USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > Frenchtown > Semi-centennial history of the Frenchtown M.E. Church with a chapter of reminiscences, and brief sketches of the pastors, also, a chapter on the part this church bore in suppressing the rebellion > Part 8
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
He is now engaged in the flour and feed business, and resides in Frenchtown.
9
124
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
Eli Swallow,
A son of Abner Swallow and Amy Salter, was born in Frenchtown, February 12th, 1836. He married Sarah A., daughter of William Reading and Mahalah Rittenhouse, May 10th, 1862. She died suddenly at Riegelsville, Bucks County, Pa., March 5th, 1895.
He enlisted in Company B, Thirty-Eighth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, September 5th, 1864, and was discharged June 30th, 1865.
He is a wheelwright by trade, following that occupation in Milford from 1852 to 1856. He located at Frenchtown, May 28th, 1869, and entered into partnership with Jeremiah W. Opdycke in the furniture and undertaking business in 1881. He now resides at Riegelsville, Pa., where he is engaged in the same business as above mentioned.
Mr. Swallow was a member of the Common Council of Frenchtown for six years, and his votes are found recorded in the negative on the question pertaining to the granting of license to sell liquor. He was at one time a freeholder for Frenchtown, and made an excellent record.
Balcer T. Rockafellow,
Son of Isaac and Catharine Rockafellow, enlisted in Company G, Fifteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, July 28th, 1862, and was discharged December 11th, 1863.
He married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Peter S. and Mary Martha Taylor. Mr. Taylor died in the service of his country, November 24th, 1862, aged thirty-four years, ten months and twenty days, and is buried in Frenchtown cemetery.
Lorenzo S. D. Kerr,
A son of Abel Kerr and Mary Ann Search, was born near Idell, Kingwood Township, February 21st, 1842, and followed the occupation of farming until he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-Fourth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, August 30th, 1864.
He was mustered out of service May 27th, 1865.
He married Mary Ellen, daughter of Richard Wilson and Mary Gaddis, of Raven Rock, Delaware Township, Hunterdon County, N. J., August 30th, 1865, and she died in Frenchtown, May 3d, 1887. He married for his second wife, Martha J., daughter of Emley H. Bellis, and widow of Runyan A. Apgar, May 3d, 1893.
Since the war he has been engaged as farmer, peach grower, lumber dealer, merchant and spoke, hub, sash and blind manufacturer. He is at present a member of the Common Council; he was also a member of this body in 1382-'83. He has four sons and one daughter.
RUCH
REV WILLIAM MCCAIN.
(See Page 103.)
I27
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
Edwin Beidelman,
Was born in Nockamixon Township, Bucks County, Pa., June 30th, 1831, and married Mary, daughter of Solomon Trauger.
He enlisted in Company I, Thirty-Eighth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, September 4th, 1864, and was discharged June 30th, 1865.
He was a farmer, miller, sawyer and spoke-turner respectively. He served three years as constable in Frenchtown, and died July 9th, 1883.
He has two sons and four daughters living.
Samuel C. Meyers,
A son of Samuel Meyers and Martha Cooper, was born in Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pa., November 8th, 1834.
He enlisted in Company G, Fifteenth Regiment, August 18th, 1862, and was discharged June 22d, 1865. He participated in the several battles in which his regiment was engaged. Previous to his enlistment he was a sawyer; but since his return from the army he has been engaged in dealing in timber. He resides in Frenchtown.
William H. Stahler,
A son of Daniel Stahler and Mary Ann Snyder, was born in North- ampton County, Pa., September 10th, 1840, and came to Frenchtown with his parents in 1852.
He enlisted in Company M, Colonel Corman's Mounted Rifle Rangers, afterwards known as the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry, September 24th, 1861, and was discharged September 24th, 1864.
He married Hannah L. Hull, October 12th, 1864, and they have one son. Mr. Stahler served as town clerk of the Borough of Frenchtown for three years. He is now superintendent of the Frenchtown cemetery.
Theodore Sinclair.
Was born in Nockamixon Township, Bucks County, Pa., June 5th, 1829. He enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth New York Infantry, July 1st, 1864, and was discharged for disability, July 16th, 1865. He participated in the battle of Atlanta and Murfreesboro, Ga. He is a mason by trade.
He married, February 5th, 1852, Sarah Ann, daughter of Samuel and Ruth Ecklin, of Kingwood Township, Hunterdon County, N. J. He has three sons, two of whom are living, and one daughter.
9*
128
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
Obadiah Stout,
Was a son of Samuel Stout and Sarah, daughter of Obadiah Curtis, was born near the St. Thomas Church, Alexandria Township, Hunter- don County, N. J., November 20th, 1823. He married Amy, daughter of Jacob Fisher and Charity Snyder, December 4th, 1847, and died in Frenchtown, September 11th, 1895.
He was a carpenter by trade, and erected many buildings in French- town.
He enlisted September 4th, 1864, in Company I, Thirty-Eighth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, and was discharged at City Point, Virginia, June 30th, 1865.
He held the office of Assessor of Frenchtown for three years. His wife, two sons and two daughters survive him.
Aaron H. Slack,
Was born in Delaware Township, Hunterdon County, N. J., Septem- ber 24th, 1826. His parents were Henry Slack and Miry Hoagland.
He enlisted in Company E, Third Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, April 25th, 1861, for three months, and was dicharged July 31st, 1861. He re-enlisted in Company M, Third New Jersey Cavalry, December 21st, 1863, and was discharged August 1st, 1865.
He crossed the Rapidan with Grant, May 5th, 1864, and was in the battle of the Wilderness. He participated in some of the battles in the Shenandoah Valley, and was wounded in the fight at Summit Station, Virginia.
Mr. Slack is a carpenter by trade, and resides in Frenchtown. He has one son.
Robert B. Lyons,
A native of Bucks County, Pa., resided several years in Frenchtown. He married Lucretia A. Brooks for his first wife, Rachel K. Ashton for his second wife, and Sallie, daughter of Mahlon H. Huffman, for his third wife. He now resides in New Hope, Bucks County, Pa.
He has been engaged in various occupations, such as florist, sash, blind and door manufacturer, carpenter and organ manufacturer. He has three sons and one daughter.
He enlisted in a Company of Bucks County, Pa., and served the term of his enlistment.
RUSH
REV. E. H. CONKLIN. (See Page 104.)
I31
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
Joseph R. Burgstresser,
Was born in Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pa., February 16th, 1832. He married Fayette, daughter of Joseph Kramer and Catharine Misson, October 20th, 1855.
He enlisted in Company B, Thirty-Eighth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, September 3d, 1864, and was discharged at City Point, Virginia, June 30th, 1865. Mr. Burgstresser is a carpenter by trade, and has followed this business since his return from the army. He has four sons and four daughters living.
John V. Gordon,
Son of William Gordon and Henrietta Volk, was born January 21st, 1843, and married Mary C., daughter of George Stull, August 26th, 1863.
He enlisted as a drummer, July 28th, 1862, in Company G, Fifteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. He was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, March 15th, 1864, and was wounded. He is a brother of Revs. Lewis J. and Janeway Gordon.
After his discharge from the service he was engaged for a time in the grocery business in Frenchtown, but is now a manufacturer of spokes, and resides at Greensburg, Indiana.
Eli Frasier,
Is one of the oldest members of the church that entered the army. He was enrolled in Company F, Thirty-Eighth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, September 12th, 1864, and discharged at City Point, Virginia, June 30th, 1865.
He married Caroline, only daughter of George Ecklin, of Kingwood Township, May 24th, 1849. He is a blacksmith by trade, and carried on that work at Frenchtown before his enlistment, and for a time after his return from the army.
He met with an accident January 15th, 1866, which has since pre- vented him from laboring to any great extent.
Charles F. Nixon,
Was born at Quakertown, Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, N. J., May 2d, 1844. He is a son of Hiram Nixon and Elizabeth H. Opdycke.
He enlisted in Company G, Thirty-Eighth Regiment, New Jersey
132
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
Volunteers, September 19th, 1864, and was discharged June 30th, 1865. He married Mamie B., Daughter of Jonathan Eick, April 25th, 1867, and resides in Frenchtown.
George W. Opdycke,
A son of Samuel Opdycke and Christiana, daughter of Hall Opdycke, was born in Alexandria Township, Hunterdon County, N. J., April 19th, 1842. He married Mary E., daughter of John Sine, July 18th, 1868.
He enlisted in Company B, Second New Jersey Cavalry, September 6th, 1864, and was discharged at Vicksburg, Miss., June 29th, 1865. He was wounded in the battle of Egypt Station. He has two sons living.
REV. DAVID CURTIS (See Page 108,)
135
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
CHAPTER VIII.
EPWORTH LEAGUE.
We live to make our church a power in the land, while we live to love every other church that exalts our Christ .- BISHOP SIMPSON.
il COMPLIED FROM MANUSCRIPTS FURNISHED BY FRANK MAXWELL, MISS KATE TAYLOR AND OTHERS.
0 N Tuesday evening, September 30th, 1890, a meeting was held in the M. E. Church for the purpose of organizing an Epworth League. The Pastor, Rev. M. T. Gibbs and Rev. L. J. Gordon, addressed the meeting, setting forth the origin of the Epworth League, its object, and the benefits to be derived from it in a social way, in spreading Christianity among the young people of the town, and in the upbuilding and prosperity of the church. Considerable doubt existed in the minds of many present as to the ultimate success of such an organization, and as a result there was some hesitation evinced in taking hold and proceeding with it. But it was finally agreed to organize, and the following officers were elected to serve for one year :
Pres't., Rev. L. J. Gordon ; 1st Vice Pres't., Frank Maxwell; 2d Vice Pres't., Geo. W. Hummer; 3d Vice Pres't., Lizzie Mechling ; 4th Vice Pres't., Mrs. G. W. Hummer; Secretary, Miss Kate Taylor ; Treasurer, Miss Emma Stout ; Organist, Madge Shields.
Twenty-three members were enrolled at this meeting, but this num- ber was increased to thirty-two before the charter was procured, consequently there were thirty-two charter members. The following are the names in the order in which they were enrolled : Rev. M. T. Gibbs, Emma Stout, Anna Gordon, Mrs. M. T. Gibbs,
Rev. L. J. Gordon, Geo. W. Hummer, Mrs. Geo. W. Hummer,
Frank Maxwell,
Charles Maxwell,
Rev. D. M. Matthews, E. W. Bloom, Mrs. E. W. Bloom, Kate Taylor,
John Kline, Geo. E. Slack,
Peter Stryker,
Mary Hummer,
Fred Bloom,
136
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
Madge Shields,
Mrs. Fred Bloom,
Lavinia Shields,
Mrs. Wm. R. Shurtz,
Lizzie Burgstresser,
Mrs. Wilbur Slack,
Anna Wells,
Wm. W. Housel,
Watson Blakeslee,
Lina Mechling,
Lizzie Maxwell,
Cora Lair,
Lizzie Mechling,
Lizzie Hinkle.
The first Epworth League devotional meeting was held in the church the Sunday evening following its organization, and these meetings have been kept up with great interest ever since.
The first business meeting at which the Constitution and By-Laws of the League were adopted, was held October 20th, 1890, and the first meeting of the Cabinet, October 30th, 1890. It was decided to hold the annual business meeting for the election of officers, the second Wednes- day evening in October, and the monthly business meeting the second Wednesday evening in each month. An Epworth training class was organized to prepare the youthful workers for the Master's service. A Watchnight service was held on New Year's Eve, at which time the Everittstown League was present and participated in the exercises. At this meeting the greatest revival in the history of the church was begun, it continued for about two months and during its progress over one hundred persons professed conversion. The membership of the League increased during the year to 144. There were held during the year fifty-three devotional meetings, fourteen business meetings. two socials and three entertainments.
Chapter 3,942 of the Epworth League accomplished much during its first year ; much more than its most sanguine friends could have antici- pated.
SECOND YEAR.
Though the anniversary of its birth was not publicly observed, the League was no less fruitful in good works, and the following officers were elected for the year :
Pres't., Rev. L. J. Gordon ; 1st Vice Pres't., Mrs. M. T. Gibbs; 2d Vice Pres't., F. B. Fargo; 3d Vice Pres't., Lizzie Mechling; 4th Vice Pres't., Mrs. Geo. W. Hummer; Secretary, Miss Kate Taylor ; Treasurer, Emma Stout ; Organist, - -
The League held during the year fifty devotional meetings, fourteen business meetings and ten literary meetings, eighteen persons joined during the year. Total number enrolled, 162. Several members removed from town and joined other Leagues. Two have died-Anna
REV. LEWIS J. GORDON. (See Page 103.)
139
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
B. Opdyke and Madge R. Shields. The League held special Thanks- giving and Christmas services, and also an Anniversary service was held Sabbath, May 15th, the day was ushered in by a sunrise prayer meeting which was well attended, forty-five subscribers were obtained for the Epworth Herald. The department of literary work organized a reading circle, December 14th, with Miss Kate Taylor as Chairman, and Anna Wells as Secretary, a course of reading was pursued, which was quite successful for a time, but for lack of interest it was finally abandoned.
THIRD YEAR.
The following officers were elected :
Pres't., G. W. Hummer; 1st Vice Pres't., J. C. Butler; 2d Vice Pres't., Mrs. Wm. R. Shurtz; 3d Vice Pres't, Charles Maxwell; 4th Vice Pres't., Leina Mechling; Secretary, Kate Taylor; Treasurer, Lizzie Maxwell; Organist, Stella Hoffman.
Fifty-two devotional meetings were held during the year, fourteen business and three cabinet meetings, special Thanksgiving, Watchnight and Anniversary services were held. Two delegates attended the State convention at Newark. 100 copies of Epworth Songs were purchased ; twenty-eight subscribers obtained for the Epworth Herald. Nine per- sons joined the League during the year, and a Junior Epworth League with forty members was organized.
FOURTH YEAR.
The time for the annual election of officers was changed this year from October to January, to be in uniformity with the other Leagues of the State. Also changed the monthly business meeting to the second Friday evening of each month. The following officers were elected :
Pres't., G. W. Hummer; 1st Vice Pres't., J. C. Butler ; 2d Vice Pres't., Mrs. N. J. Tomer ; 3d Vice Pres't., Rev. D. M. Matthews; 4th Vice Pres't., Mrs. D. M. Everitt; Secretary, Kate Taylor ; Treasurer, Lizzie Maxwell; Organist, Lizzie Maxwell.
Sixty-four devotional and thirteen business meetings, and one cabinet meeting held during the year. Anniversary exercises were held Sabbath, May 14th. Thanksgiving and Watchnight were observed with appropriate services, five dollars were sent to the Treasurer in response to an appeal for Missions. Twenty-five subscribers were obtained for the Herald, and seventy copies of the revival number were distributed among the members. Three delegates and a number of Leaguers attended the State Convention at Camden, May 9th, 10th.
IO
140
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
Sixty members of the League attended the first rally of the Epworth County Union, at Quakertown, August 18th, the second rally was held at Frenchtown, December, 12th. This meeting was largely attended, though the weather was bad, and was both instructive and inspiring. During the months of July and August the department of spiritual work took charge of the Sabbath evening services.
FIFTH YEAR.
On January 11th, 1895, the annual business meeting of the League was held, at which time the following officers were elected :
Pres't., Frank Maxwell ; 1st Vice Pres't., Rev. L. J. Gordon ; 2d Vice Pres't., Mrs. N. J. Tomer; 3d Vice Pres't., W. D. Nichols ; 4th Vice Pres't., Mrs. D. M. Everitt; Secretary, Lizzie Maxwell ; Treasurer, Clarence Fargo; Organist, Mrs. Belle Webster.
During the year an Epworth League Chorus was organized, which greatly adds to the interest of the devotional meetings.
SIXTH YEAR.
The time for the annual election of officers was again changed to October, the following list is the result of the election for this year :
Pres't., Frank Maxwell ; 1st Vice Pres't., G. W. Hummer; 2d Vice Pres't., Mrs. T. W. Holcombe ; 3d Vice Pres't., J. Butler ; 4th Vice Pres't., W. D. Nichols ; Secretary, Lizzie Maxwell; Treasurer, Cora Hoff; Organist, Mrs. Belle Webster.
The following is a list of the members at the present time, January, 1896.
Rev. L. J. Gordon,
Laura Woolverton,
Geo. W. Hummer,
Mrs. Geo. W. Hummer,
Theo. W. Holcombe,
Rev. D. M. Matthews,
Mrs. Theo. W. Holcombe,
Stella Hoffman,
E. W. Bloom, Mrs. E. W. Bloom, Kate Taylor,
Frank F. Maxwell,
Lizzie R. Maxwell,
John Hoffnian, Anna Misson,
Bertha Slack,
Mrs. John H. Kline, Emma Stout, Charles S. Maxwell,
Laura Keeler,
Peter Stryker,
Josie Pluın, Nellie Warford,
Mary Hummer,
Cora Hoff,
Jennie J. Rittenhouse, Mrs. Orville Cole,
Ernest Stryker, Mrs. Wm. R. Shurtz,
Lorenzo D. Reigle,
Mrs. Ernest Stryker,
John H. Kline,
FRANK F MAXWELL. President of Epworth League.
143
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
Carrie Roberson, Mrs. Jacob Bunn,
Anna Belle Niece,
Nathan L. Shurtz,
Wilbur S. Holcombe,
Mrs. Wm. Silverthorn,
Emma Johnson, Anna R. Wright,
Chas. Philkill,
Mrs. John McClain,
Thos. M. Pinkerton,
Linnie Srope,
Harry S. Slack,
Florence McClain,
Mrs. H. C. Roberson,
Josiah Butler,
Mrs. N. J. Tomer,
Mrs. J. Butler,
Alfred Curtis,
Mrs. Sam'l Snyder,
Elmer E. Culver,
Mrs. Henry Cronce,
Arthur G. Able,
Chas. K. Hummer,
Charles B. Tomer,
Wm. H. Sipes,
Nellie Buckley,
Sylvester Reigle,
Mrs. Sylvester Reigle,
Mrs. I. L. Niece,
Wm. E. Culver,
Harvey Gruver,
Mrs. Harvey Gruver,
Sylvester B. Horner,
Mrs. Sylvester Horner,
Sam'l R. Dalrymple,
F. B. Fargo,
Mrs. Sam'l Dalrymple,
Mrs. L. J. Gordon,
Mrs. John Lantz,
D. W. C. Case, Lucy B. Case,
Andrew K. Kinney,
Mrs. Andrew Kinney,
Wm. C. Kline,
Mrs. Belle M. Webster,
Charlie Stamets,
Fred Bloom, Mrs. Fred Bloom,
Rev. E. H. Conklin,
Mrs. E. H. Conklin,
Ida May Conklin, Wm. J. Conklin, Mrs. Wm. O. Roberson.
Lavinia Case, William Hawk, Lila Nixon, John Kugler, Jr., Clarence B. Fargo, Mrs. D. W. C. Case,
Edgar J. Hawk,
Mrs. Edgar J. Hawk, Frank Roberson,
Mrs. D. M. Everitt, Emma C. Hoff, Geo. F. Bloom,
Mrs. Geo. F. Bloom,
Frank Niece,
N. J. Tomer,
Mrs. Hugh Taylor, I. L. Niece,
Lucy Johnson,
Nellie Rittenhouse,
Mrs. Richard Lanning,
Austin Stout,
C. H. Swick, Mrs. C. H. Swick,
Mrs. Chas. R. Everitt,
Mrs. Aaron H. Slack,
Mrs. Wilbur Slack,
Will D. Nichols, Samuel Bloom,
Mrs. F. B. Fargo, Laura Bonham, Chas. B. Salter,
Mrs. Chas. B. Salter,
IO*
144
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
JUNIOR EPWORTH LEAGUE.
BY CLARENCE B. FARGO.
The Junior Epworth League was organized in 1893, by Rev. Wm. McCain, with the following officers :
Supt., Miss Laura Woolverton ; Secretary, Nellie Swick ; Treasurer, Clarence Fargo.
It did not become a chartered League until March 17th, 1894, when it was listed as number 2,402.
Formerly the devotional services of the League were held on Thursday afternoons, after the sessions of the public schools, but was subsequently changed to Sunday afternoon, after the Sabbath School session, as more members would be likely to attend.
Various means have been used to hold the interest of the children in this work.
A book entitled "Daily Food " was offered to each member who recited the ten commandments, and they were also appointed to lead the devotional services.
'The present officers are as follows :
Sup't , Mrs. Chas. Salter ; Ass't. Sup't., Mrs. R. Lanning ; Pres't., Austin Stout ; Vice Pres't., Charles Tomer ; Secretary, Allie Lanning ; Treasurer, Lida Hoff.
The League numbers seventy-eight members as follows :
Jessie Hummer,
Willie Bloom,
Lida Hoff,
John Phile,
May Misson,
Sammie Culver,
Annie Tomer,
Cleve Culver,
Bertha Curtis,
Frank Poulson,
Rowenna Fargo,
Herman Smith,
Lottie Salter,
Roy Hewitt,
Tillie Culver,
Carol Gruver,
Mabel Hoff,
Gussie Lippencott,
Charles B. Tomer,
Harry Sinclair,
Lewis Hoff,
Sammie Sinclair,
Snyder Hoff,
Peter Sinclair, Fred M. Gordon,
Clarence B. Fargo,
Frank Fargo,
Russel Bloom,
Austin Stout,
Chester Niece,
Chester Lancaster,
Horace Everitt,
Charles Lancaster,
Frank Everitt,
145
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
Lottie Sinclair, Bertie Bancroft, Lizzie Schaible, Albert Lanning, Eugene Lanning, Fred Schaible, Lydia Edwards, Fred Robinson,
Nellie Lantz,
Bertha Burket, Carrie Stryker, Lizzie Snyder, Willie Hill, Bertha Bloom,
Earl Rittenhouse,
Russel Lantz,
Emly Apgar,
Raymond Loper,
Wilda McClain,
Sadie Snyder,
Richie Kerr,
Georgie Snyder,
Walter Robinson,
Frank McClain,
Emily Opdyke,
Eliza Major,
Dale Opdyke,
Emma Edwards,
Cynthia Britton,
Linnie Srope,
Belle Britton, Belle Stahler, Clifford Hawk,
Mary Misson,
Ella Niece,
Lena Everitt,
Dory Pinkerton,
Charles Stamets,
Frank Pinkerton, Ella Hyde,
Raymond Slack,
Willie Bloom,
Ida May Salter,
Florence Srope.
146
HISTORY OF THE M. E. CHURCH,
CHAPTER IX.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL, WITH A LIST OF SUPER- INTENDENTS ; A LIST OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE CHURCH FROM 1845 to 1895; LADIES' AID SOCIETY WITH A LIST OF MEMBERS.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL, BY GEORGE W. HUMMER.
" The Sunday School, the Sunday School, It is the place I love ; For there I learn the Golden Rule That leads to joys above."
I
N PRESENTING this brief history of the Sunday School, together with a list of superintendents as complete as circumstances have made it possible to secure, it must be remembered that no data has been found by which light can be thrown upon the many important and interesting incidents connected with its early growth, or upon its methods of procedure; but, with the material at hand, we shall endeavor to present it as best we can to the reader.
The Sunday School was organized in the summer of 1845, during the ministration of Rev. A. M. Palmer, in the gallery on the east side of the church, there being no basement at that time, with David Moore as superintendent.
The sessions of the school were held regularly every Sabbath morning in the gallery ; and, as the school was connected with the schools of Quakertown and Everittstown and thus united a long time, there are no available means by which we can ascertain what the strength of membership was, neither are there any authentic records in our posses- sion to even name the teachers.
Mrs. Amy Pittenger informs us that she was appointed the first primary teacher in 1863, and in one month she succeeded in establish- ing a class of over thirty children. In 1864, for the first time, we find that the school was reported to the quarterly conference as being in a prosperous condition, with ninety scholars and eighteen teachers.
On December 11th, 1870, in an address made by superintendent
BOARD OF STEWARDS.
BENJ. PHILKILL, E. W. BLOOM, ANDREW K. KINNEY, D. W. C. CASE, ED. RITTENHOUSE, G. W. HUMMER, I. L. NIECE, H. B. HAWK, JOHN H. KLINE.
149
FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY.
Obadiah Stout, we find the statement that " twenty-one years ago the school numbered three teachers and twenty-five scholars," and this statement, coming from one who knew whereof he spoke, throws light upon the strength of the school in the closing days of '49.
In 1870, the membership of the school was 178, average attendance 125, with a total collection of $28.09.
To illustrate the steady increase in membership and financial support since 1881, from which time we have complete records, we can authoritively state that at the close of 1881, the school numbered six officers, fitteen teachers and 115 scholars ; average attendance seventy- three, and collection amounting to $21.10; and at the close of 1894, the records show a membership of 200, average attendance 134, amouut of collection, $134. 51 besides $48.94 for missionary purposes.
Thus hath God blessed and propered our school ! Thus hath His smile been upon it through all the years of its existence! And our sincere hope and prayer is that it may be so guided and directed in the future as to continue to merit that smile of approval and that blessing of prosperity ! May it be the means of so imprinting the love of God on the hearts of the young, that they may be brought to a saving knowledge of sins forgiven; that they, their superintendent and teachers, may all meet in that beautiful home above and dwell forever with the Lord !
In the gracious revival of '91, fifty-one members of the Sunday school united with the church, showing what a powerful factor the Sunday school is to the advancement of Christianity, and how much every Sunday school worker should be encouraged to labor on, and meet and overcome every obstacle that may arise.
" For we know not when we scatter, Where the precious seed will fall ; But we work and trust in Jesus, For He watcheth over all."
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.