USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Annals of Morris County > Part 26
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Among the greatest awakening in the church were those of 1808, 1818, and 1832,* but from
*Mr. King in his fortieth anniversary sermon says of the revival of 1832 that "during the summer of 1831 a number of persons had ob tained peace in believing. But carly in the fall sickness prevailed in the congregation to such an extent that the meetings could not geberalty be attended. For a time your pastor was confined to his sick chamber and it seemed as il there would be no more inquirers. At the tine, however, when we seemed in the greatest need the steps of a young liceutate were di- rected toward us. Mr. Hatfield, who is still held in gratefut remembrance, spent three months with us, laboring with great zeal and unwearried perseverance. As soon as his labors commenced and the sickness had so abated that the people could go to hear the word preached, it was evident that the Spirit of God was with us. Nor did it depart on his de. paiture. No revival since 1818 was so general or continued so long. During this revival, which continued for more than a year, 143 persons were received to the communion of the church."
the Rev. Edwin F. Hatfield, D.D., who is referred to in the above quotation was graduated at Middlebury College, 1829, was settled at St. Louis for a time, succeeded Dr. Elisha W. Baldwin in the Seventh church of General Assembly.
1807 to 1862 there was not a year when some were not added to the church, and there were several years in which many were added, al- though the work was not so extensive as in the years just nam d.
Of the original elders when Mr. King came to this place John Clark. William Ross, David Peer (Mr. Peer died in April, 1824,) and David Garrigus were living. Mr. Ross had received his Jetter of dismission some years before. He died in 1807, just as the signs of a revival showed themselves under Mr. King's preach- ing. It is said that he showed pain in recalling what Mr. Grover had said about those who had engaged in the singing difficulties, as if that prediction were to be fulfilled in his own speedv death. He was a good and public spirited man and his great-grandson, the Rev. Samnol P. Halsey was the sixth paster of the church.
Of Deacon Clark I have already spoken. He was a remarkable man and died in 1824.
Of David Peer, David Garrigus and some other members of the session I have not the means of speaking much. Jolin Garrigos, Sr., was elected in 1809, and his son in 1824, and both faithfully served the church for many years. Of Peter Kauouse elected in 1809, aud serving until 1818, I have already spoken, as alse of the brothers, Joseph and William Jack- son. David Peer lived in Rockaway Valley, Benjamin Lampson, Samuel Hicks, and Josiah Hurd near Dover. Thomas Conger and Silas Hamilton were devout men and ellers.
Of those who were living in 1847, I may men- tion Henry Beach, a most beautiful and noble christian man, whose memory is still cherished in the church, and John Mott who was elected to the eldership at the same time. The latter was a carpenter, a native of Long Island, who came to Rockaway when he was a hoy to learn his trade. His conversion was striking and thorough in 1818. At once he devoted himself to christian work in every way within his reach. He studied the Enghsh scriptures with the utmost zest and committed to memory large portions, which he was wont to repeat to his Bible classes, and in the weekly prayer meeting. He was possessed of a rare elo- quence, and both in prayer and public address ttrs gift was conspicuous. Very timid by na-
New York, thence was transferred to the North church in the samo city. Since leaving that church he has been actively connected with the Umon Theological Seminary. For many years he was stated clerk of the General As- sembly (U. S.), and at the union of the two churches he was elceted stated clerk of the General Assembly again. He was honored with the doctorate by Marriotta College in 1850. Ilis name is favorably and widely known throughout the church as a successful preacher and with no superior as a stated clerk of the
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ture he was by the strength of his convictions as bold as a lion when the cause of truth re- quired it. For his work in teaching the young out of the scriptures, superintending the sab- bath school, ruling well in the church, and his part in every good work he will be long re- membered. Elected an elder in 1832 he filled the office with great acceptance more than thirty years. He died 1866.
Capt. George Rowland was one of the more recent elders. a man of a sweet christian spirit who having served the Master in his day and generation with great fidelity past to his rest greatly regretted. He died June 16ch, 1854.
Col. Samuel S. Beach was a remarkable man and for many years a member of the session. He became a member of the church in 1818. He and his brother Chmion divided the farm of their father who has been named in these pages. They were both of them excellent men in their enterprise, integrity, public spirit and worth in both public and private. Both were devoted friends of the church and aided to carry its burdens. They passed away leav- ing "a good name which is better than great riches." Chilcon died in September, 1842, and Samuel S. Jan. 19th, 1859.
I will mention but one more elder, Samuel Beach Halsey. He was born in Dutchess conuty, New York, in 1796, graduated at Union College, 1815, admitted to the bar 1818, was twice a member of the lower house of the New York Legislature, practised his profession in New York State until 1834 when he moved to Rock- away, and whilst his opinions on questions of law were eagerly sought his main business was the manufacture of iron. He was elected twice to the lower house of N. J. Legislature. In March, 1836, after a season of distressing conviction he became a christian and was received into the church. In September, 1841, he was elected to the eldership, an office which he filled with distinguished fidelity until his death on the 15th of September, 1871. This is a bare outime of his life. The details of that life could not be supplied by this pen without ex- citing the suspicion of an undue partiality in him who holds it. His mind was one of rare power. It scrutinized cach element that passed before it as if analyzing a mathemat- ical proposition, and where his judgment was rendered on the facts before him it needed rarely to be reversed. His mind was of a ju- chcial cast, and held the scales with an even hand. Endowed with a wonderful affluence of the choicest words with which to convey his thoughts, and full of the richest thought on every subject he had examined, he was a de- lightful companiou, and the more so because of the humor and wit which constantly lighted up his speech and added delight to his com-
panionship. And yet with all these rare gifts he was unable to conquer his aversion to ad- dress people in public assembly, whether at the bar, the political gathering, or in the church. His feeling was such that ho aban- doned the bar for which he had sneh eminent fitness rather than be compelled to practice at the sacrifee of his feeling in this respect.
His moral perceptions were very acute and he seemed to detect by instinct the presence of evil and no inducement could lead .him to do an act which his conscience pronounced wrong. Not making a display of his feelings nor the reasons of his acts he was sometimes censured by those who did not comprehend him, but his fidelity to principle was a chief virtue. Between him and his pastor Mr. King, there existed a beautiful friendship that was only terminated by death. The rare and sa- gacions pastor appreciated the great gifts of his elder and his "spiritual son" and he in turn rated his pastor as a man of the purest worth, of a wisdom "that never spoke a foolish thing," and a faithfulness in his calling that marked him an extraordinary man. Among the remarkable men who had been in that ses- sion in some respects Judge Halsev had no peer.
Of the physicians who practiced in this par- ish several are recalled. Dr. John Darbe, of Parsippany, and Dr. John Darey, of Hanover, were often called and were held in great favor. Among these actually resident here I now re- call the names of four. The first was Dr. Mat- thew Hunting who removed here about the time Mr. Baldwin left, and who purchased Mr. Baldwin's farm near Savage Corner, on the way to Denville. The honse was uear the great willow tree that stood by the road side. Dr. Hunting died June 4th, 1810.
Dr. Ebenczer H. Pierson came here from Morristown and bought the parsonage built at Franklin for Mr. Carle. Dr. P. made this pur- chase in 1795, and resided here several years. The old people described him as a large man and very extensively employed throughout the region. It is said that he was involved in the failuare of Canfield & Losey at Dover, and removed to Morristown where he continued his practice.
Dr. Ira Crittenden was a native of Lennox, Mass., and came to this region in 1811. In 1812 he married Harriet daughter of Stephen Jacksou, a most attractive and estimable lady. He taught school for a year at Denville and Burdtown. He studied medicine with Dr. Eberezer H. Pierson, of Morristown, the phy- sician who purchased and occupied the par- sonage at Franklin. Dr. Crittenden soon made a great reputation by bis devotion to his pro- fession and his success in its practice. He was
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fond of books and was at great pains to keep himself fully up to his profession, and at the same time he was a determined but cautious experimenter in search of light not found in the books. He was a delightful companion, and if he had any fault it showed itself in his lingering at places where he found congenial companions with whom to discuss questions pertaining to literature, polities, medicine or religion. He became a member of this church in 1818 with his wife, and both retained their connection until their death, atthough for sev- eral years they attended the church in Dover. Some years before his death Dr. Crittenden Lad a stroke of paralysis, and died December 6th, 1848, aged 65 years. Mr. King preached his funeral sermon from the words " Mark the perfect man and behold the upright ; for the end of that man is peace." (Psalm 37:37.) Mrs. Crittenden survived him several years. He lett several children, and two ot his sons William H. and Thomas followed him in his profession. Dr. Wm. H. Crittenden died Jan- uary 26th, 1864 aged 49.
Dr. John Darbe Jackson was the youngest Son of Stephen and was born in 1794 .. He died November 17th, 1859, aged sixty-five years. He had practised medicine in Rock- away forty-four years, and was greatly esteemed in the community for his carefulness and attention to his patients. His practice ex- tended lar in every direction and he was most assiduous in his labors. He was noted for the gentleness of his manners in the sick room, and his presence for that reason as also for his skill was welcomed by the siek. He never made a profession of faith in Christ publicly by uniting with the church. For some years he had been skeptical as to the divine claims of the christian religion, but as he reached a point in life whence he must of uccessity anticipate the approach of death he gave his mind to the serious examination of the claims of religion, and in the end not merely ad- mitted its authority but yielded himself to it. Had he lived he would undoubtedly have joined himself with some church. He died suddenly. He was married to Miss Agnes Doughty who still survives hum. He left sev- eral children, one of whom, Dr. John W. Jackson, first shared and then succeeded to his father's practice.
Among the leading mon of Mr. King's period not yet mentioned were Charles Hoff, the son- in-law of Moses Tuttle, first manager at Hiber- nia, and then in business at Mt Pleasant, and who died July 17th, 1811, Mr. Stotesbury who managed at Hibernia, and was the father-in. law of Gov. Philemon Dickerson, Col. John H. Glover, of Denville, and Thomas B. Segur, of Dover. Col. Glover formed a somewhat
romantic marriage with a young lady in New York, whose wealth was in her unblemished name and great personal attractions. After his marriage he placed his wife at school where she might have the advantages of edn cation, and be meanwhile purchased several hundred acres at Denville and built what has been known as the Glover House and resided there several years. There his children-de- scribed as elegant people-were born aud there he died September 20t1 , 1832. He was a native of South Carolina where he had large posses- sior.s. After his death his widow and children removed to South Carolina. Col. Glover is remembered for the only censurable act of his nfe in New Jersey, the whipping of Mr. Jacob Mann, the editor of "The Palladium of Lib- erty," for some offensive article in its columns. Col. Glover was a liberal supporter of the church, holding a pew in the north-east cor- ner of the old church, and in many ways show- ing great esteem for Mr. King, who officiated at his funeral.
Of Mr. Thomas B. Segur a few words may be said for the sake of himself as no ordinary man, and also foi his relations to the community, both as a bank officer and a temperance reformer. He was sent by Auson G. Phelps, of New York, to Dover to manage the Union Bank as its Cashier. Of this part of his hfe I need not speak at any length, although -his career in the bank was full of stirring inci- dents. No man ever guarded a trust with more untiring fidelity than he did his. Nor was it an easy task for a stranger to select from the multitudes who appeared at his coun- ter the men whom he might trust, nor for a man of his decided convictions in all moral questions to lay them aside so far as to de ter- mine as a bank offleer his duty in certain cases rather than as oue who abhored atl intoxieat- ing liquors aud all who dealt in them. And yet when one of them veutured to taunt him as ho discounted his paper he said to him sternly, "I do this act uot because you deal in whiskey, but because as a business man you are sound l" Several times wild and false stories were started to the injury of the bank cansing several "runs" to be made on it, and twice at least New York brokers sought to break it down by the presentation of such an amount of the Union bank notes as they sup- posed to be beyond its power to meet. In one case Cot. Scott, the President, nearly fainted, but Mr. Sogar met and vanquished the diffi - eulty with the utmost coolness. His ability and fidelity in that trust are well shown in the splendid assets of the bauh when it was closed and its means put in other forms,
Both in Dover and the state at large Mr. Segur was recognized as a most thorough
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temperance reformer. He came from Central New York, and was converted in the great re- vival which swept over that region fifty years ago. He had so it was said been a great per- sonal sufferer from the intemperance of those closely allied to him, and for this reason, as well as from both the hatred of so hateful a thing as drunkenness and its causes, and also from his sharp religious convictions, he never abated his efforts to arrest the evil. His vaults were no faller of money than his shelves of temper- ance literature. Speaking of all that pertained to his business with the greatest care and zeal, be readily went from that to a theme that was nearer his heart than money, the rescue of the community from rum. To many he seemed an extremist but if he did not, others have lived to see some of his most violent opponents adopt his views. At one time some angry men with cannon sought to break up a meeting he had appointed. He was threatened with the withdrawment of business from the bank, and in various ways his enemies sought to force him to be still on this subject. But he was as immoveable as a rock. At times so violent in his feelings and expressions as to seem rnde, he was in truth a gentle and loving man, who would sometimes give way to tears like a child when some object of suffering presented itself, or some of the more delicate themes of religion were discussed. He lived a very ear- nest life and when at last he yielded to disease his highest eulogy was that he had plead the cause of the drunkard and had been a devoted friend of Him who had said " Woe unto them by whom the offense cometh !" After a long and painful illness he died October 9th, 1854.
To show the longevity of people in this re- gion it may be stated that trom 1847 to 1862 out of 383 persons whose funerals were at. tended within the field once solely ocenp ed by this church, 35 were between 60 and 70 years, 35 between 70 and 80, 19 between 80 and 90, 10 between 90 and 94 and one said to have been 115 years old. The last one was Juliet Robbins a native of Africa, brought to South Carolina and thence to New Jersey. She was received into this church in 1809.
Probably the oldest couple who have died in the parish was Francis MeCarry and his wife who died respectively in 1839 and 1840. Mrs. MeCarty was 93 years and as her husband died the year before I inter he was at least as old.
90, David Gordon, who died July 23d, 1852, aged 92 years and 10 months. Mrs. Smith. of Pigeon Hill, 88, Mrs. Naomi Palmer, 76, Mrs. Mary Baker, 73, Jerennah Baker, 91, Mrs. Betsey Doland, of Mt. Hope, 91, Mrs. Elizabeth Vail, over 80, Mrs. Electa Jackson, 85, Col. Joseph Jackson, 81, Mrs. Hannalı Kitchel, 83, Mrs. Elizabeth Kitchel, 75. Mrs. Lyon, (mother of Isaac) 84, Mrs. Margaret Miiler, 85, Caspar Zeeke, 71, William Cooper, 79, Mrs. Hannah Cooper, 79, Mrs. Jane Vandroof, over 90, Tim- othy Douglas, 76, Dame! Avers, 79, Mrs. Polly Ayers. 91, Miss Rhoda Lampson, 93, Asa Berry, 75, Mrs. Sally Berry, 72, Mrs. Margaret Arnold, 79, Charles Shawger, 89, Joseph Lyon, 74, Col. Samnel S. Beach, 77, Mrs. Jane Beach, 88, Mrs. Jane Johnson, 77, Phineas Ward, 75, Alexander Hill. 70, John Earles, 76, Rev. Barnabas King, 82, Mrs. Clarissa King, 78, John Sanders, 71, Mrs. Sarah Tompkins, 87, John Compton, 80, Mrs. Peninah Casterline, 85, Daniel Casterline, 87, Elizabeth Casterline, 85, Mrs. Eanice Pier- son, 94, Jacob Losey, over 90 The list includ- ing Francis McCarty and his wife, and Juliet Robbins, has sixteen persons over 90 years of age, and 19 between 80 and 90.
It Mr. King hal carefully noted the ages of these whose funerals he attended, these figures would undoubtedly be greatly enlarged, no doubt doubled, as the most of these have died since 1817.
In order to give this narrative some com- pleteness it may here be stated that the Rev. Joseph F. Tuttle in September, 1817, was called as colleague pastor with Mr. King. Mr. Tuttle received his preparatory education at the Newark (N. J.) Academy and at the Gran. ville (O.) Academy, was graduated at Marietta College in 1841, Lane Theological Seminary in 1846, was licensed by Marion Presbytery, April 4th, 1844, was ordained and installed by the same Presbytery as pastor of the second church in Delaware, Ohio, April 21st. 1846, removed to Rockaway and began labor there in November, 1847, and on the 26th of April, 1848, was in- stalled colleagne pastor by the Presbytery of of Rockaway. The Rev. Samuel L. Tuttle, of Caldwell, preached the sermon from 2 Cor. 2, 16, " Who is sufficient for these things ?" The Rev. Barnabas King presided and put the con . stitutional questions, the Rev. Daniel H. John- son of Mendham delivered the charge to the pastor and the Rev. Sylvester Cook of Wan- tage 1st, the charge to the people. The in- stalling prayer was offered by the Rev. Jacob Tuttle, the pastor's father.
Among the very aged people who have died in this parish were the " Widow Hinchman," aged 90, David Hill, 76, Joseph Casterline, 87, Mrs. Hannah Hoff, nearly 90, Mr. Noah Estile, Having made this statement it remains to give a succinct account of the closing years of Mr. King's life and relations to the church. The burden of the, labor was shared by him to 84, Mrs. Chloe Hall, 78, Mrs. Ross, 80, John Garrigus, Sr., 60, Mrs. Wig ; ens, 86, Mrs Dav- en port, mother-in-law of John Earles, 91, Mrs. Nancy Gordon, who died Feb. 19, 1851, aged ' the close of his lite, and his judgment as to its
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wants was admirable as his interest was un- ! (Gen. 30:30.)* The sermon was not given to faltering. As already stated Ins first sermon the press, but was heard with profound inter- est by the large audience that crowded the old church. was preached here in January, 1806, his stated labor began in October, 1807, his ordination and installation took place December 27th, 1808. Ou the 31st of December, 1848, he preached his 40th anniversary sermon, which was published. He also preached his 45th anniversary on the words, "And now behold the Lord hath kept me alive, as be said these forty and five years, &c." (Joshua 14:10) At its close he read in a tone of great tenderness one of Watts' versions of the 71st Psalm :
"God of my childhood and my voulh, The guide of all my days,
I have declared thy heavenly truth, And told thy wondrous ways.
Wilt thou forsake my hoary hairs, And leave my fainting heart ?
Who shall sustain my sinking years,
It God my strength depart ? &c "
(Watts' Psalms, 71st. 3d'p. C. M.)
It was an occasion that was both rare and grand, and one that reflected the highest honor both on the pastor and his people. On the 24th of December, 1854, Dr. King again preached an anniversary sermon, being the forty-sixth of his pastorate, and the forty-ninth of his ministry in the one church, since he preached his first discourse in Rockaway on the 24th of January, 1806 .* The text in the circumstances was very thrilling. "The night is far spent, the day is at hand." (Rom. 13:12.) This discourse contained many pleasant rem- iniscences, but its author was unwilling to give it to the press.
On the 12th of December, 1858, the Session of the Presbyterian Church at Rockaway adopted a minute and directed a copy of it to be sent to Dr. King, its senior pastor, in view of the fact that the fiftieth anniversary of his installation, as the pastor of the church, was at hand. In this minute the Session speak in terms expressive of gratitude to God for send ing sueb a faithful man to be their pastor, and tor the abundant results of his ministry. Its second and third resolutions are in these wordr : " Resolved 2d, That we congratulate our venerable Pastor on the approach of so interesting an anniversary, and that we earn- estly desire him on the Lord's Day previous to that occasion to preach a memorial sermon of his ministry among this people. Resolved 3d, That we fervently pray God to continue our beloved Pastor to us many years more, and that his latter days may be blessed with rich and unmerous proofs of the Lord's faithful- ness and love." In accordance with this re- qnest the venerable man preached huis fiftieth anniversary sermon, from the words "The Lord hath blessed thee since my coming."
Let it be added that Dr. King was spared to his people more than three years after the occasion just referred to. He sometimes preached, but oftener exhorted and always with acceptance. His mental faculties re- mained unimpaired, and his interest in every- thing pertaining to his friends, the church and the country, was as warm as in early man- hood. The Monday might the news of the Bull Run Jisaster gave such horrible unrest to vast multitudes in the joyal States, was spent by him in sleep as trusttul and sweet asan infant ; and he said "Children, it cest us seven vears of dreadful war to give us a nation ; it will cost us years of more dreadful war to save that nation ; but you need not fear as if it were not to be saved. It shall live and not die."
In the spring of 1862 it was thought best by himself that he tender his resignation formally to the parish, but his faithful people to their honor refused to receive it, prolessing to him an unabated attachment. He had now been in that relation fifty-three years and several months. On the second Sabbath in Maich, 1862, he had performed his last official act in public, with a singular fitness, it being on the occasion of his last communion with the church. at the close of which he stretched forth his hands and with such pathos and beauty pronounced the apostolical benediction recorded in the thirteenth chapter of the Epistie to the Hebrews, twentieth and twenty first verses, that many were moved to tears. and some even said they had never heard the words before ! More than fitty-six years be- fore he had preached for the first time in that congregation, and more than fitty-four years -. from October, 1807-he had been preaching there regularly, and lacked only less than a year of being their pastor during that long pericd. During that time he ministered in several instances to five generations of the same family, and in one caso to six genera- tions. # His honorable career was drawing to
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