History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 63

Author: First Presbyterian Church in Morristown (N.J.)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Morristown, N.J. : "Banner" Steam Print
Number of Pages: 942


USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Morristown > History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1 > Part 63


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).


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4. the names and number of the persons admitted to renew their Covenant-Page 23.


5 an account of the Marriages Persons and Time -- Page 36.


6. The Affair as Determined by our ses- sion-Page 150 &c.


7. Publick Confessions Page 130.


8. Subscription for the College last Page of the Book but four.


THE AFFAIR AS DETERMINED BY OUR SESSION OF YE MINISTER AND ELDERS.


1743, Twas agreed that the Ministers Ex- penses in ye service of ye churches should be defrayed from Chs fund.


1747,8 March I. At a session : Present Messiers Tim'o. Johnes, Joseph Prudden, Matt'w Lum, John Lindley, Joseph Coe. Ab- sent Jacob Fford. post preces sederunt.


[Above are the only entries to 1748.]


1754, July 5. a session convened at ye Request of Br John Clark as a Review of his case as above. Present Messiers Tim'o. Johnes, Moderator ; Elders Jacob Fford. Joseph Prudden, Matt'w Lum, Joseph Coe, Solomon Munson, Dan'el Lindsley, post Preces sederunt qui supra. * *


Monday 12. of April-56. 2º P. M. at y House. * * * B'r. Zach. F was inquired of as to the Reason of absenting from the Lords Supper & upon Examination Judged his Reasons altogether groundless being but a Private suspicion of a certain Broth- er's sincerity-& Exhort him to a cearful & Impartial Examination & Prayer that he may escape the snare of our grand Adver- sary and invite him again to take his place at the Communion.


Jan. 18-58 * * * Also was reasumed the case of Br Zach F & after much Reason- ing & debating could not remove his Scruple Tho' we Judge him still to be in Error in makeing a Private Judgment the ground of Omitting a Publick duty yet as we would shew all Tenderness in points of Conscience we would only recommend him to a more critical Study of those Precious rules of Scripture that refer to Chh. fellowship, & to God by earnest Prayer for direction & Light, & that the Moderator do Dehort, & Exhort, him from his Neglect, to his Duty.


Nov. 8-59 At a Chh Session, where were convened at the Ministers House, Mess'rs Jacob Fford, Joseph Pruden, Matt'w Lum,


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PASTORATE OF REV. TIMOTHY JOHNES.


Joseph Coe, Daniel Lindsley & Tim'o Johnes, Moderator-Absent cap. Munson- & after Prayer we Proceeded to the Choice of a Trustee in the room of our worthy Brother Charles Howell, who was a mem- ber of that Board but Deaseased ; accord- ingly we unanimously Chose Cap. Joseph Stiles to succeed him,


Nov. 6. 1761 After due Knotis was given the Males of the Chh were assembled at the Ministers House, & after Something of the Carecter, & Duty of the Persons Sutable for Elders was evinsed, they proceeded to the Choice of Mess'rs Dan'l Morris, Tim'o Mills and Matthias Burnet, to that office, and that by a very unanimous Vote : Con- cluded with Prayer,


October 14, 1762 after Lecture The Elders being duly knotised and being present Mess'rs Jacob Ford, Esq'r,, Dea. Prudden, Dea'n Lum, Sol'n Munson, Dan. Lindsly, Dan'l Morris, & Timo, Mills & Timo. Johnes Moderator, Takeing into consideration the Death of our worthy Friend Benj'n Hatha- way, a worthy Member of the Bord of Trus- tees of the Corporation of Mor's Town, ac- cording to Charter, by a Majority of votes, chose Stephen Conkling of the s'd Town & congregation in his Stead,


Nov. 18. 1762 At a Meeting of the Elders, duly knotised, Present Messieurs Jacob Ford, Esq'r., Dea'n Prudden, Dea. Lum, Soll'n Munson, Dan'l Lindly, Dan'] Mor's Cap. Timo. Mills, & Timo. Johnes Moder- ator, at which Time, Mr. Thomas Kent, by Reason of Age, Desireing to Resign his office as Trustee, it was accepted by the Elders, & after Mature Deliberation Sam'l Tuthill, Esq'r., of the same Town, was unan- imously Chosen by the Elders in his Stead.


At a Ch. Session Jan. 5th. 1769, * *


Ordered that a contribution be made an- nually in compliance with the advise & di- rection of Synod for poor wido. and such as are not provided for by Law which is to be distributed according to the discretion of the Session to be begun on our next Pub. Fast Day & continued on ye Day of succeding Fast Days and Thanksgivings : that this be an overture to the people on that Day when we chuse Elders.


The affair of Reforma. of Manners as di- rected by the Synod a plan to be prepared [for ?] that Day when we may chuse Elders


& Deacons some Time in the Ensuing Spring.


June 20, '69. After lecture the whole Ch. being previously notified of the design were stoped & after the Mod'r T. Johnes had in- formed them of ye design of the Ch. Meet- ing & some what Explained our Ch. gov- ernment & pointed out ye Qualifications of a Dea'n & Elder together with their duty & the need we had of new ones Chosen We proceded & by a great majority of Votes Elder Matthias Burnet was Chosen Dea .- & John Ayers Esq'r. and Lieu. John Lind- sley were chosen Elders of this Church- after ye charge Took their Places.


in answer to a minute of the session-Jan. 5 .- 69. there was a unanimous Vote passed that a Contribution be made at our annual days of Fast & Thanksgivings the money to Lie in the hands of the Elders at yr discre- tion to be given out to poor Widow's & others provided that they were Members of our own Ch. or Bap. persons.


November 2nd, 1770, Ezra Halsey was chosen on friday lecture an Elder according to Notification ye Sab. before, by a great Majority, & Received a Charge accordingly, concluded with Prayer.


1772, October 19. The Elders duly notified met with the Trustees at the Ministers House present Jacob Ford Esq'r. Dea. Prud- den Dea. Lum and Dea. Burnet Jno. Ayrs Esqr. Cap'n Mills Cap'n Lindsly Mr Ezra Halsey Elders with Timo. Johnes ye Moder- ator-and of the Trustees Henry Primrose President Samuel Tuthill Esqr. Mr. Benj'n Bayles Cap. Joseph Stiles Mr Benj'n Coe & Mr. Stephen Conkling after the session was opened by Prayer there was laid before us a letter directed to the Moderator in which was contained the Resignation of Samuel Robarts Clark of the Trustees, which Resig- nation was accepted by the Trustees, after which the Elders proceded to make a choice of a Trustee as the Charter directs, accord- ingly Silas Condict, was unanimously chosen in Mr. Samuel Robart's Stead Con- cluded with Prayer.


[The following is a specimen, not only of the authority accorded the Session, but also of the gentle wisdom which Dr. Johnes brought to bear in all his influence upon the community.]


June 10 1773. The Elders duely noticed Met at the Ministers House accordingly


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MINUTES OF THE SESSION.


present Dea. Prudden Dea. Lum Jno Ayrs Esqr., Cap. Timo. Mills, Cap. Jno. Lindsley Mr. Ezra Halsey, & the Modr Timo. Johnes. The Session was opened by prayer, after which there was a dispute laid before us, re- specting the title of a certain tract of land in Hanover, in which several parties were concerned Viz. Col, Ford, Dea. Matthias Burnet, Joseph Ketchel Esqr. in behalf of Joseph Baldwin, & Alexander Cermichael, who all agree'd that the Judgment of the Elders should be finally decisive, and that each of them would abide their determina- tion -- The question disputed is this Dea'n Burnet for him Selfe & y'os connected with him complain that Col. Ford has laid a Pro- prieter-right on Lands that were surveyed in the year 1715, & therefore were not vacant when the Colonel laid his right upon them, after Hearing the parties, and Evidences dis- tinctly, & reasoning upon the matter we de- ferred the further consideration of it to thursday next to meet at 2 'o clk. to delib- erate further on the subject-concluded with Prayer --


Thursday June 17, 1773, the Elders met according to adjournment, present all the Members, & Parties, except Joseph Ketchel Esqr., and after Prayers the above Matter was resumed, and after hearing what the Parties could say, and the evidence that could be produced, the Mod'r before the Session made their judgment, recommended it to the parties Viz Col. Ford, Dea. Mat- thias Burnet, & Mr. Alexander Cermichael, to retire by them Selves, with mutual benev- olence and condescention, to make proposals for accommodation, they accordingly after a proper time of deliberation, came in, and to our great satisfaction, appeared in a friendly manner, and declared to the Session, that they had come to an intire agreement in the disputed matters, and superceeded the ne- cessity of our Judgment .- Concluded w'h Prayer.


August 25, '75, Cap. Timo. Mills as he is removed much nearer to Baskenridge Meet- ing, desired to resign his office as Elder & leave to go there statedly, & was granted, Nem. contradicente.


July 31. 1777. The Ch. being duly noticed, met ; & after Prayers, & Sermon on Can. 4. 12 a garden enclosed is my Sister my Spouse -we proceeded to Chuse Gilberd Allen as Dea'n & Elder, Philip Condict, Jonas Phillips, & Joseph Lindsly Elders-but Joseph Lindsley only then being present, he accepting of the Charge, was ordained Charged Received, & took his Seat accord- ingly, concluded with Prayer


Sept. 12, 1777. The Elders duly noticed met according to appointment, present Dea. Mat. Burnet, Cap. Jno. Lindsley, & the mod- erator Timo. Johnes, absent Joseph Linds- ley & Jonas Phillips. After the Session had been opened by Prayer we took into con- sideration the melancholy state of the Eldership, it having pleased a righteous sovereign & holy God to remove by death our dear and worthy Friends, & Elders of this Ch ; Viz. Col. Jacob Ford, Dea. Prud- den, Dea. Lum, & Jno. Ayrs Esqr .- The Ch. having been duly warned, on the 31 of July last to make choice of new Elders in yr Stead, & Chose Mess'rs Gilberd Allen as Dea'n & Eld'r, Philip Condict, Jonas Phil- lips & Joseph Lindsley who then accepted of ye trust as above-And at this pres- ent Meeting Dea. Allen, Philip Condict, & Jonas Phillips by order gave their consent to accept of the trust to which they had been chosen, were ordained Charged receiv- ed & took yr Seats accordingly-


Since our last choice of Dea. & Eld'r-Eld. Dan. Lindsly removed by death.


The Elders proceeded to inspect the state of the Trustees of this Ch. & Society, & and find since our last one of their Members Viz Cap Jos. Stiles removed by death, another Viz. Benj'n Coe removed to Red- stone, another Viz. Mr. Benj'n Bayles re- signed on account of his Age, & sent his resignation by Cap. Lindsley w'o was desır- ed to wait on him for yt purpose, & Mr. Henry Primrose w'o was present & personal- ly resigned on account of infirmities of body. The Elders accepted their resignation with their reasons, & according to Charter, proceeded to substitute new Members in their stead, & made choice of the following Persons on account of the above removals, Viz. Jonathan Stiles Esqr. Mr. Benj'n Linds- ley, Mr. Jonathan Ford & Mr. John Mills


[1777.] Since our last Session [Aug. 25. 1775.] departed this life our worthy & dear Members following Mr. Ezra Halsey Col' Jacob Ford Dea Joseph Prudden Dea, Mat'w | who were unanimously Elected, & have Lum, & John Ayrs Esqr.


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PASTORATE OF REV. TIMOTHY JOHNES.


accepted of the trust. Concluded with Prayer.


[The following minute is of special inter- est as indicating the general commotion occasioned by petty gossip in the days be- fore railroads and telegraph.]


The Session of ye Ch. at Morris-Town met Decem'r 22. 1783. for the purpose of setling certain differences between Mr. & Mrs. C*, & Dan'l T*, present. ye Rev'd Mess'rs Jno. Elmer & John Juline with John Cary one of yr Eld. who attended according to a recommendation of Pby. [Presbytery] & the Rev'd Alexander Miller who sits as a Correspondent-The Eld'rs Mess. Jonas Phillips Dea. Prudden [1] Cap. Jno. Linds- ley, Philip Condict & Maj'r Lindsly-The Session having been opened by Prayer Mr. Eliner w's chosen Mod'r & Mr. Juline clk .- The parties at variance being present Mr. C* delivered in to ye Session a letter which he had received from Mr. T* in which were contained Charges against Mr. C* & his wife in the


I Place Mr. T* accuses Mr. C* wrongfully asserting that Mr. T* had sent his wife Children away & could not let them live with her altho' Mr. C* offered to give him w't two men should think it worth.


2 That Mr. C* was guilty of immoral con- duct in neglecting & refusing to get his wife a Cupboard & pair of Buckles & some Tea spoons-


Mr. T* accused Mrs. C*


I of denying yt Mr. C* had agree'd to get the Cupboard Buckles & Spoons in the room of 10 pounds w'h he kept for that purpose


2 of wrongfully asserting that he Mr. T* knew his wife had given away her third of Land before Marriage


3 of wrongfully asserting that his wife suffered in sickness & had nothing for her comfort because he was so cross yt he would not let her have it


The parties being heard their evidences sworn & examined the Session after mature deliberation came to the following conclu- sions


-As to the first part of the first Charge Viz that Mr. C* had wrongfully asserted that Mr. T* had sent the Children away &


would not let them live with her, Mr. C* acknowledged yt he had asserted this, but proved yt he immediately owned his mistake as he had forgotten untill reminded by Mrs. C* that they had taken the Children away them selves-As to the latter part of this Charge that Mr. C* had not offered as he asserted he had, to give him for keeping the Children what two men should think it worth, it did not appear to the Session to be supported- -- As to the 2d Charge against Mr. C* of his being guilty of im- moral conduct in neglecting & refusing to get his wife a cupboard Buckles & tea spoons the Session do not Judge it suffic- iently supported -- The I Charge against Mrs. C*, Mr. T* did not insist upon-The 2d Charge viz her asserting that he knew his wife had given away her third of Land before Marriage Mr. T* might not know yt circumstance before Marriage, yet it appear- ed to ye Session yt Mrs. C* had so much reason for her assertion that she was not worthy of Blame for what she said- with respect to the last Charge against Mrs. C* viz her asserting yt Mr, T*'s wife suffer- ed in sickness & had nothing for her com- fort because he was so Cross yt he would not let her have it, Altho Mrs. T* might have suffered dureing her illness yet consid- ering ye circumstances of Mr. T* Family, The Session are of opinion yt she did not suffer thru' her husbands default or neglect. excepting in ye instance of his refusing Mrs. C*'s assistance when much needed, for which he was greatly to blame & ye con- duct gave Mrs. C* good reason to accuse him of Moroseness in ye respect above men- tioned. In the course of the trial it appear- ed to the Session yt Mr. T* had repeatedly cast some very unchristian & unbecoming reflections upon Mrs. C*'s moral character for which he stands reproved


-And moreover ye Session are of opin- ion yt Mr. T* is very culpable in giving him selfe & others so much troble & dis- tuibance about Matters in them selves of no great importance


-however they are disposed to attribute it to his inexperience & unhappy prejudices rather than to ye vitiousness of his heart


Finally, the Session with a deep felt sense of love & affection to the contending parties & the peace & honour of the Ch. of Christ do


[x ]First appearance of the second Deacon Prudden.


5


MINUTES OF THE SESSION.


as friends & B'rs beseach & entreat yt those disagreeable & unprofitable disputes may now subside & be no more -- That the parties in future would live in love, study those things yt make f Peace & whereby one may edify ye other-That each & every one from a sense of duty, love to God their Neighbours & them selves would con- tribute all in their Power to establish & maintain ys Peace, yt ye God of love & Peace might be with them-And now in a word B'n we commend you to God & the word of his grace which is able to comfort & build you up & give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified.


Ordered to be read Publickly in the Ch. -which w's done


Signed by order of the Session


Jonathan Elmer Moderator John Juline Clerk


Concluded with Prayer.


July 2, 1785. At a lecture preparatory to the Sacrament the Church being duly notic- ed previously of the business the Church voted that there was propriety in chusing three Elders and after Prayer the nature of the office being pointed out they proceeded to vote & Chose Mr. Caleb Munson Mr. Phillip Lindsly & Mr. Ezra Halsey, Received a Charge & ye right hand of fellowship Con- cluded with Prayer.


[The following minute has no date, but lies between those of Dec. 27, 1785, & Feb. 15, 1788. It is of interest in showing the beginning of clemency towards what was then regarded as a sinful marriage, and is yet illegal in England.]


At a Ch. Session convened at the Minis- ters house present Dea. Prudden Jonas Phil- lips Caleb Munson Phil. Lindsly Elders- & the Mod'r Timo. Johnes who opened the Session with Prayer. After which there was laid before us an affair of Marriage Viz Daniel B* who had Married his wifes Sister after his wife's Decease praying to be re- stored to their former standing in the Ch.


The Session after maturely deliberating on the matter according to a late rule & Judgment of Synod that provided for the relief of such Persons that upon humiliation and confession of the parties yt they had been premature in their marriage though they had clearness in them selves to act yet are grieved & hartily sorry that they have


been the occation of grief & offence to the Ch. and people of God & beg their prayers that their resolutions may be strengthened to live & act more inoffensively for the future & after Publick admonision & reprehension they may be restored to their former Privil- eges & standing in the Ch.


Elder Philip Condict is now come & reasons for not coming sooner sustained -- The Session gave order to the Treasurer Mr. Fred. King to deal out the money that had been contributed for that purpose To poor Wid. &c.


Concluded with Prayer.


[The last two minutes in Dr. Johnes' book are the following, both of them written with a trembling hand. The first undoubtedly relates to the transactions of the famous " Morristown Ghost." The Second is note- worthy because it closes Dr. Johnes' " Af- fair as Determined by our Session" with an instance of hisgentleness towards one whom earlier minutes show to have been outra- geous in her malice.]


October 30, 1789. At a Ch. Session duly noticed Present Dea. Allen, Dea. Prudden, Jonas Phillips, Philip Condict, Caleb Mun son, Ezra Halsey, & the Mod'r w'o opened the Session w'h Prayer after which the Judgment of the Session was made and or- dered to be read publickly from ye Desk & is as followeth-Whereas public report has charged a Number of ye members of ys Ch. with being guilty of base & fraudulent mis- conduct ; The Session having examined into the s'd charge, do find that several of the said Ch. members have been deceived by an artifice of some wicked man, or men, but that neither of them have been guilty of any intention of deceiving or defrauding of any Person, & yt as their intention does not ap- pear to have been evil, it is ye opinion of the Session that the report, so far as it af- fects their moral character, is not well founded -- Videl. * [Here follow nine names.]


Concluded with Prayer.


April 30, 1790. At a Ch. Session duly noticed present Dea. Allen Mr. Jonas Phil- lips Phil. Condict Caleb Munson Ezra Hal- sey Maj. Lindsley & the Mod'r who opened the Session w'h Prayer when John * 's wife who had been censured was admitted to a rehearing the censure was altered from the


6


PASTORATE OF REV. TIMOTHY JOHNES.


broad Alley to a humble confession before the Elders & others present which she readily made & an admonition from the Mod'r w'h w's then administered-concluded w'h Prayer.


CHARTER OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN MORRISTOWN.


George the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith. To all to whom these presents shall come. GREETING :


WHEREAS, the advancement of true Re- ligion and virtue is absolutely necessary for the promotion of Peace, order and prosper- ity of the State,


AND WHEREAS, it is the duty of all Christian princes and Governors by the law of God, to do all they can for the encour- agement thereof,


AND WHEREAS, Sundry of our loving Subjects of the Presbyterian Persuasion Inhabitants of an about the Township of Morris, within our Colony of New Jersey, by their humble petition presented to our Trusty and well beloved Jonathan Belcher, Esq., our Captain General and Commander in Chief of our Province of New Jersey and Vice Admiral in the same, shewing that the petitioners and others of the same persua- sion Inhabitants, in and about the Town- ship of Morris aforesaid, do make up a very large and considerable congregation, that the most advantageous support of religion among them necessarily requires that some persons should be incorporated as Trustees for the community that they may take grants of lands and chattels thereby, to en- able the Petitioners to erect and repair pub- lic buildings for the Worship of God, and the use of the Ministry and School Houses and Alms Houses, and suitably to support the Ministry and the Poor of their church, and to do and perform other acts of Piety and Charity, and that the same Trustees may have power to let and grant the same under a Publick Seal for the uses aforesaid, And that the same Trustees may plead and be impleaded in any suit touching the premises and have perpetual succession, that also the known Loyalty of the Peti-


tioners and the Presbyterians in General to us, their firm affection to our person and Government, and the Protestant succes- sion in our Royal House, gave the Peti- tioners hopes of reasonable Indulgence and favour within the same Colony where the Religious rites of Mankind are so happily preserved, and where our equal Grace and Bounty to all our Protestant faithful Sub- jects however differing in opinion about lesser matters has hitherto been so sensibly felt and enjoyed. the said Petitioners there- fore most humbly prayed our Grant of an Incorporation to the Petitioners by the name of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Morris Town, with all such pow- ers, capacities and privileges as might be effectual in law for the purposes aforesaid, and that Benjamin Hatheway, Charles Howell, Henry Primrose, Benjamin Bayles, Thomas Kent, Benjamin Coe and Samuel Roberts might be the first Trustees, which petition signed with the names of a great number of our faithful and loving subjects, Inhabitants in and about the said Town, we being willing to grant -


KNOW YE, that we of our especial Grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, have willed and ordained, constituted, given and granted, and for us, our heirs and succes- sors by these presents, Do, will, ordain, constitute, give and grant, that Benjamin Hathaway, Charles Howell, Henry Prim- rose, Benjamin Bayles, Thomas Kent, Benj- amin Coe and Samuel Roberts, from hence- forth and their successors forever here- after, shall be and remain one body politick and corporate, in deed, fact and name, by the name of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Morris Town, and them and their successors by the name of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Morris Town one body body corporate and politick, in deed, fact and name, really and fully. We do for us, our heirs and successors, erect, make, ordain constitute, declare and create by these presents, and by that name they shall and may have perpetual succession.


AND ALSO. that they and their successors, by the name of the Trustees of the Presby- terian Church in Morris Town, be and for- ever hereafter, shall be persons able in law, to purchase, take, hold, receive and enjoy


7


CHARTER OF THE CHURCH.


any messuages, Houses, Buildings, Lands' Tenements, rents, possessions and other heriditaments and real estate, in fee simple or otherwise, so as the yearly clear value of the same does not exceed the sum of Two hundred pounds sterling, the statute of Mortmain or any other law to the contrary notwithstanding. and also goods, chattels and all other things of what kind or quality soever.


AND ALSO, that they or their successors. by the name of the Trustees of the Presby- terian Church in Morris Town, shall and may give, grant and demise, assign, sell or otherwise dispose of all or any of their mes- suages, houses, lands, tenements, rents possessions and other heriditaments and real estate, and all their goods, chattels and other things aforesaid as to them shall seem meet. And also, that they and their suc- cessors, by the name of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Morris Town, be and forever hereafter, shall be persons able in law and capable to sue and be sued, implead or be impleaded, answer or · be answered, defend or be defended in all Courts of Judicature whatever. And also, that the said Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Morris Town for the time being, and their successors shall and may forever hereafter, have and use a common seal with such device or devices as they shall think proper for sealing all and singular deeds, grants, conveyances, contracts, Bonds, Articles of Agreement, assignments, powers, authorities and singular, their af- fairs and things touching or concerning the said Corporation. And also, that the said Trustees and their successors forever, may as oft as they see fit break change and new make the same or any other their common seal. And further, we do of our especial Grace certain knowledge and mere motion for us, our heirs and successors by these presents, Will, ordain, constitute, give and grant, that upon any vacancy among the Trustees of the said Presbyterian Church in Morris Town, by death, removal or other Incapacity whatsoever. that the Minister or Ministers, Elders and Deacons for the time being of the said Presbyterian Church in Morris Town, shall and may meet together at Morris Town aforesaid, and then and there elect and choose such person or per- ber of the said Trustees had consented and




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