USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > The records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Del., from 1697 to 1773 > Part 21
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31. Adam Stole and wife Catharina's child Johannes, born September 28th, baptized September 29th.
32. William Vandever and wife Margaretta's child Elizabeth, born October Ist, baptized October 5th.
33. John Dasson and wife Sara's child James, 6 months old, baptized October 5th.
34. William Clenny and wife Maria's child Hanna, 6 weeks old, baptized October 13th.
35. Peter Tossawa and wife Margaretta's child Elizabeth, born October 2nd, baptized October 13th.
36. John Crocker and wife Maria's child Anna, born January 5th, baptized November 3rd.
37-38. Peter Petersson and wife Annika's children Margaretta. and Catharina, born November 2nd, baptized November 3rd.
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39. John Mârten and wife Margaretta's child Christina, born November 13th, baptized November 24th.
40. John Dason and wife Sara's child John, 2 years old, bap- tized December 26th.
41. Carolus Springer and wife Margaret's child Carl, born December 17th, baptized December 22nd.
42. David White and wife Hierkie's child Carolus, born in August, baptized December 26th
MARRIAGES, 1728.
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I. John Bush and Miriam Short, married January 6th.
2. John Crocker and Mary Neal, married February Ist.
3. Francis Laiton and Sarah Ford, married February 27th.
4. Thomas Clayton and Hanna Buckley, Governor's License married March Ist.
5. David Morgan and Jennet Mackelttonny, married April Ist.
o. Jacobus Dirixson and Annika Justice, Governor's License, married June 9th.
7. John Jackson and Rachel Grist, married June 11th.
8. Edward Cloud and Francis Bird, Governor's License, married June 19th.
9. William Lewis and Helena Welsh, Governor's License, mar- ried July 11th.
IO. David Davis and Hanna Oborn, married August 22nd.
II. George Orson and Anna Macknel, married September 16.
12. Thomas Berry and Jean Beard, Governor License, married September 12th.
13. Peter Andersson and Elizabeth Dirixon, Governor's License, married October 5th.
14. Richad Hoe and Jean Pierce, Governor's License, married October 10th.
15. Regner Von Culen and Anna Skaggan, Governor License, married November 13th.
16. Pal Palsson and Magdalena Robbisson, married NovenI- ber 19th.
17. Joseph Horsey and Sara de Foss, Governor'e License, mar- ried November 21st.
*18. Thomas Willing and widow Catharine Scott, married December 5th.
*The founder of Wilmington.
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BURIALS, 1728.
I. Olle Mânsson, buried January Ist.
2. Thomas Scott's child Sara, buried January IIth.
3. Philip Van de Ver's wife Elizabeth, buried February 5th.
4. Jonas Skaggen, buried February IIth.
5. Peter Palsson's wife Geikie, buried August 27th.
6. John Gustafsson's son Gustafwus, buried September Ist.
7. Berget Pålsson's wife Margareta, buried September 9th.
S. Edward Robbesson's son Edward, buried September 10th.
9. Olle Mansson's child Catharine, buried September 20th.
IO. George Reed's child Robbert, buried September 29th.
II. Jacobus Diricson, buried October Ist.
12. Cornelius Ja Quett's child Susanna, buried October 13th.
13. Mâns Tossawa, buried November 24th.
14. Peter Petersson's child Catharina, buried November 30th.
15. John Smith, buried December 5th.
16. Conrad Constantin, buried December 11th.
BAPTISMS, 1729.
1. John Bird and wife Margareta's child Anna, 6 months old, baptized January 19th.
2. Walraven Walraven and wife Kerstin's child Maria, born January 23rd, baptized January 26th.
3. Samuel Fodrey and wife Anna's child Alis. 7 weeks old, baptized January 26th.
4. Edward Earby and wife Anna's child Maria, born October 13, 1728, baptized February 24th.
5. Christopher Springer and wife Catharina's child Peter, born March 9th, baptized March 16th.
6. Peter Pâlsson and wife Catharina's child Catharina, born March 29th, baptized March 30th.
7. Thomas Martin and wife Elizabeth's child Susanna, 13 months old, baptized March 30th.
8. Christopher Stedham and wife Hunna's child Susanna, born April 4th, baptized April 20th.
9. John Stalcop and wife Maria's child Annika, born April 12th, baptized April 20th.
10. John Wilsson and wife Margareta's child Maria, born April 25th, baptized May 11th.
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II. Richard Hoe and wife Jean's child Anna, born June 3rd, baptized June 5th.
12. Lylof Stedham and wife Anna's child Elizabeth, I year old, baptized June 18th.
13. Anton JaQuett and wife Catharina's child Paulus, born May 30th, baptized June 9th.
14. Peter JaQuett and wife Marta's child Thomas, born July 14, 1728, baptized June 9th.
15. Anders Hindricsson and wife Maria's child Maria, born June 23rd, baptized June 29th.
16. Samuel Petersson and wife Kerstin's child Matthias, born August Ist, baptized August 3rd.
17. John York and wife Marget's child Maria, born June 26th baptized August 3rd.
18. David Henock and wife Helena's child Margareta, born July 29th, baptized August 10th.
19. Peter Anderson and wife Kerstin's child Jacobus, one week old, baptized Angust 17th.
20. Jonas Stalcop and wife Helena's child Maria one week old, baptized September 28th.
21. Olle Andersson and wife Kerstin's child Brita, born October 7th, baptized October 12th.
22. Erasmus Stedham and wife Maria's child Maria, born October 8th, baptized October 26th.
23. Olle Tossawa and wife Maria's child John, born December 4th, baptized December 7th.
24. Regner Von Culen and wife Anna's child Margareta, born December 4th, baptized December 7th.
25. Timotheus Stedham and wife Elizabeth's, child Elizabeth, born December 15th, baptized December 21st.
26. Thomas Willing and wife Catharina's child Helena, born December 18th, baptized December 26th.
MARRIAGES, 1729.
I. William Justice and Elizabeth Base, Governor's License, married January 27th.
2. Wm. Croshee and Mary Littlejohn, married February 18th.
3. George Hudson and Mary Tatcher, married February 2Ist.
4. Daniel Rock and Elizabeth Carey, married March 25th.
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5. Thomas Long and Jean Perkins, Governor's License, mar- ried March 30th.
6. John Littlejohn and Annika Petersson Canpany, married May 6th.
7. Richard Reinhold and Sara Pierce, married June 5th.
8. Thomas Bab and Sara Folek, Governor's License, married June 12th.
9. Hindric Mânsson and Judith Justice, Governor's License, married June 26th,
10. John Chandler and Elizabeth Spragg, Governor's License, married July 13th.
II. Henry Johnson and Catharina Price, married October 14th.
12. Lars Vinan and Elizabeth Garritsson, married October 29th.
13. Joseph Ogle and Sara Winters, Governor's License, mar- ried December 4th.
14. John Green and Jean Perkins, married December 23rd. ;
15. Isaac Davis and Catharina Jacksson, Governor's License, married December 30th.
BURIALS 1729.
I John Morris, buried January 18.
2. Olle Mánsson's child, Peter, buried February 20.
3. Jesper Walraven's child, Benjamin, buried March 10.
4. Jesper Walraven's child, Sara, buried March 13.
5. Brewer Seneke's child, Brewer, buried April 10.
6. Peter Mânssion's widow, Karin, buried June 9.
7. The late John Garritsson's child, Anna, buried August 15.
8. Peter Pâlsson's child, Swen, buried August 18.
9. Anders Cock's wife, Sara, buried September 19.
10. Hindric Mânsson, buried October 28.
November Ist, 1729 .- At a general Parish meeting the following persons were elected to the Church Council : Mr. Carl Springer, Christiern Brynberg, Jacob Vande- ver, Philip Vandever, Mans Justis, Timotheus Sted- ham, and Lucas Stedham and Jesper Walraven and Israel Petersson, were unanimously chosen Church-wardens.
A brief relation of a severe persecution which Pastor
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
Herr Magister Samuel Hessellius has suffered at Chris- tina, in that he has been falsely defamed and accused by various ungodly persons to the Herr Provost in Fahlun, Mr. Biork, and also to the Bishop of Skara, etc., and of his defense and innocence.
May 29, 1729 .- Pastor Hesselius received a surprising letter from Mr. Biork, wherein he severely upbraided him as having very unfaithfully conducted the affairs of the church at Christina, and very differently from what he did in his time there, but had neglected it in favor of the English church, not preaching, catechizing, hold- ing examinations or visiting the sick, and had sold away land which was willed to the church and taken the money for his own private use, and also sold another piece of land that belonged to the church and bought a negress for the money, which he retains as his own property, etc. And Mr. Biork in his letter threatens Mr. Hessellius to let the Highworthy Herr Bishop and His Royal Majesty in Sweden, know of the whole matter and have Mr. Hessellius dismissed from his place and another priest be put instead.
From which letter the Pastor Herr Magister Hesselius saw at once that some evil and thoughtless person of his congregation had falsely belied him and sought to scandalize his good naine, reputation, and cause his ruin. Magister Hessellus had great and strong reasons to have suspicion of Mr. Charles Springer who during his services in the church at Christina had often been troublesome and annoying, and opposed and persecuted his pastor.
Some time thereafter on the Irth of June, Mr. Springer sent Edward Robesson to Pastor Hessellius with a letter from the Highworthy Herr Bishop reproving Mr. Hessellius for improper behavior and wrongfulness,
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and for the same crimes which Mr. Biork in his letter accused him of and threatened that he should be de- prived of both his gown and office, etc. This same let- ter had Mr. Springer received open to himself, and had for a week's time, and showed it to many with satisfac- tion. As soon as it came into the hands of Pastor Hes- sellius, who in his conscience knew himself to be entirely innocent, he took the prudent course of translating the Bishop's letter into English to show it to the Governor and relate to the Governor his sufferings and persecu- tions. And the Pastor Hessellius wrote a petition to the Governor which reads as follows :
To the Honorable Patrick Gordon, Governor of the Province of Pennsylvania, and of New Castle, Kent and Sussex upon Dela- ware.
The humble petition of Samuel Hessellius, minister of the church at Christeen.
May it please your Honour :
My experience of the justice and generosity of your temper, encourages me to lay before your Honour my most melancholy circumstances, and to crave your protection from my oppressors. Your petitioner has been represented home to his Bishopin Sweden very much to his dishonour and disadvantage. He is persuaded Charles Springer one of your Honor's Magistrates is his principal accuser, your petitioner does not know how he has disobliged Mr. Springer, but he is very sensible of the many ill offices the said springer has done him and is still working against him; particularly in that he endeavors to keep the people at Christeen from writing in your petitioners behalf to clear my character from those foul aspersions cast upon me. The poor congregation under my care stands in awe of the said Springer, and what he says must be law though to the ruin of your petitioner. May it therefore please Your Honour to order Mr. Springer to appear before Your Honour, and then give us a full hearing that if I am innocent as I assure Your Honour. I am, Your Honour may vindi- cate my character, and disable Mr. Springer to hurt a poor
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH. 313
stranger through an ill use of his power and authority. Or may it please your Honour to appoint Mr. Gordon and Mr. French to hear our differences, I mean between the congregation at Christeen and me to make report to Your Honour that I may not longer be oppressed by a faction. That God may bless Your Honour and make your administration as heretofore, the glory and joy of the colony over which you rule, is the hearty prayer of
May it please your Honour,
· Your Honour's most obedient and most humble servant,
SAMUEL HESSELLIUS.
Along with this petition pastor Samuel Hessellius gave in to the Governor his remonstrance or vindication, which reads as follows :
The Honorable Patrick Gordon, Governor of P. A., etc.
The humble remonstrance of Samuel Hessellius, minister of the church at Christeen:
I have presumed to petition your Honour, that your Honour may please to order a hearing of Mr. Springer and your petitioner, etc., and I acquainted your Honor that I have been represented home to my Bishop in Sweden very much to my disadvantage and dishonour, and I was persuaded that Charles Springer was my principal accuser. I now crave permission to lay before your Honour the heavy complaint against me, wrote to myself from Jesperus Swedburg my Bishop in Sweden, upon the false accusations maliciously repr sented to him. and a just, though brief vindication of myself from the several heads of the said complaint, viz: Your Honour may please to observe in the com- plaint, mention made of a letter against me received from the congregation of Christeen. This letter I have reason to think a forgery of him who has made himself my greatest enemy, for my congregation deny the writing of it. I am complained of for that I did not preach to the people for many Sundays, that I did not catechise them, nor visit the sick and administer the sacra- ment to such. To these charges I answer that all the neglect
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of this kind I have been guilty of has been unavoidable, and occasioned by my visiting the English Churches at Chester, Concord and Marcus Hook, after having preached to my own congregation, and some few in forenoons, and my sickness and inability one summer only. I have not neglected catechising the people yearly as usual, except in the time of my indisposi- tion, and when I began to preach English in the other churches; and though I have sometimes been absent, I have not therein transgressed the order from the Bishop, who being a member of the English Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, has directed me to assist the vacant English churches; neither has my service been rendered thereby more easy to me, for the nearest of the three churches aforementioned is accounted ten miles distant from my house at Christeen. Indeed the society of England have allowed me for it, but my own congre- gation have therefore disallowed me iny small salary from theni, although they have subscribed their names to an obligation in that behalf. I can with integrity assure your Honour, that their minister has more just ground of complaint against them for their negligence and leaving of him, (excepting a few good men.) I never refused to visit the sick when I was sent for, and to administer the sacrament to such, except it may be to one or two persons, whom in my great caution in so solemn a part of my .office, have thought unfit and undeserving at the time to receive it. I am complained of for selling a piece of land belong- ing to the church, and putting the money in my own pocket; and for also selling from the church another piece of woodland, As to the first piece of land (said to be willed to the church,) there was a dispute about it between the congregation and one Edward Robinson, who pretended a claim to it, took it away and held possession of it long before my time. But since I was their minister they came to an accommodation, and the said Edward Robinson paid to the church a consideration of fifteen pounds and had a discharge. The money was received and deposited in the church by the wardens. Whether my having borrowed ten pounds can have given any ground for so false an accusation, I know not, but am doubtful. It was like most of the rest laid to my charge, wholly without colour, and malicious. My income being scanty, I once applied to the Churchwardens
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH. 315
to borrow about ten pounds of the church money, which they lent me, and I afterwards repaid. But nobody will, I think, dare to say openly, that I have destroyed the rights of the church, or wronged the church of a farthing's value. The accusa- tion concerning a piece of woodland is also falsely represented. It was an unprofitable piece of ground, which the congregation, willing to have some benefit of, agreed to sell, that the money might for the use of the church, be let out at interest, or a negro woman be bought therewith, for the service of the minis- ter of Christina Church. The land was accordingly sold by Mr. Springer and the rest of the vestry, and a negro bought and appointed to attend my service, during the time only of my being their minister. My good Bishop, misled by the false and virulent information to him, has repented of sending me here and threatens to deprive me of my office for my great wicked- ness. Your Honour cannot be insensible how deeply the malice of a few enemies hath injured me in my reputation, living, and the tranquility of my mind, when I also further assure your Honour that I am not at all conscious to myself of the wicked- ness complained of in my Bishop's letter, and that to the truth of this vindication, I am ready to declare upon my solemn oath.
I am your Honour's obedient and most humble servant SAMUEL HESSELLIUS.
July 22nd, 1729.
Upon this petition the Governor sent a commission to three judges in New Castle to hear the difference betwixt Pastor Samuel Hessellius and Mr. Springer with his com- pany which he had misled, that the judges may afterward report to the Governor the truth of the case. The trial was begun September 1, 1729, in the presence of many people at Brandywine ferry, when the Pastor Magister Samuel Hessellius declared his innocence, and how falsely he has been belied by some inconsiderate person, and presented his reasons for the suspicion of Mr. Springer being his false accuser, viz: the following
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Ist. Because my Bishop writes to Mr. Springer a copy of the letter I have in English, and desires him to let him know how his minister Samuel Hessellius should behave himself in time to come. And the Bishop sends to Mr. Springer an open letter, very sharp, written to me, and before it came to my hand Mr. Springer rejoicing in it, showed it to a great many, and by that I think he discovered himself to be my accuser, although he denies it, and all the rest of the congregation deny it.
2nd. Because he penned a very scandalous paper against me last year, and mentioned therein those facts whereof I am accused in the Bishop's letter. And the said Mr. Springer did read that paper before all the congregation. I desired him then to let me answer to every point therein; but he denied that, and took the paper and tore it in pieces, and would not suffer me to defend myself. By that I believe, and am very sensible that he has been my accuser to Mr. Biork, for then he accused me falsely of the same crimes, and said more than he could stand to.
3rd. I believe he informed against me, because he has many times threatened me in his passion before my face, to write home against me; and he said once to my face, that I had com- mitted sacrilege.
4th. Because he called several times the vestry together, and the Churchwardens, and his best friends secretly without my knowl- edge, without any orders, and works with them against me, and frightens and keeps the people from writing home to the Bishop in my behalf, and he is an enemy to and dislikes the good people that have done it already and disturbs them for what they have done; and by that I see he endeavors as much as he can to make them believe that I am guilty of the crimes I am accused of, and will not suffer them to clear my character from those false accu- sations laid to my charge.
5th. Because his own sons said publicly that if they should give me a good recommendation to my Bishop, then they all should make themselves liars. By that I think his sons are con- cious that their father Springer has been my accuser.
6th. Because Mr. Springer has yearly a secret correspondence with Mr. Biork, and what Mr. Springer writes to him either right or wrong, Mr. Biork believes it to be true. Indeed, I have some
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
suspicion too of Mr. Biork's brother-in-law Hans Smith the hat- ter and John Stalcop, who are not the best of men, and have made themselves my greatest enemies. But I believe they are not capable without assistance from Mr. Springer, to put in writing such high matters or accusations against me, because they are both very poor writers and weak men, and cannot be credited so well as Mr. Springer, who is in great esteem with some at home. Therefore I really believe him to be my principal accuser.
7th. Because of the factions that are made by Mr. Springer yearly. He has been these many years a very unruly member of Christeen Church, and distressed the ministers of that church that they could not live in peace and quietness, for his ill offices, and with comfort officiate at that church. My pre- decessor, my own brother, Andreas Hessellius was indeed very much afflicted by him and suffered great injuries. Mr. Springer threatened him as he has done me, to shut the church door and keep the key from him that no service should be done by him; and many abuses he offered, and quarrels he had with the said minister without any just cause or reason. And the same oppression he uses against me ever since I was their minister to this day. And he does not as a vestryman ought to do give me a reasonable assistance in the church affairs. And that his wicked designs should go for- ward, he not only stirs up the people against me, but he per- suades them to choose such men to be vestrymen as he thinks to be fit tools for his purpose to distress their minister. and to ruin his credit; and the best and honestest men, the best Christians, that pay due respect to their minister and stand by him, and would do good to the church, are turned out by factious people, from the vestry, so that they have nothing to say. All these dirturbances and factions proceed from the pevishness and con- tentious humour of Mr. Springer, because he cannot force me to humour him in everything and to submit to his imperiousness. He has so ill. used me publicly, that he has threatened to shut the church door, and said that I was not worthy to go up to a pulpit, and that he would take the church books and records from me ; and publicly called me a covetious man who takes money for marrying, and said that he would marry for nothing,
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because said he I have as great power to join people together as a minister; this he said to all the people. And many other uncivil words he spoke which I cannot remember. All these abuses I have sufiered by him without any just cause. And I cannot indeed see how and in what manner I have disobliged him and his accomplices, who follow his steps, that they should so unjustly calumniate me and so severely censure my conduct. The hardships, I and some true members of Christeen Church labour under by this faction made by Mr. Springer are beyond expression. I am very sensible that the poor congregation at Christeen is misled by Mr. Springer and his unruly temper; and that they grow worse and worse by his ill example, disobe- dience and obstinacy against his minister. Let the christian world judge if that was well done by Mr. Springer which passed some weeks ago. He upon a Sabbath day, after Divine service called the vestry together, without my knowledge and many other of his friends to a publick-house and called for a bottle of runi for him- self and the people, and inter-jocula, they signed a letter to the King of Sweden without my orders, and there he and they held an abusive conference, as I have heard by true evidences, con- cerning me. When they got mellow they began furiously to rail against their minister. One says, "The minister indeed deserves to be deprived of his office, and to be striped of his gown. Another says, "We will write home to the Bishop, and to the King of Sweden, and to the King of England and Bishop of London, that he may be certainly deprived of his office and be. ruined. One was ready at that time to fight with an honest man who happened to come in amongst then and spoke something in my behalf, whom they took for a spy. It is indeed a barbar- ous thing, but very true, that such men who are at the bottom, good for little, should oppose me, and in such manner rail against their minister; but in the sight of Mr. Springer they are the best of men. He likes him best who is my greatest enemy. Mr. Springer with his companions has always complained that I neglected my duty towards the congregation at Christeen. I am very sensible that this is not true; I have served them as a faithful servant and the church record will show it to be so. And all good sensible Christians cannot find any fault with me in serving that church. It cannot be called a neglect when I,
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH,
besides my industrious care over my own flock, now and then out of pity helped the distressed vacant churches, as my predecessors have done, and was an old custom with all the Swedish missionaries to preach among the English, and therein neither they nor I have transgressed the orders of our Bishop, who strictly enjoined me to it, and my commission under his own hand will show this good and general principle for the propagating of the Gospel and that it runs farther than mỳ capacity in this case can allow, viz; to preach the Gospel amongst the Indians. The true members of Christeen church never grumbled at me for doing what I did; there is more charity in them than to side with my oppressors in this charge; and it is to be observed that many of these murmurers can be proved to be no true churchmien because they neglect from time to time the Divine service on the Sabbath days in Christina, when they can have it and the holy sacra- ments and other christian duties. So by that, the christian world can see that such men are not actuated by any religious temper, zeal and piety, but merely by malice and prejudice against me. I have indeed, good reason to complain of them for their neg- lecting their duty towards me, and for their many abuses. The greatest part of my congregation have kept my salary from me, altho' it is very small, and cannot support me and my poor fam- ily. Mr. Springer had indeed, power and authority to make them pay my dues according to the obligation they gave, but he would not do anything in such a religious matter, pretending it was against his conscience to give judgment against them to pay my dues, because of the neglect he said, I was guilty of. His conscience suffered him once to give judgment that a school- master in the neighborhood, who had not taught one lesson to some certain children should be paid out of hand, but he has no conscience to do a poor minister justice, not considering my low condition, necessity, pilgrimage and indefatigable labor. There is a complaint against me that I did not catechise my people. I am sure that I never neglected that part of my office, but I yearly as usual, catechised them except one summer only, when I was in a sickly condition, and after my recovery had some more nec- essary business on hand, viz : To preach to the English congre- gations, as I commonly did in the afternoon at Chester, Marcus
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