History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 1, Part 74

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 974

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"That I might lay a good foundation for the chil- . dren, and build them up in sound Christian principles, I began to catechize, at first only asking questions in the church catechism ; but after a while I changed the method with them so as still to keep the words of the catechism, but raised other questions to the several clauses and matters contained therein, to try what they understood of it, and by this means led them further into the sense and meaning of every part of it. The number of my catechumens began now to increase, and several of riper years presented themselves with a seeming earnestness to receive the benefit of this instruction. So I carried it further, and put Lewis' Exposition into their hands, and ap- pointed them a day, about once a month, to come to the court-house and say the parts which I set them to get by heart, and this course I continued till some of them could recite it from end to end."

After giving an account of the laying of a floor and the making of other improvements in the old church edifice at Middletown, so as to make it fit for the holding of worship in it, he proceeds,-

"After necessity had been answered its demand in fitting up of one church, expediency came next to be consulted for the finishing of another, viz .: St. Peter's, in the township of Freehold, which had been built many years, but was never quite completed. The ground on which the church stands was the gift of one Mr. Thomas Boel, who had been a Quaker, but was brought over, with many others of that per- suasion, by Mr. George Keith, one of the society's missionaries, who himself had been one of that peo- ple, but became a very zealous member and diligent servant of the church, and was a person well learned. After his return from abroad he had the living of Edburton, in Sussex, and published his journal of missionary travel.

"The situation of St. Peter's Church at Topane- mes, which is distant from any town, is, however, convenient enough to the congregation, and was re- sorted to by many families in Middlesex County living within the several districts of Cranberry, Macheponeck and South River; their missionary. my friend and brother, Mr. Skinner, gladly remitting to me the care of them, which he could not well attend to by reason of a wide and often dangerous ferry over the Raritan, which divides Middlesex . County. I was, therefore, willing to give them all

possible attendance, and did often meet them and baptize their children, and appointed certain days to preach at those places and there also cate- chize.

"The inhabitants of Freehold township were at least half of them Presbyterians. The church- people, and these interspersed among each other, had lived less in charity and brotherly love than as be- comes churches. But they began on both sides to think less of the things in which they differed in opinion than of those in which they agreed. And when bickering and disputing were laid down, which was done at last, with the consent of both parties, another strife arose from a better spirit in the way of peace, to provoke love and to do good works, in which neither side was less forward than the other.

" After this the churches continued to flourish, and in the latter end of the year 1750, having then been about five years in America upon this mission, I wrote to the Venerable and Honourable Society a letter requesting them to grant me a mission to the coast of Guiney, that I might go to make a trial with the Natives, and see what hopes there would be of introducing among them the Christian Religion. The summer following, I received an answer to that letter from the Rev. Dr. Bearcroft, acquainting me that the Society had concluded to support me in the design of that Voyage, and would appoint another Missionary in my stead for Monmouth County. And the next September, the Rev. Samuel Cooke, of Caius College, arrived with his proper credentials, and I delivered up my charge to him. Having took my leave of the congregation, I set out on the 13th of November, 1751, for New York, from thence to go on my voyage to Africa; and at Elizabethtown waited on Governor Jonathan Belcher, Esq., who succeeded Colonel Morris, to pay my respects to him before I left the Province."

The Rev. Samuel Cooke, mentioned by Mr. Thompson as his successor, was the last of the missionaries sent to Monmouth County from England. He remained over the churches until the Revolution, and soon after the open- ing of the war joined the British in New York, and was made deputy chaplain of one of their brigades.

The first church edifice of St. Peter's was located at Topanemus, on land donated for the purpose by Thomas Boels, a convert from Quakerism. These facts are clearly stated in the foregoing account by the Rev. Mr. Thomp- son. The date of its erection is a matter of doubt, but it seems evident that it must have been built some years prior to the time (A.D.

THE TOWN OF FREEHOLD.

415

17361) which has often been given as the cor- rect one, because Mr. Thompson says it "had been built many years, but was never quite completed ;" but he took measures then to have it finished and put in proper condition for use.

The date of the building of St. Peter's Church at Monmouth Court-House village cannot be given, but it was certainly after the departure of Mr. .Thompson, in 1751. It has been said that it was built from the timber of the old Topanemus Church, which had been torn down for the pur- pose ; but this is not known to have been the case, though it is known that the pews and some other parts of the interior of the old church were used for the present one. That it was built some considerable time prior to 1763 is made reasonably evident by the tenor of an ancient subscription agreement now in posses- sion of Mr. William Lloyd, of Freehold, and of which the following is a copy :

"We, the subscribers, being willing to pay off the arrears due from the church of St. Peter's, of Free- hold, as well those due to the former managers as those lately contracted for repairs done to the said church; and being desirous thoro'ly to repair & clean the building, and to add what things are farther necessary for the more decent performance of Divine Worship therein: Do each man for himself promise to pay to Keneth Hankinson, or to the church War- dens for the time being of the aforesaid church, the several sums to our names severally annexed; one- half to be paid on or before the first day of July next, and the remainder on or before the first day of November following. In witness whereof, we here- unto set our hands, May 17th, 1763.

"Job Throckmorton 5

John Forman

5 0

Daniel Grandin 5 0

James Abraham 5 0

John Perreine . 3 10

Lawrence Dey . 1 15

Henry Perreine 1 15

William Dey 1 15

1 The charter of St. Peter's Church, Freehold, was granted by King George the Second, of England, in the ninth year of his reign, on the 4th day of June, A.D. 1736, certain petitioners " having set forth that with great expense they have built a decent Church for God's wor- ship in the said town of Freehold, & upon their humble petition to the Honorable and Venerable Society for Prop- agation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, have been supplied with a minister, a Presbyter of the Church of England, duly qualified for the cure of said Church."

Thomas Leonard

James Abraham, Jr.

1 15

James Bradshaw 1

Sam1. Cooke

5 0

James Hankinson 3 10

Joseph Morford

Robert Campbell .

Kenneth Hankinson Amount torn out.

Thomas Tomson

Joseph Rue

3 10

David Stout

Thomas Frances

0 16"

Several of the names of these subscribers will be readily recognized as those of inhabit- ants of the vicinity of Monmouth Court- House village. It does not appear, however, that they entirely succeeded in putting the old building in good repair and condition, for it is known that it remained unfinished for three- fourths of a century after that time. During the Revolution it remained uncared for and somewhat dilapidated, and was used at different times as a hospital for soldiers and as an army store-house. Finally, in 1838, it was com- pleted, and consecrated by Bishop Doane, as hereafter noticed.

From the time when the Rev. Samuel Cooke left to join the British, until the year 1788, the parish was left vacant. In that year the Rev. Henry Waddell became rector at Shrewsbury, and minister of St. Peter's, Freehold. He was succeeded, in 1799, by the Rev. Andrew Fowler.

In 1809 the Rev. John Croes, Jr. (eldest son of the Rev. John Crocs, of New Brunswick), who had lately been ordained to the diaconate - by Bishop Hobart, of New York (there being no bishop in New Jersey), took charge of the three churches at Shrewsbury, Middletown and Free- hold (all of which had been much depressed since the Revolution), and officiated in Moun- mouth County for fifteen years. How much of his time was devoted to Freehold it is impossi- ble to say. His residence was principally at Shrewsbury, and in the Journal of 1816 his name is recorded as rector of Christ Church, Shrewsbury, and minister of St. Peter's, at Frechold, the latter of which had then only eighteen families and fifteen communicants.

In 1819 St. Peter's was a missionary station

416

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

without regular services, and it continued so for several years. Subsequently it was supplied by the Rev. John M. Ward, the rector of the church at Spottswood, of whom Bishop Doane said, in 1834: " Mr. Ward has thus far been obliged to occupy himself partially in the in- struction of a school. His spirit, however, is not thus repressed. He had scarcely ceased to go as missionary to Freehold when he com- menced the performance of services at South Amboy."

On the 1st of July, 1833, the bishop visited Freehold, and in 1834 he wrote of it as follows : "Since my former visit, the opinion which I .expressed in my last address, that the services of a clergyman ought to be, and might be, se- cured here, has been acted on. The Rev. Samuel Edwin Arnold, late of the Diocese of New York, having been elected Principal of the Academy, has taken the pastoral charge of St. Peter's Church. His services as an instructor, I am informed, give great satisfaction. His desires for the spiritual improvement of the people I know are ardent, and he has exerted himself with much success. Long-established habits of negligence of the support of Christian ordinances are hard to be overcome."

It was further stated by the bishop, in the same address, that he had made a proposition to the wardens of the church to devote a certain sum from the " offerings" of the diocese to the support of Mr. Arnold, provided they would contribute another specified sum ; and he was encouraged to believe that the arrangement would be made, and Mr. Arnold's services re- tained. In this, however, it appears that he was disappointed. The number of families in the parish was then about twenty, and of communicants, ten.

In 1835 the bishop announced that " a board- ing and day-school, under the direction of an Episcopal clergyman," had, according to his recommendation, been established at Borden- town, and that Mr. Arnold had, with his con- sent, removed there from Freehold to take charge of the school. This, of course, left the Freehold parish vacant, but the bishop an- nounced that if the vestry would "duly exert themselves to make the proper arrangements,"

he would appoint the Rev. Thomas Tanser, who was then about to take up his residence, and to act as chaplain and teacher at the Howell Works, "to supply that church one-half of each Lord's Day." The appointment was made, and in 1836 it is recorded that the Rev. Mr. Tanser had "temporary charge" of St. Peter's ; but in 1837 he had removed from Howell and was officiating at Spottswood. He was an Englishman by birth, reared among the disciples of Wesley, and Bishop Doane thought it, " an interesting circumstance, in connection with the appointment at Howell, that it was a part of the field of labor of the zealous mission- ary, Thompson, who had been sent out by the Venerable Society for Propagating the Gospel." Mr. Tanser was a man of great zeal and earn- estness, and is still remembered by some of the churchmen of Monmouth County.

In his address delivered in May, 1837, the bishop stated that he had visited the church in Freehold in the preceding October, and added : " Of this old church I regret my inability to say anything that is encouraging. The people think they are unable to do much for them- selves, and 'as a man thinketh, so he is.' It would be unpardonable to despair of any church that God hath planted. With Him the springs of life remain. It is in His power to make even the dead revive. We will trust that for St. Peter's Church, Freehold, there is yet to be, and that not far distant, a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord."

In June, 1837, the Rev. Robert B. Croes began to officiate in St. Peter's, and in the fol- lowing September he was instituted into the rectorship by Bishop Doane. Until 1840 he divided his services between this parish and St. Peter's of Spottswood. He remained at Free- hold nearly four years from the time of his commencement, and it was during his rectorate, and largely through his influence and labors, that the church building was at last completed, after so many years of dilapidation and neglect. With regard to this old edifice, which had stood through the Revolution, and had at different times given shelter to soldiers of both the American and British armies, Bishop Doane said (in the address to the convention, before

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417

THE TOWN OF FREEHOLD.

quoted from) : " In 1782 the church, which was never finished, was occupied as a store- house for the army. During the greater part of the period which has elapsed since that time it has scarcely had so much as ' a name to live.' Let us hope that better days have come."

In May, 1838, the bishop visited the parish, and in his annual address made the following record, showing the date of the completion and consecration of the church: "On Tuesday, May 8th, I consecrated St. Peter's Church to the worship of Almighty God. The request of the vestry was read by the Rev. Mr. Croes, the sentence of consecration and the morning prayer by the Rev. Mr. Finch. Here is another striking instance of the vitality of the church. To those who bear in mind the notice of this parish in the last address the present record must seem as 'life from the dead.' And so it is. During the whole of my connection with the diocese no parish has given me more solicitude ; none with less of hope. But God seeth not as man seeth. The signs of life, which, at the visitation in the autumn, were apparent, are now more than realized. It seemed impossible that the old building, never finished, and yet ruinous, in which I had offici- ated, could be the neat, commodious and beauti- ful building which I was now called to conse- crate. We are indebted under God for this result to the zeal and industry of the Rev. Robert B. Croes."

In April, 1841, Mr. Croes resigned the rec- torship, and was succeeded in the following June by the Rev. Philip E. Milledoler, M.D., son of the Rev. Dr. Milledoler, of the Dutch Reformed Communion. In 1842 the rector reported that the members of the parish had within the then past year procured an organ and made considerable improvements in the church and in ornamenting the grounds, etc.

In May, 1843, the bishop stated that he had lately visited Freehold, and found the parish "in a truly interesting and prosperous state; God's blessing on the pastor's faithful use of the appointed means!" Dr. Milledoler at the same time reported that he had, at Easter, re- signed his charge of the Freehold Church, hav- ing been called to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., his 27

separation from the congregation having been "caused by no diminution of mutual love and respect, but by other important considerations."

On the 1st of August, 1843, the Rev. Fer- nando C. Putnam assumed charge of the parish, and afterwards became its rector. On the 1st of April, 1850, he resigned the rectorship, but continued to officiate until June, 1851.

September 28, 1852, the Rev. George Sayres entered upon his duties as rector, and on Oc- tober 1, 1853, resigned his charge to go as mis- sionary to Illinois and professor in Jubilee Col- lege. He was succeeded as rector of St. Peter's by the Rev. W. T. Johnston, who resigned Feb- ruary 12, 1855.

On January 1, 1856, the Rev. T. J. K. Lightbourne became rector. Heresigned in 1858.

The Rev. Robert G. Chase took charge of the parish in March, 1858, and resigned the rec- torship in June, 1859.

On April 1, 1860, the Rev. Thomas_J. Tay- lor entered upon his duties as rector. He re- signed his charge in March, 1863.

April 1, 1863, the Rev. Wilbur F. Nields became rector, and on January 1, 1867, resigned his rectorship on account of ill health, and ac- cepted the rectorship of Trinity Church, at St. Augustine, Fla., where he died March 2, 1867.

On June 9, 1867, the Rev. A. Sydney Dealey assumed charge of the parish, and resigned March 11, 1871. He was succeeded by the Rev. J. H. Barnard, on June 18, 1871, who con- tinued in charge until November 24, 1873.

The Rev. George Herbert Watson entered upon the rectorship March 1, 1874, and re- mained until May, 1877, when he resigned to go as rector of " Laurel Hall," a young ladies' seminary in San Mateo, Cal.

The present rector, the Rev. Thomas H. Cul- len, assumed charge of the parish on August 12, 1877.

In 1878 the church was enlarged, in harmony with the original style of the building, and en- tirely refurnished, the members of the parish showing their affection for the venerable edifice by their beautiful and appropriate gifts.

THE FREEHOLD BAPTIST CHURCH originated from the congregation (a part of the Upper Freo-

418

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

hold Church) who worshiped in the old meeting- house that was built nearly a century and a quar- ter ago, a short distance southwest of the Mon- mouth Court-House village, at a place which is still known as the old Baptist graveyard.

In 1713 the Rev. John Burrowes became pas- tor of the Baptist Church in Middletown, and remained until his death, about 1737. During his ministry he preached not only in Middle- town (including what is now Holmdel), but ex- tended his labors to the southwestern part of the county, and laid the foundation of what after- wards became the Baptist Church of Upper Freehold, including the congregation of the old church that stood near what is now the village of Freehold.

Mr. Burrowes was succeeded in 1738 by the Rev. Abel Morgan, who, in his writings, men- tions the fact that he preached "in Freehold and the region round about." He is mentioned as preaching at many places in the county. In the year 1762, David Jones, of Middletown, who was afterwards ordained to the ministry, moved to the vicinity of Monmouth Court- House, and in 1764 began preaching to the few Baptists living near his residence and also to those of Upper Freehold, who, in the next year, formed the church there. At about this time the meeting-house had been erected on the old graveyard site southwest of the court-house. It was occupied for worship until after the close of the Revolution, but after that time gradually fell into disuse and decay. Services were held occasionally in this locality by ministers of the Upper Freehold Church, and from 1813 to 1822 the Rev. John Cooper, pastor of that church, preached once a month to the people here, probably in private houses.

In 1822 Mr. Cooper was succeeded by the Rev. J. M. Challis, who, with reference to his settlement in Upper Freehold, said : "I found the church in a very feeble and disorganized state, especially so in the neighborhood of Free- hold; so much so that I found among them but one regular male member (Peter Clayton) and a few feeble but pious sisters. The meeting- house was almost in ruins, and the congregation scattered and peeled." But soon the house was repaired and people began to be added to the

Lord, the first of whom was Euphemia Hunt- singer. Mr. Challis continued his monthly visits to Freehold, preaching "publicly and from house to house" and "breaking bread" to them every fifth Sunday of a month until 1834,-a period of twelve years, during which, he says, " my labors continued to be blessed more and more every succeeding year, till at length the number of members having increased to nearly one hundred, it was thought to be highly expe- dient and necessary that they be constituted a separate and independent Baptist Church in the Lord Jesus."

After much deliberation the members in and around Freehold addressed a letter to the Up- per Freehold Baptist Church in the following words :

" The members of the Baptist Church in and about Freehold town, to the Upper Freehold Church, of which they are members sendeth greeting : It being the unanimous and cordial consent of this branch of your church to constitute themselves into a separate body, and that, thinking it will be for the promotion of the Gospel and the good of souls around us so to act, we therefore, with all brotherly love and Christian feel- ing, humbly crave a separation from you. In consid- eration of which request we affectionately tender our names :

"Joseph F. Randolph,

Mary S. Clayton,

Oliver Cox, Daniel Konk,

Thomas Strickland, Cornelius Strickland,

Lucretia Strickland,

Martha Parker,

Peter Clayton,

Elizabeth Wilson,

Elsey Clayton,

Abigail Wilson,

James Smalley,

George White,

Esther Smalley,

Mary Ann Brown,

Samuel Hall,

Ann Perrine,

Britannia Hall,

Rebecca E. Clayton,

Jonathan Croxson,

David Perrine,

Sophia Mott, Eliza Michener,

Mary Perrine, James D. Clayton,

James A. Conover,

Hannah Conover,

Caroline Clemens,

Sarah Mathews, Archibald Konk,

Grace Emmons,

Mary H. Havens,

James Hulshart,

Jane Hulshart,

Euphemia Huntsinger,

Rebecca Huntsinger,

Margaret Clayton, Hannah Pittinger, Archer Pittinger,

Margaret A. Layton,

Eliza Keepery, Ann Clayton,

Mary Ann Clayton, Clark Havens,

Margaret Havens,

Lydia A. Clayton,

William Armstrong, Rebecca Armstrong, Gertrude Simpson, Mary Simpson,

Ruhama Simpson, Sarah Vannote, Gertrude Hiers,

419

THE TOWN OF FREEHOLD.

Hope Clayton,

Lydie A. Clayton,

Mary Silvers, Margaret Perrine, Rebecca Clayton,

John Barton,

Esther Edwards,

Hannah Griggs,

Elizabeth Barton, Hannah Perrine, Gertrude Pittinger,

Hannah Taylor,

Synche Voorhees, Elenor Voorhees, Ann Hulshart,

Hannah A. Clayton, Isabel Clayton, Margaret White, Isabel Mott,

Esther Clayton,

Jane Johnson,

Sarah Clayton,

Phebe 'Throp,

Eleanor Armstrong,

Phebe Emmons,

Sarah Hulshart,

Hannah Emmons,

Elias Hulshart, Lydia A. Holman,

Elizabeth Vancleaf,

Mary Van Clove,

Mary Shepperd,

Mary Bennett,

Elizabeth Croxon,

Sarah Cox,

Elizabeth Hayes,

Prov. Thompson."

.The following answer was returned from the Upper Freehold Church :

"UPPER FREEHOLD, Nov., 1834.

" To the Ministering Brethren assembled to Constitute, and all else whom it may concern :

" BELOVED BRETHREN :- This is to certify that the foregoing persons named in the above application are members of the Baptist Church of Upper Freehold, in good standing and much respected. Their application having been laid before the church, their request was considered reasonable, and though in some measure painful to part with so many brethren dearly beloved, yet their request was granted unanimously. Therefore they are hereby dismissed, in order to be constituted into a separate and independent church of the Lord Jesus. May the God of Jacob bless them abundantly in their undertaking, and cause them to prosper and be in good health even as their souls prosper. When they are properly constituted in Gospel order, they will be considered as dismissed from us. Signed in behalf of the whole church.

" JAMES M. CHALLIS, Pastor."

To the ninety-two dismissed from the Upper Freehold Church two more were added, one from the Middletown Church and one from the Hightstown Church. These ninety-four met in November, 1834, and constituted themselves an independent church, and adopted the name of " Freehold Baptist Church." They adopted as theirs the " Confession of Faith " first adopted by the Philadelphia Baptist Association, Sep- tember 25, 1742 ; also a summary of that Con- fession and " Rules of Order " then just adopted by the Union Baptist Church of the city of New

York, and the "Covenant " recommended by the New Jersey Baptist Association. A resolu- tion was adopted pledging themselves to " en- tire abstinence from the making, vending or use of ardent spirits as an article of luxury or living." But objection being made, on Serip- tural grounds, to incorporating the resolution into the Covenant, they recommended its adop- tion in practice by the entire church and con- gregation. They then chose Joseph F. Ran- dolph for their moderator, in the absence of a pastor, and elected Oliver Cox church clerk, but failed to choose deacons.

Agreeably to a call from the church, a council comprising delegates from the churches at Upper Freehold, Middletown, Salem, Mount Holly and Manasquan convened in their house of worship November 21, 1834,-Moderator, Rev. Joseph Shepherd ; Clerk, Rev. J. M. Challis. After due deliberation, the church was unanimously recog- nized as an independent, regular Baptist Church.

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History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 1, Part 74

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co. Number of Pages: 974

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 974