USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > Amwell > The history of the First English Presbyterian Church in Amwell > Part 8
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August 7th, 1786, Hannah, daughter of Rev. William and Margaret Kirkpatrick died in the nineteenth year of her age. She is described as a charming young woman, being possessed of great natural ability, personal beauty and most winning manners. Her funeral was attended by almost as large a number of people as gathered at the bur- ial of her distinguished father. Her grave is covered with a horizontal slab, similar to that over her father's grave, and the inscription narrating her life and character, occu- pies, as does that of her father, a large part of this me- morial slab, and bears evidence of having been written by the same person, who wrote that to his memory .*
These graves deserve from this Church sacred regard, and should ever be cared for with the same affectionate in- terest that children would give to the grave of a parent. And I wish to add the same care is due to those of Rev. and Mrs. Byram, Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Hull, and that of the benefactor of the Church, Mr. Joseph Reed. And although the resting place of Gov. Reading has been looked after by descendants, there are other members of that distinguished family, and the same is true of many other graves marking the resting place of those who were interested and faithful members of this Church, who have no living kindred near at hand to do this service. I think it would be an honor to the living to recognize the claim and give that care that will keep in respectful condition the graves of those who preceded us in this Church, and
*For many of these facts concerning Rev. William Kirkpatrick excepting the memorial slab, I am indebted to Dr. John Hall's "Early Settlers near Trenton." 8
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who gave liberal and faithful service to keep in prosperous condition the Church, for those who should follow them, in the membership of this Church. We have inherited it from them. Let us honor their memory by caring for their graves.
Of the son, William Kirkpatrick, born November 7th, 1769, we learn from the catalogue of Princeton College that he graduated from that college in 1788. He studied medicine afterward with the celebrated Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia. But he was of so sensitive a nature as to be unfitted for the practice of his profession. It is said that he was eminently literary in his tastes and pursuits. He was of a joyous and pleasant temperament, dignified, easy and graceful in manner. I am describing, you will no- tice, an cultured Amwell boy and young man of the olden time. It is thus we have him in the traditions pre- served by Dr. Hall, of Trenton. But the time was now at hand for Mr. and Mrs. Warford to leave Amwell. A call was presented to Mr. Warford by the Presbyterian Church at Salem, New York, September 27th, 1787, in pursuance of which his pastoral relation to the Amwell Churches was dissolved by the Presbytery of New Bruns- wick, October 16th, 1787. The Churches of Amwell, as the records of the Presbytery show, expressed great unwillingness to part with their pastor. It was only be- cause the people of Amwell were unable to provide suita- bly for his support, that they consented to his leaving them.
Three unusual facts here present themselves, one, that while accepting the call to Salem, Mr. Warford did not enter on his labors there until 1788, and was not installed
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until July, 1789, and this because of another fact, viz., the scarcity of ministers of the Presbyterian faith in that part of New York, to perform the service
Because of this state of things, Mr. Warford did not leave Amwell for many months after he ceased to be pas- tor. During this time, he served the Amwell Church as a supply for twelve Sabbaths.
As the time approached for Mr. Warford to leave Am- well, Jasper Smith called the officers of the Church to- gether and made arrangement for final settlement with the retiring pastor.
It will be seen from this settlement with Mr. Warford that for the first two years of his pastorate he had been paid in full, as payments became due. This is in accord with the condition of the Church and its finances, as we have surveyed the difficulty of the Church in meeting its obligations. The statement then made for settlement by Jasper Smith is as follows:
Dr .- The first English Presbyterian Church in Am- well, to Rev. John Warford.
To salary from October 23rd, 1778, to the 23 of October, 1787, being nine years at fifty pounds per year. .£450.00.0
Charged by Mr. Warford for supplies for Oc- tober 23, 1787, to October, 1788,-12 Sabbaths 24.00.0
474.00.0
Cr. to payment. 408.15.2
October 14, bal. due £65.4.10
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For this settlement the whole amount paid for each pew-holder is credited, summing up the total amount paid as above.
October 15th, 1788, just before Mr. Warford left for Salem, a number of the pew-holders agreed to advance the money to pay Mr. Warford in full. The effort was only partially successful, the sum subscribed for this purpose amounting £20.13.1, still leaving a balance of £44.11.9. Subsequently other payments were made until January 29th, 1790, when Mr. Warford gives his receipt to Jas- per Smith for £7 15s Iod in full.
Two facts appear in our informal records, which have to do with the inability of the Church to support Mr. Warford as desired,-one of these is, the great decrease in the number of those who took pews in the Church, the other, the people were in a measure wearied and ex- hausted under the financial conditions of the country and by the condition of the Church and the parsonage. Sub- scriptions were solicited for these repairs very often dur- ing the pastorate. The papers would be headed with the statement "Whereas, the parsonage in which Mr. War- ford now resides is in a wretched condition, the congrega- tion is solicited to subscribe liberally to repair the same." Then again it would be "both Church and parsonage." Such subscriptions were taken in 1779 in 1782, in 1783, in 1784, an 1786, and again in 1789 after Mr. Warford had been dismissed.
The location of the Church was also unsatisfactory, especially to that part of the congregation about Flem- ington. While various remedies were attempted for the relief of the difficulty, no one of them proved satisfactory enough to secure its adoption.
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At length Mr. Warford took his departure to his new field of labor, and William, son of Rev. Wm. Kirk- patrick, evidently accompanied the family thither. How he was occupied, for a number of year, we do not know, but in 1806, he was appointed superintendent of the Salt Springs, and moved to Salina, now the first ward of Syra- cuse.
In 1808 he was elected to the House of Representa- tives, this being the last Congress under Jefferson's ad- ministration. So this sensitive, but scholarly boy of the Amwell parsonage, at last reached a place of honor and responsibility. He died from cholera in 1823.
Of Mr. Warford himself a closing word is also fitting. In addition to what has been said, he was the first pastor of the Church at Salem. His heart was enlisted in the cause of Christian philanthropy and missions. Quoting from a letter furnished me in 1898 by the late Edward P. Sprague, Ph.D., D. D., at that time pastor of the Church at Salem, he says from investigations he had made, it was believed he was born at Martha's vineyard in 1745. His graduation from Princeton in 1774, licensure by Presbytery of New Brunswick, October 10th, 1775, and ordination and installation at Amwell July 31st, 1776, have already been given. Dr. Sprague continues "He died May 19th, 1802, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. Of his pastorate here, there remains little formal record, but it seems to have been everyway successful. He ap- pears to have been a man of earnest devotion, scholarly and able. He took a deep interest in the foundation here of Washington Academy (which still continues) and he was one of its first Board of Trustees. Perhaps no more
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correct estimate can be given him than the inscription on his tombstone here. He was an affectionate pastor, hus- band, parent and friend. An evangelical preacher, meek in his disposition, and grave in his address." Of Mrs. Warford we regret that all records have perished. We feel sure, however, that she has an imperishable record on high.
APPENDIX NO. I.
As a fitting appendix to this history of the Church dur- ing the Revolution, we insert here a description of what is called A Roll for Swearing the Trustees. This roll is on a parchment seven inches wide and two feet long, and is to-day in excellent condition.
The contents of the Roll are as follows: A Roll for Swearing the Trustees of the First English Presbyterian Church in the Township of Amwell, in the County of Hunterdon and State of New Jersey, being chosen pur- suant to a Law of the said State, made and passed the sixteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-six.
I - - do sincerely profess and swear that I do not hold myself bound to bear allegiance to the King of Great Britain, So help me God.
I - do sincerely profess and swear that I do, and will bear true faith and allegiance to the Government es- tablished in this State under the authority of the people. So help me God.
Jasper Smith, Derrick Sutphin, Abrm. Williamson, Lewis Chamberlin, Thos. Reading, Arthur Gray, Tunis Quick.
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Sworn the twenty-fifth day of December, Anno Domini 1786, before me, Jos. Reading, one of ye Justices of ye peace for ye county of Hunterdon.
State of New Jersey, Hunterdon County, ss .:
Be it remembered that on the twenty-fifth day of De- cember in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hun- dred and eighty-six personally came and appeared before me Joseph Reading, Esq., one of the Justices assigned to keep the peace in and for the county afds. Jasper Smith and Thomas Reading, Esquires, Messrs. Arthur Gray, Tunis Quick, Sen., son of Tunis, Derrick Sutphin, Abraham Williamson and Lewis Chamberlin, having been chosen Trustees of and for the first English Presby- terian Church in the Township of Amwell in the County of Hunterdon afds., who being duly sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God, do severally depose that they would execute the Trust reposed in them during their continuance in office, with fidelity and according to the best of their understanding.
Here the several names are given as above.
Sworn the day and year above. Jos. Reading.
Abraham Prall, Tunis Quick, John Schenck, Enos Laning, Derrick Sutphin, Amos Hoagland, Henry Kan- nedy.
Sworn before me the 19th day of March, 1792. Joseph Reading.
Jacob Schenck, Titus Quick, Ralph Schenck.
Sworn before me the 21st day of March, 1803. David Bishop, Justice of Peace.
Interesting as the above oath is, as giving the state of feeling at the close of the war, it becomes more interesting
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to us now, in view of the contrast, as shown by the mu- tual good feeling and friendship between these two na tions giving us a prophecy of lasting peace and mutual helpfulness. So may it be. This has illustration in the Appendix No. 2.
APPENDIX NO. 2-CAPTAIN SCHENCK.
Our scanty records make absolutely no allusion to the struggle for independence, in progress at this time, except the phrase, "Whereas, since prices are much risen because of the war," which occurs in the subscription papers of 1779, as already given, and excepting also, military titles, born by many active members of the Church. But from other sources we have learned and also made record of such service rendered by members of this congregation for the country's cause, particularly of members of the Reading family. To this list of the patriots of the con- gregation it is proper, at this stage of the Church's his- tory, that the name of Captain John Schenck should be added.
Captain Schenck was born in 1750 and died in 1823. His grave is in our cemetery with the title and dates above given, and the statement added that it was he who shot the British officer Cornet Geary. This took place on the 14th of December, 1776. It is believed that Cor- net Geary is the only British officer killed within the pres- ent limits of Hunterdon Co. Cornet Geary was a mem- ber of the 16th (the Queen's Light Dragoons) under command of Col. Harcourt.
Cornet Geary was ordered to proceed from Penning- ton, where his Regiment was quartered, to Flemington to
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learn, if possible, the location of the Continental Army, which under Washington, was marching through the northern part of New Jersey, after the evacuating of Fort Lee. Failing in this, Geary and his men destroyed a lot of arms and ammunition found in the Old Lowrey Store, near the present site of the Presbyterian Church. After this they started on their return. Captain Schenck had seen them as they marched through Ringoes early in the morning. Hurriedly gathering a few citizens with such arms as they could find, Captain Schenck, one of Washington's soldiers home on furlough, marched his lit- tle band toward Flemington to a thick wood opposite what is now known as Kimball's crossing. As the enemy approached, Captain Schenck ordered his men to fire. Cornet Geary formed his men in the road, and returned the fire. Captain Schenck ordered his men to fire again. Cornet Geary fell to the ground dead. His men fled. The Americans buried the body near where it fell. It was reported subsequently that the British soldiers had re- turned and carried off the body. Many believed this, al- though through all the years the grave had been known by people of the neighborhood. It lies on the northern line of the farm now belonging to John Ent, and his son- in-law, Howard Sutphin. Theodore Bellis, now of Flem- ington, the best posted man in this part of Hunterdon Co. in local affairs, determined to settle the question about the remains of the British officer. For this purpose on the 18th of May, 1891, he conducted certain members of the Hunterdon Co. Historical Society to this grave and opened it in their presence. This resulted in finding a human skeleton, and four silver buttons marked Q. L. D.
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16, or Queen's Light Dragoons. This established the fact that this was the grave of Cornet Geary. The fam- ily of Lieut. Geary have been informed of this fact. Re- cently a lady in Utica, acting for the family, ordered a monument to be placed at the grave. This was recently done by Reardon and son of Flemington. The monu- ment is of boulder design and of rock taken from the vicinity of the grave. The inscription is as follows : In Memory of Cornet Francis Geary 16 (The Queen's) Light Dragoons, Born 1752. Killed in action here
in the service of King George III, December 14, 1776. Eldest son of Admiral Sir Francis Geary, Baronet. Erected in 1907 by his great nephew Sir William Navil M. Geary, Baronet.
Now, the struggle long ago ended, we join in tributes of esteem for each other's noble sons.
Captain Schenck, belonging to a very numerous family in the early history of our Church, has an honored place in our country's history, and in the history of our Church as well. Our records show him to have been exceeding- ly active and liberal for the Church's welfare and the Master's honor.
THE FIFTH PASTOR WAS REV. THOMAS GRANT, 1791-1809.
Although the reason assigned by the Amwell Churches for consenting to the removal of Mr. Warford from them was their inability to give him proper support, we find
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these Churches very soon realized their need of a pastor, and that they must, in some way meet the demand. Here again we discover the efficient leadership of Jasper Smith, president of the corporation of Amwell First. In April, 1789, Mr. Smith makes a report to Presbytery, saying, however, in the introduction of the same, that this duty belongs to Elder Mr. Abraham Prall. He then adds "of late year's a number have fallen off from our Church, and many others are very cool about supporting the Gos- pel. This no doubt will greatly encourage the enemy. What then? Are we to give up? No. I hope the Rev- erend Presbytery will supply us more cheerfully with their ablest preachers, that in the use of powerful means, we may regain what we have lost, and turn the zeal in favor of the Church." Surely a Church is favored, that has among her members a man so fully awake to her interest as Mr. Smith shows himself to be; and who lays empha- sis on the able and faithful preaching of the Gospel in or- der to arouse men to a sense of their duty. It is not al- ways so. As a result of this request we find that the sup- plies for the vacant Churches besides Mr. Warford, while still residing among them, were Dr. Witherspoon, Mr. Hannah, Mr. Armstrong, of Trenton, Mr. Clark, father of Rev. John F. Clark, subsequently a pastor of our Church and others.
Dr. John Witherspoon supplied the Amwell pulpit on different occasions, during the time the Church was with- out a pastor. June 21st, 1789, he preached and adminis- tered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The Treasur- er is credited with paying him £3 for this service. Again November Ist, of the same year he preached at Amwell
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and received £I.IOs. These were the sums paid at this period to any preacher rendering these respective services. In our day it would be deemed a distinguished honor to any Church to have a man so noted as Dr. Witherspoon, president of Princeton College, and a signer of the Declar- ation of Independence fill its pulpit. Notwithstanding the increased difficulty of caring for the Church without a pastor, we find the members of the congregation or of the corporation as they call themselves, show their old-time determination to sustain the Church. The salary list circulated for collecting salary for the six months ending October 23rd, 1790, has the following heading, Whereas the salary ordered to be levied and raised every six months for paying supplies sent by Presbytery for the First English Presbyterian Church in Amwell was due October 23rd, 1790. They add to be paid in Gold or Silver money. You will notice this improved condition of currency is in the second year of Washington's admin- istration. This paper is sent out with substantially the same names as were on the lists all through the war, but it is evident many of the persons so listed, do not pay. This paper is arranged as former ones, by having three spaces ruled in which the subscribers may insert as they choose pounds, shillings and pence. In addition to these spaces for current expenses, there are adjoining these, three other spaces, ruled off for arrearages. And these ar- rearages, generally much larger than the half yearly salary are almost uniformly paid, even by those who have sur- rendered their seats in the Church, and are not paying for current expenses. If they decline to pay up the arrears Jasper Smith adds a note to the collector's paper saying
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"Mr. - signed Mr. Warford's call and he must pay" so that the money may be refunded to those who advanced it. As a result of insisting on their obligation to the cor- poration, the arrearage collected on this paper of 1790 is £41,7.8, while for the current expenses it is only £13.16.2. Under this efficient management of the affairs of the Church, and the co-operation of the Presbytery, the pul- pit was supplied with preachers during the time the Church was without a pastor.
Among these supplies for the pulpit, we find the name of Mr. Grant in 1790, who supplied the Churches for nine Sabbaths previous to his installation April Ist, 1791. Jasper Smith and many others in and about Flemington, sent a statement to Mr. Grant, and a request that should he be settled over the Amwell Churches, to preach one fourth of his time at Flemington, either in the Court House or in the Baptist Church, which could be secured when not in use by the people of that Church, or else in private houses. For such service they agree to pay him their proportionate part. For some unknown reason this failed also. Our subscription papers, hitherto circulated have revealed to us the fact, that the part of the congre- gation north of the Neshanic, or the Flemington branch was stronger numerically and financially, than the part south of the Neshanic. It is not surprising that it was next proposed to tear down the old House (Amwell First), and that a new Church be erected at Flemington, which was more central. This proposition failed to se- cure a sufficient number of supporters and was aband- oned.
June 23rd, 1791, a paper was circulated and signed by
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fifty-five persons, residing in and about Flemington, re- questing Presbytery to form them into a church. Very many of these signers were members of the Amwell First Church and congregation. Three of these signers, viz. Jasper Smith, Thomas Reading and Arthur Gray, were Trustees of Amwell First. These trustees informed the members of the Amwell First Corporation, August 27th, that this application would be laid before Presbytery at its next meeting in October at Pennington. Jasper Smith appeared before Presbytery in behalf of the petitioners, re- questing Presbytery to form them into a new Church. This request was opposed by the Churches of First and Second Amwell through their representative Mr. John Prall, Jr.
The Presbytery, after hearing both parties resolved that it would be imprudent to decide at present. Presbytery adjourned to meet at Amwell First on the first Tuesday of November at eleven o'clock. Dr. Smith of Princeton College was appointed to preach at Amwell First, on the preceding Sabbath. Great interest was taken in the object to come before Presbytery, as shown by the persons who attended the meeting. Among others, were Dr. Smith, Dr. Witherspoon, Mr. Armstrong of Trenton and Mr. Clark of Allentown.
At this meeting, as at the previous one, the parties had a full and satisfactory hearing. It will be of interest, to all to have the chief reasons which were presented for re- moval of the Church or eventually for a new organiza- tion at Flemington. They were presented by Jasper Smith, and we have the manuscript containing the points
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of his argument. He gives some disadvantages of the present situation, and advantages of a charge.
(1) The number of members have for many years been decreasing, as shown by the book. The reason why, the Old Church is ex-central. It was built fifty-two years ago for the people between the Delaware river and the Dutch Church at Reading Town. (This statement is very important as giving the age of the Old Church- building, fifty-two years before 1791).
(2) A new Church (Second Amwell) taking off a part, is erected between this and the Delaware.
(3) Reading Town Dutch Church, having all its ser- vices in English, has taken off many over South Branch and is likely to draw off others.
(4) This Church is unfinished, and ever likely to be. When people come, there is not a house with fire to warm by, or any victuals or drink to be had for the hungry and thirsty.
Some of the advantages.
(1) This (Flemington) is a village containing a num- ber of houses, where a minister coming to preach, cold and hungry, may be refreshed before he goes into the pulpit, which cannot be done here (at the old Church). There are important facts to be read between the lines in this and the previous reason.
(2) Because Flemington is nearly central to the peo- ple, who would naturally join (or attend) the Church when erected. This appears from the several subscrip- tions of April Ist, 1791, and October 15th. Also the association of the 23rd of June last.
(3) There is a considerable sum of money already sub-
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scribed for building a Church, which, with what may rea- sonably be expected, will go far to build a comfortable house at Flemington.
(4) The removal of the Church will be more con- venient, and not so far from any member as the old Church now is, for John M. Reading and Charles Read- ing, who have always attended here.
(5) In and about Flemington there are now upward of forty pounds subscribed for salary to be paid annually.
(6) There would always be a full house at Fleming- ton (?) which is very desirable.
(7) Flemington is an increasing place and the body of the people Presbyterian.
In answer to the petitioners, Presbytery resolved unan- imously that in the present circumstances, matters do not appear ripe for forming them into a new congregation, that Presbytery would cheerfully form them into a new congregation at Flemington, if it had no appearance of weakening the congregations of Amwell. They earnestly advise all parties to unite in prosecuting the call to Mr. Grant, and to pursue such measure as would tend to peace. Resolved also, that Mr. Grant (provided he accept the calls prepared for him by said congregations) preach one- fourth part of his time at Amwell First, one-fourth at Flemington, and the remaining half at Amwell Second Church, and that the salary be apportioned to the time at each place."
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