USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > New Brunswick > A historical sketch of the First Presbyterian Church in the city of New-Brunswick > Part 4
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In March following, Col. Neilson was offered by the Legis- lature a commission as Brigadier General of the Militia. This appointment he promptly declined, preferring to serve at the lines in Dickinson's brigade. He was thus employed during '77, '78, and '79. While at Elizabethtown he was entrusted by the Commander-in-Chief with the duty of ob- taining information for an attack on Staten Island. The sortie proved successful, and a number of prisoners were brought off. On the 18th of Sept. 1780, he was appointed Deputy Quarter Master for the State of New Jersey, and continued in that capacity till the close of the war. His position led to an extensive correspondence with Gen. Wash- ington, Gov. Livingston, and other leading personages, but much of it has been lost by an accidental fire. Many de- tails, therefore, of his active services must remain unknown. So prominent however was he, that many attempts were made to seize his person, but the timely information he re- ceived from friendly sources enabled him to baffle them all.
After the country was settled, he was chosen one of the State Convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States. He then retired into private life, and resumed mercantile business.
In civil life, he long exerted a commanding influence in New Brunswick. In honor of him one of the streets of the city was called Neilson Street, a military company assumed
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the title of the Neilson Guards, and the elegant steamboat, John Neilson, contributes to perpetuate his memory. In the words of the minute inserted on the records of the congre- gation, "No man was established more firmly in the confi- dence of the community ; which was repeatedly testified through his long life, in the many offices of honor and re- sponsibility with which he was from time to time invested. He was an ornament of piety in the church, in which he discharged the office of Ruling Elder for more than forty years." It is worthy of note, that Col. Neilson faithfully discharged the office of Clerk of Session for forty three years, up to the day of his decease; having entered the last record on that very day.
Upon this melancholy event, the Common Council of the city, (Cornelius L. Hardenburg being Mayor,) passed reso- lutions deploring his death "as a public loss ;" the stores were closed at the hour of the funeral ; the members of the Corporation attended as mourners, and wore crape on their arms for thirty days. A detailed biographical sketch of the deceased appeared shortly after in the New York Commer- cial Advertiser for March 27, 1833, from which much of the above account has been condensed. The rest has been compiled from his own MSS. and family traditions.
In 1838, died Samuel Holcombe, another ruling elder. His father was from England, and settled in Amwell, where Samuel was born in 1768. Mr. Holcombe was made a rul- ing elder in Amwell church, then under the pastoral care of Mr. Grant, but in what year we know not. In 1809 he removed to New Brunswick, where he carried on a heavy business in the grain trade. He was irreproachable as a man of business, and exemplary as an elder of the church, to which office he was chosen Dec. 30, 1810. He was assid- uous in visiting the poor, and liberal in almsgiving. He was of a lovely disposition, being very even-tempered, and never known to be angry, even by his family. His death was like his life, happy and Christian. It took place Dec. 17, 1838, in the 70th year of his age
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The Rev. Thomas Smyth, D. D. of Charleston, S. C., was invited to succeed Dr. Jones, but having declined the invi- tation, the Rev. Robert Birch was chosen pastor, and installed on Thursday evening, March 14, 1839, father Comfort pre- siding. The sermon was preached by the late Prof. Dodd, from Ps. 97, 1; the charge to the minister and that to the people being both given by the Rev. Ravaud K. Rodgers, the Rev. James Alexander, who had been appointed to the latter duty, being suddenly taken ill. Happily Mr. Rodgers, with his accustomed forethought, had prepared himself for any emergency, so that the service suffered no interruption.
Mr. Birch was the son of an eminent physician in the city of New York, and was born in January, 1808. While an infant he was attacked by a severe inflammation of the brain, and life was despaired of, insomuch that his mother made his shroud while watching at his couch. He was only saved by a vein being opened in his head, when he was apparently near dying ; but he always suffered somewhat from the effects of this illness to the end of his days. At a very early age he lost his father, and with him his expectation of a liberal education. He was taken from school and placed in a counting-house. Becoming pious, he was received to the communion of the Cedar street church, under Dr. Romeyn, at the age of twelve. The fatherless and sprightly boy attracted the notice of Dr. John Breckinridge, and was in- duced by him to resume his studies. Having graduated at Dickinson College, he taught a classical school first at Lan- caster, and afterwards at Savannah, where he made friends of gentlemen of the first distinction. His theological studies were commenced at Andover and completed at Princeton. After his licensure, by the Presbytery of New York, he preached for a short time to a new church in a hall in Broadway, from which he was called to New Brunswick, on a salary of $1000. He was married the year following.
Mr. Birch exchanged this world for a better, Sept. 12, 1842,jin the 35th year of his age, after a severe illness of
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two months. His pastoral career was brief, but full of prom- ise. His interest in the young was evinced in the pains he took to get up a course of winter evening Lectures of a popular character. The congregation put up a handsome marble monument to his memory in the new cemetery, at an expense of $121.
In 1841 the congregation were called to mourn the de- cease of Dr. Augustus R. Taylor, a son (the oldest,) of Col. John Taylor. He was born in New Brunswick, but gradu- ated in Schenectady. His medical education was conducted under Dr. Scott in this city, where he settled. He married in 1804 Catharine, daughter of Col. John Neilson, who still survives. He was for many years a member of the Board of Trustees, and was highly respected for his good judg- ment, well-balanced mind, and medical skill. He died in 1841, at the age of 58. Resolutions of eulogy and condo- lence were passed by the N. J. Medical Society, and trans- mitted to the family. He was admitted to church-member- ship during his last illness ; but that his mind had long been sensible of the obligations of religion, may be inferred from a copy of a prayer found after his death, in his own hand- writing. The prayer was that beautiful and appropriate one drawn up by Dr. John Mason Good, for his own use before entering on his daily round of practice.
The death of Mr. Vail in the following year was a truly melancholy event, and a great loss to the church and the community at large.
David W: Vail was born near New Brunswick, Sept. 8, 1796. His progenitors, who are believed to have been Hu- guenots, migrated from Normandy to Wales, and from Wales to America. (The will of Samuel, his great great grand- father, who died in West Chester, N. Y., is dated June 19, 1733.) He came to this city in early boyhood, and was a fine example of industry, prudence and piety. His father was a member of the Society of Friends, and his mother a Baptist ; but he himself, being converted under the preach-
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ing of Mr. Huntington, united with the church under his care in the fall of 1817. He was then in the 20th year of his age, and at the same time took another important step in life by marrying the lady who now bears his name. Mr. Vail was one of the most active and useful members of the community in which he lived; and the estimation in which he was held was evidenced in his being sent to the State Legislature in 1831 and 1832, his holding the office of Re- corder for several years, and his election to the Mayoralty in 1840. The same energy which he displayed in civic affairs he brought with him into the church ; and he was made a Ruling Elder October 2, 1826, and a Trustee in 1831. For sixteen years he discharged the functions of an Elder with exemplary fidelity and zeal, and was ever ready to encour- age the heart and hold up the hands of his pastor. His decided attachment to the standards of the church, made him keen to detect, and resolute to oppose, the insidious en- trance of error; and in the trying times of The Act and Testimony Mr. Vail stood firm as a rock.
On the 16th of January, 1842, this excellent man died suddenly of an affection of the heart, in the 46th year of his age. Mr. Birch preached a sermon on the occasion, which made a deep impression, and the Trustees solicited a copy for publication, but from motives of modesty, it was not put into their hands.
March 14, 1842, a meeting of the congregation was called for electing Ruling Elders. The Session made a nomina- tion, but their right to do so was vigorously and successfully resisted. No election was had at that time in consequence. This question had in fact been settled by resolution in 1803, in favor of the right of the congregation to nominate.
The present pastor was installed on Thursday evening, May 4, 1843, with a salary of $1200, and the Parsonage. Rev. R. K. Rogers presided, Dr. Hodge preached the sermon, Dr. Janeway gave the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. Wm. Blythe gave the charge to the people. The Session
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consisted of Messrs. Samuel Baker, John Terhune, Peter Dayton and George P. Molleson, the last two of whom have since deceased. The number of communicants was 379. To this number 200 have been added since, 106 of whom were admitted on confession of their faith. Within the same period there have been 212 baptisms, of which 25 were of adults. In March, 1851, a large and powerful organ,* built by Messrs. Hall & Labagh, of New York, was placed in the front gallery, the expense of which, including the alterations made in the gallery for its reception, amounted to $1800. At the present time, (Sept. 1852,) a subscription of $1500 has been made for repairing the church and Session-house, and the introduction of gas. The contributions of the con- gregation during the last nine years and a half, as far as an account could be kept of them, have amounted to $20,000. The benevolent objects to which these contributions have been directed, have been the Bible, Tract, Sunday School, Colonization, Bethel, Humane and Dorcas Societies, Mis- sions foreign and domestic, Education of young men for the gospel ministry, aid to feeble churches, donations to colleges and seminaries, assistance to the necessitous whether of Ire- land or Madeira, and like objects. It is pleasing to observe the steady increase of the annual contributions to double and quadruple what they were nine years ago. And in the above estimate, what is given for the ordinary support of the gospel and incidental expenses of the church is not included.
The death of George P. Molleson in 1844, was a severe blow to the church. Mr. Molleson was the son of Elias Molleson, before commemorated as a descendant from one of the 24 Proprietors of East Jersey. He was born May 25, 1805. Having embraced the profession of the law, his pro- ficiency was marked. Of promising talents and popular
*Up to 1831, the singing had been conducted by a clerk or precentor, who stood under the pulpit ; but on March Ist, of that year, Mr. Burnham had per- mission from the Trustees to select a choir, and lead the music, in the front gallery.
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manners, he was chosen three times successively to the lower house of Assembly, where he took a prominent and leading part. Declining a reelection, he was appointed Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Middlesex, from which post he was promoted a year afterwards to the more important office of Attorney General for the State. During the three years in which he held this office, he acquitted himself with great credit in the midst of unusually arduous and harrassing circumstances.
It was about the year 1837 that it pleased God to touch his heart, through a severe illness that brought him to the brink of the grave. His convictions were powerful and pungent, he covered his face and was averse to conversa- tion ; and when at last he obtained peace, he exclaimed, " The word was nigh me all the while, and I knew it not !" In the church he became a decided favorite, on account of his many amiable qualities. He was chosen Superintendent of the Sabbath School, which flourished greatly under his care ; and was ordained Ruling Elder March 5, 1843. His personal popularity, his honored ancestry, his affable man- ners, and his evident sincerity gave him unbounded influ- ence, his presence was everywhere welcome, and his per- suasions were sufficient to reconcile contending parties. Thus he gave fair promise of usefulness, when his career was suddenly arrested by that mandate which none can re- sist. His disease was the same as that which carried off his father, dropsy on the chest; and as if to make the parallel complete in every point, when reminded of his father's dying words, he cordially adopted them as his own. " Were God to refer the decision to me, I would choose to refer it back again to him. For the sake of my family," said he, and his eye filled as he looked on them, " I should like to live longer, but so far as I myself am concerned, I would be content, were it God's will, to breathe my last this instant." None could appreciate such an allusion to his little family as that family themselves ; for it had always been his wont, when leaving
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home on professional journies, to commend them to God with a parting prayer, and on returning to them in safety, in like manner to express his thankfulness to Providence for his protecting care. Thus, after a short career, in which he was permitted to adorn the doctrine of Christ his Saviour, this excellent and beloved man was snatched away by a mys- terious Providence, on the 17th of May, 1844, in the 39th year of his age.
In 1851, Mr. Peter Dayton was gathered to his fathers. This event took place on the 2d of October, and in the 71st year of his age. He had been ordained to the eldership, April 8, 1838, and filled the office 13 years. The various posts of trust which he held in the church and in the com- munity in which he lived, attested the respect in which he was held. He was an Israelite without guile. Circumspect and correct in all his deportment, quiet and unassuming in his manner, the busy tongue of scandal was silent as he passed. His last hours afforded a gratifying testimony to the value and sweetness of the Gospel. He continually re- peated from memory hymns and passages of scripture; and his soul appeared to feast on honey from the rock Christ.
We have brought down the history of this church from 1726, to the present time, 1852, comprehending a period of 122 years. Although no such copious effusions of the di- vine blessing as the remarkable revival of 1837 have been since witnessed, yet the church has been steadily prosperous both in its external and internal interests. The number of communicants at present is 368. At least two marked sea- sons of refreshing have been enjoyed, one of which occur- red in 1843, when 27 persons were added to the church. Another occurred during the present year, which was a notable instance of concerted prayer drawing down a bles- sing. The circumstances are worthy to be recorded to the honor of divine grace, and the future encouragement of faith and prayer.
In December, 1851, the Session met in despondency, for
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religion was at a low ebb, and not a single addition was made to their numbers. It was agreed, as there was no other business before them, to turn the meeting into a prayer-meet- ing. Accordingly the elders prayed, and the pastor addressed a few remarks prompted by the occasion. Their attention was particularly fastened upon the fact, that all of them had children of an age to come forward, but that there was no disposition shown to do so. Before parting, they agreed to pray for each others' children, when they remembered their own at the Throne of Grace. But a few weeks had elapsed, when a manifest seriousness was observable among the young people, commencing in the families of some of the members of session. It obviously spread, until it was judged expedient to multiply religious meetings ; and they were well attended. Some forty individuals were brought under deep concern of mind, thirty of whom united with the church, mostly young persons. Out of five families connected with the members of the session, and made the subjects of special prayer, three received the blessing, six members from those three families being among the converts, and of the remain- der hopes are not yet relinquished. God still manifests himself a prayer-hearing God. For the evidence of this truth we need not go back to hoar antiquity, or dig exam- ples out of Jewish history ; our own day and our own ex- perience furnish living, incontestible, and delightful proof. Infidelity may be challenged to explain such facts as have been just narrated.
" This shall be known when we are dead, And left on long record,
That ages yet unborn may read, And trust and praise the Lord."
Thus have we brought down the history of this church from 1726 to 1852, comprehending an eventful period of 126 years. Lights and shadows are seen intermingled, but on the whole the lights predominate. Out of former strug- gles and difficulties the church has safely emerged, under
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the guidance of her heavenly Pilot. "The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad."
"Now unto Him that is able to keep us from falling, and to preserve us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy ; to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory, and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever .- Amen !"
A LIST OF THE PASTORS.
1. Gilbert Tennent,* 1726
to 1743.
2. Thomas Arthur, (?)
1746
to 1751.
3. Israel Reed,
1768 to 1786.
4. Walter Monteith,
1786 to 1794.
5. Joseph Clark, D. D.
1797
to 1813.
6. Levt. J. F. Huntington,
1815
to 1820.
7. Samuel B. How, D. D.
1821
to 1823.
8. Joseph H. Jones, D. D.
1825 to 1838.
9. Robert Birch,
1839
to 1842.
10. Robert Davidson, D. D. 1843
A LIST OF THE RULING ELDERS.
John Lyle, in office March 22, 1790, deceased.
Col. John Bayard,“ 66 66 66 Jan. 7, 1807.
Dr. Moses Scott, 66 Dec. 28, 1821.
Thos. Talmage, 66 removed 1797.
Col. John Neilson, ordained April 24, 1791, dec'd March 3, 1833. John Pool, 66 July 12, 1797, " Feb. 27, 1825.
Moses Guest, 66
66 removed 1817.
* For the engraving of Gilbert Tennent, prefixed to this Memoir, the writer gratefully aknowledges himself indebted to Dr. Cortlandt Van Rensselaer who generously made a donation of as many impressions from the plate as, might be necessary, in token of his interest in the cause of historical research.
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John A. Myer,
June 26, 1803, dec'd. 66
William Lawson,
Phineas Carman,
Samuel Holcombe, 66
John N. Simpson,
April 14, 1822,
Elias Molleson,
Oct. 28, 1825, June 6, 1831.
David W. Vail,
Oct. 2, 1826, Jan. 16, 1842.
Samuel Baker, 66
Peter Dayton,
Dr. Fred'k Richmond, "
John Terhune, 66
Hon. Geo. P. Molleson“
Josiah Ford,
Abm. S. Neilson,
William R. Janeway, "
removed 1848.
A LIST OF THE TRUSTEES.
1785 John Neilson.
John Taylor.
Moses Scott.
William Patterson,
William Ten Brooke.
John Van Emburgh.
66 John Y. Noel.
1825 Peter V. Pool.
1826 Peter Dayton.
1787 James Drake.
1788 Lewis Dunham.
Andrew Kirkpatrick.
1790 James Cole.
66 John Plum.
1791 John Bayard.
1830 Joseph C. Griggs.
1793 James Crommelin. William Letson.
1831 Littleton Kirkpatrick.
1794 Charles Smith.
1796 Moses Guest.
James Richmond.
1841 Miles C. Smith.
1799 John Meyer.
1846 Abm. Schuyler Neilson.
1802 William Lawson.
Martin A. Howell.
1803 John Baker.
1851 James Hutchings.
1807 William Applegate.
1808 Phineas Carman.
1811 Samuel Holcombe. 1813 John N. Simpson.
1814 Augustus R. Taylor. John W. Bray.
1822 Joseph W. Scott. 1824 Elias Molleson.
1786 John Pool.
1827 John Terhune. 66 Arthur B. Sullivan. 1828 John Acken. 1829 Fitz R. Smith. « Frederick Richmond.
David W. Vail. 1833 James Neilson.
1835 John W. Stout.
Peter V. Miller.
Dec. 30, 1810, 66
Dec. 17, 1838.
66 living. April 8, 1838, dec'd Oct. 2, 1851. 66 May 19, 1849. March 5, 1843, living.
dec'd May 17, 1849. Nov. 16, 1845, living.
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THE TABLETS.
Over the right hand door is a marble Tablet bearing the following inscription :
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EDIFICE IN NEW BRUNSWICK WAS ERECTED ON BURNET STREET, A. D. MDCCXXVII, AND DESTROYED BY THE PUBLIC ENEMY
DURING THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.
THE SECOND EDIFICE WAS ERECTED NEAR THIS SITE A. D. MDCCLXXXV, AND TAKEN DOWN BY ORDER OF THE CONGREGATION A. D. MDCCCXXXV.
Over the left hand entrance is a marble Tablet inscribed as follows :
THE
CORNER STONE OF THIS
CHURCH
WAS LAID MAY 18TH, A. D. MDCCCXXXV.
AND THE HOUSE DEDICATED TO THE WORSHIP OF
ALMIGHTY GOD
DECEMBER 15TH, A. D. MDCCCXXXVI.
ECKMAN NDERY INC.
FEB 97
d -To-Pleas® N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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