Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 194

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 194

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It was the custom in this church to use Rouse's version of the Psalms in singing, also to have them lined by a precentor ; but the young people prefer- red Watts', and this innovation was bitterly op- posed by the old Scotchman. Yet Domine Holi- day had the courage to change the order and divide the time to please both parties. On the first Sab- bath a Watts psalm was read, which at once caught the quick ears of the reverent worshipers, who detected the change, and many left the house until after singing the Watts psalm. Archie Mc- Bride returned and ordered his family to leave the house, and never afterward entered the church.

The fourth pastor was James McDonald, born near Paisley, Scotland, 1790. He was ordained and installed on the 30th of October, 1832. He remained until the 5th of February, 1834. He died at Springdale, Wisconsin, on the 6th of Octo- ber, 1836.

This anecdote is worth recording: Dr. Edwin N. Kirk, once of Albany, came to New Scotland on a Sabbath morning to preach, and brought one of liis best discourses to entertain the rural congrega- tion. After its delivery, Mr. McDonald arose to offer the concluding prayer, and used these words : " And now, Lord God, send down Thy Holy Spirit and crack the skull of this young man. Take away his vanity and conceit and put some of Thine own wisdom there."

Dr. Kirk never forgot New Scotland, although he became a distinguished preacher.

Robert Knell, an Englishman, supplied the pulpit for a brief time after McDonald's departure.

Reuben Sears became the fifth pastor, and was installed, October 16, 1836. The pastoral connec- tion ceased, June 10, 1845.

On all great moral questions his views were radi- cal. He never swerved from what he considered his duty, and in spite of remonstrances he contin- ued to offer anti-slavery and tee-total resolutions before Presbytery, which were always laid on the table; yet had he lived only a few years longer he could have gloried in being one of the many whose works do follow them. Human slavery was abol- ished at a fearful sacrifice and cost, and the same fate awaits the sum of all evils-intemperance. Ad- vocates who have pleaded for the overthrow of these national curses have been stigmatized as fanatics ; yet how true it is-

" We live in deeds, not years, In thoughts, not figures on a dial."

To Mr. Sears is due the first organization of a permanent Sabbath school. He died at Prophets- town, Illinois, July 25, 1846.

Gains Mills Blodgett served the congregation as stated supply from June, 1846, until June, 1856. He was a chaplain in the U. S. army during the Rebellion, and at its close was honorably mustered out of service.

In 1856 Walter Powell declined a call from this church, but temporarily supplied the pulpit.

On the 29th of November, 1857, John James Cameron became by ordination and installation the sixth pastor. His ministry here extended until the 19th of August, 1860, when, his health failing, he resigned. Upon the organization of the 17th N. Y. Vol. Regiment he was commissioned as 2d Lieutenant, November, 1861. He died serving his country, May, 1862, a victim to malaria and exposure of camp life.

The seventh in the line of pastors was Samuel L. Gamble. His first sermon was preached in April, 1861. Accepting a call, he was ordained and installed, 27th August, 1861, and the connec- tion between him and the church was dissolved, December 12, 1867. In 1870 he became pastor of the Reformed Church at Guilderland Center, where he still remains.

At the General Assembly meeting in Albany, 1868, Mr. James William Edie, of the Presbytery of New Castle, was invited to preach before this congregation. Complying with the request, he made so favorable an impression that a call was extended, which he accepted, and became the eighth pastor of this church, November 10, 1868.

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THE TOWNSHIP OF NEW SCOTLAND.

He remained here until September 18, 1870, when his connection with this church was dissolved. He died 10th September, 1874.

William G. Handy, the ninth pastor, was in- stalled, July 3, 1871, and granted a dissolution by the Presbytery the 10th of February, 1874.

James G. K. McClure, of Albany, was licensed by Albany Presbytery, June, 12, 1872, and was ordained and installed as the tenth pastor of this church and congregation, December 10, 1874.

His pastoral relation with the people was highly appreciated, and with the young he was held in just estimation; the pleasant, affable courtesy which he extended to all, the genial address and culti- vated politeness, rendered him a favorite with the young and endeared him to all with whom he as- sociated. After serving with satisfaction a people who were sincerely attached to his ministry, he resigned his charge, September 19, 1879, and was dismissed by Presbytery to continue his work in other fields.

The eleventh pastor, Rev. Wm. H. Ford, was installed, April, 1880, and continued his ministry until June, 1882, when he resigned. Mr. Ford was received from the Classis of the Reformed Church, and preached to this congregation with general satisfaction.

During the summer of 1883 the pulpit of this church was supplied by the Rev. Mr. Nason.

On the 29th of May, 1884, the Rev. Dewitt G. Rockefeller was installed the twelfth pastor.

We find, as early as 1791, a building had been erected and was used for divine service; at a later period this building was lengthened, and the pews were made square, except those on each side of the pulpit. The elders sat in front of the pulpit, which was high from the floor, with a sounding board-the shape of a large umbrella-directly over the minister's head.

During the residence here of Mr. Blodgett, in 1848, the old church building was taken down and a new one erected, which required nearly two years in completing; it was finished in 1849, containing 48 pews, with doors. While the new church was being built service was held in the Hall of Mr. Raynsford. Under the Rev. J. W. Edie's pastor- ate, in 1869, the dimensions of the church building were again enlarged by the addition of 16 feet, which secured 16 more pews. The interior of the house was refurnished, walls frescoed, and wood painted, at a total cost of $4,000.

In the year 1877-78 a basement was con- structed under the whole length of the building, which is used for chapel and Sabbath school pur-

poses. Again, in the spring of 1884, the interior or audience room was renovated and rich wall paper used in place of fresco-work.

The real estate of this church was the gift of Stephen Van Rensselaer, the fourth Patroon. The deed bears date February 19, 1793, and reads: "For and in consideration of ten shillings, lawful money," he granted the trustees " a parcel of land, beginning at a marked black oak tree in William McKollock's line, containing one hundred and fifty-six (156) acres, the same to be used for divine worship, and for no other intent or purpose what- soever."

This property was part of the farm now owned by Robert Moak, and, being distant from the church, was exchanged with Jacob Moak's, who owned seventy-three and four-fifth acres adjoining the original church lot. On the 19th or June, 1795, the Patroon gave his per- mission to the transaction, and Jacob Moak took the church farm on the Cliff (" clepp "). On the 6th of February, 1844, Stephen Van Rensselaer gave the trustees a quit-claim deed for this farm, and on February 27, 1872, the remaining part of this property, about sixty acres, was sold to Derrick V. S. Raynsford. The parsonage and at- tachments, the church edifice and sheds, are valued at $12,000.

In September, 1877, the parsonage, with much of its contents and valuables belonging to Rev. J. G. K. McClure, was consumed by fire.

Another building, of modern architecture, was soon after erected, and during the autumn and winter following the basement under the church edifice was constructed.

The history of "New Scotland Presbyterian Church" is largely taken from McClure's historical sermon of the same.

The Reformed Churches of this township are five in number, located at Jerusalem, New Salem, Clarksville, Union and Onisquethau.

The Protestants on the continent of Europe were divided into two great divisions, known by the names of Lutherans and Reformed. The Reformed Church had its origin in Switzerland, under Zwin- gle, and was more fully developed under Calvin.

The Hollanders were the first who planted the Reformed Church in America, as it had been dis- tinctly known on the continent.

The early title or name of the Reformed Church in 1818 was " Reformed Protestant Church." In 1840 the word Dutch was added, when it become " Reformed Protestant Dutch Church." In 1867, by an ecclesiastical order, the name was again

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

changed to " The Reformed Church in America," and the several States in which churches of this de- nomination were established confirmed this title by legislative enactments.

Emigrants from Holland settled in this town as early as 1650, but no records can be obtained showing that these people assembled in public worship earlier than 1780. Previous to this date those whose hearts prompted them to worship with the pious people of their fatherland and conform to the old-established religion of the Reformed Pro- testant Church of Holland thought it no hardship, if they could enjoy this privilege, to walk or ride on horseback to Albany, the nearest place where these ministers spoke their native tongue. Here as yet was the only Dutch church, and on com- munion occasions these few families were sure to wend their way to Albany, taking with them their young children for baptism.

If the parents were fortunate to own a horse, a family of three could be carried on its back; other- wise the distance had to be traveled on foot, over rough trails and circuitous by-paths, as roads at that time were not common, owing to the few set- tlers and the great distance they lived from each other.

It was customary then for each baptized child to have a godfather or godmother as sponsors, and these frequently accompanied the parents.

Schenectady followed Albany in securing Hol- land preachers, and as population increased, these were sent to remote- neighborhoods as missionaries to preach the gospel and teach the doctrines of their church. From 1780 to '85 there seems to have been some form of preaching to the people of Jerusalem, but there are no records previous to 1786, when Dirck Romeyn, of Schenectady, came through this town, preaching, baptizing and per- forming the marriage ceremony. His record covers baptisms of what now constitutes the Re- formed churches of the town. He had three places or stations where the people gathered for public worship at stated appointments. These were Helderberg, Salem and Jerusalem. Dirck Romeyn must have had these three places in charge as pas- tor, according to his record, until 1794, when Rev. Harmanus Van Huysen came from New Jer- sey and become pastor of this congregation and Helderberg, dividing his time between them.

In the year 1790 an organization was effected and a house of worship erected for the congrega- tion of Jerusalem. This house was located be- tween Union and Jerusalem, which now offered to the people a place for them to assemble and enjoy

the great blessings of attending worship under their own vine and extend the branches to others; privi- leges which had been denied many were fully ap- preciated, and the frequent commingling of the farmers, who were now brought together almost every Sabbath, taught them lessons of forbearance and charity, and their social greetings were bonds of Christian fellowship.

From and after 1800 there were great changes in the condition of material prosperity, and the township became settled by a more intelligent class of farmers, who secured advantages which had been in a great measure the labor of earlier oc- cupants.

This congregation received its share of spiritual blessings, and under earnest preaching from its pastor increased and multiplied in numbers, as well as· extended its bounds of usefulness, so that the old building which had been used so many years for religious purposes was fast becoming too small for the increasing congregation. A more central location was selected, and in the year 1825 a new one was erected, which is the present edifice at Jerusalem (Fenra Bush). It was in this year that Rev. Harmanus Van Huysen closed his labors in this church and at Salem. After many years of toil and hardship endured, he retired to spend his declining days with his family, surrounded by those who were dear to him as friend and neighbor, and receive the benediction of the church, " well done, good and faithful servant." He died, 1833, on his farm near New Salem, and is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

The present house of worship at Jerusalem is a frame structure and will seat 500 persons. It has been repaired and otherwise improved in its ap- pearance, conveniences and attractions; connected with the church is a parsonage and commodious sheds for the accommodations of those who attend upon the Sabbath.

The house of worship is pleasantly located, with a fine grove surrounding it, which furnishes an in- viting resort for Sabbath school celebrations and social gatherings.

The following is the order of ministers who have succeeded each other as pastors of this church: Harmanus Van Huysen, from 1794 to 1825; Sam- uel Kissam, from 1828 to 1841; Staats Van Sant- voord, 1844 to 1854; - - Compton, 1854 to 1860; A. V. Gulich, 1860 to 1865; Alexander C. Millspaugh, 1866 to 1872; Edwin Veeder, the present pastor, 1873. The church reports 93 fam- ilies, 126 communicants, 150 Sabbath school scholars. Total amount of money contributed for all purposes, $682. Parsonage and church prop- perty, $ 10,000.

The history of Salem Reformed Church is con- nected with that of Jerusalem; from 1786 to 1794 Dirck Romeyn, of Schenectady, was here as a mis- sionary, and served the people, who were Holland- ers, with a few German families, and they had many discouragements and difficulties to contend with. During his visits the people would assemble in some house or barn, and in this primitive way were attentive listeners to the sermon, which was

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THE TOWNSHIP OF NEW SCOTLAND.

delivered in their own language. Changes in this mode of worship followed, as the people became more anxious for regular and stated preaching.

Dominie Van Huysen is now providentially sent to them, and has charge of Helderberg and Jerusalem congregations; as yet there seems to be no regular society here, and Salem served as a way station between the other two churches, hold- ing services as often as convenient for the adminis- tration of the sacrament, performing baptisms and solemnizing marriages. These meetings were usu- ally held in the house or barn of Johannes Markes, about a half mile south of New Salem.

There seems to have been an organization formed as early as 1794, but no records of officers. It was not until 1813 that a permanent organization was put in working order, and at this time Mr. Van Huysen must have been the installed pastor of Salem.

The first officers of the church were Benjamin Van Zandt, John Terwilliger, John Van Etten, Jacob I. Hallenbeck, Frederick Fuller, Jeremiah Cronssler, John A. Severson and David Van Etten. In this year a church building, of wood, was erected, with high-back seats, a gallery on two sides and end, with a high pulpit, and an ornamented sounding board over the minister's head. The whole inside was ceiled with pine, and the center was arched up to the roof. In this building many learned divines have preached to the people of this valley.

The usual method of notifying the people when the Sabbath morning service commenced was by blowing a tin horn, as many made their first call at the tavern. The land upon which this church was erected was the gift of Stephen Van Rens- selaer.

This building was taken down in 1844 and an- other erected very nearly upon the same spot. This was a more modern structure, of wood, with gal- lery, closed pews, with doors, and a cupola con- taining a bell, the gift of M. & J. Hendrickson, of Albany; the cost of the building was $1, 200. The following were building committee: Willhelmus Young, Frederic Markle, Frederic Fuller, Peter L. Houck.

Temporal prosperity as well as spiritual growth having attended this congregation in the past years, the minds and hearts of many were prompted, as a thank-offering, to increase and extend the moral influence of their religious benefits, and concluded that with a house of worship, attractive in ap- pearance and comfortable in its arrangements, they could best fulfill this intention by the erection of a new church edifice. Efforts were rewarded with encouraging results, and it was resolved that the en- terprise receive immediate action. The congrega- tion own a parsonage and lot, east of the present church building, and upon this ground, in 1875, was erected a large modern church edifice of wood, at a cost of $10,000.

The building is chaste in its architectural design, having a large andience room and gallery, lighted by stained-glass windows, seats in walnut and chestnut, elegant pulpit, frescoed walls, and is

heated from two furnaces in the basement, which is completely furnished for chapel or Sabbath school purposes. The spire is 120 feet high and contains a bell. The furnishing and other necessary ex- penses amount to $2,000. The foundation is 44 x 60 feet, and the audience room will seat 600. The contract builder was Peter Smith, and the building committee Robert Moak, Peter S. Albright and John H. Hallenbeck.

The house was dedicated, October, 1875, under the pastoral charge of Nicholas Pearse ; the dedi- catory sermon was preached by the Rev. John A. Lansing, D. D. The old church building and lot were purchased by Abram Mann, and is yet stand- ing on the ground of the first church. The follow- ing is the order and names of ministers who have been installed or officiated as pastors of this church : Dirck Romeyn, from 1786 to 1794; Harmanus Van Huysen, 1794 to 1825 ; R. J. Blair, 1825; H. A. Dumont, 1826 ; Ira C. Boice, 1826 to 1829 ; Abram Fort, 1829 to 1836; S. V. E. Westfall, 1837 to 1843 ; S. Van Santvoord, 1843 to 1844 ; J. V. Vandervolgen, 1846 to 1848; J. Middlemass, 1854 to 1855; A. G. Lansing, 1858 to 1861 ; H. Slauson, 1862 to 1866 ; J. Kershow, 1867 to 1872; N. Pearse, 1873 to 1877; A. G. Lansing, 1877, and continues as pastor.

The president of consistory reports : No. of fam- ilies, 100 ; communicants, 212 ; Sabbath school, 176 scholars ; money for all purposes for the past year, $1,686. The following are the members of consistory : Elders- Christopher Terwilliger, John E. Taylor, Peter S. Albright, John L. Van Olinda. Deacons-William M. Young, James Markle, James N. Moak, Alfred Taylor.

The Reformed Church of Union was organized in 1825, from Jerusalem and Salem congregations. The first pastor was Rev. Ira C. Boice, who preached also at Salem. The church edifice is a large, commodious frame building, with belfry and spire. There are a parsonage and sheds upon the church lots. The past year, the spire was blown down and other damage sustained, which rendered it necessary for repairs and other improvements. The spire was not replaced, but the bell forgets not to give its welcome sound. With the several improvements, it is now an attractive house of worship, being conveniently arranged and neatly furnished. The audience room will seat 350. Value of church property, $5,000. The following is the order of ministers who have served as pastors of this congregation since its organization : Ira C. Boice, from 1825 to 1829 ; Abram Fort, 1830 to 1836 ; S. V. E. Westfall, 1837 to 1847; D. A. Jones, 1848 to 1850 ; B. F. Murden, 1850 to 1854 ; J. M. Compton, 1854 to 1860 ; A. V. Gulrick, 1860 to 1864 ; W. H. Ballagh, 1865 to 1868 ; - Demerest, 1871 to 1874 ; J. M. Compton, again, 1876 to 1878 ; A. C. Millspaugh, 1878, and contin- ues present pastor.

The consistory is composed of the following members, viz. : Elders-H. H. Vanderzee, John S. Van Atten, Michael Slingerland, Isaac Van Atten. Deacons-Daniel H. Heller, B. F. Van

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HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

Atten, Leonard Litchfield, Cornelius Slingerland. The president of consistory reports: Families, 50 ; communicants, 49 ; Sabbath school scholars, 60 ; money contributed for all purposes the past year, $750.

The Reformed Church of Onisquethau. - This was originally a Presbyterian church, having been organized by the Presbytery of Albany in 1824, and a church edifice erected, 1825 ; Rev. Thomas Holliday, pastor. During the construction of the Erie Canal, a large force of men quar- ried stone at this place for building the locks and for other purposes. This stone was hauled by four and six-horse teams to the nearest point on the works. The smaller ones, being rejected, were used in part to build this church. The stone mason was Barrent Spose, with other workmen.

In the year 1839 the church and property passed into the possession of the consistory of the Re- formed Church, and with it a change of name and government. The church building and sheds are located in a large lot, with pleasant surroundings.

During this present year (1884) all the internal construction and fixtures have been removed, and the plan of the audience room materially changed in convenience and general arrangement. It now compares favorably with other rural churches. Will seat 250. Church property valued at $2, 500.

The following persons have been pastors since it became a Reformed church: Staats Van Santvoord, 1839 to 1864; A. C. Millspaugh, 1866 to 1872; Ed- win Vedder, 1873 to 1883.

Consistory report for the year: Families, 50; communicants, 64; Sabbath school, 50; money contributed for all purposes, $350.

The following are the present members of con- sistory: Elders-Peter Van Atten, Walter McCul- lock, Henry H. Mead, John Sickles. Deacons- Edward Mitchel, John Osterhout, Conrad Mosher, Richard Vanderbelt.

The Reformed Church of Clarksville was organ- ized in 1853 by the Rev. Staats Van Santvoord, with a membership of seven. Rev. Jasper Middle- man was first pastor. A house of worship was erected in 1853, at a cost of $2,400. Since then sheds have been erected and other improvements made. The building is of wood, and will seat 250.

Report for the year is: Families, 61; communi- cants, 106; Sabbath school scholars, 178; contri- butions for all purposes, $498.

Present consistory: Elders-John F. Markle, John B. Shafer, Frederic R. Gardner, Edward Hotaling. Deacons-John D. McCullock, Leonard Applebee, James Hallenbeck, Thomas Kant.

The pastors of this church have been: Rev. J. Middlemas, A. G. Lansing, from 1858 to 1862; Hiram Slauson, 1862 to 1866; W. H. Ballagh, 1867 to 1869; J. Westveer, 1869 to 1871; Nicholas Pearse, 1873 to 1877; A. G. Lansing, again, 1877 to 1883.

About the year 1813 a few families of Friends, who were residents in the neighborhood of New Salem, formed a society, and held their semi- weekly meetings at the house of Thomas Bushmore,

afterward at the house of Abigail Bennett. In the year 184- they purchased a lot of land in the eastern part of the village of New Salem, and erected a meeting house, which was used until 1860. Their membership becoming too small to continue meetings longer, the society was aban- doned. Bushmores, Bennetts and Woods were the prominent families.

The Methodist Episcopal churches of New Scotland are three in number, and this branch of the Protestant Church is of more recent date than the others. The first Methodist preacher in this town was Freeborn Garrison, who was an itinerant missionary in establishing churches, and would occasionally stop on his way to Knox, where he formed a society. Methodist preachers and ex- horters who came through the town and held their meeting in school and private houses were Elias Vanderlip, Bergely Howe, Sherman Miner, Steb- bins and Jollie G. Young. It was about 1820 that an organization was effected, and in 1824 a church building was erected in the northwest part of the township, and known as the "Black Creek Methodist Church." This building was of wood, and is the house now used by the society. Im- provements have been made in its internal arrange- ment, commodious sheds attached, and connected with the church is a burial ground. Among the originators of this church enterprise and society were Saxon Chesebrough, Jacob Martin, John Jack- son, John P. Crounse, Benjamin Holmes, John E. Oliver, E. Switzer, Samuel Martin; the first pastor was William Johnson; the present pastor, Rev. Mr. Fisher. The value of church property, $6,000; number of members, 90; families, 40; Sabbath school scholars, 100; amount collected for church and benevolent purposes, $400.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of New Salem was organized in 1850, and a house of worship erected the same year upon a lot purchased from Abram Mann, situated on the main road in the north part of the village. The building cost $1,500. The construction of sheds and other im- provements of recent date increases the value of this property to $3,500. The belfry has a fine- toned bell, which sends its sweet sounds through the valley, echoing from hill to hill, and calling the people to the house of worship. The Rev. C. Warrick is the present pastor. The roll of mem- bers, 35; families, 25; Sabbath school, 45; con- tributions for all purposes, $300.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 194

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452