USA > New Jersey > Salem County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 75
USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 75
USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 75
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
1 Dr. Collin says, " On the 4th day of Aprilthis al ut a han Ired of the English marines rame to Swedesunto, carly in the morning. to sur- Frise the militia. Being disappointed, they burnel the scho Ihouse, alleging as a reason their some loval subjects had been imprisoned there come weeks before."
ical course le started on a journey south, and at Philadelphia he was advised by Bishop White to come to Swedesboro, where the church had been. daring some time, without a rector. On his way hither he called at a tavern, probably the " Death of the Fox," between Clarksboro and Berkeley, in the bar-room of which he found a man, in rags, consider- ably intoxicated, singing patriotic songs to a crowd of loafers. In him Mr. Croes recognized his old comrade in arms who had given him his first lesson in chirog- raphy with a coal on his drum-head. lie at once proposed to MIr. Coleman to accompany him to Swedesboro and assist him in his duties. The propo- sition was accepted, Mr. Croes divided his wardrobe with him, and they trudged on to this place to- gether.
Here they found the present church building, which had been erected in 1784, and entered on their duties, Mr. Croes as rector, aud Mr. Coleman as conductor of the music, and both as teachers in the school. Mr. Croes afterwards became a bishop. Mr. Coleman studied law, and was in 1820 made Secretary of State of New Jersey.
The next teacher was Jonadab Lawrence, who com- menced previous to 1800. He was never known to be engaged in any other pursuit than that of a pedagogue and teacher of singing-schools. He was an excellent teacher, and a good disciplinarian. He continued to teach schools and to lead choirs in churches in this vicinity till 1819.
The old stone school-house continued to be the " temple of science" here till 1812, when the number of scholars had increased beyond its capacity. It was therefore determined to take it down, and erect in its place a more capacious and commodious building. Before doing this it was deemed proper to obtain a better title to the site, which the church authorities readily consented to give. A deed was accordingly executed by Simon Wilmer, rector; Andrew Hen- driekson and Charles Lock, wardens ; and William Denny, Daniel England, William Dyer, Nicholas Justice, Joseph Batten, Asa Mattson, Isaac Hendrick- son, Philip Pew, Samuel Black, Vandever Homan. and Ananias Lock, vestrymien, to Ecurius B. Pithian. M.D. By him a deed was made to Rev. Simon Wil- mer, William Harrison, Daniel England, James Bat- ten, Samuel Black, and Jolin Logan, trustees of the Swedesboro Academy. Both deeds were executed March 91, 1512, and were for the nominal considera-
on the same spot where the present house stands. The funds for its erection were raised first from members of the church, in consideration whereof the rector was to be ex officio pre-ident of the board of trustees forever, and the house was to be at all times, when not required for school purposes, open for teaching sacred music, and for public worship. The township of Woolwich also contributed, and in consideration of this contribution provision was made in the deed
304
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
that the use of the house should be had, when re- quired, for town-meetings and elections.
The house was twenty-two by thirty-three feet in size, and two stories in height. It stood with the end toward the street, to which a walk led from its front door. In 1835 maple-trecs were planted on each side of this walk, where they still remain. Cedar- and mulberry-trees were planted in the fear of the house. The last mulberry-tree there was blown down in 1842. The house was very inconveniently arranged and badly seated. In 1850 it was reseated, more in accordance with modern style, and more with reference to the wants of children of different ages.
May 18, 1872, this house was sold to the highest bidder for one hundred and thirty-five dollars. The purchaser, Capt. Samuel M. Parker, removed it to a lot near the south corner of the new Episcopal Cem- etery, and converted it into a double dwelling-house. During the same year a new house was erected on the same site. It covers an area of forty by sixty fect, and is two stories in height. It has two school- rooms, and its furniture is of the best and most approved style of the present day. It was built by contract, at a cost of five thousand dollars, and the furniture cost six hundred and fifty dollars. It has a capacity for three hundred pupils. It is considered the best school-house in the county of Gloucester.
The trustees at the time of its erection were Luther F. Halsey, clerk of the board, Isaac S. Stratton, and Alexander Wilson. The present trustees (1882) are Isaac S. Stratton, eleik, W. Clark, and I. Hurff Wetherby.
This school was always known as the academy till the school law of 1851 was passed, requiring the application of moneys apportioned to or raised in school districts to the support of free schools.
The teachers of this school, from its beginning to . the present time, have been
Rev. John Croes. George B. Day. Daniel Coleman. Benjamin Thomas. William J. Flinn.
Jonadab Lawrence.
Samuel Ogden. Charles E. H. Richardson.
Septimus Roberts.
James Mcbride.
Asa Stratton. Orlando Alden.
Elivabeth shaw. Emily Lewis.
T. Nach. John A. Lottelenslager.
Abraham Amerman. - Schofield.
Dr. John Kirts.
Dir. Jacob Izard.
Rev. Hiram Harohl. James Saunders,
John A. MulIvain.
Mo-es T. Scott.
Adaline D. Barton.
William II. Thomjeon.
Samuel A. Groff.
J. S. Thompson.
Rev. U. S. Condit.
Joseph D. Nichols, Ewan Merritt. Albert Ii. Hoyt.
George W. Smith. B. F. MeColh-ter. Juhti E. Powell.
B. F. Chew. Jutnes Leopard. Low'se Halleaberh. William Chase.
Alexander C. Harri -. Herbert M.Intesh. James Gordon. William H. Eldridge
Among the pupils of this school who have risen :n varions degrees of eminence in their professions have been the following :
Right Rev. J. P. Wilmer, son of Simon Wilmer. formerly rector of this church, became bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Louisiana. He died in New Orleans, of apoplexy, Dec. 3, 1878.
Rev. Samuel C. Stratton became a clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and was settled in Virginia, Connecticut, Clark-boro, N. J., and lastly in Philadelphia, where he died.
Hon. Charles C. Stratton, brother of the above, was a member of Congress in 1838, member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1844, and was elected Governor of New Jersey the same year.
Rev. Dr. Joseph Garrison was a graduate of Prince- ton College, took the degree of M.D. in the University of Pennsylvania in 1844, studied theology, and be- came rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Can- den in 1855. His Alma Mater conferred on him the degree of D.D. in 1879.
Dr. John Kirby was a pupil, and afterwards a teacher in this school. He graduated at the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, and practiced iu the city of Salem. He has been appointed assistant physician in the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum.
Dr. Samuel T. Lock graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and practiced, till his death. at Tom's River.
John B. Hilyard was town superintendent of schools of Woolwich township in 1847.
George B. Boggs was town superintendent in 1848. in Woolwich township, and rector of Trinity Church, Swedesboro. His son, George, became eminent as a civil engineer.
Dr. Joseph Kirby became a distinguished dentist in Swedesboro.
Rev. John S. Heisler became a popular preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Rev. Edward Adams became a Methodist Episco- pal clergyman in 1851, and he has filled many re- sponsible positions in New Jersey, New York, and Illinois.
Many of the teachers who have officiated in this school have filled high and responsible positions, both in church and state, but space will not permit an enumeration of them.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
Trinity, or Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Swedesboro .-- The intimate connection i between the history of this church and that of the
-
As W. Newton.
Samuel T. Lock.
JerarI F. Silvers.
The corner-stone of this building was taken from the foundation-wall of the first school-house and . placed in the stone house that was built in 1778. It was then placed in the foundation of the house Dr. Ephraim Leake, a graduate of the University erected in 1812, and finally in its present position. ' of Pennsylvania, became a practitioner in Frank- It is marked, with large legible figures, 1771. ford.
TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH.
305
wwwn and township is the reason for the length of til- sketch.
This church was founded by the Swedes, at about the commencement of the eighteenth century, pro- Bably in 1702. though the exact date cannot be aseer- tined. The first minister was Lars Tollstadius,1 er Polfladius, who, by hi- irregular conduct, drew upon himself the censure of his superiors, He was drowned in the Delaware River in May, 1706.
In 1703 this church was endowed by the purchase of one hundred acres of land, twenty aeres of which include a portion of the town of Swedesboro. The following is copied from the deed conveying this land :
1
"This ledenture, made ye first day of september, in ye year of our Loordone thousand zeven hundred and three, and in ye second year of ye reign of our Sovereign Lady Ann, Queen of England, Scotland, france, and Ireland, Ke., between John Hugg, Jau .. of Ghmivester Hiver, in ye County of Gloucester, and Province of New Jersey, Gent , of ve one part, and Woolly Dalbo, William Cobb, Wo lla Peterson, and frederick Hopman, all of Racoon Creek, within ve County and Province afmesas, Church warden . Elected and appointed of ye swedish Church called -, and Inte brected at Racoon Creek in ye county aforesail of ye other part. wit- nesseth that ye said John Huge, for and in consideration of yo sum of Twelve pound, current silver money, within ye said Province . . . for and during ye full anl whole terme and tune that they and every one of them that shall remain and Continue in ye office of Church warden of ye said Church, and then afterward from the time of his going out of ye said office, and linmediately from thence, unto such other persons .ucressively as shall from time to timi be elected aud appointed church vardens of ye said Church, at all times forever hereafter to this intent and purpose and upon this Trust and Confidence, and to no ctl.or use, In- tent or purpose whatsoever (that ist. To and for ye only accommodation and service of ye said Church, and ye proper use aud advantage of ye present Incumbent or Minister thereof, for his better sapport and men- teynance for so long time and dering yo form and time that he shali continue to be, and then afterwards unto all and every such other Minister, Preacher, or Beetor, Sucerarively, who shall be wlmitted to exercise ye ministerial finuction in yest Church from time to time and at all times forever hereuft-r."
To this was added six aeres of meadow-land, pur- chased, in 1705, from Jolin Jones, for five shillings.
A log church was erected), and finished in 1704. In 1717 one was erected at Penn's Neck, and the two societies were afterward united in the same pastor- ate. In the township of Pilesgrove, six miles distant from Raccoon, and nine from Penn's Neck, a farm or glebe of two hundred and thirty-five acres was pur- chased in 1721, for one hundred and forty-five pounds. and a house erected on it. Between 1850 and 1855 it was repaired and improved and a log barn was erected. The Legislature, in 1795, authorized the sale of this property. The old log church was plastered and whitewashed on the outside in 1715, aud a vesti- bule was built before its door in 1719. A gallery was added between 1730 and 1740. This gallery could only be entered from the outside of the building. This house was used during eighty years. Dr. Collin said of it that for fifteen years previous to the eree- tion of the present house it had been " in a condition so ruinous that public worship could not be celebrated in it without the greatest inconvenience and no small degree of danger in tempestuous weather."
-----
1 Acrelius.
Dr. Clay : Annals of the Swedes, 1:55.
As elsewhere stated, a parsonage was erected in. Swedesboro in 1764, on the site of the present ree- tory, which was built in 1812.
The present church building was creeted in 1784. It was built of brick, forty-one by sixty-one feet. and it stands on the site of the second log church that was erected. The tower at the rear of this church was erected in 1838, and the auditorium was afterward reseated.
In 1765, a year sub-equent to the English con- quest, the church received a charter, from which the following is an extract :
" George the Third, by the grice of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, xe., To all to whom these pres- ents shall come, greeting. Whereas, we have been informed by the Humble petition of our loving subjects, the Reverend John Wick-ell, Themas Denny, John Denny, Lawrence Lack, Johu Lock, John Hunto, JATues Skelman, John Helm, Bemjaann Kambo, Jonas Keen, Erick Cox, Jacob Archer, Isaac Justison, Gilbert Rinolds, Gabriel Strang, William Homan, Peter Matson, Peter Keen, Andrew Joues, Hans Unian, John Hoffman, Lawrence Strang, John Deuckson, Charles Luck, Erick Hei- nels, Jacob Jones, William Matson, Andrew Lock, Moses Hoffman, Charles Fuller, Andrew Vahantie! man," etc., with the usual cirenmlo- cution audl formality of expression they were inade "A body corporate and politie in deed, fact, and name, by the name and style of the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry men of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Chaich in the town of Swedesboro, near Haccoon Creek."
In 1790, William Matsou, by will, left all his real and personal estate to this church forever. The real estate thus devised consists of three hundred acres, lying in Harrison township, about four miles south irom Swedesboro. It yields to the church an annual revenue of more than one thousand dollars.
Rev. Jonas Anren was called to the pastorate in 1706, and died, in the exercise of his functions, in 1713. He came from Sweden in 1797, and after hi- arrival became a Sabbatarian, but he never permitted his changed views to give offense.
It may here be remarked that the records in pos- i session of Trinity Church commenced in 1713. They were kept in the Swedish language till J704, the year of the British conquest, since which time they have been written in English.
In 1712 Rev. Abraham Lidenius, who had just ar- rived from Sweden, became assistant pastor, and offi- ciated at Penn's Neck. After the death of Mr. Auren he became pastor of both churches, and continned till his return to Sweden, in 1724. He was distinguished for his industry, zeal, and pleasing manners.
Reys. Petrus Tranberg and Andreas Windrafwa came from Sweden in 1726, and became pastors of the churches at Raccoon and Penn's Neck. Mr. Wind- rufwa died in 1728, and Mr. Tranberg served both congregations till 1740, when he was transferred to Christina, and the pastorate was vacant till 1748.
In that year Rev. John Sandin became pastor, but died after six months' service.
Mr. Peter Kalm, Professor of Economics in the University of Abo, was then traveling in this coun- try, and served the church for a time. He married the widow of Me. Sandin, and returned to Sweden.
Rev. Eric Unander, who came from Sweden in
20
-
£
306
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
17-19. became pastor in 1751. He remained till 1756, , church here there was preaching regularly in th. when he was transferred to Christina.
He was succeeded by Rev. John Lidenius (the son of Abraham, before mentioned), who subsequently died in Pennsylvania.
The next pastor, Rev. John Wicksell, arrived from Sweden in 1762, returned in 1774. and died in 1800. During his administration the church received an English charter, and the public school here was es- tablished.
His successor, Nicholas Collin, D.D., arrived in 1778, was transferred to Wicacoa in 178G, and died in 1831. With him the Swedish mission closed.
The succession of rectors in connection with the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese of New ; time so large an amount was raised on a similar occa- Jersey has been: Revs. John Wade, from 17SS to 1789; John Croes (afterwards first bishop of New Jersey), 1790-1801; Henry James Feltus, 1802-08; Simon Wilmer, 1808-20; J. M. Douglas, 1820-24; Norman Nash, 1829-34; J. Loring Woart, 1834-35. He went to Tallahassee, Fla., on account of his wife's . of a new church edifice. health; both were lost on the ill-fated " Pulaski." The pastors since 1833 (the date of the oldest record John Woart, a brother of the preceding, 1836-40; i to be found) have been : George W. Freeman (afterwards bishop of Arkansas), : 1633. John Walker. 1847. Mulford Pay. William Stevens. James Long. 1841 ; J. W. Brown, 1841-13. He died here of con- 1 sumption, and his remains are entombed in the ceme- 1834. John Walker. 1840. A. K. Street. tery near to the church. W. H. Trapnell, 1841-47 ; Robert Sution. Juseph Gaskill. 1835. William Willianis. 1850. A. K. Street. J. F. Canfield. S. E. Post, 1851. Joseph M. Pierson. E. B. Boggs, 1847-55; W. J. Zimmer, 1855-57 ; Henry Tulledge, 1857-64; C. W. Duane, 1864-68; C. N. 1$36. Robert E Morrison. Chivrier, 1868-72; and the present rector, C. W. J. F. Canfield 1853. Charles E. Hill. Duane, again 1872. 1537. Kobert E. Morrison. 1855. James White. George Jennings. 1867. George Hitchens.
The old Moravian Church in Woolwich township was established at a very early period. In 1834 it was transferred to Trinity Church, Swedesboro, and it is now a mission of that church, the rector of which holds services there monthly.
Swedesboro Methodist Episcopal Church.1-In 1793 a stone meeting-house was built at what is now known as Oak Grove, abont two and a half miles from Swedesboro, and the same distance from Bridge- port. The ground on which it stands was donated by a family named Adams, residing in that vicinity. : There is a cemetery connected with it which is re- : markable for the small proportion of children's graves found in it. This was, for many years, the rallying- point for the Methodists in this section of the country.
The first members of the society that worshiped : here were George Horner, Benjamin Adams, Joseph Adams, Malachi Horner, John Davis, Isaac Shute, David Shute, Samuel Black, William Keyser, and others.
A class- and prayer-meeting was held regularly in private honses at Swedesboro as early as 1833. The gleaned from the memories of those who were identi- first sermon here, by a Methodist clergyman, was fied with it in its beginning. preached in the academy by Rev. William Stevens, and it is remembered that the event caused quite a sensation. From that time till the erection of the
middle of each week, at the academy, by circuit preacher -. The original members at Swedesboro were William Keyser, David Wolf, Samnel Black, Thomas Davidson. Isaac Shute, Edward C. Talhuan, Samuel Newton, John Becket, Ephraim Colt, and others. From this small beginning the society has grown to a membership of three hundred, and a Sunday-school of two hundred and six scholars and thirty-two teachers.
The present house of worship was erected in 1838. and dedicated in November of that year. It is re- membered that the sum of one thousand dollars was raised during the services, and that this was the first sion, in Gloucester County, The house is a plain brick structure, forty by fifty-five feet in size, with galleries, and in the rear of it is a brick chapel. The estimated value of the church property is seven thousand dol- lars, Arrangements are in progress for the erection
1838. John K. Shaw, 1,60. B. 1), Palmer.
Edward Stout. 1861. G. It. Snyder.
1803. William Walton.
IS39. John K Shaw. Abram Trewett. 1865. R. S. Sharp.
1840. George A. Hey bold. 1806. J. D. Hichman.
Abram Trewett. 1807. James Vansant, 1569. W. S. Barnart. 1871. John W. Fort.
1942. S. linsling. J. J. McDougal.
1843. S. Dueling. 1873. Joseph II. Michle.
Noah Edwards. 1876. S. M. Hudson.
1-14. Thomas C. Stewart. 8. Y. Monroe.
1878. A. M. Lake.
1851. C. F. Downs.
1815. Joseph Atwood. John S. Beegle.
A prosperous Sunday-school is maintained at the old stone meeting-house, and class-meetings are held there. They are connected with the society at Swedes- boro.
Presbyterian Church of Swedesboro.2 -- While it is a pleasant ta-k to write the history of this church, it is nevertheless difficult, because of the want of records concerning its earliest movements, and its many struggles for existence in the carly period of its career. Most of the facts concerning it must be
It was not on account of the increase in the popu- lation of the town, nor because of a want of adequate accommodations for worship that a desire was felt to
1 Information furnished by Rev. C. J. Downs.
2 By Rev. John W. Bischoff, pastor.
307
TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH.
establish a Presbyterian Church in Swedesboro, but because of the preference of a few residents who had been members or worshipers in Presbyterian Churches in Philadelphia and elsewhere.
This desire brought its fruit in the latter part of 1854, when the Rev. Allen H. Brown, of the P're-by- tery of West Jersey, in response to a letter with refer- ence to the matter, came to Swedesboro to consult with regard to the propriety of taking measure- for the organization of a church. The result was a call for a meeting of those interested in the enterprise. Accordingly, on the 11th of October, 1554, a meeting was held in the academy, at which Mr. William Black presided, and Rev. A. H. Brown was secretary. Then and there it was resolved to organize a Presby- terian Church, and the following were elected as the first board of trustees: William Black, Jr., Robert Wilson, Hugh Wallace, J. Morgan Barnes, and Ira Allen. A committee was authorized to file a certifi- eate of incorporation in the county clerk's office, and measures were taken to secure a proper site for a house of worship. At the same time a petition to the Presbytery of West Jersey for church organiza- tion was prepared, and signed by those who desired to become members of it.
In reply to this application, Rev -. W. Graham, Daniel Stratton, and Allen H. Brown. composing the committee which had been appointed by the Presby- tery to organize the petitioners into a Presbyterian Church, if the way was clear, met on Wednesday, the 10th of January, 1855, at the house of W. Black, and after an opening prayer, proceeded to an exami- nation as to the religious knowledge and experience of those who had requested to be members of the new organization. At seven o'clock in the evening they met in Odd-Fellows' Hall, and there, after an appro- priate sermon by Rev. D. Stratton, the committee proceeded to the organization of the church. The following were the constituent members: William Black, Jr., Thomas Stewart, John Barnes, Robert Wilson, Mrs. Emma Allen, Mrs. Anna Maria Kuisell. Mrs. Euphemia Grant, Mrs. Elizabeth Garrison, and Mrs. Mary Ann Black. Later in the evening David McDowell and his wife, Margaret, presented certifi- cates of good standing in and dismissal from a Pres- byterian Church in Ireland, whereupon they were received, making the whole number of original mem- In November, 1868, Rev. N. W. Condit became pastor of the church, but, like his predecessor, for two years only. Special mention is made in his time of the ditheulty in raising money towards the pastor's salary, and the other necessary expenses of the church, and also of the need of a parsonage ; but when a build- ing lot had been offered to the church as a gift the efforts towards building a house for their minister went no further than the completion of cellar walls, which spoke loudly, not so much of the need of a parsonage as of a pastor. bers eleven. In the afternoon of the following day Mr. Graham preached in Odd-Fellows' Hall, and William Black was ordained to the office of ruling elder. On the following Sabbath the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to ten members of the new organization, and to five from other churches. In the mean time Dr. Charles Garrison had very generously donated a lot, valued at two hundred and fifty dollars, to the church ; and about March, 1855, the erection of a church building wa, begun. A frame building, thirty-six by fifty feet, Tor a little more than a year, until April, 1872, with a beautiful steeple, and a seating capacity of . Rev. R. F. Burt was statel supply, by appointment
-
. -
-
about three hundred, was built by Mr. Robert Wilson, according to a plan furnished by Mr. G. Pullinger. It was completed at a cost of about three thousand five hundred dollars, and dedicated with appropriate exercises, probably in November, 1856.
Hitherto the congregation had held regalar ser- vice, in Odd-Fellow>' Hall, and had steadily gained in membership, under the ministration of Revs. 1. 11. Brown, T. B. Jervis, and especially by the self- denying efforts of lohn L. Grant; but not till 1859 had the church a regularly-installed pastor. In that year Rev. Chester Bridgman became the first pastor of the church, and until November, 1863, he labored successfully here and at a neighboring place. During his four years' pastorate, the longest that this church has ever had, the membership was increased from thirty-three to fifty-four, and a large portion of the church debt was paid off. Indeed, these were years of prosperity for the small organization, but after the pastoral relation between Mr. Bridgman and the church had been dissolved by the Presbytery a sad decline became noticeable in the church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.