History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 74

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 74

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The withdrawal of Mr. Peppard left the station vacant, and measures were taken to secure the services of the Rev. John Close. While these arrangements were pending, however, the Marlborough Society invited the trustees of the Newburgh district to unite with them in temporarily settling the Rev. John McCallah over both districts. This invitation was accepted, and Mr. McCallah entered upon his duties Sept. 26, 1773. But his labors in Newburgh could have been only for a few weeks, as in November of the same year, the arrangements for that purpose having been perfected, Mr. Close was invited to take the vacant charge, and soon after entered upon the duties of pastor. The war of the Revolution, however, prevented his formal installation, and, a large portion of his time being occupied as chaplain in the militia, the public services of the church were very irregular. In consequence of these facts, the informal society in Newburgh appears to have maintained a separate organization during the war, Elder William Lawrence performing the pastoral duties.

Immediately after the war, this informal society, strengthened by the addition of several persons who became permanent residents on the disbandment of the army, obtained the building which had been erected by the army as a store-house for clothing, where it appears to have held public worship in the winter of 1783 or spring of 1784. The records of the church state that divine service was held here in 1784, and that the congregation was formally organ- ized in the same year. The minutes of the meeting

"In pursuance of an act entitled ' An act to enable all Religions De- nominations in the State to appoint Trustees, who shall be & body cor- porate for the purpose of taking care of the Temporalities of their re- spective congregations and for other purposes,' passed the 6th day of April, 1784, the congregation or Religious Society desirons of forming themselves into a regular well-constituted congregation or society, ngree- able to the Canon of the Church of Scotland, at Newburgh, did, on the 12th day of July last past-being stated attendants on Divine worship by Elder William Lawrence-advertise a meeting of the said congregation, agreeable to the said Act, to meet at the house of Adolph DeGrove, for the purpose of electing, according to the true intent and meaning thereof, Trustees for the good purposes intended nnd mentioned in the said act ; and being convened at the time and place aforesaid, did, in the first place, by plurality of voices, nominate and appoint Mr. Asa Steward to act with the said William Lawrence as Returning Officers, who proceeded to open the poll, and after taking that part of the said congregation or society con- vened on the occasion and present ngreeable to said Act-Adolph De- Grove, Daniel Hudson, Thomas Palmer, Joseph Coleman, and Isaac Belknap, were appointed and legally elected Trustees for the said con- gregation or society, ngreeable to the said Act. 2d. We then proceeded to elect n Clerk to insert the certificate of the Returning officers.

" Be it remembered, that we, William Lawrence and Asa Steward, having been legally elected and appointed the Returning officers at the election held at the house of Adolph DeGrove, at Newburgh, the 12th day of August, 1784, for the purpose of electing Trustees for taking care of the Temporalities of the congregation or Religious Society at Newburgh, aforesaid, agreeable to un Act entitled ' An Act,' etc., do hereby certify, that Adolph DeGrove, Daniel Hudson, Thomas Palmer, Joseph Coleman, and Isaac Belknap, were legally and unanimously elected ns Trustees for the purpose aforesaid, and that the said persons su elected, and their suc- cessors forever hereafter, shall be known by the name, style, and title of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Congregation at Newburgh. In witness whereof, we have bereunto set our hands and seale the 12th day of August, in the year of our Lord, 1784."

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NEWBURGH.

As the congregation was quite too feeble in means und membership for the support of a pastor, it was esolved at a meeting held Feb. 8, 1785, to unite for his purpose with the church of New Windsor. The ecords declare that "the congregation assembled at he meeting-house, William Lawrence, ruling elder, being moderator. It was agreed

"1. To join in union with the congregation of New Windsor.

"2. That the Trustees for the congregation of Newburgh be empow- red to form a union with the Trustees of New Windsor congregation, or promoting the preaching of the Gospel, not exceeding seven years, or under five."

A joint meeting of the trustees named was soon fter held (Feb. 11, 1785) at the house of Adolph DeGrove, at which Abel Belknap presided. Daniel Hudson, Joseph Coleman, Isaac Belknap, and Adolph DeGrove represented Newburgh, and Abel Belknap, Samuel Logan, Leonard Nicoll, Silas White, Benja- nin Birdsall, Isaac Schultz, and Samuel Brewster epresented New Windsor. After conversation it was 'unanimously agreed between the trustees of the said congregations for joining the union for seven years."

In April, 1785, application was made to the Pres- ytery for the appointment of Mr. Close to be the tated supply of both churches. The request was granted, and he continued to labor here until 1796. During the first year of his service Mr. Close preached n Newburgh one-third of his time, for which he was aid £23. He was succeeded by the Rev. Isaac Lewis, who served the congregation as stated supply until the pring of 1800, when he became the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown. On May 6, 800, the Rev. Jonathan Freeman was installed pas- or of the united church, and the first pastor of that f Newburgh. He resigned the charge in 1804. His uccessor was the Rev. Eleazer Burnet, who was or- ained and installed pastor Nov. 20, 1805, and who eld the station until his death, in 1806. The Rev. Dr. John Johnston, then a licentiate, first preached in Newburgh about the time of Mr. Burnet's decease, nd occasionally supplied the united churches during he winter of 1806-7. He was ordained and installed s pastor on Aug. 5, 1807.

In the spring of 1810 the connection between the wo churches was dissolved ; and the services of Mr. Johnston were henceforth confined to Newburgh. Here he continued to labor with unwearied diligence nd great success until February, 1855, when he was rostrated by severe illness, which subsequently termi- ated his life.

The congregation was supplied during Dr. John- ton's illness and until the summer of 1856 by Mr. . H. McMullen, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. On September 20th of that year the lev. W. T. Sprole, D:D., was chosen pastor, and on Jetober 28th following was installed. He resigned n July, 1872, and was succeeded by Rev. W. K. Hall,. ho was installed in October of that year.

The building in which publie worship was first held

was one erected by the commissary-general as a clothing store-house while the army of the Revolu- tion was encamped here. It stood on the site subse- quently occupied by the old first church, and was destroyed by fire about the year 1790. Dr. Johnston says it was burnt on a Sabbath day, after service had been held in it. From an inventory of their corporate property in a return made to the Legislature, the building appears to have belonged to the congrega- tion in 1787, and, from the statement in the records that the "congregation assembled at the meeting- house" (1785), it is probable that it was transferred to them soon after the war.

There seems to have been some difference of opin- ion in regard to the location of the church after the old building was burnt; but in February, 1791, the trustees voted that "the lot of land where the house formerly stood, with the addition that Mr. Smith proposes to make, be accepted in preference to any other location" as the site for a new church. On December 20th of the same year the trustees agreed to ereet a church 50 by 55 feet, with the addition of a steeple. The ground was staked out May 25, 1792, and on the 31st of the same month the deed for the lot was executed by Mr. Benjamin Smith. During the interval between the destruction of the old build- ing and the occupation of the new church, the min- utes state that the meetings of the congregation were " held at St. George's church,"-i.e. the old Lutheran church. The new building must have been occupied in 1793, as it is of record that during that year pews were erected and sold. But the interior of the build- ing remained in a half-finished condition until after the settlement of Dr. Johnston, who says that it was without gallery, plastering, or pulpit, " a mere shell." " I often preached standing on a carpenter's bench, with a few boards standing in front on which to rest the precious Bible." Very soon after Dr. Johnston was settled the interior was properly fitted up, and made more tenantable. In 1828 an unsuccessful effort was made to erect a new church of stone, 66 by 70 feet, at a cost not exceeding $9000. Finally, as more accommodation was imperatively demanded, it was determined to repair the old building, which was done in 1828. Formerly the pulpit was at the north end, and the pews were old-fashioned square ones. Though the audience-room was unchanged in size, the intro- duction of slips enabled it to hold a larger number than it did before. Under this alteration the build- ing remained until its removal, in July, 1871.

On July 25, 1857, the trustees, at a regular meeting, adopted the following preamble and resolutions :

" Whereas, The circumstances of the church and congregation render it imperative that a new edifice be erected for their accommodation, and having the assent and concurrence of the pew-holders and members, as appears from the subscriptions for said object, therefore

" Resolred, That we proceed to accomplish the same, according to the plan and specifications drawn by Mr. F. C. Withers, which has been sub- mitted for the consideration and adoption of the subscribers, and that the following persons be a building committee to supervise the san.e au

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

carry it forward, viz. : S. R. Van Duzer, E. R. Johnes, J. J. Monell, Henry Ball, Isaac Stanton, and George Clark.

" Resolved, That the church edifice be erected upon the lot on the northwest corner of Grand and South Streets."

The site fixed upon was purchased, and a contract was made with Mr. George Veitch, builder, for the construction of the new edifice for $27,500. The work was begun Aug. 8, 1857. The building was dedicated Nov. 4, 1858, and on Thanksgiving morning (Nov. 10) the iron cross was fixed on the spire.

The building is in the early geometrical style of Gothic art, and is composed of a nave with clere-story, north and south aisle, a tower and stone spire at the east end of the north aisle, and a porch on the south. A lecture-room and a minister's room are provided at the west end of the building. The walls are of blue- stone laid in random courses, and graystone dressings to the copings, windows, doorways, buttresses, water- tables, etc. The pews are of yellow pine, and afford comfortable accommodations for 830 persons. The principal dimensions of the building, internally, are as follows, viz. : nave, 97 feet long, 60 feet high, and 25 feet wide. The aisles are 84 l'eet long and 17 feet wide. The lecture-room is 42 feet long and 26 feet wide. The tower is 20 feet and 8 inches square at the base, and its height is 63 feet, making, with the spire and cross, a total of 135 feet from the ground. The extreme length of the building, including lecture- room, is 159 feet; and its width, including porch, 85 feet. The total cost of the building, with interior fittings complete, including land, iron fence, bell, etc., was about $43,750. An organ, built by Geo. Jardine & Son, of New York, and costing $3000, was obtained in September, 1860. It only remains to add that the congregation sold their old place of worship to the Union Church, in March, 1859.

REV. JOIN JOHNSTON, D.D., was born in the town- ship of Montgomery, Ulster Co., N. Y. (now Crawford township, Orange County), on the 28th of January, 1778. His great-great-grandfather went from Eng- land to Ireland in connection with the army under King ' William, and fought in the battle of the Boyne, July 1, 1690. When the army was disbanded he remained in Ireland, and settled in the county of Cavan. There the father of Rev. Dr. Johnston, William Johnston, the youngest of thirteen children, was born Dec. I, 1743. In 1774 he emigrated to this country and set- tled in the province of New York, intending to re- turn to his native land at the end of seven years. But meeting Jane Moneriff, who came to America in company with her brother Charles in 1775, he made ber his wife in 1777, and was compelled by the troublous condition of the times, and the force of family ties and connections, to abandon his original idea of returning to Ireland. Ile had a good educa- tion, and was employed nearly seven years in teaching school in one neighborhood. He was an industrious and worthy man, and passed most of his life farming " pel by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, in the city in Montgomery.

Mr. Johnston passed the earlier years of his life at work upon the paternal farm, and often engaged in plowing from morning till night when so small that he was compelled to seek assistance in extrica- ting the plow from the furrow. Before he was nine years of age himself and a younger sister traveled four miles a day, winter and summer, to attend the nearest district school of their locality. In the fall of 1794 he entered a neighboring store for the win- ter, and in the spring, being offered by his father a choice between a business life and an education, he chose the latter, and after working hard on the farm for the summer, on Dec. 14, 1795, he entered upon a course of study under the direction of Rev. Jonathan Freeman, pastor of the congregation at Hopewell. In the spring of 1797 he entered an academy at Montgomery in charge of Reuben Neely, where he remained two years. At the expiration of that time he attended the academy at Kingston, Ulster Co., taught by Timothy Smith, continuing there until the sudden and unexpected death of his father. This sad visitation of Providence, occurring at such an un- fortunate period of Dr. Johnston's career, produced a train of thought solemn and trying, and he was often led to inquire, " What shall I do-what is best to be done?" It was finally decided, however, that in spite of the necessary sacrifices that had to be made his educational training should continue, and that he should enter Princeton College.

In the latter part of October, 1799, he left his mother's house, about twenty miles west of New- burgh, and did not reach Princeton until the next Saturday week, progressing as fast as the public con- veyanees would carry him. He entered the junior class of the college. Among his classmates were Nicholas Biddle, of Philadelphia, Dr. John E. Cook, of Virginia, Rev. Dr. John McDowell, of Philadel- phia, Henry E. Watkins, Edward D. Watts, and John G. Gamble, of Virginia. Dr. Johnston was gradu- ated in the class of 1801, and having decided to enter the ministry, he returned to Princeton to study di- vinity under Dr. Smith. But owing to the destruc- tion of the college building by fire on March 6, 1802, the theological students were scattered, and a few months later Dr. Johnston arranged to continue his studies under Dr. McMillan, in western Pennsylvania. In the summer of 1803 he was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Ohio as a candidate for the gos- pel ministry, but his means being exhausted, he was forced to intermit his theological studies for a time, and to engage in teaching. Securing a position as tutor in a gentleman's family in Maryland, he re- mained there until May, 1805, when he returned to Princeton and resumed his studies, being also ap- pointed tutor of the sophomore class in the college. He continued in this position until September, 1806, when he resigned and was licensed to preach the gos- | of Trenton, on October 8th of the same year. Re-

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NEWBURGH.

turning to his home he received appointments from he Presbytery of Hudson to preach in Newburgh, New Windsor, Florida, and Pleasant Valley, all of which congregations were then vacant. Soon after he received and accepted a eall as pastor from the united congregations of New Windsor and New- burgh, and on Jan. 27, 1807, was united in marriage o Mary, daughter of Daniel Bull, of Orange County.

Mr. Johnston had preached several times in New- urgh and New Windsor at the close of 1806 and the beginning of 1807. He began his regular service on April 1st, although he was not ordained and installed intil Aug. 5, 1807, the services of ordination taking lace at New Windsor. He took up his residence in Newburgh in May, 1807, and resided at that place until his death, and from December, 1813, in the ame house. In the month of April, 1810, he was eleased from the charge at New Windsor, the congre- ration of Newburgh having presented through the Presbytery a call for the whole of his services. He continued to discharge the duties of pastor over the Newburgh Church for the remainder of his life.

It would be beyond the scope of this work to de- cribe in detail the pastoral experiences and labors f Dr. Johnston during his long service as a Christian minister in Newburgh. At the outset of his ministry he state of morals in the city was lamentably bad. The Society of Druids, an association organized to each and propagate infidel views, was flourishing, and nfidel publications were scattered there broadcast ; ntemperance and drinking to excess even at funerals was not uncommon ; the Sabbath was not regarded, nd games and sports of all kinds were indulged in n that day. Dr. Johnston met this state of affairs a resigned, Christian spirit, labored modestly and withfully in his proper sphere to overcome the tenden- ies of the times, and from that time throughout the ong years of a devoted ministry his influence for ood in the community was immeasurable. Frequent evivals occurred under his pastorship, and many vere added to the church. Besides his home labors e performed much missionary work under the direc- ion of his Presbytery, and he was many times a dele- ate to the synods and assemblies of his denomi- ation. He was possessed of a genial and happy pirit, and made many friends in the community in chich he passed his life. In 1840 he was elected a rustee of the College of New Jersey at Princeton, a osition in which he felt great pride and which he lled until his demise. One of the last public acts f his life was to attend the session of the board of rustees at Princeton. In 1848 the degree of Doctor f Divinity was conferred upon him by Lafayette College, Easton, Pa. He preached his last discourse 1 Jan. 14, 1855. During the closing months of is life he was unable to appear in the pulpit, but is salary was regularly continued to him by his eon- regation as some recognition of his long and faithful ervices. He died on Aug. 23, 1855, and over his re-

mains was erected a handsome monument, having, among other words, this inscription : "The Citizens of Newburgh, cherishing an affectionate veneration for one who for nearly half a century adorned his sacred office by his purity and fidelity, and in every relation of life commanded the respect of all who knew him, have united in erecting this monument to his memory."

It is fitting to add in this connection a few remarks regarding her who for nearly half a century was the partner of Dr. Johnston's joys and sorrows, the help- meet of his home. Her wise and affectionate counsels aided him in doubtful and difficult cases. She man- aged with discretion his domestic concerns, sought out the poor and afflicted and supplied their wants, and visited, nursed, and watched with the sick and the dying. She was a faithful co-worker with him in the discharge of his ministerial duties, and contrib- uted largely to his success and usefulness among his people during forty-eight years. She died March 2, 1857. The children were ten in number, of whom six are now living. Mrs. Lewis D. Lockwood and Mrs. George Lawson, of Newburgh, are daughters.

Second Presbyterian Church .- The proposal to organ- ize a Second Presbyterian Church was first discussed in 1837, but nothing was done until April, 1838, when Dr. Johnston preached an earnest and forcible sermon on the subject. At his suggestion a meeting was held to consider the propriety of sending a colony from the old church. The meeting was held in the First church, May 15, 1837, William Walsh being ehairman, and J. H. Wells, secretary. After discussion, it was unani- mously "Resolved, That measures be immediately taken to forward the enterprise."

Accordingly, Messrs. J. H. Corwin, Abel Belknap, and O. M. Smith were appointed a committee to aseer- tain the number of persons willing to unite for this purpose. On May 22d, at an adjourned meeting, the following-named persons were reported as ready to associate and walk together as a church, viz .: O. M. Smith, Heten M. Smith, Saml. Tuthill, Sarah Tuthill, Jefferson Roe, Mary Roe, Eliza C. Boice, William H. Wells, Robert Sterling, Isabella Sterling, Asa Ster- ling, John H. Corwin, Cynthia Corwin, James P. Buchanan, Sarah Buchanan, Daniel D. T. Blake, D. McDowell, Abigail Waters, J. R. Hardenburgh. Wm. M. Johnson, Jane E. Johnson, Eli Corwin, Jr., Abel Belknap, Sarah M. Belknap, Henry Tice, Jr., Char- lotte Tice, Edgar Perkins, Ann Forsyth, Abigail Wells, William Waller, Henry Vail, Seth Belknap, George M. Gregory, Hiram K. Chapman, Jane Chapman, Peter H. Foster, Mary S. Foster, William Townsend. Lydia C. Parkham, George T. Hoagland, Betsey Harris, Mary E. Waterfield, James H. Reynor, Job Clark.

It was immediately and unanimously resolved to apply to the Presbytery, which was to meet on June 9th, for an organization as the Second Presbyterian Church of Newburgh. Mr. William Sterling was

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

deputed to present the application and to ask for sup- plies for six months from the Presbytery. The request was granted, and the church was organized June 15th, by a committee of the North River Presbytery, con- sisting of the Rev. Messrs. Johnston, Prime, and Ostrum. The following persons were chosen ruling elders, viz. : J. H1. Corwin, Hiram K. Chapman, Abel Belknap, James P. Buchanan. Mr. Ostrum gave the charge to the church, and Mr. S. I. Prime to the elders.

The first public service was held in the court-room in the academy, when Rev. S. I. Prime preached from Amos vii. 5: " By whom shall Jacob arise, for he is small." The pulpit was for some time supplied by . the Presbytery. On August 20th, Messrs. Peter H. Foster, Jefferson Roe, Edgar Perkins, Samuel Tuthill, O. M. Smith, and Henry Tice, Jr., were chosen trus- tees.

During the greater part of 1838 and 1839 the Rev. Abram C. Baldwin supplied the pulpit. In the former year the prospects of the infant church were very seriously affected by the disruption of the Presbytery. Most of those concerned in starting it, who had strong Old-School affinities, returned again to the old church, which adhered to the Old-School Assembly. The Second Church recognized that which styled itself the constitutional. Though weakened by this cause, the church made vigorous efforts to grow. The Rev. William Hill was the first pastor, and filled the office until the winter of 1843, when he was deposed by his Presbytery for what was deemed heretical doc- trine on the subject of Christian perfection. After a vacancy of some months, the Rev. John H. Lewis became the pastor, and discharged the duties of the office very acceptably until called to Bethlehem in 1845. He was succeeded for a short time by the Rev. J. C. Beach, and next by the Rev. John Gray, who remained as supply until the spring of 1851, when a division arose in the congregation on the question of his settlement as pastor. Before this matter was adjusted a vote of the church was taken, and by a majority of one it was resolved no longer to receive supplies. This vote closed the doors of the meeting- honse and virtually disbanded the society, which had never become strong.

In 1840-41 the society erected the meeting-house at the corner of High Street and Western Avenue, at a cost of $6600, in which divine worship was observed until the church ceased to exist. The building was designed to accommodate about 600 persons. It was sold, in 1852, to the Second Methodist Episcopal Church.

Calvary Presbyterian Church .- The circumstances which led to the organization of this congregation, as well as its subsequent history, are briefly stated in a historical sketch, which was published by the trus- tees in connection with their annual report, August, 1857. In this paper it is said that the Rev. S. H. McMullin, who had served as supply during the ill-

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 74

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