USA > New York > Kings County > Flatbush > History of the Reformed Church of Flatbush, N.Y., 1807-1907 > Part 3
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Of the long and eminent services of the Rev. David D. Demarest, D.D., LL.D., in the Reformed church
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it is not necessary to speak in this booklet. He ex- celled as preacher, pastor, writer and professor. Called in 1865 to the chair of Pastoral Theology, in the New Brunswick Seminary, "for thirty three years he ful- filled its duties with distinguished ability and fidelity," till his death in 1898.
It was the privilege of the writer to receive his instruction during the seminary course and thus have a personal knowledge of Professor Demarest's clear thought, sound judgment, homiletic skill and practical teaching. In him piety and prudence, Godliness and "gumption " were most happily blended.
REV. JOHN WATSON.
The Rev. John Watson succeeded Mr. Demarest as pastor in the spring of 1844, and was installed June 18th of that year. When called to this charge, he was serving the Reformed Church of Athens, N. Y. Flat- bush was his second charge. The church having no parsonage, he lived the first year in the house of James Hendricks, the next year at Ulster Landing and the third at Pine Bush.
During his pastorate, the repairs to the church so long contemplated, were made. In the fall of 1844, a subscription was again circulated for this object, which
REV. JOHN WATSON.
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must have met with a liberal response. March 8th, 1845, we find that a contract of $950 00 has been entered into by the consistory with Mr. Lockwood, for enlarging and repairing the church edifice. Report of consistory to Classis, April 19th, says : "Perceiving that a number of families could not be accommodated with pews, we have taken measures to have the church edifice enlarged and improved, and we trust that in a few weeks we shall have a comfortable house in which to worship, and sufficiently spacious to accommodate the congregation." Although we have no record of the particular changes then made, we learn from re- liable sources that the enlargement was at the south end of the building. The main building may have been extended. At any rate, two halls were built, as we now have them, and a steeple erected above these. This steeple at its base was the same as at present, but it had two sets of blinds, one above the other, instead of one set as now, and it had a pointed top or spire. Two large box stoves pierced the hall partitions so they could be fed from the hall side and radiate heat in the audience room. We can imagine the satisfaction of pastor and people when the long desired alterations and improvements were finished.
In the report of 1846, we have first mention of four
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Sunday Schools in the congregation instead of three as before.
During Mr. Watson's stay a goodly number were added to the church, and the house of God was " usually well filled with attentive worshippers."
Dr. Henry Ostrander presided at a meeting of con- sistory, April 6th, 1847, when Domine Watson ten- dered his resignation, which was accepted. From his son, the Rev. Robert A. Watson, D.D., of Columbus, Ohio, we learn that his father came to this country from Strabane, County of Tyrone, Ireland, when about seventeen years old. He received his education at New Brunswick, being a graduate of Rutgers College and the Theological Seminary there. On leaving Flatbush, Mr. Watson removed to Ohio and was pastor of Presbyterian churches in that state, until his death in the spring of 1864, at the age of fifty-five. He left five sons, only three of whom are now living.
Mr. Watson was a conscientious, faithful minister, " much loved by his people and highly esteemed by his brethren in the ministry."
About a year elapsed before the settlement of another pastor. At a meeting of the male members of the congregation held August 24th, 1847, a ballot for pastor resulted in the choice of the Rev. Victor Moreau Hulbert, then settled at Yonkers. The call soon after
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extended to Mr. Hulbert was declined, owing to un- willingness of the Classis of New York to dismiss him.
By action of consistory September 13th of this year, the church took again the corporate name, first assumed in 1809, of " Ministers, Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Flatbush."
November 29th, 1847, a call was made on the Rev. Richard H. Steele, which was also declined.
REV. VICTOR M. HULBERT, D.D.
A second call was tendered the Rev. V. M. Hulbert, April Ist, 1848, promising "the sum of $500.00 as sal- ary and a parsonage free of rent." This call met with better success than the others, and was accepted by Mr. Hulbert, who was installed May 17th, 1848.
With the advent of the new pastor, the church began the building of a parsonage, which it so greatly needed. This enterprise moved rapidly forward. May 8th, 1848, consistory authorized Elders John V. L. Overbagh and John Maginnis to close the building contract with Abram B. Burhans, according to the specifications submitted.
July 23d, consistory resolved: "That a wing be added to the main building, 18 ft. by 28 ft., and that $50.00 be added to the amount already agreed upon
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with the builder for the finishing of the parsonage, making in all the sum of $900.00.
In August, consistory found itself short of funds to complete the building. They engaged to loan the money needed, and resolved to present a new sub- scription to the congregation the first day of October. The pastor was requested to present the situation to the people after sermon, and a slip of paper with pencil was placed in every pew, and the entire congregation solicited to aid the consistory in the work committed to it. The Female Benevolent Association also made a substantial donation to defray the debt.
Thus was built the substantial, convenient and commodious manse, which is still the residence of the Flatbush domine. Before the parsonage was ready for occupants, Dr. Hulbert rented a house at Sauger- ties, near the Episcopal church.
The consistory frequently gave its note to meet the church's indebtedness. Such a note for $300.00 was then given to Tjerck Hendricks.
The church steeple was painted May, 1849. In the fall of that year, it was resolved to take up quarterly collections to defray the expense of the sexton.
May, 1850, a collection was taken in behalf of the church of Shokan.
At meeting of consistory October 25th of that year,
REV. VICTOR M. HULBERT, D.D.
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Domine Hulbert made known that he had received a call from the Reformed Church of Paramus, and asked the views of the consistory in regard to its acceptance. After consultation the consistory resolved, October 28th, "That $100.00 be added to the present yearly salary of our pastor, from the first of November next, and that we furnish him with the necessary wood for fuel."
Two years later Dr. Henry Ostrander was invited to preside at meeting of consistory, held October 11th, 1852, at which a letter of resignation from Mr. Hulbert was read, stating, that he had received a unanimous call from the Reformed Church of Yonkers, his former charge, which he felt circumstances required him to accept. This communication was received by the con- sistory and congregation "with regret and sorrow," and the consistory record their appreciation of the char- acter and labors of Domine Hulbert as follows : " His intercourse of about four years and a half with this congregation has endeared him to all the people ; his ministry has been faithful and laborious ; his conduct exemplary and attractive and his success very consid- erable, having procured to our church on confession of faith about fifty members."
" Dr. Hulbert was a robust man, blessed with unin- terrupted good health. He spoke with ease, fluency
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and vigor ; was thoroughly evangelical and was always listened to with attention. He was an amiable man, no respecter of persons. His temperament was sunny and hopeful." In 1867, Rutgers College conferred on Mr. Hulbert the degree of Doctor of Divinity. The Doctor was a strong advocate of temperance. His last charge was at Marbletown, N. Y. He died Jan- uary 7th, 1892, at Battle Creek, Mich., in the 79th year of his age. Memorial services were held May 24th, in the Fair Street Reformed church, Kingston, at which prayer was offered by the Rev. Richard De Witt, then pastor at Flatbush.
In the preceding pages reference is made to John VanLeuven Overbagh, son of the Rev. Peter A. Over- bagh. His home was at Saugerties, on the farm now the prop rty of Mr. Louis Washburn. He united with the Flatbush Church in 1828, and continued in its com- munion until his death in 1853, when scarcely 47 years of age.
" The major," as he was commonly called, was not only a successful business man and interested in politics, being elected to the Legislature of the State in 1840, but he was also devoted to the temporal and spiritual interests of the church of Flatbush, which he served both as Deacon and Elder. He also used to lead its service of song. His advice, business capacity
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and financial aid greatly helped the church, especially at critical times in its history. The love and labors of the father continued in the service of his son. At the time of building the parsonage, he rendered great assistance. He was an earnest and efficient worker in the temperance reform. His character was symmet- rical, strong and attractive; his Christian life exem- plary ; his services to the church and the community freely and faithfully rendered. We do not wonder that his sudden death in the vigor of his manhood occa- sioned the deepest regret and sorrow to all who knew him.
REV. JOHN GOSMAN, D.D.
Rev. John Gosman, D.D., succeeded Dr. Hulbert. His ministry appears to have begun in April, 1853. The formal call was made the 17th of May following, naming a salary of $500.00, with use of the parsonage. He served the Reformed church of Kingston 27 years and was pastor of the Reformed church of Hudson previous to his settlement at Flatbush. During his pastorate, this church secured the welcome addition of a bell, which was bought, as nearly as we can learn, in 1857, of the Meneely Company of Troy. James Hendricks and David Griffin were committee to pur-
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chase the bell and it was brought from Rondout by James Whitaker. It was put up by Peter D. Schoon- maker of Saugerties and was first rung by Jacob P. Hendricks, then sexton.
During this pastorate, we find frequent mention of collections for benevolent objects. Dr. Gosman had a Bible Class at the parsonage, Wednesday evenings. He was faithful in pastoral visitatica, going with an Elder through the several districts of the congregation. Much preparation was made for these visits, which were announced before hand from the pulpit. The children usually remained home from school to be catechised by the domine. At this time the Sunday schools of the congregation were placed under the care of the General Synod's Sabbath School Board. Dr. Gosman was prime mover in establishing the Ulster County Bible Society. He was also deeply interested in the educational institutions of the Reformed church at New Brunswick and was very successful in raising money for them.
One Sunday, at Flatbush, after the good Doctor's sermon David Olivet, who lived to the age of ninety- four, was moved to rise in his pew and deliver a short after-sermon.
As a man, Dr. Gosman is described as " most artless having a beautiful simplicity of character. He had a
REV. JOHN GOSMAN, D.D.
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cheerful temper and was modest, generous and sym- pathetic, a true Christian gentleman. As a minister he had a tenacious memory, remarkable pulpit gifts and excelled in prayer." He had a clear, ringing voice and a forceful delivery. His preaching was earnest, sound and eloquent. A leading feature of his character was his faith, which did not waver. He was a tender, help- ful pastor, the poor receiving his special care.
Domine Gosman closed his labors in Flatbush, his last charge, April, 1859, after a pastorate of six years, during which time Mrs. Gosman died.
He retired to the vicinity of Saugerties, where he died December 8th, 1865, in the 82d year of his age. Two daughters, Eliza and Mary, survive him and reside in Kingston.
The consistory of the Flatbush church adopted resolutions with reference to his death, which are in part, as follows : "We tenderly cherish the memory and intercourse among us of this godly man. We are grateful to God for his life and usefulness and we render special thanks to our Heavenly Father that his last pastoral duties were faithfully discharged among us."
They resolved to drape the pulpit in mourning for three months, in his memory. Among the cuts of min- isters in this booklet, will be found that of the Rev.
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Henry Ostrander, D.D., who was fifty years pastor of the Kaatsban church. While not a pastor of the church of Flatbush, he often supplied its pulpit, par- ticularly during vacancies and he was frequently called to preside at its meetings of consistory. The latter part of his life he resided on his farm near Glasco, within the bounds of the congregation. For these and other reasons we are glad to insert a likeness of this learned and distinguished divine.
REV. JOHN MINOR.
The consistory met in the parsonage of the Reformed church of Kingston, July 28, 1859. The Rev. John C. F. Hoes, D.D. was asked to preside, and a call was made on the Rev. John Minor, promising a salary of $600.00, use of the parsonage and allowing him " three free Sabbaths." Service required of him was to preach each Sabbath morning in the church and in the afternoon at such other places as consistory thought expedient. He was installed November 2d, 1859. Much attention was given to the matter of benevolence. It was decided to take a collection the first Sabbath in each month for the Boards of Foreign and Domestic Missions, to be divided semi-annually, as the consistory
REV. JOHN MINOR.
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deem proper. Annual contributions were made to Boards of Education and Publication and the Ulster County Bible Society.
Consistory constituted Mr. Minor a life member of the American Bible Society and of the Board of Publica- tion of the Reformed church, by the payment of $30.00 in each instance. Consistory also made Robert Bur- hans a life member of the American Bible Society.
In April, 1862, the funds raised by the Sabbath School during the preceding year, were sent to the destitute in the west.
Joel Osterhoudt, Isaac Decker and Jacob W. Brink were made a committee to look after the enlargement of the church yard. Later David Griffin was substi- tuted for Jacob W. Brink on the committee and its power extended " to look after a few acres of land for parsonage use." July 6th, 1860, this committee re- ported that they " could not procure land for parson- age use," but that they had purchased enough land of Allen Griffin to enlarge the church yard. The deed shows that -4 of an acre, "more or less," lying south of the church lot and east of the church and parson- age, was bought for $25.00. Room was now had for church sheds, which were soon built by persons in the congregation.
October 12th, 1861, consistory resolved : " That our
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church be repaired, and that Jacob M. Snyder, Allen Griffin and Robert Burhans be a committee to attend to the work."
Consistory's report to Classis in 1862, says : " Week- ly prayer meetings have been sustained in several neighborhoods, though with considerable effort, and our Sabbath schools are kept up by the efforts of the few rather than the many." At various times the con- duct of members considerably exercised pastor and consistory.
May 10th, 1860, Joel Osterhoudt, John Maginnis and the pastor were appointed a committee "to visit and labor with delinquent members of the church and, if possible, bring them to the sanctuary and table of the Lord, which they have abandoned for several years past." Again the pastor and an elder are requested to visit certain members, who have absented themselves from the church services, and " endeavor to ascertain the reason of such conduct and, if possible, remove all obstacles in the way of a prompt return to Christian duty and privileges."
The Rev. N. F. Chapman, pastor of the Plattekill church, was asked to preside at a meeting of consist- ory, February 15th, 1864, at which Domine Minor offered his resignation to accept a call to the Reformed Church of Glenville, N, Y. Resolution of the consist-
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ory says : " We find our hearts exceedingly tried in ac ceding to the request of our esteemed pastor, and we desire to record our sincere testimony to his untiring zeal and faithfulness among us in the gospel ministry."
Mr. Minor died November 20th, 1890, at the age of 76. From the Manual of Dr. Corwin, we make the fol- lowing extract : "During the last year of his life, he preached regularly each Sabbath in the Reformed church of Fort Herkimer. He often said he wished ' to die with the harness on ' and his wish was granted. His was a long, active and useful life. He loved to preach the gospel, and through his labors many souls were brought into the kingdom. He was fond of music and an excellent singer.' "
Mrs. Minor, lately deceased, was a superior Bible class teacher. She conducted a Sunday School at the Flatbush school house during her husband's pastorate.
During the ministry of Mr. Minor the familiar figure of Elder John S. Wigram was missed from the services of the sanctuary. He united with the church
in 1840 and died in 1860. He and his wife were active members, and he served faithfully as deacon and elder. He was afflicted with deafness and in order to hear the words of the minister he brought to the church a high chair, which he placed before the pulpit and on which he sat with a trumpet to his ear. Would that we who
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have " ears to hear " might be as eager listeners in the house of God. Of course, the pastor of the church became accustomed to the practice of Mr. Wigram. But it is related that one Sunday, when another min- ister supplied the pulpit, brother Wigram quietly took his seat during the "long prayer." At its close the minister was much startled to see him so near with horn pointed at the domine.
REV. WILLIAM BRUSH MERRITT.
Dr. Gosman was invited to assist the consistory in making a call on the Rev. William Brush Merritt, May 27, 1865. Mr. Merritt accepted the call at a salary of $600.00. He was a graduate of Rutgers College and the New Brunswick Seminary, and had just finished his studies when called to Flatbush. During his pastorate the church edifice was enlarged and remodelled and two chapels built in the bounds of the congregation'
February 26th, 1866, A. H. Osterhoudt, Uriah VanEtten and James Hendricks were appointed a com- mittee on church repairs. April 13th, this committee was authorized "to employ mechanics for repairing and enlarging the church or to give the job to the lowest bidder." May 25th, the consistory commends the building committee for its " vigilance and fidelity "
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in proceeding with the work in hand. They had about ffnished remodelling the church when a severe wind storm, on July 17th, so much damaged the steeple as to render it unsafe. The building committee were di- rected to have "a new steeple built somewhat re- .sembling the old one." This is the present steeple, said to have been designed by Mr. Hallenbeck, of Kingston. August 10th, 1866, the consistory records its thanks to the committee for its faithful and success- ful performance of the difficult task assigned to it. Consistory also expresses its satisfaction with the work as done by John P. Folant, contractor, and his assist- ants E. T. Van Nostrand, Silas Kenyon and Mr. Monell.
These repairs were the most extensive and expen- sive yet made, and when finished the church building outside and within was practically as we now see it. The side galleries were removed, the interior painted and decorated, the upper part of steeple rebuilt and a large addition made to the north end of the church with recess back of the pulpit. A new pulpit, the pre- sent one, was also built.
Dedicatory exercises were held Sunday, August 19th, 1866, at which Dr. Ostrander read the Form and the Rev. S. T. Cole, pastor of the Plattekill church, offered the closing prayer. The sermon was preached
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by the pastor from 2 Chron. 6: 41. We further read : "The singing by the choir was fine. Although the day was unfavorable, we had quite a large audience."
Consistory's report to Classis of 1867 says : " During the past year we enlarged, repaired and beautified our church building at an expense of nearly $3,000.00, all of which has been paid."
At a meeting April 5th, 1867, the following com- mittees were appointed : Jacob Brink and Titus Oster- houdt to have church and parsonage insured to the amount of $5,000, and Alanson Osterhoudt and L. H. Osterhoudt to attend to repairs of parsonage fence. The pastor was authorized to have clothes press built in upper hall of parsonage.
April 14th of this year, consistory defines the con- ditions on which leases for church sheds shall be given. May 13th, 1867, the consistory obligates itself to pay the pastor a salary of $800.00 and all above that sum that can be raised.
A little later the consistory refuses to omit the word " Dutch " from the corporate title of the Flat- bush church. March 31st, 1868, Jacob W. Brink and John Keener were appointed a committee to have the parsonage painted; the salary of the sexton, then Robert Burhans, was made $50.00; and the consistory approve of a plan submitted by the pastor to increase
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the benevolence of the church. At that time contri- butions were made to the Boards of Foreign and Domestic Missions, the American Bible Society and the American Tract Society.
Report to Classis of 1868 says : " The entire church has been furnished with cushions; lecturing stations are well attended, also the prayer meetings in which ten or eleven young men take part. The Ulster White Lead Company, under supervision of C. Batelle, has erected for our exclusive use a beautiful chapel which was dedicated by us October 27th, 1867. The dedica- tion prayer was offered by the venerable Dr. Henry Ostrander." This chapel was built for the employees of the Ulster White Lead Company at Glenerie. These lead works were established about 1835 by Colonel Edward Clark and afterwards sold to Battelle and Renwick, who employed 40 to 50 hands. From the time the chapel was built Glenerie was a regular preaching station of the Flatbush church until the lead works were closed through their absorption by the National Lead Company in 1893. The pastors at Flatbush, beginning with Mr. Merritt, would preach there every other Sunday afternoon or evening alterna- ting with Glasco. At first ministers of the Episcopal and Lutheran churches held occasional services there. Samuel Osborne, who was employed in the mill, con-
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ducted meetings about two years before the mills were closed. In 1901 Rev. S. T. Cole preached there. The lead company annually contributed $100 to the support of the church of Flatbush. When the mills ceased operation nearly all the residents of the flourishing little hamlet removed to other places leaving an almost "deserted village." In March, 1869, the sexton asked for an increase of salary and was granted $75 per year. At the same time it was resolved, "That the church try to raise for the support of Rev. J. A. Davis, as missionary in China, at least a sum equal to fifty cents per member yearly for a term not to exceed ten years."
May 24th, James Wells and Alanson Osterhoudt were made a committee to attend to building a " cook house" 10x12 ft. to be attached to the kitchen of the parsonage. June 30th, consistory voted that the pastor's salary be $1,000.00 per annum from June Ist, 1869.
In consistorial report of 1870 we find : "A large and increasingly interesting Bible class has been well sustained on Sabbath evenings in the church. There are at present five prayer meetings held in the congre- gation." The pastor makes grateful mention of the Rev. Judson Buck, then residing in the congregation, to whom he feels greatly indebted for "his prayers, wise counsel and eminent example of Christian faith."
REV. WILLIAM B. MERRITT.
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In 1870 Peter Overbagh, son of Major Overbagh, and Van Leuven O. Whitaker donated to the consistory a lot of ground in Glasco for the purpose of building thereon a chapel of the Reformed church. This gift was thankfully accepted and declared to be "very opportune."
At meeting of consistory, November 30th of that year, it was resolved, "That instead of a donation, a purse be raised for our pastor ; that 100 copies of 'the Sower and Gospel Field' be taken ; that $10.00 of the 'Dime Fund' money be given toward payment for the Gosman portrait to be sent to Rutgers College."
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