USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > Amwell > The history of the First English Presbyterian Church in Amwell > Part 17
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implies that our society was organized in 1876. Mrs. Beekman was the first Secretary, and so far as we know the late Mrs. Caleb F. Quick was the first Treasurer. The amount raised the first year by this society was $28.25.
Mr. Beekman, as well as Mr. Janeway, was a class- mate of mine at Princeton College, and though I have not met him since he was pastor of this Church, I have had some correspondence with him about matters of our class. We have noticed the evidence of no little trouble during his connection with this Church. And yet he was not without friends, at the time of his leaving, nor without enjoyment while here. In a letter received from him a few years ago, he remarked in closing, "it seems strange that you are in the old parsonage where I spent many a happy day."
The Rev. John Stottoff Beekman was born at Middle- bush, N. J., Oct. 19th, 1833. He entered Rutgers Col- lege in 1853 and passed Freshman and Sophomore years in that institution. In the fall of '55 he went to Prince- ton, entering the junior class, and graduated with the class in 1857. He spent some time in Union Seminary, then entered Princeton Theological Seminary, middle year, class of 1858, and remained two years. He was stated supply at Livingston, Alabama, from '60 to '61. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Peoria, Ill., June 10th, 1863. He became stated supply at Farmington, Ill., in 1862, and in 1863 was installed pastor of the Church at that place, remaining until 1866. He was installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church of French Grove, Ill., in 1866, and served the Church until 1869. His minis-
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try here was marked with success, both in the growth of the Church and the increase of beneficence. He next went to Paola, Kansas, where he labored as a Home Mis- sionary from 1869 to 1870. He came East and was stated supply to the First Reformed Dutch Church of Somerset from 1871 to 1874. He preached as a candi- date here in Reaville from November 29th, 1874, until January 3rd, 1875. He received a call to the pas- torate of this Church January 4th, and was installed pas- tor February 16th, 1875. The pastoral relation was dis- solved by the Presbytery of New Brunswick at the City of New Brunswick, April 9th, 1878.
From Reaville Mr. Beekman moved during the Sum- mer to Princeton and engaged in teaching and acting as a supply to vacant pulpits. While in Princeton he en- tered the Episcopal Church as a "candidate for orders" in that Church. From Princeton he went to Florida and received ordination at Federal Point, Florida, in 1887. He served the Church at that place as rector from 1886 to 1888. He was rector at Green Cove Springs in 1888 and 1889. I lost sight of him then for a short time. In 1896 he was at Datona, and in 1897, when I last heard from him he was rector at Sea Breeze, Florida.
Mr. Beekman remained at this place until his work was done. A local paper made the announcement that the Rev. John Stotoff Beekman, at one time pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Reaville, died at Sea Breeze, Florida, July 11th, 1901, aged about sixty-eight years. I never had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Beekman preach, but he was a good scholar, ranking well among his class- mates. And while it is true that he experienced many
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difficulties the record as here given also shows gratifying achievement for the Church and the Master.
THE FIFTEENTH PASTOR, REV. J. W. P. BLATTENBERGER,
1878-1887.
When the pastoral relation between Mr. Beekman and this Church had been dissolved, the Presbytery appointed the Rev. J. T. Osler to preach here April 14th, and de- clare the pulpit vacant. During the Summer the Church had numerous supplies and candidates. Among the can- didates was the Rev. J. W. P. Blattenberger who preached for the first time in the Church November 8th. Mr. Blat- tenberger filled the pulpit again on the 15th, the 22nd and the 29th of December.
A congregational meeting was called November 25th, 1878, in order to elect a pastor, if the way be clear. The Rev. George S. Mott, D. D., moderated this meeting. Clinton B. Blackwell, Esq., was chosen Secretary. The meeting decided to proceed. The Rev. J. W. P. Blat- tenberger of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Newark, N. J., was nominated. Tellers were appointed who re- ported, on counting the vote, that the Rev. Mr. Blatten- berger was unanimously elected pastor of this Church. It was then decided to make the salary seven hundred dollars yearly, to be paid semi-annually, together with the free use of the parsonage, while he should be the pastor of this Church. Mr. Blattenberger, at the time of this call, was a member of the Newark Conference of the M. E. Church and pastor of the Bergen St. Church in New- ark. It was therefore decided at the congregational meeting making the call, that "this call should be placed
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in Mr. Blattenberger's hands if he unites with the Pres- byterian Church; if not this call will be null and void."
Mr. Blattenberger was received by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, December 15th, 1878. The call of Am- well First Church was tendered to Mr. Blattenberger, and accepted by him. Arrangements were made for his installation by a committee from Presbytery. The day named for this service was December 31st, 1878. On the day appointed the committee met at this Church and performed the duty assigned them. In this service the Rev. Alexander Miller, of Ringoes, presided and pro- posed the constitutional questions. The Rev. Peter A. Studdiford, D. D., of Lambertville, preached the sermon. The Rev. George S. Mott, D. D., gave the charge to the pastor, and the Rev. Cornelius Conklin, of Frenchtown, gave the charge to the people. The elders at this time were Zebulon Stout, William G. Hill, John Y. Bellis, Abraham J. Prall and George P. Rex. M. D. Dr. Rex had been appointed Clerk of the Session at a meeting held June 8th.
The annual meeting of the congregation was held March 2nd, 1879. C. F. Quick was chosen Chairman, and George P. Rex. M. D., Secretary. The report of the Treasurer showed a deficiency of $113.74. The elec- tion of Trustees resulted as follows: James P. Cham- berlin, Lewis Sutphin, Thomas Miller, Peter Q. Hol- combe, Robert R. Smith, Martin J. Bellis and John Quick. John Quick was again elected President and Treasurer of the Board.
At the annual congregational meeting held March 8th, 1880, Zebulon Stout was elected Chairman and George
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P. Rex, M. D., Secretary. The Treasurer's report was presented and approved. The shortage was now but $41.47, and this, while the pastor's salary had been ad- vanced to $800, and the parsonage had been painted. The Board of Trustees was re-elected. At this meeting Ca- leb F. Quick was appointed to rent the pews, and if the rent on any pew was not paid, power was given him to rent the same to those who would pay.
The annual meeting held March 7th, 1881, again chose Zebulon Stout as Chairman, and elected C. F. Quick, Secretary. The old Board of Trustees was once more re-elected, and John Quick was retained as Treasurer.
At the congregational meeting held March 13th, 1882, William G. Hill was made President and H. S. Peter- son, Secretary. For the fourth time the same Board of Trustees was elected, with the same President and Treasurer of the Board. The healthy condition of the finances is shown from the fact that during these years, there was only a small annual deficiency in the Treasury, and with the co-operation of the people the Treasurer paid the $400 due the pastor, promptly on the first of April and the first of October. This year of 1882 showed in the October payment that the money was com- ing in with less promptness, and at the close of the year the indebtedness due the Treasurer was $174.43, or more than three times what it had previously been under this pastor.
At the meeting held March 12th, 1883, William G. Hill was chosen President and C. F. Quick, Secretary. In the election of Trustees there was a slight change. John B. Lowe and David Weart having been chosen in the
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place of Lewis Sutphin and Peter Q. Holcombe. A new committee, viz : John W. Priestly, Asher Higgins and Wil- liam G. Hill was appointed to rent the pews, with au- thority to add 25 per cent. to the last six months' pay- ment, in order to pay the indebtedness to the Treasurer.
This was the year in which the Church was remod- eled and enlarged. But the only statement concerning this step recorded in the congregational book, is that the congregation hereby authorizes John W. Pristly, Treas- urer of the Building Committee, to borrow the money needed for the work on the Church.
We have no means of knowing the result of the ad- ditional assessment on the pews, but at the close of the Treasurer's report "Mrs. John Quick is credited for subscription of $100." With this help the pastor was paid on time, and the books balanced, except a shortage of $5.47. The congregational meeting held March 17th, 1884, had for its President John Quick, and Peter Q. Holcombe, Secretary. The Trustees elected were Thomas Miller, Martin J. Bellis, David S. Wert, James P. Chamberlin, John B. Lowe, Arthur Sutphin and John Quick. The salary was increased this year by $100.
Martin J. Bellis was chosen Chairman and C. F. Quick, Secretary, of the meeting held March 9th, 1885. The Trustees elected were Thomas Miller, David S. Wert, James P. Chamberlin, John B. Lowe, William Pierce, Theodore F. Swarer and Arthur Sutphin. The Board elected Theodore F. Swarer as their President and Treasurer.
At this meeting of the congregation it was decided to pay the salary monthly, and to use the envelope sys-
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tem in collecting it. These envelopes yielded to the pas- tor almost $1,000 in cash. This experiment proved the use of the envelope to be the best system for this Church, as it has been proved to be for many other churches, but it will not run itself.
The annual meeting held March 15th, 1886, chose C. F. Quick, Chairman, and Peter Q. Holcombe, Secretary. The Board of Trustees was re-elected and Mr. Swarer was again made President and Treasurer of the Board.
A special meeting of the congregation was called by the Session April 26th, 1886. William G. Hill was ap- pointed Chairman of this meeting, and C. F. Quick, Sec- retary. The object of the meeting was stated by the Chairman to be to appoint commissioners to unite with the pastor in asking Presbytery to dissolve the relation existing between himself and this Church. The action taken by the meeting was most complimentary to the pas- tor. It was expressed as follows:
Resolved, That we are opposed to the dissolution of the pastoral relation existing between Rev. J. W. P. Blattenberger and this Church. This motion was unani- mously adopted.
Secondly. It was decided to make the salary of the pas- tor $1,000 per annum.
Thirdly. That we appoint as commissioners to Pres- bytery, to meet at Princeton to-morrow, George P. Rex, M. D., Caleb F. Quick and Theodore F. Swarer and instruct them to oppose the dissolution of the pastoral re- lation. In this effort the Church was successful, and Mr. Blattenberger remained.
The annual meeting held March 28th, 1887, chose C.
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F. Quick as Chairman, and Peter Q. Holcombe as Sec- retary. The old Board of Trustees was once more re- elected and Mr. Swarer was again made their President and Treasurer.
A special meeting of the congregation was called for October 3rd, 1887, which elected William G. Hill, Chairman, and C. F. Quick, Secretary. The pastor stated the object of the meeting to be to ask the congregation to appoint commissioners to Presbytery to-morrow at Dayton to unite with him in requesting a dissolution of the pastoral relation existing between himself and this Church. The congregation concurred in this request, but expressed their high appreciation of Mr. Blattenberger and regret that he was about to be separated from them. Elder William G. Hill and George Lunger were the ap- pointed commissioners to represent the congregation at Presbytery.
Presbytery met October the 4th. The commissioners were present and concurred with the pastor in request- ing the dissolution of the pastoral relation between him- self and the Amwell First Church. Presbytery granted the request, and the pastoral relation was this day dis- solved.
The first meeting of the Session after the installation of Mr. Blattenberger was held January 25th, 1879. The numbers received by the Session at this time show a most auspicious beginning of Mr. Blattenberger's pastorate. He entered upon the work with the new year, and with the observance of the Week of Prayer. This was followed with evangelistic services, which were continued for sev- eral weeks. At this first meeting of the Session the fol-
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lowing persons were received into the membership of the Church: On certificate, Mrs. Mattie Blattenberger, from the Bergen St. M. E. Church, Newark. On examination, James P. Chamberlin, Thomas Miller, William Hill, Mrs. Mary Ann Hill, his wife, William F. Chamberlin, Arthur Sutphin, Miss Julia Sutphin, Miss Ella L. Smith, Leonard D. Wilson, John J. Hall, David S. Prall, John K. Agens, Brogun B. Van Nuys Lowe, Calvin Hoagland, Miss Sallie Dilts, Miss Mary E. Prall, Miss Hannah Prall.
February Ist. The Session received on certificate from the Baptist Church at Wertsville, Mrs. Rebecca M. Chamberlin, wife of William F. Chamberlin and Aaron T. Agens from the Reformed Church of Readington. On examination, Mrs. Ann E. Strimple and Miss Lizzie P. Hill.
March Ist. The Session met and received on certifi- cate, Mrs. Mary J. Fisher from the Reformed Church of Plainfield; Miss Anna W. Bowlby from the M. E. Church of Quakertown; Mr. and Mrs. John B. Lowe from the Reformed Church of East Millstone; George W. Dilts from the M. E. Church of Mt. Zion; Mrs. Ann Dilts from the United First Church of Amwell; Mr. and Mrs. Theodore F. Swarer from the M. E. Church of Stanton; Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Apgar from the M. E. Church of Annandale; Mrs. Theo- dosia Hall from the Reformed Church of Three Bridges; Mrs. M. Elizabeth Higgins, and Mrs. Hannah M. Hoag- land from the Reformed Church of Clover Hill, and Mrs. Rachel Lowe from the Reformed Church of Ne- shanic. And on examination, Mrs. Ellen A. Smith, Mrs.
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Sarah L. Hagaman, Mrs. Sarah M. Haines, Mrs. Sarah Louisa Fisher, Mrs. Lucretia H. Dilts, Isaac S. Lowe, William E. J. Huffman, Caleb F. Quick, Mrs. Cathar- ine B. Quick, his wife, Miss Fannie Quick, Jacob Hoag- land, John E. Hoagland and Mrs. Ellen Hoagland, Mrs. Ellen Hill, Mrs. Ada V. Hill, Miss Julia H. Smith, Miss Georgiana Dilts, Miss Kate C. Holcombe, Miss Mary Chamberlin, Miss Belle Hill, Miss Hannah B. Hockenbury, Miss Ann Rebecca Deats, Miss Cora L. Bowlby, Miss Mary Prall, William Boughner and Wal- ter M. Risender. And Sabbath morning, March 2nd, Miss Wilhelmina Sipler and William Dilts.
On this Sabbath morning, March 2nd, these new mem- bers, 17 in all, received by letter from other churches, were welcomed into the fellowship of this Church, and 47, received on examination, made a public profession of their faith in Christ, of which number 33 were admitted to the Sacrament of baptism, and the whole number to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
This ingathering belongs really to one series of meet- ings begun with the Week of Prayer, and constitutes the largest addition at any one period to the membership of the Church during her history.
April 5th the Session met, and received Mrs. Rachel B. Boughner to the membership of the Church on certifi- cate, from the Reformed Church of Rocky Hill.
May 31st. The Session received into the membership of the Church on certificate, Miss Abigail A. Marsh from the First Presbyterian Church of New Brunswick, and Miss Mary P. Quick from the Reformed Church at Clo-
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ver Hill. And on examination, Mrs. Rachel Trimmer and Mrs. Elizabeth D. A. Servis.
September 6th. The Session received, on certificate, from the Reformed Church of Raritan, Mrs. Kitty W. D., wife of David Bartron.
December 6th. The Session received William Servis on certificate, from the Baptist Church of Wertsville, and Mrs. Emma, his wife, on examination.
December 7th. The Session received on examination, David Chamberlin and Mrs. Clarinda C., his wife, and Miss Kate Jones.
March 6th, 1880. The Session received on certificate from the Amwell United First Church, Miss Mary A. Wilson and Stephen A. Staats and Mrs. Martha V. Gu- lick, his wife, from the Reformed Church at Harlingen. On examination, Mrs. Fanny Griggs and Miss Sarah E. Van Horn.
June 5th. The Session received on certificate from Amwell United First, Jonathan E. Haines and Miss Re- becca Fink from the Kirkpatrick Memorial Church.
December 4th. The Session received on certificate from the Reformed Church, Clover Hill, William S. Schenck and Mrs. Mary Young, his wife.
March 5th, 1881. Received on certificate from Am- well Second Church, Mrs. Jennie Smith. Received on examination, Ralph Y. Smith, Mrs. Mary Ann Sipler, Miss Kate C. Griggs, Miss Mary J. Housel and Miss Sarah Agens.
August 27th. Mrs. Emeline Laubaugh was received by letter from the Bethlehem M. E. Church.
December 3rd. The Session received on examination,
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Daniel R. Housel, George T. Bacon and Emma C., his wife.
February 25th, 1882. The Session received on exami- nation, Samuel Haines.
June 3rd. The Session received on certificate from the Presbyterian Church of Liberty Corner, Mrs. Jennie Hoagland.
August 26th. Richard B. McPherson was received on certificate from the M. E. Church of Stanton, N. J.
March 3rd, 1883. B. B. Voorhees and Marietta Pit- tenger, his wife, were received on certificate from the Reformed Church of Branchville.
August 25th. Isaac N. and Elizabeth A. Brokaw, his wife, were received by letter from the First M. E. Church of Somerville.
December Ist. Received on examination, Miss Kate R. Holcombe, Miss Bessie Smith, Miss Georgie Hol- combe, Miss Lydia Teaman, Miss Mattie E. McPher- son and Rettie R. Higgins.
And on Sabbath morning, the 2nd, Mrs. Cora E. Wil- son from the St. George's M. E. Church, Philadelphia. And on examination, Miss Carrie E. Boyce, Miss Mag- gie Hunt and Miss Mary Etta Van Horn.
December 9th. J. Jacob Kisz on certificate, from the Lutheran Church in Germany. On examination, Schenck Smith and Hannah M. Smith, his wife, Samuel Peters (colored), Miss Lizzie Kisz, Miss Maggie M. Kisz, John J. Kisz, Miss Annie E. Miller, Miss Minnie L. Hoagland and Alexander R. Griggs.
January 6th, 1884. Received on examination, Miss Cornelia Hill, Mrs. Sarah M. Lyman (colored), Andrew
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M. Dilts, Charles M. Sipler, Jr., and Mrs. Martha T. Todd. And on certificate from the Baptist Church of Flemington, Mrs. Gertrude V. M. Peterson.
At this time the Session decided to take measures for adding three more persons to their number, and also decided on the persons they would place in nomination. They appointed March 23rd as the day for this action.
Sabbath morning, March 23rd, the Session placed in nomination for the office of Ruling Elder, Caleb Farlee. Quick, Martin J. Bellis and James Prall, Chamberlin. The congregation was invited to place others in nomina- tion, if it so desired. There being no other nominations the vote was taken, and the persons nominated were unanimously elected. The persons thus elected were or- dained and installed to the office of Ruling Elder im- mediately after their election.
May 31st. Lemuel Hoagland and Mary, his wife, were received by letter from the M. E. Church of Ser- geantville, N. J., and Dora, their daughter, was received on examination.
December 7th. The Session passed a vote of thanks to Mrs. John Quick for her kindness in presenting to the Church a silver tankard for the use of the Church at the communion services.
January 18th, 1885. The Session received on exami- nation, Miss Laura B. White, Miss Emma F. Hall and Miss Susie K. Cronce.
February 28th. Frederick Dirking and Miss Cora M. Sutphin were received on examination to the membership of this Church. Mrs. Mary R. Everitt was received by letter from the Presbyterian Church of Flemington, and 18
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Mrs. Rhoda F. Quick from the Presbyterian Church of Titusville.
At this meeting Dr. Rex handed in his resignation as Clerk of Session, on account of the infirmity of age, and Elder C. F. Quick was elected to fill this place.
June 6th. Mrs. Martha Stothoff was received by let- ter from the Presbyterian Church of Flemington.
December 5th. Mr. F. Rusham and Johanna, his wife, were received by letter from the M. E. Church of Flem- ington.
Elder George P. Rex, who had been appointed to pre- pare a minute on the death of Elder Zebulon Stout, be- ing prevented by sickness from attending this meeting, sent the following resolutions which were approved by Session and ordered to be placed on our records, viz :
Whereas, Zebulon Stout, the senior member of this Session, departed this life August 11th, 1885, we, the surviving members of the Session, desire to place on rec- ord our appreciation of his character as a citizen and as a Christian; therefore,
Resolved, That we express our profound sorrow at the death of our brother, who had lived beyond four score years, and "has come to the grave like a shock of corn cometh in his season."
Resolved, That in Brother Stout we had a man of prayer, and one who, while "fervent in spirit," was dili- gent in doing the things his hands found to do in the service of the Master. In this he has left an example worthy of imitation by all the members of this Church.
Resolved, That this testimonial be sent to William B. Stout, executor of his estate.
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March 6th, 1886. The Session received, on examina- tion, Mrs. Robert R. Smith, Jr., into the membership of the Church.
June 5th. Received by letter from the Presbyterian Church of Pluckemin, Frederick Powelson and Emma B., his wife, and Mrs. Ann R. Swietzer. At the same time Lemuel White and Mary F., his wife, being mem- bers of the German Baptist Church, but not having cer- tificates, were received on examination.
March 5th, 1887. Mrs. Rose Young Prall was re- ceived by letter from the Baptist Church of Flemington.
June 4th. John W. Lebler and Augusta F., his wife, Miss Cornelia A. Case and Frederick V. D. Durham were received on examination. Henry Lunger was re- ceived by letter from the M. E. Church at Norton, and Mrs. Sarah R. R. Hoffman from the Reformed Church at Clover Hill.
The last meeting of Session, moderated by Mr. Blat- tenberger, was held October 3rd, 1887. During his pas- torate one hundred (100) persons were received into the Church on examination, and fifty-two (52) by letter from other churches. This large accession gives Dr. Blat- tenberger a distinguished place among the pastors of this Church. And yet, without detracting from his faithful- ness and genuine success, it is evident that the conditions then were much more favorable than they have been since. This is shown by the larger numbers received by letter, by the larger number in the Sabbath School, as well as the much larger number of children enrolled in the day school then than at the present time.
To state this definitely while the Reaville school dis-
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trict has the same boundary lines now, as then, and with the same teacher in the school, Miss Anna Park, now, that had charge of the school at the beginning of Mr. Blat- tenberger's pastorate, the school enrollment then was over eighty, while for these last two years it has been under thirty. With corresponding changes in the congregation the enrollment of eighty-four in the Sabbath School is really a higher ratio to the whole than one hundred and fifty was at the earlier date.
Mr. Blattenberger saw these changes coming, as he has stated to me, and the records themselves confirm the fact of their approach.
The total membership reported the year before Mr. Blattenberger came was 105. With the large revival at the beginning of his pastorate, adding 64 in all, he was enabled to put the number at 146 in his first report. With 15 additions the second year, he reported the membership at 156. In 1881, with eleven additions he reported 157, and the same number for each of the next two years, with five additions in 1882, and four in 1883.
In 1884 there was the large addition of 28, and the membership reached 166.
In 1885 it was 174, which is doubtless too high, as there were only nine additions.
In 1886, with only one added on examination and three by letter, the report gives the membership as 171.
In 1887 the membership is reported at 165. This was the last report made by Mr. Blattenberger. But it is evident the membership was stated too high, that is the loss from death and removals was not accurately de- ducted. This is shown by the fact that the first report
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