USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > Tennent > History of the Old Tennent church : containing : a connected story of the church's life, sketches of its pastors, biographical references to its members, all its earlier record lists, full quotations of its earlier historical records, a complete list of burials in all its graveyards, many of its local traditions, most of its important illustations and maps, an account of the battle of Monmouth, and a large collection of genealogical notes > Part 7
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"Mr. Tennent continued in so weak and low a state for six weeks, that great doubts were entertained of his final recovery. However, after that period he recovered much faster, but it was about twelve months before he was completely restored. After he was able to walk the room, and to take notice of what passed around him, on a Sunday afternoon, his sister, who had staid from church to attend him, was reading in the Bible, when he took notice of it and asked her what she had in her hand. She answered that she was reading the Bible. He replied, 'What is the Bible? I know not what you
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mean.' This affected the sister so much that she burst into tears, and informed him that he was once well acquainted with it. On lier reporting this to the brother, when he returned, Mr. Tennent was found, upon examination, to be totally ignorant of every transaction of life previous to his sickness. He could not read a single word, neither did he seem to have any idea of what it meant. As soon as he became capable of attention, he was taught to read and write, as children are usually taught, and afterwards began to learn the Latin language under the tuition of his brother. One day, as he was re- citing a lesson in Cornelius Nepos, he suddenly started, clapped his hand to his head, as if something had hurt him, and made a pause. His brother asking him what was the matter, he said that he felt a sudden shock in his head, and now it seemed to him as if he had read that book before. By degrees his recollection was restored, and he could speak Latin as fluently as before his sickness. His memory so completely revived, that he gained a perfect knowledge of the past transactions of his life, as if no difficulty had previously occurred. This event, at the time, made a considerable noise, and afforded, not only a matter of serious contemplation to the devout Christian, es- pecially when connected with what follows in this narration, but fur- nished a subject of deep investigation and learned inquiry to the real philosopher and curious anatomist.
"The writer of these memoirs was greatly interested by these in- common events ; and, on a favourable occasion, earnestly pressed Mr. Tennent for a minute account of what his views and apprehensions were, while he lay in this extraordinary state of suspended animation. He discovered great reluctance to enter into any explanation of his perceptions and feelings, at this time ; but, being importunately urged to do it, he at lengthi consented, and proceeded with a solemnity not to be described.
" 'While I was conversing with my brother,' said he, 'on the state of my soul, and the fears I had entertained for my future welfare, I found myself, in an instant, in another state of existence, under the direction of a superior being, who ordered me to follow him. I was accordingly wafted along, I know not how, till I beheld at a dis- tance an ineffable glory, the impression of which on my mind it is impossible to communicate to mortal man. I immediately reflected on my happy change, and thought,-Well, blessed be God! I am safe at last, notwithstanding all my fears. I saw an innumerable
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host of happy beings surrounding the inexpressible glory, in acts of adoration and joyous worship ; but I did not see any bodily shape or representation in the glorious appearance. I heard things unutter- able. I heard their songs and hallelujahs of thanksgiving and praise with unspeakable rapture. I felt joy unutterable and full of glory. I then applied to my conductor, and requested leave to join the happy throng ; on which he tapped me on the shoulder, and said, 'You must return to the earth.' This seemed like a sword through my heart. In an instant, I recollect to have seen my brother standing before me, disputing with the doctor. The three days during which I had appeared lifeless seemed to me not more than ten or twenty minutes. The idea of returning to this world of sorrow and trouble gave me such a shock, that I fainted repeatedly.' He added, 'Such was the effect on my mind of what I had seen and heard, that if it be possible for a human being to live entirely above the world and the things of it, for some time afterwards I was that person. The rav- ishing sound of the songs and hallelujahs that I heard, and the very words uttered, were not out of my ears when awake, for at least three years. All the kingdoms of the earth were in my sight as nothing and vanity ; and so great were my ideas of heavenly glory, that noth- ing which did not in some measure relate to it could command my serious attention.' "
It appears that Mr. Tennent had written out a more extended ac- count of this trance and left it among his papers. But these papers were either burned in Dr. Henderson's house when it was destroyed by fire at the time of the Battle of Monmouth, or lost after the death of Mr. Tennent's son in Carolina. Many interesting anecdotes are recorded about Mr. Tennent in regard to his preaching, his manners, his dealing with men, and his personal and spiritual experience, which may variously be described as amusing, singular, extraordi- uary, mysterious.
Wm. Tennent's autograph, here shown, was taken from a receipt of 1773, when he was about sixty-eight years of age. In personal appearance he was tall in stature, being somewhat over six feet, and
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HISTORY OF OLD TENNENT.
erect. His face was thin, his nose long and sharp, and his eyes bright and piercing. His countenance was of solemn mien, as might be supposed in such a man, and yet withal it was cheerful ; and he was a man of conspicuous activity in both body and mind. Thus his whole external appearance was such as would command respect- ful attention before any audience. A man of scrupulous integrity, of pronounced piety and intense spirituality, of decision of character, of cheerful disposition, and of thorough education, he exercised a wide influence ; and was a successful peacemaker in settling disputes and difficulties in surrounding congregations. As a preacher he was strong, attractive, prolific, successful ; a few specimens of his sermon- izing remain for study to this day. Mr. Tennent was chosen as one of the first trustees in The College of New Jersey (Princeton), and his name is mentioned in the memorandum of the first charter 1747.
After the death of John Tennent the congregation turned their at- tention to Wm. Tennent, who had been preaching for them for about six months while his brother John was slowly dying. He supplied them for about a year and then was settled as their pastor. Jolin Henderson gives an account of this settlement in his usual accurate statement in the Record book. He sadly writes of John Tennent's death, and then goes on to record, "after which we lived Destitute of a Pastor or any Constant Supply untill September 28 Day 1732 when the Revd. Mr. Win. Tennent Junr. after much Reluctance was pre- vailed upon to Settle amongst us at least for a time. Saturday March 10th 1732-3 The Elders & the Majr. part of the Represen- tatives met at the House of David Rhea & Chose Collectors to Collect the Ministers Sallerie for the Ensuing Year, viz. Mr. Charles Gordon, Jonathan Forman Esqr. Robert Cumming, Samnel Ker & John Hen- derson, with John Hutton for the fresh Ponds." (Fresh Ponds was possibly in the vicinity of what is now North Long Branch : there were Huttons or Hootons there at an early date). "Saturday Sep- tember 8th 1733 David Rhe & Robert Cumming was Chosen our Commissioners to Present a Call to the Revred Mr. Wmn. Tennent Junr. at the Synod of Philadelphia which Call Mr. Tennent Accepted. Thursday October 25th. 1733 A Committee of the Presbetry Met at White Hill Meeting House & after Examination & Approbation Did with Fasting Prayer & Laying on of Hands Ordain the Revd. Mr. Willm. Tement Junr. to Pastoral Charge in this Congregation The Names of the Ministers of the Committee were the Revd. Mr. Joseph
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Morgan Moderator Mr. William Tennent * * & Mr. Eleazar Wales, The Names of the Committee * * : John Hutton Elders * * -man Esqr. David Rhe, Richard Watson, Robert Cumming, Wil- liam Ker, Samuel Ker, John Henderson, Timothy Lloyd, Robert Newall, Waltar Wilson, George Walker and Peter Gordon."
With the settlement of Win. Tennent the church entered upon a long period of flourishing growth. There was a great increase of communicants. The reviving times of John Tennent's ministry con- tinued after his death, and a harvest from his labors was partially reaped by his brother through a number of years. But Wm. Ten- nent's preaching and energetic and thorough pastoral visitation and conversation promoted a deep spiritual influence throughout the con- gregation.
Wm. Tennent preached in both pulpits, the one at White Hill in the "Upper Meeting House," and the one at Old Scots the "Lower Meeting House." For arrangements about the division of preaching services in the two meeting houses, see quotation of church records in chapter II.
Wm. Tennent continued the active and earnest pastor of the church until his triumphant death March 8, 1777, when he had almost reached seventy-two years of life. He had been a helper of the poor, a friend to the rich, a true and loyal patriot, a peacemaker of unusual tact, and a trusted and revered pastor. A great concourse of people from his own congregation and from the country around assembled at his funeral service, and Dr. McLean said in his lecture on Win. Tennent "The Rev. Charles Mcknight, then pastor of the church of Shrewsbury preached the sermon at his funeral at the Parsonage and not at the church." His body was buried beneath the floor near the center of the present churchi building on White Hill where it still rests. It was buried there, it is said, for safety from possible moles- tation by English sympathizers in the Revolutionary War, probably the same that had annoyed and threatened and involved him in an unpleasant situation on account of his patriotism, just previous to his death. Forty-one years after this, in 1818, a memorial tablet three feet by six feet in size, made of white marble and with a suitable in- scription was placed in the wall of the church on the west side of the pulpit. The funds for the erection of this tablet were contributed by friends, subscriptions being solicited by a young woman with others to assist her. In 1890 this tablet was removed to the wall on the
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east side of the pulpit, and its engraved lettters regilded. This was in order to erect a recess on the side of the church where it had first been placed, and in which a pipe organ now stands (see pulpit picture) This inscription is as follows : -
" Sacred to the Memory of the Reverend WILLIAM TENNENT Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in Freehold who departed this life the Sth of March, 1777 ; Aged 71 Years, and 9 Months. He was Pastor of said Church 43 Years, and 6 Months. Faithful and Beloved. "
During the pastorate of Wm. Tennent some noted divines preached in the pulpit of old Freehold, as mentioned in chapter II. The American Weekly Mercury, April 24-May 1, 1740 announced the preaching places of Mr. Whitefield, for the week and shows that on Tuesday Morning at 10 o'clock May 13, 1740 he was to preach "at Mr. William Tennent's new Meeting House at Freehold, where a Collection is to be made for the Orphan House" in Georgia. This was in the first house on White Hill. Also it is a well authenticated tradition that Whitefield once preached in the present Old Tennent pulpit from the text Acts 26 : 18. Doubtless David Brainerd and his brother John both preached in the first house on White Hill, and possibly John in the second or present house. These two men were intimate friends of Wm. Tennent, and he was interested in their labors among the Indians near to Freehold, "and often took the care of the Indian church in their absence." In a letter for the general public written August 16, 1746, to attest the work of divine grace among the Indians, he says, "As I live not far from the Indians, I have been much conversant with them, both at their own place, and in my own parish, where they generally convene for public worship in Mr. BRAINERD'S absence, and I think it my duty to acknowledge, that their conversation, hath often, under God, refreshed my soul."
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His elders and deacons also made an attestation of the true work of grace among the Indians as follows :
"We whose names are underwritten, being elders and deacons of the Presbyterian Church in Freehold, do hereby testify, that in our humble opinion, God, even our Saviour, has brought a considerable number of the Indians in these parts to a saving union with himself. Of this we are persuaded from a personal acquaintance with them ; whom we not only hear speak of the great doctrines of the gospel with humility, affection, and understanding, but we see walk, as far as man can judge, soberly, righteously, and godly. We have joined with them at the Lord's supper, and do from our hearts esteem them as our brethren in Jesus. For 'these who were not God's people, may now be called the children of the living God ; it is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.' Oh that he may go on 'conquering and to conquer,' until he has subdued all things to himself ! This is, and shall be the unfeigned desire and prayer of,
Walter Ker, Robert Cummins,
David Rhe,
John Henderson, John Anderson, Joseph Ker,
--
--
Elders.
William Ker, - Samuel Ker, Samuel Craig,
Deacons.
Presbyterian Church, Freehold, Aug. 16, 1746." (Edwards p. 364 & 366). David Brainerd died Oct. 9, 1747, about five years before the present Old Tennent pulpit was built. In the book "The Indians of New Jersey," etc., by William Nelson, Paterson, N. J., 1894, p. 141-143. is the following letter by Rev. Wmn. Tennent telling of the Indian mission at Cranbury ; the style, abbreviation, and orthography of the original are here presented with the utmost accuracy :-
-141-
THE INDIAN MISSION AT CRANBURY, IN 1756.
The following letter of the Rev. William Tennent, of New Jersey, never before published, as far as known to the author, in whose pos- session it now is, gives some interesting particulars of the Indian Mission at Cranbury. It will be observed that Mr. Tennent uses the letter "y" very freely for "th."
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Freehold march 1756
As it hes been ye Constant practis of my Reverend Brethren mesurs David, & John Brainard ; to give an act of ye state of ye Indian Con- gregation under their Charge (at least annualy) for ye satisfation of all concerned, with the means they used to promote God worke [am] ong them. in As much as I have been intrusted with ye care of that society, for some time past ; aprehending that something of that Kind may be (Reasonably, ) expected of me, have drawn up ys General, & succinct narative.
All their Lands haveing been sold by a drunken Indian by wc they were liable to be turned off at pleasure, & so scatered yt that they cold not enjoy Gospel ordinances : to prevent wc, care has been taken to secure to ym 500 acers of ye same large tract, & they have now Removed on to it & made some considerable improvements. So yt yy have a medium for their temporal suport for ye present, & call conveniently meet for divine praise. But as their Bounds is too con- tracted to incourage others to setle among them I hope means will stil be used to obtain a large tract, for ye use of all such as may be inclined to embrace the christian Religion &.c. then we nothing is more necessary to ye spreading ye gospel among ye indians, except it be, ye continewing to build up yt Church, we oure Lord by ye 1111- weried labours of his servants hes gratiously Raised among them.
to return The School had been droped for some time, & ve Children neglected except by ye almost matchless pains of mr. Br & after all (by his many avocations) cold not carry ym on in their Learning as other ways yy might be. nor had he freedom to imploy a master partly becaus yy were unsetled, & partly ye smalness of ye medium we had to support on. But as ye Learning of ye children is of ye last importance to ye spread of christian knowlog I venturd to erect ye scool under ye care of an Indian master, hopeing by ys means to have it continewed at much less charge, as also to rais in ye Indians a Laudable emulation in Learning, by advanseing one of ym selfs to be master. Blessed be God I am not disapoynted. The school is Regu- larly carried on ; ye Children learn well I have weekly examined them & am Refreshed at their progress. morning & evening prayer is performed by ye master, & a due decorum preserved, tho we greatly need Catechismis & other bookes ; there are between 15 & 20 ordinarily yt attend & sometimes more.
I have according to my measure preached to ye congregation once
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evrey week ordinarily, & frequently oftener, as I can preach wt them in ye morning, & at my one church in ye afternoon : ye distance be- ing as is computed between 7 & S mils. nor have I faild to discharge evrey part of ye Pastoral office as far as I am acquainted with it, tho there has been alles and stil is in all great weaknesses, and many sinful infirmitys we need ye blood of X to cleans then.
The Congregation is in poynt of number is rather larger yn wn mr Br left it some haveing returned who had left it & have declared yy cold not be easy in their hearts without ye preached word They are sincearly attached to ye inglish intrest & I doubt not wold be as free to venture their all in defence of it as any of his magestys subjects as is evident from ye declaration of one of them called Simon who listed in ye Provinsial troops ye last campain. being asked by me wt in- dused him to enlist he Replied yt he understood yt ye French had not only a designe to take our lands but to keep us from serveing Jesus as he wold have us. & furder aded yt as he had given himself to X soul & body he thought it his duty to fight for him. I asked him how he made out wt his felow soldiars ? he answered he was more afraid of ym yn ye enimy yy were so wicked, for sd he yy drink yy sweare yy fight, & dont mind ye Sabath I again asked him wt he did about praying ? he answered, tho he cold but seldom get alone yet he often yea when under arms lifted up his heart to Jesus X who gratiously mad his heart warm wt love to him. excuse this degression.
Profesors among them are generaly regular in ye walke there has been but two instances of misconduct that I know of among ye mem- bers since I was concerned wt ye sosiety one yt was drinkeing to ex- cess. & both have publiquely confesst it nay one of ye persons spoke so to ye congregation warning yin by his fall yt yr was floods of tears shed all over ye house he was so afected himself that he was not able to speake for some time, & after he begun to speake was more yıl once constrained to stop, & sob as if his heart wold breake, such was his sence of ye dishonour done to god. I wold to god yt amongst our selfs where more may be expected there was such preceiuse evi- dences of contrition.
ye worshipe of god is carried on in yr familyes from house to house morning & evining they convean twice aweeke when yy convers to gether about ye things of God pray to ye lord & sing his prayses ex- clusive of ye times of my being wt them & on Lord's Day they meet 3 times to worship they read some portion of scripture & then alter-
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nately pray, & sing. it is to be feard yt some of them Joyn out of mear form & custom, tho I dout not others of ym worship ye lord, in spirit, & truth.
yr conversation hes often ministerd matter of reproof, & quikening to my vain & slugish heart, thus my lord has sent me to Reape yt on wc I bestowed no labour, others hes laboured & I am a partaker of ye fruit of yr toil, but god have all ye glory.
Some I hope have got saveing benefit since I preached among them some have been brought under concern about their state some have been comforted.
I have baptised 3 adults who gave charitable reason to hope they are sinceare To conclude tho I have had no small exercise on there act cheefly occasioned by some il minded people who have wikedly indeavourd to insence yr neighbours against them mearly becaus ye indians on ye frontears have commited many murders, yy sought to have these poor inocents cut off &.c. I say altho I have been il used (becaus I interposed in their behalf) in my Character yet ye Lord hes made my labours among ym sweet to my soul, so yt I have gon to instruct ym as a mother to feed ye child of her love & in heart bless ye lord yt he counts me worthy to either do or suffer [for] him."
Mr. Tennent's salary, it is thought, was possibly less than £100. But he lived on the parsonage farm, which was an excellent planta- tion, capable of yielding a comfortable support to his family. And yet he became embarrassed in his expenses, through inattention to temporal concerns, when he was a bachelor thirty-three years of age. A friend from New York visiting him advised him to be married, and suggesting a certain widow as an appropriate helpmate, recommended her in high terms, "In short, that she was every thing he ought to look for ; and if he would go with him to New York the next day, he would settle the negotiation for him. To this he ( Mr. Tement) soon assented. The next evening found him in that city, and before noon the day after, he was introduced to Mrs. Noble. He was much pleased with her appearance ; and when left alone with her, abruptly told her that he supposed her brother had informed her of his errand ; that neither his time nor inclination would suffer him to use much ceremony, but that if she approved the measure, he would attend his charge on the next Sabbath and return on Monday, be married and immediately take her home. The lady with some hesitation and diffi- culty at last consented, being convinced that his situation and cir-
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cumstances rendered it proper. Thus in one week she found herself mistress of his house. She proved a most invaluable treasure to him, more than answering every thing said of her by an affectionate brother." The marriage took place Aug. 23, 1738. The lady's maiden name was Catharine Van Brugh. She married first 1717 Jolın Noble, and they had a daughter Mary who married Robert Cumming. Beside several children that died in infancy Mr. Tennent had three sons that grew to manhood, John, who was a physician and died in the West Indies, William, who was a minister, in Charleston, So. Carolina, and died the same year as his father, and Gilbert, who was a physician and died at Freehold in a remarkable deathbed re- pentance, and there being no minister near by his father conducted the funeral service and preached an impressive sermon. Mrs. Ten- nent died at Pittsgrove, N. J., in her 82nd year.
Thomas Henderson, M. D., the biographer of Wm. Tennent, was an efficient and influential man. For his family connection see in Genealogical Notes, Appendix. Graduated at Princeton 1761. Studied medicine with Dr. Nathaniel Scudder. Pursued his profes- sion first at what is now Freneau, near Matawan : afterwards at Free- hold ; had extensive practice. Was a member of the first Medical Society of N. J., 1766. His home for many years was one and a half miles due southwest from Monmouth Court house on road from Free- hold to Mt. Holly. This house, which he built after his first house on same place had been burned by the British 1778, is still standing. In his day he was considered one of the largest land owners in Mon- mouth Co. He was an ardent patriot : was one of the "Committee of Observation and Inspection" 1774, and of the "Committee of Safety :" was Major of Minute Men 1776, and later was Lieut. Col. in Genl. David Forman's Brigade : rendered valuable service in the Battle of Monmouth : was one of the original members of the Order of the Cincinnati 1783. He served in several different offices at dif- ferent times : was Justice of the Peace : Surrogate of Mon. Co. 1776 : Judge in the Court of Common Pleas 1783 and 1799 : Master in Chancery 1790 : Member of N. J. Assembly 1780-85 : Vice-Pres. of Legislative Council 1793-94, and acted as Lieut. Govr. for a time during absence of Gov. Howell : Member of Congress, and in April 1796 made a long speech supporting treaty with Great Britain. A man of faithful Christian life and strong attachment to his church. Like his father John, he was a ruling elder and trustee in Old Ten-
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nent for many years, and, as president of the trustees, their records are still preserved in his chirography from 1787 to 1817. He was a promoter and charter member of the Monmouth Co. Bible Society, formed Sep. 8, 1817, with Rev. John Woodhull president and Thomas Henderson vice-president. His grave is in Old Tennent yard sur- mounted by a marble tombstone of the table-like pattern.
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