USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bergen > Annals of the classis of Bergen, of the Reformed Dutch Church, and of the churches under its care: including, the civil history of the ancient township of Bergen, in New Jersey > Part 19
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As in Hackensack, so in the English Neighborhood, the Secession have erected a church for themselves.
The Consistory of the Reformed Dutch Church, having possession of their church edifice, were tem- porarily furnished with supplies, and on the 10th of February, 1825, called the candidate Gustavus Abeel, to be their pastor. Mr. Abeel, with commendable zeal, strove earnestly "to strengthen the things which remained, and were ready to die." Laboring assidu- ously, he did much towards resuscitating this Church, preaching at New Durham and Hoboken, in which places several of the members of his Church resided.
At New Durham a building had been erected, to be used for both school and church purposes. The district school occupying the basement, while the upper part was used, as it had been by Mr. Dema- rest, as a preaching place ; the title to this property vesting in the Consistory of the E. N. Church.
The pending law-suit and the long excited feeling of the respective parties, were not favorable to a truly spiritual state of the Church. Nevertheless, God gave his servant favor with the people. The affairs of the Church assumed a more settled and stable form. The people of his charge were strongly attach- ed to the Church of their fathers, and gave evidence
287
CHURCH AT ENGLISH NEIGHBORHOOD.
of their love for Zion and her institutions, when, in 1827, the agent, the Rev. Peter Labagh visited them, and obtained for the Theological Seminary of our Church the following generous contributions :
Rev. Gustavus Abeel, in five yearly pay- ments, 100,
And afterwards, 100, - -
- $200.00 John Vreelandt, in three yearly payments, 75, And in cash, 25, - - - - 100.00 -
John De Groot, in three yearly payments, 60, And in cash, 10, - - - 70.00
Peter Westervelt, in two yearly payments, 10, And in cash, 5, - 15.00
Henry De Mott, -
35.00
John P. De Mott, in two yearly payments, 10, In cash, 5, - - - - - 15.00
Martin De Mott, in two yearly payments, 10, In cash, 5, 15.00
Michael Vreelandt,
10.00
Cash, - - - -
5.00
Sarah Quick, in one year,
20.00
Maria D. Quick, -
5.00
Joanna Quick,
5.00
Jane Banta, in three yearly payments, 15, In cash, 5,
- 20.00
Hannah Ellis Miller,
25.00
A Friend, - -
2.00
James P. Demarest,
10.00
Jacob Vreelandt,
10.00
Naomi Vreelandt, -
- 10.00
Total from English Neighborhood, $572.00
288
HISTORY OF THE REFORMED DUTCH
Thus, notwithstanding the vexation, expense and toil incurred in consequence of their suit at law, and the greatly reduced number of the congregation, this people not only struggled to secure their church pro- perty, but nobly aided in the establishment of our Theological Seminary. In October, 1827, they were aided by the Collegiate Church in New York, to the amount of three hundred and fifty dollars.
In June, 1828, Mr. Abeel was urged to accept a call from the Reformed Dutch Church at Second River, (now Belleville), and did so. On the first day of July, ensuing, the Classis approved the call, and dissolved the connection between him and this Church.
While he was ministering to this Church, there were added to her communion, on confession of faith twenty-three persons, and on certificate, eleven.
In November, 1828, the Church called the Rev. Philip Duryee, of Saratoga, New York, to succeed Mr. Abeel. His installation took place December 21st, 1828, on which occasion the Rev. Benjamin C. Taylor preached the sermon, and the Rev. Staats Van Santvoord addressed the pastor and the people, im- mediately after which Mr. Duryee delivered his introductory discourse, on Mark 16: 15. " Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creat- ure."
Mr. Duryee, having in his former field of labor taken great pleasure and labored diligently in rearing new churches, while fostering the interests of his principal charge, and being possessed of a kind spirit, and gentleness of manner, knew how to seek and fol- low the things which make for peace. With mild
289
CHURCH AT ENGLISH NEIGHBORHOOD.
persuasion he gained many friends at English Neigh- borhood-laboring diligently in his holy calling.
The temporal difficulties, however, were not termi- nated with the decision of the Supreme Court, in the case of the parsonage suit. This was followed by a foreclosure of a mortgage covering the school house at New Durham, which had been executed by the Consistory which seceded. This was decided in favor of the mortgagee, and a heavy amount had to be raised to meet the claim. The Reformed Dutch Church at Bergen aided them to the amount of one hundred dollars, and the Collegiate Church in New York ap- propriated to them three hundred dollars, received by them in 1836.
Thus relieved from these temporal difficulties, God was pleased in the winter of 1837-38 to visit them with spiritual blessings, and at the February commu- nion, nineteen persons were admitted to church membership on confession of faith.
In 1839, in consideration of the growth of popula- tion in the vicinity of New Durham, and the increased desire for more frequent service there, the Classis, in September, recommended the attention of the English Neighborhood Consistory, to the propriety of organiz- ing a distinct Church at New Durham.
On the 1st of October, the Consistory expressed their view of its inexpediency, and on the 7th of that month determined that it would not " at present " advance the interests of the Church. The measure was not effected until March 27th, 1843. A particular ac- count of this will be given in the history of the Re- formed Dutch Church at New Durham. It is proper
13
290
HISTORY OF THE REFORMED DUTCH
to say it was effected kindly ; and the English Neigh- borhood Consistory agreed to convey to the New Durham Church, the lecture room owned by them at that place.
In 1847, the Rev. Doctor Duryee requested his Consistory to take measures for calling another minis- ter, in consideration of his increasing bodily infirmi- ties, but they postponed acting on his request for some time. On the sixth of February, 1848, Dr. Duryee requested the Consistory to join him, in ask- ing of Classis the dissolution of the ecclesiastical tie, which had so pleasantly subsisted between them for
nearly twenty years. The kindness of his feeling for this flock was attested on the occasion, by the follow- ing statement : "There is a considerable sum due me for wood and hay, also in money. These arrearages I give to my Consistory, hoping it may encourage all my friends to have my place filled." On the other hand, he claimed the half year's salary due the first of May, 1848, and the use of the parsonage for a few months.
On the third of April, 1848, Classis, as requested, dissolved the connection between Dr. Duryee and this Church, and adopted a resolution expressive of their esteem for this honored servant of Christ, and their appreciation of his valuable pastoral labors.
Under his ministry here, there were added to the communion of this Church eighty-four persons on con- fession of faith, and twenty-eight on certificate-in all one hundred and twelve. In 1834, he was honor- ed by the Trustees of Rutgers College with the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
291
CHURCH AT ENGLISH NEIGHBORHOOD.
Shortly after his resignation of his pastoral charge, he removed to Morristown, in New Jersey, to reside with his son-in-law, Richard W. Stevenson, M. D. There, on the 24th of February, 1850, he was sum- mored to his blessed reward, by his ever "precious Jesus," aged 75 years. His widow-his daughter, Mrs. Stevenson, and his son Abraham, survived him. Thomas H. Herring, Esq., has erected on the West wall of the English Neighborhood Church, at the South side of the pulpit, a beautiful white marble wall-plate, as a memorial of this devoted servant of Christ, on which is inscribed :
THIS TABLET IS ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF THE REV. PHILIP DURYEE, D. D. Who nearly 20 years Ministered to this congregation, IN HOLY THINGS. This faithful PASTOR, and exemplary Christian, WENT to his reward FEBRUARY 24th, 1850. AGED 75 YEARS.
May the memory of his virtues long live in our hearts.
In July, 1848, the Rev. James McFarlane, having supplied this Church for a few Sabbaths, was invited to continue so doing for some months, and to occupy the parsonage. On the 29th of January, 1849, a call upon him to become the pastor was made out, and at- tested by the Rev. Alexander H. Warner. On the 20th of the ensuing March he was received as a member
292
HISTORY OF THE REFORMED DUTCH
of the Classis of Bergen, and on the 16th of April, en- suing, installed as pastor. For six years his labors continued among this people ; not, however, without some trials and difficulties, which had generated a degree of unhappiness. On accepting a call from the people of his former charge, he asked, on the 10th of April, 1855, that the Consistory of English Neighbor- hood would unite with him, in requesting of the Classis a dissolution of the connection between him and this Church. The Classis dissolved the pastoral relation on the 18th of April, 1855. During his min- istry here, there were added to this Church, sixteen persons on confession of faith, and eleven on certifi- cate.
In 1853, a fine lot of ground, containing three and a half acres, adjoining the church premises on the Westerly side, was purchased for one thousand dol- lars, as a cemetery.
In 1854, the congregation refitted the interior of their church, and rendered it far more comfortable and tasteful, at a cost of eight hundred dollars, which was paid for by assessments on the pews.
On the 11th of September, 1855, the Rev. Andrew B. Taylor was called to succeed Mr. McFarlane, and was installed on the 10th of October following. He is laboring to acceptance, and with prospect of useful- ness.
In the latter part of the year 1855, the parsonage premises needing extensive repairs, the congregation determined to sell the same, which they did for eight thousand dollars. They have purchased two and a half acres of good land, well located, on which to
293
CHURCH AT ENGLISH NEIGHBORHOOD.
erect a new parsonage house, soon as needed by their pastor. In 1856, Peter Westervelt, Junior, Esq., generously presented a new bell for the church.
The ministers of this Church, from its organization, have been the following :
Garrit Leydekker, installed in 1770-resigned 1776.
Vacant from 1776 to 1793.
John Cornelison, installed May 26th, 1793-resigned November, 1806.
Vacant from 1806 to 1809.
Henry Polhemus, installed 1809-resigned Feb. 1813.
Cornelius T. Demarest, installed May, 1813-seceded January, 1824.
Gustavus Abeel, installed April, 1825-resigned June, 1828.
Philip Duryee, installed Dec. 21st, 1828-resigned April 3d, 1848.
James McFarlane, installed April 16th, 1849-resign- ed April 18th, 1855.
Andrew B. Taylor, installed October 10th, 1855.
history of the Beformed Dutch Church at Second Biber, (nolo Bellebille, H. J.)
PRECISELY when this Church was organized, cannot be ascertained. From the records of the Church, it appears that in 1725, Garrit Wouterse, Frans Van Dyck, Gideon Van Winkle, and Johannes Koning, were appointed a building committee for the erection of "a new church." Certain rules were adopted, with reference to the seats to be constructed in said church, provision being made for strangers, as well as for the stated congregation. Particularly did they require that " all living within the jurisdiction of the township of Newark, and paying towards the build- ing of the church, should be entitled to seats, so long as they paid salary to the minister of said Church." Special arrangements were also made for those coming to church there, from Acquackanonck and the " Noordé." Aarent Schuyler was to have his pew or sittings for himself and his wife, in the South-west corner of the new church, the same as he had at that [294 ]
.
295
DUTCH CHURCH AT BELLEVILLE.
time, (1725), " in the old church." This appears to be conclusive evidence of a church standing there before 1725. It is to be regretted that there is nothing to tell when that ancient church was reared for the service of God; but the provision for those from Acquackanonck and the "Noorde," or North, shows that some arrangement then subsisted with those churches. The same pastor, most probably, minister- ed to them all.
In the year 1725, the lot of ground, admirably lo- cated, and fronting on the beautiful Passaic, whereon the present church stands, was conveyed by deed by Francis Speer and Catryna his wife, to Aaron Schuy- ler, (the first of the Schuyler family in this vicinity), John Stoutenbergh, Garrit Wouterse, Frans Van Dyck, Cornelius Thomas, and Abraham Vreeland, for the purpose of building a church thereon. Soon after this deed was given, the work went on rapidly.
This house for God was a square or oblong stone structure. At its erection, the belfry was constructed upon the center of the roof, and the sexton, in ringing the bell, stood in the middle aisle. Subsequently, however, the belfry was removed, and a stone tower erected on the North end of the church, surmounted by a belfry.
In December, 1726, the Rev. Henricus Coens be- came pastor, serving also the Churches heretofore named. During his ministry, on the 2d of January, 1828, rates were fixed for the interment of the dead, under the floor of the church. For a married person, eighteen shillings-for the unmarried, between the ages of twelve and twenty-five years, ten shillings ; and under twelve, five shillings.
296
HISTORY OF THE REFORMED
Mr. Coens' labors continued until 1730. During this period there were received into communion of this Church, on confession of faith, sixty-eight persons, and on certificate, nineteen-in all, eighty-seven.
In 1730, the Rev. Cornelius Van Santvoord became the successor of Mr. Coens, and served this congrega- tion until 1732.
During the ministry of Messrs. Coens and Van Santvoord, Mr. Aarent Schuyler, who came from Holland in early life, depending on his industry, under Providence, for a support, was prospered in his worldly business, and became able to purchase a large, and at that day, very rough tract of land, on the Eastern bank of the Passaic River, opposite the mouth of the Second River. On this tract a negro servant discovered a very weighty substance, of a peculiar character, which Mr. S. had caused to be carefully examined, and which proved to be copper ore. This ore was rich, and in large quantities. Before the revolutionary war, vast treasures, it is said, were secured from this mine. Mr. S. and his family became wealthy, and God gave them hearts to be liberal to his cause and kingdom. In 1729, Messrs. Garrit Wouterse and J. Stoutenbergh were appointed special trustees, and received in trust for this Church, £150 from Aarent Schuyler, and £50 from Acquackanonck. These sums were to be in- vested at eight per cent., and the interest to be ap- plied to the payment of the salary of the pastor. In 1730, Mr. Aarent Schuyler added to his former handsome donation a more liberal one of £300.
On the 15th of May, 1734, the following generous
297
DUTCH CHURCH AT BELLEVILLE.
additions to the fund were made by the widow and children of Aarent Schuyler, viz :
Maria Schuyler, widow of Aarent Schuyler, - £50
John Schuyler, - - 50
Peter Schuyler, - 50
Adonijah Schuyler, -
- 50
Eva Schuyler, (wife of P. Beyyard), 50
Cornelia Schuyler, (wife of P. Depeyster), - 50 Again, on 25th of July, 1739, Col. John Schuy- ler added - - - - - 100 -
Thus making the whole amount from Aarent - Schuyler, and his widow and children, in their respective gifts, - - -
- £850
At the time of Colonel John Schuyler's last gift, the Consistory, with full consent of the congregation, in view of his and his ancestors' and other kindred's gifts, resolved to give him the right of a vote, consent and approval, with the Consistory, in executing a call upon any minister who might be called from Holland or in this country ; also, the right to sign the call was secured to him and his successors-that is, to his male heirs and their descendants in the male line. If he left no heirs, the right was to descend to the heirs of his brothers, Peter and Adonijah, accord- ing to seniority ; but they who should possess this right, must all belong to the Reformed Dutch Church, or the right should cease; or if resident out of the Provinces of New York, and New Jersey, or the city of Philadelphia, then the right to fail-the Consistory in such case, to call a pastor without the approval of the Schuyler heir.
13*
298
HISTORY OF THE REFORMED
The Consistory also bound themselves and their successors in office to Mr. Schuyler, never to use the money for any other purpose, than to pay the minis- ter's salary, and to pay him £100 per annum, with parsonage and wood. Mr. Schuyler bound himself, not to extend his requirement beyond the calling of the minister, with the exclusion of a pastor being called from any other sect. He was also to protect the Church against all questions of injury or loss, which might threaten or come upon them. This document, dated July 25th, 1739, is signed by the Elders and Deacons, and John Schuyler.
From 1732, when Mr. Van Santvoord resigned this charge, until 1735, it is probable there was no pastor to this Church, and there is no record of any admis- sions to the communion of the Church.
By the agreement just referred to, a right of patron- age vested in the Schuyler family. In 1735, the Rev. Gerardus Haughhoort, then of Neversink, in Mon- mouth County, N. J., now known as Freehold, having been highly recommended to Mr. John Schuyler, the Consistory, on the 25th of February, of that year, with the full approval of Mr. S., called him to be the pastor of this Church-Mr. S. uniting in signing the formal call. On the 31st of August, 1735, he was duly installed as pastor, the Rev. C. Van Santvoord, the former pastor, who had removed to Staten Island, officiating on the occasion.
At the first consistorial meeting after his installa- tion, September 17th, Mr. Haughhoort presented his dismission from the Church at the Neversink, and certain documents from the Classis of Amsterdam,
299
DUTCH CHURCH AT BELLEVILLE.
and asked of the Elders and Deacons if they were valid and satisfactory. Whether they promised to acknowledge him as the first pastor of the now dis- tinct and separate Church and congregation of Second River; also, to receive him in love, and keep him in estimation ? These questions were all unanimously answered in the affirmative. His call was ordered to be duly registered in the church records, and there to be signed by them and their successors in office. This call fixed his salary at £90, New Jersey currency, together with the parsonage and fuel, which, after Mr. Schuyler's last gift of £100, was increased to £100 per annum, according to Mr. Schuyler's stipulation.
Under this arrangement, Mr. Haughhoort, who is represented as a man of talents, for fifteen or eighteen years appears to have been very acceptable to the people of his charge. During the first year of his ministry, there seems to have been a copious out- pouring of God's Spirit, and there were added to the Church, on confession of faith, sixty-six persons, and two on certificate. .
On the 6th of March, 1737, the Consistory approved the plan of the Cœtus, and resolved that it ought to continue forever, and that this approval be entered on the church book.
Until 1752 or 1753, this proved a happy union. Dissatisfaction then took the place of harmony and love. Mr. Haughhoort had unfortunately offended Colonel John Schuyler, and consequently his power- ful family. In the midst of this difficulty, it appears that Colonel S., in some peculiar way, endeavored
300
HISTORY OF THE REFORMED
to effect the convoking of the congregation, with- out the sanction of the Consistory of the Church; consequently, on the 29th of July, 1753, the Consistory "Resolved, That the convoking of the whole congregation, made by John Schuyler, is un- lawful, and a usurpation of, and obtrusion upon the. prerogatives of the Dominie and this Consistory. That a note of toleration of the preaching of the English (or Episcopal) congregation, shall be demanded back from John Schuyler, and their services be discon- tinued, and the worship in this Church be kept for our own use, seeing it is disadvantageous. And ac- cording to which condition it was promised to be returned, when demanded." The Consistory de- manded it back. Mr. Schuyler refused to return it, unless all who signed it should come and ask · it. Subsequently the Consistory averred that they understood, that if only one of those who signed it, should ask it to be returned, it was sufficient. The Consistory therefore would maintain their rights, and have their views published on the next Sabbath, in the church, with intent of ascertaining the views of the congregation. This controversy now assumed a formi- dable aspect, and it is asserted by Timothy Al- den, D. D., in the fifth volume of "Collections of Epitaphs, Notes, &c.,"* that " to get rid of the Domi- nie, Colonel John Schuyler declared himself an Epis- copalian, and invited Rev. Daniel Isaac Brown, Rector of Trinity Church, in Newark, to officiate at Second River." For some time, Mr. Brown performed his
* Historical Collections of N. J. Quoted on pages 154-55.
301
DUTCH CHURCH AT BELLEVILLE.
ministerial functions in a private building, near the margin of the Passaic River, to accommodate the Dutch people, many of whom showed a reluctance to change their denomination. Col. Schuyler was at the expense of a Dutch and English impression of the Book of Common Prayer. This was for many years used at Second River. At present it is not known that a single copy of it exists.
This narrative sheds light on the preceding account of the "note of toleration" which had been granted, and was now asked to be returned. By the terms of Mr. Schuyler's grant of money, it was required that no minister of any other sect should become the pas- tor or minister to this Church. Now Mr. S. wished a minister of the sect of the Church of England, or the Episcopal Church, to preach in it. The assent, which seems to have been obtained in an irregular way, and without the appropriate action of the Consistory, was repudiated by them. Mr. Haughhoort for some time kept possession of the church, and preached to his adherents.
The new society worshiped in the academy. " At length the doors of the Dutch Church were clandes- tinely fastened, and Mr. H. preached to a few friends, standing on the steps at his church door." It is also certain, that if not wholly, yet in part, his salary was withheld. In 1761, January 25th, he records it, that some of the officers of the Church told him his call " was not worth a pipe of tobacco." At last, in 1764, his claims were, by mutual consent, submitted to the arbitration of Ephraim Terril, Cornelius Hetfield, and Stephen Crane, Esqrs., who on the 22d September,
302
HISTORY OF THE REFORMED
1764, awarded to Mr. Haughhoort £115, as justly due him up to that time.
On the 1st of January, 1770, this difficulty was formally adjusted, by a tripartite agreement or cove- nant, by which the Consistory bound the Church and congregation, to keep safely invested the entire fund, (after deducting the £115, as above awarded), and pay over the interest in full to Mr. H., during his natural life; reserving only a sum sufficient to pay any minister or ministers of the Dutch Church, for their services, for only four Sabbaths in the year. Mr. H. bound himself to render all his ordinary min- isterial labors, as usual, as far as his age and infirmi- ties would permit, and to be fully satisfied with the obligation now entered into.
The stipulations were renewed with Colonel John Schuyler, that "no minister or ministers of any other than the profession agreed upon at the Synod of Dort, and established as aforesaid, shall or may at any time or times, forever, hereafter, be suffered, permitted, or allowed to preach, or administer the sacraments, in said Dutch Church at Second River, without the con- sent, in writing, first had and obtained, of him the said Col. John Schuyler, or his heirs, under the penalty of their paying and refunding unto him, the said Col. John Schuyler, his executors, administrators or as- signs, the sum of eight hundred pounds." The pen- alty was a little less than the sums contributed by the family for the endowment of the fund.
The services of Mr. H. continued until the close of the year 1776. Precisely when he died, is not now known. He was buried within the walls of the old church, immediately in front of the pulpit.
303
DUTCH CHURCH AT BELLEVILLE.
Under all these protracted trials, we need not be surprised to find little of spiritual prosperity in the Church. Until these difficulties arose, and down to the close of the year 1750, Mr. H. had received to communion in this Church, one hundred and eleven persons on confession of faith, and five on certificate. Two were added on confession in 1755. After this time no record of communicants is found during his life.
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