USA > New York > Ulster County > Marlborough > The history of the town of Marlborough, Ulster County, New York: from the first settlement in 1712, by Capt. Wm. Bond, to 1887 > Part 10
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In 1869 the old church was destroyed by fire. The present house was built the following year, at a cost of $33,000.
In 1859, some individuals in the congregation engaged in erecting a small house of worship at Middle Hope. The en- terprise was one of doubtful propriety, and viewed with much suspicion by many from the beginning; and the result proved that their fears were but too well grounded. It created much jealousy, and led to divisions, till the prime movers of the scheme withdrew from the church and went to Newburgh.
In 1861, a small church of about twenty persons was or- ganized in Middle Hope, being nominally separated from the parent church, but yet remaining in reality part and parcel of it, having their old pastor installed over them.
The Middle Hope congregation was never large, but the Church there survived and had an irregular existence until 1885, when the building was sold to the Methodists. The remnant of the congregation previously returned to the Marlborough Church.
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LATTINTOWN BAPTIST CHURCHI.
The following is taken from the "History of Ulster County ":
The earliest record of the Baptist church at Lattintown to be found in the keeping of the church is the following copy in an old unruled writing-book, with pasteboard cover :
" Record of the Trustees of the Meeting-House belonging to the Baptist church of Lattintown, in Marlborough.
" Lattintown, January 2nd, 1807.
"Church met according to appointment and elected Nehemiah L. Smith, Noah Woolsey, and Matthew Benedict Trustees for said church, to manage the affairs of the meet- ing-house in Lattintown."
The same ancient book is used by the church to record the annual election of trustees. It remains in a good state of preservation, and contains the names of trustees annually elected (two years excepted) up to January, 1864.
The society was incorporated by a certificate bearing date Jan. 26, 1807. The paper was signed by the officers who presided at the meeting, Matthew Benedict and Richmond Burwell. The trustees chosen were Nehemiah S. Smith, Noah Woolsey, and Matthew Benedict. The proceedings were verified before Judge Jonathan Hasbrouck, and the record attested by George Tappen, deputy clerk.
The next record is found in a deed bearing date Jan. 26, 1808, signed by Thomas Wygant and Elizabeth his wife, whereby, for the sum of £20, the lot of ground on which the meeting-house stands, also the graveyard, together contain- ing half an acre of ground, was conveyed to the trustees of Baptist church of Lattintown.
The earliest record found in the church book states that at a meeting of the church held in the month of May, 1812, Deacon Purser being present with them, made the church a present of this book, it being the one in use at the present time for keeping the records of the church.
From the records it appears that the Pleasant Valley church, situated nine miles southwest from Lattintown, em-
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braced members living both sides of the Marlborough mountains. On the 6th of May, 1812, a meeting was ap- pointed in Lattintown for the purpose of constituting into a separate church those members of the Pleasant Valley church residing on the easterly side of the Marlborough mountains. Elder Lebbeus Lathrop being chosen to pre- side, stated the object of the meeting, and the importance attached to it. After the cause had been presented, Articles of Faith, previously prepared, were read in the hearing of those present desiring to be constituted into a separate church. They individually signified their assent and agree- ment thereto, and were formally constituted in a separate church, adopting the name of the Baptist church of Lattin- town. The right hand of fellowship was given by Elder Lathrop to 24 members present ; 5 were subsequently added, making a total membership of 29. A letter was immediately prepared and sent to the Warwick Association, asking ad- mission, which request being granted, the new organization became a member of that body.
On the 23d of May the church extended an invitation to Elder Hall to become their pastor, and a request to that effect was sent to the Pleasant Valley church, of which Elder Hall was pastor. In June following word was re- ceived from the Pleasant Valley church stating that their request was granted, and they might expect Elder Hall. In July following the Pleasant Valley church sent Brethren Jones and Edwards to the Lattintown church to inform them that they had revoked their decision respecting Elder Hall, and that they could not spare him, not even for half the timc. The church then appointed a committee, consisting of the clerk and four members, to arrange supplies for the pulpit ; also, to open correspondence with ministering breth- ren with a view of settling a pastor. Their house of wor- ship had been completed two years before their organization as a separate church, and in June, 1810, the Warwick Asso- ciation held its annual meeting at Lattintown, when, the record states, an abundant provision was made for the dele- gates and their horses.
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In September, 1812, Aaron Perkins accepted the invitation of the church, and in November, 1812, commenced his labors at an annual salary of $200, with a positive under- standing that il either party wished to rescind the contract, that six months' notice should be given to the other party.
In June, 1813, Elder Perkins was ordained. The church were united with him. He was ardent and faithful, the con- gregation large and attentive, and Lattintown enjoyed years of happiness, usefulness, and prosperity. There are old peo- ple now living in the vicinity whose eyes glisten with delight as they speak of the days and years when Elder Perkins preached in Lattintown, when the meeting-house, with its capacious gallery, proved too small to accommodate the congregation, and those who arrived latest drove up to the sides and ends of the meeting-house and sat in their wagons -there were no carriages in those days --- and listened, and loved to listen, to the preached word.
" Those were golden, happy days, Sweetly spent in prayer and praise."
Elder Perkins remained with them as their pastor twelve years, during which time he baptized 160 members. In 1820 an extensive revival took place, when the records show 54 as being baptized. The largest membership during Elder Perkins' pastorate was 128. In the year 1821, Elder Perkins' salary was raised to $250 per annum, as a reward for his services and a token of respect and confidence of the church.
In November, 1824, Elder Perkins received a call from the Berwick Baptist church, in the city of New York, which he felt it his duty to accept, and, after giving the Lattintown church the stipulated six months' notice of his intention, he took his leave of them. The church was next supplied in part by Daniel Hill, who had been licensed to preach. During the fall of 1826, Elder Draper had been introduced to them, and having preached with satisfaction, was called to preach for them half the time, for which services they agreed to pay him $75 per annum, and move his family gratis from the West. His term of service commenced on the Ist of May, 1827. A resolution was adopted by the church that each
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member shall pay twenty-five cents per quarter for the sup- port of the gospel among us. Brother Conklin was appointed receiver and to collect and pay over the same to Elder Draper. On the 19th of January, 1827, the church passed a resolution that it was improper to take public collections on Lord's day.
During the history of the church thus far the covenant and business meetings were regularly attended to on the third Sunday of each month in the afternoon, when the necessary business of the church was attended to, after which there was a free conference among the members present respecting their progress in the divine life. These meetings invariably commenced and closed by singing and prayer. The same date is still observed by the church for holding their covenant meetings; also, the same custom prevails with respect to commencing and closing their meetings. Their communion seasons have been observed once a quarter, on the Sabbath succeeding the third Saturday in the month.
The records state that in April, 1827, the church met to. inquire into the reason " why our Association neglect and even discard the old practice of ordaining deacons," and they by resolution bound themselves to practice as the Association directed.
During the interval, until September, 1831, the church enjoyed peace and some good degree of prosperity under the ministry of Elder Draper. Some few were added each year to the church, of such as felt constrained to come out from the world and be a separate people. Some of those remain with the church to this day, and have continued with the church to rejoice in its prosperity, and to weep be- tween the porch and the altar when clouds of darkness brooded over Lattintown. Among such deserving mention are the names of Sisters Lucy Woolsey and Mary Ann Staples, both of whom in early life embraced the cause of Christ, and who for near forty years past have been unwa- vering in their fidelity and zeal in their Master's service. Another, a prominent Baptist residing still in the vicinity, came before the church in February, 1813, relating his
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experience to the church, which being considered satis- factory, it was resolved to receive him as a member after baptism. He requested to be baptized immediately ; said he could not wait. It was now midwinter, and extremely cold ; the streams and ponds were frozen-no baptistry in those days. The brethren expostulated with him, advised him to wait. Remonstrances were unavailing. The ice- near a foot thick, and making rapidly-must be cut ; he must follow his Master's example; and he has lived to see his children and his grandchildren after him buried by baptism in a liquid grave. His consistent Christian life and godly conversation for fifty years have fully attested the sincerity of his convictions.
In September, 1831, Elder Draper requested a letter of commendation, which was granted, and the church was left without a pastor.
Again the church, as usual on such occasions, appointed a committee to wait on Elder Perkins and obtain his views. and get him to recommend a supply, with a view to settling another pastor. Until July following the church was sup. plied by Brethren Bishop and Duxbury, when the church received a letter from Elder Archibald McClay, of Kingston, recommending Brother Hadow, recently from Scotland, to preach for them. After a month's trial, he was invited to settle as their pastor. In September following, a council was called to assemble at the meeting-house on the roth of October, to ordain him ; also at the same time and place to ordain their deacons. Brother Hadow continued as their pastor until Jan. 19, 1833, when the church informed him that in the succeeding spring they should make an effort to obtain Elder Perkins as their pastor, and he might seek some other field of labor. Brother Hadow left the church in May. In the meantime Elder Perkins had been written to and invited to again become their pastor; he declined, and again they were left destitute.
In June following, John Alison-who had been a promi- nent member of the Presbyterian church at Marlborough, and also a student for the ministry-applied for baptism and
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admission to the Lattintown church. He was received, and also obtained license from the church to preach. During the next few months he preached to the church with great acceptance. In the spring of 1834 Brother Alison resigned, after which a letter was sent to Elder Perkins, inviting him to settle with them again as their pastor. Elder Perkins writes them in reply that he must decline, and also that the church owes him $50.16 for services rendered ten years since. A collection was taken and the debt was discharged.
On the 20th of December, 1834, the Newburgh church, situated ten miles South of Lattintown, was constructed ; the Lattintown church being in a country place, and their members scattered about the country, many of them residing nearer Newburgh than Lattintown. Several such, and among them some of the officers and more prominent mem- bers, took letters and joined the Newburgh church, which greatly reduced the Lattintown church in means, strength, and members. In the spring of 1835, Elder Powell directed to them Elder Jeremy H. Dwyer. After hearing him preach, in June, 1835, the church gave him a call to become their pastor, which he accepted. During this year several more members took letters to join the Newburgh and Pleasant Valley churches, which still further reduced the Lattintown church.
In the month of August it was resolved to hold a pro- tracted meeting, and Elder Powell was invited to come and assist Brother Dwyer in conducting the meeting. A com- mittec, consisting of Brothers D. Cosman and N. Merritt, were appointed to wait on the innkeeper, to request him to desist from selling liquor during the continuance of the meeting. He cheerfully complied with the request, and on the 20th of August, the meeting commenced. It was a busy season of the year for the farmers ; the attendance was small, and the prospect gloomy and disheartening. They humbled themselves in the sight of God, and after earnestly besecch- ing God to vouchsafe his blessings, they solemnly ordained their deacons, and concluded, notwithstanding the discour- aging circumstances, to proceed with their meeting, to labor
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and pray earnestly, and leave the result with God. A glorious harvest of souls was the result, in which the sur- rounding churches also largely participated. On the 2d of September, 1835, thirty-three willing converts repaired to the majestic Hudson, and there, in the presence of many hundreds of spectators, they were buried by baptism in the liquid waves.
Soon after the close of the protracted meeting, Elder Dwyer tendered his resignation, which was accepted by the church, and again Elder Perkins was asked to furnish them with a pastor. In February, 1836, Brother Samuel Barrett received a call, which he accepted. He was young, ardent, intelligent, and pious, and under his watchful care the church steadily grew in grace and strength. They were united, use- ful and happy. Near the close of his ministry with the church, a large number of members took letters and moved West, where they formed a new and eventually a flourishing church. In April, 1839, Brother Barrett preached his fare- well sermon, and went to Port Jervis. After he left, Brother Davis preached for them until 1841. The church at this time was in a low state, but few attending the house of wor- ship. In 1844, Brother David Morris was invited to preach for them half the time. He divided his time between them and the Hyde Park church.
In 1845, Brother S. Barrett was again invited to preach for them. He accepted the call, and again became their pastor. The records state that he preached on the 5th of April, 1846, to a crowded house, and all were happy to hear him again speaking forth the words of life from the sacred desk at Lattintown. The two intervening years the church steadily grew and prospered. In April, 1848, Brother Barrett re- signed to take charge of the church at Middletown, Orange county, N. Y., where he spent his remaining days.
1 In May following, Brother J. S. Adams commenced labor- ing with them, while at the same time prosecuting his studies in order to prepare himself more fully for the gospel minis- try. After he left, in February, 1849, a letter was sent to Rev. J. I. Grimley, who came and preached for them, and in
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March was engaged as their pastor. On the 15th of August a council was called, of which Deacon Staples of Lattintown was one, to sit in council and aid in ordaining Brother Grim- ley. After his ordination, he preached acceptably and profitably to the church until September, 1850, when he re- signed and went to Unionville. During the thirteen years up to August, 1863, the church became very much reduced by deaths and removals. Preaching was rarely heard at Lattintown. The members became scattered, the house of worship dilapidated and uninviting. Application for aid to the State Convention was refused or neglected, and it was thought advisable by most members to disband. Meetings were neglected except by two or three sisters (those before mentioned, who still met to pray). The roof of the mecting house had gone to decay, the walls had fallen, the windows were broken, the storms beat and the winds sung their requiem through the old edifice. In August last (1880) a toil-worn missionary was directed that way. He sought out some members (then attending the Newburgh church). They spoke to him of Lattintown as numbered already with the past. He asked to preach for them. They tried to discour- age him, but he, neither daunted nor doubtful, appointed a meeting, and once more held out to them words of hope and life. This was Brother Cole, of the Greene and Ulster Mission, and to this as a period, and to him as an agent un- der God, they took as a new starting-point in their history. In 1863 a committee was appointed by the Central Associa- tion to visit the church. A meeting was held in October for the purpose of raising money to repair the house. A sub- scription-list was circulated, and the members took hold in earnest of the work before them, and complete success has crowned their labors. The old structure has been moulded into a neat, comfortable, attractive house of worship.
Rev. Joseph 1. Grimley is acting as the pastoral supply to the church in 1880, the trustees of the church being Gidcon Morgan, David Cosman, and Daniel Hasbrouck : William Staples, church clerk.
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THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Christ Church, Marlborough, was the third Episcopal church organized in Ulster county.
In 1836 the village of Marlborough contained between four and five hundred inhabitants, many of them descendants of the Dutch and Huguenot families, who were the early set- tlers of the county. There were also a number of English and Irish families who were employed in the different manu- factories, and New Englanders engaged in merchandise and transportation. Many of these people were regular attend- ants at the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, whilst the others seldom or ever entered a place of public worship. The Rev. Robert Shaw, rector of St. Andrew's church, Wal- don, Orange county, whilst visiting some of his old parish- oners living near the village, heard of the spiritual des- titution of these English families, some of whom had been baptized and made members of the church. At the request of Gen. Gilbert (. Fowler, of Newburgh, he visited them and remained several days, making the acquaintance of the people, fully informing himself of their number and con- dition.
There were several influential families living in the neigh- borhood, members of St. George's church, Newburgh, who offered to contribute liberally towards sustaining a mission church, if located in the vicinity. At their suggestion di- vine service was held in the district school house on Sun- day, the 12th day of February, 1837. This was the first public service of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Marl- borough.
This service was attended by the people generally; so much interest manifested that a meeting was called. The following named gentlemen were present: Edward Arm- strong, of Dans Kamer; Thomas Fyfe, of Hampton ; John Buckley, Gabriel Merritt, Leonard S. Carpenter and others of Marlborough. After consultation it was decided to take immediately the initiatory measures to organize a church in the village.
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Permission having been obtained to occupy the Methodist meeting house on the two following Sundays, "Public notice was given that on Sunday morning next, the 19th of February, and the following Sunday, the 26th, divine ser- vice would be held at that place according to the rites and ceremonies of the Protestant Episcopal Church ; all who were disposed were invited to attend, as it was intended to organize the church in the village of Marlborough." At the time appointed Mr. Shaw found a large congregation, most of whom were utterly ignorant of the church and its services. Prayer books were distributed and the people re- quested to join in the responses. The pages were called as the service proceeded.
Mr. Shaw read the prayers very impressively, the people generally joining in the responses. The sermon was suit- able for the occasion and gave general satisfaction. Divine service was held in the same place on Sunday, the 26th, and on Monday, the 27th February, 1837. The male members of the congregation met in the village at the home of Miles J. Fletcher and elected Edward Armstrong and Miles J. Fletcher church wardens, and Thomas Fyfe, Dennis H. Doyle, Leonard S. Carpenter, David E. Fowler, Andrew Oddy, Joseph Hepworth, Richard R. Fowler and William Cushion vestrymen, and they chose the Rev. Robert Shaw rector of the parish, the church is to be known as Christ Church in the village of Marlborough.
The Church was admitted into union with the Diocesan Convention September 26th, 1837. The following spring Bishop Onderdonk visited the parish and confirmed two persons. During the summer divine service was held in the old school house at Hampton. In the fall and winter the congregation again worshipped in the Methodist meeting house. A lot of ground, containing over an acre very elig- ibly situated a short distance south of the village, was generously donated by Dennis II. Doyle, on which the ves- try erected a small wooden structure, 24 feet front and 48 feet deep, with a tower and belfry in the western end, afford- ing sittings for 140 persons, at a cost of $2,500, includ-
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ing the organ and bell. The church was consecrated by Bishop Onderdonk, September 10th, 1839. The Bishop said in his address: "The union in this church of economy with great neatness, I would commend to the imitation of all parishes who would pursue the honest and Christian course of building in strict conformity with their means." At the close of the year Rev. Shaw resigned and accepted a call to Trinity church, Fishkill. The services were con- tinued by the Rev. George B. Andrews, rector of Zion church, Wappingers Falls, and the Rev. William Walsh, of Newburgh, until the following summer, when the Rev. George W. Fash was appointed missionary and chosen rec- tor of the parish.
He entered on his duties July 5th, 1840. He began his work by organizing a Sunday school numbering 35 scholars, who were carefully instructed in the catechism and at stated times publicly catechised in church. His entire time was given to his parish duties. Bishop Onderdonk visited the parish the 28th August and confirmed six persons, and ex- pressed much gratification at the increased attendance and growth of the congregation. The rector of Trinity church, Fishkill, having resigned, it was proposed to the vestry that Rev. Fash be allowed to officiate for them on Sunday morn- ings, and hold an afternoon or evening service in Marlbo- rough. It was reluctantly consented to. The divided ser- vice was a serious loss to the church. It was discontinued at the end of the year.
On resuming the usual services on Sundays, the church was well attended and the rector highly gratified by the presentation of a silver communion service from some ladies, members of St. Mark's church, New York. The vestry being unable to give Rev. Fash a sufficient supporthe resigned the ist of July, 1843, leaving many warmly attached friends.
The services were continued by Henry Edwards, a candidate for holy ordeis, assisted by the neighboring clergy, until the spring of 1844, when he was succeeded by Mr. Samuel Hawksley. He was born in England and came to this country whilst quite young with an elder sister and
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her husband, landing in Philadelphia. They left him there and went to the West. Young Hawksley was aided by the Rev. Dr. Wm. Cooper Mead, Rector of Trinity church, who placed him at school and afterwards sent him to Trinity Col- lege, Hartford, where he graduated A. B. in 1839. He en- tered the General Theological Seminary in New York in 1840. His close application to study so seriously affected his sight that he was obliged to ask for an extended absence, during which time he visited England, and on his return asked for a dismissal from the Seminary. Soon after he was employed by Mrs. Armstrong as a tutor for her . ons. llc volunteered his services as a lay reader, which were gladly accepted.
In 1845 he was ordained deacon by Bishop Brownell, in Christ Church, Hartford, and soon after appointed mission- ary to Marlborough. He now relinquished teaching, and devoted himself to the duties o' the ministry. After two years of incessant labor, holding service at different places, baptizing the children, and by his kind and sympathizing disposition, he gained the confidence and esteem of the working people and gathered in the church a congregation respectable in numbers and regular in their attendance.
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