº D° 1736.
Visitaæ Die Clonentent Vertio Die Septm ano Dome 1736° JACOB HANNING, RIgly.
Edv Lloyd Reglius
OMNIBUS adquos, &c.
In Cujus rei Testimonum Singulorum Manus æt Publicum Collegii Sigillum apposunimus Decimo Sexto Die May anno Domini Millessimo Septengentessimo trigesimo Sexto.
JOHN ELWOOD ROBT SHAW
HENY CLARK H. GRAFTEN
CARL STEWART SAML HUGHES CA. CARTWRIGHT
RICHD BALDWIN Præptr.
[ L. s. ]
S. P. G. JOURNAL DECEMBER 17, 1725.
Beckett, dated 7-6-1725 would like to remove to Chester as the Rev. Mr. Humphries has gone to Annapolis.
Sept 16, 1742 has 4 churches & no clergyman within 50 miles of him Letter to Dr. (Rev) Jenney, Lewes April, 1744, from Reive Holt Trustee to the Rev. Mr. Becket's children. His estate settled & not enough to support children as Mr. Becket had not drawn salary since Xmas 1742 One of his daughters, about 19 yrs, has been a cripple for several years S. P. G. makes a small grant & pays back dues Rev. Mr. Usher, Sussex in Pa. Sept. 25, 1745 also in Kent Rev. Mr. Usher Missionary to Churches in Sussex March 25, 1745.
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS.
The Dissenters having no settled Teacher in them, & they behave decently & regularly when at church, and as soon as he is well settled at Lewes, he will enquire into, & send an account of all his churches.
A letter from Mr Usher dated L. 6-2-1745 acquainting that he has lately visited the four churches under his care, & can truly say that Religion flourishes in Sussex Co. & he has Baptized from the 25 of March preceeding 66.
Letter dated 12-26-1745 Sussex Co in Pa. The flourishing condi- tion of the Church in Sussex, Dissenters attend & like service better than before, so that he expects a daily increase. The distance of the 4 churches in Sussex Co., & his attendance once a month at Dover during the vacancy there seem too hard for him, but he doth not grudge his pains, being determined to spend the remainder of his days in diligently performing the Duties of his station, & in enlarging the Kingdom of Christ in this world. He had lately Baptized 76 children, some of them born of Dissenting parents, who having no teacher in their own denomination applied to him to Baptize their children.
Lewes March 26, 1746 Since Dec. 26 has Baptized 42 Infants & 2 Adults after proper instruction. Number of Communicants 68 whose lives & conversations are agreeable to their profession After the death of Mr Morris he had attended the Churches in Kent Co. once every 5 weeks without so much as the allowance of traveling charges from the People of Kent County Hopes the Society will make allow- ance. They did.
Lewes Sussex Co. in Pa. June 26, 1746 Stating that all the Summer season he hath more hearers than the church will hold & therefore he Preaches sometimes under the shade of the large trees & Catechises on Sundays in the afternoon, after the 2d Lesson, generally about 20 children. Since 25 March has Baptized 58 White Children & 2 Blacks & 1 Adult person bred in Quakerism.
Rev. Mr Arthur Usher Lewes June 26, 1747. The Members of the Church are assiduous & punctual in attending divine service all Parts of the year Since March 25 has Baptized 35 Infants & 3 Adults & his Congregations increase so fast that they have determined to make additions to two of his Country Chappels On Easter Day he had 18 Communicants at Lewes. Catechizes 18 or 19 Children at Ten of the Clock on Sunday Mornings before sermon. Had begun a Course of Lectures on the Ch. Catechism which he preaches on Sunday Even- ings from March till September.
Rev Mr Arthur Usher Lewes in Pa. 3-25-1749 Acquainting that in February last the Rev. Mr. Bluet Missionary at Dover in Kent Co. had departed this Life not much lamented by his congregation. They had applied to him to serve their church as often as he could, which he had promised to do once in 5 weeks; & tho, by Mr. Bluet's indiscretion the church was reduced to a very low ebb, yet by God's Blessing he hoped to gather the scattered flock together again, & upon his preaching there after Mr Bluet's death he had between 2 & 300 Hearers who unanimously desired he might be restored to them again & which he would willingly accept if the Society should think proper He had Baptized, since last report, 26 White Children 5 Adult Negroes who could repeat the Creed, the Lord's Prayer & ten Commandments & 6 Negro Children Communicants at Xmas 18.
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SOME RECORDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY.
COPY OF A LETTER IN FULHAM PALACE.
REV. SIR :- This letter accompanies Mr. Hector Alison's, and Mr. John Erkine's, who are now in orders, according to the Rites and usage of the Church of Scotland, but do intend to conform and receive Episcopal Ordination, as soon as it shall please God to vouchsafe them an opportunity of waiting upon His Lordship the Bishop of London for the time being, or on some other of our Reverend Fathers in God, who are placed in the pastoral offices of the Church of England, or by Law established; and the aforementioned gentlemen having addressed themselves to us the subscribing wardens of St. Peters at Lewes, to give them a testimonial of their moral Characters and behaviour, we crave leave to say that we have been fortunately acquainted with Mr. Alison for near 3 years last Past, and do certainly know that his whole deportment among us hath been grave, regular and exem- plaży. And as to Mr. Erskine, we have heard as good report, and have also seen laudable Credentials of him with respect to his learning, Piety, Pasts, and conduct, from under the hands of Mr. Isaac Alison of Chester County, and Mr. Robert Cross of Philadelphia, the latter of whom as he lives in the same city with your Reverence, can (if applied to) give a more particular character of the said Mr. Erskine, Sir, we well know that to make suitable recommendations for most of the offices in life is no easy task, but the difficulty is much increased when it relates to so important a one as that of faithfully administering in the Church, and serving at the Christians Altar. However, we are all encouraged to so- licit your favourable countenance towards the gentlemen first above named, not only from the Principles of Benevo- lence, but from a well-grounded hope, that if their desires are accomplished, they will walk worthy of that vocation whereunto they shall be called.
We conclude with sincere wishes for the peace & Prosperity of our Mother Church, and that those branches thereof, which by the favor of divine providence have been trans- planted into this infant Colony, may flourish, increase, and grow up to such perfection, as to become the seminaries of real piety, virtue, and true Godliness; so devoutly pray
Rev. Sir, Your most obedient humble servant,
LEWES, June 20th, 1749
MR. COMMISSARY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
R. HOLT JACOB KOLLICK
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS.
Rev Mr Usher, Lewes in Pa., June 26, 1749 Since March 25 had Baptized 9 White & 3 Black Children & 2 Adult Whites after proper instruction, & received 4 new Communicants. It was near 12 years from the time of his admission into the Service of the Society & during that time he had not only discharged the Duties of his Func- tion within his own Mission, but also occasionally supplied several neighbouring vacancies.
Had just received a letter from Ireland with an Account of the Death of an elder Brother which obliges him to ask leave of the Society to be absent six months from his Mission in Order to settle some affairs relating to his Deceased Brother's Estate.
Leave granted, Mr Usher taking care that the Church be duly supplied during his absence.
Rev. Mr Usher Lewes Pa. Dec. 26, 1749. Since last report had Baptized 36 Infants, two of which are Negroes, 2 White Adults & 4 Negroe Adults, after proper Instruction. That he had administered the H. C. four times in the year in the several Churches in Sussex Co. & he finds an increase of Communicants every time.
That the Masters & Mistresses are more inclined than ever to have their Negroes instructed in the Principles of the Ch. of England & Baptized.
He acquaints that the Congregation at Chester had a great loss in the death of their worthy Missionary Mr Backhouse. That he has drawn a bill for £15 Sterling & humbly reminds the Society for leave to return to his Native Country for Six Months.
Rev. Mr. Usher Lewes June 25, 1750. Acquainting that he can with great Truth assure the Society that his churches are so thronged in Summer that for conveniencey of Room he Preaches sometimes under a shady green Tree.
Since 25 of last March has Baptized 54 white Infants, 3 Negro Children & 2 White Adults, after previous examination. Within the year has received 10 new Communicants of regular lives.
Letter from the Rev. Mr Usher Missionary at Lewes in Sussex Co., Pa. Dated Lismore in Ireland, October 11, 1751, acquainting that when he left America he did not imagine that he should meet with so much Difficulty & Delay in the Settlement of his Deceased Brothers Affairs; but he thanked God, they would be brought to a conclusion in Novr Term, & he hoped he would embark for his Mission the first opportunity following. He desires leave to live in that part of the Mission which shall appear most convenient for the better care of the Whole, & not be confined to Lewes, as they have provided him neither House, nor Glebe, & yet expect he should Devote his Time to them to the Prejudice of the other Congregations.
Leave was given to settle in such Part of the Mission as may answer best for his taking Care of the Whole.
A letter from the Rev. Mr. Usher, Missionary at Lewes Sussex Co. in Pa. Dated Philada. May 11, 1752 acquainting that upon the Re- ceipt of the Secretary's letter, he embraced the first opportunity of embarking from Ireland for Pa. & was just then happily arrived, & proposed to set out that evening for his Mission where by his Dili- gence in his Pastoral Office he would do his best endeavours to show his gratitude to the Society for all their Favours & Indulgences to- ward him.
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SOME RECORDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY.
Letter from the Rev. Mr Usher, Lewes October 18 1752 asking leave to resign his Mission for want of health, he purposing to return to his Native Country Ireland where he hopes in some measure at least to recover his health. The Congregation of Sussex Co. re- quested him to apply to the Society in their behalf, that no Mission- ary who had been bred a Dissenter might be sent to them, because such are seldom or ever Stedfast in Principles but comply too far with the Dissenters, which gives offence & renders them contempti- ble in the Eyes of the Church People.
The Rev Mr. Craig Itinerant Miss. in Pa in Letter dated Phila- delphia Nov. 16, 1752, desires to be settled in first Vacant Mission.
Agreed to recommend Mr Craig to succeed Mr. Usher in ye Mission of Sussex Co. Salary same as Mr. Ushers & to commence from last Lady Day. He did not go to Lewes.
Letter from the Rev Mr Locke lately an Itinerant Missionary to Pa. Dated Nov. 6, 1752 acquainted that finding the People in the Itinerant Mission much attached to Mr Craig, he had consented to go, & administer to the Church of Lewes, & to Settle there, if the Society should approve thereof, & he was then at Lewes & had offi- ciated several times & Baptized several Children & would be more particular, as to the Church of Lewes in his next, if the Society should think proper to fix him there. Agreed to fr the Society.
Agreed that a new Missionary be appointed for Sussex Co. pro- vided it shall appear that Mr. Locke is dead.
Petition from St Peter's at Lewes, St George's Chapel in Indian River Hundred, & St Matthews in Cedar Creek Hd. all in the County of Sussex on Delaware, dated August 15, 1755 setting forth that the Mission to the said County hath either been vacant, or most Dis- honourably & unwarrantably neglected, by the frequent non- attendance, & constant non-residence of Mr. Usher during the whole time of his Mission (of which the Church Wardens have given a particular account in the preceeding letter) now the Rev. Mr. Matthias Harris having of late preached several Sermons among them & per- formed the other Duties of His Holy Function with general approba- tion, it hath been moved by the Members of the above mentioned Church & Chappels to make such subscriptions towards his support as amount to upwards of £60 Sterling & on this consideration alone he is willing to officiate among them for the space of one year, or untill the Society's pleasure be known. The said Mr. Harris is a Native of Maryland, about 37 years of age, has a wife & 2 Children, was Ordained Deacon by the Bishop of London on March 18, 1753 & Priest on the 25th of the same month by the Bishop of Chester. Since his coming back to America he has served in the Cure of the Parish of All Hallows in the County of Worcester in the Province aforesaid for the space of 17 months, & has brought a certificate from the Parishioners of his Morals, Conduct, & Exemplary Behaviour among them, &c &c.
A letter from the Rev. Mr. Harris dated Lewes in Sussex Co., Nov. 15, 1755 refers to above & requests appointment.
Agreed out of regard to Mr. Cleveland Petitioner to be sent Mis- sionary to the Church at Norwich, & in Compassion to his Numerous Family consisting of a Wife & 9 Children to recommend Mr. Cleve- land to the Society to be appointed Missionary to the Churches of
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ECCLESIASTICAL RECORDS.
.
Sussex Co. in Pennsylvania in the room of Mr. Locke deceased, if the Lord Bishop of London shall think him Worthy to admit him to Holy Orders.
A letter from the Rev. Mr. Cleveland Missionary to Lewes in Pa. dated Norwich Jan. 10, 1756 acquainting that after a long & tedious Voyage he is safely arrived in New England & should have imme- diately proceeded to his Mission were it not for the following reasons Viz. In his Passage from Halifax to New England, a violent storm cast them on the sands called Nantucket Shoals, but by the goodness of God, they all escaped unhurt except Mr. Cleveland.
The Vessel being but poorly manned he was obliged to assist the Sailors, & was struck by the Violence of the Sea against the side of the Ship, & was bruised in his head & other parts of his Body; that he was taken up for dead; of which he was not fully recovered when he wrote.
He proposed to embrace the first opportunity of a Passage to Lewes.
Letter from Mr Cleveland Missionary at Lewes &c &c Nov. 3, 1756 in which he writes of the Obstinacy of his Congregations still con- tinues. They have of late locked up St. Matthew's against him, the only church he was permitted to preach in. They declare that no man but Mr. Harris should preach in it, though the Society shall discourage them ever so much. Mr Cleveland is in a most distressed condition, many miles off his family, & nothing to support him or them but the Society's allowance, & used with much indignity In this situation he craves the Society's assistance, that they would extri- cate him out of it by appointing him to succeed Mr. Brooke in Mission at New Castle. Agreed to &c.
Letter dated Oct. 11, 1756 Mr. Cleveland Missionary at Lewes &c. Mr. Harris leads the opposition, refuses to use all the Church Service, declares it is Romish &c. Mr. Cleveland administered H. C. to about 20 persons Baptized 29 Infants & 2 Adults. His Widow Mrs. Susannah Cleveland writes the Society Aug. 21, 1758 telling of the death of her Husband & asking aid for herself & children.
The Rev. Aaron Cleveland, son of Aaron and Abigail (Waters) Cleveland, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, October 19th, 1715, and died at Benjamin Franklin's house, Philadelphia, August 11th, 1757.
He was an ancestor of the late President Cleveland, and also of Bishop Coxe of the Diocese of Western New York.
In 1750 he was a Dissenting Minister in charge of a congregation in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1755 he was a Priest of the Church of England.
In 1752 Lewes and St. George's Chapel, Indian River, wish to have a clergyman who could give his whole time to these two churches.
St. Matthew's people objected and wrote August 1st, 1752:
"The Churchwardens and Vestrymen of St. Matthew's Chapel" that St. Matthews had "by much the largest congregation, who have been always zealous to embrace every opportunity of joining in the Divine Service, the Greatest number of Communicants, and many children Baptized, beside have subscribed the most freely to their Minister, and (God be thanked) always have kept up a good harmony, one with another."
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SOME RECORDS OF SUSSEX COUNTY.
The Secretary of the Convocation which met at Philadelphia May 2d, 1760, wrote to the S. P. G .:
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