USA > New York > New York City > A history of St. James' Methodist Episcopal Church at Harlem, New York City, 1830-1880 : with some facts relating to the settlement of Harlem > Part 1
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உயர்சுந்தர &
Gc 974.702 N4224S 1192515
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01145 1876
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofstjames00silb
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ST. JAMES' METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, COR. OF MADISON AVE. AND 126TH ST.
A HISTORY
OF
St.James'*Methodist+Episcopal+Church AT
HARLEM, NEW YORK CITY,
1830-1880.
WITH SOME FACTS RELATING TO THE SETTLEMENT OF
HARLEM,
BY
WILLIAM B. SILBER, LL.D.
NEW YORK : PHILLIPS HIUNT.
1882.
COPYRIGHT, 1881, BY WILLIAM B. SILBER.
Carrera BÍ drag_ $2.50
1192515
TO
THE NOBLE BAND OF BRAVE SOULS,
BOTH OF THE CLERGY AND LAITY,
WHO ORGANIZED THE
HARLEM MISSION,
AND WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE ERECTION
OF THE
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN HARLEM,
AND SUBSEQUENTLY OF
ST. JAMES' M. E. CHURCH,
THIS VOLUME
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.
PREFACE.
This history was undertaken by the writer, at the unanimous request of the Quarterly Conference of St. James' Methodist Episcopal Church.
In its preparation, he has availed himself of all the opportunities of gaining information by personal interviews, correspondence, consulting the ehureh records, newspapers, &e., and would here, as he has in the body of the work, express his indebtedness and thanks for assistance rendered.
He would also aeknowledge his obligations for the sketches of former pastors of the ehureh, statistics, and other valuable information placed at his disposal, to those who have charge of the papers, Conference Proceed- ings, &e., in the Methodist Book Coneern.
Very little, if any elaim is made to originality, except it be in regard to the plan and manner of treatment of the subject.
If this history shall inspire others to noble deeds, and be the means of inereasing our love to God and to his Church, the writer will be abundantly repaid for all his toil.
W. B. S.
NEW YORK, Jan. 4, 1882.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
I .- REMARKS ON HISTORY,
9
II .- DISCOVERY OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, - 11
III .- ON THE SETTLEMENT OF NEW YORK CITY, -
12
IV .- ON THE SETTLEMENT OF HARLEM,
14
-
V .- ON THE INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM IN AMERICA AND NEW YORK CITY, 1S VI .- STATE OF METHODISM IN NEW YORK CITY IN 1830, - 21
VII .- CONDITION OF HARLEM IN 1830, - - 22
VIII .- FORMATION AND EXTENT OF HARLEM MISSION, - 26
IX .- PLACES WHERE METHODIST RELIGIOUS SERVICES WERE HELD,
-
30
X .- PLANS AND BEGINNINGS FOR A HOUSE OF WORSHIP,
32
XI .- LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE AND DEDICATION,
39
XII .- CEREMONIES ON TAKING LEAVE OF THE OLD CHURCH, -
-
41
XIII .- HISTORY OF THE BEGINNING, PROGRESS, AND COMPLETION OF ST. JAMES' M. E. CHURCH, 43
XIV .- SKETCHES OF THE PASTORS, BOTH LIVING AND DEAD, 52
XV .- STATISTICS, - 80
XVI .- NAMES OF PASTORS OF ST. JAMES' M. E. CHURCHI, S9
XVII .- NAMES OF TRUSTEES, STEWARDS, LEADERS, AND SABBATH-SCHOOL SUPER- - 90 INTENDENTS,
XVIII .- SERVICES COMMEMORATIVE OF THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL OF ST. JAMES' M. E.
CHURCH, - 95
I.
HISTORY.
ISTORY has very appropriately been defined as "a record of the past." And at the simple mention of the past, how the memory is quickened! What recollections are revived! We are reminded of the time when, in the grand and graphic language of Holy Writ, it is said, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." How, in process of time, order succeeded chaos, and, at the simple fiat of the great Creator, this earth became a fit habitation for man, the masterpiece of the Almighty. How the race of man increased, multiplied, and spread, until nations were formed, cities built, kingdoms established, and a large portion of the habitable part of the earth peopled. How wars, plagues, disease, and death have traversed our fair earth and drenched it with blood, and made it one vast cemetery. How, despite all the disadvantages against which the race has been obliged to contend, it has progressed, and is still progressing in physical, intellectual, and moral excellence. How, under the mighty influence of thought, man is bringing, as his Creator originally intended, the material universe under subjection, and causing the very elements to obey his behests. How, by contact of man with man, and thought with thought, men are beginning to understand each other more fully, and though remotely distant, are virtually very near. How, under the humanizing, clevating, and refining influence of education, science, art, literature, and especially of religion. the race is making rapid strides towards that period so cagerly desired, and so appropriately styled "the golden age."
As a matter of convenience, history has been divided into ancient, mediæval, and modern. Also into sacred and profane, ecclesiastical and civil.
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10
HISTORY.
History is intended to be the repository of the past, the treasury in which are stored all the events that have exercised an influence upon the weal or woe of mankind, the storehouse in which is garnered the experience of the race for the entertainment, instruction, and profit of posterity. History transports us into the past, and, in imagination we revel in scenes as if they were now transpiring. Its perusal is calculated to enlarge the mind and broaden the intellect. In the language of another, "the effect of historical reading is analogous, in many respects, to that produced by foreign travel. The student, like the tourist, is transported into a new state of society. He sees new fashions. He hears new modes of expression. His mind is enlarged by contemplating the wide diversities of laws, of morals, and of manners." The instruction to be derived from a systematic and thorough pursuit of history is incalculable. It may with truth be said that history forms, or at least should form, the basis of all knowledge. Upon such a foundation as this, all future additions to knowledge will rest upon an unalterably secure basis. Truly has it been said that "history is philosophy teaching by example."
1
II.
DISCOVERY OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
HAT was a proud and memorable day when the discoverer of the Western Hemisphere first set his foot upon terra firma in the new world. Far in advance of the age in which he lived, we cannot fail to admire his perseverance and con- gratulate him upon his final and well-deserved success
Equally worthy of praise is Queen Isabella, who, at the cost of self-sacrifice, and from a desire to spread the Christian faith, aided him in his grand, bold, and daring undertaking.
How impressive the scene, with Columbus, followed by a retinue of his officers and men bearing banners, throwing himself upon his knees, kissing the earth, and with tears of joy, giving thanks to God, thereby acknowledg- ing His providence in safely guiding him across the hitherto unnavigated sea, and virtually dedicating the newly discovered land to its original Creator, and then formally planting the cross, the symbol of salvation, as well as of a suffering Saviour!
From the time of the first discovery of land in the new world by Columbus, almost every year witnessed new adventurers and new dis- coveries, until the land of both continents was studded with colonies and a train of influences was set in operation which culminated in the war of the Revolution, resulting in the independence, civil and religious, of the colonists, so, that to-day, this land is the observed of all observers, and the asylum of the oppressed of all nations.
III.
ON THE SETTLEMENT OF NEW YORK CITY.
M RS. MARTHA J. LAMB in her history of the City of New York, has beautifully said, "Two hundred and sixty-five years ago the site of the city of New York was a rocky, wooded, canoe- shaped, thirteen-mile-long island, bounded by two salt rivers and a bay, and peopled by dusky skin-clad savages. A half-dozen portable wigwam villages, some patches of tobacco and corn, and a few bark canoes drawn upon the shore, gave little promise of our present four hundred and fifty miles of streets, vast property interests, and the encircling forest of shipping."
It was on the 11th of September, 1609, that the Half Moon, (the name of the vessel commanded by Henry Hudson, who, though an Englishman, was in the employ of the Dutch government) having been cautiously guided through the Narrows, anchored in full view of Manhattan Island (now New York City.) From this time repeated visits were made to Manhattan, and the vessels returned to Holland laden with furs received from the Indians in exchange for the trinkets brought by the traders, until in the Spring of 1614, when, in the language of the same authoress, " Manhattan Island was again left in primeval solitude, waiting until commerce should come and claim its own.
" It was not an interesting people whom the Dutch found in possession of Manhattan Island. They were tall, well made, broad of shoulder and slender in the waist, with large round faces, mild black eyes, and of a cinnamon complexion. They lived in huts skilfully lined with bark to keep out the cold.
" The Indians never located permanently, but moved about from one place to another, selecting such points as were naturally clear of wood.
13
ON THE SETTLEMENT OF NEW YORK CITY.
"The women, as usual among uncivilized nations, performed most of the field work.
" Of dress both sexes were extravagently fond.
"Public affairs were managed by a council of the wisest, most experienced, and bravest of their number, called Sachems. Law and justice, in our acceptation of the terms, were unknown to them. With excessive thirst for excitement and display, war became their common lot and condition."
The first settlement on Manhattan Island was made in the year 1624. "The rocky point of Manhattan Island, near what is now known as the Battery, was, on the 6th of May, 1626, the scene of one of the most interesting business transactions which has ever occurred in the world's history.
"It was the purchase by the Dutch, through Peter Minuet, of the city of New York. The amount which secured the title to the whole of Manhattan Island was equal, in our currency, to twenty-four dollars."
On the evening of February 2, 1653, at the feast of Candlemas, a new city appeared in the annals of the world-Manhattan was called New Amsterdam.
September 8, 1664, the Dutch surrendered to the English and New Amsterdam was henceforth to be known as New York.
July 30, 1673, New York surrendercd to the Dutch and became once more New Netherland. The city was called New Orange in honor of the young Prince of Orange.
On November 10, 1674, the city on Manhattan Island became once more and for all the future up to the present time, New York.
IV.
ON THE SETTLEMENT OF HARLEM.
E have already seen that New York was discovered and settled by the Dutch. And it is natural to suppose that they would, as they actually did, give to the land which they discovered, names familiar to themselves and peculiar to the country from which they came. Hence the names New Netherlands, New Amsterdam, Harlem, &c.
Harlem was undoubtedly named after Haarlem, a city of the Nether- lands, in the province of North Holland, ten miles from Amsterdam.
It is curious also to note the different methods according to which the word was spelled, " Harlem," "Haerlem," "Harlaem," "Haarlem."
The settlement of Harlem was commenced through an offer by the gov- ernment to give any twenty-five families who would remove to that remote part of Manhattan Island, a court and a clergyman of their own and a ferry to Long Island. Upon the bank of the Harlem River a little tavern was built, which became quite a resort for pleasure parties from the city. It was called the "Wedding Place ".
The account of "the first establishment of the village of Harlem," from the pen of the late David T. Valentine, formerly clerk of the Common Council of the City of New York, appeared in his Manual for the year 1863.
"Jochem Pietersen Kuyter, a gentleman of good education, who had previously been a commander in the East India Company, under the King of Denmark, came to New Netherland in 1639, and soon after purchased the flats on which the present village of Harlem is situated. He was a man of some means, and built a dwelling there, where, with his wife and family, he established his home, to pass his days in the enjoyment of
15
ON THE SETTLEMENT OF HARLEM.
rural occupations. He called his estate Z E G E N D A A L, or Happy Valley.
His hopes, however, were ruthlessly blasted within a short period. For, unfortunately, an Indian war broke out in 1643, and no exposed settle- ment was free from danger.
In the spring of 1644 his house was burned to the ground by a burning pile or arrow (supposed to have been shot by an Indian) which fell on the thatched reeds, with which the house was roofed. But, despite his misfortunes, Kuyter persevcred in his design of enjoying the sweets of life in his "Happy Valley " home, for, after peace was established with the savages, hc sought to reinstate himself upon his property; but his finances having been affected by his previous misfortunes, he was compelled to ask the assistance of some of his friends to aid him in rebuilding his house and in placing his fields in condition for cultivation. To do this he was obliged to part with the title to three-fourths of his property.
Accordingly, on the 23d September, 1651, an amicable agreement was made between Mr. Jochem Pietersen Kuyter, a free merchant, on the one side, and the Hon. Petrus Stuyvesant, Director-General of New Netherland, Curacao, and its dependencies, Lucas Rodenberg, Governor of Curacao, and Cornelis De Potter, free merchant, of the other side, concerning a piece of land lying on Manhattan Island of about 400 acres, with uncertain boundaries.
But the hopes of Kuyter were still more ruthlessly to be blasted; for, in the year 1654, he was ruthlessly murdered in his own house, by the savages, and the "Happy Valley " was immediately deserted by his family, and the property went to waste.
After the Indian troubles of the latter period became settled, Gov- ernor Stuyvesant, who, as we have seen, owned an interest in the property, determined to erect a village there, and, accordingly, with the con- sent of his Council, offered the following inducements to would-be settlers: The inhabitants of said village shall be granted in fec, eighteen, twenty, to twenty-nine morgens [morgen of two acres] of plowland, and
1.6
ON THE SETTLEMENT OF HARLEM.
six to eight morgens of the meadow for pasture; and shall also have exemption from paying tithes during fifteen years following the first of May next, (1658) provided they pay within three years, either at once or by installments, eight guilders, ($3.20,) for each morgen of arable land; assistance and protection, in all possible manner, by twelve or fifteen soldiers; a subaltern bench of justices, with the privilege of nomi- nating a double number of magistrates from the most judicious and best qualified among the inhabitants, from whom the Director-General and Council shall make choice; to supply them with a good, pious, and orthodox minister; a good wagon road from New Amsterdam to said village; that no other village or concentration shall be undertaken, nor be permitted to be established, until the aforcsaid village shall have arrived in esse; and that a ferry shall be established in the vicinity of the aforesaid village, with the accommodation of a good scow; and fur- ther, they (Director-General and Council) will favor the said village with a cattle and horse fair.
It appears from subsequent records, that. the project of a village was successful, and that the "Concentration " was soon after accomplished on the terms announced in the proclamation. "The place received the name of New Harlem."
The Hon. Edgar Ketcham has graphically and eloquently described the march of the early settlers on this end of the island in the following terms: "More than two hundred years ago a few adventurous Hollanders fearless of wild beasts and Indians, left the enclosures of New Amsterdam and walked to New Harlem. The way was new, and hills and valleys dispensed pleasant odors from trees and flowers: from birch and sassafras, from oak, hickory, larch, cedar and maple; from wild rose and dogwood, and daisy and buttercup. They were Dutchmen, not to be detained by smiles or hindered by frowns. They passed the stockade (the place of Wall Street now,) with grim aspect, and only paused to moisten their lips at the Kolk, a pond of clear water deep and cold, among hills where now are the "Tombs" in Centre Street. So refreshed, they resumed their way, which, followed afterward, became the "Bowerie Lane", the
17
ON THE SETTLEMENT OF HARLEM.
" Road to Boston." Where 23d Street is now, they found a winding creek flowing toward the East River, thickly bordered with forest trees. Whether our travellers crossed the Cedar Creek by pontoon bridge, or fallen tree, or simple fording, is now unknown, but they crossed it, advancing over rising ground, through woods and bush to a mount of rock, now Murray Hill, at the base of which nestled Sunfish Pond, as later known.
On they went, by a way afterwards called Cato's Road, sweeping in a curve north-east from the present junction of 3d Avenue and 43d Street and coming out on the top of the hill at our 66th Street.
It was a trial of muscle for our Hollanders to reach the top of that hill, and a relief to descend toward the north into the valley where ran a brook through a wood to the East River. But our Hollanders; to them- "hills peep o'er hills,"-and a mile farther they reached their highest elevation, from which, like Moses at Pisgah, they could see the good land beyond; a plain two and a half miles square, Helle Gatte and the Sound stretching away on the right-the rocky heights leading off to the valley (afterwards Manhattan,) the palisades in the distance on the left- a plain, the very heart's desire of a Hollander to settle on, with strip of farm touching salt water at one end, and the heights for pasture at the other.
Here, when the English came, in 1666, were found Joannes Vermillier, Joost Van Oblinus, Resolved Waldron, Daniel Turnier, Adolph Meyer, Jan H. Brevort, Jan Delamater, Lawrence Dyckman, Abraham Montanier and others, "in the tenure and occupation of a certain village, called New Harlem, who had been at a considerable charge in building, ma- nuring, planting and fencing; and for a confirmation and encouragement to them in their further improvement of the land," their titles and estates were confirmed to them by the two charters of Gov. Nicolls.
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V.
ON THE INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM IN AMERICA AND N. Y. CITY.
DO
F those who are associated with the original Methodists of New York, says Dr. Abel Stevens, in his History of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, "are the names of Embury, Heck, Ruckle, Switzer, Gier, and others."
Speaking of Embury, the same author observes: "With a party of his brethren, he cmigrated to the New World. The Company included his wife, Mary Switzer; two of his brothers and their families; Peter Switzer, probably a brother of his wife; Paul Heck and Barbara, his wife; Valcr Tettler; Philip Morgan and a family of the Dulmages. The vessel arrived safely in New York on the 10th of August, 1760."
Late in the year 1765, another vessel arrived in New York, bring- ing over Paul Ruckle, Luke Rosc, Jacob Heck, Peter Barkman, and Henry Williams, with their families.
Philip Embury was born in 1728 or in 1730. He was converted on the 25th of December, in the year 1752. With Gier, who, at one time, had been his teacher, he ministered faithfully to his neighbors, as a local preacher, in the intervals of the visits of the itinerant preachers, on their circuit before starting for the New World.
It can hardly be doubted that, on arriving in New York, Embury, a Class leader, and also a licensed local preacher in Ireland, attempted some religious care of the few Methodists who had accompanied him; but they fell away from their steadfastness in the temptations of their new condition, and he, yielding to discouragement, appears not to have used his office as a preacher till the autumn of 1766, and this, only at the in- stance of Mrs. Barbara Heck, whose spirit was roused at witnessing,
19
INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM IN AMERICA.
while on a visit to them, some of her acquaintances engaged in a game of cards. Thereupon she went to the house of Embury, her cousin, and after narrating what she had seen and done, appcaled to him to be no longer silent, but to preach the word forthwith. Answering his excuses, she urged him to commence at once in his own house, and to his own people. He consented, and she went out and collected four persons, who, with herself, constituted his audience.
The little company soon grew too large for Embury's house; they hired a more commodious room in the neighborhood, where he continued to conduct their worship, its expenses being met by voluntary contributions.
In 1767, a rigging loft, sixty feet by eighteen, on William Street, was rented.
In 1768, the site on John Street was leased, and purchased in 1770.
A chapel was built of stone, faced with blue plaster. It was sixty feet in length, forty-two in breadth. On the memorable 30th of October, 1768, Embury mounted the desk he had made, and dedicated the humble temple by a sermon on Hosea 10:12.
The year preceding that in which the John Strcet Church was formed, is memorable as the date of the Stamp Act; the Church was founded amid the storm of excitement which compelled the repcal of the act in 1766-the recognized epoch of American Methodism.
It has been erroneously supposed that John Strcet Chapel in New York, was occupied by the British troops during a part of the Revolu- tionary War.
Scven Annual Conferences were, indeed, held without an appoint- ment to that city. The chapels of most denominations in the city were appropriated by the enemy; but John Street was spared, through deference to Wesley and his English representatives in the colonies."
Dr. Stevens also remarks: "It may be affirmed that not only was Methodism founded in the New World by Local Preachers-by Embury in New York, Webb in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Strawbridge in Maryland, Neal in Canada, Gilbert in the West Indies, and Black in Nova Scotia-but that nearly its whole frontier march, from the extreme
20
INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM IN AMERICA.
north to the Gulf of Mexico, has been led on by these humble laborers; that in few things was the legislative wisdom of Wesley more signalized than in providing in his ecclesiastical system the offices of local preacher and class-leader, a species of lay pastorate, which, alike in the dense communities of England and the dispersed populations of America, has performed services which can hardly be overrated."
VI.
STATE OF METHODISM IN NEW YORK CITY IN 1830.
N 1830, the New York conference embraced the following districts: New York, New Haven, Rhinebeck, Troy, Saratoga, Hudson River, Champlain and Plattsburg.
The population of the City of New York during the same year, was 202,589.
The number of members of the Methodist Episcopal Church was 3,955 or 3,886 white and 69 colored.
The whole city then was one circuit, with Rev. Daniel Ostrander, as presiding elder. There were the following Methodist Episcopal Churches in the city at that time, and the ministers stationed over them: John Street, Heman Bangs; Duane Street, Lewis Pease; Allen Street, Samuel Merwin; Forsyth Street, Samuel Luckey; Willett Street, Buel Goodsell; Seventh Street, Stephen Martindale; Bedford Street, Samuel D. Fergusou.
Three services were held in the churches on the Sabbatlı, and it was customary for the ministers to rotate, preaching in different churches on the same Sabbath, and each succeeding Sabbath.
VII.
CONDITION OF HARLEM IN 1830.
ARLEM, writes the Hon. Edgar Ketcham, fifty years ago, was: a village with few people, a single church and a little school house. Its old roads toward the city were three in number, and two of them extended northward, meeting above the rise called Breakneck hill, (west of 8th Avenue and north of 140th Street, ) one then going on to Kingsbridge.
Of the three, the eastern was called the road to Harlem, the west- ern, the Bloomingdale, and the other, the middle road The latter traversed much of what is now in Central Park.
The western remains, the continuation of Broadway.
The first meandered about, crossing and recrossing, as it ran, the line of the 3d Avenue, and ended at Coles' Bridge (now Harlem Bridge) on Harlem River, which was also the northern terminus of the 3d Avenue- on the plan of the city laid out by the Commissioners, John Rutherford, Gouverneur Morris and Simeon De Witt, in the year 1809.
In 1821, this avenue was opened and graded, but not as it is now, some hills (as at 67th Street) being as much as fifteen feet higher, and some valleys (as at 73d Street) ten feet deeper; while its surface was in part covered with flat stones having a layer of soil over them, and for the rest with gravel and sand, making it a hard road to travel in will- ter and spring.
Above Vauxhall Garden (Bowery, opposite 7th Street now ) there were few buildings beside taverns at intervals of a mile or two, with their horse sheds adjoining, and Harlem proper lay within the flat doughnut-shaped territory bounded easterly by the Harlem River and westerly by the hills: running from Helle Gatte over to Manhattanville, in the middle of which lay two wart-like mounds, Snake Hill and Mount Morris.
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