Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 238

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 238

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).

"In 1821 the Rev. Alexis P. Proal was called to the rectorship, and he continued in it till 1836. During those fifteen years several substantial addi- tions were made to the church property. A house, with lot, belonging to Ahasuerus Wendell, was bought for a rectory by the church's side on the north ; and more sittings being found necessary in the church, side galleries were erected, run- ning from the west to the east wall.

" Dr. Proal was succeeded by the Rev. Albert Smedes, during whose rectorship of three years a radical change was made in the church edifice. Increased accommodations being required, the ves- try debated whether to pull down the old building and erect a new one, or to enlarge. The latter course was adopted ; and so, in the spring and summer of 1838, two transepts, or wings, were added to the old nave. Under the pulpit was a hole, where the clergyman could go and change his surplice for a black gown between the service and the sermon. Thirty pews were gained on the lower floor, besides many others by continuing the galleries around the new transepts ; and the grace- fularch over your heads was shut out of sight by a floor making the whole upper ceiling flat. An- other important event in the history of the parish during Dr. Smedes' rectorship was the purchase of the house next south of the church, called the Peek house, where the Sunday school met and the sexton lived. The garden was added to the burial ground."

The most efficient services rendered this church during its long history were by the Rev. William Payne, D. D., who was born at Portland, Middle- sex County, Conn., in 1815. He early attended the academy connected with Hobart's College, Geneva, and after a full course at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., graduated from that institution in 1834. He next entered the General Theological Seminary at New York, and at the end of three years was ordained as an Episcopal clergyman and became rector of St. Michael's Church, Litch- field, Conn. Here he remained for six years, after which he became assistant professor of Latin in Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., remaining in this position for several years. In 1848 he was called to St. George's Church in this city, where he has remained for an uninterrupted period of thirty- five years, retiring from active ministerial work in 1883. In 1859 he received the degree of D. D. from Hobart College, Geneva.

The Rev. John Philips Brooks Pendleton, S. T. B., has just entered upon the duties of the rector- ship.

101

CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETIES.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The early history of the Presbyterian Church in Schenectady is obscure. As late as 1756 there was no church in town except the Dutch. Before this date, however, settlers from England, Scotland and New England were drawn to this "frontier," by facilities offered for trading with the interior. Missionaries, chiefly for the Indians, had been sent into these parts by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, early in the eighteenth century. There was a chapel in the fort which was built in 1735, and was probably used by different denomi- nations for worship. Concerning the church build- ing in which the Presbyterians worshiped, now St. George's Episcopal Church, a tradition existed that Presbyterians subscribed to its erection with the understanding that it should be used in common by both denominations. Between 1760 and 1770 the Episcopalians and Presbyterians "agreed to build a church between them, The former to Goe in at the west door, the Later at the South Door. When the church was Finesht John Brown, be- longing to the English church, went to New York and got it consecrated under the Bishop unknown to the Presbyterians. The Presbyterians Highlie offended at this, purchest a lot, collected money in various places to Build a church. The Dutch inhabitants, seeing how they were served, advanst Liberal in money, Boards, planks, Nails, Hinges & paint. The church was built about the year 1770." (Kelley.)

It is not unlikely that such Presbyterian mission- aries as had penetrated to Albany had also visited this region, but there was no settled minister before 1770, though for some time prior to this date the Presbyterians worshiped statedly in a hired "meet- ing-house."

On the 12th October, 1769, a lot was purchased from Peter De Bois for {100, and work seems to have begun at once in earnest, as almost immedi- ately follows: "To 2 Gallons Westd Rum when cutting the timber for the church IIs .; " the next item being, "To cash paid to Phinn & Ellice for rum and sugar when rideing timber £4 9s. 4d .; and Aug., 1771, To tickets bought at New Castle Lot- tery {4 16s."

The site of the old meeting house cannot now be ascertained, nor can we learn concerning it more than that it was furnished with a bell. It was still in use 22d March, 1773.

By the end of '73 the edifice seems to have been completed, and the bell in the new steeple, with its leaden ball adorned with " 6 bookes of gold leaf," no doubt called the congregation to a joyful service of dedication.

The church and lot are credited with an expendi- ture of about $1,800. The carpenter's work was done by Samuel Fuller and John Hall. The church had a gallery, and on the ground floor, 21 wall and 22 " Boddy " pews, and the carpenters agreed " to do the work on the Pulpit In the Same man- ner as In the English Church only it is to Joyn the wall So as to have no piller for a Soport & to make the Clark's Seat."

Of the size and strength of the congregation there is no record until much later; but in 1768 they felt able to compete with their brethren in Al- bany; for a letter of Mr. Brown to Sir Wm. John- son at this time, in urging the necessity of securing Mr. Murray for St. George's, says: " We are the more Anxiously Solicitous on this Head as the Presbyterians are busee to get Mr. Bay among them "-this Mr. Bay being called about this time to the Presbyterian Church at Albany. The first minister who is known to have preached to the con- gregation statedly is the Rev. Alexander Miller.

Mr. Miller was a pupil of Rev. James Findley, a graduate of Princeton College, in 1764; a student of theology under Dr. Rodgers, of New York; was licensed 1767, and ordained by the Presbytery of New York 1770, the date of his settlement here.

He also preached at Currie's Bush and Remsen's Bush in connection with his charge here, and taught a very respectable grammar school during the Revolutionary War, "in which Governor Tichenor of Vermont and others, since celebrated, acted as assistants."

During the war the church seems to have suf- fered greatly. The congregation was in arrears for salary to Mr. Miller at the time his successor, Mr. John Young, was called, about the middle of 1787, and probably about six years after Mr. Miller closed his labors as pastor of the church.

Mr. Young was ordained June 14, 1788, and gave one-third of his time to Currie's Bush, or Princetown.

Tho congregation at this time, and for years later, was composed of elements which did not mix very kindly, formalism contending stubbornly against the growing evangelical spirit in the church, and Mr. Young was dismissed in consequence of the dissensions, non-payment of salary and ill health. The former pastor was still seeking payment of its indebtedness to him, and the church at Currie's Bush had applied to the Presbytery for two-thirds of Mr. Young's time, on the ground that the church in Schenectady was no longer able to sup- port him.

From 1791 to 1795, among those preaching here occasionally were Rev. Messrs. Baldwin, Chap- man, Coe, Cook, Davenport, Dod, Dun, Judd, McDonald, Pomeroy, Schenck, Thompson and Williams.

With the election of the Rev. John B. Smith to the presidency of the college, a brighter day dawned for the church. Dr. Smith did much to reorganize the church, ordaining four elders in 1795 or 1796, viz. : Alexander Kelly, John Taylor, Alexander Walmsley and John McAtyre.

On the 13th September, 1796, the Rev. Robert Smith, of Pennsylvania, a graduate of Princeton, was installed over the church, which at this time num- bered only 37 communicants. There were, how- ever, about 85 pew holders, and the income of the church from pews and subscriptions was a little over $700.

Mr. Smith remained until July, 1801, when, the severity of the climate having impaired his health, he sought refuge in Savannah, Ga., dying soon after

102

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

his removal. His life was sacrificed to his zeal and affection for his people. Under his ministry the church received 51 additional members. The town- ship of Schenectady at this time contained about 3,500 inhabitants, 683 being electors and 381 slaves.

During the illness of Mr. Smith the Rev. Mr. Adair and Dr. Jonathan Edwards, Jr., second president of the college, frequently supplied the pulpit, and as collections for 1801 show an increase over previous records, and additions to the church are also recorded, the impetus given by Mr. Smith's pastorate would seem not to have been arrested.

In March, 1802, three elders and seventy-three others petitioned Presbytery for the speedy install- ment of the Rev. William Clarkson; twenty peti- tioners, including two elders, however, pray that the installation may not take place. Mr. Clark- son's settlement was the signal for war among the discordant elements in the congregation, and shortly after such serious charges were preferred against him as that he did not " preach " but read sermons, "contrary to Luke 4 : 16-23, where our Lord preached, said preaching being without notes." Mr. Clarkson was also charged with say- ing, "We never had such preaching here before ; we had nothing but like the reading of an alma- nack," and the Presbytery failing to see the hein- ousness of Mr. Clarkson's homiletical shortcom- ings, a temporary secession of twenty-four families took place. Although considerable accessions to the church took place during Mr. Clarkson's brief pastorate, his opponents claimed that the commu- nicants had diminished one-third.

During this unhappy contention, in which Mr. Clarkson was rather the occasion than the cause of the quarrel, an election for elders had occurred, which seemed to intensify the strife, and in Sep- tember, 1803, Mr. Clarkson sought peace in de- parture. In the succeeding December the Rev. John B. Romeyn, a son of Dr. Romeyn of the Re- formed Dutch Church, and founder of Union Col- lege, was settled over the church, at a salary of $625. But the church was at strife, and in No- vember, 1804, Mr. Romeyn also left. The num- ber of communicants at this time could not have been much above a hundred; the highest rental for pews was but $35, and the support of the church and pastor in the midst of such difficulties was very doubtful and precarious. Mr. Nathaniel Todd, ordained December 11, 1805, was dismissed in the succeeding November, on the ground that the congregation were unable to support him.

For some time the church depended upon tem- porory supplies, but, as if still further to confuse and complicate matters, the ear of the congrega- tion was taken by an Irishman of the Methodist Church, a lay preacher, Mr. John Joyce. In spite of the peril of a threatened schism if Mr. Joyce were not settled over the church, Presbytery de- clined to intrust the church to his care, and de- clared it expedient for the session to resign, that new elders might in the interest of harmony be elected. The new session consisted of Messrs.

Kelly, Walmsley, Daniel Chandler and Prof. Henry Davis, afterward President of Middlebury, and still later of Hamilton College.

Notwithstanding its want of a pastor, and its in- ternal differences, the church does not seem to have lost any confidence in itself, for on the 3d of July, 1809, the corner-stone of a new edifice was laid, the old building on the site of the chapel be- ing taken down, and the congregation worshiping for a time in the college chapel.

We introduce here an impression of the old church seal, believing that it represents the form of the original church structure.

CHU

RCH

No doubt a large part of the strength and im- pulse of the new church movement came from the college. Dr. Nott, from his accession to the Presi- dency in 1804, had been a warm friend, and to his kindness, as well as that of Dr. McAuley and other members of the faculty, it was probably in large measure owing that the church came through its crisis with so little loss of strength.

Meantime, the Rev. Alexander Monteith had been called to the pastorate, and on August 29, 1809, he was settled over the church, remaining its pastor until his death, January 29, 1815. Dur- ing his ministry there was an increase in its collec- tions, the communion roll was enlarged by 62 additions, and the pastor's salary was advanced from $700 to $1,000.

Mr. Monteith's successor was the Rev. Hooper Cummings, whose eloquence covered not a few of his own sins and other men's sermons. Eccentric and unfortunate, to speak mildly, Mr. Cummings' brief pastorate, judged by statistics, was most successful. Installed 22d November, 1815, and dismissed 18th February, 1817, sixty-five persons were added to the communion roll, and work among the colored people prosecuted with vigor and success, Presby- tery having authorized Messrs. Wisner and Davis, then members of the church in Union College, to catechise and exhort among them.

During Mr. Cummings' ministry, however, old strifes broke out again, and it was not till the 8th of June, 1820, that another pastor could be secured, changes having occurred in the session, and some withdrawing from the church, which in the interval enjoyed the services of Drs. Nott and McAuley. In April, 1820, the famous Mr. Net- tleton preached, and the church seems to have en- joyed spiritual prosperity, not less than 120 being added to the church during the year. "Tokens" at the communion were still in use, not being dis- pensed with till March, 1821, when members of other Evangelical churches were welcomed to the Lord's table. The "Token " was intended to

103

CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETIES.

prevent any unknown person or member under discipline from coming to the Lord's table. Tokens were distributed by the elders before communion to all who were in good standing, and were taken up by the elders again from the communicants at the table. They were made of lead, or pewter, were about an inch square, having inscriptions on each side, like these samples :

PRESBY.N

II. TIM: II. XIX

CHURCII

SCHEN.DY

I. COR : XI.

XXVIII

Besides these changes, during Mr. (Walter) Monteith's pastorate (1820 to 1226), the old psalm book (Rouse) was relinquished, which indicates that a decided change was taking place in the sentiment of the church. In Mr. Monteith's time also the old "Session House " was built by subscription, and not without much opposition from those who did not favor Sabbath-schools, prayer meetings and other "new-fangled ideas." The Sunday-school had been started by Mr. Jona- than Crane, an elder in the church, in the base- ment kitchen of his own house, as a Mission Union School in 1817; but in 1824 it divided into two church schools, one Dutch, the other Presbyterian, which found a home in the Session House, though viewed with suspicion, if not with dislike, by many who regarded it as "a school for outcasts."

Mr. Monteith's successor was the Rev. Erskine Mason, a son of the celebrated Dr. John M. Mason, whom in intellectual strength he in no small degree resembled. A scholarly and finished preacher, the three years of his service here were years of strength and blessing to the church, which received during his brief pastorate an addition of 89 members, 306 being the total number of com- municants reported to Presbytery in 1830.

From July, 1830, until December, the church seems to have depended for service upon various ministers, when the Rev. Wm. James, a brilliant but somewhat eccentric preacher, became its "Stated Supply," declining, however, in 1832, the call to become the pastor, and ceasing to preach in the spring of the same year, for the Rev. James W. Henry appears to have supplied the church in April and May.

The day of rapid changes and shifting pastorates was soon to end, for the pulpit having been supplied by the Rev. Jonathan Trumbull Backus, May 27, 1832, a call was extended to him, and on the 6th of December following he was ordained and installed over the church, remaining its pastor until the 18th of June, 1873. During all this long pastorate, under the blessing of God, the church steadily grew and strengthened ; old differences died out ; larger ideas of the privilege of Christian benevolence obtained ; more efficient methods of work were adopted, and the usefulness of the church greatly increased. During his ministry Dr. Backus re-

ceived over 1,000 persons to the communion of the church and a new era of benevolence entered upon, the aggregate of the reported benevolence during this period being over $160,000. The church edifice was enlarged in 1834, and again in 1859; and the old "Session House" in 1843 gave way to the chapel, to which was added in 1857 the session room. This church was rebuilt and enlarged in 1884, and is a unique, beautiful, com- modious and convenient structure. During this century more than 60 of its members have entered the Christian ministry.

The Rev. Timothy G. Darling, the present pastor, succeeded Rev. Dr. Backus, June 18, 1873. For three years he had been assistant pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, Md. He was born at Nassau, N. P., Bahamas, October 5, 1842 ; graduated from Williams Col- lege in 1864; Union Theological Seminary in 1869 ; and was Instructor of Metaphysics from 1877 to 1880, in Union College. There has been a continuance of prosperity in the church under his pastorate.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

A little more than a hundred years ago an officer in the British army, listening to Mr. Wesley, in Bristol, England, was led to embrace Christ as his Saviour. Soon after he identified himself with the Methodists and became a co-laborer with Mr. Wesley, who licensed him as a local preacher.

Not long after, Captain Thomas Webb was sent from England to New York State on military duty and stationed at Albany, where he continued to preach Christ to his fellow soldiers and to all whom he could gain access.

About the beginning of the year 1767 he visited this city, and was probably the first Methodist preacher who came here. In a building standing, at that time, on the east side of Church street, near Union, used for bolting flour, this soldier of the cross preached the word with considerable success. It was strange and novel to see a military officer, arrayed in the habiliments of his office, with his sword by his side or lying on the table before him, assuming the functions of the sacred office. Many went to hear him out of mere curiosity. Some opened their hearts to the Saviour and were made happy in his love. Among the first converts were Nicholas Van Patten, Giles Brower, Rachael Bar- hydt, and the wife of Giles Van Vorst; also a colored man and woman who were slaves. The first converts were accustomed to meet together after the departure of Webb for religious services, but were much opposed by those who could not appreciate their feelings and were unaquainted with their religious enjoyments. Because of their peculiarly deep piety and zealous devotion they were called, in derision, "New Lights."

The second Methodist preacher, as far as we can learn, was the famous George Whitfield, in the year 1770, when he was making his last tour in America. Enthusiastic crowds, composed of all grades and conditions of society, flocked to hear

1809.

104

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

him, but we have no positive knowledge as to the general effects of his preaching here.

Benjamin Akin was the first local preacher resid- ing here. He began to preach in January, 1807, in the house of Richard Clute, on Green street, and quite a number were soon converted, who were really the founders of the Methodist Society here.

The conference year ending in May, 1807, Andrew McKean, the preacher in charge of the Albany Circuit, occasionally visited this little band,

and organized the same year the first Methodist Episcopal church in Schenectady. At the meet- ing of the conference in 1807, Schenectady Circuit was formed, and Samuel Howe appointed to preach once in four weeks. Services were continued in Richard Clute's dwelling until autumn, when they were removed to a small house in Liberty street, where they were continued during the winter and following spring, quite a number being added to the church.

HALEY.NY

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

In the spring of 1808 Seth Crowell was ap- pointed to this place and preached in a building on State street, kindly furnished by its owner, Dorsey Joyce. Under his preaching the little flock "were edified and encouraged." In the following year two preachers were appointed to the Schenec- tady Circuit, which embraced the surrounding country, viz .: Truman Bishop and Datus En- sign. During this year a house of worship was erected and dedicated, and, though a rude struc- ture, was used by the society for twenty-six years. It was situated on the northeast corner of Liberty and Canal streets, where the Canal now runs. As soon as inclosed, and before the walls were put on, and when the seats consisted merely of loose boards placed on blocks, it was occupied, and it remained in this condition for several years, when it was completed and rendered quite commodious. It was afterward removed to the northwest, to make way for the canal, and placed with its front on Union street, remaining here until this lot was needed for the railroad.

In 1810 the preachers appointed to this circuit were Isaac B. Smith and Hugh Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong was soon removed to another field, and Cyprian H. Gridley was sent to take his place. The church flourished much under the labors of these two devout and godly men. They were suc- ceeded in 1811 by Henry Stead and Samuel Mer-

win, the former a practical, animated and useful preacher, the latter one of the able and efficient men of his times. Mr. Stead was returned the next year with John Finnegan, a sociable, agree- able but eccentric man, as his associate.

Smith Arnold and John B. Matthias were ap- pointed in 1813. They were said to be, like Stephen, "full of faith and the Holy Ghost." They were followed the next spring by John Kline and Samuel Eighmey, men zealous and earnest in their Master's work. In 1815 three preachers were appointed to this circuit, E. P. Jacobs, Eli Bart- lett and James Young. It is said that B. English preached here also about this time.

Thus far in its history the society appears to have been quite feeble, and made great exertions to maintain its existence. The men who served it endured great privations and hardships, "count- ing not their lives dear unto themselves," that they might win souls to Christ and nurture the flock to which they were appointed overseers.

In 1816 the society ceased to be connected with the circuit and became a station, under the pas- toral charge of Laban Clark. The number of members at this time was about fifty. Mr. Clark is said to have been a man of gentlemanly bearing, courteous, affable, kind, and of a contemplative, serene and tranquil mind, and was highly es- teemed by all classes of citizens as a man

105

CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETIES.

and as a preacher. Under his administration Methodism arose in influence, and attained a much higher position than at any previous time. Two years afterward he was succeeded by William Thatcher. His two years' ministry marked an im- portant era in the history of the church. A powerful revival during his first winter extended its influence throughout the whole community, and added much material and spiritual strength to the church. The successor of Mr. Thatcher was Sam- uel Luckey, afterward Dr. Luckey, who was pas- tor in Rochester in 1860. He commenced his labors here in 1820, and remained two years. Mr. Luckey was esteemed by all who knew him, and his influence gave special character to the church. He was succeeded by James M. Smith. Mr. Smith excelled as a doctrinal preacher, and his clear and skillful presentation of what the Metho- dists really believed, overcame much of the oppo- sition heretofore shown by those who considered their teachings unscriptural. The church pros- pered under his ministry.

In the year 1824 Daniel Brayton was appointed to this charge, an excellent man and a good preacher. During his ministry the church suffered somewhat from adverse influences, but the band of believers were not disheartened. They trusted in God, pressed forward, and soon rejoiced in re- turning prosperity.

George Coles assumed the pastoral care in 1826. He afterward became editor-in-chief of the Chris- tian Advocate and Journal. Mr. Coles was a preacher of ability and attractiveness. It is related that at one of his meetings, seeing one of his brothers in the congregation locked in uncon- scious slumbers, he suddenly paused in his dis- course and cried out, "Brother G. ! wake up, wake up! I have something important for you to hear." Brother G.'s slumbers were effectually broken for that occasion, and this incident made an impres- sion on his mind not easily obliterated. At the next prayer meeting he seemed to have a vivid recollection of it, and in his prayer he prayed fer- vently that the Lord would baptize the preacher and help him to preach so that his hearers would not go to sleep, to which prayer the preacher re- sponded with a loud amen, he, doubtless, feeling that it would require a supernatural influence to keep some hearers awake.

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.

Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 238

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