USA > Pennsylvania > Northampton County > Allen > History of the Allen Township Presbyterian church and the community which has sustained it, in what was formerly known as the "Irish settlement," Northampton county, Pa > Part 3
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of the Presbytery of New Brunswick. This accounts for the presentation of the petition by the Allentown people to the Synod, on the 23d of May following, for the transfer of the congregation. Mr. Rosbrugh had been at the Settlement and had expressed his acceptance of their call, April 3d, pre- vious to its presentation to him in Presby- tery on the 18th of the same month. This is made explicit by the following record in the books of the congregation : " The Rev. John Rosbrugh accepted the call of Allentown congregation the 3d day of April, 1769 ; that is to allow the congre- gation two-thirds of his time for * pounds per annum."
Having expressed his acceptance to the people, and learned the conditions upon which the Presbytery would allow him to accept it, it was natural for the people to seek to fulfil the conditions, viz: the trans- fer of the congregation. From the time Mr. Rosbrugh expressed his willingness to accept this call, his time was doubtless largely if not exclusively devoted to the Settlement and Greenwich.
The petition for the transfer of the con- gregation not being granted in 1769, as we have seen, the Presbytery of New Brunswick appointed Mr. Rosbrugh, Oct. 19th, 1769, " constant supply to the people of Greenwich and Allentown " until the
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next meeting, except three Sabbaths, which he was to devote to Mt. Bethel. As we have seen, the Synod transferred the Church in the Settlement to the care of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, May 2Ist, 1770. The conditions upon which Mr. Rosbrugh might accept the call being fulfilled he expressed his acceptance of the same April 15th, 1772. In was probably on account of the unsettled state of the ecclesiastical connections of the Settle- ment Church, that caused the neglect of completing the pastoral relations during the two years which transpired between the transfer and installation. Even when the matter was agitated and the call was accepted, the installation was deferred
until the fall of 1772. Oct. 13th, 1772, however, the people renewed their request for Mr. Rosbrugh's installation. The Pres- bytery thereupon appointed Oct. 28th, at noon, as the time for the services. Rev. John Guild was to preside and preach the sermon. The other members of the com- mittee were Rev. John Hanna, Rev. Jacob Vanarsdalen, and Rev. Samuel Kennedy.
Thus the Settlement Church came again regularly under the care of a pastor, Oct. 28th, 1772. From this time till 1776, affairs moved along quietly and satisfactorily in the congregation. But, in 1776, the spirit of American independence roused
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the Settlement people along with their fel- low countrymen. A A company of soldiers was recruited in the Settlement, which marched to the seat of war under the com- mand of Capt. Hays. Mr. Rosbrugh ac- companied them as Chaplain. When at Trenton, Jan. 2d, 1777, he was overtaken, when comparatively alone, by a company of Hessians, and brutally murdered. Thus, in so tragic a manner, the church again became vacant. It should be recorded, to the lasting credit of the Church in the Set- tlement, that they continued Mr. Rosbrugh's salary while he was connected with the army, and after his death honorably paid all dues to his widow.
During the pastorate of Mr. Rosbrugh, the church and grave yard lots were deeded over to the congregation. They were both upon land owned by James Craig, and by him deeded to the congrega- tion, March 17th, 1772.
The property was made over in trust to John Walker, Arthur Lattimore, Robert Lattimore, John Ralston, John McNair and William Craig. The burying ground con- tained eighty-one perches, and the church seat, thirty-seven perches of land.
As in the case of the parsonage farm, the trustees made a declaration with regard to the original intent in conveying the property to them. The declaration was
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made March 12th, 1772, the import of which was as follows: The church was for the use of the Presbyterian congregation of Allen Township; and the burying ground for the use of its members. Cer- tain requisites were necessary to consti- tute a person a member of the congrega- tion. He must hold to the principles of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Directory, as interpreted by the Synod under whose care the congregation at the time was. He must have attended upon Divine worship in the congregation for at least twelve months, and contributed regu- larly to the support of the Gospel, in order to have any interest in or claim to the property belonging to the congregation. A person was no longer considered a member, if he departed from the principles of the Westminster Confession of Faith and Directory ; or did not continue to attend in an orderly manner upon Divine worship. No one who changed his re- ligious views, separated from the Synod or congregation, or refused or neglected to contribute to the support of the church, could succeed to the trust, or have any interest in the property. If any one died, while in the trust, the congregation could choose another to succeed him. This choice was made by a majority of votes of all the adult male members of the congre-
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gation. In meetings called for this pur- pose, the pastor of the congregation, if present, was, at all times, to preside as Moderator.
If it was not convenient for the choice thus to be made it might be done by a committee appointed by the congregation for that purpose. In order to prevent law- suits or troubles arising with regard either to the pieces of ground or the pews in the church, the decision of a majority of the adult male members of the congregation was declared to be final in all such cases. No person was allowed to occupy as their place of residence, any building or buildings which were then upon the premises, or that might be erected thereafter. Thus we see again the care with which the rights and interests of the congregation were guarded.
After the death of Mr. Rosbrugh, Jan. 2d, 1777, the congregation desired to be returned to the care of the First Philadel- phia Presbytery. They sent a supplication on this subject to Synod, convened at Philadelphia, May 21st, 1777, which came up for consideration on the 23d. The supplication was granted as shown by the following minute of the Synod under that date:
" By the committee of overtures, a sup- plication from the congregation of Allen-
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town, in the Forks of Delaware, requesting that they might be set off from the Presby- tery of New Brunswick, and put under the care of the First Presbytery of Philadelphia, to whom they formerly belonged, was brought in and read. The Presbytery of New Brunswick freely concurring, the Synod grant the supplicant's request, and the First Philadelphia Presbytery is ordered to take said congregation under their care."
The congregation being vacant, supplies were required. April 8th, 1777, the con- gregation asked supplies of the First Pres- bytery of Philadelphia. They requested that Rev. Alexander Mitchell might be sent to them one-fourth of his time as stated supply. This request was granted.
At Deep Run, June 17th, 1777, further supplies were asked, and especially for one-fourth of Mr. Mitchell's time. Mr. Mitchell was sent to preach every fourth Sabbath, and Rev. Nathaniel Irwin to preach one Sabbath, and Rev. James Grier one Sabbath, until the next meeting of Presbytery.
The First Presbytery of Philadelphia, met again at Deep Run, April 7th, 1778, on account of the presence of the British Army in Philadelphia at that time. At this meeting
" A commission from the congregation of Allentown, in the Forks of Delaware,
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appeared before Presbytery and repre- sented that the Rev. Mr. Sproat, a member of this Presbytery, in consequence of an invitation from the congregation, had come into the Society, and agreeably to their earnest desire, expressed a willingness to supply them till the way should be clear for his returning to his own congregation in Philadelphia. The Presbytery are well pleased with this proposal, and recommend it to Mr. Sproat to supply the said congre- gation as long as may be convenient for him, and on such terms as he and they can agree."
Mr. Sproat was pastor of the Second Church of Philadelphia, and was absent from the city on account of the presence of the British there. While in the Settlement he lived in the parsonage, and preached twenty Sabbaths, at least, for the people. At Neshaminy, Sept. Ist, 1778, Esq. McNair, commissioner in behalf of the con- gregation, asked for supplies. In answer, Mr. Mitchell was sent to preach one Sabbath in October, and one more at dis- cretion. Presbytery met at Newton, Nov. 3d, 1778, at which time the people asked that Mr. Isaac Keith, if licensed, might be permitted to supply them regularly until the next meeting of Presbytery.
Presbytery, however, appointed Mr. Mitchell to preach the first and second
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Sabbaths in February, Mr. Irwin to preach one Sabbath before the next meeting, and Mr. Robert Keith and Mr. Isaac Keith each seven Sabbaths before the next meet- ing. At Pittsgrove, April 9th, 1779, Rob- ert Keith was appointed to preach two Sabbaths. May 21st, 1779, Capt. Ralston, as commissioner, asked particularly for the services of Mr. Isaac Keith. Mr. Mitchel was appointed to preach three Sabbaths in July and three in August, and administer the Lord's Supper; Mr. Irwin was to preach the third Sabbath in Oct.
At New Providence, Nov. 2d, 1779, Rev. Alexander Mitchell, in behalf of the con- gregation, asked for supplies. Mr. Irwin appointed to preach the third Sabbath in March; Mr. Grier the fourth Sabbath in November, and first and second Sabbaths in March; and Mr. Mitchell was to preach six Sabbaths before the next meeting of Presbytery.
During the year 1779, Rev. Joseph Treat, of the Presbytery of New York, and Rev. Wm. Graham, of the Presbytery of Hanover, preached one or more Sab- baths.
The Presbytery of Hanover occupied Southern territory, and Mr. Graham seems to have visited the congregation in quest of funds for a Southern institution of learn- ing. Upon the church books stands the
r
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following record : " July 28th, 1779, ap- plication was made to this congregation from Liberty Hall College, North Caro- lina, for their charitable benefactions ; and in consequence, the congregation raised a collection amounting to £50 10s. 6d. for use of said college." We find also Mr. Graham's receipt for this collection as follows :
" Aug. 23d, received of Allentown con- gregation the sum of sixty-eight pounds thirteen shillings and sixpence, for use of Liberty Hall Academy, in Virginia, by Wm. Graham."
These records doubtless refer to the same thing. Some member of the con- gregation seems to have made the record of the collection, calling the institution a college in North Carolina. Mr. Graham seems to have received an additional con- tribution, and gave his receipt for the whole amount, properly calling the institu- tion an Academy in Virginia.
At Neshaminy, April 4th, 1780, Wil- liam McNair, Esq., as commissioner, asked for supplies. Mr. Mitchell was sent to preach four Sabbaths in April, Mr Boyd one Sabbath in September, Mr. Grier third Sabbath in April, and first in July, and three Sabbaths in August. Mr. Isaac ( Keith was to preach the fifth Sabbath in April. At Philadelphia, May 19th, 1780,
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Mr. Mitchell was appointed to preach two Sabbaths at Newton. Oct. 17th, 1780, we find the following record made by Pres- bytery.
" A written application from the congre- gation of Allen's Town was presented by Mr. Hugh Horner, their commissioner, requesting supplies from us, and also lib- erty to apply to some other Presbytery for the same purpose. Presbytery cheerfully grant them that liberty, and recommend to them to apply to the Presbytery of New Brunswick, as most likely to favor their design."
Presbytery, at this meeting, appointed Mr. Mitchell to preach the fifth Sabbath of October, the second Sabbath of Decem- ber, and the second Sabbath of February, Mr. Irwin, the first Sabbath in January, and Mr. Grier the first Sabbath in April. In addition to these we find that, during this year, Rev. John De Bow, of the Presby- tery of Orange, preached one or more Sabbaths. Also Mr. Frederic Stiner, who does not seem to have been in connection with the Presbyterian Church.
It would seem the people improved the permission granted them to apply to the Presbytery of New Brunswick for supplies, as we find them asking permission of Presbytery, convened at Neshaminy, April 17th, 1781, to present a call to a member
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of thac Presbytery. The following record, under that date, is sufficiently explanatory :
"Mr. John Ralston, a commissioner from Allen's Township, requests supplies for that congregation, and also that they may be permitted to prosecute a call before the Presbytery of New Brunswick for the Rev. Mr. Peppard, a member of that Pres- bytery."
At a later stage of the meeting
" The congregation of Allen Town are permitted to prosecute the call for Mr. Peppard before the Presbytery of New Brunswick, agreeably to their request."
At the same meeting, April 17th, 1781, the Presbytery appointed Mr. Mitchell to preach the fifth Sabbath of April, and fourth Sabbath of August, Mr. Boyd the first Sabbath of September, and Mr. Irwin the fourth of September.
The call presented to Mr. Peppard was accepted by him, but at what time does not appear. He removed to the bounds of the congregation, but took no immediate steps for the transfer of his ecclesiasti- cal relations. His residence among the people and preaching to them without being installed, was in due time taken notice of by the First Presbytery of Phila- delphia, under whose care the church was.
In the minutes of Presbytery, convened
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in Philadelphia, October 15, 1782, the fol- lowing record may be found :
" Presbytery were informed that the Rev. Francis Peppard, a member of the New Brunswick Presbytery, has accepted a call from the congregation of Allen Town- ship, in the Forks of Delaware, and has, for some time, resided among that people as their minister, but as the congregation has not applied to this Presbytery to have him installed, nor has Mr. Peppard offered to join himself to us as a member, the Presbytery appoint Mr. Mitchell to write to Mr. Peppard and the congregation, to know their sentiments on that affair, and make report at our next."
At a meeting of the Presbytery, May 23, 1783, Mr. Peppard presented his dismis- sion from the Presbytery of New Bruns- wick, and was received a member of the First Philadelphia Presbytery. The com- missioners of the congregation, at the same meeting, applied for the installation of Mr. Peppard. Accordingly, Rev. Alexander Mitchell was appointed to preside at the installation, which was to take place on the second Tuesday of August.
Rev. James Grier was to preach the ser- mon, and Rev. Nathaniel Irwin was to give the charge.
We find the following report of this
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committee to Presbytery, at Philadelphia, October 21st, 1783:
" The committee appointed to install Mr. Peppard in the congregation of Allen Township, in the Forks of Delaware, report that they attended upon and performed that business on the thirteenth of October. Their reasons for not attending on the day appointed sustained." Thus the con- gregation, on October 13th, 1783, came again regularly under the care of a pastor.
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CHAPTER III.
1784-1812.
HAT the ecclesiastical connections of the congregation may be fol- lowed, it should be remembered that during Mr. Peppard's pastorate, in 1786, the First and Second Philadelphia Presbyteries united, forming that of Phila- delphia. From this time forward the Church in the Settlement was under the care of this Presbytery.
The pastorate of Mr. Peppard does not seem to have been the pleasantest in the history of the congregation. Several things conspired to make his situation unpleasant. Among other things, several families on the Monoquacy creek pur- chased a piece of ground and erected a a building called the Academy. They col- lected a library and started a debating society. This building was far superior to that in which the people worshiped. Mr. Peppard thought this was setting up altar against altar. He therefore opposed it. The ground on which the building was erected had no good title, and was re- covered by a suit at law. The land was 4
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· purchased by Mr. Thomas McKeen. In addition to the troubles with regard to the Academy, difficulties arose involving church discipline. Mr. Peppard seems to have been very zealous in endeavoring to preserve the purity of the church. When derelic- tions in duty occurred he had the offenders brought before the Session. The matter did not always stop there, but was some- times carried up to the Presbytery. One of these cases was brought before Presby- tery in Philadelphia, Dec. 22d, 1791, and drew forth extended admonitory resolu- tions addressed to the Session, congrega- tion, and aggrieved party.
An unhappy state of affairs continued until Oct. 21st, 1794, at which time Mr. Peppard asked to be released from his pastoral charge on account of some diffi- culty with reference to the payment of his salary. The Presbytery cited the con- gregation to appear before them, in Phila- delphia, Nov. 17th, 1794, by commissioner, to show reason why Mr. Peppard should not be released. Accordingly Mr. Hugh Horner appeared in behalf of the congre- gation and protested against the dissolu- tion of the pastoral relation. Notwith- standing this, Presbytery released Mr. Peppard the same day.
Thus the church, Nov. 17th, 1794, be- came again vacant. Immediately upon
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the release of Mr. Peppard from the pas- toral charge, the congregation, by their commissioner, asked for supplies. It does not appear that any were appointed at this meeting, which may be accounted for by the fact that Mr. Peppard did not cease his labors in the congregation until in May, 1795. Although the pastoral rela- tion had actually been dissolved Nov. 17th, 1794, the Philadelphia Presbytery reported to the Synod, May 25th, 1795, that Mr. Peppard was in the pastorate at Allentown at that time. About this time, however, his labors ceased there, being dismissed in April from the Philadelphia Presbytery, to connect himself with the Presbytery of New Brunswick. In April, 1795, Presby- tery appointed Rev. Daniel Jones to preach the fifth Sabbath of November, the fourth Sabbath of February and the first Sabbath of March. During this year also, Rev. Jacob Lake, Rev. Michael Arthur, Rev. Nathaniel Irwin, and Rev. John Hanna
preached. In April, 1796, Rev. James Boyd was sent to preach the first Sabbath in October, and Rev. John Gemmel the first Sabbath in August. In October of this year, Presbytery appointed Rev. Daniel (?) Jones to preach the first and second Sabbaths in December; Rev. Uriah Dubois, the second Sabbath of November, and the first and second
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· Sabbaths of March, and Rev. Nathaniel Irwin, the fifth Sabbath of October. In addition to these, during this year, Rev. Robert Russel, Rev. Asa Dun- ham, Rev. Francis Peppard, Rev. John Hanna, Rev. Peter or James Wilson, and Rev. Robert Findley preached. In 1797, we find Rev. Asa Dunham, Rev. Uriah Dubois, Rev. George or Archibald Scott, Rev. Robert Russel, Rev. Nathan Grier, and Rev. Nathaniel Irwin preached.
After the close of the American Revo- lution the congregation became weakened on account of frequent removals. This was occasioned by the Allens (except James) espousing the royal cause in the struggle for liberty. Their lands were consequently confiscated we believe. This caused difficulties in the titles of property. Some paid for their property the second time, while others removed on account of the difficulty.
With the year 1797, however, began, as it were, a new era in the history of the congregation. They had previously carried on the affairs of the church by means of officers appointed by themselves, but who had no power to defend the rights or en- force the claims of the congregation. Diffi- culties arose from time to time with regard to the renting of the pews in the church. The management of the parsonage farm
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also was a source of trouble. The affairs of the congregation being in an unwieldy condition, it was deemed expedient to have it incorporated. Accordingly Messrs. John McNair, Hugh Horner, James Ral- ston, Joseph Horner, Thomas Horner and Wm. Lattimore, as trustees of the congre- gation, petitioned for an act of incorpora- tion. This petition was granted and the congregation was incorporated under the name of the " English Presbyterian Con- gregation," in Allen Township, in the County of Northampton, State of Pennsyl- vania.
They were allowed to control property whose income should amount to any sum not exceeding two thousand pounds lawful money of the State of Pennsylvania.
The following rules were adopted to govern the Society under their charter :
" First. All those who have or may here- after subscribe these rules, and contribute towards the support of the Society, shall be considered members in common ; but those only who are admitted to sealing ordinances are members in full com- munion.
" Second. The spiritual government of this Society shall be by a minister and at least three regularly ordained elders, who
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shall constitute a Session, and have power 'to hear and try all cases respecting their members, that may orderly come before them, so far as they are warranted by Scripture and our church standards, and decide thereon in the first instance, with liberty of appeal.
" Third. That six Trustees shall be chosen from said Society, two of whom shall vacate on the first day of January next, and two in each successive year, and their places be filled up by a new election ; whose business shall be to settle accounts with the Treasurer on the same day yearly ; to have charge of all money belonging to the Society ; all pews or seats in the church to be taken from and given up to the Trustees ; and those who attempt to give or receive seats without their consent, shall be deemed inimical to the interests of the Society, and meet a serious rebuke in Session at a future day.
" Fourth. The Trustees may, at any time when the concerns of the Society require it, on previous notice stating the design, convene the members, a majority of whom shall be decisive in all matters that shall orderly come before them.
"Fifth. All donations, bequests to the Society, and all possessions, effects, and
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property whatsoever, shall, and at all times and forever, be and remain appropriated, secured and made use of for the Society.
"Sixth. Every member of the Society renounces herewith expressly all and every claim to the property of the Society, and promises that in case any part of said pro- perty shall come into his hand, put upon his name in trust, he will in no manner abuse such confidence, nor make for himself or his heirs claim or pretension thereto; and that he will do with it agreeably to the dis- posal of the Society, and faithfully and punctually observe their orders.
"Seventh. All those who shall emigrate from other Societies and bring with them a certificate or testimonial of their good morals, shall be admitted to equal privi- leges with others in like standing."
The congregation being incorporated, its affairs were carried on in a systematic manner. The Trustees elected a President and Secretary from their own number from time to time, and their proceedings were carried on according to parliamentary rules. The minutes of the Trustees' meet- ings were carefully recorded in a book pro- vided for that purpose. From this book may be learned the whole internal affairs of the Society from that time. As speci-
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fied in the provisions of the charter, two new Trustees were elected annually to fill the places of those whose term of office expired on the first of January of each year. Those whose term of office thus expired were a committee to settle with the Treasurer for the previous year.
At the time the congregation was incor- porated, it was without a pastor. As we have intimated, in 1796 and 1797, among others, Rev. Robert Russel preached in the settlement. In 1796, Rev. Uriah Dubois also preached. When the question of the election of a pastor came up, both these gentlemen were candidates.
The younger members of the congrega- tion were in favor of Mr. Dubois, but the older ones preferred Mr. Russel. When the question came to a vote, the younger members were overruled, and Mr. Russel was elected pastor. Having elected Mr. Russel, the people proceeded to settle him among them. The course pursued is pointed out in the following minute made by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, Dec. 2d, I797 :
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