USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > The records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Del., from 1697 to 1773 > Part 23
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May it please your Lordship Your Lordships
most humble servants
Church wardens for Chester
RALPH PILE, ALEXANDER HUNTER, JOHN MATHER, HENRY MUNDAY.
HENRY BOWRING,
JAMES WIDDOWS,
JOHN PIKE,
TIMOTHY CUMMINS,
WILLIAM PILE,
BENJAMIN FORD,
MATTHIAS MARTINS,
EDWARD EARLY,
JOHN GARRET,
HENRY PIERCE, SEN.,
JOSEPH BOND,
RICHARD HANBY,
HENRY GUEST,
HENRY PIERCE, JUNR.,
THOMAS SILL,
JOSEPH GRICE,
JOHN WADE,
JOSEPH BAKER,
JOSEPH RICHARDS,
MICHAEL ATKINSON,
THOMAS GIFFING,
JAMES MATHER,
THOMAS BROOM,
WILLIAM TREAHAME,
STEPHEN COLE,
WILLIAM RASSEN,
THOMAS CHESTER,
GEORGE REED,
JOSEPH TOMPLEN.
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RECORDS OF
MARRIAGES, 1730.
I. James Senexon and Margaret Werdeman, married January 20th.
2. Anders Hannah and Margaret Sherman, married January 20th.
3. Samuel Strout and Hanna Talley, married January 27th. ×
4. Isachar Green and Sara Green, (gov. license), married April 26th.
5. John Garritsson and Elizabeth Cock, married May 14th.
6. Ambrous Clayton and Martha Barn, (gov. license), married May 27th.
7. Ralph Whithers and Mary Bird, (gov. license), married May IIth.
8. Pastor Magister Samuel Hessellius and Gertrude Stille, (gov. license), married July Ist.
9. Andrew Rossen and Sara Bloair, (gov. license), married July 28th.
IO. Carl Cornelius and Annika Dirixon, married August 20th.
II. Anders Rinberg and Maria Likon, (gov. license), married August 14th.
12. Daniel Parsons and Brigget Fegen, (gov. license), married October 5th.
13. Edward Robbesson and Sara Bird, (gov. license), married December 9th.
14. Michael Padrick and Anna Robbesson, (gov. license), mar- ried December 26th.
BAPTISMS, 1730.
I. Peter Classon and wife Walberg's child Elizabeth, born De- cember 18th, 1729, baptized January Ist.
2. James Canida and wife Jane's child, Wilyam, born Decem- ber 28th, 1729, baptized February 15th.
3. Pâl Pâlsson and wife Magdalena's child Dorothea, born January 20th, baptized February 15th.
4. Hans Petersson and wife Elizabeth's child Rubin, born Jan- uary 24th, baptized February 15th.
5. Christiern Brunberg and wife Maria's child John, born Janu- ary 29th, baptized February 15th.
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
6. Lars Vinan and wife Elizabeth's child Hindric, 6 months old, baptized March :5th.
7. John Senepon and wife Ingeborg's child John, born Febru- ary 28th, baptized March 29th.
8. Jacob Vandever and wife Maria's child Susanna, born March 20th, baptized March 29th .
9. Martin Kelle and wife Catharina's child Maria, born April 2d, baptized April 12th.
IO. Lucas Stedham and wife Ingeborg's child Elizabeth, born April 2d, baptized April 12th.
II. William VandeVer and wife Margareta's child John, born April 26th, baptized April 29th.
12. Hindric Stedham and wife Catharina's child Adam, born April 23d, baptized May Ioth.
13. William White and wife Maria's child Thomas, born March 30th, baptized May Ioth.
14. Richard Madgier and wife Sara's child John, born May 3d, baptized May 17th.
15. Mârten Justice and wife Brita's child Lydia, born May 28th, baptized May 30th.
16. Patrick Done and wife Elizabeth's child Susanna, I year old, baptized June 14th.
17. Jonas Walraven and wife Maria's child Sara, born June 22d, baptized June 27th.
18. Thomas West and wife Kerstin's child Christina, born June 17th, baptized June 27th.
19. Jesper Walraven and wife Annika's child Jonas, born August 3d, baptized August 9th.
20. John Seed and wife Brita's child Susanna, born August 13th, baptized August 16th.
21. Peter Petersson Canpany and wife Magdalena's child Susanna, born August 12th, baptised August 16th.
22. Elizabeth Bryan's illegitimate child William, 9 months old, baptized August 16th.
23. John Rigth and wife Anna's child Matthias, born August 26th, baptized August 30th.
24. Hindric Kâlsburg and wife Elizabeth's child Maria, born September 5th, baptized September 7th.
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RECORDS OF
25. George Reed and wife Ingeborg's child Lydia, born Sept- ember 5th, baptized October 2d.
26. Jones Stedham and wife Helena's child Christina, born October 3Ist, baptized November 8th.
27. Mârten Mårtensson and wife Kerstin's child Anna,6 weeks old, baptized November 22d.
28. Adam Staal and wife Christina's child Adam, born Dec- ember 2d, baptized December 6th.
29. Laughlin McLean and wife Anna's child Sara, 3 weeks old, baptized December 10th.
30. John Garritson and wife Elizabeth's child Thomas, some weeks old, baptized December 13th.
31. Brewer Seneke and wife Brita's child Brewer, born Febru- ary 26th, baptized March 23rd.
BURIALS, 1730.
1. Pastor Herr Magister Samuel Hesselius' wife Brita, buried January 27th.
2. Peter Pålsson, senior, buried March 28th.
3. Jonas Stalcop, buried April 15th.
4. Christiern Brunberg's child Matthias, buried August 24th.
5. Peter Petersson Canpany's child Helena, buried August 27th.
6. Chrirtiern Brunberg's child John, buried August 29th.
7. Antilli Stalcop's step daughter Elizabeth, |buried September 9th.
8. Antilli Stalcop's son Andreas, buried September 15th.
9. Edward Robbesson's wife Elizabeth, buried September 23d.
10. Philip Vande Ver's wife Brita, buried November Ist.
A. D. 1730. Pastor Herr Magister Samuel Hessellius received his letter of testimony and recommendation from the English Priests given at their meeting in Philadelphia which reads as follows:
Our most esteemed brother in Christ and reverend (companion) Samuel Hessellius, Master of Arts, also pastor of the Swedish Church on the banks of the river, commonly called Christine, nd returning to his country, by command of the most serene King of Sweden, we, the ministers of the English Church in the province of Pennsylvania, judge him to be specially worthy of these letters of commendation.
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
a We therefore testify, this man of God to have worked through many years faithfully and fearlessly in this transmarine vine- yard of the Lord, and to have suffered no detriment of his reputation by report; but, on the contrary since it is a fact that his virtue is worthy of praise. In various cases, the Brother has evinced the highest patience in adverse affairs, and extreme skill in exciting great industry in the propagation of the Gospel. Indeed many wicked ones from ainong the people. (with shame be it said) have attempted with wonderful boldness from an impulse of envy, to put a stain upon him; but they have been foiled in this envious hope, for the Brother has been publicly cleared from all known causes of complaint.
Wherefore, we earnestly entreat, the leaders and other 1ev- erend workers in his ministry, that they may receive and cherish their colleague in the Church of God, as specially worthy of honor from us.
Finally we commend him to the patrons of the venerable society for propagating the Faith; on account of the office of communion, zealously administered to us otherwise deprived thereof, and scattered here and there.
It would be an alleviation to us moreover, that the burden of poverty should be lifted from him. May God grant that our thrice best, greatest and most worthy Protector in Sweden, may remain unharmed and may long be an ornament to the Christian Republic, and when released, may be taken to the Celestial Country, through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
ARCHIBALD CUMINGS, Commissary. GEORGE ROSS, Missionary at New Castle.
ROBERT WEYMAN, Missionary at Oxford. WALTER HACKET, Missionary at Appoquinimink.
RICHARD BACKHOUSE, Missionary at Chester. JOHN HOLLBROOK, Missionary at Salem, New Jersey.
a Written in Latin.
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RECORDS OF
Copy of a letter sent from Sweden to the Hon. Patrick Gordon, Governor of Pennsylvania, by Magister Eric Biork and Magister Andrew Hessellius, former Pastor of the church of Christina :
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOR:
We, the ministers of the Church of Sweden, who formerly had the good fortune for many years successively to be missionaries in Pennsylvania, and of officiating both in English and Swedish churches in said province, do beg leave to appear before your Honor in these lines, though coming from unknown hands and a great distance of places.
Whereas it has been reported to us by our Brother, Mr. Samuel Hessellius late Minister of the Swedish church at Christina, in New Castle Co., upon Delaware, that under his straitened cir- cumstances in those parts he has been greatly abused and loaded with many injuries amongst his own parishioners and at last by your Honor's candid and celebrated justice for preserving the unity of the church, by discarding the party designing ill, his good name has been wholly restored to him and he has been protected from his oppressors ; we find ourselves very much obliged to render our most humble thanks to your Honor. We have been likewise informed that your Honor has condescended to the humble request of the said minister, and ordered your Magistrates at New Castle, viz .: Robert Gordon, David French and Wm. Reed Esq., to enquire into certain differences between the said Mr. Hessellius and his congregation, but by the report of the said gentlemen to your Honor, dated New Castle, the 6th of Sept., 1729, we find that, however, the 4th article laid to Mr. Hessellius' charge is proved to be without foundation, yet are we amazed to see by the said article, that one Edward Robinsson has so far broken loose from all obligations to faith and truth, that he upon his solemn oath has denied the plainest matter of fact, viz: That Aaron Johnson's land was bequeathed to the church at Christina, and that after the decease of his wife the whole es- tate both real and personal was to be taken care of for the use and benefit of the said church. This is a matter of such im- portance that we cannot overlook it without inexcusable negli-
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
gence and want of concern for that church formerly under our care since our obligations to her are such as might well natural- ize us into the interests of both her spiritual and temporal pros- perity. We therefore do now most humbly beseech your Honor that you will be pleased to take cognizance of what we here do presume to transmit to your Honor.
The enclosed paper which is a true copy of those transactions concerning the right and title of Aaron Johnson's land bequeathed to the church, will we hope sufficiently demonstrate that the truth and existence of a lawful will and testament was already fixed and settled long before Edward Robinson made any opposition against. How it came to pass that afterwards several of the members of Christina Church together with their minister Mr. Samuel Hessellius have been thus induced to give up their church's claim is an unaccountable thing to us, unless the original papers which were left in Christina have been sup- pressed by Edward Robinson, and he the said Edward, by an undue influence over the Churchwardens to trouble and prevent the course of justice, has bargained with the vestry of Christeen to pay that petty sum of {15 for the release of the land.
As for the pretended deed of sale, by which Aaron Johnson's widow is declared to have conveyed the said land to Edward, we solemnly protest against it, not only as an unlawful deed, but as the basest thing in the world that could be devised, both to injure an old crazy woman, and do the greatest spite to the religion of the church of which he the said Edward long before had pro- fessed himself a member.
There were indeed some fair attempts made in my (Andrew Hessellius) time, towards regaining that land from whose posses- sion the church has been kept out for several years, but by reason of my return to Sweden it never came to any conclusion, though we had the law so plainly on our side. Now let Edward assert his pretended right as confidently as he please, yet the truth of the matter will most evidently appear by putting this supposition.
Suppose the reverse of a lawful will were solemnly established, and the practice of fraud and perjury and falseness to a man's word were established by a law, we ask now if the case between
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RECORDS OF
a lawful will and an encroachment of fraud and violence on another man's rights were thus altered, would the enjoyment of the fruit of fraud and perjury and breach of trust in process of time make it a lawful possession? If your Honor would be pleased to order the records of New Castle Court to be searched, and the original of Aaron Johnson's will bearing date the 20th of November, 1701, to be produced, you will certainly find the case to be parallel with our supposition, as soon as Edward Robinson shall be forced to produce his pretended deed also, together with other writings concerning his manner of bringing the old woman to an act she never understood or intended, and afterwards disposing of her maintenance upon what terms and conditions he pleased.
But we are aware that somemembers of the church at Christina may yet be unwilling to own the truth concerning Edward Robinson's ways and means of getting the land so soon as he had temptation to take it. We are aware we say that those men who formerly were so forward for the providing and proving the will, that they could not without detestation and abhorrence think of attempting a thing so odious as to go about to take away the properties of the church, are now so far engaged in Edward's in- . terest and so factiously concerned to maintain it that they bend all their wits to justify his wicked doings.
We heartily wish we could clear one of your Magistrates, Charles Springer, from this charge. But that gentlemamn, arried into connection with Edward's family, is too well known as working for the interest of said Edward in this controversy, always making a shift to say something for anything, and some way or other blanching over the blankest and most absurd thing in the world. It is a grievous thing that the principal member of that church, the interest of which by his care and zeal was mightily promoted from the very beginning of it, should now at last be looked upon as an enemy to her peace and happiness and a hinderer of the comfortable support of her minister. Mr. Springer knows very well, if he would be so sincere as to confess it, that Aaron Johnson never intended by his will and testament to lay any injunction upon his relict which should be inconsistent with his endeavor to promote the interest of the church. All he meant was in general to insure the church from that part of his estate,
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
the mercenary men of business, (such as Edward Robinson seems to be) who act for themselves, and in a few years become creditors to their masters till they have transferred the whole estate to themselves. And this is that master piece of villany we now complain of to your Honor, and thus do we find Edward Robin- son to have acted, forswearing himself by telling his untruths so often and averring them with so much confidence that he him- self in process of time might have believed that to be true, which his conscience at first condemned as a lie. If this can in any manner mitigate his sin of perjury, we humbly submit it to your Honor's judgment. Edward Robinson is to have his satis- faction for the maintenance of the old gentlewoman, and what care besides for her, front the revenues from the plantation, and not at all by hook and by crook take away the plantation itself for it. He also has forfeited 300{,., as will appear by the en- closed bond and obligation. He ought to restore the plantation to Christina Church again, otherwise his sin will never be re- mitted. Edward Robinson knows very well how I, (Eric Biork), did when I lived in the country and he ought not to upset that.
We have, we are afraid, wearied your Honor in giving you the trouble of reading this tedious account of our church differences in Christeen, and therefore we now conclude with our most humble petition that your Honor would be pleased to take into consideration these matters for the protection of that church, which in comparison with your English churches is as a cottage in a vineyard straitened by the impudence of her enemies both within and without. We humbly apply ourselves to your Honor's wonted practice for retreiving and preserving the church's right, that the enemies of our holy religion may never triumph over any disappointment of its true lovers and zealous promoters and we pray the great God to prosper all your pious under- takings to promote his Glory and the good of his church especially in those remote places of the pilgrimage of
Your Honor's
Dated at Fahlun in
Most humble and obedient Servants, Swedland,
the Ioth of December, 1731
ERICUS BIORK, ANDREW HESSELLIUS,
Pastor of the church Provost of Gagnef, at Fahlun
a. This was written in English.
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RECORDS OF
Copy of a letter to
the proprietors.
To the Honorable Thomas Penn and Richard Penn Esquires true and absolute Proprietors and Governors of the counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex upon Delaware and Province of Pennsylvania.
The petition of the Minister, Churchwardens and Vestry-men of the Swedes Lutheran Church, Called Trinity Church, in the Borough of Wilmington.
Most Humbly Sheweth.
That whereas a certain Aaron Jonsson late of Christiana Hundred in the County of New Castle, yeoman deceased in his life time, was seized in his demesne as of fee, of land in one third part in three parts divided, of a certain Island commonly called Bread and Cheese Island, containing about Three Hundred Acres, and also of and in forty-nine acres and fifty-three perches of land, being part of a larger tract called Redeley's Point; both situate in the Hundred and County aforesaid, and being so seized on the third day of January in the year of our Lord 1694, made his last will and Testament in writing duly executed, and thereby divided all his land real and personal to his wife Barbara, and afterwards, to wit, on the twenty-third day of November, An. Dom. 1701, made and published in due form of law a cer- tain codicil to his said will, whereby he gave and bequeathed after his wife's death all his Estate real and personal to the Swede's Church built upon Christina, named Church of the Holy Trinity, which the Reverend Minister Churchwardens succes- sively one after the other were to dispose of to the Honor of God for the said church, etc. thereof being seized. The said Aaron Jonsson soon after departed this lite, and the wife of the said Aaron proved his said will and codicil in due manner, and took upon herself the burthen of the execution thereof, as by the same will and codicil and proceedings thereupon remaining in the office of the Register for the probate of wills, and granting letters of administration in and for the county of New Castle, relation being had thereto doth more fully and at large appear.
That the widow and survivor of the aforesaid A. Jonsson entered into the premises and thereof became seized for the term of her
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
life, and sometime in or about the year 1715, died intestate and without issue or any heir to the knowledge of your petitioners .- Your petitioners further show that they are advised, the church aforesaid, or the minister and congregation thereof cannot hold and enjoy the lands aforesaid as the then ministers and Church- wardens were foreigners and not naturalized, and could have no succession not being incorporated-and also that it is doubted whether the devise to the church aforesaid in manner aforesaid, is such as would be construed a charitable use within the per- vieu of the Statute of the 43d Elizabeth, called the Statute of charitable uses.
But your petitioners are a Body Politick and corporate, and have a perpetual succession by virtue of an Act of Assembly of this Government passed the 33rd year of his late Majesty's reign-Entitled an Act to redress the misemployment of lands and stocks of money heretofore given and purchased for the use of the minister of the Swedish Lutheran Church, etc. etc., and there- by are in equity entitled to everything heretofore given for the use of the aforesaid church, and capable of taking a grant for any land for the uses and according to the directions contained in the Act of Assembly aforesaid. Therefore, as it evidently appears to be the clear intention of Arent Johnsson the above named testator, that the aforesaid church should have this whole estate after the death of his wife, and as the same now is either forfeited or escheated to your Honors your petitioners most humbly request that your Honors will be pleased to take the premises into con- sideration, and cause a patent to issue to your petitioners in their politick capacity for the before mentioned lands of the aforesaid testator, agreeable to his pious and charitable desire expressed in his last will and testament aforesaid, Jan. 1, 1763, and your petitioners will ever pray,
SEAL Signed by the Minister, Churchwardens and Vestry- men February 5th, sent to Wm. Peters the proprietor's secretary with a letter, further showing the nature and to recommend the case, also a letter to Richard Peters that he may influence the proprietors.
Sent February 8th, 1763.
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RECORDS OF
Copy of a letter from the Rev. Mr. Borell to the Rev. Richard Peters of the English Church in Philadelphia. Dear and Rev. Sir :
As the Body Politick and Corporate of the Swedes Lutheran Church, called Trinity Church, in the Borough of Wilmington and County of New Castle, have applied to Mr. Mckean of New Castle, to insinuate their humble petition to their Honors, Thos. and Richard Penn, for granting to them a patent in their politcik capacity for the lands given and bequeathed to the same church, of one Arent Jonsson yeoman deceased, by his last will, and testa- ment in the year 1761, &c., as further, from the said petition doth appear, and whereas, it is intended for such pious and char- itable use, permit me dear sir to avail myself of this opportunity to wait on you, and humbly in the name of my congregation to request the favor to represent our most humble petition to their honors in the most favorable light, fully persuaded that your pow- erful intercession will have the greatest influence on their Honors' mind to the good success of our just petition. And as I retain a very grateful sense of all you shewed to my predecessors and especially to me, this new instance will make your memory dear to the whole congregation and to posterity.
I remain with great truth,
Your affectionate brother and humble servant, AND' BORELL.
N. B .- Having found these letters among the church papers in the old chest, and as they relate to the same matter as the pre- ceding letters from Sweden, I have inserted them here though of later date, as I find nothing further with regard to the Bread and Cheese Island estate.
H. B.
MARRIAGES, 173I.
I. Thomas Grindall and Eleanor Cook, Governor's license, married January 15th.
2. James Hannelkin and Jane Gelaspy, married January 28th:
3. William Haul and Catharina Mag Curde, (McGurdy) mar- ried February 25th.
4. David Bar and Anna More, Governor's license, married March 4th.
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
5. Tobias Hindricsson and Catharina Homspoker, Governor License, married March 15th.
6. Daniel Moloughny and Margaret Starret, married April 15.
7. Daniel Mickel and Grashon Durnal, married May 20th.
S. Thomas Neal and Susanna Quin, married May 30th.
9. George Linmeyer and Judith Mounsson, Governor's license, married May 30th,
IO. William Reity and Mary Hill, married August Ist.
II. John Hill and Sara Price, married August 2nd.
12. Rees Rees and Margaret Green, Governor License, married August 26th.
BAPTISMS, 173I.
I. Gustaf Pâlsson and wife Marget's child Maria, 8 weeks old, baptized January Ist.
2. Israel Robbisson and wife Elizabeth's child Elizabeth, born December 7th, 1730, baptized January Ist.
3. Walraven Walraven and wife Kerstin's child Sara, born January 3d. baptized January 3d,
4. James Fitzsimmon and wife Marget's child Maria, 9 weeks old, baptized January 16th.
5. Wiljam Clenny and wife Maria's child Jane, 2 months old, baptized January 16th.
6. Hans Smith and wife Maria's child Andreas, born January 14th, baptized January 17th.
7. James Senexon and wife Margareta's child James, born Feb. 7th, baptized February 13th.
8. Israel Petersson and wife Marget's child Annika, born Feb. 6th, baptized February 14th.
9. Peter. Petersson and wife Annika's child Susanna, born March 4th, baptized March 7th.
10. Carl Cornelius and wife Anna's child Andreas, born March 27th, baptized April 4th.
II. Thomas Clark and wife Annika's child Maria, one month old, baptized August IIth.
12. John Mârten and wife Margareta's child Petrus, born March 28th, baptized April IIth.
13. Gustaf Gustafsson and wife Kerstin's child Gustavus, born April 22nd, baptized April 26th.
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RECORDS OF
14. Pastor Herr Magister Samuel Hessellius and wife Gertrude's child Samuel, born May 23rd, baptized May 29th.
15. Garrit Garritsson and wife Elizabeth's child Anna, born May 16th, baptized May 30th.
16. Peter Tossawa and wife Marget's child Anna, born June 20th, baptized June 27th.
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