USA > New York > Suffolk County > Bridgehampton > Sketches from local history > Part 7
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year returned to the City of New York, where I have Officiated to this day in the discharge of this office and of the Office of Commissary of New York and New Jersey, as appointed by the Right Rever- end Fathers in God, John and Edmund Lords Bishop of London."
He was ordained Rector of Trinity Church Feb- ruary 6th, 1697. We see by this that he preached
Second Church in Bridgehampton, 1737-1842
three months in Boston, two years in Hempstead, and six months in Sagg. This would make it May, 1694, when he came to Sagg to preach, and prob- ably stayed until about November of that year. Mr. White was ordained October 9th, 1695.
I think it fair to presume that Mr. White may have preached here some time before he was ordain- ed. This would account for the intervening time.
Dr. Epher Whitaker called these first churches, Town Churches. I think Community Churches would be a good name. They were not Presbyter- ian, but quite nearly Congregational in their form of government. They were supported by taxation on all of the property in the Parish, and if a tax was not paid, the property of the delinquent could be sold by the authorities. This method of support was bound to be a short-lived arrangement. Be the doctrine of the first church what it may. it was cer- tainly Calvinistic. Judge Henry P. Hedges thought the first two churches were Congregational until about 1747, the provisions of the grant of 20 acres of land in 1712 notwithstanding. There were no Elders until 1801, and none were ordained until af- ter the year 1811.
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Present Presbyterian Church, 1842
The first church ( the one on Bridge Lane ) was used from 1671 until the year 1737, when a new . church was built on the northerly side of Sagapon- ack Road east of Ocean Road (see map for 1750). The second church edifice was used until 1842, a period of 105 years, when the present church build- ing was erected. According to Ichabod S. Seabury. who helped to raze the old church, and also to build the new one, some of the best of the timber in the old was used in the new building.
The first ordained minister in the first church was the Rev. Ebenezer White, who graduated from Harvard College in 1692 at the age of 20, and he was about 23 when called to this church. In the Sagg graveyard stands the tombstone marking his grave. Ile died February 4th. 1756, and is called "Pastor of the Church of Christ in Bridgehamp- ton." What a wonderful title for the first minister of the first church. Would that it might ever have remained as it originally was, and under that name. with no man-made denominational differences to di-
vide and separate, all of which are non-essential and inimaterial as they relate to true Christianity.
The second ordained minister was the Rev. Jame- Brown, who was born about 1721, and died April 22nd, 1788, in the 68th year of his age. He was a graduate of Yale in the class of 1747 and was or- dained here when about 27 years old, on June 15. 1748, the day of Mr. White's resignation.
The third minister in this church was the Rev. Aaron Woolworth, who was born at Long Meadow. Mass .. Oct. 25. 1763, graduated at Yale, 1784. was ordained Aug. 30, 1787. received the honorary de- gree of D. D. from Princeton in 1809, and died April 4. 1821.
After a long period of religious inactivity and apathy there came what was known in New Eng- land as the "Great Awakening" in which the Rev. Jonathan Edwards was the noted leader. This re- ligious excitement was supplemented by the effective work of George Whitfield, who on about his sixth evangelistic tour of America, visited Bridgehamp- ton and preached in Paul Halsey's dooryard. stand- ing on a barrel for a pulpit. This was Paul Halsey Sr., whose home was about 20 rods west of Ocean Road on the north side of Paul's Lane in Bridge- hampton.
The story of the next religious excitement is best told in "Prime's History of Long Island," which I quote : "The Rev. James Davenport while at college became much attached to and influenced by a wild enthusiast by the name of Ferris. He claimed to know the will of God in all things ; and that he had not committed sin in six years, and that he should have a higher seat in Heaven than Moses." I quote only very little of Prime's article.
Davenport became an ardent follower of Ferris and a genuine fanatic. At one time he became so satisfied that he had a special call to labor for the advancement of God's Kingdom, that he addressed his congregation for 24 hours continuously. He did have quite a number of converts who became scat- tered far and near, many of these were on Long Is- land. ( He preached for a time at Southold). Those in Bridgehampton united in 1748 and built a church in Hay Ground (see 1750 map). This was in use for one-half a century, or until 1798. The building
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY .
was later moved to Bridgehampton, where it now stands, just north of the Kahle property.
The Rev. Elisha Payne was minister in this church from 1752 to 1775. when he died and was buried in the Hay Ground grave-yard. The inscription in part is as follows : " **** preacher of ye Gospel and was Ordained ve first Minister over ye Congrega- tional Church of Christ in this place May 11th. A. D. 1752."
I do not propose to give a list of the ministers of the different churches, for that has already been written in full.
.After the church became Presbyterian, about 1747, and was subject to the rules and laws govern- ing that body, Calvinistic theology was dwelt upon and preached more than true religion, and to such an extent that to some it became very obnoxious. At that time the only college-bred men in the com- munity were the minister. the doctor and the magis- trate or lawyer. It was only natural that these men should be looked up to, and their opinion regarded as "the end of the law." Then the minister was generally looked upon as the "chosen of God" and the one whose opinion none dared to oppose or question.
I think the influence of those conditions was about as bad for the minister as it was for the people. They preached the Creator as being. "God the All- Terrible, mighty Avenger, Thunder Thy Clarion, and lightning Thy sword," whose immutable law was irrevocable and whose decrees were from ever- lasting, to redeem the elect chosen for eternal salva- tion, or to damn the elect chosen for eternal pun- ishment. and this election was made from the foun- dation of the world. Then it appeared as if the ministers delighted in, or thought it their duty to preach, the doctrine of "infant damnation," a doc- trine most hideous and hellish in all its phases. (I am glad that the Confession of Faith has since been changed ). And I rejoice that at this day and time such doctrines would not be tolerated nor allowed to be preached in any modern pulpit. The very thought of it is repelling and savors of anything but true Christianity, and yet, these men were really good and meant well. but Oh. how narrow and big- oted. On Sept. 15th, 1682, the Rev. Cotton Mather wrote to a dear friend, as follows: "There be now
at sea a ship called 'Welcome,' which has on board one hundred or more of the heretics and malignant- called Quakers, with W. Penn, who is the chief scamp, at the head of them. The General Court has accordingly given secret orders to Master Malachi Huscott, of the brig Porpoise, to waylay the said Welcome slyly as near the Cape of Cod as may be. and make captive said Penn and his ungodly crew. so that the Lord may be glorified and not mocked o1 the soil of this new country with the heathen wor- ship of these people. Much spoil can be made by selling the whole lot to Barbadoes. where slaves fetch good prices in rum and sugar, and we shall not only do the Lord great service by punishing the wicked but we shall make great good for His Minis- ter and people."
"Yours in the bowels of Christ, Cotton Mather".
We of this day can hardly believe that a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, claiming to be His ambassador could ever have entertained any such thoughts, but such was the case.
Doctor Aaron Woolworth was a good man, and did what he thought was God's will, but note his at- titude, his ideas and his belief, when a parishioner. upon losing a little child by death, called upon the Rev. Doctor to attend the funeral. After the little rough box in which the child was placed. was lower- cd into the silent grave the Rev. Doctor turned to that father. and said, "There is nothing in the Word of God that gives us any assurance that that child can be saved, having died before the age of ac-
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St. Ann's Episcopal Church, 1908
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countability." That father, moved by all the an- quish of a loving parent, replied, "Doctor Wool- worth. I would rather take that chill's chance in the Final Judgment than to take yours."
The above conditions were really the cause and reason for the withdrawal of some of the leading and influential men from the old church, and the establishment of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Bridgehampton. A pendulum in swinging one side of the central point of gravity, will, by the laws of nature, swing in return just as far in the opposite direction. From all I can ascertain, that is just what the new church organization did.
They gave way to emotions and excitement that savored of anything rather than true religion and adorable worship. In my opinion it must have low- ered the standard of reverence to such an extent that it. like the other condition mentioned, became ob- noxious. The pendulum had swung too far the other way. It seems a pity that men in the same community, who profess to be followers of the "One Lord. One Faith and One Baptism" could not live together in unity. I am sure that the time is not far distant when the different denominations will come together in "Unity of Faith," when bickerings and strife will cease forever.
St. Ann's Episcopal Church was built in the year 1908 on the south side of Montauk Highway. in Bridgehampton.
The "Queen of the Most Holy Rosary. " Roman Catholic Church, was built in the year 1914. on the north side of Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton.
In the year 1815 the Rev. John Reynolds. a Methodist Circuit Rider, preached at a meeting hekl
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Roman Catholic Church in Bridgehampton, 1914
First M. E. Church in Bridgehampton, 1821-1833
in the old Hay Ground school house, "in the even- ing at early candle light." This was the old school house that stood on the common iand which is at this time part of the highway southeast of the home- stead of the late Edwin M. Rogers. All of Long Island outside of Brooklyn was in one circuit at this time.
At this memorable service, Capt. Jeremiah Hal- sey Cook was converted, and accepted Christ as his Lord and Master. He being the first fruits of Methodist preaching in this community. This man was the son of Samuel Cook and brother of Sulli- van, both of whom later subscribed toward building the first Methodist Church in Bridgehampton. Jeremiah went to California during the so-called gold fever with many others from this locality, where he died. He married Mary Rogers, my paternal grandmother's sister.
At the close of the meeting referred to above, a Methodist class was formed consisting of six mem- bers, viz: Jeremiah H. Cook, Silas Woodruff. S ... Silas Woodruff, Jr., Roxanna Halsey, William Halsey, and Hiram Sandford, who were assigned to the Sag Harbor Parish.
Preaching services were held from time to time by the Circuit Riders, either in the homes or in the school houses of this community. At a meeting hekt in Bridgehampton, in February of the year 1821, it was resolved that they form a society and solicit subscriptions for the building of the first Methodist Church in this place. The amount of money raised at this time was $302.00.
'This church was built on a lot 50 feet front on what is now "Ocean Road." and 40 feet deep. This.
SKETCHES FROM LOCAL HISTORY
Second M. E. Church, Bridgehampton, 1833-1871
was on the property now owned by the Kahle es- tate. The church building was a wooden frame structure in size 22 by 33 feet, and fronted on Ocean Road. Its construction was under the super- vision of the Rev. Ruben Harris, a circuit rider who made his headquarters in Sag Harbor at that time.
On June 19th, 1831, the Rev. John Trippett was assigned to the Bridgehampton Methodist Church as its first pastor. At this time the congregation bad increased to such an extent that it became very evident the old church was outgrown, and the build- ing of a new and larger one necessary. A lot was bought on the south side of Main Street now Mon- tauk Highway, just east of where St. Ann's Epis- copal Church now stands. The building committee consisted of Silas Woodruff. Hiram Sandford, and Alva Halsey. Contributions were made in money. labor and timber. One stick of timber was brought and used for a girder that was 36 feet long, and was hewed by Robert Hedges.
The architect and builder was William Leffing- well, the other mechanics for the most part were local men. The size of the building was 36 by 52 feet.
Sag Harbor at that time was a prosperous seaport town, and through the efforts of the Rev. John Trip- pett was the largest subscriber, and gave $269. The next largest was Silas Woodruff and family, who gave $210. The old church was sold to William Corwithe for $252.25, who moved it to his home- stead, and added it to his house for a kitchen, where it may still be seen in good order and well preserved.
They were obliged to borrow some money to com- plete the building. The total amount subscribed and borrowed was $2.7)38.60.
The first quarterly conference was held at the home of William Halsey March 19th, 1833, he act- ing as secretary. The cornerstone of this church was laid April Ist, 1833, by the Presiding Eller. the Rev. Samuel Merwin, he preaching to an audi- ence of 400, from the text Ist. Peter, 2, 4-5 "To whom coming, as unto a living stone *** but chosen of God and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to of- fer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." The contents of the cornerstone were as follows :
Republican Watchman, Sag Harbor, dated March 30th, 1833.
Christian Advocate and Journal, dated March 29th, 1833.
The Corrector. Sag Harbor, dated March 30th. 1833.
Present M. E. Church in Bridgehampton, 1871
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Long Island Star, Brooklyn, dated March 27th, 1833.
Discipline of 1829.
25c piece 1831, marked W. S. T. I think this means W. S. Topping. Spanish Coin, Ferdinand VII. 1820, marked A. T. R. 1833. I think this means Abraham Topping Rose. One Dime, mark- ed 1828.
This church was dedicated June 20th, 1833, by the Rev. Samuel Merwin, preaching from the text, Romans, Ist, 16 at the morning service. The after- noon sermon was preached by the Rev. C. W. Car- penter, from text Ist. Peter 3. 15. The evening sermon was preached by the Presiding Elder, Sam- uel Merwin, from the text, Hebrews, 4, 14.
In the year 1835 Bridgehampton and Southamp- ton became one circuit with the Rev. Hervey Hus- ted as Pastor, and on July 31st of that year this Church Society was incorporated, and in 1836 be- came a separate charge with Nathaniel Mead as Pastor. The large stone door steps still in use at the front of our church were bought July 31st. 1836 and cost $29.
In the year 1870 this church was moved to its present site and rebuilt, an addition of 20 feet was built on. the galleries removed, two towers built. This at an entire cost of about $7,000. The win- dow in the front of the church was a gift of the Sunday School. This building was re-dedicated December 13th, 1871.
In 1872 a bell was bought at a cost of $600. and in 1873 the parsonage was built. In 1875 the chapel was built at a cost of $1.400. In ISSo. $So. was raised and presented to the Sag Harbor Church to help pay their debt, and in 1883 $300. was pre- sented to the Southampton Church toward their buikling fund. In 1890 through the efforts of Miss Belle C. Cook, a pipe organ was bought and install- ed. In 1902 the chapel was enlarged, oak pews, altar rail, metal ceiling and other improvements at a cost of about $7.000, all paid for and no debt.
The next noted improvement was the one so re- cently accomplished in the year 1902.
Music in the Churches
The first book of sacred music published in the colonies was the "Bay Psalm Book" compiled by Richard Mather and John Eliot. The former had
been a student at Oxford, the latter at Cambridge. and they "were determined that the Lord's praises should be sung according to His own will."
Few congregations knew more than five tunes. and but ten are known to have been used in the first half century of the Bay Psalm Book's existence. But few of these books ever came to Bridgehamp- ton. I have never seen any of the original ones, but I own several copies made from the original ones. and these with a quill pen.
The singers were taught to sing their particular . parts independently of the others, that is, the air. counter, tenor and bass, and when the singers were so trained, the four parts were brought together in harmony. The key was given to the singers by the chorister, who got the key from either a pitch pipe or tuning fork. The chorister also lined out the hymns, one or two lines at a time. \ bass viol or violin or sometimes both were used to lead the music. Singing schools were held where the young people were taught to sing by note.
I will relate a true story concerning one of the choristers in the early church. This story came to mne from an absolutely authentic and reliable source. or I never would relate it.
A descendant of the Rev. James Brown, a former pastor of the church, was chorister at this time. In that same family was a slave by the name of Will, who had as great musical talent as did the chorister. At the time in question, the chorister was away from home, so the minister asked Will if he would start the tunes and lead the music in the church. This he did, and for aught I know did it with credit.
When the chorister came home and was toki about Will's leading the choir, he was very indig- pant, and said, "I think it a great note to let that fellow lead the music in the church. He is a d-11 nigger, without any soul."
It is very evident that the people of this comnul- nity had a more exalted opinion of the slave Will. than did the chorister of that old church ; for in Vol. 2, page 17 of the Southampton Town Trustees Rec- ords, at a meeting held in October, 1795. is the fol- lowing item which I quote : "Voted that the Negro Man Will servant of Mistress Brown shall have fifty rods of land for the purpose of setting a house on & to improve for a garden during the pleasure of the said Trustees."
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There are still a few of the old pitch pipes pre- served and owned at this time by the descendants of those old musicians, who value them highly, as well they might.
OLD GRAVEYARDS
Probably the oldest graveyard within the area covered by these maps is the one in Sagaponack. The records indicate that this settlement was made as early as 1656. Josiah Stanborough being the first man to locate there. In his Will dated July 6th. 1661, he gives his "body to bee burried at Saga- ponack by my former wife". This infers at least, that his "former wife" had been buried there prior to the date of his Will.
'The above, in my opinion establishes this grave- yard as being the oldest one. The earliest date on any tombstone there is "John Topping. Justice of the Peace. Aged fifty Years, Who departed this life in the 29 day of May, in the Year 1685."
Then "Peregrine Stanborough. D. C. in ye Par- ish, departed this life January 4th. 1701. Mrs. Eunice Stanborough, November 15th. 1701. John Pierson. January 15th, 1704. Mary, wife of El- nathan Topping. April 26th, 1704. Edward Petty. May 11th, 1704. Captain Elnathan Topping. March 26th. 1705." There are many more that might be mentioned here but those named are the earliest dates.
In this old graveyard lie the bodies of 9 people who lived to be 85 years old or more. Their names are as follows, viz :
Elizabeth Pierson, wife of Lemuel Pierson, 96 years of age. Abigail Hedges, wife of Daniel Hed- ges, 92. Job Pierson, 91. Gardiner B. Topping. 01. Phebe Haynes, 90. Anna Topping. 87. Eunice Howell, 86. Elizabeth C. Pierson, 86. Matthew Topping, 85.
Here also lie 5 men who were Members of .I.s- sembly, viz :
Henry Pierson, at one time Speaker of the House. David Pierson, son of Henry. Deacon David Iled- ges, who served in the New York Legislature 7 years. He also held the office of Supervisor of Southampton Town 20 years. Doctor Nathaniel Topping, who also practiced medicine in this local- ity for the greater portion of his active life.
David Pierson, a very bright and talented man.
Jesse Pierson is also buried here. He was one of the parties in the famous law suit known as "The Fox Case" that established a precedent in the Law Courts in this State that holds even to the present time. This case was known as "Pierson versus Post." He also became one of the most noted school teachers in this entire locality.
This cemetery was incorporated in the year 1911. and received a small endowment from Mrs. Rus- sell Sage.
Mecox Graveyard
The next oldest graveyard is that in Mecox. This has the distinction of having the earliest inscription on a tombstone of any graveyard in this entire lo- cality: it is that of .Anthony Ludlum, one of the earliest settlers of Mecox, who died March 17th. 1681-2, age 31. Others are Isaac Nuton, who died May 20th, 1703-4. Benoni Nuton, March 4th, 1703- 4. Johanna Nuton, January 29th, 1703-04. Patience Ludlum, October 11th, 1708. Susanna Cook, Janu- ary 4th, 1707-8: and others, but these are the earli- est dates.
This cemetery was incorporated August 15th, 1917.
Poxabogue Graveyard
The oldest inscription here is that of Mrs. Martha Pierson, who died September Sth. 1773. Then Mirs. Phebe Pierson, February 23rd. 1782. Matthew Pierson. October 17th. 1798. It was in this grave- yard that the man with the "Pirate's Belt" was buried. I have heard Mr. Charles H. Hildreth re- late this story many times. He said, "I had often heard this story told about the 'Money Belt.' Uncle Stephen Topping said that years before he had talked with an old Montauk squaw about this mat- ter, and she said that a brig came in and anchored off Shagwannock, and that the Indians went off to her in their boats, and never came back. In the morning the brig was gone. Some supposed they were pirates, and, planning to disband, wanted the boats to scatter in different directions, then scuttled the brig and sent her with the Indians to the bottoni together." I think probably she was a Slaver, and that the poor Indians, instead of going to the bot-
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tom off Shagwannock, were taken down South and sold into slavery.
About this time a sick man stopped for the night at the home of Timothy Pierson, Sr., in Poxabogue, (see 1750 map). In the morning he was so ill that he could not continue his journey, and soon died. Just before he died he said to Mrs. Pierson, "I wear a belt". She said they buried him in his clothes, belt and all. AAbout midnight, following the burial. lights were seen in this graveyard, which is just across the road from the Pierson house. (See same map ). Mr. Hildreth said, "I have my own opinion en this subject, others are welcome to theirs, but I suppose that grave was robbed. At any rate, soon after this incident, a certain family in that neighbor- hood appeared to be in very different financial con- dition, and the change was very apparent, for that same year a new house was built on the hill east of the old Pierson home." This was the Timothy Pier- son, Jr. house, which was bought some years ago by Mrs. Russell Sage.
When the Sylvanus Topping farm ( which is lo- cated just south of this graveyard) was bought by the Town of Southampton for a "Poor House", a strip of land several rods wide across the south end of this graveyard was taken in from the highway. and added to the graveyard for a burial place for the Town poor.
This cemetery was incorporated in the year 1898. when Mrs. Russell Sage gave a small endowment, the income of which was to be used in caring for this plot where some of her ancestors were buried.
Wainscott Graveyard
Many of the older graves in this graveyard are not marked with monuments. The earliest inscrip- tion 1 find there is that of Joseph Stratton, who died December 25th, 1722. Then John Talmage. No- vember 2nd, 1764. The other dates are around 1850 and later.
This cemetery was incorporated in the year 18 )8. a small endowment find. Here lie the remains of a number of men who took an active part in the history of their country, but whose last resting place is unmarked by any monument. This should not
There is Jonathan Osborne, born June, 1737, died
November, 1814. He was a private in Capt. Hal- lock's Militia Co. of Bridgehampton, in the Revolu- tion, took part in the battles of Trenton and Long Island. Then Jedediah Osborne, Jonathan's father, and Daniel Hoppin, a private in Capt. Ezekiel Mul- ford's Co., also William Miller, and no doubt many others. ( See 1800 map).
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