History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 96

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 96

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In the year 1829 the Rev. Robert P. Lee, Jr., was settled.

The first edifice was a log church, and erected, prob- ably, about the time the church was organized. It was situated just east of the present graveyard, and north of the turnpike. Our informant was told by Mr. Henry Crist, deceased, that the building was en- tered from the outside by a ladder.

The first baptisms were in 1734, and were as follows : Stephanus, son of Philippus Crist and Annayte Men- gessin ; Jacob, son of Phillipus Millspach and Maria Hemmer; Johannes, son of Christian Eboltz and Maria Elizabeth Crist; Annatje, daughter of Chris- toffle Maul and Anna Juliana Sevving.

Some of the names found on the early records are Dekker, Terwiliger, Wilson, Velde, Robertson, Krantz, Haywood, Endro, Patterson, Weller, Windviel, Weber, Rockafellow, and Clearwater.

The records of the church were kept in Dutch till the time of Mr. Froeligh, after which but two or three entries are found of that kind.

The four aeres occupied by the church and grave- yard north of the turnpike were a gift from Mr. Beek- ford, the brother-in-law of Mary Ballard Beektord. She owned large tracts of land in this and the town of Crawford, and Beekford was her agent in New York to sell them. The congregation were to pay for the deed, and the subscription list for the purpose is on the record of the church, dated in 1759. There are fifty-eight names on it, each signing sixpence.

The church having been formed and kept up by the Germans and their descendants, the services were in that language probably for the first fifty years. Then they were half the time in German or Dutch, and the other half in English. From our best infor- mation, this continued till the time of Mr. Froeligh, when they were all performed in English. Perhaps he may have preached occasionally in German or

Dutch. We have heard two sermons since that time in German in this church, when the whole country- side were present, down to the oldest man; some of whom might not have been out for years, but still re- tained a knowledge of the language.

We cannot forego the obligation to remark here, as connected with this ancient church and early set- tlement, that those who came from the hills and val- leys of Germany with the Bible in their hands and erected this primitive and humble temple, have by their own descendants sent some of their own chil- dren back to the Old Work to teach the word of life to heathen nations. In the year 1836, Rev. William Youngblood and Josephine Millspaugh, his wife, members of this church and natives of this town, one a descendant of Johannes Jong Bloet, the other the descendant of Matthias Millspach, two original settlers, left home and friends on a mission to foreign lands.

This account is so far compiled from previous works, but the present pastor adds the following excellent paper, giving the names of the founders, with other details of the early organization and the events of the last thirty-five years. The records of the church throw so much light upon the early history of the town that they are exceedingly valuable.

The Reformed Church of Montgomery was organ- ized in 1732. The following were members at its organization : Michael Krans, Margriet Maul, Catho- rina Maul, Johannes Krans, Jacob Senseboch, Mag- dalena Senseboch, Benayna Newkerk, Aibje Menyes (wife of Stephanus Christ), Elizabeth Menyes (wife of Lawrence Christ), Gertrout Yongbloet, Frederick Weller, Anna Margretha Kochin, Maria Gertrout Steiner (wife of Philippus Melsboch), Maria Cathor- rina Steiner, Elizabeth Steiner, Gertje Klooswater (wife of Johannes Newkerk).

The following were officers of the church during the first ten years of its existence. At the organiza- tion, in 1732, Johannes Yongbloet was ordained elder and Jacob Buchstaber, deacon :

1734 .- Elder, Hieronymus Menyes; deacon, Jo- hannes Newkerk.

1736 .- Elder, Christoffel Maul; deacon, Stephanns Christ.

1739 .- Elder, Matheis Melsboch ; deacon, Lawrence Christ.

1741 .- Elder, Jacob Buchstaber ; deacon, Johannes Kraus.

The Rev. G. W. Mancius, pastor of the Reformed Church of Kingston, officiated at the organization of the church, and acted as stated supply of the pulpit until his death in 1762.

During the years 1753-54, Rev. Barent Vrooman, pastor of the Reformed Churches of New Paltz and Shawangunk, in Ulster County, was also pastor of this church. During the years 1751-68, Rev. John Moffatt, of Goodwill Presbyterian Church, preached and administered baptism frequently. In 1764, Rev.

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Frederick Mutzelins supplied the pulpit. The follow- ing is the list of pastors from 1771: 1771-78, John Michael Kern; 1778-85, Ryneir Van Nest ; 1788- 1817, Moses Froeligh ; 1817-27, Jesse Fonda ; 1829-58, Robert P. Lee; 1859-72, A. B. Van Zandt, late Pro- fessor of Theology in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church at New Brunswick, N. J .; 1873-76, Cornelius Brett; 1877, Ferdinand S. Schenck. The church is beautifully situated on the brow of a hill, across the Wallkill from the village of Montgomery. Four church edifices have occupied this site. The first was a log house, erected shortly after the organi- zation of the church ; the second was a frame build- ing, erected about 1760; the third was of briek, built in 1803, and repaired and enlarged in 1834. The present is a stately building of brick, and surmounted by a lofty spire. It was erected in 1858, but the spire was not added until 1880. The audience-room is beautiful and large; it will comfortably seat between 700 and 800 people.

The following is the present organization : Pastor, Ferdinand S. Sehenek; Elders, Lewis Crist, Jesse Fonda Mould, Ebenezer Van Alst, Robert Ashby ; Deacons, John Bookstaver, John D. Mould, Abner Shafer, William Bookstaver.

The report presented by the church to the General Synod of 1880 gives the following items of interest :

Number of families. 185

communicants .. 413

Sunday-school scholars .. 200

Amount contributed for benevolent purposes during the year ... $1288.62 Amount contributed for congregational purposes during the year ... 2814.35

The church is generally known in the community as the Brick Church of Montgomery.

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, WALDEN.

St. Andrew's was one of the churches of the parish of New Windsor and Newburgh. Its early history, as well as that of its associate organizations, will be found in Chapter X. of the General History, prior to 1775.

In 1775 its vestry consisted of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., and Andrew Graham, wardens; and Peter Bodine, J. J. Galatian, Ambrose Jones, Justus Banks, John Blake, and Edward Burne,-Justus Banks having been chosen in place of George Graham, deceased.

. the Revolutionary war, suddenly relinquished his charge and left the congregation in a very unsettled state. Up to this period the congregation of St. An- drew's had been eminently prosperous, and the church was filled to overflowing. But amidst the collision of parties, the prejudices excited against the church as being the offspring of the Church of Eng- land, and other causes unhappily existing, the con- gregation of St. Andrew's began from this time to decline.

Trinity Church, New York, with a view to obtain an- other minister, but without success. The parish re- mained vacant until the year 1790, when the Rev. George H. Spierin was engaged for two years at a salary of £100 per annum. The vestry at this period consisted of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., and James G. Graham, wardens; and Justus Banks, Andrew Gra- ham, Thomas Colden, Peter Galatian, Matthew Du- Bois, and Edward Burn, vestrymen. Mr. Spierin residing at Newburgh, an inconvenient distance from the church, an effort was now made to procure a par- sonage for the accommodation of the minister. Ae- cordingly, Cadwallader Colden, Jr., generously pre- sented the congregation with an acre of ground adjoining the church lot, on which a handsome par- sonage was soon built.

In 1793, Mr. Spierin received and accepted a call from the congregation of Poughkeepsie; whereupon application was again made to the clergy of New York to supply the vacaney. The Rev. Dr. Moore recommended Mr. Frederick Van Horne a candidate for the ministry, who accordingly received and ac- cepted a call, and on the receipt of holy orders entered upon the duties of rector, December 10th.

Several attempts had been made to liquidate the church debt by the sale of pews and private subserip- tions, but with very little success until the year 1796. During this year an investigation was made into the financial affairs of the church, when it was found that there remained due to Cadwallader Colden, Esq., , a balance on the original debt, together with interest, more than £500. A considerable sum was also due to Andrew Graham, Esq., for moneys advanced in build- ing the church. As this debt operated as a heavy load upon the church, which possessed no means of reim- bursement, those gentlemen most generously relin- quished their claims, and thus freed the church and congregation from all further embarrassment, for which they received the thanks of the vestry and congregation.

The vestry at this time consisted of Justus Banks and Michael Beliger, wardens ; and Alexander Dorcas, James Kain, Peter Galatian, William Erwin, Francis Lyon, and Thomas Gee.

Mr. Van Horne continned rector of the parish until In this year the Rev. Mr. Sayre, foreseeing the trou- , the year 1809, when he removed to Ballston, and in bles that were about to ensue on the breaking out of the following year the Rev. Mr. Mackin was called to :the rectorship, the vestry being composed of Andrew Graham and Peter Galatian, wardens; and William Erwin, Alexander Colden, Benjamin Thorn, Nicholas Bogert, Jacob Smith, and John Galatian. Mr. Mac- kin continued rector for three years, and in 1810 was succeeded by the Rev. William Powell. Mr. Powell resigned his charge in the year 1818, and was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Samuel Phinney. In 1821 the vestry, being unable to continue the salary of the rector at £400, reduced it to €300, in consequence of On the departure of the Rev. Mr. Sayre, applica- tion was made from time to time to the rector of which Mr. Phinney resigned. He was succeeded by the Rev. James P. Cotter in 1822, but he soon after

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left the parish. In 1826 the Rev. Joshua L. Ilarrison was called, but resigned in the course of the same year on account of ill health. In this year it was determined to ereet an Episcopal church in the village of Walden on a site given by Jesse Scofield, Esq., and a subscription was immediately opened for that pur- pose. The building was forthwith commeneed, and finished in the course of the following year. Previous to its consecration, however, it was further determined to relinquish the old church of St. Andrew's as a place of public worship, and to give to the new church in Walden the name of St. Andrew's Church. This church was accordingly consecrated by Bishop Ho- bart, Sept. 3, 1827.

In April of this year the Rex. William H. Lewis accepted a call to the parish, but resigned his charge in November of the same year, and was immediately succeeded by the Rev. Albert Hoyt. The vestry at this time consisted of Nicholas J. Bogert and John Fell, wardens; and John Galatian, Jacob T. Walden, John J. Galatian, Dr. Geo. G. Graham, Dr. Peter P. Galatian, and Dr. Thomas Colden.

In 1829 the vestry erected a handsome parsonage on a lot of four acres purchased of Mr. Cyrus Lyon. The cost of the whole, amounting to 84000, was de- frayed chiefly by the sale of all the church property at old St. Andrew's, with the exception of the bury- ing-gronnd. On January 22d in this year the con- gregation was called to mourn the loss by death of its pastor, the Rev. Mr. Hoyt, who had become greatly endeared to the people during the short period of his ministrations. He was succeeded in March following by the Rev. Nathan Kingsberry, who held the rector- ship for one year, and was succeeded in 1830 by the Rev. William H. Hart. Mr. Hart continued rector till the year 1836, when he removed to Richmond, Va., and was succeeded by the Rev. Robert Shaw. Mr. Shaw removed to Marlborough in 1838, and was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Henry W. Swetzer. In 1842, Mr. Swetzer resigned, and was succeeded by the Rev. Horace Hills, Jr., who retained the rectorship but one year, and resigned his charge in November, 1843. The parish was then vacant until October, 1844, when the Rev. William H. Hart, then residing at Fishkill, Duchess Co., was again called to the rectorship of this parish.

The members of the vestry at that time were George Weller and Dr. George G. Graham, wardens; and William Buchanan, James R. Cooper, James Bogert, David E. Bogert, William Ruggles, Samuel Wait, Jr., Joseph P. Cooke, and George W. Oakley, vestrymen ; Peter Bogert, secretary.

In June, 1842, the Rev. Horace Hill was called as rector. At that time N. J. Bogert and George Weller were wardens, and John Galatian, Thomas Colden, and James R. Cooper constituted the vestry.

Dec. 23, 1871, the vestry authorized a committee to George G. Graham, William Buchanan, E. P. Wheeler, sell the parsonage and land belonging to St. Andrew's

Nov. 27, 1843, Rev. H. Hill resigned as rector, and Oct. 25, 1844, the Rev. William H. Ilart, a former 26

rector, was called to the parish, with the following wardens: George Weller, George G. Graham ; and vestrymen, William Buchanan, James R. Cooper, D. H. Ellis, James Bogert, William Ruggles, Samnel Wait, Jr .; John S. Grigg, collector; Peter Bogert, secretary and treasurer.

April 13, 1846, the following wardens and vestry were elected : Wardens, George Weller, George G. Graham ; Vestry, Wm. Buchanan, James R. Cooper, James Bogert, David G. Bogert, William Ruggles, Samuel Wait, Jr., Joseph P. Cook, Geo. W. Oakley.

Easter Monday, 1854, the following wardens and vestry were elected : George Weller, George G. Gra- ham, wardens; William Buchanan, James R. Cooper, L. L. Gowdy, John S. Gregg, David Stewart, James Bogert, James G. Graham, Peter W. Welling, vestry- men.

In the year 1851 the rector, W. H. Hart, died, and the Rev. James W. Stewart was called. He officiated as rector until Aug. 25, 1855, when his resignation was accepted. April 16, 1856, a call was extended to the Rev. Samuel C. Davis, which was accepted. About 1859 the Rev. I. G. Jaycox was called as as- sistant on account of the health of the rector. Ang. 17, 1859, the rector, Samnel C. Davis, tendered his resignation, to take effect Oet. 1, 1859, which was ac- cepted. April 23, 1860, a call was extended to the Rev. I. G. Jaycox, which he accepted. He resigned Sept. 14, 1861.

October, 1861, a call was extended to the Rev. Jas. W. Stewart, which was accepted. He tendered his resignation Nov. 17, 1868, which was accepted.

The Rev. Wm. Walsh, by request of the vestry, officiated until a permanent pastor could be called.

Jan. 20, 1869, a call was extended to the Rev. Levi Johnston, which was accepted.

Nov. 30, 1870, the congregation resolved to build a new church for St. Andrew's. The following com- mittee was appointed to raise funds: Mrs. L. L. Gowdy, Mrs. Hannah Hart, Jas. Gowdy, Wm. C. Weller, John C. Holborn, and Jas. C. Crist. Jas. G. Terbell, David Stewart, and Geo. Weller were ap- pointed a building committee. The sum of $3070 was subscribed at this meeting. Dec. 9, 1870, the committee reported $1000 additional subscriptions. December 16th it was resolved to authorize the pur- chase of a lot for the new church from the estate of Jesse Scofield, and that James Bogert and James Gowdy be a committee to make said purchase.

About this time the following wardens and vestry- men were elected : Geo. Weller, Jas. Bogert, wardens ; - David Stewart, David Galatian, John C. Holburn, Saml. H. Wait, Jas. Gowdy, Geo. C. Wooster, Wm. Buchanan, Wm. C. Weller, vestrymen ._

Church. Geo. Weller and James Gowdy were ap- pointed such a commitee.

April 30, 1872, a contract was given to James

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Gowdy to build a new parsonage for the sum of $3000. Nov. 19, 1873, the resignation of Levi Johnston was accepted.

June 13, 1874, a call was extended to the Rev. Wm. E. Snowden, which was accepted. He tendered his resignation about April 1, 1877. The Rev. Geo. W. Douglas officiated during the summer. Aug. 19, 1877, a call was made to the Rev. N. F. Robinson, assistant at Trinity Church, New York, which he ac- cepted. July 27th, James Bogert, Jr., warden, died, and David Stuart was elected warden in his place. Street, and in August of the same year Mr. James R. John Waterhouse was elected vestryman.

June 5, 1877, the vestry sold the old church prop- erty to Henry Matthews and Win. Totty. and the pro- ceeds to apply on the church debt. The third Sun- day in August the rector, N. F. Robinson, resigned.

Aug. 23, 1879, a call was extended to the Rev. Francis Washburn.

May 15, 1880, the church debt was paid, and the church was consecrated on June 11, 1880, by the Right Rev. Horatio Potter, D.D., LL.D., etc. The removal the congregation remained vacant until his new church and parsonage were erected at a cost of return, in November, 1833.

$18,000.

COLDENHAM CHURCH.

The Reformed Presbyterian Congregation of Cold- enham was organized by the Rev. James Mckinney in the year 1795. Forty-two years before this time, however, a praying society had been formed by Rev. John Culbertson, who came to this county in 1752. This society received supplies of gospel ordinances occasionally until the union between the Reformed Presbytery and the Associate Synod in 1782, which was attended with results so disastrous to this small community that it was unknown to the church until visited by Mr. Mckinney; but from the time he be- gan to labor in its bounds it increased so rapidly that at the time of its organization there were about twenty-five communicants, two of whom were elders. Robert Johnston, who had been ordained to the office of ruling elder some time previous to his removal from Ireland, and Robert Beattie, who had been an elder in the Associate Reformed Church at Little Britain, from which he had withdrawn, were the ruling elders of this new congregation. Commencing as it did under favorable auspices, the new organiza- tion received liberal supplies of gospel ordinances from those eminent men, who became the fathers of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in America. These supplies were joyfully and profitably received and attended, although they were in the dwelling- houses and barns of the neighborhood until 1799, when a house of worship was erected.

In the year 1800 a call was made by the congrega- tion, in company with one previously organized in the city of New York, upon Alexander McLeod, who, together with Messrs. Donelly, Black, and Wylie, had been licensed to preach the gospel by the Reformed Presbytery which met at Coldenham in June, 1799. The call having been accepted, Mr. McLeod was

ordained and installed accordingly. For three years he labored so successfully in his united charge that at the end of the time each of the congregations wished to obtain all their pastor's labors. His labors were in the country in summer and in the city in winter. Mr. McLeod chose to occupy New York as his future field. Coldenham, of course, was left vacant, and remained so until the settlement of Mr. James Milligan in 1812. Mr. Milligan remained in it until 1817, at which time he removed to Ryegate

Wilson, having received and accepted a call, became its pastor. During the pastorate of Mr. Wilson a certificate of incorporation was filed under date of April 28, 1829. The elders named at that time were Robert Beattie, David McBurney, William C. Beattie, Robert Hadden, Samuel Arnot, William Elder; the deacons were James Beattie, James Mckinney, John Brown, Abraham Gillespie. Dr. Wilson went to Albany, N. Y., in 1830, and in consequence of bis

After his return, the house of worship having be- come through age uncomfortable, the erection of a new edifice began to be talked of, and in 1838 a new and commodious house was built. In the fall of 1840, Dr. Wilson went to Alleghany, Pa., and the congre- gation was supplied by Presbyterial assistants until the settlement of James W. Shaw, in May, 1844.

During his pastorate the church for some reason deemed it best to file a new certificate of incorpora- tion. It was executed April 28, 1859, and was signed by Rev. James W. Shaw, pastor. The elders named were William Fleming and Win. B. Shesor, and the deacons were Matthew Darby and Arthur Fleming.

THIE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH OF BEREA.

This church is distant ten miles from the village of Newburgh, and three miles from the villages of Mont- gomery and Walden. The church was organized under the statute of the State by the name of Berea, which was suggested by Elder Thomas McKissock, and adopted by the congregation. The church was a secession from the Presbyterian Church of Goodwill, caused by difficulties which originated in the settle- ment of a minister. Rev. James Ten Eyck was sent for to preach four Sabbaths in November, 1821. The church then made application to the Classis of New Brunswick, to which Mr. Ten Eyck belonged as a licentiate, for his services as an ordained missionary for one year. The Classis of New Brunswick examined Mr. Ten Eyck, and ordained him as a missionary, with direction to labor a year in the church. In April, 1823, Peter Lowe and Robert Crowell were appointed commissioners to present to the Classis of Ulster certain proposals, having in view a connection with the Reformed Dutch Church.

The following is an extract from the minutes of the Classis of Ulster :

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" The Classis received the following communication and proposals from the congregation at Berea, for connecting themselves with this Classis :

" Ist. That the temporalities of the congregation be managed by trustees agreeably to the statuto.

" 2d. All persons that are stated hearers at this church, and shall have contributed to the support of the same for one year immediately preceding an election, shall have a voice in fixing the amount of salary, and in making choice of a pastor, etc.

"3d. That the Westminster Confession of Faith, together with the Dutch Reformed Confession of Faith and Catechismns, shall be the stand- ards of this church.

" The above communication and proposals were referred to a commit- tes of the Classis of Ulster, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. Wm. Bogar- dus, H. Bogardus, and Elder E. Bunk.

" Your committee beg leave to report the following resolutions, viz. :

"Ist. That the said church and congregation of Berea be and hereby is admitted into connection with this Classis, and received under our constitutional care and government.

"2d. That the Classis are willing that said congregation take any measures and adopt any plans for its internal government which are not repugnant to the constitution of our Reformed Dutch Church.

" 3d. That the Classis advise the Rev. Mr. Ten Eyck, who now labors among that people, to take the proper measures for the due organization of said church, and to complete their connection with this body.

"Classis rejoice in the hope that said congregation will beconie a pions and valuable member of our church, and pray that the Great Head of the church may receive them under his covenant protection and grace.

(Sigued) " HENRY OSTRANDER, Chairman."

In pursuance with this act the ecclesiastical relation of Mr. Ten Eyck was regularly transferred from the Classis of New Brunswick to the Classis of Ulster, and installed by a committee of the latter body in 1823 as pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Berea. The first consistory was composed of the fol- lowing persons: Thomas McKissock, John Blake, Caleb Dill, Peter Lowe, and Christian Crist. This consistory was chosen Aug. 2, 1823. The following are the names of the first trustees : Andrew Kidd, John Milliken, Robert Crowell, Nathaniel Ackerly, and Thomas Clineman.

The congregation was incorporated by a certificate. executed Nov. 13, 1821. The proceedings were cer- tified to by James Hunter and Thomas McKissock, inspectors of election. The trustees chosen were Robert Crowell, Christian Crist, Thomas Clineman, John W. Milliken, and Nathaniel Ackerly.

The present house of worship was built during the years 1821 and 1822, the parsonage being erected the year following. When erected, the church stood in ! the midst of a forest ; the timber was obtained on the ground and hewn out by the congregation. Thus far in the history of this church there have been but three pastors, the first being Rev. James B. Ten Eyck, above mentioned. His pastorate continued until his death, April 20, 1872.

Rev. L. L. Comfort was settled in July of the same year, and remained also until his death, which oc- curred in July, 1879.

In the following August, Peter HI. Milliken, who had just graduated from the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, N. J., was called, and in October (1879) was ordained to the gospel ministry.

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History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 96

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