History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 80

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 80

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I am, Dear Sir, yours affectionately,

James Richards." " March 19, 1851.

" My dear Sir,

Will it be agreeable to the Board of Trus- tees to prepare a notice for a parish meet- ing, to be called on Monday or Tuesday next, to consider the subject brought to your notice in my last communication. I am anxious to remove my family to Western New York, before the meeting of Presby- tery in April; and I do not wish to leave here for any length of time, until the way is clear for my resignation to Presby. Either Monday or Tuesday would suit me, but if I have any preference it would be for Monday.

I am dear sir yours truly. James Richards.

Theo. Little, Esq., Morristown, New Jersey."

Whereupon,¿resolved, [Ist,] That com-

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TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

missioners be appointed to represent the [to attend Presbytery to represent the con- congregation at the meeting of Presbytery, gregation-R. W. Stites, Stephen A. Pruden, Silas B. Emmell, and Ira C. Whitehead were appointed. to concur with our pastor in his applica- tion for a dismission from his pastoral rela- tion. [2d,] That four persons be appointed

PASTORATE VACANT, FROM APRIL TO DECEMBER 1851.

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MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

Nov. 11, 1851, Session met in the study of the Rev'd. Mr. Townley, the Pastor elect, on notice from the pulpit.

Resolved, That an annual collection be taken up in this church in behalf of the Presbyterian board of education, at such time in the year as the pastor may advise.

Resolved, That the pastor-elect be re- quested to take charge of the monies, col- lected at the Monthly Concert for prayer, for foreign mission and for the various be- nevolent purposes, and pay the same as de- signated by the various resolutions of the Session.

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

August 27, 1851, Parish meeting : the Rev. Mr. Chester, chairman. Resolved, [Ist,] to proceed in calling a Pastor, and that the electors vote by rising. Whereupon, after interchange of views, the Rev. John H. Townley of Hackettstown, N. J., was elected as the pastor. (42 votes for-2 votes against). [2d,] That the call be filled up for one thousand dollars salary, (payable quarterly), together with the use of the Parsonage house and lot, [3d,] That the call be signed by the Session and Trustees of the church. [4th,] That Elder J. D. Marvin and David M. Stiger be a committee to prosecute the call.

Oct. 14, 1851, Parish meeting, Jonathan Thompson, Moderator ; J. M. DeCamp, Clerk. The Trustees reported : Total re- ceipts for year,

Total disbursements,

$1,412.46

Balance, 13.27

$1,425.73 $1,425.73

There is due the church

to Sept. 12, 1851, $221.88

The church owes to Sept. 12, $121.88

Leaving a balance in favor of the church, if all is collected, of $100.00. The losses can hardly be supposed to exceed this amount, and may come up to it, leaving the accts. about even, excepting $13.27 in the hands of Treasurer.

This meeting having been informed, by the President of Trustees, that they had [not ? See Trustee minutes 13 Dec., 1850, Ist resolution, ] levied and assessed the three per cent., authorized by the last annual Parish meeting, and having heard the reasons for the same; It was thereupon Resolved, That this meeting approve of the action of the trustees in the premises. Resolved fur- ther, [Ist,] That this congregation adopt the valuation shown on the plot of the floor in the Trustees' ledger, and made after the alterations in 1841, as the basis of all as- sessments to be made on the seats and pews in the church, whether the owners have consented to such new valuation or not. [2d,] That such assesssments be made and levied on the said pews and seats from time to time, under such new valuation thereof, as the trustees may think necessary,

$1,425.73 | to defray the expenses of the Parish, not to

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PASTORATE OF THE REV. JOHN H. TOWNLEY.

exceed however the rate fixed by previous resolution of the Parish.

Trustees were then elected: John F. Voorhees, George W. Johnes, Theodore

Little, Silas Miller, Jacob Crane, Moses Brookfield, and Mr. Jno. Axtell in place of S. B. Condict.

PASTORATE OF REV. JOHN H. TOWNLEY, From Dec. 1851, to Feb. 1855.

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MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

Rev. John H. Townley was installed Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Morris Town by the Presbytery of Eliza- beth Town, Dec. 16, 1851. Rev. Dr. Murray preached the sermon from 1 Timothy 3 Ch. 15 verse. Rev. Mr. English, of Liberty Corner, proposed the constitutional ques- tions, and delivered the charge to the Pastor, and the Rev. Mr. Locke, of Springfield, de- livered the charge to the people. [This note is in the hand of Ira C. Whitehead, who continued Clerk till 4 June 1852, after which date the minutes were written and signed by "John H. Townley, Mod.," until 5 Oct. 1854.]

Jan. 28, 1852, Session met in the Pastor's study, on notice from the pulpit. Present the Moderator and Elders Enslee, Marvin, Mills, Prudden and Ira C. Whitehead. Ab- sent, Elders Freeman, Johnson and S. R. Whitehead. Opened with prayer by the Moderator. The minutes of the meetings of Dec. 5 and Jan. 4 were read and approved.

Session spent the afternoon in revising the list of members of this Church, when it was ascertained, after proper corrections, that the regular Church membership was Two hundred and seventy.

After prayer by Elder Mills, Session ad- journed.

Ira C. Whitehead, Clk.

Oct. 17, 1852. It was represented to Ses- sion that application had been made to the Trustees of the congregation, by the Vestry of the Protestant Episcopal Church recently organized in this place, for the use of the

Lecture Room as a place of worship on the Sabbath; and that the Trustees had de- ferred an answer to their application until they had taken the advice of the Session in the matter. It was thereupon, unanimously resolved that the Trustees be advised to grant such application.

Nov. 4, 1852, Elder Whitehead was ap- pointed delegate to form the new Presby- tery of Passaic, set off, by the Synod of New Jersey, from the Presbytery of Elizabeth- town, and directed by said Synod to hold their first meeting in the First Ch. of Pat- erson, Nov. 10, 1852. Elder Prudden was appointed his alternate.

Dec. 3, 1852, At the suggestion of the Pastor, it was resolved that he hold a Bible class every alternate Thursday evening, instead of Lecture ; and that Fisher's Cat- echism be used as a kind of text book on these occasions.

March 3, 1854, After consultation the ses- sion thought it advisable to make an effort to visit the whole congregation, by the ses- sion and others, as soon as convenient ; and left the time to the arrangement of the Pastor.

The Session would here record the bap- tism of the infant child of Mr. Vreeland Mills and Elizabeth K. his wife, William Henry Mills. [Since June 1, 1849, with the name of James Richards Voorhees, the bap- tism of infants has been recorded as memo- randa appended to the Minutes ; the same practice continued till the close of Dr. Irv- ing's pastorate.]

Feb. 10, 1855, Session met in pursuance of notice. Rev. John M. Johnson being

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TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

present by invitation of the Session, was elected Moderator. Members present, Messrs. Marvin, Prudden, Mills, Freeman and Ira C. Whitehead. Meeting was opened with prayer by the Moderator.

The following preamble and resolutions in reference to the decease of our late Pastor were unanimously adopted :

WHEREAS, It has pleased the great Head of the Church, in his sovereign and Holy Providence, to remove by death our be- loved Pastor, the Rev. John H. Townley, therefore,

Resolved, That while we bow with humble submission to the chastening hand of God, we do at the same time gratefully record his goodness in bestowing upon us a Pastor, whose qualities of mind and heart, and whose excellencies of life and character, have made him a rich blessing in this Church and Con- gregation, even during the short period of his continuance with us; and with whom our intercourse, personal and official, has always been profitable and pleasant, as became the relation between us.

Resolved, That we invite the Church and Congregation to unite with us on Thursday next, at three o'clock P. M., in suitable de- votional exercises at the Church, humbling ourselves under the hand of God,and praying that this bereavement may be sanctified to the spiritual good of this people, and the glory of his grace.

Resolved, That we tender our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family of our late Pastor, assuring them of our lasting interest in their welfare, and that we confidently commend them to the care of our covenant- keeping God, who is the God of the widow and the Father of the fatherless.

Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing re- solutions be presented to Mrs. Townley, and be read from the pulpit on the next Sabbath.

Resolved, That the Moderator (Rev. John M. Johnson) and Elder Ira C. Whitehead be a committee to prepare an obituary notice of our late Pastor.

After prayer by Elder Prudden, adj'd.

Ira C. Whitehead, Clk.

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

Oct. 1, 1852, Parish meeting, Jonathan Thompson, moderator, and David M. Stiger, clerk. The Treasurer reported :

Total receipts for the past year,

$1,222.38

Total disbursements, $1,023.98

Balance on hand, 198.40

$1,222.38 $1,222.38

There is due the church

to Sept. 12, 1852,

$337.08

Doubtful, 87

250.08

The church owes, $396.94

The present Board of Trustees were re- elected, except Major Silas Miller who de- clined re-election, and in his stead Isaac N. Whitehead was elected.

Resolved, [Ist,] That the Trustees be al- lowed to give special notice from the pulpit in reference to the importance of increasing the monthly contribution, and further that that they be authorized to build an Ice house on the Parson- age lot. [2d] That Messrs. Sayre, Ax- tell and Stiger be a committee to confer with the pastor in refference to a donation visit.

November 3, 1852. Trustees. Application having been heretofore made to the Trustees by the 2d Episcopal Congregation of Morris- town, for the use of the lecture room dur- ing the winter, and the matter having been referred to the session and Pastor for their advice, and they having advised the Trus- tees to grant the request, It was unani- mously resolved, that the request be granted, and that it be granted without compensation ; the said- congregation to furnish their own fuel and lights, and com- pensate the sexton of the church for his services.

Application having also been made, by Rev. Mr. Tolan, for the use of the church on the evening of Thanksgiving day for a temperance meeting, it was unanimously Resolved, That the request be denied ; and that, inasmuch as their is a public hall where all such meetings can be conveni- ently held, the use of the church will not be hereafter granted for any other than re- ligious meetings, unless under very pecu- liar circumstances.

April 5, 1853. Trustees. An application having been made to the board, by the Young Men's Literary Association, for the use of the church for the delivery of a lec-

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PASTORATE OF THE REV. JOHN H. TOWNLEY.

ture by the Rev. H. W. Beecher on Wednes - day evening, the public hall being other- wise occupied, it was deemed inexpedient to grant the request, and the same was accord- ingly denied.

May 7, 1853. Trustees. Mr. Axtell repre- sented to the Trustees that it was the de- sire of the choir, that the Trustees shall employ Mr. Taylor as choister, and having made a motion to employ him at the salary of $200 to lead as choister and to instruct a class of all such persons in the congrega- tion as would attend for the purpose for lessons, and to give like instruction to the Sabbath school children, it was unanimously resolved to employ Mr. Taylor accordingly, if his services could be obtained.

May 14, 1853. Trustees. Application was made for the use of the church for the de- livery of a Temperance Lecture by John B. Gough, and a resolution passed, one dis- senting, granting the application as one of the special occasions referred to in the reso- lution passed Nov. 3, 1852. Mr. Axtell re- ported that Mr. Taylor's services as choister could not be secured on account of previous engagement for the present.

Sept. 14, 1853. Trustees. Resolved, [Ist,] to employ Mr. George H. Harvey to teach sa- cred music in the congregation under the di- rection of the Trustees, and to act as choris- ter for one year, at a salary of three hundred dollars. [2d,] That, if his services can be se- cured, classes be formed under the charge of the Trustees, to be instructed at such hours on Saturday of each week as may be thought most convenient.

Oct. 7, 1853. Annual parish meeting. Ira C. Whitehead, Moderator ; and David M. Stiger, Parish Clerk.

The Treasurer reported :

Total receipts for the past

year,

$1874.85

Total disbursements,

$1826.10

Balance in hand,

48.75

$1874.85 $1874,85

The Trustees, having asked the advice of the meeting in refference to the sale of pews for non-payment of the increased as- sessment of salary (on the pews), were in- structed to execute the rule of the Parish.

The last board of Trustees were unani- mously re-elected.

A motion was made that an additional as- sessment be made of three per cent. on those pews rented by the church, and, after some discussion, was postponed until the next Parish meeting ; and the Trustees were re- quested to embrace this matter in their call of the next Parish meeting.

Pew No. 22 was then offered publicly for sale, and was struck off for the sum of $58.75 to the Trustees. Pew No. 72 was of- fered for sale, and was struck off to the Trustees for the sum of $13.00.

Oct. 12,1853. Trustees. Moses A.Brookfield was elected President. Resolved, [Ist,] That Theo. Little be a committee to attend to all matters pertaining to Mr. Harvey as choris- ter and make such contract with said Harvey as he shall think proper, and to attend to the interest of the choir. [2d,] That the church committee inquire what premium would be charged for insurance on the church, for the following sums and in the following offices, viz : Morris Mutual, $2000 ; Mend- ham Mutual, $2000 ; Bellville Mutual, $2000. Also on Parsonage in Morris and Mendham Mutual each $ 1000.

June 26, 1854. At the office of Theo. Lit- tle convened the full Board of Trustees and Session, to take into consideration the pro- priety, in the present delicate state of health of our Pastor, of appointing a committee to wait upon him, to inform him that it is the unanimous opinion of the entire Board of Trustees and Session, that relaxation from his labours is necessary for the restoration of his health. And that it is their wish, if it should meet with his approbation, that he take at least two months for that purpose ; and that we be allowed to pay the expense of supplies for the Pulpit under his direc- tions ; and that said committee at the same time present him with a purse of two hundred dollars for travelling expenses, &c., which said amount was raised by voluntary contri- bution. Whereupon Ira C. Whitehead and Ezra Mills were appointed said committee.

Immediately after adjournment of the Trustees and Session, the board of Trus- tees organized for business. Resolved [Ist,] That the use of the church be granted for the celebration of the com- ing 4th of July. [2d,] That five dollars be paid to S. Mulford for extra services attend- ing singing school last winter. [3d,] That

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

after the first day of January next no more interments shall be made in the grave yard attached to the first Presbyterian church, under any circumstances (except by those owning private lots), and that notice of said resolution be published in both papers printed in this town.

October 2, 1854. Annual Parish meeting. Rev. John M. Johnson, Moderator ; and David M. Stiger, Clerk.

The Treasurer reported :

Total receipts for the past

year, $1477.80

Total disbursements,

$1393.20

Balance in hand,

84.60

$1477.80 $1477.80

There is due the church from salary and rents,

$143.88

The church owes, $267.63

Resolved, [Ist,] That the meeting fully approve the action of the Board of Trustees of this church, taken and published in June last, in lefference to the prohibition of bury- ing the dead in that part of the burying ground attached to this church not unsold on and after the first day of January, 1855. [2d,] That a committee be appointed to purchase a burying ground for this church, and to confer (at their discretion) with the Second Presbyterian church and the Bap- tist church of this town, in refference to their uniting in such purchase. The Trus- tees were appointed such committee, and authorized to borrow the money to effect the purchase of the burial lot. if need be. The last Board of Trustees were re-elected.

Resolved, that, in consideration of the apparent ill health of the Rev. J. H. Town- ley, our Pastor, a committee be appointed and instructed to visit our Pastor, and ten- der him our sympathy, and to authorize him at the expense of the church to procure (either himself or through the Session of this church), such assistance as he may de- sire in the discharge of the Pastoral duties of the congregation ; and the Rev. John M.

Johnson, and Messrs. Theo. Little and Ez ra Mills were appointed such committee.

Messrs. Wm. Sayre and John Axtell were appointed a committee to confer with the pastor and fix the time for a donation visit.

October 4, 1854. Trustees. George W. Johnes was elected President ; and John F. Voorhees, Treasurer. Resolved, That Moses A. Brookfield call on three gentlemen in the city of New York owning a piece of ground in Morristown, to purchase the same of them for a cemetery.

Nov. 10, 1854. Trustees. Resolved, That Theodore Little be a committee to make such contract with Mr. Harvey to be chori- ster in the church for one year as he shall think proper.

February 5th, 1855. Died, the Reverend John H. Townley, Pastor of the first Presby- terian Church at Morristown, having been settled three years and two months: Aged 36 years.

February 23d, 1855. Parish meeting. Col. Peter B. Shaffer, Chairman. Meeting opened with prayer by the Rev. John M. Johnson,

Whereas. it has pleased Almighty God to remove from us by death our Pastor, the Rev. John H. Townley. Therefore, Re- solved, that the Board of Trustees be in- structed to pay to Mrs. Townley, the widow of our late Pastor, the salary that would be- come due to him had his life been spared to the Ist day of July next ; and to tender to Mrs. Townley the use of the parsonage un- til the first of May next.

Resolved, [Ist,] That the resolutions passed by the session of our church express the feelings of the congregation in refference to the decease of our late Pastor. [2d,] That three persons be appointed from the congregation to act with the session in sup- plying the pulpit, and that Judge Stites, Dr. R. W. Stevenson, and Mr. David Oliphant be the persons. [3d.] That Ira C. White- head and Theo'd Little be a committee to inform Mrs. Townley of the action of this meeting.

PASTORATE VACANT, FROM FEB. TO NOVEMBER 1855.

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MINUTES OF ETHE SESSION. [No records of moment during this interim.]

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

May 3d, 1855, Parish meeting, John F. Voorhees, chairman. Statements were made, and several letters read by the com. of supplies. Resolved, That a parish meet- ing be called for the purpose of making a call for the Rev. W. C. McCurtis, if the way be clear. This was reconsidered, and, after further consultation, rescinded ; whereupon, it was resolved, That it is inexpedient to call a parish meeting for the purpose of set- tling a pastor at this time.

Monday, July 9, 1855, Parish? meeting for the purpose of conferring together as to the expediency of making out a call to the Rev. Jacob Curtis : R. W. Stites, chairman ; N. A. C. Seward, secretary. Several letters re- ceived by the com. of supplies, recommend- ing Rev. Mr. Roberts, were read.

Resolved, [Ist,] That it is inexpedient to call a parish meeting at this time to make out a call for a Pastor. [2d,] That the com. of supplies be authorized, at the expense of

the Parish, to send a sub-com. of three or otherwise, to hear such person or persons as they may deem suitable to fill the office of Pastor of this Church.

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 1855, Parish meet- ing, the Rev. John M. Johnson, moderator ; N. A. C. Seward, clerk. Several letters re- ceived by the com. of supplies, recommend- ing the Rev. David Irving, were read.

A call was voted to the Rev. David Irving; at a salary of $1,000, payable quar- terly, with the use of the Parsonage ; to be signed by the Session and Trustees ; and R. W. Stites, David Olyphant and Ste- phen A. Prudden were appointed to prose- cute the call.

Oct. 11, 1855, Annual parish meeting, , moderator; N. A. C. Seward, clerk. The following persons were elected Trustees : Theodore Little, J. F. Voorhees, N. A. C. Seward, Silas E. Mills, Charles V. Boss, Amzi Burroughs and Isaac N. White- head.

Oct. 19, 1855, Trustees elected Theodore Little president and N. A. C. Seward treas- urer.

PASTORATE OF REV. DAVID IRVING, D. D., From Nov. 1855 to May 1865.

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MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

Nov. 5, 1855, Rev. David Irving was in- stalled pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown, by the Presbytery of Passaic.

Rev. A. Williamson of Chester presided proposed the constitutional questions and delivered the charge to the Pastor. Rev. Chas. K. Imbrie, of Jersey City preached the

Sermon from 2 Cor. 3: 5, 6. The Rev. E. R. Craven of Newark delivered the charge to the people.

[This note is in the hand-writing of Dr. Irving, who was clerk until 3 June, 1865.]

Nov. 13, 1855, the Session convened in monthly meeting at the Pastor's study and was opened with prayer.

Present-D. Irving, Mod'r ; Elders-

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TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

Jonathan Marvin, Ezra Mills, John R. Free- man, Wm. Enslee, Ira C. Whitehead, Ste- phen A. Prudden. Elder Mills was ap- pointed to attend the next meeting of Pres- bytery at the 2d Church, Morristown.

Mr. Dennis Sullivan and wife were re- ceived into communion with the Church, from the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, S. C.

The Session, feeling the importance of an addition to their numbers, unanimously re- solved to recommend to the congregation, as candidates for the Eldership, Dr. Rich'd W. Stevenson and David Olyphant.

Further resolved, that their names be read from the pulpit on Sabbath next, and that the congregation be invited to vote thereon on Friday, 30th inst. [No election appears to have been held until 1857.]

Also determined that the hour for com- mencing public services on Sabbath even- ing should be ¿ before 7.

After prayer by Elder Prudden, the Ses- sion adjourned.

Dec. 31, 1855. Revised the roll of Church Members to this date, and found the list to contain 280 names.

Resolved to take 100 copies of the Home and Foreign Record, to be distributed among the members of the Congregation.

Resolved, that the pastor take charge of the monies collected for benevolent objects, and pay the same to the different societies for which the monies were contributed.

Feb. 5, 1856. After consultation it was agreed to take up four collections annually in the Congregation, by direct personal ap- plication ; as follows : Domestic Missions in February, Bible Society in May, Tract So- ciety and Presbyterian B. Publication in August, and Foreign Missions in Nov'r : other collections in the church, at such times as may seem advisable to the Pastor.

June 28, 1857. Rich'd W. Stevenson and David Olyphant were solemnly set apart to the office of Ruling Elder, to which they had previously been regularly elected, and according to the mode prescribed in our Book, &c.

Nov. 3, 1857. After consultation, it was resolved, In view of the condition of our mission in India, the financial troubles in our own country, and the absence of God's converting grace in the Church, that a day | organ.

of fasting and prayer be appointed, and be observed by us as a Church, on the 12th inst.

Further resolved, That the time for re- ligious services on the Sabbath, for the en- suing year, continue as at present-morn- ing and evening.

Sept. 5, 1858. It was resolved that after the present communion, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper be administered every two months. [There were six communions a year from early in Dr. Johnes' pastorate until 1817, after which but four.]

March 5, 1859. As some of the members of the Session are incapacitated, by age and bodily infirmities, from engaging in the ac- tive duties of the eldership-it was resolved, to recommend to the Church the election of two additional members to be set apart to this office ; also

Resolved, That the expenses of the dele- gates to Presbytery and Synod be defrayed out of the Sessional Fund.

March 27, 1859. Joel Davis and Theodore Little were solemnly set apart to the office of Ruling Elder, to which they had been previously elected, and according to the mode prescribed in our Book.

Dec. 3, 1859, It was resolved, that as the Choctaw Mission has been cut off by the American Board of Com. of Foreign Mis- sions the monthly concert collections be, ter this time, given to the Presbyterian Board.

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History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1882 pt 1, Part 80

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

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