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History of the
First
Presbyterian Church of Babylon, L. I.
JAMES W. EATON
Gc 974. 702 Blle
Gc 974.702 Blle 1247299
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02209 3881
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BABYLON, N. Y. This was the Fourth Building erected in 1870.
THE THIRD CHURCH BUILDING Built in 1839, now used as a Sunday School Room
THE SECOND CHURCH BUILDING
Built in 1783, was a two story Building, now used as a Dwelling House Marks made by carriages driving too close to the structure can be seen on the east side of building.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyoffirstpr00eato_0
C
HISTORY
OF THE
FIRST
PRE RESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
OF Babylon, Long Island
FROM 1730 TO 1912
Consisting of a Historical Sermon by Rev. James C. Nightingale and an Outline of the History of the Church by Rev. Robert D. Merrill. .
COMPILED BY JAMES W. EATON
Printed by The Babylon Publishing Company Babylon, N. Y.
II
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
COPYRIGHT
BY
JAMES W. EATON
BABYLON, N. Y.
1912
$50
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
III
1247299
DEDICATION
To the Descendants of the Founders of THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ISLIP AND HUNTINGTON SOUTH This book is Respectfully Dedicated by the Author.
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BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. THE FOURTH CHURCH
2. THE SECOND AND THIRD CHURCH BUILDINGS
3. JAMES W. EATON, AUTHOR
4. REV. HOLLIS READ
5. REV. GAYLORD L. MORE
6. REV. CHARLES W. COOPER
7 REV. JAMES MCDOUGAL, PH. D.
8. REV. JAMES C. NIGHTINGALE
9. REV. W. B. FLOYD
10. REV. JAMES C. HUME
11. REV. JOHN DIETRICH LONG
12. REV. ROBERT D. MERRILL
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BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
CONTENTS
HISTORICAL SERMON, J. C. Nightingale 1
OUTLINE HISTORY, R. D. Merrill
15
HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF
BABYLON FROM 1730 TO 1912 21
THE FOUR CHURCH BUILDINGS 21
FIRST BUILDING FUND 22
CONTRIBUTORS TO SALARY FIRST MINISTER 25
EXTRACTS FROM OLD DEED
27
BAPTISMS FROM 1798 TO 1857
28
CHURCH GOVERNMENT IN OLD TIMES 51
A TEMPERANCE PLEDGE
54
FORMATION OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ISLIP 55
MINISTERS OF THE CHURCH 56
INTERIORS OF THE SECOND AND THIRD CHURCHES 57
SOME INTERESTING FACTS 58
MEMORIAL WINDOWS
61
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BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
INTRODUCTION
At the suggestion of Orville B. Ackerly of Yonkers, New York, these notes of the early history of the Presbyterian church were com- piled. He gave me a copy of a sermon preached by Rev. James C. Nightingale, July, 1876. Then the Rev. Robert D. Merrill furnished me with the outline history published by him in 1908, together with the old church registers, and several photographs of the ministers of the church. The work now seemed easy, especially as my great grand parents and my family, down to myself had been connected with this church until 1871. The writer's earliest recollection was in attend- ing the services of this church when the Rev. Charles W. Cooper preached, and when the church was heated by stoves, burning wood. The preacher in my estimation at that time was the most learned per- son in the village, and naturally the best person.
The records of the baptisms in this church will be of great value to the genealogical student, as it comprises the early inhabitants of Islip, Bay Shore, West Islip, Babylon, Lindenhurst, Copiague and Am- ityville. The short extracts from the minutes, will give a good idea of the fashion of handling church offenders in olden times.
Portraits of several ministers of the church, and of the church building are inserted.
Some incidents in connection with the early history of the church are added.
Mr. Nightingale in his sermon says the church was organized under the name of "The Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South." The records show that before organization it was called the church or congregation of Islip and Huntington South. When the covenant was signed by fourteen persons January 7, 1798-they used the words "We the first church of Islip and Huntington South," and again December 14th, 1818-"We the members of the first Presby- terian church of Islip and Huntington South." So it would seem
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BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
that Mr. Merrill gives the name correctly in his outline history, viz: "The First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South." Again Mr. Nightingale says, Mr. Cook commenced his labors in 1824- Mr. Merrrill says in 1826, which seems to be in accordance with the church records.
Out of respect to the memory of the late Rev. James C. Night- ingale his sermon is printed in full and the "outline of the history of the church" by the present pastor, Robert D. Merrill is given' as a tribute to one who is beloved by all his church members, and one who is doing great good in the community.
Katury Losee was propounded for baptism July 22, 1798 and was baptised August 5th, 1798, being the first recorded baptism.
A list of the memorial windows in the present church is given.
The author could easily have given his readers a more concise and connected history of the church, had he prepared it as a whole, but felt that what had already been done by those in the church, should be preserved.
Thanks are due to all who have kindly assisted in this work and it is given to the public for the interesting history it contains of the church in olden times.
West Islip, February 19, 1912.
J. W. EATON
REV. HOLLIS READ Pastor for the year 1838
REV. GAYLORD L. MORE Born 1812, died in 1888 Pastor from 1852 to 1856
HISTORICAL SERMON By the Rev. James C. Nightingale
Published in the South Side Signal July 22, 1876
The history of this church extends over a period of n-arly one hundred and fifty years.
THE CORPORATE NAME
The church was organized under the name of "The Presby- terian Church of Islip and Huntington South." This name was retained until a separate congregation was formed at Islip in 1857, when the title was changed to "The Presbyterian Church of Hunting- ton South." After the division of the town of Huntington, and the- incorporation of the present town of Babylon, in 1870 the name was again changed to that which it now bears, "The First Presbyterian Church of Babylon, Long Island."
THE FIRST CHURCH EDIFICE
The first church building was erected in the year 1730, It was a small and unpretending structure. The exact site on which it was built is not known at the present time. The church was used! for religious worship, only occasionally, as the people were few in num -- ber, and were not able to secure the services of a permanent pastor ... With such supplies as they could get from the Presbytery, they con- tinued their worship, doing what they could to promote the glory of God. They were undisturbed in the enjoyment of their religious privileges, until the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, when they were called upon to suffer a great loss in the destruction of their little- church. It was torn down by British soldiers, in the year 1778, and such portions of it as could be used for military purposes were- transported to the western part of the Island. It was useless to make another church edifice during the existance of hostilities, and hence, for a number of years the congregation was deprived of a house- of worship.
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BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
THE SECOND CHURCH EDIFICE
At the close of the war, the people took new courage and made a determined and successful effort to secure for themselves a church home. The site on which the present building stands was purchased for five pounds, current money of New York. The pur- chase was made November 4th, 1783. In the meantime, the following subscription, bearing date August 14th, 1783, was circulated among the people, viz :
"We whose names are hereunto subscribed, believing it to be our duty to endeavor to promote the public worship of Almighty God, have and do by these presents unanimously agree, to build a con- venient house for that purpose, upon the terms and conditions follow- ing :
FIRST, it is agreed that the house be set on some convenient piece of ground secured for that purpose, near the highway, and be- tween the houses of Arthur Dingee and Aaron Higbic; or Jesse Weeks and Jacob Dow that they now live in.
SECONDLY, it is agreed that we appoint two or more of us to have the care of building said house, and to receive the sums of money that we subscribe against our names, and that they give in writing from under their hands, that they will faithfully execute the trust reposed in them; and that they will render to us a true occount of all that they shall do in this affair; and that they detain no more of said money in their hands that we shall judge reasonable for their services.
THIRDLY, it is agreed that said house be for the use of the minister and people of the Presbyterian denomination; and that when we have such a minister settled among or with us, he is to have the care of the pulpit; but at such other times as we have no minister settled with us, and on such days as the house shall not be wanted for the ministers and people of the Presbyterian denominations, that then any two of the subscribers who have given five pounds each, or any one that has given ten pounds, and their successors, shall have liberty to ask any licensed or ordained minister of the gospel, of other denomi- nations, to preach in said house; but not statedly unless it be with the approbation of at least three-fourths of the subscribers or their suc- cessors.
FOURTHLY, it is agreed that if the subscribers choose to have particular scats for themselves, and their families, then he or she that has given most, to have first choice, and so to descend in that order.
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BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
FIFTHLY, it is agreed, and we do each of us for himself, prom- ise to perform what we subscribe in money, labor and materials, as witness our hand on this 14th day of August, Anno Domini, 1783.
This paper received the signatures of 84 persons, who sub- scribed the sum of £324, 4s., 0d. The largest sum contributed was
£58, 17s, 0d.
The smallest contribution was 2s, 9d.
The build-
ing of the church was commenced in 1783. The date of its comple- tion is not known, but it was not paid for until 1790, when a second subscription paper was circulated to make up the deficiency in the amount subscribed upon the first paper. The principal contributors, who gave ten pounds or more to the building fund, were Isaac Thomp- son, Aaron Higbie, Nathaniel Conklin, Garret Monfort, John Moubray, Arthur Dingee, Jesse Conklin, Timothy Scudder, Silas Muncy, Jesse Wicks, Phoebe Conklin.
ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH
The congregation, under the name of "The Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South." was received into thePresby- tery of Long Island, April 11th,1797, and measures were taken for the completion of its organization. A meeting of all those who wished to be united as a church under the care of the Presbytery was held at the house of Isaac Thompson, Dec. 10th, 1797, and a covenant was drawn up, which the members were required to sign. The covenant was read in the church on the following Sabbath, and was signed January 7,1798. The covenant is as follows :
"We do this day in the presence of the great, eternal and holy God, solemnly take the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to be our God; and we do desire to give up ourselves soul and body to be at His disposal, yielding ourselves to His service as willing and obedient subjects. And as we are by nature, children of wrath, and are sinners by nature and practice, we do now openly express our abhorrence and detestation of whatever in our lives and conversation has not been agreeable to the divine rule, and promise by the assistance of divine grace (without which we can do nothing) to walk agreeably to the rule above mentioned.
We also solemnly promise to watch over one another in the love of the Lord; promising to submit ourselves and ours to the disci- pline of this church, according to the directions of Christ, and that we will hold communion with each other in the worship of God, and in the careful and diligent use of the ordinances of Jesus Christ, so long as
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BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
we continue together in this relation ..... By the grace of God, this we promise."
This covenant was signed by the following persons: Isaac Thompson, Jesse Ketcham, Tredwell Scudder, Anning Moubray, Thomas Ketcham, Sarah Thompson, Temperance Ketcham, Kaziah Scudder, Mary Moubray, Rebecca Sammis, Phebe Ketcham and Jemima Sprague.
On the 20th of January, 1798, at a meeting called for the purpose, Isaac Thompson and Tredwell Scudder were elected elders, and Jesse Ketcham was elected deacon, and on the 4th of February they were ordained to their respective offices. The trustees, Jesse Ketcham, Nathaniel Conklin and Tredwell Scudder, had already been chosen, so that the church as an organization was now complete. The Lord's supper was administered for the first time in the new church on the first Sabbath of April 1798.
The church adopted the following as a declaration of their principles :
"This may certify all whom it may hereafter concern, that we the first church of Islip and Huntington South, have been formed upon Presbyterian principles; and do adopt the Directory of the Pres- byterian Church in the United States of America as containing the most consistent summary of the scripture doctrine that we know of."
In order to provide for the increase of the church, and the exclusion of all unworthy or improper persons, the following were adopted as terms of admission :
FIRST. In order for a person to be a member in full com- munion with this Church, his or her knowledge and piety must be such as to give satisfaction to the church; and he or she must also sign the covenant.
SECOND. Adults who may apply to be baptized, and irho do not see it to be their duty under their present circumstances, to come to the ordinance of the supper, upon their giving satisfaction to the church with respect to their knowledge and piety, and their mak- ing a public profession of their faith, and that they will submit to the government and inspection of this church, may be baptized.
THIRD. It is expected of the members in full communion, and also of those who have or may put themselves under the inspection and government of this church (except they are under the censure of the church) that they bring their children forward for baptism as soon after their birth as with prudence and convenience may come.
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BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
FOURTH Such persons as may have been baptized by regu- tar ministers of other denominations, who may apply to join this church in full communion, or to have their children baptized, shall be admitted upon the same terms as those baptized by a Presbyterian minister.
FIFTH. Persons who put themselves under the inspection and government of this church must adopt the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, containing the confession of faith, catechism, etc., as being the most convenient sum- mary of scripture doctrine that they know of, and they must be regu- lar in their lives and conversation."
FIRST PASTOR OF THE CHURCH
The first successful effort to procure the services of a perma- nent pastor was commenced June 11th, 1796, at which time the follow- ing paper was drawn up, and circulated among the people to obtain subscriptions for the support of Rev. Luther Gleason, whom they de- sired to call as their pastor, in connection with the Presbyterian Church at Smithtown :
"We whose names are hereunto subscribed, believing it to be our duty to promote the worship of Almighty God, and having a desire to enjoy the preaching and the ordinances of the gospel amongst us, do unanimously agree to the following particulars :
FIRST. If it shall be agreeable to the people at Smithtown for them, and for us here at South, to have Rev. Luther Gleason to be their and our minister, and for him and his family to live on their parsonage, and to preach one half of the Sabbaths at Smithtown, and the other half of the Sabbaths here at South, in our meeting house; and in case it shall be agreeable to said Luther Gleason to accept of their and our call, that then we do each one of us for himself promise to pay yearly to said Mr. Gleason, or to such other person or persons as we may appoint to receive it for his use, the sums of money that we have subscribed against our names, so long as he shall continue to preach to us or be our minister.
SECOND. It is agreed that in case any of us should move away from this parish or society, or should be taken away by death; in such cases our subscription for that year in which we shall move away or die shall be paid, and then it shall cease.
THIRD. It is agreed that a contribution shall be kept up on the Sabbath that he shall preach to us; and a house or houses shall be appointed for him to stay at when he comes, with his horse, to
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preach to us, and from the contribution money such person or persons shall be paid a reasonable sum for the same; and further, in case there should be some failure in our subscription by reason of death or moving away or some unavoidable accident, in such cases it shall be made up from the said contribution, if it be sufficient for the purpose. And in case that the contribution shall not all be wanted for the pur- poses aforesaid, then in such case it may be applied in repairing the meeting house, and purchasing a bible, psalm book, and other things necessary for the use of our minister and congregation.
And further, it is agreed that we shall appoint some one or more of us to take the contribution and to take care of the temporalities of our society. And lastly it is agreed that this present writing shall not be in force until Mr. Gleason shall accept our proposals or call, and shall begin his first year in preaching to us; and then we will endeavor to pay what we have subscribed yearly by the time it is due or before. And in case Mr. Gleason shall need some part of our subscription be- fore the end of each year, for the support of his family, in such case we will endeavor (those of us that can do it) to pay our subscriptions in two payments, half a year apart."
The above paper was signed by seventy-five persons, who con- tributed £79, 3s, Od, in sums ranging from £7 to 4s. The largest sub- scriptions were those of Isaac Thompson, Nathaniel Conklin, Tredwell Scudder and Anning Moubray.
Having ascertained that they were able to contribute eighty pounds yearly, towards the support of a pastor, this congregation unit- ed with the church at Smithtown, in the following call and agreement :
"At a meeting of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church and congregation of Smithtown, and a committee chosen by and from the Presbyterian Society and congregation of Islip and Huntington South, held at Smithtown on the 22d day of July, 1796, it was unanimously re- solved by the said Trustees and by the said committee whose names are hereunto subscribed, to call Rev. Luther Gleason to come and take the pastoral charge of the said church and congregation of Smithtown, and the said society and congregation of Islip and Huntington South. And for his encouragement and support among us, we dohereby covenant and agree with each other to give him the use of the parsonage house, and barn and lands and meadow, belonging to the said church and con- gregation at Smithtown, during his natural life, he continuing faith- fully to discharge the office and duty of a Presbyterian minister of the gospel among us. And we do further agree with each other to pay
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to the said Luther Gleason, yearly, and every year during his continu- ence among us as our minister the sum of one hundred and sixty pounds of good and current money of New York. And we do further agree with each other to raise by subscription, or otherwise, the said sum of one hundred and sixty pounds to be paid yearly and every. year as above mentioned. And we do further agree that said Mr. Gleason shall preach one half of the Sabbaths in the mecting house in Smithtown and the other half of the Sabbaths in the meeting house at Huntington South. And further it is agreed that in case there should be any public fasts or thanksgiving days appointed in which Mr. Gleason cannot attend at both meeting houses, then in such cases
Mr. Gleason is to attend at the meeting house in Smithtown. And it is further agreed that the parsonage shall be under the care of the trustees of said church, and that they shall keep the buildings on the parsonage and the circular fence around the parsonage in sufficient repair.
ISAAC THOMPSON JESSE KETCHAM Committee for Islip and Huntington South.
PHILETUS SMITH JEREMIAH PLATT MILLS PHILLIPS JOHN FLOYD EPENETUS SMITH, JE ... ISAAC ARTHUR
"Trustees Presbyterian Church and congregation of Smithtown."
The action of the trustees and committee was ratified by the two congregations represented, and the call was sent to the Presbytery of Long Island for presentation. The call was found in order but owing to the incompleteness of the church organization, it was not presented to the candidate. At the spring meeting of the Pres- bytery, April 11th, 1797, the organization of the church having been completed, the call was presented and accepted. Mr. Gleason, the pastor elect, entered upon his duties, July 9th, 1797, but was not in- stalled until September the 28th of the same year. His pastorate continued for nearly nine years.
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
A REVOLT IN THE CHURCH
The pastor, Rev. Luther Gleason, was a man of very limited education, a ready, and in some respects a popular preacher, and won the hearts of people to such an extent that they retained their con- fidence in him, even after he had been convicted of gross sins, and had been deposed from the ministry. On the 20th of March, 1804, he was convicted before the Presbytery of Long Island on the charges of "making too free use of intoxicating liquors, " and a "lightness of de- portment, unbecoming the sacred profession." He confessed his guilt, and was restored to his former good standing. On the 17th of -June 1806, he was again arraigned on charges of a more serious nature, and after an impartial trial, lasting five days, he was con- victed, and was suspended from the ministry, until he should make satisfaction to the Presbytery. He at first denied his guilt, but af- terwards came before the congregation and confessed his crimes. New disclosures of still more serious nature, furnished matter for a new series of charges which were preferred against him in Presbytery. He refused to submit to a trial and abruptly left the Presbytery. The usual course in such action was taken, and he was suspended from the ministry August 20th, 1807, and deposed October 16th of the same year. Before the judical process was completed, he united with the Long Island convention. The only reason which they could give for the reception of a man against whom charges of a serious nature were pending, was that they considered him as belonging to them because he had been ordained by the Connecticut Convention from which they had derived their ecclesiastical existence. This point was afterwards submitted to arbitrators and decided in favor of the Presbytery, justi- fying them in their action. The correctness of the decision was disputed by a large number of the congregation, who contended that the Presbytery had usurped power in depriving them of a pastor whom they loved, and whom they regarded as innocent, notwithstanding the overwhelming proofs of his guilt. They petitioned the Presbytery to restore him, but their petition was declined, when the discon- tented members asked for letters of dismission, which were refused. Every effort possible was made to convince the dissatisfied portion of the church, that the decision of the Presbytery was just, but in vain. They still regarded the church as a prison, the members of the Pres- bytery as tyrants and oppressors, and they still asserted their belief that the Presbytery had destroyed their shepherd. All attempts at
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BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
reconciliation having failed, the discipline of the Church was enforced in 1812, and the offending members were excluded from the communion of the Presbyterian Church. The entire membership at this time was but 58, and when a large number of these withdrew, the church was so weakened that they were no longer able to support a pastor. The few remaining members had strong faith in the correctness of the action which had been taken, and patiently waited for the dawning of a brighter day for their little church. This lamentable state of things continued for six years.
RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH
In the year 1818, the session which orginally consisted of Isaac Thompson and Tredwell Scudder, had been increased by the addition of Jesse Ketcham and Benjamin K. Hobart, in 1811, had but two active members. When the effort to reorganize commenced, they began by electing two more elders in the persons of Thomas Ketcham and Eliphalet Moubray, and one deacon in the person of Anning Mou- bray, who were ordained March 15th 1818. On the 11th of April, in the same year, a meeting of the session and members of the church was held at the school house, to consider the unhappy state of the church, and after a free conversation, the following preamble and resolution was adopted :
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