History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 112

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1336

USA > New York > Orange County > History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 112

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The church edifice has a commanding and elegant appearance, being centrally located on rising ground near the centre of the town, convenient of access, thereby exhibiting the wisdom and forethought of the early settlers in its location.

The following is a list of the ministers employed by the society from its commencement to the present time :

June 10, 1785, to June 10, 1797, Rev. Charles Seeley ; Nov. 27, 1797, to Aug. 4, 1803, Rev. Wm. M. Smith ; Jan. 1, 1805, to June 7, 1807, Rev. Wm. Bull; Aug. 26, 1807, to Ang. 26, 1812, Rov. Allen Blair; Sept. 12, 1812, to June 9, 1819, Rev. Abel Jackson ; April 15, 1820, to April 20, 1822, Rev. William Blain; Feb. 1, 1824, to Sept. 29, 1825, Rev. Geo. Stebbins; Nov. 1, 1836, to Oct. 1, 1837, John Fishpool; Dec. 1, 1837, to Oct. 8, 1838, Rev. Michael La Cost ; Nov. 2, 1838, to April 3, 1841, Rev. Charles Machin ; May 26, 1842, to June 26, 1845, Rev. Harris Rigliter; June 26, 1845, to July 30, 1846, John C. Terrett: Nov. 12, 1846, to June 26, 1851, Rev. Lewis C. Lockwood; Oct. 5, 1851, to Aug. 31, 1854, Samuel Y. Lum; Aug. 31, 1854, to May 1,

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

1855, Rev. Geo, W. Timlow; Oct. 1, 1855, to Nov. 13, 1859, Rev. Daniel Lancaster; April 1, 1860, to Sept. 1, 1868, Rev, Jonathan Crane; Dec. 24, 1868, to July 1, 1875, Rev. Charles A, Harvey ; Oct. 1, 1875, Jonathan Crane, died Dec. 25, 1877; April 18, 1878, F. R. Marvin, present pastor.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF HOWELL'S DEPOT.

For the dates of incorporation of this society see chapter upon Mount Hope, as it was located within that town down to about 1847.

This organization is said to be the second Congre- gational Church formed in the State of New York, the first being upon Long Island. The earliest book of records is a valuable memorial not only of this one church, but of the usages of Congregational Churches one hundred years ago. Upon its venerable, time-stained pages is recorded a full confession of faith, and a covenant to which the first members not only assented in solemn public form, but affixed their signatures to the engrossed copy. The record is

simple, the foundation of a visible church of Jesus promising gospel minister, but Mr. Constant bears

'Christ being entered in these few words :

" Memorandum of the proceedings of the church begun in New Shawanguok, July 3, 1782.

" Messrs. Eliab Faroaham, Enos Woodward, Sr., and wife, Joseph Smith and wife, Elijah Reeve, Jr., unite and agree that a church meet- ing be held the first Wednesday in every succeeding month."

August 7th it is recorded that the conference opened by prayer, and it was agreed that an orderly freedom be given to exhort, provided they be judged of sound principles and good morals, in the absence of a minister.

Discussion ensued on the usefulness of reading. It was agreed that at all times it may be profitable to meet on the Sabbath-day to perform aets of divine worship, as prayer, praise, ete., and to read the works of pious authors approved as orthodox; this to be done in the absence of a minister. Discussion ensued on the profitableness of exhortation after a minister's conclusion ; not granted to be generally useful, but if done, to be done orderly, forbearing any enlarge- ment or comment upon the minister's discourse. Ap- pointments were also made as follows: Mr. Eliab Farnaham to be moderator, to open meeting, etc., and to be chorister; Mr. Enos Woodward, vice- chorister; Thomas White, schoolmaster, to be reader in the absence of a minister, and to give out the psalms; Mr. Joseph Smith, vice do .; these persons being nominated to be offered to the first full meeting of the congregation for choice.

Oct. 2, 1782 .- It was decided that only members of the church should be present when candidates were examined. This question, however, caused much subsequent discussion.

Feb. 12, 1783, Frances, daughter of Elijah and Mary Reeve, was baptized. This indicates that some minister was with them on this occasion. Mr. Tim- othy Coleman was examined, and having subscribed to the articles was admitted a member.

Elizabeth Ames was also examined, but being un-

baptized was continued as a candidate. Thomas White was examined; "present Mr. Seale;" this doubtless implied that he was a minister.

Wednesday, April 2, 1783 .- Inquired into the pro- priety of female members "having or not a voice in church debates." Deferred for future consideration.

Aug. 6, 1783 .- Departed this life, Mary, wife of Eli- jah Reeve, a member of this ebureh, remarkable for patience, piety, and resignation.

Considerable disession was had with reference to the obtaining of a pastor. These few Christians in the wilderness, faithful to the traditions of their fathers and the freedom of the New England Church, had instituted a church of their own without priest or prelate, owing allegiance to no head save Jesus Christ the only Lord of the conscience.

April 18, 1784 .- Mr. Constant preached as a candi- date ; highly approved.

May 2 .- Mr. Shepherd preached ; esteemed as a

the greatest sway in the minds of the people. About this time a part desired to settle a Baptist minister, one Mr. West.

Oct. 2, 1784 .- Received as members Thomas White, Elizz White, Job Smith, Kezia Skinner. Rev. Mr. Lewis preached the sermon this day.

Oet. 13, 1784 .- Mr. Mapes (first name not given) was admitted an occasional communicant at the Lord's Supper, which was celebrated.

The same day there was baptized Eliab, Stephen, Joshua, children of Eliab Farnaham, and Jane, a daughter of Timothy Coleman.

The record adds, " This was the first time the Lord's Supper had ever been administered in these parts." After sermon all the members stood up and assented to the confession and covenant. Mr. Joseph Corwin was received as a member.

Jan. 28, 1785 .- Mr. John St. John was received. In 1791, Nov. 8th, a vote was taken authorizing Rev. B. Bradner to request of Morris County Presbytery for a minister, viz., for Mr. Abel Jackson. There are some evidences that this church was either for a part of the earlier years Presbyterian or perhaps simply had close fraternal relations with Presbyterian Churches, and acted to a certain extent with Morris County Presbytery .*

It is difficult to determine from the records much about the succession of pastors. Rev. Mr. Lewis seems to have preached at various times, but he was probably the pastor of some neighboring church.

The early roll of members did not fill up rapidly. It comprised, previous to 1803, only the following :

Joseph Smith, Mary Smith, Elijah Reeve, Enos Woodward, Mary Wood- ward, Eliab Farnaham, 1782 ; Timothy Coleman, 1783 ; Thos. White, Elizz White, Job Smith, Joshna Corwin, Sr., 1784; Moses Smith, Mrs. Moses Smith, Samuel Mapes, Jr., 1785; Keziah Mapes, Mary Mapes, Selah Mapes, Mary Shaw, Kezia Skinner, 1786 ; Wm. Peony, Sr., 1790; Martha Vail, Mary Kelly, 1803.

* See First Presbyterian Church of Mount llope.

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WALLKILL.

Possibly the church may have been partially asso- ciated with the old Presbyterian Church of Pine Plains, now Mount Hope village.

March 23, 1796, it was voted "to unite with the church and society at Middletown to obtain Mr. Smith for one year (as he had for one quarter) to preach to us."

It is probable the "old yellow meeting-house " at Mapestown was built in 1809 or 1810. Most of the meetings are recorded as having been held at the school-house, but about that time the meeting-house is mentioned.

In 1810, David Corwin and Erastus Mapes were deacons ; David Corwin, Selah Mapes, Jonathan Coleman, trustees. The removal of the society to Howell's, and the building of a new house of worship at the latter place, occurred about 1847. The house has been kept in excellent repair.

The pastors during the later years of the church have been Rev. George Turner, for several years ; Rev. Azel Downs; Rev. Moses II. Wilder, four years or more; Rev. George J. Means, for thirteen years, his service being terminated by his death. The last pastor was Rev. Coles R. Wilkin, who also died after nearly three years of service. The pulpit is now va- cant. The present officers (December, 1880) are C. H. Mapes, clerk; W. H. Mapes, chorister; Benjamin Mapes, S. W. Waller, standing committee; G. Otis, superintendent of the Sunday-school; J. T. Mapes, assistant ; S. E. Mapes, Amzi Mapes, and Wm. E. Mapes, deacons; Herbert Dolsen, S. S. Mapes, Asa Mapes, G. E. Putney, Andrew T. Bertholf, trustees.

There must have been an early parsonage at Mapes- town, as in the records of 1784-85 relating to the pro- posed settlement of a Baptist minister, one party charges the other with being about "to seize the par- sonage." In later years, before the removal to How- ell's, there was a parsonage, which was sold and the proceeds used to buy one here. The present parson- age was built in 1863 or 1864, at a cost of abont $3000.

THE PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH, MIDDLETOWN, was incorporated May 29, 1871. The certificate was signed by Gilbert Beebe and Benton Jenkins. The trustees named were Hiram Horton, William Inman, Harrison Thompson, Benton L. Beebe, G. A. Emory, and Benton Jenkins.

This was a legal step, seeming to be necessary at the time of building the new house of worship in the village of Middletown, but the society is venerable in years, as shown in the following notice, written by Elder Gilbert Beebe. Of this aged Christian la- borer we desire to add a remark from his letter ac- companying the history furnished. He says,-

" I have held the pastoral care at New Vernon* fifty-four years last May. My predecessor, Elder Montayne, and myself more than eighty-seren years. I have also supplied the Middletown and Wallkill Church fifty- one years, and I am now in the eightieth year of my age."

* See chapter on Mount Hope.

This length of service in one pastorate is probably without a parallel in the county. Father Beebe is the senior pastor in all this section. His vigor in Christian work, and his interest in everything per- taining to the church, is shown by the fact that he was one of the first to respond to our circular asking for church histories, and promptly sent, in the tremu- lous handwriting of age, a well-written notice of both the Middletown and New Vernon Churches. A man of firm convictions and positive character, he never- theless commands the respect of the entire community.

The Old-School or Primitive Baptist Church of Middletown and Wallkill was constituted at Middle- town, Oct. 4, 1792. The constituent members were John Green, Daniel Green, Martin L. Corwin, John Cook, Silas Brown, Uriah Hulse, Ezra Witter, Cor- nelius Brewster, James Springsted, Isaac Kimmy, Silas Hulse, Joseph Brundage, Elihu Caney, Sarah Cook, Sarah Brown, Abigail Hulse, Chloe Green, Sarah Green, Patience Witter, Louis Preston, Phebe Davis, Mariam Brisinten, Mary Hoyt. Jeremiah Thomas, Phobe Springsted, Margaret Ilulse, Marga- ret Remmey, Martha Brundage, Sorberah Rich, Abi- gail Corwin, John Finch, Enos Finch, 30 in all.

The first deacons were Silas Hulse and John Green. This church continued to hold meetings statedly in the free meeting-house in Middletown, in which they had a joint interest with the Congregationalists, until about 1820, when, to accommodate members liv- ing north of the village, they built a frame meeting- house about two and three-quarter miles north of Middletown, at what is now called Rockville, which house is still standing as a part of the property of the church, but at present unoccupied, the church hav- ing, in 1871, erected a new brick house for public worship on the corner of Roberts and Cottage Streets, in Middletown, where all the stated meetings are now held. This house is 65 by 45, with front gallery and basement, and cost about $11,000.

Elder Thomas P. Terry was pastor until his death, which occurred about fifty years ago. The church has been supplied since that time with the pastoral labors of Elder Gilbert Beebe, who still supplies the pulpit every Sunday at three o'clock P.M., conjointly with his appointments at ten A.M. on the same days at New Vernon. The present number of communi- cants is 105. The present officers are: Deacons, Hiram Horton and William Inman; Elder Benton Jenkins, clerk. The present board of trustees are Deacon Hiram Horton, president; John L. Hait, secretary ; Benton L. Beebe, treasurer ; Dr. G. A. Emery, Harri- son Thompson, Deacon William Inman.

At the time of the erection of the Wallkill church in the Rockville neighborhood the Primitive Baptists filed a new certificate of incorporation, dated Dec. 10, 1821. The proceedings were signed by Thomas P. Terry and Silas D. Horton, as inspectors of the elec- tion, and the trustees chosen were David Reynolds, Nathan Slauson, Hiram Horton, Elihu Cary, Daniel

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

W. Moore, and Christian Shons. The meeting was held at the school-house of No. 16 .*

THE PRESBYTERIAN CIJURCHI OF SCOTCHTOWN.

The inhabitants of this neighborhood, moved by a desire to secure the means of grace, provided them- selves with a house of worship some time before a church was organized. In answer to a public call, a large number of people assembled at the house of George Houston on Dec. 24, 1795.

Col. Wm. Faulkner was appointed chairman of the meeting, and it was resolved that a subscription be opened for building a meeting-house at the corner of the roads above the house of George Houston. It was also resolved that the new congregation should be under the care of the General Assembly of the Pres- byterian Church.

The first trustees were Jacob Mills, Patice Bodle, Samuel Dunning, Edward MeNeil, John MeCarter, Peter MeLaughlin, and George Houston. This board was appointed at the house of George Houston in January, 1796. They employed Mr. Daniel Denton to inclose and paint a meeting-house, and he began his work June 1, 1797.

The house was raised July 1, 1797, and inclosed and painted by September 12th following.

In this condition it remained-without plastering, without pews, without pulpit, and without stoves- until 1806. In September, 1806, the trustees agreed with Daniel Denton to finish the inside of the meet- ing-house for the sum of $515.

After standing for a period of fifty-seven years, the old church was succeeded by the present one. On Jan. 24, 1854, the board of trustees contracted with Mr. T. H. Lukey to build the present edifice.

The precise date of the organization of the church is not known. On April 19, 1798, Messrs. Jacob Mills and George Houston appeared before Presby- tery as commissioners from a Presbyterian Church in the town of Wallkill, and requested that said church be taken under the care of Presbytery, and that sup- plies might be appointed them.

At the same meeting Rev. Nathan Kerr, of Goshen, Mr. Johns, of Florida, and Mr. King, of Goodwill, were appointed to supply the pulpit one Sabbath each. Mr. Kerr, of Goshen, preached the first sermon in the old church.

April 17, 1799, Rev. Methuselah Baldwin was ap- pointed to preach as a supply for one-third of his time. This he did until April 20, 1803, when he re- ceived a call from the church, and was installed June 30, 1803. Rev. Mr. Freeman preached and gave charge to people, and Mr. Kerr the charge to the pastor. On the same day the following persons were elected to the office of ruling elder : John White, Peter Mclaughlin, David R. Arnell, and George Houston, who, with Ephraim Everett, Adam Mills-

paugh, and Enos Ayers, were ordained on June 16, 1804.

Several revivals occurred during the ministry of Mr. Baldwin. The most marked periods of special religious interest were in 1815, 1820, and 1830. In the fall of 1838 he was laid aside from public labors by the increasing infirmities of old age, and died Feb. 27, 1847.

On March 21, 1839, a call was given to Mr. E. D. G. Prime, who remained in charge of the church until Dec. 15, 1851. On Nov. 4, 1852, Mr. David Beattie, having accepted a call from the church, was ordained and installed as pastor by the Presbytery of Hudson. Rev. John Johnston, of Newburgh, opened the service with prayer. Dr. Snodgrass, of Goshen, preached the sermon. The constitutional questions were proposed by Rev. D. N. Freeland, of Monroe. The ordinary prayer was offered by Rev. J. H. Leggat, of Hope- well. The charge to the pastor was given by Rev. R. H. Beattie, and the charge to the people by Rev. E. D. G. Prime.

The elders who have served since the original session have passed away are Stephen Harlow, Sr., James Boak, Samuel Millspaugh, John McWilliams, Jason Corwin, Joshua Hornbeck, Joseph Slaughter, James Me Williams, Archibald Slaughter, Stephen Harlow, Chas. Conner, Alanson Slaughter, Morris Lee, Gilbert Corwin, and George Wallace.

THIE CONGREGATION OF UNION CHURCH AT NEW SIIAWANGUNK

effected a legal organization Sept. 23, 1799. The cer- tificate was signed by Joseph Crawford and Samuel Faulkner, two of the elders of said church, and the trustees named in this instrument were Daniel String- ham, John Newkirk, Thomas Burns, Isaiah Vail, Jr., Robert Smith, John Still, William Stubbs, John Weed, and John Puff.

This society executed a new certificate March 16, 1801. The paper was signed by John Stitt and Wil- liam Douglass, inspectors of election, and the trustees named therein were John Newkirk, Benjamin Simons, William Morrison, William Stubbs, Daniel Stringham, and Robert Crawford.

This neighborhood was south of the Newburgh and Cochecton turnpike, between Fair Oaks and Bloom- ingburgh about half-way, near where Prosperous Val- ley Creamery is now situated.

This church had a house of worship, known as the "old Union House," on the present Shearer place, near the Bloomingburgh Mills. The cemetery still in- dicates the site of the early meeting-house.

THIE SECOND METHODIST EPISCOPAL, BETTER KNOWN AS MOUNT JOHNSON CHURCH.t

A small band of people in the vicinity of Circle- ville wishing to establish a Methodist Church near them, met April 16, 1846, and incorporated themselves

* Since this was written, Elder Beebe has been added to the list of those who " were but are not." He died in the spring of 1881.

+ By Miss Sarah E. Wilkison.

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WALLKILL.

in a body, electing Enos Ayers, Augustus M. Winters, James White, Charles Scott, and John Redfield as trustees of this " Methodist Episcopal Church." The land was given by Mrs. Mary Johnson, and as the building sat upon a hill, they named the church Mount Johnson. It was one mile west of Circleville, on the direct road to Bloomingburgh. The house was built by H. S. Wilkison for $100, the congregation finding all the material. William Griffith preached for them for some time, but he was followed by other ministers, who were sent by Conference. After the Bullville church was built, the congregation being so small, it was thought best to abandon this church ; some went to Bloomingburglı, others to Bullville. The last ser- mon was preached by Rev. G. Bohlman, after which the building was sold at public auction and has been removed.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MIDDLE- . TOWN

effected a legal organization March 31, 1828. The proceedings were signed by Thomas Houston and James Little, as inspectors of election. The trustees chosen were John Corwin, Jacob Dunning, Israel H. Wickham, Nathaniel Bailey, Gabriel Little, Na- than H. Corwin. With reference to the history of this church the following statement is condensed from a historical sermon delivered by Rev. Augustus Seward, D.D., July 2, 1876.

If in any respect it conflicts with the article upon the Congregational Church, we can only say that it seems to be a case where " good men differ" in their views of the facts of early times; and as in another similar case, we deem it proper to give both these ac- counts as believed by their respective adherents. Pos- sibly candid inquiries may discover by comparison the exact facts of the case.

Each society claims in a certain sense to be the true and only legitimate heir of the one church of June 10, 1785.

"The First Presbyterian Church and congregation of Middletown he- came auch by transformation, deliberately and cautiously made in the year 1825. Previously to that they had existed as a Congregational Church and Society aince Juue 10, 1785, the date of the organization, which was two years prior to the adoption of the Federal Constitution. Rightly, therefore, our history reaches to within less than a decade of the begin- ning of the century whose close the nation now ia celebrating. Records are extaut, and have been carefully consulted by the speaker, which go back to within seven years of the organization, and three years prior to the erection of the Presbytery of Hudson, with which the church early became, and still is, connected; and with the exception of an interval of two years (1803-5), these records are continuous and full.

" The first minute representa the church as 'being met according to adjournment,' Sept. 22, 1792, in which year the Primitive Baptist Church in this place was constituted, ours having been for some years previously the only religious organization in the village. It is an interesting fact that the apecial business transacted et the first recorded meeting was the reception of fourteen persous as candidates for admission to the church, and the taking of five others ' under the watch' of the church.

" Iu the month following, October, 1792, the church sought Presbyte- rian connection and supervision. It chose John Dunning deacon, aud commissioned him to 'go as a Delegate to the Presbytery of Morris County.' Fora time it sent delegates frequently, if not regularly, to that Presbytery; but subsequently, upon the organization of the Presbytery of Westchester, it formed a connection with the latter, upon whose roll

of membership occur the names of several who first preached here. Both of these Presbyteries, which were styled ' Independeut' and ' Asso- ciate,' were formed by ministers who withdrew from the Presbytery of New York and adopted a platform which has been described as ' Presby- terian in form but Congregational in fact.' From one or the other of these Presbyteries the church received counsel and obtained supplies from time to time, as the pulpit was vacant, until, by the dissolution of the Presbytery of Westchester, it was left without ecclesiastical connec- tion. It then aent Deacon Eli Corwin to the Presbytery of Hudson, April 20, 1824, with a request for connection with that body. The re- quest was granted, and Deacon Corwin was received es the first repre- sentative of this church in the Presbytery, with which, in the year fol- lowing, it sought again connection upon a different hasis.

" The succession of ministera was as follows :

"Rev. Charles Seeley, from the beginning, perhaps, to 1796, who divided his labors with the church at 'Shawangunk,' as the recorda have it, afterwards known as the ' Plaina,' near Mount Hope.

" Rev. Zeuas Smith, who, after having preached for a time on trial, aeema to have been chosen permanent supply, and was ordained here in 1798, yet not installed.

" Rev. William Bull, from 1805 to 1807.

"Rev. Allen Blair, from 1808 to 1812, who divided his labors with the church at Ridgebury, preaching here during a part of hia engage- ment on every third Sabbath.

" Rev. Abel Jackson, from 1812 to 1819.

" Rev. Abner (?) Brundage.

" Rev. - Boughton.

" Rev. William Blain, for three years from 1820.

"Rev. Daniel Young, in 1823.

" Rev. George Stebbins, in 1824.

" Of these ministers two only were pastors. The first pastor was Rev. Abel Jackson, who was installed in June, 1814, and dismissed in May, 1819.

" Under Mr. Jackson'a ministry occurred what is denominated 'the great revival,' which still is remembered by some among us as a precious season of marked and wide-spread religious interest. As the fruit of this work, 85 individuals were received on one occasion into the communion of the church ; and, in all, 123 were added in a few months, while othera also were propounded as candidates for church fellowship,-numbera these whoae significance can only be appreciated by remembering low sparse was the population theu as compared with the present; for the town of Wallkill had then been organized bot twenty-seven years, while not until a year later than these events was a post-office establishedl at Middletown, with receipta, aa returned for the first quarter, of ouly sixty- nine cents.

" At this time (in 1815) was instituted a weekly Weduesday evening meeting for social worship, among the most efficient supporters of which was one 'colored Abel,' whose name abides until this day among the most grateful recollections of the past. The meeting, perpetuated for now more than sixty years, is still held on the same evening of the week.

" A year later than the institution of this meeting a Sabbath-school was organized on the borders of the congregations of Middletown, Go- aheu, and Ridgebury, the children being collected from the families of these three societies and others living in the vicinity of the 'Outlet.' From this movement came the organization of n Sabbath-achool in the village of Middletown prior to 1824, while with thia pioneer Sabbath- achool enterprise will ever deserve to be associated the name of that mother in Israel, Mrs. Lina Dolsen.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 112

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1336

Author: Ruttenber, Edward Manning, 1825-1907, comp; Clark, L. H. (Lewis H.)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1336