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GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02685 2712
Gc 974.902 P25BL BALL, ANNETTE C. HISTORY OF THE PARSIPPANY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
NJ-
8.5
HISTORY
OF THE
Parsippany Presbyterian Church
FROM ITS FIRST LOG STRUCTURE TO THE PRESENT TIME AS COM- PILED FOR THE PARSIPPANONG CHAPTER N. S. D. A. R.,
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BY ITS HISTORIAN ANNETTE C. BALL
1
HISTORY
OF THE
PARSIPPANY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ANNETTE C. BALL
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
HISTORY OF THE FIRST PARSIP- PANY MEETING HOUSE
In giving a sketch of the first Parsippany meeting house, which we believe was a log structure, we find we are obliged to recount some history already brought before our society, as in the days of the early settlement here the names of Whippanong and Parsip- panong seemed to encompass much more territory than at present and consequentlly if there is some repetition I trust you will bear with it that we may be able if possible to gain some idea of the struggles made and hardships endured by these pioneers in order to maintain a church by themselves.
The deed given by Mr. Richards in 1718 for three and one- half acres of land situated and being in the township of Whippan- ong in that part called Parsippanong on the northwest side of Whippanong river, only for public use and benefit, for a meeting house, schoolhouse, burying yard and training field and such like uses and no other .- included we know the country side for many miles in all directions and so long as the modest structure erected on that ground, which is now known as Whippany, was fit for oc- cupancy our ancestors doubtless felt no need for another church home, but when the time for flight came, "As the Eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings,"-so did those men of old go forth from that mother church to rear new and more commo- dious houses of worship at Morristown, Madison, Hanover and Parsippany.
In the year 1745 Mr. George Bowlsby deeded two and one- half acres of land to Mr. Ichabod Tompkins and Mr. Simeon Van Winkle for a site for a meeting house and a burying ground for the use of Presbyterians and none other. The deed is witnessed by Mr. Ebenezer Hayward and Mr. Samuel Smith.
It is not until 1755, ten years later that we hear of the church, or meeting house as it was called, being built. For five years after the building of this, and the house of worship at Hanover, Mr. Green continued pastor of both churches. In 1760 Mr. Green makes the record that Parsipanny people are allowed to seek a minister by themselves, and he ceased his ministrations among them. Dr. Darby, who resided in upper Parsippany, was both Phy- sician and minister, and it seems probable that he ministered to their spiritual, as well as physical needs until 1767.
March 2, 1758, was the natal da yof the Rockaway Presbyterian Church. On that day was drawn up a paper stating their desire "To join with Parsippany to call and settle a minister to preach interchangeable between Presepening and Rockaway." It was not
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carried into effect until 1767. In that year Rev. James Tuttle, a native of the township, and a son-in-law of Rev. Mr. Green, was ordained over these two churches. Mr. Tuttle residing in Parsip- pany until 1770, when en-feebled health compelled him, to resign and on December twenty-fifth of that year he died. For the next three years Dr. Darby may again have supplied their pulpit but there is no existing record of this church down to January 7, 1773, when the first meeting of this parish is recorded and from this date this record is authentic as it is taken from the original "society book" which came into the hands of my brother, Richard Howell, of Devon, Pennsylvania, and now presented by him to the officers of this church to be preserved, I trust, for at least another five gene- rations.
Captain John Stiles, the great, great grandfather of Mrs. An- drew L. Cobb, was moderator of this first recorded meeting and Mr. Isaac Sargent was clerk. The first vote after the choice of officers was to seat the meeting house which indicates that the building which stood in front of the cemetery and which is re- membered by some of our oldest inhabitants must have been built before this time. The committee to manage the affair of seating the meeting house was composed of Captain John Munsen, Benja- min Howell, Job Baldwin, Edward Cobb, and Isaac Sargent. Job Baldwin was the great grandfather of the present generation of Baldwins and Mrs. E. W. Kimble, and Edward Cobb and Benja- min Howell were my great, great grandfathers.
March 2, 1773, there was another parish meeting at which it. was voted to hire Mr. Green of Hanover to preach for us a third of the time, voted Captain John Stiles and Benjamin Howell leading men of our society, and voted Ebenezer Hayward to sweep the meeting house and to have twelve shillings per year. They were also to sweep and sand the floor and Trustees were to pro- vide the sand.
April 1, 1775, at an informal meeting at Mr. Haywards, after some dispute as to whether "we should try to git a Presbyterian or Congregational" that this measure should be taken that a short instrument should be written and offered to the society to mani- fest their choice in the matter. The instrument reads as follows :
"Whereas we are about to send for a minister this is to desire every member of the society to declare what one they choose by writing their names under the words
Presbyterian
Ebenezer Hayward
Jabesh Halsey
Samuel Stiles
Moses Crane
Edward Paddleford
Cornelus Meeker John Stiles
Isaac Haley (Halsey)
Nathan Howell
Stephen Baldwin
John Cobb, Jr.
Eligah Stiles
John Slater
John Michal
John Munson
Isaac Farrand
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Congregational
Thomas Baldwin
David Ransford
Thomas Cumpson
William Halsey
Daniel Hayward
John Bowers
Anthone Joline
Job Baldwin
Isaac Beach
Obidiah Baldwin
Peter Doremus
Paul Leonard
Job Secorn
Isaac Sergeant
Benjamin Howell
Phineas Ward
Danil Baldwin
John Hayward
Josiah Crane, Jr.
Thomas Ward Jones Ward
Joseph Colleur
Richard Edwards
Isaac Baldwin
Jered Capron
Jacob Minton
Ichebod Mun
Caleb Crane
John Tichenor
Bethuel Farrand
Josiah Crane
Joseph Bond
Isaral Canfild
Samuel Cobb
Jacob Baldwin
Joseph Clark
Josiah Leonard
Joel Haley (Halsey)
Thomas Davey
David Leonard
Samuel Sareant
Isaac Healy
Ebenezer Farrand
Nathanil Willson
Walter Norris
Ezekiel Baldwin
John Cook
John Millidg
There are sixteen signatures for Presbyterian and fifty-seven for Congregational. With five exceptions every given name in the list is a bible name. At the meeting to which the above paper was reported it was voted first to send for a minister, second that Isaac Sargeant go into New England for a minister, third that if the man that goes for a minister cannot get a Congrega- tional be is to use his indiver to git a Presbyterian. This vote indicates that while they had their preferences and were positive in them they were not bigoted in the matter. To defray the ex- penses of Mr. Sargeant a subscription paper was circulated and ten pounds six shillings and six cents were subscribed.
On the seventeenth of May Mr. Sargeant set out, probably on horseback. How disappointed they must have been when on the twenty-seventh of June he returned announcing his failure to procure a minister. On September 3, it was voted to join Rocka- way in applying to the Presbytery for a minister and that Benjamin Howell and John Stiles go to Rockaway to conclude the agree- ment. This overture from this parish was declined at Rockaway. On October seventh voted to apply to the Presbytery for supplies for six months and to send Mr. Isaac Halsey for Mr. Avery. There is no intimation that Mr. Avery was secured. On the twenty-sec- ond of November, 1773, at a parish meeting it was voted to hire Mr. Grover. It is added in a note, this Mr. Grover was a candi- date whom Mr. Job Baldwin brought from New England. It was voted to give Mr. Grover twenty shilling for each Sabbath until May, and keep himself and horse. March twenty-fourth 1774 the record reads, "Satisfied with Mr. Grover's principles and to
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Elios Baldwin Thomas Meeker Silas Baldwin Epheream Watkins Abner Beach
Edward Cobb
Levi Baldwin
James Johnson
John Kint
give him a call to settle with us within five days the following is recorded as sent to the Presbytery :
To the Reverend Presbytery of New York.
We the inhabitants of Percepening with gratitude humbly ac- knowledge the favor and blessing of being under your patronage and prosaviour and through your kindness have enjoyed the favor of Mr. Grover's improvement as a candidate for the Gospel min- istry and have had sufficient opportunity of trial and to gain an acquaintance with him we are universally satisfied with his abili- ties for the work of the Gospel ministry. Therefore we humbly show our earnest and united desire and request that he may be or- dained over us. We likewise being very sensible that those who give themselves to that arduous work should have a comfortable and reputable support and in consideration thereof we have en- gaged by our subscription to give Mr. Grover one hundred pounds light money to be paid at the time of his ordination as an en- couragement for his settling with us. Likewise by vote of parish agree to give him the use of one hundred pounds worth in profit- able parsonage lands during his continuance with us in the minister- ial work, eighty pounds salary per year, money eight shilling per ounce for the two first years, after raise five pounds more per year four years with his firewood. We humbly desire the Rev- erend Presbytery to take this our earnest request into consideration and when the importance of having the Gospel settled among us is duly considered we hope the reverend Presbytery will use their assistance and influence to accomplish our request and will op- point a time for and afford assistance in ordaining Mr. Grover over us providing he should be disposed to accept of this our invitation.
Committee :
John Stiles,
Benjamin Howell,
Job Baldwin.
Persippening, April 30, 1774.
These three men were chosen a committee to consult with Mr. Grover and see whether he would accept the call. At the same time forty-four of the leading men of the parish entered into an agreement to have their estates assessed for Mr. Grover's support. He accepted the call and these dovout men evidently determined to give him his entire support and have his undivided time as we find in September of the same year they refuse to let Rockaway join with them in giving Mr. Grover a call.
October 4, 1774 at a parish meeting it was voted that Capt.
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John Stiles, Benj. Howell and Job Baldwin be a committee to settle with Isaac Sargeant the old affair of this parish and to take the writings out of his hands, also to buy Ashers Smith's plan- tation for a parsonage and to give two hundred pounds for it. John Stiles, Benj. Howell, Job Baldwin, Isaac Halsey, Ebenezer Farrand, Jr., Moses Crane, Jonas Ward, Josiah Crane, Jr., John Salter, David Cory, Job Bacorn, Isaac Beach and Ebenezer Hay- ward for to buy the above mentioned plantation and take a deed of the same and settle the hole affair of said parsonage, also that the above committee shall have as many of the parish as they shall call for to secure them from future damage. That they felt that they were attempting more than they could carry we judge from the proceedings at the next meeting April 5, 1775, when they appointed Elder Thomas to go to Colwell, Samuel Hennion to Newark, Elder Cran to Westfield. and Job Baldwin to Mendham. The above named persons are to go to the Presbyterian Society for to ask favor of them and to git as much as they can and bring home to Persippany and all that was given or to be given to be used for their parsonage.
In August they voted to finish the lower part of the meeting house as high as the tops of the pews, that all persons shall sit where they think proper on the Sabbath in this meeting house and no offense to be taken by any person, Jacob Halsey and John Frost Clarke to read and set the psalm at meeting.
In January, 1776, they voted to fix the parsonage house by the first day of May. Mr. Grover can move into it perhaps to take his bride, as he married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Howell, who died in 1781 leaving one daughter Abigail. They were to proceed to provide stuff for to build a parsonage this winter and a year from next spring to go on with the building. "A committee shall calcolate the stuff and parcel it out to such people as shall see fit to take it to git."
At a parish meeting held at Deacon Benj. Howell's, April II, 1780, a committee was appointed to take a deed of the commission- ers of this county for forfeited estates for a certain piece of land left to the parish of Parsippany by Joseph Millidge. Perhaps they found some little assistance from the sale of this land, but as we follow on year by year we find them still striving by sending asses- sors and collectors through the parish to pay the expenses, and as late as 1781 a committee composed of Job Baldwin, Capt. Jonos Ward and Capt. Hiram Smith to provide stuff to finish the meet- ing house and to carry on the work as the subscription now raised will allow. They privileged any one willing to go on with the work of the building the front of the galleries, to do so under the direction of Job Baldwin and Jabesh Tichenor, to have the front of the gallery done with pine boards and banisters. Perhaps be-
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cause of this unfinished condition Silas Baldwin was to sit up in the gallery to collect contribution and to take care of the young people and children that they do not play in meeting. They were to have a weekly contribution on every Sabbath after meeting gathered on plates. They were to sing old tunes on the Sabbath in the forenoon or one-half the time and the other half the time to sing such tunes as the singers think proper. After one month to prepare books to sing one-half the time on the Sabbath without the clerk reading the lines. Mr. Samuel Frost, the clerk of this parish for setting the psalm, shall have leave to call to his assistance such persons as he shall think proper. Voted to give the singers the three centre seats in the meeting house in the middle bar to set in on the Sabbath.
We find in April 1782 they were appointing a committee to settle the value of a certain sum of continental money in the hands of the parsonage committee paid to them by the parish to discharge certain bonds due on the parsonage land. The parish chose Col. William Bott and the committee chose John Cobb who reported the money worth one-fifth part as much as silver. From 1775 to 1793 we find the Trustees paying interest and principal to the Trustees of the Bergen Dutch Reformed Church for money bor- rowed, the first note given Jan. Ioth, 1775 is signed by Aaron Dod and Samuel Hinman and witnessed by Anthony Johnes, Bartholo- mew Doughty and Thomas Compson, the last receipt signed Ber- gen, Dec. 16th, 1793, received of Hiram Smith, Esq. by the hands of John Howell, eighteen pounds, six shillings and eleven pence, to- ward a certain bond given by said Smith, Job Baldwin, Isaac Beach and Jonas Ward to the Trustees of the Church of Bergen, bearing date Nov. 4th, 1783, signed by Daniel Jan Ripien, and Nicolas Toirs, doubtless these were the notes for which the con- tinental money was given. Voted after deducting the sum of ten pounds which Mr. Grover hath voluntarily subscribed toward the building and finishing of the parsonage, we as a parish hold our- selves bound to reimburse him whatever sum he may have or shall advance for that purpose. Thus we see Mr. Grover's willingness to lend his aid, but in June, 1786 he made his address to the congre- gation for a dismission from the work of the ministry from this congregation or that he be supported yearly on better footing than he heretofore had been. A committee was to take the obligation through the parish, perform the business in two weeks and make return to the society of their success which must have been satis- factory as Mr. Grover remained with this congregation until 1798.
Let us keep in mind that these were years of war and these brave men were defending their country, as we find so many of them bearing titles of Colonel, Captain, Major, Justice and so forth. They were also striving with all their might to maintain the Gospel
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ministry as we find they voted that, all we that are present will exert ourselves to support the Gospel ministry in this place and further that we will use all our influence with our neighbors to encourage them to assist us. They also voted that this meeting house is free for any of the Baptist ministers to preach in on any week day or on the Sabbath with Mr. Grover's consent.
On June 12, 1790, it is voted immediately to go on to finish the meeting house. Job Baldwin, Squire Hiram Smith, Samuel Stiles and John Stiles to have the care of carrying on the work, likewise of fencing the burying ground. Thus we see that Mr. Grover's ministry extending from the year 1774 to 1798, a period of twenty-four years, must have been filled with earnest purpose, else those men would have lost heart in striving to maintain their minister, his church and house which were so long in being com- pleted.
Ele we bid adieu to Mr. Grover, let us tarry to get a glimpse of what is doubtless taken from his pen, the epitaphs of his wife and father,
In Memory of EBENEZER GROVER who departed this life January 30, 1782, in the 6Ist year of his age.
A few days before his death he came from New England to make his son Rev. Joseph Grover a visit.
Who can promise a return when going from their habitation.
In Memory of SARAH HOWELL wife of Rev. Joseph Grover who exchanged worlds
April 30, 1781, in the 30th year of her age
How loved, how valued once, avails ye not. To home related or by home begot, a heap of dust alone remains of thee, 'tis all thou art and all ye proud shall be.
From November, 1798, to May, 1799, Rev. Mr. Hoyt preached for them. On May 10, 1799, they appointed a committee to settle with Mr. Stephen Hoyt. At the same time David Leonard, Daniel P. Crane, Abraham Kitchell, Esq., and Job Baldwin were appointed
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a committee to request the Rev. Abel Jackson to preach for us. On the 27th of May Major Hiram Smith, Capt. Phineas Farrand and Stephen Cook be appointed to hire a place of residence for Mr. Jackson till Mr. Grover leaves the parsonage. In October 1799 Rev. Abner Benedict had preached for them four weeks and David Leonard, Daniel P. Crane, Job Baldwin, Hiram Smith, John DeHart were appointed a committee to wait on Mr. Benedict in order to engage his labors in the Gospel ministry for three years or less as they can agree, to offer him two hundred and fifty dollars, (note the change from pounds to dollars,) with the use of the parsonage and twenty-five cords of fire wood. July Ist, 1803 voted that Mr. Benedict enjoy the use and benefit of the parsonage together with the crops thereon until the first day of November next. Mr. Benedict's son Abner married Nancy, daughter of Capt. Phineas Farrand, and was the grandfather of Mr. William B. Benedict.
After Mr. Benedict's removal there was a conference again with Dr. Darby and Mr. Whilpley in regard to supplying the pulpit the present season. In September 1804 a call was given to Rev. Samuel M. Phelps, on the following conditions,-to offer him an annual salary of three hundred dollars and twenty cords of fire wood and the use of the parsonage. It was voted that the Dutch people be invited to attend public worship gratis and that Mr. Phelps preach funeral sermons gratis, also that the black people withdraw from the back seat. On the 29th of April 1807 we find an agreement between Mr. Phelps and thirteen of the property owners engaging him to teach for one year the Troy School in the upper room for the sum of three hundred dollars. Mr. Phelps remained with this congregation until April 1815.
At a parish meeting held August 23, 1815, it was voted that we hire a minister for one year. When the Reverends Messrs. Demorest, Ford, and Brumdridge were severally nominated. The votes were as follows, Mr. Brumdridge 12, Mr. Demorest II, and Mr. Ford 61. The moderator declared Rev. John Ford duly elect- ed. Voted that Hiram Smith, Stephen Cook, John Howell, John DeHart and Benj. Smith be a committee to wait on Mr. Ford and engage him to preach for us one year as they can agree. On the 25th of January, 1816, it was voted that Hiram Smith, Lot Dixon and Abram Cook be a committee to subscribe a call and to wait on the Presbytery with said call to the Rev. John Ford. Mr. Ford was to have $400.00 in half vearly payments together with the use of the parsonage and a sufficiency of fire wood for his family use. Thus began the ministerial work of Mr. Ford which continued for forty-one years; for a period longer than Moses lead Israel or David was their king. He was the Shepherd of this flock. He began in his early manhood, here he did the work of his life identifying
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himself with the parish and community. The intelligence which was enjoyed by the past generation in this vicinity, I have heard attributed largely to the influence of Mr. Ford.
September 1819 was the first date accounting the sale of seats at public vendue. Major Daniel Farrand was one time auctioneer for which service he was to receive one dollar. The amount raised was $410.00 for the first floor and $40.00 for the gallery. In 1819 we read of the congregation supporting a young man in Parsippany for one year who is studying for the ministry and the church con- tributing $49.50 to the Presbyterian Educational Society. This is the first account of missionary work I have found.
It would be interesting could we note the names of trustees, choristers, assessors and collectors but time fails; but for the ac- count of the words of the oaths of "abjuratin and allegiance" demanded of all members of Corporations in Revolutionary days we must take note. In the Record of Religious Societies, page six is found this unusually full and interesting entry as follows :
"This may certify that
Benjamin Howell, Esq'r, Samuel Frost, Job Baldwin, Josiah Crane, Hiram Smith,
have this day severally took and subscribed the oaths of abjuration and allegiance before me and also an oath for true and faithful performance of their duty as Trustees of the Second Presbyterian Congregation of Hanover, in the County of Morris to the best of their judgment and understanding.
Aaron Kitchell."
Sworn
"I do swear that I do not hold myself bound to bear allegiance to the King of Great Britain."
"I do swear that I do and will bear true faith and allegiance to the government established in this state under the authority of the people.
Benjamin Howell" &c. each aforesaid.
Sworn before me the 27th day of March, 1787,
Aaron Kitchell.
"We do swear that as trustees of the second prespeterion con- gregation of Hanover in the county of Morris that we will execute
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the trust reposed in us with fidelity to the best of our understand- ing. Benjamin Howell, (&c. each aforesaid).
Sworn before me the 27th day of March, 1787,
Aaron Kitchell."
The original of which the above is a copy being found filed in the office of clerk of this Co. of Morris. I thot proper to record the same.
C. Russell, Clerk."
Thus we have followed this church history through its years of struggle and bravery and one time dissension when Mr. Green and Mr. Grover withdrew from Synod and with many other min- isters organized the Presbytery of Morris County as an independent Presbytery. Soon after Mr. Fords settlement here the church be- came in fact what it had always been in name a Presbyterian Church and resumed its connection with the Synod of New York and New Jersey, and here we will leave the records as we find nothing of special interest during the intervening years until 1828 when the present church was built of which we hope to hear at a later date.
A. C. B.,
Historian Parsippanong Chapter D. A. R.
Read at the home of the Regent Mrs. Fairchild, April 14th, 1914.
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1828 - 1915
At a parish meeting held this tenth day of March in the year of our Lord 1828 at the Presbyterian meeting house at Parsippany agreeably to public notice duly given by advertisement in writing set up on the door of the said meeting house and there continued for the space of ten days previous to the said meeting and also agreeably to notice published from the pulpit in said meeting house on the last Sabbath for the purpose of choosing trustees of parish heretofore known as the parish of Parsippany, and for transacting other business, under an act of the legislature of New Jersey en- titled, "An act to incorporate trustees of religious societies, passed the twelfth day of June 1799. They were to take the oath of allegiance to support the constitution of the United States, the oath of allegiance to the government of this state and the oath faith- fully to execute the trust reposed in them as trustees. John Howell was chosen moderator of this meeting and Walter Kirkpatrick clerk.
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