USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > The records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Del., from 1697 to 1773 > Part 14
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(a) Written in English as were all legal documents.
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hereunto, that I find it in no manner of ways better to be done, but that after my and my wife's departing from this world shall all the estate my wife leaveth, real and personal, movable and immovable, belong to the Swedes Church that is built upon Christina, named Church of the Holy Trinity. Then the Rev. Ministers and Churchwardens, successively one after another, to dispose of to honor of God and for the good of the said Church, though I really designed some part of the estate that is real and personal to the Rev. Minister Magister Ericus Biörk, tor his good services done unto me and my wife now, and especially may be at our funerals, which I leave to the discretion of the Church Wardens, hoping that my loving wife shall in her lifetime, after my decease so use what I leave for her own good, in and for the best manner as we both now have done through God's mercy. And for the rest, not doubting thereof in the least that those who are herein concerned in the behalf of the Church which are to have full management of it after mine and my wife's decease, but that they will assist my loving wife with all good counsels whatso- ever, and be an assistance to her when she needs help.
This will I have kept as my last will and testament, I having done it of a well bethought mind when I had my full sense and understanding, and in the presence of underwritten witnesses, do in the same manner of way as the other upon the other side written, confirm all this on the 20th of November, 1701.
Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of us as witnesses.
His
LUCAS L STEDHAM,
Mark.
His AARON X JOHANSON. Mark.
CHARLES SPRINGER.
After the will had been read, the congregation were asked what they had to say about it. If they found anything to object to which was either for or against themselves. If there was any word which could make Edward Robinsson's case good.
Then Lucas Stedham arose and said he had heard the late Aaron's widow complain with regard to her
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circumstances and of being neglected as to proper care and attention in her old age and sickness, while left helpless by those whose duty it was to take care of her and that she should be under the necessity if no one will look after her and nurse her to apply to the magis- trates at New Castle for help on which account Edward Robinsson should be excused for taking the whole charge upon himself.
Then it was asked if any more had heard her com- plaints.
All answered that they had not and that if she liad had any cause for her lamentations she should first have applied to the pastor and Church Council, that she in Mr. Biork's presence, when he took his departure from here, (to which Mr. Conrad Constantine can witness,) promsed to subinit all her affairs to them.
Therefore after some discussion of the subject and conferring with each other it was found that neither Mr. Hesselius nor the congregation had heard any such complaint of the widow, and that she could live well on the income from her place and they all looked upon the whole transaction as a sham business with the widow, and that Edward had therein managed for his own interest.
And inoreover when he had been enjoined by the pastor to keep a correct and just account of the estate, he had answered that if he was asked to give in an account, it was that the widow's land and estate were already gone.
4th. It was resolved that although the church might justly impose a severe church censure on Edward Robin- son for his proceedings, nevertheless in order to give him another opportunity for better thought and change
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of purpose with his own and the widow's declaration and further explanation, Mr. Jonas Walraven, Matz Petersson, Jacob Van de Ver, John Gustafson, and John Stalcop with the pastor were directed to visit the parties in their own houses and gather from them their views and intentions.
5th. Edward Robinsson was dismissed from the Church Council for his disobedience in absenting himself from the parish meeting without lawful hindrance and by a unanimous vote Mr. Jacob Van de Ver was elected in his place, and Conrad Constantine was also chosen in place of the late deceased Peter Petersson.
A. D. 1715, February 14th. The deputies of the church with the pastor went to Edward Robinson's house and according to the last holden ineeting's resolution, conversed both with the widow and Edward with regard to their transactions and intentions, and first the widow declared that of her own free will she had given away to Edward Robinsson all her property, as to one who best deserved it in payment and reward for his care for her both heretofore and hereafter. Edward Robinson said that nothing wrong and improper had been done, and that none of the church, and indeed, not even Matz Petersson, who had as well as Edward Robinsson been guardian for the widow, had any more disposition of his mother's (as he was pleased to call her,) estate and possessions, yes indeed, no more than of his own inherited and possessed house and land.
. The deputies of the church asked him if he could with a good conscience appropriate to himself or allow the widow to convey to him what after her decease in accordance with the late Aaron's will should belong to the church. Robinsson answered that he had not felt anyliprick of conscience for it, and moreover, as he
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understood it, neither the late Aaron Johnsson nor any other one could according to English law will any land to a church.
To which the pastor replied, if English law does not hold such a will to be valid, why did the court at New Castle receive the will of the late Aaron as a valid will, and have it recorded in due form. Edward made no answer to this, but said that he had in all respects done what was just and right. Edward was then asked if he intended to do the church such great injury as to appro- priate to his own use what after the widow's death should come to the church.
He answered that he did not intend to do anything wrong in connection with the widow, but as to the con- gregation he will see after the death of the widow what he can do for them. After long discourse and much questioning, he said that he would not wrong the church, but whatever agreement he had entered into with the widow, he would adhere to, but he would so conduct the affair that the church should in time be satisfied and content.
It was concluded that though Edward seemed with all his talk to be very much against the church, never- theless, it was thought best by the deputies to take (for this time) his last words for good, at least encouraging the hope that he would come to a better mind, and so leaving him and the whole matter to God, trusting that in time he will cause to be revealed what now lies con- cealed in the heart, and with this understanding they bade each other good-bye and separated.
A. D., 1715, July 9th. A Parish meeting was held at the Priest house on the Old Land when,
Ist. The church accounts were examined and it was
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ascertained what had been the income in the shrine from the 27th of June to this date, according to the following statement:
The amount being for this year,
& s. d. 5 0 4 6 9 0
Over from last year,
II 9
When the church accounts had been examined the churchwardens with Matz Petersson and Conard Constan- tine went to the church to count the money in the chest and found in farthings, 38 shillings 8 pence in silver, 20 shillings and the same amount in gold, which Church- warden Jacob Van de Ver took into his possession, and when they returned to the parsonage and compared it with the accounts, it was found that the church money was 7 shillings less than it ought to be, and they could not surmise what had become of it unless some con- scienceless man had taken it away, as the chest had been for the whole year without a lock, and the church on various occasions had stood open.
They therefore now resolved that Churchwarden Johan Gustafsson should take the money in hand, in gold and silver into his possession, leaving the small change only in the chest for the convenience of those who wished to make change in farthings when putting their offerings into the purse on Sundays.
And to prevent any further loss in future of money from the church chest, the churchwardens were ordered to procure a lock for the chest, they to remain hereafter responsible for all loss which may happen on account of the chest standing open in case they do not procure a lock.
As for the wine which the church is to pay for Win.
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Van de Ver has already been over paid according to the account, the church being one shilling the better with him, and John Richardson shall be paid out of the silver which Johan Gustafsson received of Jacob Van de Ver as above mentioned.
3rd. Jacob Van de Ver resigned the office of Church- warden, he having in the previous church meeting been advanced to the Church Council and there was elected in his place his brother Philip Van de Ver to serve with Johan Gustafsson as Church wardens.
4th. The Churchwardens were directed to collect for the church money which had been long due, viz: upon Peter Wagers bond, which was entered in the church account between the 13th and the 20th of September, 1713, and also to attend to testaments and other prom- ises given to the church.
5th. The congregation was informed that the late Miss Magdalene Stubby had willed to Magister Hessel- · lius a cow, which now through his free benevolence is given for an inventarium to the parsonage, that the minister who shall succeed him may have a creature to begin his stock with, and if nothing unlucky happens there will always be a cow belonging to the glebe as an inventarium, and as pastor Hessellius had charged 20S. for his services at the funeral of the late Magdalene Stubby, the congregation should deduct so much from the price of the cow, and therewith what the Pastor is indebted to the Church, on account of Martin Gus- tafsson's pew, he having the past Autumnn, had of Martin an ox for three pounds and thus leaves 40 shillings due, which 40 shillings so soon as the pastor receives his salary shall likewise be paid.
6th. The sexton, Timotheus Stedham, was requested to serve the church the coming year, as they could not
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well do without his services, and he answered that he would gladly serve the congregation provided they will remember him with a small compensation and not as has happened hitherto, entirely forget him.
Whereupon it was resolved that the bellman should continue his service, and the Churchwardens should agree with the congregation with regard to a subscrip- tion for him and collect what each one will give for they are responsible for all matters pertaining to the Church and Ministry.
7th. The Church Council were admonished that each one in his neighborhood should take care to bring forward to baptisin any that may here and there be found among them, and to labor with those, who though arrived at mature age have yet never been baptized. There being a great responsibility resting upon Christians before God if they neglect to labor for the salvation of them whom they receive into their houses, having such good opportunity to do them good as to body and soul, and at least can recommend and bring them to the pastor.
The Church Councilmen over Brandywine were en- joined to have particular oversight of the disreputable Paul Gustafsson, that his conduct may be improved so that it may not be necessary for the Magistrate at New Castle to bind him to good behaviour.
The pastor will himself take the trouble to go over to him if some good inan will go with him to witness whether anything can be done with him or not.
8th. The Pastor urged the necessity of having a well at the parsonage house, both on account of the long and tiresome distance from the spring, and because the water is foul and full of worms, they having been long ago in Mr. Biork's time, asked to dig a well near the house but nothing has been done about it to this day.
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Therefore, the congregation is now reminded of it and exhorted to unite in setting forward the digging imme- diately, more especially as they can see the great want of it in this dry summer when very little water can be found fit to drink in the neighborhood.
On this representation the congregation could not do otherwise than consent to bring it about more surely they decided to appropriate some of the church money if they should not succeed in raising sufficient means by a collection from the congregation.
Church-warden Johan Gustafsson petitioned for a seat for himself in the church and it was resolved that as most of the pews are occupied there is no better place for him than the one occupied by the sex- ton, and that he have a seat there so long as he is war- den, and that said pew be appropriated for the use of Church wardens in the future.
A. D. 1715, July 31. - A pint of wine was got from Wm. Van de Ver for one shilling for which he had been overpaid in his last year's settlement. The same day there was a meeting of the Church Council and they conferred further about the well-digging and inade an agreement with young Peter La Quette that he should go forward with the digging at the place where he had begun at the direction of the pastor and Mr. Matz Pietersson, viz .: On the west side of the vegetable gar- den as near the house as possible, and Peter La Quette should be paid for the work ten pence per foot, new currency, and the money should be taken from the church funds, as the congregation were not found willing to contribute money for the purpose at that time. As for the walling, Peter would not take it upon himself to do.
Mr. Springer, Lucas Stedham and Peter Manson, pre-
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sented various reasons why the work on the well should not be proceeded with at this time. Such as, that it will be very hard for the people to labor on it now on ac- count of hay harvesting, plowing, etc., but most of the council and the pastor were of the opinion that none will refuse to help on so necessary a work in this time of drouth as no better time can be found in the whole year, and any other time will prevent as many private matters of business as this present. The pastor added that they certainly showed very little respect for the commnon good, who would not even give their teacher a cup of cold water, notwithstanding our Saviour Jesus promised it should not go unrewarded when it is given for His sake.
And so it was resolved by so many of the Council as were rightininded, notwithstanding the objections of the others, that the well should not only be digged, but nicely and strongly walled up, and the sooner the bet- ter. Mr. Matthias Peitersson promised to engage a good mason and agree with him on the congregation's account to do the work and fix the price for the same. Magis- ter Hessellius promised for his part that he would board the laborers gratis and also those who carted the stone, Mrs. Helena, the late Peter Pietersson's widow, having already given the congregation leave to gather as much stone as might be needed for the work off her land. Mr. Hessellius told them that he would fence in the east and south sides of the Priest yard with nice palings at his own expense, which he had begun to do already, as also around the vegetable garden, out of respect for the honor of the congregation, and now he asked no more than that they should help him buy three pounds of nails to make up what were needed over what he had already bought, to which they agreed promising to pay
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him from the church inoney. It was also resolved that a strong rope be bought for the well with the same money.
The Churchwardens were directed to engage good help to wind up the earth out of the well, which they complied with, and hired for that purpose Martin Mar- tensson and Asmund Stedham.
A. D. 1715, August 5th .- Peter La Quett finished dig- ging the well this day. When he reached a depth of 20 feet, a copious flow of water came into the well from all sides, but it was dug below the veins a sufficient .depth to insure water, making the whole depth 251/2 feet.
A. D. 1715, August 8th .- After the close of Divine service the congregation was called together in the churchyard, when the pastor related to them how fav- orably the well digging at the parsonage had gone on, that they not only had found good and fresh water, but at not a very great depth contrary to our expectations, thus materially lessening the expense to the congrega- tion. He also informed them of the resolve of the coun- cil to have the well walled up at once, and requested them now in this incoming week to bring forward stone, and thus save the church money and themselves further trouble. But now unwillingness and jealously were ex- hibited, for some that have always boasted of their help- ing the public, will now hear nothing about the well and much less assist in contributing for it, but went away immediately.
And so what was preached in the church a half hour before was verified, "one cannot gather grapes of thorns nor figs from thistles." Nevertheless the rightminded counseled with each other with regard to carrying on the work and decided that the next Saturday so many as
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had opportunity should haul stone, and others who had no team should break stone out of the hills, and their names shall all be set hereunder to their honorable re- membrance.
August 9th, Mr. Jonas Walraven came with his hired man and boy, with horses, oxen and cart, to haul stone for the well and break the way for the others, and after having worked the whole day at carting the stone, he promised to give a bushel of lime for the mason work around the top of the well.
August 13. The following members of the congre- gation came to haul stone for the well, which they did till mid-day. Mr. Conrad Constantine with his son and hired boy, horses and oxen; Peter Paulson's son, from Whitler's Creek, with horses and sled; Mans Gustafsson, with his horses; Jesper Walraven and Jacob Pâlsson, with horses, oxen and cart; John Gustafs' boy with horses and a sled; Timothy Lyloffson Stedham with the pastor, Magister Hesselius' horses and a sled; Philip Van de Ver and Jonas Stalcop with their horses and sled. The stone breakers were young Peter La Quett, Samuel Stedham, Israel Stalcop and Hindrick Garret- sson.
August 14th .- A meeting of the church council was held, when Magister Hessellius complained of the ill- famed member, John Hindricsson, who notwithstand- . ing, he for a long time had been reproved and exhorted to mend, shows no penitence and reformation, but on the contrary absents himself entirely from the public service of the church and despises all wholesome coun- sel, whether of the pastor or church council.
It was resolved that Pastor Hessellius with Church Councilman Matz Petersson, should at the first oppor-
NOTE : In the names Pal, Maus the â is broad and has nearly the sound of au in English.
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tunity visit John Hindricsson, and once more urge him to repentance and reformation from his impiety.
August 15th. The Englishman Thomas Kraffert came to the parsonage, and after making a bargain with Matz Peterson on behalf of the church began work at walling up the well, having Anders Gustafson for assistant in winding up the water and letting down the stone in place of Samuel Stedham, who was hired for that pur- pose, and the same day young Peter La Quett brought a canoe full of moss from Sheephook on Samuel Stedham's account, who had promised it.
August 16th. John Stalcop worked on the well one day.
August 17th. Mr. Matz Petersson presented two book-cases for the books belonging to the church, as an inventarium, and Samuel Stedham worked on the well in place of his brother Hindric.
August 18th. The Pastor and Matz Peterson brought more stone for the well.
August 19th. Asmund Stedham worked on the well for Mrs. Hele na the widow of Peter Petersson.
August 20th. Asmund Stedham worked on the well on his own account.
August 22nd. Asmund Stedham worked on the well for Gustaf Gustafsson, and Jacob Van de Ver hauled stone with Pastor Hessellius' horses, and a horse of the widow of Peter Petersson.
August 23rd. Bishop Swedberg's letters from Sweden to the church arrived, one dated November 24, 1714, and the other, September 1 , 1715.
August 24th. Asmund Stedham worked on the well on William Mallander's account.
August 26th. More stone was brought for the well
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with the horses of the pastor and of the widow of Peter Peterson.
August 29th. Mr. Jonas Walraven worked on the well, and young Lucas Stedham carted stone with his, the pastor's and Peter Canpony's horses having Peter Petersson's Hans from Brandywine to help him.
August 3Ist. The well was walled up even with the ground, and at midday it was cleared out, Jonas Wal- raven and Anders Gustafsson helping at the work.
September IIth. After the close of Divine service the Highworthy Bishop Dr. Swedberg's letters were read in presence of the whole congregation, which letters are attached to this book.
COPY OF THE LETTERS.
To the Christly congregation in Christina is wished abundant grace, and the blessing of God the Fathe. and our Lord Jesus Christ.
I have recently received by the Provost Herr Eric Biork, the Christly congregation's very welcome letter, dated April 9th, 1714, from which I learned with great pleasure of their good condition which I heartily wish may be of long continuance, and I thank them sincerely for the tokens of gratitude shown for the little care I have exercised to promote their spiritual welfare, and I do assure them that in the future I will look after their interests to the utmost of iny ability and influence. I hope the church will be on good terms with their teacher, Mr. Andreas Hessellius who is a learned man and blessed by God with excellent gifts and capacity for preaching His word, and that the congregation will so treat him that he will have no cause to write home again of his discontent.
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I hope that in time he will be as well pleased as his predecessors, Messrs. Biork and Rudman, who never complained.
With regard to the request of the congregation at Ratcong Creek to have its separate church and the Rev. Abraham Lidenius for their priest, I have given it particular consideration, and also have consulted with the Provost Herr Eric Biork, and found their desires to be Christly and reasonable, and therefore now give them my written consent thereto, and have given His Majesty information concerning it.
For though they have heretofore belonged to Holy Trinity Church as a part of Christina congregation, their way to come to church is very difficult, having to cross the river, and especially so in Winter, Autumn and Spring, and consequently they are deprived of their religious privileges. On this account it is Christly and reasonable that they establish a parish and have their own pastor whom they have invited, and who can be spared to them.
Pastor Hessellius will then have more time to visit the congregation at Christina, for heretofore he has been at great pains and hardship in order to visit the distant members living on the other side of the river, or suffer pain of conscience for neglecting those whose souls required continued oversight and spiritual instruc- tion.
That Herr Lidenius has been chosen to be priest there and all other things concerning that congregation, I have communicated to his Royal Majesty, who will be content with what I have done with the advice of the Provost Biork.
And the Christly congregation may be assured that I
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shall continue my prayers to God, and my good offices with the King for the prosperity and progress of the Christly congregation.
I have with great delight heard that the congregation which calls itself Christina are living Christly lives, and Provost Biork has given good testimony concerning them. Be in Christian unity both teacher and members, live in peace and harmony with each other, and so shall Christ dwell among you, and keep and bless your bodies and souls, and it will give me, the greatest pleasure to hear further of your good conduct, so that next to firm trust in God for protection and all needed blessings, it shall be my greatest joy and satisfaction to remain to my dying hour.
Brunsbo
November 24th, 1714.
The Christly Congregation in Christina's Most willing Servant JERSPERUS SWEDBERG.
P. S. - I am very thankful for the valuable skins you intended for his Majesty: they are here in my care subject to his disposition to whom (a) I now write con- cerning them.
And watch daily to walk circumspectly among the Gentiles that whereas they are accustomed to speak evil of you, they may see your good works and praise God in the day of visitation. I Pet. ii, 12.
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