USA > New York > Rensselaer County > Brunswick > History of Gilead Evangelical Lutheran Church, Centre Brunswick, Rensselaer Co., N.Y. and the vicinity > Part 4
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Pastor Braun is said to have been a man of fine abilities and attainments ; an indefatigable worker, firm in his convictions, consistent in his principles, mild in manner, forbearing toward the erring, and kind-hearted to a fault. He secured universal respect toward himself as a Christian gentleman and faithful shepherd. He excelled his predecessors in the care he displayed in the keeping of the Church records. He died March 19, 1813, aged 61 years, having had charge of the Gilead Pastorate ten and a half years.
The Episcopalians up to this time, if we may credit report, whenever opportunity afforded, manifested considerable interest in this churches affairs ; a minister of that denomination filling occasional appointments for Mr. Braun, who had been an invalid for some time before he died. The funeral services were conducted by said minister, and were held in the house. His remains were interred at West Sandlake, where a plain stone, with the following inscription, marks his grave :-
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"Sacred to the mimory of Revd. Anthony T. Braun, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Bruns- wick and Greenbush, who departed this life March 19th, A. D. 1813 in the 61 Ayeare of his age.
He was an affectionate Friend, A faithful Pastor, and a Pious christian. We trust he now rests in the Paradise of God".
Customs then common among professed Chris- tian people, and freely indulged without casting reproach on Christian character, would now be directly fatal to any American church that would countenance their practice. Judged by the results that followed in this community, we do not hesitate to characterize the drinking practices of those days as having been most disgraceful and pernicious. It is a matter worthy of gratu- lation, that through the mercy of God, and the healthy development of public sentiment, we have gotten rid of the effects, and rejoice that here no danger exists of their ever being revived.
We can say of Pastor Braun what would not be true of one or more of his successors, he was a temperate man and discountenanced the abuse of intoxicants. Nevertheless at his funeral, those having charge of it, rising to the level of the solemn occasion, as they thought, and in conform- ity to the universal custom on such occasions,
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provided rum which was dispensed freely at both front doors, as the people emerged from the house after the sermon.
Mr. Braun baptized 645 children, confirmed 181 persons, and solemnized 98 marriages,a. up to May, 1812, after which he wrote nothing. Ilis last entry, which is written in English, reads :-
"31 May, 1812. Received the following persons the Holy Sacrament, by the ministry of the Reverend Mr. Uhl. May the Lord Jesus bless his holy ordinances unto these souls and take them into his holy keeping is the prayer of Anthony T. Braun, P. L.
After his death the church was without a pas- tor for about a year, during which time, the former pastor, Rev. Mr. Wichterman came on two occasions and administered the sacraments of the church. Two Presbyterian clergymen, Rev's Coe and Younglove, also Rev. Uhl filled occasional appointments.
a. His predecessors left no record of marriages.
CHAPTER IV.
DR. BACHMAN, REV'S MOLTHER, MCCARTY AND GOODMAN-THE OLD BRICK CHURCH. -
The Sixth Pastor. Early in the year 1814, Rev.
fro. Bachman.
more widely known as Rev. John Bachman, D. D., L. L. D., of Charleston, S. C., who had pre- pared for the ministry under Rev. Anthon T. Braun, who was born near Schagticoke, and whose family were members of St. John's Church, took charge of the Parish. While a student he lived in the family of his preceptor, to whom," for the training of such a man, the Lutheran Church owes a debt of gratitude. So prominent a place did he subsequently attain among the learned and great men of his time on both sides of the Atlantic, and so identified was he with the progress of the Lutheran Church in this country
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for more than half a century, and so famous as a man of extraordinary scientific attainments, that to merely mention his name here will recall to mind more than could be written of him in this brief history, and beget a feeling of just pride, to have it known that this illustrious man and emi- nent Christian was born here, studied here, entered the ministry of the Church here, preached his first sermons here, and was one of the pastors of Gilead. His father owned slaves, one of whom was especially attached to John, and de- lighted to accompany him in his rambles with his gun over the hills in search of game, for he was addicted to hunting rather than to the prosy routine of farm work.
The Church having no parsonage at that time, Dr. Bachman, then unmarried, continued to reside at home, (the farm, now divided, is owned by George Hayner and Jacob Dater.) Hle rc- mained in charge about a year and a half, when he was persuaded that duty and his health demanded his acceptance of a call to Charleston, S. C. This decision occasioned great sorrow. When he delivered his farewell sermon in Gilead, the voice of lamentation and weeping filled the house. At the close of the services they joined with him in singing a hymn the writer remem-
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bers to have heard in childhood, but which is no longer familiar. The first line was-
"I'll take my staff and travel on," &c.
Whatever he may have written in the Church book at Schagticoke, here he recorded nothing except the infant baptisms which numbered 48.
As the book alluded to cannot be found, noth- ing further can be said concerning the Church while under his care, except that preaching in the English language, which Pastor Braun had attempted occasionally, with indifferent success, toward the close of his ministry, Pastor Bach- man continued. It is said he had no knowledge of German before he became a student, which is unaccountable in view of his surroundings. Be that as it may, he preached in English to a church which German would have better suited, to which they raised no objection, perhaps be- cause pastors were less easily obtained than now, and all English preaching was better than no preaching.
The Seventh Pastor was Rev.
John holther
who was of Moravian extraction, had been
r
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HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
raised and educated in that Church, and had spent some years in its ministry. Having become identified with the Lutheran Church, he was recommended by the President of the Ministerium of New York as a suitable person to take charge of these Churches. Accordingly in the month of November, 1815, he became Pastor.
There being no suitable house to be obtained for him, and as he preferred it, he rented a house in Troy. The location was, he considered, con- venient, Gilead being at that time eight miles, St. John's seven miles and Zion's eight miles distant from Troy. Very soon after his settle- ment, the necessity of securing a parsonage was discussed. The following paper will show what was proposed:
"At a meeting of the Lutheran Congregation at Schag- ticoke, held the fifth day of February, 1816, after the funeral of the late Mr. John Wolfe, deceased, the members of the congregation aforesaid, almost all present: Resolved unanimously- ยท
1. That the Congregation aforesaid will pay yearly and every year during the continuance of their church con- nexion with the two Lutheran Congregations of Green- bush and Brunswick, the lawful interest on four hundred dollars, if advanced in their favor, towards the purchase of a parsonage and premises.
2. That they give a decided preference to the purchase of the house at Troy now inhabited by the pastor of the
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congregations aforesaid :- Because it affords to all the three congregations an access alike easy and convenient. Teste. JOHN MOLTHER, Pastor of the three congregations aforesaid, who presided at said meeting."
Similar meetings were held at the other two churches, but owing to the fact that Gilead had in contemplation the building of a new house of worship, the arrangement was never consum- mated.
It was agreed, however, to pay the rent, each of the three congregations pledging the one-third annually, so long as it should be necessary to " hire a house for the dominie."
This matter being satisfactorily disposed of, the next thing to be considered was the selection of a site for a new church building. The follow- ing minutes of the first meeting will show what steps were taken. Due notice having been given from the pulpit-
" A meeting was held at the house of Paul Smith in Brunswick, on Saturday the twenty-ninth of June, 1816, by the vestry and members of Gilead Lutheran Congrega- tion. John Molther in the chair, John M .. File, jr., Secretary. The following members present, viz :- Daniel Simmons, Frederick Smith, Henry Dater, George Brust, Christopher File, Isaac File, Ludowick Bonestele.
Resolved, unanimously, by the meeting that a new church be built.
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HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
Resolved, unanimously, that there should be a meeting held by the Lutheran Congregation of Bruns- wick, for the purpose of giving their voices where the New Meeting House should be built.
Resolved, unanimously, that there be three sites in view for the New Meeting House, viz :- at the old Meeting house; secondly, at the place formerly of Rev'd A. T. Braun; third, between Paul Smith's and William Smith's.
Resolved, unanimously, that the Lutheran Congregation will assemble on the fourth of July, at One o'clock in the afternoon, at the place of publick worship for the purpose of giving their voices for the New Meeting House.
JOHN M. FILE, JR. Sec., JOHN MOLTHER, Chairman."
The Trustees reported to this meeting that there was in the hands of the Treasurer of the Church, in notes and money Thirteen hundred and nineteen dollars and ninety-five cents.
The minutes of the meeting held on Indepen- dence day according to resolution, if any were written, have been lost, but fortunately one then presenta lived long enough to tell something of the character of that meeting. The speakers- and they were numerous, paid little heed to parliamentary rules, and insisted on being heard, whenever they felt impelled to express their thoughts, . without regard to the several others who were exercising the same right. The day may have had something to do in arousing this impatience of conventional restrictions on free
a. John Dater.
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speech. The majority of the members resided in the neighborhood of the place the church now stands, or were so situated with reference to roads, as to favor a change of location. Those in the vicinity of the old church opposed any change of site, and argued against it the hallowed memories and associations that clustered around * the old church-home, the situation of the burying ground where reposed the ashes of their dead, and the inconvenience to them of a change. There was another party who favored the spot which, from the first, had been reserved for this purpose, viz :- an acre of ground on the place dominie Braun had owned and where he died. and which, when the farm was sold to Martinus Haner was re-surveyed by Daniel Simmons, and reserved in the deed made by the Trustees to Mr. Haner. a. On this account, and as a com- promise between the other parties, they urged
a. A copy of this survey is here appended. "Daniel Simmons survey bill of Church Ground. Reserved in Deed to Martinus Haner, dated 1 May, 1815, for building Church.
Minutes of a parcel of Land being part of farm originally con- veyed to John Godfrey Knauff Beginning at a stake standing at the west side of the publick Highway runing through said farm to Troy & in the Division line thereof at the distance of one. chain & forty-six links from the south end of a certain course in said division line bearing North 14 Degrees West 14 chains 90 links and runs thence from said Stake North 14 Degrees West 4 chains & 50 links to a Stake thence North 76 Degrees East 2 Do & 18 Do to a Stake thence South 14 Degrees East 4 Do & 50 Do to a Stake thence South 76 Degrees West 2 Do & 18 Do to the place of Beginning Containing one acre of Land"
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HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
the locating of the church there, about half way between the other points named. A majority, however, confident that no serious trouble would result, and that the minority would very soon see the wisdom of their course and co-operate with them, voted to accept the offer of William "Coonradt, who proposed, (as it was recorded, ) "out of mere love and respect to the good and well fare of the Lutheran congregation," to donate about an acre of land, "situate, lying and being in the point where the two publick high ways centre in the publick high way leading to Troy opposite his orchard and cider-mill," agreeing also to give to the Trustees a Warrantee Deed for the same, as soon as the work of building should begin. Paul Smith was the chief advo- cate of this site. Thus was celebrated the Fortieth Anniversary of American Independence by the Gileadites.
Mr. Molther was incautious enough to urge with considerable warmth the advantages of the last named location over the others, but on what grounds we have not been able to learn. No doubt its being three miles nearer Troy, where the pastor resided, and where the parson- age was likely to be, somewhat influenced his preference. As is frequently the case under
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similar circumstances, whatever dissatisfaction was felt, he became the object upon which it was vented, and was blamed as having been the instigator of the whole movement. He felt so much aggrieved over it that he determined to remove, which he did in the month of Novem- ber following, after having served the Churches one year. His records show 2 marriages, 2 communion seasons, 47 infant baptisms and 28 confirmations. Under the last named. record he wrote this prayer-" May they all forever be bound in the Bundle of Life with the Lord their God, Amen."
From Gilead he went to Schoharie that same year. "In 1818, difficulties having occurred between the congregation and the Rev. Mr. Molther, he was, upon an appeal from the con- gregation to the Evang. Lutheran Synod of New York, removed by a decision of that body, from his pastoral station. "a. Thence he removed to Cooperstown where he engaged in teaching for a time. Abandoning this he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits and kept a store on Main street. He died in Cooperstown in 1832, aged 72 years, and was buried there.
Mr. Molther is said to have been a man not
a. Dr. Lintner in Lutheran Magazine.
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well adapted to the ministry. His eccentricities were such as to prevent the growth of sympathy between his people and himself, and his irascible temper was fatal to personal friendships. He did not seem to court sympathy; he was a hermit in public life. Yet he was a fine scholar, and an
easy, pleasant speaker. Ile wrote a hand as regular and beautiful as printed script. If his success in his calling had depended alone on his pulpit efforts he would have attained eminence. He lived at a time when the use of stimulants was common, and was not averse to the custom. He was a model in pastoral visitation, indeed he almost lived among his parishioners, going from house to house, remaining at one place for days together. On one occasion, with his wife and four children, he, for nearly a week, had been at Michael Hidley's. Two of Mr. Hidley's boys had become dissatisfied with his protracted stay. The restraint of his presence was more than they could well bear. One day, at the end of the week, they were sitting in the barn, behind a high wagon box, husking corn, and all uncon- scious of the dominie's proximity-he having stealthily approached and stood listening to their conversation-one said to the other in German, "I wish I could make about two roosters a day
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and keep the bottle full, then the dominie would stay all the time!" To this bit of irony came the calm response, "Ich wolt es auch," (I wish so too.) The boys, startled and confused, glanced at each other, and, boy-like, burst into uncon- trollable laughter. Mr. Hidley coming in was shocked at their rudeness and inquired the cause, when Mr. Molther generously replied, "Ich will de buben nicht veraden!" (I will not betray the boys.)
Mr. Hidley, on another occasion, carried to his residence and presented to him a fore-quarter of veal. Thanking him for the gift. he added, " next time bring a hind-quarter!"
He asked the same gentleman if he would fill a bag for him with unthreshed oats cut ready for feeding, which he agreed to do, but the sack when produced was a straw-tick, such as was used on beds, about 6 ft. square, which a son of Mr. Hidley's, who cut the oats with a primitive straw cutter, regarded as a fraud and wicked imposition! A grandson of the gentleman above named, remembers that the shooting of a sheep that trespassed on his premises in Schoharie was one of the causes operating to his injury while pastor there. Other incidents of the same char- acter might be told were it necessary, as illus-
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trating how easily a good man's unhappy peculiarities of character may overshadow his talent and destroy his usefulness.
The resignation and removal of Mr. Molther did not interfere with the work of building. Opposition to the new site having almost entirely subsided, at a called congregational meeting, the Trustees were authorized to sell such real estate as yet belonged to the Church, reserving the graveyard; to solicit subscriptions; and, as soon as possible, proceed to build; at the same meet- ing deciding dimensions, etc. of the house. But, as it would require an order from the Court of Chancery to enable them to dispose of Glebe- lands, and this would occasion delay, they resolved to take the risk of refusal and proceed nevertheless; at the same time instructing the Trustees to take such steps as the Statutes of the State required in regard to the land, the value of which warranted them in considering such a course as perfectly safe. They therefore con- tracted with Walter McChesney to build the house, and deliver it completed by the first day of June, 1818, for which they agreed to pay him "Four thousand dollars, together with stones (for the foundation walls,) to be delivered by them, and the trees standing on the church
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ground. " a. The Trustees at this time were Frederick Smith, Henry Dater and Daniel Simmons.
As soon as work was begun the deed guaran- teed by Win. Coonradt was executed and delivered, the consideration for the land being one dollar to him paid by the Trustees. Imme- diately after the contract was signed, the stone for the foundation were put on the ground and Mr. McChesney proceeded with the foundation wall, which, in May following, was ready for the corner-stone, which was laid on Monday, May 26, 1817. The President of the Ministerium of New York, being unable to attend, sent Rev. F. G. Mayer, who, assisted by Rev. Mr. Molther, performed the ceremony, after having delivered an appropriate address on the ground. This corner-stone was simply a solid block, having no inscription on it, and no cavity, hence no deposit of anything was made. There being no pastor to direct in the matter, the Trustees supposed that a corner-stone was merely a dressed stone in the corner, and so it was in this case. Upon the taking down of this edifice fifty years later, that stone was not preserved, so if it went into the wall again, it was on an equality with other
a. For copy of contract see Appendix D.
ETHIRD CHURCH BUILDING &ZZ
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stones which had never been solemnly conse- crated, and exalted to the dignity it had held for half a century. The contractor having been granted abundance of time, the work was done leisurely and well. On Wednesday, September 9, 1818, it was dedicated, on which occasion Rev. Dr. Quitman, President of the Ministerium of New York, assisted by Rev. J. G. Wichter- man, conducted the services. The Doctor was a very tall and very heavy man, weighing above three hundred pounds, and sat during the deliv- ery of his sermon.
The total amount paid the contractor and builder was $4,311.05. This, with the work contributed by the people, and the expense of furnishing added, made the cost of the church building about $5,000.00. It served the congre- gation for a period of forty-eight years. At the time the church was built it was intended to pro- cure a bell, but the longer they did without, the less need of one did they feel, hence the belfry remained empty. The year following the dedi- cation, an order from the Court of Chancery ". enabled the Trustees to dispose of the glebe-land at Haynerville, which they did, and made full
a. Copy of order, see Appendix C.
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HISTORY GILEAD CHURCH,
and final settlement with Mr. McChesney, JJune 30, 1821, freeing the church of debt.
BURIAL GROUNDS-When the land was sold the old burial ground was reserved, and remains the property of the church; but for many years no bodies have been deposited there. Many were disinterred and buried elsewhere. It is overgrown with brush and weeds, and few stones remain standing. This is the oldest grave-yard, away from the river, in Rensselaer county, being coeval with settlement. When the location of the church was changed convenience demanded a more accessible place for burial. A small lot of ground was purchased a short distance east of the church; but a little more than half a century sufficed to fill it, although in the meantime it had been enlarged.
Dec. 11, 1871, a Cemetery Association was formed which purchased the ground consisting of over 35 acres directly opposite the last men- tioned grounds, on the north side of the road at a cost of $802.50. It is a beautiful location, on a hillside. Many elegant monuments have been put up, trees planted, roads laid out and graveled, and great care is taken to keep everything in excel- lent order. While this ground does not belong
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to the Church, it yet answers the same purpose, and is less apt to suffer from neglect.
Sometime during the summer of 1818 there appeared unannounced in their midst a man from Canada, claiming to be a Lutheran preacher. Whether he came upon the recommendation of any person or Synod we have been unable to learn; at any rate he came. This was
Rerd. M.
the first to occupy the new church, and the Eighth in line of pastors. Having been present when the church was dedicated it appears Dr. Quitman formed a somewhat favorable opinion of him, and did not discourage the Church from calling him, which it very soon did. He lived in West Sandlake, and had charge of the pastorate a little more than three years, vacating it late in the fall of 1821. During his incumbency his records show 1 Adult and 167 Infant baptisms, and 6 confirmations.
Mr. McCarty was by descent what is commonly called Scotch-Irish. He was tall, had light hair and a florid countenance. He seems to have been of that class of men, so many of whom in
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earlier times intruded themselves on our Churches as ministers of the gospel, who were nothing better than adventurers-or as they would be called in these days, clerical tramps. Nothing creditable to him as a minister or man is remem- bered; but. on the contrary, much which the sooner it is forgotten the better. Yet, as the church suffered on his account while he had charge,a. some reason for this unhappy condition of things ought to have place here. He is remembered as having been a man of intemper- ate habits, who took little pains to conceal his faults, seeking rather than avoiding the associa- tions of the bar-room, from which place he not unfrequently went directly to the pulpit. Some yet living say he was much given to paroxysms of weeping while preaching, on which occasions he would sit down, resuming his discourse when he had somewhat regained his composure, or rather become a little sobered! They also recall numerous instances of helter-skelter horse racing after services, in which the dominie, who was a good rider, almost always obtained the dead.
Whatever accomplishments he may have pos-
a. A considerable number withdrew, of whom some went to churches of other denominations recently organized, many absented themselves from communion, and almost all the young people refused to attend catechetical instruction or to be con- firmed.
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sessed he was not a scholar. His penmanship was wretched and his spelling worse. His records coming between the clean, methodical, beautiful pages of Mr. Molther and the equally faultless, artistic work of his successor present an unsightly contrast. The pages show that he frequently depended on some one else to do his writing, and he never learned to insert the dates of baptisms-at least he never did it. After all we venture the opinion that Mr. MeCarty was weak rather than vicious. He is supposed to have returned to Canada when he left Gilead. and that his connection with the ministry of the Lutheran Church began and ended here.
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