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HISTORY
m\ \wm nmvmi iwb
COMMUNITY WHICH HAS SUSTAINED IT,
J.\ WHAT WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE
IRISH SETTLEMENT,"
NorLhanipton County. P<a.
REV. JOHN C. CLYDE, A. M.,
u
V/liose A)uest)y Jiai-e been identijleil unlJi tJie Setlleutcnf frovi
its Infaiuv.
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PHILADELPHIA: : .\"---^
PUBLISHED I!V THE PRESBY-TERIAN HIS'l'ORICAL SOCIETY,
k. MAfiKI': .4- SOX, I'RINI'KRS.
18 7 6.
MV COUSIN',
MISS JENNIE HORNER,
A DF.SCENDANT OF ONE OF THF. OLDEST
FAMILIES IX THE IRISH SETTLEMENT, WHO STILL
RESIDES WITHIN ITS ROUNDS, THE FOLLOW-
IN'O PAGES ARE INSCRIBED AS a'
TOKEN OF ESTEEM AND
lU^OARD, liY
I'lIE
Airi'HOR.
Kntered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875. by Rev. John
C. Clyde, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
PREFACE.'
N the summer of 1866, the author's attention
was directed to the subject of preparing
a History of the Irish Settlement. At
that time he commenced the collection of ma-
terials for the purpose. The original plan was to
prepare a history in two parts ; one to treat of the
religious, and the other of the secular affairs of the
community. It soon became apparent that the col-
lection of material for the secular part would be a
formidable undertaking. In the face of insuperable
difficulties, as it seemed, this feature of the work was
dropped. A manuscript History of the Church, how-
ever, was completed in 1870, but without any defi-
nite purpose of publishing the same. At the earnest
solicitation of friends, that manuscript, re-modeled,
revised, re- written, and amplified, we have presented
in the following pages.
It was the author's intention to include in this
volume two additional chapters, relating more par-
ticularly to the secular affairs of the community.
By this means he hoped to interest the descendants
iv Preface.
of the old families of the Settlement, in order to
secure their co-operation in obtaining material for a
companion volume to the present one, treating of
the secular affairs of the Settlement. One of the
chapters omitted was a necrology, being a transcript
of all the inscriptions upon the tombstones in the old
burying ground. The other was composed of gen-
ealogies and reminiscences. It was a source of
regret to the author to find, when ready to go to
press, that these chapters could not be included. It
is the present intention, that any disappointment
arising from this source shall only be temporary in
its character. The author hopes that, at no distant
day, he will be able to present a secular history of
the Settlement as a companion to the present volume,
in accordance with his original design. The gen-
ealogies omitted, though nearly two hundred and
fifty in number, and to a high degree satisfactory as
regarded the generations of the old families between
their arrival in this country and 1876, were neces-
sarily incomplete in some particulars. In the secu-
lar volume we hope to include the necrology, and
make the genealogies perfect as far as possible down
to 1876. We invite all, therefore, who have not
already done so, to furnish us with perfect genealo-
gies of their families, so far as they can, together
with reminiscences of the Settlement or individuals.
The professional and public career of individuals in
Preface. v
church or State, their religious beliefs, &c., are
solicited, together with any other matter which
would be interesting to posterity. The author would
be thankful, if persons, who know of sources of in-
formation relative to the Settlement or its people,
would make known the same to him. Thus may be
constructed a permanent record of what our ancestors
have done to assist in securing the present prosperity
of our nation. Whilst the secular chapters have
been omitted from this volume, the history of the
Church has been retained complete, which includes
much of the secular affairs of the Settlement.
In the preparation of these pages we have been
indebted to many descendants of the old Settlement
families, both within and without its bounds. We
have been assisted by the present pastor and officers
of the Church to no small degree.
We would also acknowledge the kindness shown
us by Rev. Amzi L. Armstrong, Stated Clerk of the
Presbytery of New Brunswick, and Rev. H. C.
McCook, Cu;todian of Philadelphia Presbytery
minutes, in furnishing extracts and permitting us to
peruse the early minutes of these Presbyteries for
records bearing upon ihe early ecclesiastical affairs of
the Settlement Church. We have also consulted
Rupp's History of Northampton county, Henry's
History of Lehigh Valley, Dr. Charles Hodge's and
Webster's Histories of the Presbyterian Church, Dr.
vi Preface,
D. X. Junkin's Historical Discourse at the Semi-
centennial of the Presbytery of Newton, &c.
It is hoped what we have written with reference to
the Church will be found to be, in the main, correct
and trustworthy. If some of the names are not
spelled, in all cases, as the present generation would
spell them, we would say we have given them as they
are found in the old records.
J. C. C,
Frazer, Pa., November, 1875.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. 1 728-1 760. PAGB
First Settlers. The Allen Purchase. First Pastorate, Rev.
Eleazer Wales. David Brainerd's Preaching. First
Church Building. Second Pastorate, Rev. Daniel
Lawrence, 9
CHAPTER n. 1 761-1783.
Rev. John Clark's Ministry. Parsonage Farm. The Seceder
Church. Rev. John Rosbrugh's Ministry. Deeding
of Church and Grave Yard Lots. Rev. P>ancis Pep-
pard's Removal to the Settlement, 32
CHAPTER m. 1 784-1 81 2.
Rev. Francis Peppard's Pastorate. Incorporation. Rev.
Robert Russel commences Ministry. Affairs of the
Parsonage Farm. Building Grave Yard Wall. Sale
of Old Church, 57
CHAPTER IV. 1813-1825.
New Location and New Church Building. Origin of
Alternation in Services, 78
CHAPTER V. 1826-1835.
Unfortunate Investments. Failure of Northampton Bank.
Rev. Robert Russel's Death. First Sessional Records.
Pastorate of Rev, Brogan Hoff, 92
viii Contents.
CHAPTER VI. 1836-1869.
Rev. I^eslie Irwin's Pastorate. First Preaching at Cata-
sauqua, Preaching in Bath. Grave Yard Re-modeled, 108
CHAPTER Vn. 1870-1875.
Rev. D. M. James' Ministry. Causes of Settlement's
decline. Auspicious Circumstances in Community.
New Church at Bath. Re-modeling of Old Church at
Weaversville, 125
CHAPTER Vni.
Sketches of Pastors. — Eleazer Wales, Daniel Lawrence,
John Clark, John Rosbrugh, PVancis Peppard, Robert
Russel, Brogan Hoff, Leslie Irwin, D. M. James, . . 145
CHAPTER IX.
Church Officers. — Elders, Trustees, Officers of Board, Col-
lectors, 178
ECCLESIASTICAL CONNECTIONS.
1728-1738'?) — Presbytery of Philadelphia.
1738-1751 — Presbytery of New Brunswick.
1751-1758 — Presbytery^of Abington.
1758-1770 — Presbytery of Philadelphia, (ist.)
1770-1777 — Presbytery of New Brunswick.
1777-1821 — Presbytery of Philadelphia,
1821-1851 — Presbytery of Newton.
1851-1870 — Presbytery of Philadelphia, (New 2d.)
1870-1876 — Presbytery of Lehigh.
Irish Settlement.
CHAPTER I.
1738-1760.
N 1 728, John Boyd, who had married
Jane Craig, went with Col. Thos.
Craig from Philadelphia to the
Forks of Delaware and settled in what was
afterwards known as the Irish Settlement*
At or about the same time, Hugh Wilson,
Samuel Brown, and probably a few more
went thither and setded. In 1731, there
had accumulated a sufficient community to
assume the name of the Craig Settlement.
If the record from which we derive our
information is correct as to dates, and that
it is so is substantiated by the best of
evidence, we find these families followed
the example of the Scotch-Irish in other
parts of the country, in occupying vacant
* Hamilton Record.
10 Insh Settlement.
lands not yet opened to settlers. The
Craig, or Irish Settlement, was in existence
before the Aliens, whose name is identified
with it, became possessed of the land which
it occupied. The Aliens came into posses-
sion in the following manner: In 1681,
Charles II, of England, granted the province
of Pennsylvania to Wm. Penn. At the
death of Wm. Penn, in 1718, his sons,
John, Thomas and Richard, became Pro-
prietaries of the province. By a joint
warrant of the Proprietaries, dated at
London, May i8th, 1732, the Surveyor
General of the province was directed to
lay off a tract of five thousand acres for
the personal use of Thomas Penn. This
was done, and the tract thus laid off in-
cluded the Craig, or Irish Settlement, as
we shall presently see. The same day
(May 1 8th, 1732,) on which the warrant
was dated, Thomas Penn made an assign-
ment of the tract of land to Joseph Turner,
of Philadelphia. At this point the Aliens
come to notice. Wm. Allen, Esq., of
Philadelphia, who became the Hon. Wm.
Allen, Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, in
1750* was an intimate friend of the Penn
family. His daughter, Ann, became the
wife of Gov. John Penn. Through this
intimacy, Wm. Allen acquired large landed
estates in the province. Among others, he
became possessed of the five thousand
Irish Settlement. 11
acre tract set off for the personal use of
Thomas Penn. The warrant for the land
which had passed into the hands of Joseph
Turner, May i8th, 1732, was by him trans-
ferred to Wm. Allen, Sept. loth, 1735.
That this tract embraced the Craig, or
Irish Setdement, is made clear from the
following facts: June 13th, 174^,, Wm.
Allen deeded over to James Craig two
hundred and fifty acres of the five thou-
sand acre tract. These two hundred and
fifty acres acquired by James Craig, were
in the immediate vicinity of the present
church building at Weaversville, as the
church and graveyard lots were deeded
over to the congregation by James Craio-.
Thus we see the Irish Settlement came
under the auspices of the Allen family in
1735. From Wm. Allen, or his heirs, the
early settlers received the titles for their
land, a fact which proved disastrous to
many of them, as the Aliens espoused the
royal cause in the American Revolution,
and their lands, we believe, were forfeited.
It is not unlikely that families removed
to the Settlement between 1731-35, when
Wm. Allen became possessed of the land.
But when Mr. Allen assumed control there
doubtless was a new incentive to the
Scotch-Irish people to emigrate to that
part of the country. Although he was a
friend of the Penn family, he was also
12 Irish Settlement.
friendly to Presbyterianlsm. In 1755,
when the Synod of Philadelphia provided
a fund for the relief of the widows and
children of deceased ministers, Hon. Wm.
Allen became a trustee of the same. In
1763, when the Synod of New York and
Philadelphia desired to present an address
to the King of England, Hon. Wm. Allen
was chosen with others to bear the same
to His Majesty. He presented one hun-
dred acres of land to the Deep Run Pres-
byterian Church as a parsonage farm. By
these and other acts of consideration for
Presbyterianlsm, we may justly infer that
the Scotch-Irish were induced to settle
upon lands owned by him that they might
thereby secure the favor of one who was
not averse to the religious principles held
by them. By the year 1737, the Settle-
ment had grown to considerable propor-
tions. By this time we find the following
families livine there :
Thomas Craig, John Boyd, Hugh Wilson,
James Horner, Thomas Armstrong, Robert
Gregg, John Hays, James Kerr, James
King, Arthur Lattlmer, John McNaIr,
James Ralston, John Walker and Robert
Walker.
These, with a few others perhaps, may
be regarded as the early settlers. With
the Influx of Scotch-Irish families the Set-
tlement gradually came Into notice as the
Irish Settlement, 13
Irish Settlement, instead of the Craig Set-
tlement, so called from its founder.
Having- the principles of Scotch-Irish
Presbyterlanism within them, we may truly
say they carried the Gospel with them into
the wilderness. Although not absolutely
positive, collateral evidence perhaps justi-
fies us in making the statement that the
Settlement Church was organized by the
Presbytery of Philadelphia, under the
ministry of Rev. Eleazer Wales, as early
as 1 73 1, and that Thomas Craig, if not the
original Elder, was at least a member of
the first Session.
It will be noticed that the names of Rev.
Eleazer Wales and Elder Thomas Craig
appear upon the roll of the Synod of
Philadelphia for the first time, we believe,
in 1 73 1. It would seem the Settlement
Church had been organized by that time,
and these representatives were present at
Synod in performance of their duty. As-
suming this to be the fact, we find this
pastorate continued until 1734. In this
year, however, " by the records of the
Philadelphia Presbytery, It appears that
the Rev. E. Wales resigned the pastoral
charge of Allentown."* From 1734 to
1738, the church seems to have been In
an unsettled condition. In 1738, however,
* Webster, in Rupp, p. 482.
14 Irish Settlement.
they sought supplies from the Presbytery
of New Brunswick instead of Philadelphia.
It appears that their application came
up before the Presbytery for consideration
July 31st, 1739, as they were convened at
New Brunswick. In answer thereto, it
was "agreed that Mr. Gilbert Tennent
preach at the Forks sometime this fall."
It seems Mr. Tennent fulfilled his appoint-
ment, and visited the Settlement in the
latter part of 1739. In the spring of 1740
they again applied to the Presbytery for a
supply of preaching. The matter came
up for consideration May 31st of that
year. The following action was taken
with reference thereto :
"In compliance with the afore-mentioned
supplication for supplies, the Presbytery
doth appoint as follows : That Mr. Robin-
son supply the Forks the first Sabbath in
July; that Mr. Campbell supply Tehicken
half his time, and Newton and the Forks
the other half equally between them."
The Presbytery convened at New Bruns-
wick again that year, August 2d, at which
time it was reported that the foregoing
appointments had been complied with.
The same day " a call was presented from
the Forks of Delaware for Mr. McKnight's
labors." This call seems not to have been
accepted. Two days later, at the same
meeting of Presbytery, (August 4th, i 740,)
Irish Se!tleme7ti. 15
the people again petitioned for preaching.
We find a reference made to it, under
that date, in the following record :
"A petition from the Forks of the Dela-
ware and Mr. Green's being presented to
the Presbytery, in compliance therewith
they thought proper to advise Mr. Camp-
bell to supply them as often as he shall
judge proper, till our next."
How often, or just what length of time
Mr. Campbell continued to preach under
this appointment, does not appear. He
ceased, however, before the spring of
1742. On May 29th, 1742, we find the
people petitioning again for preaching.
This time they petitioned in conjunction
with Greenwich. We are unable to decide
from the records whether this petition from
the Forks was from the Mt. Bethel people,
to the exclusion of the Settlement ; or from
the Settlement to the exclusion of Mt.
Bethel ; or from them both conjointly.
There is little doubt, however, but that
the application was at least shared by the
Settlement people. The minister they de-
sired to have sent to them was Rev. Chas.
McKnight. The application came up be-
fore Presbytery on the above date, as the
Presbytery was convened in Philadelphia.
Whether Mr. McKnieht was secured or
not does not appear. If he did go it was
but for a short time, for Oct. 12th of this
16 hdsh Settlemeitf,
year we find the people again asking for
supplies. In answer to this application
the Presbytery appointed Mr. Campbell
to devote one-third of his time to them.
For immediate supply of the pulpit we find
the following appointments by Presbytery :
Rev. Wm. Dean was appointed to preach
the next Sabbath (/. e., next after Oct. 13th,
1742,) at Neshaminy, and then three Sab-
baths at the Forks of the Delaware. After
this he was to supply Cohansie and Cape
May until within three Sabbaths of the
next meeting of the Presbytery, which was
to be on the fourth Tuesday of May, 1743.
These three Sabbaths were to be spent in
the Forks of Delaware.
With Mr. Campbell devoting one-third
of his time to the Settlement and Green-
wich, in addition to these six Sabbaths
of Mr. Dean, the Settlement must have
enjoyed a good supply of preaching from
October 12th, 1742, to the latter part of
May, 1743. At the meeting of Presby-
tery in Philadelphia, on the fourth Tuesday
of Ma}^ (May 26th,) 1743, three calls were
presented for the services of Mr. Dean.
One from the Forks of Delaware, one
from the Forks of Brandywine, and one
from Cape May. Mr. Dean not being
prepared to decide whether he would
accept one or any of these calls, was
granted till the next meeting of Presby-
Irish Settlement. 17
tery to consider the matter. In the mean-
time Presbytery directed Mr. Dean to
supply the Forks of Delaware until their
next meeting; at the same time preach as
much as was convenient at Pequea. The
Presbytery next convened August 12th,.
1 743, at which time Mr. Dean, by letter,
signified that he was not yet ready to de-
clare his acceptance of any one of the calls
which had been presented to him, but was
willing to continue to supply under the
then existing arrangement. Presbytery
directed him to continue to supply In the
Forks of Delaware, and Instead of preach-
ing at Pequea and Forks of Brandywine,
as was Intended, devote that time to
preaching at Tehicken and Bethlehem, N..
J. At a meeting of Presbytery held Oct.
1 2th, 1743, Mr. Dean declared his non-
acceptance of any of the calls that had
been presented to him. It now seems his
labors ceased in this locality until the next
year. We find the next day, Oct. 13th,
1743, Mr. Campbell is permitted by Pres-
bytery to supply Tehicken and Bethle-
hem, which had been assigned to Mr.
Dean. If he had been devoting one-third
of his tim2 to the Forks of Delaware and
Greenwich, as by appointment Oct. 12th,.
1742, which does not clearly appear, he
now ceased to devote so much time to the
Settlement as formerly. Presbytery simply
18 h'ish Settlement.
requested him to supply the Forks of
Delaware sometimes. At this same meet-
ing of Presbytery, Oct. 13, 1743, Rev.
Charles Beatty was ordered to supply In
the Forks of Delaware sometimes. At
the spring meeting of Presbytery, 1744,
we find the people asking supplies. The
Presbytery considered their petition May
26th, and accordingly sent Mr. Dean to
supply the Forks till the next meeting,
which was on Sept. 12th. There being no
record to the contrary it is presumed Mr.
Dean fulfilled the appointment. Whether
he devoted his whole time to the Settle-
ment or not does not appear ; at all events
we find that during this summer of 1744,
David Brainerd, the celebrated missionary
to the Indians, made his first recorded
visit to the Settlement. From Mr. Brai-
nerd's diary we learn that he preached
there July 23d, 1744, from Matt, v, 3 :
*' Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven."
On the 4th of the following September,
he again preached there. His text was,
Luke xiv, 22 :
'' And the servant said, Lord it is done as Thou
hast commanded, and yet there is room."
Presbytery convened Sept. 12th, 1744,
at which time Mr. Dean's appointment
Irish Settlement. 19
in the Forks having closed, the people
renewed their application for supplies. In
accordance with this application Rev. Elea-
zer Wales, their old pastor, was appointed
to supply them the two last Sabbaths of
September, and the first Sabbath of October.
Mr. Beatty was also appointed to supply
one Sabbath, and Mr. Dean as much as he
could until the next meeting of Presbytery,
We find, however, that Mr. Dean did not
preach in the Settlement in accordance
with this appointment, as he was dismissed
by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, Oct.
4th, of this year, to connect himself with
the Presbytery of New Castle. In the
latter part of October, of this year, we find
David Brainerd again visiting the Settle-
ment. He speaks of making a journey
from the Susquehanna to the Forks of the
Delaware. At the end of the second day's
journey he says he and his party came to-
an Irish Settlement. The distance from^
the Susquehanna to the Setdement being
about two days' journey, and on the direct
route to the Forks of the Delaware at
Easton, there is litde doubt but that this,
and the Irish settlement spoken of in Mr.
Brainerd's diary, are identical. On this
journey the Rev. Eliab Byram, member
of the Presbytery of New York, accom-
panied him. They arrived at the Setde-
20 Irish Settle^nent.
inent on Saturday evening, and the next
day preached to the people.
On the 14th of April, 1745, we find in
the diary of Mr. Brainerd the following
record :
"Was disordered in body with fatigue of
the late journey, but was enabled, how-
ever, to preach to a considerable assembly
of white people, gathered from all parts
round about, with some freedom, from
Ezek. xxxiii, 11."
This was at Mt. Bethel or Easton, some
doubt existing as to which of these places
was the scene of Mr. Brainerd's mission-
ary labors. However, some of the white
people referred to were doubtless from
the Irish Settlement.
On May 19th, 1745, the Presbytery met
and the Setdement people made their
usual application for preaching, accom-
panying it with a request for the adminis-
tration of the Lord's Supper in their midst.
From the records of this meeting of Pres-
bytery we learn that Mr. Daniel Lawrence
preached at the Forks and Greenwich on
the last Sabbath in June.
Presbytery convened Sept. 20th, 1745,
at which time two calls were brought in
for the pastoral services of Mr. Daniel
Lawrence. The one was from the two
Bethlehems, the other from Maidenhead
and Hopewell. Mr. Lawrence not being
IrisJi Settlement. 21
present at the meetlnor- of Presbytery, con-
sideration of these calls was deferred until
the next meeting. Under t'ne circum-
stances, Mr. Lawrence was directed to
supply two Sabbaths at Maidenhead and
Hopewell, and then he was to repair to
the Forks of the Delaware. He was to
supply two-thirds of his time in the Forks,
and devote the other third to the two
Bethlehems.
In the early part of 1 746, we find David
Brainerd again in the Settlement. In his
diary, under date of Feb. .18th, 1746, we
find the following record :
'' Preached to an assembly of . Irish
people nearly fifteen miles distant from the
Indians." This distance beingf about the
same as that from Easton to Weaversville,
there is little doubt but that this sermon
was preached in the Irish Settlement, near
the latter place. This was near the end of
Mr. Brainerd's earthly labors, as he died
in 1747.
About the year 1746, the first church
buildinor was erected in the Settlement.
o
It was a rude log structure and stood a
little to the southeast of the present church
building.
The graveyard was occupied for burial
purposes about the same time, or perhaps
a little earlier. The oldest stone is in
22 Irish Settlement,
memory of James King, one of the first
settlers, and bears date of 1745.
July 2 1 St, 1746, Presbytery convened.
At this meeting there was a supplication
from the congregations of Maidenhead and
Hopewell, requesting the labors of Mr.
Lawrence until the next meeting of Pres-
bytery, by way of trial, with a view to his
settlement among them. Also a similar
supplication from the Forks of Delaware,
for his services for one year with a view to
his settlement there. Likewise a supplica-
tion from the Bethlehems for the same
purpose. Some people from Oxford
Furnace also supplicated that they might
share the labors of Mr. Lawrence in case
he should be appointed to supply the
Forks of Delaware. It seems that in the
midst of this clamor, as it were, for the
services of Mr. Lawrence, the Presbytery
returned him to his labors in the Forks,
with instructions to preach every fifth
Sabbath at Tunis Quick's, (?) in the Forks
of the Delaware. Thus things seem to
have remained until the meeting of Presby-
tery, Oct. 1 6th, of this year. At this
meeting, the people in the Forks renewed
their call for Mr. Lawrence to undertake
the pastoral charge among them. The
matter being proposed to him by Presby-
tery, he signified his acceptance of the
the call ; Presbytery thereupon appointed
Irish Settlement. 23
a committee to ordain and Install him.
This committee was composed of Rev.
Richard Treat, Rev. James Campbell, Rev.
James Davenport, Rev. James McCrea
and Rev. Charles Beatty. Rev. Richard
Treat was to " preside over the whole
affair." Mr. Lawrence was given John Hi,
1 8, from which to preach a popular sermon
as part of trial for ordination. He was
also directed to prepare a Latin Exegesis
and hand It In to the committee, In the
Forks of the Delaware, on the first day of
April, 1747. The committee having as-
sembled In the Forks at this time, and
these requirements having been complied
with on the part of Mr. Lawrence, Presby-
tery directed the committee to proceed to
his ordination and installation If the way
should be found In all other respects clear.
The ordination and Installation was to
take place April 2d. The instructions of
Presbytery were carried out, as we learn
from the following report :
''Forks of Delaware, April id, 1747.
" The Committee appointed by the Presbytery to
attend to the ordination of Mr. Daniel Lawrence,
viz : Mr. Treat, Mr. Davenport, Mr. McCrea,
Mr. Campbell, (Mr. Beatty for good reasons not
attending,) did, according to appointment, meet at
the place, and having yesterday heard him preach
a sermon on John iii, 18, and received his Exegesis
(upon the question assigned,) both to good satisfac-
24 Lrish Settlement.
tion, and there appearing no objection in the way,
they proceeded this day according to appointment,
with fasting and prayer and imposition of hands, to
ordain Mr. Lawrence to the Gospel ministry over
this people. Concluded with prayer and blessing.
Then and there it was agreed by the representatives
of the two settlements that they have and desire to
be united ; that so long as Mr. Lawrence shall con-
tinue to be minister to them both that he shall preach
two-thirds of his time at the western settlement, and
the other one-third part at the northern without any
alteration except by judgment of Presbytery."
Thus did Mr. Lawrence commence his
pastoral labors at the Setdement, April 2d,
1747, devoting to them two-thirds of his
time. On account of some difficulty with
the people, as well as ill-health, he spent
the winter of i 747, and spring of i 748, at
Cape May.
At a meeting of the Synod of New
York, convened at Maidenhead, May i8th,
1748, we find the following record. At
the sitting of the Synod on the forenoon
of May 19th, "motion was made to the
Synod in behalf of Cape May, in order to
have some provision made for the settle-
ment of a minister there. * * * The
Synod proceeded to consider the motion
respecting Cape May, and in order to the
relief of that people, the Synod doth
recommend to the Presbytery of New
Brunswick to send down Mr. Lawrence
immediately for a few Sabbaths."
Irish Settlemenf. 25
Thus It would seem Mr. Lawrence, by
his sojourn at Cape May during the winter
opened the way for his return thither In
the spring-, as above Indicated. How long
he remained there at this time does not
appear. It was probably, however, only
for the few Sabbaths Indicated. Return-
ing to the Settlement he seems to have
continued his labors until the spring of
1752.
In the meantime the Synod of New-
York organized a new Presbytery called
Ablngton. This occurred In 1751. The
new Presbytery was to be composed of
those members of the Presbytery of New
Brunswick who lived In Pennsylvania, and
those who lived In New Jersey, " to the
southward of Philadelphia, bordering upon
Delaware."
Thus the Church In the Settlement with
Its pastor came under the jurisdiction of
the Presbytery of Ablngton.
The first meeting of the Presbytery, by
direction of Synod, was on the third Wed-
nesday of May, (20th,) 1752, In the city
of Philadelphia. At this meeting, " Cape
May supplicated that Mr. Lawrence might
be sent unto them on trial for settlement,
In case he be liberated from his present
charge." The matter of the dissolution of
the pastoral relation between Mr. Lawrence
and the Church In the Settlement, came up
28 Irish Settlement,
for consideration in Presbytery the next
day. After hearing Mr. Lawrence and the
commissioners from the congregation, the
Presbytery finally dissolved the pastoral
relation, assigfnine as a reason for doinof
so, the feeble health of Mr. Lawrence and
the prospect of his recovery by remov-
ing to some other field of labor. Thus the
Church became vacant May 21st, 1752.
During Mr. Lawrence's ministry, we
find the following names as being, at least
financially, connected with the church :
John Boyd, Wm. Young, George Gibson,
Robert Gibson, James Hope, John Riddle,
Widow Dobbin, James Kerr, Widow King,
James Craig, Wm. Craig, Thomas Craig,
James Ralston, Joseph Perry, James Perry,
James Egleson and Andrew Mann.
These are the first names entered in the
first account book extant of the congrega-
tion. We find the following inscript on
written upon the (inside) cover of this
book :
" The account book of the congregation
of the West Branch of Delaware in the
Forks, Jan. 9th, 1 749. The payments to
commence May ist, 1749, and condnue
accordinof to terms."
The Church, during its early history, was
designated by the name of " Forks of
Delaware," as well as Allentown. After
Mr. Lawrence left the congregation, in
Irish Settlement. 27
1752, till I 761, they were supplied princi-
pally by Presbytery.
As appears from the records of the
Presbyteries, these supplies were as follows:
Immediately upon the dissolution of the
pastoral relation, the commissioners from
the congregation present at that meeting
of the Presbytery, May 21st, 1752, asked
for supplies. In answer to this request
Mr. Lawrence was to supply two Sabbaths,
Mr. Charles Beatty, two; Mr. James(?)
Campbell, two ; Mr. Thomas Lewis, one.
Further, provisionally, Mr. Beatty, Mr.
Campbell, Mr. Richard Treat and Mr.
Lewis were to supply them, each one
Sabbath In addition.
At the meeting of Presbytery at Phila-
delphia, Sept. 19th, 1752, supplies were
asked for.
Mr. Lawrence was appointed to preach
four Sabbaths; Mr. Beatty, two; Mr. Camp-
bell, two ; and " if Mr. Morrison be at
liberty he is desired to supply this winter
between Tehlcken and the Forks."
At Presbytery in Philadelphia, May 16,
1753, supplies were asked for. Mr. Law-
rence was appointed to supply " two or
three at the Forks."
June 20th, of this year, preaching was
again applied for, and Mr. Henry (?)
Martin was sent to preach four Sabbaths.
At Philadelphia, Oct. 4th, 1753,
28 Ii^ish Settlemejit.
"Application was also made from both
settlements in the Forks of Delaware for
supplies, and the North Branch particularly
desire leave to apply to the Presbytery of
New Brunswick, or any other Presbytery
belonging to our Synod, for the same
purpose."
The next month, Nov. 21st, there was a
meeting of Presbytery in Philadelphia, at
which time Mr. Benjamin Chestnut was
appointed to preach four Sabbaths, and
Mr. Henry Martin four. At this meeting
the Presbytery said :
" The Forks of Delaware have full lib-
erty to make application to any Presby-
tery belonging to our Synod for as much
supply as they can afford."
At a meeting of the Presbytery, at New-
ton, April 9th, 1754, Mr. Martin reported
that he had preached two of the Sabbaths
of his appointment at the " Forks," but
had failed the other two for reasons which
were sustained by the Presbytery.
At this meeting appointments were made
for the Settlement, as follows :
Rev. Andrew Hunter, third and fourth
Sabbaths of September; Mr. Chestnut,
four Sabbaths; Mr. Martin, two; Mr.
Beatty, two. These appointments were
subsequently reported complied with.
Philadelphia, November 5th, 1754. Mr.
Hunter was appointed to supply three
Irish Settlement. 29
Sabbaths ; and Mr. Martin, two ; which
were complied with.
Philadelphia, May 28th, 1 755. Mr. Law-
rence was sent to supply the first Sabbath
of October ; Mr. Martin, two Sabbaths ;
and Mr. Chestnut, two.
At this meeting- of Presbytery, " the con-
gregation in the Forks of the Delaware "
asked permission to present a call to a
"candidate," under the care of the Presby-
tery of New Brunswick, and if he did not
accept, asked for what supplies the Presby-
tery might be able to give them.
This request was acceded to, but wha
the call was made out for does not appear.
That it was not accepted is manifest from
the fact that the congregation remained
vacant for several years after.
Philadelphia, October 21st, 1755. Mr.
Beatty, Mr. Chestnut and Mr. Martin
were appointed to supply each one Sab-
bath, and fulfilled their appointments.
Philadelphia, September 2 1 st, 1 756. Mr.
Beatty appointed to supply three Sabbaths ;
Mr. Chestnut, three ; and Mr. Martin, two,
before the next (May) meeting of the Pres-
bytery.
Philadelphia, May 24th, 1757. Rev.
Wm. Ramsey appointed to supply the
last Sabbath in June and first two in July;
Mr. Martin, two, before next meeting of
Presbytery; Mr. Chestnut, the first two
30 Irish Settlement.
Sabbaths In August; and Mr. Beatty, the
first Sabbath in September.
Philadelphia, October 4th, 1757. Mr.
Martin appointed to preach four Sabbaths ;
Mr. Beatty, one ; and Mr. Chestnut, the
second Sabbath of November.
Philadelphia, May 17th, 1758. Mr.
Chestnut, to preach two Sabbaths ; and
Mr. Martin to devote one-fourth of his
time to the Church in the Settlement.
Philadelphia, November 3 1 st, 1 758. Mr.
Chestnut appointed to preach two Sabbaths
in the fall, and two In the spring; and Mr.
Martin, to preach four Sabbaths, two of
them to be In the winter.
Philadelphia, May 15th, 1759. Rev.
James Latta appointed to preach the
fourth and fifth Sabbaths in September ;
Mr. Chestnut, four Sabbaths, two of them
being the last Sabbath in July and the first
in August; Mr. Beatty, two Sabbaths; and
Mr. Martin, "as much as he can."
Philadelphia, October 2d, 1759. Pres-
bytery appointed that Mr. Martin preach
four Sabbaths; Mr. Chestnut, four; Rev.
John SImonton, two ; and Mr. Beatty, two.
Philadelphia, May 14th, 1760. Rev.
Joseph Montgomery to preach one Sab-
bath ; and Mr. Latta, two.
Philadelphia, August 20th, 1760. Mr.
Latta to supply two Sabbaths.
Philadelphia, November 20th, 1 760. Mr.
Iinsh Settlement. 31
Latta, to supply two Sabbaths before the
next meeting of Presbytery ; and Mr.
Chestnut, two Sabbaths in March.
Thus is completed the list of supplies
for this long vacancy.
In addition to these supplies, furnished
by the Presbyteries of Abington and Phila-
delphia, under whose jurisdiction the
Church was during this vacancy, we find,
from evidence preserved in the bounds of
the congregation, that Rev. Benjamin Hait,
of the Presbytery of New Brunswick,
preached in 1758; and Rev. Thomas
Lewis, of the Presbytery of Suffolk,
preached in 1759.
Notwithstanding this long vacancy in
the pastorate, the congregation seems to
have been in a prosperous condition, as
the following record goes to show :
*' August 2 1 St. This day, as some people
of this congregation hath for some time
past wanted convenient seats, it is unani-
mously agreed to allow one long seat on
each side, viz : one before Wm. Hazlet, to
John Hays and son, and one on the other
side to John Clendinen. Also, it is pro-
posed to set one short seat on the upper
side of the pulpit. It is agreed that the
above-mentioned seats are only to accom-
modate people for the present, till other
accommodations be made."
32 Irish Settle77ient.
CHAPTER II.
1761-1783.
N 1758, the Old Side and New Light
parties in the Presbyterian Church
united. This made some changes
necessary in the arrangement of Presby-
teries. Accordingly the Presbytery of
Abino^ton, which had belonored to the
New Light party, was merged into that
of Philadelphia. The Church in the Set-
tlement, therefore, now came under the
care of the Presbytery of Philadelphia.
At a meeting of this Presbytery, In
Philadelphia, Aug. 13th, 1761, Rev. John
Clark presented his credentials from the
Presbytery of New Brunswick and was
received a member of the Presbytery.
The same day a call was presented to him
from the " Forks of Delaware." He took
the matter under consideration until the
next meeting. In the meantime he was
directed to supply " at the Forks of Dela-
ware in the following manner, viz : two
Sabbaths at Allenstown and one at Hunters'
Settlement, interchangeably, except two
Sabbaths at Tehicken."
Ii^isJi Settlement. 33
Here, it will be observed, the church
began to assume the name of Allentown,
to more clearly distinguish it from the
other church in the " Forks," Mt. Bethel,
at Hunter's Settlement.
For some reason, which does not clearly
appear, the congregation became divided
upon the subject of calling Mr. Clark. At
the next meeting of the Presbytery, Nov.
17th, 1 761, both parties appeared, to press
their views in the matter. The one party
did not wish the Presbytery to permit Mr.
Clark to accept the call which he had under
consideration ; the other insisted upon their
right to call him. The Presbytery in-
quired of the commissioners from the con-
gregation, who favored the calling of Mr.
Clark, whether they thought they were
able to support him as promised in their
call, in case the opposing party declined
to assist. If they thought they could they
were granted liberty to prosecute their
call, leaving the opposing party to act
according to their own judgment. It seems
the friends of Mr. Clark expressed their
ability to fulfil their promises to him, as, at
a later hour of the same day, " Mr. Clark
signified to the Presbytery his acceptance
of the call from the Forks of Delaware,
in which they promise him, during his
continuance with them as a regular Gospel
34 Irish SetllemeJtt.
minister, the sum of * * * * pounds per
annum and the use of a parsonage."
At this meeting of Presbytery, Mr. Latta
was appointed to preach at the Settlement
three Sabbaths in March ; and Mr. Chest-
nut, the last Sabbath of November. It
would seem the dissatisfied ones in the
congregation were not disposed to acqui-
esce in the settlement of Mr. Clark, as we
find that at the meeting of Presbytery
in Philadelphia, April 6th, 1762, "A
few people in the Forks of Delaware
applied for preaching." It seems there
were criminations and recriminations. The
installation of Mr. Clark had been defer-
red up to this time, probably on account
'of the difficulties in the congregation.
Now, however, a request was preferred
for his installation. The request was
acceded to by Presbytery, but the time for
the installation was to be fixed at the next
meeting. Accordingly, May i8th, 1762,
at Philadelphia, the Presbytery fixed Wed-
nesday, October 13th, following, as the day
for Mr. Clark's installation. Rev. Richard
Treat was to preside and preach the
sermon. Rey^ Henry Martin, Rev. James
Latta, and Rev. Charles Beatty, were to
assist in the other parts of the service.
This committee reported to Presbytery,
Nov. 9th, 1762, that they had installed
Mr. Clark according to appointment.
Irish Settlement. 35
Thus the church came under the care
of a regular pastor again, Oct. 13th, 1762.
In order that the ecclesiastical connections
of the church may be properly traced, It
should be remembered that during this
year, 1762, the Presbytery of Philadelphia
was divided. The two Presbyteries were
designated respectively First and Second
Presbyteries of Philadelphia. The Church
in the Settlement was under the care of
the First Presbytery. It should be remem-
bered also, that Mr. Clark was installed
pastor of the two congregations, Allentown
and Mount Bethel. It seems the troubles
in the Settlement Church well nigh, if not
wholly, subsided after the installation of
Mr. Clark. Apparently things moved
along smoothly in the pastoral charge until
1766. October 26th, 1766, however, diffi-
culties in the Mount Bethel Church were
brought to the attention of Presbytery,
Mr. Clark desired to be released from his
pastoral charge. This was not acceded to
by Presbytery, but all parties were coun-
seled to exercise Christian forbearance,
and settle their difficulties in an amicable
manner. Thus things were quieted down
till the next spring. April 7th, 1767, how-
ever, the Mount Bethel people asked
Presbytery to appoint a committee to
inquire into their affairs, and call Mr. Clark
to account upon some charges which they
6 Irish Setlleinent,
desired to prefer against him. Mr. Clark
made a satisfactory explanation to Presby-
tery in regard to the matters, and Rev.
Charles Beatty and Rev. Wm. Ramsey
were sent to Mount Bethel as a healing
committee. Notwithstanding this, May
2 1 St, 1767, commissioners from Mount
Bethel reported to Presbytery that there
was no hope of peace and reconciliation
among them ; whereupon Rev. Richard
Treat, Rev. Enoch Green and Rev. Benja-
min Chestnut, from the First Philadelphia
Presbytery, were added to the committee
already appointed, and Rev, John Hanna,
Rev. Wm. Kirkpatrlck, and Rev. John
Rosbrugh, of the Presbytery of New
Brunswick, were invited to meet with
them at Mount Bethel on the third Tues-
day of June, and endeavor to settle the
difficulties. Nov. 3d, 1767, this committee
reported that some of them had fulfilled
the duties of their appointment, but as
there was not a quorum present, they had
taken no decisive action. They had, how-
ever, endeavored to allay the existing
animosities.
The next day, however, November 4th,
owing to the gloomy aspect of affairs and
bodily weakness of the pastor. Presbytery
released Mr. Clark from his pastoral
.charge. Thus the Church in the Settle-
hnsh Setilemetit. 37
ment became vacant again, November 4th,
It was during Mr. Clark's ministry that
we have the first recorded Indian murder
in the Settlement. The victim was the
wife of James Horner, one of the early-
settlers. Her remains lie in the old church
yard. Having traced the pastorate of this
period to its close, we return to the secu-
lar affairs of the congregation. In 1761,
the congregation purchased a piece of land
from Samuel Wilson, containing about
eighty-two acres, for a parsonage farm.
The transfer was made in the name of
Thomas Armstrong and James Ralston, as
contributors to the purchase price. They
were to hold it in trust for the congrega-
tion. These eighty-two acres were a part
of a tract of two hundred and fifty acres,
purchased by Samuel Wilson from Zecha-
riah and David Jones, " of White Clay
Creek Hundred, (?) in the county of New
Castle, upon Delaware." David and Zecha-
riah Jones, here spoken of, were the heirs
and executors of the will of their father,
Morgan Jones, of " Hundred of Pecander,
in county of New Castle, upon Delaware."
The assignment made by them to Samuel
Wilson was on January ist, 1761. The
assignment made by Samuel Wilson, of the
eighty-two acres, was on March 2d, 1761.
The purchase price was two hundred
38 Irish Settlement.
and two pounds. The situation of this
parsonage farm was perhaps a half mile or
a mile north of the present village of How-
ertown. As the property was simply held
by Thomas Armstrong, and James Ral-
ston, in trust for the congregation, it was
deemed necessary to make some public
declaration as to whom the property in
reality belonged ; and what the original
intent was in its purchase ; and also to
bind those who might come after them in
the trust, so that the property thus belong-
ing to the congregation might not be
squandered, and the trust abused. Ac-
cordingly, in 1767, Thomas Armstrong and
James Ralston made a declaration, the
purport of which was as follows :
The property, although deeded over to
them in person, did not belong to them
exclusively, but they were only contribu-
tors to the purchase price, together with
others. Their names were only used in
the transfer, at the special request of the
other contributors. The names of the
other contributors were James Craig,
Arthur Lattimore, Charles Wilson, John
Walker, James Kerr, William Heaslet,
James Horner, John Riddle, David Cham-
bers, John Ralston, Mary King, Robert
Lattimore, William McNair, John McNair,
and Alexander Dobbin, of Allen Township,
and Thomas Herron, of Moore Township.
Irish Settlement. 39
Samuel Wilson, from whom the property
was purchased, was himself a contributor.
The trustees could not sell the property,
without the consent of a majority of the
contributors, or their heirs. This consent
had to be given in writing, and signed by
the contributors or their heirs. In case
any one of the original contributors died
before such consent might be required, his
or their heirs had the riofht to vote instead.
The heirs, however, could only cast one
vote, and this was b) the oldest living son.
If no son happened to be alive to cast the
vote, then the oldest living daughter had
the right to vote. If there was no daugh-
ter, then the principal heir mentioned in
the will of the deceased contributor. And
if such heir was not alive, then the oldest
son or daughter of such heir was to vote,
as in the case of the son or daughter of the
contributor himself. This consent being
thus obtained, the trustees had a right to
sell the property and make a deed for the
same. They also had the power to sue
for any portion of the sale price, if it w^as
necessary. The price of the property was
to be divided among the contributors, or
their heirs, in proportion to the amounts
respectively contributed. A list of the
contributors, with the amounts contributed,
was given to determine the/r<9 7'ata of dis-
tribution, If it should ever be needed. If
40 Irish Settlenienf,
the price of the property was received In
payments, the trustees were to divide each
payment In the proper proportions. They
were not to bear more than their proper
proportion of the expenses attending the
sale of the property or the collection of the
money for which It was sold. They were
not bound to proceed to the collection of
such money without the direction of the
contributors or their heirs, and not then
until money was furnished them to defray
the expense of such collection ; nor were
they responsible for the loss by bankruptcy,
or any other cause over which they had no
control, of any part of the price.
Such was the jealous care with which
the Interests of the Church and people
were watched over.
About this time the congregation In the
Setdement became weakened, probably on
account of the formation of the Associate
Presbyterian Church. The seceded min-
isters came to Pennsylvania in 1754.
They had a congregation at Deep Run.
They built a church at Howertown, but
never had a minister. The Rev. Wm.
Marshall, of Philadelphia, Clerk of the
Associate Presbytery, however, visited
them from time to time. Many of the
Associate ministers and churches joined
with the Reformed Presbyterians in form-
ing the Associate Reformed Presbyterian
IrisJi Settlement. 41
body. The faithful remnant in the " Forks "
would not acquiesce, and removed to West-
ern Pennsylvania. The old log" church is
gone and the graves near it are overgrown
with trees.
The vacancy in the Settlement Church,
after Mr. Clark left, was not of long dura-
tion. From time to time supplies were
granted by Presbytery. The next spring
after Mr. Clark left, the Presbytery, May
28th, 1768, sent Rev. Alexander Mitchell
to supply two Sabbaths, and again, Nov..
23d, to supply one Sabbath.
March 29th, 1769, the Settlement people
asked permission of Presbytery to present
a call to Rev. John Rosbrugh, of the Pres-
bytery of New Brunswick. They were
advised to secure, in connection with Mt.
Bethel, as much of Mr. Rosbrugh's time as
they could. As Mr. Rosbrugh was con-
nected with the Presbytery of New Bruns-
wick, the people thought it would be to-
their advantage to be transferred from the
care of the First Philadelphia Presbytery
to that of the Presbytery of New Bruns-
wick. They, therefore, petitioned the
Synod, convened at Philadelphia, May 23d,.
1769, to transfer them to the care of the
latter Presbytery. The committee from
the congregation and both Presbyteries
concerned were heard, after which the
Synod deemed it not expedient at that
3*
42 Iiish Settlement.
time to accede to the request. They,
however, directed the First Presbytery of
Philadelphia to inquire more particularly
into the circumstances of the congregation,
and if they found it expedient, they were
empowered to transfer them according to
their desire.
The Presbytery did inquire into the
matter. In the meantime, Nov. 9th, 1769,
the people asked for supplies. In answer,
Mr. Mitchell was sent to preach one Sab-
bath in the fall, and Mr. Boyd one Sabbath
in the spring.
At the same time Presb)tery expressed
the hope that a part of the time of Mr.
Rosbrugh might be secured. They also
suggested the propriety of Mr. Rosbrugh's
conne.ctinor himself with the First Philadel-
phia Presbytery.
In pursuance of the action of 1769, we
find the following minute made by Synod,
May 2 1 St, 1770, while in session in New
York:
"The First Presbytery of Philadelphia
reported that, in compliance with an order
of Synod last year, they had, in conjunction
with the Presbytery of New Brunswick,
inquired particularly into the state and
connections of the congregation of Allen-
town, in the Forks of Delaware, and it is
the unanimous opinion of both Presbyteries
that it is at present most subservient to
Irish Settlement. 43
the interests of religion in those parts, for
the Presbytery of New Brunswick to take
under their care, not only the congregation
of Allentown, but also the congregation of
Mt. Bethel, both of which are in the Forks
of Delaware, and both which have been
under the care of the First Philadelphia
Presbytery. The Synod therefore orders
the Presbytery of New Brunswick to take
both the said congregations under their
care for the future."
Thus was the church returned to the
care of the New Brunswick Presbytery,,
from which it was separated by the erection
of the Presbytery of Abington in 1751.
Whilst these matters were going on in
the Synod, and First Philadelphia Presby-
tery, corresponding movements had existed
in the Presbytery of New Brunswick which
were calculated to lead Mr. Rosbrugh to
the pastorate of the Church in the Settle-
ment. April 19th, 1768, that Presbytery
had directed him to preach one Sabbath at:
the Settlement before the spring meeting
of the Presbytery. April i8th, 1769, he
was released from his former pastoral
charge, and the same day received a call
to the Church in the Setdement, in con-
nection with the church at Greenwich..
He was granted permission to accept this-
call upon condition that the Allentown
Church should be transferred to the care
44 L'ish Settlement.
of the Presbytery of New Brunswick. This
accounts for the presentation of the petition
by the Allentown people to the Synod, on
the 23d of May following, for the transfer
of the congregation. Mr. Rosbrugh had
been at the Settlement and had expressed
his acceptance of their call, April 3d, pre-
vious to its presentation to him in Presby-
tery on the 1 8th of the same month.
This is made explicit by the following
record in the books of the congregation :
*' The Rev. John Rosbrugh accepted the
call of Allentown congregation the 3d day
of April, 1769 ; that is to allow the congre-
gation two-thirds of his time for * * * *
pounds per annum."
Having expressed his acceptance to the
people, and learned the conditions upon
which the Presbytery would allow him to
accept it, it was natural for the people to
seek to fulfil the conditions, viz : the trans-
fer of the congregation. From the time
Mr. Rosbrugh expressed his willingness to
accept this call, his time was doubdess
largely if not exclusively devoted to the
Settlement and Greenwich,
The petition for the transfer of the con-
gregation not being granted In 1769, as
we have seen, the Presbytery of New
Brunswick appointed Mr. Rosbrugh, Oct.
19th, 1769, " constant supply to the people
of Greenwich and Allentown " until the
Irish Settlement. 45
next meeting, except three Sabbaths, which
he was to devote to Mt. Bethel. As we
have seen, the Synod transferred the
Church in the Settlement to the care of
the Presbytery of New Brunswick, May
2 1 St, 1770. The conditions upon which
Mr. Rosbrugh might accept the call being
fulfilled he expressed his acceptance of the
same April 15th, 1772. In was probably
on account of the unsettled state of the
ecclesiastical connections of the Settle-
ment Church, that caused the neglect of
completing the pastoral relations during
the two years which transpired between
the transfer and installation. Even when
the matter was agitated and the call was
accepted, the installation was deferred
until the fall of 1772. Oct. 13th, 1772,
however, the people renewed their request
for Mr. Rosbrugh's installation. The Pres-
bytery thereupon appointed Oct. 28th, at
noon, as the time for the services. Rev.
John Guild was to preside and preach the
sermon. The other members of the com-
mittee were Rev. John Hanna, Rev. Jacob
Vanarsdalen, and Rev. Samuel Kennedy.
Thus the Settlement Church came aeain
regularly under the care of a pastor, Oct.
28th, 1772. From this time till 1776, affairs
moved along quietly and satisfactorily
in the congregation. But, in 1776, the
spirit of American independence roused
4G Irish Seltlcmcnt.
the Settlement people along with their fel-
low countrymen. A company of soldiers
was recruited in the Settlement, which
marched to the seat of war under the com-
mand of Capt. Hays. Mr. Rosbrugh ac-
companied them as Chaplain. When at
Trenton, Jan. 2d, 1777, he was overtaken,
when comparatively alone, by a company
of Hessians, and brutally murdered. Thus,
in so tragic a manner, the church again
became vacant. It should be recorded, to
the lasting credit of the Church in the Set-
tlement, that they continued Mr. Rosbrugh's
salary while he was connected with the
army, and after his death honorably paid
all dues to his widow.
During the pastorate of Mr. Rosbrugh,
the church and grave yard lots were
deeded over to the congregation. They
were both upon land owned by James
Craig, and by him deeded to the congrega-
tion, March 17th, 1772.
The property was made over in trust to
John Walker, Arthur Lattimore, Robert
Lattimore, John Ralston, John McNaIr and
William Craig. The burying ground con-
tained eighty-one perches, and the church
seat, thirty-seven perches of land.
As in the case of the parsonage farm,
the trustees made a declaration with regard
to the original intent in conveying the
property to them. The declaration was
Irish Settlement. 4 7
made March 12th, 1772, the Import of
which was as follows : The church was for
the use of the Presbyterian congregation
of Allen Township; and the burying
o-round for the use of Its members. Cer-
...
tain requisites were necessary to consti-
tute a person a member of the congrega-
tion. He must hold to the principles of
the Westminster Confession of Faith and
Directory, as Interpreted by the Synod
under whose care the congregation at the
time was. He must have attended upon
Divine worship In the congregation for at
least twelve months, and contributed regu-
larly to the support of the Gospel, in order
to have any interest In or claim to the
property belonging to the congregation.
A person was no longer considered a
member, If he departed from, the principles
of the Westminster Confession of Faith
and Directory ; or did not continue to
attend in an orderly manner upon Divine
worship. No one who changed his re-
ligious views, separated from the Synod
or congregation, or refused or neglected
to contribute to the support of the church,
could succeed to the trust, or have any
interest In the property. If any one died,
while in the trust, the congregation could
choose another to succeed him. This
choice was made by a majority of votes of
all the adult male members of the concrre-
48 h^ish Settlement.
gation. In meetings called for this pur-
pose, the pastor of the congregation, if
present, was, at all times, to preside as
Moderator.
If it was not convenient for the choice
thus to be made it might be done by a
committee appointed by the congregation
for that purpose. In order to prevent law-
suits or troubles arising with regard either
to the pieces of ground or the pews in the
church, the decision of a majority of the
adult male members of the concrreg^ation
was declared to be final in all such cases.
No person was allowed to occupy as their
place of residence, any building or buildings
which were then upon the premises, or
that might be erected thereafter. Thus
we see again the care with which the rights
and interests of the congregation were
guarded.
After the death of Mr. Rosbrugh, Jan. 2d,
1777, the congregation desired to be
returned to the care of the First Philadel-
phia Presbytery. They sent a supplication
on this subject to vSynod, convened at
Philadelphia, May 21st, 1777, which came
up for consideration on the 23d. The
supplication was granted as shown by the
following minute of the Synod under that
date:
" By the committee of overtures, a sup-
plication from the congregation of Allen-
Irish Settlement. 49
town, In the Forks of Delaware, requesting
that they might be set off from the Presby-
tery of New Brunswick, and put under the
care of the First Presbytery of Philadelphia,
to whom they formerly belonged, was
brought in and read. The Presbytery of
New Brunswick freely concurring, the Synod
grant the supplicant's request, and the
First Philadelphia Presbytery is ordered to
take said congregation under their care."
The congregation being vacant, supplies
were required. April 8th, 1777, the con-
gregation asked supplies of the First Pres-
bytery of Philadelphia. They requested
that Rev. Alexander Mitchell might be
sent to them one-fourth of his time as
stated supply. This request was granted.
At Deep Run, June 17th, 1777, further
supplies were asked, and especially for
one-fourth of Mr. Mitchell's time. Mr.
Mitchell was sent to preach every fourth
Sabbath, and Rev. Nathaniel Irwin to
preach one Sabbath, and Rev. James Grier
one Sabbath, until the next meeting of
Presbytery.
The First Presbytery of Philadelphia,
met again at Deep Run, April 7th, 1778,
on account of the presence of the British
Army in Philadelphia at that time. At
this meeting
" A commission from the congregation
of Allentown, in the Forks of Delaware,
50 Irish SettlemenL
appeared before Presbytery and repre-
sented that the Rev. Mr. Sproat, a member
of this Presbytery, in consequence of an
invitation from the congregation, had come
into the Society, and agreeably to their
earnest desire, expressed a wilHngness to
supply them till the way should be clear
for his returning to his own congregation
in Philadelphia. The Presbytery are well
pleased with this proposal, and recommend
it to Mr. Sproat to supply the said congre-
gation as long as may be convenient for
him, and on such terms as he and they can
agree."
Mr. Sproat was pastor of the Second
Church of Philadelphia, and was absent
from the city on account of the presence of
the British there. While in the Setdement
he lived in the parsonage, and preached
twenty Sabbaths, at least, for the people.
At Neshaminy, Sept. ist, 1778, Esq.
McNair, commissioner in behalf of the con-
gregation, asked for supplies. In answer,
Mr. Mitchell was sent to preach one
Sabbath in October, and one more at dis-
cretion. Presbytery met at Newton, Nov.
3d, 1778, at which time the people asked
that Mr. Isaac Keith, if licensed, might be
permitted to supply them regularly until
the next meeting of Presbytery.
Presbytery, however, appointed Mr.
Mitchell to preach the first and second
Iidsh Settlemejif. 51
Sabbaths In February, Mr. Irwin to preach
one Sabbath before the next meetuior, and
Mr. Robert Keith and Mr, Isaac Keith
each seven Sabbaths before the next meet-
ing. At Pittsgrove, April 9th, 1779, Rob-
ert Keith was appointed to preach two
Sabbaths. May 21st, 1779, Capt. Ralston,
as commissioner, asked particularly for
the services of Mr. Isaac Keith. Mr.
Mitchel was appointed to preach three
Sabbaths in July and three in August, and
administer the Lord's Supper; Mr. Irwin
was to preach the third Sabbath in Oct.
At New Providence, Nov. 2d, 1779, Rev.
Alexander Mitchell, in behalf of the con-
gregation, asked for supplies. Mr. Irwin
appointed to preach the third Sabbath In
March ; Mr. Grier the fourch Sabbath in
November, and first and second Sabbaths
In March; and Mr. Mitchell was to preach
six Sabbaths before the next meeting of
Presbytery.
During the year 1779, Rev. Joseph
Treat, of the Presbytery of New York,
and Rev. Wm. Graham, of the Presbytery
of Hanover, preached one or more Sab-
baths.
The Presbytery of Hanover occupied
Southern territory, and Mr. Graham seems
to have visited the congregation in quest
of funds for a Southern institution of learn-
ing. Upon the church books stands the
52 Msh Settlement.
following record: "July 28th, 1779, ap-
plication was made to this congregation
from Liberty Hall College, North Caro-
lina, for their charitable benefactions ; and
in consequence, the congregation raised a
collection amounting to ^^50 lOi*. 6d. for
use of said college." We find also Mr.
Graham's receipt for this collection as
follows :
"Aug. 23d, received of Allentown con-
gregation the sum of sixty-eight pounds
thirteen shillings and sixpence, for use of
Liberty Hall Academy, in Virginia, by
Wm. Graham."
These records doubtless refer to the
same thing. Some member of the con-
gregation seems to have made the record
of the collection, calling the institution a
college in North Carolina. Mr. Graham
seems to have received an additional con-
tribution, and gave his receipt for the
whole amount, properly calling the institu-
tion an Academy in Virginia.
At Neshamlny, April 4th, 1780, Wil-
liam McNair, Esq., as commissioner, asked
for supplies. Mr. Mitchell was sent to
preach four Sabbaths in April, Mr Boyd
one Sabbath In September, Mr. Grier third
Sabbath In April, and first in July, and
three Sabbaths in August. Mr. Isaac (?)
Keith was to preach the fifth Sabbath in
April. At Philadelphia, May 19th, 1780,
Irish Settlement. 53
Mr. Mitchell was appointed to preach two
Sabbaths at Newton. Oct. 1 7th, 1 780, we
find the following record made by Pres-
bytery.
" A written application from the congre-
gation of Allen's Town was presented by
Mr. Hugh Horner, their commissioner,
requesting supplies from us, and also lib-
erty to apply to some other Presbytery for
the same purpose. Presbytery cheerfully
grant them that liberty, and recommend to
them to apply to the Presbytery of New
Brunswick, as most likely to favor their
design."
Presbytery, at this meeting, appointed
Mr. Mitchell to preach the fifth Sabbath
of October, the second Sabbath of Decem-
ber, and the second Sabbath of February,
Mr. Irwin, the first Sabbath in January, and
Mr. Grier the first Sabbath in April. In
addition to these we find that, during this
year. Rev. John De Bow, of the Presby-
tery of Orange, preached one or more
Sabbaths. Also Mr. Frederic Stiner, who
does not seem to have been In connection
with the Presbyterian Church.
It would seem the people improved the
permission granted them to apply to the
Presbytery of New Brunswick for supplies,
as we find them asking permission of
Presbytery, convened at Neshamlny, April
17th, 1 781, to present a call to a member
54 Irish Settlement,
of that Presbytery. The following record,
under that date, is sufficiently explanatory :
"Mr. John Ralston, a commissioner
from Allen's Township, requests supplies
for that congregation, and also that they
may be permitted to prosecute a call before
the Presbytery of New Brunswick for the
Rev. Mr. Peppard, a member of that Pres-
bytery."
At a later stao^e of the meeting-
" The congregation of Allen Town are
permitted to prosecute the call for Mr.
Peppard before the Presbytery of New
Brunswick, agreeably to their request."
At the same meeting, April 17th, 1781,
the Presbytery appointed Mr. Mitchell to
preach the fifth Sabbath of April, and
fourth Sabbath of August, Mr. Boyd the
first Sabbath of September, and Mr. Irwin
the fourth of September.
The call presented to Mr. Peppard was
accepted by him, but at what time does
not appear. He removed to the bounds
of the concrreoration, but took no immediate
steps for the transfer of his ecclesiasti-
cal relations. His residence among the
people and preaching to them without
being installed, was in due time taken
notice of by the First Presbytery of Phila-
delphia, under whose care the church was.
In the minutes of Presbytery, convened
Irish Settlement. 55
In Philadelphia, October 15, 1782, the fol-
lowing record may be found:
" Presbytery were informed that the
Rev. Francis Peppard, a member of the
New Brunswick Presbytery, has accepted
a call from the congregation of Allen Town-
ship, in the Forks of Delaware, and has,
for some time, resided among that people
as their minister, but as the congregation
has not applied to this Presbytery to have
him installed, nor has Mr. Peppard offered
to join himself to us as a member, the
Presbytery appoint Mr. Mitchell to write
to Mr. Peppard and the congregation, to
know their sentiments on that affair, and
make report at our next."
At a meeting of the Presbytery, May 23,
1783, Mr. Peppard presented his dismis-
sion from the Presbytery of New Bruns-
wick, and was received a member of the
First Philadelphia Presbytery. The com-
missioners of the congregation, at the same
meeting, applied for the installation of Mr.
Peppard. Accordingly, Rev. Alexander
Mitchell was appointed to preside at the
installation, which was to take place on the
second Tuesday of August.
Rev. James Grier was to preach the ser-
mon, and Rev. Nathaniel Irwin was to
give the charge.
We find the following report of this
66 Irish Settlement,
committee to Presbytery, at Philadelphia,
October 21st, 1783:
" The committee appointed to install
Mr. Peppard in the congregation of Allen
Township, in the Forks of Delaware, report
that they attended upon and performed
that business on the thirteenth of October.
Their reasons for not ^ttendincr on the
day appointed sustained." Thus the con-
gregation, on October 13th, 1783, came
again regularly under the care of a pastor.
Irish Settlement 57
CHAPTER IIL
1784-1813.
HAT the ecclesiastical connections
of the congregation may be fol-
lowed, it should be remembered
that during Mr. Peppard's pastorate, in
1786, the First and Second Philadelphia
Presbyteries united, forming that of Phila-
delphia. From this time forward the
Church in the Settlement was under the
care of this Presbytery.
The pastorate of Mr. Peppard does not
seem to have been the pleasantest in the
history of the congregation. Several
things conspired to make his situation
unpleasant. Among other things, several
families on the Monoquacy creek pur-
chased a piece of ground and erected a
a building called the Academy. They col-
lected a library and started a debating
society. This building was far superior to
that In which the people worshiped, Mr.
Peppard thought this was setting up altar
against altar. He therefore opposed it.
The ground on which the building was
erected had no good title, and was re-
covered by a suit at law. The land was
4
58 Ij'ish Settlement.
purchased by Mr. Thomas McKeen. In
addition to the troubles with regard to the
Academy, difficulties arose Involving- church
discipline. Mr. Peppard seems to have been
very zealous In endeavoring to preserve
the purity of the church. When derelic-
tions in duty occurred he had the offenders
brought before the Session. The matter
did not always stop there, but was some-
times carried up to the Presbytery. One
of these cases was brought before Presby-
tery In Philadelphia, Dec. 22d, 1791, and
drew forth extended admonitory resolu-
tions addressed to the Session, congrega-
tion, and aggrieved party.
An unhappy state of affairs continued
until Oct. 2 1 St, 1794, at which time Mr.
Peppard asked to be released from his
pastoral charge on account of some diffi-
culty with reference to the payment of
his salary. The Presbytery cited the con-
gregation to appear before them, in Phila-
delphia, Nov. 17th, 1794, by commissioner,
to show reason why Mr. Peppard should
not be released. Accordingly Mr. Hugh
Horner appeared In behalf of the congre-
g-ation and protested against the dissolu-
tion of the pastoral relation. Notwith-
standing this, Presbytery released Mr.
Peppard the same day.
Thus the church, Nov. 17th, 1794, be-
came again vacant. Immediately upon
Ii'isJi Settlement. 59
the release of Mr. Peppard from the pas-
toral charge, the congregation, by their
commissioner, asked for supplies. It does
not appear that any were appointed at this
meeting, which may be accounted for by
the fact that Mr. Peppard did not cease
his labors in the congregation until In
May, 1795. Although the pastoral rela-
tion had actually been dissolved Nov. 17th,
1794, the Philadelphia Presbytery reported
to the Synod, May 25th, 1795, that Mr.
Peppard was in the pastorate at Allen town
at that time. About this time, however,
his labors ceased there, being dismissed In
April from the Philadelphia Presbytery, to
connect himself with the Presbytery of
New Brunswick. In April, 1795, Presby-
tery appointed Rev, Daniel Jones to preach
the fifth Sabbath of November, the fourth
Sabbath of February and the first Sabbath
of March, During this year also, Rev.
Jacob Lake, Rev. Michael Arthur, Rev.
Nathaniel Irwin, and Rev. John Hanna
preached. In April, 1796, Rev. James
Boyd was sent to preach the first Sabbath
in October, and Rev. John Gemmel the
first Sabbath in August. In October
of this year, Presbytery appointed Rev.
Daniel (?) Jones to preach the first and
second Sabbaths In December ; Rev.
Uriah Dubois, the second Sabbath of
November, and the first and second
CO Irish Settlement.
Sabbaths of March, and Rev. Nathaniel
Irwin, the fifth Sabbath of October.
In addition to these, during this year,
Rev. Robert Russel, Rev. Asa Dun-
ham, Rev. Francis Peppard, Rev. John
Hanna, Rev. Peter or James Wilson, and
Rev. Robert FIndley preached. In 1797,
we find Rev. Asa Dunham, Rev. Uriah
Dubois, Rev. George or Archibald Scott,
Rev. Robert Russel, Rev. Nathan Grier,
and Rev. Nathaniel Irwin preached.
After the close of the American Revo-
lution the congregation became weakened
on account of frequent removals. This
was occasioned by the Aliens (except
James) espousing the royal cause in the
struggle for liberty. Their lands were
•consequently confiscated we believe. This
caused difficulties In the tides of property.
Some paid for their property the second
time, while others removed on account of
the difficulty.
With the year 1797, however, began, as
it were, a new era In the history of the
congregation. They had previously carried
on the affairs of the church by means of
ofificers appointed by themselves, but who
had no power to defend the rights or en-
force the claims of the congregation. Diffi-
culties arose from time to time with regard
to the renting of the pews In the church.
The management of the parsonage farm
Irish Settlement. 61
also was a source of trouble. The affairs
of the congregation being In an unwieldy
condition, it was deemed expedient to
have It incorporated. Accordingly Messrs.
John McNair, Hugh Horner, James Ral-
ston, Joseph Horner, Thomas Horner and
Wm. Lattimore, as trustees of the congre-
gation, petitioned for an act of incorpora-
tion. This petition was granted and the
congregation was Incorporated under the
name of the " Encrlish Presbyterian Con-
gregation/' In Allen Township, in the
County of Northampton, State of Pennsyl-
vania.
They were allowed to control property
whose income should amount to any sum
not exceeding two thousand pounds lawful
money of the State of Pennsylvania.
The following rules were adopted to
govern the Society under their charter :
" Fij'st. All those who have or may here-
after subscribe these rules, and contribute
towards the support of the Society, shall
be considered members In common ; but
those only who are admitted to sealing
ordinances are members In full com-
munion.
" Second. The spiritual government of
this Society shall be by a minister and at
least three regularly ordained elders, who
62 Ii'ish Settlemeiif,
shall constitute a Session, and have power
to hear and try all cases respecting their
members, that may orderly come before
them, so far as they are warranted by
Scripture and our church standards, and
decide thereon In the first Instance, with
liberty of appeal
" Tlm^d. That six Trustees shall be
chosen from said Society, two of whom
shall vacate on the first day of January
next, and two In each successive year, and
their places be filled up by a new election ;
whose business shall be to settle accounts
with the Treasurer on the same day yearly ;
to have charge of all money belonging to
the Society ; all pews or seats In the church
to be taken from and given up to the
Trustees ; and those who attempt to give
or receive seats without their consent, shall
be deemed inimical to the Interests of the
Society, and meet a serious rebuke in
Session at a future day.
''Fourth. The Trustees may, at any time
when the concerns of the Society require
it, on previous notice stating the design,
convene the members, a majority of whom
shall be decisive in all matters that shall
orderly come before them.
''Fifth. All donations, bequests to the
Society, and all possessions, effects, and
Irish Settlement. C3
property whatsoever, shall, and at all times
and forever, be and remain appropriated,
secured and made use of for the Society.
''Sixth. Every member of the Society
renounces herewith expressly all and every
claim to the property of the Society, and
promises that in case any part of said pro-
perty shall come into his hand, put upon his
name In trust, he will in no manner abuse
such confidence, nor make for himself or
his heirs claim or pretension thereto ; and
that he will do with it agreeably to the dis-
posal of the Society, and faithfully and
punctually observe their orders.
''Seventh. All those who shall emigrate
from other Societies and bring with them a
certificate or testimonial of their good
morals, shall be admitted to equal privi-
leges with others in like standing."
The congregation being incorporated,
its affairs were carried on in a systematic
manner. The Trustees elected a President
and Secretary from their own number from
time to time, and their proceedings were
carried on according to parliamentary
rules. The minutes of the Trustees' meet-
ings were carefully recorded in a book pro-
vided for that purpose. From this book
may be learned the whole internal affairs
of the Society from that time. As speci-
64 Irish Settlement,
fied in the provisions of the charter, two
new Trustees were elected annually to fill
the places of those whose term of office
expired on the first of January of each
year. Those whose term of office thus
expired were a committee to settle with
the lYeasurer for the previous year.
At the time the congregation was incor-
porated, it was without a pastor. As we
have intimated, in 1796 and 1797, among
others, Rev. Robert Russel preached in the
settlement. In 1796, Rev. Uriah Dubois
also preached. When the question of the
election of a pastor came up, both these
gentlemen were candidates.
The younger members of the congrega-
tion were in favor of Mr. Dubois, but the
older ones preferred Mr. Russel. When
the question came to a vote, the younger
members were overruled, and Mr. Russel
was elected pastor. Having elected Mr.
Russel, the people proceeded to settle him
among them. The course pursued is
pointed out in the following minute made
by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, Dec. 2d,
1797:
" It appeared to Presbytery that applica-
tion had been made by the congregation
of Allen Township, in the State of Penn-
sylvania, to a committee of this Presbytery
sitting at Deep Run, in the month of
August last, for directions as to the method
Ii^ish Settlement. 65
In which they might prosecute a call to Mr.
Robert Russel, then a licentiate under the
care of the Presbytery of New Castle, and
that the aforesaid committee conslderlnor
that the prevalence of a contagious fever
In the city of Philadelphia then did, and for
a considerable time probably would prevent
a regular meeting of the Presbytery, cer-
tifies these circumstances to the Presbytery
of New Castle, that If a regular call should
be offered through them to Mr. Russel,
no exception would. In the judgment of
the committee, be taken to this procedure
by the Presbytery of Philadelphia ; which
certificate was offered to the Presbytery of.
New Castle and they judged It sufficient:
to authorize them in presenting said call
to Mr. Russel, which they accordingly did,,
and on his acceptance of the same, dis-
missed him to join this Presbytery as
already stated. Whereupon Presbytery
heard Mr. Russel deliver a popular sermon:
and examined him on experimental religion
and systematic divinity, as parts of trial for
ordination, and agreed to sustain the
same."
The Presbytery, or a committee thereof,,
repaired to the Setdement, April 1 7th, 1 798,.
and there further examined Mr. Russel
in Systematic Theology, Eccleslastlcar
History, Church Government and Arts
and Sciences. All these parts of trial were:
4*
QQ Irish Settlement,
sustained. The next day Mr. Riissel
preached a popular sermon, and was
ordained and Installed. In these services,
Dr. Ashbel Green, of Philadelphia, preached
the ordination sermon. Dr. William Ten-
nent, of Abington, and Rev. Nathaniel
Irwin, of Neshaminy, delivered the charges.
Thus, April i8th, 1798, the church again
came under the care of a regular pastor.
The first nieeting of the Trustees after
the incorporation that we have any account
of was June iith, 1798. At this meeting
all the original Trustees, viz : Hugh
Horner, John McNair, Thomas Horner,
Wm. Lattlmore, James Ralston and Joseph
Horner, were present. In addition, Adam
Clendlnen, Wm. Kerr, James Clyde, John
Walker, James Kerr, James Hays and
Henry Epple. As the charter required
two of the Trustees to vacate on the first
of January of each year, there probably
was an election previous to this time to
fill the two vacancies occurring January ist,
1 798. If this was not the case, the election
must have taken place at this meeting,
June nth, 1798, as we find Mr. Epple
among the number of Trustees at this
time, and elected President of the Board
for the year. Mr. Wm. Lattlmore was at
the same time elected Secretary. Mr.
Hugh Horner had been Treasurer pre-
vious to the incorporation and was con-
IrisJi Settlement. 67
tinned In that office. The President and
Secretary were to hold their office for one
year. Thus was the Board of Trustees
under the charter fairly organized, and
went forward from year to year to transact,
the business of the corporation.
At this meeting, June nth, 1798, the
Trustees appointed a committee to settle
with Messrs. Wm. Kerr, John Walker,
Thomas Horner, and James Kerr, respect-
ing the affairs of the parsonage farm.
These gentlemen probably had the direct
oversight of the parsonage farm at the
time, and the settlement referred to was.
doubtless with regard to the sale of the
property. Although we have not the
means at hand to determine the exact
time at which it was sold, collateral evi-
dence goes to show that it was on or about
April loth, 1797, as Jacob Bear's bonds for
the purchase of the same bore that date..
In accordance with this, Oct. 13th, Jacob
Bear applied to the Trustees to know If
they would receive part of the Interest
due April loth previous, on the sale of the
parsonage farm. The money for this-
property was paid to the Trustees from
time to time, and w^as Invested largely in
United States stock, in the Northampton;
and Easton banks. The Northampton bank-
failed and the greater portion of the money-
was lost.
68 Irish Settlement.
Althoug-h the congregation had been
weakened by removals, it still remained
pretty strong at the time of its incorpora-
tion. A ledger account was opened in
the latter part of 1798. The names of
over fifty persons were entered as finan-
cially, at least, connected with the congre-
gation or society. How many of these
were regular members of the church does
not appear, but probably the greater part.
As the act of incorporation required a
settlement each year with the Treasurer,
the Trustees, Jan. 7th, 1799, made it a
standing rule that the two trustees who
went out of office each year were to be
a committee to make such settlement.
A singular custom prevailed in the con-
gregation at this time. It was that the
Elders and Trustees were each to pay
twenty-five cents every Sabbath as col-
lection money. This custom becoming
burdensome or inconvenient, was done
away in 1799.
Early in the present century the con-
gregation became much weakened on
account of many families removing to
other parts of the country. The McNairs
removed to western New York ; the Hays
to West Branch of Susquehanna, and
Pittsburgh ; the Ralstons and Walkers
to Chester county ; the Wilsons to Union
county ; the Craigs to Lehigh county ; the
Irish Sc til em cut. 69
Greggs, Hemphills, Sharps and Boyds
to western Pennsylvania and Ohio. From
this period we may perhaps properly date
the decline of the Settlement. The church,
however, kept on its course, sustaining the
ordinances, and carrying forward Its secu-
lar affairs under the guidance of Its Board
of Trustees.
Up to the year 1800, although the
Trustees had elected their officers and
transacted their business as a body, they
had not formally organized themselves
Into a Board. This formation of what was
called the "Board of Trustees," was effected
January 25th, t8oo.
After the formation, the Board assumed
the direct responsibility in the affairs of
the society. The papers belonging to the
congregation were put into their hands.
Among these were the bonds for the
payment of the price of the parsonage
farm, and securities for other moneys
belonging to the congregation held by dif-
ferent persons, the charter of incorpora-
tion, the deed of the parsonage farm from
Thomas Armstrong to the congregation,
and the deed for the same from Samuel
Wilson to Thomas Armstrong. Thomas
McKeen and Henry Epple were appointed
a committee to draft rules for the govern-
ment of the Board in their proceedings.
They drafted a set of rules, the first of
70 Irish Settlement,
which defined the times of meeting, which
were to be on Saturday after the annual
election of Trustees, for organizing the
Board ; and on the last Saturday of March,
June, and September. It also prescribed
a fine for non-attendance. The second
defined the duties of the President. The
third, those of the Treasurer. The fourth,
those of the Secretary. The fifth, the
duties of the members. The sixth fixed
the time and manner of making out dupli-
cates for the collection of pew rent. It may
now be said the Board was fully organized.
They had a constitution in the charter of the
congregation, and had now adopted a set
of by-laws. As they were fully organized,
and had entered upon the executive duties
of their office, they were prepared to take
decisive action with regard to the disposal
of property belonging to the congregation,
subject to the provisions of the charter.
One of the first and most difficult things
they had to do was to straighten out the
affairs pertaining to the parsonage farm.
It had been formally sold, but no deed
had been made to the purchaser. How to
make a good title to the property under
the circumstances was the question. In
order to clear the way, January 31st, 1800,
those who had contributed to the original
purchase price, or the heirs of such as had
done so, handed into the Trustees their
Irish Seltlctucnt. 71
written consent to the sale of the same,
as required by a previous arrangement
between the purchasers, already referred
to. This paper was submitted to Thomas
Long, Attorney at Law, In Easton, for his
opinion as to its legality. What opinion
was expressed does not appear. How-
ever, It Is evident from the nature of the
paper that time and trouble had been
taken In order to have matters so arranged
as to give the Trustees complete control
of the church property. The drawing up
of the paper was In 1797, the year the
church was Incorporated, but did not come
before the Trustees regularly until In Jan-
uary, 1800. It was not ratified by law
until February 15th, 1802, at which time It
was recorded In the office for the record-
ing of deeds, In Northampton county, at
Easton.
However, March 29th, 1800, the Trus-
tees unanimously agreed to apply to the
proper civil authorities to grant them
power to make a title to the property
which had been sold on or about April
loth, 1797. They appointed Thomas
McKeen to draw up a petition for that
purpose. May 3d, Mr. McKeen reported
that he had not drawn the petition and
suggested that the whole matter be put
Into the hands of an attorney. It was
accordingly referred to John Ross, Esq.,
72 Irish Setlleinciit.
of Easton, to be by him arranged and
brought before the proper civil authorities.
From some cause or other the matter was
not adjusted by Mr. Ross, for Jan. 9th,
1802, Hugh Wilson and James Clyde were
appointed to confer with' Samuel Sit-
greaves, Esq., presenting to him all the
papers relative to the parsonage farm, and
get his written opinion as to making a title
for the same. If the papers were of suffi-
cient authority, they were instructed to
employ him to draw up the title. Even
this arranorement did not brino^ the matter
to an issue, for Feb. 24th, of this year, the
congregation assembled for the purpose
of consultinor as to the best means to
adopt in order to make a deed for the
property. It was agreed that Samuel
Sitgreaves should draw up a conveyance
transferring to the Trustees all the rights
held by the contributors to the same.
Thomas McKeen and Hugh Horner were
appointed to bring the matter before him.
This seems to have been the closing up of
this intricate business. The transfer of
the contributors' rights to the property was
recorded, as we have intimated, Feb. 15th,
1802.
In the miuutes of a trustee meeting, held
March 28th, 1801, we find a rather novel
and interesting record. We insert it here
as It embraces casual information from
Irish Settlement. 73
which to determine the situation of the
old original church building. It is as fol-
lows :
Whereas, Great inconvenience is found to result
to Mr. Epple from members of the congregation
tying their horses to the fences near tlie meeting
house, and it being the wish of the Trustees to
remedy the same ; therefore,
Resolved, That James Hays and Samuel Morison
be a committee to contract with some persons to put
up posts and rails, (for the purpose of tying horses
to,) on the south side of the road, between the
meeting house and creek, on the public grounds
northeast of the meeting house, and on the vacant
ground near the school house ; and to superintend
the doing of the same.
Those familiar with the locality will per-
ceive that the incidental description of the
church property here given, cannot be
made to apply to the site of the present
church building near Weaversville. It
must be referred to the north side of the
public road near the creek.
At this time it was not definitely known
where the deeds of the church and graveyard
lots were. James Kerr was appointed to
make inquiry through the congregation for
them. After some delay he procured them
and presented them to the Board of Trustees.
In 1803, there seems to have accumulated
in the treasury considerable money. This
perhaps was owing to the sale of the
parsonage farm. March 5th, of this year,
74 Irish Settlement.
the Trustees lent out for thre.e years to
various persons about $2550. The money
was to draw six per cent, interest, and be
secured by judgment bond and approved
security. When money was thus lent out
by the Board they took every precaution
to secure the same, and were very positive
in their requirement of its payment when
it came due. They appear to have exer-
cised freely their power as a body cor-
porate. Frequent records are made in
which the civil law was called in to enforce
the collection of moneys due the congre-
gation. Notwithstanding the congregation
seems to have had considerable money at
their disposal, the arrears reported by the
collector, on the duplicates of 1804, go to
show that the support of the congregation
was to some degree falling away. During
the next three or four years various expe-
dients were devised or proposed for the
relief of the waning fortunes of the con-
gregation. In 1808, extra duplicates were
issued to bring up arrears. Notwithstand-
ingr the fortunes of the congrrecration were
waning, we find them still ready to do their
share in helping along others who seemed
to be more needy than themselves. This
is shown from the following record, which
explains itself:
Ij'ish Setllancnt. 75
Received of Allentown congregation, by the hands
of John Walker, thirteen dollars and ten cents, as a
donation to Harmony congregation, toward paying
for building their meeting house. I say received ])y
me in behalf of said congregation, Dec. 27th, 1809.
(Signed,) GARNET A. HUNT,
Greenwich, New Jersey.
N. B. — Harmony congregation will pay the above
money to Allentown congregation when they build a
meeting house.
Aboul: this time the graveyard was en-
closed with a stone wall. The following
record is made incidentally with reference
to it:
" It is further agreed that the Trustees
of congregation are to collect and settle
the accounts between the Treasurer and
Managers of the burial ground."
In connection with this we find the
following :
"June 15th. At a meeting held the
day aforesaid, per order of the Presi-
dent, to make settlement with the acting
manager of the building of a stone wall
of the English Presbyterian burial ground
in Allen Township, present, — Dr. Edward
Humphrey, Pi'esident, James Kerr, Trustee,
Wm. Lattimore, James Horner, Sr., Nicho-
las Neligh, Secretary, and, after examining
tlie accounts, find Thomas Horner has a
credit cominor to him of * * * * * "
This was in 181 1. On the same day as
76 Irish Settlement.
the foregoing, action was taken with regard
to the sale of the old church building,
which stood on the north side of the
public road. This appears from the follow-
ing record :
"Where and by them it was agreed that
the old meeting house should be sold, and
on taking consideration it was unanimously
agreed that the said Nicholas Neligh
should have the meeting house, and to
take the same away and clear the premises
between this time and 27th May, 1812, by
paying on that day sixty dollars, Pennsyl-
vania currency."
During the year 181 1, we find the
pecuniary support of the congregation
continuing to decline. Nov. 26th of that
year the Trustees took the following action :
" It was unanimously agreed that dupli-
cates be made out to the amount of
* * * * , a sum necessary to be raised
in order to assist In the payment of Mr.
Russel's salary."
This explains Itself.
Pecuniary difficulties seemed to thicken
around the congregation. As the con-
tributors to the support of the church
seemed to be falling away, the Trustees
apparently felt the necessity of making the
most of the Invested property belonging
to the church. They sought additional
security from those who held the money In
Ii^ish Settlement, 77
order to further secure the interests of the
church. In this they were met by opposi-
tion as the following record shows :
" The Trustees then took into considera-
tion the propriety of demanding bond and
security from the present money holders,
and havinor called on Mr. '^' * for his
bond and security, he refused in a peremp-
tory manner, and said he would not have
anything more to do with the congregation.
Whereupon it was unanimously agreed
that his name be erased from the list of
supporters."
Notwithstanding the prospects of the con-
gregation were not of the brightest charac-
ter, they felt they must go forward in the
work of the Lord. The old church build-
ing had been sold and was to be removed
in the early part of 1812. This year, there-
fore, they must take definite action with
reo^ard to a new church. To this work
they accordingly addressed themselves.
Irish Settlement,
CHAPTER IV.
1813-1825.
N 1 813, the present church bullduig
near Weaversvllle, was built, or
at least commenced. As we have
stated, the old church had been sold.
Whether the new one should be built on
the same ground or not, became a matter
of consultation. Out of this consultation
grew the record of how and why the
church was removed from the old lot, and
placed where it now stands. The follow-
ing is thereco.d — it bears date of Jan. iith,
1813:
'•The Trustees met on the ground
formerly occupied as a meeting house lot,
the corners of which not being easily dis-
covered, Mr. Neligh agreed to give the
same quantity of ground anywhere the
Trustees should point out. Whereupon a
lot of the same dimensions was surveyed,
which not joining the great road imme-
diately, Mr. Neligh promised to enter into
an agreement never to put any fence
whatever between said lot and great road."
We find, therefore, that it is over sixty
years since the congregation commenced
Irish Settlement. 79
to worship in the present church building
near Weaversville.
Although the question of changing the
site of the church was considered in the
meeting held Jan. iith, 1813, we find it
was not settled at that time. The matter
came up again in a meeting held in March.
We insert the record of that meeting's
proceedings, as it makes the whole matter
clear and satisfactory.
''Academy, March \^th, 1813.
'' At a meeting of the English Presbyterian Church,
of Allen Township, at the Academy, on Monday, the
15th day of March, 1813, convened agreeably to
public notice for the purpose of ascertaining the will
of said congregation, whether a meeting house was
necessary to be built for the use of said congregation,
and where said meeting house should be erected,
Rev. Robert Russel was unanimously appointed
Chairman, and John Boyd, Secretary.
" A motion was made and seconded, that with a
view to unite the two sections of the congregation, a
house should be erected on a lot of James Dunn's,
joining the lands of Adam Clendinen, and lost, only
two or three rising in its favor. A motion was made
and seconded, that the Academy should be fitted up
for a house of worship, and a new house built at or
near where the old meeting house formerly stood,
jointly, by the congregation, which was negatived.
Another motion was made and seconded, that the
Academy should be fitted up for a house of worship, and
a new house built on or near the old spot, the former
by that part of the congregation on or near the Mono-
quacy. (Creek.) and the latter by that pari of the con-
gregation adjacent to the old meeting house, so that
each side respectively completes its own meeting
80 Irish Settlement.
house ; but when finished that both houses ?5haU belong
to the congregation in common ; that is to say, the
people on the east side of the congregation to have
an equal right in the house which shall be built on
the west side with the said western people them-
selves ; and the people on the west side to have an
equal right in the house built on the east side with
the people on the east side themselves ; so that it is
fairly understood that both houses shall be owned by
the congregation in common in as full and ample a
manner as if there was only one house built at the
joint expense of the whole congregation. Carried
by a large majority in the affirmative.
" Another motion was then made and seconded,
that the Trustees of the congregation be empowered to
exchange the old meeting house lot, for some other
piece of ground more convenient for the site of a
church, if the said Trustees should see proper so to
do. Leave unanimously given to exchange."
This record sufficiently explains itself.
Those who are acquainted with the situa-
tions of the two houses of worship will
readily perceive the cause of the disagree-
ment with reference to a house of worship
in common. To those who may not be
acquainted with the situations of the two
houses, a word of explanation here may
not be inappropriate. The building called
the Academy stands near the Monoquacy
Creek, perhaps a mile south of the village
of Bath. This places it in the eastern
portion of the congregation. The old
church stood near where the present one
stands, making it perhaps three miles west
of the Academy, and within half a mile of
Irish Settlement. 81
the village of Weaversville. This placed
the church building, proper in the western
half of the congregation.
We venture an explanation (without
positive knowledge on the point,) of the
disagreement tnanifested in the record of
the church meeting above oriven, and also
the cause of the final agreement in regard
to the matter. This final agreement would
seem at first sight to throw the burden of
building a new church upon the western
half of the congregation.
It will be remembered, however, a num-
ber of families on the Monoquacy Creek
combined and independently erected the
then substantial stone building called the
Academy. This was large enough, and
sufficiently well adapted, to accommodate
the congregation as a house of worship.
The persons who owned the Academy,
were doubtless members of the congrega-
tion. Having the interest of the congre-
gation at heart, we may suppose they
munificently offered to donate the Academy
building to the congregation for a house of
worship, since the old log church had been
sold and had been, or was about to be,
torn down. This would save the expense
of a new house of worship. This, however,
would give the eastern half of the congrega-
tion the ascendancy, besides confining the
preaching exclusively to that neighborhood.
82 Irish Settle7ncnf.
This would necessitate the western half of
the congregation to always go three miles,
more or less, to church. It is easy to see
then how a difficulty would arise to prevent
the acceptance of the Academy building,
exclusively, by the congregation, as a house
of worship. On the other hand, since the
eastern half of the congregation offered to
gratuitously provide a house of worship for
the whole congregation, they could not be
expected to assist in building a house of
w^orship in the western half of the congre-
gation, which would necessitate them
always to go three miles, more or less, to
church. A compromise therefore would
naturally be expected. This seems to
have been effected. The eastern side of
the congregation seems to have donated
the Academy building to the whole con-
gregation, and beside, fitt'^d it up for a
house of worship. The western half of the
people seem to have taken the old church
lot, or its equivalent, and erected a church
building, also for the whole congregation.
This put both sides upon an equal footing
as regarded the furnishing of houses of
worship. There now being two churches
belonging to the congregation, they made
a positive agreement that each half of the
congregation should have equal rights in
the building furnished by the other half.
Such, we conjecture, were substantially
h'isk Settlement. 83
the circumstances which orlcrlnated the two
houses of worship In the congregation, and
the alternation in the services held In the
two houses, which has existed for so many
years.
As to exchanelnST the old church lot for
a more desirable one, we have the follow-
inp- reco
'g
rd
** Session Room, Mai-ch i()th, 1813.
^* At a meeting of the Trustees of the congregation
at their room, for the purpose of exchanging the old
meeting house lot for gromid which would be more
suitable for building a meeting house (on), agreeably
to a vote of the congregation, it was unanimously-
agreed that the old lot should be exchanged for one
on the west side of Mr. Neligh's run, and adjoining
the old burying ground.'"'
The exchange was made and the new
lot deeded over by Mr. Neligh to the con-
gregation, March 31st, 181 3. It was part
of a tract of land sold to Mr. Henry Epple,
by William Craig. At Mr. Epple's death
he left but one daughter, who became the
heiress to the property. This daughter
was the wife of Mr. Neligh, by whom the
deed of the lot was made. The transfer
was in the name of John Wilson, James
Horner, Sr., John Boyd, John Clyde, Jr.,
James Kerr and Edward Humphrey,
Trustees of the congregation. Such were
the circumstances attendinor the selection
of the site where the church building, near
84 Irish Settlement.
Weaversvllle, now stands. Tlie old site,
as we have intimated, was southeast of the
present one and nordi of the pubHc road.
About this time there seems to have been
considerable irregularity and commotion in
the management of the secular affairs of
the congregation. For some time previous
to 1 813, the Trustees do not seem to have
been sufficiently strict in the observance of
the rules adopted for their guidance in
1800. This matter had been noticed by
some members of the Board. A motion
was therefore made to remedy the neglect,
as appears from the following record :
'' Session Room^ March 10th, 181 3.
"Trustees met agreeably to appointmet, when the
by-laws made on the 31st of January, iSoo, for the
government of the secular affairs of the church and
Trustees being read, a motion was made and seconded
that they should be adopted by the subscribers,
whereupon they were unanimously agreed to.
Witness our hands, the day and year above written.
[Signed,]
" JAMES HORNER, JOHN CLYDE,
ED. HUMPHREY, JOHN BOYD."
One provision of these rules was, that
the two retiring Trustees each year should
be a committee to settle with the Treasurer.
This matter of settling with the Treasurer
seems to have been neglected, but after
the re-adoption of the rules, their provisions
in this regard were observed as formerly.
Irish Settlement, 85
With the year 1813, Edward Humphrey
and James Horner, Sr., went out of office.
Accordingly we find It recorded, In 18 14,
that
"Edward Humphrey and James Horner,
Sr., were appointed to setde with the
Treasurer, and they are authorized to call
on the Secretary for the necessary accounts
to enable them to complete said setde-
ment."
These Irregularities adjusted In 18 14,
we find commotions attending the election
of Trustees at the opening of the year
181 5. January 2d, of this year, James
Kennedy and Nathan Kerr were elected
to the office of Trustee. The members of
the Board were, after this election, as
follows :
John Boyd, James Clendlnen, James
Kennedy, John Clyde, James Horner,
Nathan Kerr. This election of Trustees,
however, was subsequently overturned,
and the composition of the Board materially
changed. We find the following record
bearing upon the subject:
*' At a meeUng of the English Presby-
terian Church, of Allen Township, on Satur-
day, the 4th March, 181 5, (public notice
having been duly given,) in order to choose
two new Trustees In the room of Nathan
Kerr and James Kennedy, who were
declared Illegally elected ; and by a meet-
S6 Irish Setflemenf.
ine of the conereoatlon called for that
purpose, three other Trustees, two of
whom reslgrned, and the third was con-
celved by the same meeting not duly
elected ; James Clyde and John Wilson
were.unanhnously appointed judges of said
election ; when, upon counting the votes at
the close of the poll, It appeared that James
Kerr, Sr., was duly elected In the room of
James Clendlnen, resigned, Hugh Wilson
in the room of John Clyde, resigned, James
J. Horner, re-elected. James Kennedy
and Robert Horner for three years from
the first Monday In January last."
By this action,, therefore, the membership
of the Board became as follows :
John Boyd, James Kerr, James Kennedy^
Hugh Wilson, James J. Horner, Robert
Horner. From the year 1815 forward, for
several years, the prospects of the congre-
gation seem to have brightened somewhat.
We find no evidence that the congregation
was pecuniarily straitened, although they
had been engaged In constructing a new
house of worship, as well as fitting up the
Academy for Divine services. The number
of supporters Increased from ^'^ In 1812,
to 56 In 1818. The brightening up of
affairs may perhaps be attributed In part
to the impetus which the new church build-
ing gave to the affairs of the congregation.
It will be remembered the new church
IrisJi Settlement. 87
building was erected upon die newly ac-
quired lot. The church lot was open to
the public road. This seemed to the con-
gregation not desirable, and they therefore,
in May, 1819, took steps to have it enclosed.
Special directions were given as to how it
was to be done. The fence on the north
and west sides was to be post and rail, and
on the south and east sides, board.
There was to be a gate on the south side
havings an entrance of five feet in the clear.
o
We insert these particulars that those
who may be familiar with the locality may
be enabled to draw a picture of the church
and surroundings, as they appeared fifty
years ago.
In 1S23, we have revealed incidentally
some of the inner workings of the congre-
gation by the death of the Treasurer. This
officer was the custodian of the books and
valuable papers of the corporation. For
these he gave his receipt, at length, when
entering upon the duties of his office.
When he left it he took a receipt for the
same from his successor. James H.
Horner was elected Treasurer in 181 5.
April I St, 181 6, he gave his receipt for
the books and papers of the congregation.
He was their custodian until 1823. Oct.
1 1 th, of this year, he resigned, and John
Wilson was elected in his stead. The
Trustees appointed Abram Wilson and
88 Irish Sctilemenf,
James J. Horner to settle with the late
Treasurer, and deliver the books and
papers of the congregation to the newly
elected Treasurer. Between Oct. iith^
when this appointment was made, and
Nov. 8th, James H. Horner died. At the
time of his death, the books and papers of
the congregation had not been turned
over to the committee, as will appear by
the receipt we insert below. As stated,
James H. Horner had given his receipt for
the books and papers, April ist, 1816. In
the minute book, where the list of books
and papers Is given, just underneath James
H. Horner's name, we find this receipt:
'' Received, November 8th, 1823, of Robert Hor-
ner, administrator of the estate of James H. Horner,
the above books and papers, or others in lieu thereof.,
[Signed,] " ABRAM WILSON,
HUGH HORNER,
JAMES J. HORNER."
In connection with this we find John
Wilson's receipt for the papers and books.
We insert the list of these here In order to
preserve a record of them for future
reference In case It should ever be found
necessary to recall them. The receipt
and list is as follows :
" Received, November , 1823, of the Trustees
of the English Presbyterian congregation of Allen
Township, the following books, bonds, deeds, &c ;
IrisJi Sctilancnt. 89
'' I. A book of accounts of the congregation.
'' 2. One bond against * * * for ^ * * with
interest since May ist, 1823.
" 3. One bond against * * * for $ * * with
interest since May 27th, 1823.
"4. One other bond against * * for ;^ * *
with interest since 27th November, 1822.
"5. One bond against * * for $ * * with
interest since 27th May, 1823.
'' 6. One bond against * * for ^ * * with
interest since 27th May, 1823.
" 7. One note against * * for ^ * *j-. * ^., dated
Jan. 7th, 1814.
'•'8. A deed of conveyance from Nicholas Neligh,.
to Trustees of English Presbyterian congregation of
Allen Township, for 128 perches of land in said Town-
ship.
*' 9. A deed from James Craig to John Walker and
others.
"10. An obligation and declaration of John Walker
and others.
•' II. The act of incorporation.
'' Received the above books and papers, which I
promise to keep in safety, and deliver to the Trustees
of said congregation when called for, and receive all
moneys now due or may hereafter become due on
said obligations, and pay the same to the order of the
Board of Trustees.
[Signed] ^' JOHN WILSON."
This list of bonds, &c., the figures of
which we have omitted, gives a consoK-
dated statement of the assets of the con-
gregation at the time.
Mr. Russel's receipt for salary, given
Nov. 1 2th, of this year, is in keeping with
the foregoing. It is as follows :
5*
90 Irish Settlement.
*' Received of James H. Horner, late Treasurer, at
sundry times subsequent to the 22d day of January,
1 82 3, the sum of * * dollars, and of James J.
Horner and Hugh Horner, Trustees, the sum of
-^= * dollars, making together the sum of * * *
dollars, in payment of salary due from the congrega-
tion, Nov. 1 2th, 1823.
[Signed] ^'R. RUSSEL."
As we have intimated, the prospects of the
congregation, seemed to be brighter for a
number of years after the erection of the
new church building near Weaversville.
The number of supporters seemed to keep
up remarkably well, considering the drain
upon the community caused by removals
and deaths. It is apparent, however, that
formerly the names of contributors repre-
sented whole families, whilst latterly they
represented more frequently only indi-
viduals.
In 1825, the depletion of the conmiunity
began again to make itself felt. Although
for. several years previous to this, the
number of the supporters appears in no
appreciable manner to have been dimin-
ished, the actual support, financially con-
sidered, was manifestly waning. March
2 6di, of this year, several members of the
congregation met with the Trustees to
consult in regard to the affairs of the church.
Considerable amounts had been returned,
for several years previous, on the duplicates
as arrears. The salary of the pastor was
Irish Settlejueiit. 91
with difficulty made up. A committee was
appointed to confer with the pastor and
represent to him that the conorregation was
unable to make up the salary they had
promised to pay him, and obtain an abate-
ment on his part, if possible. An agree-
ment was effected whereby Mr. Russel
relinquished a part of his salary. In this
agreement it was intimated that it was-
possible the circumstances of the congrega-
tion might become still more straitened,
and against this precautions were taken.
Although it was with difficulty they did
so, we find the conofreoradon fulfilllne all
their pecuniary obligations to Mr. Russel
up to the end of the year 1825.
Such was the state of affairs in the con-
gregadon, therefore, at the opening of the
year 1826.
92 Irish Settlements
CHAPTER V.
1826-1835.
N 1 82 1, the church came under the
care of the Presbytery of Newton.
With the year 1826, there would
seem to commence a new era in the history
of the congregation. There is nothing of
special importance to record concerning this
date, but here seems to be a dividing line
between the early and latter church. The old
time-worn books of record were now full and
laid aside. Within the blackened leather
covers of those old books, and a small
bundle of papers equally antiquated, lay
the data from which, to a large degree, the
early history of the congregation was to be
deduced. Yet who, from looking at these
old records, tangled and incongruous,,
which had been made from time to time
during a period of seventy-five or eighty
years, would suppose that there was in
them material for a connected narrative —
something pertaining to nearly every year
of that long period? Who would suppose
that from those old smoky and blackened
pages, whereon were records in juxtaposi-
tion, telling of events which were separated
Irish Settlement. 93
by perhaps twenty, thirty or forty years of
time, an intelligible idea of the church's
history could be deduced? But time and
patience in deciphering those almost illegi-
ble lines, which had been placed there by
various and unsteady hands at different
times during a period of three-quarters of
a century previous, the facts of the fore-
going pages, for the most part, have been
snatched, as it w^ere, from oblivion. These
facts, it is hoped, have here been preserved
to the descendants of those early settlers,
and to the church which has been one
of the way-marks in the progress of Pres-
byterianism in America.
But having gleaned from these musty
pages, as we hope, the greater part of their
interesting matter, we lay them aside, as
did the church in 1826, and look to the
subsequent records.
We have endeavored so far to give such
statistics as might enable the reader to
observe the fluctuations in the fortunes of
the congregation ; their periods of bright-
ening prospects and those of shadow and
decline. We are now called upon to
record a period of shadow. It may have
been noticed that although there were
periods of brightening, the general ten-
dency was toward decline. This was
doubtless owing to the drain which other
parts of the country were constantly making
94 Irish Selllcment.
upon the supporters and resources of the
congregation. Many were removing to
other parts of the country, and those who
took their places were not naturally affiHated
with the people who supported this church.
In addition to this cause of decline, another
misfortune about this time overtook the
congregation. It was the unfortunate
investment of its funds. We have inserted
a schedule of the assets of the congrega-
tion in a previous chapter. Whilst there
we left the amounts, in detail, blank, it may
not be improper here to state, that that
schedule showed the aeereeate assets of
oo o
the congregation to be, exclusive of church
and grave yard properties in use, about
^3,400. It seems a considerable portion of
this money became available in 1827. We
have before spoken of this property,
belonging to the congregation, and of its
disposal, and how a. large portion of it was
lost by the failure of the Northampton
Bank. We have, in 1827, the records of
how this investment came to be made.
We have spoken of Mr. John Wilson
becoming Treasurer in 1823. We find he
was succeeded in that office by Mr. Robert
Horner, in 1826. The funds of the con-
gregation were therefore in the hands of
Mr. Robert Horner in 1827. We find that
Jan. iith, 1826, he receipted for the books,
papers and funds enumerated in the
Irish Settlement. 95
schedule just referred to. Accordingly,
under date of Sept. 3d, 1827, we find him
directed to purchase stock in the North-
ampton Bank. The record is as follows,
and will explain itself:
•' A motion was made and carried that
the money belonging to the congregation,
In the hands of Robert Horner, be put to
the use of purchasing stock in the North-
ampton Bank, in case stock can be had at
par.
Thus it would appear that there was an
amount of the capital of the congregation
or corporation, now in the treasury. This
money was expended for the purpose
indicated, as shown by the certificates of
stock of the Northampton Bank which may
be seen among the papers of the congre-
gation. As we have before said, the
money was lost by the failure of the Bank
at the time so many banks failed under the
old National Banking system. Although
this calamity did not fall immediately upon
the church, it was the more severe when it
did come, from the fact that at the very
time they were unconsciously making a
bad investment, other causes were weaken-
ing them. By an agreement made April
6th, 1825, to which we have referred, the
pastor relinquished a portion of his salary.
From that day forward he receipted for his
salary in full only upon the ground of the
96 Irish Settlement.
agreement Into which he had entered. In
his receipts he referred from time to
time to the aorreement. The conereeation
were enabled to come up to their engage-
ments until May 27th, 1827.
August 5th, 1827, Mr. Russel gave a
receipt in full up to that date. But the
people now became conscious that they
would not be able to meet their engao^e-
ments, even though the pastor had relin-
quished part of his salary. They could
not consistently ask him to make any
further abatement, and the next best thing,
they thought, would be to retain him but
for a portion of his time. Accordingly a
meeting was called in October of this year,
to consult with reference to this matter.
We have the following record in the
minutes of this meeting :
" A motion was made that a committee
be appointed to wait on the Rev. Russel,
and to inform him that the conereoation
was willing to give him * * dollars for
one-half of his time from the 27th of
November."
But this was not lonof to affect the aored
servant of God. The congregation, though
tliey felt their troubles increasing, were
soon to be called on to endure still greater
trials. He who had ministered to them in
spiritual things for nearly thirty years, was
soon to be taken from them. He who had
Irish Set flan en f. 9T
grown gray and venerable In their service
was soon to be called home to his Father's
house In heaven. The last official act
performed by him, of which we have any
record, is the followinor :
'* Received, December nth, 1827, of Robert
Horner, Treasurer, the sum of ***** in
part of my salary due on the 27th November last.
fSigned,] " R. RUSSEL."
Five days after this, on Dec. i6th, 1827,
he bid adieu to the cares of earth. Having
fought the good fight of faith, and having
finished his course, he ascended to receive
his crown of glory. A plain marble stone
In the church yard, with the following In-
scriptions, marks the last resting place of
the revered and orood man :
o
'' Sacred to the memory of Rev. Robert Russel,
A. M., late pastor of the English Presbyterian Con-
gregation of Allen Township, who departed this life
December i6th, 1827, in the seventieth year of his
age, and thirtieth of his ministry. He was a man
full of the Holy Ghost. How well he taught them
many a one will feel unto their dying day, and when
they lie on the grave's brink unfearing and composed,
their speechless souls will bless the holy man whose
voice exhorted, and whose footsteps led unto the path
of life."
The final act in which Mr. Russel's name
appears in connection with the church, Is
in the following receipt given by his son,
who was his administrator ;
98 Irish Settleimiit.
''Received, January 3d, 1828, of Robert Horner,
Treasurer, the sum * * * • * * \^ being the
amount in full of salary due from English Presby-
terian Congregation of Allen Township, to my father
until the day of his death.
[Signed,] ''ROBERT RUSSEL,
''Administrator.'"
Thus closed the extended ministry of
this servant of God. He had entered
upon his ministry In the Settlement, April
1 8th, 1 798. It was his first pastoral charge.
In It he remained for nearly thirty years,
and was removed therefrom only by the
hand of death.
Thus the conorreeatlon, December i6th,
1827, became vacant.
Under the circumstances It was neces-
sary to make some provisions for supplying
the pulpit. Accordingly, a meeting was
called, Jan. 7th, 1828, to consider the matter.
We Insert a part of the minutes of that
meeting, as It explains Itself and gives us
the information desired :
" At a meeting of the English Presby-
terian Congregation of Allen Township, in
the church, the 7th of January, A. D., 1828,
for the purpose of selecting a pastor to fill
the vacancy occasioned by the death of the
Rev. Robert Russel, '^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
a motion was made and seconded that the
congregation proceed to take the question
whether they should employ the Rev.
Irish Settlement. 99
Alexander Heberton to supply the vacancy
occasioned by the death of the Rev. Russel,
until the 27th of November next."
The motion was carried, and Mr. He-
berton accepted the terms offered by the
congregation, and commenced his labors
among them. He continued to preach
until the next fall, at which time, Oct. 6th,
the congregation again assembled to invite
him to continue as stated supply for one
year after Nov. 27th. The invitation was
accepted and he continued his labors.
This year we again find the people un-
wittingly involving themselves in financial
difficulties. Again money had accumulated
in the hands of the Treasurer. Again we
find him directed to invest the same in
stocks which proved valueless. A minute
of a meeting of the Trustees held Oct. 6th,
is as follows :
" At a meeting of the Trustees ; present,
* * * * "^ it was resolved that the
moneys now In the hands of Robert
Horner, belonging to the congregation, be
laid out in the purchase of United States
Bank stock."
The receipts for the purchase made by
this order may still be found among the
papers of the congregation. Having
begun the purchase of United States stock,
we find the people continuing In It. On
100 Irish Settlement.
Jan. 2 2d, 1829, we find the Trustees again
directing the purchase of this kind of stock.
It would seem the prospects of the con-
gregation brightened up for a time under
the ministry of Mr. Heberton. The num-
ber of contributors, in 1828, was seventy-
seven against forty-eight in 1827. This
number had not materially decreased in
the fall of 1829. The prospect of advance-
ment under Mr. Heberton's ministry
seems to have induced the people to make
efforts to have him continue with them.
Accordingly, on Sept. 25th, 1829, they
again appointed a committee to confer
with Mr. Heberton with reference to his
continuing still anodier year as supply
after Nov. 27th. An agreement was
effected and his labors were continued.
There seems to have been a desire on
the part of the congregation, at this time,
to purchase the property on which Mr.
Russel was livino- at the time of his death.
What the reasons were for this, do not
appear. It may have been to thus
securely invest the money of the con-
gregation. But this would not seem
probable, for their funds had been similarly
invested previously, and the caring for the
property was attended with so many diffi-
culties and inconveniences that it was sold
so as to make the 'funds more serviceable.
Whatever may have been the reason, the
Irish Settlement. 101
fact Is attested by the following record In
the minutes of the meeting held Sept. 7th,
which Is as follows :
" On motion, It was resolved, that a com-
mittee of four be appointed, * * * =••'
who, in conjunction with the Trustees of
the church, are to view the premises of the
late Rev. Robert Russel, with a view of
purchasing the same."
What was the result of this appointment,
does not appear.
We call attention to these financial
transactions of the church, that it may be
known that the cause of decline have been
such as could not be foreseen, and that
those faithful men who have administered
the trust committed to them by our
fathers, have not been neelleent in the
performance of their duty. We have
inserted them that all may see through
what vicissitudes the heritage of our
fathers has passed, what Its ultimate fate
has been, and what effect that fate has
produced upon the w^elfare of the church
and community.
The congregation met Sept. 4th, 1830,
and appointed a committee to solicit Mr.
Heberton to remain still a third year from
the 27th of November ensuing. The com-
mittee reported his acceptance, and his
labors continued. This arrangement, how-
102 Irish Settlement,
ever, was not to continue for any great
length of time.
Mr. Heberton received, in the early
part of 1 83 1, a call to the Presbyterian
Church of the present city of Allentown.
He accepted the call and was released by
the congregation in the Settlement. This
appears from the following record in the
minutes of a meeting held Feb. 21st, 1831,
it is as follows :
"Whereas, The Rev. Alexander Heber-
ton, having received an invitation to the
pastoral charge of the First English Pres-
byterian Church, in the borough of Allen-
town, he considering it to be an incumbent
duty to accept of the same; we, the con-
gregation, agreeably to his request, resolve
to release him from his present engage-
ment with us, after the first of April next."
Having thus been released from his
engagement, his connection with the con-
gregation soon ceased, and his name dis-
appears from its records.
Before we proceed to the events which
transpired under the ministry of Mr.
Heberton's successor, it may not be in-
appropriate here to refer to a matter which
seems rather strange in the history of the
concrreCTation. » From the commencement
of the records of the church, by its proper
officers, about 1749-50, to about 1827-8, a
Irish Settlement. 103
period of nearly eighty years, In common
with the great mass of our churches, dur-
ing their early history, there was no record
kept of Sessional proceedings. If this
record was ever kept, it seems to have
been long since lost, as no traces of it ap-
pear in the congregation at the present
day. Who and when the many persons
whose names appear upon these secular
records, became communing members of
the church, lies buried in impenetrable
darkness. We are therefore unable to
ascertain the true numerical power of the
congregation at any period during this
time. It is true we have endeavored to
present this in some approximate degree
by giving the number of names attached
to the collectors' duplicates from year to
year. But this does not give the number of
communicants, as some at least who were
pecuniary supporters of the church are
known not to have been communicants.
To what extent this prevailed we are
unable to decide. This was more espe-
cially the case after the congregation be-
came an incorporated body. Had this
record been kept it would doubtless have
unfolded a great volume of interesting
matter pertaining to this old congregation,
but which is now irretrievably lost.
This omission, however, was remedied
by Mr. Heberton, when he became stated
104 IrisJi Settlement,
supply to the congregation. The interest-
ing items found in this book, as now used
by the Session of the church, makes us
feel more keenly the loss occasioned by
the omission of this Sessional record pre-
vious to 1827.
With this advance, therefore, on the part
of Mr. Heberton, his successor entered
upon the duties of supplying the congrega-
tion. Mr. Heberton havino- finished his
o
labors with the people, a meeting was
called to take measures to have the pulpit
supplied until the next meeting of Presby-
tery. This meeting was held May 9th,
1 83 1. A motion was made in order to
get the sense of the congregation as to
obtaining the services of Rev. Mr. Mc-
Jimsey as stated supply until the meeting
of Presbytery. The motion was carried,
and Mr. John Wilson and Mr. James
Kennedy were appointed a committee to
confer with Mr. Mcjimsey to see if he
would a^ree to the terms of the conorre-
gation. Mr. Mcjimsey accepted the terms
offered and commenced his labors. He
continued his work during the early part
of the summer of 1831, and his services
being acceptable, a meeting of the congre-
gation was held Aug. 27th, of this year, to
consider the propriety of having Mn
Mcjimsey continue as stated supply dur-
ing the year. A motion was made
Irish Settlemeiit. 105
to this effect and carried. Mr. McJImsey
accepted and continued his labors.
September ist, 1832, the people again
invited Mr. Mcjimsey to remain with them
another year. He accepted the invitation
and continued to labor among- them. He,
however, did not continue with the people
through the year. Although we have no
direct statement of the fact, it is apparent
that he left the congregation on or before
the ist of April, 1833. The following
receipt Is the last record we have of him
in connection with the Settlement Church :
''$*** Received, March 30th, ^^2>?i^ of
Robert Horner, Treasurer, * >i« * * *
dollars seventy-five cents in full of salary until the
first April.
[Signed,] *'Wm. Mcjimsey."
Here closes the record of Mr. Mcjimsey's
labors among this people. Little appears
concerning him except that he was a mem-
ber of the Presbytery of Albany, New
York, when he came to the congregation ;
and It does not appear that he ever
changed his ecclesiastical connections to
that under which the Church In the Settle-
ment was, during his ministry there. It
appears that after Mr. Mcjimsey's depart-
ure, the Rev. Brogan Hoff, as agent for
the S. S. Union, visited the congregation.
This was in May of this year. The con-
6
106 Irish Settlement.
gregatlon having heard him, prepared to
give him a call. The call was accepted
and he was Installed pastor, but at what
precise time does not appear.
It would seem he did not enter Imme-
diately upon the pastoral duties of the
congregation, for during this year we find,
as supplies, the names of Mr. Vandlveer,
Mr. John Gray, Mr. Love, Mr. Talmage,
Mr. Wolf and Mr. Comfort.
The congregation now began to devise
means to Increase the minister's salary.
For this purpose they met Nov. 2 2d, 1833,
and decided that to this end the pews
should be rented out. The actual renting of
these took place Dec. 4lh. In the selection
of pews, those who had contributed to the
building of the church had the preference.
In 1834, In addition to the preaching of
Mr. Hoff, we have the single name of
Galoway as supply one Sabbath. Early
in the year 1835, ^^^ pastoral relation
between Mr. Hoff and the congregation
was dissolved. This appears from the
minutes of a meeting held March 4th.
The record Is as follows :
" The object of the meeting being stated,
viz : that the Rev. Mr. Hoff requested that
the connection between him and this con-
gregation be dissolved ; on motion, re-
solved, this congregation agrees that this
request be granted."
Irish Settlement, 107
Thus ended the pastoral relation between
Mr. Hoff and the conorreo:ation.
The following names appear as supplies
during the remainder of 1835: Mr. McCul-
lough, Mr. Berg, Mr, Helfenstein, Mr.
Love, Mr. McCook, Mr. Adam, Mr. Car-
penter, Mr. Sloan, Dr. Junkin, Mr. Vandr-
veer and Mr. Hawthorn.
This brings us down to the pastorate of
Rev. Leslie Irwino
108 Irish Settlement.
CHAPTER VI.
1836-1869.
HE congregation convened October
3d, 1835, and appointed a com-
mittee to confer with Rev. Leslie
Irwin, In regard to his supplying the pulpit
of the Settlement Church for six months.
An agreement was effected, through this
committee, between Mr. Irwin and the
church, upon which he seems to have im-
mediately entered upon the duties of stated
supply. His services having been satis-
factory to the congregation, on April i8th,
1836, they extended an invitation to him to
•continue his services until the meeting of
Presbytery In October of that year. This
offer was accepted and he continued his
labors as stated supply. Before this term
was completed, the congregation became
so well pleased with him that they met,
August 13th, and resolved to extend a call
to him to become their pastor, After some
delay he accepted the call, and was or-
dained and installed In June, 1838.
The affairs of the congregation now
moved along smoothly until 1841, when
h'ish Settle7nent. 109
the old enemy, the faihng support of the
congregation, made its appearance. This
year the deficiency was made up, not as
formerly by an additional duplicate, but by
the private subscriptions of the remaining
supporters. A large deficiency appeared
again in 1842, and also in 1843. It was
made good in each case by private sub-
scriptions as before. It seems, special
efforts were made to increase the number
of supporters in order to obviate this in-
convenience of a deficit in the support of
the conorreofation. It will be noticed that
the number of names upon the collector's
duplicates increased to sixty-five in 1843,
against forty-three in 1841.
In 1844, it was found that the grave-
yard fence, which had been erected in 181 1,
had become somewhat dilapidated. Ac-
cordingly, August 13th of this year,
measures were taken to have repairs made
thereon. At the same time directions
were given to have the floor of the church
repaired, and the pulpit lowered. These
had remained, it seems, as constructed in
the new church building more than thirty
years before, in 1813.
At a meetinof of the Trustees at which
these repairs were ordered, which were
made necessary by the destroying hand of
time, they were called upon to repair a
breach which had been made by the hand
110 Irish Settlements
of death. In 1826, they had elected Mn
Robert Horner their Treasurer. From year
to year they re-elected him, for eighteeris
years. But at this meeting, August 13th,
1844, they had the sad duty of electing a
new Treasurer, to fill the place of one wha
had for so many } ears held this office by
successive re-elections. That he should
be thus elected from year to year for sc^
long a time, Is the best proof of the fidelity
and propriety with which he discharged
the duties of the office. Robert Horner
died in July of this year. There may be
seen in the old churchyard a marble slab
bearing the following inscription :
'■'■ In memory of Robert Horner, who departed
this life July 7th, 1844, aged sixty-three years^ two
months, and fourteen days.'*
It will be remembered the two places of
preaching regularly were at the Church
near Weaversville, and at the Academy,
below Bath. Some time previous to 1845,
Mr. Irwin deemed it proper to preach at
the Crane Iron Works, or Catasauqua, as
it is now called, as there was a growing
population there which was within the
bounds of his congregation, and there
seemed to be a need for religious instruc-
tion among the people. This was upon
the extreme western border of his charge.
In like manner he perceived a need for
Irish SettlemeJit. 1 L I
religious instruction in the town of Bath,
which was jikewise in the bounds of his
charge on the east.
On account of this division of Mr. Irwin's
time into four instead of two parts, as is
not uncommon under such circumstances,
the regular members of the church mani-
fested dissatisfaction with the new arrange-
ment. A meeting was called November
1st, 1845, at which time notice was given
of this dissatisfaction in the congregation.
It was stated to exist mainly in the eastern
portion of the charge. The ground of the
complaint was said to be the unequal por-
tion of time allowed them for morning
service at the Academy. They claimed as
a matter of right and justice that the morn-
ing service should alternate between the
Church near Weaversville, and the Aca-
demy. They expressed their willingness,
however, for the afternoon service to
be held at the church, so long as the
pastor continued to preach at Bath and
Catasauqua.
The dissatisfaction was of so decided a
character that several persons gave notice
that they should reduce their subscriptions
if their just claims were not complied with.
Such, in brief, was the trouble which
arose in the con^reo^ation at this time, but
which after a time subsided without pro-
ducing apparently any damaging commo-
112 Irish Settlenienf.
tlon among the people. Mr. Irwin con-
tinued to preach at Bath and Catasauqua.
In 1847, Ave find the latter place rendering-
some pecuniary support to the congrega-
tion. Mr. Frederic W. Nagle appears to
have been the collector of salary from the
western part of the charge. Of the
$215.67 collected by him, $68.75 ^^s from
Catasauqua. This then may be considered
the first pledge of Presbyterlanism in
Catasauqua, which has so wonderfully
Increased since that time. In 1848, it con-
tributed $50.00, and the same amount In
1849, thus continuing the good work.
This enlargement of the labors of the
pastor seems to have relieved somewhat
the pecuniary affairs of the congregation.
In 1848, 1849, 1850^ 185I' 1852, 1853,
1856, 1857, and 1858, the income was
greater than was necessary for the ex-
penses, and In consequence, one-fourth
of the stipend was thrown off each year.
In 1854 and 1855, one-third was thrown
off.
With the year 1851, there seems to have
been a general renovation of the church
property. The graveyard had either be-
come too much crowded, or change in
regard to it was deemed expedient. Ac-
cordingly a portion of ground on the w^est
side was exchanged for ground situated
south of the old graveyard. This will best
Ii'ish Settlement. 113
appear from the following record found in
the minutes of a meedng held June 14th,
1851:
" At a meeting of the congregation held
at the church on the 14th day of June, 1851,.
convened agreeably to public notice, for the
purpose of taking into consideration the
propriety of enlarging the graveyard, and
to effect the same by exchanging that por-
tion of the enclosed church ground on the
west side of the graveyard wall with
Absalom Reichard, for lands lying on the
south side of the graveyard, the meeting
was organized by calling James Kerr to
the chair, when a motion was made that
the Trustees of the congregation be
authorized to make the exchange of said
lands. The question being put, it was
unanimously agreed to."
Such Is the record of the decision In re-
gard to the matter. The Trustees carried
out the instructions given by the congrega-
tion, and the exchange was made, as-
appears from the minutes of a meeting
held Nov. ist.
We make the folio win or brief extract
beanng on this point:
'' Deeds of conveyance for the exchange
of ten perches of land, with Absalom.
114 Irish Settlement.
Relchard and wife, were made, adjoining'
the graveyard."
The deed of conveyance made by
Absalom Reichard to the Trustees, was in
trust for the congregation. The names of
the Trustees inserted were Joseph Brown^
Hugh Horner, Wm. Brown, Thomas Clen-
dinen,- Robert McDowel and PhiHp Insley.
It bears date Nov. ist, 1851. Thus, at
this time and in this manner, was the
burying ground enlarged to its present
proportions.
This year also it was found necessary to
put a new roof on the church near Wea-
versville, which seems to have stood with-
out repair since the church was built in
1813, some thirty-eight years. A new roof
being found necessary on examination,
Joseph Horner and John Horner, at the
meeting held Nov. ist, were appointed a
committee to circulate subscriptions to
defray the expenses of the new roof. The
committee reported at a meeting held Nov.
27th, and orders were given for the putting
on of the roof. During this year the
church was transferred to the care of the
new Second Presbytery of Philadelphia.
We have previously spoken of the care
with which the Trustees watched over the
interests of the church in the early days of
the corporation, appealing at times to the
Irish Settlemsnt. 115
civil law to enforce their just claims. Al-
though there does not seem to have been
occasion- for them to exercise \\\'z\r power
for a number of years previous to 1854, in
this year we have a record which shows
that the spirit of the fathers had descended
to their children. There had been a dere-
liction on the part of one of the collectors
for a previous year. The collector had
not made a final settlement with the Trus-
tees. He was by them ordered to make
such settlement within ten days under
penalty of being" prosecuted. In such,
manner, therefore, we find the latter day
Trustees watchlno- over the rights and
and claims of the church. Their firm
action secured the end In view, for Nov.
27th, of the same year, the Treasurer re-
ported the settlement of the duplicate in
question.
Matters now passed along In the con-
gregation for a number of years without
any apparent deviation from that quietude
which characterized the church durlnof the
greater portion of her history. But whilst
all seemed quiet and satisfactory, further
trouble was Insidiously working itself tO'
the surface. This seems to have originated
In the old arrangement of the pastor,
whereby part of his time was occupied at
Catasauqua. As we have intimated, the
Catasauqua people had supported the
116 Irish Settlemeitt.
pastor of the old Settlement Church in
part, through the Trustees of the corpora-
tion. As we have pointed out, the
pecuniary affairs of the old church seemed
to be relieved somewhat whilst this was
going on. But In 1859, the Setdement
people again found themselves straitened
for funds to meet their obligations to the
pastor.
A meeting was called Nov. 12th, of this
year, to consider the matter of the support
of the congregation. One-fourth, and
sometimes one-third of the stipends had
been thrown off during several years
previous. This must be discontinued.
Upon mature deliberation It was decided
to Increase the assessments to what they
were In 1843, i^ order to meet the liabilities
of the congregation. The trouble thus
adjusted was but the beginning of a series
which terminated in the dissolution of the
pastoral relation between Mr. Irwin and
the congregation. That portion of the
people living in and near Catasauqua had
formed themselves Into a separate congre-
gation and had built a house of worship.
Mr. Irwin had removed to Catasauqua in
order that he might supply the people
there as well as at the old church and
Academy.
Dissatisfaction arose, from one cause or
another, among the members of the
Irish Settlement. 117
old congregation. Pecuniary difficulties
harassed the Board of Trustees. Troubles
appeared to be rising on all sides. Under
these circumstances, a meeting of the con-
gregation was called July 21st, i860, In the
minutes of which we find the following
record bearing on this subject :
" The object of the meeting having been
stated that, whereas there has been a large
falling off of the members of the congrega-
tion by death, removals, and otherwise,
thereby disabling the Trustees to raise the
pastor's salary ; it was, on motion, resolved,
that a committee be appointed to call on
the pastor, the Rev. Leslie Irwin, and ask
for a reduction of his salary."
This deficiency in the salary took definite
proportions Nov. 14th, at which time the
amount of deficiency being ascertained,
Mr. * * * and Mr. ^= * * were
appointed to take up subscriptions through
the congregation to meet the deficiency.
At the same time Mr. * * '^' was
appointed to confer wath Mr. Irwin upon
the embarrassing state of affairs in the
congregation. This conference resulted In
an agreement between Mr. Irwin and Mr.
* * * as set forth In a loose note
among the papers of the congregation,
containing a memorandum of the same In
the following words :
"Nov. 15th, i860. It is understood and
118 Ii^ish Settlement.
agreed upon between Rev. L. Irwin and
Mr. * * , that Mr. Irwin is to preach
as usual for the sum of '^ * * dollars,
for one year from the 27th inst., and after
that time if necessity, or change of circum-
stances should require any reduction, he
(Mr. Irwin) is willing to make it*"
Such is a brief sketch of the circum-
stances cnf the church in t86o.
We now pass on to 1863. In this year
it was found that repairs were again needed
upon the church building near Weaversville,
as well as upon the wall of the bury-
ing ground. A meeting of the Trustees
was held Nov. 6th, at which time it was
resolved to have the roof of the church
and graveyard wall repaired. The sub-
ject was again brought up in a meeting
held Nov. 14th, at which time it was
decided that the roof on the north side of
the church should be slate, and the grave-
yard wall should be protected by boards
laid lengthwise, until the spring of 1864,
when further action should be taken in
regard to the matter. These seem to have
been the last repairs of any consequence,
put upon the old church building previous
to that general renovation of which we
shall speak hereafter.
In 1845, Joseph Horner was elected
Treasurer of the Board of Trustees. From
year to year he was re-elected for twenty-
hish Settlement.- 119
one years. In January, 1866, he was as
usual elected to that office, but this was for
the last time. He was soon to bid adieu to
earth and all its sorrow^s. As with his pre-
decessor, the best evidence of the fidelity
with which he discharged the duties of the
office is in the confidence manifested by
the Trustees from time to time in re-elect-
ing him to the office. As a man he had
few equals in kindness. Although the
words he spoke were few, he manifested
the nobleness of his heart by that which
speaks louder than words, praiseworthy
actions. All who knew him only knew
him to speak well of him. None could say
they had an enemy in him, for those with
whom he had most to do, and who were
most likely to complain, could not say less
than, "That man was my friend," or "T
loved that man."
Under the trials of a lingering illness
and fatal disease, he exercised the greatest
patience and resignation, never uttering a
murmuring word, or making complaint
against the hand of Providence. In peace
he breathed his last, dying, as far as mortal
eye could see, the death of the Christian.
Appropriate to the character of the man,
the following simple inscription may be
seen upon his tombstone in the old bury-
ing ground, where his remains lie in peace.
120 Irish Settlement,
beyond the cares and turmoil of this
world :
'' I nmemory of Joseph Horner ; born October
24th, 1790; died January 27th, 1866."
A meeting of the Trustees was held at
the house of Mr. John Agnew, March 7th,
to elect a new Treasurer. At this meeting
Mr. Joseph Brown resigned the office of
President of the Board, which he held at
the time, and Mr. Thomas Clendlnen was
chosen In his place. Then Mr. Brown was
elected Treasurer, which office he has con-
tinued to hold to the present time, (1875.)
The Trustees In session, January 7th,
1867, took Into consideration the unattrac-
tive appearance of the old burying ground.
It was very uneven, and Infested with
weeds and briers, which though cut down
from year to year, as often grew up again,
and made the appearance of the grounds
forbidding. In order to Improve the ap-
pearance of the place, the following reso-
lution was offered by Mr. Joseph Brown In
regard to the matter :
" On motion of Joseph Brown, a resolu-
tion was passed to employ some suitable
person to fix the graves and level the
ground In the graveyard ; the necessary
expenses to be paid out of the treasury."
This resolution was carried into effect,,
and the old burying ground thoroughly
Irish Settlemait. 121
renovated. The inequalities in the surface
of the ground have, to a large extent, been
removed. The graves have been properly
filled up ; old and tottering tombstones
have been reset; some of the older people
have put neat and substantial railings
around the graves of their ancestors ;
and evergreens have to some extent been
planted. These, with the green sward
that now meets the eye on entering, in
contrast with the former brambles, give
the old burying ground an inviting aspect ;
and show the care which the present gen-
eration are bestowing upon the place
where lie the ashes of our ancestors. The
whole is protected by a substantial stone
wall, kept in suitable repair. Those who
live far away from those scenes which sur-
rounded their ancestors, may be a"ssured
that the resting places of these are pro-
perly cared for.
We have alluded to the difficulties which
arose in the congregation in i860, and how
they were adjusted. This, it seems, was
but a temporary accommodation of affairs
of the congregation which were in a very
discouraging condition. As we have pre-
viously intimated, Mr. Irwin, for a number
of years, lived in Catasauqua, preaching to
the old congregation and new one at the
same time. The division of his time in
this manner gave grounds for dissatisfac-
122 Irish Settlement.
tion on the part of the members belonging
to the old congregation. From some cause
or other, be it more or less clearly defined,
Mr. Irwin deemed it expedient for him to
remove from Catasauqua to his farm, per-
haps a half mile below Bath. This he did
in 1864. Having given up his charge in
Catasauqua, he now ministered exclusively
to the old congregation, preaching alter-
nately at the church near Weaversville, and
at the Academy near Bath. Now living
among his people, in the eastern part of
the congregation, he endeavored to stay the
decline of the church, which had become
so manifest. Whether it originated in the
old dissatisfaction or was based upon some
other cause we are not prepared to state ;
at all events the pastor did not seem to
command that co-operation of his people
which was so essential to success in the
existing state of affairs. Many of the
children in the congregation had not been
baptized in infancy. Those who had been,
and had grown up to be young men and
young women, did not seem to be coming
up to the responsibilities of church member-
ship, as might properly have been expected
of them. The pastor agitated the subject
of erectinor a new church buildingf in the
town of Bath. The members of the church
seemed to feel that this project would not
be successful under the circumstances.
Irish SeUlemeiif. 123
At all events they do not seem to have
responded to the suggestions of the pastor
in as full and prompt a manner as was
calculated to make the project successful.
Thus matters went on for a year or two
previous to the spring of 1868. Some
time before the meeting of Presbytery,
(Second of Philadelphia,) in April, 1868,
Mr. Irwin left the conorreoratlon. Mn
Joseph Brown and Mr. John Horner ap-
peared at the meeting of Presbytery at
Catasauqua in April, as commissioners
from the congregation, in accordance with
the appointment of a meeting held March
28th. In view of the state of affairs the
congregation having consented thereto, the
pastoral relation was dissolved. Thus the
church became vacant after enjoying the
pastoral services of Mr. Irwin for more
than thirty years.
From the meeting of Presbytery in 1868
to Nov., 1869, the congregation was vacant.
During this time the pulpit was supplied
by various persons from various sources.
Occasional sermons were preached by
members of the Second Presbytery of
Philadelphia. Other ministers would
preach for the people as occasion would
direct. From Sept., 1868, to April, 1869,
numerous supplies went from the Theolo-
gical Seminary at Princeton, N. J. Among^
these, from the class of 1869, may be
124 Irish Settlemeiit.
mentioned Mr. W. W. Heberton, son of
Rev. Alex. Heberton, former stated sup-
ply to the congregation. The Rev. W.
W. Heberton is now (1875) pastor at
Elkton, Md. Mr. L. W. Eckard, since
Missionary to China, but now pastor at
Abington, Pa., Mr. Andrew H. Parker,
pastor at East Kishoquillas, Pa., Mr. John
Murdock, for a time since pastor at Islip,
L. I., Mr. A. P. Kelso, now Missionary to
India, Mr. Jacob Krewson, pastor at For-
restville, Bucks county, Pa,, Mr. Wm. G.
Cairns, pastor at Cream Ridge, N. J., Mr.
R. P. Gibson, pastor at Silver Spring, Pa.,
Mr. Chas. S. Wood, of Richwood, O., Mr.
W. S. C. Webster, of Elizabeth, N. J.,
and perhaps a few others, supplied the
pulpit upon one or more occasions. The
writer of these pages also preached a few
times whilst visiting among the people.
The congregation were so well pleased
with the services of Mr. Jacob Krewson,
that they extended a call to him to become
their pastor, in the spring of 1869. This,
however, was declined on the part of Mr.
Krewson. From the class of 1870 in
Princeton Theological Seminary, Mr. John
Turner, now pastor at Thompson Ridge,
N. Y., Mr. John D. Hewitt, pastor at
Ringoes, N. J., and Mr. W. W. Curds, of
Silver City, New Mexico, may be mentioned
Irish Settlement. 125
as supplying the pulpit upon one or more
occasions.
Mr. Curtis was the regular supply dur-
ing the summer of 1869. His preaching
was greatly blessed to the people. To
his labors at this time may largely be at-
tributed the improved temporal and spirit-
ual condition of the congregation since.
He has many warm friends among the old
Settlement people, and has been the means
of interesting them in benevolent enter-
prises beyond their own bounds since his
sojourn among them.
Many have been the needy Christians
in the missionary fields of the west who
have been clad and encouraged by bene-
factions from the Settlement, drawn forth
through the solicitations of Mr. Curtis.
Mr. Curtis, not having completed his theo-
logical studies, left the people in the fall of
1869, and returned to Princeton. Thus
we are brought down to the present pas-
torate.
326 Irish Settlement
CHAPTER VIL
1870-1875.
^ITH the re-union of 1870 the church
came under the care of the Pres-
bytery of Lehigh.
During the summer of 1869, the Rev.
David M. James, pastor of the Mount
OHve Presbyterian Church, N. J., visited
the Settlement and preached for the peo-
ple. The congregation perceived in him
the proper qualifications of mind and heart
to make a suitable pastor for them. They
without delay extended a call to him. Not-
withstanding the temporal and spiritual
condition of the church was not of the
most inviting character at the time, be it
said to the lasting credit of Mr. James, he
did not decline to enter upon the work to
which God by his Providence seemed to be
calling him. He accepted the call of the
people, and the Presbytery proceeded to
make arrangements for his installation^
This took place November 9th, 1869. We
cannot do better than give the words of
one who was an eye-witness of, and par-
ticipated in the interesting services of Mn
Irtish SettlemenL 127
James' Installation, which were so auspi-
cious for the future of this old historic
church. We find them in 'the "Presby-
terian," of November 27th, 1869, as fol-
lows :
" Messrs. Editors : — The Rev David M. James
was installed pastor of the Allen Township Presby-
terian Church on the afternoon of the 9th inst.
The Rev. Mr. Banks, of Easton, Pa., presided and
preached ; the Rev. Mr. Kerr delivered a very appro-
priate charge to the pastor, and the Rev. Mr. Fulton,
of Catasaquua, Pa., the charge to the people. The
exercises throughout were of an interesting and im-
pressive character. We congratulate this congrega-
tion upon their happy selection of a pastor. Mr.
James is an Alumnus of Lafayette College, and a
graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary. He
has been for a number of years the efficient pastor of
Mount Olive Church, New Jersey. He now comes to
a church of historic interest. Although its member-
ship has been largely reduced by removals, those
very changes which have been its loss, have been
great gain to the cause of Christ, and of Presbyte-
rianism in many other parts of the country, particu-
larly in the middle and western states. For more
than one hundred and thirty years the descendants of
a respectable and thoroughly indoctrinated Scotch-
Irish ancestfy have been maintaining and propagat-
ing the faith of their fathers in this region, and
sending forth an element and influence that shall
live and last and operate in the Presbyterian Church,
where perhaps much of a present, but ephemeral
notoriety will be unheard of. In connection with
the ministry of this church, either of regular pastorate
or supply, we find the names of Revs. Gilbert Ten-
nent, by Wtiom the church was organized in 1738 ;
James Campbell, 1740; Beatty, 1743; David Brainerd,
1744; Lawrence, 1747 ; John Clark, 1762 ; John Res-
128 Irish Settlement.
brugh, 1719 ; Alexander Mitchel, 1777 ; James Sproat,
1778 ; Francis Peppard, 1783 ; Robert Russel, 1798 ;
Alexander Heberlon, 1827 ; William Mcjimsey, 1831 ;
Brogan Hoff, 1833 ; and Leslie Irwin, 1835. Of these
are men of God whose praise still lives in the churches,
and whose record shall be forever on high. Mr.
Irwin served this church faithfully for about thirty
years, and since liis removal to the west, in r868, the
church has been without a regular pastor until now,
although many acceptable supplies have filled the
pulpit ; in particular Mr. Curtis, now of the Theolo-
gical Seminary, Princeton, whose labors here during
the past summer have been greatly blessed to the
people. Mr. James now enters upon this charge
under very encouraging circumstances. He enjoys
their merited confidence, while they are much united
and revived under his ministry. At their last com-
munion season, twenty persons were united to the
membership of the church. They have now con-
cluded to erect a new church at Bath. And from
the need of a new Presbyterian Church, particularly
at this point, from the ability of the people, and
from the interest they now manifest in this worthy
enterprise, we are persuaded the good work will soon
be accomplished And also that a rich blessing is yet
in store for the descendants of those fathers who con-
secrated this ground with their tears, when they re-
tired to weep under the hazel bushes, with the
message of Jesus from the burning lips of David
Brainerd in their hearts.
"Lehigh."
We have Intimated that at the time Mr.
James was called to the pastorate of the
church, her prospects temporally and spir-
itually were not of the most encouraging
character. We might say they were ex-
ceedingly discouraging. It was about that
h'ish Settleme7it, 129
time the foregoing pages were written, sub-
stantially as the reader here finds them.
With the circumstances of the congregation
vividly before the mind, we then wrote as
follows: We cannot turn from the record
of these events, simple and comparatively
unimportant as some of them may seem,
without reflecting upon the mutability of
all things here below. Those who founded,
and who were for many years the staunch
supporters of the church, have all passed
away. We open those old records and
read name after name whose counterpart
we find upon many a tombstone In the old
graveyard. Here, too, are the monuments
which were raised to the memory of the
dead when we had no national existence.
When we walk through this old city of the
dead and read the names of those who
were laid low in the tomb a hundred years
ago, and then look out upon the splendor
of our nation which has risen since these
were laid there, we pause and ask our-
selves, can all this have transpired in so
short a time ? There attach themselves to
these sacred spots, which seem as links to
bind us to a former age, such hallowed
associations as make the passer by pause
and consider, when and under what circum-
stances in the distant future some one may
pay the same tribute of respect to his
memory. Here are the evidences of work
7
130 Irish Settlement. '
performed by our ancestors when those
beautiful surrounding hills and vales were
covered with the primeval forests. Here
are designated the last resting places of
those who encountered the trials of an
early settler's life, braved winter storms
and a savage foe in an age gone by.
When we consider, too, the various estates
which in that early day were held by our
Scotch-Irish ancestry, and now see so
many of them possessed by those of another
nationality, we ask ourselves, shall this
course of disintegration and decay con-
tinue ? Shall that name which has for
nearly one hundred and fifty years desig-
nated this beautiful region, to which so many
in the various parts of our broad land are
pleased to trace their ancestry, be lost in
•oblivion ? Shall we hear no more of the
Irish Setdement? Shall those old build-
ings where the praises of God have been
celebrated for the last half or three-quar-
ters of a century, be deserted and desolate?
Shall those old pews, which speak of better
days, be empty and forgotten? Shall those
old walls decay, totter and fall, no more to
rise ? Shall these, like the forms of those
who reared them to the service of God,
sink beneath the sod ? Alas, we fear such
must be their fate. Decay and desolation
seem to be written upon those old walls.
Yet this change from brightness to shade
Irish Settlement. 131
in the prospects of the old time honored
church, is not attributable to the faithful
few who continue to resort there for
worship. Those old walls are as dear to
them as were the walls of a once magnifi-
cent Jerusalem to the Jews. It is a higher
and miohtier hand than man's that is work-
ing. If the praises of God cease to be
celebrated in these sacred retreats, by
those of the nationalities which instituted
His praise there, let it be remembered that
from these have gone out streams to make
glad the city of our God, As a church
God has been, and "is in the midst of her;
she shall not be moved ; God shall help
her, and that right early."
Such was the feeling which the circum-
stances of the congregation created within
our mind at the commencement of the
pastorate of Mr. James. Whilst we ex-
pressed that feeling, since five or six years
have rolled by we find we quoted the
words q{ the sacred writer in a wonderfully
prophetic manner. We declared that God
had been and was in the midst of the old
church, and that he would help her, and
that right early. This has been proven to
be emphatically true. God did help her,
and that right early, as we shall presendy
see.
Before we speak of the present pros-
perity of the church, let us make a brief
132 IiHsh Settlement.
resume of the circumstances which appa-
rently led to the decline and threatened the
extinction of the congregation.
Allen and East Allen Townships were
the centre of what was known In earlier
days as the Irish Settlement. After the
Settlement was commenced, In 1728, and
grew under the auspices of the Aliens,
who were friends of Presbyterlanism, peo-
ple of Scotch and Irish extraction, and
imbued with the principles of Presbyterian-
ism, Immigrated thither. The surrounding
country at that time was to a large extent
a wilderness. Thus it can be clearly seen
how all the circumstances In the early days
of the Settlement were conducive to the
prosperity of the church. Her star was
then in the ascendant. As families moved
into the neighborhood, and the children
^rew up, the church was proportlonably
strengthened. But there was a limit to
this tide of fortune. The time came when
immigration to the Setdement to a large
degree, if not wholly, ceased. The sur-
rounding country began to be filled up with
that thrifty and substantial class of people
known as the Pennsylvania Germans.
There was no room for the Settlement to
grow in proportions, and no new supply of
material from abroad to make it grow.
Thus we can see how the Settlement and
her church was brought to a standsdll,
Irish Settlement. Ic3
so far as her prosperity was concerned.
But coming to a standstill was but to begin
a retrograde movement. The families of
the old settlers growing up, must be pro-
vided for. There was no inviting and
economical mode of providing for them in
the bounds of the old Settlement. Neces-
sity, therefore, compelled the people to
look beyond the Setdement for homes for
their children. In addition to this natural
cause of emigration, difficulties with regard
to land titles, growing out of the results of
the American Revolution, tended in the same
direction. The question now arose as to
whether the children in the families should
seek homes in the newer portions of the
country, or whether the whole families
should emigrate and settle where all could
live in close proximity to each other.
The latter plan seems to have been to a
large degree adopted. This emigration of
families from the Settlement to other parts
of the country has been insidiously going
on, to a greater or less degree, for more
than seventy years. Through this the de-
scendants of the old settlers may be found
to-day scattered along the banks of the
Susquehanna, in Centre county, in Chester
county, in Pittsburgh and vicinity. Hosts of
these descendants may be found in the
Genesee country, in western New York; in
fact they are scattered all over the Middle
134 Irish Settlemenf.-
and Western States, to the latter of which
they have gone as by a second emigration.
They have carried Presbyterianism with
them, so that it may truly be said that from
the old Setdement have gone forth streams
which have made glad the city of our God.
This constant removal of families, as we
have endeavored to point out in the fore-
going pages, wrought its legitimate effects
upon the old mother church. She was
slowly dying from disintegration. The
question may be asked why the community
which has ever been populous in the Setde-
ment, did not supply material for the
church in place of that which was lost by
emigration ? This question may be an-
swered by callino- attention to the fact that
it was almost universally the case that
when a Scotch or Irish family removed,
their property fell into the hands of a Penn-
sylvania German. In fact, this substantial
class of our citizens have for many years
been pressing hard upon the precincts of
the old Settlement. Their inclinations, so
far 'as church relations are concerned, have
ever been toward the Lutheran and Ger-
man Reformed denominations. They have
ever gone upon the assumption, apparently,
that they were not expected to take an in-
terest in the old Settlement Presbyterian
Church. On the other hand, the Scotch-
Irish element, apparently, went upon the
Irish Settlement. 135
assumption that it was their mission to con-
serve the interests of Presbyterianism in
the community. Whilst ready enough to
extend the hand of fellowship to a German
brother-Christian, they do not seem to have
made any strenuous efforts to enlist the
sympathies of these people in the affairs of
the old Settlement Church. Thus we can
see how death and emigration would work
their ravages upon the church, with com-
paratively nothing to counteract their influ-
ence. Under the influence of these and
other causes, we may truly say the church
was threatened with utter extinction. So
it seemed about the time the pastorate of
Mr. James commenced. The old church
near Weaversville, had in appearance fallen
far benina the aee. mere was stiii die
high narrow pulpit with its winding stairs
at one side, just as they had been built, for
aught we could learn, more than sixty years
ago. There were the old fashioned straight
high backed pews in which the members of
the church had sat from infancy to old age.
There were the old posts, placed to sup-
port the joined wooden ceiling long before
the recollection of the younger members of
the church. There was the old communion
table, with its beautifully carved legs, telling
of an age gone by. The old walls were
stained and begrimed through the leaking
of the decaying roof. Such was the old
136 Irish Settlernenf,
church near Weaversvllle. Nor was the
Old Academy, the other place of preach-
ing, much more inviting. It had been built
for school purposes, but when the waning
fortunes of the Settlement divested it of
its impprtance as an institution of learning,
it was accommodated to the uses of public
worship. But there remained the old plat-
form, extending across the entire southern
end of the room. In the middle of this
was the semi-circuiar railing which sup-
ported the pulpit board. Time had made
an indelible impression upon the old leather
covered Bible, and had riddled the old
cloth screen upon the railing, putting it in
sad contrast with the brass headed tacks
which held it in position and which grew
brighter and brighter as furbished by the
vestments of the men of God from year to
year.
In front of the minister s face, and where
he could almost touch it with his hands as
he proclaimed the word of truth, was the
old fashioned stove with its pipe rusting
through under the corroding hand of time.
Upon the minister's right were the benches,
apparently made only for temporary use
many years before, upon which sat the
male portion of the congregation. On the
left were similar benches occupied by the
females. The walls and ceiling were dis-
colored and unsightly. In short, the whole
Irish Settlement, 137
appearance of the house of worship was
uncomfortable, uninviting, and out of date.
This aspect of the buildings and the
depleted resources of the congregation,
made us, as the descendant of one of- the
old families, tremble for the ark of God in
the Settlement. It was under these influ-
ences we penned the picture which we
have inserted above. But it has been
truly said, the darkest hour Is just before
dawn. So it proved to be In this case.
The people were not deceived in their
estimate of Mr. James when they called
him to the pastorate, in 1869. A man of
experience in the pastorate, and knowing
ho-w to win the hearts of those outside of
the church as well as In It, he was the right
man In the right place, to accomplish a
good work for God and Presbyterian ism
within the bounds of the old Settlement.
We must now call attention to the result
of a quiet work which has been going on
among our Pennsylvania German citizens,
and which has so favorably manifested
itself in the bounds of the old Irish Setde-
ment. The present generation have been
under the Influence of our common school
system. The result of this has been to in-
troduce the English language to a large
extent among the German population. It
perhaps may be truly said, that the
younger generation of Germans In North-
7*
138 Irish Settlement.
ampton and other counties, now generally
use the English language in ordinary con-
versation. This being the case, it would
be natural for them to have a desire to
listen to English preaching, by ministers
who always had spoken the English
language. This has manifested itself in
the town of Bath, whose population is
almost exclusively Pennsylvania German.
The younger people speak, generally, the
English language. They have enjoyed
suitable church privileges under the minis-
try of the Lutheran and German Reformed
Churches where the German and English
languages have been used interchangeably.
But whilst they have been appropriately
indoctrinated in the great fundamental
principles of Christianity in this way, they
have manifested a desire for English
preaching.
Mr. James, and the remnant of the old
Settlement people, were quick to discover
this auspicious change in the sentiments of
their worthy neighbors, and take advantage
of it for the welfare and advancement of
the Presbyterian Church. Another aus-
picious circumstance was the spiritual
awakening among the people, apparently
through the instrumentality of the Rev.
Mr. Curtis, just previous to Mr. Jsmes'
entrance upon his pastorate. We learn
that at the sacramental occasion previous to
Irish Settlement. 139
Mr. James' installation, twenty persons
connected themselves with the church.
Thus were the people spiritually enlivened
and strencrthened for the work which was
o ...
before them. Another auspicious circum-
stance was the fact that whilst God by his
providence had depleted the ranks of the
old Settlement people, he had granted a
goodly portion of this world's goods tO'
those who remained.
Under these circumstances it was decided
that the time had arrived for building a
Presbyterian Church in Bath. The mem-
bers of the church resolved to do their
part, and seek the aid and co-operation of
others in the community, and especially of
those living in Bath. Be it said to the last-
ing credit of all, that the old Settlement
people responded liberally when called
upon for this purpose, and the Bath peo-
ple, as well as others more distant, heartily
seconded their efforts. Of those who did:
so in the congregation we might mentioa
the names of Mrs. Margaret Horner, wife
of the late Joseph Horner, who so long
and so faithfully served the church as-
Treasurer, together with her two daughters;
the late Judge James Kennedy, whose:
name for many years was familiar in the
church; Mrs. Dr. Boyd, daughter of James.
Clyde, whose name appears frequendy
amonof the Trustees of the conorregation ;
140 Irish Settlement.
Mr. Joseph Brown; Mr. John Horner, son
of Hu^h Horner, whose name is prominent
among the Trustees of former days ; Mr.
Hugh R. Horner, son of Robert Horner,
who so long and so faithfully served the
conerecration as Treasurer ; Thomas Clen-
dinen, and others whose names would not
sound so familiar to those who now live
beyond the bounds of the Settlement.
Of those outside of the congregation we
might mention the names of James Vleit,
Esq., Dr. Shull, of Bethlehem, Wm. Chap-
man, and others. In seeking a location in
Bath the people desired one sufficiently
central and still appropriately retired.
Upon the road leading from Blethlehem to
Bath, upon a beautifully shaded portion of
the street, not more than two squares from
the business portion of the town, they found
and secured a lot combining admirably
the requisite qualifications. The lot was
purchased Monday, Jan. 31st, 1870. Here,
under the superintendence of Mr. Hugh R.
Horner, and James Vleit, Esq., in 1870, the
people erected a neat and commodious
house of worship. The building stands
back from the sidewalk ten or fifteen feet,
and is on the west side of the street. It is
a substandal brick structure thirty-eight by
sixty feet. From the main entrance, out
of the vestibule, a step or two down leads
into the Sabbath school and lecture room.
Irish Settlement. 141
Here may be found a cheerful and attrac-
tive place of worship. Maps, charts and
other modern appliances are at hand for
the proper Instruction of the children and
people. To remind all of " the hole of the
pit" whence they have been dug, the old
seats from the Academy, altered and made
more comfortable, are made to do service
in seating the congregation. Here are the
large heaters by which the main audience
room above is warmed. Here the people
hold their fairs, festivals, and enjoy many
social occasions.
Ascending to the main audience room
we find all the surroundings cheerful and
inviting. The pulpit is neat and of the
latest and most approved pattern. In the
rear of the pulpit may be seen richly
carved and upholstered chairs, the gift of
Mrs. Margaret Horner. In front may be
seen a beautiful table, the gift of Mrs.
Webster, of Mauch Chunk. In the oppo-
site end of the room may be seen a con-
veniently constructed choir gallery, in
which may be found a suitable church
organ, the gift of the Misses Sallie and
Jennie Horner. Upon the pulpit board is
a beautiful Bible, the gift of Miss Maria
Insley. The pews are sixty-three in num-
ber and are calculated to seat comfortably
three hundred and fifty persons. They are
ash, oiled and finished with walnut scrolls
142 Irish Settleme^it.
and tops. The windows are stained glass.
The room Is made comfortable In winter
by heaters In the basement. The building
is surmounted by a symmetrical and attrac-
tive spire. In the tower has been placed
a suitable bell which calls the worshipers
tocrether from time to time. This whole
munificent gift of some $8;ooo to $10,000
value was dedicated to the service of
Almighty God on Thanksgiving day, Nov.
24th, 1870. " In the morning, at 1 1 o'clock,
the dedicatory services were conducted by
the pastor, Rev. David M. James, assisted
by Rev. D. S. Banks, who preached an
appropriate and interesting sermon." In
the evening, addresses were delivered
by Rev. Messrs. J. W. Wood, of Allen-
town, Wm. Fulton, of Catasauqua, and D.
S. Banks, of Easton." "Two venerable
members, Judge James Kennedy, and Mrs.
Nancy Boyd, who contributed so liberally
and who have expressed such earnest
desires to see the church completed, were
both present, though past eighty years of
ajre, and enjoyed the services with all the
fervor of former years."
Such are extracts from the report of the
dedicatory services, made at th@ time.
In this new building Mr. James preaches
from time to time to interested and largely
increased audiences, composed to at grati-
fying degree of citizens of Bath.
Irish Settlement. 143
The old Academy has been sold and
dismantled. Whilst the exterior presents
the same general appearance, little remains
within to remind the beholder of days gone
by when Governor Wolf, Thomas McKeen,
and their compeers, frequented it. Ere we
bid the old building a final farewell, we
may be permitted to insert here a reminis-
cence of her beginning, communicated to
us by Mr. Samuel McNair, of Broadheads,
Wisconsin. We give it in his own words :
" Rev. John Rosbrugh was the father of
James (Rosbrugh,) who used to tell an
anecdote connected with the history of the
building of the Academy, at Bath ; which
was as follows : He, with a number of
other young men, wanted the advantage of
somethlno- better than a common school
education, and they took measures to build
by subscription. He called on a Dutch-
man by the name^ of George Wolf for aid,
but Mr. Wolf refused by saying, ' Dat dis
edecatlon ant dings make raskels.' He
refused at first, but I believe did afterwards
help to build It. But in the course of the
conversation, Mr. Rosbrugh told him that
his sons, George and Philip, would have
the advantage of an education, and that his
son George might be Governor sooner or
later. * Veil den, ven my George is Gob-
ernor he will be queer times.'
"The sequel of the matter was that
144 Irish Settlejue^it.
George Wolf got his English education in
the old Academy, and after his election,
(to the Governorship of the state,) it all
came to the mind of Mr. Rosbrugh, who
used to take pride in telling it."
Thus we see the beginning and the end
of the old Academy which served the
people as a place of worship for nearly
sixty years. We cannot speak of the old
church near Weaversville, the other place
of preaching, as we have spoken of the
Academy. Ever since the old Academy
was decided upon as a place of preaching,
in 1813, it may emphatically be said there
have been " two sides " in the congregation.
Each side has manifested, from time to
time, a lively concern lest the "other side"
should become possessed of undue advan-
tages in church accommodations. The
new church being erected in Bath, and the
old Academy abandoned, the east side had
obtained a great ascendancy over the west
side. The people on the west side per-
ceived that unless something was done,
and that speedily, at the old location, there
was great danger that the old church would
be deserted and fall into decay, being
eclipsed by the new building in Bath.
Accordingly the people of the west side
urged the entire renovation of the old
church building, erected in 181 3, near
Weaversville. The work was undertaken
Ii'ish Settlement. 145
simultaneously with the erection of the new
church in Bath. It had been the custom
to enter by two doors on the south side of
the building. These were masoned up
and a new one opened at the east end of
the building ; over this a substantial frame
vestibule was erected. All the old exterior
stone wall was hidden by being encased in
a wooden siding which was painted white.
Instead of the rusty old stone building
which had stood for nearly sixty years, it
was made to wear the appearance of a
neat frame structure. Internally, all was
changed. The old high narrow pulpit,
with its winding stairs at the one side,
which stood at the north side of the room,
was removed. In its stead, at the west
end of the room, a modern, comfortable
and attractive pulpit and platform were
erected. The old supporting posts in the
middle of the room were removed, and the
ceiling strengthened by a truss in the attic.
The old high-back pews were removed,
and modern and more comfortable ones
put in their place, facing to the west instead
of the north. An elevated platform was
erected in the rear of the audience, near the
new entrance, for the choir, and an organ
was provided for their use. The walls
and ceiling were divested of their smoke
and stains, and arrayed in pure white. In
short, the whole building was thoroughly
146 Irish Settlement.
renovated and rejuvenated. The old
school house, which stood between the
church and the road, was removed. A
neat pale fence was built around the
church lot, and the grounds put in appro-
priate order. All was made to wear the
appearance of comfort and convenience.
It was re-occupied for divine service,
December 4th, 1870. Thus has the old
Church in the Setdement renewed her
youth.
Under the pastorate of Mr. James they
are moving along harmoniously and do-
ing a good work for God and Presbyte-
rianism in the community. The English
speaking portion of the German community
of Bath and vicinity, seem to be interested
m the new lite ot tne ola bettiemeni
Church. The Settlement people are ex-
tending the hand of Christian fellowship
to their worthy friends and neighbors, and
they are responding to a commendable de-
gree by pecuniary support and substantial
Christian work. The church, amid the new
circumstances into which she has come, is
laboring to make all feel in the community
that they are welcome to all her privileges
and blessings. It is hoped, also, by all who
feel an interest in the church outside of as
well as within the precincts of the old Irish
Settlement, that those who occupy the
places once filled by the Scotch and Irish
Irish Settleme7it. 14 T
people, will take up and sustain the good
old heritage of Presbyterianism which has
been handed down from generation to
generation in their midst. That they will
do this we have every reason to believe,
judging from the disposition already shown
on their part in the matter. We are re-
joiced to be able to take up and re-echo,
upon the eve of the Centennial of our
American Independence, the words of an
encouraged pastor in the old Irish Settle-
ment Church, that,
'' There is as good a prospect for a Pres-
byterian Church to continue a hundred
years to come, as there was a hundred
years ago," when the pastor of the church,
Rev. John Rosbrugh, was murdered by a
relentless British foe, as he did his part to
secure our National Independence,
148 Irish Settlement.
CHAPTER VIII.
SKETCHES OF PASTORS.
REV. ELEAZER WALES.
HE first pastor of the Settlement
Church seems to have been Rev.
Eleazer Wales. What the ecclesi-
astical antecedents of Mr. Wales were, pre-
vious to 1731, we have not been able to
learn. That year, however, his name
appeared, we believe, for the first time, in
the minutes of the Synod of Philadelphia.
Although we have not positive evidence in
the case, it is to be presumed he became
pastor of the Settlement Church about that
time. At all events, that year Thomas
Craig appeared in Synod as an elder. We
presume this was the same Thomas Craig
who, in 1728, started what was afterwards
known as the Craig, or Irish Settlement.
The presumption that Mr. Wales was
pastor and Mr. Craig elder in the Settlement
Church, in 1731, becomes almost certain
when we observe that this pastoral relation
is alluded to and dealt with shordy after.
Irish Settlement. 149
We are informed by the minutes of the
Presbytery of Philadelphia, that the pas-
toral relation between Mr. Wales and the
Settlement, or Allentown congregation,
Avas dissolved in 1734. We find that dur-
ing each meeting of the Synod from 1731
to 1735, Mr. Wales was present. In 1736,
he is marked absent. In 1737 and 1738,
we believe his name does not appear
at all. In 1739, he is reported as a
member of the Presbytery of New
Brunswick. It seems after leaving the
Settlement Church he became pastor for
a short time, of the Middle Smithfield
Church. Dr. D. X. Junkin, in his Histori-
cal Discourse at the Semi-Centennial of the
Presbytery of Newton, in speaking of
Middle Smithfield, says :
" A little log church was built about
1725. * * * It is supposed that Rev.
Azariah Horton, before mentioned as
David Brainerd's forerunner, preached the
first sermon in English, in 1741, or '42.
He preached in the little log church. * "^
* * * A Rev. Mr. Wales, from Allen
Township seems to have been the earliest
setded pastor. A Rev. Mr. Rhodes was
also a laborer in that field, with much
success; both of them between 1750 and
the opening of the War of the Revolution."
We suppose Dr. Junkin had good
authority for making this statement with
150 Irish SettlemenL
reference to Mr. Wales, thou eh he has
erred in assigning labor to him between
1 750 and the Revolution. Mr. Wales died
previous to Nov. 7th, 1750.
From all the data, we infer that Mr. Wales
was dismissed from the Presbytery of Phila-
delphia in 1735, or '36, and connected him-
self with the Presbytery of New York.
When the brethren assembled at New
Brunswick, on the afternoon of Aug. 8th,
^7c>^'> foi" the purpose of constituting the
Presbytery of New Brunswick, Mr. Wales
was one of the members, being received
from the Presbytery of New York, Thus
he is regularly reported* to Synod in 1739,
as a member of the New Brunswick Pres-
bytery.
At the first meeting of Presbytery, Aug,
8th, 1738, "Upon a supplication made by
Joshua Nichols, in behalf of the people of
Pepack, and other adjacent parts, desiring
some supplies of preaching, agreed that
Mr. Wales preach at John Fraiser's upon
the third Sabbath of this Inst.; upon the
Monday following at Edward Barber's ; and
upon the Tuesday at Amwell Meeting
House."
He may have been, previous to this, or
now became pastor at Smithfield for a short
time, as suggested by Dr. Junkin. But
during the greater part of his time in con-
nection with the Presbytery of New Bruns-
Irish Settlement. 151
wick, he was pastor of the church of King-
ston, near Princeton, N. J.
While in this charge, in 1743, he sup-
phed at Freehold the first Sabbath in
February, April and May. In 1744, he
supplied the Settlement Church the two
last Sabbaths in September and first
in October, as we have seen in the
History of the Church. In 1746, he was
appointed to supply two Sabbaths at Hope-
well and Maiden Head. It was represented
to Presbytery, May i6th, 1750, that he was
too infirm and weak to attend to ministerial
duties in his congregation, and supplies
were sent to the people. Shortly after this
he died. At a meeting of Presbytery, Nov.
7th, 1750, the following simple record is
made :
" Mr. Eleazer Wales, one of our mem-
bers, has been removed by death since our
last."
152 Irish Settlement.
REV. DANIEL LAWRENCE.
The Rev. Daniel Lawrence was the
second pastor in the Irish Settlement.
He was a pupil of Rev. William Tennent,
and pursued his studies at the '' Log-
College." On the 1 2th of September,
1744, he appeared before the Pres-
bytery of New Brunswick and was
received under their care as a candidate
for the Gospel ministry. His parts of trial
were assigned him at this meeting of Pres-
bytery. At a meeting held in Philadelphia,
October 2d and 3d, 1744, he was examined
on his parts of trial and his examinations
sustained. At the Spring meeting, held in
Philadelphia, May 28th, 1745, he appeared
before Presbytery and was licensed to
preach the Gospel. Having been licensed,
he preached the next month (the last Sab-'
bath in June, 1 745.) at the " Forks of Dela-
ware," or Irish Setdement, and Greenwich.
Presbytery convened September 20th, of
this year, at which time two calls were
brought in for the pastoral services of Mr.
Lawrence. The one was from the two
Bethlehems, in New Jersey ; the other from
Maiden Head and Hopewell. Mr. Law-
Irish SettlemenL 153
rence not being present at the meeting,
consideration of these calls was deferred
until the next meeting. Under the cir-
cumstances he was directed to supply two
Sabbaths at Maiden Head and Hopewell,
and then repair to the " Forks of Dela-
ware." He was to supply two-thirds of his
time in the Forks, and devote the other
third to the two Bethlehems. At a meet-
ing of Presbytery, July 21st, 1746, a suppli-
cation was sent in from the congregations
of Maiden Head and Hopewell, requesting
the labors of Mr. Lawrence until the next
meeting of Presbytery, by way of trial, with
a view to his settlement among them.
Also a similar supplication from the "Forks
of Delaware," for his services for one year
with a view to his settlement there. Like-
wise a supplication from the two Bethle-
hems, in New Jersey, for the same pur-
pose. Some people from Oxford Furnace,
also, supplicated that they might share the
labors of Mr. Lawrence in case he should
be appointed to supply the " Forks of Del-
aware." In the midst of this clamor, as it
were, for the services of Mr. Lawrence, the
Presbytery returned him to his labors in
the Forks, with instructions to preach every
fifth Sabbath at Tunis Quick's, (?) in the
^' Forks of Delaware." Thus things re-
mained until the meeting of Presbytery,
October 1 6th, of this year. At this meet-
3
154 Irish Settlement
ing, the people In the Forks renewed their
call for Mr. Lawrence to undertake the
pastoral charge among them. The matter
being proposed to him by Presbytery, he
signified his acceptance of the call. Pres-
bytery thereupon appointed a committee
to ordain him. This committee was com-
posed of Rev. Richard Treat, Rev. James
Campbell, Rev. James Davenport, Rev.
James McCree, and Rev. Charles Beatty.
This committee was to meet in the " Forks
of Delaware," April ist, 1747, at which
time Mr. Lawrence was to preach a trial
sermon from John iii, 18, "He that be-
lleveth on him Is not condemned ; but he
that believeth not Is condemned already,
because he hath not believed in the name
of the only begotten Son of God." At the
same time he was to hand In a Latin
exegesis. The committee convened at the
time and place appointed. Mr. Lawrence
preached his sermon and handed in his
exegesis. All parts of trial being sus«
talned, the committee proceeded the next
day, (April 2d, i 747,) to ordain him to the
work of the Gospel ministry, and Install
him pastor of the two churches In the
Forks, viz : Allentown and Mount Bethel.
On account of 111 health and other
causes, he spent the winter of 1747 and
the spring of 1748 at Cape May. By
direction of the Synod of New York, given
Irish Settlement 155
May 19th, 1748, the Presbytery of New
Brunswick returned him ao^ain in the
spring of 1748 to supply a few Sabbaths
at Cape May. Having fulfilled the mission
of the Presbytery he returned and con-
tinued his labors In the Settlement until
the spring of 1752. At this time he was
connected with the Presbytery of Ablngton,
which had been erected the previous year.
At the first meeting of the Presbytery after
its constitution, May 20th, 1752, the church
at Cape May applied to it for the services
of Mr. Lawrence in case he was released
from his charge in the Forks, which he was
seeking for at the time.
The next day, May 21st, 1752, the pas-
toral relation between him and the churches
in the Forks was dissolved. Mr. Law-
rence accepted the call to Cape May in
1752, and commenced his labors there as
pastor in that year. He continued to
labor in this pastorate for fourteen years,
until 1766, only laying down the work with
his life. He died at Cape May, April 13,
156 Irish Settlement,
REV. JOHN CLARK.
The third pastor of the Settlement
Church was Rev. John Clark. Mr. Clark
was licensed to preach the Gospel by the
Presbytery of New Brunswick in the latter
part of 1759, or early part of 1760.
Having been licensed, he was appointed
by the Synod of New York and Philadel-
phia, to supply the pulpit of Rev. Charles
Beatty, the first and third Sabbaths of July,
1760. He was ordained to the full work
of the ministry, by the Presbytery of New
Brunswick, in the latter part of 1760, or
early part of 1761. In 1761, he was dis-
missed from the Presbytery of New Bruns-
wick, and connected himself with the
Presbytery of Philadelphia, August 13th,
of that year. At this meeting of Presby-
tery, a call was presented to him from the
" Forks of Delaware." He took the
matter under consideration until the next
meeting of Presbytery. In the meantime
he was directed to supply " at the Forks of
Delaware in the following manner, viz :
two Sabbaths at Aliens Town, and one at
Hunters Setdement, (Mt. Bethel,) inter-
changeably, except two Sabbaths at Te-
Irish SettlemenL 157
hicken." November 17th, 1761, Mr. Clark
expressed his acceptance of the call to the
Forks of Delaware. He was installed
pastor of the Settlement Church, October
13th, 1762. Rev. Richard Treat presided
and preached the sermon. Rev. Henry
Martin, Rev. James Latta and Rev. Charles
Beatty assisted in the installation services.
Mr. Clark continued in the pastorate for
four years, till i "j^^, at which time troubles
arose in the Mt. Bethel portion of the
charge. He then asked for a dissolution
of the pastoral relation, which was not
granted. The troubles, however, culmi-
nated in a dissolution November 4th, 1767.
Mr. Clark remained in connection with the
Presbytery of Philadelphia for several
years, but came under the care of the
Presbytery of New Casde in I772.(?)
Here he remained till 1783, at which time
he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Red-
stone. He remained in connection with
this Presbytery till 1794, during a portion
of which time, at least, he was pastor of the
Lebanon and Bethel Churches. In 1794,
the Presbytery of Ohio was formed out of
that of Redstone, and Mr. Clark became a
constituent part of* the new Presbytery.
Here we lose sight of Mr. Clark. Where
or when he died we have not learned.
158 Irish Settleinenf^
REV. JOHN ROSBRUGH.
The fourth pastor of the Settlement
Church was Rev. John Rosbrugh. He was
of Scottish descent, and w^as imbued with
tlie principles of Scottish Presbyterianism.
He pursued his studies in the College of New
Jersey, at Princeton, from the year i76o-3>
under the care and assistance of the Synod
of New York and Philadelphia. In the
latter part of 1763, or early part of i 764,
the Presbytery of New Brunswick licensed
him to preach the Gospel. Within a year
after his licensure he was ordained to the
full work of the ministry by the same
Presbytery. This took place at the Green-
wich Presbyterian Church, New^ Jersey,.
December nth, 1764.
After his ordination, he shortly entered
upon the duties of his pastorate at Oxford
and Mansfield Woodhouse. Whilst at-
tending to the duties of this pastorate he
performed a large amount of labor in other
fields. He preached repeatedly at Upper
and Lower Hardwick, also at Bedminster^
Deep Run and Smithfield. Difficulties^
however, arose in his charge in 1768.
April 19th, of this year, Mr. Rosbrugh
Irish Settlement, 159
represented to the Presbytery that * *
* * , one branch of his charge, through
the removal of members beyond the bounds
of the congregation, and from other causes,
had become so weakened as not to be able
to raise their proportion of the salary.
Some of the people had expressed their
willingness, under the circumstances, for
the pastoral relation to be dissolved. As
the other branches of his charge were not
able to make up the deficiency, and as his
circumstances were straitened, he ex-
pressed himself as under the disagreeable
necessity of asking for a dissolution of the
pastoral relation. His request came up
for consideration the next day, (April 20th.)
The Presbytery decided that it was not
expedient to grant the request at that time.
This was because it did not appear that
* * * * had been apprised of Mr.
Rosbrugh's intention to resign at that
meeting of Presbytery. In fact, no repre-
sentative was there from any portion of
the charge. Accordingly, further consid-
eration of the matter was postponed till
the fall meeting of Presbytery. In the
meantime Mr. Rosbrugh was directed to
notify the people of * * *^ that unless
they came up to their pecuniary obligations,
his services would cease amonor them. In
case they did not, he was directed to
preach one-half of his time at Greenwich,
160 Irish SettlemenL
one-third at the portion of his old charge
which had not been delinquent, and the
remainder at discretion. When he re-
ceived these Instructions, he was also
directed to supply one Sabbath at Smith-
field, and one at Allentown, (Irish Settle-
ment,) before the spring meeting of Pres-
bytery. October iSth, Mr. Rosbrugh
reported that he had failed to accommodate
matters at * * , and had devoted one-
half of his time to Greenwich, and one-
third to Oxford as directed. Presbytery
adjourned to meet at Oxford on the third
Wednesday of November, to further con-
sider the troubles in Mr. Rosbrugh's charge.
The result of this meeting was to direct
him to labor at Oxford and Greenwich
upon certain specified conditions. These
conditions not being complied with, Pres-
bytery, April rSth, i769> released him from
his charge there.
The same day a call was presented from
the " people of Allentown, in the Forks of
the Delaware, requesting him to take the
pastoral charge of them, in connection with
Greenwich." The Presbytery agreed that
Mr. Rosbrugh might accept the call, pro-
vided the Allentown Church was put under
the care of the Presbytery of New Bruns-
wick, It having been under the care of the
Presbytery of Abington from the formation
of that Presbytery, in 1 75 1 , till Its absorption
Irish Settlement. 161
by the Presbytery of Philadelphia in the
union of 1758, and after that time, under
the Presbytery of Philadelphia till 1769,
when this stipulation was made.
Mr. Rosbrugh had been at the Settle-
ment and had expressed his acceptance of
the call April 3d, 1769, just previous to its
coming up in Presbytery on the i8th.
From this forward, his time was largely, if
not exclusively, devoted to the Settlement
and Greenwich. He attended the meeting
of Synod in Philadelphia, in May of this
year, and prosecuted the petition for the
transfer of the Settlement Church to the
Presbytery of New Brunswick.
The petition not being granted until the
spring of 1770, Mr. Rosbrugh was ap-
pointed by his Presbytery, October 19th,
1769, "constant supply" to the people of
Greenwich and Allentown until the next
meeting, except three Sabbaths, which he
was to devote to Mount Bethel. April
17th, 1770, he was appointed to preach one
Sabbath at each of the following places :.
Mt. Bethel, Oxford, Basking Ridge and
Lower Hardwick, at which place he was to^
administer the Lord's Supper. The Synod,.
May 2 1 St, 1770, granted the petition of the
previous year, and transferred the Settle-
ment Church to the care of the Presbytery
of New Brunswick. The conditions upoa
which he might accept the call to the
8*
iC)2 Irish Settlemenf.
Settlement, In conjunction with Greenwich,
having been fulfilled, April 15th, 1772, Mr,
Rosbrugh expressed his acceptance of the
call, but was not Installed at that time.
October 13th, 1772, the Settlement people
renewed their request for his Installation,
which was granted. This took place
October 28th, 1772, at twelve oxlock.
Rev. John Guild presided and preached
the sermon. The other members of the
Com.mlttee of Installation were Rev. John
Hanna, Rev. Jacob Vanarsdalen, and Rev.
Samuel Kennedy. Mr. Rosbrugh be-
coming permanently Identified with the
Settlement, married, as his second wife.
Miss Jane Ralston, daughter of Mr. James
Ralston, a ruling elder In the congrega-
tion.
From his Installation in October, 1772,
until 1776, he was occupied with his pas-
toral duties in the Settlement. He at-
tended the meeting of Synod In Philadel-
phia, in May, 1774, and also the meeting
in May, 1776, at which time his elder, Mr.
John Walker, accompanied him. These
were Reuolutionary times, and Mr. Ros-
brugh imbibed the spirit of independence,
along with his fellow countrymen. A
company of soldiers was recruited in the
Settlement, and Mr. Rosbrugh accom-
panied them to the seat of war as chaplain.
When at Trenton, January 2d, 1777, he
Irish Settleineyit. 163
was overtaken by a company of Hessians,
when comparatively alone, and by them
brutally murdered. Captain Hays, from
the Settlement, hastily burled his body by
the wayside. It was subsequently dis-
interred by Rev. George Duffield, D. D.,
pastor of the Old Pine Street Church, Phila-
delphia, and buried in the graveyard at
Trenton.
164 Irish Settlement.
REV. FRANCIS PEPPARD.
The fifth pastor of the Settlement
Church was Rev. Francis Peppard. He
was licensed to preach the Gospel by the
Presbytery of New Brunswick in the latter
part of 1763, or early part of 1764, at the
same time with Rev. John Rosbrugh, his
predecessor in the pastorate. He was
ordained to the full work of the ministry
by the Presbytery of New York, in 1764-5,
and continued in connection with that
Presbytery till 1772-3, when he became
connected with the Presbytery of New
Brunswick. These were his ecclesiastical
relations in 1781, when the congregation
in the Settlement extended a call to him.
He now commenced his labors there, and
continued them, without being installed,
for about two years. On account of this
irregularity, the Presbytery of Philadelphia,
in the fall of 1782, inquired into the matter.
Accordingly Mr. Peppard secured his dis-
mission from the Presbytery of New
Brunswick, and connected himself with the
First Philadelphia Presbytery, May 23d,
1783. At the same time the congregation,
by their commissioners, applied for the
Irish Settlement, 165
Installation of Mr. Peppard. The time for
his installation was to be the second Tues-
day of August. Rev. Alexander Mitchel
was appointed to preside. Rev. James
Grier was to preach the sermon, and Rev.
Nathaniel Irwin was to give the charge.
The services did not take place in August,
as appointed, but were duly attended to
by the committee, October 13th. The
pastorate of Mr. Peppard in the Settle-
ment, was not a very pleasant one to him.
James Rosbrugh, son of Rev. Mr.
Rosbrugh, with some other young men,
desired better educational advantages than
were afforded in the common schools.
They procured a lot of ground on the
Monoquacy creek, in the eastern portion of
the congregation, and proceeded to erect
an academy. From some cause, Mr. Pep-
pard thought this would be a detriment to
the welfare of the congregation, and ac-
cordingly opposed it. This raised animosi-
ties in the congregation toward him, and
rendered his situation unpleasant. In
addition to this he felt himself called on
to exercise church discipline in certain in-
stances, which tended to widen the breach
between himself and some of his people.
Further difficulties arose growing out of
the payment of his salary. An unhappy
state of affairs continued until Oct. 21st,
1794, at which time Mr. Peppard asked for
166 Irish Settlement.
a dissolution of the pastoral relation. All
parties were cited to appear before Presby-
tery at Philadelphia, Nov. 1 7th. At this
time the commissioner from the congrega-
tion protested against a dissolution of the
pastoral relation. Notwithstanding this
Presbytery released Mr. Peppard from his
charge. Although the pastoral relation
was dissolved, Mr. Peppard continued to
minister to the people till May, 1795. His
labors having ceased in the Settlement in
April, 1795, he was dismissed from the
Presbytery of Philadelphia to connect him-
self again with the Presbytery of New
Brunswick. This was but a little less than
two years before his death.
He died March 30th, 1797, and was
buried at the Hardwick, or Yellow Frame
Church, N.J.
Irish Settlement. 167
REV. ROBERT RUSSEL.
The sixth pastor of the Settlement
church was Rev. Robert Russel.
Mr. Russel was licensed by the Presby-
tery of New Castle (?) some time previous
to 1797. He preached in the Settlement
in 1796 and 1797. The congregation
being vacant, and being well pleased with
his ministerial qualifications, resolved to
give him a call. The church, however,
was under the care of the Philadelphia
Presbytery, whilst Mr. Russel, was a licen-
tiate under the care of the Presbytery of
New Castle. In August, 1797, a conta-
gious fever in Philadelphia prevented a
regular meeting of Presbytery, and it was
uncertain when a meeting could be held.
At this time the Settlement people were
desirous of prosecuting their call for Mr.
Russel. As they could not obtain instruc-
tions how to proceed from Presbytery in
regular session, they applied to a committee
of the same, sitting on Presbyterial busi-
ness in the month of August, at Deep
Run. This committee represented the
state of affairs to the Presbytery of New
Castle in behalf, of the Settlement congre-
168 Irish Settlement.
gatlon. Thereupon that Presbytery pre-
sented the call to him, and upon his signi-
fying his acceptance of the same dismissed
him to connect himself with the Presbytery
of Philadelphia. This he did Dec. 2d, 1 797.
Mr. Russel having been received, the Pres-
bytery proceeded with his trials for ordina-
tion. They heard him preach a popular
sermon, examined him on experimental
religion, and systematic divinity, as parts of
trial. These being sustained, Presbytery
deferred further trials until the time of
ordination and installation within the
bounds of the congregation where he was
to labor. Presbytery convened, or a com-
mittee thereof, in the Setdement, April
17th, 1798. Mr. Russel was further ex-
amined in systematic divinity, ecclesiastical
history, church government, and the arts
and sciences. These examinations having
been sustained, the next day Mr. Russel
preached a popular sermon and was
ordained and installed. In these services
Dr. Ashbel Green, of Philadelphia, preached
the ordination sermon. Dr. Wm. Tennent,
of Abington, and Rev. Nathaniel Irwin, of
Neshaminy, delivered the charges. This
was Mr. Russel's first and last charge.
Passing through the scenes spoken of in
the foregoing historical sketch, between
1798 and 1827, he ended his days with the
people of his first charge. After serving
hdsh Settlements 169
nearly thirty years in the pastorate, he died
Dec. 1 6th, 1827.
He was buried in the old burying ground
near Weaversville, where the stone erected
to his memory may still be seen.
170 Irish Settle^nent.
REV. BROGAN HOFF.
The seventh pastor of the Settlement
Church was Rev. Broo^an Hoff.
Mr. Hoff was born at HarHncren, Somer-
set county, New Jersey, in 1794. He
graduated at Queen's College, New Bruns-
wick, in 1 81 5, and from the Theological
Seminary, at New Brunswick, in 18 18.
The same year he was licensed to preach
the Gospel by the Classis of New Bruns-
wick, and became pastor of a Dutch Re-
formed Church in Philadelphia. Here he
remained until 1824. June loth, 1824, he
was installed pastor of the Presbyterian
Church, of Bridgeton, New Jersey. Here
he labored until April, 1833, at which time
the pastoral relation was dissolved. In the
following May, he came to the Settlement
as an agent of the American Sunday
School Union. The congregation being
pleased with him, gave him a call, which he
accepted, and was installed November 12,
of that year. He remained in the Settle-
ment until the spring of 1835, ^^ which
time the pastoral relation was dissolved,
and he was dismissed -to the Classis of
Green, March 24th. From the Settlement
Irish Settlement. 171
he went, In 1835, ^^ the United Reformed
Churches of Leeds and Kiskatom, (?) near
Catskill, New York. Here he remained
until 1842, when he removed to German-
town, New York. In the charge of Ger-
mantown, he remained until his resigna-
tion in 1850. This seems to have been
his last charge, as he was without charge
in 1869. Since 1869, he died of apoplexy,
at his home in Germantown, New York.
172 Irish Settlemejtt.
REV. LESLIE IRWIN.
The eighth pastor of the Settlement
Church was the Rev. LesHe Irwin. The
following sketch of Mr. Irwin's life and
labors has been furnished by his family :
'' Rev. Leslie Irwin was born at Ballibay,
County Monaghan, Ireland, July 2 2d, 1806.
His parents were truly Christian people.
He breathed a pious atmosphere from
childhood to manhood. He obtained a
liberal education, commencinor at the aofe
of ten years the study of the classics, at an
academy In his own native town. At the
age of fourteen he was prepared to enter
college, having the Christian ministry in
view at this early period of life. He was
taken under the care of Monaghan Pres-
bytery, and received a certificate of admis-
sion to college, after having passed a rigid
examination by said Presbytery, as is cus-
tomary for all candidates for the ministry
in Ireland. Entering the Royal Belfast
College, he completed his collegiate and
theological course In six years. As the
Synod of Ulster, (for at that time there
was no General Assembly In Ireland,) did
not allow their candidates to be licensed till
Irish Settlement. 173
one year after completing their theological
course, Mr. Irwin engaged in teaching, and
was elected principal of a Classical Academy,
which his own pastor, Rev. James Worrell,
founded for the purpose of giving a
thorough education to young men in that
section of the country. He retained this
situation for six years, and labored with
great fidelity and success. In this connec-
tion the fact ought not to be omitted, that
his salary, ^30 a year, was given to his
parents, while he supported himself with
the sums received for supplying vacant
churches, he having been licensed to
preach by the Synod some time in the
second year of his position as principal of
the Academy. He was a thorough linguist
and, in the strict acceptation of the term, a
fine scholar in general. In fact, he was
qualified to fill almost any chair in the best
institutions of learning in this or any other
land, but his modesty kept him compara-
tively unknown. On resigning his position
in the Academy, Mr. Irwin came to America
in 1834. This he did, believing he would
have a more extensive sphere of useful-
ness in this land. He found true friends
in the Rev. Messrs. Wm. L. McCalla and
Winchester, Dr. Green, and James and
Wm. Latta. Through their agency he was
invited to supply the pulpit of the Ninth
Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, Penn.,
174 Irish SettlemeiiL
for one year, in the absence of the pastor.
In July, 1835, ^^G w^s introduced to the
Presbyterian Church in Allen Township,
Northampton Co., Penn., and after preach-
ing to them with great acceptance for a
year, he was ordained and installed pastor
in the autumn of 1836, on a salary of $500
a year. Some time in the years 1839-40,
the iron works at Craneville, now Cata-
sauqua, were established, some seven
miles distant. As the result of earnest
personal labor, and visitations from house
to house on his part, a church was soon
formed of over one hundred members.
He then assumed ch-arge of both churches,
that at Allen Township and the newly
formed church at Catasauqua, and per-
formed an almost incredible amount of
labor for both of them, riding fourteen
miles every Sabbath besides attending four
services, prayer-meeting and lecture com-
bined, each week. In 1845, ^^ Irwin was
married to Miss Mary Ann Wilson, daugh-
ter of John Wilson, Esq., a ruling Elder
for forty-two years of the Allen Township
Church. Mrs. Irwin, and three out of their
four children, still survive him. He often
congratulated himself as having been
favored in his domestic relations and used
to say that but for this he could not have
sustained the great amount of labor which
he performed.
hisJi Settlement. 175
After a pastorate of thirty-three years'
duration he removed, in May of 1868, to
South Bend, Indiana, and finally to Quincy,
Ills., in July of same year. Instead of feel-
ing himself at liberty to desist from active
labor on account of his enfeebled health,
his heart warmed toward the people at
Ellington and Burton, six and nine miles
distant from his home. To these he
labored, rain or shine, with untiring devo-
tion. He aided these churches largely out
of his own pocket to enable them to get a
house of worship. The Presbytery of
Schuyler have therefore upon their roll, the
" Memorial Presbyterian Church of Elling-
ton," and " Memorial Presbyterian Church
of Burton." Both are in a flourishing con-
dition and have more than tripled their
membership.
His great desire was that after his de-
parture these churches would be in a con-
dition to support a pastor.
For days before his decease he prayed
frequently for these churches, that God
would build them up and glorify Himself
through them.
Early on the Sabbath morning, (Nov.
1 6th, 1873,) agreeably to his desire, he fell
asleep in Jesus. The funeral took place
on Nov. 1 8th, from his residence, and
his remains were laid In the family vault at
176 Irish Settlement
Ellington Home Cemetery, near the church
he loved so well*
*Mr. Irwin was received by the Presbytery of New-
ton as a licentiate of Presbytery of Philadelphia,
Dec. 2 2d, 1H35, and was ordained an evangelist.
Irish Settlement VJl
REV. DAVID M. JAMES.
The ninth and present pastor of the
Settlement Church is Rev. David M. James.
Mr. James is a native of Cumberland Co.,
Nev/ Jersey. He pursued his preparatory
studies for college at Easton, iPa., and
•entered Lafayette College there, gradu-
ating in 1852.
He studied theology at the Theological
seminary, Princeton, N. J., and was licensed
to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of
Passaic, July 3d, 1854. Oct. 4th, 1854, the
same Presbytery ordained him to the full
work of the ministry and installed him
pastor of the Mount Olive Church, New
Jersey. Here he labored until 1869, when
he became pastor of the Settlement Church,
in which pastorate he continues to labor
with success,
9
178 Irish Setilement.
CHAPTER IX.
CHUKCH OFFICERS.
ELDERS.
URING the early history of all,
or nearly all, the Presbyterian
Churches of America, it was cus-
tomary to keep no sessional records. The
church in the Irish Settlement was no ex-
ception to this rule. It passed through
about one hundred years of its history
without making aay permanent record of
who its spiritual rulers were, or who were
admitted to sealing ordinances. The
names of the eldership are, therefore,
almost entirely lost. We can only deter-
mine who a few of them were by references
incidentally made to them in the general
affairs of the church and community.
It would seem Thomas Craig was one,
at least, of the original elders. His name
appears as an elder in attendance at the
meeting of the Synod of Philadelphia, in
1 73 1. In 1756, Dr. Franklin, in a letter
to Governor Morris, speaks of " Elder
Irish Settlement 179
Craig," of the Irish Settlement. We sup-
pose he referred to Elder Thomas Craig.
In 1 769, we know James Ralston, father-
in-law of Rev. Mr. Rosbrugh, was an elder.
He died in 1775. Also, we know that John
Walker was an elder in 1775. He was
reported as Mr. Rosbrugh's elder at a
meeting of Presbytery, held at Mt. Bethel
that year. He died in 1777. Who suc-
ceeded these we have not been able to
learn. We know, however, that John
Wilson was an elder. He was born in
1766, and died in 1857, having served in
the eldership forty-two years. The late
Judge James Kennedy was an elder. He
was born in 1787, and died in 1872, The
present eldership are Hugh R. Horner and
John Horner. This Is about all we have
been able to learn with regard to the elder-
ship in the Settlement Church,
180 Irish Settleme?it.
SUCCESSION OF TRUSTEES UNDER
THE CORPORATION.
The church, having been organized In
1728, carried on Its secular affairs for about
sixty years by means of officers chosen by
the people. The records extant, belonging
to that period, are In such a condition as to
render It Impossible to give an intelligible
account of who looked after the secular
affairs of the church. Names appear upon
the books in an official capacity ; but who
were In office from year to year cannot be
•determined. This confusion, however,
disappears with the year 1797. At this
time the church became Incorporated.
The third rule adopted to govern the con-
;gregation under the charter of incorpora-
tion, was as follows :
" That six Trustees shall be chosen from
said society, two of whom shall vacate on
the first day of January next, and two in
ea:ch successive year, and their places to
be filled up by a new election, whose busi-
ness shall be to settle accounts with the
Treasurer on the same day yearly ; to have
charge of all money belonging to the
Irish Settlement.
181
society; all pews and seats in the church
to be taken from and given up to the
Trustees ; and those who attempt to give
or receive seats without their consent, shall
be deemed inimical to the interests of the
society, and meet a serious rebuke in
Session at a future day."
We subjoin the Trustees under this rule,
from 1797. The third couplet shows the
persons elected for the year.
1796.
Joseph Horner, James Ralston, Thos. Horner,
VVm. Lattimer, Adaai Clendinen, William Moffat.
James Ralston,
Jos. Horner,
1797.
Thomas Horner, Hugh Horner,
Wm. Lattimer, John McNair.
1798.
Thos. Horner, Hugh Horner, Henry Epple,
Wm. Lattimer, John McNair, Joseph Horner.
1799.
Hugh Horner, Henry Epple, James Hays,
John McNair, Joseph Horner, Thos. McKeen.
1800.
Henry Epple, James Hays, James Ralston^
Joseph Horner, Thos. McKeen, Samuel Morison.
182 Irish Settlement.
1801.
James Hays, James Ralston/ John Clyde,,
Thos. McKeen, Samuel Morison, James Kerr.
1802.
James Ralston/ John Clyde,, Hugh Wilson,
Samuel Morison, James Kerr^ Charles Meloy.
1803.
John Clyde, Hugh Wilson, Edvv. Humphrey *■
James Kerr, • Charles Meloy, John McNair.
1804.
Hugh Wilson, Edvv. Humphrey, Hugh Horner,
Charles Meloy, John McNair, Joseph Horner.
1805.
Edw. Humphrey, Hugh Horner, Joseph Kerr,
John McNair, Joseph Horner, (?)
1806.
Hugh Horner, Joseph Kerr, John Wilson,
Joseph Horner, (?) Thomas Horner.
1807.
Joseph Kerr, John Wilson, Adam Clendinen,
(?) Thomas Horner, Robert Ralston.
1808.
John Wilson, Adam Clendinen, John Rosbnigh„
Thomas Horner, Robert Ralston, Jas. Horner, Jr.
Irish Settlemerit. 183
1809.
Adam Clendinen, John Rosbrugh, Nicholas Neligh,
Robert Ralston, James Horner, James Clyde, Jr.
1810.
John Rosbrugh, Nicholas Neligh, James Kerr, Sr.,
James Horner, James Clyde, Jr., Wm. Lattimer.
1811.
Nicholas Neligh, James Kerr, Sr., Edw. Humphrey,
Jas. Clyde, Jr., Wm. Lattimer, Jas. Horner, Sr.,
1812.
James Kerr, Sr., Ed\v. Humphrey, James Kerr, Jr.,
Wm. Lattimer, Jas. Horner, Sr., John Wilson.
1813.
Edw, Humphrey, James Kerr, Jr., John Boyd,
Jas. Horner, Sr., John Wilson, John Clyde, Jr.
1814,
James Kerr, Jr., John Boyd, James Clendinen,
John Wilson, John Clyde, Jr., Jas. Horner,*
* Son of Thos. Horner.
1815.
John Boyd, James Clendinen, James Kennedy,
John Clyde, Jr., James Horner, Nathan Kerr.
The elections were overturned this year.
Some trustees resigned. A new election
resulted as follows :
John Boyd, James Kerr, Sr., James Kennedy,
Hugh Wilson, James Horner, Robt. Horner.
184 h'ish Settlement,
1816.
James Kerr, Sr., James Kennedy, James J. Horner,
James Horner, Robert Horner, A. E. Mulhallon.
1817.
James Kennedy, Jas. J. Horner, Edw. Humphrey,
Robert Horner, A. E. Mulhallon, Joseph Kerr.
1818.
James J. Horner, Edvv. Humphrey, John Wilson,
A. E. Mulhallon, Joseph Kerr, Wm. Horner.
1819.
Edw. Humphrey, John Wilson, James Kennedy,
Joseph Kerr, Wm. Horner, Robert Horner.
1820.
John Wilson, James Kennedy, Edw. Humphrey,
Wm. Horner, Robert Horner, James Kerr.
1821.
James Kennedy, Edw. Humphrey, George Hice,
Robert Horner, James Kerr, Hugh Horner.
1822.
Edw. Humphrey, George Richie, James J. Horner,
James Kerr, Hugh Horner, Abram Wilson.
George Hice, elected in 1821, resigned,
and George Richie was elected to fill his
place in 1822.
1823.
George Richie, Jas. J. Horner, Joseph Kerr,
Hugh Horner, Abram Wilson, Thos. Horner, Jr.
Irish Settlement.
185
1824.
Jas. J. Horner, Joseph Kerr, A. E, Mulhallon,.
Abram Wilson, Thos. Horner, Jr., William Horner.
1825.
Joseph Kerr, A. E. Mulhallon, James Kennedy,
Thos. Horner, Wm. Horner, Joseph Horner..
1826.
A. E. Mulhallon, James Kennedy, Jas. Kerr, Jr.,
Wm. Horner, Joseph Horner, 'Robt. Clendinen..
1827.
James Kennedy, James Kerr, Jr., Joseph Kerr,
Joseph Horner, Robt. Clendinen, Charles Wilson.
1828.
James Kerr, Jr. Joseph Kerr, James J. Horner,.
Robt. Clendinen, Charles Wilson, William Burnet.
"1829.
Joseph Kerr, Jas. J. Horner, Thos. Horner,
Charles Wilson, William Burnet, J. H. Humphrey.
Shortly previous to the election for this-
year, which came on January 5th, Mr.
Burnet removed from the "Settlement,and
his place was supplied at this election by
the name of James Kennedy.
Q*
186
Irish Settlement.
1830.
James J. Horner, Thos. Horner, William Brown
James Kennedy, J. H. Humphrey, Hugh Horner.
Thos. Horner,
1831.
William Brown,
J. H. Humphrey, Hugh Horner,
Joseph Horner,
Charles Wilson.
Shortly previous to January 3d, 1831,
when the annual election occurred, Thomas
Horner removed from the congregation,
and Thomas Clendinen was elected to fill
the vacancy.
William Brown,
Hugh Horner,
1832.
Joseph Horner, Thos, Clendinen^
Charles Wilson, Chas. Humphrey-
1833-
Joseph Horner, Thos. Clendinen, James Kerr,
Charles Wilson, Chas. Humphrey, JamesKennedy,
1834-
Thos. Clendinen, James Kerr, James Clyde,
Chas, Humphrey, James Kennedy. B. D. Barnes,
1835-
James Kerr, James Clyde,
James Kennedy, B. D. Barnes,
Hugh Horner,
Thos. Clendinen,
1836.
James Clyde, Hugh Horner, James J. Horner,
B. D. Barnes, Thos. Clendinen, Thomas Horner.
Irish Settlement. 187
1837-
Hugh Horner, James J. Horner, Charles Wilson,
Thos. Clendinen, Thos. Horner, William Brown.
1838.
James J. Horner, Charles Wilson, Hugh Horner,
Thomas Horner, Wm. Brown, Thos. Clendinen »
1839.
Charles Wilson, Hugh Horner, James Kerr,
William Brown, Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Horner.
1840.
Hugh Horner, James Kerr, William Wilson ^
Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Horner, William Brown.
1841.
James Kerr, William Wilson, Fred. W\ Nagle,.
Joseph Horner, William Brown, Hugh Horner.
1842.
William Wilson, Fred. W. Nagle, Joseph Howell,
William Brown, Hugh Horner, Philip Insley.
1843-
Fred. W. Nagle, Joseph Howell, James Kennedy,.
Hugh Hjrner, Philip Insley, Charles Wilson..
1844.
Joseph Howell, James Kennedy, Hugh Horner,.
Philip Insley, Charles Wilson, Thomas Barr..
188 hnsh Settlement.
1845.
James Kennedy, Hugh Horner, Joseph Brown ^
Charles Wilson, Thomas Barr, Philip Insley,
1846.
Hugh Horner, Joseph Brown, William Brown,
James Kennedy, Philip Insley, Thos. Clendinen,
This year, James Kennedy was elected
to fill the place of Thomas Barr, who had
removed from the Sectlement.
1847.
Joseph Brown, William Brown, Robt. McDowell,
Philip Insley, Thos. Clendinen, Hugh Horner.
1848.
William Brown, Robt. McDowell, John Howell,
Thos. Clendinen, Hugh Horner, Charles Wilson.
1849.
Rout. McDowell, John Howell, Philip Insley,
Hugh Horner, Charles Wilson, Joseph Brown..
185A
John Howell, Philip Insley, Hugh Horner,
Charles Wilson, Joseph Brown, Robt. McDowell.
1851.
Philip Insley, Hugh Horner, Thos, Clendinen,
Joseph Brown, Robt. McDowell, William Brown.
Insh SeUlemcJit. 180
1852.
Hugh Horner, Thos. Clendinen, Charles Wilson,
Robt. McDowell, William Brown, Joseph Brown.
1853.
Thos. Clendinen, Charles Wilson, Hugh Horner,
William Brown, Joseph Brown, Philip Insley.
1854-
Charles Wilson, Hugh Horner, Thos. Clendinen,
Joseph Brown, Philip Insley, William Brown.
1855-
Hugh Horner, Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Brown,
Philip Insley, William Brown, Charles Wilson,
1856.
Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Brown, John Agnew,
William Brown, Charles Wilson, Hugh Horner,
1857-
Joseph Brown, John Agnew, Thos. Clendinen^r
Charles Wilson, Hugh Horner, Philip Insley.
Hugh R. Horner elected for one year to
fill vacancy caused by the removal of
Charles Wilson, (?)
1858.
John Agnew, Thos. Clendinen, HughB. Horner,
Hugh Horner, Philip Insley, Joseph Brown,
190 Irish Settlement.
1859.
Thos. Clendinen, Hugh R.Horner, H. Horner, Erq.,
Philip Insley, Joseph Brown, John Agnew.
i860.
Hugh R.Horner, H. Horner, Esq., Thcs. Clendinen,
Joseph Brown, John Agnew, Philip Insley.
1861.
H. Plorner, Esq., Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Brown,
John Agnew, Philip Insley, Hugh R, Horner.
1862.
Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Brown^ John A<^new,
Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner, John Horner.
1863.
Joseph Brown, John Agnew, Thos. Clendinen,
Hugh R. Horner, John Horner, Philip Insley.
1864.
John Agnew, Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Brown,
John Horner, Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner.
1865.
Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Browm, John Howell,
Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner, John Agnew\
1866.
Joseph Brown, John Howell, Thos. Clendinen,
Hugh R.Horner, John Agnew, Philip Insley.
Irish Settlement. 191
1867.
John Howell, Thos. Clendinen, James Blair,
John Agnew, Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner.
John Horner elected for one year to
fill place made vacant by the removal of
John Agnew. (?)
1868.
Thos. Clendinen, James Blair, Joseph Brown,
Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner, John Horner.
1869.
James Blair, Joseph Brown, Thos. Clendinen,
Hugh R.Horner, John Horner, Philip Insley.
1870.
Joseph Brown, Thos. Clendinen, James Blair,
John Horner, Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner.
1871.
Thos. Clendinen, James Blair, John Horner,
Philip Insley, Hugh R.Horner, Joseph Brown.
1872.
James Blair, John Horner, Thos. Clendinen,
Hugh R.Horner, Joseph Brown, Philip Insley.
1873.
John Horner, Thos. Clendinen, James Blair,
Joseph Brown, Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner.
102 Irish Settlement.
1874.
Thos.Clendinen, James Blair, John Horner,
Philip Insley, Hugh R.Horner, Saml. T, Brown.
1875-
James Blair, John Horner, Thos. Clendinen,
Hugh R.Horner, Saml. T, Brown, Philp Insley.
Irish Settlement.
193
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD.
PRESIDENTS.
SECRETARIES. TRE
:asurers.
1797.
John McNair,(?)
J. Ralston, (?) Hugh Horner
1798.
John McNair,(?)
'' (?)
((
1799.
Henry Epple,
'' (?)
ti
1800.
n
Sam.Morison, Jas.
Ralston.
I80I.
Jas. Kerr,
<<
i(
1802.
a
Tho
M( Keen
1803.
n
E.Humphrey,
( i
1804.
John McNair,
( (
i i
1805.
(?)
- (?)
i i
1806.
Joseph Horner,
Jos. Kerr,
< i
IS07
Thos. Horner,
li
'-
1808.
John Wilson,
Jas. Horner, Jr.,
( i
1809.
Adam Clendinen,(?) ** (?)
•'
I8I0.
Jas. Kerr, Sr.,
Nich. Neligh.
< i
I8II.
Ed. Humphrey,
<(
i '
I8I2.
Jas. Kerr, Sr.,
Jas. Horner, Sr.,
a
I8I3.
John Wilson,
John Boyd,
< i
I8I4.
Jas. Kerr,
John Clyde,
(<
I8I5.
Robt. Horner,
John Boyd, J. H
. Horner.
I8I6.
((
Jas.Kennedy,
I8I7.
Jas. J. Horner,
( (
I8I8.
Ed. Humphrey,
Wm. Horner,
I8I9.
(?.
) " (?)
1820.
John Wilson,
li
I82I.
Ed. Humphrey,
Hugh Horner,
1822.
a
(<
1823.
Abram Wilson,
<(
1824.
Jas J. Horner,
Wm. Horner,
1825.
Jas. Kennedy,
«(
194
Irish Setilemeni.
PRESIDENTS.
SECRETARIES. TREASURERS.
1826.
Jas. Kerr, Jr.,
Jos. Horner, Robt. Horner
1827.
Jas. Kennedy,
(.
iC
1828.
Jas. Kerr, Jr.,(?)
Chas. Wilson, (?)
cc
1829.
Jas. J. Horner,
a
cc
1830.
((
Wm. Brown,
( (
I83I.
Hugh Horner,
<(
cc
1832.
a
(C
cc
^^33'
Jas. Kennedy,
T. Clendinen,
iC
1834.
(?)
" (?)
Cl
1835-
a
(C
iC
1836.
Jas. J. Horner,
Thos. Horner,
cc
1837.
ii
a
i i
1838.
(t
i(
i(
1839.
Wm. Brown,
Hugh Horner,
Cl
1840.
(<
a
cc
1841.
(C
t(
cc
1842.
((
(I
cc
1843-
Jas. Kennedy,
Cl
cc
1844.
((
Cl
cc
1845.
((
Jos
Horner.
1846.
Wm. Brown,
((
11
1847.
(C
a
cc
1848.
((
Cl
cc
1849.
Jos. Brown,
a
cc
1850.
(I
Cl
cc
1851.
i(
Cl
cc
1852.
Wm, Brown,
Cl
cc
1853-
((
Cl
cc
1854.
Joseph Brown,
n
cc
1855-
tc
cc
cc
1856.
(?)
" (?)
Cl
1857.
i(
cc
cc
1858.
i:
cc
cc
1859.
i(
cc
cc
i860.
(I
cc
cc
1861.
Cl
(I
1 1
1862.
a
Jno. Horner,
11
1863.
Cl
cc
11
1864.
((
a
Cl
1865.
((
H. R. Horner,
cc
Irish Settlement.
195
PRESIDENTS.
SECRETARIES.
TREASURERS.
1866. Thomas Clendinen, H. R. Horner, Jos. Brown.
1867.
1868.
1869.
1870.
T871.
1872.
1873-
1874.
1875.
196 Irisji Settlement,
COLLECTORS OF SALARY UNDER
THE CORPORATION.
The sixth rule for the government of the
Board of Trustees, adopted by them Jan-
uary 31st, 1800, was as follows :
" The Board shall, at the meeting on the
last Saturday of September, in every year,
(as appointed in rule first,) make out du-
plicates for pew rent for the then present
year, and deliver them to collectors to be
then appointed, with a warrant from the
President] annexed authorizing them to
collect the same. Each collector will be
expected to collect his own duplicate, or
show cause why he cannot."
Under this rule the following collectors
were appointed :
NAMS5 OF COLLECTORS. N3. OF CONTKIEUTORS.
1800. James Horner, Jr., Robert Hays, 48
1 80 1. John Clyde, Jr., James Kerr, Jr., 48
1802. James Clyde, Jr., James McNair, 44
1803. Thomaj Horner, William Moffat, 39
1804. Alexander Wilson, Nathan Kerr, 41
1805. Edward Humphrey, James Rosbrugh, -^-i^
1806. Robert Ralston, Thomas Horner, 36
1807. James Horner, James Kerr, 37
1807. (Extra,) James Clyde, Tnomas Horner, 28
1808. (Regular,) Jas.Clendinen.Edw'd Humphrey. 36
Irish Settlement. 19'
Kames of collectors. no. of contributors.
1809. Samuel Ralston, James Horner, 36
1810. Abram Wilson, John Lattimer, 44
181 1. Robert Horner, Joseph Kerr, (?) 37
1812. John Clyde, James (T.) Horner, 38
1813. John Lattimer, William Horner, 39
1814. Joseph Horner, Jr., William Clendinen, 40
1 81 5. James Lattim.er, Hugh Horner, 42
1816. Arthur E. Mulhallon, Thomas Horner, Jr., 52
181 7. Samuel Horner, James Kerr, Jr., 53
1818. George Hice, William Clendinen, 56
1819. Hugh Wilson, Hugh Horner, 50
1820. Joseph Kerr, Joseph Horner, Jr., 50
1 82 1. George Richie, Thomas Horner, 51
1822. John Wilson, Thomas Clendinen, 55
1823. James Kennedy, John Humphrey, 53
1824. John Boyd, James Kerr, Jr., 53
1825. Charles Wilson, Charles Humphrey, 52
1826. William Wilson, Hugh Horner, 53
1827. William Burnet, Thomas Horner, 48
1828. James Kennedy, John H. Humphrey, 77
1829. Thomas Clendinen, Joseph Horner, Jr., 71
1830. Joseph Kerr, William Wilson, 67
1 83 1. Charles Humphrey, John Wilson, Jr., 55
1832. James Kerr, Daniel George, 58
1833. (No record of Collectors. Pews rented out
December 4th.)
1834. Hugh Horner, Charles Wilson, 41
1835. William Brown, Frederick W. Nagle, 47
1836. Robert Clendinen, William Wilson, 44
1837. James Kerr, Joseph Horner, 43
1838. Thomas Horner, John Wilson, 43
1839. Thomas Clendenin, Philip Insley, 44
1840. James Kerr, James Kennedy, 43
1841. William Wilson, Robert Clendinen, 43
1842. Frederick W. Nagle, Joseph Horner, 58
1843. James J. Horner, Thomas Clendinen, 65
1844. John Lyle, Isaac Insley, 54
1845. William Wilson, Robert Clendinen, 57
1846. Robert McDowell, James Kerr, 50
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