USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > Historical discourse delivered on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church : Chester County, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1870 > Part 9
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The Rev. Samuel Parke, son of Joseph Parke, Esq., was born November 25, 1788. He graduated at Dickinson College in 1809; studied divinity under the direction and instruction of Rev. Nathan Grier, of Forks of Brandywine-there being then no Theological Seminaries in the church-and was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle, in 1813. He was or- dained and installed pastor of the Slate Ridge Church, in York County, in August, 1814, and sus- tained that relation for forty-three years. During thirty years of this time, he was also pastor of Centre Church, giving to it, one-third of his time. He discharged the duties of the ministry with great
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
fidelity, and to the acceptance of his congregation, until 1857, when, on account of the infirmities of age, he resigned. He died on the 20th of December, 1869, in the eighty-second year of his age. His wife was a daughter of his preceptor, Rev. Nathan Grier. His son, Rev. Nathan Grier Parke, gradu- ated at Jefferson College, in 1840, and at the Prince- ton Theological Seminary in 1844; was licensed by the Presbytery of Donegal, April 30, 1843; and is now pastor of the Presbyterian Church, in Pittston, Pa. In 1867, he visited Europe, and was one of the repre- sentatives of the Old School Presbyterian Church of this country, in the Assemblies of the Free Church, and of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Rev. John F. Cowan-son of Adam Cowan-was born May 8, 1801. He first learned the printing business in Lancaster, but at the termination of his apprenticeship, entered upon studies with a view to the Christian ministry. He was a subject of the great revival which spread among the churches in 1821 and 1822. He graduated at Jefferson College in 1824; studied theology in the Seminary at Prince- ton, and was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle, April 8, 1829. He soon thereafter emigrated to the West, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Missouri, in 1830. His first charges were the churches of Apple Creek and Brazeau, Missouri; to which, in 1833, Cape Girardeau was added. Here he labored until 1839, when he became pastor of the churches of Potosi and Belleview, in the same state. This connection he maintained until
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1
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UPPER OCTORARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
1852. From 1853 to 1856, he was stated supply of the church at Washington, Mo., when he took charge of the church at Carondolet; and after the breaking out of the Rebellion, he was also chaplain of the military hospital in St. Louis. In this latter service, he incurred the disease which terminated his life on the 29th of September, 1862.
Mr. Cowan was in the fullest sense, an evangelist, "in labors abundant," and crowned with the most joyful success. He was a pioneer of the Church in Missouri, and was instrumental in founding and strengthening a number of churches.
He lived respected by all who knew him, and be- loved by those who knew him best, and his name is held in grateful remembrance by hundreds of con- verts, who claim him as their spiritual father. He visited this congregation about 1849, and took an active part in the revival of that period; and many of the members of this church, who were brought within the fold of Christ at that time, cherish his memory with affection.
He has two sons in the ministry, the Rev. John F. Cowan and the Rev. Edward Payson Cowan, both of whom graduated at Westminster College, Missouri; and at the Theological Seminary at Princeton; and were licensed to preach by the Central Presbytery of Philadelphia-the first in 1860, and the last in 1864. Rev. John F. Cowan is now pastor of the Aux Vasse Church in Missouri, and Rev. Edward P. Cowan, of the Market Square Church in German- town, Pa.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
Rev. John Wallace-the son of Charles and Ann (Truman) Wallace-was born October 1, 1791. He was self educated, both in regard to his classical at- tainments and theology; and was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle, October 4, 1826, the Presbytery, in their minutes recording his licensure, saying "his being an exceptional case." On the 5th
of November, 1833, he was ordained and installed as pastor of the churches of Pequea and Cedar Grove, in Lancaster County. In 1839, Cedar Grove became a distinct charge, and his pastoral relation to that church was dissolved. He continued his connection with Pequea, until his death, October 29, 1866. He was highly esteemed by his ministerial brethren, and was known throughout the whole region of his labors, as an eminently good and faithful man.
Rev. William Pinkerton was born near Sadsbury- ville, pursued his preparatory studies at New London Academy, graduated at Washington College, Pa., in 1833, studied theology at Princeton Theological Semi- nary, and was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle, September 10, 1839. He has been pastor successively of the Cove Church, in Albemarle County, Virginia; High Bridge Church, in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and of Collierstown Church in the same county. His present charge is Mt. Carmel, Augusta County, Virginia.
Rev. James Long Scott-son of Thomas Scott- was born October 27, 1812, pursued his preparatory studies at Moscow Academy, graduated at Jefferson College in 1833; studied theology in Princeton Semi- nary, from 1835 to 1838; and was ordained by New
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Castle Presbytery, on September 25th of the latter year, as a missionary to the heathen.
On October 10, 1838, he sailed for India as a mis- sionary of the Board of Foreign Missions, of the Presbyterian Church. There he labored thirteen years, at the three stations of Futtehgurh, Mynpoora and Agra. He then returned home, and after re- maining a year and a half in this country, returned to India in 1853, and was stationed at Agra, until after the memorable year of the mutiny, when so many valuable lives of our missionaries were lost. He then went again to Futtehgurh, where he spent several years, and until failing health required a change of climate, when he repaired to the Hima- laya mountains, and engaged in preparing a com- mentary on the Gospels in the Hindostani language.
His health not improving, he was advised by medi- cal men to leave India, which he did, and returned to this country, after having spent twenty-seven years in missionary labor.
He now resides at Hammonton, New Jersey, where he conducts a Family Boarding School.
Rev. William F. P. Noble, received his academic education at the Strasburg Academy, in Lancaster County; graduated at Lafayette College in 1847; studied theology at Princeton; was licensed by the Potosi Presbytery, of South Eastern Missouri, in January, 1857; and by the same Presbytery or- dained as an evangelist, in April of the same year.
He became pastor of the Presbyterian church at Belair, Maryland, within the bounds of the Presby-
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tery of Baltimore, in October, 1858, and continued in that relation until April, 1860. From November 25th, 1862, to October 6th, 1863, he was pastor of the Upper West Nottingham Church, in this county ; during the rebellion, was a chaplain in the United States Army ; supplied Colerain Presbyterian Church from 1866 to 1869; and on the 13th of May of the latter year was installed by the Presbytery of New Castle as pastor of the Penningtonville Presbyterian Church.
Owing to the state of his health, Mr. Noble has employed himself largely in missionary work, labor- ing from place to place, as opportunity offered.
Rev. John P. Clarke, prepared for college in Rev. S. M. Gayley's Classical Institute at Wilmington, Delaware; graduated at Lafayette College in July, 1856; pursued his theological studies for two years in the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny, and a third year at the Seminary at Princeton ; was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle April 11, 1860, and was ordained as an evangelist by the Pres- bytery of Huntingdon in the autumn of 1861. He labored within the bounds of the latter Presbytery as stated supply and missionary from 1861 to 1865, the first two years of which period his points of preaching were at Philipsburg, Kylertown, and Moshanon; and the last two at Moshanon, Snow Shoe, and Karthaus.
On the 29th of September, 1865, he was elected pastor of the Doe Run Presbyterian Church, in this county, where he had labored as supply from June
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UPPER OCTORARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
preceding, and was installed by the Presbytery of New Castle on the 24th of May, 1866. He con- tinued in that relation until April, 1868, since which time he has been laboring as stated supply of Little Valley Church, in Mifflin county, Pa.
Rev. John L. Withrow pursued his preparatory studies at the Tuscarora Academy, and the Media Classical Institute, graduated at Princeton College in 1857, and at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1863, and was licensed by New Castle Presbytery while still in the seminary.
His first charge was at Abington, near Philadelphia, over which he was installed in March, 1863, and where he remained until December, 1868, when he became pastor of the Arch Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.
During his ministry at Abington, the contributions to the general operations of the church increased more than four fold, the membership more than doubled, the attendance was largely multiplied, and a new church edifice erected, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars, all of which was paid.
Rev. Thomas S. Long was for a time at the academies in Strasburg and Coatesville, but his · classical studies preparatory to his college course, were pursued at the Tuscorora Academy. He gradu- ated at Lafayette college July 27, 1864 ; spent three years in the theological seminary in Princeton, and graduated there April 23, 1867.
He was licensed by New Castle Presbytery, April 10, 1866, and was ordained and installed pastor of
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the church at Pequea, as the successor of Rev. John Wallace on May 7, 1867.
Mr. William Filson spent five years at the Tuscarora Academy-the last three of them as teacher-graduated at Lafayette College in 1868, entered the Western Theological Seminary the same year, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Hunting- don June 14, 1870.
Rev. James Bolton, now pastor of the Reformed (Dutch) Church at Colt's Neck, New Jersey, was a resident within the bounds of this congregation, and an attendant upon its services from 1843 to 1847, and received here religious impressions which ulti- mately resulted in his conversion and dedication to the Christian ministry.
He graduated at Union College, Schenectady, in 1851, studied theology at the Union Seminary in New York, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Brooklyn in 1853. For two years thereafter he occupied the position of professor of history and belles lettres in a collegiate institute in New York. He subsequently transferred his ecclesiastical rela- tions to the Reformed (Dutch) Church, and prior to his present charge, was pastor of the Reformed Church at Fordham, New York.
In addition to these, the Rev. Samuel T. Lowrie- whose maternal grand-parents were. members of this church, and who is a lineal descendant of Arthur Park, the first ruling elder-is entitled to a place in this history.
He was born in Pittsburg, February 8, 1835,
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URPER OCTORARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
graduated at the Miami University in 1852, spent four years in the Western Theological Seminary, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Ohio, (O. S.,) January 8, 1856. He went to Germany in April, 1856, and remained there until June, 1857, residing in Hei- delberg, and studying in the university at that place. He then made a pilgrimage to Syria and Palestine, and returned home in January, 1858. He was pastor of the church at Alexandria, in Huntingdon county, Pa., from December, 1858, to April, 1863, when he again spent some time in Europe. In 1864, he was with the army under General Sherman in Tennessee and Georgia, doing duty in hospitals and camps as a delegate of the Christian Commission.
In October, 1864, he went to Philadelphia, and was instrumental in building up the Bethany Mission in that city, with which enterprise he was connected until April, 1869, when he became pastor of the church in Abington, Pa., as the successor of Rev. John L. Withrow, who, as already observed, is also a descendant of Arthur Park, the first.
Mr. Edward P. Clark, a great-grandson of Rev. William Foster, is now in the Union Theological Seminary in New York, preparing for the ministry.
In this connection I may add the name of Rev. Samuel A. Gayley-a son of Mr. Daniel Gayley, a venerable and highly esteemed member of this church -who was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle, April 11, 1849, and is now pastor of the Lower West Nottingham Church, in Cecil County, Maryland.
This church has also at different times, been the
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recipient of sums of money bequeathed to it by its members.
In 1811, William Davidson bequeathed £10. This legacy-for some cause-does not appear to have ever been received.
In 1813, William Minnes, three hundred and fifty dollars, which is now invested in stock of the Phila- delphia Bank.
In 1815, John Mitchell, fifty dollars for the repair of the graveyard wall. This legacy was used in re- building the wall when the yard was enlarged, about the year 1843.
In 1837, Eliza Ann Cairns, two hundred and forty- three dollars to discharge a debt, resting on the church building in Sadsburyville, and one hundred and fifty dollars for the support of the poor. The last named sum is invested in stock of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company.
In 1842, James Russell, fifty dollars for the repair of the graveyard well, which was used for that pur- pose.
In 1843, James Boyd, two hundred dollars, for the support of the Gospel. This legacy is invested in stock of the Philadelphia Bank.
In 1847, Tabitha Parke, one hundred dollars for the use of the church. This legacy was appropriated towards the payment of the debt incurred in erect- ing the present church building.
In 1856, Samuel Parke McClellan, bequeathed a mortgage of twelve hundred and fifty dollars and the
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interest unpaid thereon. By a vote of the congrega- tion, these moneys were expended in the erection of the Manse.
In 1861, Enoch Stewart, two hundred dollars, which was expended in liquidating a portion of the debt incurred in erecting the Manse.
In 1825, Eleanor Tate bequeathed a sum of money to John G. Parke, "for his kindness," which Mr. Parke donated to the Poor Fund of the Church, and it was invested, together with the legacy of Eliza Ann Cairns-already mentioned-in Pennsylvania Rail- road Stock.
I make this record of these bequests, because I feel that particular honor is due to the memory of those, who devise liberal things in the way of sup- porting the Church.
I have thus endeavored to trace the history of this Church, during the one hundred and fifty years which have run their course since its foundations were laid. Doubtless, many things which would have been in- teresting and instructive, have-for want of faithful chroniclers-passed beyond recall.
I beg leave here to suggest, that full records be hereafter kept, so that when this church, fifty years hence, shall celebrate its bi-centenary; the his- torian-now in his infancy, or mayhap, unborn-may find his task a comparatively light one, and be able to present its doings in the Master's vineyard in a sat- isfactory manner.
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
In this review, we see the power and sublimity of the religion of Christ. The influence of the church can never be known in time. "Its lines stretch out beyond mortal ken, observed only by the eye of the Omniscient. Who can measure the good done by this church ? To comprehend it, in anything like its full measure and meaning, we must know the spiritual history of its numerous members, who gene- ration after generation, have impressed their lives upon the world.
"The existence of a true church in a community is a power for good. There are a thousand influences which gather around the sanctuary, and the Sabbath, and the ordinances of the Church which mould the heart and shape the life, beyond what can possibly be known on earth."
Through a century and a half, this Church has had a preached Gospel, and God's grace and mercy have very many times been specially poured out in answer to the prayers of his people. "Solemn spot, where the voice of instruction, of admonition, of comfort, and of peace have been so long heard."
And that city of the dead, -.- through whose gate- way so many of our friends have been borne, and which is filled with memorial stones, reared by the hand of affection, admonishing us of the flight of years, and the uncertainty of life, in that the sickle of time cuts down the young as well as the old- speaks to us of the importance of being in readiness for our own departure, when He, the Master, shall come and call for us.
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UPPER OCTORARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
May God's blessing ever rest upon those who wor- ship in this sanctuary, may he protect from harm this old church of our fathers, and make all who gather within her walls, to become "holy and humble men of heart."
APPENDIX.
A. CHURCH ORGANIZATION, 1870.
PASTOR. REV. JOHN J. POMEROY. RULING ELDERS.
George Richmond, James Morgan Rawlins,
John Andrew Parke,
Oliver Gayley, Thomas R. Hoofman, Samuel Walker.
DEACONS.
John N. Chalfant, Samuel R. Parke.
TRUSTEES.
George M. Boyd, President,
James Reid, Treasurer,
Robert S. Scott,
R. Agnew Futhey, Secretary, J. Latta Stewart, John Patrick,
Richard McPherson.
SEXTON. George Shoemaker.
B.
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LIST OF SURNAMES OF THE EARLIEST MEMBERS OF UPPER OCTORARA.
Persons bearing these names, were members prior to the middle of the last century.
Alison,
Boggs,
Blelock,
Boyd,
Boyle,
Clingan,
.
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APPENDIX.
Cochran,
Kyle,
Rowan,
Cowan,
Liggett,
Sandford,
Dickey,
Lockhart,
Scott,
Filson,
Luckey,
Sharpe,
Fleming,
McAllister,
Sloan,
Gardner,
McNeil,
Smith,
Glendenning.
McPherson,
Stewart,
Hamill,
Mitchell,
Summeril,
Henderson,
Moody,
Wiley,
Heslep,
Park,
Wilkin,
Hope,
Richmond,
Wilson.
Kerr,
Robb,
C.
PATENT FOR CHURCH LANDS.
On the 25th of May 1743, there was surveyed unto Rev. Adam Boyd, "in trust for the Presbyterian Congregation of Upper Octo- rara, for the use of a meeting house and burial ground," a tract of land called " Union," situate in Sadsbury township, Chester County, described as follows :
Beginning at a marked Red Oak, in a line of Adam Boyd's land, thence by lines of marked trees, the four courses and dis- tances following, viz .: south, thirty-nine perches to a marked Spanish Oak; east, eighteen perches to a marked White Oak; south, twenty-one peaches to a post; and west thirty-eight perches to a post, in a line of Robert Cooper's land; thence by the same north, sixty perches to a post, in a line of Adam Boyd's land ; thence by the same east, twenty perches to the place of beginning ; containing nine acres and one hundred and thirty-eight perches, and allowance of six acres per cent. for roads, &c.
A Patent was granted for these lands on the 26th of April, 1769, to Rev. William Foster, William Clingan, Hugh Cowan, and John Fleming-who had been nominated by the congregation to receive it-to be held by them and their successors, "In trust
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APPENDIX.
to and for the purpose of erecting and continuing a church or house of religious worship, for the use of the United Presbyterian Con- gregation at Octorara, in Sadsbury township, and their descend- ants and successors, in such manner as the same congregation for the time being, shall from time to time, order, direct and ap- point, and to and for no other use or purpose whatsoever."
This Patent is recorded in the office for recording of deeds, at Philadelphia, in book I, volume 6, page 472.
D.
NAMES OF PEW-HOLDERS GIVEN ON A DRAFT OF THE OLD CHURCH.
DATE NOT KNOWN, BUT SOME TIME IN THE LAST CENTURY.
James Boyd,
John Pinkerton,
Thomas Heslep,
John Park,
Arthur Park,
Andrew Stewart,
John McPherson,
Widow Kilpatrick,
Samuel Wright,
Samuel Copeland,
John Fleming, (East Caln,)
Joseph Cowan, Alexander Glendenning,
George Richmond,
James Cowan,
John Smith, -
. John Fleming, Sr., John Fleming, Jr., John Morrison,
John and Samuel Irwin, Richard McClure,
William Stewart,
Wallace Boyd,
Samuel Wilson,
William Davidson.
Robert Young,
Jacob Good,
Samuel Futhey,
Henry Mcclellan,
Joseph Park,
Robert Mcclellan,
William Wilkin, John Sloan,
William Divan,
Rebecca Fleming,
·
Widow Boyd,
Isaac Wentz,
Sarah McKim, George Boyd.
Hannah Kinkead,
James Arthur,
11
Thomas and John Scott,
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APPENDIX.
E.
LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS TO REBUILDING OF GRAVE- YARD WALL IN 1790.
Arthur Park,
John Ramsay,
Samuel Mcclellan,
Samuel Wilson,
William Davidson,
John Sloan,
-
Joseph Gardner,
James Boyd,
John Park,
John Smith,
Robert Withrow,
Gideon Smith,
Joseph Fleming,
William Wiley,
William Crawford,
John McClellan,
William Allen,
Joseph Park,
Thomas Scott,
Robert Cowan,
Joseph Filson,
John G. Park,
James Grier,
James Keys,
Samuel Futhey,
William Keys,
George Boyd,
Alexander McPherson,
Andrew Stewart,
David Fleming,
Henry Mcclellan,
Samuel Boyle,
Robert Mcclellan,
Robert Mcclellan,
Thomas Officer,
Francis Ruth,
James Glendenning,
David Bailey,
John Fleming, Sr.,
Agnes McPherson,
Thomas Heslep,
James Cowan,
John Stille,
Adam Cowan,
Bryan McCune,
Wallace Boyd,
William Wilkin,
James Thompson,
Thomas Hope, -
Mary Cowan,
John Fleming, (of East Caln,) Alice Fleming,
Jane Boyd, (widow,)
Joan Wilkin,
Robert Hamill,
Joseph Wilson,
George Richmond,
Robert Forsyth,
Hannah Kinkead,
Edward Dougherty.
Adam Glendenning,
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APPENDIX.
F.
FIRST CALL GIVEN TO REV. JAMES LATTA.
The congregation of Upper Octorara, being on sufficient ground well satisfied with the ministerial qualifications of you, Mr. James Latta, and having good hopes from your labours and good character, that your ministrations in the gospel will be profitable to our spiritual interests, do earnestly call and desire you to undertake the pastoral office in said congregation, the three-fourths of your time, promising you, in the discharge of your duty, all proper sup- port and encouragement and obedience in the Lord ; and that you may be free from worldly cares and avocations, we hereby promise and oblige ourselves to pay to you the sum of four hundred dollars annually, in regular half-yearly payments, during the time of your being and continuing the regular pastor of this church.
In testimony whereof we have respectively subscribed our names in behalf of said congregation, this twenty-fourth day of September, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and ten.
1
This is to certify, that at a meeting of the congregation convened by previous notice, the foregoing call for Mr. James Latta was regularly and unanimously made and subscribed by said congrega- tion, agreeably to the rule prescribed in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church.
1
Sept. 25th, 1810.
ROBERT WHITE, Moderator. ARTHUR PARK, GEORGE BOYD, HENRY MCCLELLAN, JOHN FLEMING, JR., Elders.
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APPENDIX.
G. CHARTER OF INCORPORATION OF UPPER OCTO- RARA CHURCH.
GRANTED BY THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE, MAY 5, 1812, AND EN- ROLLED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH, IN BOOK No. 1, PAGE 94.
To all men to whom these presents shall come : know ye, that we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, being citizens of the State of Pennsylvania, and members of the Presbyterian congrega- tion of Upper Octorara, in the County of Chester, and State of Pennsylvania aforesaid, desirous of becoming incorporated, and acquiring and enjoying the powers and immunities of a corpora- tion or body politic in law, according to an act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, entitled " An Act to confer on certain associations of the citizens of the Com- monwealth the powers and immunities of corporations or bodies politic in law," we do therefore, by these presents, publish and de- clare that we have associated, and do hereby associate ourselves together for the said purposes, by the name, style, and title of "The Congregation of Upper Octorara," under the articles and conditions following, to wit :
1st. The said subscribers, members of the said congregation and their successors, shall, according to the above recited act, become and be a corporation or body politic in law and in fact, to have continuance by the name, style and title of "The Congregation of Upper Octorara," and as such shall have full power and authority to make, have and use one common seal, with such device and in- scription, as they shall deem proper, and the same to break, alter or renew at their pleasure, and by the name, style and title afore- said, be able and capable in law to sue and to be sued, plead and to be impleaded in any court or courts, before any judge or judges, justice or justices, in all manner of suits, complaints, pleas, causes, matters and demands whatsoever, and all and every matter or thing therein, to do in as full and effectual a manner as any other person or persons, or bodies corporate, within the Commonwealth
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