USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > The records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Del., from 1697 to 1773 > Part 2
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December 6th .- I was with the church wardens at Christina to decide upon the exact place to set the church, and as the church yard did not extend sufficiently high up for a convenient place without standing over graves, and as we did not wish to set the church so low down, therefore, church warden John Stalcop gave of his own free will for the glory of God out of his own land, so large a place as was needed for the church partly to stand upon, with two fathoms on the south side and the west end for a free church walk, which was put in writing, and for which was remitted to him the four pounds which he had subscribed for the church, as Hans Peitterson said, that according to English law for such a
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH. 19
gift, something must be given in return be it ever so little.
Anno 1698 May 21st .- There was a general meeting holden at Christina for the reason that the first mason Joseph Richardson of Upland, broke his contract with us (about Easter,) concerning our church building, without any cause on our part, and I had in my own name and in behalf of the congregation written to him, and another by the name of Joseph Yard had unex- pectedly come down from Philadelphia the 18th of May, and applied for the contract, and we had agreed with him to set forward the work without fail, and therefore the above named ineeting was called, and therein it was resolved.
Ist .- That all the money which was promised last autumn should be paid in by Whitsuntide, and thereafter more should be collected as the work should require.
2d .- In order to save expense of sawing, it was promised that certain of the congregation should split with axes, whatever the carpenters can use without sawing.
3d .- That the help needed by the mason should be hired, as members of the congregation cannot conven- iently come and give days work as needed.
4th .- Those who have heretofore given days work and boarded themselves of their own free will, shall hereafter be boarded if they are still willing to help while the work is in hand, but they who so far have not worked at all must find board themselves, but after- wards board shall be provided for them, except that those who have households can keep themselves, but the single men having no conveniences &c., shall be provided for.
5th .- It was also decided that as in Sweden, it is.
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customary to begin the Priest's year on the first of May called Rogation day, the promises shall always be taxed from the first of May.
6th .- We then had some talk with John Stalcop about the glebe, not expecting to come to any conclusion thereon at this time, but only have some prefatory words for him to think about and consider.
All this except the sixth point was read in the presence of the whole congregation the next day, Dominica Cantata, but there were but few present at that meeting, especially from the other side of the river. The church wardens present at that time were Capt. Hans Pietterson, Brewer Seneke, Charles Springer and John Stalcop.
November Ist .- General meeting.
2d .- We talked of more money for the building which was promised. Had some further talk about the Priestland but without concluding anything.
3d .- About remuneration to Lucas Stidham for my board which they ought at least to pay for the first year after mny arrival, which, yet, I should not ask of them if they would all pay ine my past dues according to promise, all of which the meeting assented to and did not dispute.
November 19th -It was necessary to have another meeting on account of the small number present at the last, and also because Wholle Dolboe from the other con- gregation is making proposals for the land of Church- warden, John Stalcop (the so called Old Land) which lies very convenient for a Glebe. And this meeting was called, in order that we might come to some definite conclusion with regard to it, but after much discussion it seemed impossible to agree. The disagreement con-
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
sisted in this, that the congregation insisted that the land should come into their possession immediately for the use of their minister, John Stalcop to deliver it clear and clean from all incumbrance that could be against it up to this day.
But John Stalcop wished to sow it another year or else sow half of it, and pay half of the quit, rent and the congregation the other half, paying him twenty pounds on the delivery of the land and two years after, forty pounds, which in the meantime should stand without interest but not longer, and should take upon ourselves the payment of the two notes due John Hanson Stellman which together amount to one hundred pounds ; thus the whole sum to be paid would be one hundred and sixty pounds. But with all this, there was the above men- tioned use of the land that separated us.
N. B. I brought to their notice the points in the former meeting.
So as, it seemed that the land purchased could not well be decided upon in a meeting of the whole con- gregation, I thought it best to consult with the wardens only, in behalf of the congregation and do the best we could in the matter, and I with Brewer, Seneke and Charles Springer met with John Stalcop on the 21st of December, when we went so far as to agree to assume the two notes of John Hanson Stellman, then give twenty pounds when the land is delivered free of all encumbrance up to that day, and then the forty pounds in two years without interest and the next year sow half the land with him.
It was understood when we separated that we would pay him his money thus, and he should deliver up the land entirely to us without any more sowing and
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should give us a clear and right title and consider the inatter thoroughly till next Sunday. And so the agreement finally was to pay the money as before stated and sow half the land, but have nothing to do with any rent or tax till the day when it shall be delivered up to us, and the next Sunday the congregation should be informed of the agreement.
The next Sunday I gave them a full relation and said to thein that now the most difficult part was accomplished, and that they should not let such a little thing prevent the bargain which I hoped would not happen, and that they would show such love and good will to me as would be to their praise for all time, and that they would experience great inconvenience and be much blamed by those who come after them if such a con- venient place for a glebe should be let slip, and that no such opportunity would occur again and they would find it so in time, if not just 110w.
The matter stood so that I was uncertain whether our bargain would stand or not ; I did not wish to be too urgent with the congregation, but I could not hear to have the land sold to anybody else.
So if Olle Dolbæ will, in the meantime hold still, I will let it stand as it is for the present.
Paul Pietterson being urged by his friends, wishes, not- withstanding his behavior, to come into the church, but, as he will not acknowledge that he has done wrong and show penitence, therefore, we cannot give up to him and let him in, but leave him to more earnest reflection.
A. D. 1699, April 22 .- I had a general meeting on account of the Priestland in order to come to a decided understanding about it, and have a written agreement, and have the congregation agree to what was last talked
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of, as there is danger that John Stalcop will sell it to somebody else, in which case if such a convenient place be lost I will never have anything more to do about the business, and I declare before God that time can show no such opening, at least, not in my day.
When we began to recite how we had before agreed, viz .: on the 21st of November, 1698, John Stalcop would not admit that we were to sow half the land and be free from the payment of (a) quit rent, but claimed that he had said that either he should sow the whole and' pay all the rent, or sow half and pay half the rent, and that we should pay the other half if we sow the half of the land. We then who were present on the above named day knew nothing thereof.
It was talked of but we did not consent to it, but if it cannot be otherwise we must let our word go for noth- ing, as not understanding him correctly, and so would begin anew with our bargain, which bargain I immedi- ately wrote down.
It stood in these points, viz. :
Ist .- When the land is made over, twenty pounds shall be paid.
2d .- Two years thereafter forty pounds shall be paid, for which time it shall stand without interest, but if not paid in two years he shall have interest.
4th .- Take up the paper of John Hanson Stellman. John Stalcop to sow all the land this year and pay all the rent.
5th .- John Stalcop promised a portion of marsh land more than heretofore belonged to the tract which also he had promised previously.
This I wrote down and read it to them carefully and all was fully agreed to on both sides, and those who
(a) Rent to the proprietor Mr. Penn.
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were present immediateiy inade up a large part of the twenty pounds.
rst .- To get security of John Stalcop for the por- tion of ground on which is partly to stand our new church, and know definitely how much he will give us.
2d. - To collect money for work on the church, for the contractors must have their pay when the work is done.
4th .- To get enough workinen to have the church ready by Easter, which, next to God's blessing rests with the congregation, as I have procured what is necessary thereto to be had from strangers, such as lime, nails, boards, &c., so let there be laborers enough for each day, and as I see how the work progresses I will give notice of the day of consecration.
5th .- (a) I showed them that such offerings were no superstitious or papistical work, but only a rejoicing that God has so blessed and prospered their willing efforts.
6th .- To get again from Haus Pietterson the Bell which he maliciously (in the position in which he was at the time in opposition to me and the church) lied out front the man in whose care it was left at Marcus Hook, which Bell was given us by Captain James Trent when he went away.
6th .- We talked about the seats and said that they who would not now help when we are in the greatest need, may not expect to have any special place, but afterwards buy or take a place where I and the church- wardens mnay set them, though in the meantime none will be prevented fromn coming and standing where they can find room, but they who give their labor are most sure to get a good place.
(a) This has reference to offerings for the entertainment at the consecra. tion.
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(a) Now notwithstanding what follows should in order of time have stood otherwhere, yet, that everything might be brought together for the information of the congre- tion and not be scattered here and there I have set down the whole order of the business, in full, viz. :
Ist .- Who the contractors were and how we came to agreements.
2d .- The income from the first subscription.
3d .- The exact account of each one's days works on the building.
4th .- Also, a summary of payments to contractors, &c.
Ist .- The mason was the before named Joseph Yard from Philadelphia, with his three sons, Joseph, William and John.
Now, although some of the Church Wardens wished to have the church no larger than was first decided on, and the most of the congregation thought it large enough, I opposed thein earnestly, in the confidence that God would help me, for I saw plainly that it would not be such a work as it ought to be ; and I insisted that we ought so to build that there would not be necessity to enlarge the year after, and that our contract should be for a building sixty feet long and thirty feet broad within the walls, and the walls twenty feet high.
I took upon myself to raise in what way I could one- third part of the ready money that should be necessary, doing it, as I said first, for the Glory of God, and then for the honor of the congregation, which, I observed did not comprehend what was necessary for such a building.
And this I was afterwards very sensible of when I
(a) What follows here, being a particular account of the church building, was written in the church book after the consecration, hence Mr. Bjork's explanation.
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was daily under the necessity to provide and have in readiness what was wanted, and be the superintendent and overseer, knowing that no others would do it, for they knew nothing of such work, and especially as Hans Pietterson, who had been appointed to superintend the work, could not perform what he was chosen for, espe- cially as to the walls, so that I, without any doubt, concluded that God would not have such a superintend- ent for such a godly work.
And as I must stand for procuring most of the money for the payments, and be bound for whatever was trans- acted, as the writings show, and have the responsibility of the payment of each and every one after their work is done, therefore, I enter in copies of our agreements, as follows :
(a) Articles of Agreement made, done, and concluded by and betwixt Hans Pietterson, John Stalcop, Charles Springer of the County of New Castle and Christina Creek of the one part, and Joseph Yard, Mason and Bricklayer of Philadelphia, of the other party, witnesseth as followeth :
It is agreed, and I, Joseph Yard doe obledge and engage myself and my heirs, that is, with the help of GOD, to lay all the stone and Brick work of a Church which is to be Built in and upon ye Church yard at Christeen near John Stallcop's ; the length of it shall be 66 foot from out to out, the breath shall be 36 foot from out to out, and to be laid in ye ground, a good and firm founda- tion, and the height frum ye Topp of ye ground upwards 20 foot, and ye thickness of ye wall from ye foundation to the lower ends of the windows 3 foot thick, and then afterwards 2 foot thick upwards, and all ye Windows and doors upon the Church shall be Arched, and the doors and Windows Arched and Quined with Bricks, and this above mentioned worck must be, and shall be done, sufficiently, firmly and substantially in all Respects as ye stuff will allow, and to be done with all Expedition that possible may or can be.
(a) Written in England and copied verbatim.
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Now for the Consideration heareof, Wee, the above named Hans Pietterson, John Stallcop and Charles Springer doe engage to pay Joseph Yard or his Assigns for the aforesaid work, Eighty and six pounds In Silver Money, to be paid as followeth : Twenty and Three pounds in Silver Money at the beginning of ye work, that is, at the first Stone laying, and 23 pounds when he, ye said Yard comes to put In ye door cases, and then 20 pounds more when he comes to ye upper end of ye Arched work of Doors and Windows, and ye Remainder, that is 20 pounds more, when ye stone work is finished, and with all, wee do obledge Our selves to find ye said Joseph and his Assistants during ye time of ye said work, with sufficient Meat, Drink, Washing and Lodging, with sufficient Labourers for him and his Assistance, and to find all necessary Materials fitt for ye work, and the said Joseph not to be hindered for Materials or Labourers or Carpenters work.
Now for the true performance of this above mentioned Articles of Agreement doe wee Hans Pietterson, John Stallcop and Charles Springer, Binde ourselves and our heirs Executors and Admin- istratours, Jointly and Severy, of ye one party in a penall Bond and Obligation of 172 pounds Silver Money, and also, doe I, Joseph Yard, binde myself and my heirs, Executors and Administrators of ye other side, In a penal Bond and Obligation of 172 pounds In Silver Money to be paid upon demand, that is, If it be not on both sides truly and duly performed according to every point In ye Articles specified, But, if it be on both sides performed, then the Bond shall be of none effect. if otherwise, to stand in its full force and virtue, Whereunto wee have sett our hands and seals.
Dated at Christeen
[L. s.]
Ye 19th of May, 1698. HANS PIETTERSON, [L. s.]
Witness,
ERICUS BIÖRK, JOHN STALLCOP,
Minister of Cranehooks Congregation, [L. s.]
J. AUREEN, CHARLES SPRINGER.
JOSEPH YARD, Junior.
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The carpenter was from Philadelphia; Mr. John Smart who had with him as comrade another by the name of John Britt. Our agreement with him was inade in writing the 29th, of March 1698, the copy of which is underwritten, which was made by another English man by the name of Thomas Jenner who was with Mr. Smart, and therefore is not so well done, for Charles Springer was at that time Forester for the Governor of Maryland, Sir Francis Nicholson. Mr. Springer is. very useful in our business with the English as he understands both our own language and theirs. He also wrote the letter to our Fatherland in behalf of both congregations.
Contract with the carpenter written in English and copied verba- tim .- Articles of agreement : Made and comfirmed by and be- tweene John Smart and John Britt carpenters, both of ye Citty of Philadelphia and Ericus Biorck of the county of New Castle, minister. The said John Smart and John Britt doth covenant and agree with Ericus Biorck to build and finish a certain church on Christeene Creek, near John Stalcop's house to be sixty foot long and thirty foot in breath, both in the clear to build the carpenters work to, etc. One large and four smaller windows proposable to the said Bigness before said, two large and one lesser Door case with Doors and four pewess Enclosed; the other. with Rails and a flancher and Benches and Doors, and Enclosses ye ends of the Pews at the passages thereof. The Rufe to be framed with Nealing Principles and Ovale on the inside, also with an Ornamental Encsy with a Pulpit and Canape over the same and to make a Table convenient, Casements to the windows. The same Ericus Biorck to find all Timber and Bords and Iron worck and all Ready sawed and brought to place and also to finde and allow ye said Carpenters, Meat, Drink, Washing and Lodging duering ye said worck; and the said John Smart and John Britt. doth obledge themselves to finish ye same by ye last of October next insueing the date hearof, and ye said John Smart and John Britt are to have for ye aforesaid worck and Building One hun- dred and Thirty pounds current Silver Money to be paid in three-
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
payments, etc., fourty and three pounds and six shillings and eight pence at the entering upon the said worck, and fourty and three pounds six shillings and eight pence to be paid at ye Raising of ye Rufe thereof, and fourty and three pounds, six shillings and eight pence at the finishing of ye same as witness our hands and seals this 29th, of March 1698.
Testes ERTMAN E HINE, his
JOHN SMART, [L. S.]
mark
JOHN STALLCOP, JOHN BRITT, [L. S.] THO. JENNER.
We also had the Sawyers from Philadelphia but without any written agreement, but only a verbal one with Mr. Edward Smouth that he should have six shill- ings for each one hundred feet, allowing them free lodging, ineat and drink with ail the timber ready on the Sawpit.
We had all the lime this year from Upland of a Quaker by the name of James Lownes, who brought it down by water in a sloop delivering it unslacked at twenty pence a bushel.
All stone were taken up and broken on Asmund Stidham's land northerly from the church, and mostly were hauled on sleds in the Winter, and after Spring- time on carts.
So in one way or another through God's grace and blessing all was got together, and the first foundation stone was laid with my assistance (when by a happy circumstance Mr. Rudman, Mr. Auren and Capt. Lasse Cock were down) on the 28th of May 1698 a Saturday on the north corner of the east gable, which foundation wall is the deepest down though not just there the corner stone stands as it seemed too much out of ground.
The foundation was laid all around about one foot deep except a piece on the south wall, and for here and
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there a grave-and some stumps-and not much more was done that day.
During the whole time of this work they were boarded by church warden John Stalcop, and also a free negro by the name of Dick, which the mason brought with him as he knew best how to prepare and carry the mortar-who was also paid by us two shillings a day according to the Mason's agreement with him.
The carpenters boarded at this time with Jesper Walraven, for the first work was then hewing with axes before we got the sawyers down who boarded the most of the time with my landlord Lucas Stidham, and then towards the last with Asmund Stidham at Christina, also the carpenters, after awhile with Lucas Stidham, and lastly at Christina with John Stalcop.
The 6th of June I was present and we set up the first door which is intended for the Sacristy, the door on the north side by the choir, and then the others as they from week to week were ready. The carpenter made a mis- take with the other north door which should have been as large as that in the south side or west end; but as I could not at that time go often to Jesper Walravens where he worked on them, for I had to be at the wall building, to see to the workmen of the congregation, and so there was a mistake made in the door.
The 20th of June we set up the first scaffold for the mason which they began to use the 22nd.
The 14 of July we raised the scaffold the first time.
The 26 of July we raised the scaffold the 2nd time, which was the last.
The 12th of August, Friday, the mason work was happily finished twenty feet high all around-Glory to God.
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The quittance in full for the work on the wall runs as follows:
English-I, underwritten Joseph Yard of the Citty of Phila- delphia mazon doe acknowledge that I am fully satisfyed that is for laying the stone work of ye church at Christeen, which is sixty six foot long, and thirty six foot broad from out to out, and twenty foot high, for which I have Received of ye Reverend minister Ericus Biork, that is Eighty and six pounds in Silver Money and likewise I have Received in full for my Morter Labourer the Neger five pounds four shill., and six pence and this Receipt I have given to satisfy the church Wardens and Congregation of Christeen Church, that I am fully satisfyed, as
Witness my hand, Aug. 12th, 1698, at Christeen. JOSEPH YARD.
Shortly after as I and the carpenter came to talk over the matter of the gable ends, how they should be etc, and notwithstanding the first plan was not to have any, we thought it seemed to look too inean, and concluded it best to build thein either wholly or half way up.
I did not at first know what conclusion to come to with regard to it, but finally as I thought it would be difficult to get them all the way up, I would have them half way. and then it would look more like a church building.
In the meantime we were consulting about some one to whitelime and plaster the church within.
Mr. Joseplı Yard being at that time at work at Sand. hook, we had some talk with him about it, but thought he was too dear compared to what we could have from Philadelphia.
But as he had heard somewhat to that effect Mr. Springer having been to see him, he came up and we came to an agreement, with respect to all that remained to be done as the following copy will show.
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Articles of agreement made, done and concluded, between Joseph Yard, mason of the City of Philadelphia of the one party, and the Reverend Minister Magister Ericus Biork, minister of the congregation of Cranehook of the other party, witnesseth as followeth:
English .- In primus, it is agreed and concluded that I Joseph Yard, mazon, shall well and truly make up and lay the stone- work of ye Gabell ends of ye Church at Christeen, and to be well, Artificially, and sufficiently done, as behoveth a good work- man. Secondly, I doe engage and promisse with the help of GOD, to doe and plaister all ye Arch work and plain work of ye walls within side of ye aforesaid church, and to nail up ye laths in ye Roof to ye Arch work, and likewise to doe it sufficiently. Thirdly, I doe engage and obledge myself also to lay the floor of ye aforesaid church, partly with stones and partly with Bricks, and not to hew the stones, Butt lay them as well as I can, and as ye stones will be workt.
Now this afore mentioned work I will partly doe if the weather favours before Winter, and the Rest shall be done betimes in ye Spring of ye Year with ye help of GOD. Now for ye consideration of this aforementioned work, that is of the Gabell ends and plaister work and laying of the floor of the church, doe I Ericus Biork, minister of ye Congregation of Cranehook, Obledge and engage myself to pay or cause to be paid unto Joseph Yard or his Assigns, the summe of . forty-five pounds of Silver Money, and to pay it at three payments, as first when the Gabell end is finished, Twenty pounds When ye plaister work is finished, then to pay ye said Yard fifteen pounds, and when the floor is laid and finished Tenn pounds; and moreover I do obledge myself to find the said Yard and his workmen and Labourers good sufficient Meat, Drink, Washing and Lodging, during ye time of the aforesaid work, and to finde him with all Materials necessary for the work, that he shall not stay and waste his time in vain, and further I do Obledge myself to find him good Labourers and sufficient scaffolds.
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