USA > New York > Suffolk County > Southampton > The early history of Southampton, L. I., New York : with genealogies > Part 7
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In October following he was installed pastor of the church at Fire Place and Middle Island in the town of Brookhaven, and preached alternately to the two congregations till April 1807, when his health had become so far reduced that he resigned his
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charge with an intention of never resuming the responsibilities of the pastoral office. During the eighteen years of Mr. Daggett's residence on Long Island, and in each of the four several charges with which he was connected, he enjoyed a large measure of public respect, and his labors were, by no means, unattended with success. He was greatly esteemed, especially by his brethren in the ministry for the wisdom of his counsels, not less than for the con- sistency of his general deportment.
After leaving Long Island his health was consid- erably improved so that he was able to preach fre- quently, and even for a considerable time without interruption. For a year he preached and taught school at Cairo, Greene Co., N. Y. For some time he preached also at Patterson, Putnam Co. : and for two years he preached and taught an Academy at North Salem, Westchester county. Thence he went to New Canaan, Conn., where he took charge of an Academy.
When the Foreign Mission School was established by the Am. Board of For. Com. at Cornwall, Conn., Mr. Dagget was placed at the head of it, May 6, 1818. Here a great and important work devolved upon him of harmonizing and instructing youth of all ages from the mere child to manhood, and of many and various races. Although but about thirty in number, there were natives of Sumatra, China, Bengal, Hindostan, Mexico, New Zealand ; of the Society and the Marquesas Islands : of the Isles of Greece and the Azores : and Cherokees, Choc- taws, Osages, Oneidas, Tuscaroras and Senecas of
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the North American Indians. Here he labored with success for nearly six years until 1824. Ill health then terminated his labors and for the next eight years he rested, waiting for his eternal sabbath rest to which he was called in peace on the 19th of May, 1832.
10. DAVID S. BOGART.
The Rev. David S. Bogart was the tenth pastor and came here soon after Mr. Dagget's dismission. He was a graduate of Columbia College, N. Y., 1790. Mr. Prime (Hist. of L. I.) says : " He was a licentiate of the Reformed Dutch Church. Being very acceptable to the people, and not having the same scruples with his predecessor, he received an early invitation to settle. But before the necessary ar- rangements were made for his ordination, he received an invitation to a Dutch Church in Albany, which he accepted, and removed thither. In 1798, this church being encouraged to renew their call, Mr. Bogart accepted it, and was installed May 31st, 1798. In 1806 he received a call to the Dutch Church in Bloomingdale, and being dismissed Nov. 6th, he removed to New York. The next spring, this church again renewed their call to Mr. B., and he was re-installed June 17th, 1807. He was finally dismissed April 15th, 1813."
The next we hear of him is at Wolver Hollow, in the town of Oysterbay where he was installed pastor of a Dutch church the first sabbath of Sep- tember, 1813. In the year 1816 a Dutch church was erected in North Hempstead in which he also min- istered in connection with the charge at Wolver Hollow. Here he labored until his dismission, April
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11, 1826, after which he removed to New York where he died July 10th, 1839.
The people of Southampton were very warmly attached to him, as is evident from their repeated invitations to him to settle among them. He is still spoken of by some of his old parishioners in terms of the warmest affection. In the pulpit he used much action, was full of vivacity, flowery in style, and graceful in delivery.
During the next three years, from 1813 to 1816, the pulpit was supplied by Mr. Joshua Hart, Messrs. Andrews and Fuller, Herman Halsey and Amos Bingham, of whom nothing except their names is known to the writer.
Mr. Hart once upset a pedler's wagon which was in his way. The next Sunday morning he found a note on the pulpit enclosing a pistareen with the following distich :
" Eighteen pence to Mr. Hart For overturning a tinman's cart."
Here is another pulpit token found by a minister on his desk one Sabbath morning, an old riddle simple enough in itself, but the pertinence of which is not so evident.
' A certain something there may be, Which earthly kings may often see ; Poor mortal worms may oft descry it, But God Almighty can't espy it."
11. JOHN M. BABBIT.
The eleventh pastor was the Rev. John M. Bab- bit. He was installed Nov. 19th, 1817, and dis- missed April 18, 1821.
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Rev. James M. Huntting, of Jamaica, says, in reference to that revival in Mr. Babbit's day : "For some time previous to that revival an increased tenderness, fervor and interest in prayer, became manifest in the social meetings generally, but seemed to me most manifest in one attended weekly at Miss Harriet Foster's, on the road leading to Bridge Hampton and opposite where the Messrs. Elias and William Woolley then lived. I had for several years greatly desired to see a revival such as I had seen at East Hampton, and which left me, much to my sorrow, without hope and God in the world. Hence I visited all the prayer meetings I could. Others noticed it. On one evening, however, when I was not present at the meeting above alluded to, the joyful news was communicated that Capt. James Post and his wife were rejoicing in hope. The next morning a young friend of mine hastened to me to tell me the joyful news. The whole village soon was filled with deep solemnity and on the following Sabbath the sanctuary was unusually full, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit were very manifest. The prayer meeting that evening was at Mrs. Huntting's, and so many came that the store and all the rooms adjoining were opened and filled with the solemn assemblage. Many not able to find seats, stood the whole evening-prominent among them, and near the front window, stood Capt. James Post. When the meeting closed nearly all remained and many approached him to hear him speak of Jesus. Meetings became very frequent at once, and very full at evening, and the church was opened and
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largely attended one afternoon and evening each week, when the neighboring ministers came to help Mr. Babbit, and elders and members from the neigh- boring churches were often present, and took part in the prayer meetings-prominent among whom was Deacon Stephen Rose, of Bridgehampton. Con- versions were constantly occurring among all classes, and the church, which I understood consisted of 70 members when the revival began, received an acces- sion of about 45, among whom were nine husbands with their wives. Many of the most interesting youth of the place had been gathered in Bible Classes, which the Pastor conducted so as greatly to increase the study of the Bible, and make the new members of the church able to give a scriptural and satisfactory reason of their christian hope. The
Word of God was the chief theme of conversation in the youthful circles I visited, especially the les- sons we recited from it weekly to the Pastor and Elders. Rev. Dr. McDowell's Question Book was used, and some of the class found out and interlined the answers with pen and ink, from the beginning to the end of that Question Book. The attachment of the new converts to each other and to Christ, made life pass so sweetly along, that deep regret was often expressed when any of them had to leave the place. And on my return to the place to teach school, after a year's absence to study in the Academy at East Hampton, I found that delightful christian grace 'Brotherly love' delightfully prevalent. So it remained during the two and one-half years that I remained there in the school."
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The meetings held frequently, for the special bene- fit of those seeking an interest in Christ and in- dulging recently obtained hopes that they had found it, were very useful. The counsel given in them and from house to house, was well adapted to lead all to build their hopes of heaven entirely on Christ. The views of the converts were elicited, and when erro- neous, thoroughly corrected, and advice given adapt- ed to make their practice also correct. Town meet- ing day had often been a day for social recreation by the young. On its approach that Spring, some ex- perienced christians counseled us to take care and not let it be injuriously spent. To the delight of many it was suggested that the young who were not needed among the electors, should meet in the north school house for social prayer. The house was soon filled and word reached the electors' meet- ing of it, and several of the good deacons and elders came to the school house and delighted us, and seemed delighted themselves, as they addressed us and prayed with us.
The church which had for a long time before seemed languishing from that time, grew so that I found the last time I preached there, just four times as many members in it, i. e., 280 instead of 70.
May the Lord ever bless that church, as dear to my heart then and ever since, and make your anni- versary a soul refreshing time.
(Written in answer to an invitation to be present at the celebration of the 225th Anniversary of the settlement of the town, December 13th, 1865.)
In 1815 Mr. Babbit started the Education Society
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of Southampton, which has since done much good in educating pious young men for the ministry.
12. PETER H. SHAW.
The twelfth pastor was the Rev. Peter H. Shaw, who was ordained and installed Sept. 19, 1821, and dismissed June 2d, 1829. His grandfather, John Shaw, came to this country in 1785, with two sons, John and William, the latter of whom was the father of Rev. Peter H. The grandfather was a ruling elder in the Associate Church in Greenock, Scotland, and the two sons, with their wives, were members of the same church. They settled by the advice of Dr. Witherspoon, of Prince- ton, N. J., in Barnet, Vt. His great grandfather, Rev. John Shaw, together with Rev'ds Ralph and Ebenezer, formed the first Seceding or Associate Presbytery of Scotland. The library of this worthy minister brought to this country by his son, con- tributed much to moulding the mind and shaping the principles of his great grandson in his youth. He graduated at Dartmouth College.
Mr. Shaw, while pursuing his education in New York, came under the influence of two eminent christian ladies, Mrs. Graham and Mrs. Hoffman, and from their pious efforts in establishing Sabbath schools for the instruction of the poor, he learned the value of this institution. On his instalment in Southampton, he first instituted the Sabbath school here, which, however, soon embraced all the chil- dren in the community. He also, in 1826, was the originator of the temperance reformation in South-
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ampton. Under parental training his mind had been directed to the evils of intemperance, and the publication of Dr. Beecher's sermons on this sub- ject, opened the way for action. With characteristic modesty he obtained these sermons, and at his third meeting on Sabbath evening, he read them on three successive Sabbaths. They caused much excite- ment and even opposition. Many said they could as well do without bread as ardent spirits. The following spring the Gen. Assembly recommended the clergy to preach on the subject. After a reluc- tant consent of the session, a day was appointed when Mr. Shaw would preach on the evil which was increasing in the community to a fearful extent. On the day after the appointment was made, he was informed that none of the neighboring ministers had co-operated with him on the subject, and went over immediately to Bridge Hampton, Sag Harbor and East Hampton, and asked the clergy to coun- tenance him at least so far in the movement as to be present. But they all declined-he stood alone, the youngest member of the Presbytery, but deter- mined, under divine assistance, to go on. He says of this-" The day came. It was a cold, uncom- fortable day, I think, of November. I had endeav- ored to prepare myself with what care I could. As I entered the pulpit I saw the house was filled to overflowing. Every drunkard was staring me in the face. I saw not only that attention, but that feel- ing was awake on the matter before me. I quailed under it ; but it was to be met. I never had had such a sensation before nor since. But
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God sustained me. I preached a sermon in the morning an hour and a half in length, and in the afternoon better than an hour. The object was to present the whole subject so far as I was able. And so large and attentive an au- dience I had not seen before nor since in South- ampton. And before the blessing was pronounced, a motion was made to adjourn to my house that evening, to draw up a constitution and form a so- ciety on the principle of total abstinence.".
13. DANIEL BEERS.
The thirteenth pastor was the Rev. Daniel Beers, who was installed June 8th, 1830, and dismissed April 21st, 1335. On leaving Southampton he was called to the Presbyterian Church of Greenport, where he was installed, Dec. 2, 1835, and remained till Jan. 31, 1839. Thence he removed to Orient, preaching, as stated supply, for a number of years, having commenced his labors there in Feb., 1839. He was a laborious, pains-taking and useful pastor, and his labors in Southampton were abundantly blessed. It was in some measure owing to his en- ergy and ardor in pushing on the enterprise, that the Academy was erected in 1831.
14. HUGH N. WILSON, D. D.,
The fourteenth pastor was, and is, the Rev. Hugh N. Wilson. His father was James Wilson, Esq., of Elizabeth, N. J. He was born May 7, 1813, was graduated at the College of New Jersey, in Prince- ton, in 1830, and elected tutor there in 1832. He
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studied theology in the Seminary at Princeton, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Eliza- beth, April 23, 1835. He commenced his labors in the ministry in this place in 1835, and was ordained Oct. 7, 1835, and installed June 29th, 1836. In 1837 he was married to Jane, the daughter of Capt. James Post of this village. The pastoral relation was dissolved in the spring of 1852. Sorrowfully the people parted with their pastor, for during his long ministry of seven years, his labors had been abundantly blessed in extensive revivals and large accessions to the church. In April, 1852, he de- parted with the good wishes and prayers of his con- gregation for his success in a new field of labor in Hackettstown, New Jersey. From Hackettstown he was called to the Second Dutch Church of New Brunswick, whither he went in the year 1858. Having been dismissed from this charge, he was in- vited to preach as a stated supply, once more to the people of his first charge, in Southampton, in the summer of 1863. Here he continued with accept- ance, the Lord blessing his labors, until a call was made out for his settlement, which having accepted, he was again installed the second Sabbath of Octo- ber, 1864. The sermon of installation was preached by the Rev. William H. Dean, of Amagansett, and the charge to the people delivered by the same. Rev. Charles Sturgis, M. D., gave the charge to the min- ister.
15. JOHN J. A. MORGAN.
The Rev. John J. A. Morgan was installed and ordained as pastor, Jan. 20, 1853. The installation
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sermon was delivered by Rev. Edward Hopper, of Sag Harbor, the charge to the pastor and ordaining prayer by Rev. E. C. Wines, D. D., of East Hamp- ton, and the charge to the people by Rev. Mr. Edgar of Bridge. Hampton. Mr. Morgan was dismissed in September, 1855, and ministered to a church as pastor in Bridesburg, Pa., afterwards he accepted a call to the pastorate of the church in Hempstead, L. I., where he still remains with much acceptance to the people of his charge ...
From 1855 to 1863, the congregation had no set- tled pastor, being supplied by various individuals of whom the principal were Messrs. Kennedy and Cleveland.
The Rev. David Kennedy began his labors here as stated supply in Feb. 1857, and continued till Jan. 1859.
The Rev. William Neal Cleveland, remained here as stated supply, from Jan. 1859, to August, 1863. He was a graduate of Hamilton College and Union Seminary of New York City.
This church has raised up an unusual number of ministers, the most of whom are still laboring on earth in the Master's cause. Their names are : Jonah Fordham, Walter Wilmot, James M. Hunt- ting, Robert Shaw, Samuel Hunt, Samuel Hampton Jagger, Samuel Huntting, Henry M. Parsons, Ed- ward Halsey Sayre, Samuel Edward Herrick and George Rogers Howell, and from the Methodist So- ciety, Barnabas F. Reeve.
Dr. Lyman Beecher (Autobiography, vol. 2. p. 510) says in reference to Edward Herrick, who was
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then in Yale College preparing for the ministry, and a man of brilliant talent and shining piety : "Oh how I remember that day when God first flashed deep conviction upon my soul, and tore away the veil from my heart, and set my sins in order before me ! I was overpowered, and broken down with grief and confusion : and when I went out of my room, whom should I meet but Edward Herrick of Southampton, Long Island, who was a student with me at Yale College. How he happened to know of my feelings, I can't tell, unless he saw it in my face, but he came up to me, and kindly taking my hand, began to talk with me upon the subject of religion. Oh, he was an angel sent from heaven to my soul! You ought all to be ministering spirits too."
Mr. Herrick was a brother of Mr. Micaiah Her- rick, and an early death prevented him from enter- ing upon that labor of love which he coveted. He graduated in the class of 1796.
REV. PAUL CUFFEE.
The following account of him is derived substan- tially from Prime's Hist. of L. I. He was the sec- ond of seven sons of Peter Cuffee, a native Indian of the Shinnecock tribe, and grandson, on his mo- ther's side, of the Rev. Peter John, who was also a Shinnecock and a faithful and successful preacher of the gospel to the native Indians of the Island. He was born in the town of Brookhaven, March 4th, 1757. His mother was said to have been an emi- nently pious woman, and a member of the native Indian Church at Wading River. She being of Af-
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rican descent, Paul was, of course, not of pure abor- iginal blood. At an early age he was inden- tured as a servant to Major Frederic Hud- son, at Wading River, with whom he labored until twenty-one years of age. During his min- ority he was reckless and much addicted to such low pleasures as presented themselves to him in his sphere of society. But it pleased the lord to call him to a nobler career. During a revival in 1778-9, he was connected, and at once felt an ardent desire to labor for the salvation of his brethren on the Is- land. Though possessing a very limited education, he early commenced preaching-upon what author- ity, or licensed by whom, it does not appear. Re- moving from Wading River he went to Moriches, where he remained about two years : and thence to Poosepatuck, where, in 1790, he was ordained to the work of the ministry, by a council of ministers from the Connecticut Convention. He afterwards removed to Canoe Place, which continued to be his residence till his death.
On the 17th of Oct., 1792, he was admitted a member of the "Strict Congregational Convention of Long Island," (whatever that was) which had been organized about a year before, in fellowship with the "Strict Congregational Convention of Connecticut."
In 1798, he received a commission from the " New York Missionary Society " to labor with the remnants of the Long Island Indians, in whose em- ploy he continued till his death, and annually re- ceived a liberal compensation. The principal field
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of his labor was Montauk, Canoe place, and Shinne- cock, though he occasionally visited Poosepatuck and Islip, where there were then a few scattered remnants of the natibe tribes.
He had a retentive memory, a fertile imagination, a musical voice, a graceful manner, and, as Mr. Prime narrates, a most unaffected humility of heart. He died as he had lived under the smiles of his Sa- vior. His grave marked with a plain white slab, and enclosed with a paling, is on the borders of the old country road leading west from Canoe Place, and about one mile from that settlement. The headstone bears the following inscription :
Erected | by | The New York Missionary Society | In memory of | The Rev Paul Cuffee | An Indian of the Shinnecock tribe | who was employed by that Society | for the last thirteen years of his life on the | Eastern part of Long Island | where he labored with fidelity and success. | Humble, pious and inde- fatigable | in testifying the gospel of the grace of God | he finished his course with joy, | on the | 7th of March 1812 | aged 55 years and three days.
THE METHODIST SOCIETY.
In 1845 the old Presbyterian church erected in 1707 was purchased and repaired for a house of worship for a Methodist society which was then or- ganized.
This society commencing with small numbers, has grown largely, chiefly, however, by immigration, and at present is vigorous and prosperous. It has done a good work in the village, and the relations be- tween its members and the older church have always
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been marked with good feeling. The tolerant spirit of the fathers has descended to the sons, and both Churches have labored cordially side by side for the promotion of piety and good morals in the com- munity.
CHURCH EDIFICES.
The first church edifice was erected in 1640 or 1641, within a twelvemonth from the settlement of the town. Its site has been a matter of doubt till recently, when a deed was discovered in the office of the Town Clerk by the present incumbent, Mr. Wil- liam S. Pelletreau, for a lot described as the ." Old Meeting House Lot" bounded on the East by Old Town Street, and North by the highway ; showing the site to be what is now the homestead of Mr. Joseph King. This house, according to tradition, was thatched, as probably were many of the first dwelling houses.
In 1652, (N. S.) March 20th, at a General Court, steps were taken to build a church 30 by 24 feet : posts to be set in the ground and to be eight and a half feet from the ground to the plate. This was the second church. Oct. 14, 1667, John Tennison acknowledges receiving part "pay to the building of the Meeting House." From the records of the town again, [Liber A, No. 2, p. 51] it appears that this church was not completed until some time be- tween 1669 and 1672. As to the location of this church, there is no doubt whatever. It stood on what is now the homestead of Mr. Edwin Post. Its location is given in a record of a settlement of 17
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a dispute between Isaac Willman and the town, on Nov. 29, 1672.
The third was erected in 1707, and stood on the southwest corner of the land of the late Captain Albert Rogers, facing the main street and the lane. (See frontispiece.) It is still standing, and now used as a house of worship by the Methodist So- ciety.
The fourth was erected in the year 1843.
CHURCH EDIFICES OF BRIDGE HAMPTON.
The first church was erected probably in 1695, when the parish of B. H. was organized. It stood about half way between the main N. and S. street of Sagg, and the street leading from Bull Head to the beach. It was situated on a road now closed up a little south of the present residence of Hon. Henry P. Hedges.
The second church edifice stood about fifty rods from Francis' corner, eastward on the N. side of the street, and half in the street and half in the lot. The stepping stone before the entrance door still re- mains in situ.
The " New Light " church stood about five rods from the main highway, between South and Bridge Hampton, on Rufus Rose's lane, and on the west side of the lane.
SAG HARBOR CHURCHES.
Sag Harbor began to be settled about 1730. No full history is given of this place since a work giv- ing its history in detail is already prepared by Lu- ther D. Cook, Esq. The first church edifice in this
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village was Presbyterian, and erected in 1766. Mr. Foster, of Southampton ; Wm. Hedges, of East Hampton ; and Malbey Gelston, of Bridge Hamp- ton, were appointed at a meeting of its inhabitants to solicit aid in their several villages. It stood where the present Episcopal church now stands. The second Pres. church edifice was erected in 1816, and afterwards was sold and became the first church of the Episcopal Society. The third was erected in 1843. There are besides those mentioned, now in Sag Harbor, a Methodist and a Roman Catholic, and two churches for colored people.
CHURCH MATTERS.
A few of the decrees of the General Court will throw some light both on ecclesiastical matters and on the constant uncertainty and anxiety, if not peril of our forefathers while living in proximity to ano- ther and a barbarous race.
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