History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 90

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992

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Meanwhile other churches were established. The germ of the Second Swedish Church began in 1705, when the "upper inhabitants made application for occasional services in the winter, because of their distance from the Wicaco Church. Rev. Andrew Sandel officiated there twice that winter. The ar- ragements were little better till 1720. On the 27th of March, in that year, there was a consultation at Gloria Dei between Revs. Andrew Hesselius, Lide- nius, Lidman, and Samuel Hesselius. It was pro- posed to erect congregations at Calcoon's Hook and Neshaminy for the accommodation of the Swedish inhabitants there, and that Rev. Samuel Hesselius should be pastor. Objections being made to this, the proposal was made that Mr. Hesselius should settle at Manating (Manatawny), and the people in that region should support him, to which they cheerfully agreed.

Among the Swedes who settled in this part of Philadelphia County, now a portion of Montgomery,

previous to 1726, were Marcus Hulings, Justus Jus- tason, Martin Martinson, Nils Matson, Peter Rambo, Jr., Gunner Rambo, Mounce Rambo, Mathias Hol- stein, Peter Yocum, Jonas Jonasson, Mr. Kerlin, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Kerst. The church thus established was called St. Gabriel's, or Upper Merion Church. The services for several years were held in private resi- dences. William J. Buck says (" History of Mont- gomery County") that when the church was finally built it was at Morlatton. "We know the grave- yard was used here as early as 1719. The church building was first commenced in 1735, and finished in 1737. Rev. Samuel Hesselius left Morlatton in 1723, going to the church at Christina, which his brother had relinquished, returning to Sweden that year."

The Swedish settlers took little note of public affairs, but early in the eighteenth century accused Penn's agents of a failure to recognize their land claims (held under grants from the Duke of York), and of requiring resurveys, and. demanding in many cases a quit-rent. In 1709 a petition to the Assembly upon this subject by the Swedes was signed by the following persons : Zacharias Cock, Eric Keen, John Tanck, Otto Earnest Cock, Peter Peterson, John Aretson, Matthias Nezelius, Anders Bonde, Anders Mortenson, Valentine Kock, Andrew Longacre, John Mortenson, Gabriel Cock, John Stille, Hans George, Morten Mortenson, Gosta Gostason, Hans Bonde, Lors Mortenson, Olle Bonde, Gabriel Friend, Jobn Ellet, John Hindrickson, Matthias Keen.

A petition upon the same subject, sent to the As- sembly, in 1722, by several ancient settlers and owners of land, called "the Swedes' petition," con- tained the following names, which we recognize as Swedish : Andrew Longacre, Andrew Rambo, John Cock, Jonathan Jones, Andrew Jones, John Ellett, Andrew Justa, Christopher Swanson, John Keen, Swan Rambo, Laurence Boore, Charles Cox, Andrew Yocum, Swan Yocum, Andrew Boone, Andrew Hin- greson, Hans Boone, David Morton, Peter Longacre, Peter Rambo, Sr., Zachariah Cock, Mathias Niclins, Swans Boone, Hans Toston, Valentine Cock, Swan Justa, Justa Justis, John Swanson, Peter Rambo, Jr., John Orcher.

Rev. Joseph Lidman, at Wicaco, was recalled by Bishop Swedburg, of Upsala, in 1730, preached his farewell sermon on the 24th Sunday in Trinity, set sail shortly after, carrying with him a collection of furs as a gift to the king and the bishop, and retired to a Swedish parish. Rev. J. Eusberg (or Eneberg), then pastor at Christina, preached at Wicaco also. King Frederick, in August, 1732, appointed Rev. Gabriel Falck, who arrived in time to preach Jan. 7, 1733, but left the pastorate that year and went to St. Gabriel's Church. Two successive letters were written to Sweden for a successor, and at last Rev. John Dylander arrived, preaching his first sermon Nov. 6, 1737. Mr. Dylander worked with great zeal,

1237

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

and increased the efficiency of every church depart- ment, but died suddenly in 174I, and another inter- regnum, this time of two years, followed in the church of Gloria Dei. Revs. John Eusberg and Petrus Tran- berg did what they could to supply the vacancy. Rev. Gabriel Nesman was the next pastor from Sweden, and brought over a large supply of books. He began his work Oct. 20, 1743. The gain of the English language over Swedish was more and more manifest.

In the year 1743 the following were wardens and vestrymen of the Church of Gloria Dei: Benjamin Bengtson (Bankson), Martin Garretts, Lars Bure; in 1744, Jacob Bengtson, Peter Jones, Andrew Toy, in place of the above; also Peter Cock and John Hen- derson, of Philadelphia; Hans Tate and Jacob Archer, of Amasland; Andrew Georgen ; in 1745, Andrew Bonde, John Garrett, Jacob Bengtson, Elias Rambo, wardens; Jacob Rambo, Andrew Justis, Morton Morton, vestrymen. The old church build- ing was not kept in a good state of repair during this period. The roof was reported to be out of order in 1725 ; the doors and pews required speedy repairs in 1727 ; the windows and shutters were in the same con- dition in 1728. Part of the church roof was blown off in 1732. In 1748 the church roof was re-shingled on the north side.

The glebe in Passyunk (at Point Breeze) was leased to Peter Cock and Morris Cock in 1731 for four pounds per annum. In 1733 the parsonage house at Wicaco was built, and it was the residence of the Swedish pastors for many years. In 1737 the glebe at Pass- yunk was leased to Andrew Rambo for five pounds per annum, and the two lots at Wicaco to Jacob Bengtson for £7 10s. per annum.

It was resolved during the term of Mr. Nesman that, in case of a vacancy in the pastorship of the Church of Gloria Dei, gratitude to the kings of Swe- den required that the arrival of a successor duly commissioned in Sweden should be waited for. On the 22d of February, 1750, word came from Bishop Benzelius, recalling Rev. Mr. Nesman, and appoint- ing Rev. Olaf Parvin, who arrived on the 7th of July on the ship "Speedwell," and preached on the 22d, from Jeremiah i. 7. The provost, Rev. Israel Acrelius, of Christina, Rev. Eric Unander, of Raccoon and Penn's Neck, and Rev. Mr. Nesman officiated at this installation. The former pastor did not return to Sweden until late in 1752.1

Rev. Mr. Parlin preached at Gloria Dei, much re- spected and loved, till the spring of 1757, when Rev. Eric Norderlind became his assistant. In December, after a sudden illness of only four days, Mr. Parlin died. Rev. Mr. Unander, of Christina, preached in English, and a few days later Rev. Mr. Lidenius in Swedish, both from Timothy ii. 4, 6, 7, and 8. Mr. Parlin was buried in the chancel in Wicaco Church, beside Rudman and Dylander.2 Rev. Mr. Norderlind supplied the church. In 1758, January 22d, the con- gregation wrote to Upsala, to bishop and Consistory, hoping that the widow and children of Mr. Parlin might be helped. They also asked, as a privilege, that they might be allowed occasionally to have their services in English, the Swedes and English being so intermixed as to make religious instruction in both languages necessary.

The church grew under Mr. Norderlind's minis- trations, and large crowds attended. In 1759, Rev. Charles Magnus Wrangel arrived to take charge, and his being provost of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and his intimate friendship with the Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg, the patriarch of the German Lutheran Church in this country, brought him into close rela- tions with the German Lutherans. In 1763 he ap- plied to the Assembly for naturalization, and his petition was granted. During his term a quarrel arose in the congregation. There were many new members, and they found that Swedes and "sous of pioneers" held all the offices. A new charter taking

"I intend, God willing, to leave for Swedeland as soon as possible. I de therefore desire such gentlemen as have any demands oo me to bring in their accounts in order to be paid, and those indebted to make speedy payment.

" GABRIEL NESMAN, M.A., "Swedish minister. " N.B .- I have some very good High Dutch in divinity, such as Her- mens, to dispose of, and other spirit meditations; likewise a horse to dispose of."

2 The inscription reeds,-

" Siste viator, quisque et mortalis fonds lachrymas in hoc corruptionis domicilio. Jacet in paco et quiete beale mortuus, vir eruditiene con- spicuus, a Deo doctus, plur reverendus dus magister Olavus Parlin, oc- clesiarum Soeco Lutherarum que Deo Colligentur in Boreali America præpositus et pastor ja Wicaco meritissimus. Natus Suecre A.D. MDCCXVI. Ordinatus verbi divini minister A.D. MDCCXLV. Adiit Americau 1750. Inivit societatem conjugalem 1751. Obiit die 22 Deceni. A.D. 1757.

" Ile was an affectionate husband, a tender father, a true friend, sod during his Christian warfare a faithful and valiant soldier of Jesus Christ, and in the last combat, strengthened by heavenly succors, he quitted the field, not captive, but conqueror, and is oumbered among the children of God."

That ever Rev. Mr. Dylander is as follows :

"In memory of REV. JOHN DYLANDER, missionary from Sweden, and four years minister of this church, who died Nov. 2, 1742. . Elatis sux, 32.

" While here he sang his Maker's praise ; The listening angels heard his song, And called their consort sont away, Pleased with a strain so like their own

" His soul, attentive to the call, And quickly listening tobey, Soared to ethereal scenes of Jiss, Tos pure to dwell in grosser clay."

Mr. Dylander was a flue singer, which explains this inscription.

1 lo 1749 the following advertisement appeared in one of the Philadel- phia newspapers:

"GABRIEL NESMAN, minister at Wicaco, advertises that he soen de- signs to suil for Swedeland, and owes some debts here, and to pay them, as well as support his family and lay up something for his passage home, he intends to open a school for the learned languages, or euch philo- sephical or theological sciences as required, and humbly hopes those who wish to encourage himo will meet him at the Indian King, Market Street, on the 9th of December, when they will be waited ou by their humble servant, G. N."

In the same paper Mr. Neeman advertised a stray horse; also two pipes of wine for sule at the store of Messrs. Stedman.

In June, 1752, he again advertised as follows:

---

1238

HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

effect about this time enabled the radicals, in the election of 1765, to defeat Andrew Bankson, who had been treasurer for many years. Instead of sub- mitting to the decree he resorted to the newspapers, and attacked the Rev. C. M. Wrangel and the new vestry, declaring that there had been insinuations against his honesty and an imputation that he had used the church money in his private affairs. Mr. Wrangel and the new vestry both responded, the latter declaring it was not averred that there were any insinuations against Mr. Bankson's honesty, but that it was said he would not make a statement of his accounts. The vestry also said that special thanks were due to Mr. Wrangel for his generous, disinterested, and spirited conduct in restoring to the congregation their rights and liberties, "to which they were entitled as free subjects of a happy Eng- lish government," a thing which was necessary, be- cause previously "the management of the estate of the church was in the hands of a few men of one or two families." Mr. Wrangel had assisted in procur- ing and approved of the charter making the vestry a body politic.

Rev. Mr. Wrangel returned to Sweden in 1768, and was made a bishop. He died eighteen years later. The new rector, Rev. Andreas Goeranson, had arrived from Sweden in 1766, but had been preaching else- where. He served till the autumn of 1779.

During these years but little is known of the St. Gabriel or Morlatton Church. When Rev. Samuel Hesselius left it (in 1731) there was a long intermis- sion. But the Rev. Gabriel Falck, who left Gloria Dei in the same year, became the pastor of St. Ga- briel's in 1735, and remained there until 1745. In 1735 the church building was commenced, and finished in 1737. The church books containing records of mar- riages and baptisms begin in that year. After 1745, Rev. Henry M. Muhlenberg, of the German Lutheran Church at the Trappe, served the Morlatton (also Molatton, a name of uncertain derivation) congrega- tion until 1752, as much as his other engagements would permit. Mr. Buck says ("History of Mont- gomery County") that the present church was erected in 1801. The graveyard attached to it comprises nearly two acres of ground, and is inclosed by a wall. The most common names on the tombstones are Yocum, Hulings, Jones, Kerst, Harrison, Koons, Lott, Dehaven, Eisenberg, Brower, Lear, Leaf, Doug- las, Rahn, Ingles, Schunk, Bunn, Koop, Bird, Kerlin, Tea, IIenton, Krousc, Rutter, Bell, Lake, Stanley, Robeson, and Turner. In 1762 the Rev. Alexander Murray, who was sent from Europe by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, which was an or- ganization attached to the Church of England, took charge of St. Gabriel's and preached there until 1768. The Rev. Henry M. Muhlenberg, in his journal, speaks of his having been visited at the Trappe by the Swedish missionary, Hageblatt, who preached in many different churches.

Up to 1760 there were not more than two Swedish churches in Pennsylvania, one in Delaware, and two in New Jersey. But Wicaco was now too large and populous a parish, so steps were taken to form new congregations, both at Merion and Kingsessing.

The church in Upper Merion township was given the name of Christ Church. It is situated in Swedes- burg, about a mile below Norristown, and is believed to have been erected about 1760. The land on which it was built belonged to Morris Rambo. There are tombstones in the graveyard of this church which go back to 1744, '45, '48. The following are some of the most common names: Broades, Brooke, Halstin, Gartley, Supplee, Novioch, Custer, Ramsey, Thomas, Amies, Jones, Clay, Hughes, Munson, Learnard, Pas- torius, De Haven, Rambo, Engle, Coats, Roberts, Famous, and Henderson.

The church in Kingsessing was called St. James, and was upon the southeastern side of the road lead- ing to Darby, not far from the Blue Bell Tavern. The church was plain, built of stone, and was solid and substantial. The original building forms the south- western wing of the present Church of St. James at the same place. On March 29, 1762, Andrew Justus conveyed to Henry M. Muhlenberg, James Coultas, William Boon, Zachariah Cocks, Ephrath Ellis, Matthias Nitcillis, George Morton, Andrew Urian, Swan Culin, and John Faler, for George Grantham and Seth Thomas, three acres of land for "a Lutheran Church, thereafter to be erected and to be officiated and served in the English tongue by the Swedish Epis- copal Lutheran ministers at Wicaco, near the city of Philadelphia, forever." This transfer to the Rev. Mr. Muhlenberg and others shows how closely the Swedish and German Lutheran Churches were united. Mr. Muhlenberg, with his associates, held the property until Oct. 17, 1765, when those trustees conveyed the ground to the united vestry, etc., of the Swedish Churches of Gloria Dei, Christ Church, and St. James'.1

) This graveyard contains some quaint inscriptions, such as the fol- lowing :

" In memory of JACOB STIDHAM, who departed this life September 18th, 1768, aged 26 years, 4 months. Watch and pray, do not delay, For time doth quickly pass ; For you may see, that pass by me, Man's days are like the grass." " Here lieth the body of THOMAS PHILLIPS, who departed this life 27th November, 1768, aged 25 years." " In memory of ZACHARIAS Cox, who departed this life April 7th, 1773, aged 33 years. Censure not him that here doth lay, For every one that debt must pay ; Though cold his bed and dark his doom, Yet angels watch above his tomb, Till the loud music of the skies, Relieves the guard, and hids him rise."

1239

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

On Sept. 25, 1765, Lieutenant-Governor John Penn, by charter, incorporated the united Swedish Lutheran Churches of Gloria Dei, at Wicaco, St. James, at Kingsessing, and Christ Church, at Upper Merion. These churches were all under the same jurisdiction as Gloria Dei. Rev. Mr. Wrangel officiated at all of them by turns.

Rev. Andreas Goeranson found his duties too much without help, and Rev. Matthias Hultgren became assistant about 1780, and was recalled to Sweden in 1786. Goeranson had returned the previous year, and died in 1800. After Hultgren was recalled Rev. Dr. Nicholas Collin took charge of Gloria Dei, St. James', Christ Church, and perhaps St. Gabriel's also. He had been sent from Sweden in May, 1770, having no particular charge assigned to him. His mission seems to have been general to the churches in New Jersey. May 12, 1770, he took charge of the missions at Raccoon and Penn's Neck, and remained in that position until 1778, when, under date of July 8th, he solicited his recall. Affairs were gloomy in New Jer- sey, in consequence of the war, which, he said, had produced demoralization among the people, and brought religion to a low condition. Congregations had been weakened. The troubles in regard to Con- tinental and Provincial money had reduced the rents of the Swedes' church- lands, and many articles of necessity had increased in value, judged by the paper- money standard, while ac- cording to specie stand- ard they had shrunk im- mensely in value, and "there was no prospect of peace or civil order for several years, and, conse-

ISRAEL ACRELIUS.

quently, no hopes of relief." War interrupted com- munications, and when, in May, 1783, a favorable reply was received by him, peace was established and prospects in every way better. He therefore wrote that if the charge of the churches of Wi- caco, Kingsessing, and Upper Merion, which were to become vacant by the recall of Rev. Mr. Hultgren, were given him he would remain, and assist his suc- cessor at the churches of Raccoon and Penn's Neck by his influence and experience. Upon this request he was appointed rector of the churches in Pennsyl- vania by a resolve of Aug. 10, 1785. He commenced his service in July, 1786, and was still in charge of Gloria Dei, St. James', and Christ Churches in 1801, and indeed until nearly 1825. During half a century of faithful service, he took charge of the Swedish churches, and he was the last of a long line of self- sacrificing missionary cler- gymen, who proved them- selves willing to forego life among their friends and kindred to build up the little pioneer churches, so hungry for the gospel in their native language. But

long before Dr. Collin's death, in 1831, there was no longer any necessity for missionaries to preach in Swedish, nor for kings and bishops to write let- ters and send books to the Gloria Dei Church. The English language had grown to be that of busi- ness and religion ; the chil- dren of the Swedes were no longer Swedes, but Amer- icans. His pastorate de- serves a longer account than we have space for, but a few points must be mentioned. The three churches which were under the control of Dr. Collin were joined in one corporation under their old titles by Act of Assembly passed Sept. 10, 1787. During the Revolution Wicaco escaped annoy- ance, except during the short period when the contest

" Here lieth the remains of MRS. LYDIA ANN WALLACE, who departed thia life 11th September, A.D. 1781, in the 36th year of her age."

" In memory of SUSAN, wife of Israel Longacre, who died April 4th, 1784, aged 57 years."

" In memory of ISRAEL LONGACRE, who departed thia life September 23d, 1784, aged 69 years."

" In memory of ELEANOR CULIN,

who departed this life July 15th, 1785, aged 55 year -. Farewell, fond world, I have done with thee, And I am caraless what thou sayeth of me; Thy love I court not, nor thy frons [sic] I fear ;

I hope, through charity, my head will lie easy here."

" In memory of PETER JONES, who departed this life September 10th, 1795, aged 48 years and 2 months.

" He was among the first, in 1776, who took up arme in his country's service, and steadily adhered to her in all her vicissitudes, whose heart constantly vibrated in unison with her happiness, and glowed with the warmest aympathy for the distress of his fellow-mortals."

[The rest of the inscription illegible.]

The names most common upon the tombstones in thia greut d are the following, of Swedish origin : Urian, Yocum, Boon, Lo gacre, Il latein Culin, Trites, Likens, Morton, Justus, and C'ix. Other names are Gray, Thomas, Brandt, Roe, Lazenbry, Keuny, De Gorgue, Burgoine, Shil- lingsfind Harmar, Kochersperger, and Wallace.

1240

HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

was carried on upon the Delaware River between the American vessels and the British fleet. The building was within the British lines, and protected. The church of St. James, Kingsessing, must have been dis- turbed greatly, as it was sometimes within British con- trol and sometimes within the power of the Ameri- cans. Christ Church, at Swedesburg, in Upper Merion, and St. Gabriel's, at Morlatton, escaped disturbance, except while the Americans were at Valley Forge, when the intervening country was ravaged by Simcoe and his loyalists, but preaching was much interrupted. Rev. Slater Clay officiated at Christ Church once a month from 1792 to his death, in 1821. Matthias Holstein, of Norristown, related that "about 1790 nearly all who attended this church came on horse- back." He further says, "It is believed that no preaching was ever done there in Swedish."

After the Revolution Dr. Collin undertook a translation into English of Acrelius' " History of New Sweden," a work com- meneed in 1799, at the request of the Historical Society of New York, which still has possession of the manuscript. He was also a member of the American Philosophical Society, and at one time its vice-president. He died at Wicaco on the 7th of October, 1831, in his eighty- seventh year.

The successor of Dr. Collin was a gentleman who had been his assistant for about a year, Rev. Jehu Curtis Clay, then recently ordained. When he as- snmed this important position, Dec. 5, 1831, the three churches were united, but in 1843 they were separated into three distinct parishes, each with its own rector. For thirty-two years, or until 1862, this good and faithful minister led his congregation. The church was soon too small for the assembly, but all talk of building a new one was fortunately overruled, though many alterations and improvements were made, none of them, however, in any way changing the general

appearance of the exterior. In 1846 the church as- sumed nearly its present aspect. Dr. Clay's assistant during his later years, Rev. Mr. Leadenham, suc- ceeded him as rector of the old church. Next came Rev. Mr. Reed, who remained three years, and during his ministrations the Sunday-school chapel was built.

The orders and succession of the Swedish Church have always been recognized as valid by the Church of England. The Swedish clergymen and the Church of England ministers in the churches in or near Philadelphia, always labored harmoniously together. They exchanged pulpits and supplied each other's churches in case of vacancies. In the English ser- vices held in the Swedish Churches, the English Prayer-Book was used, and when, after the independ- ence of the colonies was fully established, all further aid from Sweden was discontinued, these Swedish churches were commended to the care of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church, as that which in its episcopal government most nearly resembled the Episcopal Church of Sweden. All of them have been nnited with the Protestant Epis- copal Church since Dr. Collin's death. The three churches of Wicaco, King- sessing, and Upper Merion, which had been united, became in 1843, by almost unanimous consent, dis- tinct parishes. Gloria Dei Church was admitted into union with the Episcopal Convention in 1845. The present rector, the Rev. Snyder B. Simes, entered upon the charge in 1868.

Rev. Snyder B. Simes, rector of the Gloria Dei Church, in his memorial sermon for 1870, says that in forty-five years of Dr. Collin's ministry he mar- ried no less than three REV. JEHU CURTIS CLAY. The ministries of Dr. Clay, Mr. Leadenham, Mr. Reed, and of the present pastor in Gloria Dei Church, thousand three hundred and seventy-five couples. In 1795 he married one hundred and ninety-nine, and the next year one hun- , all were successful. The parish is an active and dred and seventy-nine. In his old age he was a very eccentric individual, and many odd stories are told about him.

vigorous one, its work and influence extensive, and its appointments good. It has its churchyard and burial-ground, a rectory, two Sunday-school build- ings, and a sexton's house. It derives an annual income from some old gronnd-rents, and in 1879 an endowment fund to acenmulate until 1900 was begun, and already amounts to some thousands of dollars.

Among the interesting old graves in the church- yard is that of Alexander Wilson, the celebrated ornithologist, who, in his desire to be buried here, speaks of it as "that spot sacred to peace and soli- tude, whither the charms of nature might invite the steps of the votary of the muses, and where the birds might sing over his grave."

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History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 90

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 992

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992