USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > Amwell > The history of the First English Presbyterian Church in Amwell > Part 14
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The Session held its first meeting with Mr. Carrell as Moderator, November 30th, 1844. A singular thing for a first meeting then occurred. A charge of unchris- tian conduct was laid against a member of the church. He was brought before the Session, acknowledged his offence, professed repentance, and promised to be more on his guard in the future. He was admonished by the Moderator, and thus the case was dropped.
We now call attention to some matters of interest per- taining to the congregation, though it may here be re- marked that during Mr. Carrell's pastorate very little beyond regular routine business was transacted, either by
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the congregation or the Session. The Trustees elected in February, 1844, chose John E. Holcombe as President and Treasurer, which office he held continuously by re- election, of course, until 1856.
The Trustees during this period, as far as the rec- ords show, were in 1847; three new ones elected, viz: Jacob Y. Quick, Zebulon Stout and Reading Smith; March 24th, 1851, the Board elected was John E. Hol- combe, Paul K. Dilts, Zebulon Stout, John Quick, Rob- ert R. Smith, N. Wilson Young and John L. Bellis; March 27th, 1852, the Board was John E. Holcombe, John Sharp, Zebulon Stout, John Quick, Robert R. Smith, David Y. Bellis and William Sheppard; March 10th, 1853, we have John E. Holcombe, John Sharp, John Quick, John Y. Bellis, Jacob F. Prall, Ketenus Young and David Bellis; March 8th, 1855, the Trus- tees elected were John E. Holcombe, Jacob Van Derveer, Gideon Quick, John W. Phillips, P. Prall Quick, John Schenck and Derrick Sutphin; in 1856 we have as the Board, Ralph Sutphin, Gideon Quick, Jacob K. Van Der- veer, John W. Phillips, P. P. Quick, Dr. Simeon S. Dana and Derrick Sutphin. Of the meeting that chose this Board Peter C. Schenck was Chairman and John E. Holcombe Secretary. Peter P. Quick was elected President of the Board and Treasurer; March 18th, 1857, the Board chosen was Gideon Quick, Jacob K. Van Der- veer, Caleb F. Quick, James P. Chamberlin, Zebulon Stout, Derrick Sutphin and John Y. Bellis. Of this Board Jacob K. Van Derveer was made President and Treasurer; March 20th, 1858, the Trustees elected were Gideon Quick, Jacob K. Van Derveer, Zebulon Stout,
1
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Derrick Sutphin, John Y. Bellis, Jacob W. Nevius and William B. Prall; March 26th, 1859, the Board of the previous year was re-elected, with Mr. Van Derveer Pres- ident and Treasurer in both cases.
Returning now to the records of the Session we gather the following facts
February 15th, 1845. The Session received into the membership of the church on certificate Edward L. and Rachel S. Reed, Mrs. Mary S. Carrell, wife of pastor, and Mrs. Rhoda Quick.
May 3Ist. On certificate: Garret Schenck and Ann, his wife, Dr. George P. Rex and Gertrude, his wife, were received on certificate from the North Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia; on examination, Ketenus Young and Mrs. Ellen Jane Case, wife of John Case.
September 17th, 1845. On certificate: Miss Maria Nevius, wife of Gilbert Van Camp, and Mrs. Catharine Schomp, wife of Jacob Nevius, Jr.
January' 10th, 1846. On examination: Mrs. Ann Schenck, wife of Peter C. Schenck, Mrs. Anna Maria Van Marter, wife of William Van Marter, and Mrs. Hannah Nevius, wife of Lanning Nevius, and Miss Sa- rah Hagaman.
At this meeting the following action was taken: "The Session feels called upon, in the Providence of God, to record the death of Elder John P. Quick, who departed this life December 30th, 1845, in the 76th year of his age, and adds, he was a good man of humble piety. By his death the Session and the whole church have sustained a serious loss."
April 9th, 1846. Received on examination : Jacob
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Q. Spadin, William Sheppard, Nelson Warner, Hannah Prall, Susan Stout, Rebecca Young, Mary Waldron, Leah Hoagland, John Y. Bellis, Elizabeth Ann Bellis, Thomas Wilson, Susanah Wilson, Josiah Young and Mary Young. Six of these had not been baptized.
April 11th, 1846. John Phillips, Martha M. Phillips, Nathaniel Wilson Young, John Van Ess, Jacob F. Quick, Christianna Quick, John Quick, Fran- ces Quick, Albertus Bird, Lucretia Bird, Sarah Ann Bird, Catharine Griggs, Ellen Schenck, Theo- dosia Schenck, Mary Nevius, Catharine Holcombe, Sarah Catharine Norman and Elizabeth Myers. Thirteen of these were admitted to both sacraments. Also the fol- lowing persons of color, viz: James Williamson, Charles Wilson, Catharine Hagaman and Catharine William- son.
September 19th, 1846. Miss Hannah Bowman, and on certificate, Mrs. Jane Sheppard, wife of William Shep- pard, and Mrs. Eleanor Knouse.
April, 1847. On examination : Isaac Young and Sarah Kinney, wife of Hankinson Kinney.
August 29th, 1847. On certificate from the Baptist Church in Ovid, N. Y .: Mr. Waterman Thomas. Al- so on certificate: Mrs. Maria Johnson and Mrs. Ann Quick, wife of Abraham Quick.
April 8th, 1848. On examination: John Brown and Mrs. Sarah Jane Wyckoff, wife of John Wyckoff; on certificate: Mrs. Ann Brewster.
August 19th, 1849. On certificate: Miss Elizabeth Young.
November 19th, 1849. On examination: Mrs. Cath-
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arine D. Stryker, wife of Alexander Stryker, and Miss Elizabeth Little.
April 14th, 1849. Mrs. Elizabeth Young, wife of Ketenus Young; on certificate: Garret Schenck and Ann, his wife, and their daughters, Ellen and Theodosia; also Mrs. Maria Lanning, Mrs. Peter Case and Dinah, a woman of color.
August 11th, 1849. On certificate: Obadiah Howell Hayard.
April 3rd, 1852. On examination: Abram Young and Clarinda, his wife, Mary Wood, Harriet Atkinson, Mary West, Anna Higgins, Sarah D. Young, Sarah Holcombe and Mary Graff, and on certificate, Mrs. Eliz- abeth Chamberlin, wife of Prall Chamberlin.
September 25th, 1852. On examination: Miss Le- titia Wilson.
October 29th, 1852. Elder George F. Wilson who had served the church as elder since 1831, and Clerk of the Session since 1836, requested for himself and his wife, a letter of dismission to the Amwell United First Church.
March 2Ist, 1853. The Session decided, after fre- quent deliberation, to call a meeting of the church at Reaville, April 14th, 1853, in order, if the way be clear, to elect additional persons to the eldership of the church. In this minute we have the first mention in our records of the name Reaville. The previous minutes for many years had been headed Greenville, and before that simply Amwell.
On account of severe storm April 14th, the meeting appointed adjourned without further action to the 30th of April for the election of elders. But the Session met
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April 16th, when Andrew Alpaugh and Mrs. Julia Dana were received on certificate.
The church met April 30th at the call of the Ses- sion and elected the following persons to the office of Ruling Elder, viz: John E. Holcombe, William Wal- dron and Ralph Sutphin. These persons were set apart and ordained to this sacred office May 29th, 1853.
September 24th, 1853. Received on certificate: Jo- seph C. Huff and Margaret Ann, his wife.
PETER C. SCHENCK, Clerk.
May 13th, 1854. On examination: Jacob K. Van Derveer, Peter Case, Clarinda Labaw and Sarah Labaw.
October 20th, 1854. Miss Ellen Young, daughter of Josiah Young.
April 14th, 1855. Horace Nelson, and on certificate, Cornelius Wyckoff and Sarah V., his wife.
The Session at this date records the death of John W. Bellis, one of the deacons of this church, who de- parted this life in March, 1855, in the 73rd year of his age, in whose death the church has sustained a serious loss.
September, 1855. On examination : Martha Ellen Nevius, wife of Christian Nevius.
February 17th, 1856. Elder John Hagaman, who had served the church as elder since 1822, requested a certifi- cate of dismission, as he was about to remove to the State of Illinois.
June 6th, 1857. Received on certificate: Mrs. Mary Hudnut and Mrs. Alpaugh.
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April 20th, 1858. On certificate: Mr. John Soms and wife.
. The Session "records the death of Jacob Nevius, Sr., one of the elders of this church, who departed this life (day not given) in 1857, at the advanced age of 86. He died, calmly trusting in his Redeemer."
October 10th, 1858. Received on examination: Mrs. Sarah Parker, wife of William Parker.
January 28th, 1859. On examination : Jacob S. . Prall and Rebecca, his wife, James P. Foote and Miss Hannah Soms, and on certificate, Miss Lewis Chamber- lin, Mrs. Elizabeth Stout and Mrs. Elizabeth C. Dun- gan.
April 3rd, 1859. The pastor announced to the Ses- sion his intention to apply to Presbytery on the 12th of April, to dissolve the pastoral relation between himself and the Church, and requested the Session to call a meet- ing of the congregation to hear his statement and appoint commissoiners. The Session met the afternoon of the same day at Reaville and took the following action, viz:
"The Session is called upon in the Providence of God to record the death of Elder John E. Holcombe, who de- parted this life on the 17th day of February, 1859, in the 5Ist year of his age. The deceased was eminently a good man. As a leader of song in the church, as Super- intendent of the Sabbath School, as a regular attendant on the prayer meetings, as a useful member of the church and society where his example was always on the side of virtue and religion, he will be greatly missed."
Well might they exclaim at the death of such a man,
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"Help, Lord, for the Godly man ceaseth, for the faithful fail from the children of men."
"The Session also records with gratitude the fact that the contributions to missionary purposes have, for the last two years, doubled those of former years, and we believe this is owing to the faithfulness and increased energy with which the pastor has urged the duty of beneficence upon all the professed followers of Christ."
I am sure any pastor would prefer a testimony of the faithfulness to duty like that to the formal resolutions of compliment and regret, which are often passed by congre- gations under similar circumstances.
The congregation assembled at Reaville on the 5th of April, 1859, at the call of the Session; heard the pas- tor's statement of his purpose to tender his resignation, and requested the appointment of commissioners to join him in the request to Presbytery in this matter. Peter P. Young and William Waldron were appointed as com- missioners to Presbytery. The Presbytery of Raritan on hearing the request of the pastor and commissioners, did on the 12th day of April, 1859, at Frenchtown, dissolve the pastoral relation existing between the Rev. Benjamin Carrell and the First English Presbyterian Church of Amwell.
As we have gathered from the records of Session, there were received into the membership of the church during Mr. Carrell's pastorate, extending from 1844 to 1859:
On examination 70
On certificate 38
Making a total of 108
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There was on the roll when Mr. Carrell came .... 168
Making 276 Dismissed to other churches 29
Leaving as the actual roll. 247 The church reported to Presbytery, however, only. 150
To account for the difference, several were removed by discipline, there being eleven cases of discipline during this pastoral; many others were removed by death, but not recorded. To these is to be added that from year to year members move away without taking their letters, and so lose their membership. This doubtless occurred here.
The church reported for 1850 a total membership of 180. In 1853, 168, in 1855 160, and in 1856 and 1857, each 150. Other statistics are as follows
In 1853 Domestic Missions $17, Foreign Missions $18, education $28, and congregational expenses $2,000.
In 1856 Domestic Missions $28, Foreign Missions $30, education $30, congregational $550.
In 1857 Domestic Missions $24, Foreign Mission $24, education $20, congregational $700.
In 1858 Domestic Missions $50, Foreign Missions $40, congregational $650.
During these years the miscellaneous contributions, which included gifts to the Hunterdon County Bible So- ciety, and other undenominational work, were $70, $100, $50 and $40.
It is worthy of remark that the mention of Elder Hol-
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combe as Superintendent of the Sabbath School is the first time the word "Sabbath School" is found on the rec- ords of the church. The report to Presbytery, however, state the number of the children, which implies the ex- istence of the Sabbath School. In 1857 the number was 120, and in 1858, 125.
Benjamin Carrell was born at Tinicum, Bucks County, Pa., January 16th, 1810. He began his studies in prep- aration for college with the Rev. P. O. Studdiford, D. D., at Lambertville, N. J. He entered Union College in 1832, graduated in 1834, entered Princeton Theological Seminary in the fall of 1834, graduated in 1837. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Second Presby- tery of Philadelphia in April, 1837; was transferred to the Presbytery of Huntingdon and installed pastor of Waynesburg and Newton Hamilton, October, 1838. Dur- ing his pastorate of these churches, there was a most precious revival of religion, as a result of which 120 per- sons united with the churches, and this gracious work con- tinued until the church at Newton Hamilton was filled to overflowing. He was installed pastor of Amwell First Church, November, 1844, and resigned April, 1859. Health failing he removed to Lambertville. In 1864 he became stated supply of Rosemont and Stockton, in which he remained until 1870; was stated supply at Plumstead- ville, Pa., from '70 to '72; pastor of Kingwood, N. J., from 1873 to 1877. In infirm health he removed again to Lambertville, where he died August 26th, 1881. It was my privilege to be acquainted with Mr. Carrell. He was a godly man. Sound in the faith, and devoted to the Master's cause. His voice was loud, but metalic
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rather than melodious, and his manner almost oppres- sively solemn. Here again in our walk about Zion we have seen another of the workmen, now laboring in the vineyard, and now going home to rest, after abundant labors and a large ingathering.
THE TENTH PASTOR, REV. GEORGE P. VAN WYCK, 1860-1862.
Once more the Church was without a pastor and, as usual, the pulpit was filled by supplies who were members of the Presbytery. This state of things continued from April to the end of the year. During this period two or three candidates were heard. One of these was Rev. George P. Van Wyck. He was chosen as the next pas- tor. A special meeting of the Presbytery of Raritan was held at Lambertville, N. J., January 17th, 1860, when the Rev. George P. Van Wyck was received as a mem- ber of Presbytery from the Presbytery of Carlisle, and the call of the Amwell First Church was placed in his hands by the Presbytery. The call being accepted, ar- rangements were made for his installation at Reaville, Tuesday, January 31st, 1860.
This service took place, as thus appointed. At this service the Rev. Edwin Town preached the sermon from II. Cor. 4:1, 2. The Rev. Jacob Kirkpatrick presided, proposed the constitutional questions, and delivered the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. John L. Janeway the charge to the people. On the 27th of March ensuing, the annual meeting of the congregation was held. Of this meeting Peter C. Schenck was Chairman, and Jacob S. Prall Secretary. The Trustees chosen at this meeting
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were John Quick, John L. Case, Zebulon Stout, William Sutphin, John H. Phillips, Jacob W. Nevius and Wil- liam B. Prall. John L. Case was chosen President and Treasurer.
We have noticed the large number received into the membership of the Church during the pastorate of Mr. Carrell. But when the Session came to gather up the statistics of the Church for the year and report to Pres- bytery in April, only two months after Mr. Van Wyck's installation, the report shows there had been a very large falling away from the membership of the Church.
In 1859 the Church reported 150 members, and now, in 1860, it reports only 106, with 100 children in the Sabbath School. Very few of the collections had been taken during the year in which there was no pastor.
At the first meeting of Session under Mr. Van Wyck, held February 1Ith, it was decided to observe the Sacra- ment of the Lord's Supper three times in the year, and secondly, "that on those Sabbaths on which the pastor might be absent for recreation, personal business or church duties," the Session would furnish supplies for the pul- pit.
The Session received into Church membership March 10th, 1860, on certificate Mr. Edwin Bartow and Mary, his wife, and Mr. Nathan Solomon.
September 21st, 1860. Session received, on examina- tion, Christopher J. Dillon and Catharine, his wife, Miss Catharine Sutphin, Thomas Hall and Jacob Hall, his brother, and on certificate, Mrs. William Bellis, and on the 22nd, Mrs. Jane Y. White, widow.
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AMWELL FIRST CHURCH
February 6th, 1861. Session received, on examination, Miss Elizabeth Young.
The Church reported in April, 112 members; 120 in Sabbath School; congregational expenses, $835; contri- butions to Domestic Missions, $25, to Foreign Missions, $26, and miscellaneous, $65.
March 28th, 1862. Received on certificate: William S. Higgins and Ellen M. Wolverton.
PETER C. SCHENCK, Clerk.
September 11th, 1862. Session convened at the pas- tor's study, Clover Hill. The pastor stated that in con- sequence of long continued sickness during the Summer he felt unfitted to perform the duties of his office. The Session thereupon resolved to request supplies from the Presbytery that the pastor might obtain rest and resto- ration to health.
October 13th. The pastor informed the Session that as there had been no improvement in his health during his vacation, that after prayerful consideration of the mat- ter, he thought best not to ask Presbytery for supplies, but to dissolve the pastoral relation, and requested Ses- sion to call a congregational meeting at Clover Hill at an early day, and take action on this matter.
The congregation was called to meet accordingly Oc- tober 20th, 1862. The pastor laid before the meeting a communication in which he expressed the strongest at- tachment to the congregation and the delight he had ex- perienced in his labors among them, but that he felt con- strained because of his impaired health to ask the Church
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THE MODERN PERIOD-1820-1900
to unite with him in a request to Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation existing between them. The con- gregation replied by expressing very warm affection for the pastor, and regret for the necessity which leads the pastor to seek to be released from the pastorate of this Church. But in view of the facts the congregation agreed to concur in this request, and Messrs. John Quick and Ralph Sutphin were appointed commissioners to lay this action before Presbytery.
Pursuant to this action the Presbytery of Raritan, dur- ing the intervals of Synod at Rahway, did, on the 22nd of October, 1862, dissolve the pastoral relation existing between George P. Van Wyck and the First English Presbyterian Church in Amwell.
The Rev. George P. Van Wyck was born at Bloom- ingburg, Sullivan County, New York, June 24th, 1821. He was prepared for college at the academy in his na- tive town. He graduated at Rutgers College in 1840, and from the Theological Seminary of the same place in 1843. He was pastor at Port Jervis for nine years. Health failing he went South, settled in Berlin, Md., where he was pastor of the Presbyterian Church for two years. His next field of labor was Gettysburg, Pa., where he was pastor of the Presbyterian Church.
He was received by the Presbytery of Raritan, January 17th, 1860, and installed pastor of Amwell First Pres- byterian Church January 31st, 1860. The pastoral re- lation was dissolved October 20th, 1862.
After leaving Amwell he entered the army as chaplain in the 10th Legion, or 56th, N. Y. Regiment, and con- tinued in the service until October, 1865. He was after- 15
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ward called to take charge of the Church in Jamestown, N. Y., but declined. He accepted an appointment as chaplain in the Regular Army in 1867, and continued in the same until retired. As a retired officer of the Army he now resides at Washington, D. C. I had the pleas- ure of meeting Mr. Van Wyck, his wife and son, then a young man, at Milford, Pa., during our vacation in 1896. He was then in poor health, but upon learning of my residence he was very courteous towards us, and mani- fested very great interest in the people of Amwell among whom he had labored in the years gone by.
While the Church was yet vacant the Session met Oc- tober 25th, 1862, and received, on examination, George Young.
At a meeting of the First English Presbyterian con- gregation of Amwell, held December 18th, 1862, it was agreed to dissolve the union that had existed since 1840 be- tween what had been the Reformed Church at Clover Hill, and the Amwell First Church. Of this meeting our rec- ords are not very complete. But, as we learn from the minutes of the Presbytery of Raritan, a meeting of that Presbytery wa sheld at Reaville, at the call of the Mod- erator, duly made, on the second Tuesday of January, 1863, at II o'clock. The object of this meeting, as stated in the call, was to receive and act on the applica- tion of certain members in full communion of the First Presbyterian Church of Amwell, praying that they, with ruling elders, Peter C. Schenck and Ralph Sutphin, be set off and constituted a distinct Church, to be called the Presbyterian Church of Clover Hill. The chair was
1
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taken at this meeting of Presbytery by the Moderator, the Rev. Joseph Rogers, of Frenchtown, and constituted with prayer. The Moderator stated the object of the meeting as set forth in the call. A petition, signed by thirty-four (34) members in full communion of the First Presbyterian Church of Amwell, praying the Presbytery to constitute them into a distinct Church as above des- cribed, was then presented.
Satisfying evidence was given to Presbytery that at the meeting of the First English Congregation of Amwell, held December 18th, 1862, it was voted unanimously to acquiesce in this application for division so as to secure the stated services of a pastor in each house of worship, whereupon the Presbytery resolved that the prayer of the petitioners be granted, and that they are herby constituted a separate Church to be called the Presbyterian Church of Clover Hill, and that Ruling Elders Peter C. Schenck and Ralph Sutphin be transferred to said Church at its Session.
Resolved, Secondly, That the name of the Church of Clover Hill be added to the roll of Presbytery. That this Church thus constituted return almost immediately to the Reformed Classis of Philadelphia, is what it had a right to do, and what was expected.
Thus is brought to a close a union that had been formed with the best of motives, and which, while it lasted, was harmonious and mutually beneficial. And now that we are separated, there is, and has been, so far as I know, only the best and kindest Christian feeling toward each other. So may it ever be!
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AMWELL FIRST CHURCH
THE ELEVENTH PASTOR, REV. JOSHUA B. H. JANEWAY, 1863-1864.
The union of the congregations of Clover Hill and Reaville having been dissolved in January, 1863, the Am- well First Church was for the third time alone in the support of a pastor and for its appointed work.
The Presbytery of Raritan met April 14th, 1863, at the United First Church of Amwell, and was opened with a sermon by the Rev. William R. Glen. In the absence of the Moderator the chair was taken by the Rev. Ben- jamin Carrell. William Waldron was the elder present from Amwell First.
At this meeting Mr. Joshua H. Janeway, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, presented a certfi- cate of dismission from that Presbytery, and was received and taken under the care of the Presbytery of Raritan as a licentiate for the gospel ministry. Mr. William Wal- dron and Mr. Gideon Quick being present as commis- sioners from Amwell First Church, presented a call for the pastoral services of Mr. Janeway. The salary prom- ised Mr. Janeway was five hundred dollars per annum. The call was found in order and placed in Mr. Janeway's hands. He signified his willingness to accept the same.
The Presbytery then proceeded to his examination with a view to his ordination. His examination being sustained Presbytery made arrangemnts for his ordination, and for his installation as pastor of Amwell First Church, to take place May 7th, 1863.
On the day appointed for this service, Presbytery met at Reaville. The Moderator being absent the chair was
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taken by the Rev. Jacob Kirkpatrick, D. D. The elder present from Amwell First was Peter P. Young. Pres- bytery then proceeded to ordain Mr. Janeway and in- stall him pastor of the Amwell First Church. In this service the Rev. Thomas L. Janeway, D. D., father of the candidate, for installation, preached the sermon. Dr. Kirkpatrick presided and proposed the constitutional ques- tions. The Rev. James Lewers gave the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. John Burrows the charge to the people. The elders of the Church when Mr. Janeway began his labors, were William Waldron and Peter P. Young. The Trustees were John Quick, Zebulon Stout, John H. Phillips, John H. Williamson, William B. Prall, William Sutphin and Jacob S. Prall. Of the con- gregational meeting held March 21st, 1863, electing these officers: Peter P. Young was Chairman, and Jacob S. Prall, Secretary. Jacob S. Prall was also elected Presi- dent and Treasurer of the Board.
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