USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > Bushkill > Reformed (Dutch) Church of Walpack [Pike County, Pa.] : historical discourse preached at the dedication of the Reformed Church at Bushkill, Penn., January 13th, 1874 > Part 2
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ing present with them, by invitation, the new Consistory and the Rev. Mr. Demand, when the action respecting the disci- pline of certain members was reconsidered, and they were re- stored to their former standing in the Church. It was then further proposed to request the Classis to rescind their action in organizing the new Church, and " that the two Consisto- ries and congregations be united in one, to be called as hereto- fore, the Reformed Dutch Church of Walpack." This was unanimously adopted, at a subsequent meeting, held Septem- ber 11th. Thus, after three months, the new organization ceased to exist.
REV. ISAAC S. DEMUND
Was the fifth Pastor of the Church of Walpack. Having given up teaching a classical school, at Somerville, N. J., and entered the ministry in the Presbyterian Church,-after preach- ing a short time at Sandusky and Milan, in Ohio, and at Mil- ford below Easton and Kingwood, he united with the Classis of New Brunswick, and was appointed by them to labor here as a Missionary. After a few months service in this capacity (which resulted in healing the breach just referred to), a call was given to him October 15th, 1827, and on December 2d he was installed Pastor, by Rev. Richard D. Van Kleck, of Rar- itan, N. J. The condition of the Church at the time of his coming was not the most inviting. Serious divisions had ex- isted. The field of labor was large. The only house of wor- ship was at Flatbrookville. The other places of service were school houses, at Peters' Valley, and at Pleasant Valley, the Academy at Dingman's Ferry, at Hornbeck's barn, near his tavern, at the house of a Mr. Schoonover, at Bushkill, and at Peters' Tavern. Mr. D. was a man of much ability, and of great prudence, and was highly esteemed among the people, although his ministry here was of brief duration. In a recent letter he says : " Unanimity and good will prevailed in the congregation during the time I remained, and I could easily have been retained, had measures been taken to make me comfort- able as to temporal matters, such as furnishing a parsonage, etc." He resigned his call June 13th, 1829, after two years
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labors. Mr. D. is still living at Coxsackie, N. Y., in advanced years, having been engaged in the active duties of the minis- try until within a recent date, and having ocenpied several im- portant charges.
REV. DAVID CUSHING.
After Mr. Demund left, the Rev. David Cushing preached here a few months, as Stated Supply, commencing his labors the last of October, 1831. Mr. C. is spoken of in the minutes of Consistory as a candidate under the care of the Classis of Philadelphia, who had been recommended to them by the Clas- sis of New Brunswick. He is said to have been somewhat er- ratic in his views, and peculiar in his ways. Both his coming and departure were singular. He was nevertheless a man of decided ability and of great power, whose preaching never failed to produce a marked impression upon his andience. Aside from his preaching, he was a match for any of his pa. rishioners at chopping timber in the woods, or threshing in the barn, in both of which he frequently indulged. Many amusing anecdotes are told of him. We mention one connec- ted with his preaching. On one occasion he quoted in the course of his sermon the words, " Pay that thou owest," pointing at the same time with his fingerina very emphatic man- ner, as he was wont, toward the audience. As he commented upon the importance of fulfilling one's promises, the truth presented and the pointed finger so wrought upon one of his hearers, who had been somewhat negligent in the matter re- ferred to, that after the service he went to one of his neigh- bors who was present, and said, "I will bring you that load of boards tomorrow," which he did. Good preaching, that. Mr. C. left very suddenly in the summer of 1832, no one knowing why.
REVIVAL OF 1832.
During the brief stay of Mr. Cushing a deep religious in- terest began to manifest itself in the congregation. Large numbers gathered to hear the Word preached, and listened to it with earnest attention. The interest increased after his de- parture. Immediately upon his leaving, the officers of the
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Church seemed to waken up to a sense of the responsibilities resting upon them. They passed a resolution " that each member of the Consistory erect a family altar in his house, and plead with God morning and evening for the out pouring of His Holy Spirit upon us and upon our Church, and that we meet statedly together the first Monday of every month, for prayer and supplication." They also resolved to visit the congregation, going from house to house, to talk and pray with. the people. One reason for this, in addition to the existing religions interest, Mr. Demund says, is the fact that the chol- era was on its way around the world, and had already reached our country, producing no little fear and alarm. Prominent among those who engaged in this good work, were John Nyce, Esq., George W. Nyce, Jacob Westbrook, and Daniel Schoon- over. These were greatly assisted by that faithful and devo- ted minister, Rev. C. C. Elting, of Port Jervis, who spent days and weeks in preaching and laboring among the people. The result was a remarkable and extensive work of grace, and the addition to the Church, in the spring of 1832, of one hundred and four members upon confession, and eight by certificate. Some marked cases of conversion are spoken of in connection with it ; one being that of a man eighty years of age, and another that of a tavern-keeper.
REV. GARRET C. SCHENCK
Succeeded Mr. Cushing, after a little more than a year. Hav- ing just been licensed by the Classis of New Brunswick, he was appointed by them in October, 1833, to preach here, and spent three Sabbaths with the people. On November 25th a call was given to him, and on February 23d, 1834, he com- menced his labors, preaching on that rainy Sabbath at Peters' Valley, and at Dingman's Ferry. His ordination and instal- lation took place six weeks later, April 6th, 1834, in the Church at Bushkill, then recently erected. Dr. Samuel A. Van Vranken preached the ordination sermon, from Ist Corinthians, 1 : 21. Dr. Jacob C. Sears gave the charge to the Pastor, and Rev. C. C. Elting the charge to the people. Mr. Schenck is spoken of by some of your number as a " modest and unas-
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suming but good young man, devoted to his work, and much esteemed while here." He speaks himself of his coming here " at the close of a gracious revival, and at a time when the people more than in time past appreciated the means of grace, and their attendance on them was good. My labors were ar- duous, yet with the confidence and sustaining help of the peo- ple I could engage in the work cheerfully until circumstances beyond my control constrained me to leave." He left in March, 1835. the Consistory placing on their book this minute : " Re- solved, That neither the Consistory or the people wish a disso- tion ; yet the Consistory will throw no obstacle in the way of their Pastor's wishes." During his ministry twelve persons were received upon confession, and two by certificate. Mr. S. is still living, at Marlborough, N. J., without charge. Imme- diately after Mr. S. left, the relations of the Church were changed from the Classis of New Brunswick to the Classis of Orange, the subject of transfer having been considered in Con- sistory previous to his leaving : at first unfavorably, but the Classis of New Brunswick favored the change, and it was con- summated by General Synod in June, 1835.
REV. JAMES B. HYNDSHAW
Was the next Pastor. Connected with the Presbytery of New- ton, a call was given to him by the Consistory, October 26th, 1835. He was installed January 17th, 1836, the installation having been postponed from January 13th to 17th (although the Committee of Classis were on hand), on account of a se- vere snow storm, four feet in depth, which rendered all travel impossible for two or three days. Rev. J. B. Ten Eyck preached' the installation sermon, and read the form, and Rev. S. Van Vechten delivered the charge to both Pastor and people, the services being held in the Delaware Academy. Mr. H. re- mained until October 9th, 1839, when he resigned his call to become Principal of the Academy at Stroudsburgh. He is said to have been "a sound, orthodox minister, faithful in his charge and highly respected, but whose labors were not abund- antly blessed."
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REV. ROBERT PITTS.
As we come now to a time, the scenes and events of which are familiar to most, we shall be more brief in our notice of them. After Mr. Hyndshaw's departure the Church remained vacant, with the exception of occasional supplies, for a year and a half, when the Rev. Robert Pitts, a Licentiate of the Classis of Orange, commenced his labors as Stated Supply, in April, 1841, and remained as such until 1860, a period of about 19 years. Mr. P. continued his ministrations longer than any of his predecessors, except Rev. Mr. Force. During his ministry there were added to the membership of the Church one hundred and fifteen persons upon confession, and seventeen by certificate.'
UPPER AND LOWER WALPACK.
The time had now come when a change was to be made having an important bearing upon the interests of the Church and the cause of religion here. The wide extent of territory embraced in this Pastoral Charge, and the difficulty of reach- ing it, in consequence of its being divided by the Delaware running through its entire length,-at times impassable, and at any time attended with inconvenience in crossing, had long been felt to be serious obstacles to the prosperity of the Church, and as laying upon her ministers burdens which they were not able to bear. The Classis of Orange had considered this mat- ter some years before, as appears from the minutes of a meet- ing held October 17th, 1855, when the following resolution was passed :
" RESOLVED, That the Committee on Missions be directed to visit the Church of Walpack, and confer with the Minister, Consistory and people, on the propriety and expediency of dividing that Church, with a view to the settlement of two Pastors."
This change was now effected, and henceforth we read of Upper Walpack, with the two congregations at Dingman's Ferry and Peters' Valley ; and Lower Walpack, with the two. congregations at Bushkill and Walpack. There is however but one organization for the whole, which is known either to our ecclesiastical or civil courts-viz : the Church of Walpack, with its one Consistory for the four congregations.
Charles Lalle
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REV. ALEXANDER MCWILLIAM
was the first minister for Lower Walpack, under this new ar- rangement. He commenced his services in the fall of 1860, and after preaching as Stated Supply six months, was installed Pas- tor June Ist, 1861, in the Church at Bushkill, Rev. S. W. Mills presiding and reading the form, Rev. William Ham- ilton preaching the sermon, Rev. C. Scott assisting in the de- votional exercises. After nearly ten years of faithful and suc- cessful ministerial labor, the Pastoral relation was dissolved May 17th, 1870, a call having been accepted by Mr. McWil- liam from the Reformed (Dutch) Church of East Millstone, N. J. During his ministry here there were received into the communion of the Church one hundred and two persons, nine- ty-one of whom were upon confession. In the early part of it the present parsonage was erected, the lot for which was given by Charles R. Peters, deceased.
REV. JOHN F. SHAW,
The present Pastor, commenced his labors October 1st, 1870, and was installed December 8th, of the same year. Rev. G. S. Garretson presided and read the form for installation, and Rev. R. H. Beattie, D. D., preached the sermon.
REV. NATHAN W. JONES
Was the first minister of Upper Walpack, under the new ar- rangement, referred to above. He commenced preaching as Stated Supply in the fall of 1861, and remained about one year.
REV. GILBERT S. GARRETSON,
The present Pastor, succeeded him, commencing his services about the middle of March, 1863. He was ordained and in- stalled Pastor May 19th, 1863, in the Church at Peters' Val- ley. Rev. J. DuBois presided and read the form for installa- tion, and Rev. G. H. Mandeville preached the sermon, from Ist Cor. iii : 9.
Our line of remark thus far has been confined to the Min- istry. But the history of the Church would not be complete without an account of the Church edifices erected. Before we
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speak of these, however, there is one item connected with the history which deserves a passing notice.
CHURCH FARM.
The Church has, whether fortunately or unfortunately, been the owner of large real estate. " Whether fortunately or un- fortunately," we say. Not a few of the wisest and best men of our day, both in the Church and out of it, entertain serious doubts whether the possession of property by a Church, the income of which is appropriated to its maintenance, is upon the whole, of advantage to it. We prize most that which costs us something, and hence those who pay for their religious priv- ileges usually value them most, and observe them more regu- larly. Such possessions tend to repress a spirit of liberality among the people, and it is not unfrequently the case that it is quite as difficult to raise money for regular Church purpo- ses in such Churches as in others ; while for objects of pure benevolence they often fall sadly behind Churches having no such endowments. Nevertheless, the Church of Walpack have had a Church farm. They came by it lawfully, and have used it honestly and properly, for the purpose for which it was given. And it may be well doubted whether, if any. Church now had a like offer made to it, there would be grace enough in it to refuse the proffered boon. The Church came by the farm as follows : On May 24th, 1752, James Alexander, " by direction of the Council of Proprietors of the Eastern Divis- ion of New Jersey, conveyed to Abraham Van Campen and Garret Brink, for the use of the Reformed Dutch Church of Walpack and Pahaquarry, professing the doctrines of Calvin, two hundred and ten acres in Sandyston, the consideration being " sixpence and a pint of spring water yearly," from the large spring on the premises, " if demanded." The income from this farm was to be devoted to the support of the preach- ing of the Gospel in the Church. Twenty-five acres of it were sold some years ago to William L. Bevans. On December 4th, 1869, the balance of one hundred and eighty-five acres was sold, by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature, to John
*See Note C.
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Schooley, for $12,506,-the proceeds of sale to be safely in- vested, and the income to be appropriated to the support of the Church, according to the terms of the gift.
SMITHFIELD CHURCH.
Before speaking of the Church edifices in the bounds of the Walpack Church, it may not be amiss to allnde to the Old Log Church, in which the Smithfield congregation first wor- shiped. This was, so far as we can learn, the first house of worship of any description erected in this region of country. It was built below the " Mine Holes," on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware, opposite Tock's Island, near the present village of Shawnee. It is supposed to have been built ab ot the year 1725. It was probably erected for the purpose of furnishing the miners, and those settled around the mines, with a place for holding religious services, while as yet there was no Church organization, When the Smithfield Church was or- ganized (in 1737), they worshiped in this Log Church, and for many years subsequently. The evidence, from the original Records of the Reformed Dutch Churches of Machackemech and Menissinck, during the ministry of Fryemmoet, is clear and decisive that this Smithfield Church was Reformed Dutch, with its Consistory composed of Elders and Deacons, the names of whom from time to time are recorded in that Book, with those of the three other Churches. We deem it important to state this, since the intimation has been made, in a History of the Shawnee Presbyterian Church, " that this was originally a Presbyterian Church ; they are called " Dutch Presbyterians," i. e., Presbyterians using the Dutch language. The Church first in existence known as the Smithfield Church, at what is now called Shawnee, was Reformed Dutch, and not Presbyte- rian. Its officers signed the " Act of Subordination to the Classis of Amsterdam," with those of the other three Churches, April 19th, 1746. Their names were, Benjamin Depuy and Moses Depuy, Elders, and Lambart Brynck and James Hynd- shaw, Deacons.
"By Rev. J. Kirby D.vis.
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This Church continued in connection with the other three Churches in enjoying the services of the same minister, as be- fore remarked, until about the year 1753, when it withdrew. The cause leading to this withdrawal was probably the erec- tion of a " Presbyterian Meeting-House " there in 1752, the land for which had been given by William Allen, in 1750. 'This was a stone building (known for many years as the Old Stone Church), and after it's erection was occupied by various denominations-Presbyterians, Reformed Dutch, and Luther- ans. Notwithstanding the Smithfield Dutch Church with- drew from the other three Churches, still Fryenmoet and Ro- meyn both preached from time to time in this Stone Churchs which was now used by the Dutch congregation, on account of the Old Log Church having become unfit for use. But while the Presbyterians had their house of worship, it appears from the History by Mr. Davis, just referred to, that there was no organization of a Presbyterian Church until in 1816, when the Rev. John Boyd ordained the first Elders. Previous to this, Presbyterian ministers preached here occasionally to those pre- ferring that form of worship and organization. Meantime the Reformed Dutch Church, having no house of worship of its own, declined and at length died out, and those who had been connected with it fell in with the Presbyterian Church when its organization was effected.
WALPACK CHURCHES.
The first house of worship erected within the bounds of the Walpack Church was built on the site occupied by the present edifice, near Flatbrookville. The original deed for the ground (containing four acres,) upon which the church was erected, was made by Thomas Brink and Nicholas Schoonhovan, in the tenth year of His Majesty, King George, February Ist, 1737.º This deed was never recorded, and on February 26th, 1744, another genuine deed was made and recorded, a note of which is made on the Church Records. The Church edifice was erected prior to 1741 (though its exact date is not known), since Rev. Mr. Fryemmoet was preaching in it at that time, "Ser Not .. D.
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In this Church Mr. F. numbered among his bearers, on Sab- bath, August 12th, 1742, Count Zinzendorf, the great Mora- vian Apostle, who, with his daughter Benigna, was on his way from Bethlehem, Pa., to Shecomeco, Ulster County, N. Y. He speaks of Mr. F. in his journal, as " the well known Cas- per from Zurich, a well meaning man, and efficient for good in his denomination. The heat," he says, " was overpower- ing, and we were, compelled to listen to two sermons, which wearied us." Between sermons, "in order to avoid being drawn into religious controversy, we went into the woods and read Josephus." The second Church edifice of Walpack was built a half-mile further up the river road, near where Jacob Smith now lives. The date of its erection is unknown, but it was previous to 1800. In this building Rev. Mr. Van Ben- Schoten and Rev. Mr. Force preached. It was ocenpied down to 1816, when the third edifice was erected, on the original foundation, and where the present Church edifice stands. This third building was erected by the German Reformed people, who had at this time a Church organization there. It was dedicated on Christmas day (1819), the services being conducted in both German and English. After its erection, the Reformed Dutch congregation, on account of their own building having become old and dilapidated, purchased one half of the edifice built by the Germans. The two congregations occupied it on alternate Sabbaths. Soon after the commencement of Mr. Pitts' labors, the members of the German Church mainly . united with the Reformed Dutch Church. The Germans how- ever continued to own a half interest in it so long as it stood. Two Trustees were chosen biennially, to have charge of their half of the building.
The fourth and present house of worship was built in 1855 at a cost of $1,441. The Corner Stone was laid by Rev. R. Pitts, August 22d, 1855, who preached a sermon from Isaiah xxviii, 16. It was dedicated December 20th, of the same year, when Rev. D. A. Jones, of Montague, preached from Psalms xlv, 17. Calvin: Decker, Jonas Smith, Henry 1. Bunnell
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and Jonas H. Smith, were the Building Committee, and Reu- ben Shupe the Contractor.
SHAPANACK CHURCH. 2033009
We pass up the river from Flatbrookville a few miles, until we come to what was called the Shapanack Church, another of the houses of worship occupied by a portion of the Wal- pack congregation. This was located on the line of the old " Mine Road, "" leading from Kingston to the Copper Mines in Pahaquarry, about three miles below Peters' Valley, near the old Shapanack Burying Ground, opposite the island of the same name in the Delaware River, and close by the side of the river road, on the farm now owned and occupied by the heirs of Moses Hull, deceased. The ground on which it stood was donated by Col. John Rosecrans, for this purpose, and was to revert back when no longer used for Church purposes. The old Shapanack Fort was only a few hundred yards distant from the Church, and formed part of Col. R's dwelling, and was used to protect settlers against Indian and Tory incursions from across the river. The exact date of the erection of the Church is not known, but it is supposed to have been before the Revolutionary war, during the Pastorate of Rev. Mr. Romeyn. It was built of logs, and was octagonal in form. Some of the logs, and even the foundation, were to be seen less than a doz- en years since. The building was abandoned about fifty years ago, and a stone edifice erected at Peters' Valley, which was used both as a Church and a school house. In this the people worshiped for about twenty years, during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Force. In the year 1838 it was sold by the Sheriff, and was purchased by Robert Stoll, and has since been used as a Store and Tavern. Among the sad reflections that arise in the mind in tracing such a history as the present, is the fact that a building reared by pious hands for holy purposes, where the Gospel of Christ was proclaimed and souls fitted for heaven, should be devoted to dispensing intoxicating drinks and hur- rying men to perdition ; and the further fact that the grand . son of the man of God who here ministered in holy things,
See Note E.
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should at this moment be occupying a murderer's cell in Mor- ristown.
PETERS' VALLEY CHURCH.
The present Church edifice at Peters' Valley, was erected in 1838, during the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Hyndshaw, at a cost of $1,400. The Contractor was James C. Bevans. It was dedicated on the last Thursday in May, 1839. A sub- scription had been circulated in 1836, to erect a house of wor- ship near the bridge at Dingman's Ferry, on the Jersey side, but being found insufficient was abandoned ; and on May Ist, 1837, the Consistory resolved to circulate another subscription to build one at Peters' Valley, which was accomplished the succeeding year.
CHURCH AT DINGMAN'S FERRY.
The first movement toward erecting a Church edifice at Ding- man's Ferry, Pa., which we find on record, was on May 1st 1837, when, jointly with the effort to build one at Peters' Valley, the Consistory resolved to circulate a subscription for the same purpose in Pennsylvania. What came of the effort we do not know, except that no Church was then built. So far as any notice of the matter upon the minutes of Consistory is con- cerned, the project seems to have slept for over twelve years, when on November 12th, 1849, it was revived, and Rev. R. Pitts and John I. Westbrook were appointed to raise money for this purpose. The effort was successful, and the Church was erected in 1850, at a cost of $1,300. The Building Com- mittee consisted of John I. Westbrook, Albert S. Stoll, and John Van Gorden. , The Contractor was W. F. Brodhead.
CHURCH EDIFICES AT BUSHKILL.
The first Church edifice erected for the congregation wor- shiping at Bushkill, was in 1832 (the year of the great revi- val), the lot for which was given by Henry Peters. It was commenced in the springof 1832, while the Rev. David Cushing was preaching here, and completed in 1833. It is said to have been owing in no small degree to his efforts that the people here were furnished with a house of worship. With his own hands
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he assisted in cutting timber for the frame, on the Church farm in Sandyston, and helped to raft it down the river to its place of destination. There are those with you who have a distinct recollection of him with his ox-team carting materials for the house of God. Out of the small sum of $90 received for his services here, he subscribed and paid $50 towards the erection of the Church. Its cost was a little over $2,000. The Building Committee were Simeon Schoonover, John M. Heller and James Nyce. It has served its purpose well during a period of forty. years, and has given place to the more attrac- tive, commodious and comfortable structure, now to be dedi- cated to the worship of the Triune Jehovah. And as of old it was said-" The glory of the latter house shall be greater than that of the former," so may it be said now in the highest and truest sense. While in material things,-in comeliness and beauty, and external adorning,-this building excels that which preceded it, so may it be in spiritual things. The first sanctuary here was reared, as we have seen, during a season of great religious interest in this community ; when many were found entering into the kingdom of heaven. So may it be now, even in a much larger measure. May the promise made to God's people of old, in connection with the building of the second temple, be fulfilled anew to this congregation, at the completion of this second sanctuary-" From this day will I bless you." May the Holy Spirit descend with divine and quickening power upon both Pastor and people,-crowning the labor of their hands with His rich blessing and grace ; making them joyful in this house of prayer ; causing them to see His glory upon Zion, in beholding multitudes born here to a new and heavenly life-walking before God in the beauties of holiness, and at length translated to worship Him in the Heavenly Temple. "
*Note F.
APPENDIX.
NOTE A. (PAGE 6)
The subjoined letter to the Churches of Rochester, &c., though published before, may be new to many who read this Discourse, and is well worthy of preservation. It is as follows :
MANISSINCK, 6th day of Dec., 1741. To the Reverend Consistory of Rochester, Greeting :
We, your servants, have heard and understood that you have cor- responded with our Minister, and have so far proceeded as to send him a call, purposing by much money to take him from us. But the Lord, who has thus far cauesd your acts of supplanting to fail, will further direct them to a good end. We feel ourselves bound to obey the command of the Savior-" Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that porsecute you." We therefore will deal with you hereafter as we have before-doing you good. You do not thank us for his service among you. You are bold enough to say that he has eight free Sabbaths in each year; which is as true as the words of the Devil to Evo-" You shall not surely die." If you desire then to have our Minister four or six times in the year, we will by no means refuse you, but will leave it to our Minister to arrange the compensation with you. And if this cannot prevent the execution of your unjust purpose, and the Lord is pleased to use you as a rod for our chastisement, we will view it as coming from the hand of the Lord, and comfort ourselves with the gracious lan- guage of Paul, Heb. xii : " Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." If it please the Lord to permit you to deprive us of our Minister, then we hope that your consciences will not be so seared as to take away a part of our living, being the sum of £125, 12s., 6d .* Should this how- ever be the case, we shall not hesitate to give the matter into the hands of the worldly Judge. We expect an answer to this com- munication, which we conclude with the wish that the grace of the
*Supposed to be money paid by them for his education.
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Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God the Father, and the commu- nion of the Holy Ghost, remain with you to a blessed eternity. Amen. We remain your undersigned servants.
JAN KORTRECHT, JAN VAN VLIEDT, ABRAHAM VAN CAMP, WILLIAM COOL.
NOTE B.
(PAGE 11 .;
The following is an extract from a Petition presented to the Clas- sis of New Brunswick, signed by fifty-eight inhabitants of the Clove, dated August 21, 1787 :
"Our ancestors, a few in number, who formerly belonged to the Low Dutch Reformed Church, settled our country about forty years since. During part of that time the Rev. Thomas Romine, by per- mission of his Church-Coun cil and people of the Minisinks, preache some of his time amongst us. By his leaving there, we again be- came destitute, till the Rev. Mr. Bunschooten was installed in Min- isinks congregations, who labored some time amongst us ; and whose labor, to appearance, has been attended with the blessings of God, so as we have upwards of thirty communicant members amongst us."
NOTE C. (PAGE 21.)
James Alexander was a native of Scotland, and owing to the ac- tive part he took in favor of the " Pretender," he came to Ameri- ca in 1715, in company with William Smith, who was afterwards Chief Justice of New York. Having served as an officer of engi- neers in his native country, he was made Surveyor-General of New Jersey and New York, in 1718. He also studied law, and gained an eminence in his profession. His residence was in New York city, where he died April 2d, 1756. He was the father of William Alexander, commonly called " Lord Stirling." William Livingston, who was Governor of New Jersey during the Revolution, was a law student under him. He, with Franklin and others, founded the American Philosophical Society. His transactions in New Jer-
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sey were principally in the capacity of agent, or attorney, for the Council of Proprietors of East New Jersey, of which he was one; and it was in that capacity that he conveyed this farm to the Church of Walpack. Sedgwick, in his life of Wm. Livingston, speaks of him as " at the head of his profession " as a lawyer, and " highly distinguished in his day."
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NOTE D.
(PAGE 23.) .
The following is an exact copy of the first deed for the lot on which the Walpack Church stands, -dated February 1st, 1737 :
"To all Christian people to whom these prances Shall Com Know ye that we thomas Brink an nicklas Schoonhoven of Wallpack in the County of hunderton Yeoman Know yea that we Do Send gre- ten Know yea that we thomas Brink an nicklas Schoonhoven that we have an do this Give gran an by these prances do give grant for the Love good will and a fexshans which we do Bair to wards the inhabts of Wallpack an the near inhabitons thar a bout an we do give an grant unto the inhabitons above Riten all an Sigeler that Lot or parsal of Land Lying an Sittn an beinge in Wallpack But- Ing Bounding as follngs Beging at the nothwess Corner of the Bur- ingyard at a Red oak tree markt with three notches on the sides Runing from thence Souerle to a wite oak tree mark with three noches Runing along to a Black oak tree markt with three notches a corner tre then Runing easterle to a corner a Black oak markited with three notches from thenc Northerle to a Black oak Corner tree market on two sides with three notches from thence to the foust Stashon Containing about fore aakers moreso or Los to Gether with all the Rites titls intrest clames and Demands what so ever we now have or which any or ever of our heirs Executers Administors or a Signs may hear after have of or to the Said Granted Primses or any part there of have and to hold the Said Pece or Lot of Land unto the above Riten inhabitines them their ares asines Execters a hnini without any maner of Conditionas we the said thomas Brink and nickles Schoonhoven have fully freely and absolutly and for- ever own accord Set and Put in furder testimony in witness whareof we have hear unto Set our hands and Seals this fust Day febery in this tonth year of his magesty King George an anodomney one
32
thousand Seven hundred an thirty Seven Sined Sealed Witness in the presence of us
PETER VANAUKEN ADAM DINGMANSE BENJN SMYTH
THOMAS X BRINK (I. S.)
WErk his NICKLAS X SCHOONHOVAN (L. S.) mark
NOTE' E. (PAGE 25 ) " +
" MINE ROAD." - The old Mine Road ran from Esopus to the Cop- per Mines in Pahaquarry. From Port Jervis south it was upon the Jersey side of the Delaware, and near the river. The Mahackamack, Minisink, Shapanack and Walpack Churches were all upon the line of this road. It is said that John Adams, while attending Con- gress, during its sittings in Philadelphia as late as 1800, passed down the Mine Road, as one of the most eligible routes from Bos- ton to that city.
NOTE F. (PAGE '27.)
The new Church edifice at Bushkill is sixty feet long (with tower projection and pulpit recess, seventy foet) and thirty-eight feet wide. The Building Committee until the inclosure of the house and the completion of the basement, were Henry M. Labar, Jno. M. Swart- wood and P. J. Guillot. From August 20th, 1873, to the comple- tion of the edifice, Jacob Nyce, William Schoonover and John Hel -. ler. The Contractor, from the inclosure to the completion of the building, was Edward Burch. Cost of edifice, $5,359 95. The Corner stone was laid July 11th, 1872, by the Pastor, Rev. J. F. Shaw, when an address was delivered by Rev. S. J. Rogers, of Port Jervis. It was dedicated January 13th, 1874, when the Historical Discourse here published was preached in the morning by Rev. S. W. Mills, of. Port Jervis. Rev. E. P. Rogers, D. D., of New York, preached the dedication sermon in the afternoon, from P's. Ixxxiv, 1, after which the form of dedication was read by the Pastor. Rev. J. Il. Bertholf, of New York, preached in the evening. & Rev. G. S., Garretson, Rev. W. E. Turner, Rev. C. E. Van Allen, and Rev. Mr. Meacham assisted at these different services, in the devotional exer- cises.
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