USA > New York > Suffolk County > Babylon > History of the First Presbyterian church of Babylon, Long Island, from 1730 to 1912 > Part 4
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am Oct. 5, 1834
Francis Platt,
win May 2, 1833
42
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN.
Elizabeth Ann Of the household Alex.
Slocum, Barto July 3, 1835
Francesett, daughter of Jacob Fleet July 3, 1835
Many Ann,
daughter of John Barto July 3, 1835
Joshua Smith, son of Joshua Purdy, July 3, 1835
Caroline, daughter of Sam'l Jar-
vis July 3, 1835
Elbert,
Ebenezer and Rebecca
Smith July 5, 1835
William Ireland, Joel Jarvis
July 30,1835
Francis Pelletreau Ralph and Cornelia
Smith Aug. 9, 1835
Isaac Elbert, Hiram and Maria Brush Aug. 23,1835
Phebe Maria, Hiram and Maria Brush Aug. 23,1835
Charles Edgar, Hiram and Maria Brush Aug. 23,1835
Juliaetta, Hiram and Maria Brush Aug. 23,1835
Silas Augustus, Hiram and Maria Brush Aug. 23,1835
Sarah Wiggins,
Sept. 27,1835
Mary Eliza Wig- of the household Thom-
gins, as Wiggins Sept. 27,1835
Hannah Elizabeth, Isaac Muncey
Oct. 4, 1835
Sarah Bra, Nathaniel Wiggins Jan. 1, 1836 Augustus Warren, Daniel and Charity Post July 19,1836
John Edward, Daniel and Charity Post July 19,1836 Mary Experience, Henry and Marietta
Brewster July 19,1836
Phebe Adelaide, Mary Whitman
July 19,1836
Harriet, Mary Whitman July 19,1836
Henry Doxsee, Mary Whitman July 19,1836
43;
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
NAME PARENTS, ETC.
BAPTISED BORN
Thomas Bloomer, Elvin F. Ketcham
Nov. 17,1836
Mary Ann, Charles Ketcham
Nov. 17,1836
Wm. Hewlet
Wickes, Elizabeth Weekes
June 30,1837
Sarah Maria,
Elvin F. Ketcham
Jan. 20, 1838
Kneeland Platt,
Zophar Ketcham Jan. 20, 1838
Edgar Fleet,
Angeline Totten
.Jan. 20, 1838
Henry Martyn, Elizabeth Muncey
Oct. 14, 1838
Sarah Maria, Jesse Wicks
Aug. 6, 1839
Julia Elizabeth,
Elizabeth Weeks
Aug. 6, 1839
Hannah, Jonas and Angeline
Muncey Aug. 6, 1839
Israel Anderson, Rebecca Smith
Aug. 6, 1839
Sidney,
Rebecca Smith
Aug. 6, 1839
Edgar Martin, Zebulon Ketcham
Feb. 28, 1839
Catherine Worth-
ington, Elvin F. Ketcham
Nov. 26,1839
+
Louisa Emma, Mary Ann Barto
Nov. 26,1839
Julia Anna,
Henry and Marietta May 6, 1841
Henry Doxsee, Brewster Jan. 13,1842
Julia Thompson, Elbert and Mary Ann
Carll Sept. 29,1843
William Elvin, Daniel and Angelin Tot-
ten April 5, 1844
Samuel Johnson, Charles and Eliza Em-
mons June 23,1844
Cornelia Adelaide Thomas Ireland
June 23 1844
Phebe Ann, Thomas Ireland June 23,1844 : -
Caroline Ophelia, Wm. A. and Mary Ann
44
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
NAMES. PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN
Barto July 5, 1844
Anna Cecelia, C. L. A. and Anna C. Betlenger July 28,1844
Hannah Maria
Gerrard Rebecca Brewster July 28,1844
Rhoda Frances
Gerrard Rebecca Brewster July 28,1844
Sarah Melissa,
Gerrard Rebecca Brewster
July 28,1844
Edmund Smith
Gerrard Rebecca Brewster
July 28,1844
Mary Esther, Jonah Brower
Sep. 15,1844
Sarah Cornelia, Jonah Brower
Sep. 15,1844
Edward Franklin John and Henrietta
Oakley
Aug. 8, 1845
John Henry, John and Henrietta
Oakley Aug. 8, 1845
Nathaniel Thomas, J. and H. Oakley
Aug. 8, 1845
Children of Ezra C. and Caroline Stadge
No. date
Junius Selden, Daniel and Angeline
Totten Oct. 11, 1850
Theodore Allison, Charles and M. M.
Bishop Oct. 11, 1850
William Augustus, A. F. and A. Ketcham Oct. 11, 1850
Edward Nostrand, A. F. and A. Ketcham Oct. 11, 1850
Catherine Louisa, C. L. A. and A. C. Bet-
linger Oct. 3, 1852
Herietta, C. L. A. and A. C. Bet- linger Oct. 3, 1852
45
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN
Henry Smith,
J. H. and Almira Dox-
see
June 18,1853
Ellen Isadora
F. M. A. and Angeline Weeks June 18,185:
Mary E. Doxsee, Moses and Mary Doxsee July 9, 1854 Milton Spencer, J. H. and Almira Dox-
- see Sep. 20,1854
Augustus Fleet, Dr. and Mrs. M. Bishop Jan. 5, 1855
Frederick William F. W. and J. Renwick
Aug. 26,1854
Robert Maurice, Dr. A. G. and Sarah
Thompson June 22,1855
Milton Strong,
Dr. A. G. and Sarah
Thompson June 22,1855
Susan Maria New-
ton, E. and Mary Newton June 22,1855
William Jarvis, Wm. W. and M. A. Jar-
vis June 22,1855
Mary Elizabeth, Samuel and Rebecca Muncey June 22,1855
Ezra Smith, Samuel and Rebecca
Muncey June 22,1855
Edward Henry, Samuel and Rebecca
Muncey June 22,1855
Hannah Eveline, William and Maryett
Muncey June 22,1855
Smith Tredwell William and Maryett Muncey June 22,1855
John
Mr. and Mrs. Frazer
Aug. 6, 1855
Elizabeth Rogers, Woodruf and M. E.
46
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
NAME PARENTS, ETC.
BAPTISED BORN
Leak
Dec. 29,1855
Phebe Adeline,
James E. and Eliza
Dodd June 28,1856
Edgar, Wm. B. and E. Lind
Sept. 1, 1856
Thomas Warren, Edward and Mary New-
ton Sep. 27,1856
Ella Augusta, Eliphalet and Caroline
Smith Oct. 11, 1856
Laura Frances, Eliphalet and Caroline
Smith Oct. 11, 1856
Eugene, J. Harvey and Almira
Doxsee Oct. 11, 1856
Ellen, Joseph and Mary Brown Oct. 12, 1856
Alice Olivia, F. M. A. and Angeline Weeks Oct. 13, 1856
Francis Smith, F. M. A. and Angeline Weeks Oct. 13, 1856
Eva Maria
William A. and Mary Barto July 10,1857
47
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Names of adults baptised from March 10, 1833 to Oct. 12, 1856:
NAME
BAPTISED
Miss Cornelia Peltreau,
March 10, 1833
Mrs. Maria Brush,
March 10, 1833
Miss Martha Jones,
March 10, 1833
Miss Caroline Muncy,
March 10, 1833
Miss Mary E. Whitman,
March 10, 1833
Miss Phebe Doxy,
March 10, 1833
Miss Emily Smith,
March 10, 1833
Miss Phebe Smith,
March 10, 1833
Mrs. Rebecca Smith,
March 10, 1833
Miss Harriet Oakley,
March 10, 1833
Mrs. Angeline Muncy,
March 10, 1833
Mrs. Selah Wood,
March 10, 1833
Miss Harriet Ketcham,
March 10, 1833
Miss Fanny Ketcham,
March 10, 1833
Mrs. Ruth Ketcham,
March 10, 1833
Miss Cornelia Ketcham,
March 10, 1833
Miss Phebe Ireland,
March 10, 1833
Miss Eliza Ireland,
March 10, 1833
Miss Phebe M. Jarvis,
March 10, 1833
Mrs. Elizabeth Muncey
March 10, 1833
Miss Mary Ann Jackson,
March 10, 1833
Mrs. Charity Conkling,
March 10, 1833
Miss Phebe Frost,
March 10, 1833
Mrs. Diannah Jarvis,
March 10, 1833
Miss Hannah M. Smith,
March 10, 1833
Mrs. Francis Barteau,
March 10, 1833
Oliver Samist,
March 10, 1833
Mr. Daniel H. Post,
March 10, 1833
Mr. Nathaniel Barteau,
March 10, 1833
Mr. Alexander Barteau,
March 10, 1833
Mr. Zebulon Ketcham,
March 10, 1833
Jarvis Keetcham,
March 10, 1833
Mr. John Ketcham,
March 10, 1833
Mr. John Purdy,
March 10, 1833
Mr. Silas Muncey,
March 10, 1833
Mr. Selah Wilmot,
March 10, 1833
Mr. Israel Oakley,
March 10, 1833
48
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
NAME
BAPTISED
Mr. David Smith,
March 10, 1833
Mr. Conkling Ketcham,
March 10, 1833
Capt. Jonas Weeks,
May 5, 1833
Doct Ralph Smith,
May
5, 1833
Silas M. Weeks
May
5, 1833
Jonas Weeks, Jun.,
May 5, 1833
Edward Smith,
May
5, 1833
Jonas Muncy,
May
5, 1833
Jonath S. Conkling,
May
5, 1833
Mrs. Phebe Weeks,
May
5, 1833
Mrs. Clarrissa Underhill
May
5, 1833
Mrs. Maria Jarvis,
May
5, 1833.
Mrs. Sarah Yonge,
May
5, 1833
Maria Brush,
May
5, 1833
Hetty Brush,
May
5, 1833
Mary Ann Ketcham
May
5, 1833
Mrs. Hannah Baldwin,
May
5, 1833
Mrs. Eliza Weeks,
May
5, 1833
Mrs. Phebe Weeks,
May
5, 1833
Mrs. Parthena Weeks,
May 5, 1833
Eliza Fleet,
May 5, 1833
Mrs. Fanny Conkling,
May
5, 1833
Richard W. Smalling,
Jan.
3, 1834
Elizabeth Barto,
Jan.
, 1834
Sarah E. Smith,
July
6, 1834
Mrs. Sarah Wood,
July
6, 1834
Mrs. Elizabeth Jarvis,
July
6, 1834
Phebe Wood,
Oct.
5, 1834
Phebe Wiggins,
Oct. 5, 1834
Keziah Ann Leek,
Oct.
5, 1834
John Youngs,
July
5, 1835
Margaret Berry,
Oct.
4, 1835
Ann Maria Youngs,
Oct. 4, 1835
Elizabeth Nichols,
Jan. 3, 1836
Hannah Weekes,
July 24, 1836.
Mrs. Mary Smith
Oct. 14, 1838
Mrs. Mary Back,
Oct. 14, 1838
Miss Almedia Barto,
Oct. 14, 1838:
REV. JAMES C. HUME Pastor from 1883 to 1888
REV. JOHN DIETRICH LONG Pastor from 1889 to 1905
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BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
NAME
BAPTISED
Miss Chassy M. Laws,
Oct. 14, 1838
Miss Mary Smith,
Oct. 14, 1838
William C. Smith,
Oct. 14, 1838
Miss Hetty Willets Smith,
Jan. 13, 1839
Miss Mary Smith
Daughter of Elisha Smith. Jesse Weeks, John DeClew,
Jan. 13, 1839
Jan. 5, 1840
Jan. 5, 1840
Charles M. Reeve,
Jan. 5, 1840
Mrs. Emmaline Thompson,
Jan.
5, 1840
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Brown,
Jan. 5, 1840
Miss Phebe Higbie,
Jan. 5, 1840
Miss Cornelia A. Fleet,
Jan. 5, 1840
Miss Phebe A. Wood,
Jan. 5, 1840
Miss Charlotte Fleet,
Jan. 5, 1840
Mr. Daniel Totten,
April
5, 1840
Mr. Alexander Totten,
April
5, 1840
Mrs. Mary Totten,
April 5, 1840
Mrs. Phebe Ann Ketcham,
April
5. 1840
Mrs. Sarah Baldwin,
Jan. 1, 1843
Mrs. Julia M. McRea,
Jan.
1, 1843
Miss Julia Ann Strong
April 2, 1843
Mrs. Deborah Ann Burling,
April
2, 1843
Miss Julietta Fleet
April 2, 1843
Miss Marietta Fleet,
April
2, 1843
William Muncy,
April 2, 1843
Samuel Muncy,
April 2, 1843
Silas Whitman,
April 2, 1843
Daniel Sheldon,
April
2, 1843
Archelaus Doxsee,
April
2, 1843
Miss Almira Smith,
April
2, 1843
Richard Jones,
April
2, 1843
Mrs. Maria Catherine Smith,
April
2, 1843
Selina Davis
April 2, 1843
Jane Nelson,
April 2, 1843
Treadwell Fleet,
April 2, 1843
Jane Jones,
Oct. 11, 1846
Mary Eliza Dodd,
March 27, 1853
50
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
NAME
BAPTISED
Mary Ann Carll,
June 26, 1853
Mary Ann Leak,
Sept. 25, 1853
Jemina Smith,
Nov. 27, 1853
Andrew Titus,
Dec. 31, 1854
Martha Miller,
Mary Ann Jarvis,
March 25, 1855 June 23, 1855
Mary Newton,
June 23, 1855
Rebecca Muncey,
June 23, 1855
Hannah A. Fleet,
June 23, 1855
Adriana Fleet,
June 23, 1855
Mary Strong,
Sept. 29, 1855
Martha Smith,
Nov. 10, 1855
E. Platt Conklin, Mrs. Elizabeth Weeks, Oct. 12, 1856
March 29, 1856
Mr. E. C. Stadge children in the record this way.
f Mrs. Phebe Weekes' name is entered twice unless there were two per- sons of the same name.
51
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
CHURCH GOVERNMENT IN OLD TIMES
People of the present day can hardly realize the duties devolving upon the elders of the church in those days. Most of their time was taken up in investigating the conduct of their church members. Petty quarrels among the church members were generally laid before the ses- sion for consideration.
Again tattling among the church members was as common as among children.
Spying upon the conduct of their neighbors was another amuse- ment and it seemed to be their bounden duty to report it to the session. The spirit of being much better than your neighbor was cultivated in the highest degree.
Another heinous crime for a person belonging to one church, was in attending the services of another denomination. The writer himself re- members that the subject was often discussed among the boys in his youth, and it was considered a sin to attend a Roman Catholic Church. Fortunately for the boys at that time, there was no such church in Babylon until 1878, so they could not sin in that way. The only thing that they were called upon to do was to drive their servants to Bay Shore or Penataquit, four miles away, to attend the Roman Catholic Church of that place. The boys also thought that the Roman Catholic Church was preparing to slaughter the christians, as in olden times. The writer has heard it suggested that when a stone church which was built in Brooklyn, up to the first floor and then roofed over until fur- ther funds could be obtained. It was thought that it was built in that way so that it could be used as a fort in case they attempted to carry on a slaughter of the christians.
In order that the reader may gain some idea of the trials and troubles in the early history of the grand old First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South a few quotations from the old records of the church may be interesting.
One Gilbert Heartt in March, 1799, was brought before the session and confessed that he had been guilty of drinking. In October of the same year he was again an offender. In the summer of 1800 additional charges were lodged against him, viz:
"That some time about last November about the time he killed his hogs he was intoxicated with spirituous liquor and that he was also in- toxicated with spirituous liquor some time near the first of March last, at a time that he and Selah Howell went in a wagon together to mill-
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BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
the last charge was for being concerned or aiding at a horse race on the first day of April last, near Ketcham Terry's Tavern."
William Garret was a similar offender and his case was before the session several times ..
This is one of the most curious decisions rendered by the session. On June 12, 1802, Jesse Ketcham brought a charge against Temperance Jackson "of imprudent and inconsistent conduct in her saying that she would not be confined to any church or society and had acted according- ly in going to other meetings."
Thomas Wiggins was a witness. The session held that the charge was proven. Temperance apologized and the session restored her, but Jesse, the complainant was dissatisfied with the decision and the session gave him permission "to stay back from the next communion of the! church in partaking of the Lord's Supper in order to obtain further satisfaction."
This seems to show that Jesse still harbored a feeling against Tem- perance and was willing to be deprived of the Lord's Supper in order to find his christian spirit. Also it would seem that the session might have punished Jesse if he had stayed away from the Communion without per- mission.
Gilbert Heartt seems to have been an old offender for he was again before the session who referred the matter to the Presbytery and "it recommended upon his confessing and sorrow that they receive him one time more."
There was a report laid before the session that "William Garrett and Sarah, his wife had made to free use of liquors they were notified to stay away from the communion until the session could verify the report.
They were notified several times to attend the session but gave as a reason that they had no horse, and the distance was too great, they were finally excluded from the communion.
The first minister, Rev. Luther Gleson, seemed to have completely won the hearts of his people. He was convicted by the Presbytery of Long Island "in making too free use of intoxicating liquors" on March 20th, 1804. He was again arraigned on June 17, 1806, on a more serious charge and finally deposed October 16, 1807.
His admirers petitioned the Presbytery to restore him. On being refused, they felt very bitter against the Presbytery and finally began to absent themselves from the Church.
In 1809, in consequence of the troubles over Mr. Gleson, the session
53
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
was confronted with the fact that many of their members were leaving their church and connecting themselves with other churches. On Feb- ruary 10, 1812, the following was passed :
"RESOLVED, that Thomas Ireland and Patience, his wife, Sam- vel Muncey and Deborah, his wife, David Jackson and Temperance, his wife, Jonathan Stratton and Mary, his wife, Ebenezer Smith and Mar- garet, his wife, Jonathan Seaman, Hannah Douglas and Phebe Higbie having habitually for a length of time absented themselves from the worship and ordinances of the church be cited to appear before the ses- sion."
So an important session of the church was held April 20, 1812, Rev. Zacariah Green, moderator, Elders, Jesse Ketcham and Benjamin K. Hobart. Medad Rogers, Eliphalet Mowbray, Thomas Ireland and Pa- tience, his wife, did not appear and it seems that there was no proof that they had been cited. Samuel Muncey and Deborah, his wife, ap- peared to answer their citations. Mr. Muncey "charged Mr. Phillips of blackguarding in the pulpit when he preached to his people."
Mr. Jackson and Temperance, his wife appeared, she said she was "a member of the church called Congregational and could not go with them while under Presbytery."
Jonathan Stratton and Mary, his wife, appeared and said "they felt no disposition to return or unite, but if any union took place Pres- byterians must come to them and unite."
Ebenezer and Margaret Smith said they "had taken the liberty which they thought reasonable, and could not consider that a church was a prison. Mr. Smith said the Presbytery was oppressive, unjust, scribes and Pharisees, sitting in Moses' seat and he abhored their meas- ures especially in regard to Mr. Gleson and considered they were exer- cising an authority that the Gospel did not warrant nor justify."
Mrs. Hannah Douglas appeared, "confessed she was once a member of the church, but was as ignorant of its principles and discipline as an infant when she joined it. She said she had since learned that it was oppressive and its rules not consistent with the Gospel which gave lib- crty. That she came forward with others to receive her discharge but was much wounded on being denied it, and that she had since joined the despised Methodists, with whom she had found that peace she had not found before, and that liberty which was of the gospel .. . She professed to love all on whom she saw the image of the redeemer displayed .. . Yet the Presbytery were a set of imposing hypocrites whom she could not
54
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
bear and to whom she would not submit-that they had dealt unjustly with Mr. Gleason.
Mrs. Phebe Higbie, great-grandmother of the writer, expressed much "dissatisfaction" as to the measure the church had taken to bring her to a situation that exposed her character to the world, and ob- served that the 18th chapter of Matthew held up the exercises of church government which ought to have been exercised upon her if she had done amiss. But she would deal plainly now, and let them know that she could never partake of the ordinances and receive the elements from the hands of those who had wickedly destroyed and killed her shepherd and spiritual Father.
Jonathan Seaman did not appear.
Mrs. Smith, wife of Jeremiah Smith came before the session and desired her certificate which was deferred for further consideration
A TEMPERANCE PLEDGE
BABYLON, MAY 4, 1833.
The church and session met according to notice and after deliberate consideration unanimously, Resolved, that hercafter before any person shall be received into this church they shall give their explicit consent to the following pledge, viz: "The members of this church believing that the use of intoxicating liquors, for persons in health, not only un- necessary but injurious; and that the practice is the cause of forming: intemperate habits and appetites; and that while it is continued the evils of intemperance can never be prevented do therefore agree, that we will not, except as a medicine in cases of bodily infirmity, use distilled spirits ourselves, or procure them for the entertainment of our friends or for persons in our employment and that in all suitable ways we will dis- countenance the use of them in the community.
E. C. STADGE, Clerk.
March 3, 1837, Keziah Ann Leek was charged with various immor- alities-"had associated herself with the wicked-had gone with them to places of vain and sinful amusement, had joined with them in the same and she had also neglected to come to the Lord's supper.
January 26, 1838, Joseph Stroud was accused of living in a tavern and tending at the bar.
April 17, "Resolved, That we hold it to be highly inconsistent with a Christian profession for members of the church to furnish intoxicat- ing drinks for their guests as a common beverage, or to engage in the'
55
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
practice of dancing or card playing, or for heads of families to allow of such practices in their houses."
FORMATION OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ISLIP
Names of the persons dismissed August 16, 1857, to form a new parish to be called the Presbyterian Church of Islip :
Charles A. Betlenger.
James Brewster.
Peter Robertson.
Richard Jones.
Joseph Brown.
Silas Whitman.
James H. Doxsee.
William S. Brown.
Jeremiah T. Smith.
Margaret Robertson.
Mary P. Brown.
Anna C. Bettinger.
Maria Brewster.
Jemima Smith
Sarah Doxsee.
Almira Doxsee.
Harriet Whitman.
Mahala Doxsee.
Sarah E. Brown.
Martha Smith.
Mary Sands
Mary Thurber.
Martha Sweesy.
Elizabeth Wicks.
Angeline Wicks.
August 23, 1859, the following persons were dismissed for the same purpose, viz :
Eliphalet Smith
Mary Smith.
Mary Velsor.
The names of the persons that came from Islip show the readers of the present day what their forefathers had to do to attend church. A. person can hardly believe that the old First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South was the Christian home for people from Massapequa to Islip, a distance covering fourteen to fifteen miles.
A chapel connected with the church at Babylon was built in Islip in 1852, and in 1857 they formed an organization. In 1869 they completed a new church building at a cost of $15,000, which was con- sidered at that time one of the largest and finest church building in the county. Robert L. Maitland contributed $8,000 toward the ex- penses, the Stewarts Sugar refiners of New York presented the bell, and Dr. A. G. Thompson, of West Islip, contributed the main cost of a $1,500 pipe organ. The old church was used for a Sunday school.
56
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
MINISTERS OF THE CHURCH
A list of ministers from 1796 down to the present day is given to- gether with the years of service as prepared by the Rev. John D. Long, and published in a programme in commemoration of the One Hundreth anniversary of the organization of the First Presbyterian church of Babylon, January 7, 1898, since that date the closing year of Mr. Long's service has been added and the name of Mr. Merrill who succeeded Mr. Long. The list is as follows :
Luther Gleason,
1796-1807.
Richard Salter Storrs,
1808-1809.
Samuel Weed,
1818-1820.
Installed May 12, 1819.
Alexander Cummings,
1820-1824.
Nehemiah Baldwin Cook,
1826-1832.
Jonathan Cable,
1833
Ebenezer Platt,
1833-1837.
Hollis Read,
1838
Alfred Ketcham,
1839-1848.
Edward J. Vail,
1848-1851.
Gaylord L. Moore,
1852-1856.
Charles W. Cooper,
1857-1869.
James McDougall,
1871-1873.
James C. Nightingale,
1873-1879.
Walter B. Floyd,
1881-1883.
James C. Hume,
1883-1888.
John Dietrich Long,
1889-1905.
Robert D. Merrill,
1905
In regard to the foregoing list would say that the old records do not give the names of Richard Salter Storrs, or that of Alexander Cum- mings, they are given in Prime's history of Long Island. The name of Gaylord L. Moore in this list should be Gaylord L. More. The old church records show that the following ministers served the church at various times, viz :
July 20, 1806 .- Nathan Woodhull, Lord's supper administered 28th time.
June 21, 1807 .- No minister named, Lord's supper administered 29th time.
February 19, 1809 .- Nathan Woodhull, Lord's supper administered 30th time.
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BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
August 6th, 1809 .- Peter Fish, Lord's supper administered 31st time.
December 29, 1809 .- Nathan Woodhull, Lord's supper administered 32nd time.
June 17, 1810 .- Zacariah Green (Greene), Lord's supper administ- ered 33rd time.
July 21, 1810 .- Ebenezer Phillips, Lord's supper administered 34th time.
February 10, 1812 .- Ebenezer Phillips acted as moderator.
April 20, 1812 .- Zacariah Greene acted as moderator.
April 22, 1812 .- William Schenck acted as moderator.
May 5, 1812,-Bradford Marcy acted as moderator.
March 5, 1818 .- Bradford Marcy.
April 5, 1818 .- Zacarialı Greene.
April 12, 1818 .- Bradford Marcy, Lord's supper administered 35th time.
December 14, 1818 .- Samuel Robertson acted as moderator.
December 26, 1818 .- Ezra King acted as moderator.
December 27, 1818 .- Ezra King administered the Lord's supper.
This was the first time since renewal of the covenant, April 11, 1818.
INTERIORS OF THE SECOND AND THIRD CHURCHES
The late Judge James B. Cooper in his history of Babylon says of the interior of the second church. "The pulpit was narrow, very high and painted blue or lead color. A wide gallery extended around on every side except the North, where was placed the pulpit. When the minister was seated he could not be seen by any portion of the congre- gation, not even by persons seated in the gallery .. . Only when standing at the sacred desk was he visible."
The third edifice now used as a lecture room was nicely carpeted with pews having doors on the end and a gallery extending around three sides of the church, heated at first with stoves burning wood and later with coal stoves. Its interior was a very churchly and quaint arrange- ment, and it seemed a pity to see it torn down for it had fond memories to so many people. Fashion changes, and the present church is a vast improvement on all of the others.
The writer has a great reverence for it, and his name is deposited in the corner stone, as he was a member of the Sunday school at that time.
As you see the improvement in church buildings, so in studying
58
BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
their history you will find just as great an improvement in the methods of learning how to do good in this world. What Christians did in the past would hardly be countenanced now. Some of the interpretations of the Scriptures preached in the past have been changed and an enlight- ened knowledge has been gradually permeating Christianity, all over the world, and this knowledge will still increase for the simple reason that it is only yet in its infancy. Probably in no church in this broad land would our Saviour be recognized, if he came unannounced and dwelt among them. May we all treasure the historic church of Babylon for the good influence it has, and still is exercising in this community. May God's blessing always rest upon it.
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