USA > New York > Onondaga County > Jordan > Our church and her interests : being a souvenir of the past history and a survey of the present and future interests of the First Presbyterian Church of Jordan, Onondaga Co., N. Y. . . . > Part 6
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wife of Mr. Gabriel Bell, was born in Utica, Oct. 29, 1806, re- moved to Jordan in 1809, and lived in this village till her death, March 20, 1872. She was a teacher in the Sunday school some time before the church was organized, and became a member of the church shortly after that event. For a great many years she led the singing in the church. She was a lady of great force of character, of a cheerful, happy disposition, always finding for herself and others the bright side to everything. This trait of her character was beautifully exemplified during her five years of painful sickness. Laid aside from active life (for she was always remarkably active) she "rested in the Lord, waiting pa- tiently for Ilim." There was scarcely a day during that five years that she did not repeat aloud, "and having done all to stand."
The triumphs of grace, as shown by her unmurmuring sub- mission, were more wonderful even than the earnest, ambitious christian workings of her devoted life. Her daughter, *
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Mrs. Jennie, Latimer,
was a member of this church until her marriage and removal to Weedsport, when she united with the Presbyterian church there. She died Aug. 5, 1870.
MARY -- Another daughter of Mrs. Bell (now Mrs. Riggs of Meridian), was a member with us until her removal there.
MRS. SARAH GILLESPIE-Another daughter, is now a member with us.
Mrs. Bell's funeral services were conducted by Revs. Cyrus M. Perry and Almon R. Hewitt.
" Thou art gone to the grave ! but we will not deplore thee, Since God was thy ransom, thy guardian, thy guide;
He gave thee, He took thee and He will restore thee.
And death hath no sting, since the Savior hath died."
James Burrill,
son of Nelson and Sophronia Burrill, born May 14, 1851, died in Jordan, Nov. 20, 1873, aged 23. He joined the "church on July 2, 1871 ; and although he died so soon afterwards, his two years' connection with the church was one of such consistency and usefulness as to claim special notice. Industrious in his hab- its, noble and upright in his dealings, quiet and unobtrusive in manner, of few faults and many virtues, he will long be affec- tionately remembered, not only by the home circle, but by all who knew him. Firm in temperance principles, he was a mem- ber and faithful officer of Reform Lodge, No. 614 of I. O. G. T. of Jordan. His death was a sad surprise to many. Typhoid pneumonia was the direct cause. The funeral services, held in the church, were largely attended and very impressive. The following indicates the high regard entertained for himself and family :
"Resolutions of respect and affection passed by the Presbyterian Sabbath School " of Jordan, November 23, 1873:
" WHEREAS, By an afflictive dispensation of Divine Providence James Burrill, " one of our dear associates and friends, and an active, earnest member of our " Sabbath school, has been removed from among us; therefore, be it
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" Resolved, That we, as a Sabbath school, desire to express our sensibility of " the loss we have sustained in his death, not only by being thus deprived of his " careful and attentive services as Librarian of our school, and his regular atten- " dance and ready assistance in carrying it on and aiding in every way its ad- " vancement and best interests, but losing the effect of his influence and example " upon others of the young men of our community whose feet are not 'walking in " the way that leadeth unto life '
" Resolved, That we hereby tender our deepest sympathy, and mingle our sor- " rows with the family of which the deceased was a beloved and loving member, " in this the hour of their affliction and grief.
"Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the family of our
" departed brother, and published in the Jordan Transcript.
" Dated November 22, 1873."
His mother, Mrs. Burrill, is an active member with us, also his brother-in-law, Mr. W. H. Nash, who has filled the office of trustee of the society, and other positions in the Sabbath school, and is still identified with the interests of both.
Helen Bell,
first wife of Charles Bell, now residing in Middleton, Orange county, N. Y., united with this church Nov. 5, 1842, and adorned her profession by a godly walk and conversation until her death, which occurred April 23, 1849, in the 29th year of her age. She was universally beloved, for she was one of those excellent women whose memory we delight to cherish, and whose influence is as "ointment poured forth." As she lay prepared for the tomb, her appearance was so beautiful, that friends recall the many expressions of admiration which involuntarily escaped the lips of those who came to take the last farewell of one they so much regarded. Among these was Mr. Isaac Otis, Sen., who, standing in the doorway, as he looked upon the fair face, "beau- tiful in death," exclaimed :
"O, lovely appearance of death, No sight upon earth is so fair ; Not all the gay pageants we see, Can with a dead body compare."
Adding, " not with hers."
Hers was not merely beauty of personal appearance, but also of character ; the " beauty of holiness " which outlasts all storms,
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survives all wrecks and endures, unchanged, undimmed, untar- nished through the ages of God's own eternity.
The Rev. H. B. Hosford (recently from the seminary) preached his first funeral discourse on the occasion of her burial. Somewhat embarrassed and deeply affected, as he closed his discourse he remarked: "and what can I say of the departed ? she died very " young ; she lived and loved, and suffered and died : and what " more is there of life ?"
Her life, death and burial will not soon be forgotten by those who were so deeply concerned in the touching event. She left four small children.
(Early) dan of Hezekiah
Airs. Matilda A. Chadwick.
Born in 1810, died Nov. 14, 1861, aged fifty years and ten months ; was a consistent member of this church until her trans- fer to the Episcopal church, for whose creed and polity she had a preference. Her son, Charles Chadwick, now residing in Syr- acuse, was an active worker in our church till his removal from Jordan, and still manifests his love for the Presbyterian society.
The Carson Family
were among the earliest settlers in Jordan. They are of Prot- estant Irish descent, and came from Salem, Washington county, N. Y. Patrick and Margaret Carson (the first of the family to settle here) came to Salem from county Down, Ireland. Many of the family name and connection are honorably identified with the history of Jordan village, and especially its Presbyterian society. Of these the following are deceased :
ISABEL CARSON-Born in June, 1788, brought to America in 1790, was the oldest of nine children of Patrick and Margaret Carson, married in 1814 to James Stevenson, who also came from Ireland to Salem when quite young. They were both mem- bers of the First Presbyterian, church of that place, at the time of their marriage. James Stevenson died in 1829 (before our church organization), leaving four children, James, Susan (now
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the wife of James McKissick), Archimedes and David Carson Stevenson ; the last named was a member at the date of his death, in June, 1854. His body, " sown in corruption, will be raised in incorruption." He was a victim of consumption, but a subject of divine grace.
ISABEL STEVENSON-Married, as her second husband, William Nicholson. She died in Jordan, May, 1873, aged 70 years.
JOHN CARSON-Son of Patrick Carson, and brother of the foregoing, died in Freeport, Illinois, in October, 1869. His wife, Sophia, died in 1837. They were both members with us of good report.
ELEANOR CARSON-Daughter of Patrick Carson, born May 22, 1795, and died in Fulton, N. Y., Dec. 9, 1872. She married John Stevens, and with him was transferred from the Elbridge Congregational church, at the organization of this. She was buried in Jordan cemetery, the Rev. Dr. Bacon, of the Fourth church, Syracuse, officiating.
THOMAS L. CARSON-Died Nov. 21, 1860. He was a very active member of our church, an earnest temperance advocate-founder of " The Carson League Temperance Society," and publisher of a paper bearing that name, and acting as its organ. His son, Randall Carson, fell a victim to the war of the rebellion, being at the time a member of our church.
ELLEN CARSON-Daughter of Thomas L. Carson, is still united with us.
JULIA CARSON-First wife of David Carson, who was also a member of our church, and now resides in Syracuse, was born in Salem, N. Y., March 8, 1805, and died in Jordan, Oct. 12, 1850, aged 45 years. She was one of those " noble women " who did what she could to further the cause of Christ, and exemplify, in all her life, the religion she professed. An active, amiable, consistent Christian, she will be remembered with sincere affec- tion and esteem as long as those who knew and loved her pos- sess the faculty of recollection. The life she lived in the flesh, she lived "by the Faith of the Son of God," and as she lived, so she died, "trusting in Jesus."
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John Delany
died about the last of November, 1876, in Auburn, N. Y., at the residence of his son, with whom he had lived for some time previous.
He filled the position of sexton of the church, with some intermission (while he served in the war of the Rebellion), for about thirty years. About thirty years ago, by the efforts of the Sons of Temperance of Jordan, and especially Thos. L. Carson (of whom John Delany thought much), he was reclaimed from intemperance, and, spite of many difficulties and discourage- ments, held to his pledge. By the power of converting grace (of which our, friend was a notable example) he made rapid im- provement in his social and moral condition and character. Of very sensitive nature-the subject of strong propensities and passions-surrounded with ungenial and contrary influences in his home and social life-he displayed a christian fortitude and perseverance which only those who knew his besetments and hindrances could with any adequacy appreciate.
His duties as sexton were faithfully discharged. He was a man of honor and integrity, who made the most of his meagre advantages. Whatever faults he had were evidently struggled against with renewed energy, after slight relapses. He persevered in the struggle-" fought a good fight ; finished his course ; kept the faith." Freed from trial, temptation and care, he passed away to that better abode, where
" The wicked cease from troubling, And the weary are at rest."
The Daggett Family
were early settled in Jordan, coming from Enfield, Mass., in 1823.
EBENEZER -- Born in Enfield, June 16, 1798. Died in Jordan, of enlargement of the liver, after terrible suffering, December 26, 1859. An original member-one of the first Session and Board of Trustees-he was one of the pillars and supporters of
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the church until his death. In company with Salmon Greene, he took the building contract. He had ten children ; four died young. Out of five now living, three are members of churches : William, in Ottumwa, Iowa ; Henry, in Brookfield, Missouri ; and Rebecca, in California. Calvin Foote is now our leader of singing, and his daughter, organist. He takes the name of his father's favorite Enfield minister, under whose ministry he was doubtless converted.
MARY POPE (maiden name Kennedy)-Wife of Ebenezer Daggett, was born October 22, 1801, and died November 27, 1862, while on a visit to her son William, of Ottumwa, of con- gestion of the lungs She was brought to Jordan, and buried in the cemetery. Rev. R. Dunning conducted the funeral serv- ices of both herself and her husband.
SARAH ELIZABETH-Daughter of Ebenezer Daggett, was born in Jordan, August 7, 1835, and died November 19, 1861, of that fell disease, consumption, aged 26 years. She united with the church in October, 1850, and was taken ill in Jackson county, Mississippi, where she was teaching music. She was of modest, unassuming disposition, and universally beloved.
EBENEZER DAGGETT, SR .- Was born in Massachusetts, May 16, 1762, and came to reside with his son, Deacon Daggett, in 1844. His wife Jeannette and his daughter Mary came at the same time, and united with the church in October of that year. Miss Mary Daggett survives, and is residing in Springfield, Mass. Her father died in 1848; her mother, within a year after, and both rest in the Jordan cemetery.
The Greene Family
came to Jordan from Cheshire, Mass., in 1824. The family were of Puritan origin and faith.
SALMON GREENE-Was one of the first members of the church, and foremost in maintaining its enterprises and interests. He was an elder from its organization, and filled with credit and effi- ciency every office in the appointment of the church. He was a
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consistent Christian and rich in the esteem of all who knew him. He was sound, and strong, and steady, in Presbyterian principle and polity. Of strong convictions, strongly held, everyone knew where to find him ; for he was faithful to his creed, his calling, and his Divine Master. Converted at the age of 27, he was a member of this church twenty-two years, and died July 4, 1851, after a short illness of malignant erysipelas, at Seneca Falls. He was buried in Jordan cemetery, July 8, 1851, Rev. C. Ander- son, of Sennett, officiating.
Four of his children have been members of this church, out of six living.
AMY GREENE-Wife of Salmon Greene, was born January 25, 1801, and died March 20, 1874. Rev. Dr. Fillmore officiated at the funeral services, and preached from 1 Thessalonians, iv, 14: " For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so " them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." Hers was an exemplary christian life. Her memory, fragrant and precious, is cherished by a fond family and a large circle of appreciative friends.
As worthy representatives of the family and active supporters of the cause, there remain with us Mr. Robert E. Greene and Mrs. Sarah Buck.
Dirs. Leonora Knowlton,
wife of Hollis Knowlton, died November 10, 1861, aged 62 years. She lived an exemplary christian life, and died trusting in her Redeemer. Her husband now resides with her daughter, Mrs. W. C. Rodger. The Knowlton family were very early settled in Jordan, and the subject of this obituary was connected quite early with our church, and her memory is honored by all who knew her.
The MeClure Family
are of Scotch descent, and were first settled in Vermont. The family came to Jordan from Oran, Onondaga county, N. Y.
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JAMES MCCLURE, JR .- Born in Pompey, Onondaga county, N. Y., December 12, 1798, and came to Jordan in 1823. He was converted during the revival under Dr. Burchard in 1833, and joined the church with other members of the family. He was collector of the Society in 1832, trustee in 1844 ; leader of the choir for many years, and always actively interested in sus- taining the reputation of the church for good music. He died September 18, 1870, after only five days' absence from business, though his health had been poor for years. Rev. Cyrus M. Perry preached the funeral discourse, founding his remarks on Isaiah xl., the passage due for reading at family worship next morning-it being the custom of Mr. McClure to read the Scriptures by course.
ORPHA -- His wife (daughter of Isaac Otis, Sr.) was born in Fabius, N. Y., September 16, 1802, removed to Jordan, 1816, and joined the church with her husband in 1833. She died July 15, 1859. Rev. Dr. Fillmore of Park church, Syracuse, preached the funeral discourse from Rev. xxi, 4: "Neither shall there be any more pain" -- a very appropriate sermon, since Mrs. McClure had suffered a long and painful illness.
"Rest for the fevered brain, Rest for the throbbing eye ! Thro' these parched lips of thine no more Shall pass the moan or sigh.
"O, the rest for ever, and the rapture ! O, the hand that wipes the tears away, O, the golden homes beyond the sunset, And the hope that watches o'er the clay !"
ARTHUR T. MCCLURE-Son of James McClure, Jr., united with this church when about fifteen years of age. He went soitth in Nov., 1856, and died in New Orleans, of yellow fever, in Sept., 1867. He was always connected with the Sabbath school and filled the office of Librarian. His sister, Miss Susan McClure, is now a member of the church.
Amelia Tur. MicGinnis,
wife of John McGinnis, Esq., united with this church during the pastorate of Rev. Washington Thacher, and together with
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her eldest daughter, Margaret A., "walked worthy " of their Christian calling and profession, "in all pleasing," until the re- moval of their much esteemed family from this village. We can not do better than quote from the Joliet Signal, of Joliet, Ill., where Mrs. McGinnis died, March 28, 1856. The obituary is prepared by her then pastor, and in its testimony and apprecia- tion of the christian character and service of our departed sister, all who knew her heartily join :
"DIED- On Monday, the 28th ult., Mrs. Amelia W. McGinnis, wife of John " McGinnis, Esq., of this city, and daughter of the late Obadiah Woodruff, of " Newark, New Jersey.
"By this bereavement the afflicted husband and children are left to mourn, " not only an affectionate wife and tender parent but also an earnest and intelli- " gent christian counselor and guardian. With her it had been pre-eminently " as with the Apostle-"CHRIST TO LIVE." With broad views of the spirit and " requirements of religion, she took its precepts habitually with her into the " scenes of domestic and social intercourse, and by kindness and charity, and " fidelity in all her obligations to others, she strove to manifest her love to God. "Her religion was by no means confined to the Sabbath and the sanctuary, " but it was her constant and well-loved companion. Early in life she was im- " pressed with the importance of life's great duties and with her need of the " Savior's instruction and aid in the proper discharge of them, but so fearful was " she of self-deception, so humble and self-distrustful in her piety, that she could " not for many years venture to partake of those sacred emblems which so " beautifully commemorate our Savior's love for his disciples, and publicly to " profess her attachment to His cause.
" In 1836, together with her eldest daughter, she joined the Presbyterian " church in Jordan, N. Y., then under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Thacher, and " for twenty years adorned her profession by a consistent and successful life. " By successive removals to Lexington, Ky., to Battle Creek, Michigan, and to " this city,she was thrown into the midst of new circles of acquaintances whom, " by a ready sympathy and that kindness of heart which evinced itself in all her "intercourse, she speedily converted into friends, and to them she manifested " her love for the Savior, not by frequent and loud protestations, but by a con- " stant exhibition of the SPIRIT of religion in her intercourse.
" Her piety was unobtrusive, but it was the moving-spring of all her actions- " it was humble and self-distrustful-but it was constant as a perennial spring in " its flow, and as fruitful as the river's banks in the flowers that adorn life's " pathway.
" For the last six years of her life, debility and suffering were her constant " companions, yet she was always ready in self-forgetfulness to become " acquainted with, and if able, to relieve the sufferings of those around her.
" A tender wife, an affectionate mother, a faithful friend, she made her home
" always cheerful and happy, adorning it with the graces of a christian character, " and making it attractive by the warmth of christian affection.
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" The closing scenes of her life were painful in the extreme. Deprived of the "power of speech, she could not converse with the friends by her side, or send " messages to the absent. But her life has given them an index to her char- " acter, and they needed no other assurance of her acceptance by the Savior.
" It had been Christ for her to live, it was gain for her to die."
" BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHO DIE IN THE LORD."
" YEA, SAITH THE SPIRIT, FOR THEY REST FROM THEIR LABORS, AND THEIR WORKS "DO FOLLOW THEM.'
" Upon the monument erected to her memory, are the appropriate words, "like a prophecy of the actual fact,
" HER CHILDREN SHALL ARISE AND CALL HER BLESSED."
The Megissick Family,
of Scotch origin, settled first in Maine, from which place they removed to Jordan in 1818. Since then the name has never been absent from the list of Jordan inhabitants ; but the family have always been identified with the best interests of the village. The original settlers here (MosEs and ABIGAIL STUART, his wife) were Free Will Baptists, pious and godly people. Of the family now living the following have been members of this church, and dismissed to sister churches on their removal from Jordan : Mr. and Mrs. STUART MCKISSICK, now of the First Presbyterian church of Albany, N. Y., of which Mr. McKissick is Deacon, and Mr. and Mrs. AARON MCKISSICK, now of the Central Pres- byterian church of Auburn, N. Y. The following are resident and active members : Mr. JAMES McKISSICK and wife, with their children, CHARLES and his wife, BELLE and NORMAN. Others we hope will soon take the all-important step of decision for Christ. Mrs. NANCY BLAKESLIE, sister of James, with her husband, ARZA BLAKESLIE, and daughter, Miss CORDELIA BLAKESLIE. (Mrs. Blakeslie is one of the original members.)
MOSES-Died before the church was organized, July 31, 1823, and was buried Aug. 2d, in the burial ground opposite Mr. Peter Voorhes' farm, being carried there on a bier by changes of bearers. There was no hearse in Jordan so early as that. " He died the death of the righteous."
1
Futher Charles Morris.
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ABIGAIL STUART-His wife, of precious memory, died in February, 1837, and was laid with her husband, who had " gone before " her fourteen years.
ABIGAIL SMITH -- Daughter of Moses and Abigail S., died August, 1875, aged 45 years. She lived and died in the Faith of the Lord Jesus.
JAMES STUART -- Son of James and Susan McKissick, died February 9, 1876, of a severe struggle with that fell disease, con- sumption. It was hard for him to yield to the call, and hard for his parents and friends to give him up. He died in the Faith of the Lord Jesus, at the age of 31 years, leaving a widow and one little girl. His widow is still a member of this church.
" There is a world above, Where parting is unknown ; A whole eternity of love Formed for the good alone ; And Faith beholds the dying here Translated to that happier sphere."
Julia A. Norton,
first wife of Stuart McKissick, now of Albany, N. Y., was one of the earliest, most earnest and devoted members of our church. She died August 22, 1843, in the 32d year of her age.
" NOT LOST BUT GONE BEFORE."
Charles Morris
was born in Hartford, Oneida county, N. Y., March 12, 1789. Died in Quincy, Illinois, August 9, 1875, in the 87th year of his age. He was a genial, genuine, consistent Christian, an active anti-slavery man, and especially interested in Sabbath school work. He came to Jordan about 1830, and remained a very useful member of the church till his removal to the West, on the decease of his wife. He was clerk of Trustees and Society col- lector in 1838. All his family united with our church-Henry, Charles and Cornelia. Many of his old Sabbath school scholars will remember a favorite exercise of his, " Spell ' Good Boy.'" He left Jordan universally esteemed. Of his life afterwards, the following letter, received from his pastor, will best speak :
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" STUDY OF UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, " QUINCY, ILLINOIS, December 29, 1876.
" Rev. J. Edward Close,
" Jordan, N. Y.,
" DEAR SIR :- I am very happy in being able to give some " reminiscences of our late esteemed friend, Mr. Charles Morris, whose face is " by me in a speaking picture on my study wall. It was my privilege to know " him intimately during the latter part of his life, and to enter heartily into his " schemes for the Master's service. Though very feeble, he was yet able to be " very active in his favorite work among the children, and his great age seemed " rather to have concentrated his mind upon the grand object of saving souls, " sifting out all matters less than that.
" 'Father Morris' had gathered the first Sunday school of colored children " in Quincy, calmly bearing the obloquy of such a mission in this city, which " was separated from a Slave state only by the Mississippi river-and not at all " separated in its prejudices. From this beginning grew the large colored " churches that are now strong and active in this city, and the great improve- " ment in the moral tone of that people. Till he was finally confined to the " house by his last sickness, the white head (like 'a crown of glory') and the " loving face of the good man were always seen in one of the colored Sunday " schools, and in one of their weekly prayer meetings.
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