USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Annals of Morris County > Part 22
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In another very interesting letter Mr. Kan- ouse writes still further concerning this region as it was sixty and seventy years ago. "Bev- erwiek or Beverhant, a French Gentleman, fled from Guadeloup when his king iell. He located a little cast of Pareippany church, and . was one of the consistory of the Old Boonton Reformed Dutch Church. Ou a time when they were destitute of a Domine one offered hunself. Beverwick was absent but the other members of the consistory engaged him. When the brethren informed bin what they had done in his absence, the following colloquy took place.
Beverwiek. What credentials of his regular mdnetion into the ministry chid the Domine show you ?
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Elders. None.
B. With what body is he connected !
Elders. We do not know.
B. What paper did he offer to show that he was in good standing ?
Elders. None at all.
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B. How do we know he is a Domine at all ? Elders. Hi can de pvaka -He can preach.
B. Ha, de Tufle can oke de pvaka !- Ha, the Devi' can also preach 1
This was a poser. and pretty nigh truc as my father thought concerning this imp.
" Well now we have rambled over this an- cieut field as far back as I dare venture, when witches and hobgoblins held their paw-waws in the old Indian burying ground just as you go down to the Beaver Brook, on the East side, as you approach Dixon's dwelling in Rock- away Valley. And when the witches burnt down old Charlottenburg*, I heard a lady say they metamorphosel her aunt into a horse, and after riding ber to a place of rendevons, tied her to a tree where she witnessed the bon - fire and their devil dancel Will-v- the-Wisp was a spook often seen by the timid ones along Rockaway River from the Owikill up to Dover and farther too. My early schoolmates and myself had many a frightful race past the graves of old Yommer and Pero, two Africans who knew all the arts of fitichism. Elf shoot - ing was often witnessed, for instance a cow shot through from side to side with a ball of hair without wounding the skin! These things paved the way for the Morristown Ghost !"
This graphic description is sustained by many authorities. Dr. Stearns speaking of the great revival which began in Newark in 1784, the vear Mr. Baldwin was installed pas- tor of this church, uses the following language : " It was at a time of great religious declension everywhere, and especially in this congrega- tion. Dancing, frohcking, and all sorts of worldly amusements absorbed the thoughts of the young, even in the most respectable and religious families ; and among the lower class, vice and dissipation, the bitter dregs of the long demoralizing war, which had just ended, prevailed to a frightful extent."-(First Church p. 241.)
*It is a popular tradition that the Chartot- tenburg iron works were burnt, but a leiter from Robert Ershine who in 1773 became the maurger of the London Company's establish- nient, shows that the building was tired but the tire was put ont. The supposed incendiary was arrested and put in jan. Erskine further intimates that John Jacob Faesch-a man whom he bated heartily-had justigated the man to attempt the destruction of an cstab- fsbment wluch was a rival to his own furnace at Mt. Hope. There is nothing in Mr. F.'s character so far as I have discovered to war- rant the harsh charge.
From many aged people who were living twelve years ago, and from other sources I have heard very similar descriptions of this re- gion. Throughout this region even in com- munities favored with churches, religion was in a low condition, and irreligion was active and predominant. The Age of Reason was popular among large and influential classes, and a combination of bad influences bore down pow- erlully against christianity as a practical and authentic scheme of religion. The large ro- gion whence this congregation was then gath- ered, reaching over Powerville, Rockaway Valley, Deuville, Dover, Mount Pleasant, Franklin, Ninkie, Shaungum, and the moun- tain region north and west of this place was no exception to the rule. Were the names of those men given who in this county gave tone and respectability to the infidel doctrines of Pame and the French Encyclopedists, they would excite astonishment. Mr. Kinouse as- serts of his own knowledge that what the late Israel Crane once related to him, is true to some extent of Morris County, " Mr. Israel Crane of Bloomfield related to me more than thirty years since that he was extensively ac- quainted with gentlemen who had imbibed French infidelity, residing in Newark, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Albany, New Haven, Boston, and many other places, who were combined to overthrow the christian re- ligiop, and instal in its place the corrupt and debasing philosophy that brought on the Rev- olution in France. In an unblushing manner they affirmed that the altar and the throne must share the same fate-that the tolerant measures secured to the clergy among us was impolitic and ought to be reversed, and that such an ambitious class of men ought to be suppressed. These were the Hamans of that day. And he-Crane -- had seen the effects of their efforts and he had also seen their eud. He believed that a large proportion of these deluded persons bad gone down to an untimely grave-many of them self-murdered- and such of them as survived had suuk down from afflu- ence and respectability to a state of depen- dence and .lisgrace." To these sad reminis- ceuces Mr. Kanouse adds, "full weli I remem- ber the hisses of the viper that sprang from these dens of iniquity formed in Morris, Essex, Sussex and Orange counties. And were it proper to give names and narratives of pri- vate individuals, a long and black catalogue could be recorded that would make the cars of the living tingle."-(Rev. P. Kanouse's MS. Discourse before Presbytery," pp. 9.11.)
From these descriptions you will receive a distinct impression of the moral condition of this region when our second pastor was in- stalled in 1784. This church was composed of
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only a few members, the congregation on the Sabbath was generally small, there were pow- erful influences in the region tending to skep- ticism, and to general laxity in morals and manners. Until that very year there had never been a sebool in this region and even that bad only thirteen patrons aud twenty-eight schol- ars .* The rich were embarrassed and the poor were distressed. At such a time the Rev. David Baldwin came to this place.
I have already stated my reasons for believ- ing that he was installed by a Congregational body of ministers known as " the Associated Presbytery ot Morris County." At that time probably the church was included in the roll of that body and remained so until Mr. Carl be- came its pastor. This " Morris County Pres- bytery," as it was called, was Congregational in everything but its name, and originated with the able pastor of the Hanover Church, the Rev. Jacob Green. He was a member of the Presbytery of New York which then in. cluded the territory now covered by the Pres- brteries of Newark, Elizabeth, Passaic and Rockaway. Three members of the same body acted with him, the Rev. Ebenezer Bradford. Mr. Green's son-in-law and pastor at Sonth Hanover, as Madison was then called, the Rev Joseph Grover, the worthy pastor at Parsip- pany, and the Rev. Anzi Lewis ot Florida, Orange Conotv, New York. To discuss the canses or even slate them here, would be irrel- evant to my purpose, but I may say that the correspondence which took place between these ministers and the Presbytery they were leaving, is on either part a model of christian, courteons, fraternal discussion of difference s, and separation. This was the ecclesiastical body with which this church was connected during Mr. Baldwin's pastorate. The records of that Presbytery I have never seen, and do pot know that they are in existence, so that my statements of datos is necessarily generat. In 1787 this Presbytery obtained a charter lor an educational society, under the title of "the Trustees of the Society of Morris County insti-
*The first school langht in Rockaway wis as Mit. Ennice Pierson told me by George Harris in a room near the old Grist Mill. Ho after- ward tanght in the lirst school house built in Rockaway und which stood just below where the steel fornace road enters the Glen road. It was ou the Inlt near the house for a long time occupied by William Gratin, Ladd a copy of Harris' mamfest of the Erst school as show- ing who attended it and who were able to pat- ron ze it. It was in a beautiful style of hand- writing, Harris is said to be very ervet in the schoor and once to have been rongbly handled by some of the boys from the families of Stephen Jackson and Bernard South. The second teacher in that first school house was George stickle, the father of Hubbar l S. Stickle.
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tuted for the promotion of learning and relig- ion." Among its trustees were the Rev. David Bal:]win aud William Ross of Rockaway. I may add that when in 1790 Mr. Green. the fo ander of this Morris County Presbytery died, it began to languish and the very next year his successor was installed by the Presbytery of New York. In 1793 our church returned from its short wanderings to the old paths and rejoined the Presbytery of New York. - (MS. His. Morris Co. Pres., by Rev. Dr. N. S. Perine, Hanover Church Records, and First Session Book of Rockaway. )
We are now prepared to gather up such de- tails of the Baldwin ministry, and facts con- nected with it as we may find in the Parish records and other places. The sum to be paid him annually was eighty pounds to be "raised by way of rate and subscription as formerly ." a parsonage and fire wood at the door. The latter was done in a way which was much reck- oned on by the people. It was in the time of good sledding that the chopper and teamster gathered to cut and load in ono dav, the min- ister's wood. Some liberal man usually offered the use of his woods for that day, and merrily did the axes of the woodmen ring in the frozen trees, merrily did nimble footed teams flv over the road, and merrily did langh and good cheer answer to laugh and good cheer, for both in woods and at the minister's honse was the bot- tle of pure appie whiskey, not thon as now taken behind the door but in open day. It made them cheery, and witty, and foolish, and generous, and sometimes drunk. Aside from this hospitable provision of whiskey, the min- ister's wife had the famous pot-pie to prepare, without which in those days the wood froiio would have been incomplete. And so many would turn out and so would they work that by night fall there would be in the parsonage yard almost fabulous amonuts of wood sulli- cient to keep those almost fabalons oll fire places supplied a voar, and after supper the men went home happy, perhaps in some cases too happy.
That the pecuniary expenses were not very promptly met may be inferred from the bis- tory of the parsonage well. First it was voted that we will dig a well on the parsonage, and second it was " voted that we will dig a well on the Parsonage and that David Broadwell and Stephen Jackson git the samo done and bring the account into The parish who shall pay the same." A yeni after this it was " voted that we Rais the sum of fifteen pounds by way of subscription to be paid to Mr. Baldwin to dig a well on the Parsopago." How the well was dug does not appear.
From various entries in the records it is evident the parish had no surplus of' mcans,
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ANNALS OF MORRIS COUNTY.
and that in spite of their Rate lists, subscrip. tions, assessors and collectors they were con- stantly in arrears. Still their hearts were right for "a! a Parish meeting held this 29 day of December, 1785, being legally called," it was " voted that we find Mr. Baldwin in five tons of Good hay yearly until otherwise or- dered " At the same time it was " voted that this parish meating thinks it is necessary for the owners of the pewes to Give them up to the parish and that thay be sold to pay the minister." Also, "voted that Job Allen pay David Beaman for sweaping the meating house out of his Rait into Mr. Baldwing the sum of four pounds nine shillings and two pence."
We now reach an important point, and as the eager traveller traces some river step by step until be reaches its source, rejoicing to look upon the very fountein wheuce issues the lit- tle brook which as it flows on swelled into a river, so we feel in looking upon the fountain head of a stream which has barely ceased to flow as the years have passed away. The rec- ord of April 28th, 1786, will explsin itself. " Voted that Benjamin Jackson, Franse McCar- thy and Jacob Lyon be appointed Quoristers that they sing the latter part of the day with- out Reading the Psalm line by line and David Beaman to sing the fore part of the day unless otherwise agreed on by Mr. Beaman and the other Quoristers : that they sing any tuues that is anng in the neighboring churches as they shall judge proper ; that the persons who chose to sing bave the Liberty to set as con- venieut as Possible in seats near the Centre of the Meting hous ; that their be two Dozen of Psalm books purchased as soon as conveniant and that they be Left in the meting house for the use of those persons that Dewire to make use of them ; that contrabnsions be set on foot to Rais the money to pay for said Books ; and that if any persons have any objections to any of the above Propositions they are Desired to mako the same known to the Rev. Mr. Baldwin and if not satisfied to be altered so as to have as Little Prejudice or uneasiness as possible." (Copied Records 118.)
These characteristic minutes imply that " the young folks," and possibly some of the old ones also, were louging for a change in the musical department. For twenty-six years bad Deacon Beaman set the tunes and for as long a time had either Deacon Lum or Deacon Huntington or Deacon Allerton or somebody else read the psalms one line at a time. What the tunes were we are not told, but tradition assures us that the singing was susceptible of improvement. Benjamin Jackson aud bis sympath izers thought they could improve it, and lo, a vote of the parish, not to oust Deacou Bemsn, but to give Benjamin Jackson, Francis
McCarthy and Jacob Lyon liberty to sign the tune without reading the lines at the after- noon service. It was a triumph of the young folks, and Deacon Beman and some other good people thought a triumph of the wicked. How ungrateful in the parish even to dream that any better singing was possible than they had without expeuse for many yearsl And then what a dangerous conformity to the world it was to yield a time honored custom of having the clerk read the psalm line by line and the chorister to set the tune a sacrifice to the mod- ern folly of a choir setting as "convaniant Possible in seats bear the centre of the met- ing honse!" and the modern wickedness of singing without reading the line. I have no difficulty imagining the feeling of the good man as he heard "those wicked quoristers" for the first time singing their new fangled tunes without the Godly seasoning of reading the lines ! Deacon Beman and his friends were grieved but they had too much piety to leave the church " shaking the dust off their feet 1" From the time of the vote just record- ed to April 230, 1789, three years, there is not a line to indicate how the change in singing was regarded, but on that day it was " voted to have the Psalm read Line by Line or by Two Lines in our singing in the futer except on Particular occasions," (Copied Records 127) which seems to indicate that in this musical wrestling match Deacon Beman has turned his antagonist and was triumphant. If so, the triumph was short for his younger and tougher opponents soon stirred up the matter so thor- oughiy that William Ross, a warm sympathizer with Beman felt constrained to resign his office as elder, and more significant still Deacon Be- min himself not only resigned his office as an elder but also as "chorister to set the Psalms." The very cool manner of the parish under the circumstances is seen in the following record, " The Parish excepts of Mr. Beman's Resigna- tion and Returns him their thanks for his past services as an elder of the church and choris- ter for the Parish."-(Copied Records 127, 128.) But the end was not yet, for on the 14th of July following "Mr. Benjamin Jackson haveing served this parish as a cuivrister to met the Psalmn for some time past Desires to Revigo his office as chorister. The Parish excepts of his Resignation and thanks him for his pust ser- VICes as a chorister."* And so the church had
*Benjamin Jackson was the son ot Joseph and brottier of "Stephen Jackson." He lived where his father had, directly below Witham Estile's, that is east of it. Ho was born March 5th, 1752, removed to Knox County. Ohio, and died an Belleville in that county June 6th, 1812, aged 93. He left numerous and highly respect- aule desceudan siu that region. His son Ben- jamin was a leading man in that region and frequently honored with places of trust by his fellow citizens who highly appreciated him.
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no chorister, a situation often realized since that day. Now see the wisdom of our ancestors in such an emergency. " Whareas the Parish is Destitute of a chorister to set the Psalm and but 10 members Present at this meting they think it not proper to appout a standing Chor- ester at this time; but that Mr. Baidw:u, Josiah Hurd, Benj. Beach and Jos. Alleu con- fer togeatber and Desire some Persons to set the psalm from Time to Time Temporary un- till the Parish shall think fit to appoint some other mode conserwing singing." Except two very slight hints the records say nothing for- ther concerning this musical war during Mr. Baldvin's ministry. On the 29th of Sept., 1791, the Records state, "Whereas Mr. Beman presented A Naritive to be Read, voted that it shall be Read," a paper which I would rather see than any President's Message and on the 20th of October following we have this record : "after Sundry Altrications with bard words the Parish meeting Broak up in Confusion." (Copied Records, 132.) In a word the congre- gregation was divided into two parties and very unhappy differences had grown out of that part of public worship which draws its chief charm from harmony of voices and har- mony of hearts. As I have traced these facts I have compared them with more modern oc- currences, and have exclaimed, " is there any- thing whereof it may be said, "See, this is new ? it hath been already of old time which was be- fere us." ( Eccles. 1, 10.)
Let us now retrace our steps to gather up other facts of interest in this history. In 1786 we find the first trace of renting the pews and slips. The first movement was an expression of opinion that those who owned pews should give them to the parish to be " sold to pay the minister," and in May, 1786. it was voted that Mr. Baldwin's salary of eighty pounds " shall be raised by a Rate affixed on the several seats and Pews that those persons that choose the seats so rated shall have them, and if two or more persons choose the same seat or Pew that person who will bid a larger sum than any other shall have it." Another minute shows the condition of the church building. " Voted to Lay the gallery flowers, make stirs and rome seats in the galleryes."-(Copied Records, 120, 121 ) This entry implies that the congregation was increasing in numbers, or they would not have made an effort get more ro m. However, the thing was not done, and for several years afterwards the Meeting House stood very nearly as it was at first, a comtortless shell, a sanctuary where the swal- lows made their nests in the Summer, and a colder place in Winter than decent people far- nished to their horses.
In 1787 the records show that Mr. Baldwin
had purchased a farm of his own, and that he made several propositions to the parish, all of which renund us of the words,
" 'Tis but a poor relier we gain,
To change the place but keep the pain."
The pain in this case consisted mainly in this, Mr. Baldwin's salary at best was insufficient. To relieve himself he bought a farm and asked the congregation to give him one hundred pounds " to assist me in purchasing a small settlement where I may be better accommo- dated for the support of myself and family." As an offset Mr. Baldwin offers to relin- quish twenty ponnds a year of his salary, re- taining bis claim on the parsonage and the annual wood frolic, "myself continu- ing in the ministry with this Parish until Death, Sickness, or the choice of the Society or some other Providence prevent me." The parish acceded to this proposal and subscribed £106, 6s, 6d, of which about £91 were paid to Mr. Baldwin .- (Copied Records, p. 172.)
At this meeting on the 20th of February, 1787, it was " voted that we would encorporate this Parish agreeable to an act of Assembly passed March 16th, 1786," and on the 6th of March, 1787, the incorporation of the parish was completed under the name of " the First Presbyterian Congregation at Rockaway in the County of Morris." William Winds, Stephen Jackson, Abraham Kitchetl, Benjamin Braco, Job Allen, David Beaman and David Baker were elecled trustees .- (Copied Records, 14 and 123.)
In Jny, 1788, the parish not merely voted to ront the pews in order to raise the salary but to " give notice that any Person who wants to také Seats do apply to Mr. Baldwin for the same. He was furnished with a list of the seats and pews already sold and the prices as- sessed on all. There wero according to this schedule twelve pews, eight of which were sold to Bernard Smith, William Winds, John O'Hara, Silas Hatheway, Stephen Jackson, David Beman, Sam'l Moore, Jr., and Job Allen at prices ranging from three pounds to four pound five shillings. There were 32 seats or stips of which 17 were sold at prices ranging from twelve shillings to one ponnd five shit - lings. The buyers named on the schedule iu their order are David Broadwell, John Cory, Benjamin Jackson Thomas Orsborn, Fraucis MeCarty, Eliakim Arderson, David Hard, Da- vid Garrigus, Jacob Kent, Joshua Moore, Moses Lampson, Jobn Herriman, Abraham Lyon, Moses Lampson, Frances Moore, Samuel Mer- rit. Joseph Casterfine.
Either Mr. Baldwin was a sharp collector or the people were Lo oming unnsnally prompt, for in April a committee appointed to settle with Mr. Baldwin reported that they "find
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due Mr. Baldwin from the parish the sum of three pounds sixteen shithings which will be Dne the first of June next."
the Time to Read the Psalm when sung and one of them to read it or apply to some other to Read it for them." (Copied Records 134, 135.)
It is a matter of interest to mark the fact that in 1789, five years after Mr. Baldwin's Thus we reach the end of our second pastor's ministry. There was one man, Abraham Kitchel, who considered Mr. Baldwin as abused by the congregation, and further that the good man's dismissal was brought about by influences outside the church. A letter from Mr. Kitchel to the parish meeting, dated " White Meadow 18 of June, 1792," is copied into ourrecords. He resigns uis office of trus- tee, and then writes, " With regard to giving a call to Mr. Cari I can see no impropriety in the parrish excluding the church, and as a member of the parrish I shall not object, but as a member of the church I shall, for I don't know what right the parrish has to appoint a wimster or president over the church. Nor can I think it right for any of the members of this church to be aiding or assisting in caliing and settling one till Mr. Baldwin is settled with and Legally Dismissed, and for my part shall object Nothing till the church seitles with and Does Justice to Mr. Baldwin." (Copied Records, 15.) settlement, William Ross and David Bemau are both called Elders of the church, showing clearly that up to this time the church was in reality Presbyterian, although in connection with a congregational body. As I am not able to find the names of Deacons Lum, Hunting- ton and Allerton on our records during Mr. Baldwin's pastorate, I infer that they were either dead or had removed from the parish. In the records of this year occurs a single sentence which indicates that the people were not unwilling to part with their minister. " Voted that it is the consent of the members present at this meeting that Mr. Baldwin go to Preach a Tower amongst vacaut congrega- tions as Perposed by Presbitery," (Copied Records, 125-129.) In the record of September 29th, 1791, we find the parish " setting on foot an obligation to pay our equal dividend accord- ing to our rateable estate for the support of a Prisbeterian Minister of the Gospel that shall or may be called hereafter by the majority of our society to settle in this place." On the January 7th, 1806, thirteen years after Mr. Baldwin's ministry was closed, we have a record that it was "voted to allow James Kirchel for the last two dollars which he has collected on old subscription and paid to the Bev. Mr. David Baldwin." 4th ol January, 1792, "a proposition of Mr. Baldwin Being presented to the Parish and Read Imparting his willingness to be Dismissed or to continue to Preach for us as the Parish should think proper ;" therefore it was voted " to pay Mr. Baldwin the full of his sallery and And I may add that Mr. Hubbard S. Stickle told me that Mr. Baldwin spent one Sabbath at Rockaway, and that he seemed very poor. As yet I learn no more of him. all arrearages up to the first of June next at which time the Parish consider Mr. Baldwin under no further obligation to this Parish nor the Parish to Mr. Baldwin." The liberty was The spirit of Mr. Baldwin as shown in a let- ter irom him to the Parish meeting January 4th, 1792, at the very time the subject of his dismissal was up, is altogether to his credit. As characteristic of the man and furnisbing a picture of the state of things at the close of his ministry. I will quote the whole letter : also claimed if it were necessary even before . the 1st of June " to call and settle any other minister to preach with in the above mentioned time by giving Mr. Baldwin Timely notice thereof, but still to pay Mr. Baldwin up his sallery as first rated." (Copied Records, 133.) On the 14th of May a committee reported the " TO THE CHURCH AND PARISH AT ROCKAWAY : parish as owing " Mr. Baldwin by reasoning BRETHREN :- I have been with you these seven years past in which time I have expe- rienced many very singular favors Irom indi- viduals of your fraternity, which have very sensably obliged me. But there has been an unhappy disunion which has caused me much grief and concern for your welfare and the prosperity of religion. I had it in my mind to have asked a dismission from preaching with you last parish meeting. But taking into con- sideration the state, both of the church and society, could not think it my duty to leave the society in so scattered and broken a situ- ation. Concluded to try everything posable to remove these obstacles out of the way, which his sallery up to the 1st of June next the sum of £99, 188, 0, and that this parish now consider themselves at full Liberty to Treate and ag rea with any minister to preach for them which they may Think Bost, thirty-four for it and one contra." At the same meeting it was also voted to " apply to Mr. John Carl for to sup. ply us as a candidate, 35 for it 1 contra." The committee to wait on Mr. Carl consisted of Moses Tnttle, David Beman, William Ross, Stephen Jackson. The same meeting further voted that " Benj. Jackson, Rosel Davis and Dan Hurd be the Coristers to set the psalm for this parish, and that untill further orders the Choresters act Descretional what part of under the guidance of the good Providence of
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