USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > The records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Del., from 1697 to 1773 > Part 34
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5th. A motion was made that whereas sundry persons
502
RECORDS OF
generously disposed, have offered considerable benefac- tions toward erecting a gallery in the church, but it was apprehended the money so offered and to be raised there- by would not be sufficient for executing that laudable purpose, and whereas there is great want of room and great call for pews in the church. It was moved that the vestry should grant 50f of the estate toward it, and that so much the better as the money arising yearly from the pews in the gallery would overpay the interes on that sum and so the estate lose nothing thereby.
Resolved, that 50f be granted hereby for the purpose aforesaid, provided the steeple can be built this year where the door should be opened into the gallery, and provided also that the deficiency be made up by the generously disposed of this congregation. If these con- ditions be not performed the vestry will not be bound by this grant.
6th. After Mr. Wmn. Vanneaman had given up to the vestry the lot mortgaged to the church sold at the sheriff's vendue, and bought by him greatly under the sum and interest due on the mortgage to the church, the same was offered to Mr. Broom for 47f which he accepted.
August 3rd. At a meeting of the vestry of the incor- porated Swedish Church,
Ist. Whereas, Mr. Petersson at the last meeting of the vestry desired to be discharged, the vestry proceeded to the election of a new vestry-man, when Mr. Gabriel Springer was chosen in the room of Peter Petersson.
2nd. And whereas Peter Vandever Jr. expressed his desire to resign as Churchwarden, Mr. Joseph Stedham was chosen Churchwarden in his place.
As it appeared that Joseph Stedham aforesaid, had caused the charter of this corporation to be printed, and
503
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
desired to know whether the vestry would take the copies and dispose of them paying the printer's bill, or allow him to sell them. It was agreed that Mr. Joseph Stid- ham may himself dispose of them, as he shall think proper.
3rd. Mr. Wm. Vanneamarn set forth that he could not afford to wait upon the church, ring the bell, &c., for the small salary of 40shil. a year and only 3shil. for every grave of those that belong to the congregation, as atten- dance on funerals takes up the best part of two days, and therefore desired his fees may be increased, which was agreed to and resolved that the sexton have hereafter 3£ per annum, and five shillings for every grave of those that belong to the congregation, and if any choose to have the bell tolled more than once, viz., at the burying of the corpse, he shall be paid for that 2s. and 6d. besides.
4th. Whereas at a general meeting of the congrega- tion the 3Ist of March last, it was agreed that as it would be too costly for the congregation to go about the building both of the steeple and gallery, the gallery should now be begun as soon as possible, there being great want of seats in the church, and for that purpose a considerable subscription set on foot whereby the re- solve of the 5th of January last is become void.
Resolved, that Mr. Jonas Stedham and Mr. Joseph Stedham be appointed to collect said subscriptions, to agree with workmen and superintend the building, like- wise agreed that the stairs and door to the gallery be in the south porch.
In consequence hereof, the beginning of the building of the gallery aforesaid, was made on the 23d of August next following.
December 7th, the vestry met in the parsonage to set-
504
RECORDS OF
tle the accounts for last year, 1772, according to an agree- ment entered into with the collector or attorney of the congregation, to have the accounts ready at or before the first Tuesday in December in every year.
March 25th, 1773 .- At a meeting of the congregation or a majority of them in the church this day, a motion was made that as it appears the members of this society have not convenient room in the pews already built, and sundry persons being desirous that a subscription should be forwarded for the raising of money towards erecting or building a gallery in the west end of said church, in- order to accommodate those persons who have not pews below in the church with seats above in the gallery. The same was unanimouslyapproved of, when Jonas Sted- ham and Joseph Stedham were appointed as managers to provide materials and get the said gallery erected or built, and in order to defray the expenses of the same, a subscription was forwarded, when the following per- sons generously gave the sums subscribed to their names for the purpose aforesaid:
£.
S.
d.
Jonas Stedham, Jr.,
5
O
0
Justa Walraven,
3
O 0
John Hendrickson,
3
0 0
Peter Vandever, Sr.,
3
0 O
Cornelius Stedhamn,
3
0
Joseph Stedham,
3
O
O
Peter Vandever, Jr.,
3
0
0
Swen Justis,
3
0
O
Robert Pierce,
3
0
0
Joseph Springer,
3
0
0
John Walsh,
2
0
Joshua Mortonson,
3
0
O
Gabriel Springer,
3
O
O
Charles Springer,
3
O
Henry Garretson,
3
O
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
505
£
S. d.
John Fonstise,
3
O
O
Zacharias Derickson,
3
O
O
William Vanneaman,
3
O
0
Jonas Stedham, Clk.,
3
0
Joseph Gilpin, Jr.,
3
O
O
Jacob Derrickson,
3
O
Thomas Gilpin, Jr.,
3
O
O
Peter Paulson,
2
0
Ralph Walker,
2
0
O
Israel Gilpin,
2
8
0
John Stedham,
2
0
O
Morton Morton,
2
O
O
David Bush,
I
IO
0
Thomas Kean,
I
IO
0
Andrew Anderson,
I
O
John Sparry .
I
5
0
Peter Wolbough,
1
O
O
Joseph Elliott,
I
IO
Benjamin Elliott,
I
0
O
John Paulson,
2
O
0
Solomon Springer,
I
0
O
Conrad Garretson,
I
O
John Conwill,
I
O
O
Matthias Gennit,
I
O
0
Lucas Walraven,
I
0
O
James Broom,
I
O
0
Peter Springer,
O
12
0
David Tryon,
I
IO
O
Jacobus Wains,
O
IO
0
Thomas Rawlings,
2
O
O
Henry Colesberg,
I
0
Robert Pierce, Jr.,
O
IO
O
Jacob Anderson,
I
5
O
William Nark,
I
O
O
Elias Reed,
0
15
O
Henry Webster,
O
I5
a
Jacob Colesberg,
I
0
O
0
0
Mary Derricson,
506
RECORDS OF
£
s. d.
Lucas Alrickes,
O
IO
O
Cornelius Wains,
0
15
O
Joseph Hodges,
O
IO 0
Elijah Wootten,
0
5
O
Andrew Vanneaman,
O
IO
0
John Huggins,
O
IO
0
Joseph Lawson,
I
O
Abram Vaneman,
I IO
Charles Springer Jarson,
3
O
William Sharpley,
2
0
O
Daniel Sharpley,
2
0
0
Johnathan Rumford,
O
9
O
Andrew Vanneaman,
I
0
O
John Stilly,
2
O
0
John Run,
I
IO
0
Charles Paulson,
3
0
O
Samuel Bush,
I
0
O
Jacob Broom,
O
I5
0
Swen Colesburg,
I
O
O
John Haes,
I
IO
0
Henry Sinex,
I
0
O
Amount,
135
7
O
A. D. 1774, February 23rd .- The vestry met in the church to consider the letting of the pews in the gallery, which was now finished, containing twenty-five good pews. This day it was proposed to me by the vestry to receive from the pew money a certain yearly sum and leave to them the letting out of the pews at their discre- tion, to which I readily consented, signifying at the same time, that as the pew money was chiefly owing to my zeal, labor and industry, under the blessing of God, whereby the church has received such considerable increase, I expected the vestry would not think the whole of it too much, which would be not much over
,
507
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
fifty pounds, and considering that everything was now one-third dearer than some years ago. However, the vestry desired to take the matter into consideration.
March 8th. The vestry offered to give me yearly out of the pew money £40, so that with the £100 from the ground rents the yearly salary should amount to £140 per annum. To which I consented on condition of having the purse money at iny disposal for communion wine, wafers, washing the surplices, etc., as heretofore usual, and that the vestry give some allowance for back- standing pew money to this day, that cannot be collected. The same day the vestry agreed that as to the manner of disposing of the pews in the gallery, they who had subscribed most toward it, had the right to choose first, and if two or more that had subscribed the same, could not agree otherwise, they may cast lots for the first choice. The 22nd inst. was appointed for this purpose, and Wmn. Vanneaman, Joseph Stedham, Jonas Stedham, and Justa Walraven were appointed to attend and see this resolution executed.
May 2nd. At a meeting of the vestry in the church, Mr. Cornelius Stedham was chosen vestryman in the room of Mr. Nils Justis, who declined, and Andrew Vanneaman was appointed sexton in the place of Win. Vanneaman.
August 8th. A window was cut out on the west gable end of the church to give some air and light to the gallery.
A. D. 1775 .- January IIth. The vestry met at the parsonage to settle the accounts for the year 1773.
March 29th. Application was made to me by the Hon. Harry Gordon, Esq., by letter, dated Birmingham, March
508
RECORDS OF
27th, for separate certificates of the following matters, viz: Of the baptism of Peter Gordon, son of Harry Gordon and Hannah Meredith, of the baptism of James Gordon, son as above of the marriage of the said Harry Gordon and Hannah Meredith, as entered upon the record of this church. The certificates attested by two of the vestry are here recorded at the desire of the said Harry Gordon, and were as follows: Peter Gordon, son of Harry Gordon and Hannah Meredith, born December 7th, A. D. 1759, baptized March 25th, 1761, by the late Rev. Andrew Borell, then Rector of the Swedish Church called Trinity Church in Wilmington, on Christiana in New Castle County, North America, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the corporation seal of said congregation to be hereunto affixed at Wil- mington aforesaid, the first day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy- five.
James Gordon son of Harry Lawrence Girelius and Hannah Gordon, born August 3rd, 1763, was baptized the 18th of October following, by as above, etc.
These are to certify whom it may concern that Harry Gordon and Hannah Meredith were lawfully joined together in the holy state of matrimony and pro- nounced man and. wife on the 4th day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three, by the late Rev. Andrew Borell, then rector of the Swedish Church called Trinity Church, in the Borough of Wilmington, New Castle County and North America, as appeareth from the record kept at said church. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and caused the corporation seal of said con- gregation to be hereunto affixed at Wilmington afore-
509
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
said, the first day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five.
LAWRENCE GIRELIUS, Present Rector.
We whose names are underwritten do certify that the above is a true extract from the records of the church there mentioned.
WILLIAM VANNEAMEN, Church Warden. GABRIEL SPRINGER, Vestryman.
May roth, a meeting of the vestry in the parsonage, and it was agreed that Andrew Vanneaman continue to be sexton, and Abram Ford clerk, both to be paid out of the pew money, 3£ each.
The minister once more put the vestry in mind of a kitchen to the parsonage which is so much wanted in every family, and of the repeated promises of the vestry to get one built, thinking that as the church (which has always been the first object of his care) was now, thank God, in good order, it would be time to look a little after the convenience if not necessity of the minister. But the vestry desired to be excused this time in con- sideration of the unsettled situation of our public affairs, hoping the minister would be contented till we could see what turn things would take towards the end of summer or next year.
December 20th, the vestry met at the parsonage and settled the accounts for last year, 1774.
A. D. 1776 and 1777, August 27th. Two companies of militia soldiers were quartered in the church, which made all public worship cease till the 8th of September, when the British commanding officer Colonel McDonald
510
RECORDS OF
sent an officer and ordered me to perform Divine service for his men.
A. D. 1778, June 25th .- The vestry met at the par- sonage when I settled my accounts with them until the 5th of April last, the day when my salary commenced after the death of the late Rev. Andrew Borell, the 3rd of April 1768, being exactly ten years for which they were in debt to me for ground rents, which these two last years I have deferred collecting on account of the depreciated currency, above one hundred pounds, which was paid to me by giving me back mny bond to them for 52{ and by giving their bond to Dr. McKingly for 45£ which I owed him, making in the whole 97{ which is to be made good to them from the ground rents as soon as the currency gets either dead or into better credit.
Instead of the interest on 52£ for about seven years which amounted to 226, I bestowed on them all the repairs on the parsonage to this day, together with a small kitchen I had built at my own expense and with twice the interest of the money.
A. D. 1779. April 5th, being second day after Easter, after service was over I informed the congregation that I had liberty to return home; that everything here even in hard money was two or three prices, and that my salary was by no means sufficient for me to live upon I was therefore determined to try for a passage, and I advertized the same day my goods to be sold, and actually sold the following days a good inany things, as tables, chairs, looking-glasses, etc., for specie.
A few days after the vestry having met at Justa Wal- raven's, sent two of their body, Justa Walraven and Swen Justis to ask if I could not be prevailed upon to continue with them, and if that was the case what was
5II
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
the lowest I could live upon, alleging they would do everything in their power as far as reasonably could be expected to accommodate me rather than let me go at this time. After having taken the same into considera- tion a few days, I answered them that I would be con- tented with 200£ in all, ground rents and pew money included, leaving the whole at their own disposal which was agreed to and the same year there was collected by subscription only 200 pounds
A. D. 1780 -The first Monday in May the vestry inet in the church and agreed to enclose the burying ground and the lot belonging to the parsonage, which was im- mediately done.
A. D. 1781, May 7th. - The vestry met at the church agreeable to charter, proceeded to the election of a churchwarden in the room of Mr. Gabriel Springer and Joshua Mortonson was unanimously chosen.
A. D. 1782, April Ist. - The vestry having met at the parsonage, I laid before them the last letters from the Right Reverend Archbishop and the consistory of Upsala, which contained a permission for me and Mr. Gorranson to return to our native country, and stated that the King had made the following alteration in the affairs of this mission. That for the future if the congregations choose ministers from Sweden, they pay their travelling ex- penses from London and when they return to London again, the King promising to defray expenses betwixt Sweden and London. And for the future no salary be given to the commissary or provost as heretofore, but that the salary which Mr. Collin has is by special grace and to cease with him, yet for the encouragement of the congregations he would continue the salary for the assistant minister (or Extraordinarius as he is called,)
-
512
RECORDS OF
and defray the whole of his passage whenever wanting.
The vestry was asked what they thought of it, and if I should be under the necessity of taking the King's gracious permission and go home this year, especially as the salary was, considering the times very insufficient for ine, and if they were willing to call another or have another sent to them upon those conditions, &c., &c.
The vestry desiring to take this into consideration, resolved to meet at Mr. Lawson's on the 18th to deter- mine what they would do, hoping mean whilethat there would be no necessity for it at present, but that the min- ister would content himself with what he had, and do with it as well as he could, as they were obliged to put up with inany inconveniences and difficulties these troublesome times, trusting to God that it will get bet- ter after awhile, &c.
Accordingly, the vestry being met at Mr. Lawson's on the 18th, reported that if the minister should conclude to go home (which by-the-bye they hoped he would not do, at least not at this time,) that their hearty thanks might be expressed to the King for liis gracious care for the salvation of their souls, requesting that whenever the present minister shall go, another Godly Divine, at least tolerably well acquainted with the English tongue, might be sent to theni, for whom they are willing to pay expenses from London.
But to prevent any misunderstanding for the future with respect to the salary, seeing what the present minister has above or more than £100, which is the yearly income from the church lands, depends entirely on the good will of the people, and the talents and abilities of the minister to keep a large congregation together, the vestry could not insure a successor more than the above mentioned £100, not doubting, however, but that the same may be increased in proportion by the
513
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
minister's zeal, assiduity, care, gifts and abilities. And the minister trusting to God for better times, and in hopes that the congregation would do what was reasonable and just towards the support of his family, consented to continue with them as long as God pleaseth.
May 6th. The vestry met at the church, agreeably to the charter, and proceeded to the election of one churchwarden and two vestrymen in the room of Joseph Springer, Senior, and John Springer who resigned when Andrew Vanneaman was unanimously chosen churchwarden, and Charles Springer Josephson was elected in the room of his father, vestryman, and after some debate whether Joseph Stedham should not be chosen in the room of John Stedham, to which the minister objected as being improper on account of his not being at this time a professing member of the church, nor had for several years past contributed any towards it, etc., etc. Charles Springer was unanimously elected. So that the minister, churchwarden and vestrymen agreeable to charter, are at present
RECTOR, LAWRENCE GIRELIUS. CHURCHWARDENS, WILLIAM VANNEAMAN and ANDREW VANNEAMAN. VESTRYMEN,
JUSTA WALRAVEN, JONAS STEDHAM, SEN., JOHN HINDRICKSON, JOSHUA MORTONSON, SWAIN JUSTICE,
PETER VANDEVER, SEN., CORNELIUS STEDHAM, CHARLES SPRINGER JOSEPHSON, CHARLES PAULSON.
33
514
RECORDS OF
A. D. 1783. - April 4th the vestry met at the parsonage and settled with the minister for the two last years and at the same time agreed that a kitchen be built for the par- sonage, and that the parsonage house be put in tenant- able repair. Chietly, that all the windows be glazed, puttied and painted, and a window put in the place of the old balcony door, and the balcony taken down etc., but left to the discretion of the minister and carpenter Peter Justis.
Accordingly the repairs on the house began the 21st : August, and October 7th Andrew Vanneaman began work on the kitchen. The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Octo- ber the cellar was dug out; Swain Justis sent his servant man two days, Justa Walraven his man three days, Jacob Robeson his man one day; Jonas Stedham Jr. his lad two days, and I for my part hired one man for three days.
October 16th, the first foundation-stone for the kitchen was laid. December 31st it was covered in with roof, windows, doors, staircases, one floor below, together with partitions, and loose boards were laid as a floor above, so that it could be made use of for a kitchen, but we had not bricks enough to raise the chimney suffi- ciently high to prevent smoking.
A. D. 1784 .- February 26th, the vestry met at Mr. Lawson's for the settling of accounts.
The same day the minister laid before them a pro- posal for the better letting out, and renting of pews in the church, which was approved of, and Mr. Justa Wal- raven, Jonas Stedham, John Hendrickson, and William Vanneaman, were chosen a committee to meet at the church this day week to put the same in execution. The yearly income of the pews will amount to upwards
515
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
of 150f, out of which the minister receives 100g, the remainder is disposed of as the vestry directs with the consent of the minister.
May 3rd, the vestry being met in the church agree- able to charter, Mr. Jacob Broom, Esq., was chosen vestryman in the place of Peter Vandever, Sen., lately deceased.
The same day the minister informed the vestry that the Rev. Mr. Collin, Rector of Racoon and Pennsneck Churches, and the Rev. Mr. Hulsgoren, Rector of Wicacoe, requested the attendance of the vestry here in the church the 14th inst., when the minister would attend to receive the sentiments of this congregation with respect to bestowing traveling expenses to and from London for their ministers, for the future, accord- ing to the last resolve of the King of Sweden.
Resolved unanimously that whereas this matter was already canvassed and agreed upon in the vestry two years ago the IIth of April, 1782, that the minutes of that day be read and again taken into consideration, whereupon it was unanimously resolved to abide by the contents thereof, and that a copy of said minutes be fairly drawn out, signed by the minister and church- wardens, in order to be delivered to the Reverend Ministry of the Swedish congregations in America at their next meeting.
November 19th, a majority of the vestry being met at Mr. Lawson's agreeable to appointment, a variety of business came under consideration, but it was con- cluded that the whole vestry would be necessary for set- tling all affairs, motions and things belonging to this corporation; besides the time for settling accounts is by their by-laws fixed for the first Tuesday in Decem- ber, which will be next Tuesday come two weeks.
It was therefore unanimously resolved that the vestry
516
RECORDS OF
do meet at Mr. Lawson's the day above mentioned, the first Tuesday in December, at 10 a. m., precisely, without fail, and that the minister give notice thereof the two preceding Sundays.
And all who have any demands or accounts against said corporation do bring them in, at the time and place aforesaid, fairly drawn out and properly authenticated, with requisite vouchers, in order to their being settled and paid, as soon as conveniently may be, and those who are in debt to the corporation by pew rents, ground rents, interest and otherwise for last year, or any of the preceding years, are requested to discharge the same forthwith in order to prevent further trouble.
December 7th, agreeably to the above resolution the vestry met at Mr. Lawson's and settled all the accounts for the last year, 1783.
A. D. 1785, May 2nd. - The vestry met in the church for the purpose of choosing and electing a vestryman in the place of Joseph Mortonson, who had resigned when William Stedham was declared duly elected.
The minister, church-wardens and vestrymen agreea- ble to charter therefore are as follows:
RECTOR, REV. LAWRENCE GIRELIUS. CHURCH-WARDENS, WILLIAM VANNEAMEN, ANDREW VANNEAMEN. VESTRYMEN, JUSTA WALRAVEN, JONAS STEDHAM, SR.,
JOHN HENDRICKSON, SWAIN JUSTIS, CORNELIUS STEDHAM,
CHARLES SPRINGER JOSEPHSON,
CHARLES PAULSON, JACOB BROOM, WILLIAM STIDHAM.
517
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
[Copy of the letter of Archbishop Uno Von Troil, giving the Swedish ministers leave to return to Sweden. ]
To the Swedish congregations in America, grace and blessing from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost.
The death of the late Archbishop Doctor Unander, with many other circumstances which have hindered the laying before the King the business relating to the American congregations, are the reasons why the letter of the congregations through their ministry of the 16th of June, 1786 has not been answered before.
But since I have now had the opportunity of laying before my Gracious Sovereign and Lord the writing of the congregations, His Majesty has been graciously pleased to receive with pleasure the acknowledgement of the congregations for his as well as his Royal prede- cessors of glorious memory, tenderness and care for the spiritual welfare of the Swedish congregations in Amer- ica, and as His Majesty also finds the reasons sufficient for what the congregations would prefer hereafter, to choose themselves teachers from the natives of their country, than that they should be sent to them from Sweden. His Majesty has ordered and directed me to give the proposition of the congregations His Royal ap- probation and assent.
In consequence whereof, the in America, yet remain- ing Swedish ministers, Provosts L. Girelius and H. Collin have received His Majesty's gracious permission to return their native country whenever their cir- cumstances shall render it most convenient for them.
The King my Sovereign, still wishes with the love he bears to the Swedish name that the members of the con- gregations who are for the most part the offspring of
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RECORDS OF
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