USA > New York > Oswego County > History of Oswego County, New York, with illustrations and Biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 55
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Six Secretaries have recorded the proceedings of the lodge, viz., Augustus Day, elected August 23, A.D. 1856, served to August 19, 1857 ; Jesse W. Cross, elceted Au-
gust 19, 1857, served to December 15, 1858; Charles II. Cross, from December 15, 1858, to December 16, 1863; A. R. Angell, elected December 16, 1863, served to December 21, 1864; E. C. Seeley, elected December 21, 1864, served to December 19, 1866; Benjamin Snow, elected December 19, 1866, annually re-elected, and is now the present Secretary.
The lodge Chaplains number ten, viz., Jules F. Billiard, appointed December 19, A.D. 1860; Rev. P. B. Morrison, December 18, 1861, December 17, 1862; John Woodbury, December 16, 1863, December 21, 1864; Rev. F. II. Stanton, December 20, 1865, December 19, 1866, Decem- ber 18, 1867; Rev. S. J. Decker, December 16, 1868; Rev. R. C. Boyer, December 15, 1869, December 21, 1870; L. R. Muzzy, December 20, 1871 ; E. II. Gaylord, December 18, 1872; Rev. William L. Tisdale, December 17, 1873, December 16, 1874; Rev. James P. Foster, December 15, 1875, December 20, 1876.
The lodge was incorporated under chapter 317, laws of 1866, on the 6th of January, A.D. 1874. The first board of trustees were C. H. Cross, W. K. Combs, T. R. Ingersoll. December 16, 1874, S. D. Moore was elected in place of C. H. Cross. December 15, 1875, W. K. Combs, and December 20, 1876, T. R. Ingersoll, were re-elected.
Since its institution the lodge has in no ease omitted to hold its regular communications on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Financially, the lodge is established on a sound basis. It freely bestows its charities upon all needy craftsmen who apply, as well as upon its own members. The widows and orphans of deceased brethren are not neglected, but assisted. The feelings of the entire community towards the lodge are of a friendly character, and the time is near, even now is, when it is re- garded as an honor to be a Free and Accepted Mason, and a member of Pulaski lodge No. 415.
PULASKI ACADEMY.
The citizens of the village generally became very much interested in the education of its children and youth, and in the year 1853, through the exertions of Messrs. Charles H. Cross, Hiram Murdock, Anson R. Jones, George Gurley, Don A. King, Anson Maltby, Newton M. Ward- well, Samuel Woodruff, and William H1. Lester, an act of the legislature was passed consolidating parts of three school districts lying within the village into one district, to be known thereafter as the " Pulaski school district," empower- ing its board of trustees to establish and organize a classical school, to be known by the name of " the Pulaski academy."
The above-named gentlemen, being the first trustees of said district, and ex-officio board of education, did as soon as practicable establish the Pulaski academy. In the summer of 1855 it became subject to the visitation of the board of regents, in the same manner and to the same extent as though originally incorporated by them, and now enjoys all the benefits and advantages, and ranks atuong the best academies of the State. In April, 1854, the beautiful grounds on the bank of Salmon river, containing about one and three-quarter aeres, were secured and purchased by said trustees, for the sum of five hundred dollars, then un- improved and nearly covered with a grove of chesnut-, oak-, and maple-trees, upon which was erected the present
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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
stately structure of brick, eighty by fifty feet, three stories high, the two lower being thirteen feet high " in the clear," and the third story ten feet. The estimated cost of the superstructure was eight thousand dollars, but owing to prudent and economical management of the trustees and building committees, the same was completed at the actual cost of seven thousand one hundred and twenty-eight dol- lars and ten cents .*
The following were the building committee: George Gurley, Anson Maltby, Charles H. Cross, Don A. King, Samuel Woodruff, Anson R. Jones, D. C. Salisbury, John T. McCarty, and William H. Lester. William S. Carpen- ter, master-builder.
The following sub-committees were appointed, viz. :
Messrs. George Gurley, Samuel Woodruff, and Don A. King, to perfect and present a proper plan for the academy.
Charles H. Cross, Samuel Woodruff, and William H. Lester, to prepare estimates of cost of labor and materials.
Charles H. Cross and Don A. King, to contract for timber, sawed lumber, sand, and stone.
George Gurley and Don A. King, to contract for carpen- ter and joiner work.
George Gurley and Anson R. Jones, to contract for lathing and plastering.
Anson Maltby, general superintendent of laborers and erection of building.
Early in May, 1854, the ground was first broken, and so harmoniously and expeditiously did the work progress, that on the 8th day of January, 1855, the building was accepted and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies (termed a celebration), with the following order of exercises :
1. Prayer, by Rev. Andrew Oliver; 2. Music, by the choir ; 3. Remarks, by the town superintendent ; 4. Music, by the choir ; 5. Address, by Hon. Henry N. Wright; 6. Singing, dedication ode; 7. Prayer, by Rev. L. Muzzy ; 8. Benediction, by Rev. R. Houghton.
The academy consists of two departments, male and female, with the following courses of study : academic, preparatory college course, and commercial.
The officers of the academy have been as follows :
1855 and 1856 .- Stephen C. Miller, principal; Miss Frances Baker, preceptress; Homer T. Fowler, James W. Fenton, assistants.
1857 and 1858 .- Henry L. Lamb, principal ; Miss Abba L. Green, preceptress; George L. Bragdon, assistant. 1859 .- Henry L. Lamb, principal ; Miss Emma N. Beebee, preceptress ; Jules F. Billiard, assistant.
1860 .- R. B. Van Patten, principal ; Miss E. M. Des- brow, preceptress ; Jules F. Billiard, assistant.
A. Hoose, principal ; Miss E. M. Desbrow, preceptress ; Jules F. Billiard, assistant.
1861 .- Pulaski E. Smith, principal; Miss Emma N. Beebee, preceptress ; Harvey H. Butterworth, assistant.
1862 .- Same principal, same preceptress, Daniel D. Owen, assistant.
1863 .- Same principal, same assistant, Misses Lizzie P. Bush and Helen M. Rice, preceptresses.
1864 .- Harvey H. Butterworth, principal ; Miss Helen M. Riee, preceptress ; Daniel D. Owen, assistant.
.1865 .- Harvey H. Butterworth, Nehemiah White, M. B. Benton, J. W. Grant, principals ; Mrs. H. H. Butter- worth, preceptress ; J. W. Quinby, assistant.
1866 .- Daniel D. Owen, principal ; Mrs. H. H. Butter- worth, preceptress ; Nathan B. Smith, assistant.
1867 .- Nathan B. Smith, principal ; Miss Kate J. Brown, preceptress ; J. H. Mattison, assistant.
1868 .- II. W. Congdon, principal; Miss Flora A. Pot- ter, preceptress ; E. W. Blanchard, assistant.
1869 and 1870 .- Sebastian Duffy, principal ; Mrs. S. Duffy, preceptress ; B. F. Miller, assistant.
1871 .- S. Duffy, principal ; Mrs. S. Duffy, preceptress ; W. Steele, assistant.
1872 .- S. Duffy, principal; Mrs. S. Duffy, preceptress ; R. L. Keyser, assistant.
1873 .- S. Duffy, principal; Mrs. S. Duffy, preceptress ; A. W. Archibald, assistant.
1874 and 1875 .- S. Duffy, principal ; Mrs. S. Duffy, preceptress ; H. W. Hunt, assistant.
1876 .- S. Duffy, principal ; Mrs. S. Duffy, preceptress ; H. T. Hoyt, assistant.
1877 .- S. Duffy, principal ; Mrs. S. Duffy, preceptress ; S. C. Huntington and F. Gilman, assistants.
The average annual expense of the institution, exclusive of repairs on buildings, has been four thousand dollars.
The officers of the respective boards of education from its organization to the present time are as follows :
Presidents .- George Gurley served four years; Beman Brockway, two years; Sidney M. Tucker, one year; Chas. H. Cross, three years ; James N. Betts, eight years; Geo. W. Woods, one year ; James Douglas, four years ; James W. Fenton, two years.
Treasurers .- George Gurley served four years ; James A. Clark, twenty-one years.
Secretaries .- Don A. King served eight years; Charles H. Cross, two years; Lorenzo Ling, eight years; Newton M. Thompson, one year ; Benj. Snow, six years.
Trustees .- George Gurley served four years; Don A. King, twelve years ; Newton M. Wardwell, one year; Jas. A. Clark, twenty-three years; Andrew Z. McCarty, one year; Hiram M. Murdock, one year; Charles H. Cross, twelve years ; Anson R. Jones, three years; Stephen C. Miller, thirteen years; John T. McCarty, five years ; Alonzo R. Angell, four years; Frank S. Low, eleven years ; Samuel Woodruff, four years; Adonirum Fisher, nine years; Benj. F. Rhodes, one year ; Gilbert A. Woods, . twenty years; William H. Lester, two years; Beman Brockway, two years; Josephus C. Hatch, two years ; James N. Betts, eighteen years ; Lorenzo Ling, ten years ; S. C. Huntington, twelve years; N. M. Thompson, one year ; George T. Peckham, eleven years ; D. O. Knowlton, four years ; Sidney M. Tucker, four years ; Jas. F. Davis, two years ; Jas. W. Fenton, seven years; Geo. W. Woods, nine years; R. C. Dickinson, three years; Henry H. Lyman, one year ; Sewell T. Gates, two years ; James Douglas, nine years ; Edwin H. Minot, two years ; Benj. Snow, six years.
# Cost of academy, seven thousand and one hundred dollars; lot, library, and philosophical apparatus, thirteen hundred and eighty- fivo dollars; total, eight thousand four hundred and eighty-five dollars.
SIMON MEACHAM.
REV. JAMES DOUGLASS.
E. A.S. DEL.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, PULASKI, N. Y.
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HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Board of Education, 1877 .- James A. Clark, Gilbert A. Woods, Don A. King, James N. Betts, S. C. Hunting- ton, E. H. Minot, James W. Fenton, Sewell T. Gates, Benj. Snow. James W. Fenton, president ; James A. Clark, treasurer; Benj. Snow, sceretary.
The academy has not been built up by endowments, yet its history shows a marked growth. The principal and the entire faculty are ably assisted by the trustecs in their labors, and no pains or expense is spared to make this institution " rank among the first in the land."
PULASKI GRANGE
was organized March 27, 1875, and the following officers were chosen : Newton M. Thompson, M .; Olin S. Clark, O .; C. R. Erskine, L .; A. B. Trumbull, S .; S. S. Jordan, A. S .; A. N. Balsley, C .; Clark Cole, T .; A. J. Champ- ney, S .; Arthur Alexander, G. K .; Mrs. O. S. Clark, C .; Mrs. A. B. Trumbull, P .; Miss Lois Clark, F .; Mrs. C. R. Erskine, L. A. S .; Olin S. Clark, Augustus Twitchell, N. M. Thompson, Executive Committee.
THE PRESS.
The Pulaski Banner was established in April, 1830, by Nathan Randall, and continued by him until 1832, when it passed into the hands of A. A. Mathewson and G. G. Foster, who published it one year. It was issued by James Gedd until 1834, when it was suspended. In 1836 it re- appeared as the Pulaski Advocate, and was published by Daniel Ayer until 1838, when it was sold to Mr. Dickinson and consolidated with the Port Ontario Aurora, and was issued under the name of the Advocate and Aurora. The name Aurora was dropped in the year 1840, and the Ad- vocate again passed into the hands of Daniel Ayer, by whom it was discontinued in 1842.
In 1843 the Pulaski Courier was started by W. Winans, and was issued by him until 1847, when A. A. Mathewson assumed control and changed its name to the Richlund Courier. In 1850 J, C. Hatch purchased the establish- ment, and changed the name of the sheet to the Pulaski Democrat. It was published by him until 1855, when it was purchased by Stephen C. Miller, the principal of Pu- laski academy. His ownership continued until the time of his death in November, 1869, when the paper came into the possession of L. Reade Muzzy, its present editor and proprietor. Since his purchase Mr. Muzzy has enlarged the sheet, added considerably to the office facilities by the introduction of steam and two power-presses, and removed the establishment to new and more commodious quarters. The Democrat is an ably-edited, independent journal, and justly merits its present prosperity.
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The First Congregational church of Pulaski, New York, was organized as a church in Pawlet, Vermont, by the colony leaving that place for Richland, New York, before its departure.
It consisted of nine members, viz., Thaddeus Harmon, John Meacham, Levi Meacham, Jocl Harmon, Simon Meacham, Lucy Meacham, Olive Hail, Polly Meacham, Ruth Harmon.
The society was organized with the name of the First Congregational Society and Church of Richland January 22, 1811. The meeting for this purpose was held by previous notice and in legal form at the house of Erastus Kellogg in said town, and the act of incorporation was legally consummated and papers filed in the county clerk's office February 25, 1811. The first trustees were Timothy Maltby, Silas Harmon, Rufus Pierce, John Meachamu, Eras- tus Kellogg, Dr. Moses R. Porter, and Simon Meacham.
They met for worship at various private houses until the year 1817, when they occupied a school-house which was then located on the present site of the land-office, and was after a time removed to the present locality of the Baptist church. After the erection of the court-house, in 1819, the church and society held their services in that building.
The first church edifice was erected in 1827, and com- pleted and dedicated in 1828. The dimensions of this building were thirty-eight feet by fifty-two feet, with a gal- lery surrounding three sides of the house. Its estimated eost was about two thousand dollars. It was located on Church street, a little north and east of the present location of the same building, which is now occupied and used as a school-house.
At the last church service held in this building, July 9, 1865, Rev. David Spear, of Rodman, preached, being then in his eighty-fifth ycar. He preached the first sermon after its erection, and administered the first communion service.
Preparation was made for the crcetion of the present house of worship, located on the corner of Lake and Church streets, in 1865.
It was completed in the spring of 1867, and dedicated April 24, 1867. Rev. Laurens P. Hickok, D.D., LL.D., president of Union college, preached the dedication sermon.
The dimensions of this building on the foundation are seventy-six feet by fifty-seven fect. The estimated cost is sixteen thousand dollars. The largest gift made towards the erection of this church edifiee was fifteen hundred dollars, by Deacon Simon Meacham, whose name is identified with the early history of the church as a member of the church when first organized in Pawlet, Vermont, also one of its first deaeons, and a member of the first board of trustees; a man of superior intellectual ability and unblemished Christian character. ITis portrait appears on the same page with the view of the church edifice in this work.
The first pastor of the church, who accompanied the colony from Pawlet, Vermont, was Rev. Oliver Leavitt, who was ordained and installed as pastor December 24, 1811, and was dismissed August 27, 1818. During his pastorate forty-seven persons united by profession of faith, and ten united by letter.
Rev. Oliver Ayer was installed February 20, 1822, and was dismissed April 12, 1826. During his pastorate thirty-four persons united by profession and fifteen by letter.
Rev. George Freeman commenced labors December 7, 1827, and was dismissed January 22, 1830. During this time ten persons united by profession and eighteen by letter.
Rev. Ralph Robinson was installed pastor March 23, 1830, and was dismissed January 28, 1846. During his
15
218
HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
pastorate of nearly sixteen years one hundred and nineteen persons united with the church by profession and eighty- one by letter.
Rev. Thomas Salmon commenced labors August 2, 1846, was installed as pastor June 15, 1847, and died December 4, 1854. During his pastorate thirty-seven persons united by profession and forty by letter.
Rev. Fayette Shepherd commenced labors May 19, 1855, and was dismissed April 19, 1858, twenty-three persons uniting by profession and twenty-three by letter.
Rev. Lucian West Chaney began his labors October 10, 1858, and was dismissed November 10, 1864. During the period of his ministerial labors eighteen persons united by profession and twenty-three by letter.
The present pastor, Rev. J. Douglas, commenced his labors December 1, 1864. Eighty-two persons have been added to the church under his labors thus far by profession and twenty-three by letter.
The first Sabbath-school was organized in 1817 by Deacon Simon Meacham, and a library was organized in 1818. The present superintendent is N. B. Smith, Esq.
The board of trustees consists of Deacon John Meacham, J. A. Clark, L. Ling, M. Pierce, and R. C. Dickinson.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
James Trumbull states that when he came into the town, in the year 1811, the Methodists in this vicinity held ser- vice at the house of John Ingersoll and in Pliny Jones' bar-room. There are no early records of this church pre- served, but the society was probably organized in 1813 or 1814, and held meetings in the school-house until the erec- tion of the court-house, when that was occupied alternately by the religious societies. Among the first preachers were Fathers Calkins and Bibbings.
The first church edifice was erected in 1832, on the site now occupied by the residence of Charles Hubbard, on Salina street.
The following-named persons have at various times offi- ciated as pastors of the church, viz. : Revs. McNine, Fuller, Whitcomb, Chapin, G. C. Woodruff, Bodish, Hawkins, A. J. Phelps, Orlando C. Cole, William Jones, S. B. Croshier, Lemmel Clark, Thomas B. Shephard, J. H. Lamb, F. H. Santon, H. Skiel, William Watson, W. L. Tisdale, D. W. Thurston (supply), J. B. Longstreet, present pastor.
The present trustees are: D. C. Dodge, S. Dickinson, C. R. Suydam, Olin Clark, F. Frank, M. D. Cornwell, T. Hollis, B. H. Allen, T. D. Seymour.
THIE BAPTIST CHURCHI.
This church was organized in 1828. Previous to that time the Baptists in Pulaski and vicinity had been formed into a conference by the Rev. Nathaniel Gittean. His labors as a preacher and pastor were very acceptable. He died in 1827. On the 17th of May, 1828, the conference met to consider the expediency of effecting a permanent organization. They determined to do so with the concur- rence of a council of the neighboring Baptist churches. This was called to meet at ten A.M. on the 9th of June, at the court-house in the village of Pulaski. The council convened at the appointed time, and was composed of the fol-
lowing delegates : From the First Baptist church at Richland, Revs. Ferris and Holmes, with N. Powers, J. Holmes, and - Bangs; from the Baptist church at New Haven, Rev. R. T. Smith, with Barzillai Snow, John Gratton, and Cyrus Severence ; from the Baptist church at Sandy Creek, Thos Gratton, Calvin Murray, and Jedediah Gratton ; from the First Baptist church at Ellisburgh, Rev. Timothy Brewster, with B. Freeman. The conference appointed as its repre- sentatives Rev. Jason Lothrop, T. C. Baker, Benjamin Snow, and Horace Phillips.
The following persons also were present, and invited to participate in the labors of the council: Rev. Gamaliel Barnes, John and William Manwarring, from Mexico; H. B. Rounds, and David Carlisle, from Newport.
The council voted to organize a church, and it was ef- fected with the following services of recognition : Rev. R. T. Smith preached the sermon from Luke xii. 32; Rev. Mr. Ferris gave the hand of fellowship, and T. Brewster gave the address to the members. The church at once chose T. C. Baker as clerk.
ยท On the 12th of July a meeting to elect deacons was held, and choice was made of Benjamin Snow and T. C. Baker.
The following are the names of the constituent members : Jason Lothrop, Benjamin Snow, T. C. Baker, R. Clyne, Eli Greene, Horace Phillips, John Hendrickson, Sylvester Hills, Oliver Allen, Mrs. Allen and daughter, Mrs. William Hale and daughter, Sibyl S. Baker, Lavina Snow, Delia Doane, Betsy Jones, Polly Hendrickson, Charlotte Way, Amanda Weed, Susan Phillips, Lovina Meacham, Ann Fellows, Cynthia Bass, Eliza Bragdon, and Fanny Man- warring.
Steps for building a church were taken at a meeting held August 31, 1829, but it was the summer of 1834 before the edifice was ready for occupation. In the mean time religious services continued to be held in the court-house. When the frame was put up, the pastor, Rev. Jesse Elliott, made a prayer. No other dedication services were held until several years later, when Rev. S. J. Decker was the pastor, and the church was considerably enlarged and re- paired. The original location of the church has never been changed. It fronts the South Park adjoining the court- honse. Rev. M. B. Comfort is the present pastor. J. W. Wood, A. S. Richards, and Ephraim Averill are the deacons, and E. C. Beardsley the church clerk.
Since the organization of the church the following persons have served it as pastors, and in the order named : Jason Lothrop, Jesse Elliot, I. N. T. Tucker, C. B. Taylor, A. Webb, Charles Marshall, Thomas Bright, W. I. Crane, Lawson Muzzy, S. J. Decker, M. V. Wilson, G. A. Ames, and M. B. Comfort. The exact term of service of each has not been obtained, but it has varied considerably. The early pastorates were short as a rule, but for the past thirty-five years they have averaged about five years, and some have largely exceeded that length.
The early position of this church on the subject of temperance is deserving of notice here. So long ago as June 20, 1829, the following record was made :
" Voted unanimously that this church do hereby resolve that each and every member refrain from the use of ardent spirits in any case except as a medicine."
JobBetts Me, 0,
RESIDENCE of JAMES N. BETTS, M.D. PULASKI ,N.Y.
.
Dating
3
RESIDENCE OF DON A .KING, PULASKI , N. Y.
219
HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
It is believed that few churches at that early day held such just and advanced views on this important question. The last report gave an enrolled membership of one hundred and ten.
ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
St. James Church, Pulaski, was organized August 10, 1846, Hon. Andrew Z. MeCarty presiding at a meeting held for that purpose in the court-house. John David and Andrew Z. MeCarty were elected wardens ; John Box, Jr., Daniel MeCarty, Jerome B. Smith, Joseph T. Stevens, John A. Rhoades, Alden Crandall, Frey Lane, J. C. Rhoades were chosen vestrymen ; Rev. Edward De Zeng ministered here from some time in 1848 to April, 1849 ; Rev. Henry Stanley was rector from April 22, 1849, to October 12, 1852; Rev. Gordon M. Bradley served the parish from January 1, 1853, to October of the same year; Rev. Andrew Oliver from July 9, 1854, to April 8, 1855; Rev. Joshua L. Harrison from about October 1, 1855, to April 1, 1856; Rev. Moses E. Wilson from December 1, 1856, to December 1, 1857 ; supplied by visiting elergymen for three and a half years (especially Rev. William Paret, rector Zion church, Pierrepont Manor), and by lay reading by Mr. John David, senior warden ; Rev. Peter B. Morrison from June 16, 1861, to May 3, 1863; Rev. Milton B. Benton from August, 1863, to May, 1867 ; Rev. Gilbert B. Hayden from August 1, 1867, to Aug. 12, 1868 ; Rev. Robert C. Boyer from January 4, 1869, to February, 1871 ; Rev. J. H. Rowling from autumn of 1871, for nine months; Rev. W. H. Hopkins from January 1, 1873, to November, 1874. During the frequent vacancies in the pastorate of this church, religious services were kept up by the lay reading of the late venerable John David, the founder and life-long senior warden of the parish.
The present rector is the Rev. James P. Foster, who ac- ecpted the rectorship May 1, 1875, and is still the incum- bent. Under his pastorate this church has added thirty families, two hundred individuals, and fifty communicants.
During the two years of his ineumbeney there have been eighty baptisms and forty-eight confirmations. A parsonage has been paid for and the parish kept free from debt. Some of the first members of this church were John David and wife, Hon. A. Z. MeCarty and family, of Pulaski; Joseph T. Stevens, Daniel McCarty, of Washington, D. C .; Frey Lane and family, John T. MeCarty and family, of Pulaski; D. O. Knowlton, of Syracuse; R. L. Ingersoll and family, and Jules Billiard and family, of Pulaski.
The church building was finished in 1850, and was con- secrated February 27, 1850, by the Right Reverend William H. De Lancey, bishop of western New York. It was at that time regarded as one of the prettiest church edifices in the diocese. The cost of the building was two thousand five hundred dollars. It is thirty by ninety feet. The architect was Upjohn, of New York.
The present officers are Stephen Mason and Charles H. Cross, wardens ; John T. McCarty, Jules Billiard, William H. Hill, W. P. Outerson, A. J. Shelley, L. D. Potter, William H. Gray, Prof. S. Duffy, vestrymen. The parish is indebted to the Hon. William C. Pierrepont, of Pierre- pont Manor, for the gift of five hundred dollars towards the church building, and one thousand dollars for the parsonage.
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