USA > New York > Putnam County > History of Putnam County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 30
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He was a pastor in the real sense of that term and the truth he preached on the Sabbath was illustrated and enforced by his life, conversation and personal efforts during the week, and as one who knew him well remarked, " a large part of his preach- ing was done outside the pulpit."
His social temperament and genial disposition made him ever a welcome guest not only in the homes of his own people but in the homes of all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. In times of sorrow his quick, sympathetic nature made him ever ready to administer consolation, and many a heart bowed down with grief has been cheered and comforted by his tender loving words.
He was a man of broad culture, and always kept himself abreast with the wants of the times. While giving self-sacri- ficing attention to every interest associated with the Church of the Lord Jesus, he was always at the front in all reforms for the good of mankind, and thus he endeared himself not only to his immediate congregation but to the entire community. Fitted by education and taste for the most varied associations he gave himself wholly to his church and its neighborhood. His powers of adaptation made him successful with all. He was an evan- gelist in the remoter districts of the county. He was the helper of the friends of purity and temperance. In the intellectual development of young people he was enthusiastic and untiring. In the association of ministers of Putnam county and vicinity he was active and efficient. Thoroughly Presbyterian in his be- liefs and methods, he yet respected the beliefs of others and in all the great varieties of Christian service he found a congenial
A.S. Sahler
Engle HE Hall's Sons I.L.
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sphere for his great heart to lavish its sympathy and his busy brain to kindle its brightest thought.
His death in the vigor of his years made vacancies to be long deplored. The religious history of Putnam county would be incomplete without giving large place to him whose name is tenderly cherished in so many of its homes.
He married the eldest daughter of Benjamin W. Merriam of New York, who, with three daughters, survives him.
Parsonage and Church Lots .- As stated before, Rev. Elna- than Gregory during his life was tenant of a large farm near his church. July 10th, 1818, Amos Belden sold to Enoch Cros- by, Joel Frost, Elisha Smith, David Travis and Joseph Crane, trustees of the church, thirty acres of land bounded south by Dean's Pond and north by the Horse Pound road. This farm the trustees sold to Rev. Benaiah Y. Morse, March 5th, 1835. He sold two thirds of an acre next the road to Floyd T. Frost and the remainder to William Watts April 7th of the same year. The house and part of the land opposite the burying ground now belong to Lyman Craft, the house being the old parsonage built before the Revolution. The present church in Carmel was built in 1836. The church lot was sold to the trus- tees by Lewis Ludington, James Raymond and Benjamin Bel- den, June 30th, 1835. This is a part of a tract of 16 acres which was sold to them by Elisha Cole July 7th, 1834. The north line of this church lot is the original north bounds of the farm leased in perpetuity by Philip Philipse to James Dickinson in 1766, and which afterward passed into the hands of Elisha Cole. The present parsonage was purchased from Chauncey R. Weeks in 1856.
The Gilead Burying Ground .- This place, situated about a mile southeast of the village of Carmel and the location of the old Gilead Church, is a part of the farm which, in 1756, was in pos- sesion of Thomas Crosby and was leased to James Dickinson in 1766 and sold to Elisha Cole by Frederick Philipse in 1828. It is probable that the first burials here were soon after the building of the Gilead Church. The oldest inscription is in memory of Sarah, wife of Jesse Smith, who died November 17th, 1766. This burial ground is the last resting place of the earliest settlers and the representatives of the older families of the town. The old Gilead meeting house stood on the west end of the ground and a little way north of the road.
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
The following names and dates are from the Gilead Burying Ground .- James Colwell, died July 4, 1837, age 76; David Myr- rick, May 8, 1800, 69; Hannah, wife, Feb. 24, 1807, 77; Lois wife of Matthew Beale, July 1, 1785, 27; Elizabeth, widow of Tho. Crosby, Aug. 6, 1801, 92; Sarah, wife of George Beale, Jan. 1, 1790, 37; Sarah, wife of Mr. Jesse Smith, Nov. 17, 1766, 62; Daniel Baily, May 24, 1861, 51; Caleb Fowler, Ang. 6, 1805, 72; Eliza wife, June 8, 1807, 80; John Wood, Dec. 17, 1808, 34; John Myrrick, May 14, 1812, 42; Rev. Ebenezer Phillips, Feb. 15, 1834, 48; Mary, wife, Oct. 15, 1846, 46; Reuben Hopkins, July 22, 1798, 31; Capt. Solomon Hopkins, Sept. 22, 1792, 54; Eliza- beth, wife, Jan. 6, 1804. 62; Eleanor, wife of Thatcher Hopkins, Mar. 2, 1786, 80; Col. Caleb Hazen, March 31, 1806, 56; Ruth, wife, Dec. 18, 1828, 77; Capt. Eleazor Hazen, Sept. 20, 1793, 37; Enoch Crosby, June 26, 1835, 85; Sarah, wife, Sept. 4, 1811, 56; Joel Myer, Mar. 25, 1807, 72: Seth Foster, Sept. 15, 1837, 76; Huldah, wife, Oct. 29, 1797, 40; Elizabeth, wife, Jan. 28, 1848, 86; Tho. Foster, Sept. 22, 1840, 45; Laura A. Foster, Nov. 30, 1847, 43; Tilly Foster, Apr. 4, 1847, 49; Sally, wife, Apr. 8, 1836, 40; Abigail, wife, James Sloat, May 15, 1825, 69; Eli Gan- nung, Feb. 8, 1827, 40; Reuben Gannung, Dec. 29, 1836, 79; Samuel Kniffen, Oct. 9, 1791, 74; Alvah Trowbridge, June 10, 1856, 76; Sally, wife, April 6, 1833, 52; James Garrison, Jan. 18, 1881, 80; Zebulon Washburn, Nov. 17, 1833, 86; Jeremiah Hughson, Apr. 12, 1812, 63; Rebecca, wife, Apr. 7, 1812, 61; Abijah Baker, Oct. 1805, 80; Tho. Wilson, Oct. 7, 1805, 80; John Frost, Mar. 21, 1831, 91; Huldah, wife, Oct. 13, 1802, 60; Mehit- able Frost, June 6, 1856, 73; Wm. Colwell, Sept. 13, 1825, 81; Phebe, wife, Mar. 25, 1818, 80; Solomon Fowler, Oct. 21, 1828, 61; Hannah, wife, July 1, 1849, 73; Jacob Gannng, Dec. 22, 1834, 86; Hannah, wife, May 22, 1845, 92; Joseph Ganung, May 24, 1836, 58; Susannah, wife, Aug. 19, 1848, 69; Hon. Joel Frost, Sept. 11, 1827, 62; Martha, wife, Oct. 21, 1860, 88; Jonathan Fowler, Oct. 26, 1848, 79; Mary, wife, Apr. 16, 1835, 59; Philip Smith, Jan. 1, 1828, 73; Elizabeth, wife, Jan. 30, 1829, 69; Capt. Samuel Kniffen, Mar. 9, 1828, 77; Jane, wife, Feb. 21, 1844, 86; Susannah Fowler, Oct. 1, 1847, 80; Phebe Fowler, Sept. 28, 1847, 88; Ampelias Yeomans, Feb. 22, 1853, 74; Abagail, wife, March 10, 1848, 63; Salome, wife Josiah Baker, Dec. 26, 1845, 71; John Frost, May 11, 1862, 88; Cornelia, wife, Apr. 11, 1844, 62; William Seeley, Mar. 11, 1828, 53; Joel Murger, Mar. 25, 1807, 72; Lewis
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Crosby, April 30, 1836, 46; Cornelia, wife, Dec. 3, 1857, 64; Hannah Crosby, wife Philips Rundle, Apr. 16, 1871, 71; Gilbert Travis, Sept. 6, 1814, 74; Joseph Travis, Mar. 1, 1841, 75: Deb- orah, wife, June 12, 1845, 77; Amos Belden, May 4, 1830, 66; Elizabetlı, wife, Dec. 27, 1851, 82; Jeremiah Hopkins, Oct. 17, 1829, 67; Thankful, wife, Apr. 18, 1833, 70; Jonathan Travis, Feb. 1, 1845, 85; Elizabeth, wife, Feb. 28, 1840, 88; Richard Travis, Oct. 25, 1844, 56.
JAMES RAYMOND was born in Albany county, N. Y., March 15th, 1795. His parents were originally from Southeast Town- ship, Putnam county, in which they were old settlers. He re- ceived a common school education, learned the harness-making trade, and opened a shop in Carmel village. About 1826 he en- gaged in the menagerie business in a small way, which busi- ness he gradually increased and extended until he was known as one of the foremost and successful showmen in the United States. He founded the firm of Raymond, Ogden & Co., sub- sequently changed to Raymond, Waring & Co. He was one of the founders of Raymond Seminary, now known as Drew Semi- nary. September 26th, 1818, he married Julia Smith, a native of Putnam county, now living at an advanced age, and the oldest living member of the Gilead Presbyterian Church. Car- mel. Mr. Raymond's death occurred March 23d, 1854, and he is buried in the cemetery at Carmel, which bears his name.
He laid out the Raymond Cemetery in 1845, and the same year gave a deed of the land to the trustees of the Gilead Church, and it is now under their control.
MOUNT CARMEL BAPTIST CHURCH .- The family of Elisha Cole are supposed to have been the first Baptists settled here and his descendants have ever been identified with the church of that denomination. The society is supposed to have been organized about 1770, but for many years there was no meeting house in this vicinity. In the summer time meetings were held in the open air and Elder Elisha Cole preached to numbers gathered from all the country round, while in winter the meetings were held in private houses. Sometime between 1780 and 1785, a building was bought and moved to a place on the west side of the street in Carmel, where the house of the late Lewis Ballard now stands, next south of the horse sheds belonging to the church. This was used till 1806, when a second church was built. This meeting house stood on the small lot
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
south of the present church and on land leased from Frederick Philipse. In the survey of Lot 6 in 1810 the first church is spoken of as having been " sold and converted into a barn."
June 29th, 1821, Frederick Philipse gave to the trustees of tlie church "in consideration of his respect for the religious es- tablisliment whose temporal concerns are under their care and supervision," the piece of land now owned by the church, lying on the west side of the road and including the old burying ground, and also the small lot south of the present church on which the second meeting house was then standing.
The church was incorporated February 16th, 1807, the trustees being Barnabas Carver, Joseph Cole and Henry Nichols, and " the Society then agreed that their house and society be called by the name of Mount Carmel." The third church was erected in 1836 on land bought of Eli Kelley, Nov- vember 25th, 1835, and remained till 1869.
The first preacher of this society was Elisha Cole, the first settler of the name, and he was succeeded by his son, Elder Nathan Cole, who was identified with the church during his entire life. His salary in 1791 was $12. About 1792 a division arose in the church and Elder Cole, with quite a number of the members, withdrew because the church neglected to support their poor. In 1794 the matter was referred to a council which censured the church for not maintaining their indigent mem- bers and counseled the disaffected members to unite in love and labor together for the good of Zion. This advice was com- plied with and the church again acted in unity. In 1795 Brother Joseph Arnold was licensed to preach. In 1796 a rup- ture again occurred and Elder Cole with a large number with- drew from the church on account of the "superflnous dress, and the holding of posts of civil and military office in earthly states by certain members." Notwithstanding this the church increased, and it was "Resolved that our dissenting brethren who withdrew from the church on account of fashionable dress and the holding of posts of honor both civil and military be allowed the privilege of occupying the meeting house one half the time."
Thus matters continued, both the church and the disaffected members receiving members until July 1st, 1797, when the church withdrew the hand of fellowship from all dissenting brethren and sisters for covenant breaking. November 22d,
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1798, Daniel Cole was ordained deacon and during 1799 and 1802 the church was supplied with preaching by Elder Ebenezer Cole and Jonathan Sturdevant at the stipulated rate of $85 a year. A list was taken of members willing to contribute to the sup- port of the gospel and for a part of the time meetings were held in private houses " to accommodate the lame, the halt and the blind." In December, 1802, some of the members were put under admonition for joining the Masons. Elder Ebenezer Cole became sole pastor in 1802 at a salary of $30. In 1809 Lewis Evans was licensed to preach and Elisha Booth in the year fol- lowing.
About this time the church met with a severe loss by the death of Elder Cole, whose tombstone in the old burying ground bears the following:
"IN MEMORY OF ELDER NATHAN COLE WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE FEB. 6, 1805, IN THE 59TH YEAR OF HIS AGE.
" A dying preacher I have been Christ and his cross has been my theme.
Laboring for souls for thirty years
Often warning them with tears.
Today ye come my grave to view
In silence now I speak to you
Your fleeting time rolls fast away, Prepare to meet thy God to-day."
Elder Ebenezer Cole died August 18th, 1815, at the age of 61, and Deacon Daniel Cole December 10th, 1831, aged 85. These three brothers, the pillars of the early Baptist church, together await the resurrection.
Elder Daniel Wildman came in 1817 and a great revival took place in 1818, and many were added to the church.
July 9th, 1820, Elder John Warren preached his first sermon in this church and this was the beginning of a pastorate of twenty-one years, during which time he baptized between three and four hundred. His father was a soldier in the Revolution and a prisoner on board the prison ship in New York, from which he escaped and came to Carmel. He was licensed to preach June 25th, 1791. and was afterward ordained at Dan- bury, Conn.
Elder John Warren was born in Carmel but in early life went with his father's family to Worcester, Otsego county, N. Y. He began to preach in 1811 and was pastor at Roxbury, N. Y. In 1818 he came to Patterson in this county. His ministry alter-
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
nated between the latter place and Carmel, where he was pastor for twenty years, closing his labors in 1842. After a long life of usefulness and devotion to his labor, Elder Warren died at Danbury, Conn., July 21st, 1868, aged 83 years, one month and two days. He was buried in an obscure part of the old burying ground in Carmel, but in June, 1871, his remains were removed to a more fitting place in front of the present church, and a
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BAPTIST CHURCH, CARMEL VILLAGE.
neat monument was erected by his relatives and friends. The Baptist church had no truer representative and there was no firmer defender of the "Faith once delivered to the Saints" than Elder John Warren.
The strictness of discipline in early days appears in many instances. A resolution of May 17th, 1828, states, "That it should be considered a church discipline that a member of the
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church should visit a Free Mason Lodge," and in 1829 a com- plaint was raised against one of the members "for walking uncharitably in playing the violin, to the grief of the brethren and sisters, and he was put under admonitions therefor."
The next pastor was Rev. C. H. Underhill who entered upon his labors March 1st, 1842. He remained till April 1st, and was succeeded by Rev. Aaron Perkins. The succeeding pastors were: Rev. J. M. Coley, August, 2, 1846, to April 1st, 1849; C. B. Keyes, June 1st, 1849, to April 1st, 1851; John Seage, April 1st, 1851-53; D. T. Hill, April 1st, 1853-58; William S. Clapp, 1859 to November, 1859; A .. Perkins, January 1st, 1860, to May 1st; William S. Clapp, May 1st, 1860, to October, 1865; Otis Saxton, October 1st, 1865, to April 1st, 1866.
In 1867 Rev. William S. Clapp again took charge of the church and has remained its pastor till the present time.
The present church was built in 1869 and dedicated March 10th, 1870. The old church was sold to Leonard Yeamans for $405. The pulpit and seats were used for the present Baptist church at Boyd's Reservoir.
The new church which was built at a cost of $33,000, will seat 600 persons and is an elegant and imposing edifice.
REV. WILLIAM S. CLAPP, who has for many years been the pastor of Carmel Baptist Church, was born at Ballston, Sara- toga county, N. Y., November 2d, 1822. His parents, Chester and Eleanor Stilwell Clapp, are yet residents of Ballston, the former at the advanced age of ninety-three, and the latter aged eighty-eight.
They were the parents of six children: Marcella, wife of Dr. C. T. Harris, of Syracuse; Russell P., William S., Edward L., John A., and Harmon W. The last two are deceased; the former of whom was one of the earliest emigrants to California in 1849, the latter was killed during the Civil War.
The early life of Mr. Clapp was passed in his native place under the care of his parents, and on reaching the age of seventeen, he left home to attend school at Stillwater Academy.
After completing his preparatory studies, he entered Madison University in the Sophomore year, and graduated in July, 1846. Previous to his graduation Mr. Clapp accepted an invitation to become pastor of the First Baptist Church in Albany, and was ordained. March 10th, 1846. In this charge he remained till May, 1849, when a call was extended from a Baptist Church in
21
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
New York city which was accepted. Here he remained three years, when his health, which had been shattered by an attaok of cholera, compelled him to relinquish his charge.
Mr. Clapp then removed to Danbury, Conn., where he became pastor of the church, and remained there till 1857. In Febru- ary, 1858, he commenced a pastorate in the village of Carmel, which has continued to the present time, to the mutual satisfac- tion of pastor and people.
During this lengthy service of twenty-eight years, an entire generation has grown up under his care, and been blessed by his example and instructions.
Throughout the county his influence among the churches of the Baptist denomination is widely known and fully recognized, and in the councils of the various pastors, his advice and opin- ions are received with the respect which is most justly deserved.
In 1864 Mr. Clapp went to Europe where he remained fifteen months, during which time he made extensive journeys through- out the continent.
His influence and well merited popularity among all classes of people, led to liis receiving, in 1872, the nomination for mem- ber of Legislature on an independent ticket, and the nomina- tion was confirmed by the people by a very large majority.
Upon taking his seat in the Legislature, Mr. Clapp was ap- pointed upon the committees on Education, Charitable and Re- ligious Bodies, and Expenditures.
One of the most important services in which Mr. Clapp was engaged, was conducting the memorial services held in honor of. the memory of Hon. William H. Seward, who had passed to his rest after a life devoted to the best interests of his country.
With the slight interruptions occasioned by his travels and legislative service, Mr. Clapp has been the settled pastor of the church of Carmel for a longer period than any of his predecessors; a service which we trust will long continne, and be in the future, as it has been in the past, blessed with re- sults for good.
He married Miss Jane Maria Mesick of Albany, May 18th, 1846.
The surviving children of this marriage are Chester S. and Susie M., wife of Dr. R. S. Moore of New York.
After the decease of Mrs. Clapp at Danbury, November 12th,
Funtifully yours WS. Clark 11
Eng t by HB Hall's Sene NY
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1855, he married Mrs. Catharine D. Kelley, daughter of Daniel Drew, June 11th, 1857.
They had one son, Hon. Henry D. Clapp of Carmel.
As a natural result of his long pastorate Mr. Clapp has become fully identified with the social and religious life of the town and county. In many families he has officiated at the baptism, marriage and funerals of their members, and shared with them in sympathy the joys and sorrows of their lives. The literary taste of the community has been greatly advanced by a large and well selected library of the choicest literature, a very large portion of which has been donated by Mr. Clapp and his son, and its elevating influence has not failed to be felt.
Mr. Clapp was one of the directors of the New York, Boston & Montreal Railroad, now the New York and Northern, at the time of its building, and represented the interests of the town in that enterprise, a position which required no small degree of business capacity.
From his long continued ministry, ripe scholarship, sound judgment and ability, Mr. Clapp is justly placed at the head of the Baptist denomination in the county, and the "Faith once delivered to the Saints" finds in him an able exponent and a valiant champion.
Dates from the old burying ground, Carmel :- Hozea Town- send, died June 24, 1833, age 48: Ivah, wife, April 10, 1838, 49; James Hughson, Dec. 22, 1834, 55; Abigail, wife, March 8, 1848, 59; Christina Roberts, April 24, 1848, 86; Dea. Daniel Cole, Dec. 10, 1831, 85; Susannah, wife, Nov. 3,1857, 102, 4 m. 8 d .; Joseph Hopkins, Jan. 31, 1833, 81; Elizabeth, wife, Dec. 16, 1837, 82; Gen. James Townsend, Mar. 13, 1832, 76; Priscilla, wife, June 11, 1839, 83; Elder Eben. Cole, Aug. 18, 1815, 61; Mary, wife, Aug. 30, 1806, 44; Nathan Crosby, Oct. 7, 1805, 72; Eunice, wife, Jan. 17, 1821, 73; Tracy Ballard, Jan. 1, 1829, 72; Mercy, wife, Feb. 8, 1826, 69; James Mead, April 5, 1830, 58; Lewis Robin- son, killed by lightning, May 27, 1810, 53; Mary, wife, May 8, 1838, 81; David Frost, Jan. 8, 1818, 51; Lydia, wife, Dec. 11, 1816, 47; Nathan Fuller, Dec. 12, 1811, 44; Joseph Tillot, April 24, 1818, 52; Elijah Fuller, June 9, 1821, 77; Martha, wife, May 14, 1818, 76; John Kelley, jr., June 27, 1818, 54; Rachel, widow of John Kelley, jr., and widow of Epenetus Yeomans, Mar. 4, 1850, 72; John Griffin, July 3, 1842, 69; Mary, wife, Feb. 12,
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
1859, 88; Doct. Robert Weeks, May 14, 1816, 44; Berry Cole, May 29, 1835, 66; Hannah, wife, Dec. 23, 1824, 47; John North- rup, Aug. 30, 1829, 57; Judah Kelley, Sept. 17, 1837, 80; Lydia, wife, May 28, 1818, 58: Polly, wife of Joseph Northrup, Jan. 9, 1835, 93; David Dean, April 24, 1860, 92; Deborah, wife, May 22, 1827, 58; Abraham Mabie, Aug. 7, 1817, 90; Sarah, wife, Aug. 12, 1816, 87; Abraham Hill, May 11, 1817, 70; Hannah, wife, July 5, 1818, 70; Gilbert Merritt, March 4, 1821, 70; Charles Agor, Dec. 7, 1819, 95; Cornelius Organs, Dec. 3, 1818, 52; Rachel, wife, Sept. 18, 1836, 73; David Frost, April 8, 1847, 82.
From burying ground by Baptist Church, Carmel :- Epenetus Yeomans, died Aug. 19, 1850, age 75; Ebenezer Gay, Feb. 19, 1868, 79; James Kniffen, Jan. 3, 1853, 73; Uriah Townsend, Feb. 1, 1864, 80; Sally, wife, Sept. 14, 1843, 57; Abijah Townsend, Nov. 5, 1838, 78; Samuel Wilson, Jan. 16, 1844, 87; Daniel Brown, March 6, 1813, 43; Phebe, wife, Feb. 2, 1848, 83; David Merrick, Nov. 22, 1863, 95; Enoch Crosby, Sept. 1, 1862, 80; Jane, wife, Nov. 10, 1867, 83; Wm. Raymond, April 18, 1833, 57; Hannah, wife, Jan. 9, 1841, 66.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF CARMEL' .- In 1788 Freeborn Garrettson and his assistant preachers introduced Methodism up the Hudson River region, and it very rapidly spread out in all directions. The preachers found many houses open to them and as early as 1789, Lieutenant Governor Van Cortlandt, near Croton River, became the ardent friend of the Methodist preachers, and in honor of him, the early field of work throughout this region was, for more than sixty years, known as the Cortlandt circuit.
For many years the worship was conducted in private houses, and later in the Court House. The Methodist Episcopal Society of Carmel was incorporated July 15th, 1834, with the Rev. David Holmes, as pastor of the circuit, and for trustees the fol- lowing, viz .: Harry Hanford, Ezra Bronson, Harvey Lounsbury, David Kelley and William Barnes. An eligible building lot was deeded to the society August 29th, 1834, by Allen Newman and Amos W. Brown, it being the southern portion of the property on which the church now stands. The first church edifice was built the same year. It was a wooden structure and plain in style, but it taxed the resources of the slender society and left them with an encumbrance.
"This sketch was furnished by Rev. J. W. A. Dodge.
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The first Sunday school connected with this church was or- ganized in 1852.
This first edifice was quite largely repaired and improved, and was re-dedicated in February, 1853.
In 1862 Carmel was made a separate station, with the chapel at Drewville connected with it. A house and lot just north of the church were purchased of Ambrose Ryder for a parsonage, and Rev. Thomas B. Smith was appointed pastor. The next year a subscription was started for a new church and about $10,000 secured. In April, 1864, Rev. D. L. Marks succeeded to the pastorate and the project of building moved on; the par-
METHODIST CHURCH, CARMEL VILLAGE.
sonage lot was taken to enlarge the church lot and the present parsonage and lot were bought of Hannah Rundle; the old church was removed and is now occupied in part by the Putnam County National Bank. The contract for the present stone church was let to Caleb Wright and work was begun in the summer of 1864; the contract called for a church edifice 43} by 70 feet, with spire 100 feet high, and the chapel 30 by 40 feet, with 17 feet ceiling.
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