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First Presbyterian rnrRcii. Hahvi.dn. X. ^'. This was the Fom'tli iJuiUliii'i' iTiH-tt'd in 1870.

The Tiiiui) Ciniicii BriLDiNr. liuilt ill 1S8!). now used as a Sunday School Ixoom

TiiK Skcoxd Ciirucii J^tilding

iiiiilt in its;), was a two story I>uilding, now used as a Dwelling House

Marks made hv carriages driving too elose to the structure

can he seen on tli(> east side of building.

•Iv.\ii;s AV. IvvTON

AUTHOR

OF THE OF

Babylon, Long Island / ;'

FROM 1730 TO 1912

Cousisting of a Historical Seruioii b_v Rev. Jauies O. Nightingale and au (^iitliue of the History of tho Church bv Rev. Robert D. Merrill

COMPILED BY JAMES W. ExVrON

I

- , J J J J •> - Printed by .,'',/* ° ' •

The Babylon Publishing Company Babylon, N. Y.

MiCp.

1 1 1 1 II I I

n BABYLON PRESBTTERIAX CHURCH

. . bEW YORK

PUPTT- TTqpAu?Y

674266A

ASTl r , LSN'CX AND

TlLDErl F OU N DATIONS

R -1^33 L

COPYRIGHT

BY

JAMES W. EATON

BABYLON, N. Y.

1912

BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH III

DEDICATION

To the Descendants of the Founders of

The First Presbyterian Cht'RCH

OP IsLiP AND Huntington

South

This book is Respectfully Dedicated

by the Author.

IV BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

ILLUSTRATIONS

L The Fourth Church

2, The Second and Third Church Buildings

'J. James W. Eaton, Author

4. Rev. Hollis Read

5. Rev. Gaylord L. ^Tore

6. Rev. Charles W. Cooper

7 Rev. .James McDougal. Pii. D.

b. Rev. James C. Nightingale

9. Rev. W. B. Floyd

10. Rev. James C. Hume

11. IvEV. John Dietrich Long

12. Rev. Robert D. Meuimli-

BABYLON PRESBYTEBTAX f^TTT'RCTT

CONTENTS

Historical Sermon, J. C. Nightingale 1

Outline History, R. D. Mei-rill 15

History of the Presbyterian Church of

Babylon prom IToO to 1912 21

The Four Church Buildings 21

First Building Fund 22

Contributors to Salary First Minister 25

Extracts from old Deed 27

Baptisms from 1798 to 1857 28

Church Government in old Times 51

A Temperance Pledge 54

Formation of Presbyterian Church of Islip 55

Ministers of the Church 56

Interiors of the Second and Third Churches 57

Some Interesting Facts 58

Memorial Windows 61

VI BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

INTRODUCTION

At the suggestiou of Orville B. Ai-kerly of Yonkers, New York, these notes of the early liistory of tlie Presbyterian church were com- j)iled. He gave me a copy of a sermon preached by Rev. James C. Nightingale, July, 1876. Then the Rev. Robert D. Merrill furnished nie with the outline history published by him in 1908, together with the old church registers, and several photographs of the ministers of the church. The work now seemed easy, especially as my great grand parents and ray family, down to myself had been connected with this church until 1871. The writer's earliest recollection was in attend- ing the services of this church when the Rev. Charles W. Cooper preached, and when the church was heated by stoves, burning wood. The preacher in my estimation at that time was the most learned per- son in the village, and natui-ally the best person.

The records of the baptisms in this church will be of great value to the genealogical student, as it comprises the early inhabitants of Islip, Bay Shore, West Islip, liabylon. Lindenhurst, Copiague and Am- ityville. The short extracts from the minutes, will give a good idea of the fashion of handling chui-ch offenders in olden times.

Portraits of several mini.sters of the churcii, and of the church building are inserted.

Some incidents in connection with the early historv of the church are added.

Mr. Nightingale in his sermon says the church was organized under the name of "The Preshyierian (Jhurch of Islip and Huntington South." The records show that before organization it was called the church or congregation of Islip and Huntington South. When the covenant was signed by fourteen persons January 7, 1798 — they used the words ''We the first church of Islip and Hunlinglon South," and again December 14th, 1818 — "We the members of the first Presby- terian church of Islip and Huntington South," So it would seem

BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MI

that Mr, McD'ill gives tlie uyiiic correctly in liis outline history, vi/, :

> J

" The First I'rrsbiflrriait CIikicIi of Islip and Htuilingtoii Suiitli Again Mr. Nightingale says. Mi*. Cook eoinnienced his lahors in 1824 — ATr, Merrrill says in 1826, which seeniH to be in accordance with the church records.

Out of respect to the inemofy of the late \lt'\. .Jnities ('. Night- ingale his sernion is printed in full and llie "oulline of Ihr hislnru ol the church" by the pj-esent pastor. Kohert I). Men-ill is given' as a, tribute to one who is beloved by all his elinrch nuMnbers. and one who is doing great good in th(> coiuniunity.

Katury Jjosee was propounded tor baptism -July 22. ]7!*8 and was baptised August 5th, 1798. being the first recorded baptism.

A list of the memorial windows in the present church is given.

The authoi" could easily have given his readers a more concise and connected history of the church, had he prepared it as a whole, but felt that what had already been done by those in the church, should be preserved.

Thanks are due to all who have kindly assist(Hi in this work and it is given to the public for the interesting histoi-y it contains of the church in olden times.

West Islip, February 19, 1912, J. W. EATON

V\V\. 11(11, MS IvHAl)

Piistoi- r<il- llic vc;il" l.So.S

Jii;\-. (Jwi.oiJM L. .More lioi'ii ]Sli>. ,li,.,l ill 1888 I'nstor I'roiii 1 >.')!' to IS.K?

HISTORICAL SERMON

By the Rev. James C. Nightingale

Published in the South Side Signal July 22, 1876

The history of this church extends (»\er n |)erio(| of ii-;irlv one himdi-ed and tifty years.

The roiv'i'oi; ATio X \.\ik

The cliurch was organized under the name of ■•Tin l'i(sliij- terian Church of /slip and Huniinglon Soulh." This name was retained nntil a separate congregation was formed at Islip in is.'iT. when the tith^ was changed to ''TJir Presbyterian Chiirrh of Hioi liny- ton South." After the division of the town of Huntington, and the incorporation of tlie present town of Babylon, in 1870 the name was again changed to that wliich it now 1)ears. '"Th( First I'n shijfi ri<ni Church of Babylon, Long Island."

The First Church Edikick

The first cJiureli buikling was erected in the year IT^iO. It was a small and unpretending structure. The exact site on which it was built is not known at the present time. The chuivh was used for religious worship, only occasionally, as the people were few in num- ber, and were not able to secure the services of a permanent pastoiv With such supplies as they (K)uld get from the Presbytery, tiiey con- tinued their worship, doing wJuit they could to promote tlie glory of Ood. They wei"e undisturbed in the enjoyment of theii- religious privileges, until the breaking out of the Revolutionaiy war. when tliey were called upon to suffer a great loss in the destruction of their little- church. It was torn down by British soldiers, in the year 1778, and such portions of it as could be used for militai-v purposes wer& transported to the western pai-t. of the Island. It was useless to make another church edifice during the existance of hostilities, ayd hence, for a number of years the congi-egation was deprived of a house of worsliip.

^ BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN" CHURCH

The Second CntRCH Edifice

At the c'lose of tlie wtir. the peoj>le took new courage and made a determined and successful effort to secure for themselves a church home. Tlie site on which the present building stands wa^ purchased for five pounds, current money of New York. The pur- chase was made Xovember 4tl). 1783. In the meantime, the following subscription, bearing date August ]4th. 1783. was circulated among jhe people, viz :

''We irhosc names are henanfo subscribed, believing it to he our (liilfj to eneleavfjr to promott the public irorship of Almightjf Goel, hare emel do by these presents Knanimously agree, to build a con- venit lit house for that purpose, upon the terms and ce>nditions follow- ing :

J'Jli'ST, it is agreed that the Itouse be set on some convenient piece of grounel secured for that purpose, near the highway, and be- i.ween the houses of Arthur Dingee and Aaron Higbie : e>r Jesse Weeks oinl Jacob Dow that they now live in.

SECOXDLY. it is agreed that ire appennt two or more of us fi> liari tin cart of bait ding said house, and to receive the sums of 4>nonty thai ui subscribe against our names, and that they give in writing from under their hands, that they u-ill faithfully execute the trust reposed in them; and that they wdl render to us a true occount of alt that till y shall do in this affair: and that they detain no more of said mom y in tluir hands that wi shall judge reasonable for their serrices.

THlJi'DLY. it is agreed that said house be for the use of the jninist(r and people of tlie Presbyterian denomination : and that when Uf Jtare such a minister settled among or n-ith us, he is to have the care of the pulpit: but at such other times as we have no minister settled irith us, and on such days as the house shall not be wanted for the niinisfers a)id people of the Presbyterian denominations, that then any tim of the subscribers who hare giren fire pounds each, or any one fhat has giren ten pounds, and their successors, shall hare liberty to osl any licensed or ordained minister of the gospel, of other denomi- 'nations. to prearh in said house; but not stateelly unless if be with the <ippre>bation of at least three-fourths of the subscribers or their suc- cessors.

FOl'PTIILY. it is agned that if the subscribers choose to hart pnrfirutar srats for Ihemselres, and their families, then he or she that has uinn most, to hare first choice, and so to descend in that oiih r.

p, \MVi.ox i'iri:si'.vn;i;iA\ ciiik-cii 3

FIFTHLY , it is (lyiftd, and in do kkIi of us for liimsfff, prom- ise to perform what wc svhi^cribv in money, lahor and mafcri/ds, as

u-iiness our hand on lliis 14/// daij of Aue/usf, Aimo Domini, 1788.

Tliis i)aper received the signjitiircs of .S4 i)ersons. wlio sul>- sij'ibed tlie sum of £:J24, 4s., Od. Tlie hirgest siiiu eontrihuted was

£58, 17s. 0(1. The smallest conti-ihution was 2s. 'M. T]w l.uild ing of the ehuivh was enmmonet'd in 178:5. Thf date of its comple-

tion is m)t known, hut if was not paid foi- until 17J)(), when a second siThscription papei- was circulated to make up the deficiency in the amount suhscrihed upon the fir.st paper. The principal contrihutoi-s, who gavt' ten pounds or more to the building fund, were Isaac Thomp- son, Aaron Iligbie, Nathaniel Conklin, (Jarret .Monfort. John Moubray, Arthur Dingee, Jesse Conklin, Timothy Sciiddrr. Sihis .Mmicy. Jesse Wicks. I'hoebf ronklin.

Okganiz.vtion oi- 11 1 1; ('iiriicii

(•

•ougi-egation, under the name of "Tin I'reshnttrian Church of Islip and Huntington South." was received into thePresby- te)-y of Long Island. April 11th, 1797. and measures were taken for the completion of its oi-ganization. A meeting of all those who wished to be united as a church under the care of the Presb.ytery was held at the house of Isaac Thompson, Dec. 10th, 171)7. and a covenant was drawn up, which the uuMubcrs were required to sign. The covenant was read in the church on the following Sal)bath, and was signed January 7. 17i)8. The covenant is as follows:

" W'l do this elaij in tht pr(S(nii of tin (fnal, cf(rn<d and, holy (iod. soliniidi/ t(d,( tht Lor<t Jehovedi, Fallnr, Son, a}id Holy Ghost io 1)1 our (rod; and ire do desire to give up oiirsilrrs soul and, body to Ik at His disposid, yiddiiKj oursthus to His service as willing and obedient subjects. And as ire are by nature,

children of irnilh, and are sinners by nature and practice, in do nnui openly e.rprtss our abhorrence and detestation of irhatever in our tins and conc( rsation has not been agreeable to the divint rule, and promise by the assistance of divine grace (uithoul uhich we can do nedliing) Io u-all: agreeably to the rule above mentioned.

We also solemnly promise to watch over one anollnr in the love of the Lord; promising to submit ourselves and ours to the disci- pline of this church, accoreling to tin directions of CJirist, and that ive ivill hold communion, with each other in the worship of God, and in the careful and diligent use of the ordinances of Jisus Christ, so long as

4 B.\BYI>ON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

ive contihue together !» this relation B>) the greiee of God, this tee

promif^e."

This eoveuaut was signed by the following pei-sons: Isaac Thompson, Jesse Keteham, Tredwell Scudder, Anning ^loubray, Thomas Keteham, Sarah Thompson. Temperance Keteham. Kaziah Scudder, ^lary Moiibray. Rebecca Sammis. Phebe Keteham and Jemima Spragne.

On the 20th of January. 1798. at a meeting called for the purpose, Isaac Thompson and Tredwell Scudder were elected elders, and Jesse Keteham was elected deacon, and on the 4th of February they were ordained to tlieir respective offices. The trustees, Jesse Keteham, Nathaniel Conklin and Tredwell Scudder, had already been chosen, so that the church as an organization was now complete. The Lord's supper was administered for the first time in the new church on the first Sabbath of April 1798.

The church adopted the following as a declaration of their

principles :

"TJiis may eertify all whom it may hereafter coneern, titat

we the first church of Islip and Huntington South, have been formed upon Presbyterian principles; and do adopt the Directory of the Pres- byterian Church in the United States of Amenca as containing the most consistent summary of the scripture doctrine that ur l;no\v of.''

In order to provide for the increase of the church, and the exclusion of all unworthy or improper persons, the following were adopted as terms of admission :

FIRST. In order for a person to be a member in full com- mnmon u-ith this Church, his or her Inowledge and piety must be such as to give satisfaction to the clnirch : and he or she must also sign the covenant.

SECOXD. Adults who may apply to he baptized, oiid a-ho do not see it to be their duty under their present circumstances, to come to the ordinance of the supper, upon their giving satisfaction to the chiinlt iriHi respect to their hnoicledge and piety, and tlirir niok-

ing a public profession of their faith, and that they will submit to the government and inspection of this church, may be baptized.

THIRD. It is expected of the members in full communion, and, also of those irho have or may put themselves under the inspection and government of this church {except they are under the censure of the church) that they bring their children forward, for baptism as soon after their birth as with prudence and convenience may come.

UABYLON iM;KsiiV'n;i:i AN ciirivCii b

FOUHTfl Such persons as may have been hapliz( d hij rr<jii- 'Jar muiisters of other denominations, who >naij apply to join this churcJi in full c<)}nmunion, or to have flin'r tlnl(lr< h txtptized, shall he adinitlcd upon (he same terms as thos< [la/tliitd hij a Trtsttytcnan minister.

FIFTH. Persons irJio /ml lln msi I lu s imdii- tin inspection and <jov< rinn< nl of litis clinrch must adoj)! IIk constitution of the Presbyterian Church in I In t'nihd Slates 0/ Americci, containing the confession of faith, catechism, etc., as l)iiii<i the most convenient sam- mary of scripture doctrine that they hnon- of. and lln y mast In regu- lar in their lives and convrrsal ion."

First Pastor of tiii: Ciukmii

The first successful effort to procure the scr\ ices of a perma- nent pastor was commenced June 11th, 1796, at which time the follow- ing paper was drawn up. and circulated arnono: tlic iMO])h' to obtain subscriptions for the support of Kev. Lullier (jleasuu. whom they de- sired to call as their pastor, in connection \vi1h the Presbyterian Churcli at Smitlitown :

"We ivhose names are hereunto subscribed, believing it to he our duty to promote the worship of Almighty God, and having a desire to enjoy the preaching and the ordinances of the gospel amongst us, do unanimously agree to the following particulars:

FIRST. If it shcdl be agreeable to the people al Smithtown for them, and for us here at South, to have Rev. Luther Gleason to be their and our minister, and fi)r him and his family to live on their parsonage, and to preach one half of the Sabbaths at Smithtown, and the oilier half of the Sabbaths here at South, in our meeting house; and in case it shall be agreeable to said Luther Gleason to accept of their and our call, that then tve do each one of us for himself promise to pay yearly to said Mr. Gleason, or to such other person or persons as wc may appoint to receive it for his use, the sums of money that we have subscribed against our names, so long as he shall continue tet preach to tis or be our minister.

SECOND. It is agreed that in case any of us should move away from this parish or society, or should be tal;en away by death: in such cases our subscription for that year in which u-e shall move away or die shall be paid, and then it shall cease.

THIRD. It is agreed that a contribution shall be J.ept up on the Sabbath that he shall preach to us; and a house or houses shall be appointed for hitn to stay at when he comes, ^cith his horse, to

b BABYLON I'RESBYTERl \X mURCH

preach to us, and fruin the contiibulion mo)i< u sadi pc rsoii or persons shall he paid a reasonable sum for the same; and further, in case there should he some failure in our suhscription by reason of death or movvng away or some unavoidable accident, in such cases it shall be made lip from the said contribution, if it he sufficient for the purpose. And in case that the contribution shall not all be wanted for the pur- poses aforesaid, then in such case it may be applied in repairing the meeting house, and purchasing a bible, psalm book, and other things necessary for the use of our minister and congregation.

And further, it is agreed that toe shall appoint some one or more of us to tale the contribution and to take care of the temporalities of our society. And lastly it is agreed that this present writing shall not he in force until Mr. Gleason shall accept our propo.wls or ccdl, and shall begin his first year in preaching to us; and then we will endeavor to pay what we have subscribed yearly by the time it is due or before. And in case Mr. Gleason shall need some part of our subscription he- fore the end of each year, for the support of his family, in such case we will endeavor {those of us that can do it) to pay our subscriptions in, two payments, half a year apart."

The aboA'e paper was signed by seventy-live persons, wlio cou- tributed £79, 3s, Od, in sums ranging from £7 to 4s. The largest sub- scriptions were those of Isaac Thompson, Nathaniel Conklin. Tredwell Scudder and Anning Monbray.

Having ascertained that they were able to eontrib\ite eighty pounds yearly, towards the support of a pastor, this congregation unit- ed with the church at Smithtown, in the following call and agreement :

'^At a meeting of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church and congregaiion of Smithtown, and a committee chosen by and from the Presbyterian Society and congregation of Islip and Huntington South, held at Sni$thtown on the 22d day of July, 1796, it was unanimously re- solved by the said Trustees and by the said committee whose names are hereunto subscribed, to ccdl Rev. Luther Gleason to come and tale the pastoral charge of the said church and congregation of Smithtown, and the said society and congregation of Islip and Huntington South. And for his encouragement and support among us, wedohereby covenant and agree with each other to give him the use of the parsonage house, and ham and lands and meadow, belonging to the said church and con- gregation at Smithtown, during his natural life, he continuing faith- fully to discharge the office and duty of a Presbyterian minister of the gospel among us. And n-e do further agree with each other to pa >

B\RVr,ON I'RKKRYTKFn \N Cllllffll

io the aaid Luther Gleasvn, ijmrlij, (md iccrif H'nr <lnrui(/ his runliiui- ence among us as our miuisfcr thr sum of nm Inatdrtd and sixfif pounds of good and cum til mtnu ij of ynr Yurh. And ive do further agree with each olln r Io ruisr hi) suhscription, or oUterwisCr the said sum of one hundnd a ud sixty pouudsl oIh jHiid ijeo 1 1 u u nd every year as above mentioned. And we do further agree that said Mr, GleasoH shall preach one half of lli< Sahhaths hi Ihr mceling house in l^mithloK-n and the other half of Uk Sahhalhs in IIk^ mc(liiig house at Huntington South. And finllur il is agr<((l that in, case there

should he any public fasts or IhauJcsgiving days appointed in which Mr. Gleason cannot attend al holh meeting houses, then in sucJi cases Mr. Gleason is to attend al lln meeting house in SmitJttown. And it is further agreed Ihal lln parsonage shall he under the care of the trustees of said church, and Ihal Ihcy shall keep the buildings on the parsonage and the cinular f< mt around the parsonage in sufficient repair.

ISAAC TJIOMI'SOX

JESShJ KETCIIAM

Committee for Islip and Huntington South.

PHILETUH SMiriJ

JEREMIAH PL ATT

MILLS PHILLIPS

JOHN FLOYD

EPENETVS SMITH, Jr.

ISAAC ARTHUR ''Trustees Presbyterian Church ancf congregation of Smithtown."

The action of the trustees and committee was ratified by the two congregations represented, and the call was sent to tlie Presbytery of Long Island for presentation. The call was found in order but owing to the incompleteness of the church organization, it was not presented to the candidate. At the .spring meeting of the Pres- bytery, April nth, 1797, the organization of the church having been completed, the call was presented and accepted. Mr. Gleason, the^ pastor elect, entered upon his duties, July 9th, 1797, but was not in- stalled until September the 28th of the same year. His pastorate- continued for nearly nine years.

=8 BABYLON" PRESBYTERIAN CiU-RCH

i A Revolt in the Cm ncii

The pastor, Rev. Luther Gleason, was a man of very limited education, a ready, and in some respects a popular preacher, and won the hearts of people to such an extent that they retained their con- fidence in him. even after he had heen convicted of gross sins, and had been deposed from the ministry. On the 20tli of March, 1804, he was convicted before the Presbytery of Long Island on the charges of ^'moling too free use of intoxicaling liquors." and a "lightness of de- portment, unbecoming tlie sacred profession." ' He confessed his guilt, and was I'estored to his former good standing. On tlie 17th of June 1806, he was again arraigned on charges of a more serious nature, and after an impartial trial, lasting five days, he was con- victed, and was suspended from the ministry, until he should make satisfaction to the Presbytery. He at first denied his guilt, but af- terwards came before the congregation and confessed his crimes. New disclosures of still more serious nature, furnished matter for a new series of charges which were preferred against him in Presbytery. He refused to submit to a trial and abruptly left the Presbytery. The usual course in such action was taken, and he was suspended from the ministi-y August 20th, 1807, and deposed October 16th of the same year. Before the judical process was completed, he united with the Long Island convention. The only reason which the}' could give for the reception of a man against whom charges of a serious nature were pending, was that they considered him as belonging to them because he liad been ordained by the Connecticut Convention from which they had derived their ecclesiastical existence. Tliis point Avas afterwards submitted to arbitrators and decided in favor of the Presbytery, justi- fying them in their action. The correctness of the decision was disputed by a large number of the congregation, who contended that the Presbytery had usurped power in depriving them of a pastor whom the}^ loved, and whom they regarded as innocent, notwithstanding the overwhelming proofs of his guilt. They petitioned the Presbytery to restore him, but their petition was declined, when the discon- tented members asked for letters of dismission, which were refused. Every effort possible was made to convince the dissatisfied portion of the church, th^t the decision of the Presbytery was just, but in vain. They still regarded the church as a prison, the members of the Pres- bytery as tyrants and oppressors, and they still asserted their belief that the Presbytery had destroyed their shepherd. All attempts at

miivi.o.v I'RKSBynoRiAX ciirKcii y

reeoiieiliation lia\ing' fHilecl, tlic discipline of the ('hiiicli was euforeed in 1812. and the offending iiieinhei-s were excluded from tlie coinniunion of the Presbyterian Chureli. The entire nieiiil)ershii) at this time was but 58, and when a large uuiuber of tliese withdrew, the ehureli was so weakened that they were no longer able 1o snjjpoi-t a pastor. Tlie few remaining members had strong failh in the (•(UTt'ctiicss of the action which had been taken, and patiently waited lor the dawning of a brighter day for tlieir little eliureli. Tliis l;iiiieiit;iMi- state of things continued foi- six years.

Kk-(>ij(;.vni/,\'ii()N of tiik CurKcii

111 I lie year 1818, the session wliieli orginally consisted of Isaac Thompson and Tredwell Sciidder, had been increased by the addition of Jesse Ketcham aud Uenjamin K. Hobai't, in 1811, had but two active members. When the effort to i-eorganize commenced, they began by electing two more elders in the })ersons of Thomas Ketcham and Elij)lialet Aloubray, and one deacon in the person of Anning Mou- bray, who were oi-dained March Mth 1818. On the 11th of April, in the same yeai-. a meeting of the session and members of the church was held at the school house, to consider the unhappy state of the church, and after a free convei-sation, the following {)reaiiil)le and resolution was adopted :

"WHEUEAH, difficulties; have existed ivhich it has been hitherto found impracticable to obiviatc — the harmony of the church and the fellowship of the members have unhappily and for a length of time been inl( rnipted — the ord< r of God's house and, the ordinances of the gospel have b(( n criminaJly n<glected by us as a church. We therefore do vi<;u- it us our duly in. our present broken situation to come forward individually and acknowleelge our obligations to adhere to the covenant we have once solemnly adopted, and this we consider the only prudent and praclivabte inethod of restoring the church to the order of the gospel.

WIIEREUPOX, the sessio)i havi)ig (he approbation of the other members present, do RESOLVE that each member of this church be required, in oreler to enjoy the privileges of regular membership in this church, to male a profession of their love for each other, and their intention to adhere to tlie covenant of this church. And the session do agree to consider all those who within one year from this time make known to the ses.<;ion their acquiescence in the following profession as members in regular standing in this church."

10 BABYLON PRESBYTERLAN CHURCH

The "profession/' which all the members were required to sub seribe is as follows :

"We, the undersigned, ninnhers of the Firsl Preshyterin,,. Church of Islip and, Huntington South, lamenting the unhappy con- dition to which this church is reduced by means of our sins, penitenily humbling ourselves before God. and imploring Jiis pardoning mercy, do hereby acknowledge our obligalion to adhere to the covenant of this church, as agreed upon at its organization in 1798. We renewedhj profess our love for each other, and our intention to n-alk together in the fellowship of the gospel and in the communion of fhis church, agreeably to our former engagement.

Depending on the assistance of divine grace we thus promise."

This profession was signed by Jesse Ketchani. Anniug Mou- bray, Thomas Ketcham, Henry Smith, ^forris Barto. Thomas Wiggins. David Sammis, Eliphalet Monbray, ^ledad Rogers, Sarah Thompson, Kaziah Seudder, Deborah Sammis and Abigal Gonld. On

the following Sabbath the Loi'd's Supper was administered in the church for the first time since July 21, 1811 — an interval of nearly seven j^ears. The above profession, recommended and adopted at the meeting held April 11, was not signed until De- cember 14, 1818. In the following year an addition was made to the session in the persons of Medad Rogers and Thomas Wiggins. w]\o were ordained August 1, 1819.

Pa.stobs and Theiij Work

Rev. Samuel Weed began his lal)ors as a missionary in 1817. When the congregation was reorganized an effort was made to secure his services as pastor. He was ordained May 12,1819, but was not in- stalled. In the following year he was elected a Commissioner to the General Assembly. He was taken sick while the Assembly was in Kession, and died on the 25th of June, 1820, at Philadelphia. Dur- ing his ministry the membership of the church numbered 29.

Rev. Alexander Cummins entered upon the discharge of his duties in the latter part of the year 1820, and continued to perform the duties of pastor until the beginning of the year 1824. The mem- bership was increased by the addition of one person.

Rev, Nehemiah B. Cook commenced his pastorate in 1824, and continueed until 1832. The church prospered under his adminis- tration. During the eight years that he labored here, 42 person^ were added to the church, all on profession of their faith but on>^. Of these, 27 were received at one time, August 12, 1832.

BABYryrtX I'RKSBYTERIAN CIHRCJI Jl

Kev. Jonjitluii) Cable comiiicneed his labors as an ••xaugdist at the beginning of the year 18:];}. Owing to the lailnre of his health, he was obliged to letii-e from iiis work. aft(.'r laboi-ing about four mouths. His woi-k was wvy siiceeessful, i-esulting in the addi- tion of f)8 pei'sous to the memiio-ship. One of this number. Mi-. Ralph Smith, beeame a minister of the gospel. During the few- months of Mr. Cable's sojourn, at his suggestion tiie session was in- creased by the addition of Elvyn F. Ketcham, Silas Muncey, Sanuiel Ireland, Harry Brewste)- and E. C. Stadge. At his suggestion, also^ the parish was divided into six distriets. and one assigned to each elder, who was i-equired to visit all the faiiii]i<'s in liis district, and re- port at a monthly meeting of the session.

iiev. Kbene/.c)- Piatt sui>i)lied the i)ulpit until January 1. 1S;U. and then became pastoi-. During his pastorate the plan of visiting

by the elders was continued with excellent results, and a prayer meet- ing was established in ea(^h district. During his pastorate. 31 mem- bers wei-e added to the church. Many cases of discipline were tried by the session, a numlx'i- of persons were suspended, and several were excommunicated. The oflPending persons were those wjio had been impressed during the revixal and admitted into the church before they were really converted. l*ev. K. Piatt retired from his pastorate .June 80, 1837.

Rev. Ilollis Read supplied the i)ulpit of the church during the year 1838. There was still a great deal of trouble with some of those who had been admitted during the great revival, and one person was excommunicated. During the time that Rev. Hollis Read sup- plied the pulpit, 13 pei'sons were added to the chui'ch, and among this numbe)' was Miss Hannah D. Sackett, who went out to Bombay as a missionary, under the care of the American Board of Foreign Mis- sions. She was a most zealous worker. She became the wife of Rev. Robert W. Humes, and is now represented on the mission field by two of her sons.

Rev. Alfred Ketcham entered upon the discharge of his duties as stated supply, January 1. 1839, and remained until ]\lay 1848. The session was still troubled w ith cases of discipline, and several more persons were excommunicated. The system of visitation by elders was still continued with good i-esults. During this pastorate 82 persons were added to the church.

Rev. Edward Vail having supplied the pulpit for six mouths, was installed as pastor Noveml)er 8, 1848. The pastoral relation

12 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

was dissolved at the close of the year 1851. During his pastorate 7 were added to the clmreh.

Rev. Gaylord L. ]\Iore hegan preaching February 15, 1852 and remained until October 12, 1856, wlien the pastoral relation was dis- solved. During this pastorate 38 persons were added to the church, and steps Avere taken to organize a separate church at Islip.

Rev. Charles W. Cooper Avas called in the Fall of 1857. He AA'as installed as pastor November 10, 1857, and the relation continued until the 21st of November 1869. This is the longest pastorate in the history of this clmreh. At tlie beginning of this pastorate 21 Avere received as members, and at the close 16 were received. Dur- ing the t\velA-e years 105 members Avere added to the church, and the session was increased by the addition of William A. Barto, Epenetus Wood iind Gugy S. Taylor, Avho were ordained July 29, 1866.

Rev. James McDougall, jr., having supplied the pulpit for nine months, Avas installed as pastor jMay 24, 1871. He AA^as elected President of the Collegiate Institute at York, Pa., and was dismissed at the meeting of the Presbytery in the Fall of 1873. During this pas- torate, 30 members Avere added to the church.

Rev. James C. Nightingale was called November 16, 1873, and installed as pastor February 10, 1874, and still continues in his pas toral office. During the present pastorate 33 members have been

added to tlie church.

Formation of Church at Islip

The number of members residing in Islip having increased to such an extent as to warrant the formation of a new congregation, letters of dismission Avere given lo 28 persons, Avho Avere afterward formed into the Presbyterian Church of Islip. Tiiese persons Avere dismissed August 16 and August 23, 1857.

The Third Church Edifice

On account of the great increase in the membership of the church, the congregation felt straitened for room, and measures Avere taken to erect a new building. Additional land Avas purchased, 50 feet 8 inches X 78 feet, at the rear of the old site, to accommodate the new church. The new building Avas in size 40 X 50 feet. The en- tire cost of the church when completed Avas $3,410. The money to meet this expense Avas raised by subscription. The principal sub- scribers Avho contributed $100 or more Avere Nathauael and William

BARYI;(>.\ I'K'HSBVTKKIAX CHIIJCII 1 IJ

Conklin, Timotliy I'. Caill, -Julia Cai-11, Kdvvnnl AV. rnd.ihill. A. P. Hamlin, James Carll, Samuel Ireland, Samuel ;nid Hllis Strong. The ground was pui-cluiscd .M;iy 28. IHiJS. jiud ihc l>uilding was com- pleted the same ye;n-.

Till'; I'k'i'.skn'i' ( 'iMncii lM)iFi('h:

On the 24tli of Septendx'i-, 1870, the cofner stone of tlir j)i-os- ent house of worship was hiid. The old building \\;is irmoved tO' the adjoining lot, and is now used for a lecture and Siihliatli school room. On the 24lh of May. 1871 the new cliuicli was dedicated to the service of Almighty CJod. The dedication seruion was preached by Rev. Henry J. Van Dyke, of Brooklyn. The cost of the church and lecture room, as they now stand, including the sum paid for the lot to which the old church was removed, is •tl'^.71-l..'i!l. Of this amount $5,000 still remains unpaid.

The Paksonagb

The old parsonage being unadapted for the purpose, was sold and the new one was built on a lot purchased for that purpose. The house is large and commodious, and is in fact a uiodel parsonage. It

was completed July 6, 1871. The cost of its construction wa^^ $7,538.30, of which amount $3,000 still i-emains unpaid.

Members Since the organization of the cliui-cli 568 persons haxr l^eeii admitted as members. The number at pi-esent upon tlic church register is 178. Of this number, however, some are not i-esiding within the bounds of this parish.

Officers of the Church

I'astor — Kev. James C Nightingale.

Elders — Epeuetus Wood, Wm. A. Barto, Ougy S. Taylor. Deacon — Hiram Brush.

Trustees — R. 0. Colt, James Bay lis. Sidney L. Seaman, ilcniy Oakley, W. F. Norton, Benjamin P. Field.

Summary The church has passed safely through many trials, and has abundant reason to thank God for his goodness. We are now in possession of a church property admirably adapted to all our present wants. The contributions of the church are now given to all the boards, and there are no blanks in our ivport to tlte Presbytery foi- the

14 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN' CHURCH

last year. The great burden upon us is the debt of the church, and it is to 01 ir best interests that this sliould be removed as speedily aa possible. For the last century and a half we have enjoyed God's favor. May his richest blessings rest upon us all in years to come, and when our children's children meet a hundred years hence, may they be able to tell more wonderful things which they have received from the hands of a loving and merciful God.

#4

BAi;vi.(».\ n;i:si;v'i'i:i;i,\\ ciiLitcu 15

OUTLINE HISTORY

By Rev. Robert D. Merrill

Tlie heginniugs liom uliicli the Fir.st Presbytoriau Cluireli of Baby- ion, N. v., has grown date back as far as tlie year 1730. At tliat time a small meeting-house was Imilt near the spot where C'lirist Cnmrch, "West Islip, now stands. Oceasional services were lield here, without any regular ehureii organization, nt) to tlic year 177S. when tin- build- ing was destroyed by the Britisli.

On tlie 14th of August, 1783, a subscription paper was circulated m order to obtain money for the erection of a new meeting-house, the organization to be of the Presbyterian denomination. Eiglily-foiir persons joined in this subscription, giving varyiuig' amount whieh reached a total of i^32() 4s. It is interesting to note that eacli penson wl)o gave £10 or over was to have a vote in tlu^ calling of a pastor, the pnvilege to descend to his heirs. In the same year ground was pur- chased near the present site of the church, and a building begun prompt- ly. In July, 1790, a second subscription paper was passed in order to secure funds for the completion of the building. This was a two-story frame structure. That it was well built is proved by the fact that it is still in use, forming a part of the residence of the IMisses Sammis.

Six years later, in June, 1796, an arrangement was entered into with the Presbyterian Church of Smithtown, in accordance with which one pastor was to serve both churches, giving half his time to each church, although living at Smithtown. A call was made out by repre- sentatives of both churches on July 22. 1796. to Rev. Luther Glcson, a Presbyterian minister, w'ho had served as Chaplain in the Continental Army. At the next meeting of the Presbytery of Long Island, which was held the following spi-ing, the call was placed in the hands of the candidate and accepted. On September 28, 1797. Mr. (ilesou was regul- arly installed as pastor.

At about the end of this same year a cliuirli covenant was adopted. This covenant was signed by fourteen meuibers on January 7tli of the following year, the date usually given as the date of the completion of the church organization, the oldest church organization of the town of Babylon. The name adopted for the organization was "The Pii'st

16 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Church of Islip and Huntington South." Strictly speaking, the organ- ization was not completed until February 4, 1798. when Elders and a Deacon were ordained to office, the former being Isaac Thompson and Tredwell Seudder, and the latter Jesse Ketcham.

On the first Sunday of the following April the first Communion Service was lield in the cliurch.

The pastorate of Luther Gleson lasted about nine years, during which the scanty church records tell of increasing membership and the regular details of church work, but of few items of special interest. Unfortunately for the church, the first pastorate ended with trouble and conflict. Mr. Gleson was charged witli conduct unbecoming a pastor, some of the charges being of a serious nature; the charges seem- ed to be substantial, and he was deposed from office by the Presbyteiy. Many of the church people stood loyally by him, and were bitterly op- posed to the action of the Presbytery. This caused a dissension Avhieh nearly wrecked the ehurcli. By the year 1818 the church membership had fallen from sixty-one to only eighteen. In this year the church covenant was renewed by the eighteen faithful members, and the church began the second chapter in its history.

For several ja^ars the pulpit had been supplied witli some degree of regularity by a number of ministers. After the second signing of the church covenant, a renewed effort was made to secure a settled pastor, and as a result of the effort, a call was extended to Rev. Samuel Weed; Mr. Weed accepted the call and was installed on May 12, 1819. His pa.storate, however, proved a very brief one, lasting but a j^ear; while in attendan(!e at the Genei-al Assembly in Philadelphia, he was taken ill and died suddenly.

Again for several yeai's the pulpit was supplied by vjirious minis- ters. In 1826 Rev. Nehemiah B. Cook became the i-egular pastor of the church, serving in the capacity for six yeare. During this time the work seems to have gone forward steadily ; the records show few items of an unusual nature. It is often a fact that such records accompany a healthy and satifactoi-y condition of the church work and life.

In the year 1838 Rev. Jonathan Cable, an evangelist who had been at work in the church, was invited to become Stated Supply of the pulpit. He was not regularly installed, but gave to the church a most effective year's work. The membership increased largely du)-ing this time. Mr. Cable seems have won the heai-ts of all the people. A copy of a letter addressed to the congregation at the time of hia resigna-

TJk\'. CiIAK'KKS AV. COOI'KK

J>,>i'ii ill 1 >;!(>. (lied ill 18<S6 Pastor L'l'oiu 1837 to 1869

Kkv. .1 a.mks .Mcl)(>r(;\M>. Pii. D. Horn in 1836, died in 18!)2 Pastor from 1870 to 1873

BABYlJOX PRESBYTERIAN CHrRCH _ 17

lioB is still presei-ved in printed form, and lells innch of his att'cctiou for tlie cluireli and his zeal in the work. One notewortliy fact which the records of this period show is tliat a strict tempcn-ance ph^dge was adopted hy tlie church to which every iii(Mnl)er was i((|iiii((i lo gi\e his explicit consent. 'I'his seems an unusnal ;Hii(»ii foi- cjirly a yonv as

]88;3.

Rev. Ebene/.ci- l*latt was caHcd as i)ast(ii- in the same ycjii-. and served the churcli until |S;57. He appears to have In-cii an earnest organiz(U-, for early in his pastorate the (iongregatiou was dixidcil into districts for visitation, each district being assigned to one Kldcr. .More- over a systematic effort Avas made to disti-ihutc tracts niid tcm[)crance literature. The enlargement of the nuH^ing-house was discussed at this time, showing a growth of numbers, but no action was taken for several years. Unfortunately, a large number of cases of discipline grew out of the adoption of the temperance pledge nicnlioiieil ;il»(i\-e, and these interfered with the work of the pastor and of the cimrch.

In 1838 Rev. TTollis R(h\1 became pastor of the church, serving only about one year. H(^ was followed by Rev. Alfred Ixftcham, who remained with the churcli for eight years. His pastorate appears to have been an active and useful one; many members were bi-onght into the church ; a new district arrangement of the congregation was adopt- ed; extra prayer meetings were established in the districts with special leaders. In 1839, a new church building was erected, which still serves as the lecture i-oom.

Rev. Edward 1. Vail became pastoi- in 1848, being instalh-d on Nmv- eraber 28th by the Presbytery of Long Island. The records of this period are very incomplete, owing to the death of the (1eik. and the loss of inanv of the papers, ^[r. A^'ail continued as ()astoi- until 1851.

Rev. (laylord L. l\Iore began to preach in Febiuary. lS.")2.an<i seiM-ct as pastor until late in 1856. Early in his pastorate the roil of the church was i-evised. the membej'ship as revised numbering 117. It is of interest to find in the records at this time the unanimous ojjiuion reecud- ed that a separate church organization be formed at Islip; e\ideutly the church work in that village had become of sufficient imi)ortance to demand such a step as soon as possible.

The pulpit having been supplied for one yeai- a ft it .Mr. More had left, Rev. Charles W. Cooper was called as the pastor of the chui-ch in September, 1857, being regularly installed on November 10. following. In the year that intervened one most impoi-tant action was taken in the

18 BABYLOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

dismission of twenty-eight members to form a new parish, to l)e known as The Presbyterian Church of Islip.

The iJastorate of ]\Ir. Cooper was unusually happy and efteetive. The records, which were kept «ith far greater care tlian formerly, tell of a prosperous condition of the church. The year following the in- stallation, nineteen members were received into the church on examina- tion at one time. There was a regular and constant gi^owth. The pas- torate continued for twelve years, during which the people became deeply attached to the pastor. The church passed a hearty expression of I'egard upon the resignation of ^Ir. Cooper in 186!>.

The following year Rev. James yU- Dougall began his work in the church, serving for a number of months as supply, and being installed as pastor l)y the Presl)ytery of Nassau, on May 24. 1871. This was an important day in the history of the church, for on the same evening that the pastor was installed, the new church building, which had been started the year before, was dedicated with appropriate exercises. This is the building which is still in use for church purposes. Two other items of im])ortance appear at about this same time: one. the change of the name of the church to its present form. The First Presbyterian (Jhurch of Ha])ylon: the other, the completion of the new house for the use of the pastor: this house was occupied by him and his family in the summei- of 1871 ; this is the house which still serves the same purposes.

Ml-. -McDougall having resigned in September. 187:1 to become the President of the Collegiate Institute, of York. Pa.. Rev. James C. Nightingale became his successor, beginning his work with the first of the year 1874. He was installed on the 10th of the following February, and continued his work as pastor for more than six years. Few records of especial significance appear duj'ino: this time, but the work of the church evidently went forward with harmony and steadiness. The well- kept records tell of steady growth and of healthful conditions. In October. 188(>. .Mi-. Nightingale resigned on account of poor health, and against the strong protest of a good-sized minority the pastoral rela- tionshij) was dissolved.

The following February. Rev. AValter P>. Floyd was chosen a,s ►Supply of the juilpit and Moderator of the Session: he was not installed as Pastor, but continued to serve the church until 188;i. In June of this year Rev. James McDougall returned to the church as Supply for eleven Sundays. Soon after this, a call to the pastorate was given to Rev. James ('. Hume; he accepted the call, and was installed on Nov-

B.\Byi-<)\ I'RrOSBYTERIAK CHIKCll 19

ember 14, \S6-'>. Oiiriug this [)<i.sU)i-Mt(' tlu-cc of the prcsciil l^ldcrs of the cimrcli were chosen and installed. Woik was also undertaken at Deer Park, ol a mission cliaractcr. .Mr. II nine eontinued as Pastor until the aiilinim of 1888.

Ill -lanuary. 1889, Kev. .lolm I). Long was called; on .\i)ril 17tli, lit' wMs installed. ITe entered ui)on his woik in an energetie manner, introducing illustrated s('r\i(('s. in\iting a succession of evangelists to hold special nieettngs, providing stages to bring those to church who li\ed at a distance, and in other ways making use of new methods of furthering the church work. Two items in respect to the ("ommunioii Servi(;e are worthy of mention; in 1889 the Session voted that only un- ft'i-mented wine should be used thereafter; and in 1807 the Individual Communion ('u])S were adopted, the sets which lia\-c since been in use having been given by one of the church members.

In January. 1898. the centennial of the church was observed with elaborate exercises which began on Sunday, the second day of the mouth, and continued each evening of that week through Friday, the seventh, the actual centennial day.

The following yeai- the tenth anniversary of the installation of the Pastor was obsei'ved with appro})riate exercises.

The missionary work which the church undertook at this time de- sen^es special mention; it was decided to support a missionary on the Foreign P^'ield. and to raise $600 a year for this purpose. This support was given to Kev. Robert IT. Milligan. whose field of labor was in Africa, and was eontinued for about six years.

The last night of the year 1900 a Twentieth Centui-y Watch Night Sei'vice was held, with exercises fitting for that occasion.

Mr. Long resigned from the pastorate in Decembei', 1904; a ma- jority refused to concur in his recpiest for a dissolution of the pastoral I'elation. but the request was granted by the Presbytery: Mr. Long con- tinued to serve the church until the ^lay following; his pastorate was the longest in the history of the church, lasting sixteen years.

Rev. A. H. Fish, Pastor of the Islip Presbyterian Church, acted as -Vfoderatoi- during the next few months, the pulpit l)eing supplied with preaching. In September. 1905, a call was given to the present Pastor, Rev. Rol)ert 1). Merrill. .Mr. Merrill was installed on October 81st, iollowing.

At that time the lecture room of the church had been placed in tiorough repair and newly decorated by the gift of a member of the

20 BABYLOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

eongregatiou. In the autinn of 1906, thorough repairs to the church building were undertaken, tlie congregation worshipping during the winter in the lecture room. These repairs and improvements included outside paint, interior decoration, a hardwood floor, new cai'pet in the aisles, new pews, a lower pulpit platform, new pulpit furniture, a con- crete floor in the basement, and new furnaces. In addition a door was cut as an extra means of exit at the side of the pulpit, and two small memorial windows were placed in the pulpit alcove, the gift of one of the church people, (irauitoid walks had been laid in front of the church and connecting with church and lecture room a .short time before this by the effort of the Glen's Club of the church. Over $3,500 was raised for this work, the remainder necesary for the completion of the improve- ments being borrowed, amounting to $2,500. Of this last sum. $1,000 was paid in December last.

The church has at present 172 members.

In one hundred and ten years the church has thus liad fourteen regular Pastors, in addition to Stated Supplies.

During this length of time the church has had. so far as the records show, twenty-three Elders; some of these gave long and valued years of service to the church. The longest term of service seems to have been that of Elvyn Ketcham, wlio was ordained to the office in 1833, and died in 1875, having served for forty-two years. Gugy S. Taylor served al- most as many years, having been ordained in 1866, and having died in 1905, after almost forty years of faithful service. Others have serA'ed between thirty and forty years.

All the past is a rich heritage which we do well to prize, in which we do well to rejoice. But its greatest value may lie in its power to help us to faithful work in the present, to maintain its virtues and suc- cesses, to avoid its mistakes. The Pastor could ask nothing better than that this brief outline of the past history of the church should coiiti-i- bute even in a small degree to such a result.

BABVI.OK I'KESnYTEKlAN CllClICH 21

History of the First Presbyterian Church

OF BABYLON From 1 730 to 19 12

By James W. Eaton

The Four Church BriLDiN'GS

Historic sketclies of old churches mean a great deal more to the seeker after information in regard to the early history of a place than the ordinary reader would at first suppose. One can at a glance look back and see the greater part of any village existing one hundred and fifty years ago, by simply studying carefully the history of a church established in the place.

Stop and think foi* a moment: In studying the history of a church, you find the names of most of the people living in the locality and a record of the baptisims, marriages and deaths. In some instances you find that the church acted in many cases as a court where most of the disputes were settled and slander cases were often tried and thus you have in Avell preserved records about the best history that it is possible to get of a locality.

The records of the Presbyterian Church of Babylon or as it was known in earlier times First Presbyterian Church of Tslip and Hunting- ton South extend back to 1730.

The first church was erected on the main road in West Islip in the year 1730, about four hundred feet west of the location of the present Episcopal Church in "West Islip. This church was torn down during the Revolution by British soldiers in 1778 and taken to Hempstead, where it was used by them in building barracks. The next church was built in 1784, and located on the site of the present church ))etvveen the houses of Nehemiah Heartt on the East and the blacksmith shop of Joshua Heartt on the West. In 1783 there was a blacksmith's shop where Smith & Salmon's Drug Store now stands and on this corner in 1803 was built the residence of Nathaniel Conklin which is now known as the Washington Hotel and stands on Deer Park avenue just south of

22 BABYIX>N PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

the railroad track. Adjoiuing tlie cliurcli property on the West \vy> a small hurying ground.

The second church building in 1838 was moved from the site now occupied by the Presbyterian Church to the site directly adjoining the present church property on the East and was converted into a dwelling house now occupied by the family of the late D. S. S. Sammis. The

building is in a perfect state of preservation, and forms the front of the house. 1 have often heard my grandmother, ]\Irs. Samuel Higbie. tell of taking a foot stove, (which is still preserved), as there was no heat in the building, nor were the rafters covered with any ])laster. A stove for burning wood to heat the buildintr was installed in 1832. Verv few persons know this building is now standing, and wjis at one time a church. It was a two-story structure and the shingles on the outside seem as good today as when they were put on one hundred and twenty- eight years ago. Very few villages can show the sight seer three old church buildings standing side bv side as thev do in Babvlon todav.

The third church building was built in 1838. on the site oc- cupied by the .second church building, the former was moved in 1870. to its present position adjoining, and in tlie rear of the fourth church building. The latter was built iu 1870. on the old site of the second

and thiinl i-hurrh buildings.

'I' HE Fhj.st BiiLDiNi; Find

List of subscribers to the first building fund in 1783 is as follows: The full text of the subscription paper is given in 'Slw Nightin- gale's history of the church so that only the names and amounts of the various subscriptions are given here, iu order tliat the reader may know who resided in this vicinity iu 1783.

That the Presbyterian Church is closely connected with the history of this vicinity can readily be gained by reading the names of the con- tributors to the second building erected in 1784, viz:

Isaac Thompson. £58.17. 0

Aaron Higbie, " 30. 8. 4

Phebe Conklin, 15. 0. 0

Nathaniel Conklin, 15. 0. 0

John ^Mowbray, 10. 0. 0

Anniug iMowbiay, 5. 0. 0

Arthur Dingee, 10. 0. 0

Selah Dingee, 3. 3.10

B\[^Y]-«>N PRESBYTERIAN CHl'RCH 23

Jesse Coiikliii. 2.10.

Jesse Conkliih Jr., 10. 0. 0

Garret Monfort, ]2. 1. 1

Silas Mimcey, 10.10.

Timothy Scudder, 10. 6. 0

Thomas Wickes, 10. 0. 0

Samuel Carman, 8. 0. 0

Zebulon Ketc'liam 7.10. 0

Isaac .Muucey, 5.1,').

Kliphalftt Oakley, 5. o. o

Daniel Ileartt, land, o. 0. 0

Nehemiah lligbie, 4.10. 0

David Jones, :3. 4. 0

Pen Wiekes, :{. 4. 0

Miles Oakley, 3. 0. 0

Joseph Whitman, 2.10. 0

Zophar Smitl). 2. 5. 0

Zaehai-iah Kogers. 2. 2. 8

Alexandei- (/onklin, 2.10. 0

John Snedieor, 2. 6. 0

Abijah Ketcham, 2. 0. 0

Philip Kellam, 2. 0. 0

Isaac Young, 2. 0. 0

Jesse Ketcham, 2. 0. 0

Charles Berry, 2. 0. 0

Luke Fleet, 2. 0. 0

Wilmoth Oakley, 2. 0. 0

Jacobus Nostran, 2. 0. 0

Nathaniel Oakley, 2. 0. 0

Jesse "Weeks, 2. 0. 0

Benajah Strong, 2. 0. 0

Timothy and Phineas Carll, 2. 0. 0

Joshua Ketcham, 1.17. 4

Jonathan Stratton, 1.10. 0

Philip Ketcham, 1.10. 0

George Wiekes, 1.10. 0

Josliua Ketcham, Jr., 1. 6. 0

Piatt Brush, 1. 4. 0

Gilbert Hartt, 1, 4. 0

24 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Joshua Ilaitt. 1. 4. 0 Amos BaldwiD. 1. 4. 0 Jacob Conklin, 1. 1. 4 Peter Berry. 1. 0. 0 Deborah Conkliu, 1. 0. 0 Elijah Chichester, 1. 0. 0 Silas Carman. 1. 0. 0 Richard Ruland. 1. 0. 0 Peter Ruland. 1. 0. 0 Jesse Baldwin, 1. 0. U James Berry. 1. 0. 0 Abel Wood, ' ' 1. 0. 0 Isaac Oaks, 0.18. 0 Joseph Dow, 0.18. 0 Samuel Muncey, 0.16. 0 John Foster, 0.16. 0 Parrot Fleet, 0.16. 0 Zopliar Ketcham. 0.16. 0 Timothy Carll, Jr., 0.16. 0 Philip Piatt, 0.16. 0 Samuel Smith, 0.15. 0 Obediali Barto, 0.15. 0 George Norton, 0.13. 0 Lewis Hartt, 0.13. 0 Jedediah Williamson, 0.11. 0 Abraham Snedicor, 0.10. 0 Lamberson, 0.10. 0

Foster Norstrant, 0.10. 0

Joseph Quason, 0.10. 0

John Henderson, 0. 8. 0

Jesse Hartt, * 0. 8. 0

William Brown, 0. 7. 0

Ricliard Weekes, ' 0. 6. 0

Philip Dow, ■ 0. 6. 0

Andrew Oakley, 0. 3. 0

David Ruland, 0. 3. 0

.Alowbray Smitli, 0. 2. 9

Total, £320. 6. 4

BABYLON PRESBYTP:RIAX CHURCH 25

CoXTniBCTORS TO S.Vl.ARV OF FlHST MlM>'ri;R

The subscription paper for the salary of tlie first minister, Luther Gleson, is given in oi-der to show additional names of residents since the first paper in 178:^ It is dated the 11th day of Juno. A. D., 1796, and is as follows :

Isaac Tliompson, £1. 0. 0

Nathaniel Conklin, 7. 0. 0

TreadwoU Scudder, 5. 0. 0

Anning ^Mowbray, 4. 0. 0

Jesse Ketcham, 1.12. 0

Thomas Ireland, 1. 4. 0

Silas Muncey, 2.10. 0

Jesse Smith, 1.10. 0

Thomas Fleet, 1.10. 0

Nehemiah Higbie, 1.10. 0

William (larret, 0.16. 0

Isaac iMuncey, 2.10. 0

Henry Smith, 1.10. 0

Eliphalet Oakley, 2. 0. 0

Miles Oakley, 1. 0. 0

Jonathan Stratton, 0. 8. 0

■^lias Leak, 0. 8. 0

John Snedicor, 0.16. 0

Peter Ruland, 0. 4. 0

David Sprague, 0. 8. 0

John Wheeler, 0. 8. 0

Gilbert Heartt, 0. 8. 0

William Risley, 1. 0. 0

Edmund Sands, 0. 8. 0

Jonas Weekes, 0. 8. 0

John Heydelberck, 0.10. 0

Richard Weekes, , 0. 8. 0

James Abbot, 0. 8. 0

James Berry, 0. 8. 0

John Vanderbilt, 1. 0. 0

Isaac Youngs, 0. 4. 0

John Rogers, 0.16. 0

Zacariah Rogers, 2. 0. 0

Samuel Strong, 3. 0. 0

26 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Garret Monfort, 2. 8. 0

Stephen Stratton, 0. 8. 0

James VanCot. 0. 8. 0

Keuben Sammis, 0. 4. 0

David Sammis, 0. 8. 0

Samuel Mnneey, 1. 0. 0

Obediali Barto, 1. 0. 0

Jesse Couklin, 2.10. 0

Josepli Whitiiiann. 0. 8. 0

Thomas Farrington, 0. 8. 0

Zelnilon Keteham, 2. 0. 0

William Nieolh L 4. 0

John Ilendrickson, 0. 8. 0

Silas Carman, 1. 0. 0

Moses Seudder. 0.16. 0

Moses Wickes, 0. 8. 0

Jeremiah Smith, 0. 8. 0

Theodorus Weeks, 0. 8. 0

Piatt Willets, 0. 8. 0

John Willets, 0.16. 0

Nathan Bishop, 0. 4. 0

Eneas Bishop, 0. 8. 0

Jesse Baldwin, 0. 5. 0

Philip .Morrel, 0. 8. 0

Jas. Pearsall, 0. 8. 0

Christopher Trim, 0. 8. 0

Thomas Wiggins, 0. 8. 0

Thomas Keteham, 1. 0. 0

Philip Keteham, 0.12. 0

John Lamberson, 0.10. 0

Joshua Heartt, 0. 8. 0

John Vallanee, 0. 4. 0

Fred Brush, ' 0. 8. 0

Elijah Chichester, 0.16. 0

Philip Keteham, 1. 4. 0

Lemuel Howell, 0. 8. 0

David Davis, 0. 8. 0

Oliver Youngs, 0. 8. 0

John Kelcey, 0.10. 0

BABYLON I'l.'ESBYTERIAX CIJIRCH 27

IfSHiah Jarvis, Jolm Whitman,

Total.

2. S. 2.10.	0 0
tSf). :].	0

Tiiat these names coinpiise most of iIk' |)iincipal families at tliat lime there is not mncli doubt.

Treadwell Seudder lived on TT. B. Hyde's, now Louis Boissert's place. The writer remembers when the home stood directly on the Main road in front of the pi-esent house, and iiis farm barns and sheds were all open to the road and his farm wagons stood on the highway in front of tlie buildings.

Isaac Thompson, grand fat hci- of Doctor A. G. Thompson lived on Sagtikos Manor, where David (Jardiner now resides. The next house was probably Willets, whi(;h stood just west of the dividing line be- tween Col. Alfred Wagstatif and his brother, C. DuBois Wagstaff's place on the Kast side of the pond, they were Quakers and their names do not appear on the list of subscribers.

The next house was Doctor Richard Udall's. directly on the road and on the West side of the pond. The next house was Nehemiah Hig- bie's, now the "La Grange'' Hotel, it then stood directly on the Main road.

Between the hotel and tiie old mill there was the Brush house, the site of which is now occupied by Christ Episcopal Church,

KxTRACT From oi.o [)fa:d

Extract fi'om deed dated November 4th, 1783, from Daniel Heartt. Anna Heartt, Nehemiah Heartt and Mercy Heartt to Isaac Thompson. Timothy Scuddei-, -John IMowbray and Garret ^Monfort, yoemen of Islip : and Phebe Conklin, Jesse Conklin, Silas iluncey and Joseph Whitman, yoeman of Huntington, Suffolk County, State of New York:

"All that piece or parcel of land being anel hjing n-ithin the Town- ship of Iluniingfon and on the Sonfh Side of the Island on a neck off land commonly l-noirn bt/ tin name of Sumpaums yfeck; and bounded on the Sonth bi/ the piiblick highirafj that lies East and West across^ said )ieck, and o)i the East by a marked white Oak stake that stands on the Nortli side of said highway about eleven Rods and six feet ivest from the dwelling in which the above named Nehemiah Heartt now liveth ; and from said white Oak stake Xorthirard three Bods to a mark- ed Maple stake: and from said Maple stake Westward five Eods to a<

"28 BABYLOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Marked hlacl- Oak stake and from said hlack Oak stake Soutluvard three Rods to a red Oak stake standing in the North side of the highway afore- said, and about ten Bods and six feet from the Corner where Joshua} Heartt's hlacksmiths shop now standeth. Said granted piece containing fifteen sciuare Bods of Land, viz: five Bods in length East and West and three Bods in breadth North and Soutli."

Sealed and delivered in tlie presence of Thos. Wickes, Neliemiali iligbio, Lewis Snedeeor.

Baptisms From 1798 to 1857

There seems to be no record of marriages made on the minutes of the churcli records down to 1857 and the records of death are so im- perfectly kept that it would be of very little use to publish them, as the word ''dead" written after a name seventy years ago means nothing historically.

The records of ]»aptisms in the Church seems to have been kept quite regularly by the ministers and only when the Church was without a minister, were they neglected.

They commence Aug. 5, 1798, down to 1811, when there is a break of seven years. There were four baptisms in the year 1818 and then no records are made until the year 1826.

From that time with only one or two exceptions they were regular- ly entered.

The most grievous neglect was made hy E. C. Stadge, clerk from the Fall of 1848, down to the Fall of 1850, when not a single entry was made by him, nor am^ account of the meetings. The Baptisms are ar- ranged in this shape for convenience and to preserve uniformity with part of a regular schedule kept in the records. The spelling of names has been closely adhered to in order to show the quaintness of olden times. The records will grow more valuable as time goes on.

A list of adults and children baptised in the First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South from August 5th, 1798, to De- cember 27, 1818; viz:

names. parents^ etc. baptised born

Katury Losee Wife of Peter Losee. Aug. 5, 1798

Elizabeth Sands Wife of Edmund SandsAug. 5, 1798

Richard Wm. and Sarah Garrett Sep. 16, 1798

Phebe Wm. and Sarah Garrett Sep. 16, 1798

RABYT.OK I'RFSBYTEniAN OW'HCli

29^

NAMK

Hannah

Abraham Cooper and

Keziah Fleet Debbe

Israel

Thomas Whited

Hannah Suiitli

1*.\KI::.\TS, ETC. riAl'TlSKI)

Trodwoll Jind K(V,i;iIi Scudder.

BOKX

Jonathan,

Abigail,

Fanny,

Hannah,

Samuel,

Ke/.iah,

John Oakley,

Sep. 16, 1708

Children of (Jilbcrt

Heartt Sep. 16, 1708

Oct. 27, 1700 Cilliert ;ind lTanii;di

Heartt Oct. 27, 1700

Isaiah Jarvis Oct. 27. 1700

1). and Jemima S])ragiieDec. 1, 170!) Jonathan S{>ainMn.

niotlioi' lyinj? do;ul in

I'OOlll

G i-and fa tli e i- Jesse

Smith Jan. 6. 1800

Jesse and Hannah June 1, 1800

Smith Thomas ;ind Piitience

Ireland July 28,1800

Thomas and Patience

Ireland July 28, 1800

Thomas and Pntience

Ireland July 28. 1800

Tlioinas and Patience

Ireland July 28, 1800

Thouuis and Patience

Ireland July 28, 1800

Thomas and Patience

Ireland Apr. 5, 1801

.80

BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

NAME PARENTS. ETC. BAPTLSED

Tredwell Oakley Tredvvell and Keziah

.Sfuddei- Apr. 5. 1801

Kat-hel. Win. and Sarah (larrettJune 14.1801

Cliarity Witjorius. "Wife of Thoma.s AVio'-

BORN

gins

.lulv 12 1801

Anna,

Henry,

■Sarah.

David,

Zeroiah.

Nathaniel,

Naomi Trim,

Charity,

Elizabeth.

Brewster,

Elsey,

Thomas and Charity

Wiggins Thomas and Charity

Wiggins Thomas and Charity

Wiggins Thomas and Charity

Wiggins Thomas and Charity

Wiggins Tliomas and Charity

Wiggins AVidow Naomi Trim Naomi Trim Isaiah and Phebe JarvisAug. Ilenrv and Ruth SmitliAiig.

Uilv 12 1801

Iul\- 12 1801

Tulv 12 1801

lulv 12 1801

lulv 12 1801

•luly July Julv Julv

John Blideuburgh, Moses Sweezey

Aug.

Morri.s, Jesse, Josiah Suiitli,

Philetus,

Elkanah. :\lary,

Morris Barto and wife Aug. ^lorris Barto and wife Aug. Morris Barto and wife Aug. Morris Barto and wife Aug. ]Nforris Barto and wife Aug. Morris Barto and wife Aug.

12 1801

12 1801

12 ISOl

12 1801 ;

9. 1801

21.1801Juue 2, 1801

21.1801 April 5, 1801

23.1801

23,1801

23.1801

23,1801 ;

23,1801 23.1801

i:U5VI-OK PRESnVTKUIAX ('MlltCII

31

NAME

Israel, Rubiu, Elviii Fleet, Betsy,

Matthew Benle,

Cluo-ity,

'Mary, Obii'liali,

Jesse,

Nanoy,

Alexander Barto, Elizabeth Barlo, Zeroiali Barto, Phebe Stratton,

Johu,

Eb-enezer,

Richard Joel,

Ann Jviline,

Sarah,

I'AKKNTS, ETC. HAiTISED BORN'

.Morris Barto and wile Aug. 23,1801 :\I()riis liarto and witV Aug. 2;5.18(»1 Thoiiuis Ketchain Feb. 19, 1802 Nov. 15, 1801

Thomas Wiggins Oet. 3. 1802

Isaac Willets Oet. I'.. 1802

Moses Swesey I\[ai-. 20.1 80:{

Jeremiah and Rel)eeca

Smith ]\Iar. 20.1803

l\[edad and Naney Rog- ers Juuf 12,1803 Jan. 8, 1803 IMorris and Hannah

Barto June 12.1 803 April 23, 1803

Wm. and Sarah GarrettJune 12.1803 Jarvis and Mary RogersJmie r2,1803S<'pt. 6, 1802

June 12.1803 his wife June 12,1803

June 12.1803 Ale.xander and Eliza- beth Barto June 12,1803 Alexander and Eli/a-

l)etli Barto June 12,1803

Rachel, widow of Ebe-

nezer Hawkins Oet. 20. 1803

T red we II and Keziah

Scudder Dec. 25, 1803

Thomas and Phebe Ket-

cham Apr. 15, 1804 -Ian. 9, 1804

Jamima and David Sprague Apr. 29, 1804 April 5, 1804

32

BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

NAME

Mary, Walter,

Rachael Brush, Buth,

Xeziali,

Benjaniiu,

Sarah,

E.achel,

Walter,

Phebe,

Eliza,

Elias,

Mary Foster,

Jane,

Isabel,

Mary,

"Deborah, Melinda,

Anna,

PARENTS, ETC.

Thomas Wiggins Tredwell and Keziali Scndder

BAPTISED B<3RN

Aug. 5, 1804 May 24, 1804

Mch. 17.1805 Mch. 31.1805

Nov. 25A804 Meh. 17.1805

Alexander and Eliza- beth Barto

Wife of Elias Leeke

Elias and Keziali Leeke ]\lch. 81,1805

Elias and Keziah Leeke Mch. 31.1805

Elias and Keziah LeekeMch. 31,1805

Elias and Keziah Leeke :^reh. 31,1805

Elias and Keziah Leeke ]\rch. 31.1805

Elias and Keziah Leeke ]Mc'h. 31,1805

Elias and Keziah Leeke:\rch. 31,1805

Wife of John Foster Apr. 28, 1805

Moses and Hannah Bar- to Apr. 28, 1805 Jan. 21, 1S05

Jeremiah and Rebecca Smith Apr. 28, 1805 July 29, 1804

Timothy and Ruth CarllApr. 28, 1805 Dec. 5, 1804

Samuel ^luncey Samuel and Deborah

.Muncey Samuel ;uid Deborah

.Muncev

David Jackson, Hannah

Fraitenburg, Child under David Jackson's care

July fi, 1805

July 6. 1805

July 6, 1805 Julv 6, 1805

July 6, 1805

Rev. James C. Nightingale

Born ill 1,'^:?fi. died in 1S!)5

Pastoi- fioiii 1S74 to l^"-'(»

Rf.v. Walter B. Floyd I'astor IVoiii ISSl to 188:5

BABYI/)N T'RKSBYTKRIAN CHURCH

33

NAME J'AREXTK, ETC. HAF'TISIJ) BORN

Jonah Kellani, ^\bout Aug.

180rj Mary Kellam, His wife About Aug.

1805 Mariah, Jonali and Maf.v Kellam About Aug.

180r>Dec. 29, 1804 Elizabeth, Wife of Jonathan^trat- About Aug.

ton, Jr. 1805

Cornelius, Jonathan and Elizabetli About Aug.

/ Stratton, Jr. 1805April 26, 1804

Sarah, Jonathan Stratton .\l»«)ut Aug.

1805 March 20,1702 Sarah, Nathaniel Wicks About Aug.

1805 Dec. 10, 1706 Margaret AVeekes Wife.Theodorus WeekesOct. 27, 1805 Samuel Muncey, Jan. 5. 1806

Jonas Brush, Jan. 5, 1806

Geo. Y. Conklin, Joseph and Zeroiah

Conklin -Inn. 6, 1806

Anning >\Iowbray,Jarvis and Mary Rogers A pi-. 27,1806Jan. l-t, 1806 Richard, Thomas and Charity

Wiggins Api-. 27,1 806 Marcli 4, 180e>

William Nicoll, Medad and Xancy Rog- ers Apr. 27,1806Xov. 26, 1805 Richard, Selah Piatt Apr. 12.1806 -Tune 9. 1792 Ellison, Selah Piatt .\pr. 12,1806 Feb. 18, 1797 Mary, Eliphalet and Lettee

Moubray ]\Iay 10,1806 Jan. 20. 1804

Rachel, Jonathan Stratton, Jr. .May 25, 1806 :\[ar. 1, 1806

54 BABYLON PRESBYTERTAX CUT'RCH

NAME I'ARENTS, ETC. BAi'TISED BORN

Mary Ann, Alexander Bcirto May 25, 1806 Mar. 11, 1806

Conklin, Elias and Keziah LeekeSep. 14, 1806Sept. 26. 1805

Sharlot, Illiphalet and Lettee

Moubray Apr. 25,1807 Oct. 25, 1806

Israel, Jeremiah and Kclu-kah

Smith Apr. 26,1807 Deo. 6, 1806

Charles Edwy, Phouias and Phebe Ket-

eham Oct. 25, 1807

Julia, Tredwell and Keziah

Scudder Nov. 15,1807

•Charles Philip, Jonah and .M;iry Kel-

1am !\Iar. 27,1808

Peter Coalman, :\lorris Barto Oct. 16. 1808 Jan. 23. 1808

George Conklin, Thomas AViggins June 25,1809

Deborah, Jeremiah and Rebec-oa

Smith Aug. 5, 1809

Sarah Ann. ]\Iorris Barto Aug. 5, 1809

John, Thomas Wiggins June 17,1810

Wilmot, Ti'edwt'll and Keziah

Scudder Jan. 13,1811

Elizabeth Susan. Thomas and Abigail

Gould Jan. 13,1811

Nathaniel Alexan-Nathaniel Ketcham de- er, ceased June 2, 1811 IMehetable, Widow Nat'l. Ketcham June 2, 1811 ' ^•

John William. Tliomas and Abigail '*

Gould April 5, 1818

Hannah, Mollis Barto Apr. 12,18ir

Jesse Brown, Dec. 27, 1818

lb ijiy Brewster, Dec. 27, 1818 ^-

MABvr.o.v i'i£KsiiVTi:i;i AN cmiaii

35

A list of persons baptised from July 2',i, 1826, down to July 10, 1&57, in the First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South, followed by a list of adults baptised Avithin the above period, or from March 10, 1883, to March 29, 1856 .

NAME

Purdy,

t'harity Bai-to, Phebe C. NicolK RJiodaett, Snsau p] 111 111 V, Charles Lester, -\f a i-y Rogers, Julia Ann Barto William Suly, Sally Ann, Alexander, Jonah, Ma ry,

Amos Hogans, Mary Matilda, Arnol Sa minis, Racliael, D<&borah Ann,

PARENTS, ETC.

BORN

Adult Adult

BAPTISED

July 23, 1826 Nov. 5. 1826 Nov. 5, 1826 Widow of Philip Smith Jan. 22.1827 Feb. 6, 1817 Widow of Philip Smith Jan. 22,1827 Feb. 15, 1819 Widow of Philip Smith Jan. 22.1827March 8, 182'i Adult Feb. 18,1827

Adult Feb. 18,1827

Jesse and Mary Brown Mar. 22,1827 Jesse and Mary Brown i\Iar. 22,1827 Jesse and Mary Brown INIar. 22,1827 Jesse and Mary Brown Mar. 22,1827 Jesse and Mary Brown ]\Iar. 22,1827 Jesse and Mary Brown Mar. 22,1827

Fanny Fleet Fanny Fleet Fanny Fleet Fanny Fleet NathanielKetcham Alex, and Elizabeth

Barto Alex, and Elizabeth

Barto Alex, and Elizabeth

Barto Alex, and Elizabeth

Barto

"Will Augustus,

Eliza Almedia, Alexander,

July 4, 1829 ]Mar. 25, 1820

July 4. 1829 Nov. 19, 1823

July 4, 1829 Feb. 14, 1826

July 4, 1829 Jan. 5, 1829

Feb. 15.1830

Feb. 15,1830

Feb. 15,1830

Feb. 15,1830

36

BABYLOK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

NAME PARENTS, ETC.

Jared, Alex, and Elizabeth

Barto Conklin Ketcham, Isaac and Elizabeth

Muneey Sarah Ann, Isaac and Elizabeth

^Muneey Isaac Edwin, Isaac and Elizabeth

■ Muneey

Thomas William, Joseph and Abigail

Weeks

BAPTISED

Feb. 15,1830

BORN

Dec. 20,1830 Aug. 18, 1823

Dee. 20.1830 July 4, 1825

Dee. 20.1830 Ang. 4, 1S29

July 16,1831

Hannah Maria. Daniel	and Deboi-ali
Aust	in	Aug.	28,1831I\Iar. 6. 18::l
Elisha Smith,	Adult	Nov.	6. 1831
Jesse, Isaac a	nd Elizabeth
Muneey	Aug.	11,1832
Keturah, Fanny	Fleet	Aug.	11,1832
Silas jMuncey,	Adult	Aug.	12,1832
Ann Eliza Muneey	Adult	Aug.	12,1832
Charity Sainmis,	Adult	Aug.	12,1832
Hannah Williams,	Adult	Aug.	12,1832
Ruth Butler,	Adult	Aug.	12.1832
Sarah JMuncey,	Adult	Aug.	12,1832
Mary Ann Jarvis,	Adult	Aug.	12.1832
Cornelia Ann
Wiggins,	Adult	Aug.	12,1832
Phebe Oakley,	Adult	Aug.	12,1832
Mariette Smalling,	Adult	Aug	. 12,1832
Eunice Barto,	Adult	Aug.	12.1832
Mary Ann, Julia, widow of Selah S	,

BABYF-ON r'RESBYTERIAN CHURCH 37

NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAI'TlSiED BORN

Cai'll Nov. 17.1882

Julia Elizabeth, Julia, widow ol* Selali S.

Carll Nov. 17,1832

Timothy Smith, Julia, widow of Selah S.

Carll Nov. 17,1832

Mary Jane, Nathaniel and Phebe

Wiggins Nov. 17,1832

Henry Smith, Nathaniel and Phebe

Wiggins Nov. 17. 1832

Edward Lewis, John and Phebe BartoNov. 17, 1832 John Thomas, (^eorge and Cornelia

Ann AViggins Nov. 17,1832

Sarah, Timothy and Bathvina

Ketch am Nov. 17, 1832

Piatt Carll, Timothy and Bathvina

Ketcham Nov. 17,1832

Elizabeth, Timothy and Bathvina

Ketcham Nov. 17,1832

Mary Ann, Charity Samist Nov. 17,1832

Martha Maria, Widow of Jared Samist Nov. 17,1832 George Thomas Daniel and Angeline

Totteu Nov. 17,1832

Charlotia Levine, Daniel and Angeline

Totten Nov. 17,1832

Linens Eldridge, Daniel and Angeline

Totten Nov. 17,1832

Mary Elizabeth, Elvin and Angeline i Ketcham Nov. 17,1832

Samuel, Benoui, Elvin and Angeline

38

BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

NAME

Silas,

Oakley,

Peter,

Patience,

Hannah,

Mahala,

Susannah, Mariett, Zebu Ion, Eliza Ann, Martha, Henriett, Elizabeth, Emila,

PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED

Ketcham Nov. 17,1832

Conklin and Hannah

Ketcham April 4, 1833

Conklin and Hannah

Ketcham April 4, 1833

Conklin and Hannah

Ketcham April 4, 1833

Conklin and Ilcmuah

Ketcham April 4, 1833

Conklin and Hannah

Ketcham Api-il 4, 1833

Conklin and Hannah

Ketcham April 4, 1833

Zebulon and Ann Ket- cham Apr. 4, 1833

Zebulon and Ann Ket- April 4, 1833 cham April 4, 1833

Zebulon and Ann Ket- cham April 4, 1833

Zebulon and Ann Ket- cham April 4, 1833

Zebulon and Ann Ket- cham April 4, 1833

Zebulon and Ann Ket- cham April 4, 1833

Jarvis and Keziah Ket- Apr. 4, 1833 cham

Jarvis and Keziah Ket- April 4, 1833 cham April 4, 1833

BORN

BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CTIURCU

3^

NAME

George,

PARENTS, ETC. mi'TISKD

Jjirvis and Kezitdi Ket-

cham April 4, 1833

BORN

Henry,	Piatt and Nancy Brusl	lApri	1 4, 1833
Maryett,	Jesse and Elizabeth
	Mnncey	Apri	1 4. 1833
Jemima	Joel and Elizabeth
	Jai-vis	Apri	1 4, 1833
Ann Elizabeth,	Joel and Elizabeth
	Jarvis	Apr:	il 4, 1833.
Chariot R,	Joel and Elizabeth
	Jarvis	Apr	il 4, 1833.
Seudder, C,	Joel and Elizabetli
	Jarvis	April 4, 1833:.
Henry, C. S.,	Joel and Elizabeth
	Jarvis	Apri	[1 4, 1833.
Jesse, —	Joshua and Rebecca
	Purdy	April 4, 1833;
Scudder,	Archelaus and Sarah
	Doxey	Apr	, 10,1833:
James Heniy,	Archelaus and Sarah
	Doxey	Apr.	, 10,1833
Elsey Charlotte,	Archelaus and Sarah
	Doxey	Apr.	10,1833:
Almedia,	Nathaniel and Almedia
	Barto	Apr.	10,1833;
Mary Frances,	Nathaniel and Almedia
	Barto	Apr	. 10,1833
Charlotte,	Luther and Sarah Soper Apr	. 10,1833:
Nathaniel K.,	Daniel K. and Charity

iO BABYI.OX PRESBYTERIAN CUirRCH

NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN

Barto Apr. 10,1833

Alanson, Daniel K. and Charity

Barto Apr. 10,1833

Eii.-liard, Daniel K. and Charity

Barto Apr. 10,1833^

rallies Edward, Eli and Julia Ann

Thompson Apr. 10,1833

Permelia, Selah and Zeviah Wil-

niorth Apr. 25,1833

Henry, Selah and Zeviah Wil-

morth Apr. 25,1833

Eliza Ann, Selah and Zeviah Wil-

morth Apr. 25,1833

Mary Elizabeth, Selah and Zeviah Wil-

niorth Apr. 25,1833

-James, Selah and Zeviah Wil-

niorth Apr. 25,1833

Juliet, Selah and Zeviah AVil-

morth Apr. 25,1833

Daniel, S. and Z. AVilmorth Apr. 25,1833

Apr. 25,1833 William Cable Elvin and Angeline

Keteham Apr. 25,1833

Charles "\Toodhnll Charles and Parthena

Weeks Apr. 25,1833

Blvin Atwood, Joseph and Abigail

Weeks Apr. 25,1833

Ed^vard Brush, Charles and Ann Ket- eham Apr. 25, 1833

BABYLON I'RESBYTERIAN CllUKCO

41

NAME

Maiy Ksflier, David Smitii,

Epeuetus,

Pliebe,

Samli Ami,

Eliza Ix'tli, ^lary Catlieriiie, Henry,

Albert.

Silas,

Sarah Ann, Piatt,

Joliu, Mary, Charles,

Mary Ann,

Susan,

Cornelia Ann,

Jarvis Rogers,

Mary Anna, Francis Piatt,

I'ARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED

Jonathan and Ciiarity

Conklin Ai)r. 27.18:^:^

Jonathan and Charity

BORN

Ai)r. 27,18;« Apr. 27,1833 Apr. 27,1833 Apr. 27,1833 Apr. 27,1833

Conklin Selah Wood, mother

deceased and nauu* unknown and name unknown Selali and Sarah WoodApi-. 27,1833 ]\lary Peltreau, now

Conkling, •lonas and Angel ine

^luncey

Apr. 27,1833 Apr. 27,1833 Apr. 27.1833 May 2. 1833 May 2, 1833

]\ray 2, 1833 May 2, 1833

Betsy Conkling Betsy Conkling

Betsy Conkling

Betsy Conkling

Samuel and Betsy Sea- man. May 2, 1833

John and Hannah Bald- win :\Iay 2, 1833

John and Hannah Bald- win ^iny 2, 1833

Jonas and Angeline

Muncey May 2, 1833

Zebulon and Ann Ket-

eham Urv 2. 1833

Ebeneze and A. H. Piatt July 1834 Charles and Ann Ketch -

am Oct. 5, 1834

42 BABYIX)N PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

NA.ME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORX

Elizabeth Ann Of the household Alex.

Sloeum, Barto -Inly 3, 1835

Francesett, daughter of Jacob Fleet July 3. 1835

Many Ann, daughter of John BartoJuly 3. 1835

Joshua Smith, son of Joshua Purdy, July 3, 1335- Caroline, daughter of Sam'l Jar-

vis July 3. 1835-

Elbert, Ebenezer and Kebecea

Smith July 5, 1835^

William Ireland, Joel Jarvis -luly 30,1835

Francis Pelletreau Ralph and Cornelia

Smith Aug. 9, 1835

Isuiic Elbert, Hiram and Maria Brush Aug. 23,1835

Phebe ^laria, Hiram and Maria Brush Aug. 23,1835

Charles ImI gar, Hiram and Maria Brush Aug. 23,1835 Juliaetta, Hiram and Maria BrushAug. 23,1835

Silas Augustus, Hiram and ^Maria BrushAug. 23,1835 Sarah Wiggins, Sept. 27.1835

Mary Eliza Wig- of the household Thorn- gins, as Wiggins Sept. 27,1835 Hannah Elizabeth, Isaac Muneey Oct. 4, 1835 Sarah Bra, Nathaniel Wiggins Jan. 1, 1836 Augustus Warren, Daniel and Charity Post July 19,1836 John Edward, Daniel and Charity Post July 19,1836 Mary Experience, Henry and ^larietta

Brewster July 19,1836^

Phebe Adejaide, Maiy Whitman July 19,1836

Harriet, Mary Whitman July 19,1836

Henry Doxsee, Mai-y Whitman July 19,1836

BABYLON I'RESBYTKRIAN CdllJiH 43

NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN

Thomas Bloomer, Elvin h\ Ketcham Nov. 17,1836

Maiy Ann, Charles Ketcham Nov. 17,1836

Wm. Hewlet

Wickfts, Elizabeth Weekes Jnno 30,1837

Sarah Maria, l^:ivin F. Ketcham Jan. 20, 1838

Kneelaud Piatt, Zophar Ketcham Jan. 20, 1838

Edgar Fleet, Angeline Totten Jan. 20, 1838

Henry Martyn, Elizabeth Muncey Oct. 14, 1838

Sarah Maria, Jesse Wicks Aug. 6, 1839

Julia Elizabeth, Elizabeth Weeks Aug. 6, 1839 Hannah, Jonas and Angeline

Muncey Aug. 6, 1839

Israel Anderson, Rebecca Smitii Aug. 6, 1839

Sidney, Rebecca Smitli Aug. 6, 1839

Edgar Martin, Zcbulon Ketcham Feb. 28, 1839 Catherine Worth-

ington, Elvin F. Ketcham Nov. 26,1839

Louisa Emma, Mary Ann Barto Nov. 26,1839

Julia Anna, H(Miiy and Marietta :\Iay 6, 1841

Henry Doxsee, Biewster Jan. 13,1842

Julia Thompson, Elbert and Mary Ann

Carll Sept. 29,1843 William Elvin, Daniel and Angelin Tot- ten April 5, 1844 Samuel Johnson, C^liarles and Eliza Em- mons June 23,1844 Cornelia Adelaide Thomas Ireland June 23 1844 Pbebe Ann, Thomas Ireland June 23,1844 ^ Caroline Ophelia, AVm. A. and Mary Ann

44 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

NAMES. PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN

Barto July 5. 1844

Anna Cecelia. C. L. A. and Anna C.

Betlenger July 28,1844

Hannah Maria

GeiTardRel)eoea Brewster July 28,1844

Rhoda Frances

Gerrard Rebecca Brewster July 28,1844

Sarah Melissa,

GerrardRehecca Brewster July 28,1844

Edmund Smith

Gerrard Rebecca Bj-ewstcr July 28,1844

Mary Esther, Jonah Brower Sep. 15,1844

Sarah Cornelia, Jonah Brower Sep. 15,1844

Edward Franklin John and Henrietta

Oakley Aug. 8, 1845

John Henry, John and Henrietta

Oakley Aug. 8, 1845

Nathaniel Thomas, J. and H. Oakley Aug. 8, 1845

Children of Ezra C. and Caroline Stadge No. date

Junius Selden, Daniel and Angeline

Totten Oct. 11, 1850

Theodore Allison, diaries and .M. M.

]>,ishop Oct. 11, 1850

William Augustus, A. F. and A. Keteham Oct. 11, 1850 Edward Nostrand,A. F. and A. Keteham Oct. 11, 1850 Catherine Louisa, C. L. A. and A. C. Bet- linger Oct. 3, 1852 Herietta, C. L. A. and A. C. Bet-

■ linger Oct. 3, 1852

BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 45

NAME PARENTS, ETC. RAPTISKO BORN

Henry Smith, J. H. and Alniira Dox-

see June 18,1853

Ellen Isadora P. M, A. and Angeline

Weeks June 18,185;:

Mary E. Doxsee, Closes and Mary DoxseeJnly 9, 1854 ;

Milton Spencer, J, H. and Almira Dox- see Sep. 20,1854

Augustus Fleet, Dr. and Mrs. M. Bishop Jan. 5, 1855

Frederick William F. W. and J. Renwick Aug. 26,1854

Robert IMaurice, Dr. A. G. and Sarah

Thompson June 22,1855

Milton Strong, Dj'. A. CI, and Sarah

I'liompson June 22,1855

Susan Maria New- ton, E. and ilary Newton June 22,1855

William Jarvis, W)i). W. and i\r. A. Jar- vis June 22,1855

Mary Elizabeth, Samuel and Rebecca

Muncey June 22.1855

Ezra Smith, Samuel and Rebecca

Muncey June 22,1855

Edward Henrv, Samuel and Rebecca

Muncey June 22,1855

Hannah Eveline, William and ^Faryett

Muncey June 22,1855

Smith Tredwell William and .^raryett

Muncey June 22,1855

John , Mr. and Mrs. Frazer Aug. 6, 1855

Elizabeth Rogers, Woodrut" and M. E.

46 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CUTRCH

NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN

Leak Dec. 29,1855

Phebe Adeline, James E. and Eliza

Dodd June 28,1856

Edgar, Wm. B. and E. Lind Sept. 1, 1856

Thomas AVarreu, Edward and ]\Iary New- ton Sep. 27,1856 Ella Augusta, Eliphalet and Caroline

Smith Oct. 11. 1856

Laura Frances, Eliphalet and Caroline

Smith Oct. 11, 1856

Eugene, J. Harvey and Alinira

Doxsee Oct. 11, 1856

Ellen, Joseph and Mary Brown Oct. 12, 1856

Alice Olivia, F. ]M. A. and Angeline

AYeeks Oct. 13, 1856

Francis Smith, F. M. A. and Augt-line

Weeks Oct. 13, 1856

Eva Maria William A. and Mary

Barto July 10,1857

ElABYIiON PRESBYTERIAN CnURCIl

47

Names of adults baptised from March 10, 1833 to Oct. 12, 1856:

NAME	1!	\1'T	ISIOI*
Miss Coruelici I'cltrcau,	March	10,	1833
]\ri*s. Maria Brush,	March	10,	1833
Miss Martlia Jones,	March	10.	183:;
]\Iiss Caroline IMuncy,	March	10,	1833
j\Iiss jMary E. Whitman,	Mar(;h	10	1833
]\Iiss Phche Doxy,	March	10,	1833
/Miss Kinily Smith,	March	10,	1833
Miss Phe])e Smitli,	March	10	1833
Mrs. Rebecca Smitli,	March	10	1833
Miss Harriet Oakley,	iMarch	10	1833
Mrs. Angeline Muuey,	March	10	1833
Mrs. Selah Wood,	March	10	1833,
Miss Harriet Ketcham,	]March	10	1833
Miss Fanny Ketcham,	March	10	1833
Mrs, Ruth Ketcham,	March	10	1833
Miss Cornelia Ketcham,	]\Iareh	10	1833
Miss Phebe Ireland,	i\Iarch	10	1833
Miss Eliza Ireland,	March	10	1833
Miss Phebe M. Jarvis,	March	10	1833
Mrs. Elizabeth Muneey	iNIarch	10	1833
Miss Mary Ann Jackson,	iMarcli	10	1833
Mrs. Charity Conkling,.	March	10	1833
Miss Phebe Frost,	INIareh	10	1833
Mrs. Diannah Jarvis,	March	10	1833
]Miss Hannah IM. Smith,	iMarcli	10	1833
Mrs. Francis ]>arteau,	March	10	1833
Oliver Samist,	March	10	1833
Mr. Daniel H. Post,	]\Iarch	10	1833
Mr. Nathaniel Barteau,	March	10	1833
Mr. Alexander Barteau,	March	10	, 1833
Mr. Zebulon Ketcham,	March	10	1833
Jarvis Keeteham,	March	10	, 1833
Mr. John Ketcham.	March	10	1833
Mr. John Purdy,	March	10	. 1833
Mr. Silas Muneey.	March	10	, 1833
Mr. Selah Wilmot,	March	10	, 1833
Mr, Israel Oakley,	March	10	, 1833

48

BABYIvOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

NAME	BAPTISED
Mr, David Smith.	March	10,	1833
Mr. Conkling Ketcham,	March	10.	1833
Capt. Jonas AVeeks,	May	5.	1833
Doct Ralph Smith,	May	5,	1833
Silas M. Weeks	May	5,	1833
Jonas Weeks, Jim.,	May	5,	183a
Edward Smith,	May	'"),	1833
Jonas Muncy,	May	.').	1833
Jonath S. Conkling,	May	."),	1833
Mrs. Phebe Weeks.	.May	."),	1833
Mrs. Clarrissa Underhill	:yray	,").	1833
Mrs. Maria Jarvis,	:\Iay	5.	1833
Mrs. Sarah Yonge,	^lay	5.	1833
Maria Brush.	May	5.	1833
Hetty Brush,	May	5,	1833
Mary Ann Ketcham	May	i^.	183a
Mrs. Hannah Baldwin.	:^Iay	.3.	1833
Mrs. Elizia Weeks,	May	."),	1833
Mrs. Phebe Weeks,	.May	.3.	1833
Mrs. Parthena Weeks,	May	•>,	1833
Eliza P^leet.	May	."),	1833
Mrs. Fanny Conkling,	May	.").	1833
Richard W. Smalling,	Jan.		1834
Elizabeth Barto,	Jan.	,	1834
Sarah E. Smith,	July	6.	1834
Mrs. Sarah Wood,	July	6,	1834
Mrs. Elizabeth Jai-vis,	July	6.	1834
Pbebe Wood,	Oct.	.).	1834
l^hebe Wiggins,	Oct.	•^,	1834
Keziah Ann Leek,	Oct.	"),	1834
John Youngs,	July	?>,	183r>
Margaret Berry,	Oct.	4,	1835
Ann Maria Youngs,	Oct.	4.	1835
Elizabeth Nichols,	Jan.	3.	1836
Hannah Weekes,	July	24,	1836
Mrs. Mary Smitli	Oct.	14.	1838
Mrs. Mary Back,	Oft.	14.	1838
Miss Almedia Barto,	Oct.	1^:	1838

1\KV. jAMEy C. Hume Pastor rroiii 1883 to 1888

Rev. John Dietrich Long Pastor from 1889 to 1905

BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 43

NAME	nw	'TISF.n
Miss Chassy M. Laws,	Oct.	14,	1838
Miss Mary Sinitli,	Oct.	14,	1838
William C. Smith,	Oct.	14,	1838
Miss Hetty Wiih'ts Smith,	•JMll.	13.	1 830
Miss Mai-y Smith
Daughter of Elisha Smith.	•Jan.	1-,	183i)
Jesse Weeks,	Jan.	r"	1840
John DeClew,	Jan.	•J,	1840
Charles M. Reeve,	Jan.	•">,	1840
Mrs. Emmaline Thompson,	Jan.	5,	1840
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Brown,	•Ian.	'"^	1 840
Miss Phebe Iligbie,	Jan.	f).	1 840
Miss Cornelia A. Fleet,	Jan.	•>,	1840
Miss Phebe A. Wood,	Jan.	o,	1840
Miss Charlotte Fleet,	Jan.	").	1 840
Mr. Daniel Totten,	April	5.	1840
Mr. Alexander Totten,	April	'">,	1840
Mrs. Mary Totten,	April	->.	1840
Mrs. Phebe Ann Keteham,	April	5.	1840
Mrs. Sarah Baldwin,	Jan.	1,	1843
Mrs. Julia M. McRea,	Jan.	1,	1843
Miss Julia Ann Strong	April	2,	1843
Mrs. Deborah Ann Burling,	April	2,	1843
Miss Julietta Fleet	April	2,	1843
Miss Marietta Fleet,	April		1843
William Muncy,	April	2^	1843
Samuel Muncy,	April	2,	1843
Silas Whitman,	April	0	1843
Daniel Sheldon,	April	9	1843
Archelaus Doxsee,	April	2	1843
Miss Almira Smith,	April	2,	1843
Richard Jones,	April	2.	1843
Mrs. Maria Catherine Smith,	April	2	1843
Selina Davis	April	2,	1843
Jane Nelson,	April	2.	1843
Treadwell Fleet,	April	2,	1843
Jane Jones,	Oct.	H.	1846
Mary Eliza Dodd,	March	27,	1853

50

BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

NAME

Marv Ann Carll,

]\Jaiy Ann Leak,

Jemina Smith,

Andrew Titus,

.Alartha :\Iiller,

^lary Ann Jarvis,

Mary Newton,

Eebecca ^luneey,

Hannah A. Fleet,

Adriana Fleet,

]Mary Strong,

^Martha Smith,

E. Piatt Conklin,

Mrs. Eli7.abeth Weeks, * Mr. E. C. Stadge children in the record t JMrs. Phebe Weekes' name is entered tw sons of the same name.

BAPTISED
June 26,	1853
Sept. 25,	1853
Nov. 27,	1853
Dee. 31,	1854
:\Iareh 25,	1855
June 23,	1855
June 23.	1855
June 23,	1855
June 23,	1855
June 23,	1855
Sept. 29,	1855
Nov. 10,	1855
:\rarch 29,	1856
Oct. 12,	1856
this way.
ice unless there we

#

BABYIiON I'RESBYTERTAN CIll'IUMi 51

Churcfi Government in old Times

People of the present day can hardl.y realize the duties devolving hpou the elders of tlie church in those days. Most of their time was taken u]) in investigating the conduct of their church members. Petty quarrels among the church members were generally laid before the ses- sion for consideration.

Again tattling among the church members was as common as among criildrcii.

Spying upon the conduct of their neighbors was another amuse- ment and it seemed to be their boundeu duty to report it to the session. The spirit of being much better than your neighbor was cultivated in the highest degree.

Another heinous criiiic for a person belonging to one church, was in attending the services of another denomination. The writer himself re- members that the subject was often discussed among the boys in his youth, and it was considered a sin to attend a Roman Catholic Church. Fortunately for tlie boys at that time, there was no such church in ]>abylou until 1878, so tliey could not sin in that way. The only thing that they were called upon to do was to drive their servants to Bay Shore or Penataquit, foui- miles away, to attend the Roman Catholic Church of that place. The boys also thought that the Roman Catholic Church was preparing to slaughter the christians, as in olden times. The writer has heard it suggested that when a stone church which was built in Brooklyn, up to the first floor and then roofed over until fur- tlier funds could be ol)tained. It was thought that it was built in that way so that it could be used as a fort in case they attempted to carry on a slaughter of the cliristiaus.

In order that the reader may gain some idea of the trials and troubles in the early history of the grand old First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington Soutli a few quotations from tlie old records of the church may be interesting.

One Gilbert Heartt in March, 1799, was brought before the session and confessed that he had been guilty of drinking. Tn October of the same year he was again an offender. In the summer of 1800 additional charges were lodged against him, viz:

''That some time about last November about the time lie killed his hogs he- was intoxicated with spirituous liquor and that he was also in- toxicated with spirituous liquor some time near the first of March last, at a time thai he and Selah Howell went in a wagon together to mill —

52 B.iBYLON PRESBYTERL\N CHURCH

the last charge was for being concerned or aiding at a horse race on the first day of April last, near Ketcham Terry's Tavern."

William Garret was a similar offender and his ease was before the session several times..

This is one of the most curious decisions rendered by the session. On June 12, 1802, Jesse Ketcham brought a charge against Temperance Jackson ''of imprudent and inconsistent conduct in her saying that she would not he confined to any church or society and had acted according- ly in going to other meetings."

Thomas Wiggins was a witness. The session held that the chai'ge was proven. Temperance apologized and the session restored her, Imt Jesse, the complainant was dissatisfied with the decision and the session gave him permission '"to stay hack from the next communion of the church in partal'ing of the Lord's Supper in order to obtain further satisfaction."

This seems to show that Jesse still harbored a feeling against Tem- perance and was willing to be deprived of the Lord 's Supper in order to find his christian spirit. Also it would seem that the session might have punished Jesse if he had stayed away from the Communion witliont per- mission.

Gilbert Heartt seems to iiave been an old offender for he was again before the session who referred the matter to the Presbytery and "if recommended upon his confessing and sorrow that they receive him one time more."

There was a report laid before the session that " William Garrett and Sarah, his wife had made to free use of liquors they were notified to stay away from the communion until the session could verify the report.

They were notified several times to attend the session but gave as a reason that they had no horse, and tlie distance was too gi-cat. tliey were finally excluded from the communion.

The first minister. Rev. Luther Gleson, seemed to have completely won the hearts of his people. He was convicted by tlie Presbytery of Long Island ''in making too free use of intoxicating liquors" on March 20th, 1S04. He was again arraigned on June 17, 1806. on a mi>re serious charge and finally deposed October 16, 1807.

His admirers petitioned the Presbytery to restore liim. On being refused, they felt very bitter against the Preslwtery and filially began to absent themselves from the Church.

In 1809, in consequence of the troubles over Mr. Gleson. the session

BABYLON f'RESBYTERIAN CIIUKCIJ 53

was confronted with the fact tliat many of their members were leaving their eliiirch and connecting themselves with other churches. On B^eb- ruary 10, 1812, the following was passed:

"RESOLVED, that Thomas Ireland and Patience, his wife, Sam- tiel Muncey and DcboraJi, his ivifc, David Jackson and Temperance, his wife, Jonathan Stratfon and Mary, his wife, Ehenczer Smith and Mar- garet, ]iis wife, Jonathan Seama)t, Hannah Douglas and Phebe Highie having habitually for a lengtli of time absented themselves from the worship and ordinances of the vlntrch he cited to appear before the ses- sion."

So an important session of the chnreh was held April 20, 1812, Kev. Zacariah (ireen, moderator, Elders, Jesse Ketcham and Benjamin K. Hobart. Medad Rogers, Eliphalet Mowbray, Thomas Iivland and Pa- tience, his wife, did not appeal- and it seems that tht^-e was no proof that they had been cited. Samuel Muncey and Deborah, his wife, ap- peared to answer their citations. Mr. Mnncey "charged Mr. Phillips of blarhguarding in the pulpit u-ixn he preached to liis people."

Ml'. Jackson and Temperance, his wife appeared, she said she was "a member of the church called Congregational and could not go with them while under Presbytery."

Jonathan Stratton and Mary, his wife, appeared and said "they felt no disposition to return or unite, but if any union took place Pres- byterians must come to them and unite."

Ebenezer and Margaret Smith said they "had taken the liberty ivhich they thought reasonable, and could not consider that a church was a prison. Mr. Smith said the Presbytery was oppressive, unjust, scribes and. Pharisees' sitting in Moses' seat and he abhored their meas- nres especially in regard, to Mr. Gleson and considered they ivere exer- cising an authority that the Gospel did not warrant nor justify."

Mrs. Hannah Douglas appeared, "confessed she iras once a member of the church, but ivas as ignorant of its principles and discipline as an 171 f ant ivJien she joined it. She said sJie had since learned that it was oppressive and its rides not consistent with the Gospel which gave lib- erty. TJiat sJie came forward ivith others to receive her discharge but was much wounded on being denied it, and that she had since joined the despised Mettiodists, with whom she had found that peace she had not found before, and that liberty which, ivas of the gospel.. .She professed to love all on whom she saw the image of the redeemer displayed.. .Yet the Presbytery ivere a set of imposing hypocrites whom she could not

54 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

hear and to icliom she would not submit — that theij had dealt unjustly ivith Mr. Gleason.

Mrs. Phebe Higl)i(\ great-grandmother of the writer, expressed much ^'dissatisfaction" as to the measure tJie church had taken to bring her to a situation that exposed her character to the world, and ob- served that the 18th chapter of Matthew Jield up the exercises of church government which ought to have been exercised upon her if she had done amiss. But she would deal plainly now, and let them know that she could never partake of the ordinances and receive the elements from the hands of those who had wickedly destroyed and killed her shepherd and spirit u a I Fath e r.

Jonathan Seaman did not appear.

Mrs. Smitli, wife of Jeremiah Smith came before the session and desired her certificate which was deferi"ed for further consideration

A Temperance Pledge

Babylox, May 4. 1833.

The church and session met according to notice and after deliberate crjnside ration unanimously, Resolved, that hereafter before any person shall be received into this church they shall give their explicit consent to the following pledge, viz: "'The members of tJiis diurch believing that the use of intoxicating liquors, for persons in health, not only un- necessary but injurious; and that the practice is the cause of forming- intemperate habits and appetites: and that while it is continued the evils of intemperance can never he pj-e vented do therefore agree, that we will not, except as a medicine in cases of bodily infirmity, use distilled spirits ourselves, or procure them for the entertainment of our friends or for persons in our employment and- that in all siiHohh u-nys wr trill dis- countenance the use of them in the communily.

E. C. Stadge, Clerk.

March 3, 1837, Keziali Ann Leek was charged with various immor- alities— '" had associated herself u-itii the wicked — had gone with them to places of vain and sinful amusement , Imd joined u'illi IIk m in IJi< some and she had also neglected to come to the Lord's supper.

Januai-y 26. 1838, Joseph Stroud was accused of living in a tavern and tending at the bar.

April 17, "Resolved, That tee hold it to he higlily inconsistent ivilh a Christian profession for members of the church to furnislt intoxicat- ing drinks for their guests as a common hcvcrage, or to engage in the

BABYLON TRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 55

practice of dancing or card idoijinr/, or for liuids of farniJirx to allow of such prartirr.<; in ihrir liouscs."

F(ju.MATiuN OF Presbyterian Cihrcii of Islif

Names of the persons dismissed August 16, 1857, to form a new parish to be called the Presbyterian Church of Islij) :

Charles A. Betlengei James Brewster.

Peter Robertson. Richard Jones.

Joseph Brown. Silas Whitman.

James H. Doxsee. William S. Brown.

Jeremiah T. Smith. ^Margaret Robertson.

Mary P. Brown. Anna C. Bettingcr.

iVIaria Brewster. -lemima Smith

Sarah Doxsee. Almira Doxscc.

Harriet WhitmaL iMahala Doxsee.

Sarah E. Brown. Martha Smith.

Mary Sands ]\Iary Thurber.

Martha Sweesy. Elizabeth Wicks. \

Angeline Wicks.

August 23, 1.859, the following persons were dismissed for the same purpose, viz :

Eliphalet Smith Mary Sniitli.

Mary Velsor.

The names of the persons that came from Islip show the readers of the present day what their forefathers had to do to attend church. A person can hardly believe that the old First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South was the Christian home for people from Massapequa to Islip, a distance covering fourteen to tifteen miles.

A chapel connected with the church at Babylon was built in Islip in 1852, and in 1857 they formed an organization. In 1869 they completed a new church building at a cost of $15,000. which was con- sidered at that time one of the largest and tinest church building iu the county. Robert L. ^laitland contributed $8,000 toward the ex- penses, the Stewarts Sugar refiners of New Yoi'k presented the bell^ and Dr. A. G. Thompson, of West Islip, contributed the main cost of a $1,500 pipe organ. The old church was used for a Sunday school.

56 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

]\IlNISTERS OF THE ChuRCH

A list of ministers from 1796 down to the present day is given to- gether with the years of service as prepared by the Rev. John D. Long, and published in a programme in commemoration of the One Hundreth ajiniversary of the organization of the First Presbyterian church of Babylon. January 7, 1898. since that date the closing year of Mr. Long's service has been added and the name of Mr. ^Merrill who succeeded Mr. Long. The list is as follows :

Luther Gleason, 1796—1807.

Richard Salter Storrs, 1808—1809.

Samuel Weed,, 1818—1820.

Installed May 12, 1819.

Alexander Cummings, 1820 — 1824.

Neliemiah Baldwin Cook, 1826—1832.

Jonathan Cable, 1833

Ebenezer Piatt. 1833—1837.

Hollis Read. 1838

Alfred Ketcham. 1839—1848.

Edward J. Vail, 1848—1851.

Gaylord L. .Aloore, 1852—1856.

Charles W. Cooper, 1857—1869.

James ircDougall. 1871—1873.

James C. Nightingale, 1873—1879.

Walter B. Floyd, 1881—1883.

James C. Hume, 1883—1888.

John Dietrich Long. 1889—1905.

'o

Robert D. Merrill, 1905

In regard to the foregoing list Avould say that the old records do not give the names of Richard Salter Storrs, or that of Alexander Cum- raings, they are given in Prime's history of Long Island. The name of Gaylord L. ]\Ioore in this list should be Gaylord Tj. ^lore. The old church records show that tlie following ministers served the church at various times, viz :

July 20, 1806.— XathanWoodlinll. Lord's supper administered 28th time.

June 21. 1807. — No minister named, Lord's supper administered 29th time.

February 19, 1809. — Nathan Woodhull- Lord's supper administered ^30th time.

BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 57

August 6th, 1809. — Peter Fish, Lord's supper adininistered 31st time.

December 29, 1809. — Nathati Woodhull, Lord's suppei- udministered 32ud time.

June 17, 1810. — Zacariah Creen (Clreene), Lord's supper administ- ered 33rd time.

•Inly 21. 1S10. — VAunwyA'v IMiillips, l^ord's snpiier administered 34th time.

Febiuiuy U), 1812. — Ebene/er Pliillips acted as moderator.

April 20, 1832. — Zacariali (jreene acted as moderator,

April 22, 1812. — William Sclienck acted as moderator.

May 5. 1812, — Bradford Marcy acted as moderator.

]\Iarch 5, 1818.— Bradford jMarcy.

April 5, 1818. — Zacariah (Jreene.

April 12, 1818. — l^radford ]\Iai'cy, Lord's supper administered 3511) time.

Deeember 14. 1818. — Samuel Robertson acted as moderator.

December 26, 1818. — Ezra King acted as moderator.

December 27, 1818. — Ezra King administered the Lord's supper.

This was the first time since renewal of the covenant, April 11, 1818.

Interiors ok the Second and Third Churches

The late Judge James B. Cooper in his history of Babylon says of the interior of the second church. "'TJic pulpit wa."^ narrow, very high and painted blue or lead color. A wide gallerij extended around on every side except the North, where was placed, the pnlpil . When the minixlcy teas seated' he could not be seen by any portion of the congre- gatioH, not even by persons seated in the gallerif.. .Onhj irlien standing at the sacred desh was he visible."

The third edihce now used as a lecture room was nicely carpeted with pews having doors on the end and a gallery extending around three sides of the church, heated at first with stoves burning wood and later with coal stoves. Its interior was a very churchly and quaint arrange- ment, and it seemed a pity to see it torn down for it had fond memories to so many people. Fashion changes, and the present church is a vast improvement on all of the others.

The writer has a great reverence for it, and his name is deposited in the corner stone, as he was a member of the Sunday school at that time.

As you see the improvement in church l)uildings. so in studying

58 BABYLON I'RESBYTERIAN CHURCH

their history you will find just as great an improvement in the methods of learning how to do good in this world. What Christians did in the past would hardly be countenanced now. Some of the interpretations of the Scriptures preached in the past have been changed and an enlight- ened knowledge has been gradually permeating Christianity, all over the world, and this knowledge will still increase for the simple reason that it is only j^et in its infancy. Probably in no church in this broad land would our Saviour be recognized, if he came unannounced and dwelt among them, 2^Iay we all treasure the historic church of Babylon for the good influence it has, and still is exercising in this community. Jfay God's blessing always rest upon it.

A Few Interesting Facts

Mrs. James B. Cooper informs me that her grandfather. Joshua Hartt, born at Dix Hills, Long Island, preached once in the Presbyter- ian Church at Babylon, probably before the war of 1812, taking his text from Joel III. 10. "Beat your plougli shares into swords, and your pruiuiiug ItooJcs into spears; let lite weak say I am strong."

He incited the people to take up arms against Great Britain claim- ing that it was a righteous war, and wanted the people to maintain the rights of America.

Her gi-andfather and the great-grandfather of the present Judge James B. Cooper, was educated at Princeton college- New Jersey. He preaclied legularly at Hempstead and occasionally at Babylon and Smithtown. Wliile preacbing at Smithtown on one occasion .he was tired upon by the British soldiers, the musket ball hitting the pulpit. The latter "s great-grandfather was also a Revolutionary hero. The Kev, Joshua Hartt was imprisoned during tlie Revolution in the Provost Jail, the old Hall of Records in New York, that was recently torn down. He was taken the second time to the jail chained to a negro and im- prisoned for his rebellious talk. Being a very large and stout man and used to out door exercise, he soon became very sick from his close con- finement. Col Ethan Allen was confined there at the same time and they became close friends. When Mr. Hartt was veiy sick, his friend Ethan Allen, made a most beautiful prayer for his recovery. When they part- ed Col. Allen said to Mr. Hai-tt. go home and tell your wife (Abigail Howell Hartt.) that when you were sick and in prison a servant of the most high God prayed over you, and you recovered.

The records show that Mr. Hartt officiated January 13th, 1811.

BABYLON PKESBYTEUIAN CJJUKCll 59

and baptised Wilinot iScudder, fjitliei- of Edward A Scudder of. J3aby- lon, and tliis was the Sunday the sei'inon was preached.

The deed, dated November 4, 1783, for tlie ground on which the second (;hurch was built, states "together with the house now building on said land," so that the church building must have been begun earlier in the year. Thompson's Jiistory of Long Island says a bell was present- ed to the church built in 18;J9 by David Thompson, Esq., of New York

The bell in the present church was presented by H. A. Y. Post, Esq.' a veteran of the Civil war.

Mr. Post's residence is on the site of the house occupied by Nehe- miah Hartt in 1783 and is considered by most historians as being the site upon which the first house was erected in Babylon.

Prime's history shows that the Long Island Presbytery before 1811 used intoxicating beverages at their meetings. The following resolution was passed at a meeting of the Presbytery of Long Island at Acquebogue November 5th, 1811:

''RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.— Thai hn-cafirr ardent spirits and wine shall constitute no part of our entertainment at any of our public meetings; and, that it be recommended to their churches, not to treat (Christian brethern or others with ardent spirits as a part of hos- pitality in friendly visits."

Mr. Prime says that he was informed that froui the passage of the above resolution "the meetings of the Presbytery ceased to be disgraced 'With the intoxicating beverage. "He also gives credit to this Presbytery as being one of the first to move in the great woi'k of reform. The cause of temperance was taken up in the Babylon Presbyterian Church in 1833.

The I'ecords show tlie church purchased a tankard and cups for twenty shillings on April 1, 1798. A platter and tw'o plates on June 14, 1801. A bible for thirty shillings and a psalm book for six shillings December 15th, 1803.

The old communion service was sold by order of the session, as fol- lows : Tankard, forty-one cents ; cup, twenty-three cents ; cup, twenty- two cents, and a plate for sixty-three cents in all one dollar and forty- nine cents.

The bible purchased for the church in 1803 was probably the same one presented by the session to the Rev. E. J. Vail, and on his leaving the church, he presented it to Mrs. Mary Ann Carll, and the bible is still in possession of her family.

Tlie First Presbyterian Church of Babylon today stands as a monu-

674266A

60 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

ment representing the earliest history of the village. Its plain church lines attract the attention of everyone and the town clock in its tower is as useful to the rich as to the poor, teaching all to look daily at God's church, and remember tliat time lost can never be recovered, and the chance to do good to any one. neglected is also lost.

]\Ien and women in their prime today cherish the associations of former years as w'ell as the memories that have been handed down from their parents and grandparents.

In many cases even sacred memories of the past come to us from the great-grand parents. So the children of today are beginning to teach their little children to love this sacred church that stands and has stood for five generations, trying to teach the people that —

"You hclievc that God for his own glory created all tJiings, visible and invisible, and that according to his eternal counsel, he governs all world's and events."

Tlie second church register contains the records from March 25tli, 1858 down to October 3rd, 1885, and contain a very complete re- <-ord of church meml)ers, and in many cases the dates of their deaths, also a list of marriages, giving dates and names of witnesses, and stat- ing whether a certificate was given. There is a complete list of in- fants baptised together with dates of births and names of parents, the adult baptisms are also entered in the regular minutes. These re- cords are all well preserved, and will be of great value to future his- torians.

Tothose who are interested in cluirch music, it may be of interest to know liow the elders in this cluirch viewed the music at one of their sessions, lield August 6th, 1863. They felt that the responsibility rested on them, according to their form of church government, and they viewed with j)ain and alarm, the great and marked decline in congre- gational singing: In their opinion it was caused by the selection of new, strange, and difficult tunes whicli the congregation could not sing, and they passed five resolutions in regard to the same. The first di- recting the organist, to select only sucli tunes as are found in the Presbyterian Psalmodist. unless pennission be obtained to sing others from the session. Second, in the evening service there is no objection to an occasional use of any otlier good tune, but no new tune may be sung except with the intention of making it a common tune, which all the congregation can sing. "Third, Resolved, that the interludes as now practiced are a waste of precious time, a needless display on the

BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 61

instrument, and are destructive of devotional feeling The sesaion

therefore, advise that the interludes be restricted, to a very few notes, not exceeding six, which will afford, ample lime for llir people to re. spire. ' '

Tlic rourtli resolution sliovved their gratefulness to the ladies and gentlemen who sang in the vicinity of the organ, and the fifth resolution informed the congregation that the session will encourage sacred music in their own families, and throughout the congregation over which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers.

According to a census it was found in March, 1868, tiiat there were sixty two children belonging to church members not baptised.

Now the sixth generation is rising and soon the seventh generation will be taught that God is love, and that the only way you can love (iod, is by planting in youi' heart the seed of charity, and the only way such love can grow, is by the child learning to do something for his neiglibor.

Associations, mean in a large sense, more than a person realizes — in fact they are the real life of the individual, and the individuals make the world. So the sacred associations that cluster around the Fii-st Presbyterian Church of Babylon, are dear to the hearts of many of her people.

Memorial AVindows op the Church

None can sit in the church and i-ead the inscriptions on tlie memor- ial windows without realizing that lie is looking into the past, for they all bear dates of the last centuiy.

The oldest date is —

In Memory of

DAVID SMITH

By his son, John W. Smith.

1802—1884

The records of the church show that David Smith joined the church March, 1838. and his son, David Smith, 2nd, May 5, 1833. The former David was a Revolutionary hero, and served in General Washington's array for seven years.

62 BABYLON PRESBYTERUK CHURCH

The second oldest date is —

In ^leniory of CHARLES EDAVY KETCHA.AI 1807—1898 Son of Thomas and Phebe Keteham, grandson of Jesse and Temperance Keteham, who were four of the thirteen charter members of this church.

The third oldest date is —

In loving Alemory of our P^ather

ROBERT OLIVER COLT

Born 5th Aug.. 1812

Died Dec. 15th, 1885

This window represents the four evange- lists, St. .Alatthew, St. >\Iark, St. Luke and : St. John. Airs. Colt was much interested in

church work and Avas a very kind and generous woman. She was one of the writ- er's teachers in the Sunday school.

There are three windows in memory of women of the church, viz;

In Alemoriam

MARY A. TITUS,

C. E. Society,

1836—1900.

In IMemoriam

EMILY S. KETCH A:\I.

C. E. Society.

1842—1897.

In i\Iemory of

ADALINE L. KETCIIAM

Died November 18, 1898.

By the Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society.

BABYr>ON PRESBVTEUIAK CHURCH 63

lu lueinoiy of the pastors of the eliureli thei'e are i'our double vvia- dows as follows:

In Meinoriani REV. GAYLORD L. MOORE

1812—1888

Laus Deo. pastor of this ehiireh,

1852—1850

In iMeuioriani REV. CHARLES W. COOPER

1830—1886 ■:

Laus Deo, pastor of this churcli 1857—1869

REV. JAMES MeDOUCxALL, Ph. D.

iy36— 1892

Pastor this ehiireh

1870—1873

JA:\[ES C. NIGHTINGALE

1836—1895

Pastor of "this chureh

1874—1880

Sitting in the pulpit on the right side is a window representing St. ]\Iichael —

In Memory of

JULIA FOWLER COLT

Born 3rd April, 1897

Died 15th April, 1897

On the left side of the pulpit is a window representing St. George —

In IMeniory of

HANNAH FITCHETT COLT

Born 21 May, 1893

Died 13th September, 1894

64 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The present officers of the First Presbyterian church of Babylon are as follows :

The Session

James MeLachlan. ordained in 1884

A. B. Leggett, M. D., ordained in 1884

John H. Baldwin, ordained in 1887

Charles M. Bergen, ordained in 1908

James H. Potter, ordained in 1908

The Board of Trustees

J. B. Foulke, President

E. V. Ketchara, Secretary

Elbert C. Livingston

Clarence Carman, deceased Charles E. Arnold

Edward S. Alley

Dr. AV. H. Deale

Church Treasurer

Charles M. Bergen

The steeple of the church has been struck three times ))y lightning. First in August, 1895; second in the fall of tliat year and again on June 12, 1911, at one o'clock in the morning.

The most damage was done on the latter date, but it was a singular fact the clock was not damaged nor did it stop running.

The building acts as a protector of the village in a double sense. Well may the people be proud of it long may it stand, and may its in- creasing influence bring many to do only that which is good in the sight of the Lord.

KIXIS

Rev. Kobert D. Merrill Pivsent Pastor, Tiistalled Oct. 31st, 1!)05.

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