USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. I > Part 60
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In 1849 the Reformed Dutch Church of Chittenango, N. Y., to which Dr. Hoes had formerly ministered, was desirous of again securing his services, and to this end offered him a call to become its pastor. When this action came to the knowledge of his church, its Consistory imme- diately passed the following preamble and resolution, in consequence of which Dr. Hoes decided to remain in Kingston :
"WHEREAS, Our pastor, Mr. Hoes, has received assurances of a call from a church elsewhere, and has communicated with us in re- gard to the continuance of his connection with our church as our min- ister,
" Therefore, we, the Con-istory of the Reformed Dutch Church of Kingston, do unanimously Resofre, That it is our sincere desire that such relation continue; and while we know of no reason why such connection should be dissolved at any time, at the present crisis espe- cially we think it would be detrimental to the interest of our church, and that it would be contrary to the wishes and interest of the con- gregation as well as against our own wishes and feelings.
" JOHANNES BRUYN, " Clerk of Comistory."
The ministry of Dr. Hoes in Kingston extended to Jan. 7, 1867, a period of more than twenty-one years, -a remarkably long pastorate, considering the frequent changes in the pastoral relation, which appear in this restless day
* Written by a late parisbioner.
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
to be growing more and more in favor both with churches and ministers. His labors as pastor abounded here with signal tokens of success. Many were added to the church, the benevolent operations of the day were commended and sustained, the various interests of a large congregation were carefully watched over and subserved, and the church continued to occupy a high position of influence and effi- ciency in the community. The present spacious and at- tractive church edifice was ereeted during his ministry, and dedicated Sept. 28, 1852, and stands as a memorial to the enterprise and energy of himself and the people whose uuited " mind to build" reared the structure.
Besides the labors of his parish, Dr. Hoes was much en- gaged in promoting the cause of education. As evincing his interest in this department of labor, he was a trustee for many years of Kingstou Academy and president of the board of trustees from 1854 to 1864, when the academy became merged into the system of graded schools. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him iu 1852 Ły Union College.
Dr. Hoes was a staunch patriot during the War of the Rebellion. Ile aided the cause with unfaltering zeal, both from his pulpit and upon the public platform. His voice was frequently heard in the various " war meetings" which made the old court-house memorable, from the bombard- ment of Sumter to the close of the struggle.
On retiring from the charge of the church of Kingston, in ISGT, Dr. Hoes became the recipient of a testimonial, setting forth the estimate in which his character and long services were held by his parishioners, to whom he had rembered pastoral services for more than a score of years. This testimonial was in the forin of a paper signed by more than three hundred " communicants and pew-holders" to whom he had ministered, and who knew best and prized most both him and his work. As this paper sets forth what the pastor was and the work he performed, it may be fitting in closing this sketch to let it tell the story in the words in which it was framed, as expressing the sentiments of those who signed it.
" Riv. Jons C. F. HOEs, D.D. :
" DEAR Sin,-The ministerial relation you have beld to the Re- formed Protestant Dutch Church of Kingston for more than twenty - one year, having been terminated by the joint action of yourself and its Consistory, the undersigned, con munieants and pew-hollers in that church, ernnot suffer you to leave this field of your labors, botes, and large success without son e tilihitional men.euto of the foiing of the people so long in your charge in regard to the faithful and earnest ministry you have cacrcised anung us. So we esteem it our duty to the church, as much as to yourself, to whey the agosto'ic in- junction to render honor to whom lieber is due,' and to place spon record :
" First An expression of cur gratitude to the Divine Head of the Church, that for more than a score of years, during which you have bren the minister of this people, they have been kept . in the unity of the spirit and the lend of | race.'as well as from the excitement and danger that often attend a change of the parteiul relation, while we have enjoyed without interruption, and with a regularly that has added great comfort to the services of the sanctuary, the ministrations of one who has not only been ' faithful in word and doctrine,' but has not spared himself from any labor or sacrifice by which, in his judg- ment, he could advance the interests committed to his charge, and to which he has devoted the ripest vigor of his mind and the best years of his life.
"Second. We desire to express our sense of the consistent and exemplary walk and conversation, the sound principles and untiring
vigilance and zeal, by which you have done so much. under God, to sustain andelevate the charneter and reputation of this ancient church, and especially during so long a period of social, civil, and religious excitement, unparalleled in our history, and in the midst of elements not less diverse than those which in other communities have wrought fearful dissensions and divisions.
"Third. We have great reason to commend the executive ability and business talent you have been enabled to display in the manage- ment of the temporal affairs of the church throughout your whole ministry among us, and this without causing you to omit, in any degree, your attention to the spiritual welfare of the people. The very large expenditures made at different times in alterations and repairs, the erection of our present substantial and beautiful church edifice at a cost of nearly forly thousand dollars, provision for a revenue adequate to all the requirements of the church, the rental of every available pew, and the absence of any indebtedness are, in a great degree, owing to your efficiency, prudence, and care.
" Fourth. We bear onr united and cordial testimony to the constant and unweariel acts of personal kindness; attention to the sick, intirui, and bereaved; of wise counsel to those who have sought ad- vice in temporal or spiritual matters, which, in a very large and widely-extended congregation, you have been enabled to render ; and also to your strict fidelity to the constitution, standards, and customs of the church, and the fearless presentation of Scriptural truth ' whether men would hear or would forbear.'
" Fifth. You have our best wishes for the health, happiness, and prosperity of yourself and family ; and earnest prayer shall not be wanting that the blessings of that gospel you have so long labored to impart to others may cheer your own heart, and that having ' fought the good night and kept the faith,' your course when finished may be rewarded with . the crown of life.'"
Dated Feb. 5, 1867.
The following is a copy of the reply of Dr. Hoes to the above communication :
"To Messre. Coins. Bruya, Il. Il. Reynolds, James Kiersted, T. P. Osterhoudt. Jacob Burhans, Rud 300 other persons, 'communicants and pew-holters,' in Prot. Ref. D. C., Kingston, N. Y.
". MY DEAR FRIENDS AND FORMER PARISHIONERS, -- On the day after my return to Kingston, having been absent nearly four weeks, I was agreeably surprised and delighted to receive your kind and friendly communication.
" Language is inadequate to express the deep emotions of my heart in view of this renewed evidence of your respect, confidence, and af- fection. I know not what return I can make, except to say that it is my hope and prayer that nothing may ever occur in the least to mar the recollection of all that is delightful and pleasing in the protracted social and pastoral intercourse which we have been permitted to- gether to enjoy.
" You allude to the large measure of success which has attended my ministry. I am pleased that you bear witness to this fact, and it should be remen. bered that this success has been granted, by the Di- vite llend of the Church, to such an extent that I have received into its communion between 400 and 300 persons,-a number larger than the present membership of the church. - while during the same period of tinte there have been organized four otber churches, all drawing. to a greater or less extent, upon the pecuniary and numerical strength of the ' old mother-church.'
" I feel profoundly grateful for this voluntary testimonial, and would hereby express my gratitude lo each and every individual whose name is affixed to it ; and my prayer shall ever be offered in Their behalf, and in behalf of the church for whose temporal and spiritual prosperity I have made so many sacrifices, and devotet twenty -one of the best years of my life.
" Your friend and former pastor,
" KINGSTON, Feb. 11. 1867.
"Jons C. F. Hoss."
The writer of this sketch deems it unnecessary in this connection to enlarge upon the character and the profes- sional and public services of Dr. Hoes. The community in which he lives is too well acquainted with the man and his labors to require from us any extended words of com- ment. As a citizen he has constantly been bold and out- spoken in his views, fearless in bis advocacy of all public
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CITY AND TOWN OF KINGSTON.
measures and moral reforms which, in his judgment, affected the best interests of the community. A man of strong convictions, he has always been tenacious in his defense of the right, as he understood it, and has stamped the impress of his individuality upon all the public and religious move- ments with which he has been connected during his pro- tracted residence in this county. As a minister he has ever been devoted and energetic in the performance of his duties, bold in his denunciation of every form of wickedness and hypocrisy, and wrore willing at any time to make an enemy than to defend a wrong. Strongly conservative in all his views, he has uniformly been loyal to the traditions of his ancestral Church, a staunch defender of its forms and doc- trines, and, above all things, faithful in his presentation of Scriptural truth. Few men have ever exerted in this com- inunity an influence so healthful and far-reaching as that of Dr. Hoes, and the effects of that influence will be felt long years after he is numbered with the dead.
Dr. Hoes has resided in Kingston, without pastoral charge, since he closed his pastorate of the Church of Kingston. Ile has supplied the Reformed Dutch Church of Woodstock for a period of more than two years, also other. churches as stated or occasional supply. his services being often in requisition by surrounding congregations. He married. in 1836. Lucy Maria Randall, daughter of Gen. Roswell Randall, of Cortland, N. Y., and sister of Hon. Henry S. Randall, late Secretary of State, and author of the " Life of Thomas Jefferson." Mrs. Hves is a lady of intelligence and culture, and held in high estimation by the community to whose interests it has been her privilege and pleasure to contribute. Of five children, three only are living ; and of these an only son, the Rev. R. Randall Ilves, is a respected and useful clergyman, settled over the Presbyterian Church of New Rochelle, N. Y.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE TOWN OF KINGSTON.@
The certificate incorporating this society was eseented Jan. 26, 1830. The meeting for organization on the 25th was presided over by John Hitt and S. S. Sollman, in- spectors, and the trustees chosen were John Hitt, Jacobus Cole, Edward O Neil, William Shaw, Wm. W. Wood- worth, Pierce Catlin, Gilbert Cooper. The paper was veri- fied before Judge Abraham G. Hardenbergh. and the record attested by Jacob Snyder, county clerk. This legal statement represents a church which had been fornicd some years before, and it is well understood that religions movements by the Methodists began at a date still carlier. St. James' Church of the present day is not, however, in possession of any records by which that pioneer period can be shown in its interesting details. The new record book opened in recent years is absolutely bere of all names and dates belonging to those early times. No effort rectus to have been made to record the traditions which, even in later years, should have been easily secured from old resi- dents yet living.
Edward O'Neil was probably the first Methodist in Kingston, or at least the first one active and prominent in founding the church. His house was a place of early
meetings. It stood on the southwest corner of Green and North Front Streets. There undoubtedly was the birth- place of St. James' Church. Occasional meetings were held at the court-house. But no written records remain of all this early period. The simple class papers were long ago lost ; the society, even after its organization, left few or no memoranda by which the incidents of church life may be woven into a continnous story, or if any such papers remain, they are scattered and have eluded the search of the pastor and the present officers. The first house of worship was built on the corner of Pearl and Fair Streets, where the present parsonage stands. For years before an old cellar at that point, with its shapeless ruin, had told the story of the burning of Kingston to every passer-by. One of the buildings of the Molly Elmendorf property stood there, and was destroyed by the invading army under Gen. Vaughan. The date when this first house of worship was built is not preserved, unless the inscription on the present house indicates it. That inscription gives the date of erection as " 1825, rebuilt in 1815." It would naturally be inferred that the house on the corner was still carlier, and that 1825 refers to an edifice on the site of the pres- ent.f The names of the early members do not seem to be preserved.
The men and the women who in faith and prayer laid the foundations of this now prosperous Zion are all uure- corded. The little gatherings for prayer in private houses, the humble beginnings of church work, the solemn hours" of class-meeting, must all be passed over iu silence. They were plain, humble people, uot ambitious of titles, nor desirou- of prominence before the world, but content to do their Master's work, ever " building better than they knew." and going down to their graves little conscious of the mighty work of which they were the founders.
No catalognes of members earlier than 1857. have been furnished to the writer, nor the names of any early class- leaders or stewards. To these negative and unsatisfactory statements we can only add a few items which are recorded, but even these are mostly modern.
In Methodist general history Newburgh Circuit is an early name, and this included stated appointments very early (1787 to 1789) in the southeasteru part of Ulster County, Marlborough, and vicinity (see chapters upon those towns). The name of Kingston appears in 1791 once, and only once, Mr. Losce preacher. It does not appear again until 1822. It has been claimed that preaching by Methodist ministers was continued regularly at this point on and after 1791. But, as Kingston was so prominent a name in this section of country, it is hardly possible that a period of nearly thirty years could have passed on the Conference minutes without the name appearing if regular services by appointed ministers were being maintained here. The reasonable conclusion seems to be that about 1820, or a little later, was substantially the commencement of regular and continuous work. The incorporation not taking place until 1830 corroborates this view, as that was not generally delayed many years after acquiring real estate. This view is sustained by the recollections of Hoe. Marius Schoon-
t It is the recollection of Squire R. Hill that the church was not finished so as to use it until nearly 1820.
# Now St. James' Church, Fair Street.
DD
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
maker, and by those of R. H. Hill, Esq., who speaks of only three active Methodists in 1825,-Edward O'Neil, Peter Dumond, and Jacobus Cole, of Harley.
In 1852 the New York Conference met in Kingston, and here the celebrated discussion took place upon an Anti- Slavery resolution, prolonged for days, one single meuiber of the emumittee presenting a minority resolution, and finally carrying the Conference over to his pronounced and radical views.
In 1857 occur the first minutes of the church in detail, though the number of members is not even then given. The Sunday-school was stated to consist of 28 teachers, 160 scholars, with 400 volumes in the library.
The succession of ministers from 1822 includes the fol- lowing names: John D. Moriarty, John Kennedy, David Lewis, Friend W. Smith, David I. Wright, Ira Ferris, James D. Marshall. S. S. Stillman, S. Wing, Elisha An- drews, Friend W. Smith ( again), J. Thackaberry, J. W. Lefever, J. P. Foster,- C. Foss (then first made a station, 1832), B. Griffin, J. G. Smith, S. C. Cheney, Albert G. Wickware, J. Z. Nichols, Harvey Ilusted, Parhele Cham- berlain, George Brown. Davis Stocking, P. P. Sawford, Daniel Smith, Benjamin Griffin, Richard H. Chalker,. C. C. Keys, D. S. Marks, C. B. King, C. E. Harris, J. L. G. McKeown, J. W. Beach, J. Y. Bates, A. Ostrander, II. B. Ridgaway, G. E. Strobridge
The present organization of the church (May, 1880) consists of Rev. Abraham J. Palmer, Pastor; Rev. A. Ackerly, W. S. Zeller, S. Wood, A. Benson, John Du Bois, Class-Leaders; Daniel Johnston, Charles Reynolds, William F. Romer, Edgar P. Newkirk, Hiram Davis, George Thompson, Henry C. Connelly, Alfred Van Nostrand, G. M. Gillette, Trustees ; Anthony Benson, G. M. Gillette, Alexander Gibson, O. C. Webster, C. B. Sufford, John R. Styles, Thomas Hall. Augustus Schepmoes, Myion Teller, Stewards ; Heury C. Connelly, Sunday-school Superinten- dent.
The communicants number 360. The pastor's salary is $2000, with the use of a furnished parsonage. The bene- volent contributions last Conference year were 8850.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH OF KINGSTON (EPISCOPAL).
This society was incorporated by a certificate exceuted Aug. 6, 1832. The rector, Rev. Reuben Sherwood, was chairman of the meeting for organization, and Seth Couch and Jacob Snyder were clerks. The wardens chosen were Seth Couch and William A. Teal; the vestrywien, Irvine Pardee, John Adams, William Kerr, James W. Baldwin, Jobu D. Middagh, John I. Tappen, Moses Mulks, Isaac Thompson. The instrument was witnessed by Johu T. Romeyn, and verified before H. M. Romeyn, Supreme Court commissioner.
The following items furnished by the pastor relate iu part to events preceding the above date :
Wardens and Vestrymen in 1832 .-- Wardens, John Adams and William Kerr ; Vestry, Seth Couch, John J. Tappen, James W. Baldwin, Williatu A. Teal, Irwin Par- dee, Moses Mulks. Of this vestry there remains alive in Kingston but Mr. Moses Malks, who has watched the growth of this parish from the little seed sown nearly fifty years
ago to its present fair proportions. There is now no list of communicants of earlier date than 1839, and of the 37 names on the list there are four yet with us. But it was the case then, as ever since, that the ranks were replenished only to be depleted by frequent removals, for in the next list, dated only two years later, ouly-17 of the 37 were yet in Kings- ton.
The Rev. Reuben Sherwood was the first rector of St. Johu's Church. He was rector of the church in Sauger- ties, and served Kingston on alternate Sundays. Ile took charge of the services of the church on the 1st of May, 1832, and found the congregation worshiping in the court- house. Steps were taken at once to secure a lot and to begin a building for the church, but there were many finan- cial difficulties in the way, and the corner-stone was not laid until the 25th of September, 1833. They persevered through all discouragements, however, and the building was consecrated to the service of Ahnighty God by Right Rev. B. T. Onderdonk, D.D., on Nov. 24, 1835. This church was a brick building, and stoo I on the ground now occupied by the church.
The Rev. Mir. Sherwood had been called to labor else- where before the church was finished, and Rev. John Dowdney was the second rector, taking charge on Easter day, 1835. lle labored four years in Kingston.
On the 1st of June, 1839, a new laborer came into this part of the vineyard, in the person of Rev. H. M. Davis. Ilis stay was short, as pecuniary difficulties arose that seemed beyond the reach of the vestry, and he resigned the parish Oct. 25, 1840.
After a short interregman, Rev. William A. Curtis be- came the rector on June 1, 1841. Shortly thereafter he succeeded in raising $150, with which was purchased the solid silver communion set used in the church ever since. He resigned the parish March 1, 1844.
The fifth rector was the Rev. George Sayres, who ac- eepted the parish on July 15, 1844, and left it after just five years' service to a day. Up to this time the parish of St. John's bad included all who were favorably disposed towards the Episcopal form in Rondout and Wilbur, as well as iu Kingston. In August, 1849. upon receiving a re- quest from members of the church in Rondout, who were thinking of building a church in that village, the vestry of: St. John's passed a resolution permitting the crection of a new parochial organization. This first daughter of the old parish was formally born Ang. 31, 1849, and duly named "Church of the Holy Spirit."
Rev. George Waters was the next rector. In the month of December, 1849, he took charge, finding ouly 30 com- munieants, though the parish was then seventeen years old, for, besides removals and deaths, IS communicants had just been transferred to the new organization in Rondout. How- ever, under his eare the parish grew lustily, and it became necessary to enlarge the church. It was hard work and a long task to get the necessary funds together for the beginning of the eulargement, but it was completed on the 1st of May, 1861. The cost of this undertaking was 88107.07, not counting the beautiful chancel window, made in Paris and the gift of Mrs. A. A. T. Pratt, wife of Col. George W. Pratt, who was afterwards killed in 1862, during the war.
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CITY AND TOWN OF KINGSTON.
After all their efforts there was a mortgage of 84000 left on the property, which was finally extinguished by the per- sistent and continued efforts of . the rector, who was finally obliged to resign the parish from ill health in 1865, after a pastorate of nearly twenty years.
The next rector was the Rev. F. M. MeAllister, who took charge April 20, 1869. Ile left his wark on the parish, in the magnificent organ of St. John's, probably the fiuest on the Hudson River between Albany and New York City, and in the reetory on Greene Street, purchased by his ad- vice. Ile resigned on Ang. 1, 1873, and was followed at once by the Rev. Walter A. Delafield, who resigned the parish Oct. 1, 1874.
After an interregnum of nearly a year, during the greater part of which time the parish was most acceptably served by Rev. Clarence Buel, who had been duly elected rector, but did not feel able to accept the position, the present rector, Rev. C. William Catap, was elected July 13, 1875.
Following are the statistics for the year 1879: Baptisms, 20; burials, 12; marriages, 6; families, 127 ; counmani- cants, 218.
The present officers of the church are : Rector, Rev. C. William Camp ; Wardens, Charles D. Bruyn and Geu. D. T. Van Buren ; Vestrymen, William B. Fitch, Warren Chipp, Charles A. Fowler, Henry G. Crouch, Edward Winter, John A. Heiser, Frederic J. R. Clarke, Augustus W. Reynolds ; Clerk, D. T. Van Buren ; Treasurer, Fred P. Luther ; Organist, Miss Sarah Macauley ; Sexton, James T. Barnes.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF KINGSTON.
A society with this title was incorporated by the exe- cuting of a certificate, Aug. 15, 1832. The paper was signed by John New house and Reuben Nichols, who pre- sided at the election. The trustees chosen were John New- house, Reuben Nichols. Daniel S. Wells, Peter D. Hlas- brouck, Simons S. Barnes The proceedings were verified before Judge Abraham G. Hardenbergh.
The clerk of the church, Mr. E. G. Lawrence, furnishes the following sketch.
On the 11th day of August, 1831, an ecclesiastical council, composed of delegates from Baptist Churches in Troy, West Troy, Albany, Hudson, Catskill, Olive, Pough- keepsie, and New York, convened in the Reformed Dutch church, in Kingston, to consider the propriety of recogniz- ing a newly-organized band of believers as a church of Christ in gospel order. The Rev. Archibald Maclay, D.D., was moderator of the council. As a result of their delibera- tions, the new church was ecclesiastically recognized under the name of " The First Particular Baptist Church in the Village of Kingston." The recognition sermou was preached by Rev. Aaron Perkius.
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