USA > New York > Ulster County > History of Ulster County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers. Vol. II > Part 21
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Oct. 1, 1793 .- The following persons were organized into a new church : Jonathan Brown, Cornelius Pollemus, Andrew Ely, Abigail Polhemus, Darius Osborn, Elizabeth Cropsy, Hannah Ely, and Oleha Polhemus.
September, 1806 .--. Rev. Ambrose Porter was ordained pastor of the church. The subsequent pastors of the church have been Rev. James Ostrom, 1810-29 ; Rev. John Il. Leggett, 1830-31; Rev. Leonard Johnston, 1833-35; Rev. James I. Ostrom, 1835-38; Rev. Henry Belden. 1830-40; Rev. John JI. Earl, stated supply, one year ; Rev. S. Il. Jagger, 1842-69; Rev. Charles W. Cooper, 1870-75; Rev. Duncan C. Niven, 1875.
The eller, of the church since organization have been (1810) Gen. Leonard Smith, Charles Millard, Andrew Ely, Allen Lester, and Nathaniel Bailey; Michael Wygant, Joshua Conklin, Gilbert Kniffin, Daniel Wygant, Jonathan Cosmon, Bernard Bailey, Peter V. B. Fowler, Thomas J. Bloomer, James O. Conklin, Asbury Wygant, Augustus Clark, Charles E. Bingham, and Charles M. Purdy.
In 1869 the house of worship was destroyed by fire, and the present house was crected the following year, at a cost of $33,000. It is a handsome and substantial brick struc- ture, with stecple and bell, and will seat about 500 persons.
The present membership of the church is 190 ; size of Sabbath-school, 125 ; number of volumes in the Sabbath- school library, 325 ; superintendent of the Sabbath-school, John W. Bingham.
Pursuant to the statute of April C, 1784, a certificate was recorded June 27, 1785, incorporating this society. The certificate recites that at a meeting held June 1, IT-, there had been chosen the following trustees: Wolvert
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TOWN OF MARLBOROUGHI.
FAer, Anning Smith, Michael Wygant, Jonathan Brown, Daniel Kelsey, Samuel Stratton, Reuben Tooker, Isaac Fow- Mr. Jr., and Nathaniel Du Bois. The certificate was signed by John Woolsey and Stephen Case ; witnessed by Haines araboman and David Woolsey; sworn to before Gilbert Livingstou, master iu chaneery, and the record attested by Christian Tappen, deputy clerk. The certificate further determines that said congregation is " forever hereafter to La guverned agreeable to the Directory contained in the Westminster Confession of Faith and articles of religion therein contained, as also agrecable to the deed heretofore granted for the laud on which said church now stands, situ- ate in the town of New Marlborough, known and distin- puished in a map of said town now in the hands of Maj. 1. wis Dubois, the first grautor thereof."
A further certificate of incorporation was executed May 11, 1795. The paper was signed by Thuston Wood, deacon, Led by Isaac Fowler, as inspectors of the election held. The meeting was called by notice of Rev. Abel Jackson, then minister of the congregation, and the trustees chosen were Reuben Tooker, Michael Wygant, Jr., and Andrew Ely.
The certificate was witnessed by Ellen Lister and Jacob Polhamus; sworn to before Judge Wynkoop, and the record certified by Christian Tappen, deputy clerk.
Another certificate was executed under date of March 20. 1850, and was signed by Thomas D. Bloouter and Peter Y. B. Fowler. The trustees chosen were James Wygant, Charles E. Bingham, John Bloomer, James O. taklin, Chauncey Wygaut, and Bernard Bailey.
The instrument was sworn to before Judge John W. Brown, and recorded Oct. 1, 1850, by J. D. J. Montange, county clerk.
LATTINGTOWN BAPTIST CHURCH.S
The earliest records of the Baptist Church at Lattingtown io be found in the keeping of the church is the following Py in an old, unruled writing-book, with pasteboard
" Record of the Trustees of the Meeting-House Belonging to the Baptist Church of Latintown, in Marlborough. I pintown, Jannary 2 1, 1807.
"I burch met according to appointment al elected Nehemiah I. . . the Noah Woolsey, and Matthew Benedict Trustees for said Church, i.anago the affairs of the meeting-house in Latintown."
The same ancient book is used by the church to record " annual elcetion of trustees. It remains in a good state r.f preservation, and contains the names of trustees annually Sorted (two years excepted) up to January, 1864.
Their next record is found in a deed bearing date Jan. 24, 1508, signed by Thomas Wygant and Elizabeth, his w !.. whereby, for tire sum of £20, the lot of ground on which the meeting-house stands, also the graveyard, to- : ther containing half an aere of ground, was conveyed to tu trustees of the Baptist Church in Lattingtown.
The earliest record to be found in the church book states " it at a meeting of the church held in the mouth of May, :- 12, Deacon Purser being present with them, made the
church a present of this book, it being the one in use at the present time for keeping the records of the church.
From the records it appears that the Pleasant Valley Church, situate nine miles southwest from Lattingtown, embraced members living both sides of the Marlborough Mountains. On the 6th of May, 1812, a meeting was appointed in Lattingtown for the purpose of constituting into a separate church those members of the Pleasant Val- ley Church residing on the easterly side of the Marlborough Mountains. Elder Lebbeus Lathrop being chosen to preside stated the object of the meeting, and the importance at- tached to it. After the case had been presented, Articles of Faith, previously prepared, were read in the hearing of those present desiring to be constituted into a separate church. They individually signified their assent and agreement thereto, and were formally constituted into a separate church, adopting the name of the Baptist Church of Christ iu Lattingtown. The right hand of fellowship was given by Elder Lathrop to 24 members present ; 5 were subsequently added, making, a total membership of 29. A leiter was immediately prepared and sent to the Warwick Association, asking admission, which request being granted, they became a member of that body.
Ou the 23d of May the church extended an invitation to Elder Hall to become their pastor, aud a request to that effect was sent to the Pleasant Valley Church, of which Elder Hall was pastor. In June following word was re- ceived from the Pleasant Valley Church stating that their request was granted, and they might expect Elder Hall. In July following the Pleasant Valley Church seut. Brethren Jones and Edwards to the battingtown Church to inform them that they had revoked their decision respecting Elder Hall, and that they could not spare him, not even for half the time. The church then appointed a committee, con- sisting of the clerk and four members, to arrange supplies for the pulpit ; also, to open correspondence with minister- ing brethren with a view to settling a pastor. Their house of worship had been completed two years before their or- ganization as a separate church, and in June, 1810, the Warwick Association held its annual meeting at Latting- town, when, the record states, an abundant provision was made for the delegates and their horses to attend.
In September, 1312, Aaron Perkins, a young man de- sirons to serve His Master by preaching the gospel, visited the church. After hearing him preach, and becoming ac- quainted with him, the church invited him to settle with them. Ile accepted the invitation of the church, and in November, 1812, commeneed his labors among them at an annual salary of 8200, with a positive understanding that if either party wished to rescind the contract, that six months' notice should be given to the other party.
In June, 1813, Elder Perkins was ordained. The church were united in him. He was ardent and faithful, the con- gregation large aud attentive, and Lattingtown enjoyed years of happiness, usefulness, and prosperity. There are old people now living in the vicinity whose eyes glisten with delight as they speak of the days and years when Elder Perkins preached in Lattingtown, when the meeting-house, with its capacious gallery, proved too small to accommodate the congregation, and those who arrived latest drove up to
" I'mapilet mainly from a sketch published by the Hudson River 1 ., Sa! Association, South, 1861.
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
the sides and ends of the meeting.house and sat in their wagons-there were no carriages in those days-and his- tened, and loved to listen, to the preached word.
" Those were goblen, happy days, Sweetly spent in prayer atl praise."
Elder Perkins remained with them as their pastor twelve years, during which time he baptized 160 members. In 1820 an extensive revival took place, when the records show 54 as being baptized. The largest membership dur- ing Elder Perkins' pastorate was 128. In the year 1821, Elder Perkins' salary was raised to $250 per annum, as a reward for his services and a token of the respect and con- fidence of the church.
In November, 1524, Elder Perkins received a call from the Berwick Baptist Church, in the city of New York, which he felt it his duty to accept; and, after giving the Lattingtown Church the stipulated six months' notice of his intentions, he remained the ensuing six months to fulfill his contraet with the church, when he resigned his charge and took his leave of them. After Elder Perkins left, the church was supplied in part by Daniel Hill, who had been licensed by the church to preach. During the fall of 1826, Elder Draper had been introduced to them, and after having preached to the church with satisfaction, was called to preach for them half the time, for which service they agreed to pay hint 875 per annum, and move his family gratis from the West. His term of service commenced on the 1st of May, 1827. A resolution was adopted by the church that each member shall pay twenty- five cents per quarter for the support of the gospel among us. Brother Conklin was appointed receiver to collect and pay over the same to Elder Draper. On the 19th of January, 1827, the church passed a resolution that it was improper to take publie collections en Lord's day.
During the history of the church thus far the covenant and business meetings were regularly attended to on the third Saturday of each month in the afternoon, when the necessary business of the church was attended to, after which there was a free conference among the members present respecting their progress in the divine life. These meetings invariably conanenced and closed by singing and prayer. The sinne dat is still observed by the church for holling their cor tant meetings; alse, the same 'custom prevails with respect to commen cing and closing their meet- ings. Their communion seasons have been observed once a quarter, on the Sabbath succeeding the third Saturday in the month.
The records state that in April, 1827, the church met to inquire into the reason why our Association neglect and even discard the old practice of ordaining deacons, and they by resolution bound themselves to practice as the Associa- tion may direct.
During the interval, until September, 1831, the church enjoyed peace and some good degree of prosperity under the ministry of Elder Draper. Some few were added each year to the church, of such as felt constrained to come out from the world and be a separate people. Some of these remain with the church to this day, and have continned with the church to rejoice in its prosperity, and to weep between the porch and the altar when clouds of darkness
brooded over Lattingtown. Among such deserving men- tion are the names of Sisters Lucy Woolsey and Mary Aun Staples, both of whom in early life embraced the cause of Christ, and who for near forty years past have been unway. ering in their fidelity and zeal in their Master's service. May their example be imitated by others, and the good seed they have sown take deep root and bring forth much fruit to the glory of God ! Another, a prominent Baptist re- siding still in the vicinity, came before the church in Feb- ruary, 1813. He related his experience to the church, which being considered satisfactory. it was resolved to re- ceive him as a member after baptism. He requested to be baptized immediately ; said he could not wait. It was now midwinter, and extremely cold ; the streames and ponds were frozen,-no baptistry in those days. The brethren expostu- lated with him,-advised hitu, to wait. Remonstrances were unavailing. The ice-near a foot thick, and making rapidly -- must be cut; he must follow his Master's example; and he has lived to see his children and grandchildren after him buried by baptism in the liquid grave. His consistent Christian life and godly conversation for fifty years have fully attested the sincerity of his convictions.
In September, 1931, Eller Draper requested a letter of commendation, which was grantel, and the church was left without a pastor. Again the church, as usual on such ve- casions, appointed a committee to wait on Elder Perkins and obtain his views, and get him to recommend a supply, with a view to settling another pastor. Until July follow- ing the church was supplied by Brethren Bishop and Dus- bury, when the church received a letter from Elder Archi- bald MeChy, of Kingston, recommending Brother Hadow, recently from Scotland, to preach for them. After a month's trial, he was invited to settle as their pastor.
In September following, a council was called to assemble at the meeting-house on the 10th of October to ordain him; also at the same time and place to ordain their deacons. The council consisted of Elder MeClay, of Mulberry Street Church, New York. Elder Perkins, and Brethren Roper and Briggs, of Poughkeepsie, Elder Barlow, of Pough- keepsie, and Davis, from Ireland. After his ordination he continued as their pastor until Jan. 19, 1333, when the church informed him that in the succeeding spring they should make an effort to obtain Elder Perkins as their pas- tor, and that he might sesk some other field of labor. Brother Hadow left the church in May. In the mean time Elder Perkins had been written to and invited to again be- come their pastor. He declined, and again they were left destitute.
In June following, John Alison-who had been a promi- uent member of the Presbyterian Church at Marlborough, and also a student for the ministry-applied for baptist and admission to the battingtown Church. He was received, and also obtained license from the church to preach. After satisfying the church respecting his call to the ministry a: i his ability to preach, a council was called to ordain him. The council consisted of Brother Barlow, of Kingston. Brothers Warren and Ballard. of Carmel, Brother Burns. of Fishkill, Brothers Covert, Cosman, Mitchell, Maxim. and Rand, of Lattingtown.
On the 24th of September, 1833, after a long and satis-
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TOWN OF MARLBOROUGH.
factory examination respecting his call to the ministry and ·lectrinal views, he was ordained. During the next Few wanthis he preached for the church with great acceptance. In the spring of 1834 Brother Alison resigned, after which a letter was sent to Elder Perkins, inviting him to settle with them again as their pastor. Elder Perkins writes in reply that he must decline, and also that the church owes Him 850.16 for services rendered ten years since. A eol- lection was taken and the debt was discharged.
On the 20th of December, 1834, the Newburgh Church, situate ten miles south of Lattingtown, was constituted ; the Lattingtown Churelt being in a country place, and their members scattered about the country, many of them resid- ing meurer Newburgh thau Lattingtown. Several such, and among them some of the officers and more promirent mem- bers, took letters amt joined the Newburgh Church, which greatly redneed the battingtown Church in meses, strength, and numbers. In the spring of 1835, Elder Powell directed to them Elder Jeremy II. Dwyer, after hearing him preach; in June, 1835, the church gave him a call to become their pastor, which he accepted. During this year several more members took letters to join the Newburgh and Pleas int Valley Churches, which still further reduced the Latting- i'netown Church.
In the month of August it was resolved to hold a pro- tracted meeting, and Elder Powell was invited to come and assist Brother Dwyer in conducting the meeting. A com- mittee, consisting of Brothers D. Cosman and N. Merritt, were appointed to wait ou the innkeeper, to request him to deist from selling liquor during the continuance of the meeting. He cheerfully complied with the request, and on the 20th of August the meeting commeneed. It was a Insy season of the year for farmers; the attendonce was sull, and the prospect gloomy and disheartening. The church Irumbled themselves in the sight of God, and after earnestly besceching God to vouehsafe his blessing, they Mlemnly ordained their deacons, and concluded. notwith- standing the discouraging circumstances, to proceed with their inceting, to labor and pray earnestly, and leave the result with God. A glorious harvest of souls was the re- elt, in which the surrounding churches also largely par- ti Spated. On the 2d of September, 1835, 33 willing cou- . Its repaired to the majestic Hudson, and there, in the !" eure of many hundreds, perhaps thousands of st ceta- tor. they were buried by baptism in the liquid waves.
Soon after the close of the protracted meeting, Elder Dwyer tendered his resignation, which was accepted by the Church, and again Elder Perkins was applied to to furnish them with a pastor. In February, 1836, Brother Samuel Barrett was dirceted to them. The church gave Lim a all, which he accepted. He was young, ardent, intelligent, atel pious, and under his watchful care the church steadily Brew in grace and strength. They were united, useful, and Party. Near the elose of his ministry with the church, a trae number of members took letters and moved West, aler . tuy formed a new and eventually became a flourish- Wz church. In April, 1839, Brother Barrett preached his Get well sermon, and went to Port Jervis. After Brother Berrett left, Brother Davis preached for them until 1811. The church at this time was in a low state, but few attend-
ing the house of worship. In 1844, Brother David Mor- ris was invited to preach for them half the time. He divided his time between them and the Hyde Park Church.
In 1845, Brother S. Barrett was again invited to preach for them. He accepted the call, and again became their pastor. The records state that he preached on the 5th of April, 1846, to a crowded house, and all were happy to hear him again speaking forth the words of life from the sacred desk at Lattingtown. The two intervening years the church steadily grew and prospered. In April, 1948, Brother Barrett resigned, to take charge of the church at Middletown, Orange Co., N. Y., where he spent his re- maining days. In May, following, Brother J. Q. Adams commenced laboring with them, while at the same time prosecuting his studies in order to prepare him-elf more fully for the gospel ministry. After he left, in February, 1549. a letter was sent to Rev. J. T. Grimley, who caure and preached for them, and in March was engaged as their pastor. On the 15th of August a eouneil was ealled, con- sisting of N. Reed, of Franklindalo; J. Warren, of Fish- kill ; Scott, of Newburgh ; Benediet, of Rosendale; Adams, of New Jersey; Brethren Gerow and Mitchell, of Now- burgh ; and Deacon Staples, of Lettingtown, to sit in conn- cil, and aid in ordaining Brother Grimley. After his ordi- nation, he preache.I acceptably and profitably to the church until September, 1950, when he resigned and went to Unionville. During the thirteen years up to August, 1963. the church became very much reduced by deaths and re- movals. Preaching was rarely heard at battingtown. The members beeame scattered; the house of worship dilapi- dated and uninviting. Application for aid to the State Convention was refused or neglected, and it was thought advisable by most to disband. Meetings were neglected except by two or three sisters (those before mentioned, who still inet to pray). The roof of the meeting-house had gone to decay; the walls bad fallen ; the windows were broken ; the stormis brat and the winds sung their requiem through the old edifice. In August last a toil-worn missionary was directed that way. Hle sought ont some members (then attending the Newburgh Church). They spoke to him of Lattingtown as numbered already with the past. He asked to preach for them. They tried to discourage him, but he, neither daunted nor doubtful, appointed a meeting, and once more held out to them words of hope and life. This was Brother Cole, of the Green and Ulster Missiou, and to this as a period, and to him as an agent under God, they look as a new starting-point in their his- tory. In 1863 a committee was appointed by the Central Association to visit the church. The committee, consisting of Brother Lasher. of Newburgh, and Doolittle, of Frauk- lindale, after their visit, reported unfavorably at the meeting of the Association in Poughkeepsie, September, 1863. However, a meeting of the church was ealled in October, when Brother Barues, of Rosendale, being present, stated the object of the meeting, viz., to repair the house. subscription-list was circulated, and the members took hold in earnest of the work before them. The building com- mittee, consisting of D. W. Woolsey, Esq., Dencon G. B. Morgan, and D. Cosman, have been indefatigable in their efforts, and complete success has erowned their labors. The
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HISTORY OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW YORK.
old structure has been moukled into a neat, comfortable, attractive house of worship, second to none in the town in point of beauty, utility, and comfort.
Rev. Joseph J. Grimley is acting as the pastoral supply to the church in 1850. The trustees of the church are Gideon Morgan, David Cosman, and Daniel Ha-brouck ; William Staples is church clerk.
The society was incorporated by a certificate bearing date Jan. 26, 1SO7.
The paper was signed by the officers who presided at the meeting, Matthew Benedict and Richmond Burwell.
The trustees chosen were Nehemiah S. Smith, Noalı Woolsey, and Matthew Benedict. The proceedings were verified before Judge Jonathan Hasbrouck, and the record attested by George Tappen, deputy clerk.
CHRIST CHURCH, MARLBOROUGH,
was the third Episcopal Church organized in Ulster County. In 1836 the village of Marlborough contained between 400 and 500 inhabitants, many of them descendants of Dutch and Huguenot families, the early settlers of the county; a number of English and Irish families employed in the mills and factories, and people from New England engaged in mechanical and other occupations. Many of these people were regular attendants at the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, whilst the others seldom or never entered any place of public worship.
The Rev. Robert Shaw, rector of St. Andrew's Church, Waldon, Orange Co., whilst visiting some of his old parish- ioners living near the village, heard of the spiritual destitu- tion of these English families, and at the request of Gen. Gilbert O. Fowler, of Newburgh, visited them, fully inform- ing himself of their number and condition, and making the acquaintance of the people.
There were several influential families living in the neighborhood, members of St. George's Church, Newburgh, who offered to contribute liberally towards sustaining a muission church if located in the vicinity; at their suggestion divine service was held in the district school-house in the village on Sunday, the 12th February, 1837. This was the first public service of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Marlborough. This service was attended by the people generally, and so much interest manifested that a meeting was called; the following-named gentlemen were present : Edward Ariustrong, of Danskamer ; Thomas Tyfe, of Hawp- ton ; John Buckley, Gabrael Merritt, Leonard S. Carpen- ter, Miles J. Fletcher, and others, of Marlborough. After consulting together it was decided to take immediately in- itiatory measures to organize a church in the village. Per- mission having been obtained to occupy the Methodist meeting-house on the two following Sundays, " Publie notice was given that on Sunday morning next, the 19th of February, and the following Sunday, the 26th, Divine ser- vice would be held at that place, according to the formis and ceremonies of the Protestant Episcopal Church; all who were interested were invited to attend, as it was intended to organize the church in the village of Marlborough."
At the time appointed Mr. Shaw found a large congre- gation ; most of them were utterly ignorant of the church and its service. Prayer-books were distributed, and the
people requested to join in the responses : the pages were called as the service proceeded. Mr. Shaw read the prayers very impressively, the people generally joining in all the re- spons. s. The sermon was suitable for the occasion and gave general satisfaction. Divine service was held in the same place on the following Sunday, the 26th, and on Monday, the 27th of February, 1837, the male members of the con- gregation met in the village, at the house of Miles J. Fletcher, and elected Edward Armstrong and Miles J. Fletcher church wardens, and Thomas Tyfe, Dennis HI. Doyle, Leonard S. Carpenter, David E. Fowler, Andrew Oddy, Joseph Hep- worth, Richard E. Fowler, and William Cushion vestrymen. Rev. Robert Shaw was chosen rector of the parish, the church to be known as " Christ Church, in the Village of Marlborough."
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