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 49
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Preble .- The town of Preble was originally the south half of the military town of Tully. It has since been divided, and the eastern town denominated Scott. The first settlements in the town were made in 1798, by Messrs. James and Robert Cravath, John Gill, and Elijah Mason. Public worship was first set up in 1804, and on the twenty-seventh day of August of that year, a church, con- sisting of eleven members, was organized by Rev. Messrs. Theo- dore Hinsdale and Joel Hays, missionaries of the Hampshire Mis- sionary Society, of Connecticut. The church was denominated the Congregational Church of Tully ; but has since taken the name of the First Presbyterian Church of Preble. It was originally connected with the Middle Association, and on the dissolution of that body was assigned to the Presbytery of Onondaga, and subsequently to the Presbytery of Cortland. Its first pas- tor was Rev. Matthew Harrison, who commenced his labors with them in 1812, and was dismissed, Feb. 26th, 1822. He was succeeded by Rev. Enoch Bouton, who officiated as stated supply two years. After him, Rev. L. Weld supplied the desk one half of the time for two years. Rev. Abner P. Clark was the next in order of time. He was installed in 1827, and continued as pastor of the church six years. He was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Gardiner K. Clark, who was installed in 1833, and also con- tinued six years. Rev. Mr. Jones then supplied a few months, and after him Rev. B. F. Foltse two years. Rev. Elliot H. Payson commenced laboring with the congregation in August, 1840, and was installed pastor in 1842, and dismissed in 1844. In March, 1845, Rev. William W. Collins was engaged as a stated supply, and continues his labors. The church, under the ministry of Messrs. Harrison, A. P. Clark, and G. K. Clark, enjoyed precious revivals, with other seasons of refreshing. In 1825, its number of members was seventy-seven; in 1828, one hundred and nineteen,
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forty-five having been added the preceding year; in 1840, two hundred and ten were reported; and in 1846, one hundred and thirty. The church has a house of worship, in dimensions sixty- four feet by forty-four. The number of attendants on worship upon the Sabbath varies from one hundred and fifty to two hun- dred. They have been aided in the support of Rev. A. P. Clark and Rev. G. K. Clark a number of years.
In 1841, a large number of the members of the church separated from their brethren, and in process of time organized themselves into a church, which they denominate " The First Free Church in Preble." It numbers about sixty members, and a congregation upon the Sabbath which may average about one hundred and sixty. They have no immediate connexion with any ecclesiastical judica- tory, but harmonize in sentiments and practice with that class of people called Unionists. The Methodists have a church number- ing about seventy members, with an attendance on their worship about equal to that of the Presbyterians.
Preble Corners .- Of this church the writer knows"nothing, ex- cept that it was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cortland, Sept. 10th, 1828, was reported as having the labors of a stated supply, in 1829, and as vacant from that period to April 22d, 1834, when it was dissolved by the Presbytery.
Scott .- The settlement of this town commenced about the year 1800. In 1802 there were seven families in the place. The church was organized as a Presbyterian church, May 25th, 1818, by a committee of the Presbytery of Onondaga. With this Presbytery it was connected until the organization of the Presbytery of Cort- land, when it was assigned to that Presbytery. In 1825, it adopt- ed the Congregational mode of government, still retaining its con- nexion with the Presbytery. At the period of the organization of the church, Rev. Reuben Hurd was preaching to the congregation a part of the time. His labors were continued for a season. After him Rev. Mr. Dunning labored for a season, and was follow- ed by Rev. Matthew Harrison, who, for a season, preached to this congregation one fourth part of the time. He was followed by several others in succession, who continued for short periods. Rev. Llewellyn R. Powell commenced preaching here in August, 1833, and was installed pastor of the church, August 25th, 1835. He continued till the spring or summer of 1838. After Mr. Powell's dismission, Rev. Mr. Redfield preached to the congregation one or two years, half of the time, and after him, Rev. Mr. Foltse for a season. Rev. David Slie, a Unionist, was employed one year, and closed in the spring of 1843. In May, 1843, Rev. Hiram Harris, then a licentiate preacher, commenced preaching to this congrega- tion, and was ordained and installed as its pastor by the Presbytery
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of Cortland, Oct. 18th of the same year. Mr. Harris preached at Borodino one half of the time, during the year 1845.
The church has always been small in number and weak in means. In 1825, it numbered twenty-four members ; in 1836, sixty- eight, and in 1846, seventy. It was for a season considerably agitat- ed and distracted by Unionism, but since the settlement of its present pastor, peace and harmony have been in a good measure restored. The church has received the aid of the American Home Missionary Society, in the support of Messrs. Powell, Redfield, and Harris. They have a house of worship near the centre of the vil- lage, which is fifty feet long, and thirty-six in width. It was erect- ed, but not finished, in 1838. In 1845, it was undergoing a thorough repair, so as to render it comfortable and pleasant. The church live intermixed with other denominations. The Close Com- munion Baptist church is the oldest religious organization in the town. They numbered about one hundred members, and have a house of worship about two miles east of the village. The Seventh Day Baptists reckon about one hundred and twenty-five members, and have a neat and comfortable house of worship, with a bell and burying-ground, in the northern part of the village. The Methodists have a small society, with a little, neat, and pleasant house of worship, which is almost new.
Homer .- The settlement of the town of Homer commenced in 1791, by Amos Todd and Spencer Beebe, one of whom was a pious man of the Baptist denomination. The next spring, John Miller, Esq., his two sons and two or three others, emigrated from Bing- hamton to Homer. Esq. Miller was a pious man, and immediately set up public worship upon the Sabbath. He was a valuable man, though somewhat singular, and one to whom the town is in a mea- sure indebted for its present high character and religious institu- tions. In 1794 or '95 several families came in from Brimfield, Mass., and Farmington, Conn., some of whom were devotedly pious families. They were soon visited by missionaries, among whom may be named Rev. Messrs. Lindsley, Logan, Bushnell, and Wil- liston. The first sermon ever preached in the town was by Elder Peter P. Roots of the Baptist denomination. The second was by Rev. Asa Hillyer, D.D., of New Jersey, who came to the place to see some land, and finding the settlers collected to raise a house, at their request he preached to them the gospel of Christ, standing under a beech tree. In 1798, under the preaching and other labors of Dr. Williston, a revival was enjoyed, and about sixteen indivi- .duals were hopefully converted to God. This prepared the way for the formation of a church. But difficulties interposed. The religious views and Presbyterial preferences of Esq. Miller came in conflict with the strong Calvinistic and Congregational prefer- rences of Dr. Williston and the New England settlers, who were
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much the most numerous part. Under these circumstances the professors of religion could not agree upon a confession of faith and mode of discipline to be adopted in the organization of a church. Thus a delay was caused, which was terminated in the following manner : A pious mother in Israel said to her husband one mor- ning,-" I have lain awake all night long in prayer for light as to our duty respecting the formation of a church. God has answered my prayer, and this is my plan : Do you go to all who are willing to unite in forming a Congregational Calvinistic Church, and pro- cure their names, and let all who will join us as they please." This advice was followed, and on the 12th day of October, 1801, a church was formed, consisting of fourteen members, by Rev. Hugh Wallis of Solon. All the original members are now deceased. The church at the organization of the Middle Association became connected with that body. On its division it was assigned to the Presbytery of Onondaga, and on the division of that body, it fell under the care of the Presbytery of Cortland, but still, as to its internal discipline, retains its Congregational character.
The first stated supply was a Mr. Jones, who continued but a short time. He was succeeded by Rev. Nathan B. Darrow, who was ordained and installed pastor of the church Feb. 2d, 1803. This was the first instance of ordination by the denomination on the Military Tract, and the third of installation. The ordination was performed by an ecclesiastical council, composed of ministers and delegates from the churches of Aurelius, Geneva, Owasco, Lisle, Pompey, Clinton, and Cazenovia. In this council we find brethren of the Congregational, Presbyterian, and Reformed Dutch denominations harmoniously uniting in one of the most important acts which concern the due organization of the church. Mr. Dar- row continued, as the author believes, about six years, when he was dismissed and removed to the State of Ohio. He was succeeded by Rev. Elnathan Walker, who was ordained and installed Oct. 25th, 1809. Mr. Walker continued in the pastorate till his decease, June 4th, 1820. Rev. John Keep was his successor, and was installed Nov. 7th, 1821. He was dismissed Oct. 3d, 1833. The next pastor of the church was Rev. Dennis Platt, who was installed March 12th, 1834. He continued till August 15th, 1842, when the pastoral relation was dissolved, and on the sixteenth day of Febru- ary, 1843, Rev. Thomas K. Fessenden was installed pastor of the church, and still continues in that relation. The revival of 1798 has already been noticed. Another was enjoyed in 1806 and '07, and during the ministry of Mr. Darrow ninety-five members were added to the church. Powerful revivals were experienced in 1812, 1816, and 1820, during the ministry of Mr. Walker. The last resulted from a meeting called by the opponents of Mr. Walker to prefer charges against him. The council called embraced, among others, Rev. Messrs. Wisner, Axtel, Lansing, Smith, and Truair,
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who, coming on to the ground, found they could not reach the case in the way desired by the opposition. They then commenced a labor of love with all present, which was attended by a special divine blessing. The leading opponent of Mr. Walker pressed through the crowd, and kneeling before Mr. Walker, exclaimed, " Forgive me : I have often prayed about you, but not for you." The effect was overwhelming on the congregation, some of whom went home deeply convicted. It was during the revival conse- quent upon this occasion that Mr. Walker departed this life. During his ministry four hundred and seventy-three members were added to the church. There were revivals in 1826, 1830, '31, '32, and '33, but, perhaps, not all of them of so happy a character as some which had preceded. Five hundred and forty-two members were added to the church under the ministry of Mr. Keep. There was a revival in 1838 under Mr. Platt's ministry, as the result of which two hundred and eighty-four persons were added to the church. There was also a revival in 1843, which brought sixty- two additional members into the church. Up to July, 1846, thirteen hundred and ninety-four persons had been members of the church, of whom four hundred and sixty remained members at that period. The church have a house of worship built in 1805, and repaired and greatly improved in 1822. It is seventy-two feet in length, and of proportional breadth, and will comfortably seat nine hundred hearers. It stands on a beautiful square of six acres given to the society for public uses. On the same plat stand the Methodist and the Episcopal houses of worship, the Academy, and the Congrega- tional Conference House. The congregation meeting upon the Sabbath may average about five hundred persons. There is a Baptist church in the town, which is respectable in number and strength. The Methodist society is small, and the Episcopal still smaller. The Universalists have a small community which holds meetings a part of the time. There is also a small society of Methodists in the eastern part of the town. The town of Homer has long been considered as containing one of the most substantial and church-going, order-loving communities in the region. The Congregational church have ever supported their own pastor with- out foreign aid, and for a number of years past have contributed from eight hundred to a thousand dollars annually in aid of the benevolent objects of the day.
Cortlandville .- The town of Cortlandville was formerly the southern part of the town of Homer. The village of Cortland, which now numbers more than two hundred houses, in 1813 con- tained not more than ten or twelve. The Presbyterian Church was constituted principally of members of the church of Homer. It was organized probably in 1824 or '25, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cayuga, July 6th, 1825, from which
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it was transferred to the Presbytery of Cortland by act of the Synod, October 14th, 1831. The number of original members was probably small, as in 1827 the whole number of members reported as belonging to the church was one hundred and thirty-one, of whom one hundred and ten had been received during the year pre- ceding. The church seems to have been gradually increasing in numbers till in 1846 it was able to report two hundred and forty as its number of members. What amount of ministerial aid it enjoyed previous to 1828, is not known to the author. In that year, July 30th, Rev. Luke Lyons was installed as pastor of the church. In this station he continued till June 23d, 1831, when he was dis- missed from his pastoral charge. He was succeeded by Rev. Nathaniel E. Johnson, who officiated as stated supply about three years. After him Rev. Joseph I. Foot was pastor one ortwo years, and was succeeded by Rev. Peter Lockwood as stated supply for a year or two. In 1843, Rev. Hercules H. Dunham was reported as pastor, in which station he still continues. In the year 1832, fifty-six members are reported as having been added to the church by profession, the preceding year, an indication that the church had been blessed with an effusion of the Holy Spirit. This church has always supported its own minister without foreign aid. It has a commodious house of worship in the village. The Baptists, Methodists, and Universalists have also houses of worship in the place.
McGrawville .- This is a small village in the town of Cortland- ville. A Presbyterian church was organized, probably in 1834, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cortland, October 15th, of that year. In 1838 it contained sixty members, and in 1846, numbered one hundred and eleven. As stated supplies under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, the following ministers in succession have officiated : Rev. Messrs. Seth Smalley, Joseph R. Johnson, Peleg R. Kinne, and Ezra B. Fancher, the last of whom commenced his labors in the early part of the year 1840, and still continues. Under his ministry in 1845, God was pleased in much mercy to pour out his Spirit, and a goodly number were hopefully converted unto God. As the result of this revival, the church has acquired strength so as to be able to sup- port the ministry without foreign aid. The church has a house of worship which was dedicated in 1834. The Baptists and Metho- dists have each a house of worship in the village.
Solon .- This church was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Cortland, September 11th, 1827, and was reported as consisting of fifteen members. Its number of members never increased. It was furnished with preaching a part of the time for a year or two, and was dissolved, September 18th, 1831.
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Pitcher .- The town of Pitcher originally constituted the central part of the town of German. A church was at a pretty early period organized in this part of the town, on the principles of the Congregational discipline. This church was designated as the church of German, afterwards German First Church, and since 1827 it has been denominated the church of Pitcher. It was ori- ginally connected with the Middle Association, afterwards with the Presbytery of Onondaga, and subsequently with the Presbytery of Cortland. In 1825, it numbered ninety members, and in 1840, one hundred and sixty-two. This is the highest number ever reported. Rev. Reuben Hurd was installed pastor of this church, July 27th, 1813. He held the situation a little longer than two years, being dismissed September 28th, 1815. From the period of Mr. Hurd's dismission to 1825, its history is unknown to the writer. In 1825 and 1827, it was reported as vacant. From the latter period till 1846, it is uniformly reported as having a stated supply. What ministers have acted in this capacity is not known to the writer, except that Rev. Wm. J. Bradford supplied under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society one year, from June, 1829, and Rev. Isaac F. Adams, two years from October, 1831. In 1832, fifty-two members are reported as having been added to the church by profession the preceding year, and the next year twenty- five. It would seem that those were years of revival. This church has a house of worship in the village of Pitcher. The Baptist church have also a house of worship.
Cincinnatus and Solon .- This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cortland, Sept. 14th, 1831, and is reported on the minutes of the General Assembly for the next spring, as consisting of one hundred and ten members, of whom sixty-one were received on profession. The author supposes that it was a resuscitation of one or two decayed churches, connected with a revival of religion, and the conversion of souls. In 1836, it reported one hundred and sixty-two members, but in 1846, the number was reduced to one hundred and thirty. Rev. Oren Catlin was stated supply, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, one year from October, 1832. Rev. Joseph R. Johnson was ordained and installed pastor, Feb. 16th, 1846. He continued with the church two or three years, and was dismissed. He was succeeded by Rev. Eleazar T. Ball, who was ordained and installed pastor of the church, June 8th, 1839. Mr. Ball still continues in the pastorate.
Freetown .- This town comprises the north-western quarter of the original town of Cincinnatus. The church was originally denominated Cincinnatus First Church, afterwards Freetown. By the latter name it is known in the statistical tables of the minutes
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of the General Assembly from 1825. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Onondaga, Sept. 1st, 1812, and, on the division of that body, was assigned to the Presbytery of Cortland. The number of members, according to the annual reports, has varied from twenty-nine to fifty-four. By the last report it was forty-four. The report for 1832 gives twenty additions to the church by profession the preceding year. The church seems to have been always small and feeble, and never to have had a regu- larly installed pastor. It has sometimes been reported as statedly supplied, and at other times as vacant. By whom it has been supplied, is not known to the author, except that Rev. Eleazar Luce supplied in 1833 and '34.
Virgil .- This town was settled at an early period, and visited by missionaries like other places in the region around it. A Con- gregational Church was organized by Dr. Williston, in 1804 or '05, which became connected with the Middle Association, and on the division of that body was assigned to the Presbytery of Onondaga. From that Presbytery it was, by act of the Synod, transferred to the Presbytery of Cayuga, as more convenient in location; and on the erection of the Presbytery of Tioga was assigned to that body. In 1835, on request, its connexion was removed to the Presbytery of Cortland, with which it is now connected. Of its history till 1825, the writer is uninformed. At that date it is reported as consisting of fifty-nine members, and without a minister. On the sixteenth day of November of that year, Rev. Samuel Robinson was installed pastor of the churches of Virgil and Dryden. Ilis dismission from the church of Virgil probably took place in 1829. During his ministry the church was increased from fifty-nine mem- bers to about eighty. In 1832, Rev. William Bradford is reported as a stated supply. He continued in that capacity three or four years. In July, 1836, Rev. Solomon Chafee, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, commenced laboring as a stated supply with this church, and continued about three years. During the last year, he reports a revival as having been enjoyed. In 1843, Rev. Isaac Headly was reported as a stated supply to the church. In November, 1843, Rev. Jeremiah W. Walcott was appointed a missionary, by the American Home Missionary Society, to labor in this congregation, and his commis- sion was renewed the succeeding year. In 1846, the church reported ninety-six members, the highest number that they ever reported. They have a house of worship which was repaired and painted in 1844. The Baptists and Methodists have also houses of worship.
Virgil Second Presbyterian Church .- This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cortland, Feb. 12th, 1833. It
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is reported as vacant continually, with the exception of 1837. The number of members that year was thirty-one. In 1840, it was fifteen. In 1846, it was declared dissolved.
Harford .- This church has its location in the southern part of the town of Virgil. It was organized in the early part of the year 1832, and received under the care of the Presbytery of Tioga, in April of that year. It was transferred to the Presbytery of Cortland by the Synod, Oct. 6th, 1840. It was organized a Pres- byterian church, and consisted of thirteen members. In 1843, it reported forty-eight members, and in 1846, fifty-four. In 1834, Rev. David B. Ripley was stated supply for a part of the time, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, and continued his labors for a part of the time, two or three years. Rev. H. J. Gaylord was commissioned by the same Society in September, 1840, and seems to have continued but part of the year. Mr. Joseph D. Baker, a licentiate preacher of the gospel, received a commission from the same Society to labor here, in August, 1841. It was renewed in each of the two following years. June 8th, 1842, he was ordained and installed as pastor of the church. He was dismissed after a continuance of about two or three years. Rev. Joseph S. Lord received a commission from the same Society, in Nov. 1846, to minister to this church. At the last period of in- formation, the concerns of the church were in a prosperous condi- tion. A parsonage had been built, and a house of worship was in a course of being built.
Marathon .- The town of Marathon comprises the south-eastern quarter of what was originally the town of Cincinnatus. On the south it adjoins the town of Lisle, and on the west, the town of Virgil. The church, at its organization, was denominated " The Church of the Union Society of Lisle, Cincinnatus, and Virgil." The writer supposes that each of these towns furnished members for the congregation. Afterwards it was called Cincinnatus second ; then Harrison, and more recently, Marathon. It was re- ceived under the care of the Presbytery of Onondaga, Sept. 7th, 1814, and, on the division of that Presbytery, was assigned to Cort- land. In 1825, it was reported as consisting of thirty members, and as vacant. Probably up to that period it had enjoyed only oc- casional preaching and administration of ordinances. The next four years it is reported as statedly supplied ; Rev. Matthew Har- rison supplied this church, in connexion with another, a part, and perhaps the whole of this period. The church seems afterwards to have been vacant for two years, and then we find Rev. James Blakeslee reported as pastor, two years in succession. Rev. Peleg R. Kinne spent one year from February, 1837, with this church, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society.
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He was followed by Rev. William J. Bradford, who supplied a part of the time for one or two years. Rev. John A. Avery re- ceived a commission from the American Home Missionary Society, in April, 1845, to supply this church. His commission was renew- ed in 1846. The church has never been large, and seems never to have been blessed with any very extensive out-pouring of the Holy Spirit. In the year 1832, fifteen members are reported as added by profession to the church the preceding year, and in the year 1837, ten such additions are reported. In 1832, the whole number of members was seventy-two; in 1840, seventy-five : and in 1846, sixty-two.
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