USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The manual of the First Lutheran Church in the city of Albany > Part 4
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
poor wooden tenements. The records show that it had been the policy of the trustees from the earliest times to rent their property for long terms, to ensure a reliable prospective income for the support of the church, and thus seeure low pew rents. The revenues were conse- quently barely sufficient to maintain the pastor in the low- est state of penury, and the church edifice in the last stage of dilapidation. During the term of Dr. Pohlman, the repairs upon the property consumed so much of its income, and the pew rents being so low as to barely sup- port the expenses of the organ and choir, the speetre of
an increasing debt loomed up before the trustees. The church was also out of repair, and needed renovation. The audience sat boxed up in high pews, after the style of a past age, under a rent of $5 a pew. It was finally determined to reseat the church, upholster the seats, and repaint and remodel the interior, which was done at an expense of upwards of $6.000. A fire having burned down the houses on State street, the tenants relinquished their leases, and the trustees sold off sufficient property to relieve the church of debt ; the pew rents were raised to $3 a sitting, the remaining property was put in sneh condition as to produce an increased income ; yet, sad to confess, the pastor reduced his annual salary $250, to meet the last exigency. The era of a decent liberality in church expenditure had only begun to dawn upon the city, and single dollars were doled out with a reluctance
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
that, it is pleasant to reflect, we no longer see so many. instances of. Progression had so much execeded the anticipations of the builders of the church, in the course of thirty years, that notwithstanding all the renovations and appliances it was possible to give it, and the beauty of its location, it was so far behind the age, and so out- stripped by the other churches of the city, that it became neglected, and its members emigrated by families. In the autumn of 1867 the Rev. Dr. Pohlman resigned the charge of the congregation, over which he had presided with dignity and ability, twenty-four years.
In May, 1868, the Rev. Samuel P. Sprecher, of the Lutheran Church at Carlisle, Pa , was called to preside over the congregation, under whose preaching there was immediately a great accession of munbers, and the capa- city of the church was inadequate to accommodate the au- dience. The trustees therefore determined to ereet a new edifice, and to make the experiment of selling off the remainder of the real estate, and investing the proceeds, together with all that could be obtained by subscriptions, in a structure that should be in keeping with the degree of advancement which church architecture had attained ; trusting by the blessing of God, and an awakening spirit of liberality in the congregation, to achieve success in placing one of the most ancient Christian institutions in the city upon a sound basis and a successful career. Accordingly the old church was removed, and prepara-
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
tions made for another on a much larger scale. The remaining houses and lots belonging to the society, situ- ated on Park street, were sold for $50,000, subscriptions to the amount of $21,000 were obtained principally among the members of the congregation, and a church, 69 by 126 feet, was erected at a cost of $85,000. It was dedicated on the 26th January, 1871, and its pews were rented upon a system of voluntary terms, by which occupants were accommodated with seats at such prices as they thought they could afford to pay ; the design being to meet the objections by many offered to attendance upon church services, that the prices of seats excluded them from places of public worship.
On the 30th of January, the first day on which the church was opened for the purpose, 75 pews were taken at an annual rental of over $3,000.
The whole number of pews in the church is 162, of which 120 are now rented. The following is a list of those who hold pews in the church at the present time :
D. B. Ackley,
Charles Agne, Edward Agne, Mrs. H. A. Albertson, William N. Armitage, J. B. Armour,
A. V. Bensen, Thomas A. Branion,
Isaac Bratt, Robert Bruce, Mrs. E. Burt, George N. Collier, William Campbell,
George Canaday, David Caswell,
William Chandler.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
M. F. Cookingham,
J. Coughtry,
Miss Maria Crandall, P. C. Crounse, Louis Dasch, George W. Davy,
P. W. Dedrick, D. F. Denton, Miss Belle Dunster,
Charles W. Falke,
Henry Falke, William II. Falke,
Henry Fawdrey,
Miss A. M. Feltman.
Thomas Fickling,
Mrs. Mary Flagler,
Peter Foland, Jolm Fredendall, 1. D. Fredendall, Philip Frederick, Albert Gallup, Martin Gorgus, Miss A. E. Garling,
Miss Mary Gates,
Mrs. S. M. Godden.
Miss H. Goodrich,
Mrs. Haines, C. B. Hallenbeck, Martin Happell,
A. F. Haverky, Mrs. David Hotaling,
C. E. Jenkin -. George Jenkins, Joseph HI. Kennedy, J. Kein !.
A. 1. Keyser, Mrs. Benj. Kirker, John W. Knickerbocker, Abram Lawyer, Thomas S. Lloyd,
J. L. Lochner, W. L. Meader, Walter V. Many, William Many,
T. McBride, Willison H1. Me Naughton, Miss M. A. Meigs,
HI. E. MMereness,
Henry T. Mesick, John J. Miller,
Joel Munsell, W. C. Myers,
Jacob F. Mynders,
Theresa Noltze,
Heury Newman,
Mrs. Cornelia Norton, David J. Norton,
R. J. Patten, Jacob D. Pohlman,
Mrs. F. W. Pruyn, . Miss Susie Pitcher,
Walter II. Quackenboss,
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
Mrs. Roberts,
C. E. Van Aerman, .
Henry HI. Rose,
Henry Sann,
. Isaac Schell,
Mrs. Julia Vandemore,
G. W. Scholl,
David Scott,
A. Van Meter, Jasper Van Wormer, Simon Vine,
Adam Serafford,
E. C. Schaffer,
Harmin Visscher,
P. J. Shaffer,
A. B. Voorhees,
Sylvester Shaffer,
J. H. Waggoner,
Misses Shaw,
Eli Warner,
Henry Smith, Seneca S. Smith,
E. S. Werner,
Mrs. Elizabeth Westfall,
David Spraker, Jr.,
Rev. S. P. Sprecher,
Mrs. M. E. Stadtler,
C. F. Wheeler,
Hiram Wheeler,
Mrs. Catharine Whipple,
llenry Wilkins,
Frank Wooster,
William Turner, Jr.,
Mrs. Lany Wright.
The church edifice, which had been about two years in the process of construction, was finished in January, 1871, and was dedicated on the evening of the 26th. Snow had fallen all day, and the weather was quite inele- ment ; notwithstanding which an audience gathered to witness the ceremonies that filled the church. The prayer of invocation was offered by the Rev. J. H. Heck, of
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Lewis Wetmore,
J. Il. Wetsel,
T. Sullivan, Miss Switzer, F. W. Teitz, Mrs. John A. Traver,
C. 11. Van Aernam, Thomas Van Aernam,
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
Schoharie ; the hymn was read by the Rev. William Hull of Athens ; then followed the consecration service, by the Rev. Henry N. Pohlman, D. D. ; the Rev. F. W. Conrad, of Philadelphia, preached from Isaiah ii, 3, an eloquent and appropriate discourse ; at the close of which he made an appeal to the members of the church in aid of the building fund, which resulted in subscriptions to the amount of nearly $6,000, in addition to previous sums derived from the congregation principally, for that purpose. Mr. J. Augustus Reed presided at the organ, and with a selected choir conducted the musical services with his usual earnestness and good taste. A considerable number of clergymen were present from the other Pro- testant churches of the city. All the appointments of the church were in admirable keeping; the warming and lighting being found perfeet, and the furniture and fres- coing showing to the best advantage under the three chandeliers, which supplied the entire light of the au- ditorium.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH EDIFICE.
The following condensed description of the church was published in the Albany Argus at the time of the dedication :
The seventh ward of this city has made great strides in church building and church restoration during the
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1
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
last few years, and the last we have to chronicle is the. First Lutheran Church.
The executive committee was composed of the Rev. S. P. Sprecher, Jasper Van Wormer, Joel Munsell, and P'. Foland. The work was carried on under the direction of Thomas E. Norman, architect, of the firm of Norman & Treadwell, and the following contractors erected the build- ing : James Ballentine, mason ; A. Boyle, plastering; J. Kennedy, Jr., carpenter ; M. J. Durkin, church furniture and carving ; C. Belcher & Son, stained glass ; Ira Porter, painting ; Tucker and Crawford, gas fitting; J. W. Osborn & Co., slating; Il. D. Ostermoor & Co., upholstery; N. Mickle and Ira Porter, polychrome work; Doyle & Dugan, plumbing ; MeMurray & Co., ent stone, and G. N. Andrews, of U'tica, the organ.
This church, for those whose sympathies are with modern or Protestant thought. is in design, in interior, the type which is the natural one for those to whom a church is simply a meeting place for worship, communion and spiritual instruction, built for all men alike, who need to be reminded of forgotten duties and neglected possibilities, of hopes and ambitions loftier, by which daily existence is apt to be engrossed.
Modern religious architecture, reflecting modern reli- gious thought, is realized in this building, and the archi- teet has produced a church which the Protestant mind can claim as distinctly its own. The congregation is not
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
shut out from the service by means of naive columns, neither is the hearing marred by them ur lofty elere- story. The dwelling place conforms to and shows forth the spirit within, and all attempt of the borrowed dress which Protestantism contrives somewhat awkwardly to wear, when invested with the former coverings of Catho- licism, is avoided in the New Lutheran Church. An architecture has been developed of its own, suffused with the feelings of its founders, and which, after they have passed away, will tell what they hoped for and loved, what they believed and what they sought.
In 1868, competitive designs were submitted to the trustees for their new edifice by the firms of Nichols & Brown and Norman & Treadwell, both embodying ideas of great merit. The latter firm were the successful architects, and from that time the work progressed until its completion, with all dispatch consistent with its pro- per construction, and the corner stone was laid 14th July, 1869, in the north-east buttress of the church.
The entire building covers an area of 126 feet by 69 feet, divided into basement and auditorium, and the gene- ral character of the design is early English. The base- ment floor is divided into furnace and coal rooms at either end ; lecture room 64 by 54 feet, seating about 500 persons, furnished with reversible seats, grained in imitations of walnut and oak. The pulpit platform is at the south end. This room is partitioned off from the parlor and
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
infant class room (each respectively 25 by 21 feet), by a sliding sash, thus allowing the whole area to be thrown into one spacious room when necessity demands it. Although the west or park side is on an average of nine feet below the ground level, by engineering science ample light is obtained and resistance secured against the steady pressure of the clay bank by arches or revetement walls. Through a very neat early English porch is the inlet to the lecture room in Lodge street, the doors painted in olive green. A peculiarity in the masonry is a vertical joint di- viding the keystone in the arches to the basement open- ings, which is an example of pure Gothic. The auditorium is 90 by 54 feet, and is approached from Pine street by a flight of Ohio-stone steps, eleven in number, to a tiled floor vestibule, having a pretty groined ceiling. On the south wall of the auditorium, an areade is run from cast to west forming ten panels, containing the Mosaic Laws. This is a beautiful example of medieval work, and the artist has carried out the architect's train of ideas in a very artistic manner. This portion of the work was exe- euted by Mr. Porter.
At the north end of this room is the pulpit platform or sanctuary, having the organ immediately in its rear, and elevated some six feet above it. On the lower plat- form is placed the Communion table. The pulpit desk and chairs are exceedingly handsome, these again, with the railing and newel posts being very pure and studied con-
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
ceptions of mediaval work. The organ case, 22 feet. across, is quite novel, got ont of walnut and chestnut, and only speaking pipes showing, these being illuminated in gold and colors of chaste design. The organ has two manuals - compass C O to 1, 58 notes ; compass of pe- dale CCC to D, 27 notes. In the great organ is the double open diapason, 16 feet metal, 12 inches diameter. All stops run through. This instrument, undoubtedly, is the grandest and finest two bank organ on the conti- nent, both in specification and workmanship, and reflects great eredit on Western New York. The sanctuary arch is very elaborately moulded, while corbels representing Luther's head, or mask, support the shafts, which again are surmounted by ornate capitals. Over the arch is inseribed on a ribband, the text " God so loved the world that He gave lfis only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Ilim should not perish, but have Everlasting life." The ceiling is divided into panels by heavily moulded wooden ribs resting on stone corbels, and the panels finished in polychromatic work on blue ground. The colors separately are violent, but together blend in per- feet harmony. This portion of the work has been treated elaborately, and to increase the effect a groined ceiling is formed over the transept, to answer two purposes ; beauty in design and perfection in acoustics. The side walls of the audience room are 30 feet high, and the ceiling 43 feet in the centre from the floor. Three Jacobson &
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCHI.
Mabie pendant reflectors light the room, while imme-' diately over them are ventilators constructed in the ceiling. The pastor's study is in the northwest corner, twelve by thirteen l'eet, and very cheerful, being located on the park side and warmed by grate fire. The tower and spire are conjointly about 150 feet above the ground, and on the southwest corner is a very pretty example of turret, with a quaint idea of one of the walls carried upon a column surmounted by bold capital and corbel. The materials used in the exterior, where coursed rubble is, is of Bene- diet's blue stone, and all ashlar of Ohio and Connectient sand stone. Brick, of local manufacture, laid in English bond, with white mortar for the walls above the water table. Communication exists between the two floors, by stairs in the tower and lobby. The roof is supported by king-post trusses and queen-post truss over the transept, and exhibits the architect's thorough knowledge of fram- ing. The auditorium contains 162 pews, constructed of walnut and chestnut, capable of seating 750 persons. The church cost about $$5,000, while the ground or lot is valued at. $50,000, making the grand total value of the property, $135,000. In conclusion, the harmony of colors in the ceiling, the elegant reflectors, the cheerful colors of the upholstery and carpets, the rich colors of the walnut and chestnut woods, the handsome organ case, and the exquisite taste displayed in every detail of the build- ing, form a combination which has a most pleasing,
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
almost enchanting effect upon the visitor ou entering the' auditorium.
The trustees and congregation now had the satisfaction of seeing their ancient church placed upon a footing and taking a position which it was entitled to hold as the second church organization in point of time, in the city, and the oldest Lucheran congregation in this country. For the churches founded by the Swedes ou the Delaware, which might have disputed our claim, have all passed into the Protestant Episcopal church; and although there may have been a congregation in New York as early as our own, we had a church edifice full twenty years earlier than they, and furthermore they failed to preserve their distinct existence. After the destruction of their church- building in 1776, they fused with another congregation, and both afterwards lost their identity. So that there remains none to dispute our claim to being the oklest Lutheran church in America. May the society never lose confidence in what may be done under the divine favor by the exercise of resolute energy and perseve- rance, in its future career.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CELEBRATION.
On the 11th June, 1871, the fifty-first anniversary of the Sunday School was celebrated, by public exercises, the first ceremony of the kind in the history of the school. It was organized in 1820, with 15 scholars, by the enterprise of Miss Elisabeth Pohlman, now Mrs. James MeClure, who was present on this occasion. In two years from its origin it had increased to 130 scholars, two of whom committed to memory the whole New Tes- tament and the Psalins. The school continued barely to maintain its existence until a year previous to this anniver- sary, when under the active efficiency of Mr. Sylvester Shaffer, the superintendent, and his assistants, it was reorganized, and now consisted of 33 teachers and 301 scholars.
LIST OF COMMUNICANTS.
Immediately upon the incorporation of the society, a book was provided for registering the communicants, the baptisms, and the marriages. There are no pastoral records extant previous thereto. The first communion was ad. ministered on the 28th May, 1786; the first baptisms in 1784; and the first marriages in 1794. The society was evidently in a feeble condition, at this time, and without a church ; the number at the first communion being but
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
eight, and the Rev. Heinrich Moeller was the pastor. The number of pewholders was but 39. When it is considered that the population of the city was less than 3,000 whites, the feebleness of this church is not so much to be remarked. Besides, it was composed principally of German immigrants, who were not permanent residents, but were seeking agricultural locations in all directions ; for which reason many of them appear but once upon the record. The names of those who communed are given at every administration of the sacrament, and the largest number present at any one time under the Rev. Mr. Moeller was 20. On the 21st November, 1790, after Mr. Moeller had departed,1 the Rev. Mr. Schwertfeger, of Hoosick, officiated to 11 members; on the 28th August, 1791, the Rev. Mr. Groetz administered the sacrament to 50; on the second Sunday after Trinity, the Rev. J. F. Ernst and 27 communicants were present; on the eleventh Sunday after Trinity, 1793, 50 were present ; on Pinkster Sunday, June S, 1794, the Rev. A. T. Braun
1 The Rev. Henry Moeller was born in Hamburgh, Germany ; came to this country at an early period of his life ; devoted him- self to the study of theology ; served as a chaplain in Gen. Washington's army during the war of the Revolution, and afterwards was stationed as pastor in various Lutheran congre- gations, both in New York and Pennsylvania. He served the church at Sharon, Schoharie county, sixteen years, and died there Sept. 17, 1829, aged 80.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
held his first communion, and 43 were present ; and on April 25, 1795, there were 62 present. Rev. Mr. Moeller returned in 1800, and continued till 1806; his records show no increase in membership. The Rev. Frederick (. Mayer records his first administration of the com- munion service on the 27th Dee., 1807, on which occasion 22 were present. For several years little or no increase is exhibited, until 1820, when forty are recorded ; in 1823 there were 56. Very few entries were made by Mr. Mayer after 1823 till Easter, 1831, when 72 names are recorded, and on 5th Jan. 1834, 117 were present. This was the last list of communicants entered by Mr. Mayer, although he continued in the pastorate till 1842. The Rev. Dr. Pohlman records the names of 56 on the register, as the membership which he found on assuming the charge of the congregation in September, 1813. There were 174 admitted to membership during his pas- torate from 1813 to 1867, yet when his successor entered upon office in 1868, but 57 were found in commomion. The number in communion at this time is about 175.
The following list of admissions to membership is gleaned from the books of record beginning 1786 and extending down to the present time. Undoubtedly a considerable number of persons who joined the church from time to time were not recorded, although it would seem that great pains were for a long time taken to keep the lists accurately down to 1834, each communicant
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
being entered on cach occasion, and numbered. The list has been made up under many difficulties, arising from the illegibility of the records, and the different ortho- graphy of the same names as written by different pastors ; but is as substantially complete and correct as it seems possible to make it.
MEMBERS IN COMMENION.
1786-1871.
1801 Maria Abbott.
1820 Rebecca Allison.
1803 Marianna Abbol
1797 Leonard Amslinger.
1788 Mrs. Abbot.
1791 Nicolaus Anders. ·
1833 Wilhelm Abel.
1833 Mary Ankenger.
1833 Christina AAbel (C'atha rine ?).
. 1852 Charlotte Archer. 1852 May Archer.
1823 Christian Ableman.
1827 Christina Ableman.
18443 Elizabeth B. Ableman.
1822 lelona Ableman.
1833 Albert Baer.
1824 Regina Ableman.
ISTI Mary E. Baker.
1871 Louisa Ackerman.
1870 David Ackley.
1871 Carrie Agne.
1855 Charles Agne.
1855 Mary his wife.
1871 Mary J. Ague.
1826 Sophia Aims.
1870 Mrs. IL. Albertsen.
1870 Fannie M. Albertsen.
1871 Mrs. Mary E. Baker. Margareth Blumenthal.
1833 Hanna Rosina Barchiens.
1:533 Nicholas Barelens.
1791 Elizabeth Bark,
1823 Magdalena Barkley.
1831 Sally Barr.
1801 Christian Bartram.
1786 Margaretta Basler.
1550 Phobe Ann Archer.
1850 Susan Archer.
1786 Most Ashaar.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
1789 Bernhard Batter.
1933 Maria Bauer.
1791 Philip Jacob Bauer.
1794 Christina his wif ...
1829 Balinda Banmuts,
1863 Eliza De Witt Beardsley.
1833 Adam Becker.
1791 Christopher Becker.
1833 Elizabeth Becker.
1838 Anna Catharina Becker.
1933 Conrad Becker.
1883 Dorothea Becker.
1833 John Becker.
1833 Frederick Becker.
1790 Philip Becker.
1815 Andrew Beller.
1815 Hannah Beller.
1815 Martha Belden.
1815 Selah Belden.
1801 Andreas Bender.
1793 Christian Bender.
1793 Elizabeth his wife.
1795 George Bender.
1795 Anna Barbara his wile.
Friedrich 1848 Justus Bender.
1796 Barbara Bender aged 22.
1796 Sara Bender, aged 16.
1796 Wendel Bender, aged 19. 1812 Henry F. Benne.
1815 Clarissa his wife.
1833 Frederick Benner.
1516 Anna Frederica Bonnin. For. 1820 Mary Benninger.
1816 Geo. W. Benjamin. 1846 Adelina his wife.
1788 Andreas Benter. liss Jörgen Benter. 1788 Christina Benter. 1788 Eleje his wife.
1833 Gottlieb Berdus.
1795 Mrs. Catharina Berger.
1792 Catharine Barringer. 1849 Catharine Berringer. 1820 Mary Bertholon.
1791 Conrad Betz, died 1296. 1796 Mrs. Maria Charlotte B wins.
1853 Harriet Bigelow. 1802 Margaret Bishop.
1833 Ruppert Bishop.
1833 Luisa Bishop.
1793 Margareth Blumenthal. 1686 Catharina Sophia Bohm. 1286 Christopher Bulun. 1:86 Viduati, his wife. 1856 Andrew Bonner.
1859 Eliza Bonner. 1861 Mary Bonner. 14:3 Licorge Boty. Friul George Botts.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
1870 Mary E. Boyer.
1833 Catharine Brabender.
1833 Frederick Brackman.
1820 Adriaan Bradt.
1820 Elizabeth Bradt.
1817 Elizabeth Bradt.
1816 Francis J. Bradt.
1813 Margaret Bradt.
1833 George Branm.
1833 Luisa Bramm.
1794 Anton Friedrick Brann. Maria, his wife.
1786 Gothill Friedrich Braun.
1797 Magdalena Braun, a. 16 1802 Maria Brann.
1803 Wilhelmus Braun,
1813 Gertrude Bridges.
1831 Elizabeth Brockman.
1834 Frederick Brockman.
1788 Maria Bromley.
1816 Mary Brown.
1850 Jolm Brnochner.
1850 Catharine, his wife.
1852 Mary Brustuer.
1810 John Lewis Buckholtz.
1850 Jesse Buel.
1850 Mary E. his wife. 1831 C. Burdi.
1791 Mrs. Catharina Burger.
1791 Christian Ludwig Burgers.
1791 Catharine Barbara, his . wite.
1787 Maria Burges.
1831 Edward Burt.
1831 Mary his wife.
1870 Jane Ann Burt.
ISGS Mary Burt.
1793 Mary Butz.
1796 Mes. Catharine Elizabeth But%.
1791 Thomas Butz.
1794 Maria Catharine his wife 1797 Mrs. Anna Margaretha ('ammel.
1869 William Campbell.
1869 Eliza, his wife.
1871 Wallace Canaday.
1869 Mrs. Hannah Carknerd.
1819 Thomas Carson.
187 Mrs. And T. Caswell.
1797 Philip Chambers.
1861 William Chandler.
1871 Margaret his wife.
1792 Hannah Childs.
1869 Abbie A. Churchill.
1869 Richard 11. Clare.
17SS Peter von Cochnut.
1821 Elizabeth Cole.
1822 Henry Cole.
1813 AAnn Collier.
1869 George N. Collier.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
1869 Mary E. his wife.
1827 Susanna Cook.
1870 Merrit F. Cookingham.
1870 Mary his wife ..
1813 Mary Magdalena Coons. 1843 William Coons, and wife. 1858 Catharine Coughtry.
1871 Kitty Coughtry.
1870 Maria Crandell.
1819 Christiana Graver.
1792 Maria Crüger.
1818 Jacob Eikoff.
1792 Bernhard Dalheimer.
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