USA > New Jersey > Burlington County > Burlington > History of the church in Burlington, New Jersey : comprising the facts and incidents of nearly two hundred years, from original, contemporaneous sources > Part 23
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DEATH AND BEQUEST OF THE PARISH CLERK.
In 1752, Mr. Campbell reports that " Mr. Paul Watkinson, who had been clerk of St. Mary's Church from the year 1707,
268
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
(forty-five years,) died lately much lamented, and had left his house with a lot of land, worth a hundred pounds sterling, after the death of his widow, to the repairs of that Church for ever."
The headstone, for the grave of this old worthy, may be seen in the East wall (outside) of the chancel of the old St. Mary's; it's inscription reads: "Here Lieth the Body of PAUL WAT- KINSON who Departed this Life the 10 of July 1752 Aged 72 years."
CHANGE OF STYLE IN RECKONING TIME.
The change of style in reckoning time, took place in England, by legislative enactment, after the 2d of Sep., 1752, that being the last day of Old Style, and the 14th instead of the 3d, being the first day of New Style; and the legal year which had pre- viously begun with the 25th of March, (Feast of the Annuncia- tion, commonly called Lady-Day,) was made to begin with the' first of January. This should be kept in mind in reading the preceding portion of this HISTORY.
AN EXTRAORDINARY STORM.
The following is from Mrs. Campbell's household account book : "It was very remarkable that upon Tuesday, the 10th day of March, 1752, we had the severest gust of thunder and lightning, attended with snow and hail, which continued from one o'clock in the afternoon until five, without intermission. The like has not been known by the memory of the oldest people. Mr. Campbell rode to Mt. Holly in the midst of it, and Dr. Ross along with him." [Dr. John Ross, a physician residing at Mount Holly.]
THE CHURCHWARDENS' ACCOUNTS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
"April 19 ) This day William Lyndon & Abrm Heulings the present Church 1759 § Wardens Exhibited their accos which for several years past have Remained open and unsettled, and are as follows, Viz
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IN BURLINGTON.
"ABRAHAM HEULINGS ESQR DR.
"To sundries as ? his Acct of particulars for Collection money, subscription money for Rent, and for Cash recd of William Lyndon &c from his being first Elected as Ch. Warden to the above Date, in the whole the sum of Eighty Six pounds thirteen Shillings & five pence 2
-
£86
13
52
Ballce due A. H.
9
16
2
" WILLIAM LYNDON DR.
" To Charity Money Box Do &c now remain- ing in his hands the sum of. £7
" To Cash remaining Do for Rent.
12
1
"PR CONTRA CR.
" By Sundry Disbursements for repairing the Kitchen belonging to the Clark's house as the Church's property, for Cash pd for the Large window in the East end of said Church The Clarks Salary for 4 Years past and other Disbursmts to Wm Lyndon &c In the whole the sum of Ninety six pounds Nine shill and seven pence half penny ... -MS. Account Book.
£96
9
73
THE MISSIONARY'S LABOUR NOT IN VAIN.
In 1759, Mr. Campbell writes, that " he goes on with cheer- fulness and diligence in performing the duties of his several churches at Burlington, Mount Holly, and Bristol, not only by reading the public service and preaching, but also by publicly catechising the youth, and grounding them in the principles of our holy faith ; and he hath the satisfaction to find that his labour is not in vain."
THE CHURCHWARDENS ACCOUNTS APPROVED.
April the 7th 1760 Easter Monday Abraham Heulings and William Lyndon the Present Church Wardens Exhibited their Accompts which being inspected proved and Allowed of by the Vestry are as follows Vizt
Abraham Heulings Charges himself from the 19th day of April 1756 with the fol- lowing Articles by him Receivd as Church Warden to this Day
Dr.
1
96
9
1
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
To Collections at the Door Recd in the| whole £ 12
00
10%
To Cash by subscriptions recd the sum of £ 45
18
2
To Ditto Recd of Fr Giffing for Rent £
31
10
0
To Do Recd of William Lyndon. £
20
08
To Do Recd of John Tylee rent £
2
05
0
48
112
02
NB Left in his hands a Note of Willm White on Interest Principal sum is £4 13s Od and one Do of Jno Tylee for £2 5s 0d doubtfull
Ballance of Willm Lyndon the other Church Warden's accompt of Charity Money £7 15s 11d
Baln of sd Lyndon's Collection Money £0 11s 8d
£8
PER. CONTRA CR.
By Cash pd for Wine, Bread, & sundries in all ..
£4
01
7
By Do pd Wm Borradaill, Moses Thomas Jno Neal and Joseph Ferguson the sum of ..
£27
12
63
To Cash paid Francis Giffing the Clk to this Day.
£64
00
0
To Do pd Jos Rockhill Jno Neal Moses Thomas and Joseph fferguson for the window at ye East end of ye Church
14
04
6
To Cash paid Is: Heulings this Day April 7th ....
00
17
4
Balance due to ye Church in his hands.
01
06
1
112
02
00%
-MS. Account Book.
MR. CAMPBELL IN CONVENTION AT PHILADELPHIA.
May 20, 1761, Wednesday. At a convention of the clergy held in Philadelphia, among the twelve clergymen present was the Rev. Mr. Campbell.
" The Rev. Dr. Smith was elected president, and with Rev. Mr. Reading, was appointed to wait upon the governor, to request his approbation of our present meeting, and his protec- tion during our sitting.
" The gentlemen reported that the governor was pleased to say that he could have no possible objection to our meeting together, and that we might depend upon his countenance and protection at all times."-Dorr's History, p. 125.
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IN BURLINGTON.
COMMENCEMENT AT THE PHILADELPHIA ACADEMY.
Mr. Campbell to the Secretary. Extract. " Burlington June 26, 1761. " REVP DR SIR :
-" I had the honor with some others of my Brethren in the Mission of this Province, upon invitation to be at Phila- delphia, the middle of last month when there was a commence- ment in that Academy under the Presidency of Dr Smith where the youth who received their degrees acquitted themselves with general approbation, beyond what could well be expected from. such an Infant institution labouring under such a variety of discouragements. When the day after a voluntary convention of the Clergy in the Mission of that Province met at Philadel- phia; and we of this Province were kindly and Brotherly invited. to join them ; having obtained leave of their Governor for that purpose for a free meeting and a conference with one another where among other things D" Smith who presided at the con- vention produced a copy of an answer to a letter wrote by Mr. McClennachan to the Arch Bishop of Canterbury. The answer so judicious fatherly and indulgent ; and at the same time set- ting Mr MeClennachan's conduct, in such a true and fair light, turning his own Argum's so home upon himself; That we unan- imously voted our sincere thanks to the good Arch Bishop ; for- his charitable opinion of us, when exparte misrepresented to him. by MeClennachan and his adherents and humbly requested his Grace would graciously condescend to permit said answer to be- printed for the benefit of the community as well as for the advancement of Religion in general in these parts ; The Arch Bishops prognosticks have not failed to come to pass his partys- zeal every date abates ; his warmest friends have deserted him ; So that in the end he will have sufficient cause to lament his rash and imprudent conduct ; and undutieful behaviour to his- superiours .-
". I am Revª Dr Sir &c " COLIN CAMPBELL."
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
LARGE NUMBER BAPTIZED.
In 1761, "the Society's Missionary at Burlington, and visiting occasionally Mount Holly and Bristol, reports, in the three places, seventy-four baptisms and fifty communicants."
MOUNT HOLLY CONGREGATION RECEIVES A CHECK.
Mr. Campbell to the Secretary. Extract.
" Burlington Dec" 26, 1761. " REVP DR SIR
" I hope you rece'd my last of June 26th I can write you now of no materiall alterations in the state of my congregations since -That of Burlington and Bristol continue to be decent and orderly and lately many of the old people have died in a man- ner suddenly by violent pleuretich disorders occasioned by sudden alterations in the weather here; which runs upon extreams of heats and cold and these places much decline in trade which occasions the young people to remove where they may profit themselves better in lands or trade where the Country is more extensive by means of our good success against our enemies and the generality of the people have bent their minds in a more than ordinary degree ; after the world I am affraid to the too much neglect of labouring after the bread which perishes not because of the present temptations they meet with and the extraordinary encouragement the farmer getts for every thing he raises which has advanced the price of our provisions and fire wood since the seat of the War has been here at least a Ct from what it was seven years ago inso much that it is with the utmost difficulty that we of the Mission can support our families-My Congregation at Mountholly, which was a very flourishing one has lately received a cheque ; by means of some Enthusiastical people who have connections with some of that stamp in Phila- delphia under the Ministry of MY McClenachan who having upon my refuseing the use of my pulpit to that Gentleman en- deavoured to raise a schism among the people of that part of my Congregation and altho my remonstrance and reasons given to the people why I deny my pulpit to M' McClenachan (are cogent) viz. that he left the Societys service in a manner that did him no honor, that he had no licence from the Bishop of London
273
IN BURLINGTON.
to preach here and that they not only transgressed the rules of obedience to their lawful Pastors in the Church but even those of common honesty for about sixteen years ago they made a deed of Gift of their Church to the Society and to the Mission of Burlington in trust and his lawful Successors in Office for the Society of which I am the only surviving Trustee and all this under their own hands now in the public records of this Prov- ince. But neither reason nor remonstrance can have much weight with people who are blindly led by a man and in a man- ner a stranger to them who prepossesses them with notions that he alone is the only preacher of Christ in America; and all in the Mission without exception are Arminians immoral men ; advanceing the dignity of humane nature &c. These are high charges but he has made no other proof of this but his own say so ; in order to establish his own reputation ; at the expence of the characters of his brethren ; the one third part of whom ; he does not so much as personally know-
" I am with due regard and esteem Revd Sir &c " COLIN CAMPBELL."
MARRIAGE OF A BARONET.
The Parish Register has the following : "By His Excellency Josiah Hardy's Licence Directed to me, March ye 17th, 1762, were Lawfully Married ST John St Clair Barronet and Eliza- beth Moreland, Gentlewoman, according to the Rites and Cere- mony of the Church of England, by me
"COLIN CAMPBELL, Missionary."
STRAYING SHEEP RETURNING.
In a letter dated June 25, 1762, Mr. Campbell " with pleasure acquaints the Society, that his straying sheep, who ran after Mr. Maclenaghan's party,t are by the blessing of God on his en- deavours, reduced to a sense of their sin in a causeless separa- tion, and are returning daily to their proper fold."
For further information respecting Rev. Wm. Maclenachan, see Collections P. F. Hist. Soc., Vol. II, pp. 250-255.
S
274
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
A CONVENTION AT BURLINGTON.
Mr. Cumpbell and others to the Secretary. 6 Extracts.
" Burlington New Jersey Oct" 1, 1762. " REVP SIR:
" It has been the custom of the Clergy in this Province for some years past in conformity to the printed instructions of the Society, to meet together annually at a stated time for the benefit of mutual advice & assistance and in order to inform ourselves of the state of religion in the different parts of the Province and if necessary to transmit accounts thereof to the Society, accord- ingly we have at different times addressed them on various sub- jects that have fallen under our consideration.
" We have now a convention at Burlington and several mat- ters have come before us, of which in due time we shall take liberty to inform that Venerable Board.
" With our duty to the Society, We beg leave to subscribe ourselves their and particularly
" Revd Sir &c
" SAM COOKE "T. B. CHANDLER Staten Island
RICHP CHARLTON Missy for
" ROBT MCKEAN ISAAC BROWN
"COLIN CAMPBELL."
ADDRESS OF THE CLERGY TO THE SECRETARY.
" Perth Amboy New Jersey, Dec. 6th, 1762. " REV'D SIR :
" The Clergy of this Province together with the Rev'd Mr. Charlton of New York having occasionally met together in Amboy beg leave to address the Venerable Society and to repre- sent several particulars which are apprehended to be of some importance to the Church in this Province.
" While we were lately together at Burlington application was also made to us in behalf of a large body of people living in Mountholly who profess themselves Members of the Church of England and have been under the care of the Rev'd Mr. Camp- bell. They represent that such services as Mr. Campbell is able to do them consistent with his duty to the other parts of
275
IN BURLINGTON.
his Mission are inadequate to their wants. They set forth their spiritual necessities in the most earnest and moving manner and beg us for Christ's sake to make known their case to the Hon- orable Society. As nothing less seems to be sufficient than a new Missionary in that quarter we informed them what qualifi- cations would be expected by the Society previous to such a request and promised that when they should be thus qualified we would recommend them as they desired.
" RICHD. CHARLTON, ISAAC BROWNE,
" COLIN CAMPBELL, SAML. COOKE,
" T. B. CHANDLER, ROBT. MCKEAN."
REMOVALS HINDER THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH.
Mr. Campbell to the Secretary. Extract. " Burlington Janry 4th 1763. " REVP DR SIR
" The Government here has been good enough to indulge us at Burlington with a lottery for the benefit of our Church for the necessary repairs of the Church being the most antient in the Province and the repairs of the Parsonage house which I hope as it is now full and drawing it will turn much to our advan- tage ; Burlington tho' a pleasant Village upon the River Dela- ware yet a place of little or no trade being shakled therein by Philadelphia being nigher the Sea ; hinders its increase of In- habitants and the wealthiest people in it being Quakers having the start of any Church people-settling here altho' settled earlier than any Mission in the Province ; yet for want of trade the young people of the Church persuasion are unwillingly forced to remove to other parts where they may advance their lively- hood which much hinders the growth of the Church ; yet I can with truth and pleasure assure the Society that the few among us and sincere hearty and religious members with whom I have now lived these twenty five years in the greatest love harmony peace & quietness studying my own business and continuing in the esteem of our Quaker Neighbours .- Revd Sir &c
" COLIN CAMPBELL."
276
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
GOVERNOR FRANKLIN.+
Governor Franklin and his wife t arrived in the Delaware River in February, 1763; and reached Perth Amboy on the twenty-fourth of that month. He was received with the usual demonstrations of respect, had his commission publicly read, and took the oaths of office there. In a few days he proceeded to Burlington, and published his commission there, according to the usual custom. These two places had been the seats of the separate governments of East and West Jersey, under the pro- prietors, and after the two were united by the surrender to the Queen in 1702, they continued down to the Revolution to be alternately the places at which the legislatures met, and the courts of the province were held. Congratulatory addresses were made to him from all quarters. He soon took his residence at Burlington, occupying, during a considerable part of his time, a house situate on the beautiful banks of the river there, where he remained until 1774. Elmer's Biographical Sketches, p. 52.
PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND WITH DISSENTERS.
Mr. Campbell to the Secretary. Extract. " Burlington June 25th 1763. " REVP SIR -" I can with truth and pleasure acquaint the Society that my several congregations live peaceably with one another as well
¡ William Franklin, Governor and Chancellor of the colony of New Jersey, son of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, was carefully educated, aided his father in his philosophical experiments, and, through his influence, was appointed clerk of the House of Assembly of Pennsylvania, and postmaster at Philadelphia.
When his father was appointed the agent for Pennsylvania (and afterwards of New Jersey ) in England, the son had leave from the Assembly to resign his office of clerk, that he might accompany him to London. There he entered the Middle Temple, to prepare as a lawyer in Philadelphia, and was called to be a barrister ; afterward he received from the University of Oxford the hon- orary degree of Master of Arts.
In 1762, he was appointed Governor of the Province of New Jersey, an office then much sought for. The first announcement of this preferment is stated to have been by a paragraph in the newspaper : " This morning, was married at St. George's Church, Hanover Square, William Franklin, Esq., the newly appointed Governor of New Jersey, to Miss Elizabeth Downes, of St. James' Street." Elmer's Sketches, p. 59.
į As introductory to the other evidences-which will hereafter appear- that the wife of Gov. Franklin took a practical interest in the parish, it is worthy of mention, that a card still preserved [1876,] has these words : "Mrs. Franklin's compl'ts to Mr. Campbell & has sent a surplice which she desires may be presented to the Church of Burlington. Novbr 16:"
1
277
IN BURLINGTON.
as with those who dissent from us; and are in an encreasing state in so much that that of Burlington are about enlarging the Church from the profits of a lottery they obtained lately thro' favor of the Government and that of Mount holly have finished a new Gallery for the reception of people who were so crowded + in the body of the Church that before rendered it very inconveinent.
"We hear with joy that amongst other blessings on the con- firmation of the late peace that God hath put into the hearts of his Majesty and those in authority under him to see the expedi- ency of appointing a Bishop for the superintendency of the Churches and Clergy of the Episcopal Churches here- -
"Revd Sir &c " COLIN CAMPBELL." " THE PEOPLE SINCERE, HEARTY AND RELIGIOUS."
"In 1763, he reports no less than 115 baptisms, and in his three congregations fifty persons added to the communion ; and assures the Society that the people of his Mission are sincere, hearty and religious, with whom he hasalways lived in the greatest harmony."
"ON THE VERGE OF SIXTY."
In 1763, Mr. Campbell writes, that " being now on the verge of sixty, and greatly weakened by an inflammatory fever, which settled in his thigh, and confined him all the month of January, he finds he cannot perform his duty with the same activity as formerly ; but trusts he shall, through God's assistance, do his utmost in the discharge of his duty to God and the Society."
"ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF AN ITINERANT MISSIONARY."
Mr. Campbell to the Secretary. Extract. " Burlington July 30th 1764.
" R D' SIR, -" The peoples Religion is more now than heretofore measured by the number of Sermons they hear and the fre-
+ In 1763, he states that " this congregation, [of Mt. Holly] which at his first coming consisted of but four families of the Church of England, is so increased by the divine blessing on his endeavour, that they think of applying to be made a separate mission. In 1764, they bound themselves to the Society to pay a missionary 30l. sterling. In that year, he baptized ninety-six infants and nineteen adults. In the next year, he baptized one hundred and sixteen infants and seven adults."
278
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
quency of them, no such matter about the practice as an idle speculative, faith is so much insisted upon and preached up by ye variety of Enthusiastical Dissenters of all kinds ; and if the Missionarys don't preach thrice of a day in the long parching hot Summer sultry days, and twice a day in the shortest most bitter & inten'se Frost if they ride abroad their feet and Noses may be ready to drop off by the severity of the Weather ; they are not in their Dialect a pains taking ; Soul saving Ministers ; but idle Drones hirelings &c for my own part I have seen so much of these things in my Youth in North Brittain that early gave me a dislike to these things, & inclined me to seek after a rational Religion that tends to peace harmony & order & is a stranger to every evil work and confusion ; all which I have found to be verified both in the doctrine & worship of the Church of Eng- land ; upon the whole there is certainly an absolute necessity of an Itinerant Missionary in the Western parts of this Province where is none but myself in this County, neither any in Glouces- ter Salem Cumberland or Cape May Counties to the Westward of me; if the Society wod be pleased to establish such a Mission and make Mountholly head quarters & they comply with their security in such case I believe they would be found to be Men of Conscience and zeal but to insist so selfishly upon one for themselves alone I do not think so right however have promised and now do to set their case and Petition before the Society.
" I am Revd Dr Sir, Your most ob hble Servant " COLIN CAMPBELL."
FOUR SUFFRAGANS SUGGESTED.
In "Thoughts upon the present state of the Church of Eng- land in America," " written in 1764,-Author uncertain,"-we have the following :
" His Majesty's Royal Protection is extended to Protestants of all Denominations, and the Church of England humbly hopes for it in this instance of settling Bishops in America. This appointment is not only useful but necessary to the welfare of that Church, to the regular administration of its offices and pur- poses of Religion and Virtue which is the end of its establish- ment. This design appears reasonable in itself, and free from every material Inconvenience or just objection : And if his
279
IN BURLINGTON.
Majesty, upon a view of the Equity, the Safety, and Advantage of it, thinks fit to give orders for carrying it into execution, the mode must be referred to his Majesty's Determination. How- ever, the following thoughts are humbly submitted for con- sideration, which occur after reflecting upon it, and which though imperfect may excite better.
" Four suffragan Bishops to the See of Canterbury or London may be appointed by the King in conformity to the Statute in the twenty-sixth year of Henry VIII.
" First. The Residence of the four Bishops might be at Burlington in New Jersey, or at New York. His Diocese might comprehend all that is East of the River Delaware.
"Second. At William and Mary's College at Williamsburg in Virginia. His Diocese might comprehend all that is west of the River Delaware as far as the Southern Boundary of North Carolina.
"Third. At Charlestown in South Carolina. His Diocese might comprehend all from the Northern Boundary 'of South Carolina to the Gulf of Florida, and also the Island of Jamaica, for the passage to Jamaica is said to be easier from the Conti- nent than the other Islands.
"Fourth. At Coddrington College in Barbadoes. His Diocese might comprehend all the Islands, exclusive of Jamaica. * 66 If this Proposal is not thought fit to be taken into con- sideration at this Juncture, there is little reason to hope for it ever succeeding. But the wise and good men in general are convinced from Reason and Experience, that the appointment of Bishops in America would have been at all times of con- siderable service, and is now become much more necessary for the cultivating Religion and Virtue, for the Propagating Prin- ciples conducive to the Quiet of the State, and securing the Allegiance and Loyalty of his Majesty's subjects in those parts ; and, therefore, if unhappily it is thought advisable to lay aside so excellent a design, the Members of the Church of England, both at home and abroad, will receive this Decision with the most serious concern. Yet they will continue their sincere endeavours to carry on every good purpose agreeably to the Principles of their Religion as far as its imperfect state there will allow ; and always shew themselves faithful, active and vigilant to the best of their ability in maintaining the Peace and Security of his Majesty's Government in the Colonies."-Collec- tions P. E. Hist. Society, pp. 162-4.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
WHO SHALL HAVE MOST SERVICES, THE ONLY DISPUTE ..
Mr. Campbell to the Secretary. Extracts. " Burlington April 20, 1765.
" REVEREND DEAR SIR,
"I hope you received my last of July ye 30the enclosing a Copy of a Bond of Security lodged in my hands to Petition the- Society for a separate Mission for Mountholly ; * if these people would enter into obligation to give me but half of what they promise to give to a resident Mission- ary they might be indulged with more of my services ;. *
which proposal I solemnly protest is not so much for any lucrative view of gain to myself, as the easing the Society of. further Expence ; which in gratitude I ought to do ; to a Ven- erable Body by whose bounty I and numerous Family have subsisted for 28 years and upwards without whose bounty neither I nor none of my Brethren in this Province could support them- selves for one third of the year ; as there is no establishmt of any kind here ; and the People left to their liberty to give or withhold as they see proper ; who think we as much obliged to them for their attendance upon us; as they are to us for Preach- ing to them ; and as I live where Quakerism prevails ; and are chief in places of profit and trust in the Govermt whose tenets are among others freely give freely receive; and consequently are against maintenance either of their own Teachers or others; and to tell the truth, at what they freely may be said to get from. their own Teachers is worth little so it is hardly worth paying for ; and tho' by the Blessing of God upon my endeavours I have baptized numbers of Families that have been bred in that way ; and are orderly, devout, sober exemplary livers; yet tho" convinced of the superiority of our doctrine and Worship to what they were taught ; are not easily persuaded to part with any of. their Money for the support of the Ministry, but think the Society's bounty sufficient ; * X we of this Province. live peaceably with one another ; as I do myself and congrega- tions with all Dissenters whatsoever ; the only dispute I have- with my People who shall have most of my services.
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