The Record of the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown, N.J. : v. 1-5 Jan. 1880-Dec. 1885, pt 2, Part 12

Author: First Presbyterian Church (Morristown, N.J.); Green, R. S. (Rufus Smith), 1848-1925
Publication date: 1976
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1080

USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Morristown > The Record of the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown, N.J. : v. 1-5 Jan. 1880-Dec. 1885, pt 2 > Part 12

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PASTORATE OF THE REV. SAMUEL FISHER,

From August 1809 to April 1814:

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MINUTES OF THE SESSION.

Aug. 24, 1809, the day set apart by the General Assembly, as a day of thanksgiving & praise. A contribution was had, & $18.54 cts. was contributed for the poor of the Church.

Sept. 1, 1809. The session met according to appointment.

Present-Rev'd Sam'l Fisher. Pastor [1]- Gilbert Allen, Jessey Cutler, Jonas Phillips, Sam'l Freeman, Henry Veal [Vail], David Lindsly, Zophar Freeman, Elders.

Absent-Joseph Prudden, Joseph Lindsly, Caleb Munson, Ezra Halsey, Elders.

Oct. 10, 1809. Elder Cutler was appointed a Messenger from the Session to the Meet- ing of Synod, to he held at Newark on the 17th inst.

Oct. 24, 1809. Mr. David P. appeared before the Session. In answer to the charge against him of the neglect of family prayer, he observed-that after he made a profes- sion of religion, he lived in the performance of his duty in this respect, untill disabled by a Paralytic shock. He stated that his speech was so much affected by this shock, that having made several attempts to pray in his family, he found himself unable to proceed, & consequently had neglected the duty entirely.

The Session in conversing with Mr. P. could not discover that he labored under any special difficulty of utterance ; he ap- peared to speak with as much fluency as the generality of men of his standing. Presum- ing, that were his worldly interests at stake he would certainly make an attempt to plead his cause, the Session were not satisfied with the reasons assigned for the neglect of so important a duty. There- fore voted, unanimously, that it be enjoined | upon Mr. P. to call his family together, morning & evening, & to read, or cause to

be read, some portion of the Sacred Scrip- tures, & then, that he endeavor to pray with them ; & that he persevere in these endeavors : being confident that the willing mind will be accepted according to what a man hath, & not according to what he hath not.

Mr. Isaac Hinds & Martha his wife, mem- bers of this Church, being about to move into the state of Ohio, requested a letter of dismission & recommendation, which was ordered by the session. Miss Susan Ward also applied for a certificate of regular standing, which was granted. [First in- stance of certificates granted by the Ses- sion.]

Voted that Timothy J. Lewis be appointed to provide the elements, for the supply of the Communion table ; & that the usual compensation be made him.

Concluded with prayer.

Nov. 3, 1809. Mr. John D. & Mary his wife applied to the session to be received into the communion of this Church, & pro- duced a Certificate, dated March 16th, 1809, stating that when they left New York & re- moved to Morristown, about 12 years ago, they were in regular standing with the United Presbyterian Church in New York. In consequence of some reports, tending to call in question the regular walk of these persons, the consideration of their request was postponed to the next meeting of the session.

Dec. 27, 1809. Mr. Timothy J. Lewis. Treasurer of the communicants fund, laid be- fore the session [a report which shows a] balance of $440.34.

Voted that three dollars & fifty cents be allo ved to Mr. F. J. Lewis, for each season of communion, as his compensation for furnishing the elements for the year en- suing.

Jan. 3, 1810. Mr. D. & his wife, having withdrawn their request to become united to this Church, the Moderator was appoint-

[x] This is the only allusion in these Minutes to the coming of Mr. Fisher.

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PASTORATE OF THE REV. SAMUEL FISHER.

ed to labor with them, & endeavor to con- vince them of the sin of living in the neg- lect of the ordinances of the Gospel.

Feb. 21, 1810. The Moderator reported that he had labored with Mr. & Mrs. D. ac- cording to appointment, but received no satisfaction. Whereupon the Moderator was appointed to. notify the session of N. York, to which these persons are amenable, of the situation in which they now stand.

June 29, 1810. Elders Cutler & D. Lindsly were appointed to labor with Mr. Jacob P., a brother of this Church, who neglects to devote his children to God in the ordinance of baptism.

Aug. 31, 1810, The committee appointed to labor with Mr. Jacob P. reported that they had attended to their appointment, & that they had good reason to believe that Mr. P. would soon come forward & dedicate his children to God in baptism ; as the diffi- culties, which had hitherto led him to neg- lect the baptism of his children, were in some measure removed. [This result seems to have been so encouraging that commit- tees were appointed at this meeting, for similar labor in two other families, one of them that of an elder ; but the Minutes and Register of Baptisms do not reveal any suc- cess in these cases.]

Oct. 20, 1810. Voted that the Moderator be empowered to grant letters of dismission to persons applying for them when the ses- sion are not together, and that he report the same to them next meeting.

Dec. 26, 1810. Elders Phillips, S. and Z. Freeman & Veil [ Vail] rendered satisfactory reasons for their absence at the last session. [This was the regular practice during Mr. Fisher's pastorate.]

June 12, 1811. The report of the Trea- surer, not having been presented to the ses- sion at the usual time, was now read, and ordered to be entered on the minutes. [The only matter of special importance in this report is the fact that it shows there were six communion seasons observed in the year : Jan. 7th, March 4th, May 9th, July 2d, Sept. 3d, and Nov. 4th ; which indicates a preponderance of New England, rather than of Scotch, ideas in the community.]

July 5, 1811. Voted that the Mod'r pur- chase Dr. Watts' Psalms & Hymns for the use of the Desk, and that he be authorized

to draw upon the Treasurer [i. e. of the com- municants' fund ?] to defray the expense.

Nov, 1, 1811. Elder Freeman, who had been appointed to attend the stated meeting of Presbytery [held at Newark first Tues- day in Oct.], and Elder Halsey, who was ap- . pointed to attend the stated meeting of Synod [in New York, the third Tuesday of Oct.,] being present, were inquired of, whether they had fulfilled their respective appointments. They both stated that owing to the peculiar situation of their families at the time those bodies met, they were unable to attend.

The Session having been unable to satisfy the scruples of Mrs. Hannah H, on the sub- ject of [infant] baptism, at her request agreed to dismiss her with a view to join the Baptist chh.

Thursday, Nov. 14, 1811. This day was observed by this Congregation as a day of special prayer, according to the recommend- ation of the General Assembly. Public worship was attended ; after which a collec- tion was taken up for the relief of the poor of the Church, amounting to $23.91.

May 1, 1812. Present, Sam'l Fisher, Mod'r, Joseph Prudden [Deacon], Gilbert Allen [Deacon], Jesse Cutler [Deacon], Ezra Halsey, David Lindsley, Henry Veil [ Vail], Zophar Freeman, Elders ; absent, Caleb Munson, Jonas Phillips, Joseph Lindsley, Sam'l Freeman, Elders.

After the close of the preparatory lec- ture, the male members of the Church, ac- cording to previous notice on the two pre- ceeding Sabbaths, proceeded to make choice of a deacon & five additional Elders, to sup- ply the place of those who have removed from us, or by reason of age & infirmity, are unable to attend the meetings of Session ; when Elder Sam'l Freeman was chosen deacon, and Stephen Youngs, Jacob Pierson Francis Johnes, Lewis Mills & Peter A. Johnson, were chosen Elders.

May 14, 1812, Thursday. This day was observed by the members of this Congrega- tion, as a day of humiliation, fasting & prayer, instead of the 15th as recommended by Presbytery, in consequence of the review of drafted troops, which is to take place to- morrow on Morris Green. [Collection for poor, $28.93.]

At the close of the afternoon Sermon the

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

Deacon & Elders elect, excepting Mr. Johnes, who was absent on a Journey, were set apart to their respective offices, agreeably to the Confession of faith.

July 30, 1812. This day was observed by this Congregation, as a day of humiliation, fasting & prayer, agreeably to the resolution of the Gen'l Assembly at their session in May last.

Aug. 20, 1812, This day was observed by this Congregation, as a day of humiliation & prayer, in compliance with the recom- mendation of the President and Congress of the United States, [Collection for poor $25.28.]

Dec. 25, 1812. Resolved, that it be a standing rule of this session, at the stated meeting previous to the administration of the Lord's supper in January & July, to read over the names of the Communicants, for the purpose of ascertaining whether there be any whose conduct is irregular. Agree- ably to the above resolution, the names of the Communicants were read.

Resolved, that four dollars be allowed to Mr. Timothy J. Lewis, for each season of communion, as his compensation for fur- nishing the elements, untill otherwise di- rected. [An indication of war prices.]

Whereas it is the duty of the members of the Session to assist the Pastor in catechis- ing & instructing the children, resolved, That, in addition to the stated catechetical instruction given by the Pastor, the session will catechise the children, in the several districts of the Congregation, at least twice in each year ; & for the accomplishment of this important object, that they be classed in the following manner, (Viz.) Messrs. Vail, Cutler, & Youngs be one class to catechise the children in the district on Watnung plain, at Littleton, & near Demas Fords ; That Mr. Z. Freeman, Mr. Pierson. & Mr. D. Lindsley be one class to catechise the children in Green Village, Mulbery, & New Vernon districts ; That Mr. S. Freeman & Halsey be one class to catechise the children in the districts near Jacob Goble's in Jockey Hollow, & near Mr. Vincent Guer- ings ; That Messrs. Johnson & Mills be one class to catechise the children in Morris- town.

Resolved, That the above classes attend to the catechising of the children, in their re-

spective districts, in the Months of March & October; &, if providentially prevented, as soon thereafter as Providence permits.

Friday, Jan. 11, 1813. This day was ob- served by this Congregation, as a day of thanksgiving & praise, agreeably to the recommendation of the Governor of this State. The usual collection for the poor of the Church was deferred to the close of the exercises on the ensuing Sabbath, [& then amounted to " thirty-one dollars."]

March 1, 1813. The Committee appointed to converse with Miriam, wife of James X. re- ported that they had fulfilled the appoint- ment. She had informed them, that after walking in communion with the Church for several years, she was led to conclude that she had never experienced a change of heart, & consequently that she ought not to approach the table of the Lord. It was on this ground, she stated, that she had ab- sented herself. Whereupon, it was enjoined upon the members of the session to converse with Mrs. X. as they may have opportunity : in order to remove, if possible, the difficul- ties that perplex her mind.

June 29, 1813. P. D. appeared before the Session, at his own request, & acknowledged that he had fallen into the sin of intemper- ance. He professed deep penitence & sor- row for the wound which, by his sin, he had inflicted upon the cause of Christ, & mani- fested a determination, by the help of divine grace, to be more watchful in future. As his fall was not generally known to the Congregation, the Session deemed it most for the honor of religion, to accept of his confession, without giving it any further publicity.

Sept. 9.1813. This day was observed by this Congregation as a day of fasting & prayer, agreeably to the recommendation of the General Assembly, & of the President of the United States. [Collection, $24.87.]

Dec. 29, 1813. According to a standing rule [see Dec. 25, 1812] the Session took a careful review of the names of the Communi- cants, [and one citation issued in conse- quence.]

March 4th, 1814. Resolved that Lewis Mills be appointed, & he is hereby appointed Treasurer of the Communicants' Fund, in place of Timothy J. Lewis deceased.

April 22, 1814. The Moderator informed

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PASTORATE OF TIIE REV. SAMUEL FISHER.

the Session that Francis Johnes, who was elected by the church in May, 1812, was set apart to the office of ruling Elder, Friday, March 4th, 1814. [Ile was present at this meeting, but never afterwards, & his name does not appear even among the lists of ab- sentees.]

Resolved that Lewis Mills be appointed, and he is hereby appointed, Stated Clerk of this Session. [First instance of any other than the minister performing the duties of Clerk.]

June 14, 1814. Rev. Amzi Armstrong, Moderator

Ordered that the following minute, which was read to the Congregation by Mr. Mc- Dowell agreeably to the order of Presby- tery, be entered on the minutes of the Ses- sion :

"At a meeting of the Presbytery of Jer- sey, held in Newark, April [26th,] 1814, a minute was made of which the following is an extract :

" 'Mr. Samuel Colt & Mr. Oshea Wilder appeared in Presbytery as Commissioners from the Congregation of Paterson, and presented a Call for the Rev'd Samuel Fisher to become their Pastor. The Com- missioners stated the grounds on which they desired the translation of Mr. Fisher. The Presbytery atter considering the plea, agreed to put the Call into the hands of Mr. Fisher. Mr. David Lindsley, as Commis- sioner from the Congregation of Morris · Town, laid before the Presbytery an extract from the proceedings of a meeting of the Congregation of Morris Town, convened to take this subject into consideration, from which it appeared that the Congregation had agreed to unite with Mr. Fisher in re- questing a dissolution of his present pas- toral connection. Mr. Fisher requested to have the connexion dissolved, whereupon the Presbytery agreed to dissolve the pas- toral relation of the Rev'd Samuel Fisher to the Congregation of Morris Town, & it is hereby dissolved, and the Congregation de- clared vacant. Mr. McDowell was appointed to preach at Morristown on the next Sab- bath, and read to the Congregation an ex- tract of the above minute.' "

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

this day which was advertised as the law directs for choosing trustees when Edward Condict was chosen Moderator & Joseph Halsey Clerk, Richard Johnson & Daniel Lindsley resigned their office as trustees. The meeting then proceeded to fill the va. cancy, when Daniel Lindsley & Samuel Hallida were chosen Trustees.

Meeting of the Trustees at Grover Coe's 24 November 1810, Present John Mills Jonat'n Ogden Dan'l Lindsley Silas Condict Sam'l Halliday. Lewis Condict elected trustee at a parrish meeting held on 13 Sept. 1810 attended and having took and sub- scribed the oath of allegiance and oath of office before Rich'd Johnson Esquire took his seat in the board. The trustees Elected Mr. Ogden President and Mr. Silas Condict Clerk of the board.

Parish meeting held at the meeting house Sept 12th 1811 and proseeded to business. Edward Condict Esq'r was chosen moder- ator and Lewis Mills Clerk. Mr. Jno Mills resigned as Trustee. Silas Condict. Eben'r H. Pierson, Dan'l Phoenix Jr. and Jon'n Ogden were chosen Trustees.

Voted that the seat No. 31, below in the middle Ile be sold on the same conditions as formerly. Mr. Jno. Mills was appointed Treasurer of the Parish.

Voted that the vote passed the 6th Nov'r 1810 for the sale of some lots on the north side of the green be recorded.

Sept. 25th 1811. Trustees met at Mr Coes, Present Mr. Ogden, Doc't L. Condict, Silas Condict, Dan'l Phoenix Jr., Sam'l Hal- liday, Doc't Eben'r Pierson.

Voted that the trustees approve of the President's having entered a Caviat in the Surveyor General's office at Amboy against the Survey lately made by Ezra Owen & others on the Green or Commons.

Dec'r 28th, 1811. Agreeable to notice the Trustees met at the house of Mr. Nath'l Bull. Present Mr. Jo'n Ogden, the Presi- dent, Mr. Sam'l Halliday, Mr. Dan'l Lind- sly and Mr. Dan'l Phoenix, Jun'r, and agread to the following articles, viz :

Articles of vendue this 28th of Dec'r, 1811, for the making, painting, guilding and putting up three dials on the steeple of the Meeting house in Morristown, are as fol- lows : The lowest bidder to be the purch-

6th Sept. 1809 at a parish meeting held aser, and to find all the materials and do all

TRUSTEES AND PARISH.

the work, and to receive their pay from the Trustees in one month after the work is de- livered to the Trustees at the Meeting House.

First is for making the three dials or plates, the purchaser is to find all the ma- terials and to do all the work, which dials are to be made of good clear pine plank of eight feet in diameter, two thicknesses, and perfectly seasoned and exactly finished like the dials on the Prespaterian Church in Elizabethtown, on or before the first day of March, 1812, and to be approved of by the Trustees or their agent.

Sold to Jn'o Youngs for $37.50,

Second is for painting, lettering and guild- · ing the three dials and their hands with at least nine coats of paint, each to be done in a workman like manner, and equal to those on the Elizabethtown Prespaterian Meeting House and to be delivered to the Trustees, or their agent, at the Meeting House at or before the first day of June next, to be inspected by them and to receive their pay in one month after delivery.

Sold to Henry King for $60,00

Third is for putting up the three dials on the steeple of the Meeting House, the spot to be pointed out by the Trustees, and the purchaser to be at all expenses and to find all the necessary bolts and fastenings, similar to those on the Elizabethtown Presperian Meeting House, to be put up at or before the 10th of June, 1812, under the direction of the Trustees or their agent, the bolts and iron plates to be made and put on the dials before they are painted by the present purchaser on notice from the purchaser that paints them, and to receive their pay from the Trustees in one month after they are up.

Sold to Step'n Vail for $15.00.

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees the 25th of Ap'r, 1812, by notice from the Presi- dent, at the house of Mr. Grover Coe. Pres- ent Jon'n Ogden, President, Dan'l Lindsly, Dan'l Phoenix, Sam'l Halliday, Silas Con- dict, ordered that Dan'l Phoenix attend to the attempt made by Ezra Owen to lay a proprietor right on a part of the Green or Commons, and to consult with Mr. Edward Condict the survery on the subject, and if necessary to attend the Annual Meeting of the Board of Proprietors at Amboy, and to

have a right laid on the vacant part of the Green, and to take a title for the same, in the name of the Trustees, for the express purpose of a Green or Commons.

Sep'r 21st, 1812. At a Parish held this day agreeable to notice. Present of the Trus- tees Jon'n Ogden, President, Dan'l Lind- sly, Sam'l Halliday. Eben'r H. Pierson, Silas Condict, Lewis Condict and Dan'l Phoenix. Mr. Sam'l Freeman was choasn Moderator, and Mr. Jacob Man, Clerk.

The Trustees reported, that there is due to the Parish sundry debts to amount of $5,394.04

Due on salary book, 520.00

$5,914.04

Due to Mr. Fisher, 220.00

Balance, $5,694.04

The time of two of the Trustees having expired, viz : Sam'l Halliday and Dan'l Lindsly-Mr. Lindsly having declined a new election, Mr. Sam'l Halliday and Mr. David Mills were appointed Trustees.

Ap'r 26th, 1813. At a meeting of the Trustees at Mr. Nath'l Bulls. Present Jon'n Ogden, President, Sam'l Halliday, Eben'r H. Pierson, David Mills, Silas Condict. Or- der that a Parrish Meeting be held on Sat- urday, the 8th May, at the Meeting House at 3 o'clock, for the sale of pews and seats on which the salary has not been paid for 18 months past, also those that have not com- plyed with the terms of former sales. Order- ed notice be given in Mr. Mann's paper that all debts due the congregation under fifty dollars must be paid in 90 days from date or they will be put in suit.

Sept. 14th, 1813. Trustees met at Mr. Lewis Haydens. Present Jon'n Ogden, President, Silas Condict, Dan'l Phoenix, Doct. Lewis Condict, Doct. Eben'r H. Pierson, Sam'l Halliday, David Mills. Edward Condict, Esq'r, tendered to the Trustees his deed for the Green or Commons, in consequence of a deed he received from the proprietor, with his bill of charges and expenses amounting to $28.41, which deed being ac- cepted by the Trustees the Clerk of the Board is requested to have the same re- corded in the Clerk's Office of the County of Morris, and the Treasurer is ordered to pay to the said E. Condict the said $28.41, on

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PASTORATE OF THE REV. SAMUEL FISHER.

the order of the President, which deed also contains an article of agreement mutually entered into between the said Edward Con- dict and the Trustees, stipulating that the land conveyed shall remain forever a Pub- lic Commons or Green. The Trustees hav- ing considered the same unanimously ac- cepted it, and ordered the President to sign it in their behalf.

Annual Parish Meeting held 15th Sep., 1813, Lewis Condict was chosen Moderator, and Lewis Mills, Clerk.

Voted that no person serve as Trustee for more than two years without being reap- pointed ; and that Jonathan Ogden, Daniel Phoenix, Ebenezer H. Person, Silas Condict and Lewis Condict, who have been Trustees for two years past are now out of office as Trustees until they are reappointed.

Voted that all who pay salary have a right to vote.

Voted that the Trustees be appointed one only at a time. John Mills, Jonathan Ogden. Silas Lindsly, Benjamin Person and Charles Ford, were elected Trustees.

Voted that the recinding vote passed the 12th Sep., 1811, respecting selling building lots on the north side of the Green be re- cinded ; and that the Trustees be directed to sell said building lots, agreeable to a vote passed 6th Nov., 1810, and convey the same as they think best.

Voted that if any part of the Congrega- tion do by subscription, or otherwise raise the sum of three thousand dollars to add to the funds of the parish ; that the Trustees be instructed not to sell any part of the Green or parish land which now lieth com- mon, but that they relinquish the whole to remain as a common forever on the money being paid or secured to be paid to them ; and in that case the people of the town have a right to ornament the Green at their own expense.

Voted that a committee be appointed to circulate a subscription to carry into effect the resolution of raising three thousand dol- lars as a substitute for selling the Green. Daniel Phoenix, John Mills and Samuel Halliday were appointed accordingly.

21 Sept., 1813, Trustees met at the house of Stephen Halsey ; all present, when John Mills, Jou'n Ogden, Benj'n Person, Silas Lindsly and Charles Ford, who were chosen

Trustees last week, were sworn into office as the law directs ; and John Mills appoint- ed President, and Silas Lindsly Clerk. The meeting then adjourned to meet at the same place this day two weeks, at 4 o'clock.

At a Parish Meeting held the 15th Feb'y, 1814, for the purpose of knowing the mind of the congregation respecting Mr. Fisher's continuing in or being dismissed from his present charge as Pastor of this Congrega- tion, Lewis Mills was chosen Moderator and Charles Carmichael, Cl'k. Voted that all persons that have paid salary shall be entitled to vote at this meeting, and that the votes are taken by voice and their names recorded on the following question, viz: Do this Congregation wish their . Minister, the Rev'd Samuel Fisher, to join with them in requesting Presbytery to dis- miss him from his present charge as pastor of this Congregation? The vote being counted there were yeas eighty-one 81, and nays, including eight women voters, were one hundred 100.

At a meeting of the Trustees 8th April, 1813, at the house of Stephen Halsey, all present but Mr. Person-voted that the Trustees will pay to the Rev'd Samuel Fisher one hundred and fifty dollars over and above what shall be due to him the 30th day of this month, on the following condi- tions, viz : That he shall join with the Congregation in requesting Presbytery at their next siting, the 26th instant at New- ark, to dismiss him from his present charge as pastor of this Congregation ; and that Presbytery do accordingly dismiss him, and that he make no charge for interest or any salary due to him before that time; and al- so, that he transfer his right to 5-8 of seat No. 50, in the gallery in the Meeting House to the Trustees. The Trustees appointed Mr. John Mills to make a final settlement with Mr. Fisher.

At a parish meeting held 21st of April, 1814, by the First Presbyterian Church and Congregation at Morristown, Lewis Mills was chosen Moderator and Francis C. Johnes, Clerk. Voted that John Mills, Peter A. Johnson and David Lindsly be appointed Commissioners to Presbytery, and that they or either of them be authorised and in- structed to attend Presbytery at their next meeting, and in behalf of this Congregation

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The Record of the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown, N.J. : v. 1-5 Jan. 1880-Dec. 1885, pt 2, Part 12

Author: First Presbyterian Church (Morristown, N.J.); Green, R. S. (Rufus Smith), 1848-1925 Publication date: 1976 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1080

Author: First Presbyterian Church (Morristown, N.J.); Green, R. S. (Rufus Smith), 1848-1925
Publication date: 1976
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1080