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 50
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Lisle .- Of the early settlement of this place, the commence- ment of religious order in the preaching of Dr. Williston, and the organization of a Congregational church, we have spoken in a former chapter. Dr. Williston says it was organized in 1797, or the beginning of next year. The present pastor of the church says it was in 1799. At its organization it consisted of sixteen members, of whom eleven were received as new members on pro- fession, the fruits of a revival which had been enjoyed the year previous. In 1836, it numbered one hundred and twenty members, and at the commencement of 1848, about ninety. At the or- ganization of the Susquehannah Association, this church became connected with that body. After the dissolution of the Association, it was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cayuga, August 18th, 1813. It was dismissed from its connexion with that judicatory, July 5th, 1820, and united with the Union Association, Sept. 5th, of the same year. In this connexion it continued till the dissolution of the Association. In the month of April, 1834, it was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cortland, with which it is still connected. Of Dr. Williston's early labors in this place we have already spoken. In 1801, he became stationary at Lisle, was installed pastor of the church in October, 1803, and continued in that relation till some time in 1809, when he was re- leased from his pastoral charge, and soon afterwards left Western New York. During the continuance of his pastorate at Lisle he performed missionary service in the vicinity a part of the time in the destitute places around him. Rev. Henry Ford succeeded Dr. Williston in the pastorate of this church. He was installed, Oct. 27th, 1813, and continued till March 7th, 1820, when the relation was dissolved. Since the dismission of Mr. Ford, Rev. Azariah G. Orton, Rev. John B. Hoyt, Rev. J. M. Babbitt, Rev. John N. Lewis, and some others, have officiated as pastors or as stated supplies. Mr. Orton officiated two years as stated supply from May, 1835 ; Mr. Babbitt, three years from Jan. 1839. Mr. Lewis commenced in 1843, and still continues. He is the regularly in- stalled pastor of the church. ] In the support of the three last
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mentioned the church has been aided by the American Home Mis- sionary Society. It has enjoyed numerous seasons of revival, yet its number of members is not large, in consequence of the dismis- sion of so many members to form other churches in the vicinity. The Presbyterian church of Barker, the Congregational church of Triangle, and the Congregational church of Yorkshire, or Lisle West, have all been taken from this church. A house of worship, many years since, was erected at a place called the Centre, but in consequence of the organization of new churches, the place ceased to be central to the congregation, and a new house, some years since, was erected at the place called Whitney's Point, and the two houses are used alternately by the congregation.
The strong, orthodox doctrinal preaching of Dr. Williston, un- der God, gave a character to this church which it has not lost. Those who have succeeded him have mostly pursued the same course of preaching. As the consequence of this, the members of the church have been well indoctrinated, united in the belief of the truth and importance of the Calvinistic faith, and unmoved by any ancient or modern novelties in doctrine or measures. They are at peace among themselves.
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
Presbytery of Tioga :- Centre Lisle, Richford, Berkshire, Newark, Newark Second Church, Candor, Spencer, Newfield Second Church, Veteran, Union First Congre- gational, Union, Binghampton, Binghampton Congregational, Castle Creek, Conk- lin, East Owego, Owego, Tioga, Nichols.
WE shall in this chapter narrate the history of the churches which have been connected with
THE PRESBYTERY OF TIOGA.
Beginning at the north-eastern angle, we commence with
Lisle Centre .- This church in the reports of the Presbytery was for several years denominated Lisle West, and afterwards Centre Lisle. The author supposes that it is the same church which, in our history of the church of Lisle, is denominated the Congrega- tional Church of Yorkshire. It was composed at its organization of members taken from the original church of Lisle. At what time it was organized is not known to the writer. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Tioga, Sept. 22d, 1830, and on its request was dismissed in 1837, to join a Congregational Association. What body it is now connected with, if any, is not known to the writer. In 1831, it reported twenty-two members, and in 1837, seventy-seven. In 1832, Rev. Henry Ford was reported stated supply ; in 1833, '34, and '37, Rev. Seth Burt. In the support of Mr. Burt the last year, the church was aided by the American Home Missionary Society. Rev. Alvan D. French, by the same Society, was commissioned to labor in the congregation in April, 1844, and his commission was renewed the succeeding year. He reported that the church was in a revived state.
Richford .-- The settlement of this town commenced near the close of the last century, and the town derived its name from Mr. Rich, who was one of the first settlers. At what period the church was organized is not known to the writer. He supposes it to be the church which was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Cayuga, Jan. 21st, 1823, then designated as North Berkshire, and transferred to the Presbytery of Tioga on the organization of that body. In 1825, it numbered fifty-one members ; in 1831, eighty- seven, and in 1846, fifty-eight. Rev. Henry Ford officiated as
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stated supply two years from May, 1827. He was succeeded by Rev. David S. Morse, who, as stated supply or pastor, has minis- tered to the church most of the time to the present period. He was installed pastor, June 14th, 1843. There have been two inter- vals in the labors of Mr. Morse, the first of which was supplied by Rev. David B. Ripley, and the last by Rev. S. A. McEwen. In the support of all these, the church has been aided by the Ameri- can Home Missionary Society. In 1830, the church was blessed with a revival, and forty-five hopeful converts were reported. In 1844, some measure of the influences of the Divine Spirit was enjoy- ed, and additions made to the church. The church has an appro- priate house of worship. There is another in the village belonging to the Episcopalians.
Berkshire .- This church was formed in 1833, by a colony of eighty individuals dismissed from the church of Newark for the purpose. The church was received under the care of the Presby- tery of Tioga, Jan. 17th, 1839. In 1840, it numbered one hundred and forty-four members, and in 1846 the same number was re- ported. Rev. William Bradford was ordained and installed pastor, Jan. 18th, 1839, and was dismissed, March 1st, 1841. Rev. Peter Lockwood was installed pastor, April 12th, 1843, and still remains to fill the station. The church has an appropriate house of wor- ship, and there is another, belonging to the Methodist denomina- tion.
Newark .- The settlement of this town, originally known by the appellation of Brown's Settlement, commenced in 1791, by Elisha Wilson, Daniel Ball, Isaac Brown, and Abraham Brown, who emi- grated from Stockbridge, Mass. The next year they were fol- lowed by others from the same place. In 1800, Doctor Joseph Waldo and Deacon Nathaniel Ford moved in, and were instru- mental in instituting public worship, which from that period has been regularly maintained. The early settlers were a church-going people, and were regular in their attendance, coming to the place of worship-some on foot, some on horseback, and some in ox-carts. A church of the Congregational order, consisting of Doctor Joseph Waldo, Deacon Nathaniel Ford, Jesse Gleazen, Levi Baily, Beulah Brown, and Caroline Ford, was organized by Rev. Seth Williston and Rev. James W. Woodward, missionaries from Connecticut. This took place, November 17th, 1803. Four additional members were received the next Sabbath. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cayuga, September 11th, 1811. It was then denominated the church of Western. The name was soon after changed to Berkshire, and on the division of the town of Berkshire, it became the church of Newark. In 1819, it consisted of forty-nine members; in 1826, 106; in 1832, 241 ; and in 1846,
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155. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Jeremialı Osborne, who was ordained and installed pastor, February 18th, 1806. Ile continued in the pastorate till January 27th, 1819, when the relation was dissolved. The present pastor, Rev. Marcus Ford, was or- dained and installed into the pastoral office, December 13th, 1820.
In the autumn of 1819, a gentle refreshing from the presence of the Lord was experienced, as the fruits of which forty-eight mem- bers were added to the church during that and the following year. In 1827, a season of more than usual interest was enjoyed, which added fourteen members to the church by profession. In the winter of 1830-31, a glorious work of the Holy Spirit was witnessed, as the result of which, on the first Sabbath of April, 1831, 107 per- sons were received to the communion of the church on their pro- fession of faith in Christ, and from thirty to forty others in the course of the year. At several seasons since there have been periods of more than ordinary interest felt relating to the concerns of salvation, and additions have been made to the church. This church has always supported its pastor without foreign aid. A small house for public worship was erected as early as 1803 or 1804. In 1817 or 1818, the first house not being sufficient for the increasing congregation, a new and commodious edifice, fifty-five feet in length and forty-five in breadth, was reared upon the site of the former. In 1832, it was removed three miles from its original location to the centre of the present town of Newark. The churches of Richford, Berkshire, and Newark second church, were formed by detachments from this church. The people generally living within a convenient distance attend public worship. There is a Methodist society in the town considerable for numbers. They have a respectable house of worship which was erected in 1832.
Newark Second Church .- The location of this church is in the western part of the town of Newark, adjoining the town of Candor. It was formed in 1823 of members dismissed from the church of Newark for the purpose of a new organization. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Tioga, January 20th, 1824, then denominated the church of Candor and Westville. In 1833, it took the name of Newark second church. It has always been small and feeble. In 1825, it numbered twenty members ; in 1833, fifty-one ; and in 1846, only twenty-three. It has for most of the time since its organization, through the aid of the American IIome Missionary Society, been supplied, generally in connexion with some other church, with stated administration of gospel ordinances. As stated supplies, Rev. Zenas Riggs officiated five years from February, 1826; Rev. Moses Jewell one year from May, 1837; Rev. Samuel Scott five or six years from January, 1839 ; and Rev. Joel Jewell from November, 1846, to the present time. In 1832, sixteen mem- bers were reported as having been added to the church by profes-
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sion the previous years, indicating that the church had been blessed with a measure of gracious influence from on high.
Candor .- The settlement of this town was begun in 1793, by Joel Smith, Elijah Smith, Collins Ludington, Thomas Hollister, and Job Judd, from the town of Berlin (Conn.). The mass of the early settlers were from that town, and the town of Farmington in the same State. Public worship was commenced before the year 1800, and with short intervals has continued ever since. A Congrega- tional church with nine members, was organized by Rev. Seth Williston and Rev. Jeremiah Osborne, June 29th, 1808. This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cayuga, July 7th, 1813, and was transferred to the Presbytery of Tioga on the organization of that body. In 1827 the church reported sixty- eight members ; in 1833, one hundred and twenty-two; in 1843, one hundred and ninety-nine; and in 1846, one hundred and sixty- three. The first pastor was Rev. Daniel Loring, who was settled in 1810, and dismissed Feb. 20th, 1816. After his dismission Rev. John Bascom was stated supply a few months, and the church was then vacant for a season, occasionally supplied by Rev. Samuel Parker and Rev. Jeremiah Osborne. Mr. Osborne was installed pas- tor of the church Sept. 15th, 1819. His dismission took place Sept. 21st, 1831. Rev. Alfred White succeeded him as stated supply for six months, who was followed by Rev. Samuel Shaffer for a similar period. Rev. Zenas Riggs was installed pastor of the church June 18th, 1833. He was dismissed Oct. 6th, 1841. Rev. Edwin Benedict, the present pastor, commenced labor with the church in February, 1842, and was ordained and installed pastor, Sept. 20th, of the same year. Several seasons of special religious interest were enjoyed during the ministry of Mr. Osborne, adding considerably to the number of members in the church. Such sea- sons, connected with protracted meetings, were enjoyed during the ministry of Mr. Riggs. In the year 1834, fifty-five members were reported as having been added the previous year by profession. Since the settlement of the present pastor, two precious seasons of revival have been enjoyed, adding a goodly number to the com- munion of the church.
The church was organized a Congregational church. In 1821 it adopted the Presbyterian form of government, with a little modifi- cation, and such remains the mode of discipline to the present time. In the support of its ministers it has received no foreign aid. At an early period a small house of worship was erected, which in 1825 was exchanged for the present commodious edifice, which on the ground floor will seat nearly three hundred persons, and in the spa- cious gallery many more. The ordinary congregation upon the Sabbath is large for a country place, and an evangelical influence prevails throughout the town. The Methodist denomination have
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a house of worship in the village, with which a large congregation is connected. The Episcopalians also have a house of worship, and a rector who supplies two congregations. Their number of members is but small.
Spencer .- Respecting the settlement of this town, the writer has no information, nor does he know when the Presbyterian church was organized. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cayuga, Feb. 20th, 1816, and was transferred to the Presbytery of Tioga on the formation of that body. In 1825, its number of members was sixty-seven ; in 1834, one hundred and eight; and in 1846, one hundred and fifty-five. What ministerial aid the church enjoyed previous to 1827, the writer knows not. In March of that year, Rev. Gardiner K. Clark was commissioned by the American Home Missionary Society to labor in this congregation. He con- tinued his ministry with them, under the patronage of the Society, four or five years. Rev. David I. Perry, under the same patronage, commenced labor in January, 1833, and was installed pastor of the church Oct. 22d, of the same year. He was dismissed from his pastoral charge, Jan. 13th, 1835. He was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Headly, one or two years, after which Mr. Clark returned to the congregation, and has continued to officiate as stated supply to the present period. Several seasons of revival have been enjoyed by this church. In the year 1832, seventeen members were reported as having been added by profession the year previous, and in 1840 forty-five are reported as the additions by profession for the pre- ceding year. The church has an appropriate house of worship, which was built in 1829. The Methodist denomination have also a house of worship in the village.
Newfield Second Church .- This church was received on its or- ganization under the care of the Presbytery of Tioga, Sept. 15th, 1834. It was small and feeble, and continued in this condition for a few years, and then became extinct, its members uniting with other churches in the vicinity.
Veteran .- A Presbyterian church denominated the Second Pres- byterian Church of Catharine, was organized in this place, and re- ceived under the care of the Presbytery of Cayuga, Jan. 22d, 1822. At the organization of the Presbytery of Tioga it was assigned to that body. Twenty-four is the only number of members found in any of the Presbyterial reports, and it is uniformly reported as va- cant. It, however, did enjoy some ministerial aid. Rev. Richard Williams labored here for a season. Rev. James Boyle, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, labored here and in the vicinity in 1828 and 1829, and Rev. Alfred White under the same patronage, in 1832. But the church never was in a pros-
28
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perous state, and soon after a church was organized at Horse Heads, the church of Veteran became amalgamated with it, and so lost its separate existence. Its name for the last time is found on the Presbyterial report for the year 1832.
Union First Congregational Church .- The author supposes that this is the church which has its location in the little village of Main in the town of Union. Until 1833 it was designated as the church of Nanticoke. At what period it was organized is not known to the writer. The author believes that it was originally connected with the Luzerne Association, and when that body was merged in the Presbytery of Susquehannah, this church became connected with that Presbytery. By an act of the General Assembly in May, 1831, it was transferred to the Presbytery of Tioga. In 1825 it numbered fifty-four members, in 1833 one hundred and ninety-nine members, and in 1841 one hundred and sixteen. Rev. Oliver Hill was for several years pastor of this church. He was so reported in 1836, and continued in that relation till 1830 or 1831. Rev. Nahum Gould seems to have been a stated supply one or two years, and after him Rev. Henry Ford for a season. In 1843 or 1844, Rev. James Blakeslee became stated supply, and still con- tinues in that capacity. Under the ministry of Mr. Hill at two different periods there appears to have been a measure of revival, and a considerable addition was made to the church. In 1832 and 1833, more than one hundred members were added by profession to the church. The church has been aided by the American Home Missionary Society three years in the support of Mr. Hill, and in the support of Mr. Blakeslee since May, 1844. The church has an appropriate house of worship. The Baptist denomination have also a house of worship in the village of Main.
Union .- The settlement of this town commenced about sixty years since by emigrants chiefly from New Jersey, but intermixed with some from New England. A church of the Reformed Dutch denomination was organized here at an early period, and a house of worship erected as early as 1796. This is supposed to be the first edifice erected expressly for the worship of God west of Kort- right, in the southern tier of counties in the State of New York. Rev. Mr. Manly was their first minister, and after him Rev. Mr. Palmer. After the labors of Mr. Palmer terminated, the church diminished in number. Many of its members removed to other parts, and their places were supplied by others of a different deno- mination. A Presbyterian church, consisting of fourteen members, was organized July 17th, 1822, by Rev. Messrs. Benjamin Niles, Horatio J. Lombard, and Marcus Ford, acting with their delegates as a committee of the Presbytery of Cayuga. In this organization the remnant of the Reformed Dutch Church was merged. This
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church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cayuga, Jan. 21st, 1823, and was transferred to the Presbytery of Tioga on the organization of that body. In 1830, this church numbered one hundred and four members ; in 1833, two hundred and sixty-six ; and in 1811, two hundred and twenty. The church enjoyed for several years the ministry of stated supplies, each for a short period. Rev. Messrs. Judd, Whiton, and Solomon, Ward are named as having so officiated. Rev. John W. Ward was ordained and installed pastor of the church Jan. 20th, 1824. He was dismissed Oct. 12th, 1831. Soon after the dismission of Mr. Ward, Rev. Ira Smith was employed as stated supply, and continued as such till 1833. Rev. Jonathan M. Rowland was pastor in June, 1834, and his pastoral relation was dissolved Nov. 13th, 1840. Rev. Hemin- way J. Gaylord commenced labor in 1841, was installed pastor of the church May 26th, 1842, and was dismissed from his pastoral charge June 11th, 1847.
A revival of unusual power and extent visited the church at the very commencement of Mr. Ward's ministrations, and so long as he remained the pastor, tokens of divine presence were frequent, so that scarcely a sacramental occasion passed without accessions to the church from the ranks of the world. A protracted meeting was held in the second year of Mr. Smith's ministry with the church, conducted by Rev. Jedidiah Burchard. At the closing up of his effort, one hundred and sixteen members were added to the church. In the judgment of the Session, it is said, this was more an addition of numerical than of spiritual strength. During the connexion of Mr. Rowland with the church, two or three refreshings were enjoyed, adding somewhat to the number and moral energy of the flock. Under the ministry of Mr. Gaylord in 1843, a season of divine influence was enjoyed, as the result of which about thirty were added to the church.
This church has ever supported its ministers without foreign aid. It has a very commodious and spacious house of worship, erected in 1822. A Methodist Church, small in comparison, occupies in part the same territory, between which and the Presbyterian Church, a good degree of charitable and fraternal feeling exists.
Binghamton .- Of the settlement of this place, and the commence- ment of religious worship and institutions by the organization of the Baptist and Reformed Dutch churches, we have already spoken. About the year 1815, Rev. Hezekiah May preached in this place for a season. He was followed in 1816 by Rev. Benjamin Niles, then a licentiate. A revival immediately took place, and some hopeful conversions occurred. A church of the Congregational order, consisting of twenty members, of whom seventeen were females, was organized by Rev. Ebenezer Kingsbury and Rev. Joseph Wood. This took place in 1817. The church after its
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organization, as the writer believes, became connected with the Luzerne Association, and with that body was merged in the Presbytery of Susquehannah. From that Presbytery it was received under the care of the Presbytery of Cayuga, July 2d, 1822, and on the division of that Presbytery was assigned to the Presbytery of Tioga. The church changed its form of government for that of the Presbyterian church, probably, about the time it became connected with the Presbytery of Susquehannah. In 1823, the church had increased to the number of sixty-seven members. In 1829, it numbered one hundred and fifty ; in 1833, four hundred and fifty-one ; and in 1846, three hundred and twenty. At the time of the organization of the church, Mr. Niles was their preacher. In 1818, he was ordained and installed pastor of the church. This station he held till his death, which occurred, July 25th, 1828. Rev. Peter Lockwood was installed colleague pastor with Mr. Niles, Dec. 5th, 1827, Mr. Niles' state of health being such that he was unable to perform the duties of the pastorate. After Mr. Niles' decease, Mr. Lockwood continued sole pastor of the church till April, 1833, when the relation was dissolved. He was succeeded by Rev. Lewis D. Howell, who was installed pastor, Nov. 14th, 1833, and dismissed, Sept. 17th, 1834. Rev. John Fowler succeeded him as stated supply for a season, and was followed by Rev. John A. Nash, who was installed as pastor, Oct. 20th, 1836, and dismissed, April 17th, 1838. Rev. David D. Gregory was installed Sept. 11th, 1839, and still continues in the pastorate. Towards the close of Mr. Niles' ministry, the church was blessed with an extensive revival of religion, adding a goodly number to the church. The period of Mr. Lockwood's ministry was particularly a period of revivals in the church of Binghamton. Sixteen was the smallest number reported in any one year as added to the church on a profession of faith in Christ. In the year 1832, ninety were reported as so added, and the next year one hundred and eighty-three. Under the ministry of Mr. Gregory, two extensive revivals have been enjoyed, adding largely to the number of members in the church. In 1846, four of the sons of this church were employed in the labors of the ministry, one of whom was destined to the foreign field, and three or four were in a course of preparation for the ministerial office.
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