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 31
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" The Vestry has now my propositions before them. If they be of opinion that my Ministry & usefulness among them have been, or may be such as to call for their assent to them, my intention is, by God's blessing, to remain where I am, & to dedicate my services to the promoting of virtue & true religion. among the members of this Church.
" With respect, I remain, " Gentlemen, your friend & Humble Seryt " CHARLES H. WHARTON."
" October 7th, 1801. This Letter was received by the Vestry and read at a Meeting of the Corporation of St. Mary's Church held said day. After mature deliberation the Corporation agreed to the Proposals made by the Rev. Dr. Wharton, and for themselves & their Successors to pay him agreeably to what is therein mentioned, and to comply with all the other Proposi- tions therein contained, reserving to themselves any addition that may be made to the present Rates of the Pews, Dr. Whar-
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IN BURLINGTON.
ton agreeing that no addition is to be made to his Salary by increasing the present Rates of pews.
" JOSHUA M. WALLACE, Sec'y pro tem.
" to the Corporation of St. Mary's Church."
THE S. P. G. GIVE THEIR LAND IN BURLINGTON TO ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
On the 13th of April, 1803, the Corporation of St. Mary's Church received from the S. P. G. the famous property men- tioned so often in the preceding pages ; the full particulars of which are given in the following extracts from the Deed of Conveyance :
" WHEREAS the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts by virtue of divars good conveyances and assuran- ces in the Law do stand seized of an estate in fee simple of and in certain Lots of Land, Tenements and hereditaments herein- after described situate within the bounds of the City and Town- ship of Burlington in the county of Burlington in the State of New Jersey in North America AND WHEREAS the said Lots of Land and premises were originally designed by the said Society, for the support and maintenance of the Episcopal Church in the said City of Burlington but since the separation of the colonies from the Kingdom of Great Britain by the War and the Treaty of peace have for the most part laid open and unproductive either to the said Society or to the said Episcopal Church AND WHEREAS the Minister Churchwardens and Vestrymen of the said Church have earnestly requested of the said Society to grant and convey the said premises to and for the use and mainte- nance of the said Episcopal Church in the City of Burlington and the said Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in For- eign Parts are willing and minded to comply with the said request NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that the said Society in consideration of the request aforesaid and also of five shillings to the said Society paid by the said Minister Churchwardens and Vestry men the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged HAVE according to their estate and interest in the premises and
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
so far as they lawfully can or may but not further or otherwise by these presents Do grant Bargain sell enfeoff assure and con- firm to the said Minister Churchwardens and Vestrymen and their Successors and Assigns ALL that certain Tract of Land at Burlington upon Delaware River Beginning at the End of the Street which bounds the water lots by the head of the Street leading by the Creek side from the River to Broad Street and runs from the said End of the Street by the Creek Street fifty seven perches and a half to Broad Street then by Broad Street fforty five perches to a stake then about North by East sixty one perches and one half to the said Street bounding the Water Lots then by the said Street thirty four perches and a half to the place of beginning containing about fifteen acres be the same more or less as also all that Lot called Water Lot Beginning at the aforesaid Street leading from High Street ranging parallel with the East Wall of the House formerly John Tatham now . burnt and runs North ward in the same parallel to the River then by the said River One hundred feet and so back again South- wards to the said Street by which it is measured one hundred feet to the place of beginning As also one certain parcel of Meadow Land near to a Bridge commonly called and known by the name of London Bridge in the Town Bounds Beginning at a Stake formerly corner to James Wells his four acres by a small Creek that Bounds Burlington and runs by said James Wells four acres West six chains to a Gum tree and then South three chains to an Oak and South East seven Chains to a Creek and thence by the said Creek as it runs Southwardly to a corner Stake formerly Samuel Staceys then by the said Samuel Stacey's Meadow Land Northwest Westerly twelve chains formerly to Christopher Wetherills meadow Land and thence by the same North North East six Chains and thence North to the Small Creek and from thence along the said Small Creek to the corner Stake where it first began containing about Ten Acres as also a Lot of Land within the bounds of the City of Burlington lying at the point or East end of the Island by the Creek bounded by the Land formerly Surveyed to John Tatham and by his Son sold to the said Society on the West End and the said Creek on the East running the whole length of the said Tathams Land
.
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IN BURLINGTON.
from River Street to Broad Street being fifty seven perches and a half and in Breadth at the North and from the said Tathams Land to the said Creek near Eight perches and in the middle two. . perches and at the South and by Broad Street four perches ex- tending all the length to the low water mark containing one acre and three quarters of an acre Surveyed for the use of the said Society and recorded in Basses Book of Surveys folio 119. remaining in the Secretarie's Office at Burlington Together with all and Singular the profits improvements privileges heredita- ments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the premises with their- and every of their appurtenances unto the said Minister Church wardens and Vestrymen their Successors and assigns to and for the Sole and only proper use benefit and behoof of the said Min- ister Churchwardens and Vestrymen their Successors and assigns forever for the use and maintenance of the Episcopal Church in the City of Burlington aforesaid and to & for no other use or uses whatsoever AND the said Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts for themselves and their Successors do covenant grant and agree to and with the. said Minister Churchwardens and Vestrymen their Successors- and assigns that they shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter have hold occupy possess and enjoy all and. Singular the said above Bargained or Granted premises and every of them with their and every of their Appurtenances and all and every the rents Issues profits and Commodities thereof coming- arising and growing have and take without any matter of Lett Suit Trouble Vexation Eviction Disturbance or other Hindrance or Molestation whatsoever of the said Society for the Propaga- tion of the Gospel or their Successors or of any other person or persons whatsoever IN TESTIMONY whereof the said Society for the Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts have here- unto affixed their Corporate Seal at the palace of his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury situate at Lambeth in the- County Surrey in England the day and year first above writ- ten." 1
+" Received 26th September 1803 and Recorded in book N of Deeds page- 588 &c in the Clerks office at Burlington:"
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
JOSEPH RIGLEY of Carey Street in the Parish of Saint Clement Danes within the Liberty of Westminster in the County of Middlesex Clerk to Messieurs Oddie and Forster of the same Place Solicitors maketh Oath and saith that he this Deponent was present as a Witness and did see the Deed of Conveyance hereunto annexed duly sealed with the Common Seal of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts and saith that the same seal was set and affixed thereto in the pres- ence of this Deponent and that the Name "Joseph Rigley" set or subscribed to the said Deed of Conveyance as Witness to the Sealing thereof is of the proper Hand Writing of this Deponent.
JOSEPH RIGLEY.
Sworn at the Mansion House in London this thirteenth Day of April 1803 before me
PRICE Mayor
TO ALL TO WHOM these Presents shall come I Charles Price Esquire Lord Mayor of the City of London Do HEREBY CER- TIFIE that on the Day of the Date hereof, personally came and appeared before me Joseph Rigley the Deponent named in the Affidavit hereunto annexed, being a PERSON well known and worthy of good Credit, and by solemn Oath which the said Deponent then took before me upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, did solemnly and sincerely declare testifie and depose to be true the several matters and things mentioned and contained in the said annexed affidavit.
[L. s.]
IN FAITH AND TESTIMONY whereof I the said Lord Mayor have caused the Seal of the Office of Mayoralty of the said City of London to be here- unto put and affixed and the Deed of Conveyance mentioned and referred to in and by the said Affi- davit to be hereunto also annexed DATED in London the thirteenth Day of April in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and three.
WINDALE.
-Original in Parish Archives.
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IN BURLINGTON.
"1803, Oct 2ª To cash paid Joshua M. Wallace, Jun" Ex- penses attending on and procuring a Conveyance of the Society Lots, £18.15."-Account Book.
DIOCESAN OFFICES OF DR. WHARTON.
June 5th, 1805. The annual convention of the Church in New Jersey was held in St. Mary's, Burlington. Divine ser- vice was read by the Rev. John Croes, of New Brunswick, and a sermon was delivered by the Rev. Jasper Davis Jones, of Perth Amboy. The Rev. Andrew Fowler, of Shrewsbury, president of the last convention, took the chair. Five clergy- men were present, and six churches were represented by lay- deputies, those from St. Mary's being Messrs. Joshua M. Wal- lace, William Coxe, Daniel Hancock,t and Thomson Neale.} The Rev. Dr. Wharton took the chair, as President, and the Rev. Mr. Jones, succeeded as Vice President, in rotation. Mr. William Coxe was appointed Secretary.
Thursday, June 6th. . The following were chosen "Repre- sentatives to attend the General Convention :" Rev. Chas. H. Wharton, D. D., Rev. Henry Waddell, Rev. John Croes, Rev. Jasper Davis Jones, and Messrs. Samuel Ogden, Joshua M. Wallace, William Coxe, and Andrew Bell.
The following were chosen as the standing committee: The Rev. Dr. Wharton, President, and ex-oficio Chairman, the Rev. John Croes, the Rev. Henry James Feltus, the Rev. Jasper Davis Jones, and Messrs. Joshua M. Wallace, Samuel Ogden, Andrew Bell, and William Coxe.
"Agreeably to the direction of a canon of the General Conven- tion of 1804," the five clergymen present in Convention, reported
+ "1807, Oct. 7th. Buried Daniel Hancock, a respectable Vestryman of this Church."-Parish Register.
į"1808, May 29th. Buried Thomson Neale, the oldest and a respectable Vestryman of this Church."-Ibid.
His headstone, not far from the vestry-door, of the new St. Mary's Church, reads :
"Sacred to the memory of Thomson Neale, Esqr., who departed this life on the 27th of May, 1808, aged 65 years.
"Far from this world of toil and strife, He's present with the LORD,
The labours of his mortal life-
End in a just reward.'
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
the number of families, communicants, baptisms, marriages, etc., in their several congregations during the last year.t
" On motion, it was unanimously resolved, That every church in this state which has omitted for three years last past, to send any delegate to the Convention of the same, and shall omit to do so for two years more, shall be deemed as acting very irregularly, and paying no attention to that spirit of union and wholesome discipline, without which our Church cannot be supported or distinguished from other societies."
BISHOP WHITE PREACHES IN BURLINGTON.
" Dec. 5th, 1805. Bishop White preached in St. Mary's from St. Matthew III, 1 to 9 verses-[In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, und all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized. of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.] Sung Ps. 105-1st 4 verses. Ps. 104-do."-Craft's MS. " Daily Occurrences."
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR AN ORGANIST.
" We whose names are underwritten being desirous of encour- aging & promoting sacred harmony in the Church of Burling- ton & of raising for that purpose a moderate compensation for a person able and willing to play the Organ in the said Church at Morning & Evening Service do promise to pay to the person aforesaid or his order annually the following sums :
July 1st 1806.
" Lydia Riché $6.00, Wm. Coxe $8.00, Chas. H. Wharton $5.00, J. McIlvaine $8.00, Dr. McIlvaine $4.00, Mrs. Lea
+ This was the beginning of annual parochial.reports.
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IN BURLINGTON.
$3.00, Edward Shippen $2.00, Elias Boudinot $6.00, Turpin Kilby $3.00, Robert Lucas $2.00, Abraham Vansciver $1.00, John Scott $1.50, Nathan A. Cole $2.00, Miss Reids $2.00, O. Hoagland $2.00, Hannah Kinsey $2.00, Charles Ellis $2.00, William Griffith $5.00, George Hancock $1.50, Thomas Mills $3.00."-Original MS.
ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE CHURCH, AGREED UPON.
On the 6th of August, 1810, articles of agreement were signed, and sealed, for enlarging and otherwise altering, the Church fabric. The stipulations were these :
" WHEREAS the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of Burlington New Jersey intend making certain alterations & additions to said Church in the Town of Burlington, and to employ in the alterations & additions of said building a quantity of work in wood,-And whereas Samuel Gillis, Carpenter is willing and doth hereby undertake & contract to perform all the Carpen- ter's work necessary in the above mentioned alterations & addi- tions, in the best & most workmanlike manner, & agreeably to the drawings & designs hereunto annexed, and under the direc- tion of Rob' Mills Architect,-
Now therefore, it is agreed by & between the said parties in the following manner,-
1st. That in consideration of the work hereby stipulated to be done, and agreeably to the design of the said Rob Mills, hereunto annexed (which form part of this agreement, and are to all intents and purposes of equal force & validity as if herein particularly set forth,) The said Vestry of the Episcopal Church of Burlington will pay, or cause to be paid unto the said Samuel Gillis, the Sum of Four hundred dollars at such times & in such proportions as the advanced state of the work will justify.
2d. And on the part of the said Samuel Gillis it is hereby agreed with the Vestry of said Church, that in consideration of the said sum of four hundred dollars to be duly paid to him in the manner before recited, he shall & will perform all the alter-
2 A
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
ations & additions set forth in the aforesaid drawings & designs referred to (except the pulpit and reading desk) in the best and most workmanlike manner-
It is agreed that as much of the old materials are to be used in the execution of the new work, as propriety & economy will sanction ; & that the taking apart of the old work for this pur- pose (after it is pulled down as above mentioned) is included in the general agreement-
M' Gillis is to give such instructions to the Bricklayer in the performance of the Brick work, during the absence of M" Mills, as the drawings before referred to will point out. -
And for the true & faithful performance of all & singular the articles & agreement hereinbefore particularly set forth, we here- unto bind ourselves ;- & in witness thereof have hereto inter- changably set our hands & seals the day and year above written- JOSHUA M. WALLACE. [L. s.]
SAMUEL GILLIS. [L. s.]
Sealed & delivered
In the presence of 3
MARY M. WALLACE ROBT MILLS.
CONTRACT FOR A NEW PULPIT.
On the 29th of January, 1811, articles of agreement were signed for erecting a new pulpit in the Church, which were in these terms :
" WHEREAS the Church of Burlington intend to erect a pulpit in said church & to employ in its erection a certain quantity of work in wood, And whereas the said Samuel Gillis is willing & doth hereby undertake & contract to provide & set the same in the said building in the best & most workmanlike manner & agreeably to the designs and under the direction of Rob Mills architect & according to the drawings & descriptions hereunto annexed-
" Now therefore it is agreed by and between the said parties hereunto in manner & form following-viz-
" On the part of the said Church it is covenanted & agreed with the said Saml Gillis that in consideration & in payment of
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IN BURLINGTON.
the work hereby stipulated to be done the said Church will pay or cause to be paid the sum of ninety five dollars in the follow- ing proportions, viz,
" 1st As soon as the outer work enclosing the reading desk is up, capped and banded, Fifty dollars.
" 2d As soon as the steps of the stairs platforms of Reading desk & pulpit are fixed the further sum of Thirty dollars-
" 3d And as soon as the pulpit is completed agreeably to draw- ings the sum of Fifteen dollars, in all the sum of Ninety fire dol- lars.
"And on the part of the said Saml Gillis it is hereby cov- enanted and agreed with the said Church as follows, to wit,
"That in consideration of the said sum to be to him duly paid at the periods above recited amounting in all to the sum of ninety five dollars, he shall and will at his own proper cost & expense provide & set all the work of said pulpit agreeably to the an- nexed drawings & designs of the said Robt Mills (which form part of this agreement & are to all intents & purposes of equal force & validity as if herein particularly set forth) in the best & most workmanlike manner.
" It is understood in this agreement that all the necessary materials for the performance of the above mentioned work are to be provided by the said Church. And for the true and faith- ful performance of the aforesaid articles & agreements particu- larly set forth, the subscribers hereunto bind themselves jointly & severally their & each of their heirs Executors administrators & successors-In witness whereof, they have hereunto inter- changeably set their hands & seals the day & year first above written-
" On Behalf of the Church " JOSHUA M. WALLACE, [L. s.] Church Warden. "SAMUEL GILLIS. [L. s.] " Sealed & delivered in the presence of
" Witness THOS MILLS .
" RACHEL B. WALLACE."
.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
DIAGRAM OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
Up to the autumn of 1810-after its extension westward, under the rectorship of the Rev. Dr. Odell, in 1769-the interior of the Church (so far as we can ascertain, without any drawings) is tolerably represented by this diagram :
n
1
h
6
g
0
e
d
c
0
i
f
0
0
5
m
0
0
P
0
0
a. Holy Table.
b. Chancel.
€. Prayer Desk.
d. Pulpit, with sounding-board.
e. Steps to Pulpit.
f.] Font, with pyramidal cover.
g. Governor's Pew, with canopy and curtains.
h. Large Square Pew.
i. South Door.
j. North Door.
1. Staircase to Gallery.
/. Gallery, across the W. end.
m. Clerk's Desk, in the Gallery.
2. Large East Window.
o. Windows.
p. Organ.
0
0
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IN BURLINGTON.
DEATH OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE ACADEMY.
"1811, March 22d. Buried John Michael Hanckel, Prin- cipal of the Burlington Academy. Eximiae pietatis Jurenis." -Parish Register.
The headstone, at his grave, in St. Mary's Church yard, has, at its top, a large medallion, on which is represented a youth with wings, seated on the clouds, cheerfully looking upon a vision of the cross with rays of glory radiating from it-while upon a scroll, gracefully supported by the clouds on which he sits, are the words, "Blissful reality of my hopes."
Beneath this medallion is this inscription :
In memory of JOHN MICHAEL HANCKEL late Principal of the Academy in this City who died March 21st 1811, in the 24th year of his age.
His talents were of the first order his acquirements great and his labours as an instructor of youth were indefatigable and eminently crowned with success. As a Man his conduct was blameless : as a Christian it was exemplary.
" Blissful path with safety trod As it leads the Soul to GOD."
WORSHIP, IN THE CHURCH BUILDING, RESUMED.
"1811, April 28th. After worshipping at the Academy for nearly 8 months, on this day we resumed our Worship in the Church in its improved state."t-Parish Register.
SIZE AND APPEARANCE OF THE CHURCH.
" The Church, after this addition, having been increased in size three times, was in the form of a rectangular parallelogram,
t "Jan. 12th 1813. To cash paid D. Allinson for printing Hymns, at opening the Church after the Alteration, $1.50."-Treasurer's Account Book.
.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
extending East and West sixty-three feet three inches, and North and South thirty-three feet four inches ; having at the East end a chevet, or semi-circular termination, in which was placed the chancel. At the West end was the choir, over which (supported by large square pillars, rising through the roof,) was fixed the belfry."-Extract from " The Missionary."
BROTHERLY LOVE CONTINUES, IN THE CHURCH IN NEW JERSEY.
Rev. Dr. Wharton to the Rev. Dr. Croes. t " Decr 23 1811
" REVEREND & DEAR SIR:
" Since the receipt of yours of the 4th Inst, I have been continu- ally contemplating a ride to with a view of ascertain- ing more certainly the situation of Mr but for nearly two months the eruption on my legs, wh afflicts me every fall, has confined me at home, & indeed almost to the house, except on Sundays. It is not, thank God, as bad as it was last year, & I think the worst is now over. If upon inquiry I should find things as they have been represented to me, I will cheerfully contribute the sum which you mention, & will give you notice accordingly. It is a subject of much regret, that the services of this Gentleman are not more acceptable to his congregation. He appears to be a pious & zealous Man; but, in the present state of society he exhibits an additional proof that piety, & zeal are not the only qualifications for the Ministry ; & I hope our Church will be daily more convinced of this, & will act up to the conviction. In my letter to you, I did not mean to suggest that Mr - should be employed as a permanent missionary ; but that he should merely be furnished with an opportunity gratis of visiting the vacant Churches in Sussex, & of looking about for something that might better his situation. However, as he wishes to be instituted where he now is, I suppose he entertains no idea of removing. I suppose you have received a
¡ The originals, of this and the following letters, were kindly furnished by the Rev. Robert B. Croes, D. D., a son of the Rev. Dr. (afterwards Bishop) Croes.
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IN BURLINGTON.
copy of MT -'s Convention Sermon ; as he proposed sending one to each of our Clergy. It was printed here, & a great body of notes was prepared to accompany it; but most of these I have prevailed upon him to suppress. We are told, I hope errone- ously, that animosities & divisions at New York continue with unabated violence. Is there no authority in the Great Body of the Church to settle them ; or must they terminate in the ruin of that hitherto flourishing portion of our Zion ? We hear that Ireland has entered, & Jones re-entered the lists, & that they re- ceive countenance from Bp. Provoost. Is this the fact, & what are its grounds ? I have longed to converse with good Bp. White on the subject, but have not been well enough to go down. With every true son of the Church I contemplate this calamity with bitter regret. It affixes a stain, which a long course of evangelical harmony will scarcely wipe away. Instead of ex- claiming 'How do these professing desciples of Xt love one another,' will not they who are without, adopt a very opposite expression ? Poor D" Hobart's mitre has proved a crown of thorns ; but, I trust, like his divine Master, he will be enabled to wear it with fortitude & patience. While unanimity & brotherly love continue to flourish in our little Church-circle, & claim our thanks to the Author of peace, let us earnestly sup- plicate him to extend the same blessings to our Brethren beyond the Hudson.
" Mrs W. desires to be kindly remembered to you, & with great regard, I remain, Revd & dear ST your
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