USA > New York > Oneida County > Steuben > A narrative history of Remsen, New York, including parts of the adjoining townships of Steuben and Trenton, 1789-1898 > Part 10
USA > New York > Oneida County > Remsen > A narrative history of Remsen, New York, including parts of the adjoining townships of Steuben and Trenton, 1789-1898 > Part 10
USA > New York > Oneida County > Trenton > A narrative history of Remsen, New York, including parts of the adjoining townships of Steuben and Trenton, 1789-1898 > Part 10
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tinued its attacks at the foundation, and the work of destruction went on.
"A tablet in front read thus :- 'Ebenezer, Adeil- adwyd 1820. Gwrandewch a bydd byw.' The in- scription below the name, is, as translated, 'Built 1820. Hear and live.' Whence the name, we fail to learn. 'Capel Ucha' (Upper Church) came from the location on higher ground.
"Early in the summer of 1806, Rev. Howell R. Powell visited the Utica and Steuben churches, and incited them to establish a Welsh preaching festival, the Gymanfa, such as existed among the churches in Wales. This was accomplished the following Sep- tember, the first session being held in Utica, the first week, succeeded by one in Steuben the following week. Later they were held in both places during the same week, commencing on the second Monday in Septem- ber. The ministers who took part in the first meet- ing were Revs. Daniel Morris and Evan Davies of Utica, Rev. John G. Roberts of Steuben, and an En- glish divine. * * Rev. H. R. Powell took an important part in the session of 1807, and for twenty- five years attended faithfully and assisted in conduct- ing the services. Mr. Powell landed in New York in May, 1801, there organizing a Welsh Congregational church, which he served three years, later held pas- torates in several American churches in different localities, for many years. Died in Palmyra, Ohio, April 12, 1850, aged 92.
"At the close of the Gymanfa in Steuben, Septem- ber 13, 1816, the evening session was a covenant meet- ing, the subject being prayer, especially the duty and preciousness of secret prayer. Then all agreed, in a spirit of love, the Independents and Baptists, to meet together on the first Monday of each month, in Steuben and Utica, to pray for the success of the gospel, and the extension of Christ's kingdom. Thus was instituted in this church, the missionary prayer meeting of the first Monday evening in each month.
"In 1816, the American Bible society was organ- ized in New York, and on December 28, of the same
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year, an auxiliary society was formed in Steuben, called 'The Welsh Bible Society of Steuben, Utica and vicinities,' Rev. John G. Roberts and Rev. Wil- liam G. Pierce being pastors. An annual meeting was held in Utica January 6, 1818, in Steuben Jan- uary 5, 1819, and we find record of their being held thus to 1822 inclusive. The Baptists joined heartily in the work, their church, the Utica Congregational Church, and this being the only ones then existing in Oneida County among the Welsh. Churches be- coming established in Remsen, with unabated inter- est in the Bible Society, this branch of the original Welsh Society became known as 'The Welsh Bible Society of Steuben, Remsen and vicinities,' and later of Remsen, Steuben and vicinities; the latter name being now enrolled on the official list of the parent society in New York. This church is on the extreme edge of the town, and Remsen, the P. O. of most of its members, but the yearly appointed collectors * never fail to traverse the hills of Steuben for the an- nual ingathering of Bible money. Later statistics, from 1830 to 1847, show that the alternate annual meetings of this with the Utica Society were continued to the latter date, when the union was dissolved.
"The Welsh heart has ever had a warm place for the Bible Society, owing especially to the fact that the dearth of Bibles in Wales, and the persistent efforts of a young Welsh girl, Mary Jones, of Llan- fihangel, North Wales, to obtain a Bible of her own, led to the organization of the British and Foreign Bible Society in London, March 7, 1804.
"August 15, 1825, Mr. Benjamin Davies came from New York, united with this church, and was here licensed to preach. February 2, 1826, he with thirty other members of this church left to form the C. M. church of Pen-y-caereau, their church building having been erected by some of the members here, in August, 1824. In 1828 Penygraig and Nant churches were built, and then William G. Pierce closed his pastorate here, and went to Nant.
"Thus the C. M. branch of this union church went
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peaceably to their new church homes, and in the fol- lowing year, April 18, 1829, by special act of the Legislature at Albany, through the efforts of Deacon Timothy Griffith, the corporate name of the church was changed to The First Welsh Congregational Society of the town of Steuben.'
"This was during the pastorate of Rev. Evan Rob- erts, who came to Steuben September 17, 1820, and in December of that year he was engaged to preach one-half his time here, as co-laborer with Rev. Wm. G. Pierce, and half his time with the English 'on the Turnpike.' One minister preached Sabbath morn- ings, the other in the afternoon; services also Sabbath evenings. Later he preached much in Penymynydd, and during his pastorate the church was there or- ganized. He was methodical, and kept the most accurate records of any before or after him. Mr. Morris Jones supplied the pulpit for several months while he was in Pennsylvania collecting for church debt. He died September 10, 1836. Buried at Steuben. Educated at Wrexham. It is stated that Rev. James Davies, later of Ohio, came to this neigh- borhood in 1832, remained two years, and supplied here for several months. Rev. Evan Evans, later of Pottsville, Pa., supplied also during the vacancy. Rev. Jenkin Jenkins supplied from December, 1834, to April, 1835. Educated at Auburn.
"As many of the members here resided at Peny- mynydd, a vote was passed at a church meeting held here February 11, 1832, to the effect that the next communion service should be held in Penymynydd, and that thereafter there should be two communion seasons, one here, and one there. Therefore, in March 1832, a church society was organized in Penymynydd, with twenty-nine charter members, all from this church. While worshipping in the school house they took their turn with the Gymanfa. A window was removed, and the speakers from the open space, ad- dressed the hearers, within and without. Their church building was erected in 1836-7 during the pastorate of Rev. Wm. D. Williams. Receiving spiritual in-
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struction from the same pastors during their several periods of service, from 1801 to 1889, Capel Ucha' and Penymynydd were bound together with ties of special love and harmony, and the feeling of kinship existing between them has ever been affectionate and cordial. The Welsh Congregational churches of Ninety Six, Prospect, Trenton and Holland Patent branched from this church. Holland Patent alone retains the Welsh.
Rev. Wm. D. Williams was for two years a pupil of Rev. Wm. Griffiths, Holyhead, Anglesey. He came to America in 1832, was ordained in Salem, Deerfield, July 17, 1833. He became pastor of the two churches September 7, 1835. The two years and eight months of his pastorate were greatly blessed. The stone church was filled to overflowing each Sab- bath and many were received in membership from time to time. In 1838 the interest deepened, and at the close of his labors here, April 22, 1838, he gave the right hand of fellowship to ninety-seven new members. October 26, 1837, Rev. Morris Roberts and his excellent wife, having left the C. M. church, united here. He labored faithfully and with power, with Rev. Wm. D. Williams in this, 'the great revi- val of 1838,' Rev. Robert Everett came repeatedly from Westernville, and with his quickening, melting appeals, aided greatly in the blessed work, Rev. Mr. Williams being then a young man less than thirty years old, felt very deeply the responsibility of the work, and wished that the church might have a pastor of riper age and experience. Mr. Williams was bur- ied at Salem, Deerfield.
"Rev. Dr. Everett was educated at Wrexham. He declined to remain as teacher and co-laborer with Dr. George Lewis, accepted a call to Denbigh, North Wales, was there ordained June 5, 1815, at the age of 24. In 1821 was one of twelve ministers to found the "Dysgedydd,' a religious monthly still continued. In 1823 he received a call to the Welsh Congrega- tional Church of Utica, N. Y., where he entered on his labors July 21, 1823. In 1830 he organized in
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Utica a temperance society, the first among the Welsh in America or Wales. Resigned late in 1832, preached for a time in the Second Presbyterian Church (En- glish) in Utica, thence went in 1833 to an English Congregational church in Winfield, where a memor- ial window testifies to their love. A letter sent by him from there, published in the 'Dysgedydd' in 1834, gave the first impulse to the temperance movement in Wales. In 1836 to Westernville (Eng. Pres.), where in February, 1838, his house was burned, with valuable library and nearly all his personal manu- scripts. He came in charge here April 29, 1838. There were many who needed a wise shepherd's ten- der care and guidance, such as he was so well fitted to give.
"During his pastorate there were revivals in 1840, 1843, 1851, 1858 and 1868, and many were received into membership during the intervals. In 1840 there were about 200 members. January 1, of this year, the first number of the 'Cenhadwr' was issued. In 1839-1840 the church was repaired, enlarged and beautified. It was then that the artistic gallery was constructed, gracefully curving underneath, supported by cylindrical columns, and seats rising from front to rear, so that all could see, and be seen by the min- isters, who, having mounted the numerous steps, were perched in the picturesque pulpit, from which they could look down on the audience below, and up to every hearer in the gallery. Doors also were at the sides of the pulpit to close, as if to shut in the eloquence, that it might pour forth with more power from above. Some years before Mr. Everett's death, this pulpit was replaced by the one now in use. The spacious windows, on either side, with sixty 9 x 12 lights each, were reminders of the long ago.
"When this fine auditorium was filled with eager listeners, above and below, in the aisles, on the plat- form, on the pulpit stairs, with children sitting even in the deep windows, and the Divine Presence brood- ing over all, the effect was inspiriting, well suited to call forth the best efforts of the speakers, and a tear-
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ful, yielding, worshipful response in the hearts of the hearers. The many hundreds who have here been brought to Christ, and the influence that has emanated therefrom, eternity only will reveal. Is it a wonder that heart strings quivered, and tears came, when we were obliged reluctantly to realize that the treach- erous spring had done its work so thoroughly, that the dear old walls must come down! Those walls had sheltered the church home of our parents, and the grand-parents of many of us, there our own childish hearts had learned to love the house of God, there had been heard the impassioned eloquence of so many of our old Welsh ministers in this country, and from Wales, thrilling addresses from the immortal Finney, in behalf of temperance, of Alvan Stewart, Beriah Green and others of anti-slavery note, and even the plaintive story of the fleeing bondman, who, when he had told his tale, was secretly hurried to the next station on the underground railroad, on his forced flight to liberty in the Queen's dominions.
"A Welsh Total Abstinence pledge card, issued by 'The Temperance Society of Steuben and Remsen,' is among the treasured relics of the wife of Rev. Dr. Erasmus W. Jones. It was signed for her, when a child, in 1832, and as the card number is 20, it would seem that the society was organized about that time. Intoxicating wine was still used at the Lord's table, as a symbol of the sacrificial blood of our immaculate Redeemer. When Mr. Everett came to this church, one of his most useful and much loved members, who had in early life been deeply under the curse of strong drink, so almost universally used at that time, but who had won the victory years before, was a trusted and honored deacon, faithful, gifted in singing, ex- hortation and prayer, a leader in social meetings, a power in the church. At the first communion, Mr. Everett observed that though a deacon, he passed the wine without partaking of it, and on inquiring the reason, learned that he dared not touch it, as the long controlled appetite, though slumbering, might be re-awakened by a single taste. With char-
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acteristic tenderness of conscience, and sympathy for the tempted, the true pastor placed the matter before the two churches, and from that time, 1838, no fer- mented wine has ever been placed on this commun- ion table, and never during Dr. Everett's life in Peny- mynydd. A tribute of tender and reverent esteem is due the memory of Benjamin Perry, whose over- coming wrought so beneficent a change in this church. His prayers, a few years later, for a 'little sister,' the only child member at that time, gave much strength and encouragement, and were ever held in grateful remembrance.
"January 27, 1842, the 'Welsh Anti-slavery So- ciety of Steuben, Remsen, Trenton and vicinities' was formed in this church. The struggles that en- sued, with final victory, are matters of history, but it may here be truthfully said of the occupant of this pulpit and heroic editor of the Welsh organ of reform at that time, that when principles of truth and right- eousness were assailed, his vindication was quick, decisive and uncompromising, but whatever there might be of personal assault or calumny, verbal or in print, he never resented or replied to, unless silence might injure the cause. Though painful to a sensi- tive nature, such as his was, it was let fall, as unim- portant in comparison with the vital problems, which he, with others, was striving to solve. Time and strength were too precious, the fight was on, against the crying sins of the age. The memories of those early days of patient, unflinching effort, of fixed pur- pose, and quiet, cheerful sacrifice, together with the ever loyal, uplifting comradeship of his life compan- ion, are a sacred legacy, precious beyond all telling.
"Rev. Sem Phillips came in December, 1866, when Dr. Everett's physical powers were declining, espec- ially his voice. With the advent of this younger and stronger brother, Dr. Everett wished to resign in his favor, that he might devote himself more exclusively to the larger field of the 'Cenhadwr.' The churches being unwilling to release him, the two labored har- moniously together until June 23, 1872, when Mr.
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Phillips left for a more western field. During his pastorate here, he compiled a valuable history of this church and Penymynydd, from which this imperfect sketch is largely drawn. He was educated at Brecon, formerly Wrexham.
"In 1871 a society was organized, whose corporate name was and is 'Welsh Congregational Education Society of Oneida Co., N. Y.' The object being 'to aid in the education of young men of piety and talent for the gospel ministry in the Welsh Congregational denomination.' The original promoters of this so- ciety were Dr. Everett, Mr. Henry Roberts (Mrs. Everett's brother), Mr. William Roberts, a faithful and liberal deacon of this church, and his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts, the latter two having left legacies for this purpose. The charter members were Mr. Henry Roberts, Dr. Everett, Rev. Morris Roberts, Griffith O. Griffith and Wm. W. Thomas. The date and place of the first meeting are not recorded, but the constitution was sworn to October 16, 1871, be- fore Lewis Everett, son of Dr. Everett, justice of the peace in Steuben, and the second meeting was held in Steuben. We thus claim this society as a child of this church. Those who have received benefit from it have been and are doing noble work for the Master.
"Dr. Everett's pastorate closed with his life on earth February 25, 1875, after sixty-six years of active service in the Lord's vineyard, almost sixty as or- dained pastor. His age was 84. He was buried in the family lot in Steuben.
"Rev. E. R. Hughes came in the spring of 1875, soon after Dr. Everett's death, and remained till January, 1885. Rev. T. T. Davies commenced supplying the first Sabbath in May, 1887, was ordained June 29, 1887, closed his pastorate the last Sabbath in April, 1889. Rev. E. Davies supplied occasionally from January 25, 1893, assumed pastorate with Bethel November 12, 1893, closed February 27, 1898. Edu- cated at Whitestown."
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The following "History of the Second Baptist Church of Steuben" is translated from the Welsh magazine "Y Wawr" (The Dawn), of April, 1878, for which it was written by the late Thomas E. Wil- liams (Bryn Gola), secretary of the society :-
"A history of the incorporation of a number of Welsh Baptists from different parts who, by the wise provi- dence of God having come to this vicinity, judged it a duty as well as a privilege to incorporate themselves into a regular church in accordance with the plan of the New Testament, for which purpose they met at the dwelling of Morris Ellis, in Steuben, Oneida county, state of New York, in the year 1803. Those present were Morgan Williams, Catherine Williams, Owen Owens, Ann Owens, David Williams, Owen Williams, Griffith Parry, Ann Parry, Morris Ellis, Mary Ellis, Owen Williams, Jane Jones, Elizabeth Owens and Bar- bara Owens."
The result of the deliberations of this meeting was that the society "be called the Second Baptist Church of Steuben," and all of those mentioned except the last two were its charter members. Then came a declar- ation of their belief, which does not differ materially from that of the general Baptist denomination, except that it seems to emphasize the Calvinistic doctrines.
"The settlement in Steuben, in the year 1795, was in- creased by five families from Wales who settled here in the heart of the forest, and without means of grace. It was three years before there was any addition to their number from Wales, when several more families settled here, and in 1801 a larger number followed. Among them were some of the Whitfield Methodist [Calvinistic Methodist] persuasion and a small number of Baptists. Brother James Harris and Brother John Stephens who had settled in Utica came to visit them and to preach to them occasionally, until 1806. The endeavor and labor of these men was wonderful. The settlers were poor
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and few in number at this time, and those ministers had to work at manual labor to maintain themselves and families. They walked on Saturday afternoons from Utica to Rome, a distance of twenty miles, and thence through the wilderness to Steuben to preach here on the Lord's day. At this time there was no meeting house. In 1806 came Brother Richard Jones (Priest Jones), from Dyffryn Mawr (Great Valley), near Philadelphia, to which city he came from the city of Cardigan, South Wales, in the year 1800. Brother Jones labored at Dyffryn Mawr where there was a Welsh Baptist church incorporated, very successfully until 1806. About this time many came from that church to Utica, Trenton and Steuben, and called him to be their pastor. He served them continuously for fifteen years, and labored in ministerial work here from twenty-five to thirty years in all.
"In 1806 a church was built through help given the pastor by brethren in Pennsylvania, and God was pleased to bless and add many to the church. In 1815 came Brother John Evans, from Pont-y-pool, Wales, who labored partly among the English and among the Welsh. In 1818 came Brother Thomas Morgan, and he labored jointly with Rev. Richard Jones for more than a year, and the Lord blessed their labors by the conversion of many. At that time a new church was built, the dimensions of which were 32x36 feet. About the time Brother Morgan was in Steuben, a number of Welsh settled in Turin, Lewis county, and Brother Morgan was ordained to labor among them and the English Baptists. He removed to Upper Canada, and was blessed of the Lord until He called him to his re- ward. After Morgan came Brother Joseph Richards, formerly of Dolgellau, Wales, and he labored jointly with Rev. Richard Jones, and the cause was prosperous and the church happy. Then Brother Joseph Richards moved to South Trenton. Soon after came Brother Griffith Jones, Garn, Caernarfon, North Wales. He preached for some months and then entered Madison College at Hamilton, N. Y. After graduation he preached in the English language, and became pastor
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of the church at Trenton. On account of ill health he returned to Wales about 1820.
"Then came Brother David Griffith from Merthyr Tydfel. He preached in both the English and the Welsh language. About this time Brother Richard Jones gave up the care of the church after a ministry of fifteen years, during which time he baptised upwards of seventy. After this the church was for three years without a pastor, but enjoyed preaching without inter- mission. Brother Abram Williams supplied as minister, and Thomas George and Richard Jones occasionally. In 1823 Brother Jesse Jones, from Aberystwyth, came to the settlement, was called to preach, and the following year was ordained pastor. He was very successful in calling many sinners to repentance. He removed to Radnor, Ohio, in 1830. On December 24, 1823, the church building was burned. By the endeavor of the brethren and the labor of Rev. Jesse Jones soliciting in other churches, another house was built as commo- dious as the one destroyed.
"On May 12, 1825, Richard Roberts was received into the church as member. In 1826 he began to ` preach and in 1827 was ordained pastor. He served in that capacity until March 21, 1831. In May 1830, came Thomas Stephens, from Radnor, Ohio, where he had been baptised and ordained. He received a call to be joint pastor with Rev. Richard Roberts, and their labors were greatly blessed. Members were received by letter and sixty-one baptised during the first two years they served the church. On March 21, 1831, in annual meeting, the members of the church decided- with few dissenting voices-that it would be better for one of these brothers to have especial care of the church for the following year, and a majority favored Thomas Stephens, though no one showed opposition to Brother Richard Roberts serving as joint pastor with Stephens. But some disapproved of giving preference to one over the other, and this faction by the addition of other mem- bers became quite strong, so they left the church and held meetings elsewhere, with Richard Roberts for pas- tor. Efforts were made several times to bring them to
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terms of agreement, but without avail, and after four months some thirty members were dismissed. They then incorporated as the 'Third Baptist Church of Steu- ben,' and enjoyed a degree of happiness and prosperity. Thomas Stephens remained with the old church until May 1832, when he removed to Radnor, Ohio. After him, and until his return from Wales, in April 1834, Joseph Richards, Abram Williams and Richard Jones administered the ordinances. In the space of the fol- lowing three years there were three others who preached for a short time-Thomas Hughes, from Machynlleth, Wales, who came to the ministry in 1831, preached for a little over a year and then removed to Ohio; Robert W. Roberts, who came in July, 1832, preached a few months and then joined the Third church, and John Hughes, who came in July 1832, and preached until he removed to South Trenton in 1834.
"There were four members of this church that were called to the ministry; the first was Robert L. Williams, who was baptised in 1819; was familiar with, and preached in both the Welsh and the En- glish language; united with the English church in 1824, and was afterward pastor of the English, or First Baptist Church of Steuben. The second was Richard Roberts who left with those who organized the Third Baptist Church of Steuben, and Thomas Z. R. Jones, who was baptised in 1818. He left in 1835 and united with the church at Holland Patent, and was ordained as pastor of that church. The fourth was Hugh F. Williams, who was baptised in 1830 and ordained pastor of the church at Western- ville, N. Y.
"Thomas Stephens remained with the church after his return from Wales for a year or more, or until he removed to the state of Ohio. August 12, 1835, a call to the pastorate was given to Brother Jesse Jones, which was accepted, and he labored among us for four years or more. September 2, 1840, call was given to Griffith Jones, formerly of Garn, Wales, to labor here, and he ministered among us until April 31, 1841, then call was given to Brother David Prich-
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ard, who ministered for two years or more, and during that time there was discord and failure to co-operate in the church. There were some favorable to David Prichard, while others were in favor of Jesse Jones for pastor. The result was that those who favored D. Prichard left and held meetings in other places, and on March 12, 1843, notice was given of their dis- missal until they should return of their own accord. On January 6, 1844, four others were dismissed, and all joined the Third Church which had been removed from Steuben to a place about half a mile north of Remsen village, and was known as Capel Coch (Red Church, or chapel). On July 16, 1840, John D. Jones was received as preacher, and ordained as pastor in 1843, and served the church as such until 1850, when he removed to Cattaraugus county, in this state. In the same year, November 13, David J. Williams was installed as pastor, labored with a degree of suc- cess for three years and left, dividing the church. With those that followed him he organized and built a church at Prospect. After D. Williams, the church gave a call to Brother Edward Humphreys who re- mained its pastor to within a short time of his death, which occurred in 1871. During his ministry the church was comfortable and peaceable. After the death of Edward Humphreys, Brother Owen Griffith was pastor for one year. After he left, the church was without a pastor. Brothers Owen F. Perry, Morris J. Williams, Edwards and others preached occasionally until August, 1875, when Brother John Seth Jones took charge of the Remsen church and the church in Steuben, and faithfully endeavored to serve both."
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