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 9
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
Voted, That an address containing the thanks of the Society be presented him in the words following, viz :
The congregation sensible of the long and faithful services which the Rev. Dr. Johnes has rendered this congregation by his care and prudence as a minister and the blessings they have been favoured with by means of his administration. Voted, That the thanks of the congregation be presented to the Dr. for such his services and for the friendly and benevolent manner in which he hath been pleased to relinquish the obligation subsisting between him and his people and for his kind offer of future assistance-and that Silas Condict, Esq., and Deacon Allen wait on him and inform him of this Vote. That the members of the congregation now present will endeavor that a generous com- pensation shall be annually contributed so long as his assistance and direction shall by a kind providence be continued.
Voted, That the same persons wait on Rev. Mr. Collins, inform him of the deter- mination of the congregation and request his answer.
Voted, That the Trustees hire a house for Rev. Mr. Collins,and that the same be levied on the people in the same tax with the salary.
SUBSCRIPTION FOR PRINCETON COLLEGE.
Morristown, Jan. 5th, 1769, the Trustees
. . .
5.
٤٠
11
.
@ J. 121.
1
٠٠٠
٠٢ - ٠١١ ٠١٨
361. 1.
15
of the College of New-Jersey having repre- sented to the Presbyteries, that the interest of their capital was inadequate to the an- nual necessary expences of the College. The Presbyteries considering the necessity and importance of the object, are uniting their indcavours to increase said capital. And our presbytery, viz., of New-york, the 18th of October agreed to open a subscrip- tion to exert ourselves on that head, which motion the members of our Ch. Session not- withstanding the publick expence now ly- ing on them, do, both encourage it them- selves, and recommend it to others-The subscription is as followeth-We whose names are under written do promise to pay or cause to be paid to the Treasurer of the College and to the use and benefit of the College the several sums affixed to our names Proc., &c.
Rev'd Tim. Johnes £ 9.0.0
Jacob Ford, Esq'r 21.0.0
Dea. Matthias Burnet · 9. 0. 0
Cap. Tim. Mills 6. 0. 0
Elder Daniel Lindsley . 3. 0. 0 .
Abr. Ogden, Esq'r . 3. 0. 0
Elder Jno. Lindsley 3. 0: 0
Joseph Wood 6. 0. 0
Henry Gardiner . 0.16.0
Nathan Reeve 3. 0. 0
John Ayres, Esq'r . 9. 0. 0
Thomas Kenney
3. 0. 0
Will'm DeHart, Esq'r 3. 0. 0
Thomas Morrell 4.10.0
Jonas Phillips 4.10.0
Isaac Pierson
3. 0. 0
Jonathan Cheever
1. 0. 0
Peter Condict 2.11.0
Peter Prudden 2.II.O .
Moses Prudden 2.11.0
Joseph Prudden . .
2.11.0
Benjamin Pierson . 9. 0. 0
Samuel Tuthill, Esq'r 3. 0. 0
Silas Condict 3. 0. 0
Ezra Halsey, elder .
12.0.0
Samuel Robarts
3. 0. 0
Augustine Bayles 3. 0. 0
Wid. Phebe Wood . 3. 0. 0
Jonathan Stiles, Esq'r 1.15.0
Cap. Benjamin Halsey . 0,10,0
140. 5. o Proc.
BENJAM'N LINDSLEY.
Mr. Sergeant, the Treasurer of ye College receit for £140 Proc. was seen and acknowl- edged by the Elders and the overplush was allowed for incidental charges, testafied in behalf of ye Rest by JACOB FFORD.
Sept. 29, 1787. Then presented to the Trustees of Nassau Hall for the education of poor and pious youth as followeth, viz: Caleb Russell, Esq. 22 dol. & 45 ninetieths Joseph Lewis, Esq. & 5 .€
Silas Condict, Esq. 42 " & 1
Icabod Cooper, & I ..
Dea: Gilbert Allen,
& 80
Phillip Lindsley, 3 " & 66 ..
Jonathan Dickerson, Esq., 16 dol.& 12 ..
Col. Benoni Hathaway, 3" & 30 ..
John Mills .9" & 2
£ 41. 3. 9
For which they received the thanks of the Board of Trustees.
Test. TIMO. JOHNES.
MR. COLLINS ASSISTANT TO DR. JOHNES.
MINUTES OF SESSION.
Jan. 11, 1791. At a church Session, duly noticed, met at the House of the Rev'd DD. Johnes Jan. 11th AD 1791. Present Pastors Messieurs DD. Johnes A. C. Collins, Elders, Messieurs Gilbert Allen, Joseph Prudden, Jonas Phillips, Caleb Munson, Joseph Linsley & Ezra Halsey. The Meet- ing was opened by Prayer, offered by Dr. Johnes, the Moderator. *
* The Ses- sion proceaded to distribute the money con- tributed for the Poor on Thanksgiving day, & gave to the wid. R. 6 shillings, to the wid. M. 5 shillings, to the wid. S. 5 shillings, to Mr. W. 5 shillings, to Mr. L. 5 shillings, & to Mrs. T. 5 shillings. The meeting was closed with prayer.
Jan, 23, AD. 1791. The Chh. Session, duly noticed, met at the House of the Rev'd DD. Johnes. Present the Rev'd Messers DD. Johnes, A. C. Collins. Elders, Messers Gilbert Allen, Joseph Prudden, Jonas Philips, Joseph Lindsley, Caleb Munson & Ezra Halsey. The meeting was opened by prayer, offered by the Moderator.
The question was then put whether the Elders shall not with the Ministers, or
April 27, 1873. The Elders being met, | either of them, be a Committee to examine
4
MINUTES OF SESSION.
- me the nd ng ng ch Id n- n
٢ ١٠٠مإ
1. 0
1.97
16
MR. COLLINS ASSISTANT TO DR. JOHNES.
all candidates for Chh-membership ; which was unanimously agreed to The Session further resolve that a new Book shall be purchased, to contain all the Chh. records from the time of Mr. Collins's ordination ; which shall be kept by the Ministers, or either of them.
This question was then put : Whether those persons who have covenanted with God & [been] admitted members of the Chh. & have come to the ordinance of Baptism,but not to the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, shall renew covenant in order to come to that ordinance ? In consequence of which they unanimously agreed that they need not, but that they be required to inform the Ministers, or Minister, that it is their desire to come to the Lord's Supper previ- ous to their coming, & that the Minister publish the same to the Chh.
The Session further agreed that the Con- gregation shall be informed, that those who bring Children to baptism are required to deliver the time of the Child's birth & its name, in writeing, to the Minister when it is baptised.
The Session directed that their procead- ings at this meeting be publickly read to the Congregation.
The meeting was closed with prayer.
[Minutes of only two other meetings, "Oct. 17, 1791," and " Feb, 8, 1792," appear in the Session Book, until " May 22d, 1795;" the minutes of Feb. 8, 1792, end at the bot- tom of page 2, and those of May 22d, 1795, begin at the top of page 3, in the " new Book."]
RECORDS OF THE TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
Feb. 1, 1790 -At a meeting of the Trus- tees at the house of Jos. Lewis present, The president Mr. Lindsly, Mr. Ford, Mr. Mills and Mr. Johnson.
In consequence of the vote of the Parish meeting the 25th ult. the Trustees prepared an obligation for the Rev'd Mr. Collins' Salary and house rent in words following -- viz.
Whereas on the 25th day of January 1790 at a parish meeting for that purpose ap- pointed, it was unanimously voted that the Rev. Aaron Collins should be employed as
a minister of the gospel of the first Presby. terian Church and Congregation in Morris. town and that the said Mr. Collins should have besides the use of a house and parson- age and fire wood, as a salary the sum of one hundred and thirty pounds for the first year, and one hundred and forty pounds for the second year, and the sum of one hun- dred and fifty pounds annually thereafter so long as he shall continue to do the duties of a minister to the said Congregation, and it being also voted that the said salary to- gether with the money for the hire of a house for the said minister, should be raised and -levied upon the parishioners by the way of a tax as the law directs the State taxes. to be raised excepting that three assist- ants or supervisors should be annually ap. pointed by the Parish, whose duty it should be to make abatements and alterations from the strict rules of law as to them shall seem just and equitable in consideration of the distance of residence of some of the parish- ioners from the place of worship or for par- ticular misfortune or embarrassment of cir- cumstances. Therefore we the subscribers sensible of the general utility and vast im- portance to ourselves and posterity of sup- porting the gospel, and being desirous that unanimity may subsist and continue, and that the burden of such support may be borne as equitably as possible and hoping jointly to participate in the advantages and blessings of the Gospel ministry, do hereby bind ourselyes to pay the sums that shall be so assessed and levied upon us annually to commence from the ist day of March one thousand seven hundred & ninety, unto the said Aaron Collins, or to such person or persons as shall by the said parish be ap- pointed to collect or receive the same, and that during the time he shall continue to officiate, and do the duties of a minister to said congregation, and we continue to be members thereof, or until the mode of pay- ment shall be revoked or altered by plurality of voices of the said Parishioners.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this first day of Feb. 1790.
The trustees also proposed a subscription for the Rev. Doct. T. Johnes' salary in the words following, vız.
Whereas, The Rev. Doct. T. Johnes in con- sequence of his being by divine Providence
1
. 6e
:
::
.14
: 1
")
.
17
TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
disenabled at least in part of performing the duties of a minister of the Gospel to the people of his charge, and they by his con- sent and advice having agreed to employ another minister to assist and perform the duties of the Gospel ministry to the said people, and the said Doct. Johnes having generously relinquished the obligation his people were under to pay him his stipulated salary at the same time kindly offering to serve and assist by his counsel & adminis- tration, as far as God shall enable him in the sacred work of the ministry. We the sub- scribers being sensible not only of his past long and faithful services to our Fathers and to us, and the blessing we have there- by enjoyed, but also of the need we still stand in of his pious advice and instruc- tions, do cheerfully agree and promise to pay to the said Doct. T. Johnes or order the sums severally affixed to our names and that from the time the other minister shall com- mence, annually, so long as the said Doct, Johnes shall continue to render such, his advice and assistance to the said congrega- tion, or until we shall each for himself with- draw this our consent and choice of reward- ing virtue.
Witness our hands this Ist day of Feb., 1790.
Voted, That Deacon Allen and Mr. John- son be requested to go through the Society with the said obligation and subscription and endeavor to get them signed.
June 21, 1790, --
Mr. President proposed to have a Church Treasurer in the room of Mr. Smith who is absent-whereupon the Board appointed Mr. Mills to serve in that office. Mr. Mills was appointed to settle the accounts of the late Treasurer, and report to the Board. The Board appointed Mr. Cherry to serve as Sex- ton, and that he be paid five pounds per year by the Treasurer, and be allowed to de- mand and receive from five shillings to a dollar for digging a grave and tolling the bell at each funeral ; and that the Sexton see that the meeting house is properly swept from time to time and be allowed three pounds five shillings to pay for that service with the reserve that Joseph Wood- man be allowed to continue to do the busi- ness as heretofore.
Sept. 6, 1790, at the house of Joseph Lewis.
The weekly contributions falling short of the current expenses of ringing the Bell, sweeping the meeting house, &c, Voted, that Mr. Lewis wait on the Rev. Doctor Johnes and request him to address the peo- ple upon this occasion and request their future attention to this part of their duty and to be more liberal in contributing, and the next succeeding Sabbath be ap- pointed to make a collection for paying ar- rears which now amount to about 5 or 6 pounds.
Voted that Jesse Cuttler and Samuel Day be appointed to carry about the collection box in the gallery when contributions are tu be made.
Voted. That the Assessor be requested to assess twenty-two pounds ten shillings (in addition to the Rev. Mr. Collins' salary) for the purpose of paying the rent of a house hired for the use of Mr. Collins,
Oct. 8, 1790 .-- At a meeting of the congre- gation pursuant to advertisements for that purpose.
Resolved, That Deacon Allen serve as Moderator. That Joseph Lewis serve as Clerk.
James Smith having removed and Joseph Lewis having resigned his office as a Trus- tee, the congregation elected Jonathan Og- den and Jacob Arnold, Esq., to serve as Trustees.
Resolved, That the committee of Direc- tion proceed to provide materials for the new meeting house as soon as convenient. that the house be built seventy feet long and fifty feet broad. That a committee of Council be appointed to give further instructions to the Committee of Direct- ors from time to time as they may think proper.
That Judge Condict, Doct. Johnes, Jr., Doct. Jab. Campfield, Squire Carmichael, Squire Lindsley, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Jonathan Dickerson, Major Lindsley, Deacon Allen, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Mills and Mr. Halsey be a committee for that purpose. That the said committee have leave to add to or take from the length or breadth of the said new meet- ing house any number of feet not exceeding live. That the said Committee have leave to apply to the Legislature for the privilege of a Lottery to raise a sum of money equal to the expense of building the new meeting
:sby. Tris Jule SOD.
for
ies nd - ed he es
d
.
-
11
5
:1 . 1 2. .... 2
1
18
MR. COLLINS ASSISTANT TO DR. JOHNES.
house. That the Board of Trustees have leave to purchase a stove for the Rev. Mr. Collins.
November 24th, 1790.
The Trustees met at Mr. Lewis', present : the President, Mr. Lindsley, Mr. Ford, Mr. Johnson & Jonathan Ogden attended in consequence of his being appointed instead of Joseph Lewis, who had resigned his seat, in the board, & Mr. Ogden being duly sworn, and subscribed the oath as the law directs, took his seat in the board.
Voted that the subscriptions signed for the purpose of building a New Meeting House, dated 15th day of Sept., 1788, be de- livered to Joseph Lewis, Moses Esty & Daniel Phoenix, Jr., appointed a Committee of Directors to superintend the said Build- ing-and that the several sums therein sub- scribed be, & the same are hereby made pay- able to them.
Voted that Mr. Ogden be & he is hereby appointed Clerk.
At a meeting of the Parish on the 22nd Feb., 1792. Voted that in the room & stead of a Dwelling House an addition be made to the Rev. Mr. Collins' Salary equal to the interest a House proper for a Minister would cost ; to be estimated by a commit- tee consisting of Benj. Lindsley, Deacon Alling, Joseph Lindsley, John Britton, Silas Condict, Cornelius Locy & Jonas Phillips. The Trustees wished the Parish to deter- mine on the propriety of selling the Parish land to the Rev. Mr. Collins for building on. And the proprietors of the Academy for a building spot on which to place an Academy.
Voted the Trustees shall act in the business above mentioned as they think proper.
At a meeting of the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church, at Morris Town, the 15th day of March, A.D., 1792.
Voted that Jonathan Dickerson serve as Moderator; that Joseph Lewis serve as Clerk.
A letter was presented by Silas Condict, Esq., signed by Jacob Arnold, dated Feb. 25, 1792. On motion whether the said letter shall be read, it passed in the affirmative, and is in the words following : " Gent'n., I know not who to direct to, but if I understand the
Subscription, the Subscriber is at liberty at the end of every year to declare of from Mr. Collins, if so the second year ends next March ; I declare of from paying any fur- ther Salery to Mr. Collins as a preacher than two years, and further : if his subsistance as a preacher depends on the trustees to the congregation, I declare off and mean to ap- ply to the Presbytery to silence or discharge said Collins from Morris Congregation as a preacher. This notification I give in be- half of myself and the Congregation. I re- main Gent'n. Your humble Serv't, Jacob Arnold.
Silas Condit, Esq., president of Morris Con- gregation & to' the Deacons & Elders of said church."
On motion whether Mr. Arnold was au- thorized by the Congregation to give the aforesaid notice, and sign said letter in their behalf, it passed in the negative, On motion whether the Congregation approves of the contents of said letter, it passed in the neg- ative. On motion, it is resolved, that this Congregation highly disapprove of the con- duct of the said Jacob Arnold, as it directly tends to disunite and disturb the peace of this congregation and that his assuming to act in behalf of this . Congregation in a matter of so great importance and that so essentially affects their interests and happi- ness, without their knowledge or consent & contrary to their desire, is altogether un- justifiable, and that he the said Jacob Arnold be discharged from the office of Trustee to the congregation.
At a meeting of the Trustees at the house of Caleb Russel, Esq., 5th day of September, 1792. The President, Mr. Lindsley, Mr. Ford, Mr. Mills, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Ogden being met, a deed being made out for one hundred feet of land in front and one hundred and thirty feet deep on the hill opposite the Connors land agreeable to a vote of the parish requesting the trustees to act discretionary on this affair, the 22d Feb. 1792-the sd. deed was then signed Conveying twenty-nine hundredths of an acre of land to the proprietors of the in- tended Academy for the sum of thirty pounds Jersey money. Caleb Russell, Esq., gave his obligation for sd. sum. A commit- tee consisting of Mr Condict, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Ogden was appointed to examine
4 ر
..
:
1
1
19
TRUSTEES AND PARISH.
the acct. of the managers of the new Meet- ing House.
At a meeting of the Parish on 24th Jan. 1793, Dea. Gilbert Alling chosen Moderator, and Israel Canfield chosen Clerk.
Resolved, That in order to discharge the debts contracted, on acct. of Building sd. Church and to proceed in further furnishing the same that the sum of twelve hundred pounds be raised this year by subscription.
Resolved, sd. subscription be payable the ist of April next. Resolved, that Israel Canfield draw the subscription, and that Deacon Alling and George Tucker call on the people of the parish to subscribe on or before the first of march next.
The parish proceeded & chose Joseph Marsh in place of John Mills who declines as manager. Doctor William Campfield, man- ager in place of Joseph Lewis who declines. Benja. Linds, Esquire, declines serving as manager, whereupon Israel Canfield was chosen manager in his stead. The congre- gation having been advertised agreeable to law in order to chose a Trustee, Benjamin Pierson was duly elected to that office.
At a parish meeting held at the meeting house, 2nd Sept., 1793.
Resolved that the confession made by the Rev'd. Aaron C. Collins before the associa- tion, be read.
Whereas, the Rev. Mr. Collins has re- quested to be discharged from this Church and congregation as their pastor, and at the same time submitted to them to fix the period when his salary should terminate, and the church and Congregation having maturely considered the same, Resolved that they agree to his proposition for a separation from him as their pastor. Re- solved, that the Trustees take charge of the parsonage & that they settle with Mr. Col- lins with respect to that part thereof which contains the nursery of mulbery trees agree- able to justice at their discretion. Resolved, that Silas Condit, Jacob Arnold, Caleb Rus- sell. Gilbert Alling, Joseph Prudden, Benj. Lindsley, Jonas Phillips, Jonathan Stiles, Joseph Lewis, Matthias Crain, Dr. Wm. Campfield & Timothy Johnes, Jr., be a com- mittee to ascertain and settle with Mr. Collins the arrears of salary that may be due to him.
Resolved, That the Deacons and Elders of
this church be a committee for supplying the pulpit-that the said committee be au- thorized to employ any person duly quali- fied to preach the Gospel whether as Sup- plies or Candidates for any time not more than three months, & in order that such service be duly rewarded, the said Conimit- tee are directed to prepare and present a subscription to the parishioners of this Con- gregation for the purpose of raising the sum of one hundred pounds or there abouts to be appropriated for the payment of such supplies or Candidates, including the service already performed by the Rev. Mr. Baldwin, & if the sum so raised should not be all ex- pended as above directed previous to the settlement of another minister in this Con- gregation-that such remaining sum shall be disposed of as the Congregation shall hereafter direct, & the sd. Committee are directed to keep an accurate account of their receipts and disbursements & lay the same before the Congregation whenever thereunto required, and, whereas it becomes us as professing Christians always to take notes of & wisely improve the dispensations of Divine Providence & as it is abundantly evident that God is now frowning on us as a Congregation, not only in permitting our pastor to conduct unbecoming his character and profession, but also in suspending those divine influences which are absolutely necessary to the being & continuance of Christian Love and Unity, the lamentable consequences of which obviously appear in the recent divisions & animosities that take place among us, with this view of our situation and in the same measure sensi- ble of our guilt and vileness, our lukewarm- ness, sloth & want of Zeal in the cause of Religion, and of the justice of God in his dealings with us, and of our entire depen- dence on him for every degree of grace, wisdom and prudence; we think it proper and do agree to set apart the day of this ( as a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer to Almighty God that he would pour out his Spirit upon us and grant us that penitent & forgiving temper of mind that may dispose us to peace and union and that he would direct us in the path of duty in our future endeavours for the settlement of the ministry and perpetuating the Ordi- nances of the Gospel amongst us,
-
1
ce
at om xt r- in
:: ٠٫٠
١٠-٠٠٠٫٥
١٢٠
1
1 1
1
1
1
16. 0
1
.
11
:
1
20
PASTORATE OF THE REV. TIMOTHY JOHNES, D.D.
July 21, 1794. At a meeting of the con- gregation of the first presbyterian Church of Morris-Town for the purpose of determining whether they should give Mr. James Rich- ards a call to become the pasture of this parrish, or to invite him to preach here a longer time upon tryal, and also for the pur- pose of entering into some resolution re- specting the compleating the new meeting house, and for other purposes held July 21st, 1794.
After singing a psalm and prayer by Dea- con Alling, the congregation appointed as moderator Deacon Alling ; Tobias Bodinot & Mahlon Dickerson, Clerk.
It being moved a pole should be taken in voting for Mr. Richards, a pole was accord- ingly taken by which it was agreed that a call should be preferred to him to become the pasture of this parish, one hundred and forty-two votes being taken for the call and two for inviting him to preach here a longer time upon tryal. Voted that presbytery be requested to write to the congregation of Sagg harbour on Long Island to solicit them to relinquish a part of the time which Mr. Richards is engaged to them, in order that he may return the sooner to this place.
Voted that the sum of four hundred and forty dollars a year be paid to Mr. Richards in regular quarterly payments, that he have the use of the Parsonage, belonging to this Parish (except a small part planted with a nursery of mulberry trees before Col. De- Hart's door) and to be found fire wood so soon as he shall keep house, while he shall continue to do the duty of a preacher of this congregation.
Voted that Mr. Richards be supported in this congregation by a tax to be raised by an obligation for that purpose in the words following, viz :
Whereas on the 21st day of July, 1794, at a Parish meeting of the first presbyterian Church and congregation in Morris-Town duly noticed for that purpose, it was voted that a call be prefered to Mr. James Rich- ards to take on him the pastoral charge of the said Church and congregation, and that as a compensation during the time, that he continue to do the duties of his office as a minister or pasture to the said congregation he shall be paid at the rate of four hundred
and forty dollars per annum in quarterly payments, with the use of the parsonage lands near the meeting house, excepting the small lot that contains the nursery of mul- berry trees, and it being also voted. that the said sallary should be raised and levied by the parishoners by way of tax as the law directs the state taxes to be raised, except- ing that four assistants or supervisors an- nually chosen to assist the assessor whose duty it shall be to make such abatements on the tax of individuals as to them shall seem just and equitable in consideration of their being in debt or any particular , - misfortune or embarrasment of circum- stances.
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.