USA > New York > Westchester County > History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the county of Westchester, from its foundation, 1693, to 1853 > Part 56
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658
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
vestry meeting, held Dec. 4th of that year, a committee reported that they had waited on the Rev. Mr. Harris of White Plains, who expressed a perfect willingness to officiate for the Church on that part of the Lord's day, when his service was not required in his own congregation. At the same time it was resolved to memorialize the rector, church wardens and vestrymen of Trinity Church, New York, for aid by funds, in the erection of a church edifice. In this memorial, which was presented by James Smith, Esq., the petitioners state among other matters :- " That some years past, an old Episcopal church in this neigh- borhood, at New Castle, (of wood) falling to decay, its congrega- tion was broken up, and some of the descendants of its mem- bers have become Quakers, notwithstanding portions of them have until lately adhered to the forms of the Episcopal Church ; and your memorialists entertain a hope that with the blessing of Divine Providence, by the means of the establishment of a church at Sing Sing, many of the descendants of this ancient congregation may be brought back to our Church, &c." Trinity Church nobly responded to this call by an appropriation of $2000, the remainder being raised by public subscription.
At a vestry meeting held May 12, 1834, it was resolved to erect a church 65 feet in length, by 45 feet in breadth, on pro- perty purchased for that purpose of Richard Austin. Subse- quently $500 in this County was obtained towards the building of it. Upon the 6th of August of that year, it was also unani- mously resolved to invite the
REV. EDWARD N. MEAD, A. M.
to become rector of this parish. At the Convention of this Dio- cese held the first Thursday in October following, this church was admitted into union with the Convention. In November, 1839, Mr. Mead resigned the rectorship of the parish and was suc- ceeded on the 16th of December by the
REV. CHARLES HENRY HALSEY, A. M.
who entered ubon the duties of the recorship May 1st, 1840.
·
659
AND CHURCH OF OSSIN-ING.
n June, 1841, the churchwardens and vestrymen purchased a convenient house and lot of one acre, as a parsonage, for the sum of $3150. On the 16th of October, 1846, the
REV. CHARLES TOMES
was called to the rectorship. This gentleman was succeeded on the 20th of December, 1847, by the
REV. WILLIAM F. HALSEY,
the present incumbent.
THE CHURCH.
St. Paul's Church, which is situated in the village of Sing Sing, is a beautiful gothic structure of native marble. The tower is built of the same durable material and supported by single buttresses. It is intended to finish the whole with a plain marble spire and pinnacles. Beneath the body of the edi- fice is an extensive basement, containing lecture, vestry and robing rooms. Above the tower entrance, a neat escutcheon bears the following inscription :- " Si. PAUL'S CHURCH, A. D. MDCCCXXXV." The interior, which has recently under- gone considerable improvement, is neat and appropriate .- The altar and font are of polished marble, richly carved, the lat- ter presented by Miss Ludlow. The communion service con- sisting of a flaggon, two chalices and paten, were the gift of Mrs. Jacob C. Arthur. The tower contains a large bell manu- factured by " A. Meneely, West Troy, N. Y., 1835," which weighs 1500lbs. It was purchased by the vestry at a cost of $450. The deep tones of this powerful bell can be heard for many miles over the adjoining hills.
The corner stone of this edifice was laid by the Rt. Rev. B. T. Onderdonk, November 6th, 1834, in the presence of a large con- course of people ; on which occasion an address was delivered by the Rev. E. N. Mead, rector of the parish. The Rev. Peter S. Chauncey, of Rye, was also present, and assisting. On the 3d
660
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
of April, 1835, the corner stone was finally closed up and built upon. In the cavity of the stone was deposited a Bible and Book of Common Prayer, as an evidence that the Church is spiritually founded upon " Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone ," also the canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the United States of America, journals of General and Diocesan Conventions, with other jour- nals and pamphlets, together with a glass bottle closed and sealed, containing among many other things a parchment, on which was the following inscription :-
St. Paul's Church, incorporated Nov. 11th, 1833.
Rev. Edward Nathaniel Mead, A. M., rector.
George W. Cartwright and Caleb Bacon, Churchwardens.
John Strang, Peter R. Maison, William Dargue, Jacob C. Arthur, John Sing, John Barlow, Joseph Hunt and Robert Wil- tse, vestrymen.
James Smith, clerk of the vestry.
Samuel C. Nichols, Superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mrs. John Strang, superintendent of the female department.
Carman Nichols, secretary ; Robert Wiltse, Treasurer ; John Barlow, Librarian.
Building committee, Jacob C. Arthur, Joseph Hunt, George W. Cartwright, John Strang and John Sing.
Ledyard H. Halsey, Builder.
Calvin Pollard, Architect.
Paul McCord, Superintendent.
On Wednesday, July 6th, 1836, it was consecrated and set apart to the service of Almighty God by the Bishop of the Diocese , in the presence of a large congregation. There were the follow- ing clergymen also present : the Rev. E. N. Mead, rector, the Rev. William Creighton, D. D. and the Rev. William Cooper Mead, D. D., also the Rev. Messrs. Zachariah Mead, P. S. Chauncey, Alexander H. Crosby, John F. Messenger, Samuel F. Nichols, Francis H. Cummings, William F. Walker, Lawson . Carter and Robert W. Harris.
661
AND CHURCH OF OSSIN-ING.
NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS.
Since the organization of the parish in 1833 to 1853, there have been two hundred infants baptized, and fifty-three adults.
In 1840, Communicants, 58. Baptisms, --- In 1853, 82, 12.
The No. of Catechists belonging to this parish in 1853, were 8; Catechumens, 50; No. of Families, 66; No. of Souls, 268. The population in 1840, prior to division, was 7307.
1852, was 4200.
WARDENS OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, SING SING.
From 1833 to 1853.
George W. Cartwright, John Strang, John J. Kane,
Caleb Bacon. Robert Wiltse. Samuel C. Nichols.
Marlborough Churchill.
St. Paul's Church, Sing Sing.
662
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
ف:
All Saint's, Briar Cliff.
The Chapel of All Saint's, Briar Cliff, belongs to this parish. " This small, but beautiful stone sanctuary is situated at the junction of two roads, on a height behind Sing Sing, command- ing one of the finest views along the whole length of the Hud- son. That noble river lies in the distance, like a lake of ten miles extent, while the villages which dot its banks, and the high rocks which border its western shore, and the plains and hills that lie still beyond in the back ground are spread out like a map beneath the eye of the spectator, standing by the porch or bell gable of the building. It seems, indeed, an house of prayer and praise set where the glorious works of God are full in view to stimulate devotion, and like Balaam on Peor, it looks down on a goodly scene of valleys spread out and gardens by the river side." Struck with the beauty of this spot, the late Rev. John Ogilby, D. D. had selected it as a retreat for himself and his family. Before his own dwelling was completed, the thought entered his mind that an humble way-side sanctuary in which, when not occupied, he might officiate, would, prove a blessing to the neighborhood. By the help of generous friends in the vicinity, and elsewhere, he was enabled to carry on the good work near to its completion, when disease interrupted him, and death stayed his hand. His friends knew that the use of
663
AND CHURCH OF OSSIN-ING.
the chapel, if completed, would depend upon the family by whom the place was occupied. Happily it has fallen into the hands of those whose hearts are devoted to the Church. With ready zeal they entered into this good design. So that it might not be stayed, Henry McFarlan, Esq. of New Jersey, offered to bear the whole expense of its completion. This work was ac- complished under the direction of Messrs Dudley & Condit, in a manner which reflects the greatest credit upon their skill and taste, in all which they were most devotedly seconded by F. Mc Farlan, Esq. of Briar Cliff.
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Ground Plan of All Saint's, Briar Cliff.
This edifice was first opened for divine service on Wednes- day, December 13th, 1854, on which occasion a number of the clergy were in attendance. The following notice of this event is taken from the Banner of the Cross, for December 23d :- " Morning Prayer was commenced by the Rev. Dr. Morton, of Philadelphia, the Rev. Dr. Higbee, of New York, and the Rev. W. H. Williams, of Ridgefield, Conn., reading the Lessons, and the Rev. W. F. Halsey, of Sing Sing, offering the Litany. The Rev. A. B. Carter, of Yonkers, read the Ante-Communion ser- vice, in which the Rev. Mr. Johnson, of New Jersey, read the Epistle.
The sermon was preached by the Rev. Frederick Ogilby, from the text, 1 Samuel, vii. 12. The Holy Communion was then administered to a large number of Communicants, by the
664
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
Rev. Dr. Creighton, of Tarrytown. There were present of the clergy also, the Rev. Harry Finch, of New Jersey, and the Rev. Messrs Geer, Spencer, Olssen and Lundy, of New York. All but two were in surplices, and filled the deep chancel, giving great effect to the services.
" The furniture of the church is most appropriate ; the wood used is yellow pine, oiled and varnished. All the windows are of stained glass, by Gibson, of Philadelphia-that in the chan- cel being very beautiful. It is intended as a Memorial Window of Dr. Ogilby, and bears most beautifully inscribed upon it those three articles of the creed :- ' I believe in the Communion of Saints, the Resurrection of the Body, and Life everlasting.' In the centre light of the Triplet are the Cross, the emblems of the Communion, and the letters I. H. S. At the base of the win- dow is the inscription, ' In Memoriam Funditoris.' This win- dow is the gift of A. Beresford Hope, Esq., a noble layman of the Church of England, and a warm friend of Dr. Ogilby, thus happily expressing ' the Communion of Saints.' The font, one of the most beautiful we have ever seen, was given to Dr. Ogilby by a devoted Christian lady. The communion service was presented by a family of St. James' Church, Philadelphia, . through the Rev. Dr. Morton. Well might this be called a Temple of gifts, realizing the doctrine which its name asserts."
The Reverend Founder, who died in 1851, was buried in the grave yard of St. John's Church, New Brunswick, N. J. In a quiet corner, of which there stands at the head of a lowly mound, a chaste and solid head stone, surmounted by a beautiful wheel- cross, and bearing in the old English character the following inscription :-
.
To The beloved memory of JOHN DAVID OGILBY, D. D., Prof. of Eccl. History, Who entered into his rest February ii, Mdcccli, At the age of forty years, after a life of unreserved devotion to Christ and His Church.
HISTORY
OF THE
PARISH AND CHURCH OF
UPPER GREENBURGH.
This parish was first organized by the Rev. William Creigh- ton, D. D. in August, 1836. At a meeting of the congregation, held on the 8th of that month the following gentlemen were elected officers : Nathaniel B. Holmes and Steuben Swartout, church- wardens. Jonathan S. Odell, Joseph M. Scribner, Stephen B. Tompkins, Pierce Wildey, Jasper Odell, Henry L. Haight, Nathaniel Bayles and Charles B. White, vestrymen.a A church edifice was commenced in the autumn of that year and consecrated to the service of Almighty God, by the name and style of Christ Church, Tarrytown, by Bishop Onderdonk in September, 1837. The whole structure, a neat gothic edi- fice of brick, is valued at $8000. The Rev. William Creigh- ton, D. D. is the first and present incumbent.
On the north side of the chancel of Christ Church are two marble slabs bearing the following inscriptions :--
In memory of Catharine Kemble, born October, 1765, and departed this life the 16th day of July, A. D. 1844. Sister to Maria Philipse. " In death they were not divided."
In memory of Maria Philipse, (relict of Frederick Philipse)
· County Rec Religious Soc. Liber. B. p. 42.
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666
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
of Philipstown, Putnam County, New York, who departed this life the 13th day of November, A. D. 1839, aged 68 years. Her remains rest within the walls of the tower of this church. " The memory of the just is blessed." Prov. x. 7.
The No. of baptisms for this parish in 1853, were 7. Com- municants, 49. Catechists, 4. Catechumens, 40.
Christ Church, Tarrytown'
HISTORY
OF THE
PARISH AND CHURCH
OF
SOMERS.
Prior to the year 1788, this parish formed a part of the town- ship of Hanover, within Cortlandt's manor. Upon the 7th of March, 1788, it was independently organized under the title of Stephentown, a name adopted out of compliment to Stephen Van Cortlandt, (fourth son of the Hon. Stephanus Van Cortlandt, first lord of the manor of Cortlandt) one of its principal propri- etors. The present name was bestowed, A. D. 1808, in honor, it is said, of Captain Somers, one of the gallant heroes of the Tripolitan war.
Under the Mohegan Indians, Somers formed an appendage to the great territory of Amaghpogh or Ammawalk. In 1699 a deed for this tract was executed by Sachima Wicker, the chief of the Kightawonck tribe, (within whose limits Amaghpogh was comprehended) to Stephanus Van Cortlandt.
This parish may fairly be considered a daughter of St. James' Church, North Salem, as the families which formed its nucleus were for many years under the pastoral care of the rectors of St. James', and attended service at Salem.
668
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
So early as the year 1804, the Episcopalians of North Salem and Stephentown united with those of Bedford and New Cas- tle in calling a minister. It appears too that the Episcopalians of Stephentown contributed liberally towards this object, consider- ing their number and estates. Upon the 4th of September, 1804, the
REV. GEORGE STREBECK
was called to, and accepted the rectorship of the united parishes. . The next year, however, he resigned his charge, and accepted a call to the rectorship of St. Stephen's Church, New York. For some time after 1805, the Churchmen of this section of, country were favored with the occasional ministrations of the Rev. R. C. Moore, the late pious and beloved Bishop of Vir- ginia, and many other respectable and laborious clergymen. In 1807 the Rev. Messrs. Rogers, Moore and Wilkins were appointed, agreeably to the sixth canon of the Diocese of 1806, " to sup- ply North Salem and the other congregations in Westchester County, on a Sunday, or some days in the same week of their appointments at Bedford." Occasional services were also per- formed here, by other clergymen. In his parochial report for 1808, Mr. Rogers, rector of Rye, observes :- " Agreeably to appointment I visited and performed divine service twice at Bedford, once at Stephentown, and once at New Castle. And although the congregations in those places appear to labor un- der discouragements, having no settled minister, yet many are friendly attached to our Church, and are highly gratified with even the occasional services which we are able to afford them." Previous to the erection of the parish church in 1842, Episco- pal services were held usually in an edifice erected by the lib- erality of persons belonging to the various religious societies and others, possessing no denominational connection, under the name of the union meeting house. Before the 26th of January in the year of our Lord 1835, the present parish was organized under the rectorship of the
REV. ALEXANDER FRASER.
669
AND CHURCH OF SOMERS.
About this time, arrangements were made for disposing of the interest which the Episcopal party held in the union meet- ing house and parsonage, and building a church for themselves. This was quickly effected through the active and zealous exer- tions of the vestry, to whose liberality, together with that of several other individuals of the neighborhood, friendly to the un. dertaking, the parish is indebted for its present commodious and beautiful church. Mr. Fraser was the son of Donald Fraser, a descendant of Hugh Fraser, (Lord Lovat) chief of the clan Fraser, and Anne Bowman, a daughter of the Haliburton's of Kirkleston, in Aberdeenshire. He was born at Lachilee, in Forfarshire, A. D. 1802; and at the age of fifteen removed into England, where he received the principal part of his education. " Early in life, religiously inclined, he became, when arrived at man's estate, a preacher among the Primitive Methodists, in which capacity he officiated in London and other places in Eng- land, and with much acceptance, for several years. About 1831 he came to this country, intending to pass through to Canada, where he purposed to take holy orders in the Church, and to serve as a missionary. His plans, however, were so far changed that he married in New York, and was ordained Deacon by the Rt. Rev. Benjamin T. Onderdonk, in St. Peter's Chapel, New York, on the 30th of June, 1833. He then became a mis_ sionary, first in what is now the Diocese of Western New York, and afterwards at North Salem and Somers, &c. He was admitted to the holy order of priests by Bishop Onderdonk in St. James' Church, North Salem, May 8th, 1835, and the next year transferred to New York city, as a missionary of the New York Protestant Episcopal Missionary Society, which office, he held, first as missionary in charge of the church of the Holy Evangelists, and afterwards as missionary at large for four years ; ju both of which capacities he laboured with great zeal and diligence. As illustrative of his deep interest in his pastoral duties, and of his mental powers, it may be mentioned, that while missionary in New York, finding that he was brought in contact with many French and German emigrants, he made
670
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
himself at once sufficiently acquainted with those languages to converse and officiate therein.
" The remaining years of his life were most usefully passed as the minister of St. Philip's Church, New York, and one of the chaplains of the Sailor's Snug Harbor, Staten Island."a He died in New York city, on Friday, May 26th, 1848, in the 48th year of his age. His remains were interred in Greenwood cemetery.
Upon the removal of Mr. Fraser in 1836, occasional services were held here by the Rev. Alfred H. Partridge. In September, 1842, he reported to the Convention that :- " In addition to the usual services of the Church in Bedford, he had officiated at Somers once a month until the consecration of the church, which took place on the 19th of January last ; and since, every afternoon until Easter." Mr. Partridge has labored in this par- ish (at different periods) for five years, and was under God the means of raising the Church to its present prosperous condition. Mr. Fraser was succeeded by the
REV. DAVID H. SHORT,
who entered upon the duties of this parish, in connection with St. James' Church, North Salem, on the first Sunday after Eas. ter, A. D. 1842. He reported six baptisms and thirteen commu- nicants. Mr. Short removed to Connecticut in 1844, and was succeeded by the
REV. SAMUEL C. DAVIS,
who took charge of the parish about Easter of that year. He makes report to the Diocesan Convention, of twelve baptisms and twenty-two communicants, and observes :- " That a grad- ual advancement in the temporal and spiritual interests of the parish, calls for devout gratitude, and encourages to greater zeal and faithfulness." Upon his removal in 1846, the
See New York Churchman for June 10th, 1848.
671
AND CHURCH OF SOMERS.
REV. ALFRED H. PARTRIDGE
officiated here until the
REV. JOHN WELLS MOORE,
the present incumbent was called to the rectorship in 1851.
THE CHURCH.
The Episcopal Church of St. Luke, occupies a fine situation on the plain, which combining with the beautiful range of hills to the west and north furnishes a pleasing view. It is a very handsome edifice of wood, in the Grecian style, with a stone basement beneath. The front presents a lofty portico, supported by Ionic columns ; the roof is surmounted with a low tower, which contains a fine toned bell. The interior is very hand- somely fitted up, and reflects much credit on the parish. This building was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, on the 19th of January, A. D. 1842, by Bishop Onderdonk. It had been previously incorporated upon the 28th of February, 1835. Isaac Purdy and Frederick J. Coffin, church wardens. Thad- deus Barlow, Aaron Brown, William Marshall, Gerard Crane, Edwin Finch, Charles Wright, William Turk and Ray Tomp- kins, vestrymen.
The organ was presented by the ladies. The communion service, which is of silver, and very handsome, was also given by them, and bears the following inscription :- " St. Luke's Church, Somers, 1843."
NOTITIA PAROCHIALIS.
1842, Communicants, 13,
Baptisms, 6.
1844, do 22,
do 12. 1853, do 23,
do 33.
In 1782, the white population of the middle ward of Cort- landt's manor was 2146.
In 1840, the population of Somers was 2082.
In 1850, do do do 722.
672
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
No. of families belonging to this parish in 1853, 20. No. of souls, 95. Catechists, 5. Catechumens, 17.
WARDENS OF ST. LUKE'S CHURCH.
1836 to 1840.
Isaac Purdy,
Frederick J. Coffin.
1840 to 1848.
Joshua Purdy, Charles Wright. 1849 to 1853.
Thaddeus Barlow,
William Turk.
St. Luke's Church, Somers.
Paravel, by Charles Burt fr. ..
in the, Passessu.1
Lewis Morris
10
000
THY MI
HISTORY
OF THE
PARISH AND CHURCH
OF
MORRISANIA.
The manor of Morrisania formerly constituted one of the six precincts of Westchester parish. Its name being derived from the Morris family, the first patentees under the Crown. At the period of the Dutch discovery, it was styled Ranachque, an aboriginal appellation, which doubtless refers to some object peculiar to its geographical locality. The first grantee under the Indians of Ranachque, was Jonas Bronck, in 1639, who sub- sequently obtained a " ground brief" from the Dutch authorities. His widow Antonia Slaghboom, married Arendt Van Curler, who in 1651 transported Bronck's land to Jacob Van Stoll, trom whom it passed through several proprietors to Richard Morris. This individual was among the adherents of Oliver Cromwell, who, by the restoration of Charles the Second in 1660, were obliged to seek refuge in foreign lands. He had held the com. mission of Captain in a regiment commanded by an elder bro- ther, Lewis, in the army of the Commonwealth, and having disguised himself under the profession of Quakerism, first took
43
674
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
up his residence in the Island of Barbadoes, whence he removed to New York. In 1676 he obtained a patent of Bronck's land from Gov. Andros, and subsequently a confirmation from Sha- has and other Indians. He died in 1672, leaving a son, Lewis Morris,a who was born at Morrisania in 1671, and upon the death of his uncle Lewis in 1691, fell heir to his estates. On the Sth of May, 1697, Lewis Morris obtained royal letters patent from King William the Third, erecting Morrisania into a town- ship and manor, to be holden of the King in free and common soceage, its Lord yielding and rendering therefor, annually, on the Feast day of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the rent of six shillings. Under this charter the Morris' were possessed of the impropriation and the patronage of all and every, the church and churches, erected or established within the manor of Morrisania.
Lewis Morris, the third proprietor of Morrisania, appears to have been a man of extraordinary talents. Chief Justice Smith informs us, " that of all the members of the New York Assembly in 1710, Col. Morris had the greatest influence in our public affairs. He was a man of letters, and, though a little whimsical in his temper, was grave in his manner, and of pene- trating parts. Being excessively fond of the society of men of sense and reading, he was never wearied at a sitting till the spirits of the whole company were dissipated. From his in- fancy he had lived in a manner best adapted to teach him the nature of man, and to fortify his mind for the vicissitudes of life." In the year 1700, he was appointed President of the Council of New Jersey, and subsequently Governor of that Pro- vince. On the accesssion of William Burnet, as successor to Governor Hunter, in September, 1720, Col. Morris received the appointment of Chief Justice of the Province of New York, and became the chief confidant and adviser of the new execu-
ª Among the unprovided brethren of St. David's College, Pembrokeshire, in 1553, was Lewis Morris, one of the ministers who received a pension of £6 13. Hist. of the Cathedral of St. David's, by Brown Willis.
675
AND CHURCH OF MORRISANIA.
tive. In 1733, he was elected a representative for the County of Westchester, in opposition to the aristocratic candidate. He was chosen a member of the Venerable Propagation Society, and took a very active part in promoting its interests. As early as September 14th, 1700, at a meeting of that body, held in London, a memorial was received from him, in which he speaks of the several townships of East Jersey, "as distracted by al- most every variety of dissent, but with little appearance of real religion among them." He also suggests some measures which may conduce to the bringing over to the Church the people in those countries. "First. That no man be sent a Governor into any of these Plantations, but a firm Churchman, &c. If pos- sible, none but Churchmen to be in his council and in the magistracy.
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