History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 73

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Swan, Norma Lippincott. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia, R. T. Peck & co.
Number of Pages: 1148

USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth county, New Jersey > Part 73

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The Rev. Robert G. Chase took charge of record must seem as 'life from the dead.' And the parish in March, 1858, and resigned the rec- so it is. During the whole of my connection torship in June, 1859. with the diocese no parish has given me more On April 1, 1860, the Rev. Thomas J. Tay- solicitude; none with less of hope. But God lor entered upon his duties as rector. He re- seeth not as man seeth. The signs of life, signed his charge in March, 1863. which, at the visitation in the autumn, were apparent, are now more than realized. It

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

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- On June 9, 1867, the Rev. A. Sydney Dealey crate. We are indebted under God for this , assumed charge of the parish, and resigned result to the zeal and industry of the Rev. March 11, 1871. He was succeeded by the 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.

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. C'ul- len, assumed charge of the parish on August 12, 1877.

In May, 1843, the bishop stated that he had In 1878 the church was enlarged, in harmony with the original style of the building, and eu- showing their affection for the venerable edifice by their beautiful and appropriate gifts. lately visited Freehold, and found the parish "in a truly interesting and prosperous state; tirely refurnished, the members of the parish 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, hay- THE FREEHOLD BAPTIST CHURCH originated ing been called to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., his , from the congregation (a part of the Upper Fren- 27

41S

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 (inelnding 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, inehiding 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." IIe 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 ereeted 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,

Sophia Mott, Eliza Michener,

David Perrine, Mary Perrine,

James A. Conover,

James D. Clayton,

Hannah Conover,

Mary Ann Clayton,

Caroline Clemens,

Clark Havens,

Sarah Mathews,

Margaret Havens,

Archibald Konk, Grace Emmons,

Mary H. Havens,

James Hulshart,

Lydia A. Clayton, Euphemia Huntsinger,

Jane Hulshart,

William Armstrong,

Rebecca Armstrong, Gertrude Simpson, Mary Simpson,

Ruhama Simpson,

Sarah Vannote, Gertrude Hiers,

Rebecca Huntsinger, Margaret Clayton, Hannah Pittinger,

Archer Pittinger, Margaret A. Layton,

Eliza Keepery, Ann Clayton,

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THE TOWN OF FREEHOLD.

Hope Clayton,

Lydie A. Clayton,

Eleanor Barkalow,

Eliza Ann Mount, Mary Vonk,

Esther Edwards,

Hannah Perrine,

Hannah Griggs,

Hannah Taylor,

Gertrude Pittinger, Hannah A. Clayton, Isabel Clayton,

Synche Voorhees, Elenor Voorhees,

Ann Hulshart,

Margaret White, Isabel Mott,

Esther Clayton,

Jane Johnson,

Sarah Clayton,

Phebe 'Throp,

Eleanor Armstrong,

Phebe Emmons,

Sarah Hulshart,

Elias Hulshart,

Hannah Emmons, Lydia A. Holman,

Elizabeth Vancleaf,

Mary Van Clove,

Mary Shepperd,

Mary Bennett,

Elizabeth Croxon,

Saralı 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 elined. January 26th the officers of the church

they are hereby dismissed, in order to be constituted into a separate and independent church of the Lord Jesns. 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- gregati on. They then chose Joseph F. Ran- dolph for their moderator, in the absence of a pastor, and elected Oliver Cox church elerk, 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.

At a meeting of the church held January 10, 1835, David Perrine, Samuel Hall and Abra- ham Havens were chosen deacons, and Joseph F. Randolph was elected treasurer. They re- solved to ask the Upper Freehold Church to allow their pastor, Mr. Challis, to divide his services with them, but their request was de- chose for trustees Clark Havens, J. F. Ran- dolph, Oliver Cox and David Perrine, of the church, and Richard Ely, Andrew Simpson and Joseph Parker, from the congregation. On the 23d day of March, 1835, Mr. Challis closed his labors in Freehold by preaching to the church from 2 Corinthians, xiii. 11,-" Finally, breth- ren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of the same mind, live in peace : and the God of love and peace be with you." A call to the pastorship of the church was given to and accepted by Rev. C. J. Hopkins, at a salary of four hundred dollars, one hundred dollars of which was received from the State Convention, and he began his labors March 28, 1835, and on the 26th of May following, the church was received into the New York Baptist Associa- tion.

Monthly observance of the Lord's Supper was established, and May 30th the trustees were

Mary Silvers, Margaret Perrine, Rebecca Clayton, John Barton,

Elizabeth Barton,

420

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

" sworn in." We now find the church officered, recognized, associated and ready for church-work, vet .there is no record of any church action until nine months after ; but the minutes of the Con- vention credit the church with fifty dollars and fifty cents paid into its treasury.

On the 25th day of June, 1836, the church held a special meeting for the purpose of raising the pastor's salary, and requested him to preach to them on the subject. But it appears that the important sermon was delivered by the Rev. William D. Hires. In the autumn of 1836 the church made her second contribution to the Con- vention, amounting to fifty dollars, though num- bering but ninety-three members, and having received from the Convention ninety-five dol- lars. March 26, 1837, Mr. Hopkins closed his pastoral labors. But one person was added to strong opposition to locating it there. the church by baptism during his pastorate. By invitation, Rev. Peter Simonson, of Providence, R. I., preached to them April 2, 1837, . and was at once secured as their pastor, but re- signed his charge October 1, 1838, after a service of eighteen months, and settled in Cohansey ; but in that time he collected from the church $187.36 for the State Convention, and he im- mersed three converts into the fellowship.

Upon the recommendation of Mr. Challis, Rev. William Maul was invited to visit the church, and he received and accepted a call to the pastoral charge for one year, and commenced his labors November 13, 1838. The church then engaged his services for an indefinite per- iod at a salary of four hundred dollars a year. In order to secure happier church-meetings a committee of twelve members-half of them females-was appointed to investigate all bad reports that may be circulated about the mem- bers, and endeavor to settle all such matters without bringing them into the church, " which measure accomplished the end in view for awhile."

In October, 1840, the church withdrew from the New York Baptist Association, and joined the Central New Jersey Association, and, as a further sign of progress, "two new nine-plate stoves, with pipe to reach the ceiling," were purchased " for the better warming the house."

February 13, 1844, after a period of five and a quarter years of faithful and successful labor, Mr. Maul retired from the pastorship of the church. One hundred and four persons were baptized by him into the fellowship.

Occasional pulpit supplies were obtained until June 9th, when a unanimous call to the pastorate was given to Rev. Joseph Beldon-then a licentiate of the Bordentown Church-to serve them one year. Mr. Beldon accepted the invi- tation, and began his labors August 4, 1844, but at the end of the year he was engaged for an indefinite period.

In 1845 the necessity of erecting a new house of worship was considered. On motion of Dea- con H. Ely, it was resolved to erect the building in the village of Freehold, though there was a

The corner-stone of the new edifice was laid Angust 5, 1846, in the presence of a large con- course of people, among whom were Revs. J. Lansing Burrows, C. J. Hopkins, David B. Stout, W. D. Hires, Andrew Armstrong and Samnel Sproul. In connection with the laying of the stone, an eloquent address was delivered and other services held in the Reformed Church of Freehold, on account of the intense heat of the weather.

The new house, forty by sixty feet, was com- pleted and dedicated to God February 4, 1847. The sermon was preached by Rev. J. Lansing Burrows, of Philadelphia, from Psalm xevi. 6, -" Strength and beauty are in thy sanctuary ;" prayer of dedication by Rev. D. V. McLean, of the Freehold Presbyterian Church. There was a debt on the house of eighteen hundred dollars, twelve hundred dollars of which was subscribed that day. There were also present at the dedication Rev. T. S. Griffiths and Ed- ward Hera, of the Baptist Church, C. F. Wor- rel, of the Presbyterian, and Mr. Putnam, of the Episcopal. The bell, weighing eleven hun- dred and fourteen pounds, was presented by Thomas Hunt, Esq., of New York. Pews were then first rented by the church.

After a faithful pastorate of nine years and eleven months, during which time twenty-eight persons were baptized into the church, Mr. Beldon closed his labors as pastor July 1, 1854.

421

THE TOWN OF FREEHOLD.

In the following October, Rev. L. C. Stevens,

In 1866 the village of Marlboro' was made of Maine, was called to the pastorship, and the an out-station, and on May 25, 1869, an inde- church voted that "when any ten members 'pendent church was then recognized, and on shall certify to the deacons their dissatisfaction November 27th, a council met there to ordain to the gospel ministry Rev. E. E. Romine. with the pastor, the deacons shall call a special meeting of the church, and the members shall, by vote, determine whether to retain or dismiss him." Mr. Stevens declined their call. They then invited Rev. D. S. Parmelee, of the city of New York, to visit them in view of a settle- ment, but he declined their request.

For nine months the church was without a pastor. The Rev. William D. Hires received and accepted a call to the pastoral charge, and began his work April 1, 1855. The next year a large and handsome parsonage was erected, with a lecture-room in the basement. The fail- ing health of their pastor compelled him to re- sign his charge April 1, 1859. His pastorate of four years had been a successful one, and the church parted with him with extreme regret. The Rev. Mr. Charlton, of Philadelphia, was immediately called to preside, but he declined the invitation. The Rev. Thomas R. Taylor, of Mount Pleasant, Pa., received and accepted their unanimons call, and entered on his pastoral labors among them July 1, 1859.

October 4, 1860, twenty-five members-seven men and eighteen women-were dismissed at their request, and constituted themselves the " First : Baptist Church of Howell," and located their place of worship six miles southeast of Free- hold, in the township of Howell. The war of involved in that contest disturbed the harmony

On April 4, 1868, the question of enlarging the church building and placing a pipe-organ therein was considered, and unanimously agreed to, and the trustees were appointed to prepare a plan. The plan was submitted April 26th, and approved, and a subscription at once taken for its execution. On September 23, 1869, they entered the enlarged edifice, at which time the pastor's salary was increased to one thousand dollars. About this time regular Sunday even- ing services were established, still, however, sustaining preaching at the out-stations.

In July, 1875, the pastor announced that in October following his labors as pastor would cease, and on September 26th, Mr. Parmelee preached his farewell sermon, terminating a long and successful pastorate of over thirteen years, during which time one hundred and ninety were baptized into the fellowship of the church.

On October 4th, the church extended a unani- mous call to Rev. II. G. Mason, of Salem, N. J., at a salary of twelve hundred dollars, which was accepted, and he commenced his pastoral labors at once. January 1, 1876, two additional dea- cons were elected-namely, George Taylor, who declined serving, and Charles Truex.

Under Mr. Mason's ministry a Young Peo- the great Rebellion soon broke out, and questions , ple's Association was formed, auxiliary to the church-work, and of this organization is re- of the pastor and some of the members, and he , corded successful activity on the part of the retired from their oversight July 1, 1862, after ' younger church members. Special mention is a service of three years, during which time twenty-seven were added to the church by baptism.

made at this time of the very excellent work done through the " Ladies' Church Sociables." The financial condition of the church was much

Before Mr. Taylor left, Rev. D. S. Parmelee, improved through a better organization of of New York City, received and accepted the | methods of collecting. At this time, April 5, unanimous call of the church, at a salary of six 1879, George Taylor, Jr., was unanimously hundred dollars and use of the parsonage, and chosen deacon. In the carly part of 1880, began his pastoral work July 1, 1862. The Deacon II. Ely, who had held that position for roll of members was revised, largely reducing forty years, resigned, and Deacon J. H. Denise it, leaving but one hundred and ninety-two , was elected to succeed him. members, and a baptistery was placed in the After five years of labor Rev. G. H. Mason Į closed his pastorate. October 4, 1880, having meeting-house the same year.

422

HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

added to the church by baptism one hundred and ten persons. For several Sabbaths imme- diately following, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. S. L. B. Chase, of Buckfield, Me. On Sun- day, December 12th, a unanimous call was ex- tended him to assume the pastorship, at a salary of one thousand dollars. Mr. Chase commenced his pastoral work on the first Sunday of the year 1881. After a pastorate of two years and seven months, during which time he had baptized into the fellowship of thechurch nineteen persons, Mr. Chase severed his relation with this people, Sun- day, August 12, 1883. Immediately following, the church resolved to paint and repair the church property, and a committee was appointed to supply the pulpit until a pastor should be chosen.

On the 1st of March, 1884, the church ex- tended a nanimous call to Mr. H. F. Stilwell to become their pastor, after his graduation from Crozer Theological Seminary, and on Sunday, March 16th, his letter of acceptance was read, stating that the pastoral relation would date from June 15, 1884.

called " the Church at Monmouth, " which was the name by which the village now Freehold was then known. Afterwards the old church was often called "the Methodist Church of Freehold."

Of the rise of Methodism in this section the records are very meagre. Previous to 1774 the whole State was included in one cirenit, supplied by two preachers. That year it was divided into two circuits,-Trenton and Greenwich,- but still there were but two preachers assigned to the State,-William Watters to Trenton Cir- cuit and Philip Egbert to Greenwich, exchang- ing, at the end of six months, with Daniel Ruff and Joseph Yearby, from Chester (Pa. Circuit.) Watters was the first native-born Methodist itinerant in America. Richard Owings, also native-born, was a local preacher before Watters entered the work, but he did not join the travel- ing connection until after Watters. Freeborn Garretson visited New Jersey in 1779, and doubtless traveled through the State.

Greenwich and Trenton Cirenits disappear from the Conference minutes in 1776, and New Jersey and Philadelphia appear as separate cir-

On May 31st the church decided to send a call to each church in the Trenton Association, cuits until 1779, when they appear that year as one circuit, with Philip Cox, Joshna Dudley and Daniel Ruff as preachers. inviting them to sit in council at Freehold, June 16th, for the purpose of examining Mr. Stil- well preparatory to his ordination. Eighteen Atkinson, in his "Methodism in New Jersey," says: " The society at Monmouth must have churches responded, being represented by thirty- one delegates. The council was called to order i been formed at an early period, probably about at 10.30 o'clock. Rev. E. J. Foote, of Calvary Church, Trenton, was chosen moderator, and C. T. Douglass, of Navesink, clerk. 1780, as in that year Job Throckmorton, of Freehold, was converted under the ministry of Rev. Richard Garretson, and became a member After a " full, fair and deliberate examina- tion," the council decided to proceed to arrange for ordination, to take place on Thursday, June 19th, at 7.30 o'clock. Pursuant to the recom- mendation of the council, the Rev. H. F. Stil- well was ordained at the time designated, and is now pastor of the church. of the society. He was one of the first mem- bers in that region. The Methodists were much persecuted there at that time. His house was a home for the preachers." In 1783, Benjamin Abbott visited Monmonth in his six weeks' tour in which he traveled about four hundred miles, passing through Cumberland, Cape May, Glou- cester, Monmouth, Mercer and Burlington Counties. Bishop Asbury visited Monmonth in 1785, and was entertained at the house of Job Throckmorton.2 The same year Ezekiel Cooper,

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH of Freehold,1 although only a little more than a half-century old in its present organization, is yet closely identified in its history with that of the old Methodist Church at Blue Ball, which was formed more than a century ago, being then

1 By Major James S. Yard.

2 Prominent in Methodism in this section. A member and a class leader at Blue Ball in 1832, as appears by a record in Ralph Hulse's book of the payment of class money.

423

THE TOWN OF FREEHOLD.

who, in 1776, at the age of thirteen, was eon- is now known as Mechanicsville. The third verted under the preaching of Freeborn Gar- retson, was admitted to the Conference on trial.

The Methodists of this region in 1779 must have been few in number, as there were but one hundred and forty reported in the State. They perhaps formed a society,-or a " class," as we would now call it,-which counted its members scattered through a wide district. Blue Ball may have been a centre for its meetings, and Frechold on its borders. This is probable, for while Methodist meetings were frequently held at the court-house, there was no society in Frechold until 1831, and the members previous to that time were connected with the society at Blue Ball.

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History of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Part 73

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Swan, Norma Lippincott. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia, R. T. Peck & co. Number of Pages: 1148

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885; Swan, Norma Lippincott. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia, R. T. Peck & co.
Number of Pages: 1148