History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II, Part 121

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898,
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

USA > New York > Westchester County > History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II > Part 121

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The parish of Salem (now North Salem) was or- ganized by the Rev. Ebenezer Dibble. He was a native of Danbury, Conn., where he was born in 1712 and educated in Yale College, from which he grad- uated in 1734. He became a convert to the Episco- pal Church from the Congregational, and in 1747 went to England for Holy Orders and returned to New York in October, 1748, as missionary to Stamford, Conn. It is stated that about 1750 he began holding services in a private house in Upper Salem, as then called, which he continued for many years. In a let- ter written by Mr. Dibble to the secretary of the Venerable Society, dated March 25, 1761, he says,- " Rer. Sir :

" I preached at Salem, in the U'pper District, on Sunday, the 220 of February last, to a very large congregation, and the poor people scat- tered abont in the wilderness are, I am informed, concerting measures to build a small church, as a private honse will seklom contain the people that went to church when I preach among them, which is as often as the duties of my extensive mission will permit."

Mr. St. George Talbot, a liberal patron of the church, addressed the seeretary of the society July 10, 1763, in which communication he says he "de- sired Mr. Dibble to accompany me to Salem, where he preached the first Sunday in Trinity to a large con- gregation, and gave the communion to about thirty persons, who behaved very decently. There they have built and almost covered a church." The lot was on the borders of Cortlandt Manor and known as lot No. 10. The edifice was thirty by forty feet, with galleries and glazed windows. The lot on which it was built was used as a burying-ground. Soon after the date of Mr. Dibble's letter the parish was united with Ridgefield and Ridgebnry, Conn., and Richard S. Clark, a lay reader for that parish, assined the services in this place, which he eontinned until 1766, when he went to England for Holy Orders. The Rev. Mr. Dibble and the Rev. Mr. Leaming then recommended to the society the appointment of Ebenezer Townsend as lay reader, which was granted, and in 1767 he accepted leave to visit London. for

521

NORTH SALEM.

Holy Orders. His license was dated December 21, 1767. He was appointed as missionary to the parish of Salem, Ridgefield and Ridgebury. He was in- ducted to office on Sunday, May 29, 1768, by the Rev. Mr. Dibble, who preached a sermon upon the oeca- sion. On the 13th of June, 1769, Stepheu De Lancey conveyed to the Rev. Mr. Townsend sixty acres of land adjoining the church, on which Mr. Townsend, the next year, erected a large dwelling-house.

Here he resided and looked after the spiritual wants of the people of North Salem, Ridgebury, Ridgefield and adjacent parts of this territory. At this time the mutterings of war were heard throughout the land, and Mr. Townsend, seeing the position as- sumed by the American provinces toward the home government, began to preach against rebellion and to counsel peace, exerting the whole of his influence in favor of submission to the mother-eouutry. This course necessarily estranged many of his people, who were entering into the coming struggle with heart and body. He held service for three Sundays after the Declaration of Independence was promulgated, and then, following the example of his brother elergy throughout the province, he discontinued public serviees until such time as they could be performed under the protection of the King. In a letter written to the Home Society in 1776 he says he had "bap- tized thirty infants, buried seven and married three." On the 21st of October, 1776, he was arrested by order of the Committee of Safety and was sent as a prisoner to Fishkill, where he was detained and suffered many hardships, his family in the mean time remaining in North Salem and suffering much from his absence and the knowledge of his condition. In March, 1777, he still refused to take the oath of allegiance to the colonies, and was then permitted to go to Long Island, which was in possession of the British. His house and farm were, some years later, sold to Epe- netus Wallace, M.D. The house is now standing, not far from the present church edifice, and is known as the " Old Wallace House." The Rev. Mr. Town- send and family finally embarked on a vessel bound for Nova Scotia, but the ship foundered during the passage and all on board perished. Service being thus discontinued, the church building was descerated and completely ruined. After the elose of the Revo- lution the few Episcopalians who remained pulled down what was left of the building, and sold the timbers, boards, shingles, laths, glass and nails at public quetion. Old nails would be a rare article to offer at auetion in these days, but the nails used in the construction of this and contemporary buildings were all forged by hand, and were of value, even though second-hand. At this time also the silver chaliee belonging to the church was sold for one hundred dollars. It had been presented to the congregation by Susan De Laneey, daughter of Lieutenant-Gover- nor James De Laneey, and had been deposited by Mr. Townsend, before he sailed from Long Island, '

with the Rev. Benjamin (afterwards Bishop) Moore, together with the library and velvet eushion belong- ing to the church. In 1785 Mr. Moore notified the church wardens of the parish that these articles were in his possession, subject to their order. The Rev. David Perry was deputed to receive them for the vestry, which he did.

At this time the church was not incorporated, and on the 1st of Mareh, 1786, the members of the society mnet at the house of Joseph Purdy and by their action beeame an incorporated body under the name of the Episcopal Church of Upper Salem. They also eleeted as trustees Ebenezer Lobdell, Daniel Smith and Joseph Purdy. At a meeting held July 9, 1792, James Bailey, Benjamin Close, Gershom Hanford, John Lobdell, Gilbert Bailey and Jona- than Hallett were chosen trustees, and at the same meeting the name of the society was declared to be "The Church Wardens and Vestryinen or Trustees of the corporation of St. James' Church in the town of North Salem, Westchester County, N. Y."

On the 17th of March, 1795, an act of Legislature was passed for the relief of the Protestant Episcopal Churches in the State, and to allow them to elect church wardens and vestrymen. In accordance therewith, a meeting was held May 28, 1797, and James Bailey and Benjamin Close were elected church wardens and Epcnetus Wallace, John Lobdell, Gershom Hanford, Joshua Purdy, Gilbert Bailey, Daniel Sherwood, Jacob Lobdell and Joseph Knox, vestrymen. The name of the society was also re-affirmed.

The materials composing the old church were sold May 25, 1797, and the ground on which the church had stood, together with the six aeres a which the present rectory stands, were rented out, the money thus secured being placed at interest. In the mean time the Rev. Mr. Perry continued to hold services in this and neighboring parishes and a new church was earnestly advised. October 10, 1810, Dr. Epene- tus Wallaee exchanged the present site for the old one. The second church edifice was commenced by the laying of the corner-stone, on the 30th of August, 1810, by the Rev. Nathan Feleh. The building was completed in 1814 and was consecrated to the service of God in 1816 by the Right Rev. John H. Hobart, D.D. It cost about two thousand dollars, of which sum Trinity Parish, New York City, gave one thousand dollars, the balance being provided from the fund on hand and the benefactions of the resi- dents of the town, among whom are prominently mentioned Epcnetus Wallace, M.D., and Joseph Purdy.

The first incorporation of which any record re- mains was on the 3d of June, 1786, under the title of " Episcopal Reformed Protestant Church at Upper Salem." There was a previous incorporation, but the date is not obtainable. Ebenezer Lobdell, Daniel Smith and Joseph Purdy were the trustees. A third

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HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

incorporation took place on the 30th of June, 1797. James Bailey and Benjamin Close were wardens, and Epenetus Wallace, John Lobdell, Gershom Han- ford, Joshua Purdy, Gilbert Bailey, Daniel Sher- wood, Jacob Lobdell and Joseph Knox, vestrymen. Mr. Stebbins Baxter, a resident of the town, died in 1820, bequeathing his entire property to St. James' Parish. After deducting necessary expenses of set- tlement, ete., about eleven hundred dollars was netted to the church. Mr. Baxter is buried in the cemetery just northwest of the present church, a plain headstone bearing this simple inscription,-

" IN Memory of Stebbins Baxter, who died Feb. 28, 1820, aged 66 years."

The wardens and vestrymen erected a parsonage and barn in 1842 at an expense of about one thousand dollars, the money being raised by subscription. There are six aeres of land connected with the ree- tory, which is located about one mile east of the church and near the village of North Salem. The third church building was commenced in 1868 and completed the following year. Its location is on the site of the second church and is a fine one, command- ing a beautiful view of the Titicus Valley towards the southeast. It is a fine Gothic edifice, arranged in modern style, and includes a commodious vestry. It is kept in excellent order, and the services are well and constantly attended. The cost of the building was about six thousand dollars. In 1829 there were seventeen communieants. In 1844 there were eigh- teen. In the present year (1886) there are forty-six. The rectors of the parish have been,-

1750

. Rev. Ebenezer Dibble, D.D).

176-1 .

Rev. Richard S. Clark.

1768

Rev. Epenetus Townsend.

1790. . Rev. David Perry, M.D.

1804

Rev. George Strebeck.

1810

Rev. Nathan Felch.

1816.

Rev. George Weller.

1820

Rev. Samuel Nichols,

1829.

Rev. lliram Jelliff.

1835.

Rev. Alexander Fraser.

1836

Rev. Benjamin Evens.

18-11.

Rev. David 11. Short, D.D.

1842

. Rev. Albert P. Smith.

1817

Rev. Nathan W. Munroe,

1848.

Rev. Orsonmis II. Smith.

1851

Rev. John Wells Moore.

1$55

Rev. David II. Short, D. 1).

1861

Rev. Russel Trevett, D. D.

. Rev. John S. Stone, D. D.

1869

. Rev. Robert ('ondit Russell.1

This congregation, one of the oldest in northern Westchester, is vigorous and flourishing. The North Salem Cemetery is located but a short distance from St. James' Church and in it lie most of the founders of the parish and its early officers. This burial-

ground was purchased by the town officers in the year 1806. Previous to this there had been inter- ments in what is now the southern part of the grounds. On July 22, 1806, Matthew Smith conveyed to the town officers one aere and one rood of land for forty dollars, " to be used as a burial-place forever." In October, 1851, this was added to by a purchase of land from James Eggleston and wife. There are now about three aeres of ground within the walls, in which space are buried very many whose names were prominent in the early history of the town and county. Here lies one of the early vestrymen of St. James' Church and one of the early proprietors of the town,-

"In Memory of Jacob Lolxlell, who died Feb. 27, 1834, E. T7 years."

Also,-

" Zabud June, Died Nov. 19, 1×59, aged 93 years & 6 mos."

Mr. June was one of the prominent showmen of the early days, and the name is familiar wherever a show has been seen or known. He was also one of the early supervisors of the town, having served in that capacity in 1805. Memorials to the families of June, Hunt, Purdy, Close, Wallace, Lobdell, Norton, Han- ford, Howe, Titus and Delevan are to be seen in every direction through this well-kept resting-place of the dead.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- On the north side of the highway leading from Salem Centre to North Salem village stands a plain, substantial-looking white edifice surmounted by a square tower, very similar in outward appearance to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Purdy's. This is the North Salem Presby- terian Church. It is located on a gentle elevation and is near St. James' Protestant Episcopal Church. The building is of wood, the style severely plain, de- void of ornamentation and substantial. This is the second building of its kind in the town and was erceted in 1847, and dedicated on the 15th of October of that year. The old church stood a short distance to the eastward and was sold, with its site, to Alfred B. Mead, December 5, 1856. But few authentie records can be obtained concerning the old church.

The first authentic information of Presbyterians in the vicinity is found in a letter from the Rev. Eben- ezer Townsend to the secretary of the Venerable Society, in London, of date Salem, March 25, 1771. He was then rector of Salem and Ridgefield Parish, and resided in the old " Wallace House." He says : " There are some church people, Presbyterians, Bap- tists and Quakers scattered among them. . . . It has been proposed by some of them to build a church or Presbyterian Meeting-Ilouse, but nothing is yet con- eluded." It appears from this letter that an effort

1 The present pastor.

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NORTH SALEM.

was then made to organize and to build a church. In the year 1772 John Blydenburgh, a candidate for the ministry, was anthorized to preach for a time at Up- per Salem. In 1774 the people requested of the Presbytery a supply, which was granted for two months. It is evident that a church edifice was built within a few years from that time, as mention is made of the Presbyterian meeting-house in 1779. It also appears to have been a sort of an independent organ- ization, inclining to the Congregational in its govern- ment and form of worship. This has been the fact in nearly all the Presbyterian Churches in the northern part of the county. The church records are entitled " Records of the Congregational Church at Upper Salem," and under the date of Angust 20, 1779, the following is found: " At a meeting of the church members living in Upper Salem, Cortlandt's Manor and other places adjacent, to consult whether they were desirous of uniting for forming into clmurch order, there were present Peter Benedict, Jchiel Tyler, Jonathan Rogers, Thaddeus Crane, Solomon Close, Ezekiel Hawley, Jesse Truesdale, Joseph Doo- little, John Platt, James Wallace and Peter Ferris." Peter Benedict was chosen moderator. Five days afterward it was voted to unite and form into church order. The matter was taken in hand at ouce, as the sturdy farmers were determined to perfect a church organization as speedily as possible. This was the Revolutionary period, and delays were dangerons. " At a meeting of the Society of the upper end of Salem, on the 11th of May, 1779, at the Upper Pres- byterian Mecting-House," a committee, consisting of Jesse Trucsdale, Solomon Close and Nathaniel Dele- van, were appointed " to get preaching."

On the 24th of January, 1786, the members of the church met at the meeting-honse and elected trustees and became an incorporated body, under the name of the "Congregationalist Society in Upper Salem." John Platt, Benjamin Wood, Abraham Lockwood, David Smith, Bonage Starr and Moses Richard were the trustees. For forty-six years, or until 1832, this organization was continued in this form, when a second incorporation took place, on the 25th of Sep- tember of that year, as a Presbyterian Church. It was then voted to place the organization under the control of the Bedford Presbytery, which was accord- ingly done. At this time John Wallace, Horace Barnum and Richard H. Lockwood were the trustees. For some fourteen years the congregation worshipped in the old church, when the expediency of erecting a new house of worship presented itself to the society, and accordingly the old building and site were dis- posed of to Alfred B. Mcad, and the present edifice was built. The society was served by the officiating ministers of Croton Falls and Purdy's and by occa- sional supplies. The average number of communi- cants has been twenty-two. The ministers have been,-

1783. Rev. Joel Benedict. Rev. John Blindbur.

1787.

Rev. Amızi Lewis.

Rev. Abner Benedict.

1792.

Rev. Richard Andrews.

1798.

Rev. - Phelps.

1799.

Rev. John McNiece.

Rev. - Cornwall.

1815.

Rev. Abraham Purdy.

1817.

Rev. Herman Daggett.

Rev. David Delevan.

1835.

Rev. Alexander Leadbither.

1841.

lev. Joseph Nimmno.

1849.

. Rev. David Irving.

1851.

. Rev. James B. Ramsey.

1853.

Rev. T. S. Bradner.

1858.

. Rev. A. B. Bullion.

1860.

Rev. A. Shiland.

1861.

Rev. A. II. Seeley.

1863.

Rev. James Sinclair.

1864.

. Rev. I. B. Stoddard.

1866.

. Rev. 1I. W. Smuller.

1868.

Rev. W. J. Thompson.

1872.

. Rev. Joseph Beers.

1874-79.

. Rev. R. A. Blackford.

1882.

Rev. R. B. Mattice.

1885.

Rev. T. S. Gibson.

During the later years services have been held but semi-monthly, save in cases of special supplies. There is no regular graveyard connected with the church exclusively, the interments taking place in the North Salem Cemetery, which is located about half a mile northwest of the church, on a pleasant gravelly knoll. The grounds are inclosed with a sub- stantial stone fence, the front along the highway being of dressed stone, laid in cement. The entrance is by a double iron gateway, and a broad, smooth driveway leads directly through the centre of the grounds. At the side of the drive, and near the gate, stands a plain monument of white marble, resting on a double base, and bearing the inscription, --

Erected to the memory of

Rev. Abraham Purdy, A.M., who died at Somers, on the 7th day of August A.D., 1825, in the 44th year of his age.

Immediately above the inscription are the square and compass, and on the opposite side are the symbols of the Masonie Chapter. Mr. Purdy was one of the ministers who officiated at the Presbyterian Church here and in Somers. Near this monument is another, somewhat similar in size and style, upon which is recorded,-

Beneath this Monument lie the remains of Doctor

Benjamin Delevan, of the United States Army, who died at Natchitoches, State of Louisiana. 26th Nov. A. D. 1827, in the 36th year of his age, and was interred here the 18th of March, 1829.

Dr. Delevan was a member of the Delevan family, who were among the early settlers under the De Lanceys. He was in the regular army. Another

524

HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

member of the family lies near this monnment, with this inscription,-

Sacred to the memory of John Delevan, who died Jan. 8, 1834, in the 90th year of his age.

John Delevan owned a large tract of land near the present Salem Centre and on both sides of the Titieus River. He attempted to change, somewhat, the eourse of the stream, which involved him in a law- snit with his neighbor, Judge Ebenezer Purdy, who owned the adjoining tract. The suit ended only in the death of the principals. In this ground is also buried one of the most prominent of the early set- tlers, and one of the central figures in the early or- ganization of the Presbyterian Chureh, as well as the town; near the front of the cemetery, to the left of the main entrance, inseribed on a plain headstone, kept in good preservation, we find,-

In memory of Deacon Solomon Close, who died July the 31, 1778, in the 73 year of his age.

The Close family were originally from Greenwich, Conn., and this branch of the family, in the person of Joseph, the father of Deacon Solomon, removed to North Salem in 1749. He died there in 1760, at eighty-six years of age. Associated with Deaeon Close in the organization of the congregation, in 1779, was Jonathan Rogers, who is buried not far from his former associate, his tombstone bearing this inscription,-

In the memory of Jonathan Rogers, who died July the 12, 1788, aged 74 years and 10 months.

Ezekiel Hawley was also one of the original in- corporators of the congregation, and his son Joel fol- lowed his father's footsteps. In this cemetery, on a plain white headstone, we read,-

In memory of Joel lawley, who died Jan. 19, 1841, aged 66 years and 10 mo's.

Another of this band lies near, who was also a sol- dier during the trying period in our Ameriean his- tory. In eleanly-cut letters, upon which no moss has encroaened, on a plain blue slate headstone is the inscription,-

o IN MEMORY OF CAPT. JAMES WALLACE, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE MARCH YE 20TH AD 1782 LE 69.

COME VIEW THIS DREARY SOLEMN SHADE My LIVING FRIENDS SINCE I AM DEAD AND IN THIS GHAVE CONFIND TO 1.1E VET TELL THE LIVING THEY MUST DIE.

One more of this early company of patriots and publie-spirited townsmen must be mentioned, who also "sleeps the sleep" in this silent hamlet of the dead,-

Col. Thaddeus Crane, died Sept. Ist, 1800. aged 71 years, 5 mnos. and 20 days.

Colonel Crane was an active participant in the war for liberty, holding a commission in the American army. While leading his conunand against a party of British, just over the present eastern line of the town and near Ridgefield, he was shot through the lungs, and the large flat roek is still to be seen where he was carried by some of his soldiers to have the bullet extraeted, which was done by cutting the skin just under the shoulder-blade, the ball having passed direetly through the Inng and lodged under the skin of the baek. It was thought impossible for him to reeover, but he did so, and lived several years after- ward. The bullet was preserved for many years by his family, but was eventually lost. Colonel Crane was the father of Thaddeus and Gerard Crane, of Somers, the noted showmen, and his grandson, Thad- deus Crane, is now a prominent resident of the latter town. Thus the men who were instrumental in the organization of ehureh and state in the town, who side by side defended the liberties of both during life, are now united in death and repose in company.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES,-At Purdy's, two miles south of Croton Falls, is situated one of the Methodist Episcopal Churches of the town, together with the parsonage house and property. Both of the Methodist societies are under the one pastorate, and previons to 1860 formed a part of the old Cort- landt Cireuit, with Mount Zion in Somers, Hermon Chapel and Cross River in Lewisboro', ete. Upon the division of this eircuit, which, in the older days, was supplied by three preachers at one time, as was the eustom of the itineraey, Purdy's and North Salem became a charge by itself. The North Salem Church is the older of the two, the present modern edifice having replaced the small plain building that was erected in 1832 on a lot bought of Jonah Keeler, Jnne 21st, in that year, near the site of the present building. The Methodist Episcopal Society of North Salem was organized early in the century, but the aet of ineor- poration is dated the 2d of January, 1832. Shortly afterwards the first ehureh was built. Its location was a good one, in the northeastern part of the town, on the highway leading from Danbury, Conn. The edifiee was small, plain and well suited to the simple habits of the early members of the society. For many years the Methodist people gathered within its plain whitwashed walls and listened to the carnest exhorta- tions of the old-time preachers. Jonas Keeler, Abel Smith, William Cable and Stephen Ryder were its first trustees. Its preachers were the same as given in the Somers history as having officiated on Cortlandt

525

NORTH SALEM.

Circuit, and such historic Methodists as Mckendree Bangs, Barney Mathias, Samuel Wecks, Nicholas White, Joseph Bangs, Cyrus Foss and others filled the old church with the power of their eloquent appeals to the unconverted. But the greater portion of the old generation of Methodists have passed away with the preachers whose voices are hushed forever, and so also has the church building. In its stead a neat modern structure has been reared near the site of the original church. The building is an irregularly- shaped edifice of frame, with one tower and a hooded corner, in each of which is an entrance; steep, slated roof and narrow, arched, stained-glass windows. It is located in pleasant grounds, on the Main Street of the village of North Salem. Immediately in the rear of the church, and detached therefrom, is a two-story building, with outside staircase, which is used as a class and lecture-room. Iuside the church is neatly arranged. It is an attractive-looking building and an ornament to the village. The street on which it faces was originally the main highway through the town, and was bordered by substantial farm-houses and well-cultivated farms. There were but few houses in the immediate vicinity, but Walter Keeler, son of Jonah Keeler, and a wealthy native of the town, con- ceived the idea of making a large village and railroad depot here. The survey for the Danbury and New York Railroad had already been made, and the line ran along the east side of the Titieus River and through the place. Accordingly, between the years 1865 and 1875, streets were graded, a number of dwellings and stores were erected, and the former small grist-mill, which had served the farmers for generations, was enlarged to four times its original proportions, and the excellent water-power was much improved. Busiuess became most active, and me- chanics and others were attracted to the place, and North Salem became a thriving village. But the railroad did not come, and the population was found to be too large for the capacities of the hamlet. About this time the members of the Methodist Epis- copal Society agitated the question of a new church, which culminated in 1877, when the present edifice was erected by Jeremiah Birdsall, a large contractor and builder, a resident of the village. The old build- ing was sold, and is now used as a barn by Mr. Scott, whose residence is near the present church. The moving spirit in the erection of the new church was Isaac T. Frost, a veteran member of the society, who has since died. The audience-room has a seating cipacity of about two hundred, the seats being arranged in semi-circular form ; the ceiling is of cor- rugated iron and arched to the centre, where is placed an improved ventilator. There is no gallery, the choir being provided with seats on the platform in the rear of the desk. The other Methodist Episcopal Church at Purdy's is a plain, substantial structure, also of wood, located on River Street, directly oppo- site the works of the American Condensed Milk Com-

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History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. II, Part 121

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898,
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1286