USA > New York > Greene County > Catskill > Records of the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Leeds, in the town of Catskill, Greene County, N.Y. > Part 6
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bartin G. Schuneman, who was also the Treasurer of the church appears to have financed the building operations, until he could go no further. The church was roofed and the walls finished on the outside, in the summer of 1816, but fi- nancial difficulties prevented its completion for two years. A vague reference to these troubles is found in an unsigned remonstrance addressed to the Consis- tory, against vacating the rights of the holders of the pew leases, which took place about the year 1855.
"If you will review the history of the Church edifice in Leeds, by whome it was commenced and what caused a cessation for two years after it was enclosed, and how and upon what terme it was finished, you will at once come to the conclusion that you have entered upon the possession of others & violated the contract which by the oath of your office you was bound to sustain as the successors [of those] who entered in a written contract with the purchasers of the property you now seek to take from them.'
On April 15, 1818, the Consistory resolved:
"That we will expose to sale, by a prospectus, the seats to be made on the ground floor of the new stone church in Madison, on Monday 27 April 10 o'clock A. K."
The minutes of the Consistory at this period are incomplete and the min- utes of a Congregational meeting hold at about this time are lost. On Apr. 27, 1818, the Building Committee and the Treasurer resigned their powers in favor of the Consistory. It was resolved that the pews be leased for 999 years, "on conditions of sale before agreed upon". This action was taken because "doubts exists; whether the conststory possess the power to sell the pews in the New Church:wh Thẻ service was held In the church, while the interior was still in an unfinished etato; "& Fourth "July deleuration, the Rev. Isaac'N. wyckoff being the orator or "'On June 22, 1818, the Consistory resolved to apply the interior furnitu e of the old church "to building the new fixtures.
111.
A bill to the Consistory in account with H. & J. P. Whittleasy, shows items for hardware and painting materials, extending from June 24, to Oct. 23, 1818, amounting to #107.80, (e. & o. e.); besides an unpaid account from Aug. 21, to Nov. 1, 1816, amounting to $73.46.
It would therefore appear from these incomplete details, that the Building Committee were unable to finish the church; that they resigned in the spring of 1818; that the pers, (not then built) were sold to raise funds to build them; that they were sold in perpetuity, subject to an annual rental; that material from the interior of the old church was used in building the pews; and that the new stone church was finally finished in the month of November , 1818. Rxtracts from'one of the pew leases follow:
1 Indenture, dated Nov. 1, 1818; between the Consistory of the Reformed Dutch Church in Catskill and Isaac J. Dubois, in consideration of the rent and covenants to be paid and performed, . do demise and ' let ....... forever, subject to the rent of $1.88 a year, .
for and during the term or terms a settled Minister shall perform divine service in said Church. This rent to be deducted from subscription for the annual support of said Minister; if rent romains unpaid after domand, the lease to be forfeited to the church.
The treasurer's report on Feb. 10, 1819 shows the following balances :
"Whole expense of the church building, ,
- 44408.31 Amount"of credit for seats sold &o. , 8806,89
Leaving a balance of debt for which no provision is made, €89.42" Ay understanding of this report is, that the word "credit" was used because the seats were sold on notes; and the item of $3806.89 was the total amount of the notes, para and unpaid. The debt on the church was a source of pressing embarrassment to the Consiatory for four or five years thereafter. Even ma late as the year 1828, there had been no final settlement of the accounts of Martin Sol Martin G. Schuneman had died Feb. 21, 1827, leaving the 80- count unsettled .. On Oct. b, 1829, a committee was appointed to obtain a receipt "full from M. G. Bohunoman & Co. In order to reconcile the cost of the Leeds church, as reported at the separation of the old ;congregation, $6001.00, it . would appear that the account _of M, Q. Schuneman & co. dever paid in full, . . but about $2100.00 51. 3.58 was appointed to have stone stepe erected-bo -
Fore gach door of the churchi-a contract was letto Jacob Frear and Jno ... Henry 3800. finished, the committee opuld not accept it and a
--- yearderithey were med for payment.
. . Demarest. When the work var
as appointed to repair. the
112.
church and build a new parsonage. 'The repairs to the church wore made in July. On August 30th, the Consistory,
"Resolved that the sum of [767, be apportioned as a tax on the Pow- holders and that the persons living out of the Bounds of the congregation be requested to pay the assessment or release their Pews & [11ps to the Consistory.
Resolved that John Van Vechten & Iaaac Plank be e committee to make the apportionment & call on the Persons to pay said Tax or rolease said Slips or Pews."
The report of the Building Committee shows that $766.81 was expended for' a new roof and rebuilding the steeple. The tax of $767.00, was apportioned, but it is doubtful if much of the amount was collected, because early in 1853, the ladies of the congregation assumed the debt for building the new steeple. A copy of the appraisal list follows, with names of the original Lesseest
we us List of Per Owners in the Stone Church at Leeds and amount
lystaxed on same for repairs to said Church done in July 1852.
No. Ownerle, Names ... Val'm Portion No. Owner's Names . .. Val'n Portion
1. M.G. bohunoman $175. 24.06 ". 27. A. Abeel & A. A. Abool $66. 8.93
2. I. & J. Duboie 178. 24.06 28. C. Bonham 85. 8.93
3. M. O. Sobunomen 180. 84.75 89. Um. Fowks 70 .: 9.62
4. Abr. A. Salisbury 180. 24.75 30. - 70. 9.62
5. John ROuse :'' 200. 27,50
. 31. John Vedder 75. 10.31
6. Wm. Schuneman
200. 27.50 32. 75. 10.31
7. John Bobuneman. 1 800: 27-60: -35. Harmon Vedder. 80. '11.00
B. J. #inne & E. Blackmer 200. 27.50 34. Peter Sousor 80. 11.00
9. Wmv Salisbury :800, 27.50 :: 38. : #John Fiero 1/2 86,41.68
10. Van Bergen & Schuneman 200. 27.50 36. Joseph Sax 85. 11.68
11. H.lDewey 1. 200: : 87.50 : 2 . 37 . - William Brandon 90: 12.37
12. J. P. Newkork
200. 27.50
*John A. Overbagh
: 00. 18.37
13. J.hFeKSax, -Frederick & Jac. Overbagh 180. 24.75 39. John Rouse Jr.
14. Km.ploAder' ,1
15. --
126. 17.18
- 185. : 19x18amatter tav 6. Elting
44. Wessel Sallebury 100. 13.75
#gu :: 1002015:75
46. Frederick Smith 100. 13.75 190. 18.37
147$
-
90. 18.37
¥. 80.111,68
28, John Van Vechten 60. 8.85
3600.
56801 Piante
Voudoer !!
ad potatis idThe totala
not extended in theoriginet da
22. Michasi Plenk 50. 0.87 48.
Borl Janob: MifPlankbars=Ln, *60Bbs 7168t@* $1. *****-****
24. Charles Crapser 55. 7.55 62. . 80. 11.68
05. 13.06
$180. 24.75 40. J. Fiero 1/3 95. 18.06
175. 24.06 16. VamoOrden.&:Mesiok, 31 1754-88:0637 41. P. P. Sax #J. Remsen 100. 13.75 17.
.. 48.Jamb#:Vap,Dousen *= u$100. 13,75 43. James W. Elting 100. 13.75
104
113.
In August 1862, a committee was appointed to obtain releases from the pew owners in order to have the pews altered into slips. At the meeting of the con- sistory on Jan. 7, 1853, it was resolved that the poms and slips be sold. But as some of the original lessees still refused to release their rights to the church, the sale was postponed until the first of February, when some of the pews were sold at auction, under rentale to kay first. It does not appear how- ever that the sale was effective, and the objectors succeeded in delaying the interior repairs to the church until the summer of 1856, when the undertaking was finally accomplished with the aid of the Ladies Benevolent Association.
At a meeting of the Female Benevolent Association of Leeds (composed of the ladies of the congregation), held on Jan. 6, 1883, the following resolution was passed, by a vote of 18 to 15:
"Resolved That we, the Ladies of this Association propose to the Con- sistory that we assume the debt of the steeple ( $400. ) principal & intorest, tobe paid in 2 years, provided that they [the Consistory] within the same space of time liquidate the remaining part of the debt on the Church & Par- sonage, with the understanding that after the removal of the entire debt, the . Consistory shall co-operate with we in raseating the Church. " .
At their meeting on Jan. 10, 1853, the Consistory passed the following: .cije"Resolved that we duly appreciate the generous offer of the Ladies and that we will endeavor to comply with the conditions of their worthy proposal and thereby secure their official Co-operation in the liquids- tlom of our Debt to the extent contemplated in their resolution; after whichiwe hope to be"no lees zealous than they in completing the tmaide repairs of our church."
On Man. 81, 1863; at a meeting of the Consistory, the Treasurer's; repart submittedpeshowed that "the Building Committee have paid out for repaire:to the Churoleand webuilding the Steeple; 18766.81,"c: Buning thesnext eighteen months the ladiesrefathe Benevolent :Association:left .no :atome unturned.to carry out their part:of thebargain, ram.the.minutes.oftheir.meetings.till.show. i :. They and took steps to invest at interest, the cash proge tertetamentewroc@n:July:4,1853,18 ,Fair wayiheld: Atothe hours todigroundssef kres dane.ha Vedder;ifn August,«there wasa Pienio
on the ground @wwwtynd, v1864; a:Fairiwastbald on the
Die IsaacIN: , Wyckoffgrof Albanyptwas the groundanet.
114.
orator of the day; the receipts amounted to $208.
On Dec. 16, 1864, the Conaiatory and the Association both assembled in sep- arate meetings at the parsonage. The Consistory sent down to the Association the following resolution, which is copied from the minutes of the Association: "Hosolved that the Ladies be requested to give all their surplus funds towards the payment of the debt. On a vote being taken by the Association the request of the Consistory was negatived. After which a Committee of Ladies was appointed to confer with the Consistory. They did so & after their return to the Association, the following Resolution was passed by a minority of the members present, the majority of the Ladies ( though opposed to the resolution written by Mrs. Minor) did not vote. Resolved that the Association will give all their funds towards paying the debt if the Con- simtory will agree to repair the inside of the Church the coming Spring; the Ladies engaged to be at 2/6 of the expense."
The foregoing proceedings are reported in the minutes of the Consistory, as follows :"
"Resolved, That the Clerk of Consistory ask the Ladies of the Benev- elent Association. to give to consistory all their surplus funds, for the purpose of liquidating the church debt; whereupon the ladies sent in the following resolution, viz.
¿.. Resolved, by the Ladies, That we give to the consistory the whole amount of funds on hand, provided that in the Spring they will proceed hice to the repairs of the inside of the church, we, assuming two fifths: (8/B) weathof the whole expense incurred in such repairs. Signed, E. . C. Ven Dousen,.
further
$750.00; Resolved, That the above resolution of the Ladies be accepted provi- In Jaded we have the legal ; power, whereupon a committee, consisting of the, Kl- www. dera(Rouge;"Van Dousen &: Philip was appointed to .ascertain.whether; con> ;! ! Chennaistoryhave the power>by law: to>introduce: the contemplated repaira. s.f. Un( QcThe Ladies thema paid over: to the treasurer of:Conafetomy their sur- . the poles funds amounting_ to: 5531 78 Dollars. "con excelog at Ali The wes Having, tousd surrendered their resources to thenlest. cent, the Ladies et. imindefatigable efforts to provideifunds to mesti their nevar
1886 , branntertainment. was givenat:the house: ofchr.
Cornelius House , which yi dod .00. On May 31st, at an entertainment at
*** vekili, ( hetnetet Actisleuth for:
11B.
the house of Mrs. Henry Vedder, 120.78, was received. Suitable exercises were held on the morning of July 4th, after which the Association adjourned to the house of Mir. im. R. Dingman for dinner, where during the afternoon and evening a Fair was held; the avails of the Fair amounted to about $150.00. And so on, up to march 20, 1856, when the minutes that have been preserved, of this useful and onorgetio Association come to an end.
At the meeting of the Conaistory held on Apr. 27, 1855, the "Committee on legal rights to repair church reported, that if repairs are necessary to promote the interests of the congregation, no pew holder oan harm us, and hence it is our previlege to go forward." A committee was then appointed to take the necoa-
sary steps to repair the interior of the church. In his address, on Feb. 28, 1888, the Rev. C. P. Ditmars describes the repairs as follows:
inthe eastern staircase [ to the gallery ] was removed, making room for ,, a wood or coal closet in the hall. The galleries were leveled and the
. seats turned into equeres for the convenience of the Sunday school. The large wooden pillara beneath the galleries were taken away and the present iron arches substituted in their place. The old-fashioned pulpit was out down to suit the more modern tastes of the people. The old-fashioned pews Y:,, were turned into slips as at present . The church was newly carpeted
" isk throughout. "
vlo) . Besides the foregoing repairs, the seats in the slips were cushioned, the work on the cushions being performed by the Ladies Benevolent Association, . Air holes were broken in the outside walls, under the floor, stoves wore put in the south end of the church and the chimneys were altered. . The funds for the repair billa, more borrowed: from the Catskill Bank, in the following amounts: Sept. 27th, 8740. 00: lipy. 30th,: 0460.00;and $108.00, at the same time; total, $1828.00.16 In January, 1886, these obligations wers met in pant, by borrowing, on notest .. $600. 81,, Enom Isang Plank, and 4398, 00, from Jacob Van Orden; possibly-subscrip- tions and Funds from' the Ladies, Benevolant Association took care of the remainder. For On Opty1 46, 1885, the non meats wars: appraised, andnotipe was given from 0 4 opHinterthat they would be offeredto the congregation at their appraisement. The sonts were sold on Dec. 5, 1856, for one year frem Nov. 1st. But this did not entirely dispose of ARADA DELA fax The atill olaimed righta under the originali taneps pofumed to release their rights ;
Os. History of Reformed Church of Catskill, ( Photostat Articles), page 8.
116.
to the church in 1853. On Nov. 30, 1856, a committee was appointed "to notify John Van Vechten, S. D. Smith, William Newkirk, Samuel Dewey, bra. Catherine Salisbury, William Elting and (perhaps) Peter Schunaman, that the seats they claim as theirs will be let or if occupied by them, they will be compelled to pay the appraised value for the support of the gospel. " The pown wore let for the mocond year, on Deo. 1, 1866. Soon after some of the recalcitrants were sued for the first year's ront. On Nov. 13, 1888, a committee was appointed "to obtain all the information from legal counsel necessary to enable the con- sistory safely to proceed in the matter of ejecting occupants and claimants of pera who refuse to pay either pew rent or salary [ subscriptions ]." At the end of the year 1859, the church debt was between seven and eight hun- dred dollars. At the end of 1863, a subscription liet was circulated to liqui - date the balance of the debt; and on Feb. 13, 1864, Elder F. Elting reported that he had taken up a consistorial note to the amount of 0414.58, ell bills were paid, and the church was at last free from debt.
In the early days of the old stone church, the music for singing was sup- plied by a' bams-viol, the property of the church. When the Leeds and Kiskatom churches separated, the bass-viol was in the possession of the Kiekatom church. Kiskatom claimed ownership, but finally, in 1846, they surrendered it to the" musical society of Leeds, who claimed it as their private property. The base - viol at Loods was superseded by a small melodeon. On Feb. 14, 1870, the Rev. B. Van Zandt, the pastor, reported to the Consistory that an organ could be ob- tained from the Presbyterian Church of Lansingburgh, at a cost of $350.00; and that the organ was recommended by Mr. Beach, an organ builder of Gloversville, as being of superior workmanship, needing but very little repair, and being
very cheap.
It was resolved that the organ be purchased.
One hundred dollars
toward the payment of the organ was raised by a concert, and three hundred dol- -
Jare was rateed on a consistorial noto. By a resolution of Consistory, on
Feb. 13, 1871, the "Bana Violin belonging to the church" was ordered to be sold
for teu dollara. By resolution of the Consistory on Dec. 6, 1875, the melodion
: was presented to Miss Margaret Van Zandt, in consideration of her services as
THE FIRST PARSORAGE OF THE LEEDS CHURCH.
The first parsonage house was purchased from Henry Permen, on Apr. 1, 1853,
tec for Dom. Jobannes Schunomen by the old out of the
117.
Catskill congropation. It atood about five hundred feet east of the church, on the north side of the Susquehannah Turnpike, now Wain Street. It was first oc- cupied by the kov. John Cannon Van Liow. In August, 1834, after Mr. Van Liew's departure, negotiations were made with Rev. Brogun Hoff, with a view to calling him. Mr. Hoff intimated that the parsonage house was not sufficiently large to accommodate his family. On Sept. 8, 1834, the Consistory resolved, in case of Mr. Hoff accepting the call, to raise the house to two atorior, provided that Mr. Hoff pay the interest on the expense, during his ministry. Mr. Hoff did not accept this call and the project was not accomplished. On Feb. 2, 1835, the Consistory resolved to renew the call on Mr. Hoff, and to make such altera- tions in the parsonage as were necessary to accommodate the contemplated pastor. The renewed call Mr. Horf accepted, and was duly installed on Apr. 29, 1835. On June 29th, the repairs to the parsonage were reported, totaling about $128.00. But there was not room enough for Mr. Moff's large family; and at the same meet- ing the Consistory resolved to build an addition, 28 x 16 feet on the west end of the personage. On Aug. 7, 183b, it was reported that the addition was near- ly completed, and the money to pay the contract was ordered borrowed on a Con- atstorial note. For several years at about this period, the minutes show that Frank and Judy Dingo, colored people, were squatting upon a part of the parsonage land; finally a notice of eviction was served on Judy Dingo, dated Aug. 28, 1837. On May 8, 1852, the first parsonage and the parsonage lot adjoining in the rear, were sold to Dr. Jeremiah G. Green, for the sum of $1200.00; of. page 132.
THE SECOND PARSONAGE.
On Feb. 6, 1862, the Consistory called a meeting of the Congregation for "the 14th Inst. for the purpose of a general consultation on the temporalitios 10+ of the church and church property." The minutes of the congregational meeting , 1
is 2001404333.
are wanting, but from a letter to the Consistory from Dr. J. G. Greene, dated
March 15th, it appears, that the congregational meeting selected a site for a
new parsonage and appointed a Committee with no representative from the Consis- tory, to make the purchase. Mr. Greene declined to serve on the committee,
which he believed was appointed contrary to the wishes of a majority of the con- gregation; the Conaistory also, were opposed to the location of the site seleot-
ad for the now parsonage.
Another congregational mesting was called for march 23rd; a building comait- .
- tee was appointed by the Great Consistory, on March 24th. Then at various maet-
118.
ings of the Conalstory resolutions aare passed, and often reconsidersd, concern- ing the site of the new personage. war. 27th, John Van Vechten refused to re- lease the representatives of the congregation from buliding a parsonage upon the lot verbally purchased from him. Har. Slet, the building committee reported that they had purchased the Vedder lot for #275.00. Apr. 10, a committee ap- pointed to obtain a dead for the Vender lot. Apr. 19th, the committee reported nothing done; resolution passed at the last meeting reconsiderel. resolved,
that the Creek Lot be purchased; committee appointed to procure a deed for not more than $260. Apr. 27th, committee reported that the Creek Lot had been pur- chased and the deed left at the County Clerk's office to be recorded; deod so- cepted; then, resolution of Receptance reconsidered. The committee Instructed
Mr. to see Abm. H. Newkerk and ascertain if ho will give a deed untramelod. Nenkerk agreed to give an untrameled deed, provided the conslatory would give him a written pledge that the parsonage would be built on said lot. Consistory resolved to give the pledge and take an unrestricted deed. May 4th, the last
resolution reconsidered. Legal opinion was sought to see if the Consistory could refuse the Newkerk deed; finally an order of the Court was obtained and on May 17th the lot was reconveyed to Nowkerk by the Consistory. Concerning the Newkerk transaction, Rev. O. P. Ditmars saya: 24;t first a lot lying along the Greek on the left bank below the arch bridge was negotiated for and the deed was drawn, but there being much disatisfaction with this purchase, it was aben- doned before the bargain was consummated."
.On May 4th, it was resolved that the orchard lot of Mr. llarris be purchased for the parsonage site. .May 8th, the committee reported that Vr. Harris pro+ poredito change. the location of the parsonage from his lot to the Vedder lot, and that she would guarantee that the Consistory could have the Vedder let for 3300.00, which proposal the committee, were not authorized to accept. . Thereupon, resol- ved :that.the.Vedder-lot.be purchased .. The committee obtained.the Vedder deed. : on that deve(way 8, 1862) and it is worthy of note that their delay in accepting the offercofue. Herete cont them $50, 00.s. The final price et , which the Vedder Jebiwas.purchased, was) 350.00. being an :adyqnes of $75,00 over the ;first price, at which.4t-Ras ;meported purchased.briverbal agreement, on March 31st. The con- sideration money was paid by John Van Yeohten, the treasurer,. on may 12th, of
Cr, Photostat Antidlom, pageshe jithe arch bridge is west of the church.
110.
course, it was not possible that all this vacillation took place without some hard feeling. Resignations from committees occurred, abusive language passed and repassed; objection was raised to the installation of an older; and even & neighbor's hogs were imprisoned and "shamefully abused". Happily however, all this tumult quickly subsided, with no further casualties than the resignation of one clder. And the energies of the congregation were ilrocted to circula - ting a subscription for, and building the new parsonage.
In this connection, it should be remarked that the. hev. John Minor did not move into the old parsonage, when he took up his pastoral dutles in the fall of 18b1. Instead, he occupied a house owned by Mr. Whittelsey; he was compelled to move from this house to another, before the new parsonage was ready for oc- oupancy. On May 4, 1852, the Conaistory, "Resolved, That the Treasurer pay to Mr. Wilber Ten Dollars, it being the sum Wr. Minor Agreed to pay him for moving his family from the house he occupied and suffering Mr. Minor to remain in him house until Sopt." September, 1852, is then the time that the new parsonage was supposed to be ready. The subscriptions for the parsonage appear to have fallen short. It was resolved that money be borrowed on a mortgage covering the parsonage lot, buildings and church, to make good the deficiency. This resolution was reconsidered and finally, on March 21, 1863, $1367.00 was bor- rowed on a note from Henry M. Vedder, for two years.
The report of the building committee was rendered on March 21, 1853. It stated that the repairs to the church and rebuilding the steeple cost @766.01 ; that the expense of the parsonage lot, house and other buildings, was $2629.08; and that $2028.80 had been received from the sale of the old parsonage and sub- soriptions. The various accounts which go to make up the report of the Building Committee contain so many payments, made from one account to another, that if all the accounts were transcribed, it is doubtful if the reader would gain much enlightenment. For example, John Van Vechten received a subscription of $50.00, Which he included among his disbursement's, but which he paid over to Cornelius Rouse, who reported it as one of his subscriptions. Henry M. Vedder's bill
included $1180.82, cash paid to R. T. Wilson, the contractor, As the accounts
finally stood, there was due to Cornelius Rouse,
-
-
05.31
J. D. Green
10.41 300.00 316.00
18.78~
(Cont [mued on page 121.]
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