USA > Delaware > New Castle County > Wilmington > The records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington, Del., from 1697 to 1773 > Part 4
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
Brewer Sencke, instead of day's work, gave 12 bushels of wheat, which at that time was worth 5 shillings a bushel, amounting to 3 pounds.
54
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH
Over and above the ready money this year 1698, was given as follows:
Jasper Walraven gave a black horse named Bock, and thereto 3 bushels oats and 8 bushels of rye at 4 shillings and 6 pence a bushel.
Lucas Stedham, 8 bushels buckwheat and 2 bushels of oats.
Brewer Sencke the second time gave 12 bushels of wheat and 4 bushels of rye at 4 shillings 6 pence.
Hans Pietterson, eight bushels of rye at four shillings six pence, one bushel malt at five shillings and one bushel of oats; Charles Springer one and one-half bushel oats and some eight-penny nails for the roof, and when the roof was raised he gave freely alinost a whole barrel of good beer and seven quarts of rum for the strangers. Staffin Juranson gave a sheep worth twelve shillings and the widow on Pumpkinhook five pounds butter at six-pence.
In the year 1699 was given by Brewer Senceke nine bushels of barley at five shillings a busliel, Lucas Sted- ham one bushel| oats, senior Arent Johnson one bushel oats, Peter Stalcop nearly one bushel of maize, Lucas Stedham one bushel malt at six shillings, Peter Moun- son forty-three pounds of butter at nine-pence a pound, Charles Springer thirty-six candles for the carpenters, Brewer Senecke twenty-seven and Asmund Stidham six teen candles. Most of these articles were brought to John Stalcop's and he took them towards boarding. Asmund Stedham had a small part of them but the buckwheat, maize, and a bushel of barley were used for feeding the horses. Erick on Cranehook gave seven walnut boards for the pulpit and two other four-cornered sticks for the chair.
52
RECORDS OF
Peter Peiterson gave three pieces of board, and Lucas Stedham one board and a plank, Lucas Stidham and Petter Pieterson together gave a walnut stick twenty feet long for the turned work, Asmund two sticks for the same use and Jesper Walraven one also, John Anderson Kock gave ten sticks ten feet long and three by four inches thick, and Brewer Senecke a log for the turned work. The following have boarded the workmen and afterwards given it to the church.
Mistress Britta on the old land boarded theni five weeks at six shillings with Dick the negro five weeks in all, seven pounds ten shillings of which he gave four pounds thirteen shillings; Hendrick Jacobson boarded in all four weeks two and one-half days but gave it all in one pound five shillings and six pence. John Stal- cop boarded the masons and carpenters at 6 shillings a week for each person to the amount of 35 pounds and 5 shillings. And various other persons of 1 pound and 15 shillings. To which should be reckoned on making up the account 2 pounds 8 shillings; Lucas Stedham who had two day laborers with him 13 weeks, and then the two carpenters 9 weeks and also other laborers at other times as much as four weeks for which he should have in all 76, 6 shillings and Sd, which of his good heart he gave freely for the glory of God. Luloff Stedham kept three carpenters five-and-one- half weeks which amounted to 56, 15 shillings which he gave in, and also for other laborers to the amount of to 46, 10 shillings.
Asmund Stedham kept the glazier a month at 6 shil- lings a week, and two day laborers four weeks, and also various other day laborers, which according to a resolu- tion in the meeting we were to pay him for which in all amounted to 106, 14 shillings which was paid; besides
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH. 53
these he kept many who were to pay for themselves, but of whom he got nothing.
Here follows an account of the whole cost as near as I can gather the items together, viz:
£. sh. d
795 bu. lime at 20 pence a bu. and 4 pence per bu. freight, 79
10 O
Bricks for doors, windows and floor, 12,500
25 5 O Mason for all, I32 O 0
For negro who was with him,
8 4
6
Carpenters, I30
22 O
0
Hinges for pew doors, 46 pairs at 3sh. 6d, - 1800 shingles, -
8
I
0
I8
3
0
N. B .- 1,700 unprepared, cost 20 sh. per 1000, but the eighteenth thousand that we took afterwards were all ready and therefore cost I pound, 3sh .- cost of all that were bought, The sawyers for 5,220 ft. at 6sh. a hundred, and four days crooked sawing at 6sh. a day, with going and coming, makes in all, - 17
One inch and one-half inch boards bought 2000 feet,
9
O
0
Nails for the whole work, -
28
I5
5
N. B .- In this are not included what John Nu- merson gave, namely, 1700 nails, 55 to the pound, nor smaller, 1704-110 to the pound, nor Hans Pietterson, 1172 pence, nor Chas. Springer, hair at 10 pence per bushel, 4 II 0 Various other small matters, . 34 9 1072
Whereto should be added 2 pounds freight for the 2000 feet of boards and 200 pounds lath nails, which Mr. Smouth sent down and are not reckoned elsewhere, and 30 shillings increased pay for Mr. Harrison in the contract with Mr. Smart, which was not included in the other account, and is brought in here.
1
The stone for the whole Church wall in all 700 loads, 600 for the wall, 20 feet high and 100 feet for the gable ends.
All the timber was cut on our own wood lot where it was found best and most convenient.
49
4
9
3
.
O 0
Glazier for 330 ft of glass at 16 pence,
54
RECORDS OF
The days works including the drawing are all £. s. d.
together 1028 days, which would be at 3s. a day, 154 4 O
722 8 1 1/2
To which is to be added amount of board given in whole, 26
4
5
Luloff Stedham half,
4 IO 0
Jesper Walraven gave half,
5
5 0
Cost at the consecration,
12
O
0
770 2 6 12
There is no account here of the 180 ceiling joists, nor of the 700 laths, nor of the 12000 small laths. My own board ought also to be added, and various other small things. It seems to me therefore, safe to say, that in round numbers the whole Church building, as it now within a year, (Glory be to God,) is come to be finished, has cost 800 pounds Pennsylvania currency.
There is another thing that has not heretofore been mentioned and taken into account, namely, that we have been specially fortunate with regard to the sand, which at first we thought we should be obliged to bring either from the other side of the river or some place on this side like Bokton, and wedid get some canoe loads before the work began, which we afterwards used for the brick- work of the doors and windows, but we saw that it would be a tedious and wearisome work to get the sand in that way; we luckily discovered that there was better sand for the walls on the late Jacob Van de Ver's island, and with all better and safer conveyance. Therefore with the free consent of the owner, (the late Jacob Van de Ver's widow Catharine,) we transported from there in canoes all the sand for the building with the greatest convenience.
1
-
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
55
For the payment of the bills has been received in ready money as follows:
6. S. d.
Ist. From the first subscription, I76 2 O
2d. The various articles taken for board, II 15 OI
3d. Money from the purse for year 1698, II . 09 05
4th. Money in the purse on day of con- secration, II 06 09 1/2
5th. Paid in for books, 14 I2 08
6th. Charles Springer's thanksgiving for God's help in his recovery from sickness, 3 20 20
-
228 06
031/2
When we had collected all the accounts we found that we owed a balance of 135 pounds, 8 shillings and 6 pence, besides the borrowed money which the church borrowed of John Hanson Stillman, which was 200 pounds.
a. And the Honorworthy Sir Magister Ericus Biork, Christina Congregation's Praiseworthy Church Pastor, has for the glory of God and the love which he has for his church, given and donated the 135 1bs. 8 shillings, 6 pence.
Here it should be remembered that when I undertook this work I had just come into the country and was ignorant of everything here, and entirely unknown to anyone, but trusting in God's gracious assistance and believing with sure faith that for the honour of his name
a. This was undoubtedly entered here by the clerk, and refers to a lat- ter period as will appear by referring to the next page.
56
RECORDS OF
he would not let me come to shame nor be a laughing stock for those who would have gladly seen the under- taking a failure, I persevered and found that though the means at first were difficult of procurement, yet the work went on faster and more favorably than I could reason- ably have expected. The burden lay upon me principally to get the workmen and contract with them, and see that they were paid, and I could not bear that they should be asking me for their money or blame me, but God in this, showed me peculiar goodness, he having richly blessed one of our own folk, John Hanson Stillman, by naine, living at Sahakitko in Elk River, in Maryland, who was moved with such kindness towards me in connection of the carrying on of this work, that upon my simple word he trusted me hereto, first with 100 pounds country currency the first year, and then the next year another 100 pounds, though I was to pay the usual interest so long as it was outstanding.
The 24th of June or midsummer day .- We held a general meeting of the congregation according to notice given two Sundays before.
Ist. For the important opportunity which I took to show a statement of the whole cost of the church, as well in money as in days works, and what each one had done towards it so far as was possible for me to point out.
2nd. To show them the back-standing debt which was 236 pounds, of which I took on myself 36 pounds. a.
3rd. To finally let each one know just where his seat was to be, acting according to my best judgment in the matter and the knowledge that I had, as I knew how much each one had given and how willing each one had been, reckoning however, for each one on the other side of
a. The whole was given in afterwards.
57
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
the river double against those on this side, for they had much inconvenience and many times must do without Divine service, while they on this side can come thereto, namely, they who have given one pound on the other side, should have room with those who have given two pounds on this side.
4th. To collect a sum during the coming Autumn to be applied to pay a part of the debt, which is shown by the subscription.
5th. We began again about the glebe, thinking to get a decided conclusion upon it in writing. But what happened ! In the meantime since the last meeting which was the 22nd of April, for what cause I know not, John Stalcop had taken it into his head that he would not stand to the last bargain, which yet was so certainly and firmly agreed to, unless we would so take it of him that all the land (500 acres,) should be kept as a parsonage forever, (as the English say,) that is, that none of it shall ever be sold. Now this is utterly un- reasonable and contrary to our former honest bargain, considering too that we did not really want so much for a glebe, and that this 500 acres lies in two separate pieces and there are two separate deeds, and that only the piece which is of the old land is needed, and that he will not separate the other part which is woodland from the former though it is in another deed, but compel us to buy all. Therefore he should not insist that we should buy so much at one time, and so write the bond that neither we nor our posterity should ever sell any of it, even if it should prove too burdensome for our means and ability. Therefore we gave ourselves anew in talk with John Stalcop and asked him if he would again go back on his promise by such a project.
58
RECORDS OF
-
His answer was that he would not let us have it on any other condition than that we should have and keep all. We asked him to keep the upper part himself and give a little off the piece, but he would not do that. So as I perceived we could do nothing, I ended iny talk with him, saying to him that he evidently grudged doing me a favor or that there had been others at work with him. I thanked the rest of the congregation for their good will towards me and all my successors, shown by their willingness to be at so much expense for so- much land and to gratify me now particularly as my weary feet have walked here enough already while the church was building, and therefore I should gladly have seen that I now could have a nearer church path and said that the blame rested entirely on John Stalcop who had again forfeited his word, and that the after- coming will severely condemn him, and so I resolved never to say anything more about it.
6th. The money that had been contributed towards. the 20 Ibs. should not be idle but be used to pay some debts, and inore to be gathered if any land should be bought for a parsonage hereafter.
7th. We bought a canoe according to the promise mnade, when we finally came to agree that the church should be at Christina which should be lent for the use of those who came by the way of Sandhook, and be used for no other purpose except for ferrying the church- . folk.
This canoe was bought entirely new of Hendrick Tossa, in Bokton, on the other side of Brantwein's creek for 20 shillings, country money, and delivered to Staffen J. Inranson, at Pumpkin Hook, that he with the others might take care of it, so that the folk on this side, who-
59
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
only agreed to get one canoe with which to go free over the Christina, would not be bound to procure another.
N. B .- What happened afterward concerning the Priestland, awhile after this meeting, i. e., the 4th of Aug., I came to John Stalcop's, when he, contrary to expecta- tions, asked me to go and ride with him around the land and see on what conditions he would make it over at the next session of the court at Sandhook.
The proposition seemed strange to ine as I had entirely given up the idea of the purchase, yet I answered to the effect that I would go for the pleasure of it, but I knew no way to get the 20 f's. at so short notice as the session is so near, viz., the 15th of Aug., the money col- lected before being given out, and the congregation be- ing ignorant of this; but he answered mne that neverthe- less it could be brought about somehow.
So the next day we went all around and when we sep- arated I repeated my former determination that we will never take it forever, but he had changed his mind as to that, and had hit on the plan that we should change the wood lot with him because the wood lot belonging to John Stalcop's land at Christina, lies alongside the land which is called old land, which is the proposed purchase for the glebe and the wood lot of that old land, lies ad- joining the Christina land. He proposed, therefore, to exchange so that each wood lot would go with the land to which it adjoined. I answered, that will be a new matter for the congregation to consider, and it will be necessary to find out if the land is equally good and of equal quantity. John Stalcop said he thought there could not be much difference, and if there was any differ- ence in measure he would make it up from the other. We separated with the understanding that I could not
60
RECORDS OF
give a definite answer to his proposition for or against at that time.
Finally, the next week, the 8th of August, it happened that I met the Churchwardens Charles Springer and John Stalcop on the other side of the river, at the house of Church warden Wholle Stobey, and among other things we began again to talk of this matter when Charles Springer was so earnestly interested in the business, that he with John Stalcop's assent, came over immediately on the 9th of Aug., and called some of the people to- gether to go over both the wood lots with him and see if there was much difference betwixt them.
The 12th of August there came Church Warden Brewer Seneke with Olle Thomas and Petter Stalcop, but after the two Church Wardens Brewer Seneke and Charles Springer came together, it was thought they were sufficient, so they therefore took the business upon themselves and rode through both lots and decided that the exchange should be made, and if there should be any deficiency in measure John Stalcop should make it up, and so nothing more was heard of the forever but the purchase now stands certain and sure.
The 13th, on Sunday I had Charles Springer and Jasper Walraven again ask John Stalcop if he stood to his bargain. Then Mr. Wholle Stobey promised to furnish the 20 1b. till it could be collected by the congregation of which I informed the congregation from the pulpit, and gave notice that they must contribute again within a month, each one according to his ability, enough to inake up the 20 pounds, which would be the 14th after Trinity, September 10th.
As now Church Warden John Stalcop has well consid - ered the matter of selling his land for a glebe so that he and his thereby not only now but hereafter will win an
61
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
honorable name, he therefore on Michaelinas day, after the close of Divine service, wished that a contract of purchase should be drawn up for fear of sudden death or other hindrance, and it was done as the copy hereto shows:
Articles of agreement made, done and concluded by and between John Stalcop of Christina, of the County of New Castle, of the one party, and the Reverend Minister Ericus Biork, Minister of Christina congregation, and Mr. Wholle Stobey, Brewer Seneke, Jacobus Van de Ver, and Charles Springer, Church Wardens of the aforesaid congregation of the other party witnesseth-
Whereas, there is a certain plantation and Tract of Land lying and sittuate upon Christeen creek commonly called the old land which had been formally In ye possession of Charles Pickering, containing by the two Ould deeds 500 acres, now this to be understood, that Whereas this aforesaid Tract of land lyeth in two Tracts, now this Tract which belongeth to the Old land will I John Stallcop make over to the aforesaid persons for the use Intended according to the pattent. Butt for the Other Tract of woodland Be it known that I have made an exchange with the Churchwardens by Reason that the Woodland which did be- long to the Old land, did not lye so convenient. Butt did lye convenient to my land which belongeth to Christina, and the other lyeth convenient to the Tract of the Old land so called, and doe oblidge myself to make up for all the exchange, the principal number which is 500 Acres. Be it known that I John Stalcop for a Valuable consideration that is one hundred and sixty pounds of Silver Money hath freely and absolutely sold this aforesaid plantation, with house, Orchard, cleared ground and fencing half the hook meadow, and the 500 Acres of land as the draughts more at large doth specifye and with all the con- veniences whatsoever thereunto .doth belong, which aforesaid Tract of land the Revered Minister Ericus Biork and Wholle Stobey, Brewer Seneke, Jacobus Van de Ver and Charles Springer, as Minister and Churchwardens, of Christeen Congre- gation have In and for the behalf of Christeen Congregation Bought this aforesaid Tract of land for church land and for a
62
RECORDS OF
Minister to live upon so that it shall proper belong to the Church, and for Ministers to live upon and dispose of what They think fitt. Know ye Now that I John Stallcop have firmly and absolutely sould this aforesaid land, with all the con- veniences thereunto belonging, for 160 pounds Silver Money, 120 pounds to be paid at the signing and delivery of this agreement, and 40 pounds more to be paid at or upon the 29th of Septem. ber, 1700; to be paid unto me or my heirs Administrators or Assigns and more over I doe sell this land clear from any manner of Incumbrances Whatsoever as free from Leavy and Quitt Rents, and free for any one to have anything to say or to lay any man- ner of claim or claims to it and also I obliedge myselfe to bear halfe the charges, what shall come for survay and deed and Recordings of ye writings to the clark and I doe oblidge me or my heirs and Administrators, that is, when being Required thereunto to make it over unto the Revererd Minister and afore- said Churchwardens In Open Court. Now for the more confir- mation hearof have I Interchangeably sett my hand and seal the 29th of September 1699. his JOHN X STALLCOP.
Delivered in ye presence and confirmed before us, as Witnesses,
[L. s.] mark
Matthias de Foss, his
Asmund A Stedhanı, mark.
The following distribution of pews was made in Holy Trinity Church, on Midsummer's day, 1699.
MEN'S SIDE.
I. The four pews by the wall on the south side; The I Set apart for the sexton's pew.
2. Mons. Wholle Stobey, Charles Springer, John Stalcop and Brewer Seneke.
The 3 Hans Pietterson, Lucas Stedham, Lulof Stedham, Steffan Juranson and Matthias de Foss.
The 4. John Anderson Cock. Jacob Hendrickson, Eric Ericson, Petter Person in Boykton, Petter Mounson and Powel Petterson.
II. First quarter on the main aisle containing six pews. .
63
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
The I. Free pew for strangers who may occasionally attend.
The 2. Mons. John Hanson Stillman, Jesper Walraven, Petter Stalcop, Arent Van de Burgh, which stands for his life-time.
. The 3. Hendrick Jacobson, Wholle Thomson, Hendrick Stobey and John Mink. N. B .- Afterwards sold to Conrad Constantine.
The 4. Jacob Van de Ver, (over the river,) Asmund Stedham, Edward Meum. N. B .- Afterwards sold to Peter Classon and Jonas Walraven.
The 5. Richard Runnelson, John Mounson, Cornelius Van de Ver and Juran Liken.
The 6. Michael Vainam, Joran Anderson, Conratt Constantine and Olle Franson ..
III. The second quarter below the door containing eight pews.
The I. William Van de Ver, Pe.ter Canpany, Lasse Hindrick- son, (from the other side,) Petter Petterson, (from the other side,) John Clemmenson, Christina Anderson and Anders Hofman.
The 2. Matthias Skrika, Matz Petterson, Jons Anderson, Frederick Hofman, Erick Hotten, Anders Vainan, Matz Neilsson and James Brewer.
The 3. Benedictus Stedham, Matz Tossa, Thomas Skrika, Hendric Hendrickson, Lucas, Hans and Gabriel Petterson, and Erick Anderson. A man by the name of Petter Jonson Walkow, living away at Marcus Hook, wished a seat here, for which he promised to pay three pounds to the church.
The 4. Hendrick Orrane, Hendric Tossa, John Tossa, Thomas Jones, Hans Halton, Eskel Hotten, Pahl Pahlsson, (at Raccoon Creek, ) and Lasse Vainam.
The 5. Pahl (on Crane hook,) Hans Gostafsson, John Hopman, Mäns Hopman, Nicholas Hofman, Mäns Halton, John Seneke and Hendrick Bassman.
The 6. Simon Janson in Sakitko, Knutt Quist, Anders Gedson, Olle Nielson, John Hendrickson (at the lone tree) John Hendrick- son Mekenny, Charles Hedge, Joran Orrane Andrew Frende and Lasse Hendrickson (from the other side.)
The 7. Vacant.
The S. Vacant.
64
RECORDS OF
ON THE WOMENS' SIDE.
I. On the main aisle, first quarter;
The I. Free for strangers, etc.
The 2. John Stalcop's wife, John Hanson's wife and the widow on Pumpkinhook.
The 3. Brewer Seneke, Matthias de Foss, Staffan Joranson and Hans Pietterson's wives.
The 4. Britta Peters and the wives of Charles Springer, Lucas Stedham and Peter Stalcop.
The 5. The widow of Jacob Clementz and the wives of Jesper Walraven, Hendrick Stobey and Jonas Walraven.
The 6. The wives of Richard Runels. Asmund Stedham, Conratt Constantine and John Mink.
II. The long pews on the north side between the pulpit and the door. The wives of Edward Menm, Jacob Van de Ver, Olle Thomas, Jacob Henderson, John Anders Cock, Hendrick Juarsson, Erick Erick and Joran Lyken.
III. Below the door the 2d quarter, 8 pews.
The I. The widow of Jacob Van de Ver (on the island,) Petter Moun's mother and wife, and the wives of John Mouns, Cor- nelius Van de Ver, Wm. Van de Ver, Lasse Vinam, Pahl Petter- son and Petter Petterson in Bokton.
The 2. Thomas Jones, Anders Hopman, John Tossa, Pahl Pahlson, Benedictus Stedham, Hendric Tossa, Edward Robbisson, and Joran Anderson's wives.
The 3. The widow Margetta (on Cranehook,) Savoi's widow and wives of Anders Seneke, Frederick Hopman, John Van de Ver, John Henderson from the other side, and John Henderson on this side of the river.
The 4. The widow on Sheephook, and the wives of Erick Anderson, Matz Petterson, Olle Tossa, Pahl on Cranehook and Matz Stark; and the young Karin Hendrick.
The 5. The widow of Israel Stark, and the wives of John
65
HOLY TRINITY (OLD SWEDES) CHURCH.
Hopman, Anders Hopman, Anders Frende, Mouns Halton, Hans Peitterson (from the other side,) and Michael Vainam.
The 6. Elizabeth Skaggen, and the wives of Anders Vainsam, Olle Franson, Petter Anderson, John Seneke and Olle Nielson.
The 7. The wives of Hans Gostafsson, Edward Matthew, Lasse Hendrick, Hans Halton, Petter Petterson (on the other side, ) and Pahl Pahl at Rattcongs Creek.
In order that the reader or hearer may be informed how all has progressed from my first (through God's grace) coming here, and of the church being afterward called Christina congregation, with the proper churches beginning, progress and finishing of its cost of the distribution of the pews, and how finally a fortunate conclusion with regard to the glebe was achieved, how as to the distribution of the pews I took into account all the circumstances, comparing as well as I could what one and another had helped towards the building, either in money, dayswork, or other assistance, how they had shown themselves more or less willing when the work was on hand and pressed the hardest, when I knew whether they could or could not work, and how they were moved by the many admonitions and exhor- tations that I have given them both from the Word of God and other sources to incite them to the work.
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.