Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 127

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318

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About this time the Sabbath morning service was transferred from Miller's Hill to the village. At first the upper loft of the flourishing tannery of the Pratt Brothers was utilized for a sanctuary and afterwards the large hall of the McCarty House. But the neces- sity of a new house of worship was fast becoming ap- parent to all, and iu September, 1848, under the ad- vice and encouragement of Mr. Baldwin, they resolved to undertake the work of building. A lot was pre- sented by William Ward, Esq., lying in the vicinity of Mr. Garratt's, and a board of trustees was elected, consisting of B. B. Little, I. S. Corwin, R. L. Sutphin, James Boyle, H. A. Summers, P. H. Corwin and Wil- liam C. Handrick, five of whom were appointed a building committee. Solicitors were also appointed to raise subscriptions, who reported the following De- cember ten hundred and forty dollars. Preparations were at once commenced to erect an edifice thirty-two by forty-six feet, at a cost of about two thousand dol- lars. By the following summer most of the material had been procured, and the work of framing, etc., was well advanced, when one day, while in the midst of their labors at a bee, where a number of willing workers had gathered, word was brought that, by the munificence of F. F. Badger, E. A. & O. Pratt, Henry Burritt, and others, land for a public park had been purchased and presented to the town, and a beautiful site on the east side was freely offered for a church and an academy. It is needless to say the offer was thankfully accepted. The building was raised the following October. A charter of incorporation was secured at the spring session of the court, and the dedication took place, with appropriate services, May 22, 1850.

From the completion of their house of worship the church entered upon a brighter era. Rev. Henry Os- borne, from the Presbytery of Catskill, became the first resident minister, in the spring of 1851, and continued till 1855. He is remembered as a gifted teacher, a faithful pastor and an able expounder of the Gospel, and under his ministry the church and congregation grew and flourished as never before. Rev. David A. Abbey ably served as minister from 1857 to 1861. Several brief engagements now followed, among whom were Rev. J. H. Crane, in 1861; Rev. J. H. Rickett, in 1862; Rev. J. P. Striker, in 1863 ; Rev. Wilbur John- son, in 1865; Rev. Francis Rand, in 1866; Rev. Charles H. Wheeler, in 1867; and Rev. David M. Rankin, from the Great Bend Church, who preached here a part of the time until August, 1870. On the 10th day of April, 1869, the church, which had up to this time been known as Congregational, formally adopted the title and polity of a Presbyterian Church, and perfected its organization by the election of Wil- lard Truesdell, Edward Whitlock and P. H. Corwin to the office of ruling elder. Rev. A. D. Barber en- tered upon the full service of the church in the fall of 1870, and continued about two years. He was fol- lowed by Rev. W. J. Arney, of Great Bend, who

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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

preached here part of the time until the summer of 1874, when he was succeeded by J. O. Van Fleet, a student of the Theological Seminary of New Bruns- wick. Rev. H. H. Wells, of Kingston, was here a short time after Mr. Van Fleet, when the services of Rev. Willard P. Gibson were secured, who preached the "Semi-Centennial Sermou" in 1876, from Job viii. 8. Rev. R. N. Ives served as minister in 1878 and 1879, and the names of Rev. Charles S. Marvin and Rev. H. Benson also occur. The ministry of Rev. J. A. Rosseel, of Mount Pleasant, brings the history of the church down very nearly to the present time. In 1885 the building was raised and a neat basement built underneath, which, together with other extensive repairs, renders it all that could be desired as a pleas- ant and convenient house of worship.

The existence of a small Sunday-school in connec- tion with this church is still remembered on the hill, as early as 1829. It was first organized by J.W. Rayns- ford, Esq., of Montrose, it is thought, and afterward superintended by Deacons Hawley, Corwin and Crane, B. B. Little, P. H. Corwin, and others. Until about 1861 it was regularly closed during the winter, and was resumed early in May. Since that time it has generally been held the year round. It is usually well attended, has a fine library and is in a prosper- ous condition.

The history of the Methodist Church of New Mil- ford may also be traced far back in the history of the settlement. Indeed, several of the earlier pioneers, including Benjamin Hayden, Captain Dean and oth- ers, were stanch Methodists when there was only an occasional break in the great woods, and but few set- tlers had dared the perils and privations of the borders. Their early church history is very similar to that of the Presbyterians. Prayer-meetings were often held in the settlers' houses, sometimes in the borough set- tlement and sometimes in the more isolated dwell- ings of the settlers in the township. Occasionally a minister came this way, and then everybody turned out aud crowded the little log cabin to overflowing. Hymns were sung, for there were some good singers among the early backwoodsmen, and earnest prayers made and sermons were listened to with the greatest interest. It was no uncommon thing for the sturdy pioneer to bring out his oxen and sled on a bright moonlight evening, and taking his family, and per- haps some of his neighbors, go four or five miles through the woods to meeting. All formality and fashion were laid aside. and all met as equal brothers and sisters in a holy cause. The time was generally well spent, and they returned to their homes happy with the conscious knowledge that they had faithfully discharged their duty to God and man. Often the melodious sound of their voices rose in harmonious accord as they sang some familiar hymn on the return journey, which rang through the forest like heavenly music, such as only those who have listened to good singing in similar situations can understand and ap-

preciate. A. sketch of some of the earlier work of this society has already been given in the history of the township. The meetings at the school-house on the hill west of the village were faithfully conducted for a long time, and are still remembered by older citizens.

On November 18, 1848, the members of the society met, according to previous notice, for the purpose of appointing trustees for a contemplated meeting-house, to be called the First Methodist Episcopal Church of New Milford. Rev. David Terry, pastor in charge, was chosen president. The following nine persons were elected trustees: Thomas Dean, Jared Beardsley, Joshua Phinney, Solomon R. Williams, Enoch Smith, Amos M. Brant, Dennis McKeeby, James B. Warner and. Reuben Hatch. Joshua Phinney was elected secretary. At a meeting of the said trustees a few days later, C. C. Wright was chosen treasurer. After discussing different plans it was finally decided to build a house thirty-eight by fifty-three feet, and on January 22, 1849, the contract was let to Simeon Lewis, for fifteen hundred dollars. Meanwhile a suitable lot had been secured at the foot of the " Dugaway Hill," where the Jackson road enters the town, the deed of which was given by Wm. C. Ward and wife, January 15, 1849. A petition for a charter having been pre- pared, was duly signed as follows: Rev. George P. Porter, Joshua Phinney, Simeon Lewis, Solomon R. Williams, John F. Deans, Orrin Lester, Embley Shafer, P. Hinds, F. B. Chandler, Jonas Carter, Geo. V. Bentley, W. K. Hatch. The charter was filed Jan- uary 16th and was granted by the court April 20, 1849. The edifice was promptly pushed to completion, and the already large and flourishing society entered upon a still brighter era of its advancing history. It was by far the largest house of worship in the place, and its congregations, made up of both members and non- sectarians, were generally large and attentive.

Among the many worthy clergymen who have pre- sided here we notice the familiar nanies of Rev. David Terry, who was here in 1848; Rev. George P. Porter ; Rev. H. R. Clark, in 1857; Rev. S. Elwell, in 1866; and Rev. R. J. Kellogg, in 1870. At this time the church property was estimated to be worth four thou- sand five hundred dollars. Rev. J. S. Thomson came in the spring of 1871. He was an eloquent speaker, but his teachings were not deemed in accordance with the established doctrine of the church, and he was tried on the alleged charge of heresy and ex- pelled. He afterwards organized a free religious society, and preached in Phinney's Hall, where im- mense congregations assembled to hear him, and later in the town hall, which was at first erected by a stock company, for his meetings. He was followed at the town hall by a Mr. Clark, but after a short time the members of the society became somewhat indifferent, and the meetings were discontinued. It was a hard blow for the Methodists, and Rev. Mr. Brooks, who succeeded Mr. Thomson at the church, found consid-

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NEW MILFORD.

erable dissension to quell. For a time the attendance was somewhat lighter, but during Rev. O. M. Mar- tin's ministry a great revival occurred, aud the church regained its former position. He was followed by Revs. J. W. Hewitt, C. V. Arnold, J. H. Weston, J. L. Wells and J. L. Race. During the ministry of Rev. J. L. Race the East New Milford Methodist Church was built, and the large congregation was divided. Mr. Race entered into an arrangement to preach there regularly on the afternoon of every Sab- bath, as his predecessors had at the school-house. Occasionally, however, when the weather was fair, numerous members from either place were seen in the congregation at the other house of worship.

A plot of laud having been secured of Mrs. Ellen B. Whitlock for six hundred dollars, fifty dollars of which was donated to the church, a neat parsonage was erected, and on the 8th of April, 1884, a meeting of the board of trustees was held for the purpose of making arrangements for moving the church to the parsonage lot, near the residence of E. A. Pratt. On this occasion Samuel Green was chosen president and John Cobb secretary. H. B. Carpenter, John A. McCounell, J. E. Gunn, Charles Bronson, E. G. Lloyd and Rev. J. L. Race (pastor) were present, and a committee having been appointed to solicit subscrip- tions to defray the necessary expenses of removal, it was resolved to undertake the work as soon as five hundred dollars should be obtained. The building was removed the following fall, and raised upon a spacious and substantial basement, and on the 28th of November, 1885, the job of finishing the church according to specifications was let to J. W. Gillespie for eleven hundred and twenty dollars. As a church edifice it ranks among the largest and finest in the county. The present pastor is Rev. J. F. Warner, who came here in the spring of 1885.

In looking back along the list of influential mem- bers of this church who have from time to time served as trustees, we find many worthy names, which are perhaps remembered with pleasure by people in different parts of the country,-Joseph P. Miller, an old man still living at East New Milford, and attend- iug the sanctuary regularly ; William Tinker, Benja- min Warner, Calvin Wellman and O. P. Tallman, all gone to their rest long since ; Pierce Dean, another honored citizen, still living on his farm, a mile west of the borough . M. C. Dikeman, a well-remembered school-teacher of earlier days, long since departed ; William Gunn, T. J. Tallmau, Richard Hartt, Edwin Baldwin, R. J. Vailes, Joseph Rice, C. S. Page and more now numbered among our respected citizens.

A very flourishing Sunday-school, conducted by an able corps of teachers, has nearly always been a prominent feature of this church, as well as others, and the order of work and style of instruction is, to say the least, highly commendable. It has in con- nection a very fine library.

Among the churches in New Milford the Roman

Catholic compares favorably with those of other de- nominations in size aud number of adhierents. Its members represent about fifty families, many often attending from Great Bend and surrounding sections. What Ichabod Ward was to the Presbyterians in this locality, the Hon. John Boyle was to the Roman Catholics. A sort of mission was established here at an early day, and for a period of more thau forty years previous to the erection of the church, religious services were held at his residence on the occasional visit of a priest, and it was mainly through the zeal and energy of that pioneer Catholic that this denom- ination is indebted for a place of worship here. For many years Rev. J. V. O'Reilly, a veteran missionary, whose death occurred in 1873, had charge of this and many other missions, which in those early days were scattered over the counties of Susquehanna, Bradford, Wayne and Luzerne. The labors of attending that extent of country were most arduous, and as the roads were in poor condition, many journeys were traveled on horseback. But O'Reilly was a mau that never faltered in his religious duties, and he did not de- spair. His later years were made brighter as he looked back along the pathway he had trod, and be- held the fruits of his labor springing up, and the cross erected in many places where he had organized feeble missions in some settler's humble cabin years before, and he felt that the harvest was fully com- mensurate with his trouble. When the members in this locality became sufficient in numbers and means to demand a church edifice, Mr. Boyle came forward and liberally donated the land for its site, and in Oc- tober, 1869, they commenced building a chapel twen- ty-six by fifty feet; but shortly after the frame-work was raised it was blown down by a terrific gale of wind. Undaunted in their efforts, they set to work with renewed energy, and in a short time the damage was repaired and the building was inclosed. It was completed and appropriately dedicated in July, 1871. For the dispatch and perfection of the undertaking much is due to the untiring efforts of the Rev. Ed- mund Fitzmaurice, then located at Dunmore, Pa., who ably superintended the work. He is now located in Hazleton. The present pastor is Rev. P. J. Mc- Manus, of Great Bend.

Several Baptists were here at an early day, but when the Baptist Church was organized near Mr. Moxley's, in South New Milford, in 1827, they joined there, and no church was built in the borough. A complete account of the Baptist Church there is given in the history of the township. In the fall of 1885 a small Baptist mission was organized by Rev. O. W. Cook in a room over W. G. Smith's store, which finally developed into a more complete church organ- ization. A charter has been applied for, and a plot of ground secured, and the time is probably not far distant when a Baptist Church will be numbered with the other churches here. The church is at present presided over by Rev. I. D. Mallery.

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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

The Universalists have also lately organized, and the prospects are that they, too, will soon have a church edifice in New Milford. There are many of that persuasion in both the borough and township, and as they are generally people of considerable means, they can, if they choose, build a fine house of worship. Many meetings were held here during the winter of 1887, and much interest was manifested. They were principally conducted by Rev. L. F. Por- ter, of Brooklyn, Mrs. L. F. Porter, Rev. Mr. Hand and others.

NEW MILFORD CEMETERY .- The New Milford Cemetery is one of the oldest and most beautiful "cities of the dead" to be met with in Susquehanna County. It is pleasantly situated on a high, sandy knoll overlooking the town and valley at the south- ern extremity of the borough, and comprises several acres in extent. The original part was conveyed by deed to the township at an early date, before the in- corporation of the borough, and is now mostly taken up. It has since been greatly enlarged, and it is thought there is now more dead buried here than there are living people in the town. An hour or two spent here calls up many memories of the past and awakens reflections on the future. In olden times the Newburg turnpike used to wind along the northern ascent to the cemetery, and pass over the hill on the back side; but with the change in the road the west- ern boundary of the cemetery was made to conform thereto. It is surrounded by a stone wall, with two entrances from the road on the west. Entering the northern gate, we pass up the steep ascent between the rows of unpretentious tombstones, and soon stand upon a small flat at the top of the elevation, where the first interments were made. Here, centrally situ- ated, is a small, dark-colored slatestone, well pre- served, bearing the following inscription :

"In memory of Warner Corbett, who died March 23, 1795. Ae. 7 years."

It is thought to be the oldest tombstone in the county. Near by is another of the same description, which reads as follows :

" Here lies Gitte, consort of Col. Christopher Longstreet, who died May 11, 1813. Ae. 73 years.

" The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish though they sleep in dust."

Among others are David Summers, died 1816; Na- than Mitchell, died 1816, aged thirty-five; Nicholas McCarty, died 1821, aged fifty-one; Wm. Ward, died 1849, aged sixty-four; Lemuel W. Bingham, 1794- 1867 ; Robertson Wood, died 1843, aged fifty-four ; Ogden Pratt, died 1859, aged thirty-five; Ezra Pratt, died 1875, aged eighty-seven; Richard Morse, died 1865, aged sixty; Henry Burritt, died 1878, aged seventy-eight.

SOCIETIES .- I. O. O. F .- One of the first societies organized here was the old " Canawacta Lodge," No. 207, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The charter

was first issued October 19, 1846, and the first regular meeting held on the 24th of December following. The following-named persons were the first officers : Noble Grand, A. N. Meylert ; Vice-Grand, Wm. C. Ward ; Secretary, G. B. R. Wade; Assistant Secretary, James M. Ward ; Treasurer, Nathan Cadwell. The subor- dinate officers were Johu Hayden, Right Supporter to Noble Grand ; David Summers, Left Supporter to No- ble Grand ; Allison Pratt, Conductor; Nathan Mitch- ell, Senior Warden ; and Lemuel B. Mitchell, Iuside Guardian. After about six years the lodge was moved to Great Bend, the first meeting there being held on the 1th of January, 1852. It was held there until 1856, when the charter was given up, and for a long time the meetings were discontinued. On the 17th of December, 1874, the charter was reissued, and the lodge re-estab- lished at New Milford. The new charter members were Tracy Hayden, A. C. Merryman, S. P. Smith, James Tennant, John Hayden, Stewart Mead, M. T. Very, William E. Lawson, C. E. Lawson, David Well- man, John T. Williams, J. N. Low, William Smith, John A. Dix, W. P. Tallman and David Summers, of New Milford, S. B. Chase, of Great Bend ; and S. H. Morse, of Montrose. The following officers were elect- ed : Noble Grand, Tracy Hayden ; Vice-Grand, A. C. Merryman; Secretary, S. P. Smith; Assistant Secre- tary, James M. Tennant; Treasurer, John Hayden. The meetings of the lodge are held weekly over Dean Brothers, store. The present membership numbers thirty-six.

F. and A. M., No. 507 .- A Masonic lodge was char- tered in this place December 6, 1872, with the follow- ing charter members : W. T. Ward, W. R. Brink, D. C. Ainey, M. Hayden and William S. Mead. The following were the first officers: Worshipful Master, E. K. Richardson; Senior Warden, W. T. Ward; Junior Warden, W. R. Brink; Secretary, M. Hayden ; Treasurer, D. C. Ainey. Their meetings are held in their splendidly furnished rooms over J. C. McConnell's drug-store. The lodge is in a flourish- ing condition, numbering among its thirty-seven members many of the leading men of the borough and township. Among the more prominent Past Mas- ters are E. K. Richardson, N. O. Ainey, Daniel D. Tompkins, Dr. D. C. Ainey, Norman Tingley, D. P. Little. W. S. Mead, C. M. Shelp, E. O. Perry and O. C. Tingley.

CHAPTER XLIII.

BROOKLYN TOWNSHIP.

1 The space herein allotted to this township is filled chiefly with a history of ITS PEOPLE, written in the centennial year of its first settlement.

1 By E. A. Weston.

pa D fo r

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BROOKLYN.

DESCRIPTION .- Brooklyn is in the south central part of Susquehanna County, and is bounded on the northwest by Bridgewater; on the north, by New Mil- ford; on the east, by Harford; on the south, by Lath- rop; and on the west, by Dimock. It did not obtain its present name, Brooklyn, until 1825. Prior to this, in 1790, the territory embraced in this township was kuown as Tioga ; in 1795 as Nicholson ; in 1806 it was comprised in Bridgewater; in 1814 it was part of Waterford township, which name the court changed to Hopbottom in 1823, and finally, on petition of the citizens in 1825, the name of the township and post- office were changed to Brooklyn. In 1846 the area of the township was reduced nearly one-half by the erection of Lathrop, since which time its boundaries have remained unchanged.

TOPOGRAPHY-Brooklyn was originally covered with a dense growth of towering pines, once extending from a point west of the village two miles up the stream, and contained a great variety of native trees and flowers, fruits and grasses, animals, birds and fishes. It is traversed by hills and valleys, weird and romantic rocks and ledges, winding streams,-the Meshoppen just beyond its western border, with the two miniature and picturesque lakes tributary thereto ; Marten Creek on the east, and Hopbottom and Hor- ton in the middle, with their sparkling artificial ponds, and many famous and copious springs of purest perennial waters.

The soils and remains, the scanty Indian relics, and its still preserved roots of resinous trees, just as these roots were seen by the first white settlers a hun- dred years ago-the remains of evergreen monarchs of by gone ages ; the narrative and incident of pioneer life ; the toils, the privations, and pleasures as well, incident to the first settlement in the wilderness ; the babies rocked in sap-troughs, dug from divided logs of wood ; the horse-back rides of ladies to the New Eng- land Fatherland and back; the household distaff, spinning-wheel and loom; the adventures amnong panthers, bears and wolves; the bread material pounded in hollowed stumps, or transported for miles on the shoulders of men, are interesting facts connec- ted with the early settlement of Brooklyn in com- mon with the other townships of the county.

But, "while men may come and men may go," the only way to hold them in memory is to note that coming and that going as they pass down the stream of timc. Such is the attempt here made, not by writing a few flattering words of a few only, but by a general record of all, from which their work can be inferred by the date at which they wrought and the length of time they served, the place of the homestead they occupied and the region whence they came (always a semi-certificate of character); by the positions they filled, the associations they formed, and the indus- tries in which they were engaged. That such a record will leave a valuable gift to the future seems undisputed. True, some excel in one province and

some in another. Each fills a different sphere, and they differ in energy and endurance. But "a man's a man "-a human soul-for all that, and it takes all to fill the ranks and supply the needs of life. To get this record, every family in the township (with many outside) has been consulted, assessment rolls for forty years have been examined, and monumental in- scriptions, deeds and other memoranda, and Miss Blackman's excellent work have contributed their share. But that errors and omissions have some- times been made is doubtless inevitable from receding and often conflicting recollections. But (except the sketches, the record of the soldiers of '61, etc., which have been prepared by others) this is the people's history, as they have given it; and these are the annals of the olden time, treasured up for him who would spend a pensive and instructive hour in con- ning the lessons of the past.

The first settlement at Brooklyn was made in 1787, by a company of persons from Philadelphia and vi- cinity that were induced to come to this section by John Nicholson, who had purchased lands herc under the Pennsylvania title. But these people were unac- customed to the wilderness, and when the promised aid of their leader failed, they became discouraged and began to sell their improvements to Connecticut settlers, in 1798. The New England people supposed that after paying for the clearings and log buildings of their predecessor, they had, under Connecticut patents from the British crown and purchase from the Indi- ans, a full legal right to the lands. But they found themselves mistaken, and had afterwards to pay again for the soil when the dispute between the Penn- sylvania and Connecticut claims was finally settled in favor of the former.

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Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 127

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848- Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck Number of Pages: 1318

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318