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 16
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Resolved, that Moses Cherry be reap- pointed as Sexton for the ensuing year, the salary to be as last year, Sixty-two Dolls.
Resolved, that the Trustees devise and report some plan at the next Parish Meet- ing, to meet the deficiencies between the re- ceipts and the expenditures of the Parish funds.
Voted by the Parish that an assessment of one per cent. be added to the present salary on the pews and seats.
March 21st, 1831. A Parish was this day held at the Session house, pursuant to due notice given ; when Rev'd Daniel H. John- son presided as Moderator, and John F. Voorhies was chosen Clerk.
The following resolutions were adopted. That we proceed to the election of a Pas- tor.
Rev'd Jonathan B. Condit was then nom- inated.
Resolved, that we take the votes by Poll.
The votes being taken, One Hundred and Five were given in favor of Mr. Condit, and Twenty-three votes against him ; Mr. Con- dit being elected by a majority of Eighty- two votes.
Resolved, that the call for Mr. Condit be now made out.
Resolved, that the call be signed by the members of the Session and the Trustees,
Resolved, that the Trustees have the meeting house insured against fire for the sum of Six Thousand Dollars. Meeting ad- journed.
At a meeting of the Male members of the congregation, held at the Session House, on Monday, May 30th, 1831, (accord- ing to previous notice from the Pulpit,) to take into consideration the expediency of presecuting the call for the Rev'd Jonathan B. Condit for our Pastor.
Peter A. Johnson, Esq., was elected chair- man, and John F. Voorheis, Clerk.
The commissioners appointed at the last meeting, to prosecute the call for Mr. Con- dit, before the Presbytery of Elizabeth Town, were called upon to report ; upon which Mr. Lewis Mills, one of the commis- sioners, made a statement of the proceed- ings before that body.
On motion of Mr. Lewis Mills.
Resolved, that it is inexpedient to pro-
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PASTORATE VACANT.
secute any further the call for the Rev'd Jonathan B. Condit. The resolution was seconded, and resolved to take the vote by Poll.
And Resolved, that all persons who pay salary be permitted to vote on the question.
The vote being polled the above motion was lost. Forty-one votes appearing in favor and seventy-eight against it.
. On motion of Silas Lindsley, Esq.
Resolved, that the idea of calling Mr. Condit be now given up, Carried in the affirmative.
Resolved that the last resolution be read from the Pulpit next Sabbath.
Meeting adjourned. John V. Foorheis, Clerk.
19th Sept., 1831. Pursuant to a regular notice given, a Parish meeting was held in the Church, the Rev'd John McDowell pre- siding as Chairman, and S. O. Guerin, Clerk. The following resolutions were adopted.
Resolved, that the Parish proceed to the election of a Pastor.
Resolved, that the votes be taken by Poll.
The Rev'd Joshua N. Danforth of Wash- ington City, having been nominated as Pas- tor, there were Sixty-two votes in favor of him, and Forty-four against ; leaving a ma- jority of eighteen Votes.
The minority being unwilling to yield ; whereupon the majority unanimously pass- ed the following resolution ; viz. Resolved, that the majority yield to the wishes of the minority and relinquish the prosecuting of the call for the Rev'd Mr. Danforth. Ad- journed.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE PRESBY- TERIAN CHURCH OF MORRISTOWN, BOOK 2ND. [*] .
1831. September 22nd. ' The annual Pa- rish meeting was this day held at the meet- ing house agreeably to notice given, when Peter A. Johnson was chosen Moderator, and John F. Voorhies Clerk.
The minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting were read. The Treasurer's re- port was read and accepted with the ex- ception of the tax paid on the Parish lands.
Resolved, That so much of the Treasurer's report as related to the payment of taxes be referred to the Trustees, and by them be reported to the next Parish Meeting.
Resolved, That the rule heretofore in force in appointing Trustees be repealed, and that they be appointed annually.
Resolved, That the following persons be appointed Trustees, viz : John B. Johnes, Francis Child, Jun., Silas Lindsly, Joseph Cutler, William Sayre, Ezekiel Whitehead, Charles Ford.
Resolved, That the Treasurer be appoint- ed by the congregation.
Resolved, That Peter Freeman be appoint- ed Treasurer.
Resolved, That John B. Johnes, Loami Moore, Lewis Mills, and Jonathan Thomp -. son, be appointed a Singing Committee.
Resolved, That the Chorister be paid the usual sum of Twenty-eight dollars, and that two collections be made during the year to be added to the above sum.
Resolved, That Moses Cherry be reap- pointed Sexton for the ensuing year, the Salary to be as last year, Sixty-two dollars.
Resolved, That the additional one per cent. ordered to be assessed upon the seats at the last parish be removed.
Resolved, That the Trustees be instructed to effect Insurance on the Meeting House for the sum of Six Thousand Dollars.
Resolved, That the Trustees be instructed to have the grounds in the vicinity of the Church kept clear of all obstructions.
Resolved, That the session be requested to act as a Committee of Supply.
An application was received from the Ladies of the Fragment Society, for the grant of a Lot of land on which to build an Infant School House, which was referred to the trustees with full power at their dis- cretion to grant the request, and on such terms as they shall deem to be reasonable and propper.
Resolved, That the Rev'd Joshua N. Dan- forth be employed as a supply to perform the Pastoral duties in this congregation for the period of Twelve months at a Salary of One Thousand Dollars and that Doc't Lewis Condict be requested to correspond with Mr. Danforth on the Subject.
The male members of the Presbyterian Congregation in Morris Town 'met in the
[*] Title of second volume of Parish minutes, From this date the minutes of Trustees's meetings, with three excep- tions, are recorded in a separate volume.
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MINUTES OF THE SESSION.
Session Room on the 26th day of Decem- ber, 1831, agrecably to a public notice, for the purpose of electing a pastor.
The Rev. A. G. Frazer having been in- vited to preside as Moderator appeared and took the chair. Peter A. Johnson was chosen Clerk.
The meeting was opened with Prayer, On motion it was unanimously resolved that the meeting proceed to the election of a Pastor and that the Votes be taken by ballot.
The Rev. Charles Hoover and the Rev'd M. Hall were nominated as Candidates, on counting the votes it appeared that Mr. Hoover had Sixty-four Votes, and Mr. Hall
Thirty-Five. The moderator then requested the minority to yield to the majority, where- upon the question on motion being taken by holding up the hand, with the exception of 4 or 5 it was unanimous. The modera- tor then declared the Rev. Charles Hoover duly elected Pastor. On motion it was re- solved, that a call be made out for the Rev'd Charles Hoover and that the congregation agree to give him Nine Hundred Dollars per year, to be paid in half yearly payments.
Resolved, That the Deacons and Elders sign the Call in behalf of the Congregation, and that P. A. Johnson and Jonathan Thompson be appointed Commissioners to prosecute the call.
PASTORATE OF THE REV.CHARLES HOOVER, From Feb. 1832, to March, 1836.
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MINUTES OF THE SESSION. . Wednesday, Feb, 8, 1832. Charles Hoover was installed pastor of the Morristown Church by the Presbytery of Elizabeth- town, Mr. Frazer preached. Dr. Mc- Dowell presided and gave the charge to the pastor, and Mr. Magie the charge to the people. [Mr. Hoover] commenced his labors, Jan. 20, 1832.
March 1, 1832. Session met and was opened with prayer.
Present : C. Hoover, moderator, Peter A. Johnson, Jonathan Thompson, Wm. Enslee, Lewis Mills, Sam'l Freeman, Timo- thy Tucker, Jonathan Oliver. Absent : David Lindsley, Stephen Young, Henry Vail.
David C. White appeared before Session as an applicant for admission to the church, and after a satisfactory examination was received.
Miss Anna Mead was received as a mem- ber of this church upon certificate from the Pres. Ch. of Charlton, Saratoga Co., N. Y.
Mr. Jona'n Thompson was appointed to attend the meeting of Presbytery at West- field, on Tuesday next, March 6th.
Adjourned to meet on Monday, March 12, at 2 o'clock. Concluded with prayer. [Ap- parently Mr. Hoover was Clerk throughout his pastorate.]
March 13, 1832. Resolved that Session meet on the first day in each month for re- ligious exercises.
Resolved that it is expedient to hold a protracted meeting, commencing on Thurs- day, 29th inst.
July 3, 1832. Resolved that it be recom- mended to the church to elect six addi- tional elders at the next preparatory lec- ture.
Aug. 31, 1832. On Friday, after prepara- tory lecture, the church elected the follow- ing persons as elders : Stephen A. Prudden, Sylvester R. Whitehead, Jonathan D. Mar- vin, John W. Cortelyou, John B. Johnes, John R. Freeman, Jonathan Pierson ; and they were duly set apart to their office on Sabbath, Sept. 9, 1832.
Sept. II, 1832. Mr. Mills offered his re- signation as treasurer of the Session, which was accepted, and Mr. Cortelyou was ap- pointed in his place, to whom the balance in the late treasurer's hands was paid over, amounting to $13.77, as per account on file.
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PASTORATE OF THE REV. CHARLES HOOVER.
Nov. 15, 1832. Resolved that it be re- commended to the church to elect two ad- ditional deacons at the next preparatory lecture.
Nov. 30, 1832. At the preparatory lecture on Friday, Nov. 30, 1832, the church elected Stephen A. Prudden and Timothy Tucker to the office of deacons in this church ; and they were set apart the following Sabbath.
Dec. II, 1832. Resolved that the first Monday in January next be observed in this church, agreeably to the recommen- dation of the Gen. Assembly, as a day of fasting and prayer for the conversion of the world. The day was observed, and was one of great interest and solemnity.
Sept. 5, 1833. Session met at foot of the pulpit, and divided the communion collec- tion, amounting to $29.41, among the poor of the church.
Dec. 13, 1834. Mr. Cortelyou, late treas- urer of Session, having removed from this town, Dr. Johnes was appointed in his place.
Resolved, that Dr. Johnes and Mr. Mills with the pastor, be a committee to procure additional furniture for the communion, table, viz : two cups and five plates in ad- dition to those now in use.
Dec. 31, 1834. Session then proceeded to a careful revision of the list of church members.
Nov. 13, 1835. The following minute was adopted in relation to the Rev. Albert Bar- nes, viz :- [The minute was never inserted in the blank left for it. I, (R. S. Green), therefore insert an extract from the diary of Stevens Johnes Lewis, son of Joseph, under date of Nov. 26, 1835, viz : " A meet- ing of the prominent members of the church -held a meeting in reference to their late pastor, Rev. Albert Barnes, removed to the city of Philadelphia ; the object to pass re- solutions to sustain and encourage him while undergoing the fiery trials and perse- cuting zeal of certain self-styled 'orthodox' members of the Presbyterian Ch. A great cry of ' heresy' has been raised, and an at- tempt made to thrust him out of the Lord's vineyard, or at least to destroy his useful- ness and popularity. What will come of it is difficult to tell ; a fire has been kindled, which will not so easily be quenched."]
March 12, 1836. The following minute was adopted :
Whereas, Session have for some time past been proceeding with reference to cer- tain errors alleged to be uttered by *; and, whereas, upon conference held with him this day, he has expressed himself disposed to study the things that make for the peace and edification of the church, and regrets it he has given occasion by unguarded expres- sions for uneasiness on his account, There- fore,
Resolved, that the case be dismissed, with all the papers etc., relating to the same.
TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
Morris Town, Sept. 22nd, 1832. The an- nual parish meeting was held this day in the meeting house in persuance of notice for that purpose given.
Dr. Lewis Condict was chosen Modera- tor; Z. W. Concklin, Clerk.
The minutes of the last annual Parish meeting were read and approved.
The Treasurer's report was read and ac- cepted.
Resolved, That the subject of taxing the church lands be referred to the Trustees, and that they make report to the next an- nual Parish meeting.
Resolved, That the following persons be appointed Trustees, viz: Loami Moore, Francis Child, Jr., Silas Lindsly, Joseph Cutler, William Sayre, Jr., Ezekiel White- head, Charles Ford.
Resolved, That the resolution passed at the last annual parish meeting respecting the appointment of Treasurer be recinded, and that hereafter the frustees appoint the treasurer, and that they be required to take from him a Bond with ample security for the faithful performance of the duties of his appointment.
Resolved, that Jonathan Thompson, John B. Johnes and Loami Moore be the Singing Committee for the ensuing year.
Resolved, That the Trustees pay the Chorister fifty dollars for his services the ensuing year.
Resolved, That Moses Cherry be ap- pointed Sexton at the usual salary of Sixty- two dollars.
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TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
Resolved, That the Committee appointed at the last annual parish meeting on the application from the ladies of the Fragment Society be continued for the ensuing year.
Resolved, That the Trustees together with Dr. Lewis Condict, John B. Johnes, and Edward Condict, be a committee for the purpose of surveying and laying out walks, cutting down trees, and making such other improvements in the church yard, as to them shall seem proper.
Resolved, That Jonathan Thompson, Silas Condict, and James J. Scofield, be a committee to examine into the facts and circumstances in relation to a claim pre- ferred against the Congregation by Mr. John Mills, That they report the same to the Trustees,and that they with the Trustees be authorized to pay Mr. Mills such sum as to them shall seem equitable and just.
Resolved, That the Trustees be request- ed to alter and repair the steps in front of the church.
Resolved, That the Trustees be directed to notify all persons indebted to the Con- gregation on Bond or Note, on which the interest has not been paid for two years, that unless the interest is paid within three months from the time they severally re- ceive such notice, the Bonds or Notes will be put in suit ; and that the Trustees be di- rected to institute suits against all persons, who shall neglect or refuse to pay the in- terest in arrears after notice given as afore- said.
Resolved, That there be appointed at every annual Parish meeting a clerk of the Congregation, who shall remain in office until the next annual Parish Meeting ; whose duty it shall be to attend and act as clerk at all meetings of the Parish during the year for which he is appointed, and who shall take charge of and keep a record of the proceedings of the Congregation.
Resolved, That Ira C. Whitehead be clerk of the congregation for the ensuing year.
Morris Town, 23 Sept., 1833. The annual parish meeting was held this day in the meeting house in pursuance of notice for that purpose given. Dr. John B. Johnes was chosen moderator, and Ira C. White- head Clerk of the Congregation for the en- suing year,
The minutes of the last annual Parish meeting were read and approved.
The Treasurer's report was read, show- ing a balance due him of $48.672, which was accepted.
Resolved, That the Committee appoint- ed at the last annual parish meeting on the subject of taxing the church lands be con- tinued for the ensuing year.
The Treasurer having stated to the Con- gregation that no settlement had been made with Moses Cherry, the sexton, for several years past, it was on motion, resolv- ed, that the Trustees settle with him for his past services, and that henceforth they settle with the sexton, and pay him annually.
The following persons were appointed Trustees for the ensuing year, viz : Ezekiel Whitehead, Silas Condict, Silas Lindsly, William Sayre, Jr., Loammi Moore, Joseph Cutler, Francis Child, Jr.
The following persons were appointed the singing Committee for the ensuing year, Jonathan Thompson, John B. Johnes and Loammi Moore.
Resolved, That the Trustees pay the chorister $50. for the ensuing year.
Resolved, That the Committee appoint- ed on the application of the ladies of the Fragment Society be continued for the en- suing year.
The Trustees having reported (verbally) that nothing had been done touching the improvements in the Church yard, It was resolved that the same committee be con- tinued on this subject, for the ensuing year.
The Trustees having reported to the Con- gregation, that in pursuance of a resolution of the last annual parish meeting, they had had an interview with Mr. John Mills upon the subject of his claim against the con- gregation, and had examined his accounts and papers, and were of the opinion that he had no legal claim upon the congregation for the amount alleged to be due him. For the pupose however of compromising all differences between the congregation and Mr. Mills, they were willing to allow and pay him a certain sum of money. Inas- much however, as it does not appear to the Congregation, that Mr. Mills is willing to accept this sum in satisfaction of his claim against the congregation, it was, Resolved, that Silas Condict, Francis Child, Jr.,
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PASTORATE OF THE REV. CHARLES HOOVER.
James J. Scofield, and Silas Lindsley be a committee to confer with Mr. Mills upon the subject of these differences ; that they report to the Trustees, and that the Trus- tees be directed to pay him the sum which the committee agreed to allow him, if in their opinion it is right and proper, and Mr. Mills is willing to accept it.
Resolved, That the Trustees be directed to collect the interest due this Congrega- tion, in the manner directed by a resolution of the last annual parish meeting.
The Trustees reported in writing on the subject of Peter A. Johnson's claim against the Congregation, referred to them by a resolution passed at the annual parish meeting of 1831, which report is in the words following, to-wit :
The Trustees to whom was referred the claim of Peter A. Johnson, Esq. for making a line fence between his land and that of the Parish, respectfully report, That Mr. Johnson demands payment for half the cost of an ordinary board fence, of the length of said line, with lawful interest on the same from the time said fence was put up to the present period, and offers to take, as payment in full, a deed for such ground belonging to the Parish as may be contain- ed within his present inclosure; and to bind himself and (should the proposition be acceded to) to keep up the line fence for- ever. The Trustees shortly after the mat- ter was submitted to them, employed Ro- bert K. Tuttle, Esq. to run the lines, with a view to ascertain the precise quantity of land belonging to them, which Mr. John- son had in his possession. As soon as this knowledge was ascertained, the Trustees offered to give Mr. Johnson for his claim a small triangular piece of ground in his front door yard, a narrow strip running along his garden fence, being about two feet wide at one end and terminating in a point at the other, and a small gore in the rear of his garden between his line and that of Mr. Humphreville. This offer was immediately rejected.
As the Trustees do not think it would be expedient to dispose of the piece of ground adjoining the Session house, because it may at some future time, be useful as an entrance to the graveyard, or may be want- ed for some other purpose connected with | year.
the church, and as they are convinced that nothing short of a conveyance of all the ground within his inclosure, or the pay- ment of the price of a board fence with in- terest will satisfy Mr. Johnson, neither of which are they willing to do, they ask to be discharged from the further considera- tion of the subject. By order of the Trus- tees, F. Child, Jr., Sec't; Ezekiel White- head, President. Morristown, Sept. 23, 1833.
Which report being read, it was Re- solved unanimously that the same be ac- cepted and entered at large in the minutes.
Mr. Lindsly having appeared as a. Committee in behalf of the New Vernon Church, and asked the aid of this commit- tee in the building of a church at that place :
Resolved, That Loammi Moore, Silas Condict and Ezekiel Whitehead, be ap- pointed a committee from this congrega- tion to meet a committee of the New Ver- non Church on the subject of this applica- tion. That this Committee report their proceedings and opinions to the Trustees of this Congregation, and that the Trustees there upon call a parish meeting upon the subject, if in their opinion it be necessary.
Morristown, September 22d, 1834. The annual Parish meeting was this day held in conformity to notice previously given.
Edward Condict Esq., was chosen Moder- ator ; and N. W. Condict, Parish Clerk for the ensuing year.
The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and approved
The Treasurer's report, showing a bal- ance in his hands in favor of the Parish of $35.88, was rendered and accepted.
The Parish proceeded to the election of Trustees, when Ezekiel Whitehead, Silas Condict, William Sayre, Jun., Loammi Moore, Richard W. Stites, Joseph Cutler, and Edward Condict were appointed to serve for the coming year.
The following persons were appointed a singing Committee for the ensuing year, viz : Loammi Moore, John B. Johnes, and Jonathan Thompson.
Resolved, That the Trustees pay the chorister the sum of $50, for the ensuing
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TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
Moses Cherry was reappointed Sexton at the usual salary of $62.00.
The Committee appointed in 1832, to de- vise some plan for the better regulation of the burying ground made the following re- port :
The Committee appointed in 1832 by the annual Parish meeting, and continued by a vote of the annual Parish meeting of 1833, for the purpose of inspecting the condition of the burying ground, and reporting to the congregation some plan for its improve- ment and better arrangement, respectfully submit the following report :
We have carefully examined the ground, and have had the advice and counsel of the Trustees, as well as of other judicious per- sons, all of whom unite with us in express- ing deep regret, that a well digested plan had not originally been adopted and pur- sued in depositing the bodies of the dead in this yard. It is however, well known that no regulations having been heretofore laid down, interments have been made, and continue still to be made, in what- ever place the friends may point out. In some instances relatives are buried near to each other, and again relatives are deposited in graves far remote from each other. One grave is encroached upon to make room for another, which in its turn is disturbed to make room for a third. The bodies of strangers are often placed between mem- bers of the same family. No effectual pro- · vision is made to prevent tomb stones from being effaced or destroyed, and friends wish- ing to visit the graves of friends, know not where to look for their remains. All is con- fusion and irregularity, and so far as it may now be practicable to remedy or prevent these improprieties, we deem it to be wise and prudent to adopt the necessary mea- sures. Under these impressions we re- commend to the Congregation the follow- ing plan, viz :
Ist, That all such portion of the grave yard lying on the West, North-west and N. East parts thereof, whereon but few and in some parts where no interments have been made, beginning seven and } links from the North corner of the session house, on a course North, twenty-five degrees West, and running from thence on a line parallel with the North West end of the session
house, North sixty-five degrees East, three chains and forty-five links to a stake ; thence South sixty-one degrees East, two chains and twenty-four links to the grave yard fence ; thence following the fence, first a Northerly course, then a North Westerly course and thence a South West- erly course to the place of beginning, agree- ably to a survey and plot made by Edward Condict, Esq., and which accompanies this report ; be, and the same is hereby reserved for future direction and disposal by the Parish ; and that until otherwise ordered, the Sexton shall not dig any graves in such reservation, nor suffer any to be dug by other persons.
2nd, With a view to order & regularity in the interments which may hereafter be per- mitted in the proposed reservation, the committee further recommend that proper measures be taken to lay out and mark off the said reservation by avenues or walks of convenient dimensions, & to subdivide the ground into sections or squares adopted and arranged for family interments.
3rd, The Committee also recommend that a plat be laid down upon a large scale ex- hibiting at one view the whole of the bury- ing ground, designating also by coloring, or other means, the reservation before describ- ed, the usual avenues, sections & squares by letters, numbers &c .; and that the survey & plat or plan be preserved for future re- ference with the other records and papers of the Parish.
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