USA > New York > Otsego County > Cooperstown > Historic records of Christ Church, Cooperstown, N.Y. > Part 4
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Sources of Income-Offerings at Church services, $585.04 ;
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subscriptions and donations, $1,532; Sunday School, $60.29 ; pew rents, $1,930.49; proceeds of endowments, $120; total, $4,227.82.
There was no change in the Vestry for IS98. In April of this year occurred the death of Mr. George W. Ernst, a former Vestryman and Warden of the Parish, and whose father, Mr. John F. Ernst, was one of the incorporators of the same, January Ist, 1811, serving in the first Vestry, and as Warden the following year. Suitable resolutions were adopted by the Vestry.
Several improvements were made upon the Church grounds during the spring. The buckthorn hedge on the south of the Rectory lot was removed on account of unseemly growth, and the entire plot enclosed by one of arbor vitae. A portion of the Cooper burying ground was graded and seeded, and the Church walks and borders were repaired.
An entertainment was given in the Village Hall in August of this year which netted about $500. To this was added a donation from Mr. Averell Carter of $200, making $700 in all, which was applied to the reduction of a note of $1,000 carried as a Church debt.
The two old furnaces under the main body of the Church having become unfit for use a new one to take their place was put in during September. Three gifts to the furniture and sacred vessels of the Church were made during this year, a silver Chalice in memory of Miss Ellen Stockton ; a brass Ewer by Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Brown as a thank offering for a recovery from severe illness in their family, and an oak and brass Font Cover from Mr. Keese for a like mercy in his family.
The Parish was represented in the Diocesan Convention of this year by Messrs. Cruttenden, Keese and Boden. Within a month thereafter occurred the death of William D. Boden, a member of the Vestry for ten years last past. Resolutions of respect were entered on the minutes.
The financial report of the year as made to the Convention shows the contributions to have been as follows: Parochial, $4,309.51 ; Diocesan, $729.50 ; general, $1,276.94. Of this last, $600 was a special offering for foreign missions, and $120 was
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given to Bishop Johnston of Western Texas, for work in his jurisdiction, making a grand total of $6,315.96.
At the Easter election of 1899, the only change made was that of Henry D. Sill in place of the late W. D. Boden. The financial report to the Vestry was the most satisfactory ever made in the history of the Parish, showing a surplus over the year's expenses.
Early in the year, the village gas works having been disa- bled, a contract was made for lighting the Church and rectory by electric light. This was carried out at a cost of somewhat over $400.
In April, Miss Sill presented, for the use of the Chapel, a fine reed Organ. It was placed on the north side, the library being removed to the opposite side. The thanks of the Vestry were made to Miss Sill for her liberal gift.
At the present time a fund is being raised, mostly through the members of the Bible class, for the purchase of an eagle lectern. The same will be completed and the lectern in place during the coming season.
This record of Christ Church history closes with the date of its publication, June Ist, 1899, ninety-two years after the erection of the original building, and eighty-eight years since the organization as a Parish. Notwithstanding occasional periods of halting, not to say retrograding, it has steadily grown in rank and position among the rural Parishes of the Diocese until it now stands second to none. With a property worth, at a conservative valuation, over $40,000, and free from debt, a communicant list of 275, and annual contributions from all sources of over $5,000, the day of small things has passed away.
With continued harmonious action between Rector and people, and the absence of any cause of discord, there is no reason why the future historian should have anything to record but an advance in all things, both temporal and spiritual, for which thanks be to GOD and to His Son Jesus Christ, who has given Ilis name to this Church.
June 1, 1899.
Rectors.
The Rectors of Christ Church from the organization to the present time : -
*DANIEL NASH,
from ISHI to 1836.
FRED'K T. TIFFANY, as Missionary, -
1820.
as Rector, from 1839 to 1845.
ALFRED B. BEACH, - from 1845 to 1848.
STEPHEN H. BATTIN, - from 1848 to 1858.
STEPHEN H. SYNNOTT, - from 1858 to 1866.
D. HILLHOUSE BUEL, from 1867 to 1872. from 1872 to 1874.
PHILIP A. H. BROWN, BRADY E. BACKUS, - - from 1874 to 1876. from 1876 to 1882.
WILLIAM W. LORD, D. D.,
CASPAR M. WINES,
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-
from 1883 to 1884.
CHARLES S. OLMSTED, D. D., from 1884 to 1896.
RICHMOND SHREVE, D. D.,
from 1896 to -.
*NOTE .- Daniel Nash, familiarly and affectionately known as "Father Nash," resigned as Rector in 1818, but his title to the office was continued until his death in 1836.
Clerks of the Vestin.
Isaac Cooper, ISHI to 1818, excepting 1812, during which year William C. Jarvis served.
John F. Ernst, 1818 to : 829.
Harvey Luce 1830 and 1831.
No record for the years 1832 and 1833.
Henry Brown, 1834 to 1836.
E. D. Richardson, 1837 and 1838. Henry B. Ernst, 1839 to 1845.
Edwin Jackson, 1846 to 1849.
William A. Comstock, 1849 to 1871.
Frederick L. Palmer, 1871 to 1881.
William Mildner, 1882 to 1884.
Lee B. Cruttenden, 1884 to the present date.
Srcasurers.
Up to 1868 the office of Clerk and Treasurer was filled by the same person.
In IS68, C. R. Burch was appointed Treasurer, serving until 1870.
F. L. Palmer, 1870-ISSI.
W. C. Bowers, 1882-1884.
Seeley P. Smith, 1884-1886.
W. H. Merchant, 1886 to present time.
Scxtons.
As far as recorded the first appointment appears to have been that of Jacob M. Platner in 1818, at a salary of $10 a year. In 1834, Charles Slayden served both as Organist and Sex- ton, and for the combined duties he received $1oo a year.
In 1835, Nathan Weeks was appointed Sexton at a salary of $15. He was succeeded in 1837 by Joseph D. Husbands, familiarly known as "Joe Tom," who served until 1860.
Solomon A. Bailey, Smith Adsit and Richard Russell, filled the position for the succeeding ten years in the order named.
Delos Van Nort, the present Sexton, was appointed in 1870.
Ele Choit.
Upon the organization of the Parish in 1811, it is recorded that "Mr. Jarvis Edson and Bartlett Rogers have the direction of the singing." The same served until 1815, when Augustus Rogers was added. From 1817 to 1821, Augustus Rogers, Isaac N. Smith and Elias Clark served as choristers. In 1821, A. Rogers, Miles Benjamin and Kent Jarvis.
The first recorded appointment of an organist. is that of Moritz Richter, in 1839. He was followed by John Rogers, but the records do not show his time of service ; it was for several years however. Miss Emily Doubleday succeeded, taking the organ and having charge of the music for over twenty-five years, and until 1884. Several short periods of service followed, Miss Mary Steere most capably filling the position in 1885. She gave place to Prof. W. Mildner, who acted for one year. Mrs. B. F. Austin gave most good and efficient service from 1885 until 1892. She was succeeded by Miss Saxton, afterwards Mrs. E. V. Adams, who resigned the position in April, 1899, much to the regret of the congregation. The present organist is Miss L. Blanche Root.
No choirmaster, as such, was appointed until after the or- ganization of the surpliced choir in 1891. Mr. G. B. Snyder took charge in 1892, and much of the efficiency of the present choir is due to his capable and efficient leadership. Mr. Herbert H. Combs succeeded in 1897, and he has fully main- tained the high standard already attained as well as his own reputation as choirmaster.
During the earlier days of the quartette choir, the Misses Doubleday, Mrs. Allen, Thomas H. Bingham and Edward Crandall gave regular and pains-taking service. At that date the organ and choir were in the gallery over the front entrance.
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'The Sunday School.
There is no recorded account of the organization of a Sunday School connected with the Parish, although there can be no doubt that Father Nash, who had such a warm place in his heart for the "Lambs of the Flock," established a school in every place where he founded a Church.
As far back as 1828, however, one existed with Mrs. Pomeroy as Superintendent, and it is unwritten history that General John A. Dix, who afterwards became so distinguished in public life, made his maiden speech in an address before the school.
Later, the Rectors in office took charge of the school until 1867, when the then Rector, Rev. D. Hillhouse Buel, appointed G. Pomeroy Keese, Superintendent. This office was held by Mr. Keese until 1895, with the exception of two intermediate years when Wm. Mildner took charge.
The present Superintendent is Professor W. D. Johnson.
Bible Classes have been established at several times and with varying success. The one now existing under the present rectorship, open as it is to any and all members of the congre- gation, has proved both instructive and permanent.
Societies and Organizations within the Parish for Charitable and Religious work.
The Charity Box,
organized January, 1843, in accordance with the following pro- spectus of its work :
PLAN OF THE CHARITY BOX.
It is the plan of the Charity Box of Christ Church, Coop- erstown, to provide a permanent means of relieving the poor of the village, and of contributing to any religious work going on in the Parish, by the profits of needle and fancy work, knit- ting, etc., offered by the female members of the congregation.
A regular plan for this purpose was approved and adopted at a meeting held at the house of Mrs. Starkweather, January, 1843. Present, Mrs. G. Starkweather, Mrs. Henry Scott, Miss Miller, Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Crippen, Mrs. Root, Mrs. Geo. Ernst, Mrs. Holvoyd and Miss S. F. Cooper.
PLAN .- Two Managers to be chosen. A box to be pro- vided for the work and placed at one of the taverns of the vil- lage. Three books to be purchased, one to contain a list of the work received, a second the receipt of money, a third the ex- penditure. The first Manager to have charge of the box and money; the second Manager to keep the books. The Managers to be chosen from the contributors of work, and to be elected for six months, or a year at a time; any lady who is willing to take charge of the box, or books, becomes a Manager by sign- ing a receipt for the same, at the request of those last on duty, and without the formality of a regular election.
Any contributor of work has a right to examine the books at any time.
Any contributor has a right to recommend any person she may think fit, as an object of charity, and it shall be the duty of the Managers to attend to the same.
The contributors of work to put a price on their own work.
Orders for work to be received by the Managers, or con- tributors.
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. . .
The articles in the box may be sent round by a peddler, from tinie to time, and a regular sale of that kind to be held before Christmas every year.
The profits of the work to be given to the poor of the vil- lage ; especially widows, orphans, the aged and the sick. When- ever any religious work is going on in the Parish, such as re- pairing the Church, etc., it shall be the duty of the Managers to contribute to the same, provided there be always a small fund in reserve for the use of the poor.
No regard to be paid to the religions opinions of those poor receiving relief from the box. It shall be the especial duty of the Managers, however, to see that no poor family of the parish is overlooked, if any such belonging to the congregation of Christ Church needs assistance.
The wishes of the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen, to be duly attended to, in case of any religious work going on in the Parish, and suitable endeavors made to comply with them.
"Be not weary in well doing."
January, 1843.
The present Cooperstown branch of the Woman's Auxiliary for mission work is the successor of the Charity Box. Its offi- cers are : Mrs. William Constable, President ; Mrs. Shreve and Mrs. Hooker, Vice Presidents ; Mrs. Cruttenden, Secretary and Treasurer.
The White Society
was organized in 1846, as shown by the proceedings of its first meeting :
The Mite Society of Christ Church, Cooperstown, was organized at a meeting held in the Parish Church for that pur- pose, on Wednesday, August 19th, 1846, when the following regulations were adopted :
This Society shall be called the Mite Society of Christ Church, Cooperstown.
The object of this Society shall be to raise by small con- tributions, a fund to be devoted to the missions of the Church,
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and such other charitable and parish purpose as shall be de- cided upon by vote of the managers, with the approbation of the Rector.
The contributions of each subscriber shall be from one cent to six cents monthly. This Society shall be regulated by a Board of Managers, a Secretary and Treasurer. The Managers shall be six in number.
A monthly meeting of the Managers, Treasurer and Secre- tary shall be punctually held on the first Thursday in every month at eleven o'clock in the morning ; at which time all busi- ness shall be transacted, and the funds collected by the Mana- gers paid over to the Secretary. The money so received to be entered by the Secretary on the books of the Society, and then given into the hands of the Treasurer, from whom a receipt is taken. Every appropriation of money to be also entered on the books and signed by the Treasurer and Secretary.
A general meeting of the subscribers shall be held annually, at which the proceedings of the past year are declared and officers for the ensuing year elected.
These regulations having been adopted, the following per- sons were chosen for the ensuing year, dating from September Ist, 1846: Managers: Mrs. Henry Scott, Mrs. P. Johnson, Mrs. Steele, Mrs. Theodore Keese, Mrs. Chandler Root, Miss Ingalls ; Treasurer, Miss Mary Miller ; Secretary, Miss S. F. Cooper.
Its present officers are: Miss Cooper, Treasurer ; Miss Keese, Secretary ; Misses Bowen, Starkweather, Mary Crutten- den, C. M. Keese, Annie Ernst, Martha Boden, Managers.
The Altar Guild
was organized in 1885, under the following constitution:
I.
The Guild shall be called the Altar Guild of Christ Church, Cooperstown.
II.
It shall consist of such persons as the Rector of said Parish may designate.
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.. .
III.
Its existence, continuance, and purposes are defined by the Rector, and of course it ceases with the ceasing of his tenure of the Parish.
IV.
The officers are the Rector of the Parish, and a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, who are to be elected at each annual meeting.
V.
It shall have two regular meetings in the year, viz. : one on the Feast of the Annunciation of the B. V. M. or on the Eve thereof, and one on the Feast of Michalmas, or on the Eve thereof. The meeting on the former feast or on its Eve shall be the annual meeting.
VI.
The objects of the Guild are in general such as may be from time to time defined by the Rector, as well as the fol- lowing :
Ist. To promote among themselves an ever more and more careful preparation for the receiving of the Blessed Sacra- ment of the Body and Blood of Christ, and a profound rever- ence for the dignity of that holy Mystery.
2d. To secure an attendance upon every celebration of the Holy Communion in the Parish.
3d. To care for the Altar and Sanctuary of Christ Church and the Chapel thereof.
4th. To keep the linen, furniture and ornaments of the Sanctuary in perfect wholeness, cleanness and order.
5th. Care of Altar consists in changing colored cloths, in putting on and taking off the fair linen cloth ; in having a pitcher of fresh water in the Vestry room at times of Holy Communion. The Rector will still see to the bread and wine, the sacred vessels and the other linen for the Altar, and will do whatever he has done hitherto, except take care of the fair linen cloth.
6th. To prepare the Altar for the celebration of the Holy Communion.
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7th. To procure flowers for the Altar at all feasts of the Church, and especially for those of Christmas day, Easter, Ascension day, Whitsun-day and Trinity Sunday.
Sth. To make Altar linen for poor Churches and missions.
Each member of the Altar Guild should endeavor to re- ceive the Holy Communion one Sunday in a month at an early celebration.
Altar Guild, 1899 :
Miss Sill, President. Mrs. Morgan, Vice President. Miss Shreve, Sec'y and Treas'r Members :
Miss Dora Crittenden, Miss Bessie Boden,
Miss Annie Ernst,
Miss Caroline M. Keese,
Miss Alice B. Keese,
Miss Nina Van Nort,
Miss Phoebe Pomeroy,
Miss Martha W. Boden,
Miss Laura Fish,
Miss Elizabeth C. Keese,
Miss Florence P. Keese,
Miss Augusta P. Welch,
Miss Grace Carter,
Miss Grace Bowen,
Miss Edith Welch.
Atemorials and Thanh-offerings
in Christ Church,
with the inscriptions on the same :
THE CARTER MEMORIAL CHANCEL .- 1891.
BRASS ALTAR CROSS .- "A Thank-offering, Xmas, 1884." Gift of Mrs. Carter.
BRASS ALTAR PRAYER DESK .- "In loving Memory of Mary M. Foot. 1806-1876; Mary A. Pumpelly, 1832-1877."
A TAR SERVICE BOOK .- Gift of Mrs. Jane A. Laidley. "To the Glory of God and in memory of Mrs. Jane Russell Averell Carter, who entered into Life, January 31, 1888. 'Grant Her, O Lord, Eternal Rest.'"
NOVA SCOTIA STONE FONT .- "In Memoriam, T. K., Sep- tember 27, 1858." Theodore Keese.
BRASS COVER of the same .- "A Thank-offering, A. B. K., 1898." Alice B. Keese.
BRASS EWER .- "A Thank-offering, J. W. B. and A. G. B., 1898." "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Rev. J. W. Brown, D. D., and Mrs. Brown.
BRASS PROCESSIONAL CROSS .- Given by Mr. J. F. Brower. "To Him Crucified, and in loving memory of Jeanette Cathe- rine Brower, died May 28, 1874. Christ Church, Cooperstown, N. Y. St. Michael and All Angels Day, 1895."
SILVER CHALICE .- The gift of Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Lord. In memory of Miss Ellen Stockton.
CARVED OAK LITANY DESK .- "To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Francis Upton Jolinston, M. D., Novem- ber 20, 1892."
LITANY BOOK. - "In memory of Lavantia Wood Sill, Octo- ber 8, 1897."
OAK AND BRASS PULPIT .- "To the Glory of God and in
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Pious Memory of Rev. Daniel Nash, First Rector of this Church, Obt. 1836."
MARBLE TABLET .- "Samuel Nelson, L.L. D. Born Nov. 10, 1792, died Dec. 13, 1873 ; Catherine A. Nelson, born Feb'y 21, 1805, died April 8, 1875. 'Blessed are the pure in Heart, for they shall see God.'"
OAK ALMS BOX at the Church door .- "In Memoriam, A. C." Mrs. Isaac Cooper.
THE CHURCH BELL .- "Presented to Christ Church, ( erstown, June 11th, 1893, by Morgan Dix, in memory father, John A. Dix."
The Từlindows.
South Transept: "James Fenimore Cooper, a of this Church, died Sept. 14, 1851, aged 62 years. . . s the substance of things hoped for.'" Subject : "Chris og sight to the blind man."
"Susan Augusta Fenimore Cooper. Died J . 20, 1852. 'The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which a he sight of God is of great price.'" Subject: Mary and witha in the presence of Christ.
North Transept : "William H. Averell. Bor . July 8, 1794, died August 17, 1873." Subject : Figure of - laul.
"Jane A. M. R. Averell. Born August 5, 805; died Oct. 19, 1833." Subject : Figure of the Angel Gabriel.
North Aisle: "In memoriam, Henry Scott, for 27 years senior Warden of this Church. Born Feb'y 14, 1792; died December 19, 1873. 'Blessed are the pure in Heart.'" Sub- ject : "The Good Samaritan."
"To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Susan Augusta Fenimore Cooper, April 17, 1813, December 31, 1894. 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.'" Subject : Charity.
South Aisle: "In memoriam, Jedediah Peck Sill. Born
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May 28, 1808 ; died September 27, 1875. 'Whosoever giveth of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.'" Subject : "Christ and the woman of Samaria."
"To the Glory of God and in memory of Grace Ehninger Dunbar, A. D., 1870-1894. 'Blessed are the pure in Heart, for they shall see God.'" Subject : Figure of an Angel.
Organ Aisle : "In memoriam, J. E. W. 'Thy will be done.'" Subject : "Resignation." Mrs. Kenneth G. White.
Other Windows.
THE ROSE WINDOW in the north transept, 10 feet in diameter, containing the emblems of the twelve Apostles. Pre- sented by Mr. Edward Clark.
Small, circular window in the south transept, known as "The Ladies' Window." Emblem of the Lamb and banner.
Circular window in the tower, know as "The Children's Window." Emblem : Christ, the Good Shepherd.
Other Gifts, Hot Glemorials.
The Vases on the Altar-gift of Mrs. Carter.
Purple Burse and Veil-from Rev. Dr. J. W. Brown.
Red Burse and Veil-from Mrs. Zabriskie.
Glass Cruets-by fund raised by a member of the Altar Guild.
The Lantern in the Porch-gift of Mr. Zabriskie.
Tile flooring-gift of Miss Carr and Mrs. McNamee.
Chapel Organ-the gift of Miss Sill.
IN THE VESTRY
May be seen a model of the original Church ; the marble bap- tismal bowl in use during the days of Father Nash ; portraits of the Bishop of the Diocese, and of all the Rectors, one only being missing, with their dates of service.
These were procured and presented to the Church by a member of the Vestry.
The baptismal bowl was secured through the kindness of Mrs. Blodgett, in whose possession it was.
Legacies.
The Parish has received four legacies since its organiza- tion, viz .:
One thousand dollars from Theodore Keese, which became payable in 1872; one-half the income to be used for the Rec- tor's salary, and one-half towards the repairs and improvement of the Church property.
Some years after the death of John Wilson, in 1874, a legacy of five hundred dollars was received from his estate. As this sum was without restrictions, it was used toward the pay- ment for land in the rear of the Church.
Thomas McIntosh, who died in 1894, left one thousand dollars, the interest to be expended in the care and preserva- tion of the graves of his father and mother, in the churchyard, and the remainder to the Rector of the Parish.
In 1895 three hundred dollars was received from the estate of Susan Fenimore Cooper, the interest of which is to be used in the care of the Cooper burying ground within the church- yard.
Total, $2,800.
GRAVES OF FENIMORE COOPER AND WIFE, IN COOPER BURYING GROUND.
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The Churchyard.
The churchyard, with its primitive growth of pines and stately elms and maples, is one of the most beautiful of rural cemeteries, reminding one of the more picturesque of its class in England.
Here "the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep," as it was used for a burying place from the foundation of the village and fifteen years before the building of the Churchi.
When the gift of the deed of land was made by Judge Cooper, a portion was set aside for the use of the family of the donor, and it so remains until this day. The graves of Mr. Fenimore Cooper and wife are in the center of the plot, the tombs of his father and mother being seen just beyond.
The marble obelisk, on the main walk approaching the Church, marks the resting place of "Father Nash," the only Rector buried within the enclosure. The entire grounds com- prise about two acres. containing the Church, Chapel and Rectory, with ample unoccupied land in the rear for the Parish and Sexton's houses of the future.
D285-12.4
MAY 75
F
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
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