USA > New Jersey > Passaic County > Preakness and the Preakness Reformed Church : a history 1695-1902 : with genealogical notes, the records of the church and tombstone inscriptions > Part 18
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First Sabbath in December, Rev. P. S. Talmage.
Third Sabbath in December, Rev. N. Conklin.
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First Sabbath in January, Rev. Jas. E. Bernart. Third Sabbath in January, Rev. J. F. Harris. First Sabbath in February, Rev. Joseph Wilson. Third Sabbath in February, Rev. John Gaston. First Sabbath in March, Rev. J. C. Cruikshank. Third Sabbath in March, Rev. A. G. Ryerson. First Sabbath in April, Rev. B. V. Collins.
Brother Staats had been Stated Clerk of the Classis of Pas- saic, since Jan. 3, 1845, or almost seventeen years, a longer period than any other minister has yet had this position. He resigned his office Nov. 14, 1861, at the same time that his relations with the Preakness Church were dissolved, and the Classis ordered that at his request a letter of dismission to the Classis of Rensselaer, within whose bounds he expected to labor, be given him. Thus closed the labors here of one greatly respected and honored in this Church and Classis. He is still remembered both in and out of the congregation in all this vicinity. In Paterson, we often yet hear people speak of him; though the number of those who knew him is now every year lessening. There are, at this time, not many left, even in Preakness, who remember him as he was when here. His memory naturally is revered ; for he did more for this Church than any other man has done. All the rest of the pastors of Preakness Church, since Mr. Staats's resignation, are still living (1902).
We note in "The History of Bergen and Passaic Counties," p. 557, that Mr. Staats was Superintendent of Schools in the Town- ship of Wayne, from 1848 to 1851, a position, which, no doubt, as long as he held it, he honored.
Judge Aaron G. Garrison, of Oakland, N. J., June 18, 1901, told us a little anecdote of the domine which we here insert. It was while Jenny Lind was stirring the American public with her beautiful singing. Several ministers, and among them the Rev. J. A. Staats, of Preakness, were at the Pompton Plains parsonage, the guests of the Rev. G. C. Schanck. One of those present had heard the celebrated singer, and recommended that all he spoke to hear her, if they could ; at the same time, expatiating on the ecsta- sies he experienced when listening to her. Mr. Staats, who was naturally a little witty, and withal somewhat sly with his wit, said that he in his day had heard sweeter music than he believed even Jenny Lind could produce with her singing. "Oh, that couldn't be," every one chorused, and he was at once pressed to explain ; when he declared that the favorable answer he received as he
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"popped the question" to her who later on became his wife, was more delicious to him than anything else of a musical nature could be.
During Domine Staats's pastorate in Preakness, there were at least two boys here in attendance upon his ministry, and who were members of the Preakness Sunday School, who afterwards themselves became ministers of the Gospel, one in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the other in the Baptist Church. These boys, who, while they were here, were cotemporary, both date their earliest religious impressions from their childhood days. One of them is now the Rev. E. Livingston Allen, D. D., recently of Cape May Court House, N. J., but at present of Tannersville, N. Y., and the other the Rev. David E. Post, of Gilbertsville, Otsego County, N. Y.
The Rev. E. Livingston Allen, D. D., has been pastor of several stations in the New Jersey Conference, as well as in the State of New York. "He is a representative of two prominent families of New Jersey, the Allens and the Livingstons. He was born in Paterson, N. J., July 16, 1846, his father, Henry R. Allen, being a native of Blauveltville, N. Y., and a son of Robert Allen, whose birth occurred in England, and who came to the United States about the year 1800. The paternal great grandfather was a mem- ber of the House of Commons in the mother country. Robert Allen manifested his loyalty to his adopted land by serving in the Navy in the war of 1812. He afterwards married Polly Sears, a daughter of the owner of the farm, upon which Andre, the English spy of the Revolution, was hung, this property being located at Tappan, N. Y.," and being likewise owned, at one time, (1821), as we have already seen, by the Rev. John Demarest, who, early in the last century, was one of those who frequently, while settled at Ponds, preached in the Preakness pulpit. "Henry R. Allen mar- ried Eleanor Livingsworth, a daughter of Artemas Livingsworth, who was of Huguenot descent, and a representative of one of the wealthiest families in Passaic County. Four children were born of this union : Edward L .; Amanda, wife of John G. Belding, of Paterson, N. J .; Etta, wife of Hon. John I. Holt, of Paterson, who was the Speaker of the New Jersey Legislature, in 1894; and Irv- ing, who died Oct. 31, 1876. The father of these children was called to his final rest on Christmas Day, of 1883, and the mother passed away July 1, 1897, at the advanced age of eighty-six years." "In 1852 or 1853, Henry R. Allen, retiring from active pursuits, .
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exchanged his Paterson city home for the property in Preakness known as the old Merselis farm," back of what is now Barbour's Mill, and running up into the mountain, "removing his family there, and remaining until July, 1862, when he again took up his residence in Paterson."
While residents of Preakness, though not removing their mem- bership to the Reformed Church here, (they were members of the Paterson M. E. Church), the family regularly attended said church, and were identified with all the interests of the church and place, Mr. Allen serving as school trustee, and being recognized as a "progressive, good citizen." It was during this period, that the son and eldest child, Edward L., or E. Livingston, attended the Preakness Sunday School, having Mrs. Staats herself as his Sunday School teacher. Also during this time, or a part of it, he attended the public elementary and high schools of Paterson, and afterwards took the Rutgers College course, and finished his studies in Drew Theological Seminary. But when sixteen years of age, a month or so after the family returned to Paterson to live, and before he had completed his educational course, the civil war was inaugurated, and feeling that his duty was at the front, he put aside his text- books, and offered his services to his country, enlisting in the Thir- teenth New Jersey Infantry. He was in many battles, and was three times wounded by rebel bullets. At the close of the war, Mr. Allen returned to New York City, and completed his preparation for the ministry, since which time he has preached the Gospel in different churches in New York and Colorado, as well as in New Jersey. He has besides had many honors conferred upon him, among them the degrees of A. M., by Taylor University, and of D. D., by Franklin College. Dr. Allen was married, Aug. 11, 1866, to Maggie E. Post, a daughter of Richard Post, of Westwood, N. J., which union has resulted in the birth of four children. ("His- torical Record of New Jersey." Part I. First Congressional Dis- trict.)
The other of these boys attending on Domine Staats's ministry in Preakness, who afterwards himself became a minister, was known as "Vander" (for Evander) Post. Born in 1852, on New Year's Day, in New York City, David Evander Post, later, when but four years of age, in 1856, came with his parents to Preakness to live, his father being a descendant of the Post family here. His people were in Preakness, however, only about four years; but during that time, the boy went to both Church and Sunday School, his Sunday
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School teacher being Miss Dorcas Berdan. It is often the case in these days that parents think their children, at such an age, are too young to sit through two successive services ; but in this instance, as well as in the other just mentioned, the beneficent results were certainly most effective. For, as Dr. Allen has written, so Mr. Post writes, that at that early period in his life, he had such dis- tinct religious impressions from Domine Staats's preaching and Miss Dorcas Berdan's teaching, that he can still clearly recall them as leading to his conversion at the age of 14, and shaping the whole future of his life as a minister of the Gospel. Returning to New York City where his parents went in 1860, being then only a little over eight years old, young Post attended, and afterwards, as we have seen, at the age of 14, united with the South Baptist Church there ; and, hearing God's call to the ministry, soon entered Colgate University, from which institution in due course he was graduated ; subsequently entering Madison University, at Hamilton, N. Y., where he was also graduated with honor, besides receiving the degrees of A. B., and finally of A. M., and an election into the Phi Beta Kappa Society. He has now spent about 25 years in the ministry, in various fields, and is at present, (1901), serving in the Baptist Church at Gilbertsville, Otsego County, N. Y. His father's name was James M. Post, and his paternal grandparents were Cornelius I. Post and Hannah Cocoron Post, both of whom are buried in the burying ground south of the church.
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CHAPTER X.
THE PASTORATE OF REV. C. B. DURAND.
After hearing candidates, during an interim of about four months from the time when Mr. Staats's labors closed at Preakness it was resolved at a meeting of the Consistory, March 31st, 1862, Rev. J. F. Harris being in the chair, to call Mr. C. B. Durand, a recent graduate of Rutgers College, (1858), and of the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, (1861), and a licentiate of the Classis of Bergen, to become the pastor of this Church. A call
THE REV. CYRUS B. DURAND.
was at once made out for Mr. Durand, signed and attested by the moderator of Consistory, and presented to Classis the next day, at Pompton, for approval. The call was read in Classis April 1st, duly approved, and ordered to be placed in the hands of Mr. Durand; when it was decided to meet again, in adjourned session, in this church, on May 27, for the examination of a candidate for licensure, (John R. Brock), and also for the examination of Mr. Durand for ordination, in case he should accept the call ten- dered him. As Classis met on that day, Mr. Durand was present
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for examination, and to signify his acceptance of the call; and arrangements were made for his ordination to the ministry, and his installation as pastor over the Preakness Church. On Sun- day afternoon, June 22nd at 2:30 o'clock, Classis met, and Rev. J. F. Harris of Pompton Plains preached the sermon from Col. 1 : 28. The president of Classis, Rev. A. G. Ryerson, of Wyckoff, presided, read the form, and propounded the Constitutional Ques- tions ; Rev. Joseph Wilson, of Fairfield, offered prayer ; Rev. J. C. Cruikshank, of Little Falls, delivered the charge to the pastor; and Rev. N. Conklin, of Montville, the charge to the people. The newly ordained and installed minister pronounced the benediction, and Classis adjourned.
In the early spring of that year, this Church being without a minister, no statistical report was made to Classis; but the report of the year before, the last of Mr. Staats's pastorate, was 80 fam- ilies, 63 in communion, 120 enrollment in the Sunday School, and $170.85 raised for benevolence. The opening for the new pastor therefore was most propitious. It is on all hands acknowledged that everybody was pleased with the outlook, and the congregation was certainly in a prosperous condition. The Church machinery moved smoothly and harmoniously. There were no jars among the people, and the best of feeling everywhere prevailed. The con- gregation also must have grown, for in the spring of 1863, when the statistical report was made out, 100 families were reported; and this was the number reported every year during Mr. Durand's incumbency.
A move was made that same spring to pay off a Consistorial note, given years before to John G. Banta, but which had changed hands to Jeremiah Ryerson, for borrowed money, with which to complete payment for the meadow lot on Singac Brook, bought in 1849, and upon which note, Mr. Staats, for several years, or until he was released from the obligation, had paid the interest. As soon as this note was paid, Apr. 23, to show the prosperous con- dition of the congregation, it was then at once resolved to make certain needed repairs on both the church and parsonage, and, in order to raise the money for the work, Garret Berdan was ap- pointed a committee to circulate a subscription paper. That Mr. Berdan was successful in the endeavor goes without saying, for the repairs, so far as undertaken, were completed in the fall. The next fall again still further repairs were made, likewise on both the church and parsonage; while along with this work the salary
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of the pastor was increased from $400 to $550. Further repairs were made on the parsonage early in 1865, for which Jacob R. Berdan secured the money, or most of it. Late in that year, what debt there was, about $100, due to gradual accumulation, was wiped out. And so it was all through Mr. Durand's pastorate. He was here until the spring of 1868, about six years in all. The membership of the Church had been brought up to 70, the largest figures to that date. By reason of changes, the Sunday School had fallen off somewhat, as well as the Bible Class, and also gifts to benevolence; although there was a gradual and steady advance- ment from year to year otherwise, and in the amount of money raised for congregational purposes.
Domine Durand's leaving Preakness was not altogether of his own volition. A new Reformed Church had just been organized at Boonton, and some of the ministers of the Classis thought he ought to take charge of it, and prevailed upon him to make the change, much to the regret of the Preakness people, and his own regret also, subsequently expressed. Consistorial action toward a dissolution of the pastoral relation was taken Apr. 6, 1868, and Classical action the next day at its stated session in this church. The Rev. J. C. Cruikshank gave up his charge, at Little Falls, at the same meeting of Classis.
Mr. Durand was born in New York City, in 1835. His father removed with his family from New York to Camptown, now Irvington, N. J., in 1836. The future clergyman was therefore but a small boy, when Domine Staats preached in Clintonville, or Camptown, in 1841. Nevertheless he well remembers the domine, although he has but a dim recollection as to how he then looked.
Mr. Durand, after leaving Preakness, remained in Boonton only about three years, when in the spring of 1871, he became pastor of-the Second Reformed Church, in Hackensack, remaining there until 1882, when he entered the Episcopal Church. The next year, 1883, he was Assistant Rector of Saint Mark's, at Orange. From 1883 to 1888, he was Assistant Rector of Calvary Church, New York City. And from 1888, he has been Rector of Saint James's, Newark, N. J.
The brother has recently written us that during his stay in Preakness, so far as he knows, "no one here ever said a word, or did a thing that caused him a moment of disturbance or unhappi- ness, or inclined him to be dissatisfied with his work or place." He says: "I left Preakness, not because I was discontented, or
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desired to better myself, but because Domine Conklin, of Mont- ville, and other members of the Classis of Passaic, were determined that I should take charge of the new Church at Boonton. They kept at me, until I agreed to go. Had I consulted my own desire or pleasure in the matter, I would have been well satisfied to re- main in Preakness all my life. Since I left there, I have had more pretentious Churches and larger salaries ; but I have never had more happiness and better treatment. Could I live my life over again, and be once more favored as a young man to occupy the old parsonage and the old church, not all the ox teams in Passaic County, with all the members of Passaic Classis driving them, could pull me out."
In this connection, we have a few items of interest to add :
A weeping willow tree, in front of the parsonage kitchen, cut down in 1887 or 1888, because its roots were supposed to pollute the water in the well, was planted by Mr. Durand from a slip taken from a tree on his father's place in Irvington, which had grown from a slip that Capt. McKewin brought there from Na- poleon's grave on the Island of St. Helena. Capt. McKewin was captain of a merchant vessel, and lived in Irvington. This tree at Preakness, while at its best, was a prominent feature on the parsonage lot, and added considerably to the beauty of the sur- roundings of the manse.
The parsonage here was twice entered and robbed during Mr. Durand's pastorate. The first time the loss was about $50. This robbery occurred at night, while the family was asleep. In less than a week afterwards, the congregation made up a purse of $50, and presented it to the pastor. The second robbery occurred on a Sunday morning, while the domine and his wife were at church. The loss amounted on this occasion to several hundred dollars, in money, jewelry, silver, etc. But, in a day or two, the thief was caught, and about everything recovered. It was through the vigi- lance of the people that suspicion was aroused, which led to the apprehension of the culprit.
Two other occurrences during Mr. Durand's pastorate in Preakness, have ever since left a deep impression upon his mind.
The first of these was before he was married, and while he was boarding with Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Kip, living then just south of the parsonage, on what is now the Albert Bensen place, (1902). Mrs. Kip was a sister of Uriah J. Van Riper. There was at that time an epidemic of measles in Passaic County, and
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there were 50 or 60 cases in Preakness alone. Mr. Durand was among the first taken in this neighborhood; but the doctor he had from Paterson diagnosed his case at the beginning as one of small pox. He himself strenuously insisted on being at once removed to a pest house or hospital. But Mr. and Mrs. Kip "would not allow him to be taken from the house, deciding to incur all the trouble and risk of contagion, sooner than turn him out of doors." Of course, it was not so bad as feared; but their heroism and unself- ishness, when shown, were none the less in the domine's eyes on that account. The authorities did not have such strict regulations in those days, especially in the country districts, as prevail at pres- ent, and when a man may not be absolute master even in his own house.
The other occurrence was an accident to his little daughter, then between two and three years old. The child while alone only for a moment in the kitchen pulled over a small tin pail of boiling water just taken off the stove, and emptied the scalding contents down the neck of her dress. The day being cold, the child was bundled up in a heavy shawl, which, as it was saturated, retained the heat, and made the burns all the more terrible. The scars of this accident are still borne. Mr. Durand says he can never forget the sympathy and attention then given him and Mrs. Durand by the Preakness people, both men and women.
The old Mason and Hamlin organ, for many years, until 1899, used in the Church Sunday School, was the first organ the Church ever had for the use of its choir, and was bought by Mr. Durand, he himself going to New York and purchasing it for the con- gregation. The organ stood in the church gallery, until it was replaced by an Estey ; when it was removed down into the body of the church for use in the Sunday School. It has, however, since been disposed of in connection with the purchase of the one we have at present, purchased in 1900, for Sunday School use.
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CHAPTER XI.
THE PASTORATE OF THE REV. S. T. COLE.
Preakness was without a minister again, after Mr. Durand left in the spring of 1868, until late in the fall. Nov. 24, the same year, Classis met in extra session in this church, to act on a call made by the Consistory upon Rev. Solomon T. Cole, of Platte Kill, N. Y., and arrangements were made for his installation Dec. 22. Although we can find no record on the Minutes of Classis of the proceedings on the day designated, we suppose the installation oc-
THE REV. SOLOMON T. COLE,
curred according to programme, viz: Rev. J. C. Cruikshank, Presi- dent of Classis, presided, read the Form, and proposed the Con- stitutional Questions; Rev. J. V. N. Schenk preached the sermon ; Rev. N. Conklin charged the pastor; and Rev. Joseph Wilson, the people.
Brother Cole was graduated from the Seminary at New Brunswick, and licensed by the Classis of Ulster, in 1864. His first settlement was at Platte Kill, N. Y., 1864-8. His second at Preakness, 1868-72. His third at Schaghticoke, N. Y., 1872-9. Then he was at Westerlo, near Albany, N. Y., 1879-83. At Tyre, N. Y., 1883-5. At Platte Kill again, 1885-92. For a few years after this he was without a charge. But in 1896, he went to Esopus, (Ulster Park), among his own kindred, where he was born, baptized, and received into the membership of the Church,
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under the ministry of the late Rev. James McFarlane. This Church, in which he grew up to manhood, he most acceptably served as stated supply for three years, 1896-9 ; when, on account of the failing health of his wife, he retired to his farm, at Katrine, near Platte Kill, where Mrs. Cole soon ended her days. The brother is still (1901) living on his farm, with his daughter, who keeps house for him.
Mr. Cole came to Preakness under rather favorable auspices. The Church was in excellent shape, both physically and spiritually. The membership was as large as it had ever been; and there was no debt to speak of. The Church property was all in good condi- tion, except for want of paint. But both church and parsonage were painted in the fall of that year, at a cost of $260.
As a further sign of improvement, early in 1869, regular col- lections for the Boards of the Church and the Church Building Fund were determined on, as follows :
Foreign Missions, Second Sabbath in March.
Domestic Missions, Second Sabbath in May.
Education, Second Sabbath in September.
Church Building Fund, Second Sabbath in November.
And the results of these collections were good,-more being raised for the various purposes named, after this, than formerly. Moreover, the salary of the sexton, Peter C. Post, was likewise at the same time raised from $30 to $50, to take effect May 1. During Mr. Cole's pastorate, the reported membership of the Church was reduced somewhat, due evidently to a revision of the roll; since the first report he made to Classis, notwithstanding goodly acces- sions, gave 20 less than had been reported the previous year ; and he kept things all the time at pretty nearly the same level, although constant accessions in greater number than all the dismissions and deaths were made. His policy appears to have been to keep the list always revised, which is really the only proper way to make out reports of this kind. The number of families was reduced, as we believe, on the same principle. And so too with the Sunday School. The enrollment of this was not as great as it had been under Mr. Staats and Mr. Durand; but the work was no less flourishing. More money also was raised for both benevolent and home purposes within the same length of time under Mr. Cole than ever before, except for the last two or three years of Mr. Staats's pastorate. We hear, however, or can learn no more of the Bible Class, after Mr. Cole had been here a year or so.
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Suppose we cull from the remarks of the Consistorial Reports to Classis about this time. 1869: "The Christian feeling and harmony now existing in the congregation is highly gratifying to every well wisher of the Church. The attendance upon the public means of grace, and the interest manifested, combine to excite within us grateful emotions and encourage us to press on in the discharge of our duties another year." 1870: "We present our report with gratitude to God for the Christian harmony and co- operation now existing in the Church and congregation. The attendance upon the public means of grace is encouraging. The prayer meetings have been regularly held from house to house and also well attended." 1871: "We close our ecclesiastical year under a spiritual dearth. Yet we present our annual report in humble gratitude to the Great Head of the Church for the degree of church life we still have. We are not without hope, though greatly perplexed." 1872: "We are brought to the close of another ecclesiastical year with a good degree of church life and a firm determination to labor on in the Master's vineyard, until He shall call us hence. There has not been any special religious interest in our Church during the past year ; still there has been a regular and full attendance upon the means of grace."
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