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 25
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150., and he to teach a singing school for the benefit of the church, his salary to be paid quarterly if possible, if not, at the end of the year.
March 6, 1857. Parish meeting. Edward Mills, Chairman ; Edward Pierson, Secre. tary. The object of calling the meeting was stated to be the condition of the church and lecture room. Plans for the remodel- ling of the building were presented. After consultation, Resolved [Ist,] That it isex. pedient to take measures at once for the re. pairing of the church and rebuilding of the session house, in accordance with the plans presented ; [2d,] That the congregation con- sent to the removal of the church building under the direction of the Trustees; [3d,] That the Trustees of this church confer with the Trustees of the second church to devise means for the fencing of the grave yard; [4th] That Messrs. Olyphant, Little and Axtell be a committee to get estimates of the repairs, rebuilding and removing of the buildings, and report at a future meet- ing
March 24, 1857. Adjourned Parish meet- ing. The committee appointed at the last meeting made their report, which was ac- cepted, and the committee continued to raise the necessary funds by subscrip- tion ; Resolved [Ist,] That no subscription be binding until the sum of four thousand is subscribed ; [2d,] That the congregation deem it expedient to remove the church, and that the committee confer with families having friends buried in that part of the yard, which the church would cover if re- moved, and obtain their consent if possible.
Oct. 22, 1857. Annual parish meeting. Peter B. Shafer, Chairman ; Edward Pier- son, Clerk.
The Treasurer reported :
Total receipts for the past
year,
Total disbursements,
$1.560.67
$1,682.14
Balance,
121,47
$1,682.14 $1,682.14
There is due the church on Pews, &c.,
$434.99
Bills payable,
$646.81
Ballance due the estate
of Rev. J. II. Townley,
250.00
Deduct doubtful debt $100, leaves a deficiency of $561.82
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TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
The following persons were elected Trus- tees : John F. Voorhees. John R. Runyon, Henry C. Pitney, Charles V. Boss, Jacob Crane, W. C. Caskey, Edward Pierson.
Resolved, [Ist,] That the Session be re- quested to change the time of the Sabbath evening service to Sabbath afternoon, pro- vided the change in their opinion will not affect the interests of the church. [2d,] That the Trustees prepare a statement of the finances of the church, also the condi- tion of the church Building, to be read from the pulpit, and to call a meeting of the con- gregation to devise means to pay the church debt and for necessary repairs to the church.
Dec. 15, 1857, Trustees Caskey, Crane and Voorhees were appointed a committee to confer with the session, with reference to changing the evening service to afternoon, on acct. of the increased expense, and the deficiency of revenue, and to change it if in there opinion it would be right to do so.
March, 1858, Trustee C. V. Boss resigned the office of Treasurer, and Edward Pier- son was appointed in his place.
Oct. 2, 1858, Trustees. Resolved, That Mr. Crane be directed to put up two new stoves for the sum of Forty dollars.
Oct. 20, 1858. Annual Parish meeting : Thomas A. Hartwell, Chairman; Edward Pierson, Clerk.
The Trustees reported :
Total receipts for the past year, $1,625.74
Total disbursements, $1,610.11
Balance, 15.63
Bills payable, Assets,
$1,625.74 $1,625.74
$652.37
$165.63
The following persons were elected Trus- tees : John F. Voorhees, John R. Runyon, Henry C. Pitney, Wm. C. Caskey, Jacob Crane, Theo. Little, Edward Pierson.
lease by the late Mrs. Cobb, which is now enclosed by Fence in front of her late resi- dence. [5th,] That a new fence be built around the back part of the grave yard. [6th,] That no repairs be made on the church building, but that the congregation use it as long as it is tenable and then re- place it by a new building. (Ordered to lie on the table.) [7th,] That the Trustees pre- pare a report of the Finances of the church, also a report of the proceedings of this meet- ing to be read from the pulpit.
November 4, 1858, Parish meeting : David Olyphant, Chairman ; Edward Pierson, Sec. The resolution, No. 6, which was ordered to lie on the table at the last meeting, was taken up, and, after remarks by several members, it was Resolved, [1st,] That the sum of $2,500 be raised for the purpose of repairing the church building, fencing the grave yard and for the payment of the church debt, no subscription to be binding unless the whole amount be subscribed ; [2d] That the sum of $350 be raised to meet the deficiency between annual receipts and expenditure ; [3d.] That J. F. Voorhees, Theo. Little, D. Rockwell, D. Olyphant and Silas D. Cory, be a committee to carry out the above resolutions ; [4th,] That H. M. Olmsted be appointed Trustee in the place of Henry C. Pitney (resigned).
Nov. 10, 1858. Trustees. The minutes of the meetings of the previous year were amended, to read, That, some time during the year, John R. Runyon was appointed chorister for one year, from February 1, 1858, at a salary of one hundred and fifty dollars. Edward Pierson was appointed Treasurer.
1858, Dec. Trustees. The subscription for repairs being completed, the Building Com. was requested to meet and decide up- on plans, &c.
1859, Jan. 3. Trustees. It being under- stood that Jan. would be a convenient time to have the annual meeting at the Pastor's, Messrs. Voorhees, Little, Runyon and Caskey were appointed com. to make ar- rangements for it.
Resolved, [Ist,] That the present indebt- edness of the Parish be paid by voluntary subscription. [2d,] That the estimated de- ficiency in the Revenue of the church to meet the annual expenses be raised by an- 1859, Feb. Trustees. Resolved, That John H. Warner be employed as organist for one year from March, at a salary of one hundred and thirty-five dollars. nual voluntary subscription. [3d,] That the Trustees be appointed a committee to carry out the above resolutions. [4th,] That the Trustees be instructed to take immediate 1859, June 6. Trustees. Resolved, [Ist, possession of the ground now held under | That the building com. be requested to get
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PASTORATE OF THE REV. DAVID IRVING, D.D.
estimates for putting gas pipes in the church and report to Trustees on Monday even- ing next : [2d.] That the president no- tify the Fire Association to remove their building from the church property within three months from said notice, according to the terms of the lease, and that the associa- tion be called upon to pay the arrears of rent due for use of said ground ; [3d,] That the President give notice to the executors of the estate of Mrs. Eliz. Cobb, dec'd, to re- move the door yard fence inclosing land owned by the church and heretofore occu- pied by her in pursuance of lease granted to her by the Trustees.
1859, Sept. 5. Trustees. Resolved, That the Building Committee be instructed to have furnaces put in the church.
Sept. Trustees. The building com. was instructed to have Gas Pipes put in the parsonage at the expense of the church.
October 31, 1859. Annual Parish meeting. John R. Church, Chairman ; Edward Pier- son, Clerk.
The Treasurer reported :
Total receipts for the year, $2,295.27
Total disbursements, $2,271.43
Balance, 23.84
$2,295.27 $2,295.27
There is due the Parish, $239.70
Estimated expenses the coming
year, $1,905.00
Estimated receipts, $1,500.00
Resolved, [Ist,] That the Trustees be in- structed to lay an assessment of 16 pr. cent. instead of 12} pr. cent., as at present, on the valuation of all the Pews in the church, and in addition to this the interest on the Pews belonging to the church, and that the monthly collections be continued; [2d,] That J. F. Voorhees, Theo. Little, J. R. Runyon, J. Crane, W. C. Caskey, Lewis D. Bunn and Edward Pierson, be elected Trus- tees.
1859, Dec. 16. Trustees. Resolved, [Ist, ] That the congregation be requested to make a donation visit to the Pastor ; and Messrs. Little, Caskey and Voorhees were appointed to make the arrangements for it ; [2d,] That the President be instructed to carry out a former resolution of the Trustees, and also of the Parish meeting of 1858, with reference to the removal of Mrs.
E. Cobb's door yard fence from the church grounds : [3d.] That the President notify the Fire Department to remove the Engine House from the church ground ; and that the Treasurer collect from the Fire Depart- ment the amount due for rent of ground; [4th,] That the Building Com. cover the ceiling in the church with boards to protect it from injury ; [5th,] That the sexton be employed to collect the salary quarterly, for two pr. cent. on the amount collected; [6th,] That a pipe for conveying Aqueduct water be carried to the church ; [7th,] That a claim against John F. Voorhees of $45., for a lot in the grave yard, be considered paid in consideration of his balancing an account against the church for supplying the Parsonage with Aqueduct-water from the time of its erection until Oct. 1, 1858, amounting to about $150.
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1860, January 12. Trustees. All present to consider an application by the family of David Day, who had just deceased, to have his remains intered by side of his wife in the old part of the burying ground in the rear of the church. After much conversation and comparison of views, and strong ex- pression of desire to meet the desire of the family, the Trustees felt that they had no power over the matter, having been in- structed positively to permit no more inter- ment in that part of the ground, by the congregation assembled in annual Parish meeting. After expressing these views to the family, and without taking any vote i upon it, the application was withdrawn.
Mr. Pierson reported that the sexton was unwilling to collect the salary upon the terms offered, therefore, resolved, That the Treasurer be employed to collect it on same terms.
1860, Sept. 6. Trustees. Resolved, [Ist,] That the avenue in the grave yard be opened and put in good order ; [2d,] That the pews belonging to the church be offered for sale, at half the valuation, by putting a list on the church door.
Sept. 26. Trustees. Resolved, to ap- propriate $100, pr. an., as salary for the organist.
September"28th, J'1860, Annual Parish meeting. Dr. Lewis Condict, Moderator ; Edward Pierson, Parish Clerk.
The Treasurer reported :
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TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
Total receipts for year,
$1,899.17
Total disbursements,
$1,893.97
Balance, 5.20
$1,899.17 $1,899.17
Due for lot sold in grave yard, $ 18.00
Due on Pew rents, $255.84
The com. on church repairs reported the amount rec'd to date, $7,350.76. The whole amount paid to date, $7,436.07, leaving a de- ficiency of $85.31.
Resolved, [Ist,] That the committee on Church Repairs be continued, with the ad- dition of John R. Runyon ; and that they be authorized to raise sufficient to pay off the deficiency, and for the purpose of en- closing the church grounds with a suitable fence to protect the property. [2d.] That J. F. Voorhees, Theodore Little, J. R. Runyon, Jacob Crane, W. C. Caskey, Lewis D. Bunn and Edward Pierson be appointed Trustees for the ensuing year.
1861, June 22, Trustees. An application for the use of the church for the 4th July celebration was refused. Mr. Bunn, appointed to raise money to liquidate the debt remaining unpaid for church improve- ments, about $200, reported that he had got subscribed the sum of $62 ; whereupon, re- solved, That the Treasurer borrow the money for the amount still due and liquidate the debt.
1861, Oct. 16, Trustees. The Treasurer reported that * * refuses to pay any rent on the Pew occupied by his family and, it having been ascertained that Pew had been sold for salary and bought by the Trustees March 28, 1857, it was resolved, that the pew be rented to other parties from this date, and the family notified to leave it.
The standing committees reported as fol- lows :
Mr. Little reported the Parsonage prem- ises in good repair, at an expense not over $5. Mr. Crane reported a new window in N. East of church, repair to weather boards to keep out storms, some repair to Furnace pipe, and a new stove in Lecture room ; whole expense about $50. Mr. Pierson re- ported Lots in Grave yard sold and paid for $142; two lots not yet paid for ; and had expended in opening, Grading, and clearing walks and Grounds the sum of $76.13. Mr. . Runyon reported that $25 had been paid to
Miss Cory to January last, and $8 to Mr Tory ; for tuning the organ $33, and for blowing $15.
Oct. 18, 1861, Annual Parish meeting : Samuel C. Burnet, chairman ; Edward Pier- son, Parish Clerk. The Treasurer reported : Total receipts for the past year, $1,964.19
disbursements, $1,933.83
Balance, 30.36
$1,964.19 $1,964.19
There is due the church, $411.00
The church owes, $221.00
Committee on church improvements re- ported as follows :
To Bal. due Treasurer, pr. last re- port, $85.31
Paid bills during the year, 27.61
112.92
By amt. col. from subscription and articles sold, 61.00
Due the Treas., 51.92
1861, Oct. 18. To interest, 5.08
Balance due Tres., 57.00
There is still due on subscription, $47.25. Property on hand valued at $57.00.
[Abstract of] Report of the Treasurer of the board of Trustees : "The Trustees would congratulate the Parish upon the wisdom manifested in ordering, two years ago, a sufficient assessment upon the Pews to meet the expenses of the Church, which has enabled the Trustees to pay the de- mands made upon them for the ordinary ex- pense of supporting the Gospel, without the previous embarrassment of a debt which had to be raised by private subscription. The revenue is barely sufficient for the ex- penses, these cannot be paid quarterly when persons permit their assessments to accumulate from a half to two years or more. The sum of about $8 is a small one to col- lect from so large a congregation monthly. and those Trustees who have been in the habit of taking these collections, remark, that the money is mainly collected from a few persons, while many of the congregation ignore them entirely.
The Trustees would also congratulate the congregation on the wise measure, adopted by Parish meeting 2 years ago, and the lib- erality with which they provided the means, to put all the church property in complete
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PASTORATE OF THE REV. DAVID IRVING, D.D.
repair, by which they were enabled to put our church in such convenient and neat, not to say beautiful condition, that while retain- ing the prestige of being the oldest and most venerable building in this part of the State, it is also the most beautiful, and one that we can look upon with a just pride and satisfaction ; and in consequence of which we have been enabled to hold the position of the first church, not only by reason of age, but also in appearance and comfort. The result has been, that during the past year almost every seat on the first floor of the church has been taken and some in the gallery.
The Burying ground has also been put into such a condition, that instead of being a disgrace to us it has been made a pleasant retreat.
The Parsonage was also put in good con- dition. To add to the comfort of our min- ister, it needs the addition of a small barn, which would enable him to keep a horse and COW.
When the Parish can afford it, we need an extensive alteration of our Lecture room, with a separate room for the Sunday school, the present location of which, in the church gallery, is unpleasant and uncomfortable.
The grounds also about the church should be enclosed, which was contemplated in the general repairs, but defered for want of funds.
During the last year about $75. have been expended in laying out new avenues in the grave yard, and bringing into market a number of lots which could not before be used.
When the Treason which has been so long brewing in the Southern part of our once United country, culminated in open rebel- lion, and the beloved emblem of our nation- ality had been shot down at Fort Sumter, and when the patriotism of our people was appropriately displaying itself in the raising of the stars and stripes throughout the Loyal States, the Trustees thought they would be sustained by the congregation in inviting the citizens to displaythe flag of our liberties on the highest pinacle of our sacred temple. It was accordingly displayed from our steeple for several weeks. The Trustees believe that the temple, where Washington and many of the heroes of the
revolution were helped by the God of Battles, would not be desecrated by so exhibiting the sacred emblem under which God enabled them to march forward to victory and liberty.
Our church has also recently been used for the purpose of giving a farewell bene- diction to a company of our volunteers, un- der command of our townsman, Capt. Brown, on the eve of their departure for the camp at Washington to fight the bat- tles of our country. for the preservation of the liberty for which our forefathers fought and bled and died to bequeath to us ; and to help to beat back the black cloud of re- bellion and wickedness which threatens to involve us all (if not arrested) in a common ruin. If rebellion could boast of its inten- tion to occupy in the coming winter the cradle of Liberty at Boston, is not the sa- cred soil of Morristown, where the immortal Washington spent the winter of 1776, where he laboured and prayed, and which his devoted followers wet with the blood of their unshod feet, right in the way of the contemplated march ?
Was it not fit, we then ask, that the church, standing on the very ground of the one where Washington partook of the sacred emblems of a Saviour's love, should be opened for the purpose of encouraging and praying for our patriotic citizens, who took their lives in their hands for the purpose, with others, of protecting us in the enjoy- ments of the blessings we enjoy ?
The occasion, although upon a short no- tice, drew together such a concourse as the old church never held before : prayers were offered, Hymns sung, addresses delivered by Ministers and laymen ; Bibles presented to the soldiers, a sword and pistol to Capt. Brown, and the noble Band committed in God's own house to his guardian care.
And, although rebels, and some in our own midst, may sneer and hold up their hands in holy horror at the desecration (as they call it) of God's house for such a pur- pose, we believe the offering meets his ap- probation, and will result in lasting good, not only to the soldiers, but to us who are left behind, and to the whole community.
In conclusion, the Trustees would ask the congregation to unite with them in thanks- giving to God for his goodness to us, especi-
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TRUSTEES AND PARİSH.
ally in our temporal affairs as a church, in giving so great a degree of peace and pros- perity, after the many difficulties and dis- couragements which in former years we have been called to encounter ; and to most earnestly pray that, to the temporal, he may add the reviving influences of his holy spirit, and the spiritual blessing without which all else is of little worth.
Resolved, That the appointment of an Elder of the Church as one of the Trustees is improper.
Trustees elected -- Jacob Vanatta, Silas D. Cory, Wm. C. Caskey, Victor Fleury, R. M. Stites, Cyrus Prudden, Edward Pierson.
Oct. 30th, 1861. Trustees elected Jacob Vanatta, President ; Wm. C. Caskey, Secy. October 20, 1862. Annual Parish meeting. Ira C. Whitehead, Chairman ; Edward Pier- son, Parish Clerk.
The Treasurer reported :
Total receipts for the past year, $1,876.22
Total disbursements, $1,844.92
Balance, 31.30
$1,876.22 $1,876.22
There is due the church $504.18, and debts due not paid $220.42.
Resolved, [Ist,] That the Trustees dispose of the lamps, communion table and other personal property not needed in the church and that the Treasurer be directed to pay the ballance of $51.92, due the committee on repairs. [2d,] That the resolution of the last annual Parish meeting, providing that no member of the session be elected as a Trustee, be and is hereby rescinded ; [3d.] That the following persons be Trustees for the ensuing year : Jacob Vanatta, Silas D. Cory, Wm. C. Caskey, Victor Fleury, Hec. ter Sears, Cyrus Pruden, Edward Pierson.
October 1, 1863. Annual Parish meeting. Samuel C. Burnet, Chairman ; and Edward Pierson, Clerk.
The Treasurer reported :
Total receipts for the past year, $2,293.68,
Total disbursements, .$2,287.34
Balance, 6.34
2,293.68 $2,293.68
There is due the church, $647.49
The church owes,
400.00
Trustees elected as follows : Jacob Va-
natta, Victor Fleury, Wm. C. Caskey, Cyrus
Prudden, Ilecter Sears, Silas D. Cory, Ed'w Pierson.
March 21, 1864, Trustees elected Edward Pierson, secy. and Treasurer .. Resolved, [Ist,] That Miss M. Johnson be organist at the same salary as formerly. [2d,] That an additional Insurance of $5,000 be obtained upon the church building. [3d,] That whereas it appears that Timothy Tuttle and Joanna his wife executed a Mortgage on certain land in the township of Morris to the Trustees of the first Presbyterian Church at Morris Town dated May 11th, 1833, and recorded in the Morris County Record of Mortgages, Book P. pages 60 and 61, to se- cure the payment of one hundred and fifty- seven dollars, with Interest ; and whereas it satisfactorily appears that the principal and interest of said mortgage was paid to the Treasurer of this church on or about the first of September, 1841 ; and whereas it is al- leged that said mortgage, without having been cancelled of record, has been lost and Cannot be found, and the owners of the land included in said mortgage, Doctor Horrack, has requested a release of said mortgage ; Therefore, it is resolved, that such release be executed, and that the president of the board of Trustees be, and he hereby is, au- thorized and directed to execute such release under the corporate seal of the church, and deliver the said release, to the said Doctor Horrack.
September 26, 1864. Annual parish meet- ing : Henry C. Pitney, Chairman ; and Ed- ward Pierson, secretary.
The Treasurer reported :
Total receipts, $2,154.02
Total disbursements,
$2,045.53
Balance,
108.49
$2,154.02 $2,154.02
There is due the church,
$673.36
The church owes, $1,023.51
The following Persons were elected Trus- tees, by ballot ; Victor Fleury, John F. Voorhees, Silas D. Cory, Edward Pierson, Theodore Little, Jacob Crane, Hector Sears.
Resolved, [Ist,] That the salary of the Pastor be increased to $1,500 from Oct. Ist, 1864. [2d,] That the assessment upon the Pews be increased to 25 pr. ct. upon their valuation from Sept. 12, 1864.
Oct. 3, 1864, Trustees. J. F. Voorhees
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PASTORATE OF THE REV. DAVID IRVING, D.D.
was elected President, Savahlon Mulford was appointed sexton, at a salary of $200.
Jany. 27, 1865, Trustees and other mem- bers of the Congregation called at the re- quest of the Pres., in reference to the Par- sonage. Present : Messrs. Voorhees, Little, Fleury, Cory, Crane and Pierson, Trustees ; and Messrs. Olyphant, Rockwell and Baker. After consultation, it was unanimously Re- solved, [Ist,] That the Trustees be author- ized to sell the Parsonage Property upon the best terms they can obtain. [2d,] That the President purchase the Mrs. Cobb prop- erty, adjoining the church, at a sum not to exceed four thousand dollars.
Feb. 3, 1865. Trustees. The President reported that he had made the purchase of the Mrs. Cobb property of J. W. Poinier, Ex., for $3,500; Resolved, [ist.] That the President sell the Parsonage at $8,000 ; [2d,] That Messrs. Olyphant and Little confer with Mr. Irving as to his views about mov- ing from the Parsonage.
March 27, 1865. Trustees. Mr. Olmsted having offered to advance the money for the purchase of the Mrs. Cobb property, provided, that the deed be made to him in trust for the church, his offer was accepted. Resolved, [Ist,] That Rev. Mr. Irving be authorized to rent the Parsonage and to receive the rent while remaining our Pas- tor ; [2d,] That the sexton be directed to keep the gates of the grave yard locked.
May, 1865. Parish meeting. Dr. D. Marvin appointed Chairman ; Wm. C. Caskey, Sec. The following letter was read from our pastor :
"To the session of the First Presbyterian Church of Morris Town :
Dear Brethren.
For nearly ten years the pastoral rela- tion has existed between you and myself, and they have been to me years of pleasant- ness and happiness, and I hope of some pro- fit to you. Whilst in the enjoyment of your confidence and esteem, and in the prospect of still further usefulness among you, I have been unexpectedly called to assume an office of great trust and respon- sibility, which in my present state of health may prove beneficial to me, and which, from my past relations to it, is congenial to my tastes and sympathies.
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