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 64
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Warsaw .- This town formerly comprehended the present towns of Middlebury, Warsaw, and Gainesville. The settlement of the
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town of Warsaw was commenced nearly as early as that of any other on the Holland Purchase. The church of Warsaw, organ- ized a Congregational church, was the first organized church of that order on the Purchase, and it was not until some time after- wards that any church of the Presbyterian order was formed on that territory. The church was received under the care of the Presby- tery of Geneva, on the accommodating plan, Sept. 21st, 1813. At what period it adopted the Presbyterian form of government in full is not known to the writer. At the organization of the Presby- tery of Niagara it was assigned to that body, and afterwards trans- ferred to the Presbytery of Genesee. Its name was stricken from the roll of churches belonging to the Presbytery, April 3d, 1842, it having united with the Presbytery of Caledonia (Old School). On the division of that Presbytery it was assigned to the Presbytery of Wyoming. In 1825 it reported seventy-seven members; in 1834, one hundred and forty-two ; and in 1846, one hundred and thirty- two. Rev. Silas Hubbard was installed pastor of this church Oct. 27th, 1813, by a Committee of the Presbytery of Geneva. This was the first instance of the settlement of a minister on the Holland Purchase. The labors of Mr. Hubbard were divided between this church and that of Attica (now Orangeville). His pastoral relation to the church was dissolved May 2d, 1816. Rev. Hippocrates Rowe succeeded him in the pastorate, and was installed pastor of the united churches of Warsaw and Orangeville, Dec. 4th, 1816. When, and in what way, the pastoral relation of Mr. Rowe to this church terminated, is not recollected by the writer. He finds on the minutes of the Presbytery no notice of his dismission or death, nor is his name to be found on the list of ministers belonging to the Presbyterian church in the United States in 1819. The churches of Warsaw and Orangeville are reported for that year as vacant. Rev. Abiel Parmele was ordained and installed pastor of the church of Warsaw July 26th, 1824. His dismission took place April 17th, 1827. From this time the church was without a regular pastor till Feb. 28th, 1833. On that day Rev. Ezra Scovil was inducted into the pastoral office, which he held till March 4th, 1835, when he was dismissed. After Mr. Scovil's dismission the church was statedly supplied for some time, but by whom is unknown to the writer. Rev. Ralph S. Crampton was installed pastor of the church Sept. 12th, 1839, and his dismission took place Feb. 27th, 1840. Between the period of the termination of Mr. Rowe's ministry and the settlement of Mr. Parmele, Rev. Norris Bull officiated two years as stated supply. In 1846 Rev. Richard Kay was employed as stated supply. How long he had acted in that capacity is not known to the writer. This church has been repeatedly and richly visited with the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit. In 1826 a blessed revival was enjoyed, in which it was estimated that not less than sixty or seventy souls were born again. In 1834, '36, and '37,
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very considerable numbers were reported as added to the church by profession, the results of blessed effusions of the Holy Spirit on the congregation.
On the twelfth day of April, 1827, a Congregational church was organized by Rev. John F. Bliss of the Genesce Consociation. This church was constituted in part of members withdrawing from the Presbyterian church without regular dismissions. The author sup- poses that it was connected with the Genesee Consociation, and that it still continues, but of its history he is uninformed. The Baptist and Methodist denominations have churches in the village, and each of the four denominations has a house of worship in the village of Warsaw.
Orangeville .- This town was formerly a part of the town of At- tica. The present church of Orangeville was, as the writer sup- poses, named Attica, and was organized a Congregational church. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, on the accommodating plan, Sept. 21st, 1813. From that Presbytery it was transferred to Niagara, and from Niagara to Genesee, on the establishment of those Presbyteries. In 1825 it consisted of twenty- two members ; in 1834, of ninety-eight ; and in 1846, of one hun- dred and two. Rev. Silas Hubbard ministered to this church, in connexion with that of Warsaw, for a period of two years and a half. A committee, on the call of the church, was appointed by the Presbytery of Geneva to instal Mr. Hubbard pastor of this church, in the month of June, 1814; but whether the installation actually took place is doubted by the writer. He finds on the records of the Presbytery no report of that committee, and no notice of Mr. Hubbard's dismission from the pastoral relation. Rev. Hippocrates Rowe was installed pastor of this church, in connexion with that of Warsaw, Dec. 4th, 1816. In 1819 the church was vacant, and from that period down to 1834, was for the principal part of the time reported vacant. Rev. Warren Day, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, supplied this church, in con- nexion with that of Weathersfield, one year, from April, 1829. Rev. William C. Kniffen was installed pastor of this church, Jan. 7th, 1836. He continued a little more than one year, and was dismissed Feb. 16th, 1837. In 1840 Rev. Isaac Chichester was reported as stated supply ; and in 1846, Rev. R. H. Conklin. In the years 1832, 1835, and 1837, this church enjoyed seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, but the work does not seem to have been very extensive.
Varysburgh .- This village is situated near the north-eastern corner of the town of Sheldon. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, August 30th, 1843. In 1846 it reported only fourteen members. This is the only enumeration
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which the author has seen. Rev. Ward Childs ministered here, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, a part of the time for one year, from February, 1843, and in 1846 it was reported as statedly supplied. Whether it has a house of wor- ship is not known to the writer. The Methodist and Baptist de- nominations have each a house of worship in the village.
Sheldon First Church .- This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara, Feb. 3d, 1818, and was then styled Sheldon No. 9, 3d Range, to distinguish it from other churches in the town of Sheldon, which at that period included the whole, or at least the principal part of the present towns of Ben- nington, Sheldon, Java, China, Sardinia, Holland, and Wales. At the organization of the Presbytery of Genesee, this church was transferred to that body. In 1826, it numbered fifty-one members ; in 1834, ninety ; and in 1846, eighty. As stated supplies Rev. Messrs. Hugh Wallis, Eliphalet B. Colman, John C. Morgan, Abel Caldwell, William Putnam, and Ward Childs, at different periods, have been employed. Several of them at the same time supplied another congregation. In the support of these ministers the church was aided by the American Home Missionary Society. This church has enjoyed several seasons of precious revival, by which it has been enlarged. The greatest number of members received on profession in any one year, which the author finds on record, is twenty-seven. This report was made in 1834. This church has an appropriate house of worship in the village of Sheldon. The Episcopal church has also a house of worship in the same village.
Sheldon Second Church, or Strykersville .- The village of Stry- kersville is located in the south-western quarter of the town of Sheldon. The church which has its location here is known on the reports of the Presbytery as Sheldon Second Church. It was or- ganized with seventeen members taken from Sheldon First Church, by Rev. Hugh Wallis, and received under the care of the Presby- tery of Genesee, Oct. 12th, 1825. In 1836, it consisted of ninety members ; in 1843, of ninety-four ; and in 1846, of eighty-two. At times it has enjoyed stated ministrations of the gospel in connexion with the first church ; but for a considerable proportion of the time it has been reported as vacant. Rev. Ward Childs was installed as pastor of the church, in the month of January, 1837, and continued about four years, being dismissed, Feb. 10th, 1841. Mr. Childs was reported as stated supply to the church in 1846. This church has been aided by the American Home Mis- sionary Society. It has an appropriate house of worship in the village of Strykersville, where also the Baptist church has a house of worship.
Java .- This church, soon after its organization, was received
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under the care of the Presbytery of Genesec, Feb. 12, 1833. The author finds no record of the number of its members at any time. It was a small and feeble church, and was uniformly reported vacant. It appears, however, that in the latter part of 1838, and the former part of the next year, Rev. John T. Baldwin labored here a part of the time, under a commission from the American Home Missionary Society. Under an appointment from the same Society, Rev. John Thalhimer supplied a part of the time for one year, from April, 1844. His labors must have been directed to another people, as the church of Java, under the care of the Pres- bytery of Genesee, was recorded as extinct, in March, 1843.
Weathersfield Spring .- This village is located in the north- western quarter of the town of Weathersfield. A Presbyterian church was organized, which was received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, Feb. 14th, 1832. In 1834, it numbered fifty-six members, and, in 1846, forty-five. In 1834, Rev. Ahijah Blanchard was reported as the stated supply. In 1836, Rev. Con- rad Ten Eyck was stated supply, under commission from the American Home Missionary Society, and continued one year. In 1841, Rev. Ward Childs labored a part of the time, for six months, under the same patronage. What ministerial aid the church has enjoyed since that period, is not known to the writer. In 1834, twenty were reported as having united with the church, by profes- sion, the preceding year. Also, in 1836, mention is made on the minutes of the Presbytery, that this church had enjoyed a refresh- ing season. The church has an appropriate house of worship. There is also in the village a house of worship for the Methodists, and another for the Episcopalians.
Weathersfield .- This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, Feb. 10th, 1830. In the report of the Presbytery for 1834, its name is not found, nor does it appear in any subsequent report. Whether it has become extinct, or 'has withdrawn to join some other body, is not known to the writer, nor has he any information respecting the number of its members, at any time. Rev. John T. Baldwin and Rev. John Thalhimer spent each one year as stated supply to this church, in connexion with that of Java, under the patronage of the American Home Mis- sionary Society.
Gainesville .- Two churches in this town have been connected with the Presbyterian church. They have been distinguished as the first and second, with reference to the date of their organiza- tion, and by the prefixes East and West, referring to their location. The church of East Gainesville, or, as it was originally called, . Gainesville, was received under the care of the Presbytery of
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Ontario, Jan. 19th, 1819, and was transferred to the Presbytery of Genesee on its organization. This church, in 1825, consisted of fifty-three members ; in 1827, of seventy-one ; and, in 1820, of forty- two. It was uniformly reported as vacant, except in the years 1828 and 1834, in which it was reported as statedly supplied, but by whom is not designated. The second church, or church of West Gainesville, was received under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, Feb. 6th, 1821. In 1825, it numbered thirty-seven mem- bers ; in 1831, ninety-three ; and, in 1834, fifty-three. In 1828, '29, and '30, it was reported as statedly supplied, but by whom, does not appear. In 1834, Rev. Noah Cook was stated supply, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society. By an act of the Presbytery, Sept. 9th, 1835, the two churches were united, and formed the church of Gainesville, under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee. This church, in 1837, reported one hundred and fifteen members, and, in 1846, one hundred and twenty- four. Rev. John M. Ballou was ordained and installed pastor of the church, Dec. 6th, 1837. In 1827, sixteen members were report- ed as added the preceding year, by profession, to the church of East Gainesville, and, in 1831, a like number to the church of West Gainesville. In 1837, thirty were reported as added to the united church, by profession of faith. These were years of revival, in which God, in a measure, shed down the influences of his Holy Spirit to convert sinners. This church has an appropriate house of worship.
Castile .- This church, denominated the First Presbyterian church of Castile, was organized with about thirty members, by a committee of the Presbytery of Genesee, and received under the care of the Presbytery, Feb. 10th, 1835. In 1836, it reported eighty-five members ; in 1840, one hundred and fifty-two ; and in 1846, eighty. About the time of the organization of the church, Rev. James B. Wilcox was appointed by the General Assembly's Board of Missions, a missionary for one year to the church. In May, 1835, Rev. John F. Bliss received a similar appointment from the American Home Missionary Society. In 1836 and '37, the church is reported as statedly supplied. Rev. Joseph M. Sadd was installed pastor of the church, Oct. 25th, 1837. The pastoral relation was dissolved, April 16th, 1839. Rev. Ebenezer M. Toof was ordained and installed pastor of the church, April 26th, 1843, and still sustains the relation. This church has enjoyed at several times the reviving influences of the Divine Spirit, and received accessions to its number of converted sinners. It has an appropri- ate house of worship, which was erected in 1836 or '37.
Pike .- This church was received under the care of the Presby- tery of Ontario, Jan. 19th, 1819, and the same year was transferred
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to the Presbytery of Genesee on the organization of that body. On the organization of the Presbytery of Angelica it was surren- dered to the care of that body. On the records of the Presbytery of Genesee under date of July 15th, 1845, we find a notice of the reception of the Congregational Church of Pike under the care of that Presbytery. The author supposes it to be the same original church of Pike. In 1825, the church numbered sixteen members : and in 1846, seventy. The church was uniformly reported vacant till 1829, at which period Rev. Jabez Spicer was the stated supply. Since that period Rev. Messrs. Horace Galpin, Robert H. Conklin, J. Wilcox, and Eli Hyde, have severally been employed as stated supplies, most of them under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society. Rev. Claudius B. Lord was ordained and installed pastor of the church, July 16th, 1845. In 1832, the church reported twenty-four members as having been received the preceding year by profession, an indication that the Spirit of the Lord had visited the church with his sanctifying and saving influ- ences. The two following years, numbers were added to the church. The church has an appropriate house of worship. The Baptist and Methodist churches also have each a house of worship in the village of Pike.
China .- This town was formerly a part of the town of Sheldon, and the present church of China, the author supposes, was originally denominated Sheldon South Church, and by that name was received under the care of the Presbytery of Niagara, Feb. 3d, 1818. It was assigned to the Presbytery of Genesee on its organization. Its location is at the village of Arcade, in the town of China. In 1825, it numbered thirty-seven members ; in 1836, one hundred and thirty-nine ; and in 1843, one hundred, which is the last report that the author has seen. Rev. Edmund Ingalls, under the patron- age of the American Home Missionary Society, officiated in this church, generally, in connexion with some neighboring church, for about six years from July, 1827. Rev. Solomon Stevens was installed pastor of the church, March 4th, 1835. He continued about two years, and was dismissed, Feb. 16th, 1837. In 1840, Rev. Huntington Lyman was reported as stated supply. Since that period the author has no information. In 1834, twenty-three members were reported as having united by profession with the church the preceding year. These were the fruits of a revival, enjoyed during the year. This church has a house of worship which was completed in 1834.
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CHAPTER XXXV.
Presbytery of Ontario :- Centrefield, East Bloomfield, Victor, West Bloomfield, Lima, Avon, Avon Free Church, York Second, York First, Moscow, Geneseo, Lakeville, Livonia, Richmond, Bristol, South Bristol, Canadice, Conesus, Groveland, Mount Morris, Mount Morris Second, Nunda, Sparta, Sparta Second, Dansville Village, Springwater, Conhocton Second.
WE pass next in our survey to the churches which have been connected with
THE PRESBYTERY OF ONTARIO.
Centrefield .- This is a small village in the town of Canandaigua, near the line of East Bloomfield. In religious affairs, till compara- tively a late period, it might be considered as connected with Canandaigua, Bristol, or East Bloomfield, the few professors of the Congregational order being connected with one or the other of those churches. In 1831, there was a very general revival in most of the surrounding towns, and this village participated largely in the gracious influence, which paved the way for the organization of a Congregational church. On the 12th day of November, 1832, Rev. Silas C. Brown, Rev. Robert W. Hill, and Rev. Edwin Bron- son organized a church consisting of thirty-five members, of whom seventeen were received by letter, and eighteen on their profession of faith in Christ. Of those received by letter, five were from the church of East Bloomfield, five from the church in North Bristol, and two from the church in Canandaigua. The five others were from churches at a distance. This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, January 15th, 1833. What is the present number of members is not known to the writer: it is not large. The church has never had a regularly installed pastor, but has been furnished with stated supplies the most of the time. Rev. Messrs. S. Storrs Howe, Jonathan Leslie, Benjamin B. Smith, Joseph K. Ware, and Silas C. Brown, have severally offi- ciated in this capacity. The church has received, to some extent, the aid of the American Home Missionary Society. They have an appropriate house of worship. There is also in the village a house of worship belonging to the Episcopal denomination. The Society is able to have preaching but a part of the time.
East Bloomfield .- The settlement of this place, and its early religious history, have been noticed in a former chapter. A Con- gregational church consisting of sixteen members, eight males and eight females, was organized November 15th, 1796, by Rev. Zadoc
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Hunn. Within one year from the time of its organization, eleven more members were added. Mr. Hunn, for a considerable period, officiated as standing moderator of the church, and preached to the congregation a part of the time. The church at an early period was connected with the Ontario Association. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, August 20th, 1822. In 1832, it withdrew from its connexion with the Presbytery, and from that period has continued independent of all ecclesiastical jurisdiction. During its connexion with the Presbytery it adopted the Presbyterian form of government and elected ruling elders. But as that procedure created dissatisfaction, the church returned to its original form of administering discipline. In 1804, the church numbered about seventy members. Previous to this date the churches of North Bristol, West Bloomfield, and Victor, had been, to a considerable extent, formed from it. In 1825, it numbered two hundred and forty-five members. Its present number is about two hundred. In 1799, Rev. Jedidiah Bushnell, then a licentiate, preached here a part of the time. The Lord blessed his labors, and a glorious revival was experienced, as the result of which, forty- four members were added to the church. At a period, as the writer believes, somewhat earlier, Mr. Nathaniel Steele, a licensed preacher of the gospel, preached here for a short season, but death terminated his labors, and blasted the expectations of the church. He was esteemed a man of eminent piety and of much promise. In 1802, Rev. David Higgins preached a short period and received a call for settlement as the pastor of the church; but the call was
declined. Rev. Aaron C. Collins, Rev. Ezekiel J. Chapman, and Rev. Oliver Ayer, officiated as stated supplies; Mr. Col- lins and Mr. Ayer, each for a considerable period. Rev. Darius O. Griswold was, after a short period of probation, ordained and in- stalled pastor of the church, July 1st, 1812. He was dismissed, December 14th, 1814. He was succeeded by Rev. Julius Steele, who was ordained and installed pastor, March 13th, 1816. He continued in the pastorate till January 21st, 1829, when he was dismissed. Rev. Robert W. Hill commenced his labor in January, 1829, and was installed pastor on the 10th day of September of the same year. He still continues in the pastoral office.
The revival of 1799 has been mentioned. In 1816, there was an extensive revival, and another in 1830 and '31. In each of these revivals more than one hundred members were added to the church. Several other seasons of refreshing have been enjoyed, but not of equal extent with the above-mentioned. The church in its infancy was fostered by the care of itinerant missionaries, but in the support of its stated ministry has never received the aid of any Missionary Society. The congregation erected a house of worship in 1800, about sixty feet in length and forty-six in breadth, with a steeple. It was several years before it was finished. This was the
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first house of worship, with the exception of a log edifice in Bristol, erected in the Genesee country. Another house nearly of the same size, was erected in 1836, and completed the succeeding year. It is estimated that about one-third of the population attend worship more or less regularly with this church. There is a small Episco- pal society of the straitest sect.
Victor .- This town was formerly a part of the town of Bloom- field. In 1789, Mr. Jared Boughton of Stockbridge (Mass.) came to the place, cleared and fenced a field of six acres, and sowed it to wheat. On the seventh day of March the next spring, he arrived with his family for a permanent residence. This was the first family in the town. In 1845, Mr. Boughton and his wife were still living, and residents of the town. Several other families of the same name and relations came soon after, and settled in the same neighborhood, from whom the place was called Boughtontown. Deacon Ira Seymour, whose wife was a granddaughter of Presi- dent Jonathan Edwards, the elder, was an early settler in the town. His widow was still living in 1845. For some time no stated public worship was maintained. An occasional sermon from an itinerant missionary was all the public worship enjoyed. The first stated public worship which was held, was set up by Mr. Jabez Morehouse. It was maintained for a season and then drop- ped. Afterwards it was revived again, and Mr. Steele, who was mentioned in the next preceding article, preached a part of the time till his death. After this event no regular public worship was maintained for a season. Some of the inhabitants attended worship at East Bloomfield, and a few were members of the church in that place. In the autumn of 1798, Rev. Reuben Par- mele visited the place, and was invited to labor among them. In the winter following he removed his family, and took up his resi- dence in the town. On the tenth day of February, 1799, he orga- nized a Congregational church, composed of nine members, of whom five were males and four females. On the thirteenth day of the same month, Mr. Parmele was installed pastor of the church by an ecclesiastical council. Rev. Zadoc Hunn, Rev. Seth Willis- ton, and Rev. Jedidiah Bushnell, were the ministers who officiated on the occasion. The church became connected with the Ontario Association during the continuance of that body. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, Jan. 16th, 1828, hav- ing adopted the Presbyterian form of church government. This procedure disaffected a number of the members, who formed a Congregational church by themselves. This division lasted till 1832, when the two churches were again united. The church after this withdrew from its connexion with the Presbytery, and now stands an independent Congregational church. In 1830, it numbered forty-three members ; in 1834, one hundred and six, and
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