USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > The records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Del., from 1697 to 1773 > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
Sweden, may ever jointly and severally enjoy all manner of felicity, spiritual and temporal, and would have them at all times, be assured of His Royal favor and benevo- lence.
In like manner my sincere wish and earnest prayer shall, be that God with his grace may embrace the mem- bers of the respective congregations, and that the gospel light which under Divine Providence was first kindled in those parts by the tender affection of Swedish Kings, and the zealous endeavors of Swedish teachers, may there, while days are numbered, shine in perfect bright- ness and bring forth fruit to everlasting life.
That the Grace of our Lord Jesus with the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with you all.
Wisheth most heartily,
Your constant well-wisher, UNO VON TROIL.
On the 29th of November, 1794, a meeting of the congregation was held with reference to obtaining some alterations of the charter thought necessary on account of the altered condition of the congregation in regard to calling and supporting a minister, etc., and a committee of five members was chosen and appointed to make out a list of members who should sign a petition to the legisla- ture of Delaware at their next session for that purpose.
The committee was composed of the following mem- bers, viz: William Vanneman, Jonas Stidham, John Hendrickson, Cornelius Stidham and John Lynam.
January 15th, 1795-The committee selected by the congregation on the 29th of November 1794, to make a list of members for the alteration of the charter reported the following names :
William Vanneman,
Hance Naff, Senior,
Jonas Stidham, Senior, Isaac Stidham,
Peter Davis, John Vandever, Senior,
519
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH,
Lucas Stidham,
Jacob Derickson,
Charles Springer & Sons,
William Derickson,
Hance 'Naff,
Jacob Justis,
Peter Vandever,
Henry Garritson and Son,
Aaron Justis,
Hance Stampeart, Henry Sinex, Jr.,
Isaac Hendrickson,
John Sperry,
John Walraven,
Joseph Springer,
William Pluright,
John Hendrickson and Sons,
William Stedham,
Charles Paulson and Sons,
James Eves,
John Flinn,
John Stilly, Sen., and Sons,
David Hendrickson,
John Stilly, Jr.,
Peter Paulson and Sons,
Robert Little,
Andrew Colesberg,
Cornelius Haines,
John Justis,
Joseph Lawson,
Jonas Justis,
Joshua McLean,
Peter Brynberg,
Peter Walraven,
John Brynberg,
John Lynam and Sons,
Jacob Robinson,
John Stidham and Sons,
Charles Springer, Jr. and Sons, Benjamin Eliot,
Jacob Broom,
John Vandever, Jr.,
Cornelius Stedham and Sons,
Lucas Walraven, John Husbands,
Jonas Stidham, Jr.,
Jacob Colesburg and Sons,
William Tussy and Sons,
WILLIAM VANNEMAN, JONAS STIDHAM, JOHN HENDRICKSON, CORNELIUS STIDHAM, JOHN LYNAM,
Committee.
January, 15, 1795.
An act supplementary to an act 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 Swedes Lutheran Church, called Trinity Church in the Borough of Wil- mington and county of New Castle, and for the incorporating the
.
Henry Naff,
Zacharias Derickson and Sons.
Abner Justis,
520
RECORDS OF
minister, church-wardens and vestry-men of the said church."
Whereas, the Swedes Lutheran Church, called Trinity Church in the Borough of Wilmington, in the county of New Castle, in the State of Delaware was of Swedish foundation and hath here- tofore been filled by missionaries from the Swedish government to whom an annual stipend was paid by that government; and whereas the knowledge of the Swedish language amongst the members of said church hath become extinct, and the mission from Sweden hath ceased for sometime past which hath induced the propriety of excluding the clergyman for the time being whose situation is not permanent from a participation in the management of the temporalities of the said church; and where- as divers other alterations, additions and amendments to the said act to which this is a supplement have become necessary from a change of circumstances, for the benefit of the congregation of the said church.
1. Be it therefore enacted, By the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives of the State of Delaware, in General Assembly met, that the name and style, of the body politick and corporate of the Swedes Lutheran Church, called Trinity Church in the Borough of Wilmington, shall be altered and changed, and the said body politick and corporate shall forever-after stand, be established and incorporated in name and in deed one body poli- tick and corporate, to have contiuance forever, by the name of the vestry-men and churchwardens of the Swedes Lutheran Church called Trinity Church in the Borough of Wilmington, and that the said vestry-men and churchwardens shall have perpetual succession, and by the said name, are hereby declared and made able and capable in law and equity to have, hold, pur- chase, take, accept, receive, possess, enjoy and retain to them and their successors, an estate or estates in lands, tenements and hereditaments and personal property, with all the powers and under the same restrictions as are contained in the original law of incorporation to which this is a supplement, and that the said corporation by that uame be, and hereafter shall be capable in law to sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be defended in courts of law and equity, or any other place whatsoever, and to do and execute, all and singular other matters and things which bodies politick and
521
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
corporate lawfully may do; and also to make, have, and use a common seal, and the same to break, alter and renew at their pleasure.
And be it further enacted, That from and after the first Monday in March next, the said vestrymen shall be persons consisting of nine in number, chosen by the members of the said church, from amongst themselves on the first Monday in March next for three years; and the said churchwardens shall be persons con- sisting of two in number, chosen by the members of the said church from amongst themselves, on the said first Monday in March next, and annually on every first Monday in March happening in each year thereafter; and that immediately after the said vestrymen and churchwardens shall be assembled in consequence of their first election, the said vestrymen shall be equally divided into three classes, and the seats of the vestry- men of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the first year, of the second class at the expiration of the second year, and of the third class at the expiration of the third year, so that one-third part of the vestrymen of the said church may be chosen every year after the first Monday in March next; and if vacancies happen they shall be filled by the members of the said church at any time in manner aforesaid, Provided always, That ten days notice, according to the mode to be prescribed by ordinance of the said corporation, be given to the members of the said church of the time of the annual and, every other election and choice to be made as aforesaid; and if the annual election or choice to be made as aforesaid, be not by reason of accident or other occurrence made, such annual election or choice may be made at any other convenient time, whereof notice shall be given as aforesaid.
And be it further enacted, That a majority of the members of the said church, assembled pursuant to notice given as aforesaid, shall and may compose, and make the said election and choice; and that the said election and choice shall be holden, and made at Trinity Church aforesaid, unless a different place shall be specified in the notice to be given as aforesaid, and that the mode or manner of voting at the said election or choice to be made as aforesaid, shall be by ballot; and such election or choice
522
RECORDS OF
shall be conducted and managed according to rules to be pre- scribed by ordinance of the said corporation.
Provided always, nevertheless, And it is further enacted, that the committee appointed on the 29th day of November last past, namely William Vanneaman, Jonas Stidham, John Hendrickson, Cornelius Stidham and John Lynam, to determine and report on the right of membership of, and in, Trinity Church aforesaid, or any three of the same persons, be, and are here impowered and authorized to hold and superintend the election to be holden on the first Monday or after, in March next, and choose for that purpose inspectors, which inspectors hall not be at liberty to receive the votes of other persons than those who are reported by the said committee, to be members of the said Trinity Church.
And be it further enacted, That the vestrymen and church- wardens shall have full power to choose and appoint for one year, and so from year to year forever after, a preacher or minister to fill the said church, and all subordinate officers of said church; Provided always, That such preacher or minister be ordained according to the ordination of the Lutheran, or Episcopal Church, and hold his faith in unity with the doctrines of the same.
And be it further enacted, That the preacher or minister for the time being, shall be deemed always to be a member of the vestry of the said church in relation to any matters, affairs or regulations, with respect to the discipline and spiritual concerns of the said church.
And be it further enacted, That the vestrymen and church- wardens aforesaid shall be, and are hereby made capable of exer- cising such powers for the well governing and ordering the said corporation, and the affairs and business thereof, and of holding such occasional meetings for that purpose, as have been, or shall be fixed, described and determined, by laws, regulations and ordinances of the said corporation.
And be it further enacted, That the said corporation may, and are hereby empowered to make, ordain and establish such laws, regulations and ordinances, as to them, or a majority of them, shall and may seem necessary and convenient for the govern- ment of the said corporation.
Provided always, nevertheless, That nothing herein contained
523
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
shall be construed to authorize the said corporation to exercise any powers repugnant or contrary to the constitution of this State, or any law thereof, except an act of the legislature of this State, entitled "An Act to enable all the religious denominations of this State to appoint trustees, who shall be a body corporate, for the purpose of taking care of the temporalities of their respective congregations; which same act, so far as it may affect, relate or be construed to extend to the corporation of Trinity Church aforesaid, or to any laws or ordinances made by that corporation, shall be, and is hereby declared to be repealed, and rendered null and void to all intents and purposes, and
WHEREAS, the corporation of Trinity church, aforesaid, under the original act of incorporation aforesaid, have under- taken to contract with a certain Robert Phillips for the absolute sale to him of a certain plantation and tract of land situate in Christiana Hundred, in the county aforesaid, containing about one hundred and sixty acres, more or less, in consideration of five pounds two shillings and nine pence per acre, and also with a certain Peter Boudwy for the absolute sale to him of a piece or parcel of marsh situate in the New. Port marshes in the same hundred containing seven acres, more or less, in consider- ation of twenty pounds per acre, the said plantation and marsh being the property of the said corporation. And whereas, it will redound greatly to the benefit and advantage of the said corpor- ation, if they be authorized and impowered to convey, by law- ful conveyances the aforesaid plantation and piece of marsh to the respective purchasers aforesaid, for the several considerations aforesaid, by the name derived and given to the said corporation by this act.
Be it therefore enacted, The corporation of Trinity Church aforesaid, by the name given to the said corporation by this act, be, and are hereby authorized and impowered by conveyance, under their corporate seal, to convey and assure the herein before mentioned and recited plantation and tract of land to the afore- said Robert Phillips, his heirs and assigns forever, for the con- sideration aforesaid, pursuant to the contract of sale first before mentioned and also by conveyance under their corporate seal to convey and assure the herein before recited piece or parcel of
524
RECORDS OF
inarsh to the aforesaid Peter Boudwy, his heirs and assigns for- ever for the consideration, and pursuant to the contract of sale last, before mentioned.
And be it further enacted, That the moneys arising and to be recovered from the sales of the said plantation and parcel of marsh, shall be let out on loan to be secured by way of mort- gage, so as to produce, annually, legal interest for the same, or be vested in lands in such manner as may be deemed most advantageous by the said corporation; and that the yearly produce, rents and profits of all real and personal property already vested in, or to be purchased, gotten, received or acquired by the said corporation, shall be used and disposed by the said corporation for the repairing, amending and upholding the said church and for the support of the said minister for the time being, and of the subordinate church officers, and for such other purposes for the use of the said church as the corporation afore- said shall and may direct, and shall not be converted or employed to any private use or any other use whatever. Provided, always, That nothing in this act contained, shall be construed or taken to repeal the herein before mentioned original act, incorporating the minister, vestrymen and churchwardens of the said church, except so far as the same act may be by this act altered, amended, added to or supplied.
PETER LOWBER, Speaker of the House of Representatives. DANIEL ROGERS,
Dover, February 7th, 1795. Speaker of the Senate.
A list of the names of those persons who voted for vestrymen and church-wardens, in Trinity Church, the first Monday in June, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-five.
David Hendrickson, Henry Garretson,
Peter Vandever,
John Flinn,
Isaac Hendrickson,
John Stilley,
John Vandever, Sr.
John Lynam,
John Robnet, John Harper,
David Bush,
John Justis,
Charles Springer, Sr., Jacob Robinson,
525
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
John Brynberg,
John Springer,
William Vaneman,
Abner Justis,
Robert Little,
David Stidham,
Joseph Lynam,
Robert Robinson,
Hance Stampeart,
Wm. Sharpley,
Zacharias Derickson,
Peter Davis,
James Ross,
John Sperry,
David Lynam,
Jacob Colesberg,
Jacob Derickson,
John Stidham,
Levi Springer,
Benjamin Eliot,
John Stidham, Jr.,
Cornelius Stidham, -
Peter Walraven,
Henry Senex, Sr.,
Thomas Ramsey,
Peter Garretson,
James McCullom,
Wm. Stidham, Jr.,
John Eliot,
Joseph Springer,
Charles Springer, Jr.
Jonas Stidham, Jr.,
Cornelius Hains,
Jonas Stidham, the younger.
Hance Naff,
John Armstrong,
John Hendrickson, Jr.,
Aaron Justis.
John Walraven,
A. D. 1795 .- According to law an election for ves- trymen and churchwardens being held at Trinity Church on the 2nd day of March, 1795, by the congregation of said church, the following persons were duly elected for vestrymen: John Brynberg, Peter Vandever, John Lynam, John Stedham, Peter Paulson, Jacob Robinson, David Hendrickson, Benjamin Elliott and Isaac Sted- ham, and for Churchwardens, Hance Naff and Henry Garetson, attested by William Vaneman, John Hen- drickson and John Lynam, of committee to hold and superintend the election, and Isaac Hendrickson and John Brynberg inspectors.
The vestrymen and churchwardens of Trinity Church, in the Borough of Wilmington, met at Jessy Harresse's on Saturday, March 7th, 1795. There were present Messrs Vandever, Stedham, Paulson, Lynam, Eliot, Hendrickson, Stedham, Brynberg, Garetson and Naff.
526
RECORDS OF
The vestry classed themselves by lot as followeth, viz:
FIRST CLASS:
ISAAC STEDHAM, DAVID HENDRICKSON, JACOB ROBINSON.
SECOND CLASS:
BENJAMIN ELIOTT, JOHN STEDHAM, JOHN LYNAM.
THIRD CLASS:
PETER VANDEVER, PETER PAULSON, JOHN BRYNBERG.
Attested by Hance Naff and Henry Garretson wardens.
They appointed Benjamin Eliot, Isaac Stedham and John Brynberg a committee to wait on the Rev. Joseph Clarkson, give him a call to supply Trinity Church for the ensuing year, and inquire his demand to officiate.
NOTE .- Mr. Clarkson had officiated since 1792, but under the amended charter they were to engage their pastor from year to year.
The committee appointed to wait on Mr. Clarkson. report that he demands 225{ salary for the ensuing year. Agreed by the majority to make Mr. Clarkson's salary 1756, and that Hance Naff wait on him and inform him of it. Agreed unanimously to make the salary of Peter Davis 206, to execute the duties of sexton.
On January Ist, 1796, according to notice given, an election was held in Trinity Church by a majority of the congregation, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of John Stedham, when Peter Walraven was duly elected.
The minister, vestry, wardens and committee assembled in Trinity Church, Thursday, February 11th, 1796. They discussed the sketch of ordinances that was read to the congregation, article by article. The first article which respects a right of membership, was passed by as being the prerogative of the vestry and wardens to determine.
1.
527
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
The 2nd, respects giving the minister notice before he is to leave Trinity Church. It was agreed that he should have and should give six months notice:
The 3d, which respects brother going to law with brother, &c. It was agreed that an amicable settlement of controversies should be recommended by the minis- ters, vestry and wardens, and entered into by the con- gregation in the form of an association. Adjourned.
The vestry and wardens of Trinity Church assembled in said church on Saturday, March 5th, 1796, it being quarterly meeting. Present, Messrs. Hendrickson, Van- dever, Paulson, Eliot, Robinson, Stidham, Brynberg and Naff.
John Justis presented his account against the corpora- tion containing expenditures of him and William Stid- ham, Esqs., in a tour to Dover, for the congregation of Trinity Church. His account was acknowledged, but not finally settled. A debate took place on the manner of paying for the printing of the charter of incorpora- tion and supplement, but was not determined.
They likewise took into consideration a right of mem- bership of Trinity Church. They declared that all those persons that were admitted to vote by the commit- tee nominated to superintend the election of March, 1795, should still have a right to vote. Also the sons of those, who have since arrived to the age of 21. Also that any free white male person supporting a moral character, professing the Lutheran or Espiscopal faith, who have entered into the communion of Trinity Church, taken a seat in said church and has paid a contribution to the support of the ministry one year previous to an annual election, shall have a right to vote. Likewise any per- son of the above description, who has been estimated a
528
RECORDS OF
reputable member for four years shall have a right to be voted for as vestrymen or wardens. Adjourned.
According to the direction of the supplement to the charter of incorporation, the seats of the vestrymen of the first-class i.e., Jacob Robinson, David Hendrickson and Isaac Stidham; also, the wardens, Hance Naff and Henry Garretson, became vacated on the 6th of March, 1796, it being the expiration of the first year. An elec- tion of the congregation to fill those vacancies, was held in Trinity Church, on Monday, March 7th, 1796, and the old members were re-elected.
The vestrymen and wardens of Trinity Church assen- bled in said church, Saturday, March 19th. Present, Messrs. Hendrickson, Vandever, Lynam, Robinson, Paulson, Brynberg, Walraven, Stidham, Naff and Gar- retson.
They voted the minister's salary for the ensuing year to be 200g, provided he discharged ministerial duties.
They appointed Peter Vandever and John Brynberg trustees for the ensuing year, and Hance Naff to collect the ground rents.
They allowed the sexton to have 10 shil. for digging a grave, and Peter Davis thirty dollars the ensuing year to execute the duties of sexton to Trinity Church.
Trinity Church, June 4. 1796.
Quarterly meeting of the Vestrymen and Churchwardens.
Present, Messrs. Vandever, Paulson, Robinson, Eliot, Lynam, Brynberg and Naff. On motion of Mr. Lynam, agreed to endeavor to put a new roof on the south side of the church and raise the belfiy.
Resolved, That the subscription hitherto subscribed, shall be carried into effect if the subscribers are agreed thereunto.
Resolved, That the congregation be notified to meet the ensuing Saturday, to confirm the old subscription, either adding to, or taking from, as they shall see fit. Adjourned.
529
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
Trinity Church, September 3d, 1796.
Quarterly meeting of the Vestrymen and Churchwardens.
Present, Messrs. Robinson, Lynam, Brynberg, Vandever, Wal- raven, Paulson, Garretson and Naff.
It was agreed to give the Rev. Mr. Clarkson the necessary six months previous notice before any change should take place between him and the people, according to a late agreement entered into between him and the vestry, in order to put him on an equal footing with the ministers or candidates at the next election, agreeable to the spirit of the charter. Adjourned.
Trinity Church, March 6, 1797.
According to the direction of the charter, the seats of the vestrymen of the 2d class, viz: Benjamin Eliot, John Lynam and Peter Walraven, and also the Churchwardens, Hance Naff and Henry Garretson became vacated this day.
An election being held by the congregation to fill those vacan- cies, the following persons were elected, viz: Benjamin Eliot, Peter Walraven and James Eves, for vestrymen, and Timothy Jackson and John Justis, for churchwardens.
JOHN ELIOT, JOSHUA MCLEAN, Inspectors.
Trinity Church, March 29, 1797.
Meeting of the Vestrymen and Churchwardens.
Present, Rev. Mr. Clarkson, Messrs. Paulson, Vandever, Eliot, Robinson, Stedham, Brynberg, Eves, Walraven, Jackson and Justis. Proceeded to the choice of a chairman. Isaac Stedham, was unanimously chosen. On motion of Mr. Robinson, seconded by Mr. Eves, to go into the choice of a minister to supply Trinity Church the ensuing year, the Rev. Mr. Clarkson was appointed. On motion what salary shall be given him, the members to vote for the minister's salary by ballot. The votes being taken and polled, there appeared six votes for £200, two for £175, and one for £250.
Agreed to give a clerk $20 per annum, and that Joseph Sted- ham be first offered that salary. If he declined serving as clerk, resolved that the same seem be offered Mr. Bradley. Adjourned.
34
530
RECORDS OF
Trinity Church, May 7th, 1797.
The vestrymen and churchwardens who were present were detained after sermon. The debt on the glebe marsh due the estate of Dr. Mckinley, was submitted to them by Timothy Jack- son. They appointed a committee of three members to investi- gate the Doctor's charge, and settle with the administrator. Benjamin Eliot, John Brynberg and Timothy Jackson were ap- pointed. On Wednesday, May 10th, the committee met at Dr. Latimer's and he presented unto them Mckinley's account; the committee thought the account just and therefore settled it.
Trinity Church, March 5, 1798.
Annual election:
When John Brynberg and Peter Vandever were re-elected, and John Lynam in the place of Peter Paulson, and David Stedham in place of David Henrickson who had resigned, and Isaac Hin- drickson and Hance Naff were chosen churchwardens.
At a meeting of the vestry, &c., March 14, 1798, a motion was made and seconded to repeal a resolve of the vestry respecting giving the minister for the time being, 6 months notice, passed February 9, 1796. Resolved that that resolve shall be and is hereby repealed and made nul and void to all intents and purposes.
At a meeting of the vestry March 22, 1798, a motion was made and seconded, shall the Rev. Mr. Clarkson be appointed to sup- ply Trinity Church the ensuing year? It passed in the negative, 4 votes for, and 7 votes against.
At a meeting of the vestry April 26, 1798, it was resolved that Isaac Hendrickson and Hance Naff, together with the trustees be a cominittee to take an inventory of the contents of the corpo- ration chest, and that the trustees take the other key to the chest, and that said chest be lodged with one of the church wardens. It was also moved that John Springer a minister of the Presby- terian Church be requested to preach a sermon in Trinity Church to his old friends and relatives, for he formerly belonged to the congregation.
Trinity Church, August 4th, 1798.
Meeting of the vestrymen and churchwardens. Present, Messrs. Vandever, Lynam, Brynberg, D. Stedham, Hendrickson and
531
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.