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 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
١ ٠٠
٢٠
٢١٠ ١١٩
٢٠١٦٠١٠٠
رزق
ليسـ
1
٠٠
3
MINUTES OF THE SESSION.
present Dea. Prudden Dea. Lum Jno Ayrs Esqr., Cap. Timo. Mills, Cap. Jno. Lindsley Mr. Ezra Halsey, & the Modr Timo. Johnes. The Session was opened by prayer, after which there was a dispute laid before us, re- specting the title of a certain tract of land in Hanover, in which several parties were concerned Viz. Col. Ford, Dea. Matthias Burnet, Joseph Ketchel Esqr. in behalf of Joseph Baldwin, & Alexander Cermichael, who all agree'd that the Judgment of the Elders should be finally decisive, and that each of them would abide their determina- tion -- The question disputed is this Dea'n Burnet for him Selfe & y'os connected with him complain that Col. Ford has laid a Pro- prieter-right on Lands that were surveyed in the year 1715, & therefore were not vacant when the Colonel laid his right upon them, after Hearing the parties, and Evidences dis- tinctly, & reasoning upon the matter we de- ferred the further consideration of it to thursday next to meet at 2 'o clk, to delib- erate further on the subject-concluded with Prayer --
Thursday June 17, 1773, the Elders met according to adjournment, present all the Members, & Parties, except Joseph Ketchel Esqr., and after Prayers the above Matter was resumed, and after hearing what the Parties could say, and the evidence that could be produced, the Mod'r before the Session made their judgment, recommended it to the parties Viz Col. Ford, Dea. Mat- thias Burnet, & Mr. Alexander Cermichael, to retire by them Selves, with mutual benev- olence and condescention, to make proposals for accommodation, they accordingly after a proper time of deliberation, came in, and to our great satisfaction, appeared in a friendly manner, and declared to the Session, that they had come to an intire agreement in the disputed matters, and superceeded the ne- cessity of our Judgment .- Concluded w'h Prayer.
August 25, '75, Cap. Timo. Mills as he is removed much nearer to Baskenridge Meet- ing, desired to resign his office as Elder & leave to go there statedly, & was granted, Nem. contradicente.
[1777.] Since our last Session [Aug. 25. 1775.] departed this life our worthy & dear Members following Mr. Ezra Halsey Col' Jacob Ford Dea Joseph Prudden Dea. Mat'w Lum, & John Ayıs. E.qr.
July 31. 1777. The Ch. being duly noticed, met ; & after Prayers, & Sermon on Can. 4. 12 a garden enclosed is my Sister my Spouse --- we proceeded to Chuse Gilberd Allen as Dea'n & Elder, Philip Condict, Jonas Phillips, & Joseph Lindsly Elders-but Joseph Lindsley only then being present, he accepting of the Charge, was ordained Charged Received, & took his Seat accord- ingly, concluded with Prayer
Sept. 12, 1777. The Elders duly noticed met according to appointment, present Dea. Mat. Burnet, Cap. Jno. Lindsley, & the mod- erator Timo. Johnes, absent Joseph Linds- ley & Jonas Phillips. After the Session had been opened by Prayer we took into con- sideration the melancholy state of the Eldership, it having pleased a righteous sovereign & holy God to remove by death our dear and worthy Friends, & Elders of this Ch ; Viz. Col. Jacob Ford, Dea. Prud- den, Dea. Lum, & Jno. Ayrs Esqr .- The Ch. having been duly warned, on the 31 of July last to make choice of new Elders in yr Stead, & Chose Mess'rs Gilberd Allen as Dea'n & Eld'r, Philip Condict, Jonas Phil- lips & Joseph Lindsley who then accepted of ye trust as above-And at this pres- ent Meeting Dea. Allen, Philip Condict, & Jonas Phillips by order gave their consent to accept of the trust to which they had been chosen, were ordained Charged receiv- ed & took yr Seats accordingly-
Since our last choice of Dea. & Eld'r-Eld. Dan. Lindsly removed by death.
The Elders proceeded to inspect the state of the Trustees of this Ch. & Society, & and find since our last one of their Members Viz Cap Jos. Stiles removed by death, another Viz. Benj'n Coe removed to Red- stone, another Viz. Mr. Benj'n Bayles re- signed on account of his Age, & sent his resignation by Cap. Lindsley w'o was desır- ed to wait on him for yt purpose, & Mr. Henry Primrose w'o was present & personal- ly resigned on account of infirmities of body. The Elders accepted their resignation with their reasons, & according to Charter, proceeded to substitute new Members in their stead, & made choice of the following Persons on account of the above removals, Viz. Jonathan Stiles Esqr. Mr. Benj'n Linds- ley, Mr. Jonathan Ford & Mr. John Mills who were unanimously Elected, & have .
-
-- -
L
f
h. re n· t-
1
7
11.
1
. 1
,k
i .4 1 20
1.71.7
:
1.
11
3
D
. 1 19 92
.
- build. ur n . 19
4
PASTORATE OF REV. TIMOTHY JOHNES.
accepted of the trust. Concluded with Prayer.
[The following minute is of special inter- est as indicating the general commotion occasioned by petty gossip in the days be- fore railroads and telegraph.]
The Session of ye Ch. at Morris-Town met Decem'r 22. 1783. for the purpose of setling certain differences between Mr. & Mrs. C*, & Dan'l T*, present. ye Rev'd | worth, it did not appear to the Session to Mess'rs Jno. Elmer & John Juline with John Cary one of yr Eld. who attended according to a recommendation of Pby. [Presbytery] & the Rev'd Alexander Miller who sits as a Correspondent-The Eld'rs Mess. Jonas Phillips Dea. Prudden [1] Cap. Jno. Linds- ley, Philip Condict & Maj'r Lindsly-The Session having been opened by Prayer Mr. Elmer w's chosen Mod'r & Mr. Juline clk .- The parties at variance being present Mr. C* delivered in to ye Session a letter which he had received from Mr. T* in which were contained Charges against Mr. C* & his wife in the
I Place Mr. T* accuses Mr. C* of wrongfully asserting that Mr. T* had sent his wife Children away & could not let them live with her altho' Mr. C* offered to give him w't two men should think it worth.
2 That Mr. C* was guilty of immoral con- duct in neglecting & refusing to get his wife a Cupboard & pair of Buckles & some Tea spoons --
Mr. T* accused Mrs. C*
I of denying yt Mr. C* had agree'd to get the Cupboard Buckles & Spoons in the room of 10 pounds w'h he kept for that purpose
2 of wrongfully asserting that he Mr. T* knew his wife had given away her third of Land before Marriage
3 of wrongfully asserting that his wife suffered in sickness & had nothing for her comfort because he was so cross yt he would not let her have it
The parties being heard their evidences sworn & examined the Session after mature deliberation came to the following conclu- sions
-
-As to the first part of the first Charge Viz that Mr. C* had wrongfully asserted that Mr. T* had sent the Children away &
would not let them live with her, Mr. C. acknowledged yt he had asserted this, but proved yt he immediately owned his mistake as he had forgotten untill reminded by Mrs. C* that they had taken the Children away them selves-As to the latter part of this Charge that Mr. C* had not offered as he asserted he had, to give him for- keeping the Children what two men should think it be supported- -As to the 2d Charge against Mr. C* of his being guilty of im- moral conduct in neglecting & refusing to get his wife a cupboard Buckles & tea spoons the Session do not Judge it suffic. iently supported --- The I Charge against Mrs. C*, Mr. T* did not insist upon-The 2d Charge viz her asserting that he knew his wife had given away her third of Land before Marriage Mr. T* might not know yt ! circumstance before Marriage, yet it appear- ed to ye Session yt Mrs. C* had so much reason for her assertion that she was not worthy of Blame for what she said -- with respect to the last Charge against Mrs. C* viz her asserting yt Mr, T*'s wife suffer- ed in sickness & had nothing for her com- fort because he was so Cross yt he would not let her have it, Altho Mrs. T* might have suffered dureing her illness yet consid- ering ye circumstances of Mr. T* Family. The Session are of opinion yt she did not suffer thru' her husbands default or neglect, excepting in ye instance of his refusing Mrs. C*'s assistance when much needed, for which he was greatly to blame & ye con- duct gave Mrs. C* good reason to accuse him of Moroseness in ye respect above men- tioned. In the course of the trial it appear- ed to the Session yt Mr. T* had repeatedly cast some very unchristian & unbecoming reflections upon Mrs. C*'s moral character for which he stands reproved
--- And moreover ye Session are of opin- ion yt Mr. T* is very culpable in giving him selfe & others so much troble & dis- turbance about Matters in them selves of no great importance
-----
--- however they are disposed to attribute it to his inexperience & unhappy prejudices rather than to ye vitiousness of his heart
Finally, the Session with a deep felt sense of love & affection to the contending parties & the peace & honour of the Ch, of Christ do
[x ]First appearance ot the second Deacon Prudden.
-
H
1
4
10.000
1
1. 101
si
MINUTES OF THE SESSION.
5
as friends & B'rs beseach & entreat yt those disagreeable & unprofitable disputes may now subside & be no more- -That the parties in future would live in love, study those things yt make f Peace & whereby one may edify ye other-That each & every one from a sense of duty, love to God their Neighbours & them selves would con- tribute all in their Power to establish & maintain ys Peace, yt ye God of love & Peace might be with them-And now in a word B'n we commend you to God & the word of his grace which is able to comfort & build you up & give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified.
Ordered to be read Publickly in the Ch. -which w's done
Signed by order of the Session
Jonathan Elmer Moderator John Juline Clerk
Concluded with Prayer.
July 2, 1785. At a lecture preparatory to the Sacrament the Church being duly notic- ed previously of the business the Church voted that there was propriety in chusing three Elders and after Prayer the nature of the office being pointed out they proceeded to vote & Chose Mr. Caleb Munson Mr. Phillip Lindsly & Mr. Ezra Halsey, Received a Charge & ye right hand of fellowship Con- cluded with Prayer.
[The following minute has no date, but lies between those of Dec. 27, 1785, & Feb. 15, 1788. It is of interest in showing the beginning of clemency towards what was then regarded as a sinful marriage, and is yet illegal in England.]
At a Ch. Session convened at the Minis- ters house present Dea. Prudden Jonas Phil- lips Caleb Munson Phil. Lindsly Elders- & the Mod'r Timo. Johnes who opened the Session with Prayer. After which there was laid before us an affair of Marriage Viz Daniel B* who had Married his wifes Sister after his wife's Decease praying to be re- stored to their former standing in the Ch.
The Session after maturely deliberating on the matter according to a late rule & Judgment of Synod that provided for the relief of such Persons that upon humiliation and confession of the parties yt they had been premature in their marriage though they had clearness in them selves to act yet are grieved & hartily sorry that they have
been the occation of grief & offence to the Ch. and people of God & beg their prayers that their resolutions may be strengthened to live & act more inoffensively for the future & after Publick admonision & reprehension they may be restored to their former Privil- eges & standing in the Ch.
Elder Philip Condict is now come & reasons for not coming sooner sustained- - The Session gave order to the Treasurer Mr. Fred. King to deal out the money that had been contributed for that purpose To poor Wid. &c.
Concluded with Prayer.
[The last two minutes in Dr. Johnes' book are the following, both of them written with a trembling hand. The first undoubtedly relates to the transactions of the famous " Morristown Ghost." The Second is note- worthy because it closes Dr. Johnes' " Af- fair as Determined by our Session" with an instance of hisgentleness towards one whom earlier minutes show to have been outra- geous in her malice.]
October 30, 1789. At a Ch. Session duly noticed Present Dea. Allen, Dea. Prudden, Jonas Phillips, Philip Condict, Caleb Mun son, Ezra Halsey, & the Mod'r w'o opened the Session w'h Prayer after which the Judgment of the Session was made and or- dered to be read publickly from ye Desk & is as followeth-Whereas public report has charged a Number of ye members of ys Ch. with being guilty of base & fraudulent mis- conduct ; The Session having examined into the s'd charge, do find that several of the said Ch. members have been deceived by an artifice of some wicked man, or men, but that neither of them have been guilty of any intention of deceiving or defrauding of any Person, & yt as their intention does not ap- pear to have been evil, it is ye opinion of the Session that the report, so far as it af- fects their moral character, is not well founded -- Videl. * [Here follow
nine names.]
Concluded with Prayer.
April 30, 1790. At a Ch. Session duly noticed present Dea. Allen Mr. Jonas Phil- lips Phil. Condict Caleb Munson Ezra Hal- sey Maj. Lindsley & the Mod'r who opened the Session w'h Prayer when John * 's wife who had been censured was admitted to a rehearing the censure was altered from the
Ir. C 5, bat Istake Mra away rt of d as ping k it to irge im- to tea fic. ast 'he 1 hd yt
٢٧١٠٠
it.
.. ٠ ٢ ٢٠
Ba J.Gicto g
5319
.
٦٠٠
6
PASTORATE OF REV. TIMOTHY JOHNES.
broad Alley to a humble confession before the Elders & others present which she readily made & an admonition from the Mod'r w'h w's then administered-concluded w'h Prayer.
CHARTER OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN MORRISTOWN.
George the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith. To all to whom these presents shall come, GREETING :
WHEREAS, the advancement of true Re- ligion and virtue is absolutely necessary for the promotion of Peace, order and prosper- ity of the State,
AND WHEREAS, it is the duty of all Christian princes and Governors by the law of God, to do all they can for the encour- agement thereof,
tioners and the Presbyterians in General to us, their firm affection to our person and Government, and the Protestant succes- sion in our Royal House, gave the Peti- tioners hopes of reasonable Indulgence and favour within the same Colony where the Religious rites of Mankind are so happily preserved, and where our equal Grace and Bounty to all our Protestant faithful Sub- jects however differing in opinion about lesser matters has hitherto been so sensibly felt and enjoyed, the said Petitioners there- fore most humbly prayed our Grant of an Incorporation to the Petitioners by the name of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Morris Town, with all such pow- ers, capacities and privileges as might be effectual in law for the purposes aforesaid, and that Benjamin Hatheway, Charles Howell, Henry Primrose, Benjamin Bayles, Thomas Kent, Benjamin Coe and Samuel Roberts might be the first Trustees, which : petition signed with the names of a great number of our faithful and loving subjects, Inhabitants in and about the. said Town, we being willing to grant -
AND WHEREAS, Sundry of our loving Subjects of the Presbyterian Persuasion Inhabitants of an about the Township of Morris, within our Colony of New Jersey, by their humble petition presented to our KNOW YE, that we of our especial Grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, have willed and ordained, constituted, given and granted, and for us, our heirs and succes- sors by these presents, Do, will, ordain, constitute, give and grant, that Benjamin Hathaway, Charles Howell, Henry Prim- rose, Benjamin Bayles, Thomas Kent, Benj- amin Coe and Samuel Roberts, from hence- forth and their successors forever here- after, shall be and remain one body politick and corporate, in deed, fact and name, by the name of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Morris Town, and them and their successors by the name of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Morris Town one body body corporate and politick, in deed, fact and name, really and fully. We do for us, our heirs and successors, erect, make, ordain constitute, declare and create by these presents, and by that name they shall and may have perpetual succession. Trusty and well beloved Jonathan Belcher, Esq., our Captain General and Commander in Chief of our Province of New Jersey and Vice Admiral in the same, shewing that the petitioners and others of the same persua- sion Inhabitants, in and about the Town- ship of Morris aforesaid, do make up a very large and considerable congregation, that the most advantageous support of religion among them necessarily requires that some persons should be incorporated as Trustees for the community that they may take grants of lands and chattels thereby, to en- able the Petitioners to erect and repair pub- lic buildings for the Worship of God, and the use of the Ministry and School Houses and Alms Houses, and suitably to support the Ministry and the Poor of their church, and to do and perform other acts of Piety and Charity, and that the same Trustees may have power to let and grant the same under a Publick Seal for the uses aforesaid, AND ALSO, that they and their successors, by the name of the Trustees of the Presby- terian Church in Morris Town, be and for- ever hereafter, shall be persons able in law, And that the same Trustees may plead and be impleaded in any suit touching the premises and have perpetual succession, that also the known Loyalty of the Peti-| to purchase, take, hold, receive and enjoy
-
-
「).
1
٠٫٠١
١ ٠١٢٠١
::
٠ ٩٠
1
1
1
7
CHARTER OF THE CHURCH.
any messuages, Houses, Buildings, Lands' Tenements, rents, possessions and other heriditaments and real estate, in fee simple or otherwise, so as the yearly clear value of the same does not exceed the sum of Two hundred pounds sterling, the statute of Mortmain or any other law to the contrary notwithstanding. and also goods, chattels and all other things of what kind or quality soever.
AND ALSO, that they or their successors. by the name of the Trustees of the Presby- terian Church in Morris Town, shall and may give, grant and demise, assign, sell or otherwise dispose of all or any of their mes- suages, houses, lands, tenements, rents possessions and other heriditaments and real estate, and all their goods, chattels and other things aforesaid as to them shall seem meet. And also, that they and their suc- cessors, by the name of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Morris Town, be and forever hereafter, shall be persons able in law and capable to sue and be sued, implead or be impleaded, answer or be answered, defend or be defended in all Courts of Judicature whatever. And also, that the said Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Morris Town for the time being, and their successors shall and may forever hereafter, have and use a common seal with such device or devices as they shall think proper for sealing all and singular deeds, grants, conveyances, contracts, Bonds, Articles of Agreement, assignments, powers, authorities and singular, their af- fairs and things touching or concerning the said Corporation. And also, that the said Trustees and their successors forever, may as oft as they see fit break change and new make the same or any other their common seal. And further, we do of our especial Grace certain knowledge and mere motion for us, our heirs and successors by these presents, Will, ordain, constitute, give and grant, that upon any vacancy among the Trustees of the said Presbyterian Church in Morris Town, by death, removal or other Incapacity whatsoever, that the Minister or Ministers, Elders and Deacons for the time being of the said Presbyterian Church in Morris Town, shall and may meet together at Morris Town aforesaid, and then and there elect and choose such person or per-
sons out of the Congregation of said Church as they think proper to supply the vacancy of such Trustee or Trustees, caused by death, removal or other Incapacity as aforesaid. And also, that at any and all times whatsoever, when the said Minister or Ministers, Elders and Deacons of the Church afores'd or the majority of them for the time being, shall and may meet to- gether at Morris Town aforesaid, and are hereby sufficiently authorized then and there to displace and to remove from the office of Trustee and such Trustee or Trustees, and in their room and stead to elect and choose out of the Congregation of said Church, any person or persons to sup- ply the place or places of such Trustee or Trustees so displaced and removed, pro- vided always that the number of the said Trustees exceed not seven, and every Trustee so elected & appointed as aforesaid, shall by virtue of these presents and of such elec- tion and appointment be vested with all the power and privileges which any of the other Trustees has or has had. And we do further, will and Ordain, give and grant that the Trustees of the said Presbyterian Church in Morris Town and their successors for the time being, shall from time to time have power to choose their President out of the Trustees for the time being, who shall have the custody of the publick seal of the said corporation, and all the Books, Char- ters, Deeds and Writings anyways relating to the said corporation, and shall have power from time to time and at all times hereafter, as occasion shall require to call a meeting of the said Trustees at Morris Town afore- said, for the election of all or any of the powers hereby given and granted ; and in case of sickness, absence or death of the President, all the powers by these presents granted to the President shall be and re- main in the Eldest Trustee upon record un- til the recovery or return of the President, or until a new President be chosen as afore- said. And we do further Will, ordain, give and grant that all and every act and order of four of the said Trustees (but not of any . lesser number) consented and agreed to at such meeting of the Trustees aforesaid, shall be good, valid and effectual to all in- tents and purposes as if the whole num- ber of the said Trustees had consented and
t
- to nd Is- ti- id le y d 1
٦٠
. 1
٠٠.
41
٠ ٠١٠٠٠٠
١٢٠٠٠
٢٠١١٤٠
8
PASTORATE OF REV. TIMOTHY JOHNES.
agreed thereto. And we do further Will and Ordain, that all the acts of the said Trustees, shall from time to time be fairly entered in a Book or Books to be kept for that pur- pose by the President of the Trustees for the time being, which book or books to- gether with the Seal of the said Corpora- tion and all charters, deeds and writings whatsoever belonging any way to the said Corporation, shall be delivered over by the former President to the President of the said Trustees newly elected for the time be- ing, as such President shall hereafter from time to time successively be chosen.
AND LASTLY, we do of our especial Grace certain knowledge and mere motion for us, our heirs and successors by these presents, give and grant unto the said Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Morris Town and their successors forever, that these our Let- ters Patent on the Enrollment thereof, shall be good and effectual in the law to all intents and purposes against us, our heirs and successors without any other License, Grant or Confirmation from us, our heirs and successors hereafter by the said Trustees of the said Presbyterian Church in Morris Town, to be had or obtained notwith- standing the not reciting or misrecital, or not naming or misnaming of the aforesaid offices, franchises, privileges, immunities or other, the premises or any of them, and notwithstanding the Writ of Ad Quod Damnum hath not issued forth to enquire of the premises or any of them before en- sealing hereof, any Statute, act, ordinance or provision, or any other matter or thing to the contrary notwithstanding.
To have, hold and enjoy all and singular, the privileges, advantages, liberties, immun- ities and all other the premises herein, and hereby granted and given or which are meant, mentioned or intended to be herein given and granted unto them, the said Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Morris Town and to their successors forever.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, we have caus- ed these, our Letters to be made Patent, and the Great Seal of our said Province of New Jersey to be hereunto affixed.
New Jersey, this Eighth day of September, in the Thirtieth year of our reign, and in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred fifty and Six.
CHARLES READ, Secr'y.
I have perused the above charter and find nothing therein contained inconsistent with the honor and interest of the Crown. September 7th, 1756.
C. SKINNER, Att'y Gen'l ..
Let the Great Seal of the Province
GREAT
be hereunto affixed.
SEAL
J. BELCHER.
OF
NEW JERSEY.
To the Secretary of New Jersey.
Recorded at Trenton, Oct. 5, 1774, in Book C, 3, of Commissions, page 7, &c.
RECORDS OF THE TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
A Record of the Transactions of the Trus- tees in and for the Presbyterian Chh & Con- gregation at morristown, in Vertue of a Charter granted to the said Chh & Congre- gation by his Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esqr., Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over his majesties Province of Nova Cesarea or New jersey and territories thereon Depending in America Chancellor and Vice admiral in the same, &c., which Charter was granted the eighteenth [8th] of September, in the twenty ninth [30th] year of his majesties Reign 1756, the Expence of which Charter being about seven Pound Proc. was raised by Publick Contribution Excepting the writing of Sd Charter, which was Generously done by Ezekiel Cheever, member of Sd Society
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.