USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > The records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Del., from 1697 to 1773 > Part 30
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On the 7th of November, I removed into the new priest-house and although there was much still undone I made myself in the meantime as comfortable as I could.
A. D. 1752 .- On the 27th of January there was a meeting of the vestry, and
Ist. We looked over, proved, and through the clerk Lulof Stedham confirmed the yearly accounts.
2d. Appointed Morton Mortonsson sexton.
3d. In place of Jonas Walraven deceased, Justa Jus- tice, Sen., was chosen, and in case he will not accept, his son, Nils Justice, shall have the office.
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4th. On my representation it was resolved that when a funeral sermon is preached, the body shall first be buried and then the sermon preached, in order that the corpse may not be carried into the church and stand there through Divine service, and thereby work scandal, in part for the simple who from this ceremony come to think they are nearer salvation if first brought into the church before being buried, and partly for some who will say of malice that the custom is Romish, whence it has come to pass that this ceremony of carrying the corpse in and out of the church and standing on the bier before the pulpit during Divine service, is entirely discontinued in Sweden and is forbidden by the King's order.
It was also added that certain of the elders of the church should have an oversight of burials that they proceed in good order whether at home or at the church, to appoint certain bearers to lift the bier, and one range with another, or more will run thereto than are needed and push one another as heretofore has mostly been the case. Also, that no rum drinking be allowed on the way, much less by the church wall, as has been deplorably seen.
In the month of February I began to hear the cate- chism in this wise. The congregation in rotation ac- cording to their seats, and then explained the leading christian doctrines, putting questions sometimes gener- ally that any might answer who were disposed, that no one and especially the young might be discouraged.
The youth were examined in Swedish so far as prac- ticable, and all were encouraged and exhorted to stick to their native speech with strong determination. Those who could not express themselves in Swedish had liberty to read in English.
445
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
At first very few came together, then the number in- creased more and more. I also made a list of all who by right belonged to the church, whether they under- stood Swedish or English and have the right to go to the Lord's Supper henceforth.
In accordance with notice previously given, there was a general parish meeting on Midsummer's day, when the arrangement of the seats in the church was made ac- cording to the old seat list made at the building of the church and its consecration, inquirywas made for the heirs who have a right to their forefathers'seats, and the families who have gained rights through exchange or purchase which are recorded.
But as few were present and some discrepancies ap- peared, we postponed this business till the remainder of the year should be passed.
On the 17th of September a parish meeting was again held. The pastor presented to the meeting two questions:
Ist. If theywho now possess the dwellingswhere others not a kin formerly lived, and had helped build the church, now merely on account of possession have a right to seats in the church. There were various opin- ions expressed. The case was decided by a vote, that he who could not show that he had purchased the right to the seat as well as to his homestead, could not claim the seat.
2nd. How they ought to be considered who though truly heirs of the seats as well as the homestead but seldom or never go to church, or never help towards the general expenses of the congregation.
This question the meeting concluded to consider at some other time. The pew list was further examined and written anew, but final action was deferred
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to another time. The design is to wait till the church repairing comes on when we shall see if they are as un- willing to help as they have already been with building the priest house.
The pastor represented to the congregation how un- justly it went in the payment of his salary, and how the trustees keep the affairs of the estate of the church in darkness, that nobody knows in the congregation, or the priest, what the two parts of the churches income amount to which are appropriated for the payment of the salary of the priest.
That as no security or caution are given for the money of the church loaned out, it does not appear how one sum after another is lost by those who become bank- rupt, and how both rents and interest are so in arrears that the trustees now say they cannot hardly pay half what belongs to the priest, and also the pastor can never get any of his salary without endless begging and nag- ging the trustees, when they finally pay him at their pleasure, without showing him how much was rightly due him; wherefore the pastor would have them under- stand that he now was tired of any longer standing under the trustees grace; that as he serves the congrega- tion he will hold the church responsible for his salary, and get it from them, and made the following demand on the congregation which was consented to in the fol- lowing manner:
Ist. That the list of bonds for the money lent out by the church which was given up on the Ist of May, 1750, and afterwards taken away, must again be brought for- ward. Mr. Henry Colesberg said that he had a copy of the list which he would bring forward.
2nd. That the church chest should be carried to the
447
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
priest house and stand on the lower floor, for fear of fire. This was agreed to.
N. B. - Hitherto the chest had stood on the upper stairs in Mr. Tranberg's house.
3d. That all bonds or obligations should permanently remain in the church chest and not be carried around the country, some held by Mr. Tranberg on one side of the creek and others by Mr. Colesberg on the other side. It was also agreed and ordered that the key which here- totore had been in the keeping of Mr. Colesberg, should henceforth remain in the hands of the pastor, and also that an inventory should be taken of the contents of the chest that nobody could say that anything had been lost after the chest came into the priest house
4th. That full security imust be obtained for the money loaned by the church. It was resolved that there ought to be a judgment bond with two responsible men as indorsers or a mortgage of land, and that the bonds must be renewed next March 25th.
5th. That as far as possible the principal for land sold and money lent must be examined into every year, and also all other accounts, agreed to.
6th. That all yearly accounts must stand in regular form beginning with the 25th of March and ending with it. With yearly list of bonds with interest thereon and in- terest paid, as also what interest remains unpaid at the end of the year. What rents have been collected and what stand back with statement of all rents, and yet more, a division betwixt the pastor and the church of what had come in as well as of that which is back, &c., which was all agreed to.
A. D. 1753 .- Parish meeting 12th June, or 3d day of Easter.
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RECORDS OF
Now was the church's chest removed into the parson- age, according to the resolve of the past year, the key given to the priest by Henry Colesberg, and an inventory made by the provost and trustees of all papers contained in the chest. A full list of leases for rented lots could not yet be made out, because the trustees themselves did not know the real owners of all. When a great inany of the lots were first rented, only strangers who took the lots were bound to build thereon within three years, or forfeit them, which condition was made in order that the rent might be secure. But those who belonged to the congregation and bought lots to set their children upon were exempted from this obligation. The result of this was that those who had the lots free were able to sell them at a very great profit, and immediately sold them to strangers who again sold them to others with- out informing the trustees to whom they had sold them, consequently they do not know who are the present owners, and cannot collect the rents on the lots.
The accounts for the building of the priest house were finally given in, about which there was no ques- tioning except a charge made by the trustees of £20 for their trouble, but Mr. Tranberg asserted that he had given many things which had not been brought into the account. Therefore the half of the overcharge was allowed. viz. {10, and then the account was subscribed and acknowledged correct.
Also the accounts of the trustees from the 20th June, 1750, to December 5th, 1751, and from March 25th, 1752, to March 24th, 1753, were examined, when it appeared that the trustees had charged 10 per cent. for their services, which the estate would not bear, receiv- ing only 6 per cent. interest. But Mr. Tranberg answered that this was for four years service and did not amount to
1
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
three pounds a year, whereas heretofore the trustees had been given by the congregation sometimes a seat, and sometimes a lot for their services. It was finally agreed that both trustees together should have eighteen pounds for the four years, but for the future the pay of the trustees must be more moderate than in the past, as it is hoped that their labors will be less onerous.
Mr. Tranberg presented a list of obligations or bonds held at the present time, amounting to 659£, 16s., 2d., of which at least 35{ were very doubtful and probably noth- ing will be gotten on them. The list which was shown in 1750 Mr. Tranberg had lost. Mr. Colesberg had prom- ised to present a similar list, but when the time came there was no list, wherefore it follows that the trustees since the month of May, 1750, have had the funds of the church so betwixt them that no one could know the amount and hardly have they themselves known, al- though they have received and paid out money, taken up bonds, and lent out in large and small sums. But the congregation have been satisfied with Mr. Tranberg's word that the amount of the bonds in 1750 was 912₺, whereas this last is decreased to 695£16 s., 2d. But when one goes further back to May, 1745, when the lots were beginning to sell, and looks at the account which Gold- smith Folwell made, he finds that the sum was 11876, IS., 8d.
We collected together all the receipts in the church chest and from the secret places of Henry Colesberg and Timothy Stedham, which they willingly opened to us, and also noted here and there a mistake in the accounts of Goldsmith, but could come no nearer than that 1206 was lacking, and was sunk up to this time, for we could not find that anything had been used from the original 29
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but 50€ for Goldsmith's salary and payment for the side arches for the church. (a)
It was now seen how unbusinesslike it had been to have no regular account kept up to 1749, nor any in- ventory given from one trustee to another, but it had all been groping in the dark.
They had confided in the Quaker Folwell unhesita- tingly and not heeded the admonitions and urging of the provost for an investigation of the business. But now we could proceed no further because Goldsmith and Timothy Stedham were dead during whose time the losses occurred, or at least the faults were turned on to them. For the future the management must be put on a better footing.
In the meantime as the trustees brought the church in debt to them in their yearly reckoning, and again the trustees were indebted to the church by the exchange of the bonds.
Then Mr. Tranberg presented a list of rented lots still belonging to the church with back rents thereon kept in a method and order right praiseworthy. He had also in his last accounts for the year 1752, plainly set down the interest and ground rent income which he promised to do in future, and to record the yearly settle- ments in a book.
Mr. Tranberg's services in the management of the business of the congregation were considered to be indispensible, and he expressed willingness to continue them. Mr. Henry Colesberg asked to be released from his office, and as none of those present were willing to take his place the vestry desired the provost to act as
(a) These arches were built in 1740 and therefore not paid for from this money. A settlement and liquidation shall be deferred until another op- portunity.
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH. 45I
the other trustee. But the provost represented to them that no one should be chosen who was not born in the congregation, and is the owner of as much unencum- bered property as will answer to the estate confided to him by the congregation. The provost, however, offered to be assistant trustee and consult with the trustees in all business matters of the church and oversee the accounts, whereupon Henry Colesberg promised to serve in the business till next March,
The bonds were compared with the list presented. A part of them had already been changed to judgment bonds, and efforts should be made to bring the others to the same form, while the small sums should be called in or increased to the sum 256. Meantime they were all laid in the chest for safe keeping.
The church roof was tound very much decayed and the repairing first began with that. The south side needing repair, the carpenter Joseph Loinan undertook the work at a cheaper price than any other man could be found willing to do it. He agreed that the work altogether should not come to more than 46, which was an unusually good bargain, provided the work should be well done. But the laborers that he hired to work with himself laid the shingles crookedly, and made the roof in bends so that the work will not be durable as time will show. The cost of the repairs on the south roof amounted to 166, 12 shillings, 10 pence, as the annexed amount will show.
Mr. Adolph Benzel of New Port, presented to the church this year a pewter bowl to be used for baptism, and promised also to give a saucer for it, but as nothing more was heard of it one was bought with money from the chest, as also a pedestal for it to stand upon.
Likewise a time glass for the pulpit was given by Mr.
J
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Peter Degner who had brought it with him from Sweden, and the church paid for a case for it and the painting thereof.
Since the church was built in 1699, the pews have been looked over and the seats regulated, but no writ- ten list has been kept, and by the setting off of the church at Penn's Neck and removal of many families from the congregation, there is uncertainty about the present ownership, therefore a meeting was held on Midsummer'sday 1752, and afterward from time to time the pewlist was adjusted, and here under inserted, signed and established. (a)
Be it known to all, that I Peter Peterson formerly a member of Christina church give hereby Zacharias Dericsson right to keep for himself and his heirs that pew room which I own in Christina in the 2nd quarter No. 14, men's side from my father Peter Petersson Can- pony.
For the further confirmation of this I have set under my name and by mark.
WILMINGTON; MARCH 5th 1753. For Witness, Israel Acrelius. his PETER P PETERSSON. mark
A. D. 1754.
An account of bonds belonging to Christina Church, March 26, 1753.
£.
S.
d.
Andrew Tranberg,
100
0 0
Edward Tatnall,
90
0
0
David Bush,
45
0
0
Joseph Folwell.
40
0
Joshua Little,
35
0
Rev. Eric Unander,
30
O
O
(a). The list is omitted.
453
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH,
£
S
P
William Clark,
30
O
0
John McKindley,
25
0
0
John Vandever,
25
0
0
Henry Colesberg,
25
William West,
25
0
George Crow,
20
o
O
James Robeson,
I5
I3
7
John Welch,
I5
O
0
Henry Anderson,
I5
0
O
John Stappler,
I3
15
9
Robert Pierce,
I2
17
3
Griffith Minshal,
I2
I5
I
William Kirkpatrick,
II
8
4
Samuel Miller,
II
2
O
Hance Smidt,
IO
16
0
William Cunningham,
IO
IO
6
Benjamin Hough,
IO
O
0
Cornelius Petersson,
IO
O
O
Thomas Ja Quett,
8
16
0
Jacobus Heins,
5
I
0
Samuel Floyd,
6
O
0
£,659
I6
2
The trustees met with the provost on the 14th of January, agreeably to a former conclusion of the vestry, to make examination and find if their bonds were in right hands. It was already known that William West who was indebted 25{ had become insolvent in the last year and could not pay more than 7s 6d on the pound. Benjamin Hough had some years since been given a letter of license allowing the payment of his 1of in ten years. Mr. Colesburg said that though he had been riding about for a whole week he could not collect the out standing interest.
The provost replied that he was the sole cause of so much trouble because he had let out the money of the
0
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RECORDS OF
church in such small sums and into such bad hands and on such doubtful ground, that we soon lose by one and another what added together made a great amount, and besides Mr. Colesberg had let out church money to to many on his side of the Christinathat nobody knew but himself. How were they to be found in case Colesberg should die suddenly or be taken down with a protrac- ed sickness when one after another may run away or be- come worthless.
[Then two pages are lost and the next begins thus;] and afterwards divided with them as he pleases. The promise is good.
The 30th of April the Provost and Mr. Tranberg ex- amined all the leases or rent contracts for the church lands which were in the church chest, and found that the greatest part of them were of the tenor or condition that a reasonably good house should be built thereon within a certain time and otherwise the lots should revert to the congregation and inasmuch as the set time was long past and so many have not fulfilled their contract the provost proposed to take back all such lots in the following manner, viz .: that the lots which may be thought necessary and useful for the provost at the parsonage should be retaken and so used.
The priest may also when he has fenced them at his own expense, let them out yearly as he finds best.
As to the others they concluded by a public advertise- ment in the newspapers to notify those whose lots had reverted that if they would keep them they must pre- sent themselves before the end of this year and take out new leases which will give greater security to the church, as to the ground and rent, and if any do not wish to take out new leases, they must bring the old ones and pay all back rent thereon, and be freed
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
from further animadversion. Those who have leases on lots whereon no building is required should also pay in their rents or be sued therefor.
On the 4th Sunday after Easter, May 12th, a meeting of clergy was held at Christina, when there were present. Mr. Senior, minister of the German Lutherans; Herr Henric Muhlenberg, Herr Matthias Heinzelman, pastor extraordinary of the German Church in Philadelphia; the pastor in Wicacoe, Magister Olof Parlin; pastor in Racoon and Pensneck, Herr Eric Unander, but Herr John Abraham Lidenius preacher extraordinary in our communion was not present, but remained at home up at Manathanim, although he was given notice of our meeting in good time and this was the sixth time in suc- cession that he had been absent from our yearly mneet- ing.
We received the Lord's Supper together on Sunday.
On Monday the Germans held Divine service for the German people who lived in the vicinity and admin- istered the Lord's Supper. The remainder of our meet- ing was spent in conversation on various matters of con- science which often come up in all our congregations.
The vestry were called together on the 27th of August and the 9th of October to consult about going forward with the improvements of the church, and making regu- lations for lots of the church in Wilmington and the back rents thereon. Also, to settle with the former trustees whose accounts had never been closed and balanced for twenty years, but very few came together these two times and little or nothing was done.
A. D. 1755 .- In accordance with previous notice the vestry met to look into various matters of earlier and later time and all came promptly together and the fol- lowing business was brought forward.
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RECORDS OF
Ist. Churchwarden William Von Neeman presented his account for the past year with a balance of 36. 16 shillings, 8 pence in favor of the church which was approved. Likewise Jesper Justice gave in his account of what he had received since he had been Churchwar- den and amounts to 25. 6 shillings. Also Hans Peters- son for lumber sold off from the wood lot II shillings, II pence. Church money on hand 8f. 16 shillings 5 pence.
2nd. Took up Lucas Stedham's account which had at various times been undertaken, to now bring it to a finish. Both his sons were present, Peter and Jonas, the latter administrator on his father's estate. The balance was 13{ I shilling, 10 pence. Timothy Sted- ham said he had received 6f of Lucas as balance on settlement seven or eight years ago and yet no settle- ment could be shown, nor any discharge on the side of Lucas Stedham, and the trustees for the following years were answerable for the 6{ if they had been lost. A mis- take of 5{ was also corrected so that the balance was only 2{ I shilling; 10 pence which Churchwarden Jo- seph Springer took.
3rd. There was further consideration of the account, of Timothy Stedham and Henry Colesburg for the time they were together trustees and sold the lots of the church in Wilmington, and ought now to make payment of all money taken for them that the books holden by them show to be due. The balance against them according to the account drawn up by the Provost was 715 I pence. Anders Tranberg, Nils Justice, William Von Neeman, Peter Stedham and Jonas Stedham were appointed to examine and find how far they were indebted for that amount.
And first they should examine the books of Goldsmith
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HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
Folwell and see what money was received by him. Then deduct 16f 8 shillings, and 3£ 6 shillings, 8 pence which these the trustees said was a gift to them and stood for lots sold to them of which there was no knowledge but that they said so, and moreover it was found that the clerk had charged to them in the book a greater sum than the deeds show had been paid, also that the back rents in some places were charged to the purchase money which presumably was taken out of the yearly reckoning. This taken all together made 2yf 2 shill- ings, 2 pence. Then came other conjectures from 7f paid to Goldsmith, and that 10f was promised Timothy Stedham for salary for two years which no one else knew anything about, yet we left this for further consideration by the vestry which could not finish now as they had sat already two days on this business.
4th. It was decided at this meeting that vacant lots on the hill may be sold as opportunity occurs, and the lots around the priest house taken back last year should be resold. Also it was thought best that the square around the Quaker's meeting house which has heretofore lain open, should be fenced in and used by the provost in whatever way may seem best.
5th. In accordance with the suggestion of Henry Colesberg, it was thought best that the sexton dig the graves for the bodies of the people of the congregation the same as for strangers, and have oversight of the burials, as often there is great disorder at burials when the sexton is not present, and that he have for his trouble whether it be greater or less, 3 shillings for these of the congregation, and for strangers 5 shillings for adults, and 2 shillings 6d. for children, and to this all consented, as also William Von Neeman the present sexton.
Correspondence with the English Missionary Mr. Thomas Thomsson at Chester.
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RECORDS OF
CHESTER, February 15, 1755.
Rev. Sir:
I respect you as a brother cleryman, but more as a gentleman of honour, and desire the favour of you not to officiate at Hook, which is no part of your charge.
The Archbishop of Upsal won't take it well that his Dean here encroaches on the province of a church of England Missionary.
I am Your affectionate brother,
To the Rev. Mr. Acrelius. and most humble servant,
Thomas Thomson. a This correspondence is in English and literally copied.
WILMINGTON, 25TH. OF FEB., 1755. Dear Sir :
By ye letter I learn that you have made some reflec- tion upon my character. At first you were pleased to honour me with a fine compliment, and at last with a stroke of correction. I take it no worse than a mark of brotherly affection, however it might have been bet- ter if some proper enquiry had been made in the matter before you charged me with the character of a trouble- some neighbour. I know it to be not only a part, but of my charge also a particular duty to preach the Gospel, to visit the afflicted, to instruct and baptize old and young, whenever called upon wherever relief is not else to be had and without delay of any and ordinary business in the congregation where I am settled. I know it to be not only duty of me but also of every minister of the Church of Christ.
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