History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 38

Author: Cole, David, 1822-1903, ed. cn; Beers, J. B., & co., New York, pub
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > New York > Rockland County > History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 38

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Dutch settlers would naturally cling to the old Dutch Church of Kakiate, where this language was still used.

In 1789 it was resolved to build a meeting house, a deed for a lot of ground for that purpose was obtained, and the circumstances of the case are narrated in the deed as follows:

"This Indenture made the 17th day of August 1789, between Thomas Smith, Esq., and the trustees of the En- glish Protestant Society of Haverstraw. Whereas the said Thomas Smith, in order to promote and advance the cause of Religion and virtue among the inhabitants of Haverstraw did heretofore promise to give to the Society a piece or parcel of ground for the purpose of erecting a church or meeting house, and for a school house and a burying ground, and whereas the inhabitants of Haver- straw, encouraged by that assurance, are now about to erect a meeting house, and on the Sth day of April last did elect Jacob Waldron, Amos Hutchings and Peter Allison trustees by the title of the ' Trustees of the En- glish Protestant Church of Haverstraw,' and Ebenezer Bishop having been chosen in the place of Amos Hutch- ings who resigned, the said Thomas Smith for ro shillings conveys to the trustees all that lot where the meeting house is now about to be built, Beginning at a heap of stones on the side of the road leading from the house of Ebenezer Bishop* to the house and mill of Thomas Marston, now in possession of Wm. Peck and James Ramsay, and running southerly 2 chains on a straight line, then easterly I chain and a half, then North 2 chains to the said road, and then westerly along the road 1}/2 chains to the place of beginning."

The witnesses to this deed were Catharine L. Smith and William and Samuel Smith. It was a condition of the conveyance that seven feet square in the church was to be for Mr. Smith and his family, and sixteen feet square in the burying ground was reserved for a family burial plat, and the premises were to be for no other use than as above stated, and to revert to the original owners when they ceased to he used for church purposes. The original deed, finely executed on parchment, is now in possession of the heirs of Elisha Peck. When the bound- ary line of the Cheesecocks Patent was run in June 1790, the meeting house is spoken of as " now building." This lot was at the northeast corner of the land of the heirs of Elisha Peck, on the south side of the road to Thiells Corners, and next east of the calico factory. A few tomb- stones of the old burying ground mark the spot, and even this vestige, it is feared, will soon pass away. The build- ing itself was of wood, and about 40 feet square. It re- mained till Sabbath, November 21st 1847, when the last service was held in it. It was sold to Elisha Peck, who moved it away, and it was converted into a barn, which was afterward destroyed by fire, and thus ended the first church edifice built in Haverstraw.

The following document not only gives an idea of the state of things in the early days of the church but fur- nishes an example that might well be followed in many places where the number of churches is out of proportion

*This house stood on the corner opposite the main road to Stony Point.

- 17

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HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

" The subscribers, members of the First Presbyterian county, and was settled as pastor over the two churches Church in the Town of Haverstraw and others attached of Kakiate and Haverstraw in 1816. He continued here by Education and principle to the Congregation, viewing with the utmost regret the present disgraceful state of re- pairs in which the House of God has for a long time con- tinued, and considering the present smallness of the Con- gregation, and their inability to keep the House of God in tenantable Repair and support a pastor of their own, And having always considered the Baptist and Presby- terian Churches as nearly and intimately allied, differing only in principle and in fact Sister Churches, do there- fore consent and agree that the Baptist congregation of Haverstraw of the New York Association shall and may be permitted to repair the said house of worship, and shall have the privilege of hereafter using the house equally with the Presbyterian Sabbath for Sabbath alter- nately, and all other times when the same is not occupied by the Presbyterian Congregation. March 25 1809.

SAMUEL SMITH, BENJAMIN COE,

THOMAS HAY, WALTER T. SMITH,

. NATHANIEL DUBOIS,

SAMUEL BREWSTER,

THOMAS SMITH, AARON DE CAMP,

ABRAHAM WALDRON, SAMUEL GOETCHIUS."

For many years the church was supplied by the min- isters of the English Church of Kakiate. The first min- ister who is known to have had his dwelling place in this town was the Rev. Robert Burns, who was here previous to the Revolution. He owned a farm, which was sold to him by Thomas Smith in 1775. This farm is described as " Lot No. 6, in Kakiat Patent, which contained 100 acres, formerly William Conkling's." His house stood on this tract, where the residence of Dr. S. W. Allen now stands, on the west side of the road running south from the bridge over the Minisceongo Creek above the calico factory. His tarm, with that of his son David, lay on both sides of the main country road, and embraced quite a large tract. Of his services in this church little is known. In a small family burying ground, on the homestead of Dr. Allen, and nearly opposite the school house in District No. 3, at Garnerville, and near where the old Burns homestead formerly stood, is his tombstone bearing the following inscription: "In Memory of the Rev. Robert Burns who departed this life 22d November 1791 in the 85 year of his age.

till the fall of 1839, when he suffered a paralytic shock, resigned his charge, and returned to Monticello, where he spent the remainder of his days. Mrs. Pelton died in 1861. He followed her to the grave July 10th 1864. His remains rest in the cemetery at Monticello. One of the principal events during his ministry here was a pub- lic debate, which he held with a Methodist clergyman, Rev. Lawrence Kean, on the various points of difference which separate the two churches The debate was held April 2d 1821, and (contrary to many printed statements) lasted only one day. The contestants renewed their warfare with the pen, and a small book was published by Mr. Pelton, called the "Absurdities of Methodism," which was " much admired by his friends," and elicited an an- swer from his antagonist, which was equally admired by his. A fuller account of this debate will be found in the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Haver- straw village. Mr. Pelton is remembered by the older residents as a man of untiring industry, and of a very active temperament. His descendants are now living at Monticello.

June 23d 1839, an invitation was extended to Rev. James Hildrethi, with an offer of a salary of $500. The present First Presbyterian Church was organized and the first communion was held April 5th 1840. The original members of this church were: Epenetus Wheeler, David B. Loomis, Amos Briggs, Alexander Hunter, Cornelia Wheeler, Eliza G. Loomis, Fanny Pratt, Rebecca Mosher, Eliza Day, Mrs. A. S. Hildreth, and Mary Wheeler. Epenetus Wheeler and Amos Briggs were chosen elders. At the first communion twelve more were added to the church, and it was resolved that the morning services should be held at the " Old Church on the Hill " and the afternoon services, in the church of the "Protestant Methodist Society in the village of Warren." The num- ber of accessions to the church during the first four years of Mr. Hildreth's ministry was 189. Rev. James Hil- dreth was a native of Brooklyn, Long Island, where he was born June 19th 1813, and was ordained March 10th 1840. He resigned his charge in this place May 4th 1848, went to the West as a home missionary and was for a time at Savanna, Carroll county, Ill., where he and two " The sweet remembrance of the just, of his children died of cholera, July 20th 1851. The Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust." project of a new house of worship was discussed and at His wife Mary died February 10th 1794, aged 65. a meeting of the congregation held "in the old church The next pastor who had a settled residence here was Rev. Samuel Pelton, who was born at Montgomery, Orange county, N. Y., March 25th 1776. He married Eleanor Mould, daughter of Christopher Mould, whose father, Johannes, was the founder of the Protestant Re- formed Dutch Church in Montgomery. In 1802, Mr. Pelton purchased a tract of land in Sullivan county, three miles southwest of Monticello, went there to live in 1803, and for a long time was the only energetic Christian man between the Shawangunk Mountains and the Delaware River. He was licensed to preach in 1815, and by the on the hill," it was resolved that a new church edifice be erected " on the site offered by Mr. Elisha Peck, on the hill, near the Minisceongo creek in Samsondale." Abra- ham Goetchius, Edward J. Strang, and John Peck were the building committee, and the present brick church was dedicated February 8th 1849. The new pastor was Rev. Livingston Willard, who remained one year and left in the spring of 1850. He was succeeded by Rev. James H. Trowbridge, who remained till November, 1853, when he removed to Marshall, Michigan. The next pastor was Rev. Peter J. H. Myers, who was installed Septem- invitation of Rev. Andrew Thompson came to Rockland ber 7th 1854. In 1857, 34 persons were added to the

169

HAVERSTRAW-METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

church. He resigned December 30th 1859. His succes- sor, Rev. Spencer Marsh, was installed November 26th 1861. He was a polished and scholarly preacher. What he did, he did well, and 27 members were added to his charge. He resigned in the spring of 1868. The present pastor, Rev. J. J. MacMahon, took charge on the first Sabbath of September, 1868, as stated supply, dividing his labors between this church and the one at Stony Point.` This arrangement continued till 1875, when he re- signed the latter charge, and he was installed pastor of this church May 9th 1876. During his term 120 members have been added to the church. The congregation is flourishing.

"At a meeting of the trustees held 13th December 1830, the trustees then and there unanimously resolved to employ Zetus Searles to light the church and make the fires at the usual time of worship and to sweep and sand the church once every two weeks, and to be paid at the rate of eight dollars a year."

This resolution was duly signed by Leonard Gurnee. Abraham Allison, John De Noyelles, Garret Allison, and John Stagg, trustees. The next sexton, Ebenezer Mckenzie, fared better, for he had $25. John Allen, in 1847, had $52, which sum was afterward raised to $100. The church lot was presented to the society by Thomas Smith. The first parsonage was built in 1829, and stood in the rear of the present one. It was sold to John Hall in 1858.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- It is said that a worthy Presbyterian minister in one of our older towns, when Methodist meetings were first held in his village, ex- As usual in those times, the clergymen of the older churches did not look with much favor upon the new sect. Foremost among their assailants was the Rev. Samuel Pelton, who challenged the ministers at Haver- straw to defend their doctrines in a public debate, and when they declined, it was considered by him and his supporters as "an acknowledgement that their doctrines and discipline were incapable of defence." . While on the other hand, Mr. Pelton was charged with "instead of employing calm, rational, convincing or demonstrative argument; insinuations, ridicule, sly suspicions and un- founded charges were the carnal weapons employed on the occasion." And thus these two denominations, in- stead of uniting their forces against the powers of evil, engaged in a bitter controversy, in which neither could gain any worthy victory. Rev. Lawrence Kean, of New York, happening to be at Haverstraw, Mr. Pelton ex- tended his challenge to him also, and in this case he found a foeman worthy of his steel. The challenge was accepted, and the debate took place on the 2d of April, 1821. Three persons were chosen for moderators, and four to take notes of the discussion. A platform was made in front of the Methodist church, and a multitude of curious and interested spectators assembled to listen to this wordy war. The debate was from ten to twelve in the morning, and from two to four in the afternoon. The friends of each side applauded their champion, but it is not at all probable that any converts were made on either side, and still less is it likely that any real good was done. When the debate was over, the disputants, not yet tired of strife, renewed the war with their pens, and a little book, written by Mr. Pelton, entitled the " Absurdities of Methodism," was answered by Mr. Kean with another volume bearing the following title: "A plain and positive refutation of the Rev. Samuel Pelton's unjust and unfounded charges entitled 'The absurdities of Methodism,' containing first a public debate held at Haverstraw, Rockland County, N. Y .; 2d, Remarks on the several articles debated; 3d, the perfect conformity of the Methodist doctrine and discipline to Scripture, pressed his feelings in a sermon based upon the text: " These men, who have turned the world upside down, have come hither also." It is needless to say that the itinerants of that denomination, whose ways were crossed with cares but marked by good, did not fail to discover Haverstraw in their wanderings. The earliest informa- tion concerning the founding of the Methodist church in this place is a notice of a society having been formed as early as 1799, and the church was built in 1800. The first preacher who is known to have held service in this place was Barney Matthias of Tarrytown, who was by trade a ship joiner, but who was also an exhorter and lo- cal preacher. At first this church was one in what was known as the Bergen Circuit. This Circuit began at Belleville, New Jersey, and comprised the following sta- tions: Bloomfield, Caldwells, Hook, Fairfield, Long Pond, Ringwood, Ramapo, " Mrs. Sherwood's house," Paramus, Hempstead, Drummonds (in Ramapo, 172 miles west of English Church), Johnsontown, Thiells, Babcocks (near Willow Grove school house), De Camps (Stony Point), Haverstraw, Nyack, Slote, Taylor's (in the southeast cor- ner of the county), Fort Lee, and Spring Garden. It was afterward (in 1829) one of a circuit of three churches, including Stony Point and Ramapo. The church in 1799 embraced 80 members. These were scattered far and wide, over the country round, and the following is a brief list of some of the more prominent members who are known to have belonged to it in the early days: Jacob Wandell, who came with his father from Tappan Slote in 1794, and with his sister, afterward Mrs. Tobias Weiant, joined in 1799; Henry Remsen (a shoe maker) and his wife Catharine; Michael Trout and wife (he was a fifer in the Revolution); Peter De Noyelles; George Smith, who lived on the west side of what is now Broadway, a short distance north of Main street; John Thiell, of Thiells Corners; Michael Snedeker (over the mountain); and Samuel Wandell, who was the first one laid to rest in the burying ground by the church. The first.pastor was the Rev. Mr. Vreedenburgh of the New York Confer- ence, who was placed here in 1805, and this is the first reason and common sense. By the Rev. Lawrence Kean, mention of Haverstraw as a settled church, and the first minister who made his home in this village was Rev. James MacLaurins, who was here in 1829.

N. Y. Printed by J. & J. Harper, No. 230 Pearl St., 1823." A few copies of these books are yet to be found, but they are very rare.

H.Gilmour ScNY

WEST HAVERSTRAW,

Residence of the Late JOHN PECK.

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N. Y.

170

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

The necessity for a new meeting house was so appa- rent that a meeting was held June Ist 1840, at which it was " Resolved that the trustees build a new meeting house for the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and that the following persons be the building committee: John S. Gurnee, Ab'm Allison, Lawrence De Noyelles, Louis R. Mackey, and Leonard Gurnee." At another meeting, July 24th, it was " voted the church be fifty-four feet long, and thirty feet wide, and that there shall be a steeple and a bell attached to the church." The record goes on to state that " Jacob Hoffman only voted against it," and he withdrew his subscription to show his attach- ment to the good old " Asbury style." The new church

After the building of the new church one hundred per- sons were added to its fold by a great revival, and the society has from time to time been the subject of gracious visitations. The building was again enlarged in 1860, and an excellent organ was placed in it. Concerning in- strumental music in the church a curious anecdote may be related. When it was first introduced, Mr. Jonathan Wood, a worthy member, was so indignant at the inno- vation that he left the house in disgust. In after years, however, he became reconciled, and after a long life was laid to his last repose in the cemetery, where a plain tombstone marked his resting place. This was broken by a team of runaway horses, and was replaced by a new one. When the new organ was placed in the church weights were needed for the double acting bellows, the two portions of the broken monument were used for the purpose, and till the present time his tombstone has done good service in producing the music which he abhorred while living.

The condition of this church is highly prosperous. Its membership is 440, and a flourishing Sunday school of 250 scholars is connected with it. The following are the present officers:

Rev. Richard Harcourt, D. D., pastor; Joseph Cos- grove, Ira J. Hunter, Edward Peck, Edwin Brockway, William Felter, S. G. Newman, Heman B. Mckenzie, William T. Purdy, Benjamin Gurnee, stewards; Garret G. Allison, William R. Lane, John W. Gillies, Theodore Frederick, Harman Felter, Joseph Cosgrove, Isaac Mil- burn, George R. Sutherland, Leonard Cooper, trustees.

Wood, Walter Smith, Abraham Bishop, George Smith, and George Weiant, trustees of the Associated Methodist Church, " Lot No. 6 on a map of town lots made by Tu- nis Smith, on the 4th allotment, bounded south by Mid- dle street, east by Lot No. 6 of the 3d allotment, north by Lot No. 5, and west by 3d st.," price fifty dollars. A church was built, and the society was formally in- corporated at a meeting held September 20th 1847. The congregation maintained a feeble existence for some years, and the church and lot were sold to the "Ger- man Evangelical Church," November 26th 1867.

Baptist Church. It will be seen by reference to the sketch of the First Presbyterian Church that a number was dedicated December 16th 1840, and the old meeting of this denomination were in this town in the early part house that had witnessed the struggles and the triumphs of early methodism was sold to Mr. Phineas Hedges. It is now a barn on his farm, on the north side of the road beyond Thiells Corners. of the present century, and, that having no church of their own, permission was given them to preach in the old church on the hill where Elder Griffiths preached occasionally. After the establishment of Higgins' Carpet May 11th 1846, it was voted: " That seats be finished in the gallery, suitable for the choir, and that brother Heman B. Mckenzie do the work." Mr. Mckenzie was the leader of the choir. Factory, in 1844, an attempt was made to gather a con- gregation and organize a church. Many of the carpet weavers belonged to the Baptist Church, and the first meeting was held in the upper part of what is now the The present parsonage was built in 1852, and the church building was enlarged in 1857. store of Isaac De Baun, on the south side of Main street. A lot was bought of George S. Allison and a church was built in 1847. The church was incorporated and the meeting for organization held October 26th 1847. Wash- ington Gordon and Alexander Milne were the presiding officers, and Hugh Irwin, Jacob Mansell, Charles Whip- ple, Joseph White, and Washington Gordon were elected trustees. The cost of the church building was $1,545, and the lot was bought for $325. The first members were Hugh Irwin, Henry Hart, William Harris, Henry Mackeral, James Mackeral, Washington Gordon, David Bentley, James Houston, George McKew, Joseph White, and Dr. Charles Whipple.

The first minister was Rev. William Pike. After the suspension of the carpet factory in 1850, the greater part of the members removed to other places and the church was sold to the Roman Catholics. It is now used as a school house. A small church was then built on the west side of Rockland street, but one service only was held in it, and the building was sold to the Episcopal Church, to which it now belongs. Many of the former members are now attendants of the Central Presbyterian Church and the old organization has ceased to exist.

Roman Catholic Church .- The first mass celebrated in this place was in the old stone house formerly belonging to Joseph Allison, on the road north of the First Presby- terian Church. This was about 1843, the house at that time being leased by Patrick Riley. Father Volamus was the first priest who officiated liere. Persons of that denomination were in the habit of attending mass occa- sionally at Verplanck's Point and it is said that the pro- ject of building a church here was first started by a small

The Protestant Methodist Church .- This church was a company who were returning from service. A meeting secession from the Methodist Episcopal congregation was held in a hotel kept by James Creney at Grassy Point. The persons present were Dominick Kennedy, James Creney, Richard Murphy, Matthew Marks, and William Neilly. They subscribed $20 each, and Thomas and was caused by difficulties which have long since passed away. An organization was effected June 15th 1831. Samson Marks and wife, Nancy, sold to James

HAVERSTRAW-CHURCH HISTORY.

171

Doyle, who was absent from the meeting, subscribed the same amount. Another meeting was held, $600 was raised, and four lots of land were purchased of George S. Allison, on the west side of Ridge street, for $800. A church was built the next summer and dedicated in the fall by Bishop Hughes.

The following were among the first members: Domi- nick Kennedy, John Larkins, Terence Maguire, Nicho. las Cox, Patrick Rohan, Bartholemew Collins, Michacl Rohan, Charles Gallagher, James Fahy, James Morrison, James McGown, Andrew Donnelly, David Connor, Pat- rick Riley, James Murray, Luke McCarty, James Mor- rison, James O'Brien, and John O'Brien.

A cemetery was laid out on one of the church lots, and a child of Richard Murphy was the first interred in it.

A lot for a parsonage was purchased of a Mr. Gurnee, who kept a school in a building now used as a dwelling house. The wants of the society soon demanded greater accommodations, and lots were purchased and the pres- ent church erected.

It stands in a commanding position, and an elegant and convenient parsonage attached is one of the orna- ments of the village.

The first priest was Father Hacket, who officiated here and at Verplanck's Point for a short time. He was suc- ceeded by Father Maguire, who remained a few weeks only. The next was Father Mckeon, who led the flock for three years, and was succeeded by Father Terence Scullen, who remained about five years. Then succeed- ed the long pastorate of Father Patrick Mahoney, who was here about twenty-three years, and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Father Henry T. Baxter.

A flourishing Sunday-school is connected with the 'church, and the congregation includes many of the most prosperous and respectable citizens of Haverstraw.

German Evangelical Lutheran Church .- In 1857 the first divine service of the German United Congregation was held. January 8th 1861, the German United Soci- ety was organized. In 1867 the German Lutheran sepa- rated from the German United, formed a congregation by themselves, and built a house of worship on Division street. In 1875 they reunited under the name of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. The present so- ciety is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Hartwyck. Under the present system the congregation has grown in membership and has built a school house and parsonage. The church property is entirely free from debt and encumbrances. The present pastor has a school connected with the congregation where both the German and English languages are taught. A Sunday- school is also connected with the church, with a member- ship of about 126 scholars.

The following are the names of those who organized the German United Church, January 8th 1861: Henry Habicht, John Schneider, Charles Kreuder, Michael Eckstein, Frederick Glassing sen., John Arsman, and John Wagner. Previously, i. e. from 1857, there had been mission services held.

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History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 38

Author: Cole, David, 1822-1903, ed. cn; Beers, J. B., & co., New York, pub Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Cole, David, 1822-1903, ed. cn; Beers, J. B., & co., New York, pub
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 993