USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Morristown > History of the First Presbyterian Church, Morristown, N.J., 1742-1885 pt 1 > Part 18
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The church owes $243.17. There is due the church $211.63.
The Trustees of last year : John F. Voor- hees, George W. Johnes, Theodore Little, Silas Miller, Jacob Crane, Moses A. Brook- field and Dorastus B. Logan, were re-elected.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Trustees and Session of the church to take into consideration the propriety of so ar- ranging the hours of meeting, through the coming winter, as that both services may be held in the day time.
April 29, 1850, Trustees. Resolved, [Ist, ] That Jacob Crane be appointed to examine the steeple of the church and the fence of the burying ground, and make such repairs as may appear to be necessary. [2d,] That the Treasurer pay to the Rev. John M. Johnson fifty dollars for his services dur- ing the indisposition and absence of the Pastor, and that a deed be also presented to him for lot No. - - of the burying ground.
May 18, 1850, Trustees. Resolved, [ist,] That hereafter no grave shall be dug, or tombstone be erected, in the burial place of this church, by any other person or persons than the sexton of the church for the time being, or by such persons as may be author- ized by him.
September 25th, 1850, Parish meeting, Dr. Lewis Condict, moderator; David M. Stiger, Parish Clerk. The following pre- amble and resolution were offered : Where- as, since the exhaustion of the funds for- merly belonging to this congregation, it is found by the experience of several years, that the annual tax of ten per cent. hereto- fore assessed on the Pews, is altogether in- adequate to defray the necessary expenses of each year, and the deficiency increasing every year, must in the end greatly embar- rass the congregation. Resolved, That the Trustees are hereby authorized and in- structed to levy and assess on all the pews, an additional assessment of two and one- half per cent. upon the present valuation.
The above resolution having been dis- cussed it was postponed to an adjourned meeting, Monday, the 7th October, next, a notice to be read from the pulpit request- ing a full attendance of the congregation.
Oct. 7, 1850, adjourned Parish meeting. The committee appointed to raise one hun- dred dollars to meet the deficiency in the receipts of the church, reported that they had raised and paid over to the Treasurer $19.
The Treasurer reported :
Total receipts for the past year, $1,232.08 .. disbursements, $1,150.12
Counterfeit Bill, 3.00
Balance,
78.96
$1,232.08 $1,232.08
106
PASTORATE OF THE REV. JAMES RICHARDS, (JR.)
Balance on hand Sept. 25, 1850, The church owes up to Sept. 12, 1850,
$78.96
$456.21
There is due the church from Pew holders $203.24, of which is
supposed good,
$150
$306.21
From which deduct cash on hand, 78.96
Deficiency, 227.25
The resolution offered at the last meeting to increase the assessments on the pews of the church was then read, discussed, and unanimously adopted, viz : that the Trus- tees be authorized to assess and collect the additional sum of three per cent. on all the pews of the church (except those in the gallery),according to their present valuation.
Resolved [Ist,] to discontinue the penny collection on Sabbath hereafter. [2d,] That the Trustees be authorized to put one or more ventilators in the church.
The Trustees of last year were re-elected : Jno. F. Voorhees, George W. Johnes, Theo- dore Little, Silas Miller, Jacob Crane, Moses A. Brookfield and, in the place of Dorastus B. Logan (who has removed,) Silas B. Con- dict.
Oct. 21st, 1850, Trustees. Mr. B. A. Barnes was unanimously elected chorister, at a sal- ary of $100.
December 13, 1850. [Last record of sub- scription to oath of office occurs under this · date.] Trustees. After considerable dis- cussion it was unanimously Resolved, [Ist,] That inasmuch as the Trustees have become satisfied that there is a consider- able degree of misunderstanding in the con- gregation as to the true meaning and ef- fect of the resolution adopted at the annual parish meeting, whereby the Trustees were directed to lay an additional assessment of three per cent. on the valuation of the Pews, it is inexpedient for the Trustees to lay that assessment for the present year. [2d,] That, inasmuch as the deficiency for the present year is estimated at $250 ($70 of which has already been provided for), and, inasmuch as the weekly collection is dis- pensed with by the order of the Parish meet- ing, we make an effort to collect the balance by collections in the church, to be taken up
on the morning of the last Sabbath of ea month, commencing Dec. 29, Inst. [3: That we borrow sufficient money to pay ti existing debt of $250. [4th,] That a stat ment of the financial affairs of the churc. from 1836 to the present time, be prepare and printed, and distributed through th congregation by the collector ; and that th statement be signed by all the Trustee:
March 24, 1851, Parish meeting : M. Jonathan Thompson, Chairman ; and Ezr. Mills, Clerk, Pro tem. Opened with praye. by Elder J. D. Marvin. The following con- munications from the Pastor, Dr. Richards to Theo. Little, Esq., President of the boar: of Trustees, were then read :
" Morristown, March 10, 1851.
To Theo. Little, Esq.,"
President of the Board of Trustees of the Ist. Pres. Ch. at Morristown ;
My Dear Sir,
Satisfied that my personal comfort and usefulness, as well as the edification of the People to whom I now sustain the relation of Pastor, will be best promoted by the dissolution of that relation, I desire you to call a parish meeting, at such time as shall be agreed upon by myself and the trustees, previous to the next regular stated meeting of Presby, for the purpose of asking their concurrence in my request for a removal, and for the appointment of Commissioners to represent the Cong'r at Presby.
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.
107
TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
M.ssioners be appointed to represent the Congregation at the meeting of Presbytery, >>concur with our pastor in his applica- Tion for a dismission from his pastoral rela- Ton. [2d,] That four persons be appointed
to attend Presbytery to represent the con- gregation-R. W. Stites, Stephen A. Pruden. Silas B. Emmell, and Ira C. Whitehead were appointed.
PASTORATE VACANT, FROM APRIL TO DECEMBER 1851.
-: 0: --
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 «lectors 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, ' lerk. The Trustees reported : Total re- $1,425.731
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, to defray the expenses of the Parish, not to
eipts for year,
of eac · [3] Day th. i state hurc !. epare: h the hat the stees : Mr. Ezra rayer com. ards. board
51.
the . fr, and the ion the to all 1g :ir
'S
108
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 Fet. 1855.
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 i notice.
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 Janies 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 Rev. John M. Johnson being
-
-
109
TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
present by invitation of the Session, was elected Moderator. Members present, Messrs. Marvin, Prudden, Mills, Freeman and Ira C. Whiteliead. 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-
IIO
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 cheris- 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
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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 refference 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 Ezra Mills were appointed such committee.
Messis. 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 retference 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 THE SESSION. [No records of moment during this interim.]
TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
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