USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Morristown > History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1 > Part 70
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¿No. 57 in Gal'y, of David Freeman, dec'd, to Stephen P. Freeman for 4.00
44
PASTORATE OF THE REV. WM. A. McDOWELL.
No. 10 in Gal'y, of David Gardner to John Lindsley, 3d, for 2.07
No. 3 in Gal'y, of Isaac and Tim'y Johnson to Joseph Johnson for
6.00
¿No. 12 in Gal'y, of James Stiles to David Day for 4.90
No. 39 below, of Jon'n Hath'y, dec'd, to Jonathan Hathway for Then sold parish property,
9.00
Pew No. 64 in Gal'y to George P. Mc- Cullock for 54.25
¿No. 22 in Gal'y, of John Lindsley to John Lindsley, Jr., for 3.00
Vendue adjourned for 2 weeks. 17th June. 1815, sold at vendue,
¿No. 57 in Gal'y, of Abr'm Munson, dec'd, to John Person for 9.99
Parish Meeting held 21st Sept'r, 1815. Lewis Mills, Moderator and Silas Condict, Cl'k. John Mills, Jonathan Ogden, Benja- min Person, Silas Lindsly and Charles Ford having served Trustees for two years past, according to a former vote of Sept'r 1813, are out of office. The meeting then made choice for Trustees, as follow, viz : John Mills, John Smith, Benjamin Person, Silas Lindsly and Charles Ford.
Voted that if any part of the congrega- tion do by subscription, or otherwise, raise the sum of fifteen hundred dollars to add to the funds of the parish ; that the Trustees be instructed to sell no part of the parish land that now lieth common, and call'd Morristown Green, but that they relinquish the whole to remain as a Common forever, on the money being paid or secured to be paid to them. N. B .- That ground suffici- ent whereon to place a Session House be reserved.
Voted that the Trustees, with such other members of the congregation as will assist them, have liberty to build a house on the parish land between the Meeting House and Peter A. Johnsons, joining to the graveyard, for the use of the Church and congregation for religious purposes, at their discression ; provided the house be built of brick and the covering of the roof be with slate, and pro- vided also, that they make no use of any part of the parish funds.
sworn into office. The Trustees agreed unanimously to go on with building a Ses- sion house, a house for the use of the Church and congregation for religious purposes; and appointed John Mills, Joseph Cutler and David Mills a committee to su- perintend said building, and employ such persons as they think proper.
21st Sept'r, 1816, Trustees met at the house of Peter A. Johnson, all present but Silas Lindsly ; when they examined the deed that was prepared for the conveying of the green, and approved of the same, and unanimously agreed the president should execute the same.
26th Sept'r, 1816, at a parish meeting held this day John Mills was appointed Modera- tor and Peter A. Johnson, Clerk; when the Trustees reported that, in consideration of the sum of sixteen hundred dollars payable in two years from the first day of January last without interest, they have conveyed all the right of the congregation to that part of the parish land which now lieth common and is called Morristown Green, to remain as a Common forever. And the lot now occupied by the county of Morris, when the said county shall cease to use the same for a court-house and goal, to be con- sidered as a part of said Common. Joseph Cutler and David Mills having served as Trustees for two years past are now out of office, agreeable to a former vote of the par- ish. The congregation then reappointed said Joseph Cutler and David Mills Trus- tees.
16th Jan'y, 1817, a parish meeting held this day pursuant to public notice given the last Sabbath. Joseph Cutler was appointed Moderator and Henry P. Russell, Clerk ; when the Trustees who were instructed, at parish meeting 26th Sept'r last, to enquire whether the sallary of our Minister for the year past has been sufficient for his sup- port, and report to the congregation at a future meeting :- the Trustees reported that they had waited on the Rev'd Mr. McDow- ell, who informed them that his expense for the year past had exceeded his sallary about 200 dollars. The meeting then voted that the Trustees be directed to pay to the Rev'd Wm. A. McDowell, in addition to his sallary for, the [time past, ending the 29th
At a meeting of the Trustees 11th March, 1816, at the house of Peter A Johnson, all present but Mr. Ford. Benjamin Person, chosen Trustee last Sept'r, was this day day of October last, the sum of 250 dollars.
45
TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
Voted that the present Sexton be allowed Sixty dollars per year, for Ringing the bell and Sweeping the meeting house from 12th Sept. last, and that he be denied the pri- vilege of pasturing cattle of any kind in the graveyard.
30th Sept'r, 1817 at the annual parish meeting held this day Ezekiel Whitehead was chosen Moderator, and John Mills, Cl'k. At a parish meeting held the 15th of Sept'r, 1813, it was voted that no person Should serve as Trustee for more than two years without being reappointed ; by which vote John Mills, Benjamin Person, Silas Lindsly, John Smith, and Charles Ford, who have been Trustees for two years past, are now out of office as Trustees. The meeting then reappointed the said John Mills, Benjamin Person, Silas Lindsly, John Smith and Charles Ford Trustees.
Sept. Ist, 1818. Trustees met at the house of P. A. Johnson ; present John Mills, Ben- jamin Person, Joseph Cutler, David Mills and Charles Ford ; and agreed to rebuild the meeting house steps, and to compleat the painting of the inside of the meeting house ; and appointed John Mills, Silas Lindsley and Joseph Cutler a Committee to do the same, to employ such persons as they think proper. And that the Treasurer call on such persons as owe money on the green Subscription and other accounts, to pay the same immediately for the purpose of paying the expenses.
Ioth September 1818, Annual Parish meet- ing held this day ; Silas Lindsley Esq'r, Moderator, and Henry P. Russell. Cl'k, Joseph Cutler and David Mills who had served trustees for two years past were re- appointed Trustees. Voted that the Treas- urer report in writing, at every Annual par- ish meeting, a statement of the funds be- longing to the Congregation and of the money expended by the Trustees, and the same to be entered on the minutes. Ordered that the vote passed at the parish meeting of the 3'd of Sep. 1802, relative to the lowering of the pew of William Campfield be carried into execution, and that the President of the Trustees attend to that duty at the expense of the congregation. Voted that the Trustees proceed immedi- ately, at their discression, to put the Church in good order and repair, viz; That it be
cleaned and whitewashed, painted in the in- side and partly on the outside, the steps at the doors made entirely new, and the fences round the graveyard completely repaired. Voted that Moses Cherry be appointed Sexton for one year, to have a sallary of sixty dollars. Lewis Condit, Joseph Cutler, Loammi More, Lewis Mills and Zopher Freeman be appointed a Committee to ob- tain a chorristor, to lead the singing in the Church ; and the said Com'e allow such sall'y as can be agreed upon, not to exceed $50 pr. year, the money to be raised by a monthly contribution in the Church.
29th September, 1819. Annual Parish Meeting held this day ; John Kinney, Mode- rator, and David Day, Clerk. The Treasurer offor'd his report, which was accepted by vote of the parish.
The Treasurers report of the parish ex- penses for the year past, and the present state of the parish funds :
Expenses of painting the Meeting House outside and inside, $704.49
For new steps at the doors, 67.79
For whitewashing and clean-
ing the house, 45.56
817.84
For the Minister's sallary, 1,000.00 Sexton's sallary, 60.00
To the Treasurer keeping the accounts in all the book, &c., 25.00
1,085,00
1,902.84 Present state of the Parish funds, due to the parish by the Trustees book of Acct., $3,300.00
Due for seat rent by sallary book,
696.00
3,996.00
Amount of principal on interest de-
ducted,
2,973.00
Now due for interest and seat rent, 1,023.00
Due to Mr. McDowell,
$375.57
46
PASTORATE OF THE REV. WM. A. McDOWELL.
Annual amount of seat rent, $592.14 Annnual amount of inter-
est,
208.11
800.25
Voted that Moses Cherry be Sexton for one year, to have a sallary of fifty dollars.
Voted that a Committee be appointed to procure a corrister for the ensuing year, and that his sallary be raised the same way as last year.
Voted that the old Committee serve the ensuing year, only that Ezekiel Whitehead be in the room of Lewis Mills.
Voted that Benjamin Person, Silas Lindsly, John Smith and Charles Ford be appointed Trustees, and that Ezekiel White- head be appointed trustee, in the room of John Mills, who declines serving.
Voted that the resignation of John Mills as Trustee and Treasurer be accepted with the thanks of the parish for his long and faithful services, and that it be entered on the minutes.
Voted that the parish approve of the Trustees .in giving the old pulpit to the new Church at Newfoundland, and building a new one.
18th October, 1819, the Trustees met at the house of Nathaniel Bull ; present John Smith, Joseph Cutler, Charles Ford, Ezek- iel Whitehead, David Mills ; when Ezekiel Whitehead was sworn into office as the law directs. They appointed Benjamin Pierson, President of the Trustees, and David Mills, Treasurer and Clerk.
November 20th, 1819, a parish meeting was held, when Jonathan Ogden was chosen Moderator, and Loammi Moore, Clerk.
Voted that the parish will not make a new assessment on the pews and seats, and the question shall not again be called up until the next annual parish meeting.
Voted that this meeting adjourns until Saturday, the 4th Dec'r next.
December 4th, 1819, a parish meeting was held. Resolved as the sense of this parish meeting, that the members feel the deepest regret on learning that certain proceedings, had at the last parrish meeting, have ten- dered to wound the feelings of our worthy pastor, whose faithful labors and exemplary conduct entitles him to our best affections and esteem.
Resolved, that, altho' we may differ as members of the congregation in respect to the administrations of our finances and the proceedings of the Trustees, we all feel an ardent attachment to our beloved pastor, and will exert ourselves to yield such sup- port as is stipulated in the call he accepted from us. The above resolutions passed unanimously.
Voted that John Mills and Jonathan Og- den be a committee to wait on Mr. McDow- ell with the above.
Voted that a committee of fifteen persons be appointed, whose duty it shall be to con- fer with and aid the Trustees in devising and dijesting a plan for the future manage- ment of the funds of the congregation.
Voted that Henry Vail, Timothy Tucker Aram Guerin, Charles Thompson, Ephraim Lindsly, Zopher Freeman, Jonathan Oliver, Stephen A. Prudden, Abraham Hedges, Al- bert O. Pierson, Mahlon Johnson, Jonathan Miller, Isaac Gaston, Seth Gregory, Gabriel H. Ford be that committee ; and it shall be the duty of the Ist man on the committee to notice the others.
Voted that the aforesaid Committee and trustees be instructed to enquire, and report to the next annual Parish Meeting, what plan in their opinion will be best adapted to the circumstances of this congregation for the support of their Minister.
Voted, that for the purpose of avoiding any further loss in the funds of the parish, it shall be the duty of the trustees to take efficient measures for collecting immediately such debts as are not well secured, as well as those upon which the interest shall re- main unpaid one year after the same becom- ing due.
September 25, 1820. Annual Parish Meet- ing held this day. Peter A. Johnson was chosen Moderator, and Lewis Mills, Clerk ; when David Mills and Joseph Cutler were reappointed Trustees. The Committee ap- pointed the 4th day of December last re- ported, and their report was accepted ; which report was in the words following, viz : The Committee appointed by Parish Meeting, the fourth day of December last, to confer with the Trustees upon the best plan of raising money to pay the Minister's sallary, and also for the future management of the Parish funds, after repeated consulta-
47
TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
tions on those subjects, report unanimously as follows, viz : First, that in order to make due provision for paying the Ministers sal- lary, it is necessary that the Trustees (whose duty it is) should advance the rent on seats from five to seven and a half per cent. The right of raising the rents is most clearly ex- pressed in the articles of sale, and although the Trustees have omitted to insert this condition, as well as many other things for the sake of brevity, in the form of certificate to purchasers of seats, neither the certi- ficate, nor any omission therein, can invali- date the article, it being the warrant under which the seats were sold. If the above mentioned advance should be made on the seats, their whole rent will amount to only eight hundred and eighty-eight dollars, which is $112 a year short of the Minister's sallary, and must be taken out of the other funds of the Parish. And, although those funds are wanted for other important pur- poses, the Committee advise the Trustees rather to use them for Minister's sallary than to raise the rent any higher than 7} per cent. at present, on account of the hard- ness and pressure of the times.
Second as to the future management of the other parish funds, amounting to about $3400, the committee are unanimously of opinion not to disturb any bonds that are Sufficiently Secured by Mortgages and on which the interest is usually paid ; and those not sufficiently Secured or on which the in- terest is not usually paid the last parish meeting ordered them to be put in train for collection, and no other management ap- pears necessary.
The Committee therefore propose to the Parish to adopt a resolution in the following form-Resolved in order to make due pro- vision for paying the ministers Sallary, that it is recommended to the Trustees to raise the rent on Seats from five to Seven and a halt per cent, from the 12th day of Septem- ber instant.
Dated 13th Sept. 1820.
By unanimous order of the Committee.
HENRY VAIL, Chairman.
Moses Cherry appointed Sexton for this year ; his salary fifty dollars. Singing Com- mittee reported that they were in arrear of payment to Mr. Dunham about twenty dol-
lars ; voted that it be raised by contribution in the Church. The Trustees appointed the Singing Committee to invite such persons, as are capable and willing, to lead the Sing- ing in our public worship. Joseph Cutler presented his bill for building the pulpit, to the amount of two hundred and twenty four dollars and 74 cents.
September 19th, 1821, Annual Parish Meeting held this day. John Kinney was chosen Moderator, and John B. Johnes, Clerk. The following Trustees was ap- pointed : Benjamin Pierson, Silas Lindsly, John Smith, Charles Ford and Ezekiel Whitehead.
Moses Cherry was appointed Sexton, to have fifty dollars for his services for the ensuing year.
September 19th, 1822, at the annual Parish meeting held this day, Major John Kinney was chosen Moderator, and Doct. John B. Johnes, Clerk. Joseph Cutler and David Mills were chosen Trustees for the ensuing year.
Moses Cherry was chosen Sexton to have a Salary of Sixty Two dollars. In addition to his former duties he is to take proper care of the Lamps, cut the wood, and make the fires in the Stoves. [First mention of stoves.]
Resolved, that the Rev'd Asa Lyman shall have the use of the two seats in the Church, which he has occupied without paying any- thing for them previous to this date.
Resolved, that the Trustees of this Church be instructed to pay to the Rev'd Mr. McDowell the salary now due him, in three months from this day, by any means they may have in their hands belonging to the parish.
12th September, 1823, the annual parish meeting was held in the Church. Mr. Eze- kiel Whitehead was appointed Moderator, and George K. Drake. Esq., Clerk. The minutes of the last annual parish meeting were read. Moses Cherry was appointed sexton for the ensuing year, and to receive the same salary, $62, and perform the same duties as the last year.
Silas Condict, Silas Lindsly, Silas Pierson, Charles Ford, Ezekiel Whitehead and Ste- phen A. Prudden were appointed Trustees for the ensuing year.
Resolved, that the Trustees cause imme-
48
PASTORATE OF THE REV. WM. A. MCDOWELL.
diate notice to be given to al' persons in- debted for notes and obligations to this parish, that they will be prosecuted for the same at the end of thirty days, unless the interest on these debts shall be paid within that time ; and that they cause prosecutions to be commenced accordingly.
Silas Pierson was appointed Treasurer for the ensuing year.
Resolved, that the Treasurer hereafter shall, at the end of each year, present statement in writing to the annual a parish meeting of the funds of the par- ish, and of his receipts and disbursements during the year, and of the sums remaining due from all persons to the parish for sala- ry, and that the said report be filed.
Resolved, that this parish meeting be ad- journed to meet on Saturday, the 27th inst., at 3 o'clock P. M., to consult upon measures which may be thought advisable in conse- quence of Mr. McDowell's resigning his pastoral charge; and that this notice be published from the pulpit on the two suc- ceeding Sabbaths.
Morris Town, 27th Sept., 1823. The Par- ish Meating was held according to adjourn- ment. Mr. Ezekiel Whitehead, the Mod- erator, was present, and Mr. Lewis Mills was chosen Clerk.
Doctor Lewis Condit read a letter from our Pastor, Wm. A. McDowell, stating that his ill health was the reason which had caused him to come to the decision to ask his people to unite with him in requesting the Presbytery to dissolve the Pastoral re- lation between him and this congregation.
The following resolutions were unani- mously adopted :
Whereas, this congregation has been of- ficially notified by the Rev'd Wm. A. Mc- Dowell of his desire to resign his pastoral charge, and close his ministerial labours amongst us ; and as impressions may be made on the minds of persons who are strangers to the congregation and minister, unfavourable to both and altogether un- founded, the congregation consider it to be a duty they owe to themselves as well as to Mr. McDowell, to expose their views and feelings which they entertain on the oc- casion.
Ist. Resolved, Therefore, as the sense of this congregation, that the respect and es-
teem which we felt for our worthy Pastor on his first settlement among us, is not only undiminished, but that his faithful and zealous labours; his tender and affec- tionate regard for his people ; as well as his amiable and unexceptional deportment upon all occasions, have greatly endeared him to us ; And that each succeeding year has ad- ded strength to the ties which ought to unite a people to their Minister. That, as far as we are enabled to judge, as well from the recent revival of religion, the attention to religious instruction in every quarter of the congregation, and from the general ex- pression of individual opinions, we have every reason to conclude that his ministerial labours were never more acceptable than at the present day ; and their exists a general desire to extend to him a liberal support, proportioned in some good measure to the limited means of this people.
2nd. Resolved, that we deeply regret the declining health of our beloved pastor, whose delicate Constitution may possibly have been impaired in his unremitting en- deavours for the faithful discharge of duties, in a congregation so numerous and exten- sive.
3rd. Resolved, that if our beloved Pastor entertains a hope that a change of climate and some relaxation from
ministerial Labours may have a salutary influence upon his health, it becomes our duty as a people to oppose no obstacle to his wishes, but to submit the question to the decision of Pres- bytery; and we would add our sincere prayers and warmest wishes for his health, happiness and extensive usefulness in the church.
4th. Res'd, That a respectful address, ex- pressive of the feelings and views of the congregation be prepared and presented to the Rev'd Mr. McDowell.
The following address was read and unan- imously adopted :
To the Rev. Wm. A. McDowell :
REV'D AND DEAR SIR :-
The period is near at hand when agree- ably to your decision the connection, which has subsisted between us as Minister and people is to be dissolved.
Upon an occasion so important and in ter- esting, we trust we shall be pardoned for expressing some of those sensations and
49
TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
feelings which occupy our minds, It is an event to many of us unexpected, and, as we believe, unwelcome to the great body of the people who compose your flock. In the re- view of our intercourse we experience mingled emotions of pleasure and pain.
We recollect with deep interest your faith- ful labours, your solemn warnings, your fervent expostulation, your affectionate im- portunities and friendly entreaties with us. We have often heard your warning voice, and are ourselves the witnesses of that deep interest you have always evinced in our wel- fare, as well as of that correct deportment you have always maintained during your residence among us.
We should be ungrateful if such recollec- tions failed to excite a high veneration and respect for clerical character, or an ardent affection and esteem for you as a christian, a neighbor and a friend. These sensations acquire additional force when we recollect that a constitution naturally feeble, and health always delicate, may have been mater- ially impaired by the zealous and constant attention to parochial duties ; and that de- clining health, a hope of restoration, induces you to retire from such arduous labours, and to seek a climate more congenial to your . constitution.
We should be wanting to ourselves, how- ever, if we did not assure you-that it is with deep and unfeigned reluctance we acquiese in the necessity which impels you to seek a separation. Our attachment to you is not only undiminished, but we confidently be- lieve has been strengthened and matured by every years intercourse. And, had your health admitted the continuance of your la- bours, we are assured the prospect of your usefulness was never greater than at this day. We admit our remissness in respect to many of our obligations and duties to you as our minister. We have not duly appre- ciated the privileges,of the Gospel, faithfully dispensed amongst us.
We feel it also to be a duty which we owe to you, to ourselves and to the christian Church in general, to bear our feeble but united testimony against a practice, which we fear is becoming too fashionable. We al- lude to the frequent dissolution of the con- nection between Minister and people for reasons which, we apprehend, would, in'
some instances, on close scrutiny, be found insufficient. We need not advert to par- ticulars ; the destitute condition of many neighbouring churches ; the dissentions, jealousies, divisions and suspicions thence arising are not unknown to you.
We hope and trust that as a congregation we may be preserved from such evils; and that in acquiescing in the separation which you desire we may not be considered as sanctioning or giving countenance to a practice, which we deem derogatory to the clerical character, prejudicial to the church and subversive of those good feelings which should bind together a christian com- munity.
In conclusion, we hope we shall not be forgotten by you ; but that you will bear us on your heart to the Throne of Grace, importuning in our behalf, those blessings we so much need ; that we may be in the safe keeping of the great Sheppard who can protect from the ravening wolves; that we may dwell together in the bonds of christian charity, exercising that kind forberance and tender indulgence toward each other, which the Gospel inculcates, and which our situa- tion so eminently requires.
And may you, dear sir, be preserved from the perils of your journeys ; may your health be restored and your life prolonged ; may you find an united and affectionate people, worthy of a faithful and zealous Pastor ; and may the work of the Lord prosper in your hands. And should you hereafter visit your native State, and we be permitted again to hear the well-known sound of your voice, we can assure you, you will find in our church many willing ears and many affec- tionate hearts to great your return.
Resolved that Mr. Ezekiel Whitehead and Mr. Lewis Mills be a committee to present the address.
Resolved, that in the opinion of this meet- ing, the practice of calling Ministers of the Gospel from congregations where they are usefully settled, and dwelling in harmony with their people, tends to pernicious con- sequences, and ought to be discounte- nanced.
Resolved, that an address be prepaired to the Presbytery, expressing our disapproba- tion of such practice, and stating some of the evil consequences likely to result from
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