USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Orange > The Mountain Society : a history of the First Presbyterian Church, Orange, N. J. organized about the year 1719 with an account of the earliest settlements in Newark > Part 9
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JEDEDIAH CHAPMAN,
Orange, May 24, 1796. Pres't."
The expenses of instruction are not given; but in an advertisement of the Newark Academy pub- lished at the same time, and signed by " Alexander Mc Whorter, minister of the First Presbyterian Church," and "Uzal Ogden, rector of Trinity Church," we have the English language, writing, arithmetic, and public speaking taught for $2 per quarter ; geography, book-keeping, Latin, Greek, and the mathematics, for $3.25; French by a native for one guinea .*
* Nothing is said of religion in these advertisements. In the Newark Academy, under the joint control of two denominations, the use of catechisms was impracticable. The Orange Academy was more properly a parish institution, and the Synod of 1766 had enjoined " that special care be taken of the principles and charac- ters of schoolmasters, that they teach the Westminster Catechism and Psalmody; and that the ministers, church-sessions, and fore- said committees, (where they consistently can,) visit the schools and see these things be done." This recommendation, made nineteen
146
A REFRESHING.
It was voted by the parish three years before this, that "the public exhibitions of the Academy school may be held in the meeting-house." About the same time shade trees were ordered to be planted around the sanctuary.
A gentle shower of reviving influence appears to have fallen on the Church at this time. The num- ber of persons brought into its communion does not indicate, however, a deep and general awaken- ing. According to an old register of baptisms and admissions to the Lord's table kept by Mr. Chap- man, and which (dating from 1786) has escaped the accidents of more than seventy years, the additions by profession in 1796 and the year following were thirty-three.
By the expansion of the population of Newark and Orange, quite a settlement was at this period formed in what is now the township of Bloomfield. The place was then called by the Indian name Wat- sessing. Religious meetings appear to have been regularly held there as early as the year 1790. In
years before the founding of our Academy, at the instance of a num- ber of lay elders and other zealous Presbyterians of Philadelphia, had probably little force at this time, if it ever possessed any. Of as little account in the esteem of the parties concerned must have been the recommendation appended, that " where schools are com- posed of different denominations, said committees and sessions in- vite proper persons of said denominations to join with them in such visitations." First teach the Catechism; then invite others in to see how well it has been done ·
147
BLOOMFIELD CHURCH.
May, 1794, the advice of the Presbytery was sought on the subject of organizing a church. The Pres- bytery in July recommended the movement, which for reasons unknown, was however delayed. In 1796 the congregation by a vote assumed the name of Bloomfield ; a compliment paid to Major General Bloomfield of Burlington, who returned it the next year in a donation of $140 toward their house of worship. The church was organized by Mr. Chap- man in June, 1798, receiving twenty-three of its members from Newark and fifty-nine from Orange. Among the latter were Elders Isaac Dodd (better known as "Deacon " Dodd) and Joseph Crane. Deacon Dodd had previously resigned his office in this Church, and Elder Joseph Pierson had in Feb- ruary been ordained to the diaconate as his succes- sor. At the same time Linus Dodd and Zenas Freeman were ordained elders. The latter was to have a short service-less than two years-before joining the elders around the throne.
Mr. Chapman had now been settled in the parish more than thirty years. He had passed the peril- ous period of the revolution without having the pastoral bond severed by its divisions and animosi- ties. He had risen to a position of eminent esteem and influence in the Presbyterian body, and though in the ripeness of his powers, their decay could hardly have been visible at the age of fifty-seven. Circumstances were, however, beginning to shape
148
MR. CHAPMAN'S SALARY.
themselves uncomfortably around him. The prom- ise of his people that he should be freed from worldly cares, failed, by the fault of some of them, to be kept.
In October, 1798, the trustees met "to inspect Mr. Chapman's rates, and to make a statement of the bad debts." Collectors were appointed to visit those who had unsettled accounts, and Mr. Chap- man was applied to for a power-of-attorney to en- force their settlement. This, he reminded them, was unnecessary, the power being already theirs. To cover delinquencies, a paper for subscriptions was also passed round, agreeably to a vote taken at a parish meeting, in order to make the salary equal to what it was at the time of his settlement. It ap- peared upon examination that the rates, as now received, "amounted to about £134 6s. yearly." With this stipend, equal to $357, he had a house, which was kept in repair by the parish, a parson- age lot of four acres, and the twenty acres on the other side of the road, purchased by the society at its origin. It is supposed that no privileges were at this time allowed on the contested lands held by the Newark Society, from which the Orange claim- ants had been ejected the year previous by the withdrawal of their lease.
When the parish came together in January, 1799, it was agreed to raise the salary that year to £160, ($427). The plan, as arranged by the trustees,
149
MISSIONARY APPOINTMENT.
was: That those who did not assent to this agree- ment should be rated as heretofore; "then deduct the amount of those who have agreed to pay by certainty ; the residue to be raised from those who have agreed on the subscription to pay by way of rate." In the following December, the old debts still giving trouble, the trustees appointed Jotham Harrison and Isaac Pierson a committee to wait on Mr. Chapman, to make some arrangement of his old debts previous to any suits being com- menced.
This was the posture of affairs when a call came from another quarter. The General Assembly, in May, 1800, desiring to locate a missionary on "the north-western frontiers," which then lay in Western New York, made choice of Mr. Chapman .* About
* See Assembly's Digest, p. 349. The plan of the Assembly was to employ a missionary four years, who should be engaged in missionary labor six months each year, with a compensation of $325 per year. The rest of the time he was expected to serve statedly some congregation. The compiler of the digest is wrong in saying that "Mr. Chapman was a settled pastor, and his pulpit was filled by a committee of the Assembly while he was engaged in these missionary labors." He had left his charge here, and he was not settled over the Geneva church till 1812. It was organiz- ed by him in 1800.
It may be added here that the Presbyterian churches were early engaged in sending missionaries to the "frontiers," for the bene- fit no less of the red man than of the white. Their efforts to instruct the aborigines appear to have had some influence in pro- voking others to the same work. Colonel-Babcock (an Episcopalian),
150
REMOVAL TO GENEVA.
the same time, and in conformity with the appoint- ment, his ministerial services were solicited by the people of Geneva and its neighborhood. The result was, that on the 13th of August his pastoral relation to this church was dissolved-a relation which had existed thirty-four years.
In the final settlement of his affairs with the parish, he received £29 for a study and other build- ings added by him to the parsonage, and £10 for money spent in repairs.
A number of persons are yet living at Orange, who sat under Mr. Chapman's ministry here, and who cherish their reminiscences of those by-gone days. Jacob and Moses Harrison remember the barrel of cider which went annually to his cellar from their father's cider-mill-a large manufactory of the article. It was in the days when the "New- ark cider," produced from the famous Harrison and Canfield apples, enjoyed a wide reputation. It is said that one thousand barrels a year flowed from the presses of the single mill just mentioned. Of the extensive orchards that fed them, only the remnants now remain.
writing to Rev. Dr. Cooper in 1773, and recommending the estab- lishment of an academy among the Indians near Albany, urged as one reason, that " this might in a great measure prevent the Pres- byterians, who are tucking and squeezing in every possible crevice they can, their missionaries among the Indians." Documentary History of New York.
151
REMINISCENCES OF HIM.
This article was then a popular beverage, as- sociated with the hospitalities of every home. It was found in the minister's house, and was furnish- ed without scruple to the family, to the friend, to the laborer, and the stranger. The evening visit never closed without it, and the story is told of a certain parishioner of our pastor, whose neighborly calls were observed to be most frequent while the the cider lasted. The times of this ignorance have happily passed by.
Mr. C. is remembered as an early riser, who might be seen at his well by day-light, on a sum- mer morning, performing his ablutions. He was a stout man, of fresh complexion, and fond of manual labor. In the pulpit he was earnest, and used a good deal of action. When a little excited, he would smite vigorously the desk, and speak in the tones of a " son of thunder."
His temper was naturally quick, and being once rather rudely treated by a neighbor, with whom he had some difficulty about repairing a fence, he is reported to have said to him: "If it were not for my coat, Sir, I would give you a flogging." Hav- ing some hay out when a shower came up, and having succeeded in getting it in before the cloud reached the field, -- " There," said he, "the prince of the power of the air meant to give my hay a wet- ting, but he got disappointed."
He had a cornfield on the parsonage land, the
152
MISSIONARY LABORS.
soil of which was a good deal impoverished. One of the farmers in passing it one day observed to him, that his corn looked rather yellow : " It was yellow corn I planted," was the reply.
Down to the end of his ministry in Orange, Mr. Chapman continued to wear the three-cornered hat, formerly a badge of the clerical profession. This was ordinarily set a little obliquely upon the head, but it was observed that in riding against the wind he was accustomed to turn it transversely, that is, with its broadest side foremost. When a friend asked him the reason of this, he said that a man in facing a north-wester should present a bold front .*
Upon leaving Orange, Mr. Chapman established his family at Geneva, where he supplied a congre- gation for many years, while performing a labori- ous missionary service in the region around. He had the surveying and superintendence of the whole missionary field in Western New York assigned him by the General Assembly, to which he reported annually his labors and their results. The oldest
* When Archibald Alexander (afterwards Professor in the Princeton Seminary) was travelling through New England in the summer of 1801, he distinguished the country ministers by the cocked hats which they still wore when they appeared in public. And Dr. Eckley told him that " even in Boston, when he visited the older people, he was obliged to put on the cocked hat, as they considered the round hat too 'buckish' for a clergyman."-Life of Dr. Alexander, p. 257 .- In Orange the round hat came with Mr. Hillyer-the innovation of a new century.
153
HIS DEATH.
churches in that region, those of Geneva, Romulus, Ovid, Rushville, Trumansburg, were organized by him. And he lived to see accomplished an object to which all his powers were devoted-" a complete union between the Presbyterian and Congregational churches in Western New York." *
About ten months after his settlement over the Geneva church as its senior pastor, and after a fifty years' service in the ministry, he rested from his labors, May 22, 1813, in his seventy-third year. His last illness came on him in the pulpit, preach- ing from the words : "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness," &c.
He left to the Presbyterian Church a patriarchal name, and works that do still follow him. Few men among his contemporaries did an equal service for the church. The most of his descendants are warmly attached to the Presbyterian faith and or- der.
* Hotchkin's Hist. Western N. Y. At the formation of the Synod of Albany, he preached the opening sermon, and presided till a moderator was chosen.
CHAPTER VI.
REV. ASA HILLYER, D.D.
THE preceding portion of our narrative is rather a parish history than a history of the church. Much would have been added to its religious in- terest, could the writer have had access to the perished records of the Church Session. These would have let him into the temple, while he has been treading in the outer courts; permitted to " walk about Zion and go round about her," but
not to enter the sanctuary of her spiritual life. Stepping across the line which divides the centu- ries, we now enter a period distinguished by the interest of its events and less obscured by distance. Henceforth we have a more luminous path, and one more divergent from matters of a civil and political nature.
At the time Mr. Chapman was leaving Orange, a clergyman of New Hartford, Conn., was making arrangements to pass a winter in New Jersey in the hope that his wife's health would be benefited by its milder climate. It was the Rev. Edward Dorr
155
LABORS OF GRIFFIN.
Griffin, who had then been eight years in the exer- cise of those eloquent gifts which have placed his name among those of the ablest preachers of the century. Being an acquaintance and friend of Mr. Hillyer, who was settled at Madison, and being invited to pass some time at his house, he in Octo- ber accepted the invitation and remained there seve- ral weeks. His proximity to Orange brought him to the notice of the congregation here, who engaged him to supply their pulpit during the winter. An extensive awakening accompanied his preaching. Having labored in the parish six months, with a large blessing upon his labors, about fifty souls being hopefully converted, he would have received from the congregation a call had he given them sufficient encouragement. He was soon after set- tled in Newark as the colleague of Dr. Mc Whor- ter, while his friend, Mr. Hillyer, became pastor of this church. These circumstances led to a still closer intimacy.
" In no situation," wrote Dr. Hillyer many years afterward, " was Dr. Griffin more entirely at home than in a revival of religion. It was my privilege often to be with him in such circumstances; and I knew not which to admire most, the skill and power with which he wielded the sword of the Spirit, or the childlike dependence which was evinced by his tender and fervent supplications. Though he was certainly one of the most accomplished pulpit
156
HIS PREACHING DESCRIBED.
orators of his time, on these occasions especially, the power of his eloquence was lost sight of in the mighty effects which were produced. A quicken- ing influence went forth through the church, and an awakening and converting influence spread through the surrounding world; the pressing of sinners into the kingdom was such as seemed almost to betoken the dawn of the millennial day ; and yet the instrumentality by which all this was brought about was little talked of. This result, after all, I suppose to be the highest effect of pulpit eloquence. He wrought so mightily on the relig- ious principles and affections of his audience, that they had not the time, or scarcely the ability, to marvel at the exalted gifts with which these effects were associated."*
During his brief ministry in Orange, Mr. Griffin was a boarder in the family of Captain Jotham Harrison. From a statement drawn up by the latter in June, 1801, and laid before a parish com- mittee appointed the December previous "for the purpose of procuring suitable accommodations for Mr. Griffin," it appears that the boarding account was settled by the parish. What further compen- sation was given is not known. As he received no salary from his people in New Hartford during his absence, it is altogether probable that he was paid for his labors here something more than enough
* Annals of Am. Pulpit, IV., 39.
157
BOARD ACCOUNT.
to settle his board bill. This latter, for twenty-nine weeks and two days, amounted to £144 3s. 7d., or $385. It included, however, besides board, (at £2 per week for Mr. and Mrs. Griffin,) a charge for two rooms entirely furnished (£20); the service of a hired woman, at six shillings a week, and her board at ten shillings; the wages of a nurse for Mrs. Griffin at sixteen shillings a week, and her board at twelve shillings; the keeping of a horse at twelve shillings a week, on "one peck of oats a day and the best hay ;" harnessing horse for Mr. Griffin and his visitors; cutting wood, making fires, running on errands, &c., (£11 12s.); candles for the 29 weeks (£2 10s.). It will be seen that some of these charges grew out of the state of Mrs. Griffin's health. From the whole the reader will infer a disposition on the part of the people to sur- round the minister of Christ with all necessary comforts and facilities for his work. Their reward was proportionate.
Failing to secure the permanent ministrations of Mr. Griffin, the congregation of Orange had their attention soon directed to the Rev. Asa Hillyer, of Madison. His long and useful ministry in the parish demands at our hands some notice of his earlier history.
Mr. Hillyer was a native of Sheffield, Mass., where he was born April 16, 1763. He was the son of a physician, who became a surgeon in the Revolu-
8
158
REV. ASA HILLYER.
tionary army. Entering Yale College when he was nineteen years old, he graduated after a four years course of study in 1786. His father was at this time residing at Bridgehampton, L. I. In crossing the Sound on his return home from college, he came near losing his life by a storm, which arose in the night and drove ashore the vessel in which he sailed. Among his fellow-passengers there was a mother with several children. The sight of these touched the heart of young Hillyer and roused all his heroism. Obtaining a boat, he placed them in it as soon as it began to be light, and then spring- ing into the water himself, pushed the boat to land. At this time he had no Christian hope, and the effect of the night's disaster and of its merciful ter- mination was the immediate and solemn consecra- tion of his life to God.
Having resolved upon entering the ministry, he began a course of theological study with Dr. Buell, of East Hampton, which he subsequently pursued and finished with Dr. Livingston, of New York, and in 1788 he was licensed to preach by the Pres- bytery of Suffolk. His ordination and settlement at South Hanover, now Madison, N. J., by the Presbytery of New York, took place July 28, 1790. The next year he was married to Miss Jane Riker, of Newtown, L. I .- a union destined to be long and happy. In 1798, under an appointment of the General Assembly, he went out upon a mis-
-
159
MISSIONARY TOUR.
sionary tour through northern Pennsylvania and western New York, being absent from his charge nine weeks, travelling more than nine hundred miles, and preaching daily or oftener. He carried the gospel to places where it was never heard be- fore. Among these may be mentioned the place where now stands the city of Auburn .*
* At this place he was entertained at the house of a lawyer of sceptical sentiments, whose father, one of the signers of the Dec- laration of Independence, had been a man of piety. In convers- ing with the wife of his host, Mr. H. discovered her to be in a state of serious concern for her salvation. The gentleman pro- posing a ride the next day, for the purpose of giving him a view of the country, he accepted the invitation. After riding a short distance, the former observed that he had a special motive for the ride, desiring to have some conversation with him on a subject which was deeply engaging his thoughts. He informed him that he had been a disbeliever in the Bible. The book had lain in his office unused, except in the administration of oaths. One day, as his eye rested upon it, these thoughts arose : "I have read much that has been written against that book, but have never honestly examined the book itself. My father was a firm believer in it. He was not a man of weak intellect or of doubtful integrity, but intelligent, conscientious, patriotic, and pure-minded. It did not injure him, but contributed to make him what he was. I will now be honest with myself and give it a fair examination." He had commenced reading it, and its truths had so impressed and dis- turbed his mind that he had since found no peace. "Have you ever spoken to your wife on the subject ?" asked Mr. H. He said he had not. As they continued their ride, the opportunity was improved to deepen his convictions of Gospel truth. On their return to the house, as the gentleman was fastening his horse, Mr. H. stepped in and disclosed to the wife what he had learned of
160
CALL TO ORANGE.
After laboring about twelve years with great acceptance at Madison-then known by the name of Bottle Hill-Mr. Hillyer was invited to the pas- toral charge of this congregation. After a due consideration of the subject, he decided to accept the invitation. The people of his former charge, in receiving his resignation, placed a minute upon their records, which (in the language of the present pastor of that church) "does honor both to them- selves and to him ; and furnishes a beautiful exem- plification of the spirit which ought to be exhibited both by pastors and people, when in the providence of God they are called to separate."* Although the call from this church was not unanimous, Mr. Hillyer entered the field hopefully, believing that a general concurrence would not long be withheld. He did not miscalculate the power of love. The field was soon his own, long to be held by the power that won it.
The call, drawn up in the usual form, was as follows: "The Congregation of Orange Dale, be- ing on sufficient grounds well satisfied of the minis-
her husband's state of mind. In a few moments the latter en- tered. His wife met him affectionately. As their eyes met, both were overcome with emotion. They embraced each other and wept, and were soon rejoicing together in the hope of salvation .- Related by Dr. Hillyer to Rev. James Wood, now President of Hanover College, Indiana, and by him to the writer.
* Hist. of Pres. Church, Madison, by Rev. Samuel L. Tuttle, p.
40.
161
TERMS OF THE CALL.
terial qualifications of you, the Rev. Asa Hillyer, and having good hopes from our past experience of your labors that your ministrations in the Gos- pel will be profitable to our spiritual interests, do earnestly call and desire you to undertake the pas- toral office in said congregation, promising you in the discharge of your duty all proper support, en- couragement, and obedience in the Lord. And that you may be free from worldly cares and avo- cations, we hereby promise and oblige ourselves to pay to you the sum of six hundred and twenty- five dollars in regular annual payments, together with the use of the parsonage house and twelve acres of land adjoining the same, and thirty cords of wood annually, during the time of your being and continuing the regular pastor of this church. The congregation, moreover, engage to put the buildings and fences in good repair. But the Rev. Asa Hillyer is to be at the expense of after repairs, with the privilege of collecting the necessary mate- rials from the parsonage to repair the fences. In testimony whereof, &c. Done October 20, 1801."
The call was signed by the trustees, viz .: Aaron Mun, Joseph Pierson, Jun., Thomas Williams, Dan- iel Williams, Samuel Condit, Isaac Pierson ;- by the elders, viz .: Joseph Pierson, Jun., Amos Har- rison, John Perry, Aaron Mun, Linus Dodd, Henry Osborn; and by Rev. Bethuel Dodd, Moderator.
162
THE SETTLEMENT.
The installation took place December 16 .*
Mr. Hillyer was now in his full strength, being in his 39th year-the age at which one of his pre- decessors had been called from his work. He had a tall and manly figure, and features not a little resembling those of George Washington. With- out the eloquence of Griffin, he had a vigorous intellect, sound learning, ardent piety, courteous manners, and great benevolence of character. Few men have possessed a happier combination of min- isterial qualities.
There was another, however, possessing many similar traits of character, whose name is inciden- tally connected with our history at this point, and between whom and Mr. Hillyer a long and warm friendship subsequently existed. He was nine years younger, being in his thirtieth year, when, in the summer of 1801, having resigned a brief presidency of Hampden Sidney College, in Virginia, his native State, he made an extensive tour of observation on horseback through the Northern States, for the improvement of his health and mind. Having travelled through New England, he was returning homeward by way of New York and New Jersey. A Sabbath was passed in New York, where he preached in the evening for Dr. Rodgers in the
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