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 66
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
574
WESTERN NEW YORK.
was installed pastor of the church by the Presbytery of Geneva. He continued in the station between eleven and twelve years, being dismissed from his pastoral charge July 1st, 1817.
The first members of the church were all, or nearly all, Presby- terians from the south. Afterwards a number of professors of the Congregational order came in from the eastern States. These were attached to the order in which they had been educated. In order that they might coalesce in one church, and unite in the sup- port of the same minister, the elders of the church resigned their offices. The Plan of Union, adopted by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and the General Association of the State of Connecticut, was adopted by the church, and a standing com- mittee of discipline, composed of an equal number of members from both parties, was chosen to transact the discipline of the church. This transaction occurred, according to the writer's best recollection, soon after the settlement of Mr. Lindsley. But the measure was not attended with success. The parties did not har- monize in feeling and action. The Congregationalists were not pleased with Mr. Lindsley. They asked, and obtained letters of dismission, and organized another church, as has been stated in the next preceding article. After this event the first church returned to its original form of Presbyterian order. Previous to the division of the church the congregation was scattered over the whole town of Geneseo. The principal place of worship was at, or near the village of Geneseo, in a building denominated the Academy. But after the division the First church (the church of Lakeville) retired to the neighborhood of their present place of worship, and the congregation at the present time is nearly equally divided between the towns of Geneseo and Livonia. Mr. Lindsley continued to reside in Geneseo some years after his dismission, and then re- moved to Nunda in the county of Allegany, where he died several years since at an advanced age. In 1788, we find him a licentiate of the Presbytery of New York. In 1794, he was at Galway, in the county of Saratoga, and a member of the Presbytery of Albany, made such by the division of the Presbytery of New York. In 1802, he was at Ovid, and one of the ministers set off from the Presbytery of Albany to form the Presbytery of Oneida. In 1805, without any change of location, he was with others set off from the Presbytery of Oneida to form the Presbytery of Geneva, and at Geneseo in 1817, we find him with others set off from the Pres- bytery of Ontario, in connexion with which he died. Thus it appears that he had lived in various and distant parts of the State of New York, had been a member of five different Presbyteries, had never broken away from any one, and at the same time had never been dismissed in the ordinary way from either of the Pres- byteries with which he had been connected.
Since Mr. Lindsley's dismission the church has never had a re-
-
575
PRESBYTERY OF ONTARIO.
gularly installed pastor. For some considerable period the church seems to have been destitute of stated preaching. For about two years and a half from the spring of 1824, Rev. Silas Pratt preached to this people one fourth of the time. From the spring of 1827, Rev. Horace Galpin was stated supply for a little more than four years. Rev. Elijah Wallage supplied about one year. Rev. Merrit Harmon commenced labor in the fall of 1832, and continued ten years. He was immediately succeeded by Rev. Sidney S. Brown, who continued between two and three years. In May, 18.15, Rev. Charles Richards commenced labor, and still continues. In 1828, the church was blessed with a revival, as the fruit of which about thirty individuals were received to its communion. In 1834, the converting influences of the Holy Spirit were again poured out, and about sixty were added to the church. In 1840, about thirty were added as the result of a revival, and in 1844, another addition of about forty members was made. Other seasons of some interest have occurred.
The church was aided two or three years in the support of Mr. Galpin by the American Home Missionary Society. They have a house of worship, built in 1824 ; but it is small and inconvenient. The Presbyterian denomination is at present the most prominent in the place. Several Methodist classes are found in the vicinity. There is a Baptist house of worship in the neighborhood, and a small church who worship in it. The Universalists also have a house of worship, but their number is small. The Christians are some- what more numerous. They have a church edifice. But their influence seems to be on the wane. A large class of the inhabitants do not attend worship with any denomination.
Livonia .- This town was originally connected with Richmond, and the name of the town was Pittstown. In 1808, it was orga- . nized as a town with its present name. The settlement of it was commenced at an early period. At what period public worship was set up is not known to the author. In 1803, Rev. John Rolph re- sided in the place, and sometimes preached to the people who were disposed to attend on his ministrations. In the winter of 1804-'5, a Mr. Lane, who had been a licensed Methodist preacher in Eng- land, but who had no ecclesiastical connexion in America, preached here a part of the time. How long his labors were continued is not recollected. In the year 1806, a Congregational church deno- minated the Second Church in Pittstown, was organized, which was received into connexion with the Ontario Association, Jan. 14th, 1807. Some time after the dissolution of the Association, the church adopted the Presbyterian plan of church government, and elected ruling elders. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, July 7th, 1813, and was transferred to the Presbytery of Ontario on the organization of that body. In
576
WESTERN NEW YORK.
1825, the church numbered one hundred and two members, and in 1836, one hundred and sixty. This is the latest enumeration that the author has seen. In the early period of the history of this church, Rev. Aaron C. Collins labored with them as stated supply for a part of the time, eight years. In 1825, the church was report- ed as vacant ; the next two years as statedly supplied. Rev. Jeremiah Stowe was installed pastor, April 30th, 1828, and con- tinued in the pastorate till his death in 1833. He was succeeded by Rev. Justus S. Hough, who was installed pastor, Feb. 13th, 1834. He continued somewhat more than six years, and was dis- missed, April 29th, 1840. The present pastor, Rev. Benjamin G. Riley, was inducted into the office, March 23d, 1843. In 1831, thirty-one members were reported as added by profession to the church during the preceding year. This is the greatest number added in any one year which the author has found. The church has ever supported its own minister without foreign aid, and it has an appropriate house of worship.
Richmond .- This town and Livonia were at an early period or- ganized as a town by the name of Pittstown. In 1808, the town was divided. The western half was named Livonia, and the eastern, Honeoye. The latter name has since been changed to Richmond. The settlement of the town was commenced at the foot of Honeoye lake, by Capt. Peter Pitts from Dighton (Mass.), in 1790. His family was the only family in the village for three years. After this the settlement progressed with considerable rapidity by immi- grants from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Rev. Samuel Mills preached the first sermon ever delivered in this place in 1792. After the arrival of Rev. Zadoc Hunn in 1795, he was employed by Capt. Pitts and his sons to preach in his settle- ment one eighth of the time till his death. When there was no preacher public worship was observed, but not constantly, until Deacon Nathaniel Harmon from Vermont moved into the town in 1798. From that period public worship has been steadily main- tained. In the revival of 1799 this place shared in a small degree. A few individuals were hopefully converted to God. A Congre- gational church, consisting of eleven members, was organized by Rev. Joseph Grover and Rev. Jacob Cram, Nov. 4th, 1801. On the succeeding Sabbath, three others were united to them. The church was received into connexion with the Ontario Association, June 14th, 1803. After the dissolution of the Association, the church became Presbyterian in its mode of government, and was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, Sept. 21st, 1813, and on the organization of the Presbytery of Ontario was assigned to that body. In 1843, the church returned to its original mode of government, and withdrew from its connexion with the Presbytery. Its name was stricken from the roll of churches belonging to the
577
PRESBYTERY OF ONTARIO.
Presbytery, August 27th, 1841. The church in 1825 included one hundred and six members; in 1832, one hundred and fifty-four members; and in 1837, one hundred and twenty-one. This is the last enumeration which the anthor has seen. After the organi- zation of the church, Rev. Ahijah Warren was their stated supply one fourth part of the time for a scason. On the thirteenth day of June, 1810. Rev. Aaron C. Collins was installed pastor of the church by the Ontario Association. He had previously ministered to the church for a season. His labors were divided between this church and that of Livonia. The pastoral relation was dissolved, August 14th, 1816. Rev. Warren Day was ordained and installed pastor of the church, March 2d, 1819, and continued till Oct. 28th, 1828, when he was dismissed from his charge. Mr. Day was im- mediately succeeded by Rev. Orange Lyman, and he by Rev. Asa Lyman, each of whom officiated two years as stated supply. Rev. Hezekiah B. Pierpont followed as stated supply six months. The next in succession was Rev. Jacob Burbank, who was installed pastor, Feb. 20th, 1824, and was dismissed, Jan. 21st, 1835. Rev. Linus W. Billington was installed as pastor, Nov. 11th, 1835. His dismission took place May 5th, 1841. Rev. Mr. Benedict, Rev. Mr. Chichester, and Rev. Sydney Mills in succession officiated as stated supplies till July, 1845, when Rev. Warren Day was again employed as a stated supply, and still continues to officiate in that capacity.
Several seasons of refreshing from on high have been enjoyed by this church, in consequence of which accessions were made to her numbers. In the year 1817, fifty ; in 1827, thirty-seven ; and in 1831, fifty-nine members were added to the church, mostly by profession. These were years of revival the most distinguished in the annals of Richmond. There were other seasons of special inte- rest which brought accessions to the church, but in smaller numbers. In 1828 or '29, several members were dismissed to form the church of South Richmond. A number of members seceded from the church a few years since, and with seceders from other denomina- tions, formed an independent church on ultra-abolition principles. It has its location in the village of Ioneoye.
The church of Richmond has never received foreign aid in sup- porting its ministers. It has a house of worship, the audience-room of which is forty-four feet square. It was erected during Mr. Collins's pastorate, but was not completed and dedicated till the close of the year 1818. The average number of attendants on public worship is about one hundred. Besides the Independent Abolitionist Church at the village of Honeoye, the Protestant Me- thodists have a small society, and a house of worship in that village. At Allen's Hill a few meet in the Episcopal house of worship, to attend upon a lay service. In the south-western quarter of the town is a house of worship owned by the Baptist Church, in which
37
578
WESTERN NEW YORK.
one sermon on each Sabbath is usually preached. In the eastern part of the town is a house of worship belonging to the Methodist denomination, in which services are not often held. But a small part of the inhabitants of the town are in the habit of attending pub- lic worship.
Bristol .- This township was originally purchased of Messrs. Phelps and Gorham in 1789, by a company in Dighton, Mass. William Goodwin, one of the company, moved his family into the place in 1790. He was the first settler, a man of eminent piety, and afterwards a deacon in the church. Some others came in the same year, and soon a considerable settlement was formed. The early settlers were from Dighton, Mass., and Hartland, Conn. Public worship commenced with the settlement. No church was formed for some time, but the professors of religion united with the church of East Bloomfield. Rev. Zadoc Hunn established him- self on a farm in the western part of the town of Canandaigua adja- cent to the settlement in Bristol, in 1795, and frequently preached , in the settlement. In the early part of the year 1799, a Congre- gational church, consisting of about twenty members, was organ- ized by Mr. Hunn, assisted by Rev. Seth Williston, missionary. The same year, perhaps somewhat earlier than the organization of the church, the Spirit was poured out in an abundant measure on this region of country, and Bristol received a copious shower. The church became connected with the Ontario Association at its first meeting, and after the dissolution of that body remained for a num- ber of years independent. In 1823, it was received under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, on the accommodating plan. In 1844, it withdrew from this connexion, and its name was stricken from the roll of churches uuder the care of the Presbytery. It is now an independent Congregational church. The church in 1804 num- bered seventy-eight members ; in 1825, sixty-eight ; in 1834, one hundred and fifty ; and in 1836, one hundred and twenty-five. This is the last enumeration which the author has seen. Soon after the organization of the church, Rev. Joseph Grover, an elderly mis- sionary from New Jersey, visited the place, preached several Sab- baths, and received a call for settlement as the pastor of the church. This call he accepted ; in the winter moved on his family, and was installed by the Ontario Association, pastor of the church, June 11th, 1800. Mr. Grover continued to perform the active duties of the pastoral office about fourteen years, when, on account of age, attended with blindness and other bodily infirmities, his ac- tual services and his salary ceased, though he remained for a num- ber of years to the time of his decease, the nominal pastor of the church. Rev. Ezekiel J. Chapman was installed pastor, or rather colleague pastor of the church, October 13th, 1814. The relation between him and the church was dissolved, March 30th, 1820, and
579
PRESBYTERY OF ONTARIO.
for a year or two the church appears to have been vacant. It was then supplied for a season by Rev. Archy B. Lawrence. He was succeeded by Rev. Ebenezer Raymond in October, 1824, who continued as stated supply till about the commencement of the year 1830. In the spring of 1830, Rev. William P. Jackson, then a licentiate, commenced labor as a stated supply and continued be- tween one and two years. He was followed by Rev. Edwin Bronson, for one year, and he by Rev. Mr. Bryson, for a few months. Mr. Jackson returned to the church, and was ordained and installed as pastor, Feb. 19th, 1834. The pastoral relation was dissolved August 23d, 1836. Rev. Eliphalet A. Platt succeeded him, and continued his ministration till April, 1841. He was suc- ceeded by Mr. Hiram Harris, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Geneva, who continued two years. Soon after Mr. Harris's depar- ture, the church employed a Mr. Winchester to preach to them. How long he continued is not known to the writer. When he commenced he had no license from any ecclesiastical body. He was very diligent, and, it is said, successful in inculcating the doc- trines of the Oberlin School, and openly controverted the doctrines of the Confession of Faith on which the church was founded. The church is now supplied by Rev. Timothy Stowe, who commenced his labors in 1846.
During the period of Messrs. Grover. and Chapman's labors, there were repeated seasons of ingathering of souls, and additions made to the church. During the first period of Mr. Jackson's la- bors, what has been called in Bristol the "great revival" took place. More than one hundred members were added to the church as the result of it. But the numerous cases of discipline which have since occurred, give sad evidence that there was much chaff with the wheat. Near the close of Mr. Platt's labors a precious revival was enjoyed, as the result of which about fifty members were added to the church.
The first edifice exclusively for the worship of God in the Gene- see country was erected by this church. It was a log-building, constructed of unhewn logs, raised to a sufficient height to admit of a gallery, and furnished with a very plain desk and seats. It was probably erected in 1799 or 1800, and stood a little south of the place where the road to Canandaigua parts from that which leads to Bloomfield. The present house of worship was erected in 1814, and dedicated on the same day on which Mr. Chapman was in- stalled. The church has a fund for the support of the ministry, arising from the legacy of George Codding, Esq., producing about $150 per annum, but the Society has become so depressed by the influence of Oberlinism, ultra-Abolitionism, and other causes, as to be barely able, even with the aid of the fund, to raise a salary of $400 for their minister. In 1804, this was the largest church, and its circumstances the most promising of any Congregational or
.
580
WESTERN NEW YORK.
Presbyterian church, and, it may probably be said, of any other denomination in the Genesee country. In contemplating its pre- sent state and influence on the cause of Christ, we are ready to ex- claim, " How has the gold become dim, and the fine gold changed !"
South Bristol .- This township, or at least a considerable part of it, was, at an early day, purchased of Messrs. Phelps and Gorham, by Gamaliel Wilder, Esq., and several associates, and the settle- ment by these immediately commenced. They were from Hart- land (Conn.). Rev. John Rolph moved his family into the place, probably, in 1796. He is supposed to have come on an invitation from the inhabitants. With the aid of Rev. Zadoc Hunn, he or- ganized a Congregational church, consisting of ten members, in December, 1796. Gamaliel Wilder, Esq., and Ephraim Wilder, Esq., were of the number. In January, 1797, Mr. Rolph was in- stalled pastor of the church, by an ecclesiastical council, consisting of Rev. Zadoc Hunn, Rev. Eliphalet Steele, of Paris, and Rev. Asahel S. Norton, D.D., of Clinton, Oneida county. This was the first instance of the regular settlement of a minister in the Genesee country. The church became connected with the Ontario Associa- tion, on the organization of that body, and after its dissolution was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, on the ac- commodation plan, August 13th, 1816. On the organization of the Presbytery of Ontario it was transferred to that body. Oct. 9th, 1800, Mr. Rolph was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council. He was a man of violent temper, and became involved in a contro- versy with some of his parishioners, which terminated in his dismis- sion. Some years afterwards he was deposed from the ministry. In the latter part of the year 1802, Rev. Ahijah Warren, then a licensed preacher, came into the place and was employed to preach for a season. As the result he was ordained and installed as pastor, Feb. 3d, 1803. He was dismissed from his pastoral charge, June 12th, 1805. Since this period no pastor has ever been installed. Rev. Aaron C. Collins supplied for a season ; Rev. Andrew Raw- son, several years ; Rev. Benjamin B. Smith, one or two years, and others for short periods. But for a number of years the church has been without preaching, and their house of worship has been vacated. During the period of Mr. Smith's ministry, ruling elders were elected, and the Presbyterian form of government adopted. As the result of the revival of 1799, ten members were received into the church. During the ministry of Mr. Warren a number were received. But the church has never been prosperous. In 1825, it reported but twelve members, and in 1830, but eighteen. From that time it has continually declined, and at the present period may be considered virtually extinct. The members who remain attend worship at North Bristol.
581
PRESBYTERY OF ONTARIO.
Canadice .- This church was formed from the church of Rich- mond in 1828 or '29. It was enrolled as a church under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, August 25th, 1829. It was then de- nominated the church of South Richmond, or Richmond Second Church. In 1832, it took the name of Canadice. It was reported by the Presbytery from year to year as vacant. No number of members was ever reported. It never flourished, but continually declined. Most of the members removed to Ohio; some joined the Episcopal Methodists, and the number became so reduced, that the church was dissolved by the Presbytery, Jan. 15th, 1839.
Conesus .- All the information that the writer has respecting this church, is that it was organized by a committee of the Presbytery of Ontario, Nov. 14th, 1831 ; received under the care of the Pres- bytery, Jan. 11th, 1832; reported as vacant from year to year ; and dissolved, March 9th, 1839.
Groveland .- Of this church the writer has very little information. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, Jan. 20th, 1819. In 1825, it reported forty-five members ; in 1857,. sixty-four ; in 1837. one hundred and thirty-one. It was reported as vacant in 1825 and '28, and as furnished with a stated sup- ply in 1826, '27, '29, and '30. Rev. Isaac Crabb was ordained and installed pastor of the church, March 9th, 1831, and was dismissed from his charge, Aug. 28th, 1833. From that year down to 1837, the church is reported as being statedly supplied. In 1832, fifty- one members are reported as having been received on profession the preceding year, indicating that in the blessed effusions of the Holy Spirit which were so general in that memorable year, the church of Groveland had not been overlooked. The division of the Presbyterian church which followed the exscinding act of the General Assembly of 1837, resulted in the division of the church of Groveland. The majority of the church seceded from the Presbytery of Ontario, and became connected with the Presbytery of Steuben (Old School). A part of the members chose to remain in connexion with the Presbytery of Ontario. Under these circum- stances the Presbytery, May 3d, 1842, passed the following re- solution, viz. " Resolved, that the members of the church of Grove- land who adhere to the Presbytery of Ontario, remain the regularly constituted church of Groveland, and a constituent part of this body." What has been the history of the churches since the division is not known to the writer. The church, connected with the Presbytery of Steuben, numbered, in 1846, one hundred and twenty-one members.
Mount Morris .- In the autumn of 1815, the author was at the village of Mount Morris. It was then a small village newly com-
1
582
WESTERN NEW YORK.
menced. A church consisting of a few members had been formed, which worshipped in a commodious school-house, and had Mr. Stephen M. Wheelock, a licentiate, preaching to them. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, Feb. 12th, 1817, and at the organization of the Presbytery of Ontario, was assigned to that body. It numbered in 1825, one hundred and twenty nine members, and in 1836, two hundred and sixty-seven. At what period Mr. Wheelock terminated his labors with the church is not known to the writer. Rev. Silas Pratt was ordained and installed its pastor, May 8th, 1817, and was dismissed, April 9th, 1818. In 1821, Rev. B. Foster Pratt is found to have been laboring here. His labors were continued till near the close of 1825. Rev. William Lyman, D.D., officiated as stated supply one year from June, 1826, and Rev. James McMaster one year from August, 1828. In 1834, the name of Rev. George W. Elliott is found on the report of the Presbytery as stated supply to this church. Rev. Clark H. Goodrich was installed pastor of the church, Jan. 19th, 1837. The pastoral relation was dissolved, August 3d, 1838, and on the twenty-ninth day of the same month, Mr. Goodrich was deposed from the ministry, and excommunicated from the church. Rev. Cyrus Hudson was installed as pastor, Sept. 10th, 1840. He was dismissed, as the writer believes, in 1846, and was succeeded by Rev. C. H. A. Buckley. Under the ministry of Rev. B. F. Pratt, in 1821 and '22, a plentiful shower of divine grace was poured ont upon this congregation, and as its fruits more than eighty members were added to the church, in- creasing it to three times its previous number. The years 1834 and '35 seem to have been years of revival, as the result of which the number of members in the church was increased by more than seventy. The writer has no report of the number of members later than 1837. It was then two hundred and fifty-four. In the support of Rev. B. F. Pratt the church was aided by the United Domestic Missionary Society ; in the support of Dr. Lyman and Mr. McMaster by the American Home Missionary Society. The church has an appropriate house of worship. The Episcopal, Methodist, and Baptist denominations have each a house of worship in the village.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.