History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 80

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > New Jersey > Somerset County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 80
USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 80

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1816 .- Confession : Mrs. Andrew Van Fleet, Agnes Lee, Hannah Clark, Daniel Griggs, Mahlon Smith, Flora, Margaret, and P'hebe (colored), Mra. Betty Caso, Mrs. Anna Cool, Mrs. Hannah Sutphin, Mrs. Catho- rino Hoagland, Mrs. Phehe Smith, Joseph Fulnter, Mrs. Margaret Bonnell. .

1818,-Confession : James Herring, Mury Johnson, Catharine Williams, Betsey Griggs, Mrs. William H. Young, MIrs. Hopy Henderevo, Rachel Lisk, Catharino Vanomer, Panlel 3larsh, John Pittenger. Kuty (colored). Certificate: Sally Case. Auchy Pittenger. . . .

1823 .- Confession : William Corwine, Mrs. Catherine Yard, Mrs. Anu Huff, Samnel F. Strykor am wife, Charity Iluff, Mary Hart, Mar- garet Bughner, John Anderson, James Callis, Mrs. Sarah Thompson, Mrs. Sarah Maxwell, Amy Ann Case, Ann t'ase, Mrs. Elizabeth Shep- herd, Mrs. Elisha H. Johnson, Elizabeth Choice, Miss Nancy Thompson.

1821 .- Confession : William C. Young.

1825,-Confession : Leonard Kuhl. Certificate : Mrs. Jane Schenck, Jo seph (colored).

THE AMWELL FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, AT REA- VILLES

The first Presbyterian Church organized in that part of Hunterdon County included in the present townships of Raritan, Delaware, East and West Am-

: Ry Rev. J. P. W. Blattenberger.

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

well, and the city of Lambertville (but then called Amwell) was organized some time between 1715 and 1733. The minutes of the Presbytery of Philadelphia and New York from 1715 to 1733 are lost. No men- tion is made of the church in the minutes as in exist- ence prior to 1725, but it is there found subsequent to 1733. Dr. Sprague mentions the probability of the Rev. Robert Orr having preached there in 1715 .*

The first building for public worship of which we have any knowledge was situated on the York Road, between Reaville and Ringos, and stood in the grave- yard. Unlike our present church buildings, its great- est length was parallel to the highway ; the door was on the side facing the road, and directly in front of it was the pulpit; there were galleries on three sides. It was built of wood. The old building was taken down in 1839 and rebuilt in the village of Reaville, about a mile and a half from the old site. Such of the material as could be was used in the construction of the present building.t The lot of ground where the old church stood is now almost covered with graves.

At the first meeting of the Presbytery of New Bruns- wick, Aug. 8, 1738, agreed that Mr. Wales preach at John Traissier's upon the third Sabbath of this instant, upon the Monday following at Edward Barber's, and upon the Tuesday at Amwell meeting-house .; Thus it seems a meeting-house was iu existence at that early date.

At a subsequent meeting of Presbytery, held at Freehold, Sept. 7, 1738, more supplies were requested. There seems to have been a scarcity of ministers, for Presbytery, in answer thereto, " do conclude that they cannot afford them any supplies till the meeting of our next." It seems, however, that they did appoint Rev. John Rowland to preach there. Rev. William Tennent was appointed to preach at Amwell the first Wednesday in September, 1739.

In September, 1739, the people of Amwell offered a petition for the ordination of Mr. John Rowland. On October 11th the Presbytery met (first meeting of Presbytery at Amwell) at Amwell, with a view to or- dain Mr. Rowland. It held its first session on the evening of the first day at the house of Michael Henry. Among those present were William and Gil- bert Tennent.

We have the following record of this meeting :

"The affair of Mr. Rowland being reassumed, the Presbytery do roport that after deliberate consideration upon the present circumstances of Amwell, inasmuch as they desired but one-third part of Mr. Rowland's time and labors among them, judged it improper to ordain him to that place in particular, and therefore, the necessitons state of the church so requiring, they procceded to ordaln him to the ministry of the word in general."

This means that he was ordained as an evangelist, and not installed. He supplied Amwell and Law-

renceville for about six months, and much good resulted from his labors. There was a revival in 1740. He died before the autumn of 1747 .¿

After Mr. Rowland, the congregation had various supplies. A call was made, Aug. 2, 1742, for a " Mr. McCray's services" (supposed to be Rev. James Mc- Crea, licensed by this Presbytery Nov. 7, 1739, or- dained Aug. 4, 1741), the answer to which was that " Mr. McCray supply Amwell one-quarter part of his time, as formerly." Mr. McCray's services continued until May 28, 1745.

May 22, 1746, Mr. Davenport was appointed to "supply the Second Bethlehem one-quarter of his time equally between them, half of his time at Amwell, and the other quarter at Hopewell (Pennington) and Maidenhead" (Lawrenceville). On May 19, 1847, Amwell petitioned for three-quarters of Mr. Daven- port's time, which was granted. His relation as stated supply ceased with the October meeting of Presbytery. He is mentioned as occasionally supply- ing the church thereafter that same year and in 1748.

In October, 1747, Rev. Charles Beatty was appointed to "supply Amwell one-quarter of his time, and Mr. James Campbell supply them three Sabbaths before our next."

The Rev. Charles Beatty married Ann, the oldest daughter of Governor John Reading.| In 1748 and 1749, Mr. Beatty, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Chestnut are some of the supplies. Mr. Campbell was the principal supply until June 12, 1750, when he declined a call from Amwell, accepting one to New Providence and Charlestown.

The first pastor of the Amwell Church was Eliab Byram. He graduated at Harvard University in 1740, and became pastor at Mendham, N. J., in 1743. He was an evangelist in Virginia from 1746 to 1751. He accepted a call to Amwell, June 25, 1751, but had supplied the congregation from May, 1751, at which time he was received from the Presbytery of New York. He was installed at Amwell, Aug. 14, 1751. He died before May, 1754. His body is supposed to lie under the heavy horizontal slab in the old graveyard, from which the hand of time has effaced whatever inscription might have been placed upon it. By his side sleeps Hannah, daughter of Rev. William Kirkpatrick, who died Aug. 7, 1786, aged nineteen years. Her grave is covered with a similar slab.

The first mention of any one as commissioner from Amwell is the name of Derrick Hoagland, at Bound Brook, May 30, 1753, where a request was made by

¿ Whitefield preached at Amwell in 1739, and says in his diary, "Some thousands of people had gathered here by noon, expecting to hear me."

|| Governor Jolin Reading was connected with the Amwell First Church. Two communion-cups of hammered silver, and very heavy and costly, and still in use in the First Church at Reaville, were given by the Governor. They bear this inscription : " A Gift of the Houerable John Reading, Esq., deceased, to the Eastern Presbyterian Congregation in Amwell, 1767." The Governor and his wife lie side by side in the old yard, where the plain stones that mark their resting-place may be seen. Many of their descendants are also buried there.

* " Annals of American Pulpit," vol. iil. p. 14, note.

+ For description of the old church we are Indebted to George P. Rex, M.D., who was a member of the bullding committee of the new church.

# The references to meetings of Presbytery are taken from minutes of Presbytery, unless othorwiso stated.

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him for supplies. He subsequently appears in Pres- bytery as an elder, so with his name we begin our roll of elders.

In 1753 a parsonage was purchased; the old sub- scription-papers are before me, with the names of the subscribers. Its location cannot now be definitely ascertained.

The interval between the death of Mr. Byram and the settlement of the next pastor was filled by sup- plies. Among them we find Mr. Hait's name. He became the next pastor. The Rev. Benjamin Hait was received by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, Oct. 25, 1754, and, having accepted the call to Am- well, Nov. 13, 1755, was installed Dec. 4, 1755. He was graduated at the College of New Jersey the pre- ceding year. He remained ten years; after leaving here he went to Wallkill, Orange Co., N. Y., and afterwards settled at Connecticut Farms, N. J., where he died in 1779.

Michael Henry is named among the ehlers at Pres- bytery in 1756,-undoubtedly the same Michael at whose house the first meeting of Presbytery was held.

From the time of Mr. Hait's dismission, May 29, 1765, to August, 1766, the church had several sup- plies, among the number Rev. William Kirkpatrick,* who was Mr. Hait's successor. He was installed the serond Wednesday of August, 1766.

The names of the following elders are gleaned from the records of Presbytery, as representing this church at Presbytery : April 19, 1768, Abraham La Rue; May 20, 1768, Jacob Ruder; Oct. 18, 1768, Peter Wil- son ; Nov. 16, 1868, William Norcross; April 18, 1769, Alexander White.

From the death of Mr. Kirkpatrick to the installa- tion of his successor-a period of about seven years- the church had numerous supplies. Among those most frequently mentioned is the name of Rev. Samuel Kennedy, pastor at Basking Ridge from 1751 to 1787, who was famous in his day as one of several Presby- terian clergymen who addressed a letter to the Arch- bishop of Canterbury which was construed as an at- tempted interference in the concerns of the Episcopal Church. He was not only a clergyman and a teacher, but a physician alsof The minutes of Presbytery, Philadelphia, May 17, 1771, say,-

" Mr. William Mackey Tennent, a candidato under the care of Lewis Town Presbytery, who is now in these parts, is requested to supply Am-

* William Kirkpatrick was graduates nt the College of New Jersey in 1757, wne licensed to preach by tho Presbytery of New Brunswick at Princeton, Aug. 15, 1788, and was ordained sine titulo at Cranberry, July 1, 1700. In March, 1760, he was sent, in answer to a petition mado tu Presbytery, to prench at Trenton. fle preached there the greater part of the time until June, 1766, when ho necepted the call From Amwell. Ills death occurred Sept. 8, 1769. He was moderator of the Synod In 1760. Tradition representa him as an eloquent man and distinguished for his piely and usefulness, 1lis funeral was attended by an immense concorso of people. His remains were buried in front of the pulpit of the "Okt House," Amwell. A heavy horizontal sinh covers his grave, upon which on inscription commemorating his virtues may still be seen. To Mr. Kirkpatrick, it is believed, belongs the honor of being the first stated clerk of Presbytery. Ho was appointed Oct. 23, 1766.

t See " Sprague's Annals," vol. Hit. p. 175.

well as many Sabbaths us he can between this time and the next P'res- bytery."

Rev. William Mackey Tennent, D.D., was a son of the Rev. Charles Tennent, and a grandson of the Rev. William Tennent. He became a distinguished min- ister. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Yale College in 1794, and died pastor at Abing- ton, Pa., in 1810.

There was what may be termed a remarkably liberal collection taken at Amwell for education in 1772. At the meeting of Presbytery held at Kingston, Oct. 8, 1771, the subject of edueating young men for the min- istry was under discussion, and it was resolved to notify all the churches. Mr. Tennent was appointed to present the subject to the vacant Amwell Church, and at meeting of Presbytery, Trenton, April 14, 1772, he reports the sum subscribed, £114 178. 6d. ; paid, £87 78. 6d .; lost, £1 108. Od .; outstanding, £26. This was the largest sum subscribed, with exception of Bedmin- ster, and the largest paid by £25.

The next pastor was John Warford, who was or- dained and installed July 31, 1776, at what is called the upper house in the minutes, meaning the Second Church.# He married the widow of Kirkpatrick, his predecessor. His salary was £100 a year (Dr. Jacob Kirkpatrick, "Historical Discourse," p. 7, says £50, which is an error). The price of produce having in- creased during the Revolution, mostly from the de- preciation of the Continental money, the congregation resolved :

" Whereas, The prices of country produce are much rison to what they were when the Rev'd Mr. Warford settled in Amwell, when his congre- gation agreed to pay him as salary £100 pounds per annum, to which wo respectively subscribed or engaged to pay, we who had subscribed or taken seats in order to pay the salary uow engago to make up our re- spective engagement+ in produce at the price they respectively boro when we entered into such engagement, or pay as much money as will pur- chase such or so much produce," etc.

This is dated Jan. 21, 1779, and signed by "Jasper Smith, John Henry, David Bartron, Charles Reading, John Reading, son of Daniel, William Abbit, Abra- ham Deremer, Tunis Quick, William Schanek, Abra- ham Williamson, Peter Prall, Thomas Lowrey, Isaac Ilill, JJames Stout, Jacob Mattison, Joseph Hankin- son, Jr., John Hankinson, Arthur Gray, Samuel Car- man, David Jones, Samuel Furman, David Bishop, Garrett Schanck, James Stout, Capt. - James, Peter Philips, Cornelius Stout, Maj. Samuel Hill, John Phillips, Thomas Reading, Thomas Wilson, Jonathan Pidcock, Jacob Bommon, Walter Wilson, Thomas Burrowes, Abraham Hegeman, Thomas Han- kinson, Daniel Wilson." This list will enable us to see who were then the supporters of the church.

At the same time it was determined to circulate a subscription to purchase a new parsonage, as the old one was very much out of repair. The subscription although liberal, on account of the rapid rise in the price of land, was not sufficient, and the project was

# Ballt about 1754.

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

abandoned. The trustees hired " a plantation adjoin- ing the parsonage for £150, in order to better support the minister," the amount being raised by special sub- scription.

In 1784, during Mr. Warford's pastorate, a proposal was made to sell the two buildings "commonly called the old and new meeting-houses of the English Pres- byterians of Amwell, and erect one house for the two congregations at a central point." The measure was abandoned.

Mr. Warford's relations to the congregations ceased Oct. 16, 1787 ; he is mentioned as a supply occasion- ally during the winter and spring. He was afterwards (July, 1789) installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Salem, about 50 miles from New York City. In 1784, Mr. Abraham Praul's name appears as an elder.

Dr. Witherspoon, Dr. Stanhope Smith, and others supplied the vacant pulpit. Mr. Grant's name as supply appears first in November, 1790; he subse- quently became pastor.

In September, 1791, Jasper Smith and fifty-five others in and about Flemington petitioned to be formed into a congregation. Mr. John Prall, Jr., in behalf of the united congregations of Amwell, op- posed the measure, and it was deferred until the next meeting of Presbytery, at which meeting it was unanimously resolved by Presbytery that the circum- stances would not justify the forming of another congregation. One reason given was that it would nullify the call to Mr. Grant. (This is the first men- tion of a call having been made.)

A call was made for Mr. Grant's services, he to preach one-fourth of his time at Flemington, one- fourth at First Amwell, one-half at Second Amwell. The salary was £130, gold or silver, with the use of parsonage. Rev. Thomas Grant was ordained and installed at the Amwell Second Church Dec. 13, 1791 ; his relations ceased on account of failing health April 25, 1809. He died in March, 1810. He remained a longer time than did any of his predecessors.

Joseph Reading, son of the Governor, John Praul, Jonathan Burrowes, and Col. David Bishop, in ad- dition to those previously named, represented the Amwell Church in Presbytery. As the records are lost, it is in this way only that the names of the elders can be ascertained up to 1820.

Col. Bishop, who was one of the most prominent men of his day in the county, was elected commis- sioner to the General Assembly in the years 1801-3 and 1806-7. He died Dec. 22, 1815. Ifis monument is in the old yard.

In 1809 proposals were made to the German con- gregation at Larison's by the Flemington congrega- tion to unite in the support of a pastor. "This," says Dr. Mott,* " would probably have been accepted had not the First Amwell, on becoming acquainted

with the overture, offered to unite with them on the same terms. . . . Thus the old house (First Amwell), the new house (Second Amwell), and the German congregation (First German Reformed) united for the support of a pastor." The First and German Church elected trustees to hold the funds of the two churches in common, with the title of the United First Church, each worshiping in its respective building.

In 1810, Jacob Kirkpatrick was called to supply these churches. He was licensed Aug. 8, 1809; or- dained June 20, 1810. He was installed pastor of Amwell, June 16, 1815.

In October, 1817, Amwell was set off to the Pres- bytery of Newton. The relations between the First Church and the German Church continued until March 19, 1818, when, "at a meeting of the United Presbyterian Congregations held at the stone house (Larison's), a motion was made by Jacob Young, and seconded, that this united congregation dissolve their present connection in order that each branch may choose trustees for itself. Carried, 34 to 6."+

The congregation at Larison's assumed the title "United First."

Mr. Kirkpatrick's relation to the First Church seems to have continued to Nov. 1, 1818. The last receipt that appears on the records of the trustees signed by him is for salary to that date.

Aug. 18, 1819, a committee from the First Church, consisting of Messrs. Titus Quick, John Schenk, and Jacob J. Young, met a committee from the Reformed Dutch Church at "New Shannack" (Neshanic), con- sisting of Messrs. Heury H. Schenk, John Wyckoff, Jr., and Nicholas Williamson, to consider an action taken at a meeting of the first-named congregation,- to wit, that a call be extended to the Rev. Mr. Smats or Smaltz, and to submit to the government of the Dutch Reformed Church. Arrangements were made at this meeting to unite with the "New Shannack" Church in this call, but at the meeting which was held on the 1st of September, 1819, the action of the previous meetings was reconsidered, and the union did not take place.

April 1, 1820, the Amwell congregation agreed to unite with the Flemington congregation iu support- ing a pastor.

April 29th a call was made out for half of Rev. Mr. Clark's services as a supply for three years at a salary of $325. The matter was not settled until later in the year. This union lasted for almost sixteen years. The separation grew out of a desire to have preaching at both churches every Sabbath. Almost simultaneously a call was extended from each to Mr. Clark. He accepted that from the First Church, April 27, 1836, and his relation with the Flemington Church ceased. Mr. Clark, however, soon severed his connection with the First Church that he might accept a call to the First Presbyterian Church of

* Dr. Mott's History of the Flemington Church, pp. 25, 26.

+ This is a copy of the minutes. Sce Trustecs' Records, p. 89.

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Paterson, N. J. The relation was dissolved Dee. 27, 1836 .*

The next pastor was the Rev. David Hull, who began his ministry in 1837 as a supply for six months. He continued until April 16, 1844, when the pastoral relation was dissolved. Mr. Hull is still living, at a ripe old age, in the city of Williamsport, Pa., honor- ably retired from the active work of the ministry. The first wife of Mr. Hull died while he was pastor, and was buried in the old yard.

In 1839, during Mr. Hull's pastorate, the present church building was erected. The old church in the graveyard was torn down and part of the material used in the construction of the new church. It was resolved to build in Greenville (Reaville), about one and a half miles from the old site. The building committee consisted of John Hagaman, George F. Wilson, Gideon Quick, Jacob W. Schanck, and George P. Rex, M.D. The building was to be 42 feet wide and 56 feet long, and the cost was, as near as can be ascertained, $2300 and the old church. The con- tractor and builder was Mr. Jacob Voorhees, of the congregation. The building was commenced Feb. 11, 1839, and finished in the autumn. It is a frame building.

May 26, 1840, the First Church united with the Dutch Reformed Church at Clover Hill for the sup- port of a pastor, and elected one set of trustees who administered the affairs of the two churches. This union lasted until the year 1863.

The next pastor at the First Church was Rev. Ben- jamin Carrell, who was installed Nov. 26, 1844. The relation was dissolved April 11, 1859. Mr. Carrell was pastor of the united churches for about fourteen years. He is at present a resident of Lambertville, N. J. His last pastoral charge was Kingwood, in this county. We are without any other facts in his his- tory.

Rev. George P. Van Wyck was Mr. Carrell's suc- cessor. He was installed the last Tuesday in Janu- ary, 1860; relations dissolved Oct. 22, 1862. He is at present a chaplain in the United States navy.

Rev. . J. B. H. Janeway, son of Thomas L. Janeway, D.D., of Philadelphia, was the next pastor ; ordained and installed May 7, 1863; relations dissolved Sept. 6, 1864. The death of Mr. Janeway's wife led to this early dissolution of his relations. There were numer- ous additions to the church in this brief pastorate. Mr. Janeway was very highly esteemed by his people. Hle resides at present in Philadelphia, where for sev- cral years, and until recently, he has been secretary and netuary of a life insurance company.

Rev. Nathan L. Upham, n brother-in-law of Mr. Janeway, was his successor. He was installed the second Tuesday in June, 1865; relations dissolved Nov. 1, 1871. His pastoral charge at present is Mer- chantville, N. J.

* Seo Dr. Mott's Historical Discourso, Flemington Church, pp. 33, 34.

In the spring of 1865 a lot was purchased of Robert R. Smith, in Reaville, on which to build a parsonage. Messrs. Zebulon Stout, Barzilla Robbins, and John W. Priestley were the building committee. The structure and lot cost, exclusive of much work done by the congregation, over $5000. The edifice reflects credit upon the liberality and taste of the congregation and the building committee, it being one of the finest properties in the neighborhood.

The next pastor was the Rev. John H. Schofield. Hle was installed Feb. 20, 1872; relations dissolved Fcb. 3, 1874, he having accepted a call to the church at Kingston, N. J., with which his relations have re- cently been dissolved.

The Rev. John S. Beekman was called to the First Church Jan. 4, 1875; installed Feb. 16, 1875. His relations continued until the spring of 1878. During the early part of Mr. Beekman's pastorate there was a revival of religion resulting in a number of accessions to the church.t

The present pastor, John P. W. Blattenberger, was installed Dec. 31, 1878, he having been called from the pastorate of the Bergen Street Methodist Epis- copal Church, in the city of Newark. He was gradu- ated, in 1873, in college and theological departments of Drew Seminary. A revival of religion followed the installation as the result of meetings held growing out of the observance of the week of prayer. At the communion held March 2, 1879, 47 were added on profession and 17 by letter. This is supposed to be the largest addition at any one time in the church's history.

We are without data as to the early history of the Sabbath-school. The present superintendent is Elder George P'. Rex, M.D. It numbers 156 members, and is very efficient in all its departments.

The old church is in a prosperous condition. There are no debts. The parsonage has been thoroughly renovated and repaired. The membership has largely increased, and the greatest harmony prevails; and it is hoped that its future may be one of increased use- fulness.

Pastors.

1751-5-1, Eliab Byram ; 1755-65, Bonjamin Hait; 1766-69, William Kirk- patrick ; 1776-87, John Warford ; 1791-1809, Thomas Grant ; 1815-18, Jacob Kirkpatrick (supply 1-10-15) ; 1820-36, John FInvel Clark ; 1837-41, David Hull ; 1844-59, Benjamin Carrell ; 1860-62, Georgo P. Van Wyck ; 1863-64, Joshun B. H. Janewny; 1865-71, Nathan L. L'p- ham ; 1872-74, John Il. Schoffel ; 1875-78, John S. Beckman ; 1878 to present time, John l'. W. Blattenberger.

Elders.

Derrick Hoagland, Michael Henry, Abraham La Rue, Jacob Ruder, Peter Wilson, William Norcross, Alexander White, Abraham Prall, Joseph Reading, John Prall, Jonathan Borrows, David Bishop (died 1815), Titus Quick, John Hoagland (ordained 1822, removed 1856), Tunis Quick (ordained 1822), Peter P. Young (ordained 1531, removed 1467), Goorgo F. Wilson (ordained 1831, removed 1-52), John P. Quick (or-

+ Mr. Brekman in a native of Middlebush ; graduated at Princeton Col- lege in 1857; theological seminary, 1960. He was ordainal pastor of the Old Farmington Church, In Illinois, In 1862; called thence to French Grove, same Presbytery ( Peorin), In 1866. He is nuw engaged in privalo teaching in Princeton and supplying vacant churches on the Sabbath.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 80

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1170