••r^^m^rrm^^i^^^m^^^^^^m^mmmmmmmmmummmff d^\'X,OU'^ A ISl HISTORICAL SURVEY First Presbyterian Church *^ALDWELL, N. J., REV. C. T.*lBERRY, PASTOR, J'j^l^TJj:^-B\ir 1, 1371. 3?rintelessing of the Children of Israel, just previous to his death on Mount Nebo. The chief design of its utterance was, doubtless, to recall the distinguishing kindness which God had shown to the Fatlicrs of His chosen people, and, for their sakes, to their children, that the latter might be reminded of their obliga- tions, both of gratitude and interest, to cleave unto the Lord their God as their fathers had done, and impelled to serve Him witli a faithfulness surpassing theirs. The second passage forms part of a prophecy respecting this same ])eople, delivered seven hundred and sixty years afterwards. iSTot having occupied themselves in those salu- tary remembrances of " the days of old"' which had Ix'en inculcated by Moses, or in inquiries after " the good way of the old paths to walk therein," according to the command of the covenant-keeping God of their fathers. He had given them over to the severities of long and painful captivity in Babylon. Yet not to extermination or forgetfulness. As if in answer to that fervent petition of their wisest king, otiered at the dedication of the Temple more than tlu'ee hun- dred years before, God listened to their penitent supplica- tions, and sent His prophet nnto them with assurances of deliverance. And this second segment of Holy Writ, is a part of the argument with which the whole chapter whence it is taken is filled, in proof of God's protecting care and the certainty of their liberation. He briefly recapitulates all His wonderful emancipations of His " peculiar people," and now affirms their prospective rescue should far exceed in marvelous interposition all that He had before done for them. So singu- lar and miraculous would it seem to them that they should in view of it forget even there escape from Egypt. This passage then, taken in its connection, simply jneans, compara- tive forgetfulness of certain things in the past, because of the greater importance of certain things in the near future. Yet disjointed from the body of thought to which it belongs, it reads in direct contradiction of the other from Moses. And thus, placed in seeming opposition because apart from their connection, they may serve as a fair specimen of the hollow methods in frequent employ by cavilers to disprove the Bible. My object in the selection of these texts as a point of de- parture on this occasion is readily aj^parent. Remeiiibi'ancc of the 2Kist^ in order to the hetter improvement of the jpresent^ is a duty of frequent mention in the Scriptures : — a duty ra- tionally based, whether our retrospect concern virtues on the one hand, or vices on the other ; for if the former, they will supply stimulus, either for imitation or emulation ; if the latter, for avoidance or extirpation. Apart from its valuable lessons, there can be but little advantage in any historical re- view, and I should not certainly have undertaken the present one, but from the conviction, that the events of our church's existence have been of sufficient importance, to justifj^ the hope of the accomplishment of good by their recall. Indeed, such is my anxiety for the spiritual future of the church, that I would fain infer from the abundant effusion of God's blessings upon it in tlie past, His willingness to again bless us, and that so bountifully as to exceed even the magnitude of all His former gracious visitations, "We have very, very much for which to day, to render devout and hearty thanks to the Great Head of the Church. Let us aim to do it in the best of all ways — by that broad and deep, intense and ineradicable, faith for the future, whicli, from the character of God and His word, and His dealings with His people, is the only limit it is safe to place upon tlic measure of His loving-kindness. As to the date of the settlement of this section of country the following facts furnish us data for judgment. From the Town Records of Newark, under date of Oct. 2nd, 1G99, thirty- three years after the settlement of Newark, we find the Town considering the proposal to "Purchase a Tract of land lying westward of our bounds to the Passaick River ;" also appoint- ing a committee of two (Mr. Pierson \and Ensign Johnson) " to go and treat with the Proprietors about the same, to obtain a Grant." There is no evidence of their obtaining: this grant. Mention is found, liowever, of the convej'ance of a certain tract lying at Horseneck, as this whole region was then called, by Letters Patent to Sir Thomas Lane^ and others, called the West Jersey Society, on the 10th June, 1701. The troubles which thickened around the Proprietors this year became so great, that they surrendered their right of govern- ment to the crown, which was accepted l)y Queen Anne, April, lY, 1702. It is quite probabl}' due to the '' disturbances and confu- sions of this year(1701) which violently agitated the minds of the people,'' that the desired grant was not secured ; and to the fact of the proprietary surrender that we find the settlers at Newark, (hitherto unimpeacliably loyal to the; I'rovincial 1. See a deed in poscssion of the Trustees of the Church given Marcli 22, 1774 to Caleb Hetfield, by Col. Coniclius Ilettield, Francis Post, A: William Crane. 6 Government,) to the number of 101 — " the generality of the town" — buying directly of the Indians, (a thing forbidden by Act of the Assembly eighteen years before,) all of the land " Westward or Northwest of Newark, within the compass of the Pasayack Kiver, and so Southward unto Monusing Path, (viz.) all Land as yet unpurchased of the heathen." ^ This tract amounted to 13,500 acres, according to the statement of the Bill in Chancery. The amount paid for it was £130 or about $325. A deed^ for it was obtained of the Indians, " which said deed was lost by fire in the house of Mr. Jonathan Pierson of Newark, providentially burnt the 7th of March, 1744-5, and bore date sometime in March A. D. 1701-2." As nearly as I am able to locate this land, it lay between the First Mountain — called by the Indians, Watchung, (sim- ply the Indian name, Mr. Cougar thinks, for mountain,) and the Passaic Piver, and between the present road through Livingston from Hanover to Orange, for its southern bound- ary, and a straight line drawn from the mouth of Pine Brook a little to the north of Cedar Grove extending to the village of Acquackanonck, for its northern boundary.^ This allows for the requisite number of acres, and also for the grant of land given by Indian deed in 1679, to a Dutch Com- pany from Bergen at Acquackanonck, and afterwards con- firmed l)y proprietary deed in 1084,^ and which grant doubt- 1. From the copy of a document kindly furnished me by Mr. S. H. Congar of Newark, which document Is endorsed "A trnc copy of the first Committe." (See Appendix A.) 2. See Appendix B. for the renewal of this deed, promptly given a week after tlie loss of the first, and signed by the descendants of the Sagamores, who had signed the first. For this, as likewise for much valuable assistance in obtaining facts, the writer is indebted to the kindness of Mr. Congar. 3. Since the discourse was delivered the writer has obtained confirmation of his conjecture respecting the Dutch Line. 4. (See Barber's New Jersey, p. 405.) less included all the land comprised -within the bend of the Passaic, from Acquackanonck on the East to Pine Brook on the West.^ It was, in fact, frojn this Actiuackanonek territory in part, though much more largely from Newark, that the bounds of our townshii) were formed in 1798 — from which Livingston Avas set off in 1812. These boundary lines allow also for the inevitable inference from the language of tlie Indian deed, that some jjortion of llorseneck had already been purchased, and a dividing line run to the mouth of Pine Brook — a fact, which as the New- arkers had had tlie Dutch, from the iirst, for near neighbors, l)oth in ]>elleville and Bergen, they were likely to be in- forn)ed of, and naturally to allude to when s])eaking of the land "yet unpurchased from the Indians." These lines also satisfactorily explain tlie forty or fifty, (possibly sixty) years greater age of the Fairtield ("'hurcli,* then our own can lay claim to, and the fact that up t(» the year 1800, preaching in Fairtield was almost exclusively in the Dutch language. Under a careful survey of the land in I TIG, the llorseneck tract was ascertained to have thirty -five families then settled upon it. How many of these were living in the ])resent vil- 1 . At this date there were thought to be about 5,200 inhabitants in the prov- ince of East Jersey. ?. Mr. Peter Spier, now hving at the a^c of ai, in Fairfield, moved there from Caldwell when ten years of age — the .year our own church was dedicated. He well remembers the Octagonal Church there, which he attended for eight years before the present edifice was built in 1804. He is firmly of opinion, judging from the superior quality of the timber of which it was built, and from its ex- tremely dilapidated condition in 1804, that it must have been at least sixty or seventy year old, perhaps older. In corroboration of this is the fact that rec- ords of the baptisms iu this church go back to 1763, and it is said that the rec- ords of several previous years were burned. It is not unlikely, that a church was built there soon after the church in Belleville, which was erected in 1727. "At that lime that church and the one at Acqunckanonck were joined in one body (Sec Steams' Newark, p. 141.) in their ecclesiastical affairs, and under onemin- ietcr to dispense the word and ordinances of God unto thera." lage of CakhvL'll or its iniinediatu vicinity there is no means of ascertaining.'^ It may perhaps somewhat aid ns to form a more correct judgment ol the early settlement in this place if we stop about a moment to inquire about neighboring settlements. Newark, in ITlO had only three hundred inhabitants; as late as during the Eevolutionary War not oxev one thousand. Cranetown, as Montclair was first called, was settled by Azai-iah Crane, about the year ITUO. When he came to Xewark in lOCtJ with his tathei-, or one year afterwards, he was about twenty years old, consequently, about lifty-four when he moved to Cranetown. His two sons, Nathan- iel and xizariah, peopled that place. Orange.^ had a sufficient population to organize a church in 1719, and to purchase land in the following year for a church edifice, which was doubtless built soon after. On the site of the old burying-ground in Whippany," thir- ty-four years after the settlement of that section, a church was built in 1710, the congregation'* extending over a con- siderable portion of the territory now occupied by those of Morristow^n, Madison, Parcipany, Hanover and Chatham. In 1740, Morribtown,^ begun some 30 years before, was suffi- ciently strong to build and support its own church, though 1. Mr. Peter Spier of Fairfield, juBt alluded to, (who was born in 1786 ou the west North-Caldwell road, where his great-o-raudlather, Tunis Spier, lived and died, and his grandfather, John was horn and buried, and whose great uncle ou his mother's side, Francis Spier living in Clinton, was particularly mentioned in the Bill in Chancery as living at Horsencck in 1745,) thinks that Caldwell proper grew about as rapidly as the Clinton and Fairfield section. In this belief he is probably correct, as no doubt Dutch settlers were more abundant to the East of Fairfield Church and around Little Falls, though they wended their way westward to church. 2. (See Hoyt's First Church, Orange, pp. 4s and 4!.).) 3. Barber's New Jersey, p. 380. 4. The township of '* Whipponong" Avas set otl'iu 1700,' and changed to that ot Hanover in 1740. 5. Tuttle's History of Madison Church, p. II (J not till tliirt)^ years later did the village contain more than two hundred and fifty souls. Ill 1748, Madison, probably settled about 1685, likewise built a church. In 1755, a uew meeting-house was erected at Ilanover-ueclc, and also one at Parcipany,^ when the old AVhippauy church was deserted. For two years these two last-named churches were served l)y one pastor, the Rev. Jacob (Ireeii, who had already preached for nine years in the original church edifice at Whippauy, and who continued with the Hanover church for the next thirty-five years. The church at Parcipany is not believed to have had a settled pastor until 1708 — or thirteen years after its house of worship was erected. I mention these times and places because, besides other reasons, your forefathers were for a considerable period de- ])endent, as will appear, upon several of these adjacent churches and ministers for their opportunities to sit under the ministrations of the Gospel. I might also add that in 1702, East Jersey, as its northeastern half was called, was be- lieved to contain about twelve thousand inhabitants. From all the information I have been able to gather, it is not prob- able that there were more than ten families within the pres- ent limits of Caldwell village prior to 1720. At that time the country was a dense wilderness, infested with wolves and bears and Indians. (Sec Appendix B. B.) With respect to the latter, it may be said, that most peo- })le, perhaps, have an cxageratod notion of their numbers. It is said that there were probably over two thousand in the whole of Xew Jersey, in 1604. A century later there were 1. The Rev. Mr. James Tuttle (it is believed) was the first clergyman settled sit Parcipany. He was ordained 17CS. His successors were Dr. Darby (a physician of bodies as well as souls,) Kcv. Joseph Grovcr, (brother of the first pastor o' the Caldwell Church,) Rev. Mr. Benedict, Rev. Samuel Phelps, and the Rev. John Ford, still living, who was settled in ISIO. Since Mr. Fords resignation tiif Kiverend- Messrs. Sntphen, Brown and Lc Bontillier, liavc been settled there. 10 none in tliis part of the State. The last one is known to have left this region in 1761.^ Still in 1720 it is quite likely that, within the bounds of Horseneck, the smoke of their fires ascended from more wigwams than log-cabins. For the next fifty years no definite facts as to the number of settlers have come into my posession, except a few ad- ditional names of families. I have no confidence that the list is exhaustive, nor hope of ever making it so. It may be an item of sufficient interest to warrant the mention of such names as I have ascertained to have been scattered all over these hills and valleys. These were the Garners, and Philipses, and Sanderses ; the Spiers — both in Caldw^ell and in Clinton ; the Rights living in Livingston; the Cranes — both in Caldwell and Franklin, and Clinton ; the Goulds, in Yerona, and Caldwell, and Westville ; the Siscoes or Yan Siscoes, in Franklin and Fairfield ; the Personetts, and Yreelandts, in Cedar Grove ; the Condits in Yerona Yalley ; the AVhiteheads. in Centre- ville ; the Harrisons, and Courters, and Posts, and Cooks, and Cadmuses ; the Dodds, and Muchmores, and Mowrisons, and Badgleys — (the Badgleys were the only English-speak- ing family in Fairfield,) the Colliers, the Sibreys, the Bushes, the Kiersteads, and the Jacobuses; the Doremuses, the Mar- tins, and the Baldwins ; the Yan Droofs, Yan Houtens, and Williamses ; Yan Nesses, Smiths, and Yan Zils ; Iletfields, Fdisons, and Wards ; Tompkinses, Coreys, Yan Giesons, and Kents ; the Piersons, the Canfields, the Campbells ; the Ford- hams, the Wardells, the Bonds, the Byrams, the Bateses, and the Moores ; the Beaches, the Balls, tlie Mintonyeas, tlie Ogdens, the Stagers, the Sindles. If not all, yet these con- 1. Authority. Mr. Joseph Dorcmiis of Montclair. Ilis grandiather Aaron (Jranc, who was born 1751 and died 1836, distinctly remembered the circumstan- ce of " Indian Jolm's" departure for Canada, on a Sabbath morning when ht was ten years old. 11 btitutc tlitj names ut" the ]arii;c luajurity ut' the settlerc' u\> tn L770. During the period ui tweuty-iive years pre\ioiis, ueeurretl the long hiw-suit ofthc General Proprietors against the bulk of the settlers for the recovery of the lands, on wliieh they lived, — only a few having valid proprietary titles. I can do no more thausini])ly hint at this, owing to want of time. AV^hatever was the right in the case — and my symj)athieri are with the settlers, though from all 1 have been able to read about it, my convictions of legal justice are rather with the proprietors — it is certain that it was a vexatious suit,^ and that many were thrown out of the possession of the the whole of their property, while others exhausted all and more than all of the products of their labor to re-purchase of the proprietors, the land which they had already paid for and painfully improved. ^Vmong these early settlers were a large pro[)ortion — not, I am happy to believe on credible testimony, amounting to a majority of the popnlation — of evil-disposed persons, to whom it would certainly be very mild to apply the term mischiev- ious, for their mischief was of a very serious and often wicked and malicious sort. These paid little if any regard to law, human or divine. They regarded the Sabbath but as a day of sports, many of them of the rudest kind. Indeed, horse-racing and cock-fighting were their prevailant kSal)bath pastimes. When a certain Mr. Dean, a Separatist preacher, probably from Morris County,'- made, as he frequently did make, excursions through this region to preach, they often treated him with much rudeness, even to profanity. They 1. (See Appcmlix C.) ■J. Smith's History of New .lurscy, published in liO'), nieiitions tluit there were then in Morris County, nine Preshytcaiau phices of worship; one Lutheran, one Anabaptist, one Qualcer, one Rogercen, one Separatist— a sect which arose in 1740. There ^ve^c none jn Essex County of this sect. 12 sociiicd to Hud pleasure iu auuoyauce; aud succeeded by their persisteucy in it, iu uiore than one instance, in deciding new comers not to remain. In their intercourse with the Indians, they are described as "corrupting and being corrupted," " depraved manners and spiritual degradation being thereby increased," And it is far from likely tliat their couHicts with the Proprietors tended to cultivate in them anything better. But in forming our judgment of men a hundred or a hun- dred and twenty-five years ago, we must not forget to con- trast tlie differences of social condition then and now. It was not then the age of cpiick transit and universal intelligence. Roads in any just sense of the word, there were almost none. In 1752 it required from five to seven days to go by stage from New York to Philadelphia. And even in 1768, Gov, Franklin speaks of the thoroughfares which lie between the two principal trading cities in I^ortli America as " seldom passible without danger or difficulty." The roads in this sec- tion were very rough and bad, and the streams entirely des- titute of bridges. It was a day's drive to go to Newark. No one thought of returning on the same day. As to newspapers, the first one published in New Jersey was the ]Sieii:s Jersey Gazette, in 1777, by one Isaac Collins of I)nrlino;ton,^ Its size was eight bv twelve inches. New York had, indeed, published them much earlier ; but with only a limited circulation. It was far from uncommon to find men unable to write their own names. And men lived isolated, in rude log huts, on mountain paths, by springs or anywhere, that some trifling advantage seemed to present itself. There were but few houses in this township that could keep out an ordinary storm. Books were rare and expensive ; and often, wliere (as 1, I3arber's New Jersey, p. 40, 13 here) hind was densely covered with timber, it was a stru^j^lc to provide even the simplest means of subsistence.' Let ns be lenient in our judjojnient of former men and times, and be thankful tliat we were not so ill-starred as to have been born a hundred and fifty years ago. .iVbout the year 1770, it .appears that the God-fearing por- tion of the settlers, many of whom were descended from de- votedly pious ancestry, gave themselves in serious attention to matters of religion. The neighboring ministers kindly visited them from time to time, and preached gratuitously among them in private dwellings, in barns,^ and often in the open air, as frequently as they could without detriment to the people of their own charges. These clergymen were the llev. Dr. Darby of Parcipany, succeeded in 1744. by Kev. Joseph Crreen ; Rev. Jacob Green of Hanover, the liev Jed- ediah Chapman of Orange, and Rev. James Caldwell of Elizabetlitown. Occasionally even those from greater dis- tances here dispensed the bread of life. This whole region at that time was regarded as missionary ground, and the sur- rounding ministers sought to introduce as early as practica- ble, the institutions and privileges of the Gospel. The bulk of the cliureh-going peo})le, such as were not Dutch, no doubt attended on the Sabbath the church ot Kev. Mr. Chapman, at Orange. Preaching was then very seldom enjoyed here on the Sabbath. In the course of a few years however, meetings came to be held on the Sabbath also; if the services of some minister 1. It is asserted that Calcl) lletficld owned eleven hundred or twelve liundrcd acres of hind, that of which Wcstville is now the center, yet was a poor man, un- able to get grain enough from his land to maintain his family. '2. Meetini^s were held most frequently on the premises of Thomas Gould, now owned by Dr. Halscy, whose house was then on the west side of the road. The road then went in directly in front of the present parsonage house and pursued a course in the rear of all the houses now situated on the east of the Centreville road, as far as the house of Nathaniel Gould. Upon extraordinary occasions meetings were held in Thomas Gould's barn. 14 could nut be obtained, printed sennons were read, or the hour was spent in conference and prayer. These meetings increas- ing in number and importance, proved at length to Ije the germinating acorn of which the enduring oak of our present church and congregation is the result; About this time some laudable attempts were made to erect a house of public wor- ship. Timber was drawn, and in good part framed ;^ but hostilities commencing between Gt. Britain and her Colonies, the attempt was relinquished, and the timber became by ex- posure to the weather during the Revolutiontjry War, spoiled for the purpose for which it was intended. There were two school-houses at that date in this section, one at Franklin, and the other at Peckmantown, — the name by which Verona was then known. In the year 1779, (July 19th,) through the instrumentality of Thomas Gould and others, (among whom I doubt not was the Kev. Mr. Caldwell,) the " Presbyterian Congregation of llorseneck," as the people had now come to be known, ob- tained the donation of a deed of wild land lying in the cen- ter of the place, amounting to ninety and a half acres. (Other dates on the Society's records would go to show that the actual gift of the land anticipated the deed by about iive months. The first entry upon the parish records bears date February 21st j.779, and relates to the election of a " Com- mittee to represent the said congregation of Horseneck," which Committee at once bought some meadow "i?i addition to the iparsonacje'^ and paid ten dollars, March 1st, for ''''sur- veylng the ijarsonageP) The donors were CalebHetfield'^ of 1. Authority of Mr. Jarcd Beach, who had the fact from his grandfather. 2. Caleb Hctficld's great grand-father, Matthias, (who left New Haven in lOGO, for Elizabethtown, where he died in 1(587,) gave the lot of ground for the First Presbyterian Church in that place. He had with other children, a son Cornelius, who died in 1718. Cornelius had also a son Cornelius. This secoad Cornelius — the father of Caleb — was a trustee of the churcli in Elizabethtown, as also an elder. He was likewise a sterling patriot. Tlic only daughter of Caleb by his first wife, was married by Mr. Grover, November 2nd, 1789, to Calvin Ely of Newark. Mr. John Stephens, a merchant of Newark, is her son-in-law. 15 Westville, and the great grand-sons of Jasper Crane, William and Noali,^ then residing in Cranetown, as Montclair was at that time called. The object of the gift was stated in the deed^ to he in fur- therance of the desire of the Presbyterian denomination "to promote the publick worship of Almighty God, by making decent provision for the support of a minister of the (irospel and erecting a convenient house for puldick worship." It may here be stated that the procurement of land, cither for a "settlement'' for the minister, or for revenue in partial sup- port of the Gospel, was the custom of the time, and seems to have been then a necessity. In the same year the congrega- tion, also procured at at trifling cost to attach to the parson- age a little over fifty-two acres of meadow land, in the Little Piece." This was obtained through a standing committee ot nine persons, which had been elected through the advice of Mr. Caldwell, (who presided in ])erson at a meeting held for the purpose) to superintend the interests of the congregation. This committee was composed of the following persons, viz : Thomas Gould, Samuel Crane, John Gould, Jose])h Har- rison, Joseph Baldwin, Henry Van Sisco, Reuben Har- rison, Joseph Gould, and Abram jSToc; and these persons continued to compose it until 1797, wdien their duties were transferred to the five trustees, who had been elected at the time of the incor])oration of the church, ten years before. The congregation had as yet no minister. Having, in 1. William Crane died a bachelor. Noah was the father of Samuel, Estlicr, Joseph, ElizaheUi, Caleb, Nathaniel, Nehemiah, (who died in infancy) Mchetable, Mary, Nehemiah and Stephen. Samuel, was the Hither of Caleli, Zcnas, Dorcas, Cyrus, Betsey, (Canlield) Polly (Harrison,) and Nathaniel. Samuel's sister, Mehctable, was the mother ol (Seneral Gould. Some of the ninth j^eneration of Jasper Crane's descendants arc livinic in CaM- well. •2. (For a copy of the deed see Appendix I). ) ?,. This wa^ not cleared until ISOl. 1(5 liope of securing one, obtained tlie land already spoken of, they resolved at a meeting held Feb. 27, 1782,. under the advice of Rev. Mr. Chapman, who moderated the assemblage, to build upon the parsonage land, a dwelling house thirty feet square and two stories high, and appointed a committee to have it in charge. Tlie carrying out of this design progressed slowly and with difficulty. It must not be forgotten, however, that the resolution was taken a j'ear before tlie close of tlie Revolutionary War, In Nov. 1785, a new committee was appointed to i^roceed with and complete the building, which, it seems was finished about the close of the succeeding year. This building is the eastern half of the house where Mr. J, M. Beach now lives. Simultaneously with this effort to build a parsonage house, the upper part of which, unplastered and unceiled, and very rudely fitted up with slab benches and a rough oaken table, served for a sanctuary until the early j^art of 179G, the Lord was pleased to pour out Ilis Spirit upon tlie people. Many became the subjects of sound and saving con- version, and many others were signally reformed, and the little handful of spiritual worshipers were much encouraged and strengthend. I am not able to fix the year of this revival, but suppose it to have been either 'S3 or '84. It is fair to infer that it hastened the organization of the church. The subject of organizing here a church of Jesus Christ had for a considerable time been one of much deliberation and prayer both on the part of the congregation and neighboring Minis- ters. And doubtless to the war is to be attributed the post- ponement for a decade of 3'ears both of the churcirs organi- zation, and the erection of a sanctuary. Tlie year 1784, the year after the proclamation of peace with Great Britain, is memorable for the formal commencement of your ecclesiastical existence, (^n the 3d of December of this year, nearly six years after the formation of the Society, and fourteen veai-s before tlie Bloomfield Churcli was or- IT ganized, tlie people conv^ened and after a sennoii by the Rev. Mr. Chapman, Matters Being Previously prepared, A Clnnvli was Embodied whose Names were subscribed to the following Declaration :' We Whose Names are Under writen Living at the Place called Plorse Neck, Being this Day to be formed or Embodied as a Church of Jems C/wisf, Do Solemnly Declare that as we d.) desire to be founded Only on the llock Christ Jesus, So wo would not wish to Build on this foundation, Wood Hay and Stubble, but (lold and Silver and Precious Stones; and as it is our profested Sentiments that a Visible Church of Christ, Consists of Visible Believers with their Children, tio no Adult Pei'sons Ought to be Admitted as members but such as Credibly profess True Faith in Jesus Christ,Love Obedience and Subjec- tion to IIim,IIolding the Fundameiital Doctrines of the Gospel, and who will Solemnly Enter into Covenant to Walk Worthy such an Holy Profession as we do this Day,in Manner and Form as follows :" Then occur the names of forty persons,^ (the bulk 1. Sec first page of Records kept liy Mr. Grovei-. 2. The names are sjiveii in tlic following; order. Samuel Crane, William Gould, Timothy Dodd, Mehetable Gould, Elizabeth Baldwin, Phcbe Dodd, MdTj JIuchmorc, .John Badgley, Phebc Crane, Methusalah Baldwin, Mary Pei-sonet, Thomas Gould, Uobert Gould, .loseph Tomkins, John Gould, Abram Noe, Hannah Noe, Dorcas Gould, Anna Martin, Sarah Baldwin, Silas Baldwin, Aaron Tomkins, George I'ersonet, Joseph Harrison, Abigail SmiUi, Hannah Tomkins, Martha Wheaton Respecting the twelfth name of the above list, Mr. Thomas (Jould, I insert an obituary notice taken from the Sentinel of Freedom, on file in the Historical J.i- Ijrary, Newark— At Caldwell, on the 17th inst. Feb. ISIO, Mr. Thomas (Jould in the 'jyth year of his nge, a surprising instance ot longevity; for within a few days of his death he retained his bodily and mental faculties to an astonishing degree, r-o that he was enabled to travel on Horseback or on foot lo a very considerable distance without much fatigue, and converse on almost any subject without any Rody Harrison, Eunis Tomkins, Mary Crane, Martha Speer, Eunis Kierstead, Nathan Ward, Susanna Ward, Samuel Tomkin s, Martha Tompins, Jacob Gallowa, Rachel Gallowa, Deborah Miller, William Baldwin, 18 of tliem, 110 doubt, from the Orange Chnrcli, who enrolled themselves at once as members,) together with the articles of their confession of faith and covenant.^ Here it may be proper in passing to state that the original confession and co- venant continued to be used for fifty-one years, and that the last survivor of the oria;inal members was General "William (touM,'^ who died Februarj^ 12th 1S47, in his ninetieth year, having^ served the church in the capacity of Elder for the re- markably long period of sixty-three years. As first consti- manifest marks of the decay of an}' of his mental abilities'! He was among the first foimders of tlie Church of Christ in Caldwell, and whilst in its infontile state distinguished himself by taking a deep interest in the welfare of the kingdom of the Redeemer, through whose merits we humbly hope he is now enjoying the blessedness of the saints in light and glory. He has left a numerous train of relatives to lament his death, being the progenitor of two hundred and seven persons, one hundred "and sixtj'-eight of whom are now living. He was blessed while living with the joyful sight of twenty of his descendants of the fifth genera- tion. 1 . See Appendix E. 2. General Gould was a native of Caldwell. During the Revolution he was frequently in active service in defence of his country. He took part in the bat- tles of Springfield and Monmouth. In 17Si4, was with General Lee in his expe- dition against the "whiskey insurgents." He served from 1S05-S in the State Legislature- As an officer of the militia, and in civil life, he held for many years a prominent place, and in every capacity in which he was called to serve, he proved himself worthy of the respect and confidence of men. He was a man of unques- tionable integrity and remarkable activity and efficiency. In all the relations of life in which he stood, he was an honor to religion aud humanity. In the chiirch of which he was so long a chief pillar, he was a ' bright and shining light" — ever ready to engage with promptitude and energy in every " work of faith and labor of love." Two days before his death he said to his pastor: "Sir, I am a verv unworthy sinner If I should be called ui^on to answer for one of the thousand of my iniqui- ties, I should be forever undone. I see the necessity of the great atoning sacrifice as I never saw it before. In Christ Jesus is my only hope. "When I look at my- self and think how unworthy I am, I am sometimes doubtful and afraid. But when I look upon Christ and remark, that 7ie came into the tvorld to save sinners who put their trust in him, I am ready to say, though 1 go down into t'je valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evilP'' (From an obituary notice bj* Rev. S. L. Tuttle, intheiVe?'; York Observer, March lSi7 .) On his monument, standing at the northwest corner of the church, is the following: " In his manner he was dignified and courteous ; amiable and tender in his disposition, and industriousjn his habits. His character was irreproachable, and as remarkable for devotion to his country, as for integrity in the trusts reposed in him ; a genuine patriot, a useful citizen, a true christian. The memory of his virtues will hmo- be a pre- cious inheritance to his numerous descendants. 19 tilted the ohiu'cli was rrofebytcriaii, and proceeded at once to the election of Elders and DeacoiL^, when the followin"- six individuals, (a large number for so small a church) -were clio- seji to Avit: (George Personet, Joseph Harrison, Aaron Tomkins. and AVilliani Gould, to the office of Elder ; and Samuel Crane and Silas l^aldwin, to the conjoint offices of Deacon and Elder. Tliis birth-year of the church, (the year that the Constitu- tion of the State of New Jersey was adopted, which contin- ued in force for sixty years) was a most memorable one for the church to which this is linked by more ties than one, viz, the first church in Newark, then one hundred and eighteen years old. During this year began ''a very great and lasting revival of religion in that congregation."^ "surpai^sing in the cftusion of divine influences experienced all that went before it, or has since followed it. The religions declension every- where incident npon the war was especially felt to be great in that congregation. As a result of this revival, however, the whole lace of society was entirely changed, .^nd more than one hundred souls were added to the church. But it was not so much the number of the converts as the deep and universal influence of the heavenly impulse, among a i)eo])lc comparatively few, that gave distinction to this remarka- ble effusion of the Divine Spirit." It is hardly supposable, (though owing to loss of records, nothing is certainly known,) that the Orange church did not share in that refreshing. Xor can we doubt that its influence reached up and affected for good this new church enterprise — especially as it is known that Mr. Chapnum was often and very naturally, at that time among the people here, and Dr. McWhorter himself, is said to have visited them. Among the names of tlK)sc who ])reachcd here and admin- I. Stearns's XewaiU, i^). '.'n,21-2, 240. 20 istered the ordinances of Baptism and Lord's Supper, the during the interval of three years from the organization of the ehurcli to the settlement of its first pastor, I find besides Mr. Green and Mr. Chapman, the names of Rev. Joseph (Tover of Parcipany, a Mr. Jones, (perhaps Dr. Jones of Morristown,) a Mr. David Baldwin, a Mr. Miller, a Mr. .lohn Townley, and a Mr. Shepherd. Mr. Shepherd was the tirst stated minister employed here. He was a young man possessed of a lively imagination, and good natural parts, and came from New England. lie j)reached his tirst sermon here about a fortnight after the or- ganization of the church, and Avas desirous to become its sta- ted pastor ; but owing to the lack of unanimit}^ in tlie peo pie in their attempts to settle him — a lack occasioned by the objectionable manner in which he put forth his views respect, ing church government, after a stay of six months he de- parted — an event which subsequent occurences in his his- tory ai'e said to have proved to be a very kind Providence. Jle was a ver}^ decided Congregation alist, and may have had a part in bringing about the change in the form of govern- ment of the church. In October of 1785, ten months after the organization of the church, the congregation formally adopted the Congregational form of government, and under this form passed the first forty-six years of its existence ; viz, until April 25th, 1831, when it became Presbyterian again, and connected itself with the Presbytery of J^ewark, of which it still forms apart. This is a convenient place to note in passing, that when the Bloomfield church in jS'ovember 1812, formally re-adopted the Presbyterian form of cliurcli gov- ernment, after a brief trial of Congregationalism under Hev. Abel Jackson, some opposition was manifested, and ten of the members of that church withdrew and connected them- selves with the Caldwell clmrch. Among these 'w^as Deacon Oliver Crane. 21 On the iOtli of Fcbnuirv 17S7, tliu Society resolved to change the name of Ilorseneck for that of Cakhvell, in lionor of the minister of that name already mentioned. By his nni- form and paternal kindness, his fre([U8nt connsel and assist- tance, not less than by his (.'minent patriotism, he had Avon the hearts of the people. In addition to this their sym- pathies had already been touched by his brutal murder, and that (»f his noble wife ; in casting about for a better name for their village, it was only natural to adopt that of tliis distinguished " fighting parson.'- The name at first api)lied oidy to the bounds of the congregation ; eleven years later it was given to the Township). Tt is a singular fact, not a little inconsistent with tiie de- clared preference of the church for Congregationalism, that it should at its incorporation, the time its new name was adopted, ]»ublisli itself "to be known thereafter by the name and style of the First Presbyterian Church of Caldwell." It is true the church shortly after this connected itself with the Moi'ris County Presbytery, and it had ])erhaps as much right to denominate itsc'f Presbyterian as that Presbytery had ; but, I think, no more. That Presbytery was a seces- sion from pure Presbyterianism. " Tt was based mainly on the principle of the independency of the local church ; al- though combined with this was the assumption, that the power of ordination was vested, not in the church, l)ut in the Presbytery.'" It originated in ITS", with iiev. dacol) Green, was mainly confined to Morris County, and was dead in less than lifty years.- It must have expired some time l)efore this chun-h joined the Presbytery of Newark, I. (;ilk'tl's History of the Piesbyteriiin Chureli, vol. i, p. 'Jo7. '_'. It orij(iiuitc(l the still extant Morris County Society, lor the promotion of Leurninjx and Religion. From some aeeounts of this society kept by Gen. Gould, I tind the interestinj^ statement that Mr. Grover reeeived from this soeieiy a loan of forty-five dollars, with which to finish his college course at Dartmouth. 22 It bhould liuvu been stated that about the time of the chureh's organization, the Society erected a lay school-house in the open space ininiediatelj opposite the present school-house. It fronted south, being on the north side of the road, which then ran near the brook wliich flows tlirough the premi- ses of Mr. Provost. In this house many of the meetings were hekl until the upper room of tlie ])arsonage was fitted \\\) for worship. On the third of August 1787, — six weeks before the adop- tion of the Constitution of tlie United States — the congrega- tion having occasionally heard as candidate during the pre- vious seven months, the Rev. Stephen Grover,^ a native of Tolland, Connecticut, and a graduate of Dartmouth College, who had just completed his theological studies with his brother. Rev. Joseph Grover, of Parcipany, determined to "give him a call for settlement in the ministry in this place." The salary, besides a settlement to begin with of one hun- dred and eighty-seven dollars, and the use of a large part of the land, and his fire- wood,' was to be one hundred and fifty dollars a year, with an annual increase of ten dollars until it should amount to two hundred and fifty dollars. If these figures seem small, it must not be forgotten that the price of a days labor was three shillings and sixpence, and that not many years before, beef cost but two cents a pound — as late as 1833, it had not exceeded four or five cents a pound. The call having been acce^ited by Mr. Grover, he was on J uly 1. From a memorandum of Mr. Grovcr's, it appears that he preached his first sermon from Lulve 13:5, at Colouel Payne's, Lebanon, October 15th 1780, being twenty-eight years old. He first preached liere on tlie Sabbath of January 7th 1787, from Matthew (5:33 and John 8:3G, being his twenty-eighth and twenty- ninth sermons. 2. During the most of Mr. Grovcr's ministry the practice of " wood-getting" was an established yearly custom in the congregation. It was a gala day, and hailed with pleasure by all. Wood enough was usually drawn to the parsonage to last through the year. A generous supper provided by the congregation al- ways succeeded the day's labor, nature's supply of drink being amply supple- mented by cider and rum. 23 23d of the following year — the year the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America, held, in Philadelphia, its first annual meeting — so- lemnly ordained to the Gospel ministry, and took the ])as- toral charge of this people, who were thus at length con- firmed in the enjoyment of all the stated ordinances of the Gospel.^ From the formation of the church to the installa- tion of Mr. Grover, the church had been increased in nu- merical strength l)y the reception often or twelve new mem- bers — the first two, named Phoda and Hannah C'orby, having been received the second Sabbath after the organization. Soon after coming here Mr. Grover occupied the lower por- tioii of the parsonage, where he continued to live until 1818, when he built his own house just opj)Osite the church, in which he passed the rest of his daj'S.^ This is the proper place from its date to notice the estal)- lishment of a village librarj-. On the 28th of January 178S>, the congregation resolved upon this action and appointed Pev. Mr. Grover, Dr. Cyrus Pierson, and Mr. Joseph Gould, jr., a committee, to procure books and make all necessary regula- tions respecting them. A very respectable library was obtained and opened for the use of the congregation. It was always kept in the village near the church. It was a stock concern, owned by the members of the congregation. It happened to be in the hands of Deacon William G. Grano. when it ceased to secure the interest of the community. Under Mr. Grover 's labor, though no great awakening oc- 1. The .■icnices of ordinatioa and installation, were held in the upper room ol the iiarsonagc-housc, Rev. .Tacob Green was moderator; Rev. .Joseph Grover, preached the sermon ; Rev. Jebediah Chapman gave the charge of office; Rev. David Baldwin and John Townlcy, also assisted in the ceremonies. •J. Mr. Grover chose to have liis own house, and the parish thought it better for their interests that he should. He therefore boiight thirteen acres of land and built for himself; the parish agreeing on a new basis of settlomont with him, vi/.: the vearlv «ahirv of six hundred and fifty dollars. 24 ciirred for eight or nine years, considerable additions to the number of sixty-eight, were made from time to time, to the communion of the church ; wliile the regular and faithful ministrations of the Gospel and its ordinances, produced a decidedly happ}- reformation in general manners and morals. It soon became evident tliat tlie upper-room meeting-honse was entirely too small for the accommodation of tlie people, and the question of a suitable Sanctuary came np for con- sideration. At tlie annual meeting, January 15th, 1792,^ Mr. Grover preached a sermon on tlie importance and duty of bnilding a chnrch, taking for his text Hag. 1:1 — 9, Tliis awakened a vigorons and nnited resolution in the minds of the people to rise and buihl. At first it was decided to con- strnct an edifice of brick ; but finally determined to be more for the interests of the people to erect it of wood. It was re- solved to obtain, before commencing to build, subscriptions to the amount of twelve hundred ponnds, or a ponnd being twenty shillings, (New-York currency) about tlirce thousand dollars. To men of their few numbers, and limited means, this large sum must have worn a truly formidable look. It was certainly evidence of their thonghtfulness and forecast. I am not surprised that the amount was soon found to be be- yond their possibilities. After mature deliberation and prayer, committees were appointed to go abroad and solicit aid from contiguous parishes. Among these are mentioned Morristown, Boontown, Acquackanonek, Connecticut Farms, Hanover, Second River, (or Belleville,) New-York, Orange, Newark, EllzabetlitoWn, and Little Ferr3\ A considerable additional amount having* been thus secured, the work of erec- tion was at once proceeded with.' In the early Spring of 1. Tlie Fiipt Presbyteiiun Church ol" Newark, was (leclicated the previous yenr. '2. The inaiiii,2;ors in the buiklins? were Zadoc Baldwin, Cyrus Pierson, and Zenas Crane. 25 1708, tlic timber having been ah*eady hewed where it was fel- led, was drawn from the forests, free permission having been given to select anywhere the best that conld be found. The young pastor evinced his zeal in the work, not only by a gener- ous subscription, but also hy donning the laborer's garb, and in common with the rest, hauling the hewn logs with his team of oxen. It is said there were few in this whole townshi]i who did not lend a helping hand in the good M'ork. In the month of June, the same year, the frame^ of the house in which we are to-day assembled, was raised. The joyful shouts of the people, on that n'lemorable day were mingled with lamentations in the pastor's house over the death of his lirst-born son. During the Summer and Fall the building was enclosed and so left for the Winter. Scantiness of means^ in the following year prevented the ]n-osecution of the work; but in the Spring of 1795, further funds having been obtained, it was decided to push it forwai-d to com])letion. The subserpient Fall and Winter saw the building completed"' with the exception of the steeple. This was not finished until 18ul, when the house was first painted. The general appearance of the church was as follows : The outer doors opened directly into the place of worship). There was then lU) vestibule to the church. The ascent of the stairs was exposed to the view of all the congregation. Where the 1. It required forty men several days to do this work. They ate and slept meanwliile in the school-house. Captain Robert Gould was the head carpen- t.-r. ■J. A Lottery was resorted to, to raise funds. This was notanuiiconunon tliini? ill those days in the interest of cinirch erection. In this instance it failed of il.s design. ". As a specimen of tlie greater obstacles to be overcome in tiiose days, was tlie method of procurinff lime. On an appointed day (Auojust I7th 1795,) a large number of teams went down to Bergeu after shells, with wliich they returned on the tliird or fourth day after. Sufllcient wood was drawn to the open space by the church, at 15 shillings per cord, to construct a kiln, and there tlie shells wen- converted into lime. 26 pulpit now stands, though several feet higher, was the ros- trum, about the size of a hogshead, hoisted up on a single pillar, and fastened against the wall. It was very much covered with moulding and fancy work. Directly over it was suspended a curiously-wrought sounding-board. Just l»elow the pulpit a large square pew was built, in which it Avas the practice of the Elders and Deacons to sit on Salj- bath. The ceiling was about eight feet higher than it now is, and was arched over in the center very nearly to the peak of the roof, and made to support itself by being framed into the rafters. In the east, or singers' gallery, Avere three entirely distinct arches, opening only towards the jnilpit. The mid- dle of these was occupied by the singers, while on one side sat the colored males, and on the other the colored females. (There were, let it be remembered, a'considerable numl)erof of slaA'es owned by the early settlers of this region.) The breast-work of the gallery Avas A^ery high, formed of large and A'ery long panels. The AvindoAVs Avere not pro- tected either by blinds or curtains of any kind. Xothing Avithin or Avithout the church had a touch of paint except the .pulpit. The floors Avere innocent of carpets, and the breatli- reA'ealing air Avas never rarified by either of those modei'ii agencies, stoves or furnaces. The backs of the pcAvs Avere exactly perpendicular, and nearly as high as the back of the occupant's neck, and the discomfort of sitting in them Avas in- creased by a top-moulding, projecting several inches forwards.- In those Puritan days it evidently Avas not the intention of church builders to make proA'ision for sleepy Avorshipers. On Wednesda}', the 6th of April, ITOO, four years before the church in Bloomfield Avas completed^ this house Avas for- mally dedicated to the service of God, the congregation meeting in it for this purpose, for the flrst time. x\n im- mense asscmbh" Avas convened, tlie chnrch beino- fllU^d to 27 overflowing. A coiiipany of singers from JJlooinliekl, whore Mr. G rover occasionally preached, was present, and assisted in the praises of the occasion,^ and a large number of strangers were drawn hither to the interesting services. The Pastor preached an appropriate dedicatory sermon from eighth verse of 132nd Psalm : Arise, Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark ot'tliy strength.'' All who were present agreed in their description of the extraordinary interest of the scene. It w' as a day the happy and powerful inliuence of which, has never yet been lost upon the congregation. Great were the desires of the peo- ple that day breathed forth, that this house might be the birth-})lace of souls. How signally have those fervent long- ings been answered I Just after the dedication, as the pastor was conversing in the evening with his wife upon the favor- ableness of the time for a revival or religion, they heard the shutting of the parsonage gate, and a timorous knock ii[)un the door followed, wdiicli proved to be that of an anxious soul, come to talk about his eternal interests. In a short time after, to use the words of the pastor, '• the Lord cov- ered the house and its btiilders, together with their offspring, under the shadow of his wings. In June following, it pleased the Lord to begin a glorious work of grace. Seri- ousness appeared among the people in general, and several persons were struck under great convictions and concern al)out their souls, aiul became hopefully converted. These a[ipeared like the first droppings before a mighty shower. In fliilv and Auo-ust the concern became •••eneral in the con- 1. Tlie I'salinb sung were the 102nd, 1st part, L.M. "Where shall we ro to seek and lind Au habitation for our (io([.'" -^Tmic, Civil .Vnmsenient, Psalm 122, Sd Part, S. P. M. " How pleased and blessed was 1." — 2'uiie, Amity. Psalm OOd, C. -M. "Early my God without delay." — Tunc, Monti^omery. The ehapter read was I. Kini^s, 8. 28 gregatioii. All classes were affected, and all nieetiiigs among the youth were turned into solemn meetings for prayer.'' "My house," adds Mr. Grover, "instead of the taveni was resorted to, and inquiring souls truly flocked around this house of the Lord, as doves flock to their windows before a rising storm. Some bowed down under the deepest sense of their guilt and misery, and others rejoiced in redeeming love. In September the work seemed like a mighty torrent and to bear down all before it. As for those who were not deeply afl'ected, their mouths were mostly stopped. It appeared ac- cording to the best calculation, that for about six weeks three souls a day were brought to rejoice in the Lord. As a result of this revival, at the connnunion in October, ninety- live persons were admitted to the church — all of whom had hopefully experienced a work of grace upon their hearts, since the previous communion in July, thirty-two of whom M'cre baptized. The following January, (1797) forty-six more were added as the fruit of the continued revival ; and for several successive communions large accessions were made to tlie church. These things done for our Zion in the days of her espousals, were jioised abroad, and drew manj' from a dis- tance all around, to behold the wonders of redeeming love ; soHJe to rejoice, and some to speculate; but many were woun- ded by the way, and returned with bleeding hearts.^" At the time of the dedication, the number of church members Avas one hundred and eighteen. By the close of 1707, there were probably over three hundred. From this time the church ha- came one of the most important and influential in this section of the country, and has continued to enjoy at irregular in- tervals, from that time to the present, very marked mani- festations of the special blessings of God. The bounds of the congregation (for English settlers) exton- 1. From a thanksgiving sermon preached by Mr. Grover, December 0th 1797, froml. Sam'17:12. 29 ded to Fuirlicld and Little Falh uii the iiurtli, Wcst-illuuiii- iicld on the east, Nortlifield on the south, and Tine Brook on tlie west ; and it enihraced most of the people residing Avitliin this circumference. During the following eight years the church received se\-- enty additional persons upon profession of their faith, twentv being received at one time, in 1803, besides a very consider- erable number by letter. In the course of the Winter of 1805-6, tlie church was again most poM'crfully revived, the effusions of the Spirit excelling in })ower and fruitful results the precious revival of 1 T9t)-7. It Avas a time of very deep convictions of sin. The church became crowded with anxious and incpiiring souls, and very many were li023efully converted to God. The ingathering in the following June, from this harvest, amountedto one hundred ami fifty-two souls; of whom, so far as I know, the only survivors are Ilev. Abner Brundage, now living in Montclair, nearly eighty-two years old, and Mr. Ct, p. Martin, still Avith us in his eighty-fourth year, and in the fortieth year of his Eldership. The scene connected with the admission of this great number is spoken of as one of very great interest and solemnity. So crowded was the church that the aisles wercoccnipied, and the candidates were obliged to rise at their seats throughout the houst*, and in this Avay assume their covenant obligations. A throng of spectators witnessed from the gallery the solemn and aflecting scene, and very many persons were present from abroad. (A helpful mnemonic for this year may be found in the fact that it was the year 18<>6 that Fulton's steam vessel made its ap- pearance.) From tliis time for fifteen or twenty years the church Avas usually very much croAvdcd on the Sabbath. It Avas with difficulty, oftentimes, that the congregation, in fair Aveather, could be comfortably seated. As other churches in the toAvnship came to be organized and 30 possessed of houses of worship, this church was of course re- lieved. The Methodist cliurcli in Clintou, was organized in 1822 — taking several members from this chnrch. Two years later their house of w^orship, as also that of Centreville, was built. The church at Pine Brook was organized about 1830, and held services? for a long time in the school-honse. Their church was built 1814. The church in Yerona was organized February 1833, and in the Summer of 1834, dedicated their house of worship. In 1838, the West Bloomficld churcli was organized, which also had a few members from our roll. The Baptist church in Caldwell is about twenty years old. In the Spring of 1814, the Lord graciously remembered this branch of his Zion again, and in July following, sixty- oiie })ersons made a public profession of their fiiith in Christ. Among these were Mr. Joseph Personett, still living in his eighty-lifth year, and Mr. Jared F. Harrison, for thirty-one years an honored Elder in this church, who died eight years ago last July. It was during this time that the second war with Great Britain occurred. From the Sentinel of Freedom, for September 13th 1814, I find the statement that when, at this time, three thousand Jersey Blues assembled at Paulus Hook — as Jersey City was then called — to repel British inva- sion, Ilev. Stephen Grover of Caldwell, is mentioned as their Chaplain. During the six following years, sixty-three additional names were placed upon the roll of the Church. On the 1st of January 1816,^ the society made its first movement to- wards selling the seats at auction, in order to raise the sal- ary. This met with strenuous opposition at first, but at length 1. During this year, as showu from an old account-book Icept by Mr. Cyrus Crane, a large number of Bibles was distributed by the Westville Bible and Tract Society. ni on the 1st of January 1 SIT, it was carried. Two years af- terwards, tliis plan was defeated, but returned to in the fol- lowing ysar, from which time it is believed fo have been the prevalent practice. In January 1822, the vestibule was ])ar- titioned off as it now appears, and the ceiliug, which had begun to sj)read, was supported by columns, restiug on the ground floor — an arrangement which added nothing to the ai'chitectural eflect of the interior of the church. Sometime during the year 1823, the congregation sold the original parsonage house and lot to Mr. Calvin S. Crane. By him it was enlarged and occupied as a boarding-school, until the year of his death, in 1837. His school became one of the most popular in the State, and at one time contained upwards of about fifty boarding-scholars, besides several day scholars. The Parish appropriated the north gallery of the church to Mr. Crane's school, which no doubt accounts for the fact that it has been less freely occupied than the opposite one. Mr. Crane's premises were not again used for school purposes until 1843, when they were rented to Rev. Brown Emerson, of Torringford, Connecticut; who occupied them until 181:7, when they were purchased by Dr. Maynard, for a ]irivate residence. Mr. Emerson, on leaving here, removed his s(^li(>(i] to Belleville. During the Spring and Summer of ISS.'), the church was blessed with the experience of another revival,the fruit of which among the hitherto impenitent was the ingathering of thirty- three of their number into the communion of the cburch. Stoves were first introduced into the church in the Winter of 1828. It is hard for us, accustomed to comfort as we are, to realize how, for thirty-t\v<» winters, our ancestors crmld huvc worshiped God with profit, without artificial heat. In the year 1828 — owing to the advanced age of Mr. (inv ver — the congreijation obtained as colleague or assistant, the 85 Rev. Robert B, Caufield, a recent graduate of Auburn Tlie- ological Seminary, and licentiate of Cayuga Presbytery. He entered upon liis labors in July 1S28, only remaining, how- ever, for the period of six months, when he left to accept an- other field of labor.^ On the 1st of January 1830, the labors of Mr. Grover, proving too severe for his increasing infirmities, the congre- gation decided to settle a stated colleague. On the 17th of May 1830, Rev. Baker Johnson, a native of Littleton, New Jersey, and a recent licentiate of the Pres- bytery of Newark, was heard as a candidate, and in January 1831, having labored here meanwhile, he was unanimously called to a permanent settlement over the church. He ac cepted the call on condition, that in addition to his salary, (four hundred dollars) he should be furnished witli a dwelling- house, and was soon after ordained and installed as the co- pastor with Mr. Grover. The present parsonage-house was begun this year and com- pleted in the Spring of 1832, at a cost of nearly fifteen hun- dred dollars. It was immediately tliereafter occupied by Mr, Johnson."^ • 1. Mr. Cantield, informs the writer, that in August 1826, after laboring in a re- vival in Springfield, during his first seminary vacation, he met Mr. Cyrus Crane n Newark, who urged him to accompany him to Caldwell, and iireacli. He did so. At about half-past 8 o'clock p. m., the bell was rung, and ten or twelve per- sons gathered in the school-house. They were niuch'movcd by the news of God's dealings in Springfield, and welcomed Mr. Canfield to Caldwelland their families. He at once began to visit from house io house, and to hold meetings in the school-houses. The result was, a "general awakening among all classes to the momentous interest of the soul, and the things of eternity," and many were led to Christ and saved. After spending several weeks here. Mr Canfield returned to the Seminary. The next year, (1827) he also spent a part of his vacation here. In June 182S, he was invited as stated above, to become Mr. Grover's colleague. He adds "My association with Father Grover was always pleasant and tender, and we labored most ::;irmoniously together to the last of my residence in Cald- well. I parted in pence and kindness with the church, Mr. Grover, and every individual." The greater part of his ministerial lif(> has he(^n spent in the Sec- retaryship of the A. S. S. Union. 2. Mrs. Johnson was the oldest daughter of the Rev. Barnalias King, ?o many years pastor of the Presbyterian church, at Rockawoy. 33 On the 25tli of April 1831, tlic Ivcv. Gitlcuii K. Judd, of Bloomfield, being present us Moderator, tlic Society resolved to change its form of government and to request the Presby- tery of Newark to receive the church and congregation un- der their care. To this request the Presbytery at once ac- ceded. On the 12th of May following, the congregation met, and after an hour of prayer for J^ivine direction, elected the following Elders, viz.: Calvin S. Crane, George P. Martin, Samuel Harrison, Eufus Harrison, Nathaniel S. Crane, Wil- liam Gould, (who, you remember, had already been elected for- ty- seven years before, at the organization of the church,) and Jared F. Harrison, to the office of Euling Elder, David Min- tonye,Henry S. Harrison and Jonathan Provost, Caleb Crane, David Harrison, and Samuel Perry, to the office of Deacon ; who were all shortly afterwards ordained. It is a curious fact that just after this, a grossly, intemperate member of the church, when proceeded against for his immoralities, en- deavored to shelter himself from the judgment of the session, by denying that he had ever consented to the change in the form of government. It is deserving of mention here, that at this date the session of the church resolved themselves into a Temper- ance Society, auxiliary to the Essex County Temperance So- ciety, and drew up, (it is in the handwriting of General Gould) a constitution which was subscribed by nearly one hundred persons, — all being males. (The document is in the hands of Samuel Crane.) Py that instrument, ardent spirits were proscribed as hurtful, not to be provided for the enter- tainment of friends, nor to be used at all, except as a medi- cine. Cider, beer, and wine, were not to be druidv to excess, under penalty, after two or three admonitions, of expulsion ! For the times, this was a decidedly forward step. This year the church enjoyed another large spiritual re- freshing, and received thirty-seven new members to its com- 34 niiinioiij among wliuin were the Rev. David H. Piersoii, (then but thirteen years old,) Elder M. S. Canfield, and Dea- con Asher Crane. In the following year fifteen, and in the next year fifty-one more were entered npon its roll of communi- cants. During the summer of 1833, Mr. Johnson having declared his unwillingness to serve the congregation longer in the capacity of assistant, requested the Cliurch to unite with him in asking Presbytery to dissolve his pastoral relation to this charge. Having tried in vain to induce him to change his mind, they granted his request, as likewise did Presbytery, and he at once relinquished his labors here after the very brief but successful pastorate of three years.'^ During his stay the roll of church members was increased by the addition of one hundred and three names. In October following, Mr. Grover having reached his seventy-sixth year, and l^eing no longer able to perform the duties required by tlie demands of so large a parish, and it being difficult to secure a minister willing to be settled simply as colleague, the congregation obtained their pastor's consent to retire from the cliarge of the Church altogether upon a fixed annuity, to be paid until his death. The pulpit thus became •vacant. At the time of this relinquishment, Mr. Grover was universally beloved by his people, with whom he had lived as pastor for forty-six years. Here, too, he spent the remaining three years of his life in unabated regard for his people, and enjoying to the last the proofs of their love and veneration. For the next six months the Church was without a pastor, depending for its preaching upon occasional supplies and candidates for settlement. After failing in an effort to obtain 1. After leaviug here Mr. Johnson went to Greenville, N. Y. on the Hudson, remaining there till ISil, when here moved to Strousburg and Smithtield, near the Delaware Water Gap— He is now in Wiseonsin, 35 the Rev. E. R. Faircliild, pastor of a church in Wantage, Sussex Co., on the twelfth of Ma_y,1834, the congregation unanimously extended a call, to become their pastor, to Rev. Richard F. Cleveland^ recently licensed to preach, and then living in Baltimore, Maryland. This call he accepted and in the en- suing summer he was regularly installed in the pastoral office over this people. About this time the congregation received from the estate of Major Nathaniel Crane of AVest Bloomfield, a legacy of five hundred dollars. This year is likewise memorable for a very material change in the church's confession of faith and covenant. The original ones, as has been mentioned, had been in use about fifty 3'ears. The new ones were in use eleven years. I find in the re3ords of the next year an item, which, now that slavery no longer exists in our land, is interesting as showing the ground taken by this church at that time on this subject. " A circular from the Anti- Slavery Society of Massachusetts, addressed to the churches was laid before session by Rev, Mr. Grover, It was resolved unanimously that the said circular be read to the church without note or comment, and the speedy and peaceful termination of slavery be commended to their prayers." On June 22d of the next year, 1S3G, in his 78th year, and almost fifty years from the time of his first sermon here, the venerable and venerated pastor and spiritual father of the church, suddenly fell asleep in Jesus, whose messages of love he had so long, and faithfully, and successfully proclaimed. lie retired as usual to rest at night, and was found dead in 1. Mr. Cleveland was a native of Connecticut, a relative of Dr. Cox, and M-as teaching near Baltimore -when licensed. After leaving Caldwell he settled in Fuyettcville, Onondaga Co. N. Y. He afterwards became District Secretary of A. H. M. Society, then Pastor of a Church near Utica. A son of his has preached in Caldwell. 36 his bed in the morning. His death was caused, it is thought, by apoplexy. A great concourse of people attended his funeral. Kev. Dr. Hillyer of Orange, the oldest surviving Minister in JSTewark Presbytery, preached on the occasion, from the text, " Your Fathers, where are they ? and the prophets do they live forever ?" Kev. Mr. Condit formerly of Hanover, also assisted in the exercises. These Clergymen had, like Mr. Grover, and cotemporaneously with him, en- joyed long pastorates in their respective fields of labor. Several other ministers and many strangers were also present. He was buried just back of his pulpit, and among large numbers of the flock to whom he had so often preached of Christ, the resurrection and the life. From Mr. Canfield's impressions, kindly given me at my request, I extract the following : " Mr. Grover was a man of great urbanity, sociability and kindness. He was a ready and fluent speaker, shrewd, wise, and a keen judge of human nature ; a faithful and successful minister of Jesus Christ, in short, a true christian gentleman." From the inscription on his monument I quote the follow- ing. " As a ]3astor he was devoted and faithful ; as a preacher ardent and pathetic, and in all his social relations kind and affectionate ; having finished his work he fell asleep. (The widow of Mr. Grover survived him eleven years reaching almost her eighty-eighth year.) A few weeks before his death, Mr, Grover recorded with his own hand, the interesting fact, that during his ministry alone, between twelve and thirteen hundred persons had united themselves with this church. It was not simple justice, but truthful and eloquent eulog}', to place on yonder marble tablet, respecting this honored ser- vant of God, indicating as it does, his imperishable influence in this community, " He being dead yet speaketh.^" 1. During the greater part of Mr. Grover's mmistry,g it was liis (and a general) practice, to visit the schools of the parish and catccliize the children as often as 37 Ot what remains to complete this discourse, I will aim to speak with brevity, inasmuch as the subsequent history of the church is not so remote as to be out of the memory of more than a few, and the materials for its future delineation are abundant. In the Spring of 1837, the Rev. Mr. Clark, an Evangelist, having labored here with Mr. Cleveland, for several weeks, the church was blessed with another considerable awakening. At the two following communions, the church received sev- enty-five members into fellowship. Among those converted at that time, though he united with the church in Bloomfield, was the Rev. Oliver Crane, who went in 1849 as a Mission- ary to the Armenians, and now resides in Montclair. Three hundred Bibles and Testaments were distributed through the parish this year. In this year also, (August 25th,) three ad- ditional Elders and five Deacons, were elected and ordained, only three of whom remain, viz.: Messrs. Provost, Lane, and Van Gieson. The following year seventeen persons were added to the church. During the 3-ear 1839, the cliurch was thoroughly remod- elled and repaired. The whole interior of the building was taken out, the frame of the steeple and the house strength- ened, a new roof put on, the ceiling lowered, (a new system of supporting, allowing the removal of the columns,) new chimneys laid, a new truss-gallery built, new seats made, as also a new and lower pulpit, and the entire structure within, fashioned and arranged anew — the same indeed, as you see it to-day, with the exception of the carpeting, the grain- practicable. Pjircnts very generally required their children to meinorizc,thc Cat- echism, the invaluable formulary of the Westminster divines being in employ. No ill effects from thus combining the secular and doctrinal have ever been left on record, and the writer is of the opinion that tlie abolition of this custom, through the introduction of the Sabbath-schools, is so far forth a departure from the "good old way." While a return to the practice may not now be feasible, it would be a kindness to our children if they were taught this iinexcellcd sum- mary of Christian doctrine. 38 ing and papering, and removal of the pulpit, and lowering of the platform, whicli were done fourteen months ago. This work was completed in the Fall of that year, at a cost a lit- tle over twenty-two thousand dollars, all but twenty dollars of which was subscribed before the work was done. The la- dies furnished^ the church, and procured the blinds, {i. e.) those at the sides of the pulpit, and those under the the gal leries. Those in tlie South gallery they obtained in 1844. During this year the Presbytery of Newark, owing to the division of the Synod of New Jersey, was divided into the two Presbyteries of Newark an i Rockaway, and for a single year this church belonged to the Kockaway Presby- iQvy. It was set back, however, the following year to the Presbytery of Newark. In the Autumn of 1840, Mr. Cleveland resigned his charge after a ministry extending through six years and a half. His salary was continued until the 1st of January following, and his house-rent and fire-wood were furnished gratuitously un- til that time. During Mr. Cleveland's ministry one hundred and nine persons were added to the church. On the last Sabbath in October, 1840, Pev. Samuel L. Tuttle, a native of Bloomfield, and a graduate of the College of New Jersey, and two months before of Auburn Theologi- cal Seminary, and only three weeks before licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Newark, preached for the first time in this house. After a trial of three months, no others having been heard, on the 22nd of February 1841, he was unani- mously called to become your pastor, and accepted the call. On tlie 9th of March, ensuing, in special meeting of Pres- bytery, he was ordained and installed, at the age of twenty- 1. llncler date of April 17th, 1789, 1 flad the redords :—'' Voted that there be two bushels of Sand bought of the collection money for the use of the Meeting House." This sanding of the floors continued for just half a century, the first carpets being introduced in 1839, after renovation of the church. This year also coal stoves took the places of those for burning wood. 39 five years. IIis residence for a time was in the family of Deacon Justus A. Burnett. IIis ministry among you lasted eight years and a half. He was permitted to rejoice in three considerable revivals, and to welcome one hundred and thirteen into membership with the church. At the time of his leaving, the number of church members amounted to three hundred and fifty-three. The aggregate of all the members from the formation of the church had reached then to about sixteen hundred. It was dnrinji: his pastorate here, that the congregation gave up (January 1842,) the use of the old version* of Watts' Psalms and Hymns,^and adopted the Christian Psalmist, which contimied in use until 1861, when the Church Psalmist was introduced. This you were kind enough, when I came among you, to displace at my request, by the present excellent and unsur- passed collection, " Robinson's Songs of the Sanctuary." The Bell, which convened us this morning, was procured in 1848, the last year of Mr. Tuttle's stay. The church had no bell until 1811. They then obtained one for the sum of eighty-dollars, which weighed two hundred and eighty-nine pounds, and was cast and owned by Daniel Dod, of JVIend- ham. It had been cast for the Newark Court-Housc, but proved to be too small. This was in use here until 1848. In 1847 the ladies raised by a Fair one hundred and eighty- five dollars, towards a new bell. Subscriptions were also 1. The writer would here make aeknowlcdgmeut for several of the facts of this history to some notes left by Jlr. Tuttlc, and kindly placed at his disposal by his son William. 2. Our fathers must have believed in tlie " Service of Song," for we Ihid tliem from the first, clcctinfi: no less than six or eight leaders of music. In May IT'JO, I find it "Voted, that the singers shall have the front seats in the trallcry in the follow- ing manner, viz. ; all the seats in front of flic pulpit for the Tenor and Counter. The Bass to have the two first front scats in the side gallery as far as the middle aisle, and the Treble to have the two seats opposite the Bass as fi\r as the middle aisle." When, in 1826, the number of leaders was reduced to five, it became necessary at the annual meeting to request the choristers to improve the psalmody in the church . 40 started, and a new one of twelve hundred pounds weight was procured. This did not prove satisfactory, and after three months it was returned, and the present bell, weighing sixteen hundred and twenty pounds, was obtained. Its total cost, with arranging the steeple lor it, was six hundred and eighteen dollars and fifty-six cents. It was placed in position August 8th, 1848. To the forecast and energy of Mr.Tuttle, is the congregation mainly indebted for the trees, which in Summer so greatly adorn our church grounds. They were set out in Kovember 1848. It was also during his stay with 3'ou, that you made (April 2nd 1846,) a second change in your Confession of Faith and Covenant., for a Confession"" more comprehensive, better expressed, and containing nothing but the essential doctrines," and a " Covenant more explicit, definite and com- prehensive." (See Api^endix F.) They were those in use in the Presbyterian church in Rockaway, then under the care of the venerable Barnabas King. They are still in honored use in this church. AVhile Mr. Tuttle was here, the parsonage-house underwent a considerable enlargement, rendering it inuch more commodious and convenient.^ Mr. Tuttle resigned his charge March 7th 1849, and was dismissed by Presbytery on the iTth of the following April. On the 29th ot the same month, he preached his farewell sermon from the text, II. Cor., 13:11, to a house filled to overflowing. lie alludes to the occasion as a " so- lemn and aftecting time." It was the privilege of your pres- ent pastor, six years after this, to sit for over a year under 1. This consisted in raising tlie lean-to anotlier story, fiml enclosing it under a single roof, b}' wliich two additional rooms Avere secured. In 1868, two rooms were finished off in the third story, one with a dormer-window. (Previously to this, the present liitchen had been added.) In 1870, the eastern end of the house was raised to two full stories, aifording a very light and desirable study. 41 Ml'. Tattle's ministry cat Madison,^ I am liappy to add my testimony to his excellence as a preacher, his genial and en- dearing qnalities as a pastor, his kindness and warmth as a friend. He died April IGth, 1800, aged fil'ty-onc years. The fifth pastor of this church was Rev. Isaac N. Spraguc, D. D. He accepted a call from this congregation, and began his labors with 3'on, January 1st, 1850. He had previously been pastor of a church in Sherburne, IST. Y.; of the Fourth Free Church, New York City; the Fourth Church, Hartford, Connecticut ; and the Second Congregational Church, Brook- lyn. There is not time now to take up in detail the incidents of his long and successful pastorate among you of nineteen years duration, SufKce it for the present briefly to say, tliat 1 After leaving Caldwell, Mr. Tiittle was in the employ of the American Bible Society for several years, both in the Secretary's office and in the general agency for Connecticut. January Sd, 1S54, he was installed pastor of the church in Madi- son, where he continued until April IGth, 1SG2, The early part of his ministry there as here, was marked liy a powerful revival of religion. Throughout his min- istry, additions were frequent, aud the congregation rapidly grew. His resign- ation was against the earnest wishes of nearly all his congregation. It was with the iitmost reluctance, and with highly commendatory resolutions, that the Pres- bytery yielded to his wishes. In ISo'J his wife died suddenly, leaving one child, William P., who was boru in Caldwell, DccemberlOth, 184:2. In 18(jl he married Miss Margaretta Thompson of Madison. She died suddenly in 1863,leaving anin- fant]sou. After his resignation of the Madison pulpit, Mr. Tuttlc was appointed agent of the American Bible Society, for Western New York; but in the Spring of 1SC3, he was invited to the Bible House as assistant to the Secretaries, which position he occupied until his death. In this sphere he entered upon his duties with great enthiisiasm. At his funeral, his friend and fellow-Secretary, Dr. Tay- lor, iu the elegant tribute he paid to his memory, gave it as his opinion that there was no person so thoroughly and minutely acquainted with the history and work- ings of the American Bible Socictj', as Mr. Tuttle. Mr. Tuttlc possessed a bright, cheerful countenance, which kindled (piickly in conversation, and in public speaking. His voice M'as one of uncommon rich- ness and power. It was not uncommon to see large numbers of his hcarcis moved to tears under his tender appeals. In prayer lis had unusual gifts. The prayer he offered at the bedside of his dying father, on his last visit to him, was marvelous in its tenderness, its earnestness, its exalted faith; as if both father aud son were even then seeing God face to ftice. Those who wejit under the fer- vor of that prayer, did not doubt that the father would soon be in his "Father's house," but they little thought the sou was also so near. The father died Janu- ary Gth, and the son April Kith, or rather, both entered into rest. Sec Wilson's Presbyterian Historical Almanac, volume t", pp. 327-330. 6 42 durino- his ministry here, there occurred no less than nine re- vivals, several of them of imiisiial power and frnitfulness. Wo less than three hundred and seventy -foin* persons pub- licly professed their faith in Clirist, while he was here, and eighty-six united by certificate, making four hundred and sixty in all — the large yearly average of twenty-four. The largest number received at any one time was seventy-one, on the first Sabbath in May, 1862. Eev. O. Parker, an Evangelist, had preached here about two weeks and ahalf,aDd the special meet- ings continued nightly, almost uninterruptedly for the period of three months, with the above-mentioned results. A min- istry so steadily fruitful of conversions is certainly not com- mon. In order to accept a call to the "Geneseo Yillage First" Presbyterian Cliurch of Geneseo, New York, Dr. Sprague resigned this charge two years ago to-day. The membership of the church was then four hundred and twenty-seven. During the latter part of his labors in this field, the organ was procured (1861), the Cemetery purchased, (1866), and laid out in suitable lots for interments therein, and the grounds around the church protected by an appropriate and orna- mental inclosure, (1867), thus reclaiming it from a public common, and forming a resort of beauty and shade, which will compare favorably with that in any other town or ^'illage of the county. The j)lan of " rotary" Eldership was also introduced dur- ing Dr. SjDrague's ministry — both Elders and Deacons being chosen in December 1856, as also in 1861 and 1866, for a term of five years. 'No tangible advantage, however, has as yet seemed to result from this plan. Dr. Sprague speaks in the highest terms of his new field, and, as was to liave been expected, reports of his success in it have reached us. On the 22nd of February, 1869, you extended a unaui- 43 nious call to your present pastor to labor with you, and I en- tered upon my labors the last Sabbath of March. I was in- stalled, the 5th of May following, by the Presbytery of Newark, by which bod}' I had been ordained on the Ttli of March, 18C3, God has given, I cannot doubt, a double proof of his guidance in my decision to leave the field (Yal- atie, N. Y.) where I had labored for five years and a half, by blessing this my second charge, in the first year of my resi- dence among you with a precious revival, as a fruit of which over eighty credible conversions occurred, and seventy-three ,vere added to the church. Up to this date we have received in all ninety-one into communion since my installation, and the membership of the church is now just five hundred be- ing larger than that of any other church in Newark Pres- bytery. The church is believed to be at this present in the judgment of prudent observers, in a more than ordinarily prosperous state. For myself and family, let me say that we have received from the first nothing but kindness and distinguished consid- eration from you all. May God reward and richly bless you. I have thus sketched, much more hastily than I could have desired, the history and present condition of this church and congregation. It has not always been smooth sailing for the church. So far indeed, is this from very true, that it must be said, she has at times passed over very tempestuous and perilous seas. To these things I have not thought it wise to particularly allude. God in his great mercy has conducted his church, and she has in safety weathered every storm. Few churches have been so often and greatly blessed. This has seemed to be a Zion peculiarly favored. Your fathers builded o-rcater than thcv knew. "When we remcm- 44 ber tlie feeble beginning, and now contrast these matured re- sults, witli Balak, we may well inquire — " What katii God WKOUGIIT ? " Over two thousand one hundred and fifty souls hopefully converted to God ! What a record for thankfulness ! If the spirits of the departed participate in the affairs of this earthly life, how many, many souls must bend rejoicingly over us to- day. At least four ministers^ were here converted to God. Four churches also are much indebted for their origin to this as a parent church ; and many other churches scattered far and wide, for members which they have received by letter from us. The moral tone of this whole Township, has been made to partake of the blessed influence of this church. From the first it has been continually receiving, and likewise im- parting good. Resting by natural location upon a prominent site, it has in its spiritual eminence been a Mount Zion, rich in precious and glorious results. Greatly has it been blessed and honored by the Great Head of the church. Feeble in in infancy, it has yet attained to the strength and size of full stature. The mustard seed planted in faith, has indeed grown into arboreous proportions, and become withal richly fruit yielding. In this Revival CJiurch God has loved to dwell, and from it for nearly four-score and ten years, have the fertilizing streams of divine grace, been flowing down in copious volume among all the dwellers of this region, to en- rich them in all spiritual things, gladdening the hearts, and refreshing the souls, of God's children, not only in their own quickened life, but also by the abundance of new growths in this vine^^ard of the Lord. Owing to the meagerness of its early records, accurate in- formation of the benevolent operations of the church cannot 1. Rev. Abner Brundagc, Rev. Joseph C. Moore, buried in 1844 in tlie church burying-ftronnd, Rev. David 11. Picrson, and Rev. Oliver Crane. 45 be given. It is known, however, to liave been in the con- stant liabit of contributing to tlie varions calls for monetary aid, that have been from time to time brought to its notice, and in this " Memorial" year it has risen mucli above its wonted level, and, it is believed, is ready to .engage with greater self-denial, and intenser devotement in "works of faith and labors of love." And now, in closing this review of the church's history, to what reflections shall we give ourselves? The fathers are all dead. With here and there an occasional exception, their chUdren have followed them into the other world, most of them we trust, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. T\\Q\Y (jrand-children, too, have largely " crossed the flood," and those that remain are those to whom the young look up for counsel, and Avho have long been the pillars of the church. It is upon the children's children's children^ that ^\e now de- pend for the activity that is to support and carry forward the enterprise, whose foundations cemented with prayer, were laid nearly ninety years ago ; and these 'ere long, must in turn, become themselves the counselors, and surrender the field of action to their children, some of whom are, it is grateful to record, in the tender years of childliood, already'' numbered on the roll of the church militant. Descendants of a pious, self-denying, faith-sustained ances- try, do you appreciate the legacy which has been bequeathed you ? Will you prove yourselves loorthy inheritors of such blessed possessions? Do not, then, forget, that increased opportunities and privileges, bring with them, enhanced res- ponsibilities. Ilecalling what your father's fathers and their fathers did, contending with many difHculties and discour- agements, bear in mind to what you are called by your pres- ent strong and responsible position. Without debt ; with a convenient and comfortable sanctu- ary ; with a large membershi}) ; with increased monetary 46 supplies ; with a reasonable prospect of early and rapid en- largement of population; with an animating liistory; with the stimulating promises of a covenant-keeping God, who will be with the children as he has been with their fathers ; with the assistance of an ever-present Redeemer, to whom His church stands in the near and dear relation of bride ; and with the regenerating and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit ever ready for bestowal as the "return of pray- ers ; is not this the opportune moment of high advantage, to l)egin in lofty endeavors to make the future bright with the lustre of your deeds, and affluent with the results of your labor, ; Availing yourselves of the impetus given by your fathers to the work of God in this place of hallowed memories, will you not press it yet more rapidly forward, and, broadening the scope of your faith, increasing the fervor of your prayers, multij)lying your assiduities, and putting on the panoply of God under the guidance of the Captain of Salvation, inscribe upon your banners, This Township for Jesus ! The times are auspicious, and according to our faith so unto us shall it be. The real life of Christianity is diffusive. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. With foundations deep and broad and strong, what then, may not be safely pre- dicted for the future of this church, if, in zealous faith and in the spirit of self-sacrifice, its aim shall hereafter be measured only by its possibilities ! And not God's, but our own, must be the fault, if our future be not such as to eclipse the past, if, while for the profit there is in them, we "remember the days of old and consider the years of many generations," there be not in the vaster moment of the present, abundant reason to give heed to the prophecy — "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old." APPE:^rDix. APPENDIX. PASTORS. Stephen Grovkk- Ordained and installed July 23rd, 17SS; resigned October, 1S33 ; died June 22nd, 1830— in his seventy-eighth year. Bakeu Johnson— Began labor May 1830, ordained and installed May 1^01, re- leased October, 1833. Now in Oxford, Wisconsin. Richard F. Cleveland— Called May 12th, 1834, installed soon afterwards ; resigned October, 1840; settled in Fayetteville, N. Y., became District Secretary of A. II. M. Society, then pastor of a church near Utica, and died in.thc Autumn of 1853. A son of his has preached in Caldwell and is now on Long Island. His name is William N. Samuel L. Tuttle— Began labor October, 1840 ; ordained and installed March 9th, 1841; resigned April 17th, 1840, died April 16th, 1866; aged fifty- one. Isaac N. SPUAGUE-Began labor January 1st, 1850; installed March 'JTlli, 1850, resigned January 1st, 1809. Charles T. Bekrv— Began labor March 28th, 1869; installed May 5th, ISfl?. K U L I N G ELDERS Samuel Crane. . . . \ elected both Dea- | Silas Baldwin \ cons and Elders, j George Personett Joseph Harrison December 4th, 1781, 1811. ,, ,, (unascertained) „ ,, 1816. , „ [became a Meth- odist 1837. ,, „ (unascertained) 1847. 1795, 1806. 1810. ,, (unascertained) 3rd, Aaron Tompkins n William Gould m Joseph Baldwin January Enos Martin i> Samuel Tomkins >> Jonathan Crane • -. ' » Nathaniel Douglass | 1 October ord. 18Ki. Samuel Perry I Congregational 1 , ., ,, Kufus Harrison I Deacons. j „ ,. ^< Samuel Gould I J ^^^ , ij , -' Calvin S. Crane May I2lli, 1-31. Samuel Harrison >. " " Rufus Harrison m " " George P. Martin .i >• " General William Gould.. [re-elected] ,, ,. .. Nathaniel S. Crane n »> " Jared F. Harrison n >» « 1824. 1830. 1848. 1821. Mar. 4. 1837. „ 5. 1849. July 17, 1848. Feb. 12. 1847. July 8th, 1870. July 3rd, 1862. 50 Jonathan Provost Sept'r Henry S. Harrison ... ,, William G. Crane ,, William Lane Nov. Justus A. Burnett ,, Caleb S. Crane „ M. S. Cantield J Elected for 5 years and re- / Dec. S. O. Harrison \ elected for same in '61 '66. ) ,, Zenas C. Crane f "] Dec. Cornelius H. Jacobus I Elected for | Noah O. Baldwin ~1 live years, f ,, Lewis C. Grover. . . . [ J „ nth, 1837. „ ,, Dismissed 1843. ,, Dismissed 1843. loth, 1847. „ „ Mar. 29. 1857. ,, ., Dismissed 1849. 1st, 1856. 1st, 186C. Dismissed 1868, DEACONS. Samuel Crane Dec. 4th, 1781. 1811. Silas Baldwin „ „ „ (unascertained.) Nathaniel Douglass Oct. 3rd, 1819. ' ' Samuel Perry „ ,, ,, Rufus Harrison [Chosen Elder in 1831].. „ ,, ,, Samuel Gould ,, „ ,, Caleb Crane ) ( date of election | David Harrison j ( not recorded. ) David Mintonyea May 12th, 1833. Henry S. Harrison ( chosen Elders ) ,, ,, ,,(Dismissed)1843. Jonathan Provost ] in 1837. ) ,, ,, ,, EzraBeach Sep't 11th, 1837. Justus A. Burnett [chosen Elder in 1847] ... ,, ,, „ Elijah Pierson ,, „ ,, Reinheer Van Gieson ,, ,, ,, William Lane [chosen Elder in 1847] ,, ,, ,, Horace Mintonage Nov. I5tli, 1847. Thomas D. Gould ,, „ ,, Parker Riker ,, „ ,, Samuel 0. Harrison , ,, ,, John De Camp ,, ,, ,, Asher Crane Dec. 1st, 1856. | Elected for s j Cornelius H. Jacobus „ „ „ -^ .'Idin "Tfor's ^ Noah 0. Baldwm ,, ,, ,, ( years. ) Asher Crane ,. ,, 1866 [again re-elec- ted for five years. ] William H. Bond ,, ,, ,, ( elected for ) Matthias C. Dobbins.. [Dismissed] 1870 ,, ,, ,, -^ five V Anthony Bowden ,, ,, „ ( years. ) 1824. 1830. 1848. 1821. 1844. 1838. 1834. 1841. 1857 1862. 1854. 1862 APPENDIX A. This third Day of September one Thousand Seven Hundred and one and in the Thirteentli Year of tlic Reign of our Sovereign Lord William the Tliird by ye Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith Ac: Articles of agrement made and Confirmed by us the Subscribers and Every of us firmly by these presents for our Selves our heirs Executors Administratoi"s and Assigns is as followeth &c: lirst We whose Names are underwriten or Subscribers have thought it Ex- pedient unto our behoofe and Profit for our Selves to make a Purchase of ye In- dians of all or part of that upland Westward or Northwest of the Town Bounds of Newark within ye Compass of Pasayack River and So Southward unto ye Monusing Path (viz) all Land as yet unpurchased of the heathen &c: 21y We ye above Sd Subscribers in order to ye carrying on ye afore Sd Pur- chase untill we have procured ye afore Sd Land unto our Selves have Chosen a Committee to the number of Seven men (viz) Mr. John Treat Mr. .Joseph Crane Joseph Harrison George Harrison Eliphelet Johnson John Morris and John Cooper and ye above Sd Committee have full Power from us ye Subscribers as well for us as themselves in Every Matter and thing in and about the purchase of ye afore sd Land and Primises to treat bargain and agree with Such Indians or Indian as the aforesd Committee Shall by their Diligent Inquiry find to be the Right owners thereof: and we do also Agre that the Major part of ye Commitee now chosen in Case of failure in any in appearing or if not conveniently to be had: Shall have full power to act in and about ye premises aforesaid &e : Sly We the aforesaid Subscribers Do Agre too and with ye aforesd Committe to Lay down So much money or moneys upon the Demand of ye Committe aforesd to Defray and pay for the aforesd Land and Primises and all Such Char- ges as shall Necessarily Accrue thereunto according to our proportion by our Subscription &c : 41y We the aforesd Subscribers Do Covenant and agre with Each other and the aforesd Committe that the aforesd Land Shall be purchased [and paid for by us the Subscribers and So Shall be held and continued as our Just Rights Either in General or pcrticular alotmcnts as the major part Shall i\gre from time to time and that none of yc sd purchasers their heirs or assigns Shall at any time appro priate any of ye sd Lauds or premises by any manner of way or means but by allottments fairly and Legally Drawn as the major part of the Sul)scribers Shall agre, and if any Subscribees for one Lott his Right Shall be according Such as Subscribe for two Lotts or for three Lotts their Rights Shall be according and when the major part of ye Subscribers Shall agre to come toalottments that then he or they that have more than one Lott Shall Draw Severally according to ye num berof their Lotts Subscribed for and Shall have their Land as it falls to them by alotment &c 52 And for the Confirmation of Each and Every article thing or things aforesd the Subscribers for our Selves our heirs Executors administrators and assigns Do by These presents bind and Oblige our Selves unto Each other to Stand to Ratifle and Confirm Each Article and thing aforesaid. in Confirmation hereof we the Subscribers have Voluntarily and unanimously Set to our hands the Day and Year above Written &c LOTTS John Treat 1 Hugh Roberts 1 Daniel Crane 1 Robert Young 2 Joseph Harrison I Sam'll Dod 2 Daniel Dod 1 Joseph Brown 1 Eliphelet Johnson 1 Paul Day 1 Nath. Whelar jun 2 John Medlis 1 Thomas Brown 1 Sam'll Ward 1 Atonie Olive ] Wm. Muir 1 Peter Cundict 1 John Daviss 2 Sam'll Baldwin 1 John Baldwin, Sr 2 Joseph Linsley 1 Tunis Johnson 1 Tho: Ludington 1 Amos Williams 1 Sam'll Camp 1 Jonathan Sayers 1 Daniel Dod, Jun 1 John Johnson 1 Sam'll Cooper 1 Matthew Can field 1 Joseph Crane 1 John Plumb 1 Jonathan Sargint 1 John Broadberry 1 LOTTS John Cooper 1 Azariah Crane 3 Daniel Baldwin 1 Jasper Crane, jun 1 Robert Cambel 1 Thomas Hays 1 John Clark 3 John Lee 1 Joseph Canfield 2 Georg Harrison 1 James Clizbe 1 John Cundict 1 Jose. Plumb 1 Daniel Brown 1 William Wilson 1 Sam'll Harrison 1 Judah Penington 1 Benjamin Harrisonl -Seth Tomkins 1 Sam'll Roberts 1 Sam'll Freeman 1 Joseph Ball 1 Cobus Provost 1 Matthew Williams 1 James Smith 1 Elezar Tomkins 1 Joseph Johnson 1 Mr. Wakeman 1 Sam'll Ailing 1 Caleb Ball 1 John Crane 1 Elizabeth Ogden 1 Anthony Hand 1 David Ogden 1 Daniel Harrison Ebenezer Lindsley Jasper Crane Ben: Baldwin Nathaniel Ward, Sen John Linsley John Gardnei John Ogden John Delglish Thomas Brown, Jun John Morris John Burwell John Rogers Jonathan Linslej- William Brant Mr. Pierson Crispin Squire Ele. Bruen Edward Ball Mr. John Pruden Sam'll Lyon Stephen Browne Joseph Peck Zophar Bech James Rogers Josiah Ogden Sam'll Kitchel Abraham Kitchel 1 Elezer Lamson Daniel Tikenor Daniel Sargent Bostegon Vangeson Joseph Wood 53 FROM THE TOWX RECORD. At a Town Meetinft- iu Newark, October 2, 1G99— First— it was agreed by tlic generalty of the Town, that they would endeavor to make a Purchase of a Tract of Land lying Westward of our Bounds, to the South Branch of the Passaick River ; and such of the Town as do contribute to the purchusing of the s'd Land, shall have their Proportion according to their Contribution. 2ndly, That Mr. Pierson and Ensign Johnson are chosen, to go and treat with the Proprietors about the same, to obtain a Grant. 3rdly, There was a Committee chosen (viz) Samuel Harrison, Thomas Davis, Kobcrt Young, Daniel Dod, Nathaniel Ward, and Jolni Cooper, to consider, agree, and put forward the Design abovcsaid. FUOM THE L.VWS OF NEW JERSEY. Act of the General Assembly of the Province of New Jersey passed Dec 13 1703 (being the First Assembly of New Jersey after the Surrender of the Gov- ernment to the Crown. Session the First, Chapter First. An Act for regulating the purchasing of Land from the Indians Whereas several ill-disposed persons within this Province have formerly pre- sumed to enter into Treaties with the Indians or Natives thereof, and have pur- chased Lands from them, such person or persons deriving no title to any part of the soil thereof under the Crown of England, or any person or persons claiming by from or under the same, endeavoring thereby to subvert Her Majesty's Dom- inion in this Country. SUMMARY OF ACT. 1. No person to purchase of the Indians but those who have a riglit of Pro- priety and obtain a license. 2. Any person purchasing to forfeit Forty Shillings per acre one half to sup- port Government, the other half to the Prosecutor and be disabled to sue for the Land. 3. Every pei-son having purchased without a Right under the Crown, such purchase to be void unless such person obtain a Grant from the Proprietors iu six months. 45 APPENDIX' B. To all Christian People To Whom these presents Shall Come, Greeting, &e. Know Ye, That Whereas Sundry of Our Fathers and Predecessors, viz. Loan- tique Taphow Manshum with Divers others the Owners and Proprietors of the Lands Over or Above the Mountains for and in consideration of One Hundred and Thirty Pounds or Thereabouts Received of Sundry the Inhabitants of New- ark, viz ; John Treat, Jasper Crane, Joseph Harrison, George Harrison, With Others their Associates Did Make Seal And Execute a Good Lawful Detd or In- strument of Conveyance of and for A Certain Tract of Land Scituate in the County of Essex Between the Top of the first Mountain So Called And Pasaick River Beginning At the mouth of Pine Brook So Called and thence running up the Said River Unto Menusen path so Called Excepting a Small Tract Lying by Said River Granted before to Mr. Theophilus Pierson As per Deed &c May Ap- pear And Down Said Path Unto Osbornes Land and Along his Line to Newark Line on the Mountain, And Northerly along Said Mountain Unto a Place Called the flatt Rock by Gardners Land And a White Oak Tree Marked on four Sides and thence Northwest Unto the Dutch Line So Called And along Said line to the place Where it Began. Which Said Deed roken open, the owner turned out and a stack of oats burnt. In the following March the rioters were spreading their influence to such a degree that the Legislature seemed to be stag- nated by it. (See Analytical Index to the Colonial Documents of New Jersey, pp. 257-8. When the Jail was brokcn^open Jan. 1. 1740, Mr. Thomas Gould, then 28 years of age, carried the flag on the occasion. So at least Mr. Congnr thinks if r. Silas Condict of Orange stated. 8 68 By the Council of Proprietors, Perth Amboy, M'ch 25. 174G. " The Post-Boy of the 17th Feb. last, iusinuatcs that the Persons iu whose Fa- vor these Riots were made, have a better title to the Lauds in dispute than the General Proprietors, and those claiming under them ; that they have been put to great expense by many vexations suits ; that they are prevented from bringing their causes fairly before the King ; that the Conduct of the General Proprietors has been cruel, harrowing and vexatious ; and that in the particular Transaction between the settlers of the Lands called Horse-Neck and the pei-sons claiming under the General Proprietors, the Settlers have made fair and reasonable propo- sals and the Claimers have rejected them. To these charges the Proprietors re- turned a general denial; affirmed their ignorance of any Indian deed, declared that the Governor and the Council were to malce all purchases of the Indians— the settlers to pay their proportion of these Charges, and then add. Possibly many of the Rioters being ignorant men and many of them strangers to the Pro- vince, and since they came to it living retired in and behind the mountains of Newark, upon any land they could find without inquiring who the owner thereof was, have of late been animated and stirred up to believe that those things which the laws of the Province have declared to be criminal and penal were lawful ; that those crimes, committed, gave the criminals, Rights, Privileges and Proper- ties ; but though many have been ignorant enough to be so seduced, we cannot think that all can with truth plead that excuse ; some there are amongst them, who may though not be acquainted with all the Particulars aforesaid, yet cannot be supposed never to have seen the printed Laws of this Province and the first leaf of which has had at least three Editions, making those Pretences void and penal. The poor deluded, ignorant PeopIc,we conceive, deserve Pity and Compass- ion but the laws of the Province point out the Deserts of Seducers." They concluded with declaring no knowledge of the settlers being invaded and profess great consideration for the prosperity of N. J. appe:n'dix d DEED OF PARSONAGE LAND. This Indenture made the nineteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1779, between Caleb Iletficld of New-Ark Township in the County of Essex in the State ot New Jersey, William Crane of the Town and County Aforesaid, and Noah Crane of the Town and County aforesaid, of the one part ; and Thomas Gould, Samuel Crane, Joseph Oould, Joseph Baldwin, John Oo^dd, Joseph Harrison, and Abraham JVoe, all of Ilorsc-ncck, in the Said County of Essex, of the|] other part ; Whereas, divers Inhabitants iu and about a place called and known by the name of Horse-neck, in the County of Essex, professing the Protestant religion under the denomination of Presbyterians, being destitute of a place of publick 59 worship, ;iud bciug very desirous of promotini; llie publiclc worship of Ahnighty God, by makin,!^ dceent provision for tlic support of a minister of tlie Gospel of that denomination, and crectini; a convenient house for puljliek worship, have contracted with the parties aforesaid of the lirst part, for a certain tract of land heroin after mentioned, for the purposes aforesaid ; but not being a body known in law or incorporated, so as to take and hold lands in a public or corporate ca- pacity, have for the security of the said lands for the purposes aforesaid met to- gether and unanimously chosen the parties aforesaid of the second part.as Trustees to take and hold tlie said lands, to, and for, the uses and purposes of supporting the publick worship of Almighty God as aforesaid, and making provision for a Minister of the Gospel of the Said Denomination, to be chosen from time to time by the Inhabitants of said Ilorse-neck, who shall from time to time form and make up on« Congregation to be known hereafter by the name of the Fikst Pkesbytekian CuuKcn in Horse-neck in such manner as the said congregation shall direct and appoint, but to no other use whatever, or of any other Congre- gation that may hereafter be erected and set up in said Horse-neck, but to tlie solo use of said First Presbyteuian CiiURcn in Horse-neck as aforesaid. And whereas the said parties of the Second part have agreed to accept of the same and to take and hold the said lands subject to the trusts and uses aforesaid ; now in order to coulirm the same, This Lulcnturc WUiiessdh, that the said Caleb Hct- Jldd^ WiUUiin Crane and Koah Crane, for and in consideration of the Sum of Ten Shillings, Proclamation Money of New Jersey, to them in hand well and truly paid by the said Thomas Gould, Hamucl Crane, Joseph Could, Josepl: Baldwin, John Gould, JosejjJi Harrison and Abraham Noe at or before the ex- ecution hereof the receipt Avhereof is hereby acknowledged ; and also for divers other good, pious, and valuable considerations them thereunto moving, have given, granted bargained, sold, aliened, remised, released, and confirmed; and by these presents do give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, remise, release, and confirm unto the said Thomas Gould, Samuel Crane, Joseph Gould, Josepli Baldwin, John Gould, Joseph Harrison and Abraham Xoe, their Heirs and Assigns, all that cer- tain tract or parcel of land situate, lying and being in Horse-neck, in the County of Essex, in the State of New Jersey aforesaid, beginning at a heap of stones near a maple sapling standing on the South side of the road that leads from Horse- neck afore said to New-Ark, being also a corner of John Edison's land, and from thence running first along the road North sixty-eight degrees West four chains ; thence North thirtj'-nine degress and forty-five minutes West ten chains ; thence North forty-five degrees West ten chains ; and thence North sixty- five degress and fifteen minutes West ten chains and ten links, to a dry oak tree at a corner of Saunders Sanders' land; thence along his line and bounded by the same North forty-nine degress and fifteen minutes East Eighteen chains and five links ; thence North seventy-three degress East four chains and eighty-eight links, to another corner of the said Saunders Sanders' land; thence North forty-seven degress East four chains and sixty links to another corner of the said Saunders Sanders' land ; thence East eighteen chains and nineteen links; thence South thirty degrees East thirteen chains and seventeen links, to a stake in the said John Edison's line; and thence along his line and bounded by the 60 same South thirty-eight degrees and thirty-scveu iniiiutca West thirty-one chains and forty links, to the place of beginning ; containing ninety acres and forty- seven hundreths of an acre strict measure, being the same tract or parcel of land ■which was formerly surveyed for Richard Philips, together with all and singular, the edifices, buildings, ways, waters, water courses, commons, profits, woods, underwoods, huntings, hawkings, fowlings, fishings, commodities, privileges, advantages, hereditaments, rights, members, improvements, and appurtenances whatsoever, unto the said tract or parcel of land hereby given and granted be- longing or in any wise apiiertaining and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issiies and profits, thereof: And also all the estate, right, title, interest, property, possession, claim and demand whatsoever, both in law and equity, of them the said Caleb Hctfield, ViilUam Crane, and Noah Crane, each and every of them respectively' of, in, and to the same and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances. To have and to Jiold all and singular the said tract or parcel of land hereditaments and premises, hereby given and granted(or meant, mentioned or intended so to be), with their and every of their rights, members and appurtenances unto them the said Thomas Gould, Samuel Cra7ie, Joseph Goxdd, Josejjh Baldwin, John Gould, Joseph Harrison, and Abraham Noe, their heirs and assigns for ever in joint tenancy. In trust and to, for, and upon, the several uses, interests, and purposes, hereinafter mentioned, expressed, lini' ited, and declared, of and concerning the same, and to no other use or purpose whatsoever ; that is to say To and For the use and benefit and behoof of the In- habitants of said Horse-neck now forming or who may from time to time hereaf- ter form the Congregation of Protestants in said Horscneck, called and hereafter to be known by the name of the Fikst Puesbytekian CnuRcn in Ilorse-ncck aforesaid ; for the j)urposc of erecting a proper building and buildings for the sup- port and convcnie.ncy of the publick worship of Almighty God, and for the sup- port, maintenance and comfort of such minister of the Gospel of the Presby- terian denomination, that shall be hereafter from time to time called, chosen and settled by the said Inhabitants now forming or who hereafter may from time to time form the said congregation, to be known by the name of the First Pres- BYTERiAN CHURCH iu Horsc-ncck aforesaid ; and also for the use of a place of burial for said Congregation and Inhabitants, all which uses are to bo in such manner and under such directions, instructions, and limitations, as the said congregation shall and may from time to time hereafter appoint and direct by their vote in the publick meeting of said congregation, in due form to be made and taken, and to, for, and upon none other use or uses, intents, or purposes whatsoever. And the said Caleb Hetjield, William Crane and Noah Crane, do hereby for them- selves severally and respectively, and for their respective heirs, executors and ad- ministrators, covenant, promise and grant to and with the said Thomas Oould, Samuel Crane, Joseph Gould, Joseph Baldwin, John Gould, Joseph Uarrison, and Abraham Noe, their heirs and assigns that all and singular the said tract or jiarcel of land and premises hereby given and granted, now are free and clear of and from all former and other gifts, grants, bargains, sales, leases, and entails, and of and from all mortgages, judgments and incumbrances whatso- 61 ever, by them or auy or either of them respectively made, executed, or suffered, and that the same premises shall aud may at all times for ever hereafter be peaceably and quietly held, used, occupied, jiossesscd, and enjoyed by them tho» said Thomas Qould, Samuel Crane, Joseph Gould, Josep/t. Baldwin, John doidd, Jo- seph Harrison, and Abraham Koe, their heirs and assi,u;ns to for and upon the sev- eral uses, trusts, intents, and purposes hereinabove expressed, limited and de- clared, of and couccrnino; the same without any the lawful let, suit, trouble, hin- drance, molestation, interruption or denial of them the said Caleb Hctjldd, Wil- liam Crane AUi\. Xoah Crane, any or either ot them, their^ any or either of their heirs or assigns, and of all and every other person or persons whomsoever law- fully claiming or to claim the same or any part or parts thereof from, by, or under them or any or either of them respectively. And the said parties of the second part for themselves, their Heirs, Execu- tors, Administrators and Assigns, and for themselves severally and for their sev- eral heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns, do hereby covenant, promise, grant, and agree, to, and with, the said Caleb iletticld, William Crane and Noah Crane, their heirs, executors and administrators that they the parties of the sec- ond part, their heirs and assigns shall and will well and truly take and hold and keep the above granted and bargained premises with the appurtenances to and for the uses and purposes above particular!}' set forth and to no other use and purpose whatever. And that they shall and will use and appropriate and sutler to be used and ap- propriated the premises aforesaid with the appurtenances to the erecting of a pro- per building and buildings, for the support and convenience of the publick worshii> of Almighty God, and for the support maintenance and comfort of such minister of the Gospel of the Presbyterian denomination as shall hereafter from time to time be chosen called and settled agreeable topresbyterial rule and order, by the said Inhabitants, now forming or who may hereafter from time to time form the said congregation to be known by the name of the First Pkesbyteuian Chukch in Ilorse-ueck aforesaid, aud also for the use of a place of burial for the said con- gregation and Inhabitants, all which uses shall be executed by the said parties of the second part, their heirs aud assigns in such manner and under such directions, restrictions, aud limitations, as the said Congregation shall and may from time to time hereafter ajipoint and direct, by their vote in the publick meeting of said Congregation in due form to be made and taken. Iti Witness whereof the parties to these presents have hcreuuto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first written. Sealed and Delivered ) Caleb Hetfield (L.S.) In the Presence of f William Ckane (L.S.) Stephen Baj.dwin Noau Cuane (L.S.) Caleb Dod James Caldwell TuoMAs Gould (L.S.) g Samuel Crane (L.S.) 5 Joseph Gould (L.S.) | Joseph Baldwin (L.S. ) ^ John Gould (L.S.) 2 Joseph J1arrison(L.S.) P 62 Be it remembered that on tlie twenty-eighth day of July in the year of our Lord one tliousand seven hundred and scventy-niue personally appeared beiore 'me, Joseph Hedden, Jr., one of the Judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas lor the said County of Essex, Stephen Btddvvin one of the within Sub- scribing Evidences, and being duly sworn on the Evangelist of the Almightj^ God, saith that he saw the within named Caleb Hetfickl, William Crane and Noah Crane sign seal and deliver the above instrument as their act and deed for the use and j)urposcs therein mentioned. Sworn before me the day and year above written. Josxpu IIedden, Jan. APPENDIXE. THE ORIGINAL CONFESSION. The Confession of Faith of the Church of Christ at Horse-neck entered into by the members whose names are above inserted. Arlicle 1. We do believe that there is but one God, who is an infinitely per- fect and holy being, the Creator and governor of all worlds, and that this God subsists in a wonderfully mysterious and incomprehensible manner in three per- sons, Fatlicr, Son, and Holy Ghost, who are equal in all perfections and but one God. Article II. That the writings contained in the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God and furnish an unerring, perfect and sufficient rule of faith and practice. Article III. We approve of the shorter catechism commonly read and taught among us as an excellent summary of the doctrines of Christianity and in gen- eral agreeable to the Holy Scriptures. PAETICULARLY. 1. We do believe that our first parents were at first made upright, but by sin broke covenant with God, and hereby brought themselves and their posterity under the awful curse of God, into a state of total corruption and infinite guilt and misery. 2. That God has in his infinite sovereign mercy provided a Saviour for lost men, even the eternal Son of God, who has taken upon Him our nature and become an all sufficient mediator, so that whosoever believeth in Him is pardoned, justified, and has a sure title to everlasting life, purely and only on account of His merits and worthiness. 3. That all men are naturally so depraved and corrupted, such perfect enemies to God and the Saviour that no one ever will believe on Christ and embrace the gospel, until God give him a new heart, by the sovereign and irresistible influence of His Holy Spirit. 4. That all true believers do persevere in faith and holiness unto the end, being kept by the power of God through faith unto Salvation. 5. That the holy law of God which requires perfect and persevering obedience is the rule which Christians are under. 63 6. That in the end of the world, there -will be a general resurrection of the bodies of all, both of the righteous and wicked and a day of judgment, in which Christ the judge, will sentence the wicked to eternal destruction and receive the righteous to life everlasting. THE COVENANT. You do now in the awful presence of the dread Majesty of Heaven and earth, the searcher of all hearts, in the presence of the elect Angels and before God's people solemnly profess to give up yourself to God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and choose Him for your God, your Father, your portion, your Saviour and Sanctifier : renouncing all the ways of sin as what you truly hate and abhor, and choosing the service of God as your greatest privilege ; and you promise by the help of his grace to live a holy life in the denial of yourself and all ungodliness with every worldly lust; and you particularly promise to comply with and con stantly and faithfully to attend upon all the institutions and ordinances of Christ enjoyed and administered here, and to submit to the discipline of Christ in this Church so long as you shall continue to be of the number of its members. You also engage to treat them all with that christian tenderness and brotherly kindness which become the disciples of Jesus Christ. APPENDIX F. Present Confession of Faith of the Church— Adopted April 2, 184C : In the presence of the Eternal God, and of his people, you present yourself to be received into the communion of this church. Previously, however, to your being thus received, your cordial assent is required to the following summary of christian doctrine. 1. You believe there is but one God, the Creator, Sustainer and Governor, of all worlds and creatures. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and that these three are one in essence, equal in power and glory. 2. You believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, are the revealed word of God ; that they arc the only revelation which God has given to his church ; the only one to be expected, and that they contain a perfect rule of faith and practice. 3. You believe the scriptures teach us that our first parents were created holy ; that by their voluntary act they sinned against God and incurred his merited wrath; that in consequence of this disobedience, all their posterity arc totally depraved. 4. You believe the scriptures further teach, that God in infinite mercy has provided a way of salvation through the mediation and death of his Son Jesus Christ, who is verily God ; that Jesus Christ is the only Savior ; that he is both able and willing to save all who will repent and believe in his name. 5. You also believe the scriptures teach us, that it is absolutely necessary to receive and rest upon Christ as a Savior from sin and wrath, in order to become interested in his mediation ; and that men are naturally so averse to holiness, and 64 so In love with sin, tliat no one ever will love God, rei^ent of sin, and receive and rest upon Christ as a Savior, until his heart is renewed by the Holy Spirit. G. You believe, that at the end of the world there will be a general resurrection, and a day of judgment ; that Christ will then sit as judge, and will punish the finally impenitent and unbelieving with endless misery; and that he will receive the rigliteous into his kingdom, which is everlasting, and into joys which are eternal. [To this summary of christian doctrine you cordially assent ] [IFere bapti.vn is to be administered.] CO VEI^ ANT. You do now, in this public manner, before God, angels, and men, cheerfully avouch Jehovah, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to be your God, your Father, your Redeemer, your Sanctifier, and your portion. You take the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the rule of your conduct and the measure of your faith. You do now renounce the world, and sincerely embrace the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, and the object of your highest love ; and you rest your hope simply on him to pardon your sins, and by his Spirit to strengthen you for duty, to deliver yoir from every remaining corruption, and finally to present you without spot or blemish before the throne of God. You profess that it is the will and purpose of your heart, to live a holy, humble, prayerful and devoted life; to maintain the purity of your christian profession, and to be an example to those who are without, that they seeing your good works, may glorify your Father who is in Heaven. You promise to keep holy the Sabbath day, to attend public worship, to observe the Lord's supper, regularly to maintain closet and family devotion, and indeed, endeavor to do your duty in whatever station Providence may place you. You do likewise covenant, that you will submit to the order and discipline of this church, so long as you are continued a member thereof ; that you will kindly give and receive admonition ; and that you will in all things treat your brethren with that tenderness and fidelity which become the disciples of Christ, and brethren of the same household. Thus you solemnly covenant and promise. Having thus engaged and promised, and having received the sacrament of baptism, this church stretches forth the hand of fellowship, and this day invites you to unite in the breaking of bread and in the pouring out of wine. ^n«i«i«^WPpn«aiaa^Mi ni*"Hi««aMHi«nHHMW«