USA > New York > Nassau County > Oyster Bay > A documentary history of het (the) Nederdeutsche gemeente, Dutch congregation, of Oyster Bay, Queens County, Island of Nassau, now Long Island, V. 1 > Part 7
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I wish your answer through individuals appointed to act in this business for the Congregation, the management of whose spritual interests is committed to you.
I am with much affection, your's
DAVID S. BOGART.
P. S. I have addressed a similar letter to the Consistory of Oyster Bay ; and if you think proper, you can take measures to commune together on the subject of the proposition I have made to you.
The letter is addressed to :--
The Consistory of the Reformed Dutch Church of Success.
The early recorded meetings of the Consistory were held on the following dates and presided over by the Minister (Dominie) named.
DATE. DOMINIE. RESIDENCE OF
Dec. 11th, 1785. Ryneir Van Nest. Anthony Van Noorstrandt. Nov. 4th, 1786. do. do. Aug. 24th, 1787. do. do.
Dec. 8th, 1787, do. Jacob Van Wickle.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Fall of 1788. Ryneir Van Nest.
Sept. 18th, 1789.
1789.
do.
1790.
do.
June 24th, 1791.
do.
Sept. 19th, 1791.
do.
Oct. 16th, 1791.
do.
Oct. 21st, 1792.
do.
Aug. 30th, 1793.
do.
Nov. 1793.
do.
Nov. 4th, 1796.
April 25th, 1800.
April 24th, 1802.
Nov. 2nd, 1805.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do. David S. Bogart. do.
do.
Zachariah H. Kuypers.
David S. Bogart.
do. do.
do.
July 12th, 1818. do do.
Oct. 11th, ISIS. Nov. 21st, 1818. Oct. 31st, 1819.
Zachariah H. Kuypers. David S. Bogart.
Zachariah H. Kuypers. David S. Bogart.
do. do. do. Zahariah H. Kuypers.
David S. Bogart.
Aaron Symeson. Church. do.
Jacob Van Wicklen. Aaron Simonson. Jacob Van Wicklen. do Aaron Simonson. Jacob Van Wicklen. do.
Zachariah H. Kuypers. Jacobus Van Voorhis. do. Jacob Van Wicklen.
Dec. 26th, 1807.
Nov. 29th, 1808.
Nov. 17th, 1809.
Oct. 31st, 1812. Oct. 28th, 1813,
Dec. 18th, 1814.
June 28th, 1815. Oct. 22nd, 1815. Nov. 24th, 1816. Dec. Ist, IS16. May 15th, 1817.
Nov. 16th, 1817.
July 8th, 1818.
Nov. 6th, 1819.
April 9th, 1820.
Dec. 17th, 1820. Nov. 26th, 1821. 1822. Nov. 29th, 1823.
May 9th, 1824.
do.
do.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
May 30th, 1824. David S. Bogart. do.
Nov. 6th. 1824,
Nov. 13th, 1825. do.
HENRY HEERMANCE.
One month after Mr. Bogart left Mr. Heermance was called (Sep. 10, 1826.)
He was born at Nassau in 1801, graduated from N. B. Semin- ary 1826 and began preaching in the two churches as an evangel- ist.
From a child he possessed a strong character, activity, self dependence, a spirit of inquiry and experiment, strong decision and energetic action.
He was a sort of "regulator" among the turbulent of his day, a hammer of the unruly ; and was looked up to by the weak and defenseless as a patron and shield.
He left June 3, 1827, Was stricken with apoplexy in the midst of his days and died in 1846.
He married May 9, 1832, Caroline E. Laing of New York daughter of Edgar. She died Jan. 26, 1887, age 77, in New York, buried at Kinderhook.
He greatly pleased the people and accepted a call. After a pastorate of less than a year, he suddenly and without a satisfac- tory reason, left his charge while a revival was in progress.
Yet it must be remembered that he setteled against his will, believing his work to be that of an evangelist. He certainly was very successful as the record of admissions to the church will show. The people were greatly grieved at his departure, and many years afterward the old people spoke of him with loving and affectionate tenderness.
MEMBERS RECEIVED BY DOMINIE HEERMANCE.
Nov. 17, 1826, Garret Bennet, Eliza Nostrand wife of Peter Luyster, Jr.
May 16, 1827. Jacob Maybee and Elizabeth Velser, his wife : William Townsend Weeks and Mary Van Wicklen, his wife; Stephen Remsen and Jane Van Wicklen, his wife ; Jorn Vinder- belt Hegeman and Catherine Remsen, his wife; John Monfort
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
and Nellie Duryea, his wife; Helena Van Wicklen wife of George Monfort; Mary Vernon wife of William Hoogland; Elizabeth Monfort wife of John Van Wicklen ; Catherine Meers wife of Ad- rian Mitchell ; Jane Simonson widow of Garret Van Wicklen ; Phebe Burtis wife of George Monfort ; Phebe Van Wicklen.
May 18, 1827. Maria Van Wicklen wife of Garret Bennet ; Ann Duryea wife of John Remsen; Ida Rider wife of Garret Monfort ; Anne Wicks wife of John Monfort.
JAMES OTTERSON.
He was born in New York in 1791. Was called to the two churches Dec. 29, 1827, was installed May 18, 1828, and left Nov. 13, 1834. He died, 1867.
He was an able expounder of the word. In the ecclesiastical assemblies of the church, he had few superiors.
Was of Scotch Ancestry, was spoken of as being a scholarly and polished gentleman.
The temporal affairs of the church appeared to succeed more than the spiritual. He was relieved of his charge at a special meeting of Classis Dec. Ist 1834. A new order of things tem- poral and spiritual takes effect about this time in the affairs of the Dutch Congregation of Oyster Bay. A Century, filled with events, with hardships, with wars, with troubles of many kinds, has passed away, and a new era has dawned for them.
With his removal the two churches Dec. 1, 1834, separated.
MEMBERS RECEIVED BY DOMINIE OTTERSON.
May 30, 1828. Peter Luister. By certificate, Mrs. Hannah Hoogland.
June 1, 1828. Ida Duryea.
Oct. 30, 1829. Mrs. Jane Cock ; Nicholas Mabee.
May 28, 1830. Jane Duryea, daughter of Abraham Duryea.
May 17, 1833. Maria Cock.
Nov. 8, 1833. James Voorhes ; Mary Voorhes wife of John Van Cott.
Then. we received of Minnah Onderdonk $51.25. Then the consistories of both churches gave a receipt to Minnah Onerdonk
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
for $75.25 each. Then we paid Mr. Otterson for his salary $112.50.
We Elders present, agreed to pay out of $51. 25 the sum $26.55 towards making out the sallary, by Mr. Luyster not sending money for sallary and we also paid out of that money to Single- ton Mitchell $6.66 which remained $18.02.
Teachers in the Sunday school, 1834.
1
John Monfort, Ann Luyster,
Isaac Nostrand, Martha B. Pinkney,
James Voorhis, Maria Cox,
George R. Luyster, Sarah A. Hoogland,
John Van Wicklen, Jane S. Duryea,
John V. Hoogland, Catherine Hoogland,
Joseph Hegeman, Ida V. Hegeman,
Phebe Ann Hoogland, Sarah Van Wicklen.
The following persons were elected as Elders and Deacons, at the respective dates. The list shows a continuous line of the same names as were embraced in the original list, of the Dutch Congregation.
Elders. 1783. Deacons.
Daniel Duryea,
William Brambash. Aaron Symensen.
1784.
Rem Hegeman. Jan Van Noorstrant Abrm Monfoort. Dec. 11, 1785.
Garret Van Noorstrant,
Jan Monfort. Teunis Hoogelant.
Nov. 4, 1786.
Daniel Duryea.
Peter Luyster, Nicholas Schenk.
Dec. 8, 1787.
Rem Hegeman,
Aaron Symenson. Isaac Bogart.
-
-
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
1788. Teunis Hoogland.
Abram Monfort, Jacobus Monfort. Sep. 18, 1789.
Jan Monfort,
Peter Luyster. Jacob Van Wicklen.
1790.
Rem Hegeman. Gabriel Duryea, Joris Bennet.
Oct. 16, 1791.
Jan Luistsr, Jacobus Monfoort,
Aaron Simonson, Abram Hoogland.
Teunis Hoogland.
Oct. 21, 1792.
Isaac Bogart, Sr. Isaac Bogart, Jr.
Abram Monfoort. Joseph Meers.
Nov. 1793.
Peter Luyster, Sr. Peter Luyster, Jr.
Jacob Van Wicklen. Gabriel Duryea.
1794.
Rem Hegeman, Jacobus Voorhees,
Teunis Hogeland. Daniel Hogeland.
No record 1795. Nov. 4, 1796.
Jacob Van Wicklen, Peter Luyster, Jr.
Abram Monfort. John Covert.
No record between 1796 and 1810.
1810.
Peter Luyster, Joseph Hegeman,
George Duryea. Isaac Bogart.
No record 1811. Oct. 31, 1812.
Jacobus Monfort. John Luyster.
1813.
Tunus Hoogland, William Bennet,
Jacob Van Wicklen, Joseph Hegeman,
Gabriel Duryea. John Bennet.
-
-
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
1 Dec. 18, 1814.
George Duryea,
Peter Luyster.
John Simonson, John Schenck.
Oct. 22, 1815.
Jacobus Monfort, John Luyster,
James Luyster. Helmus Bogart.
Dec. 1, 1816.
Joseph Hegeman, William Bennet,
Tunis Hoogland. Albert Van Nostrand. Nov. 16, 1817.
Gabriel Duryea, Johannes Bennet,
John Simonson. Jeromus Luyster.
Oct. 11, 1818.
Peter Luyster, John Bennet,
George Duryee. Cornelius Hoogland.
Oct. 31, 1819.
Jeromus Luyster, Adrian Luyster,
Johannes Bennet. Tunis Hoogland, Jr. Dec. 17, 1820.
Albert Van Nostrand, Daniel Van Wicklen, Jacobus Luyster. Andris Bogart.
Nov. 26, 182 1.
John Simonson, Peter Luyster,
Gabriel Duryea. John Luyster.
1822.
George Duryce, Adrian Luyster,
Joseph Hegeman. John Schenck.
Nov. 29, 1823.
Jerome Luyster, Daniel Van Wicklen;
Jacobus Monfoort. Andris Bogart.
Nov. 6, 1824.
Jacobus Luyster, George Remsen, John Monfoort.
Peter Luyster.
Nov. 13, 1825.
John Luyster, Tunis Hoogland, John Schenck. Peter Luyster.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Dec. 20, 1826.
John Simonson,
Adrian Luyster,
Jeromus Luyster. Garret Bennet.
May 30, 1827.
James Luyster,
John Monfort,
Joseph Hegeman. Andrus Bogart.
Dec. 4, 1828.
Tunis Hoogland. John V. D. Hegeman,
Daniel Van Wicklen. Jacob Maybee.
Nov. 15, 1829.
John Luyster, Peter Luyster,
James Luyster. Garret Bennit.
Nov. 21, 1830.
John Simonson, Andrus Bogart,
Tunis Hoogland. Jacob Maybee, Adrian Luyster.
Nov. 8, 1833.
Jos. Hegeman,
Andris Bogart.
John Simonson, John Hegeman,
Daniel Van Wicklen, Nicholas Mabee,
John Schenck. James Voorhis.
ROBERT QUINN.
He was the first minister called to the church after the separation.
He was born in 1798, and was a sailor in his younger days. Was converted at one of the Bethel Missions in New York. Graduated from the New Brunswick Seminary and was licensed to preach in 1833.
Delivered his first sermon at W. H., July 5, 1835, and was installed October 5, 1835. Was dismissed September 6, 1841.
Finally settled as Chaplain at the Sailors Snug Harbor on Staten Island, where he remained for many years.
Jan. 31st, 1863, after performing his duties as Chaplain, he was deliberately shot through the heart by Herman Ingalls, &n old sailor, who, it is said, had revealed his past life crimes to his Chaplain, and now feared exposure. .
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Ingalls then immediately shot himself. He was much given to mutterings and solitary walking, and his companions thought he had been a pirate and was troubled with remorse.
Mr. Quinn married Mary Elizabeth Stoutenburgh, a daughter of William L. and Mary J. Dutton.
She was born 1802, died June 1, 1891.
ISSUE :
Agness. Bp. August 11, 1838 at W. H.
M. John DeGroff.
Mary Catherine. Bp. September 15, 1840. William. Robert.
MEMBERS RECEIVED BY DOMINIE QUINN.
Oct. 27th, 1835. David Mc Queen ; John Montfort; Sarah Hoogland, wife of Aaron Van Nostrand ; Antye Van Nostrand, daughter of Albert Van Nostrand ; Ida Vanderbelt Hegeman, daughter of Joseph.
May 27th, 1836. Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, Catherine Monfort, widow of Morris Simonson; Mary Ann Duryea, Mrs. Isaac Weeks, Mrs. David Mc Queen.
Oct. 28th, 1836. Cynthia Voorhees, wife of Abram Duryea ; Febe Bennet, widow of John Voorhees ; Mrs. George Duryea; Jane Van Wicklen, widow ; Garret Suydam.
Nov. 3d, 1837. Cornelius Suydam, Joseph Hegeman, Jr., Mrs. Daniel Hegeman, Mrs. Joseph Hegeman, Mrs. James Luy- ster, Mrs. James Voorhees.
Sep. 25th, 1838. By Certificate from Troy, Mrs. George Underhill.
Nov. 6th, 1838. John Van Wicklen, Mrs. George Montfort, Mrs. Smith Underhill.
May 17th, 1839. George Montfort. By Certificate, Mrs. Isaac Cox.
Nov. 3d, 1839. Mary Almira Mott, wife of Henry Maybee. May 8th, 1840. Mrs. Garret Nostrand, Mrs. Ruluff Duryea, Mr. Bennet, Sarah Ann Hoogland.
Nov. 6th, 1840. Julia Ann Smith, wife of Garret Simonson ; Margaret Ann Cocks, wife of Thomas A. Cocks ; Phebe Ann
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Hoogland. By Certificates, from New York, Lawrence Proud- foot, M. D. and Louisa his wife, and a Colored servant.
May 21st, 1841. George Luyster and Charity Simonson his wife ; Mary W. Valentine, wife of Garret Suydam ; Rachel Van Velsen, widow of Cornelius Suydam; Antye Suydam, wife of George Duryea.
THOMAS B. GREGORY.
He came from England in 1833, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Onondaga.
The meeting of Consistory of O.B. to call him Nov. 13th, 1841, was presided over by the Rev. Wm. R. Gordon of Man- hasset. During his ministry at W. H., the Rev. Mr. Heermance visited as an Evangelist, which accounts for the number of additions to the membership.
The meeting to dissolve the pastoral relations, held March 29th, 1844, was presided over by Do. Sheffield, of Manhasset.
No record as to his family except an obituary of Emily Sarah, widow of Chauncy M. Lawrence. She died April 21st, 1900, age 84, and was a daughter of the Do. His wife Sarah died Feb. 24th, 1859, age 73.
-
MEMBERS RECECEIVED BY DOMINIE GREGORY. April Ist, 1842. Ann Simonson, wife of John B. Luyster. Aug. 5th, 1842. Ann Luyster, daughter of John Luyster : Elizabeth McCalla, wife of Townsend Franklin; Jane Elizabeth Monfort, daughter of George; Elizabeth Ann Baylie, wife of Daniel Van Wicklen; Hannah Snediker, wife of Isaac Remsen ; Han- nah Van Wicklen, wife of Thomas Van Nostrand; Sarah Jane Luyster, wife of Peter A. Stoutenburgh, M. D. ; Maria Nostrand, wife of William Hoogland ; Charity Voorhees, wife of Isaace T. Nostrand ; Martha Ann Kirby, wife of Albert Van Nostrand : Eliza Ann Suydam, wife of Isaac Nostrand ; Julia Ann Bond.
Jackson Hoogland, son of William ; James Luyster Hoogland, son of Tunis ; Mouris Simonson Hegeman, son of Daniel ; Peter A. Stoutenburgh, M. D., son of William Luke; Peter Luyster, son of Peter ; Charles Luyster, son of James ; Albert Van Nostrand, son of Aaron ; John Bennet Luyster, son of Adriaen ; Abraham Duryea, son of Gabriel ; Isaac Nostrand, son of Isaac ; Isaac T.
1
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Nostrand, son of David; Isaac Weeks, son of George ; John Van Cott, son of Garret ; James Bond ; George Mitchell, son of Adriaen.
Jan. Ist, 1843. George Duryea, son of Daniel ; William Henry Horton, son of Garret ; Mary Duryea, wife of William Henry Horton.
June 30th, 1843. Catharine Duryea, daughter of Rulof.
July 2nd, 1843. Ann Hoogland, wife of Henry Maybie.
PETER D. OAKEY.
Was born in New Brunswick, N. J., June 22nd, 1816 ; died Oct. 4th, 1895, at Springfield, L. I. His wife Nancy, born Nov. Sth, 1818; died July 13th, 1879. They are buried in the Ceme- tary at Jamaica. He graduated from the Seminary at New Bruns- wick in 1844. He was called to the Church of O. B., Aug. 1844.
At a meeting of the Consistory held Feb. 10, 1847, they reluc- tantly acquiesced in his making an application to the Classis for a dissolution of the Pastoral relations. Is said to have had a family of eight children.
MEMBERS RECEIVED BY MR. OAKEY.
Oct. 5th, 1844. Harriet daughter of Hewlet Townsend. Mrs. N. Oakey, by Certificate from Greenwich, Conn.
April 5th, 1845. Mrs. Catherine Smith, by Certificate from Dutch Church, 3rd Street, N. Y. Miss Catharine E: Oakey, by Certificate from First Reformed at New Brunswick. Mrs. Corne- lia Smith, by Certificate from Stamford, Conn.
May 3rd, 1846. Maria Starkings, wife of Andrew Tappan.
July 31st, 1846. Eugene A. Hyde.
Oct. 30th, 1846. Miss Emeline Kerby, by Certificate from M. E. C. at Roslyn.
NICHOLAS EVERIT SMITH.
Graduated from N. B. S. in 1845. He was called to O. B., May 19, 1847. Feb. 2, 1853, the Consistory consented to his dismissal with the greatest regret. He was a very popular preacher and the church probably never had such a large con- gregation as during his pastorate.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
He was the son of
Noah and Maria Sherwood Smith.
B. Aug. 18th, 1820, at Ja.
D. June 18th, 1890, in Bn.
M. Nov. 6th, 1842.
Eleanor V. D. Hendrickson, dau of Daniel I. and Marga- ret Smith.
B. Apr. 24th, 1825, at Middletown, N. J.
D. Mar. 13th, 1899, at Bath Beach, N. Y.
ISSUE :
Harriet A. M. Peter Bogert.
Edmund B.
Catherine Josephine.
Nicholas Everit
Laura Augusta. M. Wm. F. Cameron.
Marietta F. M. Irving F. Hall.
Marian Nina.
Eleanor Van Deusen.
MEMBERS RECEIVED BY MR. SMITH.
Aug. Ist, 1848. Mrs. Smith by Certificate from Piermont, N. Y.
May 5th, 1848. George D. Monfort and Louisa Van Wicklin his wife ; Hannah (craft) Van Wicklin.
Nov. 3d, 1848. James Madison Monfort and Elizabeth Luy- ster his wife; Maria Hegeman wife of Charles Cock, Ann Eliza their daughter ; Margaret Ann, dau of Edward and Ann Youngs.
Nov. 19th, 1848. William Simonson and Mary Jane Maybee his wife.
Aug. 3d, 1849. Miss Gertrude Hegeman ; Miss Mary Hege- man, dau. of Daniel.
Nov. 2d, 1849. Martha Elizabeth, dau. of Edward and Ann Youngs.
Apr. 29th, 1850. Mrs. Maria Hegeman, widow ; Catharine, wife of Jos. Hegeman.
May 3d, 1850. Sarah Elizabeth, dau. of William and Maria Hoogland ; Sarah, dau. of Jeremiah and Eleanor Waldron.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Feb. 2d, 1851. James Luyster, Sen.
Aug. Ist, 1851. Mrs. Adaline Wanser by Certificate.
Oct. 31st, 1851. , Matthyas Taylor and wife, by Certificate ; Ann Feekes, wife of Peter Cock.
July 30th, 1852. Eme Eliza, dau. of Edward and Ann Youngs.
Nov. 5th, 1852. Mary Van Cott, wife of Alfred Hoogland ; Sarah H. Carriehart, wife of James M. Ludlum ; Susan Luyster, wife of Joshua Wright ; Mrs. Abigail Gillespie and Mrs. Harriet Dryer, by Certificate.
Nov. 14th, 1852. George James Price and Susan his wife, by Certificate.
Jan. 31st, 1853. Mrs. Mary Underhill, by Certificate.
JOHN L. McNAIR.
Graduated from the N. B. Seminary in 1853. Was called to
O. B. Aug. 1, 1853. It being his first charge.
He was the son of Samuel and Ann Long.
Born in Bucks Co., Pa.
M. Oct. 12, 1853.
Fannie Van Kleek dau of Richard D. of Flatbush.
Born in Somerville, N. J.
D. July 17, 1888.
ISSUE:
Richard F.
Wilmer
Annie D.
3
Mary N.
Alice R. B. 1865. M. Rev. Oscar M. Voorhies. D. Aug. 17, 1899 at Three Bridges, N. J. John L., Jr. Mr. McNair.
M. 2nd. Aug. '5, 1890.
Louisa Scudder Hunt dau of the Revd. Christoper Hunt of N Y. The pastoral relations were dissolved at O. B. Mar. 26, 1855.
The Compiler received the following letter from him dated:
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Accord, Ulster Co., N. Y. Apl. 17, 1899.
My dear Mr. S.
Yours of Apl. 6th is received and I enclose statistics as you desire. Yes, I remember you when a boy and, I think, a sister younger than yourself; also your father, mother, grandfather and grandmother Luyster. I wonder if your mother is living, if so please give her my kindest regards. Is your sister living ?
In Oct. 1897, Mrs. McNair and myself drove to New Jersey, to N. Y. City, and out to Sea Cliff where my son, Wilmer, was summering with his family, but did not get into your neighbor- hood. I should have liked to spend more time thereabouts but could not.
My present wife is a cousin of Revd. Walter T. Scudder's father. Please remember me to any who may inquire about me. Yours in Christian bonds,
J. L. McNair.
Domini McNair was followed by
JOHN A. DEBAUN.
He graduated from the N B Seminary in 1855, and was called to O. B. Aug. 6.
He was the son of Abram J. and Maria Van Houten.
B. March 6, 1833 in Clarkstown, N. Y.
M. Elizabeth B. Coddington dau of David and Deborah Vanderveer of New Brunswick.
B. Oct. 21, 1833.
ISSUE:
Carrie B. May 24, 1856.
D. in infancy.
Abraham J. B. June 4, 1857.
D. in infancy.
John C. B. June 8, 1858.
M. Oct. 15, 1890.
In business in Troy.
Cornelius V. B. June 21, 1865.
M. May 4, 1887.
M. D. in Fonda, N. Y.
Maria
B. Aug. 24, 1867.
At home in Fonda.
Anna
At home in Fonda.
Elizabeth
B. July 17, 1869. B. Nov. 5, 1871.
D. in infancy.
W.
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
The meeting to dissolve the pastoral relations with Mr. DeBaun was held Oct. 4, 1858. He died about a year after writing the following letter.
Fonda, N. Y. April 8, 1899.
Mr. H. A. S.
My Dear Sir :
It is so long since we have seen or heard anything of our old Long Island friends, that your note of the 6th inst seemed almost like a message from another world.
I do wish I could see you, -what a pile of questions I would have ready for you.
I am just crawling out of a long seige of grip; am not able to go out, and handle a pen with much difficulty. My wife not very strong at the start, is worn out with her attentions to me, and has had to keep her bed almost altogether for the past two weeks, but our general health is and has long been excellent and we hope to be all right again in a week or two.
Is your mother still living ? If so give her our love and say we often recall her and her kind aid before and at the time of our removal from our first house.
There are scores of people I would like to ask about, but dare not, not knowing how many of them have passed on before us.
With kindest regards to you and yours.
Yours very sincerely, J. A. DeBaun.
JOHN C. LOWE.
He graduated at the N. B. Seminary in 1858.
The call to O. B. March 2, 1859, was his first.
He was unmarried.
His ministry appears to have pleased the congregation, for on his dismissal April 2, 1863 the following resolutions were moved by Elder James M. Montfort, and carried.
Whereas, our pastor has received a call to the Reformed Dutch Church of Rotterdam, and feeling it to be his duty to accept the same.
Therefore Resolved, Ist That we comply with his request.
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Resolved 2nd. That while we do so, we must be permitted to express and record our sincere regret that a providence should occur to prompt the above action.
Resolved 3rd. That our pastor has our good wishes and our earnest sincere prayers that the blessing of the great head of the church should accompany him to his new field of labor and crown with abundant success his efforts to build up Zion. We bid him God speed in the master's work.
JEREMIAH SEARLE.
Graduated from the N. B. Seminary in 1858.
Was Chaplain of the 144th Regiment New York State Volun- teers, 1862-3.
Was called to O. B. after April 2nd and before July 31st, 1863, when he was present at a meeting of Consistory.
He was the son of the Rev. Jeremiah Searle and Mary Tomb, and born at Coxsackie, N. Y. Married Margaretta F. daughter of Peter Conover and Susan L. Robinson. She was born in Bruns- wick. They had no issue.
He was dismissed April 24, 1866.
The resolution accepting his resignation says, "That with great reluctance and deep regret we accept."
JOHN H. SMOCK,
He was the next in order. Was a graduate from the New Brunswick Seminary in 1866.
Was called to Oyster Bay August 9, 1866. At a meeting of the Consistory held November 27, 1867, it was resolved that the Rev. John H. Smock and Daniel V. Weeks be appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions for building the Branch Church at Locust Valley. January 8, 1869, John B. Luyster, Daniel V. Weeks and Daniel V. Smith were constituted a Board of Trustees to receive and hold the title for the property of the Reformed Church of Locust Valley.
April 30, 1869, it was resolved, "That the Consistory approve of the project of building a Reformed Church at Jericho." August 26, 1870, the Consistory resolved, "That the Rev. John H. Smock,
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
Elder John B. Luyster and Deacon Wm. Mc Kay act as Trustees of the New Reformed Church Building in process of erection at Jericho." March 20, 1871, Mr. Smock was dismissed to accept a call at Readington, N. J.
MINOR SWICK.
May 6, 1871 the Consistory united in a call to the Rev. Minor Swick of Cato, N. Y.
During the pastorate of Mr. Swick the church building was re- paired and changes made both inside and out. The expenses exceeded the amounts subscribed, about $1,000 and this amount was liquidated with the money received from the estate of Sam- uel Wanser, he having bequeathed it for that purpose.
Mr. Swick's annual reports were very full and covered the whole ground of church work.
He presented his resignation on February 2, 1877, which was accepted on February 8th.
JOHN A. DAVIS.
His call was dated December 2, 1877. Mr. Davis had been a missionary to China but returned on account of illness. His voyage to China began January 9, 1869. Was stationed at Amoy in 1869-70, returning in November 1870.
Graduated from New Brunswick Seminary 1868. He was the son of Peter Davis, and was born in Ulster County, October 28, 1839. Married August 5, 1868, Emma daughter of T. Sexton Wyckoff, born May 9, 1845. They had no issue.
He was an active worker for the Church and met with a deserv- ed success. His resignation was accepted April 9, 1883. He was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Nyack, N. Y. where he died quite suddenly September 24, 1797.
During his pastorate the Church celebrated its 150th anniver- sary. A portion of his historical discourse, delivered on that oc- casion, follows.
"The relation of a pastor to his people has been likened to that `of a father to his children, and of a husband to his wife, the min- ister being the husband of course, the church the wife. Viewed
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A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.
in the light of this relation our gathering to-day has a peculiar significance. It is not often that a wife on her 150th birthday has the privilege of looking into the faces of-of her nine living husbands and none of them, either very aged or feeble. Such is the position of this church to-day.
There are lands, where on some festive occasion a husband may gather all his wives around him in a reunion, but the lands are few, where the wife does this to her scattered husbands. When men have so many wives, we call it polygamy, when a woman has so many partners of her joys we may call it polyan- dry, though on this occasion, remembering the names of the ma- jority of pastors here I suggest that it be called poly Johndry.
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