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 8
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Recorded, in Deeda, Book N, pp. 304, 308.
im Hote. See on map, land marked "H p" and rectangle immediately behind. 2140%. . Guit-Claim deed, dated Sept. 18, 1838. Jacob K. Plank, Cornelius Rouse and Joel Comfort, Trustees of School District No. 10 in the Town af Catskill, to Henry Person; consideration, $6.00. Conveys land near the District school-house, beginning at the south end of Jacob Vedder's stone wall in line with the north fence of Henry Person's garden and i running from thence along said Vedder's south line N 57º 45' # 7 links, ,aweather $ 49 30' # 1 chain bi links to the north line of Henry Person's. lot, then along said Person'e line eastward and northward to the south Qad ritmo . of Many. Van Bergen's land, then along the same westward to the u . place of beginning. Witnessed by William Salisbury; acknowledged, joantoot. 8, 1032; not recorded.
Note. This small -piece of land north west of Henry Perron !! (or Pierson's) garden lot; that is the 40 x 90 rectangle described LAAt Milis in Dood No. 17' WAR' Warranty Dood, dated lapr. 1, 1883r Henry Mensencrne Wania -Perdon- his wife, to the Elders and Demcons of the Protestant Reformed Dutch J. b church of Leeds and Elskaton, consideration, sorol Besten sote of the "
the Doors Document, marked : " "}
4 now in possession'of the" First Reformedssos Church of Catakill.
132.
Consistory of the old Dutch Reformed Church at Catskill and division of of the congregation, whereby the old parsonage lots or the avails there - of shall belong to the Leads and Kiskatom church; and that this purchase is paid for, out of sald Avalle. Convoys purcols 1 and 2 ( page 131), with some slight changes in description. Beginning at a point of rocks on the north side of the Susquehannah Turnpike, at the f F corner of land belonging to School District No. 10, and running from thence along. tho (north] west line of the Turnpike 1 63º 30' + 1 chnin 70 linka to Mary Van morgen'a lot, then d 290 h 100 feet, then N 39º 45' F 90 feet to the NE corner of the said Henry Person's garden fence, thence N 61º $ 1 chain 7 linke to a stake standing in the W E corner of the lot be- longing to the school Matriot No. 10, boing 7 linko F of the center of a stone wall [Jacob Vodder's), and then 8 49° 30' # 3 chains 10 links to the place of beginning, to have and to hold for the special benefit and bohoof of that portion of the congregation who worship at Leeda. Witnessed by william Kallabury; acknowledged, apr. 1, 1833; re- corded, Aug. 1, 1833, In Doeds, Book S, pp. 278, 278.
4. Warranty Deed, dated Aug. [1], 1833, Nary Van Bergen, to the Minis- ter, ilders and Deacons of the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Leeds and Kiskatom; consideration, 1230. Recites acts of the Conaistory, etc. as in deud No. 3. Conveya 6.40 mores of land on the south side of the Athens Road, north of the brook or Dorick's Killiche: Beginning at the & E corner of Jacob Vedder's Lot, near the N E corner of land belonging to School District No. 10, and running from thenoe along the line of Jacob Vedder's lot N 21° 30' E 8 chaina 23 links to the Athens Road; thence along the same, N 59º E 7 chains 80 links, then N 63º E 2 chains 86 links, thenoe S 28º 16' F 3 chains 13 linke to the brook; thence down and through its center N 820 W 1 chain, then 6 380 W 4 chains 92 links, thenoe $ 63º 16' # 3 chains 84 links, thence $ 22º x 3 chains 74 links to a heap of stones in the brook; thonce 1 690 % 2 chaine 60 links, thence $ 39º 45' # 2 chains 80 links to the h Y corner of the lot formerly owned by Henry Person [of, Ded No. 1, 40 x 90, garden lot ] ; and thenoe 61º w 1 chain to the place of beginning.
Witnessed by William Salisbury ; acknowledged, Aug. 1, 1833, recorded, Aug. 7, 1833, in Deeds, Book S. pp. 279, 280, 281.
By reference to the map on page 130, it will be found that the land con- veyed by Mary Van Bergen included 87/100 of an more in Jacob K. Plank'e lot; 5 and 3/100 acres all of Jacob Vedder's lot as shown on the map; and 1/2 an acre between Jacob Vedder's lot and Henry Person's garden lot. This entire tract, containing 6,40 acres, as well as the parsonage house and garden lot (No. 3) were probably sold at the same time, on about May 6, 1852. The min- utos of the Leeds Consistory show that on Mar. 31, 1862, James W. Elting and .. Jamescyan Deusen were appointed a committee "to obtain permission and to sell. and give:Dead to Dr. Green conveying the old parsonage." The petition to.the
County Court was signed by the Consistory, on April 27th, and the order was,is .. sugd April 30th. On May 8, 1852, the committee reported to the Consistory that "the lot had been conveyed and money paid and deposited in the Tanners Bank, "a" The account of Cornelius Rouse (page 120), shows cash received from Ix 9; Omoon, $1200.00, on May 6th; and $50.00, on May 8th, 1862, which was proby. abiy Gnognis subscription. On Feb. 10, 1856, Jeremiah G. Groen deeded back to the Copsistory, a triangular piece of land, which was a part of the old parson-apr ago loti of. item No. 6, pago 133.
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THE PRESENT PARSONAGE LAND.
The present parsonage land is not shown upon the map on page 130, but its location can be intelligibly indicated. It lies on the south east side of the Athena road about one third of the distance between the front corner of the Ja- cob Vedder lot and the junction of the Athens road and the Busquehannah turnpike. At first it was an irregular lot, with parallel sides, ($ 35º 15' 6 and N 36º 15' W), the base line teing the Jacob Vedder lot west line ( N 21º 30'E on map). In 1856, Jeremiah G. Groen deeded back to the Consistory a triangular piece in the rear of the lot, which made the base line (~ 62º 30' E) nearly parallel with the front line on the Athena road ($ 60º ») .
5. Zarranty Deod, dated Vay 8, 1862. Jacob Vedder and Gertrude Veddor, his wife, to the Minister, Elders and Deacone of the Protestant Dutch Church of Leeds: consideration, 4350. Conveys land on the east side of the Athens Turnpike: beginning at a post in the fence on the E side of said road standing 1 chein and 29 links from the & # corner of the house where Joel D. Comfort now lives on a course $ 88º #; and running from thence S 60 # 2 chains 1 link along the east side of said Athons road, then $ 35º 15' & 3 chains 69 links to Jeremiah G. Green's land, then along his line N 23° 45' 5 2 cheins 33 links to the & b corner of Joel D. Comfort's garden, and thence N 360 15' # 2 chains 33 links to the place of beginning. And also free use of the well on the adjoining lot owned by Jacob Vedder.
Acknowledged, May 11, 1802: recorded, Way 15, 1852, in Desde, book 46, page 94 &o.
6. Warranty Deed, dated Feb. 10, 1856. Jeremiah G. Green and Lery Green his wife, to the Minister, Elders and Deacons of the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Leeds; consideration, 725. Conveys triangular piece of land adjoining. the lot on which the Parsonage house now stande: Beginning on the S E corner of the said parsonage lot and the NE corner of the lot on which Jacob Vedder's barn now stands and running from thenoe along the fence N 52° 30' E 2 chains 3 links to the corner of a fence, thence N 35º 16' # 99 links to the 8 E corner of Joob Vedder's lot, and then 8.23º # to the place of beginning.
Acknowledged, Mar. 10, 1856. Not recorded. .
PASTORS OF THE CHURCH. ....
The dates that follow the pastors' names cover the periods that they served
the congregation. The data is compiled from the Church Record, the Minutes of the Consistory and the minutes of the Classis of Greene. The Rev. John Cannon Van Liew was the twelfth pastor, counting from the beginning of the old Catskill church.
1. JOHN CANNON VAN LIEW, Mar. 17, 1833 to July 23, 1884. Installed, Way 1, A& Lada, AD Ors "sve: . , 1838, as collegiate pastor of the old Catskill congregation; served the churches in the villages of Catskill and Madison, alternately with the Rev. I. N. Wyckoff. MF. Van Liew organized the congregation of Leeds and Kiekatom, War. 17, 1833, Niv. DA AMY Called by Leeds and Kiskatom, Apr. 9, 1833; call approved by Clessis of Rensselaer, aleation sam rugalves
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pr. 16, 1833: Installed way 1at. Consistory Acted to dissolve tall, on July 21, 1834; approved by Clasais, July 23, 1834, and ar. Van Liow was din- missed to the classis of New brunswick. Mis salary was paid to Sup. 1, 1834. 2. MOGUN HOFF, Apr. 20, 1835 to reb. 11, 1542. negotiations were begun with Fr. Hoff, in August, 1834; he was called sept. 0, 1834; but did not accept, because the personage was not large enough to accommodate his family and because the Consiatory expected him to pay the interest on the cost of alterations. The call was renewed in February, 1836, without reservations. He was received by the Classis of Greene, on Apr. 28, 1866, from the Presbytery of Newton, N. J., and accepted the call; he was installed, April 29th, during the Spring session of the classin. In January 1842, br. Hoff resigned his charge, to accept a call from the church of Rhinebeck, in the Classis of Poughkeepsie. £ The pastor- al relation was dissolved and approved by the Classis, on Feb. 11, 1842. un Sunday, Feb. 13, 1842, he organized the iteformed Dutch church of Kiekatom. was the last pastor of the united congregation of Leuds and Kiakatom. A 001- ary settlement was effected on feb. 15, 1842.
3. JAMES ROMEYN, Feb. 26, 1842 to Way 1844. The case of the Rev. Ar. Romeyn is peculiar: he was Pastor "lect for over two yenra, but was never in- stalled. £ During that period, he merved the church of Leeds, to the extent that his health would permit; his call stipulated a salary of $500, and there is no reason to suppose that he failed to collect the full amount.
was dated kar. 2, 1842, and was moderated by the Rev. Brogun Hoff. By letter, dated. Catskill, kar. 19, 1842, and addressed to the Consistory, Ir. Romeyn 80- cepted the call, experimentally, but asked that his installation be put off. !!... some little time, in order to give him an opportunity to test bis strength, and tenjudge whether it would permit him to assume the burden of the pastorate .... Hs stipulated that the amount of his services be limited to what his physical condition might be able to sustain. The call should have been approved by Classis at the Spring Session, Apr. 26th, but nothing appears under, the proper Lemmata., Mr. Romeyn is mentioned um Pastor .Bleot at Leeds, in one report, and in the statistical report as without charge but supplying Leads. Br. Homeyp. APPEARS to have fulfilled all the pastoral functions at Leeds,, and thus the mat- tek rested. for a year. . At the meeting: of Classis,,on May 23, 1843, a, long; gom- maplestion was received from Wr. Bommyn, in part as follows:
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"Fear Brothren:
It is known to you, that at the time of the resignation of my charge in Catskill in Fobruary 1841, I was just recovering from a pro- longed 's well with fatal affection of my lungs " was under un injunction from my physicians not to attempt public service for several months. The situation of the congregation not mlmsitting in ny judxoment of the delay necessarily attendant upon my recovery, combined with the doubts expressed x felt whether it would ever be complete, I was induced to urgo my applica- tion for a release from my pastoral connexion.
You are also aware that after supplying their lack of service from different querters, us they could securo any, for 14 months, I was when negotiating the question of a settlement here, again brought to a sick bed for a month & threatened with a renewed & severe attack of my former com- plaint & was again warned by my medical advisors of the danger attending any considerable amount of steted service, voporously prosecuted #1thout reference to local symptoms & my general health. A call upon me had been approved by you z its acceptance with your consent deferred until I could make an experiment of what I could Accomplish. This arrangement was to my view perfectly defensible, because under the circumstances of the case I must either have done nothing in the way of ministerial labor until qual - ified for full service, or in my enfeebled & broken state I must have bound myself down at once to the full service & responsibility of a pastoral re- lation, or I must do as I did, cast myself on a kind providence which open- od right beside me the arms & hearts of an affectionate congregation, who bade me come & do what I could. Hather more than a year has transpired * I am not prepared to reply affirmatively to their offer: - the field of duty widene --- demands for labor are multiplied through the good hand of our God upon us, & I again find myself with the return of [pring, all but arrested in my services."
The letter continues, and mentions the possibility of his removal to New Brunswick in the Spring of 1843, which had been settled in the nega- tive. He now asks Classia to determine whether he must accept the cell from Leeds and be installed, or reject it. Deplores the prosent condi - tions, which are against the usage and policy if the Reformed Dutch Church, and set & bad example.
"My experience & observation convince me that no understanding or arrangements, often sincerely made under the impulse of strong desire & in the ardor of first love, respecting a given amount or form of service will, unlese full proof of our ministry is made & occasions are fully met, prevent embarassment of feeling at least on the part of a minister, aris- ing from interrupted fluctuating ministrations: - the next natural result is uneasiness on the minds of the people & eventually a dissolution of their connexion under a cloud. If a little prolongation of time might be allowed, it would be acceptable, but if it cannot be con- sietently done, act freely & speak plainly. "
The committee to whom this communication was referred, reported, that they recognized the great spiritual benefits derived during Mr. Romeyn's service ut Leeds, even though his labors were not in the full measure required by his call. They sympathized with him; because of the state of hiu health; and reported that the Leeds congregation were willing to accept him as pastor, with any amount of service he may be able to perform. Resolved that the matter remain In the hands of the committee, until September, in the hope that Mr. Romeyn may be able to make up his mind in the mean time ? At the September Session (1843), no uniwer was received from Mr'. Romeyn, who was absent from the meeting. The committee recommended that Mr. Romeyn fix as early a date as possible for his Installation and communicate it to the Stated Clerk so that measures may be
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taken accordingly. At the Spring Leasion, April 16, 1844, another communica - tion was received from Mr. Romeyn, in which he appears to have taken exception to the recommendation of the committee. Kr. Romeyn's tone was less apologetic because his health was about ready to permit him to accept a call to a better congregation than Loods. The committee took steps to smooth matters over, but indicated in their report, that ir. Romeyn's period of vacillation was nearly over, as far as the Classis was concerned. They recommended, "that Hev. J. howeyn communicate as soon as possible with the Classis as to the convenient time for his installation, which will give great satisfaction to us & all par- ties concerned, but if he be led to the decision to decline installation at Louda & accept any other call that the stated Clerk be authorised to furnish him with the usual testimonial and dismission."
The Classis of Bergen met in Spring Session, on the same day am the Classla of Greene, April 16, 1844. A call from the church at Borgen Neck on the Rev. James Homeyn wua approved. A committee was appointed to receive Mr. Romeyn's credentials and to install him as pastor on the last Tuesday in May. On July 22, 1844, the committee reported that they had attended to his installation, and on that day ho was received from the Clasals of Greene.
The lent meeting of the Leads Consistory at which Mr. Romeyn presided as President, was on Apr. 14, 1844. Ho failed to appear at the Spring Session of the Classis of Greene, two days later, probably because he was on a visit to his prospective charge at Bergen Neck. The laat act that he performed in the con- gregation of Leeds, was to record baptisms, on July 5 and 6, 1844. No doubt the change of climate proved beneficial to his health; but the expectations of ' Mr. Romeyn were realized, inammuch as the method of his termination of his la". bora at Leeds, left him more or less "under a cloud". At least his feelings (so easily wounded! ) were hurt to such an extent, that he did not -spend @ 8db- osta," when he was called; back there by his temporal affairs .(probably in July). The Leeds Consistevy, !at'aimeeting on June 8, 1645, passed #long preamble and resolutions, fullof praise, "love and affection, and assuming the blame for the wation of:the committes. ofsolassis, which . finally brought to asclose hit tro yearsperiod:of veoillationstaloopy of the -resolutions was transmitted to Mr.Apsd Romeya "to. makenauch:uge,obithem anche may'think advisable. " >
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In September, 1844, a subscription list was circulated to call the Rev. John G. Johnson, of the Reformed Dutch Church of ulenhem, in Dutchess County. The call was dated September 30th. By letter, dated Oct. 10, 1844, Mr. John- son refused the call, having been led to believe that certain persone in the congregation would not receive him cordially.
WILLIAM KNIGHT, January 1846. The roll of members present at a meet- ing of the Classis, on Jan. 7, 1845, shows Rev. William Knight, present as Stated Supply, from Leeds. The records of the Leede church give no intimation of this service. . , Probably, Mr. Knight was there but a few months; he may have been en- gaged to preach: as. Candidate.
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4. WILLIAM ROWLAND SPALDING BATIS, Aug. 6, 1845 to Oct. 29, 1860. In April, 1846, it was resolved to write to Wr. Bette to ask him to preach as Can- didato. On May 26th, it was resolved to circulate subscriptions to make
call on him. The call was dated June 2, 1846. On Aug. 6th, Hr. Betts was received from the Classis of New Brunswick; the call from Leeds was approved - - by Classis, it was accepted by Mr. Betts and he was installed, all on that day. His salary appears to have commenced on June 1, 1845. , On Feb. 8, 1850, it appeared that there was a deficiency in the salary subscription, of $80.00, due -
Deo. 1st. A meeting of the Great Consistory was called for Feb. 15th, when it was recommended to pay the regular malary until June 1st, and thereafter as .
much as could be collected.
On June 21st, the facts were communicated to Mr.
Betts, to obtain his decision. Mr. Betts answered, that he expected the full amount of salary, as stipulated in the call; and that he would continue to serve
5. as pastor for three months from June iat; after which, if no other call was pre-
Ase Apro bat onB 1. sentød him, he would be content with what was collected, or resign his oall. On Oct. 7, 1880, the Consistory asked for his resignation, as it was generally .. desired by the congregation. On Oct. 29, 1860, the pastoral relation was dis- solved, the:Consistenyresting onvthe, sameyder. .. für,Betes. romeinsd.s.mmmbop
-44.71865g, begges diamissed
0 . Lønthe 916801500
On May conlebru- gull was tendered to the Rev. Jacob H. Van Weert , pastor 4t North bienheut and Breskabeen, He had formerly been a member of the first
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church of Coxsackie And was licensed by the Classis of Greene, on Aug. 28, 1849. Mr. Van Wort declined the call, by letter dated June 2, 1851. He satted that he would rather be among his own people and friends, but was unable to dosert his Sohoharie County congregations, the people there all desiring that he should remain with them.
5. JOHN MINOR, Nov. 24, 1861 to June 24, 1857. Hie call was dated Oot. 15, 1861: he was present at a meeting of the Conaistory, Nov. 19, 1861. Hig call WAS approved by the Classis, on Nov. 24, 1851; he accepted it and was installed on the same day. His pastorate was an eminently successful one. A new par- sonage was built; a new roof to the church and a new steeple ware erected; and the church was refitted inside. Ar. Minor was obliged to raise much money for the improvement#, in which he was ably assisted by the Ladies Benevolent Aasoci - Ation, of which his wife, Mra. Mary D. Minor, was President, 1852 to 1856, Hie pastoral labors appear to have ceased in June, 1857; his last aots were perform- ed on June 18th, sa far as the recorda show. On July 28, 1867, a meeting of. the Classis was called for Aug. 12th, to consider an application for the dissolu- tion of the pastoral relation, but it was not presented at the meeting. on Sept. 24, 1887, the application was presented and the pastoral relation man dia- solved; the reason assigned was "a rapid decline of health" and that "rest from active duties was necessary to'its restoration". The Consistory seted to dis- solve, on June 24th, though not shown in the minutes of the Consistory. : By region of his tact and good judgement, the congregation successfully weathered tro storms: - the tumult occasioned' by the selection of a new Parsonage site; and what was more serious, the disturbance caused by abrogating the rights of the pew lessees, in order to remodel the interior of the church. Mr. Minor . left the church considerably in debt, with litigation pending, concerningthe: rights of the first por lenses.
" *** from His for
SAMUEL TOMB BEARLE, Nov. 4, 1867 to July 8, 1869. The Goneistery resolved to call him on Sept, 87th; the call was dated Nov. 1: 1857. He was received by Claseis, dismissed from the Classis of Baratogt; the wall was ap- proved and accepted,'
miniatzy walleven more suseegerat"than thatof his predecessor:"\ 'In 1869, "the-
d-dollarbelloBut antFabl 13, 1884, the
from debtque On July
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Classis approved a dissolution of the call and Mr. Searle was dismissed to the Classis of Passaic. In the minutes of the Consistory, it is stated that Clas- sis met on July 9th, which is also the date given when the Consistory acted to dissolve the call.
7. DENJARIN VAN ZANDT, Aug. 26, 1869 to MAY 1, 1878. Prior to Aug. 26, 1869, the Conaiatory resolved to tender a call to Dr. Van Zandt. The Rev. F. Horton, of Catskill was invited to be present to moderate the call, on Aug. 26; he failed to appear and the meeting was adjourned until the next day; Dr. Van Zandt was present at the meeting. The call was finally moderated and signed on aug. 29th. At the meeting of Classis on Sept. 21, 1869, the call was ap-
proved. On Nov. 4, 1869, Dr. Van Vandt was received by the Classis, dismissed from the Classle of vontgomery; the call was accepted and Dr. Van Zandt was in- stallød. . During his pastorate, the church and parsonage were repaired and re- painted. In march, 1870, a pipe organ was installed in the choir-gallery; but the church again ran into debt. On Apr. 15, 1878, the Consistory acted to die- solve the pastoral relation. It was resolved that the salary should be paid to May 1, 1878; that Dr. Van Zandt should have the use of the parsonage during the month of Way, and half, or all of the fruit growing that your. At the meeting of Classis on April 16th, the pastoral relation was dissolved to take effect on May 1st; the reason assigned was advanood ago and impaired health. It -mas De. Van Zandt's last charge. For the last seventeen years of his life, hs resided at Catskill, supplying churches whenever he was able. He was Stat- ed .Clerk of the Classis of Greene, from Jan. 30, 1874 to Apr. 15, 1890.
Nietory, Nota. The Minutes of the Consiatory in my hands close with Dr. Van . Zandt's pastorate. The subsequent data is therefore curtailed.
8. CHARLES WILTSHIRE WOOD, July 1, 1878 to May 1879. The Conaistory re- 2 solved to call him, on June 19, 1878. He was received from the Classis of Ber-
gen. The committee on vacant churches presented a request from Leeds for Nr. Kot. 30, 184"
1:1 Wood to met as Stated Supply for one year, with a view to permanent settlement.
On Apr. 18, 1879, Classis dismissed him to the Presbytery of Troy.
1%. 2009, the CORNELIUS : PATERSON DITMARS, Sapt. 23, 1878 4@:0cts :** , 1863. : Called. sapt /3, 487784 - Senti tothe Clanste receivedchim mom the(Classis of Nen Brune. . wick, and call was approved. Ordained and installed, Sept. 23, 1879. Pastor- al relation dissolved, Ost. 18, 1883, and dimissed to Classis of Schenectady.
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FEDERI NEVIUS SEBRING, Nov. 1, 1884 to Oct. 12, 1889, when he died. This closes the list of pastors of the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Leeds, for the period covored by the records transcribed.
PASTORE OF THE RAFORGRD PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH OF KISKATOK, 1842 to 1850.
1. WILLIAN LYALL, Nov. 1, 1842 to May 25, 1847. Called, Sept. 19, 1842; call approved by Classis, Lopt. 20th. He commenced his ministerial labors,
Nov. 1st. May 23, 1843, at a meeting of the Classis of Greene at Kiskatom, Rev. "illiam Lyall exhibited his certificate of ordination by the Congregational Union of : cotland, and dismission from the Manhattan Association of dlew York; examined and sustained examination; subscribed to the formula and installed pas-
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