USA > New York > A history of the purchase and settlement of western New York : and of the rise, progress and present state of the Presbyterian Church in that section > Part 37
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₣ Canaseraga .- Respecting this church the author has no infor- mation, except what he has derived from the minutes of the General Assembly. On the minutes for 1832, 1833, and 1834, it is noticed as belonging to the Presbytery of Onondaga, and as consisting of sixty-six members, having in 1832 a stated supply, and in the other years as being vacant. No mention is made of it in the minutes, at any subsequent period. (This church is probably the one called Lenox 2d, in 1831.)
Lenox .- The town of Lenox was erected in 1809 from the eastern part of the town of Sullivan. The settlement commenced about the year 1800. Judge Sylvanus Smalley, Edward and John Lewis, and Deacons Nathaniel and John Hall, were amongt he early settlers. Public worship was instituted at an early period. A church of the Congregational order was organized, probably as early as 1804 or 1805. A year or two after this, a clergyman of the name of Wager officiated as stated supply to the church for a season. At a subsequent period, Rev. Ira M. Olds was ordained and installed pastor of the church in connexion with the Church of Sullivan. At what period this event took place is not known to the writer. The church is supposed to have been connected with the Middle Association, and probably the solemnity of ordination was performed by that ecclesiastical body. At the organization of the Presbytery of Onondaga, October 30th, 1810, this church appears as one of the original churches. September 2d, 1817, Mr. Olds'
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relation to the church of Sullivan was dissolved, and that church was, at the request of its members, incorporated with the church of Lenox. Mr. Olds continued to sustain the pastoral relation to this church till April 11th, 1832, when he was dismissed by act of the Presbytery. In 1825, the church is reported as consisting of 105 members. In 1832, the church is reported as vacant ; the next year as statedly supplied, and the year following as again vacant. In 1836, Rev. William Goodell is reported as a stated supply to this church. He probably continued one year. Rev. Alvah Day was installed as pastor of the church in 1838, and was dismissed in October, 1841. In 1843, Rev. David L. Hunn is reported as stated supply. How long he continued is not known to the writer. De- cember 25th, 1844, Rev. Alfred A. Graley was ordained and installed pastor of this church, and still continues.
This church seems not to have been greatly favored with the special effusions of the Holy Spirit. The greatest number of mem- bers reported as received by profession in any one year, is nineteen. This was in the year 1828. The next year the number of mem- bers reported was one hundred and fourteen, the greatest number ever reported by this church. The number of members in 1846 was fifty-six. This diminution may have been occasioned by the organization of other churches in the near vicinity. The church have always supported their own pastor without missionary aid. They have a house of worship erected many years since.
Wampsville .- This is a small village situated on the line of the Syracuse and Utica railroad, in the eastern part of the town of Lenox. The church was organized, probably, in the year 1828, and was, till 1831, denominated Lenox fourth church. Of what number of members it was composed at its organization, the writer is not informed. In 1832 it numbered sixty-three members, having received the year previous thirty-one by profession. In 1834, it numbered seventy-seven, and in 1846, one hundred and thirty members. The church was received under the care of the Pres- bytery of Onondaga, February 23d, 1829. Feb. 10th, 1841, its name was stricken from the list of churches under the care of the Presbytery, as it had united with the Presbytery of Albany (Old School). It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Onondaga again, on its application for that purpose, February 13th, 1844.
This church, at the period of its organization, enjoyed for a part of the time the labors of Rev. Hezekiah N. Woodruff. Rev. George Freeman ministered to them two years from April, 1830. October 19th, 1833, Rev. William H. Cooper was ordained, and installed pastor of the church, and still continues to sustain the relation. This church, in supporting its ministers, received assistance from the American Home Missionary Society till 1836. Since that
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period they have been able to support their pastor without aid. They have a house of worship, which was completed in 1831.
Oneida Lake .- The location of this church is on the Oneida lake, in the town of Lenox. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Onondaga, February 1st, 1828, and at that time denominated Lenox second church. It is supposed by the writer, at that time, to have been a newly formed church. In 1825 it was reported as consisting of one hundred and twenty members, and as vacant. In 1827 it is reported as having a pastor, but its number of members was reduced to seventy-four. The writer supposes that Rev. George W. Elliot was the pastor, but at what time his installation took place is not known. He was dis- missed from his pastoral charge of the church, September 8th, 1830. In 1828, one hundred and six members were reported as belonging to the church, thirty-nine having been added by profession the pre- ceding year. The last year of Mr. Elliot's pastorate the number of members reported was one hundred and forty-eight. From that period the church has been diminishing in its number of members ; but from what cause is not known to the writer. The last report (for 1843) states the number of members to be but thirty. Since the dismission of Mr. Elliot, the church has been without a regular pastor, and for a considerable part of the time without any stated supply. Rev. Ezekiel J. Chapman has at times officiated as stated supply, but to what extent is not known to the writer. In 1846, they are reported as statedly supplied. This church received the aid of the American Home Missionary Society one year in the support of Mr. Elliot.
Ridgeville .- This is a small village in the north-western part of the town of Lenox. The church was organized in the year 1827, and on the eighth day of February of that year was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Onondaga. At its organization it was composed of about sixty members, and till 1831, was denomi- nated Lenox third church. In the years 1827, '29,'31, '32, and '33, it is reported as vacant ; and, in 1828, '30,'34, and '36, as statedly sup- plied. In the year 1828, thirty-eight members are reported as having been added by profession the preceding year ; and in 1832, sixty-three. From these circumstances we are led to suppose that these were years of revival. In 1832 the church numbered one hundred and thirty-nine members. By whom the church was sup- plied when it enjoyed the preaching of the gospel, or what means were employed in promoting revivals, is not known to the author. The venerable Rev. Roger Adams, since deceased, then resided in the place, but he is not reported as standing in the relation of stated supply to this church. In February, 1837, Rev. Samuel Howe received a commission from the American Home Missionary Society
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to labor with this church. It would appear, that about this time, or soon after, he was installed pastor of the church. His commis- sion was renewed the next year, and he reported a revival as hav- ing been enjoyed, and about thirty hopeful converts as the result. He was dismissed from his pastoral charge, Feb. 25th, 1810. Since his dismission the church seems to have been vacant, and to have rapidly declined. Forty-five members composed the church at the date of the last report.
Chittenango .- This church was originally called Sullivan second church. After 1831 it was known as the church of Canaseraga, and more recently by the name of Chittenango. It became con- nected with the Presbytery of Onondaga, Sept. 7th, 1819. The writer supposes that it had then been recently formed. In 1825 it consisted of fifty-five members. In 1830, from some cause un- known to the writer, it was reduced to the number of twelve. In 1832, it reported thirty-six members, the greatest number ever re- ported. In July, 1834, this church in an irregular manner con- nected themselves with the body calling themselves the Central Evangelical Association of New York, a body of Perfectionists and Unionists. In January following the church acknowledged their error, and on their request, were again received under the care of the Presbytery ; but in November of the same year they notified the Presbytery that they had seceded from its jurisdiction. On the sixth of January, 1836, the Presbytery passed a vote of censure on the church, and struck its name from the roll. This church, while it continued in connexion with the Presbytery, was never prosperous. It never had a regularly installed pastor, and was more than half of the time reported as vacant. What has been its condition since it seceded from the Presbytery is unknown to the writer.
Matthews's Mills .- The members of this church reside in the northern part of the town of Manlius, and in the north-western part of the town of Sullivan. The region was first settled by that class of inhabitants usually denominated squatters, who made lit- tle or no improvement, and soon left the country. Messrs. Mat- thews and Kellar were among the first permanent inhabitants. Public worship was first set up in 1810, and conducted by Deacon Cook and Captain Tombs, in the manner usual at that period where there was no minister of the gospel. A Presbyterian church, con- sisting of twelve members, was organized, April 23d, 1817, by Rev. John Shepherd. It was organized at the place called the Rapids, where the little village of Bridgeport is now situated. Its present site of conveningis at Matthews's Mills, four miles above the Rapids. At its organization the church was denominated Sullivan first church. Since 1831, it has been known as the church
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of Matthews's Mills. In 1825, the church reported thirty-four mem- bers; in 1832, sixty-seven. This is the highest number ever reported. From that period the number has diminished. The re- port for 1846 states it at fifty, but the author's correspondent, in October, 1845, says, it then numbered twenty-five members. It has never had a regularly installed pastor ; but has a considerable part of the time been furnished with a stated supply, each con- tinuing for a short period. Rev. Messrs. John Shepherd, Caleb Alexander, Roger Adams, Oren Hyde, A. Hale, Ezekiel J. Chap- man, and Alfred C. Lathrop, have severally ministered to this church, as stated supplies. These were there from one to three years each. The church has received aid from the American Home Missionary Society since 1822. There have been no gene- ral revivals in this church ; but there have been protracted meetings in which some good and much hurt has been done. Rev. A. Hale, from the Black River Association, distracted the church with per- fectionism, and Rev. Luther Myrick with unionism. Twenty male members broke away from the church at one time as per- fectionists. The church has a small house of worship, twenty-five feet by forty, erected in 1828. About one half of the people with- in three miles attend worship with this church. The Baptists and Methodists about equal the Presbyterians in ability to support the institutions of the gospel.
Manlius .- This church was organized in 1815 or 1816, and was known as Manlius second church till 1831, when it took the name of Manlius Square. Of late years it has been denominated the church of Manlius. Its location is at Manlius village, formerly known as Manlius Square, where the church has a commodious house of worship. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Onondaga, Feb. 6th, 1816, and its connexion is still continued. In 1825, the church is reported as vacant and numbering ninety-five members. Rev. Daniel C. Hopkins was installed pastor of this church in connexion with Manlius first (now Jamesville), Dec. 2d, 1818. In this relation he continued between two and three years, and was dismissed, June 23d, 1821. What ministerial aid the church enjoyed after the dismission of Mr. Hop- kins till 1826, is unknown to the writer. In that year Rev. Ralph Cushman was installed pastor of the church, and continued in that relation till Sept. 8th, 1830, at which period his dismission took place. During Mr. Cushman's pastorate the church seems to have been in a prosperous state. Members by a profession of faith in Christ, were added, in considerable numbers, from year to year. The first year fifteen were so added ; the next year, fifty-one; the next, nineteen ; the next, ten ; and the last, fifteen-making an addition by profession, during his pastorate, of one hundred and ten members. His successor was Rev. Talcott Bates, who was
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installed July 13th, 1831, and dismissed April 14th, 1832. During his ministry more than fifty were added to the church by profes- sion. After Mr. Bates's dismission, Rev. Carlos Smith officiated as stated supply to the church one or two years, and, after him, Rev. John J. Slocum. In 1842, Oct. 5th, Rev. Dennis Platt was in- stalled pastor of the church, and continued in this relation till Feb. 25th, 1845, when he was dismissed. During his connexion with the church, in 1843, the church reported two hundred and forty- four members, the greatest number ever reported by them. Of these forty-seven had united by profession, since the next preced- ing report. The present pastor, Rev. Parsons C. Hastings, was ordained and installed, Feb. 12th, 1846. This church has always supported its own pastor without foreign aid.
Manlius Centre .- The location of this church was on the Erie canal. It was originally denominated Manlius Fourth Church, but, since 1831, Manlius Centre. It was received under the care of the Presbytery, Sept. 4th, 1822. The author supposes that this was soon after its organization. It was never a flourishing church. After its organization its members scattered, and the church be- came virtually extinct. It was re-organized, Sept. 3d, 1828, at which period it consisted of eleven members, and appears from that time, for a season, to have enjoyed the ministerial labors of Rev. Daniel Marsh. It increased to the number of thirty-three members ; but, at length, was torn to pieces, and became extinct, through the influence of Mr. Myrick and other errorists. It ap- pears, for the last time, on the report of the Presbytery to the General Assembly in 1834.
Oran .- Oran is a small village in the town of Pompey, situated in the Cherry Valley turnpike, a short distance from the village of Manlius. The settlement of the town of Pompey commenced as early as 1793, but in what part of the town the first inhabitants located themselves is not known to the writer. A Congregational church was organized at an early period, denominated the second church of Pompey, by which name it was known till 1831, when it was known as the church of Oran. The date of the organization of this church is not known to the writer, nor its very early history. It was connected with the Middle Association, and on the dissolu- tion of that body fell under the care of the Presbytery of Onondaga. Its first pastor was Rev. Andrew Rawson. He continued a num- ber of years as pastor of the church, and was dismissed, Feb. 2d, 1814. During his ministry the church was in a good degree pros- perous, and increased in numbers. He was succeeded by Rev. Truman Baldwin, who was installed Nov. 15th, 1815, and dis- missed June 10th, 1828, having held the pastoral office in this church almost thirteen years. The period of the ministry of Messrs.
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Rawson and Baldwin constituted the halcyon days of this church. In the year 1825, the church reported one hundred members. Since Mr. Baldwin's dismission, the church has never had a regu- lar pastor, nor any regular supply of preaching, but for a part of the time. It declined, became distracted with the prevailing errors of the region, the majority renounced the jurisdiction of the Pres- bytery, and the minority were acknowledged as the church of Oran by the Presbytery, Sept. 4th, 1833 ; but the church declined, and finally became extinct. Its name is not found in the Presby- terial reports since 1834. Perhaps its near proximity to Manlius might have had an influence in hastening its dissolution.
. Pompey .- This church at its organization denominated Pompey First Church, and subsequently Pompey Hill, or Pompey, was one of the earliest formed churches in Western New York. It was organized a Congregational Church, and connected itself with the Middle Association at the organization of that body, and on its dis- solution was placed in connexion with the Presbytery of Onondaga. The period of its organization is not known to the writer. Rev. Hugh Wallis was installed as its pastor by an ecclesiastical council, Jan. 4th, 1803. This was the second instance of the settlement of a pastor on the Military Tract. Mr. Wallis continued to sustain the pastoral office for several years, and the church was much blessed under his ministry, but the precise date of his dismission is not known to the writer. In 1814, the church was reported as vacant. From the dismission of Mr. Wallis to 1819, the history of the church is not known to the writer; but on the twentieth of January of that year, Rev. Jabez Chadwick was installed pastor of the church. His continuance, however, was not long, as he was dismissed Sept. 20th, 1820. After his dismission the church was without a pastor nearly two years. Rev. Eleazar S. Barrows was ordained and installed pastor of the church, Sept. 11th, 1822, and continued in the pastorate somewhat more than six years. During the period of his continuance, the church received large additions to its numbers. In 1827, twenty-two were reported by profession, and in 1828 forty-four. In 1825, the whole number of members was two hundred and thirty, and in 1828, two hundred and fifty- eight. Rev. Benjamin B. Stockton succeeded Mr. Barrows in the pastorate, and was installed, March 4th, 1829. He continued with the church about two years and a half, and was dismissed, Sept. 7th, 1831. In 1832, the church was reported as vacant, but had during the preceding year received forty-one members by profes- sion. After the dismission of Mr. Stockton the church remained without a regularly installed pastor till 1845. In the meantime they had the assistance of stated supplies. Rev. John Gridley sup- plied for a season ; after him Rev. Asa Rand. In the year 1834, the church reported fifty-five members added by profession, and
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the whole number of members as three hundred and five, the great- est number ever reported. In 1845, Feb. 6th, Rev. Clinton Clark was ordained and installed pastor of the church. The number of members was two hundred and ten. For more than twenty years, the church has never reported less than two hundred and ten mem- bers. It has always been a strong and able church, and has been repeatedly blessed with gracious outpourings of the Holy Spirit in his reviving and converting influences.
Pompey Centre .- This church is of recent date. It was received under the care of the Presbytery, Sept. 3d, 1844, and in 1846 re- ported twenty-one members as its whole number, five of whom had been received the previous year on profession. Rev. James C. Smith, July 20th, 1845, received a commission from the Ameri- can Home Missionary Society to labor with this church, and the commission was renewed the succeeding year. During the first year of his labors he was installed as pastor of the church. The prospects of the church are represented as encouraging.
Delphi .- This is a small village near the south-eastern corner of the town of Pompey. - A church was organized here, and received under the care of the Presbytery, Sept. 6th, 1831. No mention, on the records of the Presbytery, is made of it beyond the first stated meeting of the Presbytery after its reception, nor is its name to be found in any of the Presbyterial Reports. Whether the church has become extinct, or has formed some other ecclesiastical connexion, or stands in a state of independency, is not known to the writer.
Tully .- This church was organized by the name of the First Congregational Church of Tully, and was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Onondaga, April 10th, 1833. It was reported from year to year as vacant. No number of members is reported, except for the year 1840. The number at that time was twenty- one. The church was dissolved Sept. 15th, 1841.
Otisco .- The town of Otisco is composed of parts of the original townships of Marcellus and Tully. It was incorporated in 1806. The first permanent settlements in the town were made about the year 1800. Many of the first settlers were religious persons, and at once set up public worship. A church was organized by Rev. Hugh Wallis, on the 9th day of May, 1803, consisting of eleven members. There were, however, as many more who were profes- sors of religion, and united soon afterwards. The church was organized a Congregational Church, and was connected with the Middle Association. On the dissolution of that body it became connected with the Presbytery of Onondaga. In 1825, this church
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was set off to the Presbytery of Cortland, and was, on its request, restored in 1828. On account of Congregational predilections, the church withdrew from the Presbytery, and became connected with the Oneida Association in 1833, but returned and was again taken under the care of the Presbytery, February 10th, 1841. For a few years after the organization of the church, but little preaching was enjoyed, except what was supplied by travelling missionaries. The church, however, were faithful, God blessed them, and their numbers and strength rapidly increased. Rev. William J. Wilcox was their first pastor. He was ordained and installed by the Middle Asso- ciation, June 25th, 1808. On account of ill health he was dismissed, September 25th, 1821. He was a faithful minister, and the church greatly flourished under his ministrations. At the same time that Mr. Wilcox was dismissed, Rev. Charles Johnston was ordained and installed pastor of the church. He continued about two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Richard S. Corning, who labored with them more than a year, and was then installed as pastor of the church, January 9th, 1825. The church at this time consisted of 206 members. Mr. Corning continued with the church more than ten years. During the greater part of the period of Mr. Corning's ministry, the church flourished. The converting influences of the Holy Spirit were enjoyed. In 1827, the church reported thirty- eight members as received by profession ; in 1830, forty-six ; and in 1832, eighty-four ; the church then numbering 312 members. During the latter part of Mr. Corning's ministry, the church was disturbed by the new measures, and he was dismissed, and left the' church much divided. Rev. Levi Parsons immediately succeeded Mr. Corning as a stated supply for one year. Rev. Levi Griswold succeeded him, and continued three years. Ilis successors were, Rev. Sidney Mills, for two years ; and Rev. Thaddeus Pomeroy, two years ; and Rev. Clement Lewis, for a similar term. In August, 1846, Mr. Addison K. Strong, a licentiate, was engaged to preach to the congregation, and was ordained and installed pastor under favorable auspices, December 3d, 1846. The subjects of new measures and abolitionism have greatly distracted the church ; but they appear now to be harmonious. The church, at the time of the last report, numbered 249 members.
About the time of the settlement of Mr. Wilcox, the congregation put up a temporary house of worship. In 1817, they erected a new one of good size, fifty-eight feet by fifty, with a steeple and belfry. The congregation in favorable weather may range from 400 to 500. Through the centre of the town, and each way for a considerable distance, the great body of the people attend public worship, and generally with this church. On the borders of the town there are numbers of the Methodist denomination.
La Fayette .- The town of La Fayette was organized by an act
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of the Legislature, from parts of the towns of Onondaga and Pom- pey, in 1825. The first settlements in the town were made about the year 1798. The lands on the south consist of military lots. The northern part was purchased of the Onondaga Indians by the State, in 1802 and 1817. In the north-eastern section of the town, and near the village of Jamesville, was anciently an Indian Fort, the relics of which throw some light on the history of Western New York. These consist of human bones, beads, arrow-heads, an anvil, a musket-barrel, horse-shoes of a rude structure, a small dial, a brass crucifix, a medal of lead-on one side of which is a representation of the Saviour on the cross, and on the reverse, Satan, evidently a rude imitation-broken pieces of sea-shells, &c. According to tradition, when the French were in possession of Canada, Catholic missionaries came among the Onondagas, by way of Oswego. The Indians becoming jealous of the French expelled the missionaries. One of them refusing to leave, and being found at Salina, was put to death by having a heated ploughshare hung to his neck. A detachment of the French, to avenge the injury done to their countrymen, came on from Lake Ontario, gave battle to the Indians, and burned their fort.
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