History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 67

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 67

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The school was also visited and encouraged by Ben- jamin Wood, Thomas Lipincott, Daniel H. Blauvelt (uncle Daniel), and Levi Sherwood, father of the present Levi Sherwood of Monsey.

In the summer of 1843, after a prolonged discontinu ance, this school was once more opened with Joseph C. Blauvelt as superintendent, and for the first time in its history was continued throughout the following winter.

During the next eight years it passed through a varied experience, again and again interrupted by the action of the voters in district school meeting, but for most of the time doing an important work for the religious uplifting of the community. 1

In 1851, after another break, the school was once more reorganized, this time with I. Remsen Blauvelt as super- intendent. As perinission to use the district school building could not be obtained before the annual meet- ing in the following December, the school accepted the offer of Stephen D. Herrick and commenced its services in his carriage house on the 29th of June. Here the school was continued for three months. For the two fol.

lowing months it was held in a small building near by, hired for the purpose; for seven months after this in the district school house; and in July 1852, it removed to the Union Sunday School House, a new building put up for its special accommodation, where it continued for ten years or more, up to the time of its final disbanding.

'The cause of this disbanding was that all the churches in the place were then able to sustain a Sunday school of their own, and consequently there was no further need of a Union Sunday School in Spring Valley.

Of the union school building itself the following fact may be given. It was built in the spring of 1852, mainly through the efforts of Joseph C. and I. Remsen Blauvelt, on the lot deeded by Joseph Wood to the Brick Church for the erection of an "Outpost " in Spring Valley (see history of Spring Valley Reformed church). It cost $400, and, being a union building, was never dedicated. In ad- dition to the Sunday school, it was designed as a place of meeting for the people of all classes, and within its walls Reformed, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist. Con- gregational, and Episcopalian ministers have held ser- vices.

The churches in the village having become established and having provided suitable accomodations for all their meetings, there was no further need for this union build- ing. Therefore by mutual agreement between the parties interested (I. Remsen Blauvelt and the Brick Church), it was sold in 1864 with all its belongings, and the pro- ceeds were donated to the Reformed Dutch church in Spring Valley. The ground-plot reverted to the former owner.

THE REFORMED CHURCH OF SPRING VALLEY.

On March 7th 1850, the Consistory of the West New Hempstead church appointed David Cole and Joseph C. Blauvelt to solicit subscriptions towards securing an "Outpost " or preaching station in the vicinity of Spring Valley. This action was taken at the request of a num- ber of families in the neighborhood of Spring Valley, who were desirous that a church edifice should be erected in that vicinity. Two years later, December 9th 1851, Joseph C. Blauvelt, Isaac Whitney, Stephen Stevens, Isaac L. Sherwood, and Henry Seaman were appointed a building conimittee to superintend the erection of a church edifice on the premises of Mr. Joseph Wood .*

At their meeting, held January 21st 1852, the Consis- tory of the Brick Church, reconsidering their action of the month previous, accepted the (gratuitous) generous offer of David Cole of a lot " over the hill," and author- ized Mr. Cole to solicit subscriptions, appointed J. B. Haring, J. C. Blauvelt, I. Whitney, and Isaac L. Sher- wood ( Henry Sherwood was afterwards added), a com- mittee on the part of the Consistory to conduct and in- spect said building in connection with Mr. Cole.

Here ground was broken and timber collected for the new church; but upon Mr. Cole's health becoming im- paired, his deed was returned August 20th 1852, and Au-

* This lot of Joseph Wood's was situated near the present Union Day School building. and was purchased by the consistory of the Brick Church for $40.

*For the facts concerning this school we are indebted to I. Remsen Blauvelt.

RAMAPO-CHURCH HISTORY.

291

gust 31st following, a new committee consisting of I. L. |by a committee of Classis, Rev. John Manley, Rev. J. T. Sherwood, Samuel Lawrence. I. Whitney, Henry Sher- Demarest, Rev. J. R. Brock, and elders Henry L. Sher- wood, and Mr. Wortendyke, of Pascack, April 11th 1865. wood, and Stephen D. Herrick was appointed to build a Reformed Protestant Dutch Church at Spring Valley upon the land donated by Samuel Lawrence.

Here, where the present church now stands, the "Preaching Place " was erected, and of the new enter- prise the Consistory of the Brick Church in their report to the Classis, April 1854, make the following minute:

" With regard to the enterprise at Spring Valley. thanks be to God, it has so far proved that the time, the expense, and the labor given to it has not been in vain. Our church edifice there though small, is yet substantial, neat, and comfortable. The attendance there is not great indeed, but it is encouraging. The church edifice was erected at an expense of some fifteen hundred dollars. When dedicated a few hundred dollars debt remained upon it, which debt has since that time been nearly liquidated. And we as a Consistory feel constrained, from a sense of gratitude, here to express our unfeigned sincere thanks to those brethren of the Classis and their congregations for their seasonable aid in this important enterprise."

For over a decade of years, after this, services were held in this " Preaching Place " at Spring Valley; the pastor of the West New Hempstead church officiating usually in the afternoon of each Lord's day.

But in 1863 "the pews in the little building being by many too few to accommodate those worshipping there," it was agreed that the time had arrived to erect a more commodious house of worship; whereupon, June Ist, Andrew I. Tallman, an elder in the Brick Church, was appointed to circulate a subscription, and his report being favorable the " Preaching Place " was sold for four hundred dollars to Albert Tallman,* and A. C. J. Blau- velt, Andrew I. Tallman, Nicholas C. Blauvelt, and Henry L. Sherwood were appointed a building commit- tee to erect a new church upon the old site.

The work of building was commenced in 1864, though the war of the Rebellion had advanced all kinds of build- ing materials to almost fabulous prices. January 4th 1865, to the great satisfaction of all, the building com- mittee were able to report to the Consistory of the Brick Church that their work had been done; whereupon that body passed a resolution approving the course of the building committee and obligating themselves to meet all indebtedness incurred.

This action of the Consistory of the Brick Church in assuming the debt (about $8,000) incurred in the erection of the church at Spring Valley, was remonstrated against by certain members of that church, and after consider- able discussion it was by mutual consent deemed best that the two churches should separate. Upon the Brick Church relinquishing " all claim upon the church building or property in Spring Valley," and the Spring Valley church assuming the debt, this separation was effected

On the 17th of April following the " Reformed Protest- ant Dutch Church of Spring Valley, Rockland county, New York" was legally incorporated, and at that time the Brick Church formally transferred the property at Spring Valley to the new organization.

The first pastor of the church was the Rev. John R. Brock who resigned the pastorate of the West New Hempstead church for this purpose. He was installed May 7th 1865 and remained pastor till April 10th 1869. His successors have been: Marshall B. Smith, July 7th 1869 to November Ist 1870; Richard De Witt, October 8th 1871 to April rst 1876; Peter E. Kipp (stated supply). July 1876 to April 1877; Daniel Van Pell, July 16th 1877 to September 23d 1878; Cornelius E. Crispell D. D., September 9th 1879, the present pastor.

The 56 persons dismissed from the Brick Church and uniting in organizing this church are: A. C. J. Blauvelt, Andrew I. Tallman, Abram Palmer, Mrs. Catharine Smith, Mrs. J. M. Westervelt, George Sherwood, Mrs. Loadice Abram, Samuel Bronsell, Mrs. Mary A. Van Orden, Cornelius Blauvelt; Henry L. Sherwood, Samuel Osborne, Garrett Van Houten, Rachel Van Houten, Mrs. Catharine Brady, Mrs C. Matilda Deronde, Frank Charlton, Harvey Sherwood, Peter Tallman, Eleza Tall- man, Mrs. Margaret Tinkey, Samuel De Baun, Mrs. Le- vina Conklin, Martha Tallman, Ellen Ann Palmer, Melissa Smith, Mrs. Catharine Van Houten, Mrs. Cath- arine Blauvelt, Mrs. Emeline Thompson, Mrs. Maria Bronsell, Mrs. Jane Tallman, Mrs. Phebe Blauvelt, Mrs. Mary Sherwood, Mrs. Mary Osborne, Mrs. Kate Van Houten, Joseph White, Peter D. Tallman, Mrs. Wester- velt, Rebecca Charlton, Charity M. Sherwood, Tunis Tallman, Mrs. Catharine Merritt, Phebe Haight, Mrs. Jane M. De Baun, Mrs. Matilda Abrams, John Polhemus. Stephen Stevens, John Van Houten, Mrs. Sarah Sugden, Mrs. Jane Jersey, Mrs. Leah Polhemus, Mrs. Martha Stevens, Helen M. Johnson, Mrs. Jane Van Houten, Mrs. Mary Vanzant, John Van Houten.

The first Consistory was composed of: Andrew I. Tallman, Henry L. Sherwood, Tunis Tallman, Cornelius I. Blauvelt, elders; Abram Palmer, Frank Charlton, Harvey Sherwood, Peter Tallman, deacons.

The present Consistory is composed of: P. Tallman, C. D. Eckerson, Abraham Palmer and P. T. Ackerman. elders; P. S. Van Orden, E. C. Warren, C. E. Felter, I. A. Dingman, deacons, and J. D. Blauvelt, clerk.

Under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Kipp the church was blessed with a gracious revival, 47 being welcomed into the church on confession of their faith, March Ist 1877.

In 1865 a Sunday school was organized in connection with the church, Mr .- Peter Tallman as superintendent. He has been followed in office by I. C. Lets, Frank Charlton, J. A. Ball, Rev. R. De Witt, R. C. Haff, William Van Wagenen, P. T. Ackerman, and the present incumbent, Mr. Andrew Smith.

The school has increased from an average of 55 in 1865 to an average of 111 in 1883.

. He moved it to a lot owned by himself. The building was after- ward sold to the Baptist (see history of that church), and is now Van Houten Hall.

292

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

The corner stone of the church contains; a copy of the place in a plain but respectable manner for a house of constitution of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, a copy of the Holy Bible, the Intelligencer, proceed- ings of the last General Synod, names of Consistory now acting, names of Building Committee, a speci- men of the currency of the United States as also of the so-called Southern Confederacy.

BAPTIST CHURCHES, VIOLA.

The first Baptist church to be located in Ramapo, stood on the southeast corner where the road from Tall- man's to Sherwoodville crosses the New City road, and was built not far front 1815. In its early days it was strong and flourishing, supported by such persons as Cornelius Quackenbosh, Henry Frederick, John De Grote, John Forshee and son, William Springsteel, and others. Their most noted preacher was Elder Beebe, and their doctrines "the hardest of the hard and the strongest of the strong."

Mr. Beebe, at his departure, was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Williams, a far more liberal man than his predeces- sor, whose coming resulted in the formation of two par- ties, one in favor of Sabbath schools, missions, temper- ance, etc., and the other opposed to these. Each party claimed the church against the other. They resorted to law, and about 1853, just as the case was to be tried (the night before, it is said), some one ended the controversy by burning the church. After the fire the liberal party, in 1854, under the lead of Mr. John Crum, built the larger church on the north side of the New City road one- half mile nearer Suffern.

And their example was followed by the other party -who, in 1857, erected a smaller structure on the old site. Neither of the churches have now more than a nominal existence.

SPRING VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH.

The Spring Valley Baptist Church dates its corporate existence from the 9th of November 1870; and Mr. I. Remsen Blauvelt, and Mr. E. J. Hillman, authorized "church clerks," give the following as its history in their minutes of church meetings from which this account is gathered, and in part quoted.

A special church meeting was held by the "Nanuet Baptist Church " at Nanuet, on the 19th of February 1867, "to consider the application of I. Remsen Blau- velt, for said church, to buy the Old Dutch Church Meeting House (see history of Reformed Church, Spring Valley), in the village of Spring Valley, for an Outpost or Preaching Station of the Nanuet church, as an aggres- sive movement of the denomination in Rockland county." At this meeting Mr. Blauvelt was appointed "to ascer- tain what Spring Valley would do toward paying for the property, which in its then condition could be bought for twelve hundred dollars."

The following week, Mr. Blauvelt reported to the Nanuet church subscriptions to the amount of $1,300 and thereupon the building was ordered to be purchased. After the purchase so much was required to fit up " the

worship" that when all was completed a debt was found to have been incurred amounting to $2,422 which sub- sequently increased to $2,500. With this incumbrance, which weighed upon the society till its dissolution, the new building was dedicated with the usual services, on the 19th of September 1867, Dr. Thomas of the Pierre- pont street church, Brooklyn, officiating at the morning service and Dr. Thomas Armitage of the Fifth Baptist church of New York city, at the second service in the evening. From this time till July 1870, services were held in the Spring Valley church every Sunday afternoon by the preacher holding service at Nanuet in the morning. At the beginning there "were only two Baptist families connected with the Nanuet church residing in Spring Valley:" but by 1870 "the number of members of the Nanuet church worshiping in the meeting house at Spring Valley, fully equaled, and probably exceeded the numbers worshiping at Nanuet."

"During the fall and winter of 1869, several of the members of the Nanuet church residing in and around Spring Valley expressed themselves desirous of forming a separate church organization in their village;" but action upon the matter for the time being was deferred. On the 20th of April 1870, at the regular church meeting at Nanuet, the long cherished desire of many of the members at Spring Valley to become an independent church was revived." To consider this question many special and regular, separate and joint, meetings of the Nanuet and Spring Valley churches were held without arriving at any satisfactory conclusion and it was finally decided to refer the whole matter to a committee of arbitration. Accordingly the Spring Valley members chose Dr. J. S. Backus of New York city, the Nanuet members chose W. S. Mikels of New York city, and these two chose W. A. Gellatly. " After a careful and impartial examination of the question submitted to" them this committee rendered the follow- ing decision, viz .; "That the Brethren at Spring Val- ley take the property in their village at Twenty-five hun- dred dollars and be released from any further obligations." This decision was given September 21st 1870. Upon the 26th of October following, the Nanuet Baptist Church, in regular church nieeting, on request of Edward J. Hillman, Abigail J. Hillman, Matthew Person, Emeline Person, I. Remsen Blauvelt, Selina S. Blauvelt, Samuel V. Smith, Sarah A. Smith, Julietta Ellsworth, Helen M. Elsworth, Phoebe J. Elsworth, Garret Sawnier, Sarah Sawnier, John M. Smith, Maria D. Smith, Ann Osborn, John Earle, Catharine Earle, Susanna Blauvelt, Sarah Sugden, Abram Hudson, Lucinda Hudson, Joseph Hunt, Joseph Taylor, Sarah Taylor, Eliza G. Hutchenson, Maria Paul, John J. Bilyen, Leah A. Bilyen, Phoebe Van Houten, Anna Campbell, Susan Schuyler, Margaret Drain, Elizabeth Willis, Lizzie Brownsel, and Peter Harring, for regular church letters of dismission that they might unite in the formation of a new church at Spring Valley voted "that we cordially grant them letters of dismission for that purpose and when regularly constituted

293

RAMAPO-CHURCH HISTORY.

as a church shall cease to regard them as under our watch and care." Accordingly, on Wednesday evening, November 9th 1870, at 7 P. M., the Spring Valley Baptist Church of Rockland county, New York, was organized, with I. Remsen Blauvelt, and Matthew Per- sons, as deacons, and Edward J. Hillman as church clerk.

Further action was taken on the 12th instant toward legal incorporation, when Joseph Hunt, John M. Smith, Samuel V. Smith, John J. Bilyen, and Edward J. Hill- man were chosen trustees.

On November 20th 1870, Rev. Wm. H. Sherman of the Berean Baptist Church of Philadelphia, who had served the congregation for about four months as a supply, was called to be the acting pastor of the church. He ac- cepted the invitation and on December Sth was regularly installed as first pastor. A proposition having been received from the West Hempstead Baptist Church (see history of that church) for a portion of the services of Mr. Sherman, it was voted, September 10th 1871, " that the Hempstead Church have the Sunday Morning services of Bro. Sherman for which they would pay him at the rate of $400 per year and provide for him a way to get to and from their meeting house, and that the Spring Valley Church should have the Sunday afternoon and evening services for which they would pay at the rate of $600 per year." This arrangement was carried into effect.

On October 3d 1871, the Spring Valley Church was received as a member of the Southern New York Baptist Association, to which body the church reported 45 mem- bers, a Sabbath school, organized in 186S with Matthew Persons as superintendent, having 24 teachers and 218 scholars, an average attendance of 107, and a library of 300 volumes, and a "debt of $2,500 which we are trying| to liquidate."

This debt thus reported weighed heavily on the soci- ety. Mr. Sherman's labors with the church terminated in February 1872. In May 1873 he was succeeded by the Rev. F. Greaves of Nyack. In June 1873 Mr. Greaves resigned, and in November following his connections with the church terminated. Being now without a pas- tor, the society continued their religious services as best they could, Mr. E. J. Hillman, a meniber and officer. sup- plying the pulpit by request. Every effort was made to meet the indebtedness, but in vain. Many influential members moved away from the Valley. A season of financial depression settled upon the country. And thus it came to pass that on the 20th of June 1875, the last sermon in the Spring Valley Baptist Church was preached by Mr. Hillman from Acts viii, Ist, and the following day, June 21st 1875, the church, which this zealous band had so faithfully tried to save, was sold at auction to Levi Gurnee of Pascack, N. J., for $1,900. For a short time longer the society clung together, meeting from time to time in the homes of the members; but long ere this "The Spring Valley Baptist Church " has become the church that was.

THE TRUE REFORMED CHURCH, MONSEY. ·

This church sprang into existence June 11th, 1824, when 68 members of the " Brick Church," with the pas- tor of that church, Rev. James D. Demarest, seceded from the Classis of Paramus, and its " Superior Judica- tories," and connected themselves with the True Re- formed Synod of Hackensack. The members seceding were: Garret Sarven, Joseph Iserman, Teunis Van Houten, Peter C. Van Houten, Peter Sarven, Stephen Van Orden, Cornelius Springsteen, Claas T. Van Houten, Cornelius Onderdonk, William Yury, Susanna Yury, Catharine Van Houten, Aurry Myer, John Van Orden, Elizabeth Van Orden, Garret T. Onderdonk, Jane On- derdon !: , Caroline Myer, Catharine Barberow, Jane Van Houten, Maria Iserman, Elizabeth Cole, John T. Cooper, Charity Sarven, Charity Yury, Martha Crum, Aurry On- derdonk, Elizabeth Onderdonk, Peter P. Van Houten, Peter T. Van Houten, Abraham P. Van Houten, Eliza- beth Yury, Abraham Sarven, Margaret Sarven, Henry Iserinan, Jane Blauvelt, Jacob Sarven, Hannah Sarven, Cornelius J. Blauvelt, Elizabeth Van Houten, Peter R. Van Houten, Wing Van Houten, Eliza Demarest, Thomas Onderdonk, Margaret Onderdonk, William Bertholf, Lear Bertholf, Isaac Onderdonk, Elizabeth Onderdonk, John Myers, Abraham G. Sarven, Rachel Sarven, John A. Johnson, Sally Johnson, Nicholas L. Haring, Anna Smith, Mary Haring, Elizabeth Sarven, Sarah Felter, Abraham Iserman, Susannah Iserman, Peggy Bruce, John P. Van Houten, Maria Onderdonk, Jacob Felter, Isaac Myer, Maria Westervelt.

In the spring of the following year, the church was ecclesiastically organized, with Garret Sarven, Joseph Iserman, Teunis Van Houten, and Peter C. Van Houten, as elders, and Peter Sarven, Stephen Van Orden, and Cornelius Springsteen, as deacons.

Soon after, ground was broken for a church edifice on a lot granted by Judge Sarven, situated about a third of a mile north of Monsey, on the corner, where the road from Spring Valley intersects the road leading from Monsey to Mechanicsville; the site being now marked by a burying ground.

Here the church was completed in the year 1827, and the congregation worshiped till 1869, when they moved into their present edifice in the village, and the first building was sold to Samuel D). Haring .* The lot, upon which the present edifice stands, was donated by Samuel D. Haring in 1868. The building committee were Levi Sherwood, John H. Johnson, and Frederick Van Houten.

The church was dedicated August 19th 1869, on which occasion a sermon was preached, in the morning, by John Y. De Baun, and in the afternoon by John R. Cooper.

* Mr. Haring moved the building to the village, and fitted it up for a Caion church. It is now a Congregational church. (Sce history of same.)

James Sherwood

294

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

The ministers have been: James D. Demarest,* John Y. De Baun, Abram Van Houten, and, for the last 19 years, John R. Cooper.

The present officers are; John A. Johnson, Levi Sher- wood, and John Iserman, elders, and William Sarven, John Van Buskirk, and Crine Hook, deacons.

The church is at present connected with the church at Nanuet in the support of its pastor.

WESLEY CHAPEL, SHERWOODVILLE.

John Wesley was born in 1703. The first Methodist Conference was held in London, June 25th 1744. The first conference in the United States was held at Phila- delphia, in June 1773, at which time they reported ten preachers and 1,160 members; and the Methodist Church entered the town of Ramapo, with a local habitation and a name, in the building of Wesley Chapel, in 1829.

Of this church we have the following history, kindly prepared by Mr. Elias G. Sherwood:

"What is now known as the Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Society at Sherwoodville, Rockland county, New York, dates back as far as 1805. Previous to that year, Rev. Freeborn Garretson, presiding elder, Elijah Woolsey, Peter Vannest, and others, travelled through this valley, which was then included in the Newburgh and Haverstraw circuit, preaching in private houses, shops, barns, and, in fact, wherever a place large enough to accommodate the congregations could be found.

"One of the first Methodist meetings was held in the old stone house, near the chapel, now owned by Elias G. Sherwood, but in those days by a family named Fred- erick. Later the services were held at the house of Ste- phen Gurnee, father of Abram Gurnee. From there they were removed to the house of William Osborn, who was appointed class leader, with Abram Gurnee as one of the stewards. After this, meetings were held at Ben- jamin Sherwood's, two miles south of the chapel, until about the year 1813, when Rev. James Sherwood and Abigail Gurnee purchased the Frederick farm, and there- after services were once more held in the stone house near the chapel.

"Preaching was every two weeks, on Monday afternoon `in summer, and evenings in winter, for about 15 years, or until the chapel was built, in 1829. In the mean time, some of the quarterly meetings were held in an old Dutch barn near the house, as these occasions drew to- gether large congregations from all parts of the circuit. and more room was needed to accommodate the people.

"The first Sabbath school was held in a carpenter shop, opposite the house, between the years 1827 and 1829, with the Rev. James Sherwood as superintendent.

"In 1829, through the instrumentality of Jaines Sher- wood, Garret Onderdonk, Benjamin Odell, Stephen B. Johnson, Mrs. Abigail Gurnee, her daughter Abigail (afterward Mrs. Daniel S. Gurnee), and others, money was secured to make a commencement on building the church. James Sherwood gave the land, and, with other friends of the enterprise, furnished timber for the frame; Mr. Jeremiah H. Pierson gave the nails. After the build- ing was inclosed more funds were needed, and Rev. James Sherwood started for New York city, walking all the way, soliciting donations from Methodist and other friends.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 67

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