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 67
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Mount Morris Second Church .- The place of meeting of this church is in a small village denominated Tuscarora, in the town of Sparta. The settlement was commenced in 1822-'23, by Messrs. Culver, Babcock, and Coulkins. A church consisting of eleven members of the Reformed Dutch order was organized by Rev. Israel Hammond in 1839. The church was organized as a Presby- terian church, and named the Second Presbyterian Church of Mount Morris, Feb. 26th, 1846. The number of members in November of that year was thirty-six. The church was received
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under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, June 2d, 1816. Rev. Israel Hammond was five years the pastor of the church, while it was connected with the Reformed Dutch denomination, and during this period the church was aided in the support of its pastor by the Synod's Board of Missions. In the spring of 1844, Rev. Peter S. Van Nest commenced labor as a stated supply, and at the last in- formation of the writer still continued in that capacity. An inter- esting revival under the labors of Rev. Edwards Marsh, was enjoyed in the spring of 1844. The church has a good house of worship, fifty feet in length and thirty-six in breadth, erected in 1834. There is a Methodist Society in the place, but it is feeble. About one half of the population attend public worship. Previous to the organization of the church above noted, there was a church denominated the Second Presbyterian Church of Mount Morris, which was organized in the latter part of 1830, or early part of 1831. It was received under the care of the Presbytery of Onta- rio, Jan. 18th, 1831. In 1830, it numbered twenty-eight members, and in 1834, thirty-two. It was reported by the Presbytery from year to year as statedly supplied till 1840. Whether the two churches are in any way identified, or whether the former has become extinct, or left its connexion with the Presbytery, is not known to the author.
Nunda .- The settlement of this town was commenced within the present century. The present church of Nunda was organized with eleven members in 1831 or '32, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Angelica, Feb. 28th, 1832. By act of the Synod, it was transferred to the Presbytery of Ontario, Oct. 9th, 1844. In 1834, it reported one hundred and twenty-one mem- bers, and in 1843, three hundred and seventy. This is the last enumeration which the writer has seen. Rev. Asa Johnson was installed pastor of the church, Feb. 26th, 1834. He was dismissed Sept. 11th, 1837. Rev. Wales Tileston was installed to the pas- toral office, April 18th, 1838, and dismissed May 13th, 1840. From this period till 1846, the writer is not informed what supplies were enjoyed. Rev. Edwards Marsh was inducted into the pastorate, June 2d, 1846, and still continues. In 1834, a protracted meeting was held, conducted by Mr. Littlejohn, which brought an accession to the church of more than fifty members. A revival in 1840 re- sulted in the addition of between seventy and eighty, and another in 1843, added seventy-seven members to the church. In the sup- port of Mr. Johnson the church received aid from the American Home Missionary Society. They have a house of worship which was completed in 1834.
Sparta .- The settlement of this town was commenced at an early period. Many of the early settlers were from Pennsylvania,
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and some of them of Scotch origin. A Presbyterian church de. nominated Dansville and Sparta, was organized in 1819 or the early part of 1820. It afterwards was called Sparta First Church, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, Feb. 8th, 1820. In 1825, this church reported thirty-one members ; the next year but nineteen. The diminution was caused, as the writer supposes, by the division of the church to form another. In 1832, sixty-one members were reported ; in 1837, ninety-five ; and in 1846, one hundred and three. Rev. Amos P. Brown was installed pastor of the church, August 24th, 1831, and the pastoral relation was dissolved, August 28th, 1833. Rev. Thomas Aitkin is the present pastor of the church. These are the only pastors whose labors the church has enjoyed. It has generally been reported as statedly supplied ; but by whom does not appear. The author's information is defective. After the exscinding act of the General Assembly in 1837, this church became connected with the Presby- tery of Steuben (Old School), and its name was stricken from the roll of churches belonging to the Presbytery of Ontario.
Sparta Second Church .- This church was formed by a division of the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, in accordance with a resolution of the Presbytery of Ontario, allowing the members of the church of Sparta who resided in Dansville, to be formed into a distinct church. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery, August 23d, 1825. In 1830 the church consisted of twenty-five members ; and in 1836, of seventy-four. The church has never enjoyed the labors of a regularly settled pastor, and seems to have been always in a feeble condition. As stated supplies, the names of Rev. Messrs. Amos P. Brown, Ludovicus Robbins, and Lemuel Hall are found. Of the history of the church since 1836, the writer has no knowledge. It was assisted in the support of , Messrs. Brown and Robbins by the American Home Missionary Society.
Dansville Village .- The settlement of this village and its imme- diate vicinity commenced at a quite early period. The settlers were Yankees, Pennsylvanians, and Germans, between whom there was very little affinity, and the institutions of religion were for a long time almost totally neglected, and irreligion prevailed. A Presbyterian church, consisting of eleven members, was organized March 25th, 1825, by Rev. Messrs. James H. Hotchkin, Robert Hubbard, and Stalham Clary. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Bath, August 30th, of the same year, and was transferred by an act of the General Assembly to the Presby- tery of Ontario, June 2d, 1826. At that period it numbered thirty- two members; in 1832, one hundred and fifty ; and in 1837, one hundred and seventy-one. Since that period the author has no in-
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formation. For a number of years Rev. Robert Hubbard officiated as stated supply. Rev. Elam HI. Walker was ordained and installed pastor of the church Oct. Ist, 1834, and still continues to sustain that relation. Within one year after the organization of the church twenty-one members were added to the previous number. Some of these were received on their profession of faith, as the result of a measure of divine influence which had been shed down upon the congregation. In 1831, seventeen, and in 1832, ninety-one mem- bers were reported as having been received the preceding years, on profession. These were years of special divine influence. In 1837 twenty-eight were reported as having been joined to the church by profession the preceding year. This was to some extent a year of the right hand of the Most High. This church has always supported its own minister without foreign aid, and has a commodi- ous house of worship, erected many years since.
In the early part of the year 1840, some members of the church desired that Mr. Augustus Littlejohn should hold a protracted meet- ing with them. The pastor and others were opposed to it, not having confidence in the man. Under these circumstances the Methodist house of worship was obtained, and a meeting managed by Mr. Littlejohn, and for many days and nights in succession was attended. This meeting, it is said, was characterized by all the wildness, extravagance, and rant, peculiar to Mr. Littlejohn. But the effect was great, and many were said to be converted. The pastor of the Presbyterian church, and a large proportion of its members, stood aloof from the meeting. This gave disaffection to those who attended the meeting and approved of its proceedings. and they withdrew from the pastor and those who sympathized with him, and claimed to be the church, and as a separate church have ever since acted. The Presbytery, at a meeting held April 29th, 1840, recognised Mr. Walker the pastor, and the members ad- hering to him, as the church of Dansville Village, and the others as seceders. This latter class constitute a separate church, under the care of the Presbytery of Angelica. It has a house of worship. There is also a house of worship belonging to the Lutherans, and another the property of the Methodists, in which regular services are maintained.
Springwater .- This town was originally a part of the town of Naples. The settlement of it was commenced on the last day of March, 1807, by Mr. Seth Knowles and his family. At what time regular public worship was set up does not appear ; probably, not till several years had expired after the commencement of the settle- ment. While the population was sparse, Rev. Lyman Barrett, the pastor of the church of Naples, occasionally visited the place, and preached. On the tenth of February, 1821, lie formed a Congre- gational church consisting of twelve members. The church was
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received under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, Jan. 16th, 1827. In 1843, the church consisted of forty-six members, the greatest number ever belonging to it at one time. In 1846, the number of members was thirty-six. The whole number who had been members at any time was one hundred and twenty-three. For about five years after the organization of the church, Mr. Bar- rett occasionally preached, and administered the sacraments, and acted as moderator in the church. After him Rev. James Cahoon performed similar services for about three years. Rev. Seymour Thompson was stated supply near three years. Rev. Daniel B. Woods was ordained and installed pastor, Sept. 19th, 1839, and was dismissed from his pastoral charge, August 25th, 1841. Rev. William Hunter succeeded Mr. Woods in October of the same year, and was ordained and installed pastor of the church, Sept. 25th, 1844. He still retains his relation to the church. The most distinguished season of revival ever enjoyed by the church, was in 1843, as the fruits of which, twenty members were added to the church by profession. In the support of Messrs. Thompson, Woods, and Hunter, the church has been aided by the American Home Missionary Society. They have a convenient house of wor- ship, fifty feet in length and thirty-six in breadth, which was dedi- cated to the service of Almighty God, Dec. 31st, 1840. The Me- thodists have a house of worship in the village, and are about equal in number to the Presbyterians. The Baptist church is smaller. The Christians have a small society and a house of worship. The Universalists are considerably numerous, but have no house of worship, and no regular preaching.
Conhocton Second Church .- This church has its location in the north-western part of the town of Conhocton. It was organized about the period of 1836 or'37, consisting of a very small number of members living in the same neighborhood, and at such a distance from any other church, as to render it inconvenient to worship with them. The writer believes that the number of members never exceeded fifteen or sixteen. The church changed its form of go- vernment, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, Sept. 18th, 1839. While Messrs. Thompson and Woods labored in Springwater, they supplied this church a small part of the time. But for several years the church has been without preaching. Several of its members have gone to other parts, pub- lic worship has been suspended, and the church is virtually, if not formally, dissolved.
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CHAPTER XXXVI.
Presbytery of Angelica :- Dansville Free, Ossian, Portage, Portageville, Eagle, Cen- treville, Hume, Grove, Burns, Allen, Caneadea, Rushford, Farmersville, Black Creek, Haight, New Hudson, Belfast, Angelica, Almond, Amity, Friendship, Cuba, Burton, Olean, Sico, Andover, Independence.
WE shall next turn our attention to the history of the churches connected with
THE PRESBYTERY OF ANGELICA.
We begin with
The Free Presbyterian Church of Dansville Village .- In giving the history of the original church of Dansville village, connected with the Presbytery of Ontario, we have related the origin of this church as found in a protracted meeting held by Mr. Littlejohn, in the early part of the year 1840. Whether the church received a formal organization, or claimed to be the original church of Dans- ville village, is not certainly known to the writer. The church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Angelica, July 15th, 1840, with a proviso that this act of reception should be sub- ject to the advice and order of the Synod. It does not appear that the Synod took any exceptions to the action of the Presbytery in the case. The church in 1843 was composed of two hundred and six members ; and in 1846, of two hundred and forty-two. Rev. Leverett Hull officiated here as stated supply for a season. Rev. D. N. Merritt was installed pastor of the church, July 11th, 1843. His continuance was for a brief period. He was dismissed April 30th, 1844. Rev. Joel Wakeman preached for a short season as a stated supply, and was succeeded by Rev. William F. Curry, who was installed pastor of the church, June 25th, 1845. It has already been mentioned that the church has an appropriate house of wor- ship, and the other churches in the village have been noticed.
Ossian .- This town was one of the first settled townships in the County of Allegany. The Presbyterian church was organized by Rev. Robert Hubbard, but the date is not known to the author. In 1825 it numbered forty-nine members. From this date the number somewhat diminished till 1832, at which date it reported sixty-three members. In 1843 the number was one hundred and ten; and in 1846 it was ninety. The church was received under the care of
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the Presbytery of Bath, August 29th, 1820, and was transferred to the Presbytery of Angelica on the organization of that body. For many years the church was small and feeble, and enjoyed but very little ministerial aid, except an occasional service from Rev. Robert Hubbard, who had the charge of two extended congregations. The church is uniformly, with one exception, reported vacant till 1837. On the 13th of September, of that year, Rev. Ashbel Otis was or- dained and installed pastor of the church. On account of the failure of his health he was dismissed, Feb. 26th; 1839. The church has since been reported as having a stated supply, but the name is not given. In 1832, twenty-five members were reported as having the preceding year united with the church by profession. These were the fruits of a revival enjoyed by the church. The years 1837 and 1840, were also years of revival. In looking at the reports of the American Home Missionary Society, the author finds the names of Rev. Messrs. Ludovicus Robbins, William P. Kendrick, Robert Hubbard, Ashbel Otis, and A. C. Dubois, as missionaries appointed to labor on this field at different periods.
Portage .- This town was formerly a part of the town of Nunda, which in 1813 embraced the present towns of Nunda, Portage, Pike, Eagle, Centreville, Hume, Granger, and Grove. The author supposes that the settlement of the town commenced in the present town of Portage. In 1813 the settlement is noticed as of recent date. A Presbyterian church, denominated the First Presbyterian Church of Nunda, was organized and taken under the care of the Presbytery of Ontario, Jan. 18th, 1820. The church was situated within what was understood to be the proper limits of the Presby- tery of Angelica, and by letter from the Presbytery of Ontario be- came connected with the Presbytery of Angelica, Feb. 24th, 1829. Ever since that period it has been denominated the church of Port- age. In 1825, it numbered eighty-three members; in 1832, one hundred and eleven ; and in 1846, one hundred and fourteen. Rev. Phinehas Smith was ordained and installed pastor of the church, March 5th, 1829, and the relation was dissolved Feb. 24th, 1830. He was suceeded by Rev. Abel Caldwell, as stated supply, who continued five or six years, with the exception of an interval of one year, during which Rev. Horatio Waldo filled the place. Rev. James B. Wilson followed for a season, and was succeeded by Rev. L. Rogers, who probably continued one year. In the support of all these ministers the church has been aided by the American Home Missionary Society. What ministerial aid the church has enjoyed since 1837, is not known to the writer. It has been reported as statedly supplied. On the records of the Presbytery this church is repeatedly mentioned as having enjoyed a season of revivals ; but it does not appear from the Statistical Reports that any very con- siderable number of members were added to the church, as the
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PRESBYTERY OF ANGELICA.
fruits of these revivals. The writer believes that this church has for many years had an appropriate house of worship, but he is not positive as to this fact.
Portageville .- This village is located in the town of Portage, on the line of the Genesee Valley Canal. A Presbyterian church was organized, and received under the care of the Presbytery of Angelica, Feb. 21th, 1829. The church gave notice of its secession from the Presbytery, Jan. 10th, 1843, and it is now con- nected with the Presbytery of Buffalo City (Old School). In 1829, it reported eighteen members; in 1836, thirty-five; and in 1846, forty-eight. The church is uniformly reported as having a stated supply, with the exception of 1834, when it was vacant. In May, 1836, Rev. James B. Wilcox received a commission from the American Home Missionary Society to labor on this field, and he continued about two years. He was followed by Rev. Abel Cald- well, who continued one or two years, and he, by Rev. Lemuel Leonard, who was installed pastor of the church, Oct. 30th, 1839, and continued under the patronage of the same Society four years. In 1846, he was the pastor of the church, in connexion with the Presbytery of Buffalo City. This church has in a very gradual manner increased the number of its members from eighteen to forty-eight, which is the largest number found on record. It has an appropriate house of worship. There are also in the village two houses of worship for the Baptists, one for Methodists, and one for the Universalists.
Eagle .- This church was received under the care of the Presby- tery of Angelica, July 13th, 1842. In 1843, it numbered thirty- seven members, and in 1846, thirty-five. In August, 1842, Rev. Smith Sturges commenced laboring on this field, including also Centreville, and continued one year. He was followed by Rev. E. H. Danforth, for one year. Both these supplies were under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society. Mr. Sturges reported a revival during his continuance, which seems to have added eighteen members to the church on profession. Mr. Dan- forth reported that a parsonage was erected. Whether they have an appropriate house of worship, is not known to the writer.
Centreville .- This church, consisting of fourteen members, was organized by Rev. Silas Hubbard, July 25th, 1821, and was re- ceived under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee, August 31st, 1824, and transmitted to the Presbytery of Angelica, Feb. 24th, 1829. In 1825, it consisted of fifteen members ; in 1831, of thirty ; in 1843, of one hundred and nine; and in 1846, of seventy-eight. As stated supplies, at different periods, have officiated Rev. Messrs. Silas Hubbard, Horatio Waldo, Horace Galpin, John T. Baldwin,
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Lemuel Hall, Phineas Smith, Leonard Rogers, Samuel Sessions, Smith Sturges, and H. B. Taylor. In the support of all these ministers the church has received aid from the American Home Missionary Society. One or two seasons of revival, but not very extensive, have been enjoyed. This church has an appropriate house of worship, and a parsonage.
Hume .- This church was received under the care of the Pres- bytery of Angelica, Feb. 26th, 1834. In 1840, it reported twenty members ; in 1843, one hundred and forty-two ; and in 1846, one hundred and thirty. As stated supplies, under the patronage of the American Home Misssionary Society, Rev. Messrs. William J. Willcox, Hiram Gregg, G. S. Northrop, John Ingersoll, and John Van Antwerp, have officiated at different times. In 1834, this church is noticed on the minutes of the Presbytery, as having en- joyed a revival of religion. In 1843, under the ministry of Mr. Gregg, a revival was reported, during which as many as forty were hopefully converted to God. A house of worship was erected in 1842.
A church was organized at Mixville, in the town of Hume, in 1842, of the Congregational' order, as the writer supposes. It is not connected with the Presbytery, and the writer is not informed of its state.
Grove .- This church was received under the care of the Pres- bytery of Angelica, Aug. 30th, 1836. Rev. William P. Kendrick, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, labored here and in Allen in the year 1836. The church was then, as the writer supposes, of recent formation. In 1837, it is report- ed as consisting of nineteen members. In 1840, it was reduced to the number of five. This is the last time it has been reported by the Presbytery. The writer supposes that it has become extinct.
Burns .- This church is of comparatively recent organization. The author does not find the date of its organization, or of its re- ception by the Presbytery. It was first reported in 1837, consist- ing of twenty-nine members. In 1843, it numbered one hundred and twenty, and in 1846, one hundred and fifteen. Rev. Benjamin Russell was ordained and installed pastor of the church, Sept. 14th, 1837. He was dismissed, August 28th, 1839. Rev. J. G. L. Has- kins officiated as stated supply the latter part of 1832, and former part of the succeeding year. In 1845, Rev. Royal Twitchell com- menced laboring here as a stated supply, and still continues his labors. Mr. Haskins reported a revival as connected with his labors. From 1840 to 1843, the church more than doubled its number of members, an indication of a work of grace in the con- gregation. In the support of its ministers the church has received
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the continued aid of the American Home Missionary Society. It has an appropriate house of worship, which was completed in 1812 or 1843.
" Allen .- This church, consisting of ten members, was organized September 9th, 1826, by Rev. James H. Hotchkin and Rev. Robert Hubbard, and was received under the care of the Presbytery of Bath, October 4th of the same year. It was transferred to the Presbytery of Angelica on the organization of that body. In 1829, it reported forty members ; in 1836, one hundred; and in 1816, fifty. On the records of the Presbytery of Angelica, under date of February 26th, 1839, it is noted that the church of Allen, reorga- mized, was received under the care of the Presbytery. The cause of this reorganization is not known to the writer ; but the circum- stance seems greatly to have diminished the number of its mem- bers. Rev. Samuel Sessions was installed pastor of the church February 26th, 1840, and was dismissed July 14th, 1841. This is the only instance in which the church enjoyed the labors of a regu- larly installed pastor. As stated supplies at different periods, Rev. Messrs. Moses Hunter, Silas Hubbard, Loring Brewster, and John M. Bear, have served this church. Most of them at the same time have supplied another congregation. Mr. Hubbard labored under a commission from the Assembly's Board of Missions. The others were patronized by the American Home Missionary Society. The church has an appropriate house of worship.
Caneadea .- The settlement of this town by white people is of recent date. Till within a few years past, the Indian Reservation included the whole, or at least a considerable proportion of it. The church was recently organized, and received under the care of the Presbytery of Angelica, January 13th, 1846. In that year it num- bered twenty-six members. Rev. Royal Twitchell preached in this place under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, one half of the time for three or four years. Whether the church has an appropriate house of worship is not known to the writer.
Rushford .- This, as a newly organized church, was received under the care of the Presbytery of Angelica, April 17th, 1838. In 1840, it reported twenty-eight members ; in 1843, eighty-three ; and in 1846, one hundred and sixteen. Rev. Messrs. Royal Twitchell, C. W. Gillam, and Samuel A. Rawson, have severally officiated as stated supplies, under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society. Mr. Gillam, in 1843, reported a revival in the place resulting in the hopeful conversion of about forty indi- viduals. In consequence of this revival the number of the mem-
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