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


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


TiiK  Skcoxd  Ciirucii  J^tilding 

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

Marks  made  hv  carriages  driving  too  elose  to  the  structure 

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


•Iv.\ii;s  AV.   IvvTON 

AUTHOR 


OF  THE 
OF 

Babylon,  Long  Island      /    ;' 


FROM    1730   TO    1912 


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


COMPILED  BY  JAMES  W.  ExVrON 

I 


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


The  Babylon  Publishing  Company 
Babylon,  N.  Y. 


MiCp. 


1 1 1 1  II    I  I 


n  BABYLON  PRESBTTERIAX  CHURCH 


.     .  bEW  YORK 

PUPTT-   TTqpAu?Y 

674266A 

ASTl  r  ,  LSN'CX  AND 

TlLDErl   F OU  N  DATIONS 

R  -1^33  L 


COPYRIGHT 

BY 

JAMES  W.  EATON 

BABYLON,   N.  Y. 

1912 


BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH  III 


DEDICATION 

To  the  Descendants  of  the  Founders  of 

The   First    Presbyterian    Cht'RCH 

OP  IsLiP  AND  Huntington 

South 

This  book  is  Respectfully  Dedicated 

by  the  Author. 


IV  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


L  The  Fourth  Church 

2,  The  Second  and  Third  Church  Buildings 

'J.  James  W.  Eaton,  Author 

4.  Rev.  Hollis  Read 

5.  Rev.  Gaylord  L.  ^Tore 

6.  Rev.  Charles  W.  Cooper 

7  Rev.  .James  McDougal.  Pii.  D. 

b.  Rev.  James  C.  Nightingale 

9.  Rev.  W.  B.  Floyd 

10.  Rev.  James  C.  Hume 

11.  IvEV.  John  Dietrich  Long 

12.  Rev.  Robert  D.  Meuimli- 


BABYLON  PRESBYTEBTAX  f^TTT'RCTT 


CONTENTS 


Historical  Sermon,  J.  C.  Nightingale  1 

Outline  History,  R.  D.  Mei-rill  15 

History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 

Babylon  prom  IToO  to  1912  21 

The  Four  Church  Buildings  21 

First  Building  Fund  22 

Contributors  to  Salary  First  Minister  25 

Extracts  from  old  Deed  27 

Baptisms  from  1798  to  1857  28 

Church  Government  in  old  Times  51 

A  Temperance  Pledge  54 

Formation  of  Presbyterian  Church  of  Islip  55 

Ministers  of  the  Church  56 

Interiors  of  the  Second  and  Third  Churches  57 

Some  Interesting  Facts  58 

Memorial  Windows  61 


VI  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


INTRODUCTION 


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

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

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

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

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


BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  MI 

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


>  J 


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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


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


HISTORICAL  SERMON 

By  the  Rev.  James  C.  Nightingale 


Published  in  the  South  Side  Signal  July  22,  1876 


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

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

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

The  First  Church  Edikick 

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


^  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN"  CHURCH 

The  Second  CntRCH  Edifice 

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


(• 


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

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

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

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


4  B.\BYI>ON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

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

promif^e." 

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

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

The  church  adopted  the   following  as  a  declaration  of  their 

principles : 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

First  Pastor  of  tiii:  Ciukmii 

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

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

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

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

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


b  BABYLON   I'RESBYTERl  \X   mURCH 

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

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

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

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

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


B\RVr,ON    I'RKKRYTKFn  \N   Cllllffll 


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

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

ISAAC  TJIOMI'SOX 

JESShJ  KETCIIAM 

Committee  for  Islip 
and  Huntington  South. 

PHILETUH  SMiriJ 

JEREMIAH  PL  ATT 

MILLS  PHILLIPS 

JOHN  FLOYD 

EPENETVS  SMITH,  Jr. 

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

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


=8  BABYLON"  PRESBYTERIAN  CiU-RCH 

i  A  Revolt  in  the  Cm  ncii 

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


miivi.o.v  I'RKSBynoRiAX  ciirKcii  y 

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

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

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

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

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


10  BABYLON   PRESBYTERLAN   CHURCH 

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

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

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

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

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

Pa.stobs  and  Theiij  Work 

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

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

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


BABYryrtX   I'RKSBYTERIAN    CIHRCJI  Jl 

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

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

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

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

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

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


12  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH 

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

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

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

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

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

added  to  tlie  church. 

Formation  of  Church  at  Islip 

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

The  Third  Church  Edifice 

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


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

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

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

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

The  Paksonagb 

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

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

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

Officers  of  the  Church 

I'astor — Kev.  James  C  Nightingale. 

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

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

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


14  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN'  CHURCH 

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


#4 


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


OUTLINE  HISTORY 

By  Rev.  Robert  D.  Merrill 


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

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

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

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


16  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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


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


BABYlJOX  PRESBYTERIAN   CHrRCH         _  17 

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

]88;3. 

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

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

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

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

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


18  BABYLOX  PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH 

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


20  BABYLOX  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

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

The  church  has  at  present  172  members. 

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

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

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


BABVI.OK   I'KESnYTEKlAN    CllClICH  21 


History  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 

OF  BABYLON 
From     1  730   to    19  12 

By  James  W.  Eaton 


The  Four  Church  BriLDiN'GS 

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

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

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

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


22  BABYIX>N  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

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

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

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

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

and  thiinl  i-hurrh  buildings. 

'I' HE  Fhj.st  BiiLDiNi;  Find 

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

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

Isaac  Thompson.  £58.17.  0 

Aaron  Higbie,  "  30.  8.  4 

Phebe  Conklin,  15.  0.  0 

Nathaniel  Conklin,  15.  0.  0 

John  ^Mowbray,  10.  0.  0 

Anniug  iMowbiay,  5.  0.  0 

Arthur  Dingee,  10.  0.  0 

Selah  Dingee,  3.  3.10 


B\[^Y]-«>N   PRESBYTERIAN  CHl'RCH  23 

Jesse  Coiikliii.  2.10. 

Jesse  Conkliih  Jr.,  10.  0.  0 

Garret  Monfort,  ]2.  1.   1 

Silas  Mimcey,  10.10. 

Timothy  Scudder,  10.  6.  0 

Thomas  Wickes,  10.  0.  0 

Samuel  Carman,  8.  0.  0 

Zebulon  Ketc'liam  7.10.  0 

Isaac  .Muucey,  5.1,'). 

Kliphalftt  Oakley,  5.  o.  o 

Daniel  Ileartt,  land,  o.  0.  0 

Nehemiah  lligbie,  4.10.  0 

David  Jones,  :3.  4.  0 

Pen  Wiekes,  :{.  4.  0 

Miles  Oakley,  3.  0.  0 

Joseph  Whitman,  2.10.  0 

Zophar  Smitl).  2.  5.  0 

Zaehai-iah  Kogers.  2.  2.  8 

Alexandei-  (/onklin,  2.10.  0 

John  Snedieor,  2.  6.  0 

Abijah  Ketcham,  2.  0.  0 

Philip  Kellam,  2.  0.  0 

Isaac  Young,  2.  0.  0 

Jesse  Ketcham,  2.  0.  0 

Charles  Berry,  2.  0.  0 

Luke  Fleet,  2.  0.  0 

Wilmoth  Oakley,  2.  0.  0 

Jacobus  Nostran,  2.  0.  0 

Nathaniel  Oakley,  2.  0.  0 

Jesse  "Weeks,  2.  0.  0 

Benajah  Strong,  2.  0.  0 

Timothy  and  Phineas  Carll,  2.  0.  0 

Joshua  Ketcham,  1.17.  4 

Jonathan  Stratton,  1.10.  0 

Philip  Ketcham,  1.10.  0 

George  Wiekes,  1.10.  0 

Josliua  Ketcham,  Jr.,  1.  6.  0 

Piatt  Brush,  1.  4.  0 

Gilbert   Hartt,  1,  4.  0 


24  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

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


Foster  Norstrant,  0.10.  0 

Joseph  Quason,  0.10.  0 

John  Henderson,  0.  8.  0 

Jesse  Hartt,  *            0.  8.  0 

William  Brown,  0.  7.  0 

Ricliard  Weekes,  '                0.  6.  0 

Philip  Dow,  ■                0.  6.  0 

Andrew  Oakley,  0.  3.  0 

David  Ruland,  0.  3.  0 

.Alowbray  Smitli,  0.  2.  9 


Total,  £320.  6.  4 


BABYLON  PRESBYTP:RIAX  CHURCH  25 

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

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

Isaac  Tliompson,  £1.  0.  0 

Nathaniel  Conklin,  7.  0.  0 

TreadwoU  Scudder,  5.  0.  0 

Anning  ^Mowbray,  4.  0.  0 

Jesse  Ketcham,  1.12.  0 

Thomas  Ireland,  1.  4.  0 

Silas  Muncey,  2.10.  0 

Jesse  Smith,  1.10.  0 

Thomas  Fleet,  1.10.  0 

Nehemiah  Higbie,  1.10.  0 

William  (larret,  0.16.  0 

Isaac  iMuncey,  2.10.  0 

Henry  Smith,  1.10.  0 

Eliphalet  Oakley,  2.  0.  0 

Miles  Oakley,  1.  0.  0 

Jonathan  Stratton,  0.  8.  0 

■^lias  Leak,  0.  8.  0 

John  Snedicor,  0.16.  0 

Peter  Ruland,  0.  4.  0 

David  Sprague,  0.  8.  0 

John  Wheeler,  0.  8.  0 

Gilbert  Heartt,  0.  8.  0 

William  Risley,  1.  0.  0 

Edmund  Sands,  0.  8.  0 

Jonas  Weekes,  0.  8.  0 

John  Heydelberck,  0.10.  0 

Richard  Weekes,                 ,  0.  8.  0 

James  Abbot,  0.  8.  0 

James  Berry,  0.  8.  0 

John  Vanderbilt,  1.  0.  0 

Isaac  Youngs,  0.  4.  0 

John  Rogers,  0.16.  0 

Zacariah  Rogers,  2.  0.  0 

Samuel  Strong,  3.  0.  0 


26  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

Garret  Monfort,  2.  8.  0 

Stephen  Stratton,  0.  8.  0 

James  VanCot.  0.  8.  0 

Keuben  Sammis,  0.  4.  0 

David  Sammis,  0.  8.  0 

Samuel  Mnneey,  1.  0.  0 

Obediali  Barto,  1.  0.  0 

Jesse  Couklin,  2.10.  0 

Josepli  Whitiiiann.  0.  8.  0 

Thomas  Farrington,  0.  8.  0 

Zelnilon  Keteham,  2.  0.  0 

William  Nieolh  L  4.  0 

John  Ilendrickson,  0.  8.  0 

Silas  Carman,  1.  0.  0 

Moses  Seudder.  0.16.  0 

Moses  Wickes,  0.  8.  0 

Jeremiah  Smith,  0.  8.  0 

Theodorus  Weeks,  0.  8.  0 

Piatt  Willets,  0.  8.  0 

John  Willets,  0.16.  0 

Nathan  Bishop,  0.  4.  0 

Eneas  Bishop,  0.  8.  0 

Jesse  Baldwin,  0.  5.  0 

Philip  .Morrel,  0.  8.  0 

Jas.  Pearsall,  0.  8.  0 

Christopher  Trim,  0.  8.  0 

Thomas  Wiggins,  0.  8.  0 

Thomas  Keteham,  1.  0.  0 

Philip  Keteham,  0.12.  0 

John  Lamberson,  0.10.  0 

Joshua  Heartt,  0.  8.  0 

John  Vallanee,  0.  4.  0 

Fred  Brush,  '  0.  8.  0 

Elijah  Chichester,  0.16.  0 

Philip  Keteham,  1.  4.  0 

Lemuel  Howell,  0.  8.  0 

David  Davis,  0.  8.  0 

Oliver  Youngs,  0.  8.  0 

John  Kelcey,  0.10.  0 


BABYLON    I'l.'ESBYTERIAX   CIJIRCH  27 


IfSHiah  Jarvis, 
Jolm  Whitman, 


Total. 


2.  S. 
2.10. 

0 
0 

tSf).  :]. 

0 

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

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

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

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

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

KxTRACT  From  oi.o  [)fa:d 

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

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


"28  BABYLOX  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

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

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

Baptisms  From  1798  to  1857 

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

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

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

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

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

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

names.  parents^   etc.  baptised  born 

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

Elizabeth  Sands  Wife  of  Edmund  SandsAug.  5,  1798 

Richard  Wm.  and  Sarah  Garrett  Sep.  16,  1798 

Phebe  Wm.  and  Sarah  Garrett  Sep.  16,  1798 


RABYT.OK   I'RFSBYTEniAN    OW'HCli 


29^ 


NAMK 

Hannah 

Abraham  Cooper 
and 

Keziah  Fleet 
Debbe 

Israel 

Thomas  Whited 

Hannah  Suiitli 


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

Trodwoll   Jind    K(V,i;iIi 
Scudder. 


BOKX 


Jonathan, 

Abigail, 

Fanny, 

Hannah, 

Samuel, 

Ke/.iah, 

John   Oakley, 


Sep.  16,  1708 


Children  of  (Jilbcrt 

Heartt  Sep.  16,  1708 

Oct.  27,  1700 
Cilliert  ;ind  lTanii;di 

Heartt  Oct.  27,  1700 

Isaiah  Jarvis  Oct.  27.  1700 

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

niotlioi'  lyinj?  do;ul   in 

I'OOlll 

G  i-and fa  tli e i-  Jesse 

Smith  Jan.    6.    1800 

Jesse  and  Hannah  June  1,  1800 

Smith 
Thomas  ;ind   Piitience 

Ireland  July  28,1800 

Thomas  and  Patience 

Ireland  July  28,  1800 

Thomas  and   Pntience 

Ireland  July  28.  1800 

Tlioinas  and  Patience 

Ireland  July  28,  1800 

Thouuis  and  Patience 

Ireland  July  28,  1800 

Thomas  and  Patience 

Ireland  Apr.   5,   1801 


.80 


BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


NAME  PARENTS.    ETC.  BAPTLSED 

Tredwell  Oakley     Tredvvell   and   Keziah 

.Sfuddei-  Apr.   5.   1801 

Kat-hel.  Win.  and  Sarah  (larrettJune  14.1801 

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


BORN 


gins 


.lulv  12  1801 


Anna, 

Henry, 

■Sarah. 

David, 

Zeroiah. 

Nathaniel, 

Naomi  Trim, 

Charity, 

Elizabeth. 

Brewster, 

Elsey, 


Thomas   and    Charity 

Wiggins 
Thomas   and    Charity 

Wiggins 
Thomas   and    Charity 

Wiggins 
Thomas   and   Charity 

Wiggins 
Thomas   and    Charity 

Wiggins 
Tliomas   and    Charity 

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


Uilv  12  1801 


Iul\-  12  1801 


Tulv  12  1801 


lulv  12  1801 


lulv  12  1801 


•luly 
July 
Julv 
Julv 


John  Blideuburgh,  Moses   Sweezey 


Aug. 


Morri.s, 
Jesse, 
Josiah  Suiitli, 

Philetus, 

Elkanah. 
:\lary, 


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


12  1801 

12  1801 

12  ISOl 

12  1801  ; 

9.  1801 

21.1801Juue  2,  1801 

21.1801  April   5,    1801 

23.1801 

23,1801 

23.1801 

23,1801  ; 

23,1801 
23.1801 


i:U5VI-OK  PRESnVTKUIAX   ('MlltCII 


31 


NAME 

Israel, 
Rubiu, 
Elviii  Fleet, 
Betsy, 

Matthew  Benle, 

Cluo-ity, 

'Mary, 
Obii'liali, 

Jesse, 

Nanoy, 

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

Johu, 

Eb-enezer, 

Richard  Joel, 

Ann  Jviline, 

Sarah, 


I'AKKNTS,     ETC.  HAiTISED  BORN' 

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

Thomas   Wiggins  Oet.    3.    1802 

Isaac  Willets  Oet.    I'..    1802 

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

Jeremiah  and  Rel)eeca 

Smith  ]\Iar.   20.1803 

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

Barto  June  12.1 803  April  23,  1803 

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

June  12.1803 
his   wife  June  12,1803 

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

l)etli  Barto  June   12,1803 

Rachel,  widow  of  Ebe- 

nezer  Hawkins  Oet.  20.  1803 

T  red  we  II  and  Keziah 

Scudder  Dec.  25,  1803 

Thomas  and  Phebe  Ket- 

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

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


32 


BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


NAME 

Mary, 
Walter, 

Rachael  Brush, 
Buth, 

Xeziali, 

Benjaniiu, 

Sarah, 

E.achel, 

Walter, 

Phebe, 

Eliza, 

Elias, 

Mary  Foster, 

Jane, 

Isabel, 

Mary, 

"Deborah, 
Melinda, 

Anna, 


PARENTS,    ETC. 

Thomas  Wiggins 
Tredwell  and  Keziali 
Scndder 


BAPTISED  B<3RN 

Aug.  5,  1804  May  24,  1804 


Mch.   17.1805 
Mch.  31.1805 


Nov.   25A804 
Meh.   17.1805 

Alexander  and  Eliza- 
beth Barto 

Wife  of  Elias  Leeke 

Elias  and  Keziali  Leeke ]\lch.  81,1805 

Elias  and  Keziah  Leeke  Mch.  31.1805 

Elias  and  Keziah  LeekeMch.  31,1805 

Elias  and  Keziah  Leeke :^reh.  31,1805 

Elias  and  Keziah  Leeke ]\rch.  31.1805 

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

Elias  and  Keziah  Leeke:\rch.  31,1805 

Wife  of  John  Foster     Apr.  28,  1805 

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

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

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


Samuel  ^luncey 
Samuel  and  Deborah 

.Muncey 
Samuel   ;uid    Deborah 

.Muncev 


David  Jackson, 
Hannah 

Fraitenburg, Child  under  David 
Jackson's  care 


July   fi,    1805 

July   6.    1805 

July   6,    1805 
Julv  6,  1805 


July  6,   1805 


Rev.  James  C.  Nightingale 

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

Pastoi-  fioiii   1S74  to  l^"-'(» 


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


BABYI/)N  T'RKSBYTKRIAN  CHURCH 


33 


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

Jonah  Kellani,  ^\bout   Aug. 

180rj 
Mary  Kellam,         His   wife  About  Aug. 

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

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

ton,  Jr.  1805 

Cornelius,  Jonathan  and  Elizabetli  About   Aug. 

/  Stratton,  Jr.  1805April  26,  1804 

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

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

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

Jonas  Brush,  Jan.   5,    1806 

Geo.  Y.  Conklin,     Joseph  and  Zeroiah 

Conklin  -Inn.    6,    1806 

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

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

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

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

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


54  BABYLON  PRESBYTERTAX   CUT'RCH 

NAME  I'ARENTS,    ETC.  BAi'TISED  BORN 

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

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

Sharlot,  Illiphalet  and  Lettee 

Moubray  Apr.  25,1807  Oct.  25,  1806 

Israel,  Jeremiah    and    Kclu-kah 

Smith  Apr.   26,1807  Deo.  6,  1806 

Charles   Edwy,        Phouias  and  Phebe  Ket- 

eham  Oct.  25,  1807 

Julia,  Tredwell  and  Keziah 

Scudder  Nov.    15,1807 

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

1am  !\Iar.   27,1808 

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

George  Conklin,     Thomas  AViggins  June  25,1809 

Deborah,  Jeremiah  and  Rebec-oa 

Smith  Aug.  5,  1809 

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

John,  Thomas  Wiggins  June  17,1810 

Wilmot,  Ti'edwt'll   and   Keziah 

Scudder  Jan.    13,1811 

Elizabeth  Susan.     Thomas  and  Abigail 

Gould  Jan.    13,1811 

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

John  William.         Tliomas  and  Abigail  '* 

Gould  April  5,  1818 

Hannah,  Mollis    Barto  Apr.    12,18ir 

Jesse  Brown,  Dec.  27,  1818 

lb  ijiy  Brewster,  Dec.  27,  1818  ^- 


MABvr.o.v  i'i£KsiiVTi:i;i AN  cmiaii 


35 


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


NAME 

Purdy, 

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

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


PARENTS,    ETC. 


BORN 


Adult 
Adult 


BAPTISED 

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

Adult  Feb.    18,1827 

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


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

Barto 
Alex,  and  Elizabeth 

Barto 
Alex,  and  Elizabeth 

Barto 
Alex,   and   Elizabeth 

Barto 


"Will  Augustus, 


Eliza  Almedia, 
Alexander, 


July  4,  1829  ]Mar.  25,  1820 

July  4.  1829  Nov.  19,  1823 

July  4,  1829  Feb.  14,  1826 

July  4,  1829  Jan.  5,  1829 

Feb.    15.1830 

Feb.    15,1830 

Feb.    15,1830 

Feb.    15,1830 


36 


BABYLOK  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


NAME  PARENTS,    ETC. 

Jared,  Alex,  and  Elizabeth 

Barto 
Conklin  Ketcham,  Isaac  and  Elizabeth 

Muneey 
Sarah  Ann,  Isaac  and  Elizabeth 

^Muneey 
Isaac  Edwin,  Isaac  and  Elizabeth 

■  Muneey 

Thomas  William,  Joseph  and  Abigail 

Weeks 


BAPTISED 


Feb.    15,1830 


BORN 


Dec.   20,1830  Aug.  18,  1823 


Dee.    20.1830  July  4,   1825 


Dee.    20.1830  Ang.  4,  1S29 


July   16,1831 


Hannah  Maria.       Daniel 

and  Deboi-ali 

Aust 

in 

Aug. 

28,1831I\Iar.  6.  18::l 

Elisha  Smith, 

Adult 

Nov. 

6.  1831 

Jesse,                       Isaac  a 

nd  Elizabeth 

Muneey 

Aug. 

11,1832 

Keturah,                   Fanny 

Fleet 

Aug. 

11,1832 

Silas  jMuncey, 

Adult 

Aug. 

12,1832 

Ann  Eliza  Muneey 

Adult 

Aug. 

12,1832 

Charity    Sainmis, 

Adult 

Aug. 

12,1832 

Hannah  Williams, 

Adult 

Aug. 

12,1832 

Ruth  Butler, 

Adult 

Aug. 

12.1832 

Sarah  JMuncey, 

Adult 

Aug. 

12,1832 

Mary  Ann  Jarvis, 

Adult 

Aug. 

12.1832 

Cornelia  Ann 

Wiggins, 

Adult 

Aug. 

12,1832 

Phebe   Oakley, 

Adult 

Aug. 

12,1832 

Mariette  Smalling, 

Adult 

Aug 

.  12,1832 

Eunice  Barto, 

Adult 

Aug. 

12.1832 

Mary  Ann,               Julia,  widow  of  Selah  S 

, 

BABYF-ON  r'RESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  37 

NAME  PARENTS,    ETC.  BAI'TlSiED  BORN 

Cai'll  Nov.    17.1882 

Julia  Elizabeth,      Julia,  widow  ol*  Selali  S. 

Carll  Nov.   17,1832 

Timothy   Smith,     Julia,  widow  of  Selah  S. 

Carll  Nov.    17,1832 

Mary  Jane,  Nathaniel   and   Phebe 

Wiggins  Nov.    17,1832 

Henry  Smith,         Nathaniel   and  Phebe 

Wiggins  Nov.  17.  1832 

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

Ann  AViggins  Nov.    17,1832 

Sarah,  Timothy  and  Bathvina 

Ketch  am  Nov.  17,  1832 

Piatt  Carll,  Timothy  and  Bathvina 

Ketcham  Nov.   17,1832 

Elizabeth,  Timothy  and  Bathvina 

Ketcham  Nov.   17,1832 

Mary  Ann,  Charity  Samist  Nov.   17,1832 

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

Totteu  Nov.   17,1832 

Charlotia  Levine,   Daniel  and  Angeline 

Totten  Nov.   17,1832 

Linens   Eldridge,  Daniel  and  Angeline 

Totten  Nov.   17,1832 

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

Samuel,  Benoui,     Elvin  and  Angeline 


38 


BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


NAME 

Silas, 

Oakley, 

Peter, 

Patience, 

Hannah, 

Mahala, 

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


PARENTS,    ETC.  BAPTISED 

Ketcham  Nov.    17,1832 

Conklin  and  Hannah 

Ketcham  April  4,  1833 

Conklin  and  Hannah 

Ketcham  April  4,  1833 

Conklin  and  Hannah 

Ketcham  April  4,  1833 

Conklin  and  Ilcmuah 

Ketcham  April  4,  1833 

Conklin  and  Hannah 

Ketcham  Api-il  4,  1833 

Conklin  and  Hannah 

Ketcham  April  4,  1833 

Zebulon  and  Ann  Ket- 
cham Apr.  4,  1833 

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

Zebulon  and  Ann  Ket- 
cham April  4,  1833 

Zebulon  and  Ann  Ket- 
cham April  4,  1833 

Zebulon  and  Ann  Ket- 
cham April  4,  1833 

Zebulon  and  Ann  Ket- 
cham April  4,  1833 

Jarvis  and  Keziah  Ket- Apr.   4,   1833 
cham 

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


BORN 


BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CTIURCU 


3^ 


NAME 


George, 


PARENTS,    ETC.  mi'TISKD 

Jjirvis  and  Kezitdi  Ket- 

cham  April  4,  1833 


BORN 


Henry, 

Piatt  and  Nancy  Brusl 

lApri 

1  4,  1833 

Maryett, 

Jesse  and  Elizabeth 

Mnncey 

Apri 

1  4.  1833 

Jemima 

Joel  and  Elizabeth 

Jai-vis 

Apri 

1  4,  1833 

Ann  Elizabeth, 

Joel  and  Elizabeth 

Jarvis 

Apr: 

il  4,  1833. 

Chariot  R, 

Joel  and  Elizabeth 

Jarvis 

Apr 

il  4,  1833. 

Seudder,  C, 

Joel  and  Elizabetli 

Jarvis 

April  4,  1833:. 

Henry,  C.  S., 

Joel  and  Elizabeth 

Jarvis 

Apri 

[1  4,  1833. 

Jesse, — 

Joshua  and  Rebecca 

Purdy 

April  4,  1833; 

Scudder, 

Archelaus  and  Sarah 

Doxey 

Apr 

,   10,1833: 

James  Heniy, 

Archelaus  and  Sarah 

Doxey 

Apr. 

,   10,1833 

Elsey  Charlotte, 

Archelaus  and  Sarah 

Doxey 

Apr. 

10,1833: 

Almedia, 

Nathaniel  and  Almedia 

Barto 

Apr. 

10,1833; 

Mary   Frances, 

Nathaniel  and  Almedia 

Barto 

Apr 

.   10,1833 

Charlotte, 

Luther  and  Sarah  Soper  Apr 

.   10,1833: 

Nathaniel  K., 

Daniel  K.  and  Charity 

iO  BABYI.OX  PRESBYTERIAN  CUirRCH 

NAME  PARENTS,    ETC.  BAPTISED  BORN 

Barto  Apr.   10,1833 

Alanson,  Daniel   K.  and   Charity 

Barto  Apr.    10,1833 

Eii.-liard,  Daniel  K.  and  Charity 

Barto  Apr.    10,1833^ 

rallies  Edward,      Eli  and  Julia  Ann 

Thompson  Apr.    10,1833 

Permelia,  Selah   and  Zeviah  Wil- 

niorth  Apr.   25,1833 

Henry,  Selah   and  Zeviah  Wil- 

morth  Apr.   25,1833 

Eliza  Ann,  Selah   and  Zeviah  Wil- 

morth  Apr.   25,1833 

Mary  Elizabeth,     Selah   and  Zeviah  Wil- 

niorth  Apr.   25,1833 

-James,  Selah   and  Zeviah  Wil- 

niorth  Apr.   25,1833 

Juliet,  Selah  and  Zeviah  AVil- 

morth  Apr.   25,1833 

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

Apr.   25,1833 
William  Cable      Elvin  and  Angeline 

Keteham  Apr.   25,1833 

Charles  "\Toodhnll  Charles   and   Parthena 

Weeks  Apr.   25,1833 

Blvin  Atwood,       Joseph  and  Abigail 

Weeks  Apr.  25,1833 

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


BABYLON  I'RESBYTERIAN  CllUKCO 


41 


NAME 

Maiy  Ksflier, 
David  Smitii, 

Epeuetus, 

Pliebe, 

Samli  Ami, 

Eliza  Ix'tli, 
^lary  Catlieriiie, 
Henry, 

Albert. 

Silas, 

Sarah  Ann, 
Piatt, 

Joliu, 
Mary, 
Charles, 

Mary  Ann, 

Susan, 

Cornelia  Ann, 

Jarvis  Rogers, 

Mary  Anna, 
Francis  Piatt, 


I'ARENTS,    ETC.  BAPTISED 

Jonathan  and   Ciiarity 

Conklin  Ai)r.   27.18:^:^ 

Jonathan  and  Charity 


BORN 


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


Conklin 
Selah  Wood,  mother 

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

Conkling, 
•lonas  and   Angel ine 

^luncey 


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

]\ray  2,  1833 
May  2,   1833 


Betsy   Conkling 
Betsy  Conkling 

Betsy   Conkling 

Betsy   Conkling 

Samuel  and  Betsy  Sea- 
man. May  2,   1833 

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

John  and  Hannah  Bald- 
win ^iny  2,   1833 

Jonas  and  Angeline 

Muncey  May   2,   1833 

Zebulon  and  Ann  Ket- 

eham  Urv   2.   1833 

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

am  Oct.    5,   1834 


42  BABYIX)N  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

NA.ME  PARENTS,    ETC.  BAPTISED  BORX 

Elizabeth  Ann        Of  the  household  Alex. 

Sloeum,     Barto  -Inly   3,   1835 

Francesett,  daughter  of  Jacob  Fleet  July  3.  1835 

Many  Ann,  daughter  of  John  BartoJuly  3.  1835 

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

vis  July   3.   1835- 

Elbert,  Ebenezer  and  Kebecea 

Smith  July  5,   1835^ 

William    Ireland,    Joel  Jarvis  -luly   30,1835 

Francis  Pelletreau  Ralph  and  Cornelia 

Smith  Aug.  9,  1835 

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

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

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

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

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

Brewster  July   19,1836^ 

Phebe  Adejaide,     Maiy  Whitman  July   19,1836 

Harriet,  Mary  Whitman  July   19,1836 

Henry  Doxsee,       Mai-y  Whitman  July   19,1836 


BABYLON  I'RESBYTKRIAN  CdllJiH  43 

NAME  PARENTS,  ETC.  BAPTISED  BORN 

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

Maiy  Ann,  Charles  Ketcham  Nov.    17,1836 

Wm.  Hewlet 

Wickfts, Elizabeth  Weekes  Jnno  30,1837 

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

Kneelaud  Piatt,     Zophar  Ketcham  Jan.  20,  1838 

Edgar  Fleet,  Angeline   Totten  Jan.  20,  1838 

Henry  Martyn,        Elizabeth  Muncey  Oct.  14,  1838 

Sarah  Maria,  Jesse  Wicks  Aug.  6,  1839 

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

Muncey  Aug.  6,  1839 

Israel    Anderson,    Rebecca  Smitii  Aug.   6,  1839 

Sidney,  Rebecca  Smitli  Aug.  6,  1839 

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

ington, Elvin  F.  Ketcham  Nov.   26,1839 

Louisa   Emma,        Mary  Ann  Barto  Nov.   26,1839 

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

Henry  Doxsee,  Biewster  Jan.    13,1842 

Julia   Thompson,    Elbert  and  Mary  Ann 

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


44  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

NAMES.  PARENTS,    ETC.  BAPTISED  BORN 

Barto  July  5.  1844 

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

Betlenger  July   28,1844 

Hannah  Maria 

GeiTardRel)eoea  Brewster  July   28,1844 

Rhoda  Frances 

Gerrard Rebecca  Brewster  July   28,1844 

Sarah  Melissa, 

GerrardRehecca  Brewster  July   28,1844 

Edmund  Smith 

Gerrard  Rebecca  Bj-ewstcr  July   28,1844 

Mary  Esther,  Jonah  Brower  Sep.   15,1844 

Sarah   Cornelia,     Jonah  Brower  Sep.    15,1844 

Edward  Franklin  John  and  Henrietta 

Oakley  Aug.  8,  1845 

John  Henry,  John  and  Henrietta 

Oakley  Aug.  8,  1845 

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

Children  of  Ezra  C.  and  Caroline  Stadge  No.  date 

Junius  Selden,         Daniel  and  Angeline 

Totten  Oct.  11,  1850 

Theodore  Allison,  diaries  and  .M.  M. 

]>,ishop  Oct.  11,  1850 

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

■       linger  Oct.    3,   1852 


BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  45 

NAME  PARENTS,    ETC.  RAPTISKO  BORN 

Henry  Smith,         J.  H.  and  Alniira  Dox- 

see  June  18,1853 

Ellen  Isadora  P.  M,  A.  and  Angeline 

Weeks  June  18,185;: 

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

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

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

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

Robert  IMaurice,     Dr.  A.  G.  and  Sarah 

Thompson  June  22,1855 

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

I'liompson  June  22,1855 

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

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

Mary  Elizabeth,     Samuel  and  Rebecca 

Muncey  June  22.1855 

Ezra  Smith,  Samuel  and  Rebecca 

Muncey  June  22,1855 

Edward  Henrv,     Samuel  and  Rebecca 

Muncey  June  22,1855 

Hannah    Eveline,     William  and  ^Faryett 

Muncey  June  22,1855 

Smith    Tredwell      William  and  .^raryett 

Muncey  June  22,1855 

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

Elizabeth  Rogers,   Woodrut"  and  M.  E. 


46  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN   CUTRCH 

NAME  PARENTS,  ETC.  BAPTISED  BORN 

Leak  Dec.   29,1855 

Phebe  Adeline,       James  E.  and  Eliza 

Dodd  June  28,1856 

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

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

Smith  Oct.  11.  1856 

Laura  Frances,       Eliphalet   and   Caroline 

Smith  Oct.  11,  1856 

Eugene,  J.   Harvey  and  Alinira 

Doxsee  Oct.  11,  1856 

Ellen,  Joseph  and  Mary  Brown  Oct.  12,  1856 

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

AYeeks  Oct.  13, 1856 

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

Weeks  Oct.  13,  1856 

Eva  Maria  William  A.  and  Mary 

Barto  July   10,1857 


ElABYIiON   PRESBYTERIAN  CnURCIl 


47 


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


NAME 

1! 

\1'T 

ISIOI* 

Miss  Coruelici    I'cltrcau, 

March 

10, 

1833 

]\ri*s.  Maria  Brush, 

March 

10, 

1833 

Miss  Martlia  Jones, 

March 

10. 

183:; 

]\Iiss  Caroline  IMuncy, 

March 

10, 

1833 

j\Iiss  jMary  E.  Whitman, 

Mar(;h 

10 

1833 

]\Iiss  Phche  Doxy, 

March 

10, 

1833 

/Miss  Kinily  Smith, 

March 

10, 

1833 

Miss  Phe])e  Smitli, 

March 

10 

1833 

Mrs.  Rebecca  Smitli, 

March 

10 

1833 

Miss  Harriet  Oakley, 

iMarch 

10 

1833 

Mrs.  Angeline  Muuey, 

March 

10 

1833 

Mrs.  Selah  Wood, 

March 

10 

1833, 

Miss  Harriet  Ketcham, 

]March 

10 

1833 

Miss  Fanny  Ketcham, 

March 

10 

1833 

Mrs,  Ruth   Ketcham, 

March 

10 

1833 

Miss  Cornelia  Ketcham, 

]\Iareh 

10 

1833 

Miss  Phebe  Ireland, 

i\Iarch 

10 

1833 

Miss  Eliza  Ireland, 

March 

10 

1833 

Miss  Phebe  M.  Jarvis, 

March 

10 

1833 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Muneey 

iNIarch 

10 

1833 

Miss  Mary  Ann  Jackson, 

iMarcli 

10 

1833 

Mrs.  Charity  Conkling,. 

March 

10 

1833 

Miss  Phebe  Frost, 

INIareh 

10 

1833 

Mrs.  Diannah  Jarvis, 

March 

10 

1833 

]Miss  Hannah  IM.  Smith, 

iMarcli 

10 

1833 

Mrs.  Francis  ]>arteau, 

March 

10 

1833 

Oliver  Samist, 

March 

10 

1833 

Mr.  Daniel  H.  Post, 

]\Iarch 

10 

1833 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Barteau, 

March 

10 

1833 

Mr.  Alexander  Barteau, 

March 

10 

,  1833 

Mr.  Zebulon  Ketcham, 

March 

10 

1833 

Jarvis  Keeteham, 

March 

10 

,  1833 

Mr.  John  Ketcham. 

March 

10 

1833 

Mr.  John  Purdy, 

March 

10 

.  1833 

Mr.  Silas  Muneey. 

March 

10 

,  1833 

Mr.  Selah  Wilmot, 

March 

10 

,  1833 

Mr,  Israel  Oakley, 

March 

10 

,  1833 

48 


BABYIvOX  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


NAME 

BAPTISED 

Mr,  David  Smith. 

March 

10, 

1833 

Mr.  Conkling  Ketcham, 

March 

10. 

1833 

Capt.  Jonas  AVeeks, 

May 

5. 

1833 

Doct  Ralph  Smith, 

May 

5, 

1833 

Silas  M.  Weeks 

May 

5, 

1833 

Jonas  Weeks,  Jim., 

May 

5, 

183a 

Edward  Smith, 

May 

'"), 

1833 

Jonas  Muncy, 

May 

.'). 

1833 

Jonath  S.  Conkling, 

May 

."), 

1833 

Mrs.  Phebe  Weeks. 

.May 

."), 

1833 

Mrs.  Clarrissa  Underhill 

:yray 

,"). 

1833 

Mrs.  Maria  Jarvis, 

:\Iay 

5. 

1833 

Mrs.  Sarah  Yonge, 

^lay 

5. 

1833 

Maria  Brush. 

May 

5. 

1833 

Hetty  Brush, 

May 

5, 

1833 

Mary  Ann  Ketcham 

May 

i^. 

183a 

Mrs.  Hannah  Baldwin. 

:^Iay 

.3. 

1833 

Mrs.  Elizia  Weeks, 

May 

."), 

1833 

Mrs.  Phebe  Weeks, 

.May 

.3. 

1833 

Mrs.  Parthena  Weeks, 

May 

•>, 

1833 

Eliza  P^leet. 

May 

."), 

1833 

Mrs.  Fanny  Conkling, 

May 

."). 

1833 

Richard  W.  Smalling, 

Jan. 

1834 

Elizabeth  Barto, 

Jan. 

, 

1834 

Sarah  E.  Smith, 

July 

6. 

1834 

Mrs.  Sarah  Wood, 

July 

6, 

1834 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Jai-vis, 

July 

6. 

1834 

Pbebe  Wood, 

Oct. 

.). 

1834 

l^hebe  Wiggins, 

Oct. 

•^, 

1834 

Keziah  Ann  Leek, 

Oct. 

"), 

1834 

John  Youngs, 

July 

?>, 

183r> 

Margaret  Berry, 

Oct. 

4, 

1835 

Ann  Maria  Youngs, 

Oct. 

4. 

1835 

Elizabeth  Nichols, 

Jan. 

3. 

1836 

Hannah  Weekes, 

July 

24, 

1836 

Mrs.  Mary  Smitli 

Oct. 

14. 

1838 

Mrs.  Mary  Back, 

Oft. 

14. 

1838 

Miss  Almedia  Barto, 

Oct. 

1^: 

1838 

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


Rev.  John  Dietrich  Long 
Pastor  from  1889  to  1905 


BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  43 


NAME 

nw 

'TISF.n 

Miss  Chassy  M.  Laws, 

Oct. 

14, 

1838 

Miss  Mary  Sinitli, 

Oct. 

14, 

1838 

William  C.  Smith, 

Oct. 

14, 

1838 

Miss  Hetty  Wiih'ts  Smith, 

•JMll. 

13. 

1 830 

Miss  Mai-y  Smith 

Daughter  of  Elisha  Smith. 

•Jan. 

1-, 

183i) 

Jesse  Weeks, 

Jan. 

r" 

1840 

John  DeClew, 

Jan. 

•J, 

1840 

Charles  M.  Reeve, 

Jan. 

•">, 

1840 

Mrs.  Emmaline  Thompson, 

Jan. 

5, 

1840 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  A.  Brown, 

•Ian. 

'"^ 

1 840 

Miss  Phebe  Iligbie, 

Jan. 

f). 

1 840 

Miss  Cornelia  A.  Fleet, 

Jan. 

•>, 

1840 

Miss  Phebe  A.  Wood, 

Jan. 

o, 

1840 

Miss  Charlotte  Fleet, 

Jan. 

"). 

1 840 

Mr.  Daniel  Totten, 

April 

5. 

1840 

Mr.  Alexander  Totten, 

April 

'">, 

1840 

Mrs.  Mary  Totten, 

April 

->. 

1840 

Mrs.  Phebe  Ann  Keteham, 

April 

5. 

1840 

Mrs.  Sarah  Baldwin, 

Jan. 

1, 

1843 

Mrs.  Julia  M.  McRea, 

Jan. 

1, 

1843 

Miss  Julia  Ann  Strong 

April 

2, 

1843 

Mrs.  Deborah  Ann  Burling, 

April 

2, 

1843 

Miss  Julietta  Fleet 

April 

2, 

1843 

Miss  Marietta  Fleet, 

April 

1843 

William  Muncy, 

April 

2^ 

1843 

Samuel  Muncy, 

April 

2, 

1843 

Silas  Whitman, 

April 

0 

1843 

Daniel  Sheldon, 

April 

9 

1843 

Archelaus  Doxsee, 

April 

2 

1843 

Miss  Almira  Smith, 

April 

2, 

1843 

Richard  Jones, 

April 

2. 

1843 

Mrs.  Maria  Catherine  Smith, 

April 

2 

1843 

Selina  Davis 

April 

2, 

1843 

Jane  Nelson, 

April 

2. 

1843 

Treadwell  Fleet, 

April 

2, 

1843 

Jane  Jones, 

Oct. 

H. 

1846 

Mary  Eliza  Dodd, 

March 

27, 

1853 

50 


BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


NAME 

Marv  Ann  Carll, 

]\Jaiy  Ann  Leak, 

Jemina  Smith, 

Andrew  Titus, 

.Alartha  :\Iiller, 

^lary  Ann  Jarvis, 

Mary  Newton, 

Eebecca  ^luneey, 

Hannah  A.  Fleet, 

Adriana  Fleet, 

]Mary  Strong, 

^Martha  Smith, 

E.  Piatt  Conklin, 

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


BAPTISED 

June  26, 

1853 

Sept.  25, 

1853 

Nov.  27, 

1853 

Dee.  31, 

1854 

:\Iareh  25, 

1855 

June  23, 

1855 

June  23. 

1855 

June  23, 

1855 

June  23, 

1855 

June  23, 

1855 

Sept.  29, 

1855 

Nov.  10, 

1855 

:\rarch  29, 

1856 

Oct.  12, 

1856 

this  way. 

ice  unless  there  we 

# 


BABYIiON   I'RESBYTERTAN  CIll'IUMi  51 

Churcfi  Government  in  old  Times 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


52  B.iBYLON  PRESBYTERL\N  CHURCH 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


BABYLON  f'RESBYTERIAN  CIIUKCIJ  53 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


54  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

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

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

Jonathan  Seaman  did  not  appear. 

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

A  Temperance  Pledge 

Babylox,  May  4.  1833. 

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

E.  C.  Stadge,  Clerk. 

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

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

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


BABYLON  TRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  55 

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

F(ju.MATiuN  OF  Presbyterian  Cihrcii  of  Islif 

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

Charles  A.  Betlengei  James  Brewster. 

Peter  Robertson.  Richard  Jones. 

Joseph  Brown.  Silas  Whitman. 

James  H.  Doxsee.  William  S.  Brown. 

Jeremiah  T.  Smith.  ^Margaret  Robertson. 

Mary  P.  Brown.  Anna  C.  Bettingcr. 

iVIaria  Brewster.  -lemima  Smith 

Sarah  Doxsee.  Almira  Doxscc. 

Harriet  WhitmaL  iMahala  Doxsee. 

Sarah  E.  Brown.  Martha  Smith. 

Mary  Sands  ]\Iary  Thurber. 

Martha  Sweesy.  Elizabeth  Wicks.  \ 

Angeline  Wicks. 

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

Eliphalet  Smith  Mary  Sniitli. 

Mary  Velsor. 

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

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


56  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

]\IlNISTERS  OF  THE  ChuRCH 

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

Luther  Gleason,  1796—1807. 

Richard  Salter  Storrs,  1808—1809. 

Samuel  Weed,,  1818—1820. 

Installed  May  12,  1819. 

Alexander  Cummings,  1820 — 1824. 

Neliemiah  Baldwin  Cook,  1826—1832. 

Jonathan  Cable,  1833 

Ebenezer  Piatt.  1833—1837. 

Hollis  Read.  1838 

Alfred  Ketcham.  1839—1848. 

Edward  J.  Vail,  1848—1851. 

Gaylord  L.  .Aloore,  1852—1856. 

Charles  W.  Cooper,  1857—1869. 

James  ircDougall.  1871—1873. 

James  C.  Nightingale,  1873—1879. 

Walter  B.  Floyd,  1881—1883. 

James  C.  Hume,  1883—1888. 

John  Dietrich  Long.  1889—1905. 


'o 


Robert  D.  Merrill,  1905 

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

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

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

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


BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  57 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

]\Iarch  5,  1818.— Bradford  jMarcy. 

April  5,  1818. — Zacariah  (Jreene. 

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

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

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

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

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

Interiors  ok  the  Second  and  Third  Churches 

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

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

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

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


58  BABYLON  I'RESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

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

A  Few  Interesting  Facts 

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

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

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

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


BABYLON  PKESBYTEUIAN   CJJUKCll  59 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


674266A 


60  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

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

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

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

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

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

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


BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  61 

instrument,  and  are  destructive  of  devotional  feeling The  sesaion 

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

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

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

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

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

Memorial  AVindows  op  the  Church 

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

The  oldest  date  is — 

In  Memory  of 

DAVID  SMITH 

By  his  son,  John  W.  Smith. 

1802—1884 

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


62  BABYLON  PRESBYTERUK  CHURCH 

The  second  oldest  date  is — 

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

The  third  oldest  date  is — 

In  loving  Alemory  of  our  P^ather 

ROBERT  OLIVER  COLT 

Born  5th  Aug..  1812 

Died  Dec.  15th,  1885 

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

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

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

In  Alemoriam 

MARY  A.  TITUS, 

C.  E.  Society, 

1836—1900. 

In  IMemoriam 

EMILY  S.  KETCH A:\I. 

C.  E.  Society. 

1842—1897. 

In  i\Iemory  of 

ADALINE  L.  KETCIIAM 

Died  November  18,  1898. 

By  the  Women's  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 


BABYr>ON  PRESBVTEUIAK  CHURCH  63 

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

In  Meinoriani 
REV.  GAYLORD  L.  MOORE 

1812—1888 

Laus  Deo.  pastor  of  this  ehiireh, 

1852—1850 

In  iMeuioriani 
REV.  CHARLES  W.  COOPER 

1830—1886  ■: 

Laus  Deo,  pastor  of  this  churcli 
1857—1869 

REV.  JAMES  MeDOUCxALL,  Ph.  D. 

iy36— 1892 

Pastor  this  ehiireh 

1870—1873 

JA:\[ES  C.  NIGHTINGALE 

1836—1895 

Pastor  of  "this  chureh 

1874—1880 

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

In  Memory  of 

JULIA  FOWLER  COLT 

Born  3rd  April,  1897 

Died  15th  April,  1897 

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

In  IMeniory  of 

HANNAH  FITCHETT  COLT 

Born  21  May,  1893 

Died  13th  September,  1894 


64  BABYLON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

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

The  Session 

James  MeLachlan.  ordained  in  1884 

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

John  H.  Baldwin,  ordained  in  1887 

Charles  M.  Bergen,  ordained  in  1908 

James  H.  Potter,  ordained  in  1908 

The  Board  of  Trustees 

J.  B.  Foulke,  President 

E.  V.  Ketchara,  Secretary 

Elbert  C.  Livingston 

Clarence  Carman,  deceased 
Charles  E.  Arnold 

Edward  S.  Alley 

Dr.   AV.   H.    Deale 

Church  Treasurer 

Charles  M.  Bergen 

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

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

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


KIXIS 


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