The history of Camden county, New Jersey, Part 118

Author: Prowell, George Reeser, 1849-1928
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Richards
Number of Pages: 1220

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When Mr. Picton came among this people the old church was in a dilapidated condition. The floor was nearly all gone, the door off its hinges and most of the windows out. The seats were slabs placed upon blocks of wood. At recess the children of the school collected in the rickety building to play. In 1801 a new church was built a little in the rear of the present one, which stood until 1848-a very commodious little church, where much good service was done for the cause of religion.

For four years the church was dependent on supplies, Rev. Nathaniel Todd becoming the next pastor, in 1808, continuing until 1815. For several years there was no preaching, and in 1821 the only communicants appear to have been Samuel Pierce, John Goddard and Margaret Goddard, besides Elder Ogden. In this period the pulpit was sup- plied by William Rafferty, Ira Ingraham and Joseph H. Jones. The latter had a successful ministry, increasing the members to nine by the end of 1824. The following year Rev. Sylvester Scovel took charge of the church and remained a little more than three years. He was not installed pastor, but acted as stated supply. During his ministry twelve were added to the church. In 1828, May 3d, Major Peter Cheesman was ordained elder over this church, thus giving it a separate or- ganization from Woodbury, and better preparing it for its great work. Two members died during

Mr. Scovel's ministry, one was dismissed to a sister church and one was suspended from the communion. It may be interesting to know the names of the members of the church received before and during Mr. Scovel's ministry. They were Samuel Pierce, John Goddard, Margaret Goddard, Martha Pierce, Elizabeth Dotterer, Rebecca Chew, Sarah Pierce, Eleanor Morgan, Rebecca Pierce, Peter Cheesman, Sarah Cheesman, Sarah Ann Cheesman, Margaret Pierce, Amy Jaggard, Beulah Elkinton Wilkins, Sophia Charles, Elizabeth Morgan, Matilda Ash- ton Jaggard, Hannah Zane, Cynthia Ann Jaggard, Sarah Ann Marshall.

Mr. Scovel left September 1, 1828, and for a lit- tle more than a year the pulpit was supplied, when Charles Williamson began a pastorate which con- tinued seven years, when it was terminated on ac- count of inadequate support.

Mr. Randal W. Morgan was elected and ordained elder August 10, 1834, and served the church fourteen years, when he passed to his reward.

June 18, 1837, Rev. S. D. Blythe received a call from the united churches at a salary of eight hun- dred dollars,-five hundred dollars from Woodbury and three hundred from Blackwoodtown. He com- menced his labors July 4th of that year. Besides preaching regularly on the Sabbath, he taught school during the week, until he failed in health, and was obliged to give up teaching. In 1842, July 6th, herequested his congregation to unite with him in seeking a dissolution of the pastoral rela- tion, but they were unwilling to part with him, and he remained until his death, June 23, 1843. His labors were greatly blessed, and were the means of establishing firmly the church in this community. Thirty-four members were received by him, fifteen of whom are still with the church. The first year of his ministry Samuel Coles and Jonas Liver- more were elected and ordained elders, October, 1837. Mr. Coles served the church nearly six- teen years, up to the time of his death.

In September, 1839, the total membership of the church was fifty-three. As the membership in- creased in numbers, they began to think of the propriety of having a minister who should give all his time to this field. The interests of the con- gregation seemed to them to require it; and although not strong in numbers, or in pecuni- ary ability, they finally determined to undertake the work of supporting a minister who should de- vote himself to this particular field. In the spring of 1843 they secured the services of Rev. John Burtt, who continued as their minister until the spring of 1859,-sixteen years,-when, on account of failing health, he requested the consent of session

688

HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

to his resignation of his relation as stated supply. His resignation was accepted. During his ministry there were received into the membership of the church seventy persons, of whom twenty-eight are still members. The others, with the exception of one, have died or been dismissed to other churches. Mr. Burtt did good work for the cause here, by his clear, forcible and solid preaching. He gave strength and permanency to the work that had already been begun, and when he left it, it was in a fit condition for the rapid growth and prosperity that took place under his youthful and zealons successor, Rev. B. S. Everitt. In 1848 Mr. Burtt signified to the session his desire to leave, but after dne consideration it was thought best that, pro- vided the church should proceed to the erection of a new edifice for public worship, he should continue his labors, and so he agreed to postpone the sub- ject. The work was soon commenced, and the church now in nse was erected.

The people built for his u-e the present com- modions parsonage.

William Stevenson was elected and ordained elder June 18, 1848 ; Samuel Eckel and Charles Stevenson, March 27, 1852. Mr. Eckel died after a short service of two years. Randal E. Mor- gan was ordained March 26, 1854.

Rev. B. S. Everitt became pastor of this church in Juue, 1859, and remained until May, 1864, five years. His ministry was very successful indeed, one hundred and four members having been added to the church, of whom fifty four are still members. The church building became too small for the worshippers, and it was determined either to en- large or build a new house of worship. It was finally resolved to enlarge, and about fourteen feet were added to the building, making it its present size. This was done in 1861.

In 1861 D. E. Marshall and C. E. Pierson were elected ruling elders.

After Mr. Everitt's departure, Rev. Charles Wood was called, August 16, 1864. During his minis- try twenty-two were received, of whom sixteen still remain. Mr. Wood labored very earnestly and zeal- ously. During his and Mr. Everitt's and Mr. Burtt's pastorates the Sunday-school was in a very flourishing condition.

In February, 1867, Mr. Wood's pastorate was closed, and in March, the same year, the present pastor, the Rev. F. R. Brace, began a successful ministry, which has been continuous to this period. In 1876 Richard B. Stevenson and Samuel N. Chase were added to the session of ruling elders. In 1880 a lecture-room, twenty-four by forty-eight feet, was built in the rear of the chapel, and, in

1885, the church was renovated at an expense of one thousand dollars. In 1886 there were one hun- dred and sixty-five members, and the moneys raised for all purposes amounted to about one thousand six hundred dollars per year. The church proper- ty was in good condition and was in charge of Trustees Jonas Livermore, Richard B. Stephen- son, Samuel N. Chase, Joseph M. Coles, Ellison Turner, Wm. P. Wilcox and Frank Bateman.

In the grave-yard the interment of the following aged persons was noted :

Lazarus Pine, died 1796, aged eighty years.

Jonathan Pine, died 1876, aged eighty-six years.

James Pine, died 1863, aged eighty-two years.

Ann Pine, died 1872, aged eighty-six years. Jonathan Williams, died 1848, aged seventy-two years. Gerhard Wood, died 1879, aged eighty-three years. Mary Leek, died 1866, aged eighty years.

Joseph Smallwood, died 1870, aged seventy-four years.

Diademia Smallwood, aged 1872, aged seventy-three years. Isaac S. Collins, died 1840, aged sixty-six years.

Robert Jaggard, died 1844, aged forty-six years.

Charles Wilkins died 1836, aged thirty-eight years.

ST. JOHN'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH,1 at Chews Landing, was founded in 1789. Prior to the organization of the parish, that year, the bap- tism of several children, hy Episcopal clergymen, is recorded, indicating that meetings may have been held in this locality some time previous to the formation of the church. On the 6th of Sep- tember, 1789, Rev. Levi Heath commenced to hold services regularly, and gathered together the adherents of the Episcopal faith, who organized themselves as a parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church on the 14th day of November, 1789. There being no church building in which to worship, measures were taken at this meeting to secure funds to build a church, and a subscription list was circulated, which was headed by Aaron Chew and Joseph Hall Fleming. After these names many others followed, some of the surnames being still borne in the southern part of the county.

After matters had somewhat progressed, and a deficiency of means to complete the church had been discovered, another list was prepared, which Aaron Chew took to Philadelphia, October 1, 1791, where he received material encouragement from many of the citizens, which enabled the parish to complete its church.

The determination to build this church was made at a meeting held December 12, 1789, when it was resolved to build "on the one acre of land that was given by Isaac Jones, of the city of Phil- adelphia, executor to the estate of Samuel Weth- erill, late of the city of Burlington, deceased, bounded by the lands of Aaron Chew, the said

1 From data collected by the Rev. William Matthias.

689

THE TOWNSHIP OF GLOUCESTER.

Isaac Jones and the Landing road from Long-a- Coming to Chews Landing." Another minute in the records follows, -

"Gloucester township, August 12, 1790. The Protestant Episco- pal Church, formerly known by the name of the Church of Eng- land, was raised this day, near the head of Timber Creek, in said township, and was named by some of the contributors present Saint John's Church, after our Lord's beloved disciple, Saint John."

The church was a frame building, having the general appearance of a two-story dwelling-house, and stood in the burial-ground which was opened on the aforesaid acre of land. It was small and plain, but compared favorably with the other buildings in the neighborhood.

On the same day the church was raised the first trustees were elected, whose uames were John Hider, Richard Cheeseman, John Thorn, Joseph Hall Fleming, John Marshall, Sr., Ephraim Cheeseman and Jacob Phifier. But it was deter- mined, May 1, 1791, to discontinue this board of trustees, and elect in their stead two wardens and twelve vestrymen. Accordingly were chosen Jo- seph Hall Fleming and Ephraim Cheeseman as wardens; John Hider, Joseph Hugg, Richard Cheeseman, John Marshall, Jacob Phifier, Adam Batt, John Sanders, John Thorn, Samuel Harri- son, Jr., Jacob Sickler, George Ott and Jacob Griffith as vestrymen.

The number of the vestrymen, exclusive of the wardens, was reduced to seven the following year, and, in 1795, no election seems to have taken place at all, Aaron Chew "being appointed to keep the records." In the fall of 1799 two war- dens and seven vestrymen were again chosen, whose election appears to have been the last until March 31, 1826, when a vestry of five mem- bers was chosen. Now occurred elections at ir- regular intervals, and, on the 28th of June, 1847, Rev. Hiram R. Harrold, at that time the minister of the parish, writes,-" The minutes of several an- nual meetings not having been recorded at the time, they were mislaid and cannot be found; this accounts for the interruption of the records."

The latest of these elections, held April 27, 1856, was, it seems, the last one the parish had. Those chosen on this occasion were Josiah B. Sickler and Jacob S. Bendler as wardens; and Jo- seph J. Smallwood, Joshua Sickler, Edmond Brewer, Samuel P. Chew and Joseph Powell as vestrymen. For a long period, dating back from the present time (1886), the parish has practically had no vestry.

The first minister of the church was Rev. Levi Heath, who served from September 6, 1789, to June 29, 1794. The parish appears to have been

without a rector until April, 1825, when Rev. Robert Hall ministered here for one year.

After an interval of six years Rev. Simon Wil- mer began his labors in this parish, working in a zealous manner for the promotion of the cause of Christ, continuing until September 22, 1834. From January, 1835, to February 22, 1836, Rev. John Jones served the parislı.

On the 28th of February, 1836, Rev. Hiram R. Harrold became the rector, and continued that relation until 1850. After this no stated services were held for a period of ten years, the church be- ing seldom occupied, except for funerals, and the parish was almost wholly neglected.

In 1861 a Sabbath-school was organized in the church, which soon numbered a hundred mem- bers, and was attended by a deep interest in religious matters. Soon after, Rev. Joseph F. Gar- . rison, rector of St. Paul's Church, Camden, began to hold services, every four weeks, after the close of the Sabbath-school, and continued these meetings ten years, when his poor health admonished him to relinquish this extra work. His labors are still remembered with gratitude, as they were the means of reviving the parish.

After this ministry Rev. Gustavus M. Murray, rector of the church at Haddonfield, took up the work, also in connection with his other parish labor. His ministry commenced September 1, .1872, and continued ten years. It was character- ized by an increased interest in church matters, which led to the erection of the present fine build- ing, in 1881. It was built on a lot situated be- tween the old church and the Blackwood turnpike, which was conveyed for this purpose by the heirs of Samuel P. Chew. The corner-stone was laid by Bishop John Scarborough, D.D., assisted by Rector Murray and others, on Sunday, Nov. 14, 1880.

In a little less than a year the church was ready for consecration, that service being performed Wednesday, November 9, 1881, also by Bishop Scarborough, assisted by Rev. Joseph F. Garrison and other ministers. The church is built of hand- some stone, in the Gothic style of architecture, having dimensions of about thirty by sixty feet. The roof is of slate, and is relieved by a bell gable. The interior is finely finished, the windows being of stained glass. The entire cost was about five thousand dollars, which includes the value of the stone, donated by Edmond Brewer, whose liberality made the erection of such a fine building at this place possible. The stones were procured at Ridley Creek, Pa., and were delivered by Mr. Brewer on the ground, having been brought up the creek, to a point near the old landing, on his scows.

690

HISTORY OF CAMDEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

After the ministry of Mr. Murray closed, in 1882, the church had no regular service for a period, but, in 1883, Rev. R G. Moses became the minister, serving only a few months. Then his son, John Moses (now an ordained minister), held lay services several months longer.

On the 1st of November, 1883, Rev. William Matthias became the rector and the first resident clergyman of the parish. He has since regularly held two services each Sabbath, and also held week-day meetings on special occasions. Soon after, he took charge of the parish he urged the building of a rectory, and began soliciting subscrip- tions to accomplish such a purpose. Richard N. Herring, of Chews Landing, deeded a lot, opposite the church, as a site ou which to build the rectory, and work on it was begun in the spring of 1885. It was completed in October, the same year, and is truly a fine residence. Its cost, with the perpetual insurance on it, was twenty-two hundred dollars. This amount having been fully met, an effort is now being made by the parish to secure means to purchase a pipe-organ for the church.

In the cemetery connected with St. John's Church the following interments have been noted :

Joshua Sickler, died 1883, aged seventy-seven years. John Hider, died 1847, aged sixty-four years. Sarah Tomlinson, died 1849, aged seventy-three years. Samuel B. Hunter, died 1845, aged forty-nine years. Abbie Marshall, died 1838, aged sixty-four years. Christopher Sickler, died 1843, aged sixty-nine years. Sarah R. Sickler, died 1857, aged eighty-two years. Aaron Chew, died 1805, aged fifty-four years.

Aaron Chew, Jr., died 1822, aged thirty-six yeare. Rebecca Chew, died 1849, aged fifty-four years. Robert Brewer, died 1878, aged sixty-five years. John Parker, died 1796, aged thirty-five years. James Tillier Smith, died 1798.

Adam Bendler, died 1857, aged seventy-one years. John C. Lippincott, died 1882, aged sixty years. George Miller, died 1863, aged sixty-four years. Sarah Miller, died 1879, aged seventy-eight years. Ruth Happer, died 1829, aged seventy years. Sarah Howey, died 1847, aged fifty-seven years. Jacob Sickler, died 1823, aged fifty-six yeare. Esther Sickler, died 1825, aged fifty-two years. Josiah R. Sickler, died 1876, aged seventy-eight years.

Joseph Hall Fleming, died 1831, aged seventy years. Susanah Fleming, died 1828, aged eighty-three years. Isaac Hider, died 1824, aged fifty years.

Amy Hider, died 1839, aged sixty-one years. Haquah Ellis, died 1829, aged sixty-three years. .

A large number of graves are unmarked by headstones, while many others have simple stone slabs to indicate the spot where repose some of the first pioneers of this section.

THE BLACKWOOD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- As early as 1800 the voice of the Meth- odist missionary was heard in this locality. Follow- ing the customs of those times, meetings were held

in the open air or at the houses of those friendly to the new faith, and no ordinary obstacle pre- vented them from disseminating the truths of their religion. In some places the people heard them gladly, but at others a vigorous opposition was encountered, which had the effect of intensifying their zeal. Among those who thus labored were the following :

1801. Thomas Jones. 1806. William Colbert.

Jesse Justice. Thomas Smith.

1802. David Bartoo. 1807. James Smith.

Daniel Higbee. Thomas Stratton.

1803. Joseph Totten. 1808. William Mills.

Joseph Osborn. Thomas Budd.

1804. Peter Vannest. 1809. William Mills.

John Brown.

Daniel Ireland.

1805. William McLenahan. 1810. Michael Coate.

Benjamin Iliff. Thomas Dunn.

Among the early Methodist members were persons belonging to the Brown, Kaighn,Hagerman, Woodrow, Turner, Pilling, Pratt and North families, all of whom have left the church militant to join the church triumphant. A small plain meeting- house of wood was built at Blackwood, which was in u-e until the present spacious edifice was erected, in 1856, when the old building was re- moved to become a residence, which is at present the home of Mrs. Pratt. The new structure is a two-story frame building, having three rooms in the basement and a large, fine auditorium, costing, to complete, seven thousand dollars. At the time it was built the board of stewards was composed of William Kaighn, Thomas Pilling, Cornelius Hagerman, David Wood, John Pratt, James D. Turner and Joseph Van Dexter. The minister at that time was the Rev. Joseph Atwood, who super- intended the building. The charge had about one hundred members, and had just taken rank in the Conference as a station, sustaining that relation ever since. The pastors of the church, since its erec- tion as a separate charge, have been the following : 1856. Joseph Atwood. 1870-71. J. H. Stockton.

1857-58. James White. 1872-73. Joseph Ashbrook.

1859. Benjamin F. Woolston. 1874. John Fort.1

1860-61. Samuel Parker. 1875-77. G. H. Tullis.

1862-63. J. H. Stockton.

1878-80. J. B. Westcott.

1864. A. Owen.

1881-82. M. C. Stokes.

1865. G. R. Snyder.

1883-85. J. W. Morris.

1866-67. Albert Matthewe.

1886. D. W. C. Mclntire.

1868-69. John S. Phelps.

During the pastorate of Rev. Phelps the church was cleared of the debt which had been weighing it down ever since it was built, and from that time the congregation has flourished. In 1886 there are one hundred and eighty-six members, of whom the following were trustees : James Gardner, Samuel Graybury, Richard Morgan, J. W. Rapp,

1 Died while on thie charge.

691

THE TOWNSHIP OF GLOUCESTER.

J. T. Wood, James Powell, Aaron Van Dexter, E. T. Brown and James Jones. A Sunday-school, of one hundred and fifty members, has Theodore Hider as its superintendent.

THE CHEWS LANDING METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- This church was founded in 1812, when a small meeting-house was built at this place for the accommodation of different denominations who might choose to occupy it. After the lapse of a few years the Methodists were the only ones to continue their meetings, and they only at long intervals, being finally altogether discontinued on account of the removal of members and the death of some who formed the original class. The build- ing became dilapidated and fell into such a state of decay that it became a common sheep-pen and the habitation of birds and bats. In this neglected condition it remained until about sixty years ago, when it was repaired and was again devoted to its original use and purpose. The membership, though small, increased, and a permanent con- gregation was organized, which erected a better house of worship a few years later, and which was used until the present church took its place. It is a plain but not unattractive frame building, upon which work was commenced August 24, 1878, and which was consecrated November 28th, the same year. The church cost, to complete, about fifteen hundred dollars, and is now in good repair. The lot upon which it stands is favorably located, and also comprises a burial-ground.

The church has been connected with a number of charges, belonging at present to Hedding Cir- cuit, which was formed in March, 1878, and is one of three appointments on that charge. The pas- tors have been,-

1878-79. J. R. Thompson. 1883. D. D. Fieler.

1880-81. John P. Connoley.

1885. T. D. Sleeper.

1882. H. J. Zelley.

1886. J. B. Dare.

The church at Chews Landing has a membership of sixty-five, and has, in 1886, the following trus- tees : William Toommy, James Stetser, Moses Batton, William D. Redrow, Franklin Price, Geo. W. Barrett and James McCulley.

A Sunday-school of one hundred and ten mem- bers has Mrs. Emily Warthman as its superin- tendent.

METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH .- On the Berlin turnpike, one and a half miles from Kirk- wood, is a house of worship belonging to the above denomination. It is an unpretentious, small frame building, erected in 1859, on a lot donated for this purpose by Hillman Rowand. The society occu- pying it has a small membership, confined prin- cipally to the Watson and Rowand families. The

Rev. Timothy Heiss was the first preacher, and the Rev. William Bunch is the present. A well- attended Sunday-school is maintained in the church, which is connected with the church in Winslow in forming a pastoral charge.

BLACKWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH.1-The Baptist Church at Blackwood was constituted February 23, 1848. No written records have been kept of the influences at work prior to the organization of the church and leading to it, of the securing of a place for meetings or for permanent location.

From men still living were gleaned the following facts : During the year 1847 Rev. Henry Westcott, a Baptist minister, visited Blackwood, inquiring for members of Baptist Churches, and seeking for an opportunity to preach to them. With the assistance of Joseph V. Edwards, a member of the Haddonfield Baptist Church, he obtained permis- sion to preach in the Methodist Church, and sev- eral services were held there during the year. These meetings tended to stimulate the Baptists scattered about the community, and led them to rally around Mr. Westcott as a leader. Later he obtained permission to preach in what was then known as the Good Intent Church.2 These meetings were held more or less regularly until the close of the year 1847. By this time a suffi- cient number of Baptists had been gathered together to justify them in uniting to form a church. To further this conviction of duty, articles of faith and a church covenant were adopted, and it was deemed advisable to call a council of neigh- boring Baptist Churches to consider the propriety of organizing a regular Baptist Church at Black- wood.

In response to the above call, the council met, and, growing out of that meeting, we have the following minute :

" BLACKWOODTOWN, February 23, 1848.

" The friende of Zion met in the meeting-house at Good Intent for the purpose of constituting a regular Baptist Church, the follow- ing-named persona, who have obtained letters of diemission from their respective churches :

" Joseph V. Edwards.

Amy Edwards.

Thomas T. Firth. Emaline Firth.

Aaroneon Ellis. Hannah Ellie.

Joseph Charles. Abigail Charles.

John W. Peterson.

Sarah A. Morgan.

John Carwin.

Mary Carvin.

William Taylor. Catharine A. Taylor.

Edward Jones. Julia P. Parham.

Henry Stremme.

Eliza Stremme.

Thomas Hutchinson.

Catharina Pine.

Yeoman Paul.

Elizabeth Paul.

1 By Rev. James Fielding.

2 The Good Intent meeting-house had been erected about 1836 on the hill, near the factory, in Gloucester County, by Garrett New- kirk, for the accommodation of his workmon.

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The history of Camden county, New Jersey, Part 118

Author: Prowell, George Reeser, 1849-1928 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : Richards Number of Pages: 1220

Author: Prowell, George Reeser, 1849-1928
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Richards
Number of Pages: 1220