History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 113

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 113

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" Besides Mr. Jackson, the Rev. George Stebbins was settled as pastor. Coming to serve the church as a licentiate of the Presbytery of Hudson, he was doubtless instrumental in forming the connection which the church soon sought with that Presbytery. Having been called to the pastorate, he was ordained and installed June 9, 1824.

" Various reasons led to a change front Congregationalism to Preaby- terianism. But the change was made with great deliberation. A com- mittee of influential names was appointed 'to take into consideration the atate of the church with regard to the mode of doing business, and to propose a different mode.'

" The matter thus intrusted to them this committee hield nuder advise- ment for two months, being found unprepared to report at a reguler meeting convened during the interval. And when at length they re- ported ' that in their opinion it is expedient for this church to adopt the Presbyterian mode of doing business in full, or, in other words, to change our order to that of the l'resbyterian,' action upon the report was deferred for another month; when finally the question was taken by ballot, and the report adopted by a vote of fifteen for and nioe against it,-a amall

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

vote indeed, yet giving a large majority of those who cared to be present and to vote at all ; and at the same time revealing a decided purpose on the part of the absentees to offer neither protest nor opposition. The recommendation having been adopted, it was further voted to connect with the Presbytery of Hudson.

" Yet another month elapsed before the change was consummated. The church being met 'agreeable to adjournment,' Nov. 3, 1825, proceeded to 'organize under the Presbyterian order,' and chose 'ten persons to serve as elders to the church.' This action was taken in November; in the following March five of the ten who had been elected having signified their acceptance of the trust, were solemnly ordained, and ' were de- clared the regularly constituted elders of this church.'

" The number of church-members at this time, or as reported to Pres- bytery at the meeting in April preceding, was 202, of whom 34 on pro- fession of their faith and 5 by certificates from other churches had been added during the year.

"The change in church organization required a corresponding change for the incorporation of the congregation, and the resolution to effect the latter was passed Jan. 22, 1828, the title then assumed being . The First Presbyterian Church and Congregation of Middletown.' Two months later, March 31, 1828, the first board of trustees was elected, consisting of John Corwin, Jacob Dunning, Israel H. Wickham, Nathaniel Bailey, Gabriel Little, and Nathan H. Corwin.

"The change of which I have been speaking occurred during the second pastorate,-that of Mr. Stebbins. To him succeeded Rev. Donald McIntosh, whom the congregation, after some months' experience of his ministry, voted to call as their pastor on April 15, 1828. The pastoral relation, however, in this instance was of short continuance. Mr. Mc- Intosh, being in feeble health, sent back his resignation from the State of Florida, whither he had gone for change of climate, and where he died soon after.

" During the absence of Mr. McIntosh the pulpit had been supplied by the Rev. Daniel Thompson Wood, who was licensed April 18, 1828, and was ordained at Florida, in this county, October 23d of the same year. So acceptable his services had proved that, on the same day on which the congregation voted to concur in the request for a dissolution of the pas- toral relation, they chose Mr. Wood as the successor. Ile was installed June 9, 1830, and his pastorate extended through nearly thirty years, terminating with his decease, Ang. 18, 1859.

" Mr. Wood's pastorate was early distinguished by manifest tokens of divine favor, for at the autumnal sacramental service in the year fol- lowing his installation 51 candidates were admitted to the ordinances of the church on profession of their faith in Christ, while an aggregate of 87 members was similarly added in a single year but shortly afterwards.

" That his pastorate throughout was eminently successful is attested still by the grateful recollection in which his memory is cherished by a large portion of this community, which, while it witnessed his daily life, felt too the moulding mfluence of Ins generous sympathy, his wise coun- sels, and his efficient labors. The memorial tablet which ' sincere affec- tion' raised to his name reminds us, and certifies to all who enter this building, that ' as Friend, Citizen, and Minister he was greatly beloved, eminently useful, universally lamented.'

"In a few months after Mr. Wood's decease the congregation voted to call the fifth pastor,* and the present incumbent was installed Nov. 29, 1859.

" The bench of elders, as at first constituted in 1826 (just fifty years, or half a century ago), consisted of James Little, Thomas llouston, David llanford, George Little, and Jonathan B. Webb, of whom the last named alone survives; and he, after protracted absence, returned a few years since to dwell among us, and still abides to 'rehearse,' with faculties scarce impaired, ' the righteous acts of the Lord towards the inhabitants of Ilis villages in Israel.'

" The following have since been added to the eldership, viz. : Josiah Howell, Euoch Reeve, John H. Corwin, and Nathaniel Bailey, elected in 1832; Joseph Little, William S. Webb, and Henry Dunning, elected in 1836 ; Daniel C. Wisner, Hiram S. Dunning, and llenry Little, elected in 1846, the last of whom still remains in office; William Little, Abraham P. Howell, Charles Stewart, William E. Millspaugh, Jirnh 1. Foote, and George J. King, elected in 1864; J. Milton Tuthill, Samuel W. Tryon, and Daniel Corwin, elected in 1872; and in 1879, Luther Sayer and Geo. A. Swelm.

" Four years ago (December, 1872) the church unanimously adopted what is popularly styled the rotary system, or the limited term of ruling

* Rev. Augustus Seward. He resigned bis charge, which took effect Oct. 1, 1879, completing his twenty years' pastorate. Since then the pulpit has been occupied by supplies through the Session.

eldership, and the change was quietly effected by the voluntary resigna- tion of their positions for such purpose of all except the two senior elders. Under this arrangement three members retire from the Session every three years, when an election is held to fill the vacancies so occasioned.

" The first building erected by the congregation for public worship, and which was the only bonse of public worship in Middletown for the space of forty years, occupied the site where stands the present Congregational church edifice. It is said to have been raised and inclosed and immedi- ately occupied in 1786, and it is mentioned in the records of 1792. 1ts erection must have proved a formidable undertaking; for full ten years after it is said to have been raised, and quite four years after the first mention of it in the records, at a parish meeting 'It was put to vote whether or no the church did not think it duty, in their present situa- tion, tu petition the Legislature of this State for au act to make a lottery for the purpose of finishing our meeting-house and purchasing a par- sonage.' The minute adds, ' It was thought by the majority to be duty.'

" But two years later still, the ordination services of Mr. Smith were conditioned upon ' the carpenter-work being sufficiently advanced.' The house was probably fioished during that season, the sunnoer of 1798, having been twelve years in building. The mauner of the lisposition of the pews is indicated by a minute which has reference to the adjustment of a difficulty between two members respecting the ownership of seats 'in the Middletown meeting-house which they had hid off at vendue.'

" The society, from time to time, voted permission to other denomina- tions to use the house of worship when not occupied by themselves. Its erection, as we have seen, had drawn heavily upon the means of the con- gregation ; but they were more than compensated by the blessings which thence flowed to them. That house was the central point to which the re- ligious interest of the fathers tended. During the ' great revival' especially its seats were the birthplace of souls, and its walls witnessed the register - ing of solemn vows. There the earlier pastors-Jackson, and Stebbins, and MeIntosb in his infirmities-broke to the people the bread of life , and administered the holy sacraments. And there, too, the lamented Wood began his long and successful ministry.

" But presently the quarters became too strait, the accommodations proved inadequate. It was determined to build ngain, and also to change the location.

" The second church edifice stood on this ground where we are now assembled. It was built by subscription begun in 1828, and with a rapid- ity iu striking contrast with the former enterprise. It was solemnly ded- icated Jau. 20, 1830, the dedicatory sermon being preached, in the absence of the pastor, Mr. McIntosh, by the Rev. Ezra Fisk, D.D., of Goshen.t

" The old house of worship, when it thus was vacated, was of little value, and soon began to decay. Having for a time ' served the public as a storage place for lumber, and becoming incapable of being refitted for any useful purpose,' it was taken down by direction of a meeting held in July, 1833, and which ordered that the materials of which it was com- posed should be used for fencing the burying-ground adjacent.

"Thereupon sudden and unexpected opposition was manifested on the part of a few who either had not voted in 1825 to adopt the Presbyterian form of government, or who, having voted against the change, were uu- willing to be ruled by the majority. They charged that the Presbyterians had defrauded the Congregationalists of their rights, and had demolished their fathers' house of worship. A suit at law was instituted against the committee who had been appointed to take down the building; but during the session of the court, and before the cause was reached, the suit was discontinued, the costs being paid by the party who had com- menced the proceeding. Finally, by written agreement, made April 26, 1834, the whole controversy was adjusted on teruis indicative of cordial concurrence by both parties.

" The growth of the village and the corresponding necessities of the con- gregation compelled to the erection of this third house of worship, which was begun in the spring of 1866, was first occupied in July of the next year, and was formally dedicated ou the 24th of October following .;

t These items are furnished from memoranda made at the time by Elder George Little, and preserved by his family.

# The building stands on Orchard Street, at its junction with North. It is built of brick, with brownstone trimminge, and has one spire 156 feet in height. The dimensions are 74 feet front, and 140 feet deep, with lecture-room and pastor's study in the rear. The capacity of the main audience-room is estimated at 750 sittings, exclusive of the gallery.

In 1880 an addition was built to the lecture-room, for the better accom- modation of the Sunday-school, at a cost of $1000. The church is entirely free from debt.

463

WALLKILL.

" The bell which for nearly twenty years has summoned us to worship was procured in 1857, chiefly through the liberality of Thomas King, who deceased shortly after.

" At the time of erecting the first house of worship the project of build- ing a parsonage was entertained, but seems to have fallen through, pos- silly because the ' lottery' proved less successful than was anticipated. But in 1838, Elder James Little built at bis own expense, on grounds be- longing to the congregation, a parsonage, which was occupied until after the completion of this sanctuary ; but the location becoming undesirable, in consequence of the diversion and increase of business through newly- created channels, the property was then sold, and the proceeds were appropriated to the extinguishment of our building debt."

The Ladies' Aid Society of this church was organ- ized in January, 1878,-President, Mrs. Richard Deck- er; Vice-President, Mrs. Geo. Swalm ; Secretary, Miss Mary Van Keuren; Treasurer, Miss Helen King. Offi- eers for 1879: President, Mrs. Geo. Swalm ; Vice-Pres- ident, Mrs. Chas. J. Boyd; Secretary and Treasurer, Miss Lizzie Elmer. Officers for 1880: President, Mrs. Geo. Swalm ; Vice-President, Mrs. Dr. Boyd ; Secre- tary and Treasurer, Miss Lizzie Elmer.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CIRCLEVILLE was incorporated Jan. 4, 1842. The proceedings were signed by Josiah Crane and Samuel Bull. The trus- tees chosen were Oscar Bull, Robert Boak, John Gil- len, Samuel Sands, and Bevier Depuy.

This church was organized at a meeting held at the " White School-house," one mile from the village, Nov. 4, 1841. A delegation from Hudson Presbytery was present, viz. : Rev. Daniel T. Wood and Rev. O. M. Johnson. The church was constituted with the fol- lowing members: Josiah Crane, Jolin Gillen, Samuel Bull, Keziah S. Crane, Maria Miller, from the Re- formed Church of Bloomingburgh ; John P. Howell, Mary Howell, from the Presbyterian Church of Beth- lebem ; and John Johnston, Mrs. Mary Bull, Mrs. Fanny Miller, Mrs. Celia Kerr, received upon confes- sion of their faith.

The elders chosen were Samuel Bull, Josiah Crane, John Gillen. Soon after the formation of this church Benjamin Thompson and Joseph Little were received as members.

Feb. 13, 1842, a committee to draft a plan for build- ing a house of worship was appointed, consisting of Joseph Little, Samuel Bull, Hiram S. Wilkison.

A house to be built of wood, 40 by 54, was decided upon at a subsequent meeting. The contractor for the carpenter-work was Daniel Bush, who erected the house for the sum of $425. The sum seems small at the present time, but there was a liberal donation of five acres of land by Samuel Bull. There was consid- erable labor freely given in preparing the ground and in subsequent grading, in various improvements and in the ercetion of sheds, so that the actual value of the property was very much more than the contract price for erecting the building.

The timber was given and delivered on the ground by the people of the neighborhood. Lumber was drawn from Sullivan County free of expense to the society, and the mason-work, under the direction of

Mr. Samuel Bull, was mostly a donation by himself and others.

The parsonage was not built until 1845, when the present comfortable and convenient house was erected at a cost of $800, not far from the church, and upon the land donated by Mr. Samuel Bull.

Previous to the building of the parsonage, Mr. Bull had given to the ministers the use of a dwelling-house owned by him. The first communion service was held in the " White School-house.'

The ministers who have served the church as pas- tors or supplies are the following :

Rev. P. J. Burnham, from November, 1842, to March, 1844; Rev. Nathaniel Elmer, from November, 1844, to September, 1847 ; Rev. Albert Worth- ington, from December, 1847, to September, 1849; Rev. A. O. Pelou- bet, from June, 1850, to June, 1857; Rev. Henry Osborn, from Decem- ber, 1858, to April, 1867; Rev. John N. Boyd, from December, 1867, to April, 1871; Rev. C. II. Park, from April, 1871,* to April, 1881.

The present members number 86. The superin- tendent of the Sunday-school is George Foster. The elders at present are Leartus M. Weller, John Bull, Daniel Bull, Henry S. Linderman, Joseph E. Little, J. J. Duryea, A. Hosier ; Deacon, Robert Boak, Sr. ; Trustees, Joseph E. Little, J. J. Duryea, David W. Shaw, A. H. Gillone, Alfred Hosier, and Peter Wel- ler; Clerk of Trustees, Harrison Bull, from Jan. 1, 1856, to the present time.

To Mr. Samuel Bull the community is largely in- debted for the founding of this church. He gave to the enterprise freely of time, labor, and money. He had a high appreciation of the value of gospel insti- tutions, believing that the true welfare of any com- munity depends upon their establishment and preser- vation. His name and memory are cherished by his neighbors among whom he lived. He rests from his labors, but this pleasant rural church remains as a memorial of his energy and his Christian integrity.

THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MID- DLETOWN

executed a certificate of incorporation Dec. 5, 1854. The proceedings were signed by Hiram Brink and Samuel A. Monell. The trustees chosen were Israel C. Beattie, Lewis Little, Henry S. Beakes, John E. Corwin, David C. Winfield, Samuel A. Monell. The church was organized by the Presbytery of Hudson, Sept. 22, 1854, with 26 members. The first Session consisted of William W. Robertson, John H. Mills- paugh, Hiram Brink, and D. C. Wesner.

The first pastor was the Rev. John H. Leggett, who began his official labors Jan. 1, 1856, and continued them with faithfulness and success until Jan. 1, 1864.

The first church edifice was dedicated March 13, 1856; was enlarged in 1865. The present pastor is the Rev. Charles Beattie, who was installed Oct. 6, 1864. The present membership of the church is 360, of the Sabbath-school 400. The Session consists of John H. Millspaugh, G. M. Newman, Leander Crawford,

* Mr. Park was away at Ridgebury from April 1, 1872, to May 1, 1873.

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

William Evans; the board of trustees, A. S. Vail, H. B. Dill, John D. Crawford, John Bradley, Ira M. Corwin, Moses Crist. The superintendent of the Sun- day-school is William L. Graham. In connection with the church is a ladies' aid society. A missionary society was organized in 1878, a temperance society in 1877.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SOUTH MIDDLE- TOWN

executed a certificate of incorporation Oet. 29, 1842. The proceedings were signed by John King and Thomas Newcomb. The trustees chosen were David Clark, Thomas Van Hone, and John Stephens. The meeting was held at the house of Francis Wickham.

The following additional particulars are furnished by the present pastor :

" At the beginning of the year 1840, Thomas Van Hene was a resident of the then small village of Middletown. An earnest Christian, and a therough Baptist, he was led to pray fervently that God would epeu the way for the establishment of a church of his faith and order in the rising community. Looking about him and finding that there were a few of the residents who had adopted Baptist principles, he conferred with these, encouraged them to hope for the future establishment of a Baptist church, and led them, by means of his courageous and faithful leadership, te the anccessful inauguration of the struggling enterprise.

" This brother and his faithful co-workers were theroughly imbued with that axiomatic principle, 'There is room everywhere for a Baptist church.' Believing this truth with all their hearts, they met together, and with prayer, and song, and Scripture reading, they formed them- selves into n regular Baptist Church. Ilumanly speaking, their act was fraught with little or no encouragement. True, Baptist sentiments, in part, had not been without their witnesses in the village and its sur- rounding country. The little band proclaimed the universal authority ef that great commission of the Lord Jesus which instructed His fol- lowers to ' disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' The founders of the youthful church were few and poor. The werk which they had to do was one demanding large faitb, strong courage, true hearta. They brought all these to their task ; they wrought fast and wrought well.

" The little church was constituted Oct. 21, 1840. Ita constituent meni- hership numbered 17, of whom 14 were sisters. At the present writing only two of these are known to be alive,-Thomas Van Hone and his wife, Margaret. The recognition services were held in the old edifice of the Congregational Church. The records of the church have preserved for us the exercises of that memorable day : Scripture Reading, by Elder S. White, of the Staten Island Church ; Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Bennett, of the Orange Church, Unionville; Sermon, by Rev. Zelotes Grenell, of the Cannon Street Church, New York City : Hand of Fellowship, by Elder Fay, of Wantage Church, New Jersey; Charge to the Church, by Rev. Mr. White ; Prayer, by the Rev. John Wellslayer, of the Cornwall Church ; Benediction, by Rev. Henry Ball, of Middletown.

" Shortly after the constitution of the church its first business meeting was held, at which time a call was extended to Rev. Henry Ball to be- come the first paster. For a period which probably covered two years and six months the church met from house to house. Oct. 15, 1842, it was resolved that immediate steps be taken looking toward the erection of a house of worship. Then followed directly a period of self-sacrifice and self-denial seldom, if ever, surpassed in the history of kindred enter- prises. Every effort was put forth to gather together the means neces- sary to provide an humble church-home wherein the devoted few might worship God, and as soon as possible their struggles were rewarded with success. A plain, unpretentious meeting-house was erected, services being meanwhile held in the building then known as Lyceum Ilall, and at the residences of the members. It seems that during the interim the paster tendered his resignation (May 28, 1843) on account of old age and failing health. Difficult as the work of maintaining the preaching of the gospel mmust have been at that critical peried, many were the tokens of the Divine Blessing given to cheer the feeble band. During the first three years of the church's life nine rejoicing converts had been Imried with Christ in baptism, so that at the close of Elder Bell's pastorate the membership of the church had increased to 46. After a short interval

a call was extended to Rev. Joseph Houghout, and he accepted, entering upon his duties in March, 1844. In June following the church occupied its own building.

" Our survey of succeeding years, with their many and not always very cheerful vicissitudes, must of necessity be exceedingly brief. The coming of the second pastor found the church well established, with a humble but comfortable building and a fair outlook. If from this period on there seems not to have been the steady growth for which the founders prayed and toiled, let not the lack of prosperity be attributed to them. Preced- ing words of praise for them have been in no way teo streng.

" The duration of Elder Ilongbont's period of service was only thirteen months. After hia connection with the church bad been withdrawn there was no pastorate of any considerable length natil the coming of Rev. Sammuel L. Barrett, who for the second time took charge in May, 1848, and remained with the church until only a short period previous to his death, or until April, 1853. During his two pastoral terms 18 were baptized, and 25 were added to the church by letter and experience. Hia brief work was of that order which can be most truthfully termed abiding. A man of gentle, kindly demeanor, a faithful preacher, a genial, warm- hearted friend, he did much to further the cause of God in the field where Previdence had placed him. He is remembered with teader regard by the few living members of the church who sat under his ministry. Another short pastorate of thirteen months succeeded, followed in ita turn by the coming of Rev. Levi O. Grenelle, now ef Princeton, N. J. The numerical accessions of his pastorate were encouraging. Fifty four were added to the membership during the two years and five months of his stay, 36 of whom received baptism at his hands. He was succeeded by the Rev. N. A. Reed, whose strong, vigorous preaching forthwith resulted in increased congregatiens at public wership, and the inauguration of whose pastorate was se bright as to awaken hope in every heart that his earnest work would be permanent, and he remain to enjoy its fruitage. We learn from the church records that he was greatly beloved by his people, and it was with feelings of the keenest sorrow that they, at hia own request, with great reluctance, accepted bis resignation after the brief pastorate of one year and a half. Then followed a dark period in the history of Zion, a period of depression and gleom, which lasted fer three years. In only one of these was the church favored with the ministra- tiens ef an Under-Shepherd. It is with gladness, however, that we record the fact that the stated preaching of the gospel was maintained, and that many faithful members, without making any formal hond, resolved, before Ged, to hold fast that which they had, and to ' strengthen the things that remained, and which were ready to die.' More than one praying sister,- and of these, in all the history of the forty years, there have been net a few,-in the quiet of her own home, and amidl its humble but honored ministries, found time to kneel at the blessed mercy-seat and ask God to mercifully favor His people. These pleadings were not in vain. The God of all grace aet before Ilis servants an open door. An enthusiastic brother from another State, coming to the village to settle and engage in business, and finding the struggling church without a minister, wrote to his own pastor, the Rev. Charles A. Fox, asking him to come and sup- ply the vacant pulpit at Middletown. The result of his coming was the giving to him of a call to become the pastor of the church. He entered upon his duties in October, 1864. During his pastoral term there was an extensive religions interest pervading the church and its outside congre- gation. Evangelistic help was obtained to aid the pastor in his work ; a series of meetings was held, which increased in intensity and power; baptisms were frequent ; and 151 were added to the church during the continuance of his pastorate.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 113

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