USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > Warwick in Bucks County > History of Neshaminy Presbyterian Church of Warwick, Hartsville, Bucks County, Pa., 1726-1876 > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
Resolved, That the most devout gratitude of the American people is due to the most high God, that in this hour of peril He has given us a President wise, honest, firm, and actuated by a true patriotism that has raised the Presidential chair, as it should be, above the arena of party strife ; that in the Government as organ- ized, we recognize the representative, not of a political party, but of the American people; that it is the duty of every good citizen, without distinction of party, to rally around the President and sustain him in his laudable efforts to subdue rebellion, and that all endeavors to revive party spirit, to perpetuate party distinctions, and to create prejudice against the President and his administra- tions, are fraught with peril to the best interests of our land, no less than open treason.
Resolved, That thanks are due to the young men of our land who have volunteered for their country's defence ; that we mourn the dead; that we sympathize with the sick and wounded, that we would encourage the living to deeds of bravery by the assurance of our grateful remembrances, our sympathy, aid and fervent prayers. We will cherish the memory of all, and commend their deeds to the gratitude and imitation of posterity.
Resolved, That the gratitude of the country and of posterity is
357
APPENDIX.
due to the patriotic women of our land, and to none more than to those by whose invitation we are here to-day, for their faithful and self-denying services on the behalf of the sick and wounded of our army.
Resolved, That we neither ask nor expect sympathy or aid of despots or their willing slaves; but commend our cause in faith to Free lom's God, pledging to that cause ourselves till death.
The speeches made on the occasion were able, eloquent and patriotic, and filled the hearts of the people with a true patriotism, and encouraged those who had so lately given up their dearest earthly friends for their country's cause; for on that very day Company C, of the 128th Regiment, which was, composed of the young men of the neighborhood, were on their way to the seat of war.
The ladies had their hearts rejoiced and felt themselves amply rewar led for their arduous labor by finding their treasury increased by $500. And they began to work with still greater zeal. Apples, onions, and dried rusk were sent with other supplies. A load of provisions was sent to the Hospital at Germantown.
At the close of the first year an election of officers was held, by which the officers of the former year were all retained and received a vote of thanks for their faithful discharge of duty. The society held its first anniversary meeting in the Hartsville church and was addressed by the Rev. Geo. Mingins, of Huntingdon Valley, who had labored among the soldiers under the direction of the Christian Commission. He related many incidents of sad interest that he had been called upon to witness.
In taking a review of the work of the first year, the society had forwarded 13 boxes and two loads of provisions, valued in all at $843 33.
During the second year there was still more work accomplished than during the first. In the winter the young men were called upon to collect funds, and this time increased the amount in the treasury by $130. In the spring vacation of Roseland Institute, that building was kindly offered as a place to hold a social festival, which was gladly accepted. The entertainment took place April
358
APPENDIX.
2, 1863. The school-room was handsomely decorated with ever- greens and fitted up for the sale of refreshments. The other rooms were prepared for the reception and entertainment of the guests of whom about 200 were present. Patriotic songs were sung and played, and with social conversation and games, the evening passed away delightfully ; when the company left $100 was in the hands of the treasurer.
Encouraged by the success of the first Mass Meeting, all were ready to engage in another, which was held in the same grove on the 10th of September, 1863. The same committees, with a few added, acted as before, and the meeting was conducted in the same manner. Rev. J. Belville was appointed President, and forty- eight of our noble young men, who had been in the military ser- vice of the United States or of Pennsylvania, were chosen Vice Presidents.
The president in his opening address announced two very im- portant items of news just received. 1st. That the northern traitor, Clement L. Vallandigham, was no longer within the boundary of the United States. 2d. That Morris Island had been evacuated by the rebels. Both of which were received with loud cheers from all patriotic hearts. The audience listened attentively to eloquent and earnest speeches from Judge Knox and from Rev. Mr. McAuley of Philadelphia, who had been the soldiers' friend upon the battle field and in the hospital.
The meeting, though not so large as the first, was a very pleasant one, and secured to the friends of the society $370.00.
During this year 10 boxes had been forwarded, valued at $1278.22, sent mostly to the Ladies Aid of Philadelphia ; some placed at the disposal of that organization, and others with directions where we wished them to be sent.
At the election of officers at the close of the second year, on account of the death of the Vice President and resignation of the Recording Secretary, Miss Mary Craven was chosen Vice President, and Mrs. J. L. Widdifield, Recording Secretary. The other officers were retained.
In the early part of the winter a correspondence was commenced
359
APPENDIX.
with Miss Pollock, a friend of several members of the society ; after which several boxes were sent to her, and many letters of interest received. The society became very much interested in making quilts; about twenty quilts in all were made, some of them "Albumı Quilts," which were afterwards bestowed to the soldiers, on whose beds they had been used, and who had become attached to their bright colors, and interested in the names written on them.
In February a call was made for assistance for the suffering refugees of East Tennessee. A committee of ladies was appointed to collect money for that purpose. At the next meeting the com- mittee reported they had collected $90. An appeal reaching the society for clothing for the refugees at Cairo about the same time, the society divided the money, sending $50 to East Tennessee, and $40 worth of clothing to Cairo.
The next expedient to increase the funds of the Society was an invitation to Signor Blitz. March 21st he gave two entertainments in behalf of the society in the lecture room of the Neshaminy Church. The performance was so attractive that the room was crowded so that standing room could not be found for the audi- ence; every available corner of the room was filled. At length the floor gave way, and lowered part of the crowd about two feet, where they reached "terra firma" without injuring any one. After Signor Blitz had been compensated for his services, $85 remained for the treasurer,
Among the minutes of March 25, 1864, we find the following : Inasmuch as one of the esteemed members of our society, Rev. J. Belville, is about to move from our midst, on motion, the society resolve unanimously to return a vote of thanks to him for the deep interest he has ever manifested in us as a society from its com- mencement until the present time, and for the many and efficient services he has rendered us, always ready to devise plans and co- operate with us in every measure tending to promote the best interests of the society. We deeply lament the loss of such a member, but our loss will, in all probability, be gain to another similar organization. Our best wishes attend him.
Miss Pollock, in order to show how highly the soldiers under her
360
APPENDIX.
care appreciated the gifts of the society, sent a package containing articles manufactured by "her boys." These articles, on being received, were sold to members of the society at public sale, and were bought as mementos of soldiers' gratitude.
About the middle of July, the propriety of holding a third Mass Meeting for the benefit of the society began to be contemplated. Similar arrangements to those made on former years were made. The meeting was held on the 18th of August, 1864. Rev. M. Long was President of the meeting. The large audience assembled was addressed by Rev. J. Belville, Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, of Phila- delphia, and by George H. Stuart, Esq., President of the United States Christian Commission. The assembly was much interested in the remarks of all these gentlemen, especially those of Mr. Stuart, who gave many moving and interesting statements in refer- ence to the sufferings and hardships of our heroic defenders in the army; and the work of supplying their wants, both temporal and spiritual, in which the Christian Commission is engaged. The gain accruing to the society from this effort was $540.
A hospital having been established at White Hall, in our county, near Bristol, on the Delaware river, and the society hearing that much good could be done to the suffering there by visiting them, and taking supplies, a representative was appointed to go with one from the Warminster society to spend a week at the hospital; to take supplies and ascertain whether it was expedient to turn our efforts more particularly to that point ; and whether it was advisa- ble to keep a representative there. The representative returned after staying a week, but finding the surgeons acknowledged no such assistants in their arrangements, together with the inconve- nience of getting to and from the hospital, the subject was dropped, and the work continued as before.
At the end of this year an election of officers was held. Mrs. N. J. Rubinkam was elected Vice President, and the former officers retained. The anniversary meeting was held Nov. 6th. The exercises were opened with prayer by Rev. J. Belville. A history of the society from its foundation was read by Rev. D. K. Turner. The meeting was then addressed by Rev. J. Belville and Rev. Mr.
361
APPENDIX.
Atkinson, agent of the Christian Commission. Many of the inci- dents he related were interesting and touching, especially to many who had lately lost friends in their country's service. After the address, a collection was taken up for the Christian Commission, amounting to $75. After prayer by Rev. D. K. Turner, the con- gregation retired with new interest in the spiritual and temporal welfare of our brave countrymen who were enduring the hardships of war in our defence.
The society having continued its work uninterruptedly for over three years, and no "holiday had seen," it was proposed to have a social entertainment-a Christmas Dinner, in the usual place of meeting, prepared by the members. The day proved a very plea- sant one-the repast a bountiful one of turkey, chickens, mince pie, and all that belongs to a Christmas Dinner, and was highly enjoyed by all that partook.
In fitting out the boxes it was proposed to send comfort bags, which proposition was acted upon cheerfully ; and from the size and quantity of the bags, the soldiers received much comfort, and the letters received in answer to those sent in the bags, were read in the society, and listened to with much interest.
The society continued its regular meetings, and worked with its accustomed energy and activity-rejoicing in the victories, and often speculating as to how long the work of the society would be needed. All were preparing for a general rejoicing, when the war should close, and our victorious troops should be welcomed home. When suddenly, by the sad news of the death of the beloved Presi- dent of the United States, their rejoicing was forgotten, and the room where the society had held its meetings for three years and a half, was draped in mourning. The following resolutions were read and adopted :
RESOLUTIONS ON THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
Whereas, Abraham Lincoln, late President of the United States, was shot by a vile assassin on the evening of April 14th, 1865, and died after an interval of a few hours, and,
-
362
APPENDIX.
Whereas, We, the members of this Society, feel called upon to express unitedly our sense of the dreadful enormity of this atro- cious crime, and the great loss the nation has experienced.
Resolved, That we lament with unfeigned and deep regret the sudden and violent death of our Chief Magistrate, whose vigor, wisdom, and prudence have under God brought us apparently so near to the end of the rebellion, and to the enjoyment once more of the manifold blessings of peace.
Resolved, That we regard his death as a great national calamity, in that it deprives us of a Ruler, whose sagacity, firmness, and exalted patriotism have been tried through four years of war almost unparalleled upon the pages of history, in the magnitude of the armies engaged, the number of battles fought, of cities and towns taken, and the length of marches performed by our brave and victorious troops.
Resolved, That as it was the will of Providence that he should die while in his second term of the Presidential office, we rejoice that he was preserved from the deadly plots of the enemies of our government, until he saw the capital city of the rebellion taken, its armies nearly all vanquished, and its leaders compelled to flee for their lives.
Resolved, That we execrate the awful and daring deed by which he was killed, and trust that the perpetrator and his accomplices may be brought to speedy and condign punishment.
Resolved, That we sympathize deeply with the bereaved family, and pray that they may be sustained by a compassionate Saviour in their severe affliction.
Richmond had been taken-Lee's army surrendered-Jefferson Davis captured-our brave boys were coming home. The society had completed the work for which it had been commenced. What was left in the treasury must be contributed to the comfort of the maimed and disabled.
Miss Pollock being on a visit to her friends in Hartsville, after four years of self-sacrificing labor, having given her time, ease, and comfort, that she might, as far as possible, contribute to the com- fort of the soldiers, the society desiring to show their appreciation of her labors and sacrifices, presented her with $50 from their fund. The society commenced to dispose of the material on hand, and
363
APPENDIX.
prepare the way for closing its operations. A meeting was appointed the first Friday in September.to take into consideration the proper mode of disposing of the remaining fund. Nothing definite being decided, the meeting adjourned till the first Friday in December. At that meeting $25 were given to a soldier's widow in the neighborhood, and $50 to the "City Pastor."* A meeting held first Friday in August, voted the remaining money, $200, to the Soldier's Home, in Philadelphia.
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE LADIES' SOLDIERS AID SOCIETY OF HARTSVILLE.
CONSTITUTION.
Preamble .- Prompted by a desire to sustain the hands and en- courage the hearts of those who are so nobly contending for the preservation of our Union, we, the Ladies of Hartsville and vicinity, have resolved to form ourselves into an association, the object of which shall be to afford aid and comfort to the sick and wounded of our Army and Navy, and to provide for those in active service such necessary clothing as is not furnished by the Government.
We do hereby adopt the following Constitution :
ART. 1ST. This Society shall be called the "Soldiers Aid Society of Hartsville."
ART. 2D. The officers of this Association shall consist of a Presi- dent, Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and a Board of Managers, to be chosen annually on the first Wednesday in November.
ART. 3D. It will be the duty of the President to preside at all the meetings, and direct the operations of the Association.
ART. 4TH. The duty of the Vice-President will be to take the place of the President in the absence of that officer.
ART. 5TH. The Corresponding Secretary shall have charge of the correspondence.
* He was engaged in providing for the spiritual and temporal wants of the needy soldiers, widows and orpbans of soldiers, in Philadelphia.
364
APPENDIX.
ART. 6TH. The Recording Secretary shall keep a record of all the business transacted by the Association, the names of the members and officers, and shall at the opening of each meeting read the re- cord of the preceding meeting.
ART. 7TH. The Treasurer shall receive all moneys paid to the Association, pay all bills as authorized by the officers, keep an ac- curate account of all the receipts and expenditures, and report to the Association at least once a month.
ART. STH. It shall be the duty of the Managers to co-operate with the President in devising and adopting such measures as shall to them seem most desirable to render the Association most effi- cient ; also to solicit contributions, as the condition of the treasury may demand.
ART. 9TH. Any person may become a member of this Association by the payment of twenty-five cents into the Treasury, after that a monthly payment of ten cents.
Gentlemen will be considered Honorary Members of the Associa- tion by the payment of the sum above stated, and entitled to advise and consult with the members.
ART. 10TH. This Constitution shall not be altered or amended ex- cept by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at a regular meeting, and any amendment must be proposed at least four weeks before its adoption.
BY-LAWS.
ART. 1ST. The meetings of the Officers of the Association shall be held once a month.
ART. 2D. The regular meeting for work of all interested, shall be held once a fortnight at such times and place as shall be decided upon by a majority of the members.
ART. 3D. The purchasing committee shall consist of two individ- uals, who shall take their directions from the Board of Managers.
ART. 4TH. The Committee on work and supplies shall consist of four persons, who shall arrange and inspect the work, and collect such articles as may be needed for Hospitals, and report monthly.
ART 5TH. The President shall take charge of all stores and ap- propriate them according to the advice and counsel of the Associa- tion.
365
APPENDIX.
ART. 6TH. Amendments to these By-Laws may be made by a vote of the majority of the members of the Association present at a reg- ular meeting. Every amendment must be proposed at least two weeks before its adoption.
The society was permanently organized by electing the following named persons as
OFFICERS.
President-Miss E. N. Davis. Vice-President-Mrs. D. K. Turner.
Corresponding Secretary-Mrs. E. Nichols.
Recording Secretary-Miss I. R. Long. Treasurer-Mrs. M. Glasgow.
Managers.
Mrs. Erwin,
Mrs. Rubinkam,
Mrs. Mathews,
Miss A. Beans,
Miss J. Horner,
Mrs. Widdifield,
Miss Rachel Long, Mrs. Addis,
Miss M. Craven,
Mrs. Mearns,
Mrs. J. V. Craven.
Purchasing Committee-Mrs. Addis, Mrs. Turner.
Committee on Work-Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Freeland, Miss Mary Cra- ven, Mrs. Widdifield.
Packing and Forwarding Committee-Mrs. Turner, Mrs. Nichols, Mrs. Widdifield, Messrs. Widdifield and Darrah.
Committee on Room-Messrs. Jamison and Long.
MEMBERS.
LIFE MEMBERS.
Rev. J. Belville, Rev. Mahlon Long,
Rev. D. K. Turner, Rev. A. M. Woods, Gen. John Davis,
Mrs. Mahlon Long, Mrs. Charles Long,
Mrs. D. K. Turner,
Miss E. N. Davis,
Miss Mary Pollock.
366
APPENDIX.
HONORARY MEMBERS.
Wm P. Ames,
Stacy B. Beans,
Harman Y. Beans,
Rev. Mahlon Long,
J. M. Boileau,
S. F. Long,
C. Bowers,
Jos. Lear,
O. D. Bowers,
R. G. S. McNeille,
Joseph Barnsley,
J. McGraudy,
Rev. J. Belville,
A. E. M. Miles,
Jos. Belville,
T. W. Meredith,
J. Carter,
C. Meredith,
Hugh Carrell,
N. D. Marple,
Wm. H. Conard,
Dr. W. Mathews,
R. Croasdale,
John Polk,
Ezra Carrell,
N. J. Rubinkam,
J. D. Duffield, '
Wm. Rubinkam,
Gen. John Davis,
Smith Radcliffe,
R. H. Darrah,
Charles Ramsey,
J. M. Darrah,
Henry Robinson,
James Field,
H. C. Stuckert,
J. Flack,
Geo. Taylor,
Wm. Glasgow, Jos. Hart,
Rev. D. K. Turner,
J. L. Widdifield,
B. F. Hart,
Rev. A. M. Woods,
J. Jamison,
Watson Wood,
B. T. Jamison,
Isaac Wood,
Wm. Jamison, sr.,
W. W. Whitecar,
Wm. Jamison, jr.,
Harman Yerkes,
G. W. Jamison, J. R. Jones,
Hutchinson Yerkes.
LADIES' NAMES.
Mrs. S. Y. Addis, Miss Anna C. Beans, Mrs. Geo. Brown,
Miss Louisa Janvier, Miss Rachel Long, Miss A. E. Long,
Geo. Jamison, Jr., J. Laverell,
367
APPENDIX.'
Miss Jane E. Bothwell, Mrs. Eliza H. Brown, Miss M. C. Brodie, Miss J. Blair, Mrs. C. S. Belville,
Miss A. Long, Mrs. C. B. Long, Miss I. R. Long, Mrs. Andrew Long,
Mrs. Anna Long,
Miss Maria Belville,
Mrs. Mary Lowere,
Miss Mary Belville,
Miss Susan Mann,
Miss Kate Belville,
Mrs. William Mann,
Miss Carrie Belville, Miss Letitia Buyers,
Miss S. E. Marple,
Miss E. S. Baird,
Mrs. W. Mathews,
Miss Eliza Carr,
Mrs. A. Mearns,
Mrs. Hugh Carrell,
Miss Anna Myers,
Mrs. Ezra Carrell,
Miss Louisa McCarter,
Miss M. H. Craven,
Miss Hannah McNair,
Mrs. Jane V. Craven,
Miss E. M. McIlvaine,
Miss Ellen Croasdale,
Miss E. J. Mitchell,
Miss Mary Cornell,
Miss Mary McNeille,
Miss J. Carr,
Mrs. Emily Nichols,
Miss Kate Darrah,
Mrs. J. Neilds,
Miss Rebecca Darrah,
Mrs. Mary Polk,
Miss E. N. Davis,
Miss Helen Paxson,
Mrs. A. T. Duffield,
Miss Helen Rich,
Mrs. Ellen Darrah,
Miss V. Robinson,
Mrs. Stephen Decoursey,
Miss F. Rubinkam,
Miss Susan Dungan,
Mrs. W. W. H. Davis,
Mrs. S. Snyder,
Miss Rebecca Ely,
Mrs. Louisa Spencer,
Mrs. R. T. Engart,
Mrs. Wm. Stuckart,
Mrs. A. M. Erwin,
Miss S. E. Stuckart,
Miss A. M. Erwin,
Miss Charlotte Spottswood,
Miss Everhart,
Miss V. Thomas,
Mrs. J. Field,
Miss A. Thompson,
Mrs. E. Freeland,
Miss E. Thompson,
Miss Susan M. French,
Mrs. Taylor,
Miss M. A. Flack,
Mrs. N. J. Rubinkam,
Miss Jane Thompson,
Miss C. V. Marple,
368
APPENDIX.
Mrs. M. B. Glasgow,
Mrs. Rachel Turner,
Miss I. J. Glasgow,
Miss A. Vanuxem,
Miss Elizabeth Hart,
Mrs. F. C. H. Widdifield,
Miss Mary Hart,
Miss Mary Watson,
Miss Ann Eliza Hart,
Miss Jane Watson,
Miss Jane Horner,
Mrs Caroline Whiting,
Mrs. Joseph Hart,
Mrs. E. Wynkoop,
Mrs. James Horner,
Miss Ettie Woods,
Miss Emma Jamison,
Miss A. Ward,
Miss Phebe Jamison,
Miss E. Way,
Miss Rachel Jamison,
Miss A. Way,
Miss Jane Jamison,
Miss M. Yerkes,
Miss Maria Jamison,
Miss Hester Yerkes,
Mrs. Wm. Jamison,
Miss Yates.
Mrs. Annie Jamison,
EXHIBIT OF TREASURER OF HARTSVILLE LADIES' AID SOCIETY.
AUGUST 10, 1866.
$2,986.93 have been paid into the Treasury from various sources, and all disbursed except $230 now at interest, to be disposed of as ordered by the Society.
39 Boxes have been Forwarded, as below :
4 to Miss Pollock, Washington.
1 to 104th P. V.
7 to Mrs. Jones.
1 to Cairo, Ill.
8 to Christian Commission.
2 to Sanitary do.
1 to Dr. A. S. Jones.
3 to Mrs. Harris, Army of the Potomac.
1 to Christian Street Hospital, Philadelphia.
369
APPENDIX.
1 to Cumberland, Maryland.
1 to Kentucky.
1 to White House, Virginia.
1 to Steamer Spalding.
1 to Harrison's Landing.
1 to Winchester, Virginia.
1 to Annapolis, Maryland.
2 to Philadelphia Ladies' Aid Society.
1 to Tennessee.
1 to White Hall Hospital.
These boxes were valued at $4,050.
Contents of Boxes, as follows :
849 Shirts.
454 pair Drawers.
195 Pillow Cases.
40 lbs. Sugar.
15 Wrappers.
4 dozen Spoons.
169 pair Mittens.
92 Socks.
101 Slippers.
Eye Shades, ad libitum.
Spices, do do.
48 Bedsacks.
22 bushels Onions.
164 Sheets.
8 do. Potatoes.
130 Pillows.
1 do. Beets.
49 Quilts.
¿ bushel Strawberries.
28 pair Pantaloons.
24 barrels Rusk.
1 barrel Gingerbread.
44 lbs. Farina.
633 lbs. Butter.
222 Bandages.
25 dozen Eggs. 4 cans Concentrated Soup.
8 Slings. 14 Fans.
160 do. Fruit.
17 Pads.
66 bottles of Wine.
1 Roll Cotton.
5 Gallons Tomatoes.
4 Chickens.
1 box Medicines.
1 box Buttons.
2 dozen Combs.
1 do. Tin Cups.
224 lbs. Tea.
"
594 Stockings.
2 Carpet Blankets. 353 Towels.
708 Handkerchiefs.
370
6400-A 100
APPENDIX.
3 Vests.
5 gallons Milk.
3 Coats.
9 Boys' Suits.
3 Girls' Sacques.
36 pieces Clothing for Women and Children.
3 lbs. Dried Apples.
15} bushels Apples.
2 barrels Pickles.
1 barrel Crackers.
Cheese in quantity.
1 1b. Coffee. 1 gallon of Vinegar. 4 cans Jelly.
1 jar Pickled Cabbage. Pins in quantity. Needles in quantity.
23 Comfort Bags. Reading matter, assorted.
·
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 0 014 440 608 4
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.