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 63
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547
PRESBYTERY OF GENESEE.
Batavia .- The settlement of this village commenced about the beginning of the present century, and progressed with great ra- piaity, it being the metropolis of the Holland Purchase. The first inhabitants, in general, were not very friendly to the institutions of religion, and some years passed before any religious order was established. A church was at length organized, as the writer believes, of the Congregational order, but it has long since adopted the Presbyterian mode of discipline. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara (now Buffalo), Feb. 3d, 1818. The writer believes that this was soon after the organization of the church. It was assigned to the Presbytery of Genesee on the organization of that body. In 1825, it numbered fifty-three mem- bers; in 1830, one hundred and nine; in 1834, two hundred and forty-one; and in 1846, two hundred and forty-seven. Rev. Ephraim Chapin was ordained and installed pastor of the church, April 8th, 1818, and the pastoral relation was dissolved, Feb. 27th, 1822. Rev. Calvin Colton was installed pastor, March 17th, 1825, and was dismissed from his pastoral charge, Sept. 20th, 1826. Rev. Charles Whitehead was ordained and inducted into the pas- toral office, June 19th, 1827, and was dismissed, March 23d, 1828. He was succeeded by Rev. Russel Whiting, who was installed, April 21st, 1829, and was dismissed, Feb. 9th, 1831. Rev. Char- les Fitch followed as stated supply two or three years, but was not installed. Rev. Erastus J. Gillett was installed pastor of the church, July 26th, 1837, and sustained the office till April 18th, 1839, when the relation was dissolved. Rev. William H. Beecher was his successor. He was inducted into the pastoral office, Oct. 22d, 1839, and was dismissed from his charge, August 1st, 1843. Rev. Byron Sunderland, the present pastor, was installed in the office, Feb. 12th, 1845. In a number of instances God has revived his work in this place, and large additions have been made to the church. The greatest number ever reported in one year by pro- fession, was sixty-five. This was in 1834. In other years from twenty to thirty have been reported. This church has an appro- priate house of worship, and has always supported its own minis- ter without foreign aid. There are in the village of Batavia, one Episcopal, two Baptist, and one Methodist, houses of worship.
Stafford .- This town was originally a part of the town of Bata- via, and the settlement was contemporaneous with that of Batavia. The church was organized on the Congregational plan, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, Feb. 6th, 1821, as the writer supposes, on the accommodating plan. It was dismissed from the Presbytery to unite with the Genesee Consocia- tion, Sept. 21st, 1824, and again received under the care of the Presbytery, Jan. 13th, 1846. In 1846, it numbered seventy-five members. Of its history the writer knows but little. Rev. M.I-
548
WESTERN NEW YORK.
ton Huxley was commissioned to labor in this church by the United Domestic, and American Home Missionary Societies, three years in succession from May, 1825. He is styled pastor. Rev. Lyman P. Judson officiated as stated supply between one and two years in 1836 and '37, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society. Since Mr. Judson's departure, Rev. Messrs. Louis Mills for two years, and Rev. H. G. Ward for one year, have, under the same patronage, officiated as stated supplies. Messrs. Judson and Mills reported interesting revivals as having been en- joyed during their ministry. This church has an appropriate house of worship in the village, and there are two others, but to - what denomination they belong the writer is not informed.
Le Roy .- The settlement of this town commenced near the close of the last century on the hill somewhat east of the site of the present village. It was for some years denominated Ganson's Settlement, a name derived from that of the family which first located here. The first missionary who visited the settlement was Rev. David Perry of Richmond (Mass.), who performed a mission- ary tour in the service of the Berkshire and Columbia Missionary Society, in the summer of 1800. He probably preached the first sermon ever delivered in the place. The settlement at that time consisted of about sixteen or eighteen families, and was the most western settlement in the State of New York. At that period there was a man of the name of Carver resident in the settlement, who was a member of a Congregational church, and the only male professor of religion in the settlement. He was induced, through the influence and advice of Mr. Perry, to commence public wor- ship on the Sabbath. This was continued for a season, but ere long was discontinued, in consequence of the neglect of attendance. At what period it was resuscitated, is not known to the writer. A Congregational church was organized, which was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva on the accommodating plan, August 8th, 1815. It was transferred to the Presbytery of Niagara (now Buffalo), on the organization of that body, and from that to the Presbytery of Genesee. At what time it adopted the Presby- terian form of discipline, is not known to the writer. In 1825, it consisted of ninety-eight members ; in 1830, of one hundred and seventy-nine ; in 1843, of three hundred and eighty-six ; and in 1846, of two hundred and eleven. What should have caused so great a diminution between the two last mentioned dates, is not known to the writer. Rev. Calvin Colton was installed pastor of the church, Feb. 2d, 1820, and the pastoral relation was dissolved, Feb. 11th, 1824. Rev. Joseph Myers was ordained and installed in the pastorate, Dec. 28th, 1825. He was released from his pas- toral relation, August 27th, 1828. In 1830 and '31, Rev. Gilbert Crawford is reported as the stated supply of this church. Rev.
549
PRESBYTERY OF GENESEE.
Benjamin B. Stockton was installed as its pastor, Oct. 2d, 1833, and continued till June 18th, 1835, when the relation was dissolved. Rev. Ebenezer Mead succeeded. He was installed pastor, Oct. 10th, 1837, and was dismissed, Oct. 11th, 1843. He was succeeded by Rev. Gilbert Crawford as stated supply, whose labors are still con- tinued .* In 1815, this church enjoyed a season of revival, as the author believes, in connexion with the labors of Rev. David Tullar, in which from fifteen to twenty were hopefully born again. Mr. Tullar was with the church as a stated supply for a considerable period. Several other seasons of special revival have been enjoyed by this church, which have added largely to its number of mem- bers. The church has ever supported its ministers without foreign aid, and has a good house of worship, built many years since. The Methodist, Baptist, and Episcopal denominations have each a house of worship in the village.
Caledonia .- Of the settlement of this place by a colony from Scotland, and the organization of a Presbyterian church by Rev. Jedidiah Chapman, March 4th, 1805, we have spoken in a former chapter. This church was received under the care of the Presby- tery of Geneva, June 25th, 1806. On the organization of the Pres- bytery of Ontario it was assigned to that body, and from that trans- ferred to the Presbytery of Genesee, when that was instituted. After the exseinding act of 1837, and the division of the Presbyte- rian Church, this church and its pastor connected themselves with the Presbytery of Susquehannah, of which they gave notice to the Presbytery of Genesee, and the names of the pastor and the church were stricken from the roll of the Presbytery, Feb. 15th, 1838. The church is now under the care of the Presbytery of Wyoming, connected with the Synod of Buffalo (Old School). The church in 1825 consisted of seventy-two members; and in 1836 of seventy- eight. `This is the last report which the writer has seen. The former number is the least, and the latter the greatest which had ever been reported. The greatest number reported as received on profession in any one year, is three. Rev. Alexander Denoon, the present pastor of the church, is a native of Scotland. He was edu- cated at the University of Aberdeen, and pursued theological studies in Scotland. He emigrated to this country, and received a license to preach from the Presbytery of Geneva, June 26th, 1806. He immediately commenced preaching as a stated supply to the church of Caledonia, and continued in that capacity till August 17th, 1808, on which day he was ordained and installed pastor of the church, and for a period of almost forty years has continued to ful- fil the duties of his station. Scotch stability and uniformity have
* While this work is in the press information is received of the death of Mr. Craw- ford.
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
characterized the proceedings of this church from its organization. It has an appropriate house of worship, built many years since.
Pavilion .-- This town was taken from Covington, and organized as a separate town in 1841. The church was organized and re- ported to the Presbytery of Genesee, Feb. 25th, 1840. It is reported in 1843 as consisting of forty members. In 1846 the number was reduced to thirty-five. As stated supplies, Rev. Isaac Flagler offi- ciated somewhat more than two years, from November, 1840. He was succeeded by Rev. Benjamin Russell for one year, and he by Rev. Hiram Gregg, for a similar period. He was followed by Rev. Henry W. Smuller, who was still in continuance at the last report. In the support of all these ministers the church has been aided by the American Home Missionary Society. They have an appropri- ate house of worship, for which a debt was contracted which lay as a burden on the church for several years. The Baptist church have a house of worship in the village, and also the Universalist society.
East Bethany .- The writer supposes that this is the church which was till 1830, or somewhat later, named Bethany. He finds no record of its organization or reception by the Presbytery. It was reported in 1827 as a church under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, and so was reported from year to year till 1831. The two next years the Presbytery made no report to the General As- sembly. In 1834, the name of East Bethany is found on the Re- port, and Bethany appears no more. No record is made on the minutes of the Presbytery of the reception of such a church as East Bethany. The name of this church was stricken from the roll of the Presbytery of Genesee, Sept. 15th, 1842, the church having connected itself with the Presbytery of Caledonia (Old School). On the division of that Presbytery this church was assigned to the Presbytery of Wyoming. In 1828 this church numbered forty-six members; in 1834, one hundred and six; and in 1836, seventy. This is the last enumeration which the author has seen. In 1828, and the three following years, the church is reported as furnished with a stated supply, but no name is reported. In 1834, Rev. Isaac Oakes was stated supply, and continued one year. In 1837. Rev. Eliphalet B. Colman was stated supply. How long he continued is not known to the writer. In 1846 Rev. Isaac Oakes was again stated supply. The records of the Presbytery of Genesee notice a revival of religion as having been enjoyed by this church in 1838, but the result of it is not known to the writer. The church was as- sisted in 1834 for one year, in the support of Mr. Oakes, by the As- sembly's Board of Missions.
Bethany Centre .- This church was reported as organized, and
551
PRESBYTERY OF GENESEE.
received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, Feb. 10th, 1830. Its name was stricken from the list of churches under the care of that Presbytery, Feb. 14th, 1814, it having become con- nected with another Presbytery. It is now under the care of the Presbytery of Buffalo City (Old School). In 1836 it consisted of sixty-eight members ; in 1843, of forty-five ; and in 1846, of sixty- seven. As stated supplies, Rev. Messrs. James B. Wilcox, Lemuel Brooks, Alvah C. Page, Josiah Pierson, Russel Whiting, and James Remington, have been successively employed. In the support of its ministers the church has been aided by the American Home Missionary Society, and the Assembly's Board of Missions.
Alexander .- This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara (now Buffalo), Feb. 9th, 1819, and was transferred to the Presbytery of Genesee on the organization of that body. In 1825, it numbered twenty-three members ; in 1834, fifty-eight : in 1843, sixty-five ; and, in 1846, thirty-five. During a large proportion of the time, it has been reported as vacant. As stated supplies, Rev. Messrs. James B. Wilcox, William C. Knif- fin, Milo N. Miles. Henry W. Smuller, C. R. Clark, and J. S. Baris have, at different times, been employed, most of them for one year only. In 1834, the church reported eighteen members as having been added, by profession, the preceding year, indicating that a measure of divine influence had been enjoyed. In the sup- port of most of the above named ministers, the church has been aided by the American Home Missionary Society. The church has an appropriate house of worship, and there is another in the village, which belongs to the Universalists.
Union Church of Alexander and Darien .- This church, consist- ing of eight members, was organized by a Committee, and received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, Feb. 10th, 1835. The next year it was found to be reduced in number to two males and five females, and was attached to the church of Alexander.
Darien .- This church seems to be, in the reports of the Presby- tery, indiscriminately called Darien and Darien Centre. It was originally named South Pembroke, the town of Darien being for- merly a part of Pembroke. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, August 21st, 1824, by the name of Pem- broke South. The name was changed to Darien Centre, in 1837. In 1825, it consisted of eighteen members; in 1834, of thirteen ; in 1840, of seventy-six ; and, in 1816, of forty. It appears to have been always a feeble church, and the greater part of the time has been reported as vacant. Rev. Truman Baldwin, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, labored here as a stated supply, one year from July, 1836, during which period
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
the church enjoyed a season of refreshing, and eighteen members, by profession, were added to the church. In 1840, Rev. Levi A. Skinner was reported as stated supply. What other supplies have labored on this field is unknown to the writer. The church has a house of worship, which was erected in 1836.
Darien Village .- This church was connected with the Presby- tery of Genesee, in April, 1833, and was united with the church of South Pembroke, Sept. 10th, 1834. Its number of members was not reported.
Bennington .-- This town was originally a part of the town of Sheldon, and is composed of township No. 10, in the 3d range of townships, on the Holland Purchase. The settlement of it was commenced about the year 1806 or '07, by Hon. Chauncey Loomis and others, who emigrated from Hartford County (Conn.). Public worship was instituted about 1810, and a Congregational church, consisting of seven members, was organized in 1814, by Rev. John Spencer and Rev. Hugh Wallis. This is the church, as the author supposes, which was designated as Sheldon No. 10, 3d Range. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of. Niagara, Feb. 3d, 1818, and was assigned to the Presbytery of Genesee, on its ยท organization. In 1825, it numbered fourteen members ; in 1834, twenty-three ; and, in 1846, forty-seven, the highest number it has ever reported. Previous to the settlement of the present pastor, the church had enjoyed the ministry of stated supplies to the amount of about two years. In 1842, Rev. Isaac Chichester was employed as a stated supply, and, on the third day of December, 1844, he was installed pastor of the church. On the same day, their new house of worship, which is a well built edifice, forty-two feet in length, and thirty-four in breadth, was dedicated to the worship of the triune God. Since the settlement of Mr. Chichester, there have been some instances of hopeful conversion and a gradual enlargement of the church. The American Home Missionary Society has lent its aid to this church in the support of the pastor, and still continues its patronage. The members of the church are intermixed with Methodists, Baptists, and Campbellites.
Bennington Second Church .- The author supposes that this is the church which was received under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara, Feb. 3d, 1818, by the name of Sheldon Third Church. It was transferred to the Presbytery of Genesee, on the organiza- tion of that body, and by an act of the Presbytery, was amalgamat- ed with the church of Attica, August 26th, 1823.
Attica .- This town was set off from Sheldon in 1811, and then comprehended the present towns of Attica, Orangeville, and
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PRESBYTERY OF GENESEE.
Weathersfield. The author believes that the original church desig- nated as the church of Attica is the present church of Orangeville, and that the present church of Attica was organized at a later period, and received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesce, Feb. 11th, 1823. The next year the second church of Bennington, as has been stated, was annexed to it. In 1827, it reported fifty-seven members ; in 1834, one hundred and thirty-nine ; in 1843, two hundred and thirty-eight ; and in 1816, one hundred and eighty-nine. In 1827, Rev. Ebenezer Mead was a stated supply, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, and continued one year. Rev. Hiland Hulburd was reported as stated supply in 1834. Rev. James B. Shaw was ordained and installed pastor of the church, July 1st, 1835, and the pastoral relation was dissolved, March 19th, 1839. Rev. John B. Preston succeeded him in the pastorate, and was installed, Oct. 23d, 1839. He was dismissed, Dec. 3d, 1834. What other ministers have labored on this field is not known to the writer. Repeated revivals of religion have been enjoyed by this church. In October, 1842, fifty were reported as having been ad- ded to the church by profession within a few months. This church appears to have received aid from the American Home Missionary Society but one year. It has an appropriate house of worship. The Methodist denomination has also a house of worship in the village of Attica.
Attica Centre .- This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, Feb. 28th, 1833. It was annually reported by the Presbytery as vacant till 1837, since which period its name is not to be found in the reports. No number of members at any time was reported. Whether the church has become extinct, or has withdrawn from the Presbytery, is not known to the writer.
Wyoming .- This village is located in the town of Middlebury. The church originally was denominated the church of Middlebury, and by that name is designated in the reports of the Presbytery of Genesee. It is now known as the church of Wyoming. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesce, Feb. 12th, 1822. It is supposed by the writer that this was shortly after its organization. Its name was stricken from the roll of the churches connected with the Presbytery of Genesee, Sept. 15th, 1812, it having joined the Presbytery of Caledonia. On the division of that Presbytery it was assigned to the Presbytery of Wyoming. In 1828, it numbered forty-one members ; in 1831, one hundred and four ; and in 18446, one hundred and thirty-one. Rev. Eli S. Hun- ter, D.D., under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, supplied the church one half of the time during the year 1827. In 1830, he supplied the whole of the time, under an ap- pointment from the Assembly's Board of Missions. Dr. Hunter
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WESTERN NEW YORK.
continued as stated supply with the church several years. Rev. Norris Bull was installed as pastor of the church, Sept. 17th, 1832. His relation to the church was dissolved, Feb. 11th, 1836. In 1837, Rev. Samuel Shaffer was reported as stated supply. Rev. Pliny Twitchel was pastor in 1846, but how long he sustained the office, is not known to the writer. This church has been blessed with the reviving influences of God's Spirit, though not to the same extent as some others. In 1831, fifty-six members were reported as added to the church by profession the preceding year. This is the largest number which the author finds on record. This church has an ap- propriate house of worship, and there is also in the village a house of worship which belongs to the Baptist church.
Covington .- This church, consisting of about fourteen members, was received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, Sept. 18th, 1827. The writer supposes that this church was organized on the principles of Presbyterianism, and that a Congregational church, previously organized, existed at the same time. On the records of the Presbytery, under date of April 15th, 1834, it is stated that the Congregational church of Covington was received under the care of the Presbytery, and consolidated with the Pres- byterian church on the accommodating plan. The church was dismissed from the care of the Presbytery to unite with the Gene- see Consociation, Oct. 10th, 1837. On the reports of the Presby- tery no number of members is reported except for 1829. The number then was fourteen. As stated supplies, Rev. John F. Bliss, one year, under the patronage of the General Assembly's Board of Missions, and Rev. Messrs. J. B. Willcox, Ezra Scovill, and Samuel Griswold, for one year each, under the patronage of the American IIome Missionary Society, have been employed. What other ministerial aid the church has enjoyed is not known to the writer. The church has an appropriate house of worship.
Perry First Church .- This church was organized a Congrega- tional church about the year 1815 or '16. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva on the accommodating plan, Aug. 13th, 1816, and from that Presbytery was transferred to the Presbytery of Niagara, and from that to the Presbytery of Genesee, on the organization of those bodies. In 1825, it numbered thirty- five members, and in 1831, eighty-one. This is the last enumera- tion the author has seen. Till 1830, the church was uniformly re- ported as vacant. That year it was reported as having a stated supply, and the next year Rev. Samuel II. Gridley was reported as pastor. Sept. 22d, 1831, the church was dismissed from its connexion with the Presbytery. Since this period the author has no information respecting its history. This church has a house of worship at the place called Perry Centre.
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PRESBYTERY OF GENESEE.
Perry Second Church .- This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, August 27th, 1822. In 1825, it consisted of fourteen members, and the next year of fifteen. These are the only instances in which the number of members is reported. The church was uniformly reported as vacant down to 1831, when it was merged in the first church, and ceased to have a separate existence, August 30th, 1831.
Perry Village .- The Presbyterian church of Perry village, con- sisting of twenty-three members, eight males and fifteen females, was organized by the Presbytery of Genesee, July 14th, 1835. Most or all the members were taken from the church at Perry Centre, having letters of dismission in the ordinary manner. In 1810, it numbered eighty-nine members, and in 1846, ninety-three. For a few months after the organization it enjoyed occasional preaching, when Rev. David K. Gally was obtained as a stated supply. He continued with them about two years, and. was suc- ceeded by Rev. Isaac Chichester, who continued but a few months. His successor was Rev. Selden Haynes, who supplied the congre- gation somewhat more than a year. Their present pastor, Rev. Joseph R. Page, commenced labor in the autumn of 1839, and since that time has been with them, with the exception of twenty- one months spent at Auburn Seminary, during which period the church was supplied one year by Rev. Wales Tileston, and the remaining period by Rev. B. Beckwith. Mr. Page was installed pastor of the church, Oct. 4th, 1843, being their first pastor. The church has never been visited with a general and powerful revival, although it has enjoyed several seasons of more than usual religious interest, during which some have been hopefully converted. In the spring of 1843, about twenty united with the church on a pro- fession of faith in Christ. The church was assisted by the American Home Missionary Society two years in the support of Mr. Gally, also in the support of the present pastor. In 1838, a handsome brick edifice for divine worship was erected, sixty feet in length by forty in breadth. By deaths and removals the church has lost within three years past much of its pecuniary strength. It is estimated that not more than one sixth of the population of the village can be regarded as connected with the Presbyterian Con- gregation. The Baptist church consists of about three hundred members ; the Methodist about the same size. The Universalist Society is quite able. Each of these denominations has a house of worship in the village. Within the precincts of the town there are seven religious organizations : one Presbyterian, one Con- gregational, two Baptist, two Methodist, and one Universalist. 1
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