History of Rochester Presbytery from the earliest settlement of the country, embracing original records of Ontario Association, and the presbyteries of Ontario, Rochester (former), Tennessee River, and Rochester City, Part 15

Author: Parsons, Levi, 1829-1901
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Rochester, N.Y., Democrat-Chronicle Press
Number of Pages: 378


USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > History of Rochester Presbytery from the earliest settlement of the country, embracing original records of Ontario Association, and the presbyteries of Ontario, Rochester (former), Tennessee River, and Rochester City > Part 15


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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.


The following is the roll of ministers who have served this church : Rev. George G. Sill, June, 1825, to February, 1828 ; Rev. William Jones, March, 1828; Rev. Elisha D. Andrews, January, 1830; Rev. Ezra Scovil, December, 1831 ; Rev. John Thalheimer, June, 1833, to August, 1835 ; Rev. Elijah D. Wells, October, 1836, to October, 1837; Rev. Snyder, June, 1838; Rev. J. M. Sherwood, August, 1840; Rev. Rankin, July, 1845; Rev. Robert W. Hill, October, 1848; Rev. L. W. Billington, May, 1853; Rev. Overhizer, August, 1857 ; Rev. Nathaniel Hurd, August, 1860; Rev. E. B. Van Auken, May, 1865 ; Rev. Dwight Scovel, June, 1867; Rev. Alexander Douglass, 1868; Rev. H. H. Morgan, 1872; following him Rev. W. G. Hubbard, 4 years ; Rev. John N. Kilbourn, began in the fall of 1881, and continued until the spring of 1887. He left the church with a larger roll of members and a larger Sunday-school, and had made certain church improvements, outwardly as well as spiritually. Rev. Theodore B. Wil- liams, the present incumbent, began his ministry in July, 1887. By the will of the late Mrs. Zyler, the church receives $1,000. A timely gift, wisely and generously given. No history of this church would be complete, without inention of the service and kindly interest of Mr. Marvin Gates, who for many years held the office of trustee.


Present Session, Elders: Frederic K. Probst, Henry Scribner, Curtis M. Gates.


Present Board of Trustees: John Eckler, Sheldon Strong, Theodore D. Rupert.


Compiled from Mr. Theo. B. Williams' sketch, Hotchkin's History of Western New York : McIntosh's History of Monroe County.


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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.


MOSCOW.


The first ministerial labors in this village, were those of Stephen M. Wheelock, a licentiate, about the year 1814; who at that time was supplying the church at Mount Morris. He was followed in the year 1816, by Rev. Elihu Mason, of Barkhampstead, Mass., who also preached at Perry and the district then known as the Holland Purchase. By his efforts, the Presbyterian church was organized in June, 1817, by Rev. Abraham Foreman, and was connected with the Presbytery of Ontario.


The original members were as follows : Asahel Munger, Asahel Munger, Jr., Hinman A. Boland, Asa R. Palmer, Ahijah C. Warren, Eunice Munger, Lydia Munger, Amanda Munger and Bathsheba Warren. The first elders were Asahel Munger, Ahijah C. Warren and Asa R. Palmer.


The Moscow Presbyterian Church Society was organized in July, 1818, and the following six trustees were elected : Asahel Munger, Ahijah C. Warren, Asa R. Palmer, Samuel Miles Hopkins, Nicholas Ayrault and Hezekiah Ripley ; the latter was the publisher of the Moscow Advertiser, the first newspaper published in the county of Livingston.


During the ministry of Mr. Mason, which continued to April, 1819, nine besides the original members were added to the church. The first of these was Mrs. Polly Dutton, daughter of Capt. Joseph Smith, who was captured by the Senecas, while serving in the Revolutionary War ; she was the first white female child born west of Utica. Another of these early members, was Samuel M. Hopkins, who founded the village, was an elder of the church, and was also a member of the 13th Congress. Another, who was also an elder of the church, was Col. Jerediah Horsford, who taught a mission school among the Seneca Indians at Squa-


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kie Hill, and was employed by the Presbytery of Geneva, to erect a school house for them.


Following Mr. Mason in the supply of the pulpit were Rev. Samuel T. Mills, 1820 to 1826 ; Rev. Amos P. Brown, 1826 to 1829 and Rev. John Walker, 1829 to 1833. Dur- ing Mr. Walker's ministry the church edifice was built, and seventy were added to the members.


Among the pioneers who at this time were interested in the church, were Eleazar 1). Parker, Noah Cooley, Dr. Daniel P. Bissel, Henry A. Wilmerding, Felix Tracy, George W. Patterson, William Lyman, Harvey Wheelock, W. T. Cuyler, Job Holbrook, Nathaniel Wilder, Jesse Waddams, Martyn Starr and C. Ames.


After Mr. Walker. the pulpit was supplied for a short time by Rev. Mr. Schaffer, who was followed by Rev. Samuel Porter from November, 1833, to 1835. Immediately following him, was Rev. John H. Redington, during whose ministry, in August, 1837, the church was divided into two separate churches, new and old school. The new school being in the majority, and numbering 59, retained the church edifice, and the original church organization, and secured Rev. M. Gillet as their minister from 1838 to 1841, and Rev. Ebenezer H. Stratton from 1841 to 1845; while the old school, numbering 39, organized a separate church, retain- ing Mr. Redington as their minister, and built a small edifice at the east end of the public square, and united with the Susquehanna Presbytery. Mr. Redington was their pastor until his death in September, 1841, who was followed by Rev. John W. McDonald, who was installed in 1843. During his ministry in the O. S. Church, and that of Rev. E. H. Stratton of the N. S. Church, by the efforts of the latter, and his willingness to retire from the field, a reunion of the two churches was effected, February 5th, 1845, under the Presbytery of Wyoming, O. S., and the united church worshipped again in the old sanctuary, retaining Rev. J. W. McDonald as their pastor until 1848.


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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.


After Mr. McDonald, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. L. Leonard from 1849 to 1856; Rev. Walter V. Couch for three months ; Rev. James M. Harlow, 1857 to 1864 ; Rev. F. DeW. Ward, D. D., for two months ; Rev. George R. Howell, 1864 to 1865 ; Rev. Washington D. Mckinley as pastor, 1866 to 1873 ; Rev. Jerome Allen, 1873 to 1874 and Rev. Fisher Gutelius as pastor, 1874 to the present time.


The present elders, who are chosen for terms of four years each, are Daniel T. Barnum, Newton H. Crosby, F. Stuart Gray and William Holbrook.


Those who in their youth were members either of the congregation or church, and have entered the ministry, are Rev. John B. Dales, D. D., Rev. Elam H. Walker, Rev. Herman N. Barnum, D. D., son of elder D. T. Barnunı, and for thirty years a missionary at Harpoot, Turkey, Rev. William Wilder and Rev. Charles Ferry.


Two ladies who were born here, went as missionaries to foreign nations ; Mrs. Emily (Redington) Montgomery, who went to Central Turkey, and is now at Adana, and Miss Sarah Dales, who was sent out by the U. P. Church, and was subsequently married to Dr. Lansing, and is now labor- ing in Cairo, Egypt.


The whole number of members has been 401. The present number is 91. The largest number was before the separation, which was the time also of greatest prosperity to the village. During the division, fewer were added to the churches than at any period of like length in its history ; and at the reunion of the churches, the number of members was considerably less than at the separation.


Religious services were first held in the Brick School house for about three years, and subsequently for about thirteen years, in the Female Academy ; which was then a flourishing institution. The present church edifice, 65 by 45, was built in 1832, at a cost of $3,300, and in 1868 was modernized and refurnished at an expense of $3,000.


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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.


In 1876, a new pipe organ costing $2,500 was placed in the church.


The Sabbath school, organized about 1833, and continued ever since, was never more prosperous than under the present superintendency of Austin W. Wheelock.


The church in the summers has sustained mission schools and preaching in outlying districts.


MOUNT MORRIS FIRST.


Mount Morris was settled in 1794 by Gen. Wmn. A. Mills.


The First Presbyterian Church was organized April 29, 1814, by the following individuals : Jesse Stanley, Jonathan Beach, Luther Parker, Enos Baldwin, Abraham Camp, Luman Stanley, Russel Sheldon, Almira Hopkins, Lucy Beach, Martha Parker, Sarah Baldwin, Mary Camp, Patty M. Stanley and Clarissa Sheldon.


Ministers : Mr. Stephen M. Wheelock, a licentiate, was the first minister, and continued about three years after the organization. His successors have been as follows :


Rev. Silas Pratt, from 1817 to 1818.


Rev. Elihu Mason, 1818 to 1820.


Rev. Bartholomew F. Pratt, 1821 to 1825.


Rev. Wm. Lyman, D. D., 1825 to 1827.


Rev. Abel B. Clary, 1827 to 1828.


Rev. James McMaster, 1828 to 1830.


Rev. Calvin Bushnell, 1830 to 1831.


Rev. James Wilcox, 1831 to 1832.


Rev. George W. Elliott, 1832 to 1834.


Rev. Clark H. Goodrich, 1834 to 1838.


Rev. John Van Buren, 1838 to 1839.


Rev. Cyrus Hudson, 1839 to 1846.


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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.


Rev. C. H. A. Bulkley, D. D., 1847 to 1851.


Rev. Darwin Chichester, 1851 to 1855.


Rev. Levi Parsons, D. D., 1856 to the present time. Ruling Elders : The first ruling elders were Jesse Stanley, Abraham Camp and Jonathan Beach. Those subsequently elected were in 1818, James Coe and Luther Parker ; 1820, Asa Woodford and Oliver Stanley ; 1829, John Pratt and James Conkey ; 1831, George Kemp, Jr., and George Hastings ; 1834, Harry H. Evarts and James H. Rodgers ; 1836, Reuben Weeks, Reuben Sleeper and Charles W. King; 1842, Marsena Allen ; 1844, Henry Sheldon, Charles Holmes and Levi Goddard ; 1853, Samuel J. Mills, Loren J. Ames, Milo H. Maltbie and Stilwell Burroughs ; 1857, Loren Coy and Pomeroy Sheldon ; 1862, Jonathan E. Robinson, Samuel L. Rockfellow and Justine Smith ; 1871, Elijah N. Bacon, Frederick E. Hastings, Ziba A. Colburn and Jay E. Lee; 1875, Reuben S. Weeks and Wilder Silver ; 1883, Miles B. McNair ; 1886, Henry M. Swan and Joshua C. Weeks ; 1887, Robert Crawford.


The term-eldership was adopted in 1875.


Deacons : The first deacons were Jesse Stanley and Jonathan Beach. Those subsequently elected have been as follows: 1831, Asa Woodford, William Marvin and Abraham C. Camp; 1834, James Conkey and Marsena Allen ; 1861, Robert E. Weeks ; 1862, Esek M. Winegar ; 1871, James Beggs and Milo H. Maltbie ; 1879, Wilder Silver ; 1886, Willard A. Weeks; 1887, Jacob Tallman and Amos Austin.


Members: The whole number of members by cata- logue is 1,359, being an average annual addition of 18}. The present number reported is 262. Baptisms, 189 adults, and 450 infants ; total, 639.


Choir : The first choir consisted of Dea. Jesse Stanley, leader, Luman Stanley and wife, Mrs. Mark Hopkins, Mrs. Parmerlee, Abraham C. Camp, Moses Camp and Harlow Beach.


1


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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.


The succession of leaders is as follows : Harlow Beach, Moses Camp, Wm. H. Stanley, Cicero Camp, John Pratt, Harry Evarts, George Hastings, Henry Sheldon, Loren Coy and Thomas Hudson. Mr. Coy was a very faithful leader for more than thirty years. The organ was purchased in 1864. Mrs. Merab A. Scott was organist from 1864 to 1867. Mrs. Ruth M. Hastings, from 1867 to 1883, and Miss Helen Coy, from 1883 to the present time.


Sabbath School : As early as 1814 or 1815, Mrs. Oliver Stanley, and Emily, daughter of Luman Stanley, gathered numbers of poor children and instructed them upon the Sabbath. As the result of these efforts a permanent organization was effected in 1817. Allen Ayrault was superintendent in 1818. Among the early teachers were Abraham C. and Moses Camp, Harlow Beach, Mr. and Mrs. Alvah Beach, Sylvia Coe, Lucina Baldwin, Deacon Conkey and Asa Mahan. Some Indian girls were among the pupils. Newton Robinson was superintendent about 1826, and was succeeded by Abner Dean and John Pratt. The office. with slight exceptions, was filled from 1831 to 1866 by Harry Evarts and Hon. George Hastings, the former from 1831 to 1841, and the latter from 1841 to 1866, the time of his death. He has been succeeded by Dea. Milo H. Maltbie, Wm. P. Heston, A. M. Bingham, Esq., Dr. L. J. Ames, James Vanderbilt, Win. H. Pease, F. E. Hastings, Joshua C. Weeks and Miles B. McNair.


Missionary Societies : The Youth's Missionary Associ- ation was organized in 1856, and continued for about seven years.


" The Ladies' Church Missionary Society," was organized Jannary 10, 1872, Mrs. Harriet M. Parsons, president ; the " Young Ladies' Missionary Society," April 16, 1882, Anna M. Maltbie, president ; and the "Cyprus Mission Band," June 9, 1882, Carrie Lowery, president, all of which are well sustained up to the present time, having made annual contributions for missionary purposes.


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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.


Society of Christian Endeavor : A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized in January, 1888, which has increased to about 90 members and is doing very effective work for the Master.


Missionaries : In 1855, the Presbytery of Ontario ordained at this place two members of this church, the Rev. Orson P. Allen, as a foreign missionary, who immediately sailed to Kharpoot, Turkey, and the Rev. Herman N. Barnum, D. D., as a home missionary. Mr. Barnum followed Mr. Allen to Kharpoot in about two years, where the two have been associated as missionaries up to the present time.


Another member, Frank Gaylord Weeks, son of Dea. Robert E. Weeks, was ordained as a home missionary, Nov. 3, 1885, and since that time has labored in Minnesota.


Revivals : The larger additions have been in the follow- ing years : 1816, forty-two; 1822, eighty-four; 1831-5, one hundred and fifty-seven; 1839, forty-five; 1843, fifty- three; 1848, forty-seven ; 1853, twenty-nine; 1856, sixty- seven : 1858, thirty-one ; 1864, forty-one ; 1870, forty-one ; 1878, fifty-two ; and 1882, thirty-two.


Religious Society : The First Presbyterian Society was incorporated about the year 1816. The first trustees were Wm. A. Mills, Elisha Parmerlee, Phineas Lake, Jerediah Horsford and Luman Stanley.


Church Buildings : The church was organized in a school house located upon the west side of what was then an open square, and about thirty rods to the south-east of where the present church stands.


The first church edifice was 64 by 44, located on the north side of the square and dedicated in January, 1832, Rev. S. H. Gridley, then of Perry, preaching the sermon. In 1841, this building was moved about twenty rods south and enlarged, a separate lecture room, 40 by 24, being erected at the same time a short distance to the east. Both these buildings were destroyed by fire, September 29, 1852.


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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.


The present building, 80 by 52, was erected about forty rods west of the former one, and dedicated, February 1st, 1855. Rev. Darwin Chichester preaching the sermon. The present lecture room, 24 by 40, was built in 1860.


Presbyterial Relation : This church was received by the Presbytery of Geneva, February 12, 1817, and after the organization of the Presbytery of Ontario in March, 1818, was transferred to that body, which it followed when the same became a part of the present Presbytery of Rochester in 1870.


A history of this church written by Rev. Darwin Chiches- ter was published in 1855, and another written by the present pastor was published in 1876.


MOUNT MORRIS SECOND.


The Second Presbyterian Church of Mount Morris, was organized by a committee of the Presbytery of Ontario, in 1830, and received under its care in January, 1831. Among its original members were Moses Marvin and Ann, his wife, Harriet Speas, Fanny Roland and Anna Sharp.


Sylvester Richmond and Lucy, his wife, and Milo H. Maltbie and Jerusha, his wife, united soon after the organiza- tion.


Rev. Elam Walker was the first minister, whose labors were greatly blessed. He was followed by Rev. Messrs. Hall, Ward and Lindley.


The ruling elders were Moses Marvin, Sylvester Roland and Clark Mather.


The deacons were Moses Marvin and Sylvester Roland.


The church maintained a prayer meeting, also a Sabbath school, of which Sylvester Roland and J. McCreery were superintendents.


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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.


The largest number of members at any one time was about fifty.


This society never erected a church edifice, but united with a school district in the erection of a house, which was used both for church and school purposes, and which was situated five miles south of Mount Morris village, on the west side of the State road.


Owing to the organization of a Dutch Reformed church in that neighborhood, this church was disbanded about the year 1839.


NUNDA.


The First Presbyterian Church of Nunda, is situated in the village of Nunda, town of Nunda, county of Living- ston, state of New York.


It was organized October 6th, 1831, in a school house near Deacon Wisner's, two miles north-east of the present site. Services were held here and in the Page school house about half a mile east of the village for two years. The following ministers and elders were present at the organiza- tion :


Ministers : Robert Hubbard, Abel Caldwell, Ludovicus Robbins.


Elders : Joseph Waldo, Silas Olmstead.


The number uniting in this organization was fourteen ; ten by letter and four by profession.


By letter : John Chapin, Clarrissa Chapin, Jas. Patter- son, Sarah Patterson, Zaddock Herrick, Betsey Herrick, Eliza Gay, Mille Pierce, Celestia J. Hills and Abraham Van Sickle.


By profession : Sillah Lee, Lucinda Booth, William R Duryee and Larry Duryee.


Until May 21, 1835, i. e. for four years, they conformed mostly to Congregational usages, transacting their business


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by church meetings. It does not appear that they elected any officers until August 25, 1833, when David Shager and John Chapin were elected deacons, the latter declining.


At a meeting on May 25, 1835, the organization was per- fected by the election of six elders and four deacons.


Elders for one year : Samuel Swain and Russell Barnes.


For two years : Elihu Dickinson, Ephraim Smith.


For three years : John Chapin, Abraham Burgess.


Deacons : G. Wing, David Thayer, Erastus Buck, Josiah Phelps.


The church was under the care of the Presbytery of Angelica until October 8, 1844, when by an act of Synod it was transferred to the Presbytery of Ontario.


It had been the custom of the church to meet its expenses by taxing the property of the church and society. Those not agreeing to this plan gave by subscription. It was a difficulty growing out of this plan of taxation and refusal to pay resulting in a case of discipline, which went to Pres- bytery and Synod, that finally led to the transfer of the church to the Ontario Presbytery, though an underlying cause was O. S. and N. S. differences.


Church buildings : In 1833, the first church building was erected on the corner of East and Church streets at a cost of about $2,200. Those most prominent in the enterprise were S. Swain, N. Chandler, G. Wing. Up to this time, the church had had only one-half of the minister's time ; " now he gave them his full time. In 1846, they sold their old church building to the M. E. society, and began the erection of the present building. To Mr. Alfred Bell, now of Rochester, is accredited an especial influence in orginating and aiding the work of constructing this second and commo- dious house of worship.


The cost of construction was about $6,000, and is of wood, 50 by 80, with a seating capacity of 650. It was dedicated June, 1847, by Rev. Edwards Marsh, a former pastor.


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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.


Session house : The first session house was built in 1838, on the present site of the parsonage, at a cost of $800. The upper story of this was for years used for school purposes. It was sold in 1872 for $600, and the site used for a parson- age.


The present chapel was built in 1886, in the rear of the church, and combines kitchen, etc., being used for social gatherings as well as for prayer and church meetings. Mr. Alfred Bell again stepped forward with a generous gift. Cost of erection, $1,000.


Parsonage : This was built by contract by F. D. Lake, at a cost of $3,000.


Before proceeding to give the succession of pastors and elders it is proper to state that the churches of Nunda and Oakland, the latter being O. S., were united by action of the Presbytery of Rochester, at Dansville, the 13th of Sep- tember, 1871, by request of both churches, so that "The members of the church of Oakland were added to the church of Nunda."


PASTORS.


Ludovicus Robbins, October, 1831-32.


Wm. P. Kendrick, October 25, 1832-33.


Asa Johnson, S. S., three months. Installed February 26, 1834-37.


Wales Tileston, P., November, 1837, May 13, 1840.


Edwards Marsh, S. S., 1840-46. Installed March, 1846-47.


Wm. Lusk, P., June 7, 1847, to February 26, 1852.


Pliny F. Sanborne, S. S., December 11, 1852, to May 1857.


Levi G. Marsh, S. S., June, 1857, to September, 1860.


Ira O. De Long, S. S., 1860-63.


Levi G. Marsh, P., February 9, 1864, to December, 1871. T. Dwight Hunt, P., February, 1872, to September, 1875.


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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.


Bentley S. Foster, P., March 1, 1876, to June 1, 1879.


Newton H. Bell, March 1, 1880, to September 14, 1884. John V. C. Nellis, Ph. D., P., October 30, 1884, to July 1, 1888.


John M. Carmichael, P. E., November 17, 1889.


Elders : Samuel Swain, Russell Barnes, one year ; Elihu Dickinson, Ephraim Smith, two years ; John Chapin, Abraham Burgess, three years ; May 21, 1835. Erastus Buck, 1838; Wm. R. Duryee, May 21, 1839 ; Charles W. King, June 23, 1840; Jos. Waldo, December 31, 1841 ; Chas. V. Craven, Stephen Baldwin, Earl J. Payne, January 10, 1846 ; Alfred Bell, John Gilmore, George H. Bailey, March 5, 1864 ; J. Brinkerhoff, Chas. T. Metcalf, December 31, 1870 ; Adam Potts, Geo. Arnold, James M. McNair, July 6, 1872 ; John T. Van Ness, May 6, 1876 ; Arnold G. Galley, Augustus C. Dodge, Clement J. McNair, June 18, 1881.


Deacons: David Shager, August 25, 1833; Wm. R. Duryee, July 2, 1836 ; Zaddock Herrick, September 4, 1837 ; Chauncey Ladd, May 21, 1839 ; John Briggs, Decem- ber 31, 1841 ; Chas. V. Craven, Erastus Buck, January 10, 1846; Geo. H. Bailey, A. B. Lockwood, March 6, 1864 ; C. T. Metcalf, April 8, 1871.


Revivals : Of revivals there have been three of very marked power. The first under Rev. Asa Johnson, con- ducted by the evangelist, Littlejohn. This was in 1837. The second under Rev. Wales Tileston in 1840, when 97 were received into the church on profession of faith. The third under Rev. Edward Marsh in 1843, when 56 were received. The fourth under Rev. L. G. Marsh in 1858, when 30 were received. The fifth under Elder Knapp in 1872, when 25 were received. There have been other seasons of quickening, but none of especial note. The whole number uniting with the church since its organization has been about 934. Six- teen for each year of the church's existence.


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HISTORY OF ROCHESTER PRESBYTERY.


OAKLAND.


The Presbyterian Church of Oakland was organized Sunday, Dec. 5, 1819, by Rev. Elihu Mason, of Mount Morris, with the following members: Arad French and Lucinda French, Richard W. Robinson and Charlotte Robinson, Mrs. Laura Strong, Win. Totten, Enoch Miller, Mrs. Rosanna Marks, Mrs. Hannah Moses, Samuel Swain, and Mrs. Elisabeth Tuthill.


Elders : Arad French, R. W. Robinson, Samuel Swain. Deacon : Arad French.


Mr. French was chosen clerk also, and served in this office for over twenty years, and it is added, kept a model record. Jan. 18, 1820, the church became a member of the Presbytery of Ontario, as the church of Nunda. To this church Mr. Mason ministered for about two and a half years and then Rev. John Lindsley became pastor in the spring of 1822, and although he gave up his charge in 1828 he continued to live at Oakhill until his death, which occurred Dec. 4, 1838. He had the reputation of being " a deep thinker and a very exemplary man." He was a native of Connecticut, and though an old man he was a missionary in western New York, where his name is found in the history of most of the old churches. In 1828 Phineas Smith, a licentiate, supplied the pulpit, and though the church numbered more than 100 members they had no building, but continued to worship in school houses and barns at Oakhill and Hunt's Hollow.


Though these two churches had separate organizations until 1848, when the church at Hunt's Hollow was merged in that of the O. S. at Oakland, under the Presbytery of Wyoming, they were ministered to by the same pastors or preachers. They are mentioned together, they seem to have been organized at the same time and by the


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same man, Rev. Elihu Mason, and joined the Ontario Presbytery at the same meeting. The records of the church Hunt's Hollow, if they ever had any separate minutes, have been lost. In 1830 they built a church at Hunt's Hollow. The church then became a member of the Presbytery of Angelica.


In 1827 a church was organized in Portageville, and in 1831 in Nunda, and though these both drew from the church at Hunt's Hollow, yet it prospered and grew until 1835, when it reached its highest membership, 130.


In 1848 they sold their church and parsonage to the Baptists for $800 and uniting with the O. S. of Nunda, formed the church of Oakland and joined the Presbytery of Wyoming. In 1850 they built a church and session room in Oakland, which was dedicated Oct. 3, 1850.




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