History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 75

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 75

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ness of the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, performed the duties of his engagement until about three months after Dr. Johnston's death. After hear- ing several other candidates for the vacant pastorate, "a day was fixed," says the sketch to which reference is made, " on which, according to notice given, the congregation were to select a pastor. When, how- ever, all had assembled, a question arose as to whether females should be permitted to vote, which was decided in the affirmative. The vote was taken and resulted, 100 for Mr. McMullin and 74 for another person. Messrs. William K. Mailler and Robert Sterling were then appointed commissioners to prosecute the call before the Presbytery, and the meeting adjourned.

" At the meeting of the Presbytery, when the call was considered, a remonstrance was presented by the minority of the congregation against the settlement of Mr. McMullin. In consequence of this remon- strance the Presbytery intimated to the commission- ers that they would not, in all probability, permit the call to be prosecuted, and it was withdrawn without any formal action being taken.

" Immediately after the return of the commissioners a meeting of the congregation was held to hear their report, when it was resolved, by a majority of votes present, 'that the commissioners be directed to prose- cute the call.' The Presbytery, however, continued to regard the call as inexpedient; and a meeting, called for the purpose of its consideration, failed to accomplish the result desired.

" The situation of affairs becoming known, the fol- lowing paper, asking for certificates of membership and dismission, was presented to the Session of the church on the 27th day of August :

"+ To the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of the Village of Newburgh : "' The undersigned, members in full communion of the First Presby- terian Church of the Village of Newburgh, do hereby respectfully re- quest you to grant them certificates of membership and dismission, for the purpose of being organized into a church, to be known as the - Presbyterian Church of the Village of Newburgh :

"' John McClelland. E. L. Spalding.

Abigail W. McClelland. Catharine Sly.

James C. McClelland. M. W. N. Johnston.

Sally R. Logan.

Robert Wallace.

Abhy L. Scott.

Mary Ann Wallace.

J. Ferguson.

Mary G. Starr.

Sarah McElrath.

Eliza P. Spier. Sarah Wangb.

Anna Pettie.

Anna M. Clugston.

I .. Bradford.

Margaret Strachan.

Eunice McKune.

Amanda L. Du Bois.

Rebecca Brown.

Mary Albertson. Eliza Rogers.

Alexander Hargrave.

Jerusha Gerard.

Mary Ann Hargrave.

Sarah Ludlow.

Amelia Birdsall. Delia Smith.

William G. Gillespie. Hugh S. Banks.

William McClughan. Rosalie II. Banks.

Mary D. McClughan.

Hngh McKissock.

Hannah Andruss.

Agnes MeKissock.

Mary Burnett.

Lanra A. Gorham.

Catharine Hamilton.

Rachel Cingston.

Anna E. Roe.

Sarah Hildreth.

Elizabeth Blake.'

"On the first day of September, 1856, the Church Extension Committee of the Presbytery of North

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NEWBURGH.

iver met in the session-room of the First Presby- rian Church. Present, B. T. Phillips, Wm. H. irk, F. T. Williams, ministers; and Peter V. B. owler and Benj. Tyler, elders. The petition of the ersons above named was presented, asking to be or- mized into a Presbyterian Church, to be known as The Calvary Presbyterian Church of Newburgh ;' d after the examination of their certificates it was, motion, ' Resolved, That the request be granted.' he applicants then formally agreed and covenanted walk togetber in a church relation, according to te acknowledged doctrine and order of the Presby- rian Church. Messrs. Wm. G. Gillespie and John IcClelland were then unanimously elected ruling ders by the congregation. Mr. Gillespie was duly rdained, and Mr. McClelland and Mr. Gillespie (the ormer having previously served as an elder in the irst Presbyterian Church) were formally installed s elders of the Calvary Presbyterian Church of New- urgh.

"On the 15th day of September, Rev. S. H. Me- Tullin was unanimously elected pastor of the church. he call was presented to him at a meeting of the resbytery, held at Buttermilk Falls on Tuesday, Oct. th, and accepted by him; and on the 16th day of le same month he was ordained to the work of | le gospel ministry and installed pastor of the church the court-house at Newburgh. The services on the ccasion were conducted by Rev. Dr. Jones, of Phila- elphia, who preached the sermon; Rev. E. K. rower, who offered the ordaining prayer and pro- osed the constitutional questions; Rev. B. T. Phil- ps, who gave the charge to the people ; and Rev. F. . Masters, who gave the charge to the pastor.

"On the 20th October an election for trustees was eld in the court-house,-Elders John McClelland nd Wm. G. Gillespie presiding,-which resulted in he choice of Messrs. Moses Upright, Wm. K. Mailler, Valter Il. Gorham, Wessel S. Gerard, Peter Ward, nd Charles Johnston.

" The first meeting of the session of the church as held on Friday evening, Oct. 17th, at the resi- ence of Mrs. C. Sly, in High Street. At the meeting f the session on the 31st October the following ersons were admitted on profession of faith : Mrs. . C. Gillespie, Mrs. M. A. Casement, Miss M. Case- hent; and the following by certificate : Asa Sterling, Phoebe E. Sterling, Margaret Sterling, Mary Sterling, Nancy Sterling, Robert Sterling, Maria Sterling, Wm. K. Mailler, Hannah P. Mailler, Mary E. Halstead, Zipporah Clark, Ann Barr, John L. Westervelt, ! Catharine Westervelt, Susan A. Jessup, Margaret Shields, Jane Shields, John Little, Ann Little, Isa- ella M. McMullin, Benj. Tyler, Julianna Tyler, Mary Boyd, Marietta . Watkins, Jane Ellen Roe, Maria Minor, Deborah Blake, William and Sarah Gervin.

" The first communion of the church was celebrated on the first Sabbath in November, 1856, at which time | oiled and grained so as to retain the natural color and he membership had reached SI.

"Soon after the organization of the church it was determined to erect a suitable edifice, the public services in the mean time being held in the court- house. A subscription was opened and a sufficient sum subscribed during the winter of 1856 to justify the trustees in purchasing a site on Liberty Street and procuring a plan for the building. From differ- ent plans which were submitted, one drawn by Messrs. Gerard & Boyd was selected; and, estimates having been invited, the contract for erecting the building was awarded to Mr. John Little. A building com- mittee of three trustees, viz. : Messrs. Mailler, Gor- ham, and Ward, was appointed; and Mr. Withers, architect, was engaged to superintend the work. The ground was broken in the month of April, 1857; and the corner-stone laid, with appropriate exercises, on the 9th of July following, at 2 P.M. The services commenced by singing the hymn entitled 'Beyond the starry skies.' Rev. Dr. McLaren followed with a very appropriate address to the Throne of Grace, and a portion of the Scriptures was read by the Rev. Dr. McCarrell. Chas. Johnston, on behalf of the trustees, then read a statement showing the organization and progress of the church, which was followed by the hymn 'Let every heart rejoice and sing.' The Rev. Mr. Crowell, of Philadelphia, then delivered an ad- dress, which was followed by the laying of the corner- stone by the Rev. Dr. Forsyth, who, on account of the ill health of Mr. MeMullin, had been selected by the trustees for that duty. Dr. Forsyth introduced the ceremony by a short address, and was followed by Rev. Alex. R. Thompson. The exercises closed with an anthem by the choir, and the benediction by Dr. Forsyth. The building was dedicated on the 24th of February, 1858. The services were opened by an an- them by the choir, and invocation by the pastor. The Rev. Dr. Sprole then read a selection from the Scrip- tures, which was followed by singing the 504th hymn. Prayer was then offered by Rev. Dr. McCarrell, and the 502d hymn sung. Rev. Dr. Murray, of Elizabeth, N. J., then delivered a discourse from 1 Kings vi. 4, and vii. 63. At the conelnsion the congregation arose, and with impressive words the speaker dedi- cated the house to the worship of God. The services were concluded with prayer by the pastor and the | singing of a hymn.

" The style of the church edifice is that sometimes known among architects as Flemish, having, however, many of the peculiarities of the Gothic. It has a front of 56 feet on Liberty Street, running back to the depth of 96 feet, with a lecture-room in the rear. The audience-room is 72 by 52 feet, the lecture-room 62 by 22 feet. The aspect of the interior is that of severe simplicity. A trestle-work supports the roof, obviating the necessity of pillars, thus affording an unobstructed view from every part of the house. All the wood-work is grained, the pews being of chestnut grain of the wood ; and the finish throughout has a

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

pleasing effect. The cost of the building, lot, fencing, furniture, etc., was about $21,500."

Mr. McMullin continued in pastoral relation with the church until Jan. 24, 1860, when, in consequence of ill health, he tendered his resignation, to take effect May following. On December 10th of the same year Rev. Judson H. Hopkins was installed, and subsequently served until July, 1864, when, at his request, the relation was dissolved. He was without a successor until March, 1866, when the Rev. George S. Bishop, of Trenton, N. J., was installed, and con- tinned in the relation until October, 1872, when, at his own request, and by consent of the church, he was relieved of the charge by the Presbytery. His . successor, Rev. Jeremiah Searle, of Peekskill, was elected in February, and installed May 6, 1873.

To its real estate the society added, in 1867, a par- sonage at a cost of $9000; and to its appointments, during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Bishop, an organ and a bell.

Union Presbyterian Church. - This church was founded July 13, 1837, by a colony of twenty-seven persons who belonged to the First Associate Reformed Church. Their names are as follows : E. W. Farring- ton, Mrs. Farrington, Thornton M. Niven, Mrs. Niven, John Wise, Mrs. Wise, John Beveridge, Mrs. Bever- idge, Arnold McNear, Mrs. MeNear, James John- son, Mrs. Johnson, Matthew Sims, Mrs. Sims, James Blacklaw, Mrs. Blacklaw, James Danskin, Mrs. Dans- kin, Stewart Kelly, Mrs. Kelly, John James Monell, Miss E. Cypher. Mrs. E. Purdy, Miss C. Anderson, Mrs. Catharine Stewart, Mrs. N. Barclay.

The meeting for organization was held in the First Associate Reformed church (July 13th), and was con- dueted by Rev. Dr. McJimpsey and Rev. James Mairs, constituting a committee of the Presbytery. The sermon was by Dr. MeJimpsey, from John xvi. 7. The following persons were elected as ruling elders, viz .: John Beveridge, E. Ward Farrington, Thornton M. Niven, John Wise. On December 5th following the Rev. John Forsyth, Jr., was installed pastor, the services being held in the academy where the congregation met for worship until the comple- tion of the church edifice. The Rev. Dr. McJimpsey preached the sermon; the Rev. Drs. Wallace and MeLaren gave the charges to the people and the pastor.

A church edifice was erected on a lot at the corner of Water and Clinton Streets, which had been given to the congregation for this purpose. Ground was broken July 27, 1837, and the building was dedicated May 1, 1838, when a suitable sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. M. N. McLaren, then of Hampton- burgh. Ilere the congregation continued to worship until March, 1859, when the property was sold to the rector and vestry of St. George's Church. The last ' Wakeley. time it was used by Union Church the sermon was preached by the first pastor, Dr. Forsyth.

Dr. Forsyth was elected to a professorship in the

College of New Jersey at the end of the year 1846, but he did not retire from the pastorate until near the autumn of 1847. He was succeeded by Mr. Abra- ham R. Van Nest, a recent graduate of the theologi- eal seminary at New Brunswick, who was ordained and installed pastor on June 20, 1848. Mr. Van Nest remained here about a year. He was called by the Reformed Dutch Church, Twenty-first Street, New York, and having accepted the invitation he removed thither in the spring of 1849. Almost immediately upon his departure, the Rev. Dr. Robert McCartee, formerly of Canal Street Church, but at this time of Goshen, was called, and having accepted the invi- tation was installed Aug. 17, 1849. Dr. MeCartee labored here with great acceptance and success until 1855, when he removed to New York to take the pas- torate of the Twenty-fifth Street Associate Reformed Church. Union Church was supplied by various persons during the first six months or more after Dr. McCartee's removal, particularly by the Rev. Mr. Cun- ningham. Finally the Rev. Mr. Jack, who had grad- uated in the seminary in the spring of 1856, was called, ordained, and installed June 2, 1856, by the Presbytery of New York. On this occasion the ser- mon was preached by the Rev. John Brash, of New York, who also proposed the usual questions to the candidate, and offered the ordaining prayer. The charge to the pastor was given by the Rev. G. M. MEachron, of Mongaup Valley, and that to the people by Rev. Dr. Forsyth. Mr. Jack was succeeded in 1869 by Rev. Wendell Prime, and the latter by Rev. C. C. Hall, who was ordained and installed Dee. 2, 1875.

In October, 1859, in consequence of the union of the Associate Reformed and the Associate Churches, out of which the United Presbyterian Church grew, the congregation of Union Church was induced to unite with the Old School branch of the Presbyterian Church, and is now a component part of that body.

The old First Presbyterian edifice was purchased in March, 1859, by the Union Church, and was occupied by the society until July, 1871, when it was removed to give place to the present edifice. The work of re- moval was begun July 5, 1871, and on the 13th the last timbers of the old house were prostrated. The corner-stone of the new edifice was laid on Friday, Sept. 15th, following. The exercises were conducted by the Masonic fraternity, G. Fred Wiltsie officiating as Grand Master of the " Grand Lodge of Ceremony." The dedication was on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 1872, on which occasion the service was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Forsyth. Rev. Dr. Ormiston read the 48th Psalm, and the Rev. Wendell Prime the dedica- tory prayer. The discourse was by the Rev. Dr. Hall, from 2 Peter iii. 2; the closing prayer by Rev. J. B.

The edifice is of Gothic architecture, from plans by Elkanah K. Shaw, of Newburgh. It is in the form of a T, and embraces an auditorium with gallery and

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NEW BURGH.

. . ...

UNION PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

abbath-school and lecture-rooms. The auditorium, onting on First Street, is 61 feet wide by 68 feet eep, 30 feet ceiling, and has, with the gallery, a eating capacity of 1000. The Sabbath-school room, conting on Montgomery Street, is 33 by 81 feet, 22 ect ceiling, with seating for 600 pupils. The lecture- bom is 27 by 57 feet, 15 feet ceiling, seating 300, -- otal seating capacity 1900. The windows throughout re of stained glass, the painting is in fresco, the ews of chestnut walnut oiled, and the entire finish heerful. The walls of the building are of hard mooth brick with brownstone trimmings. The First treet front has two towers 18 by 18, the east 100, and he west 75 feet in height; the former contains the ell and city clock. The contracts for construction vere executed by Thos. Shaw & Sons, carpenters, for 18,000, and Thomas Dobbin, mason, for $23,000; in

addition to which sums about $19,000 was expended for furniture, carpets, furnaces, gas and water fixtures, etc., making the total cost $60,000. The organ (Reu- ben Midmer, builder) was the gift of John Galt and John G. Wilkinson. Its cost, including painting, was about $5000.

First Presbyterian Church, Middlehope .- The project of building a Presbyterian church at Middlehope was proposed in January, 1859, and was readily embraced by several of the active members of the Presbyterian Church at Marlborough. The enterprise having re- ceived sufficient encouragement to warrant further pro- ceeding, a meeting was held (March 12th), at which Nathaniel T. Hawkins, Peter V. B. Fowler, James Rodman, and James O. Conklin were appointed " to contract for and huild a church, and to take such measures to raise funds and to carry out and finish

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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

the work as they may think proper." This committee soon after awarded the contract for building to James D. Purdy, and that for painting to Ward & Leonard. The building was completed in September, 1859, and dedicated October 6th, at an adjourned meeting of the Presbytery of North River. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev. W. T. Sprole, D.D., reading of the Scriptures by Rev. B. T. Phillips, and the dedicatory prayer by Rev. S. II. Jagger. The building is 30 by 40 feet, with a lobby 8 by 20 feet. Its cost, including furniture, was about $2500.

First Associate Reformed Church .- Until near the close of the last century the adherents of the Asso- ciate Reformed Church resident in Newburgh were connected with the church of Little Britain, which was founded in 1763. Measures were taken to gather a congregation in 1797, and a church was formed eon- sisting of the following persons, viz. : Hugh Walsh and his wife Catharine Walsh, Daniel Niven and his wife Jane Niven, Robert Boyd and his wife Eleanor Boyd, Janet Boyd, Robert Gourlay and his wife Mar- garet Gourlay, Deriek Amerman, Robert W. Jones, Elizabeth Belknap, wife of Isaac Belknap, Samuel Belknap, Hugh Spier, Alexander Telford, and George Telford. The exercises in connection with the formal organization of the church were probably conducted by the Rev. Thomas G. Smith, at that time pastor of Little Britain.

The legal incorporation of the congregation did not take place until Feb. 7, 1803, when Messrs. Derick Amerman, Hugh Walsh, Daniel Niven, Robert Gour- lay, Robert Boyd, John Brown, Isaac Belknap, Jr., John Colter, and Robert W. Jones were elected trus- tees. The ruling elders at this period were Daniel Niven, Samuel Belknap, Hugh Spier, John Shaw, and Derick Amerman.

The first pastor of the church was the Rev. Robert Kerr, who is reported to have been a preacher of more than usual ability. He was a native of Ireland, and had been settled in the ministry in that country. He came to the United States in 1797, and was received by the Associate Reformed Presbytery of New York, Oct. 10, 1797, and probably began his labors in New- burgh at that time, as steps were taken at that meet- ing of Presbytery to give him a regular call. He was installed pastor April 6, 1799. He resigned his charge Jan. 14, 1802. He subsequently removed to the South, and labored "with great diligence, approba- tion, and success" within the bounds of the Associate Reformed Synod of Carolina until his death, which occurred in Savannah, June 11, 1805, when on his way to the General Synod.

Mr. Kerr was succeeded by the Rev. James Serim- geour, who was installed as pastor on Aug. 11, 1803. He was a native of Scotland, and had been settled in the ministry for seven or eight years at North Ber- wiek. The loss of health obliged him to resign his charge and the work of his profession for some years. Up to this time he had been one of the most popular

preachers in Scotland. Having recovered his health in a good degree, he was induced by the Rev. Dr. John M. Mason to emigrate to America in 1802. He remained in the pastoral care of the church of New- burgh until 1812, when he accepted a call to Little Britain, and was installed there on June 24th of that year. In this eharge he remained until his death in 1825.

A vaeaney occurred after Mr. Serimgeour's removal of about four years, during which time varions unsuc- cessful efforts were made to obtain a pastor. Calls were addressed to Rev. Robert McCartee and to Rev. John Knox, then lieentiates and graduates of the theological seminary ; but finally an invitation was given to the Rev. Arthur 1. Stansbury, which he ae- cepted, and was installed Dee. 4, 1816. Mr. Stans- bury's pastorate was very brief. He resigned his charge in April, 1818, having accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church of Albany. The Rev. James Chrystie, minister of the Reformed Dutch Church of Union Village, Washington Co., having been invited to succeed Mr. Stansbury, accepted the call, and was installed Sept. 20, 1818. He remained as pastor, winning the warm attachment of the con- gregation, until October, 1821, when he joined the Reformed Presbyterian Church and removed to Al- bany. His successor, the late Rev. Dr. McCarrell, commenced his labors here as a supply Dec. 4, 1822. He was ordained and installed pastor March 14, 1823. The sermon was by the Rev. Dr. John McJimpsey, the ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. James Serimgeour, the charges to pastor and people were delivered by the Rev. James Mairs, of Galway, N. Y. Dr. MeCarrell faithfully discharged the duties of his office until his death. His successor, the Rev. Thomas T. Farrington, began his labors July 1, 1869, and continued until his death, June, 1875. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. John MacNaughton, Dec. 24, 1875.

The first edifice occupied by the church was erected on a lot given by James Renwiek, of New York, and which now forms part of the farm of the late Capt. Henry Robinson. The church stood a little to the north and west of the gambrel-roofed house, with its side to the river, which forms so conspicuous an ob- jeet on the hill west of the shipyards. It was sur- rounded by magnificent old apple and pear-trees, and in form was very similar to the First Presbyterian church at that time, having a square tower on the south end. Mr. Renwick deeded the lot, which was 200 feet square, to William Renwick, Dr. John Kemp, Rev. John M. Mason, Alexander Robertson, Alexan- der Ilosaek, John Turner, Jr., George Lindsay, Robert Gosman, of the city of New York, and Hugh Walsh, George Gardner, Robert Gourlay, Daniel Ni- ven, Robert Boyd, Robert Ferguson, Thomas Tait, Robert W. Jones, and Alexander Murray, of New- burgh, as "trustees appointed by the said James Renwick for the Presbyterian Church of Newburgh, in connection with the Associate (Reformed) Synod

Joseph Il Panell

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NEWBURGH.

n the United States of America, for the sole use and ntent that the trustees and members of said church hould erect a church for Christian worship, and also school-house for the instruction of youth." The . banner still waving defiance to the foe. hurch was completed in 1798, but no effort was ever nade to ereet a school-house, the locality being wholly unsuited for such an edifice. As the growth of the 'illage was more towards the north than the south, he church came to be quite out of town and very in- conveniently located for the great mass of its mem- vers. Accordingly, in 1821, measures were taken owards the erection of a new church within the vil- age; the old building was taken down in the year ust named, and while the new one was being built he congregation met for worship in the old court- oom in the academy. The present edifice was dedi- 'ated with appropriate services on Jan. 4, 1822, on which occasion the Rev. James Scrimgeonr preached rom Hosea viii. 17. The lot on which the church vas erected was the gift of Hugh Walsh, one of the ounders of the society, who also gave the largest por- ion of the lot on which the parsonage stands, and which was erected upon it in 1820. Internally the church is unaltered with the exception that it was re- eated in 1879, and the location of the pulpit changed rom the cast to the west end of the auditorium ; but externally some change has been made since its erec- ion. The cupola was completed in 1834, and a bell procured. The lecture-room, on the north side of the church, was built about 1840.

REV. JOSEPH MCCARRELL, D.D., was a native of Shippensburg, Pa., and was born on the 9th of July, 1795. His parents were warmly attached members of the Associate Reformed Church of that Jace, and that region was one whose history was connected with the earliest annals of the denomina- ion in the communion of which Dr. McCarrell lived ind died, and for which he had an unchangeable af- ection. His mind was early turned towards the min- stry of the gospel, and he entered upon studies prepar- tory thereto, availing himself of such helps as were vithin his reach, though in the main he had to depend. upon his own efforts, and was, in fact, to a great extent self-made man.

While thus engaged the war of 1812 came on. In he summer of 1814 Washington was burnt by the British, and Baltimore was threatened with the same ate at the hands of Admiral Cockburn, the man who promised his followers "the booty and beauty" of that ity. The whole country was aroused; the adjacent counties of Pennsylvania sent as quickly as possible heir militia to the point of danger, while from Ship- bensburg every person capable of bearing arms hurried o the defense of Baltimore.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 75

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