USA > New York > The documentary history of the state of New York, Vol. III pt 2 > Part 40
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is and the neighbouring towns. He is a gent. of a good char- cter. There is one reformed Dutch Chh,-vacant. The people re nearly 2ths English. There are in this town a few Episco- alians. Morals much as in New-England. A very considerable roportion of the Dutch people can neither read nor write, but re very fond of hearing preaching, and have a great respect for ious clergymen.
New broad Alban, North of Amsterdam, and nearly of the ame extent. The greatest proportion of the people Scotch presbyterians,-vacant,-a few seceders. One meeting-house. The character of the people much like that of those in Am- iterdam.
Johnstown, west of Amsterdam on the Mohawk-extent, 11 by 8 miles. It contains one Scotch Presbyterian congregation, who have an elegant meeting-house. Simon Hosack, Pastor of the Chh, a gent. of learning and piety, educated at Edinburgh. This is a very respectable congregation. The town contains an Episcopal congregation, who have an elegant stone church with organs. John Urquahart, curate. Congregation not numerous. There is also in this town one reformed Dutch Chh. Mr Van- horn, an excellent character, pastor. A respectable congrega- tion. Further, there is one large presbyterian congregation,- vacant,-the people principally from New-England.
Mayfield, north of Johnstown-extent 11 by 8,-vacant. Mr Teneyck preaches among them occasionally.
Amsterdam, Johnstown, New broad Alban, and Mayfield lie in a square, and were the ancient Caughnawaga (i. e. cook the kettle.) The ancient and eligant seat of Sir Wm Johnson, com- monly called the Old Fort, is in the town of Amsterdam. Near the center of this town Quetanunda Creek empties into the Mohawk-a very fertile and useful stream. On this stream and in this town their stands 4 grist mills, 2 oil mills, one iron forge, and 3 saw mills.
The soil in these 4 towns is, a little back from the river, a rich silicious earth-very productive in wheat and grass. Tim- ber,-beach, maple, elm, and hemlock. Conversed with a number of Dutch people upon religious subjects-found them extremely ignorant, but thankful for instruction.
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JULY 25th .- The people who live in a circle of about 3 miles convened at the house of Mr Jared Plumb, in number about 200. Preached in the forenoon from the Acts of the Apostles, 2 chap- ter-37th, 38th, & 39th verses. In the afternoon my text was the 10th verse of the 9th chapter of Ecclesiastes. The appear- ance of the people was agreable. They were very attentive, and the minds of a number appeared to be very much impressed. When the meeting was ended, I made such remarks upon the benevolent designs of the Missionary Society as I thought were proper. Before the people retired, I was urged by a number to visit the north part of the town, in which there is a large body of people; and as it is in the corner of three towns, concerning which I wish to obtain information, I concluded to visit them, and to preach a lecture to-morrow in the afternoon, and from thence to go on to Utica. I find that I am treated with great respect and kindness.
July 26th .- Preached this afternoon to an audience of about 200 persons, at the house of Esq' Lawrence E. Van Anlen, in the north part of the town of Amsterdam. The people gave good attention, and I hope received some good impressions. My text was in Gal. 4th ch. 19th verse.
On enquiry, I found that North of Broad Alban there is a town by the name of Northampton,-vacant. It contains 8 or 9 hundred people, who have no preaching except from Methodists.
Wells's Settlement lies N. of Northampton and Mayfield,- Vacant. In this quarter there is a considerable number of scattered inhabitants. The utmost extent of inhabitants, North of the River in the county of Montgomery, is 30 or 35 miles. Wells Settlement lies round Lake Pleasant, and near the foot of ranges of low mountains, which extend towards the west.
Palatine, west of Johnstown and Mayfield ; extent 15 by 12 miles .- A place called Stone Arabia is in this town, and contains one Lutheran Chh, and one Dutch reformed Chh. Mr Lubauch is minister of the latter, and M' Crotz of the former. 4 miles west of Stone Arabia, in the same town of Palatine, is a reformed Lutheran chh, to whom Mr Crotz preaches part of the time. 4 miles west of this is a Dutch reformed ehh, or presbyterian congregation. The Revd Mr Dozly, a German, pastor.
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Manheim, the last town in the County of Montgomery,- extent, 6 by 6,-vacant ; not a large congregation .*
Sulsbury, north of Manheim-extent, about 6 by 8 miles ; contains not far from 1700 souls. One Presbyterian chli,- vacant. The people, it is said are tolerably well united, and wish to settle a minister.
Rode this day 36 miles. Weather extremely hot and dry. The people in the towns thro' which I have passed are something sickly with the dysentary and influenza.
Herkemer, Little Falls. The Albany stage arrived at the public house which I now am at, 1 o'clock last night ; thro' the unac- countable carelessness of the driver, I soon found that the small box of books was missing, and to complete my misfortunes and anxiety, I found that, contrary to my directions, the boxes had been placed behind the stage from Palatine, and that the bottom of the large box had fallen out, and that all the books were missing, 4 catechisms only excepted. I instantly informed the stage driver what the property was, and the condition of my agreement with the stage owner at Albany. The fellow appeared to be shocked, and went directly back 3 miles, but found nothing. He agreed with a man to go back at daybreak, and he himself this morning has returned down the river, to find them if possible, and has not yet returned-it is now ten o'clock. The shock has been almost too much for my weak nerves, and I am fearful the property will not all be recovered.
This parish contains six or 7 hundred inhabitants. They have a new meeting-house, but do not improve it. In this place may be found men of various religious sects. At 2 o'clock the stage driver returned, having, fortunately, recovered all the books which the large box contained.
I accidentally fell in company with the Revd Mr Sergeants of New-Stockbridge-could have, however, but little time with him He thinks the best missionary ground is between Fort Stanwix and the Oneida. Before I go to Utica I have concluded to visit Fairfield and Norway. About 3 o'clock I left the River, travelled 8 miles, and called on some of the principal men in Fairfield, and found things respecting religion very discouraging. I offered . See General Remarks.
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to tarry and preach the next day-but it was thought yt no people would attend. I find that people are universally in the midst of their harvest, and that it is extremely difficult for them to attend lectures. At night I arrived at Norway, 6 miles North of Fairfield.
Norway, bounded East on Salsbury, west on Canada creek, south on Fairfield. A young gent. by the name of Johnson, has preached in this town for several Sabbaths ; and the people have hired him for 3 or 4 Sabbaths to come. There is a con siderable congregation of Presbyterians. But it is in this town, as in all those parts. There is a mixture of Baptists-of Methodists-Universalists-and Deists. In the various parts of the town there is preaching by sectarians of almost all kinds, every Sabbath.
There is one methodist chh,-numerous ; 2 Baptist chhs., and part of a 3d .- no meeting houses. From the south line of the town to the utmost extent of the settlements is about 16 miles. The people almost universally inclined to hear preaching-of their various sects. I have concluded to visit this place, and several other towns in this quarter, near the close of my mission, should I be able to make it convenient.
29th .- I this morning left Norway for Utica, and arrived at Utica about 5 o'clock, having travelled 23 miles. I passed thro' a corner of Schuyler, and found the people to be generally baptists-from there I passed into Deerfield upon the Mohawk. In Deerfield the people are baptists, and are vacant. Of the extent and situation of those towns I cannot at present obtain correct information.
Ulica and Whites-Borrough, about .1 miles apart, form but one Presbyterian congregation, of which Mr Dodd is the minister- a pious and valuable man-he preaches in the 2 parts of the town alternately. There is one baptist chh in Whitesborough- who have a preacher by the name of Parsons. This congregation have a meeting-house ; and the Presbyterians are building one in Whitesborough. There is none in Utica.
The boxes of Books have not come on ; and as I cannot with consistency go upon missionary ground again until they arrive,
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I have concluded to visit Mr Dodd of Whitesborough, and M Norton of Clinton, 8 miles from the river, to obtain information. '
I can as yet hear nothing of M' Taggart.
30th-This morning I rode to Whitesborough, and spent some time with the reverend Mr Dodd, who is a very intelligent gent. I agreed with Mr Dodd to ride out a few miles, and supply New- Hartford on the Sabbath Afternoon, rode from Mr Dodd's to M' Norton's, and spent some time with him. The information 1 received from that gent. respecting the mission business, was that I might probably be of much more use by spending my time principally in 3 or 1 societies, when such might be found as needed help. They think that the objects of the missionary societies are not so well assisted by passing on rapidly-there should be time to form an acquaintance with the people, and to inspire their confidence. When societies shall have obtained accurate information of the state of new settlements, it is con- ceived by these gents to be the best and most prudent course to send a man into 2 or 3 towns to spend the whole season, or at least the missionary term.
31 st -Returned back from Clinton to Whitesborough, and spent most of the afternoon with Mr Dodd, who I find to be a very sensible, judicious man, and a sound Calvinist. Most of the chihs. in this part of the world are on the presbyterian plan. The ehh. at Clinton is, however, congregational. MI Norton has a chh. containing 210 members ; and this people is considered to be most harmonious, regular, and pions of any in the northern part of the State of New-York. In this town, or rather parish, is an academy, which is in a flourishing state. A ME Porter, an excellent character, and a preacher, is preceptor. They have one usher, and about 60 scholars. This institution promises fair to be of great service to this part of the country. Piety is very much encouraged in it-and some young gent. have become preachers who have received educations in it. There is in ye town a few Universalists, and one small baptist chh., but not a sufficient number to have any influence. In the society of Paris, of which Clinton is a part, Mr Steel is pastor; he is said to be a good, and reputable man-he has a respectable congregation. In Hanover, a society of Paris, M. Bogue is Pastor.
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North or N. W. of Paris, is Westmoreland-vacant-congrega- tion considerably divided. Sangersfield lies south-congrega tionalist.
Sunday August 1 .- Preached for Mr Dodd at Whitesborough, about 250 persons present; communion day-about 40 members- appearances good. In the afternoon preached at Utica, 4 miles down the river-about 300 persons present. These, Whites- borough and Utica, form but one society. Mr Dodd preaches to them alternately. Most of the members are at the Borough. There is also here a baptist chh-numerous. They have a meeting-house, and a minister. The Presbyterians are now erecting a meeting-house. Utica appears to be a mixed mass of discordant materials. Here may be found people of ten, or 12 different nations, and of almost all religions and sects ; but the greatest part are of no religion. The world is the great object with the body of people.
Monday 2d., Urica. The books have not yet arrived from the Little Falls-but will be on the next stage. I have agreed with Mr Sol. Goodrich to take the charge of them at Utica,-and to deliver them according to my orders. I have not been able to obtain any information of Mr Taggart. Where he is, I know not : he cannot, however, I think, be on the north side of the river.
Evening, at Floyd, 11 miles North of Utica. Extent of the town, 6 by 7-about 130 families-and 800 inhabitants. No meeting-house. The people very much divided. But a small number of Presbyterians. The people are principally baptists and methodists ; but a very few presbyterians. One baptist chh, and one of their members preaches. These baptists appear to be very candid. Of methodists there are about 30 families. There has been, and is supposed, an awakening among the meth- odists. They have their quarterly meetings, sacraments, and love-feasts. The last meeting was on the 4th July-had their sacrament in the woods-began their meeting on Saturday morn- ing, and continued until Sunday night. There were 6 preachers present. In this meeting 6 persons fell down -- in a manner sim- ilar with the falling down in Kentucky-and after lying 20 or 30 minutes, rose, crying glory to God. Some of ym appeared to
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be senseless-others in great agitation. These persons appear to the present time to be very pious.
When I came into this town, I caused the people to be notified to meet at sundown. I then visited a School of abont 30 chil- dren-catechised them, gave them good advice, and praied with them. On enquiry, I found, that they had but few school books, and no catechisms. Some I found whose parents had no bibles. Having 2 bibles with me which I took out of the box at the Little Falls, I gave one to Betsy Pike, and another I gave to Es- ter Frizzle. I intend to return to this place, and distribute more books, for I think they are exceedingly needed. Preached in the evening to about 100 people, a mixture of Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians. Text-Acts, 26th 28th & 29th. My object was to show the distinction between the almost, and the altogether christian. The audience was attentive. At the close, I read the address. They were affected with ye kindness and good wishes of the society. No contribution.
Tuesday 3d. Conversed with two of the persons who had been struck down, as mentioned above, the relation they give of their conviction and of their feelings when down, and also when they recovered, seems to indicate, something unaccountable. There is a very strong resemblance between the conversion and those which I supose to be genuine-yet there is a great mixture of passion and of something unaccountable. By the account given the people are raised to the highest pitch, and they sink under a violent shock, occasioned by some sudden and nnexpected and new alarm of the preacher, &c.
Afternoon, at Trenton, 6 miles N. east of Floyd-put up with the Revd Mr Fish, a gent. who was once settled in Connecticut Farms in N. Jersey, and is now employed part of the time by the people of this town; and the remainder of the time rides as a missionary-a sensible, judicious man-and appears to be doing great good-and has but a poor reward.
TRENTON, Wednesday, 4th .- Trenton is 17 miles North of Utica. In this place there is no Chh. formed. A majority of the people are Presbyterians-the remainder are baptists, and persons of no religion-a few methodists. It is a part of the Holland Patent, and began to be settled in '93. Vroom settle-
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ment is in this town. Visited a school of 50 children, who have a good instructor. 'Many of the children have no Catechism, and their parents are in some instances unable to get them even necessary school books. M. Fish tells me that there are 4 fami- lies near him who are destitute of bibles and are poor. Gave an order for 4 bibles, 10 catechisms, 4 of Janeway's Tokens, and 10 of Dodridge's Addresses, and left it in the hands of Mr Fish, who will see that they are disposed of according to the wishes of the Society. I this day was overtaken by Mr Taggart. After obtaining all the information in our power, we concluded to part for a fortnight, and to meet at Rome.
STUBEN, Thursday, 5th .- At Deacon Mitchell's. Visited a number of families. In this town there is a chh. of about 30 members. The chh. was formed by Mr Alexander in 1801. They keep up regular meetings on the Sabbath, and are a religious people. There is one Baptish chh-numerous- vacant. } of the inhabitants of this town are Welsh, and they have appointed one of their own number to preach among themselves in their own language.
Friday, 6th .- Spent the day in visiting a number of families, and a School of about 35 children. Appointed a communion lecture.
Saturday 7th .- Visited various families. Afternoon, preached to an attentive andience. Appearances agreeable.
Sunday, 8th .- Communion. Most of the baptists present. Baptised 6 children-had a chh. meeting after services-and apparently, and I hope effectually, settled an unhappy difficulty which has subsisted in the chh. with one of its members for nearly a year. Appointed a lecture on Monday among the baptists.
Monday 9th .- Visited some of the Welsh people. They ap- pear to be a religious and regular body, a few excepted. Spent a few moments at the grave of the enterprising Stuben. IIe lies in a thick Swamp, under a small Hemlock, without a monument. Alas! where is the sensibility of his heirs-or of the Americans?
Afternoon-Preached to a very attentive audience-visited a school of 20 children-engaged some books.
Tuesday 10th .- Spent the day in visiting-called upon 9 differ-
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ent families. The people appear to be poor, but very considerate; and I have reason to believe there is more piety in Stuben, in proportion to the No of inhabitants, than in any town on Con- nectient River. I find the schools very destitute of books of all kinds. This people are progressing, however, very rapidly towards good order and good schooling. No meeting-house. The chh. being in want of Books suitable to be read upon the Sabbath, I gave them one volume of the Select Sermons. I think it proper to return to this place again.
WESTERN, (Eastern Settlement,) 5 miles from Stuben August, 11th .- Preached in the evening to about 10 people, mostly baptists. This people are in a poor situation as to religion and order ; and I have found no people who need assistance more. They are, a few excepted, extremely ignorant, and the ignorant methodist preachers are leading them into errors and all kinds of disorder. Appointed a lecture to-morrow at 5 o'clock, 2 miles west. Am treated with great kindness.
August 12th,-Preached to a congregation principally Metho dists-2 methodist preachers present. Put up with Gen. Floyd, who informs me that the methodists are making great strides, and appear to be doing some good as well as much hurt. Previous to their meetings the Sabbath was almost wholly disregarded by ye great body of the people, and they were but little removed from a heathenish state ; but that now, whatever disorders there may be in their meetings, they appear to have become moral in all their conduct, and to be impressed in their minds with a sense of Divine things. Gen. Floyd thinks that many of the best characters among them, when they have had time to reflect, and when their passions are a little subsided, will fall off from this sect, and will become presbyterians or congregationalists. At present he thinks that they ought to be treated with great tenderness.
August 13th .- Four miles west of Gen. Floyd's, at Esqt. Wicks's. In the afternoon visited a school of about 15 children. They have a deistical instructor, to, the great grief of some pious persons. In the evening preached a lecture-had about 60 hearers. The people conducted with propriety, and I think that if I have at any time made good impressions it was this evening.
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14th .- In the western part of the town, at Deacon Bartow's. Something fatigued from much labor the present week.
15th Sunday .- Preached to a large congregation for this part of the world-between 3 and 400 people present. Had an unusual freedom in preaching. The people were attentive. Here is a congregational chh. of about 18 persons, who meet on the Sabbath, and have 2 or 3 excellent characters-men whose gifts are extraordinary, and who have great knowledge, for common men, in religion, and who have a well-directed zeal for the interests of religion. The extent of this town is about 7 by -.
16th. Monday .- Rode 2 miles to the west, after having visited several families, and visited a school of 28 children. This school is under tollerable regulations, but no catachisms. Some of the parents will not suffer their children to be taught the catachism, but in this quarter of ye town there are some excellent families lately moved in, who will doubtless have great influence In the afternoon rode 3 miles west, and visited 2 families.
Tuesday 17!h .- Rode to the north 5 miles, and preached a lecture. A considerable collection-very attentive. Gave an order to a Mr. Anderson for 10 catachisms, 10 Addresses, and 4 Tokens for children, to be distributed by him to the most needy. I am now at ye end of ye northern road in this town.
Wednesday 18th. Rode 12 miles. Found Mr. Taggart at Esqr. Hathaway's. This town contains about 1600 inhabitants, much scattered, and of various sects. There is here a chh. of about 16 persons. They sometimes hire candidates for a few Sabbaths. A Mr Night preaches here once in 4 Sabbaths. The chh. is very desirous of having a communion.
Thursday 19th .- Preached a preparatory lecture. About 40 persons present. Visited a number of families.
Friday 20th .- Made all necessary arrangements with Mr. Tag- gart. Agreed to set out for the Black River next Monday. Gave Mr. Taggart, who is going to Floyd an order for books which I had promised when there, and directed him to leave it in the care of Esqr. Dier-3 bibles, 10 Dodridge's, 10 catechisms, 2 Janeway's.
Saturday 21st .- Rode out 2 miles to visit a dying person- found her very ignorant, but thoughtful. Conversed with Mr Colt, and obtained some necessary information respecting my
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route to the Black River, and a paper of introduction to a number of persons in different places.
Sunday 22d .- Preached to a large congregation-people were convened from a considerable distance. Communed-chh very small. It is thought that not more than ; of the people who live in the village attend public worship at any time. The people are too proud to be religious. Many of them are people who have become something from nothing. Gave one of Dod Addresses and one of Lothrop's Fast Sermons to Esq' Hathaway, to be circulated in the neighborhood Gave an order to Mr Taggart for ye people in Floyd-4 bibles, 10 cat., 10 Addresses, 12 Janeways.
Monday 23d .- Rode to Camden, 22 miles N. W. of Rome .- Esq" Hathaway having borrowed one vol. of ye Select Sermons, to peruse upon the Sabbath, I find yt it is left, but expect that Mr Taggart will take it.
CAMDEN, Tuesday 24th .- The people in this town are said to be all Congregationalists but 2-but they have unhappily divided, as there are 2 settlements, and they keep separate meetings upon the Sabbath but 2 miles apart. This people will, however well united at present, very soon, in my opinion, be divided by methodists. The practice of the Methodists is, first to gain over some person in a town to be willing to admit of preaching in his house. They then appoint lectures once a fortnight regularly for 6 months, and as there are no preachers in those towns, the people attend during the 6 months they are as regular as the congregational or presbyterian clergy ; and they are unwearied in their endeavours to gain the good will of the people. At the end of 6 months they bring the matter to a close, by taking the names of those who are become, or are now willing to become, Methodists. If they have obtained to the No of 30 persons, they appoint a class-leader from among them, who from this time keeps up regular meetings, and is once in 3 or 4 weeks assisted by some who ride the circuit. In the first part of their establish- ment, they say but very little about sentiments, but they gain the people first, and then mould them to their own will. But I have observed that when they have been of considerable stand- ing, they become disorderly, and the steady good characters
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leave them, and return back to congregationalism. Gave an order to Deacon Mathews for one vol. of Select Sermons, one of Doddridge's Addresses, and 10 catechisms. Visited one school -gave 5 catechisms to the instructress for the use of the children while she is their teacher, and when she leaves the school to give one of them to the child yt shall have made the most progress, and the others to the most needy. Gave an Address to a Mr Cory and another to a Mr Curtis.
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