History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 172

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224

USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 172
USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 172

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Dr. Davidson's own sketch of the church covers his pastorate for a period of nine years. In it modest reference is made to two seasons of special interest, one in 1843, when twenty-seven were received to | the duties of which he has since combined with those membership, the other in 1852, when the additions amounted to thirty, mostly from the children of Chris- tian families.

In 1852 a collection of $1500 was made for repairs on the session-house and the introduction of gas into the church. A year or two later a thorough refur- nishing of the church was undertaken. The pews were recushioned, new carpets were laid, and with a single exception the interior was put into the condi- tion in which we now find it. The single particular in which change has since been made, is in the orna- mentation in the rear of the pulpit. Rich curtains of damask hung there till 1863, when they were taken down, and the present recess was let in.1 The en- largement of the dimensions of the church was not considerable enough to require particular mention.

the congregation providing for the pulpit. He im- proved the vacation by making a short trip to Europe, and Professor Green, of Princeton, supplied his place during his absence. He returned in season to partic- ipate in the revival scenes of 1858. During 1857-58, thirty-six were received on confession aud eighteen by letter, mostly at the spring communion ; during the succeeding year, thirty-seven on confession, sev- enteen by letter ; fifty-four each year. Such a bless- ing and ingathering was a beautiful close to a long, happy, and prosperous settlement. At Dr. David- son's request, the pastoral relation was dissolved in September, 1859.

A call was next extended to the Rev. John M. Bu- chanan, of Milwaukee, Wis., which was declined, and on Feb. 18, 1861, Dr. Howard Crosby, Professor of Greek in Rutgers College, was elected pastor.

Dr. Crosby was born in New York City, Feb. 17, 1826. In the midst of our centennial recollections it is interesting to note that he is a great-grandson of Gen. William Floyd, one of the signers of the Decla- ration of Independence. He graduated at the Uni- versity of New York in 1844; was appointed Pro- fessor of Greek in that institution in 1851; from 1852 to 1855 was president of the Young Men's Christian Association of New York ; was appointed Professor of Greek in Rutgers College in July, 1859, and in the same year received the honorary degree of Doctor in Divinity from Harvard University. He was licensed to preach in October, 1859, and in 1861 was ordained and installed pastor of this church. In 1862 he re- signed his charge, the trustees of the college objecting to his retaining it. In 1863 he resigned his profes- sorship to accept a call to the Fourth Avenue Presby- terian Church of New York, and in 1870 he was elected chancellor of the University of New York, of the pastorate, with rare success in each.

Dr. Crosby's incumbency as pastor of this church it is thus seen was brief, too brief for the wishes of the people, but it was a peried of earnest effort. Every department of church work felt at once the vigor of his touch, and the future appeared to open brightly. Within the church he left behind him as a witness to his wise activity a people greatly stimu- lated and strengthened, and without the church one enterprise at least which deserves to be noted, the New Brunswick City Mission, organized largely under his influence, after which the City Mission of New York has since been remodeled. The income of this mission in 1861 was $303 ; in 1875 it was $1250, of which this congregation gave $300. Last year it was incorporated by act of the Legislature. It has always had some of its warmest supporters in the First Presbyterian Church.

1 With a paint-brush.

708

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

Turning aside from the succession of pastors, we may note here the loss which the congregation suf- fered about this time by the death of several of its more prominent members.

In 1858 died Samuel Baker, for more than thirty years one of the elders of the church. He was born in the vicinity of New Brunswick, and passed most of his life in business pursuits in the city. His Christian character was one of rare consistency and purity, and he was unwearied in the discharge of all the duties of his office. His convictions of duty were clear, and he stood ready to illustrate them in his practice. Appointments to represent the church in Presbytery and Synod were regarded not as a hard- ship but as an important trust to be conscientiously attended to, and neither distance of the place of meeting nor difficulty of access deterred him from attending. He was for many years the almoner of the church's charity, a position which he filled with equal faithfulness and delicacy. He was greatly endeared to his associates in office, who hold his memory precious.

Hon. Littleton Kirkpatrick, long an honored citi- zen of the community and member of the congre- gation, died suddenly at Saratoga, Aug. 15, 1859. He was born in this city Oct. 19, 1797, and was the old- est son of Chief Justice Kirkpatrick, so highly dis- tinguished in his generation. Graduating at Prince- ton College, he studied law in the city of Washington, returning to enter upon the practice of the same in his native city. He was successively member of the State Legislature, mayor of New Brunswick, and representative in Congress. At the expiration of his term in Congress he retired from public life, but not from useful activities. On the death of his father, Chief Justice Kirkpatrick, he was chosen to succeed him as a member of the board of trustees of this church, in which office he continued for twenty-five years. He was greatly interested in the prosperity of the congregation, and his mature judgment had a decided influence in shaping its affairs. At the same time, from the means which Providence had bestowed upon him, he was always ready to respond to a call for its pecuniary support, or to assist in its benevolent operations.

His personal character is depicted by his pastor, Rev. Dr. Davidson, in the following words : "An unbending rectitude is said by those who should best have known him, to have characterized him from his earliest years. 'Is it right?' was the question he always asked, both of himself and others. No gloss or sophistry could blind his perceptions, and his ahhorrence of duplicity gave even an air of sternness and severity to his judgments. He was a foe to all shams, hypocrisy, and deceit." Throughout his life he was reserved upon the subject of personal religion, but in March of the year of his death he made a public profession of his faith in Christ, and so it was subsequently felt God was making him ready for that

sudden departure, then unforeseen but so near at hand.

Associated with Mr. Kirkpatrick in varied useful activities, and in the esteem of the congregation and the community, were the brothers James and Abram S. Neilson, sons of Col. John Neilson, of Revolu- tionary memory. They were soon associated with him also in death.

Abram S. Neilson departed this life on June 30, 1861, dying in the same room in the old Neilson mansion in Burnet Street in which he was born; and his funeral was attended in this house (the Presby- terian Church) on July 2d, just fifteen years ago to- day. He became a communicant of the church in 1844, and the following year was elected to the office of ruling elder, which he filled with characteristic faithfulness and efficiency. For ten years the min- ntes of session are recorded in his hand, as they had been for forty-three years in the hand of his father, and are now intrusted to one of the third generation in the same line. The following tribute to his mem- ory was offered at his funeral by his pastor, Rev. Dr. Crosby :

"In this city, where every child knew him to love him; in this church, where his examples and efforts were felt aod prized for a score of years, why need 1 describe the character of this saint? From my childhood it was my privilege to know him, and my testimony will be confirmed by all when I speak of his gentleness, his modesty, his kind- ness, and his liberality. His manner was winning to all. Although poe- sessed of a sound mind and excellent judgment, he patiently listened to the opinions of others, and deferred to their wishes. He was eminently a man of peace. No one ever heard him utter a harsh or uncourteous word. He hid his own high merite behind his disinterestednese. . . . A father in Israel has fallen ! Well may we mourn, for no one among us had won a more hearty confidence, a more profound respect, a more intense affection. But we know that Jesus has taken him to himself. On last Sunday week 1 hed just prayed by his bedside, when he clasped my hand with great fervor and exclaimed, 'Precioue truthe! precious truths!' referring to Christ's presence and salvation, which had been the burden of the prayer. On Thursday last, when President Frelinghuysen and Dr. Davideon called upon him, he answered their inquiries regarding his trust in Christ with the firm words, ' Not a doubt-not a doubt" Upon the day before his deeth lie exclaimed in a distinct voice (almost the last worde he used), ' My dear, blessed Lord and Saviour, come and take me to thyself, to he with thee through eternity.'"

If through these historical sermons such memories alone are preserved to posterity, the labors of those who prepare them will not be in vain.

Col. James Neilson, an older brother of the fore- going, was born Dec. 3, 1784, and dicd Feb. 21, 1862. He was a man not only prominent in his own com- munity, but well known throughout the State with many of the public enterprises of which he was iden- tified, contributing by his skill and energy to their success. He was a leader of men. not by showy but by solid qualities, exerting an influence when not appearing to do so. With quiet habits and unobtru- sive manners he combined a rare power of discern- ment and great strength of purpose. Of the church he was the steadfast friend, serving it for many years as a trustee, and bearing with his brother no small share of its responsibilities. He was greatly inter- ested also in the literary and theological institutions

709

CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK.

of the Reformed Church located at New Brunswick, and extended his benefactions to them. He was a Christian of consistent piety. The approach of death gave him no alarm ; acknowledging himself a sinner, and resting all his hopes upon the person and work of his Redeemer, he resigned himself submissively to the will of God. Thus his death corresponded with his life, and he was laid to rest amid the regrets of the community.

Mr. John W. Stout, born June 15, 1790, died May 5, 1861, was also one whose loss was severely felt. He was a leading man in the business community, and this prominence reappears in his relations to the con- gregation, his steady friendship for which was an ex- ample to all. In the building of the new church especially he manifested a great interest, being one of the principal promoters of that enterprise. And on many subsequent occasions he was one of the first to put his shoulder to the wheel when assistance was re- quired. His name does not appear on the roll of com- municants, but it is believed that early education in another denomination had much to do with this.

Mr. John Acken, born Aug. 28, 1796, died May 5, 1862, was another who stood side by side with the men already mentioned, and his name naturally re- curs with theirs. Success in business enterprises gave him large means, which were freely used for the sup- port of religion, and high character gave him influ- ence. His friendship for the church sprang from his love of it, and of that which it represents. In it were centred his hopes for this life and the next. He was long enrolled as a member, and adorned his profession by a life of exemplary piety.

In 1864 the eldership was still further depleted by the death of Josiah Ford, who had served in that office with great acceptance for nineteen years. He was a man to represent religion to others, steadfast, consistent, and faithful, and the influence of his ex- ample throughout his life as a Christian was felt as one of the conservative forces for religion in the com- munity. Always in his place, and always ready to take his part in Christian duty, he quietly filled up his days with usefulness, and he left behind him, as it is believed he bore with him, a good record when the Master called him home.

From so many losses the session would have been greatly reduced, but meanwhile it had been increased by the election and ordination in 1858 of Dr. George J. Janeway and Abraham Voorhees, which was fol- lowed in 1864 by the election and ordination of Theo- dore G. Neilson, William L. Bogert, and William Rust.

Rev. William Beatty was installed pastor of the church June 2, 1863, with a salary of fifteen hundred dollars and the parsonage. Rev. William Hamill preached the installation sermon ; Rev. Mr. Yeomans, moderator of the Presbytery, gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. Dr. Rogers the charge to the people.

Mr. Beatty graduated at Miami University, Ohio,

in 1854, and studied theology one year at Danville, Ky., and two years at the Western Theological Sem - inary at Alleghany, completing his course in 1860. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Zanesville in 1859, supplied the Fourth Church of Pittsburgh during the summer of 1860, and was ordained and in- stalled pastor of the church of Greencastle, Pa., by the Presbytery of Carlisle, May 16, 1861, from which place he was called to New Brunswick. His pastor- ate here continued about four years, when he resigned to accept a call to the Shadyside Church of Pittsburgh, Pa., where he still continues.

During his pastorate the records show decided ac- tivity in all branches of church work; one hundred and thirty-eight were added to the membership, eighty- three on profession, and within the same pe- riod the contribution to benevolent objects amounted to over thirteen thousand dollars. In 1866 the pew- rents were raised by a considerable percentage, and the pastor's salary increased in proportion, making it two thousand dollars.

March 2, 1868, Rev. A. D. L. Jewett was installed pastor. Dr. Jewett was born Jan. 12, 1830, and graduated at Williams College in 1852. His theo- logical course was pursued at Princeton and extended through four years. Meanwhile he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Luzerne. He was or- dained and installed pastor of the Reformed Church of Piermont, N. Y., by the Classis of Paramus, and continned there three years. Being compelled to re- sign by a temporary loss of voice, he connected him- self with the Presbytery of New York. By that body he was sent to the church at Throgg's Neck to de- clare the pulpit vacant, and the result was the speedy filling of the vacancy by his own election to that post. He continued over that charge for seven years, when he was called to New Brunswick.

In 1868 extensive repairs were put upon the par- sonage, and in 1870 the pastor's salary was increased to $2500. In the same year Hope Mission, a Sab- bath-school on the west side of the city, was taken under the care of the church, and a building erected for it, costing, with the lots on which it stands, about $2500, part of which was raised by subscription and part carried as debt. The mission, under the super- intendence of Mr. Jacob J. Janeway, has since en- joyed great prosperity, enlisting as teachers quite a large number of our communicants, together with others from our sister denominations, and reaching a considerable population remote from religions privi- leges. Exemplary enterprise has been shown in its management, both in the gathering in of attendants and in the conducting of the services.

Dr. Jewett had the gratification in 1871 of seeing the church complete its organization by an election of deacons. The following persons were chosen and installed : J. P. Langdon, D. C. English, Wood- bridge Strong, C. S. Scott, F. R. Stout, and Andrew Agnew

710

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

Another change occurred in 1873, when, an increase in the eldership being deemed desirable, four ad- ditional elders were elected to serve for a term of years, subject to the action of the Presbytery. Since then rotation or term service in. the eldership has been engrafted upon the constitution of the church in the manner prescribed by law, giving full sanction to the action here taken, at least in its general prin- ciples. Any adjustment of details which may be necessary to bring our practice into perfect accord- ance with the new rule can be easily reached in due time. The persons thus chosen were James P. Lang- don, D. C. English, Andrew Agnew, and Charles S. Scott; and the same were re-elected in May of this year.

Dr. Jewett's labors during the latter portion of his term were interrupted by continued ill health. In April, 1873, a vacation of six months was granted him, during which his place in the pulpit and parish was ably supplied by Rev. Dr. John Woodbridge, now pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church. Failing to receive by this rest anything more than temporary relief, on the 16th of October, 1874, he requested a dissolution of the pastoral relation, which was reluctantly granted. He has since resided in Fordham, N. Y.

A call was then extended, Dec. 14, 1874, to the Rev. John Paxton, which was declined ; and May 17, 1875, the present pastor, Rev. Thomas Nichols, was installed ; Rev. Prof. H. C. Cameron presiding, sermon by Dr. Howard Crosby ; charge to the pastor by the Rev. Dr. S. Hall, of the Presbytery of Newark ; charge to the people by the Rev. Dr. John Wood- bridge.

The brief period which has since elapsed has been partly occupied in inventorying the assets of the church, one result of which has been the taking of over one hundred and forty names from the roll, leav- ing, instead of a membership of four hundred and ninety-four, only three hundred and fifty. This is a work the necessity of which had long been felt, the roll being encumbered with the names of many ab- sentees of long standing. A partial effort in this direction was made during Dr. Jewett's ministry. The bringing of the roll down to its actual number of communicants it is believed will not weaken but strengthen the church.

A reduction of a more grievous character remains to be noted. The past winter has been one of griev- ous losses by death. Who are to fill the places made vacant by the removal in this manner of James Day- ton, Jeremiah Wilbur, and Lucius P. Porter, or the places which devoted Christian women, now gone, recently occupied ? Here we acknowledge ourselves losers indeed; and if God of late has given us a few trophies of his grace, must not many more be re- ceived, and especially new devotion be kindled in all hearts, to make such losses good ? ·

But the one hundred and fifty years of our history

encourage us to implicit confidence. May we not say of our church, "God is in the midst of her." What we are to-day He has made us. How manifest His power and grace as the generations have come and gone ! He was the God of the fathers, and will be of the children. What we fail of being and doing we must attribute to ourselves. We look out upon a future filled with solemn responsibilities. May we faithfully meet them, until we too shall be gathered to our fathers, and exchange the church on earth for the church in heaven.

LIST OF THE PASTORS.

1. Gilbert Tennent, 1726-43.

2. Thomas Arthur (?), 1746-51.

3. Israel Reed, 1768-86.

10. Robert Davidson, D.D., 1843-59.

11. Howard Crosby, D.D., 1861-62.

12. William Beatty, 1863-67.

6. Levt. J. F. Huntington, 1815- . 13. A. D. L. Jewett, D.D., 1868-74. 20.

7. Samuel B. How, D.D., 1821-23.

LIST OF THE RULING ELDERS.

John Lyle, in office March 22, 1790; deceased.

Col. John Bayard, in office March 22, 1790; deceased Jan. 7, 1807. Dr. Moses Scott, in office March 22, 1790; deceased Dec. 28, 1821.

Thomas Talmadge, in office March 22, 1790 ; removed, 1797.

Col. Jolin Neilson, ordained April 24, 1791 ; deceased March 3, 1833. John Pool, ordained July 12, 1797; deceased Feb. 27, 1825. Moses Gnest, ordained July 12, 1797; removed, 1817.

John A. Meyer, ordained June 26, 1803; deceased. William Lawson, ordained June 26, 1803; deceased.

Phineas Carman, ordained Dec. 30, 1810; deceased. Samnel Holcombe, ordained Dec. 30, 1810; deceased Dec. 17, 1838.

John N. Simpson, ordained April 14, 1822; deceased.

Elias Molleson, ordained Oct. 28, 1825 ; deceased June 6, 1831.

David W. Vail, ordained Oct. 2, 1826 ; deceased Jan. 16, 1842.

Samuel Baker, ordained Oct. 2, 1826; deceased.

Peter Dayton, ordained April 8, 1838; deceased Oct. 2, 1851.

Dr. Frederick Richmond, ordained April 8, 1838; deceased May 19, 1849.

John Terhune, ordained March 5, 1843; living.

Hon. Geo. P. Molleson, ordained March 5, 1843; deceased May 17, 1849.

Josiah Ford, ordained Nov. 16, 1845; deceased. Alm. S. Neilson, ordained Nov. 16, 1845; deceased June 30, 1861.

William R. Janeway, ordained Nov. 16, 1845; removed, 1848.

George J. Janeway, ordained March 21, 1858; living.

1 Abraham Voorhees, ordained March 21, 1858 ; living.

Theo. G. Neilson, ordained May 29, 1864 ; living.

William 1 .. Bogert, ordained May 29, 1864 ; removed. William Rust, ordained May 29, 1864 ; living. Andrew Agnew, ordained May 4, 1873 ; living.

James P. Langdon, ordained May 4, 1873 ; living.

David C. English, ordained May 4, 1873 ; living.

Charles S. Scott, ordained May 4, 1873 ; living.

LIST OF THE TRUSTEES.

1785. Jolin Neilson. 1796. Moses Guest.

. John Taylor. James Richmond.

Mosea Scott.

1799. John Meyer.

William Palersou.

1802. William Lawson.

William Ten Brooke.

John Van Emburgh.

1807. William Applegate.

John Y. Noel.

1808. Phineas Carman.

1786. John Pool.

1787. James Drake. ·

1788. Lewis Dunham.

Andrew Kirkpatrick.

1814. Augustue R. Taylor. John W. Bray.

1790. James Cule. Juhu Plum.

1824. Elias Molleson.

1791. Juha Bayard.

1825. Peter V. Pool.

1826. Peter Dayton.

1827. John Terhune.

Arthur B. Sullivan.

1794. Charles Smith.

1803. John Baker.

1811. Samuel Holcombe.

1813. John N. Simpson.

1793. Jamies Crommelin. William Leteon.

8. Joseph H. Jones, D.D., 1825-38.

9. Robert Birch, 1839-42.

4. Walter Monteith, 1786-94.

6. Joseph Clark, D.D., 1797-1813.

14. Thomas Nichole, 1875.

1822. Joseph W. Scott.

711

CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK.

1828. John Acken.

1854. Henry L. Janeway.

1829. Fitz R. Smith.

1855. Abraham Voorhees.

Frederick Richmond.

1860. John Foster.

1830. Joseph C. Griggs.

1861. George C. Ludlow.

1831. Littleton Kirkpatrick. David W. Vail.

1862. Woodbridge Strong. Theo. G. Neilson. 1864. Charles P. Dayton.

1833. James Neilson.

1835. John W. Stout.

1867. Lucius P. Porter.

1869. James Neilson.

1846. Abm. Schuyler Neilson.

1870. William H. Acken.

Martin A. Howell.

1871. Robert 11. Neilson.

1851. James Hutchings. Peter V. Miller.

John T. Hill.

1872. J. Bayard Kirkpatrick.

1853. John R. Ford.

LIST OF THE DEACONS.

Andrew Agnew, installed 1871.

F. Randolph Stout, installed 1871.

D. C. English, =

Woodbridge Strong, =

James P. Langdon, =

Robert Eastburn, = 1876.

Charles S. Scott,

George H. Stout, =

CHAPTER XCVII.

CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK .- ( Continued.)

Christ Church, New Brunswick.1-The proceed- ings of the rector, wardens, and vestrymen of Christ Church, New Brunswick, previous to the year 1790, have not been preserved among the records of the parish. The only information that can now be ob- tained relative to its origin and early history is de- rived from the proceedings of the venerable society in England, which was established in the beginning of the last century for the propagation of the gospel in foreign parts. By the bishops and members of that celebrated association the missionaries were sent out who ministered to the congregation until the period of the independence of the American colonies, and from their annual reports the materials are chiefly collected which form the first portion of this narra- tive.

The first reference that I have found to the exist- ence of a congregation in New Brunswick is in the abstract of the society's proceedings for the years 1742-43, where it is stated that the "people of Pis- cataqua and New Brunswick are marking out a place for a new church about two miles distant from the old one." This must refer to St. James' Church in the adjoining parish, which had been built in 1722.

Mr. Skinner, the minister at Amboy, describes it as "a handsome wooden chappel," and says also "that the congregation grows daily, and in all proba- bility will be as numerous as any in those parts."

The same missionary reports in 1744 that zeal for God's worship among the inhabitants had stirred them up to the building of a church in New Bruns- wick.

In the year following "the inhabitants of New Brunswick petitioned the society to send them a mis-

sionary, setting forth that they had erected a church of stone fifty-five feet long, forty-five wide, and twenty high, which may be of great service, not only to them- selves but also to a well-settled country, extending many miles, in which many of the inhabitants profess themselves of the Church of England, and others who were formerly Dissenters seem now well-affected towards it; that the confidence they had in the most pious and truly Christian society that they would make them happy in an able, discrete divine to ad- minister in that church put them upon building it; and they had obliged themselves and were ready to give proper security to raise £40 that currency per annum towards his support ; and were persuaded that by the good behavior of such a missionary they should so far add to their numbers as considerably to increase that sum."

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 172

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts Number of Pages: 1224

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224