USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > New London > Historical discourse delivered on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the New London Presbyterian Church, Chester County, Pennsylvania : June 22, 1876 > Part 2
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installed: William S. Huston, Joseph T. Phillips, Joseph M. Fulton and John D. McHenry. Those of the above list who are yet living are John M. Kelton, William K. Correy, William S. Huston, Joseph T. Phillips, Joseph M. Fulton and John D. McHenry, all of whom are elders here except the last, who has removed to Oxford, Pa.
TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL COMMITTEES.
The financial affairs of the congregation have been variously man- aged at different times. For the first sixty-six years they were attend- ed to by the session, and then by a committee chosen from time to time by the people. This committee, provided with a treasurer, as- sessed the pews, collected the pew-rents twice a year on the days after communion, then gathered up from delinquents as best they could, and outof the proceeds paid their pastors or supplies, as the case might be. On the 28th of March, 1787, they obtained a charter from the Legislature, incorporating a board under the name of " The Trustees of the Presbyterian Congregation of New London in the County of Chester." The trustees were to be niue in number, three to be elected every year, and were invested with the usual powers. But the people soon became alarmed. They saw with dismay that this board would actually have the legal power to sue them for their stipends if they did not choose to pay, and this would never do. So the next year, on their petition, the Legislature altered their charter by depriving the board of all power over pew-rents and salary, and con- fining their trusts simply to real estate and legacies. The committee above referred to was established, and things went on under their control until 1867, when the congregation, seeing the necessity of a change, unanimously petitioned the Court of the county to restore to them their original charter, which was done. The board, thus invest- ed with needed authority, proceeded to manage the affairs entrusted to them with system.' They appointed stauding committees on pews, on repairs, on the cemetery, on the sexton and on audits, who are to attend to their several duties and report annually in writing to the board. They also appoint a president, a secretary and a treasurer, the last of whom is to submit his accounts once a year to the commit- tee ou audits.
The Legacies which are in charge of the board are as follows : One of fifty pounds by Dr Robert Finney, in 1786; one of ten pounds by Miss Mary Correy, in 1796 ; one of fifty pounds by Alex. Johnson, Esq., in 1793 ; one of $60 by Elijah McClenachan, iu 1810; one of oue hundred and ten pounds by Ephraim Morrison, in 1812; one of $95 by Mrs. Mary Kelton, in 1849; one of $95 by Miss Mary Jackson, in 1853 ; one of $100 by James Fulton, in 1853 ; oue of $100 by Rob- ert M.Waugh, Esq., in 1863, and one of $50 by Miss Letitia Mackey, in 1864. The two bequests of Dr. Finney and Alex. Johnson were not received for many years, nor until legal process had been commenced.
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In 1836, the heirs of the latter paid the round sum of $500. These sums were put to interest, for several years in private hands ; but in 1836, finding it difficult to procure borrowers, it was thought best to invest the two principal bequests iu the stock of the Girard Bank of Philadelphia. In 1863 this had depreciated greatly, and was paying no dividends, so that it was sold, and the 12 shares which had cost them $694.73 brought ouly $127.50. This with other legacies was then invested in U. S. Government bonds, in which for several years the trustees have $750 at par.
There are no means of knowing what Salary was paid in the last century, except that when the Rev. Mr. Wilson was about leaving them in 1778, he fearcd that if he staid he would not get enough for his support. In the second meeting-house, both before and after its reconstruction, there were 76 pews. In 1798 there were 86 pewhold- ers, whose rates ranged from 124 to 5 shillings, and amonuted to 40 pounds 13 shillings, or $108. For several years in the beginning of this century the aunual assessment was about 53 pounds, or $141. In 1809, on the ealliug of a pastor, the pew-rates were raised to $6.50 for the highest and $5 for the lowest, to produce $412, if all were fully rented. The pastor, called for two-thirds of his time, was to get $333.33, whilst the Rock was to pay $166 67, making #500, which con- tinued to be his salary while he lived. His successor, settled in 1836, was to give all his time to New London, and was promised $500. In 1853 this was raised to $600, and in 1856, by adding fifty per cent. to the pew-rents, to $800, at which it has continued ever since. It should be observed that for 17 years of this time $60 a year was added for extra services at Kimbleville.
BUILDINGS AND LANDS.
The first meeting-house, as they were called in early days, about which there was so much dispute, was built in 1726, and was said by those who were old men forty years ago, to have stood on a piece of ground then on the Heuderson tract, but now owned by Mr. Gill, uear to a spring, and about a mile south east of this house. It was no doubt a small rude log structure, and all traces of it have long since utterly disappeared.
The secoud house of worship was erected on the present site, prob- ably about the year 1744, in Mr. Alison's time. It was built of bricks, in size 63 by 38 feet, with low ceiling, Swedish or hipped roof, arched doors aud windows, with leaden window-sash imported from the mother eountry; the side turned to the road, the pulpit in one side, a wide aisle for communion tables running in front of it the whole length of the house, having three doors, and its pews of various forms and patterns and colors, according to the taste or the means of their individual owners or constructors. The two white-oak pillars that supported the ceiling are still doing service near your pastor's dwelling.
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That house had neither chimneys nor stoves. It was probably, at the time it was built, the largest church in all this region. It stood un- changed till 1818, when it was entirely remodelled. The arches of the doors and windows were built up, the leaden sash were replaced by wooden ones, the pulpit was removed to the north-west end, hav- ing the clerk's desk in front of it, new pews were made facing the pulpit, the broad aisle was retained, a new floor laid, and two large wood-stoves were put up with pipes running up through the ceiling and the roof. This reconstructed edifice did good duty till 1844, when it was taken down, after having stood for just one hundred years, and its place was supplied on the same ground by this present structure.
This house in which we now are is built of bricks, is 68 feet by 44 in size, with ceiling 20 feet high, contains 80 pews on the ground floor and 15 in the end gallery, which is over the vestibule. From the vari- ous documents and reports, all of which have been preserved, it ap- pears that the building committee consisted of the Pastor and Messrs. Wm. D. Eves, John Carlile, Washington Ross, John M. Kelton, Mark A. Hodgson and Robert M. Sherer ; that the pastor served as treas- urer ; that Washington Ross and John F. Cuningham were the con- tractors ; that there were 154 subscribers at sums ranging from $100 to $1.00 ; that the house was finished in six months, the congregation worshipping in the mean while in the grove ; that the whole cost, in- cluding the furniture, the fences and a small strip of land, was ouly $2481 ; that the inner walls and the wood-work were all of a white color, and that it was finished without a debt. It may here be re- marked in passing that the same is true of every structure erected by us ; they have all been paid for either at or soon after their comple- tion. Things thus remained until the fall of 1858, when extensive im- provements were decided on, which continued in progress for about two years. The committee of repairs were the Pastor (who was also treasurer), Dr. Duffield, Messrs. W. Ross, F. Gillespie and J. 1. Straw- bridge. In this time, the inner walls and ceiling were handsomely papered, the whole wood-work in and out and the window-blinds were re-painted, one end of the outer walls was plastered, a new fence was erected around the grove, and hitching places were made. The whole expense of these improvements was $525. The last general repair commenced in June, 1869, and the house was re-opened on the 26th of the following October, the Sabbath worship in the meantime being held in the hall of the New London Academy. The committee in charge were Dr. Armstrong, Messis. R. H. Strawbridge, S. Mackey, C. N. Sproul, J. C. Dickey and J. A. Strawbridge, the treasurer being Mr. Sproul. A new roof was put on, new terra cotta chimneys and flues were provided, the inner walls and ceiling were beautifully fres- coed after one-half of the walls had been lathed and re-plastered, the wood-work inside and out was re-painted. the pulpit being grain- ed, and also the pews, after the doors had been taken off and new
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scroll-ends made, new window-blinds were put up, carpets were laid over the whole floor, and new furniture and stoves were procured. The whole cost of these betterments was $2600, of which about $1200 was raised by a two days' fair held in the Academy by the ladies of the congregation, and the rest by subscriptions and collections. The 2 chandeliers were purchased in 1871 for $53.
The sexton's house and stable were built in 1846 and 1847, by the same committee that built the church, the contractor being Jesse C. Dickey. The cost for the house and its appartenances was $457. Some years later a front porch was put up,and two years ago the stable was taken down and a new one built, these two later improvements costing about $200.
This congregation has had three session-houses. They used to be often called study houses, because day schools were kept in them. The first stood in the grave-yard about the middle of the S. E. wall. It was of logs and gave way about 1797 to the second, which was also of logs, and which many of us remember. It stood opposite the church, where the coal house now is, was plain and rude, about 25 feet square, furnished with rough benches and a small pulpit in one corner. In this the Session and Trustees met, schools were taught, township elections were held, and in wintry and stormy weather the Sabbath worship was conducted, as there was no fire in the church, whilst an ample fire-place here afforded the people some heat. After the new church and sexton's house were built, it was felt that this unsightly building did not correspond with the new structures, and a plan was suggested by which it might be entirely renovated and made neat and comfortable. This however did not find favor, and it was determined to erect a new one of brick near the church and on the present site. This is a miniature copy of the church, and the two have been com- pared to a mother and her child. It is 26 by 22 feet, with a ceiling 10 feet high from the floor, and covered with slates. The building com - mittee were the Pastor, Messrs. Wangh, Eves, Gillespie, and Dr. J. H. Cuningham. The contractor was Washington Ross, and the price was $650 and the old house, which was valued at $18. It was built in 1855, and was repainted in 1869.
There have been erected, at different times between 1845 and 1855, by individuals for their own use, three rows of sheds for carriages, 40 in all, forming three sides of a hollow square, in the centre of which are open stalls for public nse. These are a great accommodation, as well as a comfort and protection to our horses.
Besides these buildings there are two other smaller houses of wor- ship, in other localities, belonging to the congregation, erected for the convenience of their neighborhoods in occasional Sabbath afternoon preaching.
The first was put np at Auburn, in 1836, is a plain brick structure, 35 by 30 feet, and furnished with benches and a pulpit. Its cost was
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$750. Public services have been held there once a month for a long time. It has trustees of its own. It was at first built as a Union Chapel, but was in 1851 transferred to the Presbyterians.
The other house of worship is at Kimbleville. It was built in 1852, and is copied after this church, but on a smaller scale, being 42 feet by 37 in size. The subscriptions ranged from $50 to $2, and the build- ing cost $1300. A building committee of nine bad charge of its erec- tion, and it is managed by three trustees, who are to be chosen from the members of this church. It enjoys a legacy of $200 left by Samuel Kimble, Sen., to keep up the fences. In the year 1871, it was re-paint- ed and renovated at an expense of $370. It has always had Sabbath afternoon preaching by the pastor, twice a month for 17 years, and once a month for 6 years.
Of the six buildings (counting the sheds as one), now possessed by the congregation, the only one existing in 1843 was that at Auburu.
We now turu to the different lots of ground held by the boards of trustees for the congregation. Perhaps few of our people know how and when these lands became theirs. Around this building there are eight distinct parcels, containing in all over ten acres. 1. The small church lot bounded by the sycamore trees. This was obtained about 1744, but there is no deed for it extant and the person by whom it was given is not known. Those venerable trees were planted by the hand of the first Johu Menough. 2. The N. E. third of the grave- yard and a sinall part of the grove adjoining. For this also there is no decd. It was probably given at the same time with the church lot. 3. The S. W. two-thirds of the grave-yard, nearly all of the shed ground and a small part of the grove,containing one and three-fourths acres, was bequeathed by John Menough in 1833, after the use of it had for many years been enjoyed by the congregation. 4. The larger part of the grove and the sexton's lot, containing about two acres, af- ter having long lain in common aud been used as a hitching ground, was purchased in 1836 of Samuel King for $150, but was not deeded until 1838. 5. A narrow strip on the back of the church lot, contain- iug 22 square perches, was bought in 1844 of Michael Montgomery, Sen., for #15, to give more room for the new church. 6 & 7. Two tri- angular pieces of land, making together 1 rood and 26.75 square perches, the smaller being a part of the present shed grouud, and the larger adjoining the grove, were procured from Win. Wheeler, Esq.,in 1857. These were dccded to us in equal exchange for three other small sections of nearly the same quantity, and the exchange was made partly to procure more grouud for sheds and partly to straighten out the dividing lines. 8. A lot of five acres, lying around the origi- nal church lot, was bought from Michael Montgomery, Jun., in 1867, for $1500. This was obtained for cemetery purposes. Besides these, there are two other parcels of ground ; oue a grove of 66 square perches around the Auburn meeting house, presented by the late John
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Correy ; and another of nearly an acre at the Kimbleville church, which was, all but a small strip, given by Samuel Kimble, Sen., in his life-time.
BURIAL GROUNDS AND CEMETERY.
There are seven of these places more or less connected with this congregation. 1. The original grave-vard where the first meeting- house was built in 1726. That was used whilst the house remained, but all traces of it have long since disappeared. 2. The old grave- yard opposite the church. This began to be occupied about 1740, and contains about an acre of ground, which is surrounded by a good stone wall, three sides of which were built about 1770, and the fourth was removed fifteen feet to the north-west in 1841, for enlargement. The graves are very irregular ; and the ground having been used for so long a time by a large district, became crowded, and in fact most of it has been buried over two or three times. No interments are now allowed there, except under special circumstances. It contains a large number of tombstones and a few handsome monuments. It is kept in order by the interest of several legacies left for that purpose. This enclosure, which may well be called " God's acre," is a eonse- crated spot in the estimation of very many families, whose ancestors for generations here sleep in the dust. A long list of ruling elders and trustecs with their families here repose, and here is buried the Rev. Robert Graham, the only pastor that has ever died here. 3. A burial-place, containing about the eighth of an acre, in a grove on Thunder Hill, remote from any road, and a mile south-west of the village of New London. This belongs to the Finney family and their connections, and is still used by some of them. Robert Finney, who was a ruling elder in 1729, probably established it on his large tract of land. An acre was left by will in connection with it, but more than forty years ago most of it was sold by the persons interested to raise funds for putting a stone wall with an iron gate around the pres- ent small lot. There are several ancient tomb-stones on this ground, among them one of Judge Finney and of the first wife and child of his son, the Rev. William Finney, late of Churchville, Md. 4. A small and ancient burial lot, enclosed by a brick wall, near the west corner of the church. It belonged to the Johnson family who owned the adjoining farm, contains two large tomb-stones, and has not been buried in for many years. 5. Another ancient family ground, near the south corner of the church. It is surrounded by marble posts and chains. Its owners were the family of the Futheys, but none of them have been laid in it for a long course of years. It has one fine large mar- ble tombstone. 6. The grave-yard connected with the meeting house at Kimbleville. which is a branch of the New London congregation. It was established in 1852. It contains over a quarter of an acre, and is regularly laid out in family lots. It is well cared for, and contains
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quite a number of tomb-stones. 7. The New London Cemetery. This consists of a beautiful piece of ground of five acres, immediately sur_ rounding the church. The title is vested in the trustecs of the church an incorporated body, but it is under the control of a committee of five, appointed by the trustees, who are authorized to conduct it by system and on the principles common to modern cemeteries. It is neatly enclosed, on three sides by a hedge and in front by a picket fence, and the outskirts are adorned by trees. It was established in 1867. About half of it is laid out in lots, and of these a considerable number are sold. The land and improvements cost $2,000, and the debt upon it is now $840. Its officers arc a chairman, a secretary, a treasurer and a superintendent. A printed manual contains the rules and regulations for its management. Already it contains 150 graves, and over many of these are erected tomb-stones and monuments.
WORK IN SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.
Although the early settlers in this region lived in a wilderness and far apart, yet they did not neglect the education of their children. Alongside of the meeting-house stood the humble study-house, and to it from miles around resorted the young to learn the rudiments, one of the text-books always being the Shorter Catechism. The more promising were sent away to private academies, generally taught by Presbyterian ministers, to be instructed in the langnages, philosophy, and sometimes in theology. Such a school was that opened in 1741, by the second pastor of this church, Mr. Alison, on Thunder Hill. This became famous in its day, especially after the Synod of Phila- delphia adopted and supported it. Among its pupils may be found such men as Charles Thomson, secretary of the first Congress and anthor of a translation and harmony of the New Testament ; Rev. Dr. John Ewing, Provost of the University of Pennsylvania ; Dr. David Ramsay, the historian ; Dr. Hugh Williamson ; Rev. Dr. James Latta, eminent as a divine and a teacher ; Thomas Mckean, Chief Justice and afterwards the first Governor of Pennsylvania as a State ; George Reed and James Smith, distinguished jurists ; and, the last three, signers of the Declaration of Independence. This academy continued here until the removal of Mr. Alison to Philadelphia, in 1752, when it was transferred to the Rev. Alex McDowell, pastor of the Rock, by whom it was afterwards taken to Newark, Del., where it still flourishes both as an academy and a college. For many years private common schools were established within reach of the children until some forty years ago, when the State public schools supplanted them. In the year 1828 the present New London Academy was in- stituted, and in ten years after it received a charter from the State. Although not a denominational school, it has always sustained a very close relation to this congregation. Its first building was burned in 1849, but was rebuilt, mnch enlarged and improved, in the same year.
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With a few excepted intervals, it has flourished for forty-eight years as a boarding and day school, and many hundreds of pupils, some of whom have become eminent in their callings, have received their ed- ucation in it.
The religious education of the young people has been attended to. In the earlier times the pastors held catechisings,or examinations, fre- quently, in the different neighborhoods. In 1818, when Sabbath schools were quite a novelty, Mr. Graham started one in the session house, where it has continued in successful operation ever since. It was soon followed by one near Jennerville, and another at Mount Hope. By the year 1856, the number had increased to eight, so as to reach almost every part of the congregation, and the reported list of scholars had grown up to 440. These schools were well provided with libraries, and afforded an excellent field for Christian work to a large number of intelligent teachers. The annual celebrations, or gather- ings of all these schools, which used to be held every summer in the church and adjoining groves, were beautiful and soul-stirring occa- sions, and will be held in lasting remembrance by all who ever wit- nessed them. Since the coming in of other denominations, union schools have taken the place of some of these, so that of late years our schools have been reduced to four, and the number of pupils to about 250. Each school now prefers to have its own celebration, which is a tame affair compared with the great social gatherings of other days.
As a help to the religious education of the people, " the Library of the New London Congregation " was established in 1841. It is open every Sabbath after service, and it is free to every family connected with us. Books have been added almost every year, until now the number on the catalogue is 733. The volumes have all been selected by the pastor, and are all religious in their character, works of fiction having been carefully excluded. The reading of these books has no doubt exerted a precious influence in this community. Besides these, many hundred religious books have been sold by colporteurs, who have often visited us and always been encouraged and patronized.
As another help towards making this a religiously intelligent people, the present pastor has always given much attention and time to the circulation of Christian periodicals among both adults and children. Clubs are formed every year for several of these, so that often hun- dreds of copies are distributed monthly or weekly, as the case may be. Among these, that sterling old weekly, the Presbyterian, has ever held a prominent place, so that its publishers are always sure of a gencrous patronage from New London.
WORK IN TEMPERANCE.
After the war of the Revolution, the habit of drinking largely, along with other vices consequent upon war, became lamentably
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prevalent. Distilleries were run, and taverns and stores were opened for the sale of liquors everywhere, and often by men who had a good reputation for piety. Indeed, for many years drinking was not con- sidered wrong unless it ran into actual drunkenness. Families were suffering, society was suffering, and Christian churches were sorely suffering under this sad state of things. V About fifty years ago, some Christians and moralists and patriots wakened up to see the approach- ing rnin, and the great and blessed temperance reformation started into life all over the land. It soon reached this place and congrega- tion. The then pastor took hold of it in earnest, preached on it fre- quently, roused up his people, and inviting neighboring ministers and others, a meeting was held in his church and the temperance society for the S. W. end of Chester county was formed-the first in this re- gion of country. At first, with the cantion characteristic of the peo- ple, they pledged themselves to sobriety ; then, as they got more light, to abstinence from ardent spirits ; and finally, with a greater increase of light, about 1838, to the only true and safe principle of total absti- nence from all intoxicating liquors as a beverage. Many local socie- ties were formed, and amongst others one whose centre was the vil- lage of New London, which numbered 500 men, women and children as members. The whole community was ronsed ; tracts and papers were circulated ; temperance sermons were preached ; meetings were frequently held in churches and in school houses ; great mass-meet- ings were gathered in groves and addressed by eminent speakers from abroad. Time wonld fail to tell of the thonsands who signed the pledge, of the many cases of reformation, of the abandoning of the sale by stores and taverns, of the banishing of strong drinks from har- vest-fields and shops, and side-boards and closets, of the giving up of old time-honored drinking usages, of petitions signed and of new and wholesome laws enacted to promote the reformation. In all this movement, which, with occasional lullings of the tidal wave, has been rolling on for half a century, this congregation, its pastors, elders, members, people, with their families, have, with very few exceptions, borne a prominent and an honorable part, and have greatly aided to form that deep and strong temperance sentiment which remarkably characterizes this community.
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