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THE HISTORY
, OF
ST^ JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
r
MONTICELLO, NEW YORK
FOR
ONE HUNDRED YEARS
1816 — 1916
COMPILED TO COMMEMORATE ITS CENTENARY
EDITED BY
THE REVEREND WALTER WHITE REID
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC mViARY
307812R
ASTOR, LCy.riX AND
1045 I
\ ASTOR, IXy.OX AND
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FIRST CHURCH
1835—1882
PREFACE
HE collection of data in connection with a parish history is
probably a difficult problem for everyone to whom the task
falls. It is to be doubted whether any parish has, in its present
possession, the complete record of its history and activity since
its inception. Carelessness and fire seem to be the destroying-
elements, whereby documents of intrinsic worth, particularly
valuable to a compiler of such a work as this, have been lost
forever.
From the foundation of this parish in 1816 down to the year
1831, no information, other than meagre generalities, is obtain-
able. The vestry minutes and church records were in the pos-
session of the Rev. Edward K. Fowler, and were destroyed
when the old Mansion House was burned. In fact no church
records back of 1870 are now in existence, lost probably in the
same fire.
However, the gap has been imperfectly bridged by refer-
ences to family records, old scrap books, clippings, and Quinlan's
"History of Sullivan County."
I am particularly indebted to Major John Waller, whose keen
memory at the age of 90 has enabled me to clear away many
doubts regarding the past, and to present to the parish this ac-
count of its history.
This little book goes forth, doubtless, with some errors and
imperfections, but it goes forth with a prayer for God's blessing
upon St. John's Parish and its people, my people, friends and
brethren in Christ, from their rector and its compiler.
Walter White Reid
TN the fore part of the last century Sullivan County, in almost
its entire extent, was a vast, undeveloped country. Settle-
ments were few and scattered. Most of the land was yet un-
trodden. Dense forests, composed of giant hemlocks, covered
valley and hill. These tracts of uncut timber offered strong
inducements to a class of enterprising men to engage exten-
sively in the manufacture of sole leather, to supply the active
demand of New York, Boston and Philadelphia.
The first settlers straggled in somewhere between 1795 and
1800. They were courageous souls, willing to make present
sacrifices for the hope of the future. They built log cabins at
Sackett Lake and along the Neversink.
In 1802, Samuel Frisbee Jones of Connecticut, then living
at Lebanon, New York, came into this region, at the request of
the contractors, to explore the country for the proposed New-
burgh - Cochecton Turnpike. So greatly was he impressed with
the possibilities of development in this locality that he returned
to Columbia County to enlist his brother's sympathy, looking
towards the purchase of land.
The result was that Samuel, with his brother John Patter-
son Jones, bought a tract of almost two thousand acres, which
became the site of a new village called by John P. Jones, Mon-
ticello, after the Virginia home of Thomas Jefferson. It may
be remarked in passing that these men were uncles of Samuel
J. Tilden.
Almost immediately, the land was parcelled off, and tempt-
ing offers made to sturdy souls to migrate to the mountain top.
The prospect of a bright future brought immediate results in a
large infiux of population.
These people who now came in, carried with them their idea
of God, and the feehng of a duty to worship. There were no
services of any church held with regularity, and no Episcopal
minister had ever set foot upon the land. Among those who
came were many who, if not members of the Episcopal Church,
leaned towards it. The desire for its services characterized that
period when war had ceased, and independence had become in-
dellible ; and with all the new freedom, the call of the ancient
church, the Church of England, the Holy Catholic Church Am-
ericanized was strong, and did not go unheeded.
On November 11, 1816, therefore, at a meeting held in the
old Court House, the parish of St. John's was organized in Mon-
ticello. The parish w^as so designated to commemorate the
ministry of the Baptist in the wilderness, and, if it had been in
England that the incorporation took place, it doubtless would
have been called St. John's-in-the- Wilderness.
The event v/hich brought to a culmination the purposes
which had occupied the minds of many citizens for some time,
w^as a visit to Monticello of the Rev. James Thompson, a bro-
ther of Judge William A. Thompson. The county records show
that, when the parish was incorporated, William A. Thompson
and John E. Russell were the wardens, and the vestrymen were
Luther Buckley, Levi Barnum, William Woods Sackett, Ira E.
Smith, Livingston Billings, Charles Thompson, Otto William
Van Tuyl and John Lord.
William A. Thompson, the first senior warden, was a man
of great learning, a graduate of Yale University. By profes-
sion a lawyer, he had, prior to his coming to Sullivan County, a
lucrative practice in New York. His health broken under the
strain of his labors, he was compelled to change his residence.
He settled at what is now Tliompsonville, but which he termed
Rev. Edward Keaton Fowler
Dec. 22. 1826— July 6, 1868
Albion Mills. In 1803 when this township was incorporated, it
was named after him. He had been appointed one of the
judges of Common Pleas of Ulster County in 1802, and, when
Sullivan County came into being, he became its first county
judge. When, by reason of age, he became ineligible to serve
longer in this capacity, he was succeeded by Livingston Billings
one of the first vestrymen.
John Lord came from Connecticut, and in 1806 settled at
Lord's Pond, beside the turnpike. This body of water is now
called Fowlwood Pond, and around it has grown the settlement
called Rock Hill.
Of the other members of the first vestry little or nothing is
known.
At the time of the incorporation of the parish, there w^ere
a few Presbyterians whose pastor had left them for another
field. He had advised them to unite with the Episcopalians,
and this some were desirous of doing, but the plan was defeat-
ed by those among them who regarded the Episcopal Church as
the "gateway of popery."
The Rev. James Thompson officiated but a few times after
the founding of the parish, and then returned to his home.
During the first few months of its existence, the congrega-
tion struggled along as best it could against great odds. There
was a strong feeling among some citizens that it had a Tory
sentiment, and, in the minds of people outside our fold, there
survived a repugnance for anything or anybody connected in
any w^ay with the attempt to crush out the independent spirit of
the Colonies.
Soon after 1816, however, the Rev. John Brown came to
Monticello to look over the field. This clergyman had assumed
the rectorship of St. George's Church, Newburgh, in 1815. He
3
was an indefatigable and very successful priest, and not only
rapidly organized a powerful parish in Newburgh, dominating
the whole life of that community by his personality, but he
pressed out into this wilderness, and for ten years conducted
services here once every three months, making the journey over
the turnpike on horseback.
On one of his trips to Monticello he brought with him a
young priest to assist him in the work, the Rev. Edward Keaton
Fowler. This energetic and godly man was born in East Ches-
ter, New York, about 1799. His parents were members of the
Dutch Reformed Church, but historical reading, from an unpre-
judiced point of view, brought to young Fowler the realization
that of all the churches, the Episcopal Church held out the charm
of all that was ancient and catholic. He therefore was confirm-
ed, and went to the General Theological Seminary to study for
Holy Orders. During his sojourn there, his health impaired,
he was forced to go into the country, and took up his studies
under the guidance of the Rev. Seth Hart at Huntington, Long
Island. He was ordained deacon in 1823, and priest in the fol-
lowing year. Before coming to Monticello he had officiated at
Huntington, at Cold Spring and at Oyster Bay. He took charge
of St. John's Parish on Dec. 22, 1826. The day before he left
Newburgh to come here he suffered a severe hemhorrage. Un-
daunted, he set out on the journey, which the wife of the rector
of St. George's said would prove suicidal. This courage repre-
sents the greatest trait of our first rector. Catholic, yet liberal
in his views, having a genial personality, and given to social
intercourse, he soon disarmed all criticism, impressing upon all
who came within his influence, the lessons of Christian brother-
hood under one Father.
Probably the greatest thing he did, whereby our church in
4
Rev. George Dent Silliman
Nov. 18, 1870— IV AY 22, 1873
this community rose in public esteem, was to bless the boys who
went South to fight in 1862. After a service and sermon, he
raised his hands in priestly blessing over men of many religious
beliefs.
Some of his eccentricities, which must be told, faithfully to
portray his character, cause us to smile. He was charitable in
the extreme. He received his salary once a month, after which
he would tour the county. All the beggars for miles around
would lie in wait for him, and the result would be that, when he
reached home, he would be well nigh penniless, and would re-
ceive a terrific scolding from his wife, who, though independ-
ently wealthy, was not interested in charitable work. They
were afterwards separated, for her ambition would not stoop to
remain longer in the woods. Fowler with great consecration
for his work, never sought a reconciliation, and in this he was
staunchly upheld by his parishoners, who claimed that the only
mistake he ever made was to marry his wife.
Another amusing feature of his ministry was the frequent
habit he had of buying a turkey, chicken or roast, which he took
to a family, needy or otherwise, and then invited himself to din-
ner with them.
The number of men in Sullivan County who bear the
Christian name of Fowler, is due to the fact that, whatever
name the sponsers gave at the font, Mr. Fowler would always
precede it with his own.
When Mr. Fowler took charge of the parish there were elev-
en communicants, and the people were worshipping in the Court
House. Owing to the large growth of the congregation, it was
soon apparent that the erection of a church was imperative.
Plans were at once entered into for this purpose. Mr. Solomon
Dewey, for many years a vestryman, was appointed to raise
5
money by subscription. The lot, now occupied by the building
of the ''Republican Watchman" was purchased from Hiram
Bennett for the small sum of $250. It is now worth about
$8000. In all, the sum of $2200. was raised by Mr. Dewey, to
which was added $1500. the gift of Trinity Church, New York.
A building committee, consisting of the rector and Messrs.
William E. Cady and Marshall Perry, signed a contract with
Marion R. Sandford and Nicholas N. Terry on July 7, 1835.
This contract was afterward cancelled and let to Mr. Terry and
Wilson Allyn. By them the new church was built, an oblong
structure, with large windows, and a tower topped with pinna-
cles, the type so frequently met with in New England. This
edifice was consecrated on November 20, 1835 by the Rt. Rev.
Benjamin T. Onderdonk, D. D., Bishop of New York. In 1840
the interior was decorated, and a bell placed in the tower.
The parish now having a home of its own became more act-
ive, and, in co-operation with the rector, greatly increased its
membership. Greater missionary work resulted, and the rector
went out to preach at regular intei-vals, at Middletown, Liberty,
Thompsonville and Bridgeville, with occasional services in other
parts of Sullivan, Orange and Ulster counties.
Mr. Fowler continued as rector of the parish for some for-
ty-three years. He was at the last prostrated by paralysis, but
died "still in the harness," though he had tendered his resigna-
tion to the vestry some years before.
During his rectorate he baptized 542, admitted to Holy
Communion 345, married 409 couples, and buried 304. The re-
muneration for his labors amounted to $250 a year, plus what
he saved out of the offerings after the running expenses of the
parish were paid.
A few items of interest during his long pastorate may not
6
Rev. Charles F. Canedy
Sept. 1, 1873— Oct. 24, 1876
be out of place. On March 14, 1835, after public notice had
been given, the sale of pews took place. This was in the nature
of an auction, and the choicest seats went to the highest bid-
ders. The proceeds were used for the support of the rector.
The pews, like most pews of that period, had doors.
The first representation of this parish in the Diocesan Con-
vention occurred in 1847, when James E. Quinlan, author of
"Quinlan's History of Sullivan County," and William E. Cady,
went to New York as delegates. At that time all the Conven-
tions of the diocese were held in St. John's Chapel, Varick
Street.
Confirmations were held at various times by Bishops Hobart,
Onderdonk, Wainwright, and Chase of New Hampshire. No
record of these now exists.
About this time, in 1850 and 1855 respectively, the church
lost through death, two of its most earnest and consecrated
men, William E. Cady, vestryman and clerk, and Solomon
Dewey, a vestryman.
In 1855, extensive and necessary repairs were made to the
church at a cost of $814. , under the supervision of the architect
Mr. T. M. Niven, and an organ was purchased at a cost of $600.
During the repairs the congregation once more used the Court
House as a place of worship.
The question of a free church was first brought before the
vestry in 1855, and resulted in making the seats free for the
evening service.
In 1860 the chancel was completely furnished, and in 1861
the beautiful communion service now in use was purchased for
the parish by Mr. Fowler at a cost of $260. This amount he had
raised by doing the work of sexton.
Towards the close of the war the church lost two more of
its foremost men. Col. Jonathan Stratton died in 1863, and Dr.
Roderick Roj^ce in 1864. Both had been members of the vestry
for many years.
The Rev. Arthur N. Wrixon was now placed in charge of
the parish, but the rigors of our winter forced him to leave for
a more temperate climate. He was followed by a priest from
Hardwich, England, Pierity by name, but he too, after conduct-
ing services for a few Sundays, departed.
At a meeting of the vestry June 20, 1870, the Rev. George
Dent Silliman, then a deacon, was called to be minister-in-
charge. This gentleman took charge of the parish on July 3,
1870. He was ordained priest in St. Paul's Church, Newburgh,
on Nov. 18, 1870, after which he became the rector of this par-
ish. During his stay here, he made himself beloved by all, and
it was with great regret that the parish bade him farewell in
May 1873, when he left for California. The salary of Mr. Silli-
man was $600. per annum.
During his pastorate the seats were declared free, and an
envelope system for contributions instituted. At this time also
the work at Thompsonville had reached such a stage that the
building of a chapel seemed advisable. It appeared to be a
growing community. Little did the men of that day realize
what it would become. A building committee consisting of
Messrs. Samuel G. Thompson, Samuel W. Borland and John K.
Cooper were promised the necessary land by Judge Thompson,
and the vestry consented to the erection of the chapel of St.
Mary on April 10, 1871. At this time also, the question whether
to build a new church in Monticello, or to repair the old one
came up, but was laid on the table. On July 23, 1871, the cor-
nerstone of St. Mary's Chapel, Thompsonville, was laid by the
Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, D. D.
Rev. George Henry Anderson
Nov. 1, 1880— March 5, 1882
u
The vacancy in the rectorship was now filled by the Rev.
Charles F. Canedy, now rector of Trinity Church, New Rochelle.
He began his work on September 1, 1873.
On the last day of January 1874 a committee which had
been appointed to feel the pulse of the congregation regarding
a new church, reported that it was the general feeling that a
new building ought to be erected. Whereupon, a committee
consisting of Major John Waller and Abraham Olmsted was ap-
pointed to confer with various architects, and submit plans to
the vestry.
At this time. May 14, 1874, the church lost an invaluable
man of many attainments, when James Eldridge Quinlan pass-
ed to his rest. He had written a history of Sullivan County,
from which some of the material contained in this little book
was obtained. He left behind him a family of staunch church
people who are still greatly interested in St. John's, although
only one, Mrs. John Waller, is now resident in Monticello. Mr.
Quinlan was a man of great mental force, and for years had
been superintendent of the Sunday School.
Plans for rebuilding now filled the minds of vestry and peo-
ple, and on January 6, 1875, a committee was appointed to wait
upon the bishop and get his consent and that of the Standing
Committee of the diocese with a view to selling the church
property when the proper time came.
On June 14, 1875, the vestry voted to raise $11,000. for a
stone church to be located on the Jones Estate on Depot Street,
now St. John Street. The ever loyal ladies of the parish at once
offered what funds they had on hand for this purpose.
Few people now remember that St. James', Callicoon, owes
its existence to the efforts of Mr. Fowler, and the oversight of
the vestry of St. John's. The vestry records show that in 1875,
9
the sum of one dollar was paid by the vestry to Judge James C.
Curtis of Callicoon, the grandfather of one of our present ves-
trymen, for a lot upon which to build that church. The in-
timate relation between Monticello and Callicoon ceased when
the vestry of this parish deeded the land on the Delaware to the
rector, wardens and vestry of St. James' after Mr. Fowler's
death.
The committee which had been appointed to raise the
amount necessary to build a stone church in Monticello met
with little substantial response, and on June 15, 1876, they re-
ported failure, and were discharged. At this time also, the
parish met with financial difficulty, and for the first time in its
history an offering was taken up at the evening service, July 2,
1876.
Amid the difficulties then besetting St. John's, the parish
suffered greatly, when William H. Cady, who for years had been
treasurer and clerk of the vestry, resigned in July 1876. Mat-
ters of finance went from bad to worse, and the vestry found
themselves compelled to cut the salary of the rector by $200.
This was the height of folly, for the salary, already most insuf-
ficient, became absolutely inadequate. The rector, Mr. Canedy,
resigned October 24, 1876. Mr. Canedy, however, has kept up
his deep interest in the affairs of this parish, and at all great
days in its history has been present to show his love and sym-
pathy. His labors here have been amply rewarded in his pres-
ent field, where he has been loved and respected by all for many
years.
On November 24, 1876, the Rev. Gustave E. Perucker be-
came the rector. Unfortunately this gentleman was a foreign-
er with a decided accent, and not only was it difficult, and often
impossible to understand any part of the service, but his ser-
10
• M\'l "' '-^~
PRESENT CHURCH
Consecrated 1888
I .
mons, however good, had Httle effect. Reahzing the sad results,
Mr. Perucker himself decided that the vestry ought to call an-
other clergyman, and he therefore resigned in July 1878.
Matters regarding the building of a new church were, at
this time, very much confused. On April 11, 1877, a committee
was appointed to confer about a stone edifice with an architect
by the name of Wood, and on the 28th of the same month, a
resolution was adopted by the vestry to build a chapel at the
rear of the old church at a cost of $1500.
On the 16th day of July 1877, the venerable and grand old
man of St. John's, the Rev. Edward K. Fowler having reached
the age of seventy-eight, passed to his rest. The last years of
his life were made comfortable by the vestry of the church he
served so long and so faithfully.
The vestry now called the Rev. George W. West. He be-
came rector on November 22, 1878. With the coming of the
new rector, the desire to build the new church again gained in
favor, the resolution to build the $1500. chapel having been
abandoned. On March 25, 1879, a committee was appointed to
secure a site for the future church. Another committee was
appointed to secure an architect, and they made arrangements
with a man by the name of Tillotson. Arrangements were also
made for the holding of services during the building operations.
The committee on the site, purchased from the Jones Estate the
lots on Depot Street, for which the sum of $1080. was paid.
The land is now worth many times that amount. The old church
with the land, was sold to Major John Waller, one of the vestry,
for $1600. , and old St. John's stood until the disastrous fire which
swept Monticello in 1909.
The plans for the present church were finally drawn by Mr.
Henry Dudley of New York, and the contract let to Ronald
11
Ketchum of High Bridge, N. Y., for the sum of $10,800. The
only change from the original plans, wherein a grievous mistake
was made, was the construction of the organ chamber on the
north side of the chancel instead of the south.
On June 30, 1880, the Rev. Mr. West resigned to become
chaplain of St. Mary's School, Knoxville, Illinois, after which
charge he became a parish priest in the diocese of Springfield.
The next rector, the Rev. George H. Anderson, came in Oct-
ober 1880, but continued illness resulted in his untimely death
early in 1882. He was the last rector to conduct services in the
old church and the first to conduct them in the new.
The cornerstone of the new church was laid with impressive
ceremonies June 24, 1880, by the rector, assisted by the Revs.
Alexander Capron, George D. Silliman, then rector of Middle-
town, John Swords of Hoboken, and others of the clergy. Mr.
Israel P. Tremain read a sketch of the history of the parish,
which, with other customaiy books and papers was deposited in
the stone. The vestry at that time was composed of Israel P.
Tremain, senior warden, Samuel G. Thompson, junior warden,
Jacob L. Hasbrouck, M. D., Major John Waller, Charles Barnum,
Edward F. Quinlan, M. D., John K. Cooper, Henry A. St. John,
Francis G. Snook and George E. Bennett. Four of these men
are still living.
The building committee at this time was composed of
Messrs. William H. Cady, chairman, Israel P. Tremain, treas-
urer, Henry A. St. John, secretary, and Clinton V. R. Ludding-
ton, Esq. These men raised by subscription the amount of
$6,713. and procured from other sources $5,342. With this
money in hand building proceeded.
During the winter of 1880, the partly built church was in-
closed, and in the Spring of 1881, work began afresh, only to be
12
THE RECTORY
1887
interrupted by the contractor himself, who was unable to con-
tinue operations because he had underestimated the cost. An-
other appeal for funds became inevitable. This was made, and
the result was a response to the amount of $4,049. The contrac-
tor was paid, and construction began again in August to be
completed in December 1881. The finished structure was ac-
cepted by the vestry on December 26th of that year, the total
cost of construction being $18,363.45, exclusive of furnishings,
of which amount the ladies of the parish raised $4,371.73.
The last service held in the old church was on New Year's
Day, 1882, and the next Sunday the first service was held in the
new building. The last music sung in old edifice and the first in
the new was the Gloria in Excelsis to the Old Chant.
Looking forward to the beautification of the new edifice,
the vestry on Easter Day, 1882, accepted from Mrs. H. C. Eld-
ridge of Elmira, the beautiful lectern in memory of Edwin
Eldridge, M. D.
On August 9, 1882, the Rev. John M. Windsor of Brooklyn,
was called to the rectorship. Soon after his coming, Mr.
Israel P. Tremain, who had been senior warden for many years,
felt compelled to resign. This was a decided loss, for Mr. Tre-
main was a man of sane judgment and far-sightedness, and had
saved the parish many a false step by his tact and carefulness.
To the new church came the gifts which had been present-
ed in the way of furnishings, and beside, on Easter Day, 1883,
was presented the Fowler Memorial, and by Mrs. Eldridge the
altar cross.
The church being comfortably well equipped in the way of
furnishings, the consecration took place on August 28, 1883, the
Rt. Rev. George Franklin Seymour, D. D., Bishop of Springfield,
acting for the bishop of New York.
13
On this memorable occasion the Holy Communion was cele-
brated by the bishop, assisted by the Rev. Messrs. John M.
Windsor and George D. Silliman. The instrument of donation
was read by Major John Waller, and the sentence of consecra-
tion by the Rev. E. C. Houghton of New York, who acted as
chaplain to the bishop. Bishop Seymour preached the sermon.
In the afternoon, a reception was held on the lawn of Mrs.
Bridges' residence, now the Rosary, at which the clergy, the
church officers and invited guests were present. Addresses
were made by Bishop Seymour, Rev. Mr. Silliman, and the Hon.
Daniel B. St. John.
In the evening of the consecration day, Bishop Seymour
confirmed a class of fourteen, nearly all of whom were adults.
At this service, the Rev. Octavius Applegate, then rector of St.
George's Church, Newburgh, preached the sermon. On the fol-
lowing day, the Western Convocation of the diocese met in the
church.
Shortly after the consecration, on June 3, 1885, Rev. Mr.
Windsor resigned, and the vestry called the Rev. S. H. S. Gal-
laudet. He came to Monticello in January 1886, but remained
only until May of the same year.
During his rectorship, the roof of the church showed weak-
ness and poor workmanship, leaks being almost constant. This
was in part rectified, and the church w^as decorated in 1887 at a
cost of almost $600.
The Rev. WiUiam F. Dickinson, M. D., succeeded Mr. Gal-
laudet in May 1887, and, shortly after he came, the present
rectory was built, a monument to the generosity of the Hon.
Daniel B. St. John. Not only did Mr. St. John build the rectory
without cost to the parish, but he gave ten feet of additional
ground to the vestry in order to meet the requirements of the
14
Rev. William F. Dickinson
May 28, 1887— Oct. 1, 1895
size of the building. The rectory grounds were improved by
grading and sidewalks in 1888.
Daniel B. St. John died in 1890, leaving behind him evi-
dences of a life devoted to the cause of Christ and His Church.
In his will he bequeathed to the parish the sum of $2,500.
Dr. Dickinson resigned in November 1891, but was recalled,
and returned in February 1892. He remained until 1895. In
April of that year he was succeeded by the Rev. David T.
Howell. It was during his rectorate that Israel P. Tremain
was taken to the rest of Paradise, a man who had served the
Church v/ith devotion for many years.
The next rector was the Rev. John A. Milbank, now rector
of Freehold, New Jersey. He came in January 1899. In April of
that year the electric lights were installed in the church, and in
1900 pew rents, which had been deemed advisable after the
building of the new church, were abolished, and the envelope
system started to make up the deficiency.
In 1901, Mr. Milbank having resigned, the Rev. Stephen Van
Renssalaer, now of Washington, D. C, was called. For almost
the whole of his rectorate ill health beset both him and his fam-
ily. He resigned, but after the death of his wife returned. He
remained until November 1905. His going was regretted by
all, for he was a real man, and a real Christian. His personal-
ity is indellibly impressed upon the parish.
It was during the pastorate of Mr. Van Renssalaer that
William H. Cady, for years vestryman, clerk and treasurer of
the parish passed away. He had faithfully served the parish,
and had represented it many times in the Diocesan Convention.
With his death began the passing of the vestry that had made
possible the great progress of St. John's. One only is left, our
senior warden, Major Waller.
15
On October 31, 1905 the vestry called the Rev. Walter Irving
Stecher who was at the time rector of St. Timothy's Church,
Brooklyn. Mr. Stecher came to Monticello at the end of the
following month, and remained until his death. During Mr.
Stecher's time much constructive work w^as accomplished in the
parish. One of the first things which the new rector did was to
organize an altar guild. This was done on February 12, 1906.
At this meeting Miss Agnes D. Fairchild was appointed direct-
ress, and this office she has held since that time, devoting much
time to the care and oversight of the sanctuary, and the vest-
ments of the clergy and choir. In her work as directress she
has had the help of many able assistants, and it is to be ques-
tioned whether any parish of its size has such an efficient altar
guild as St. John's. The activity of the guild has a wider scope
than is usual in most parishes, for not only do the young women
care for the sanctuary and the clerical vestments, but they pur-
chase the communion wine and altar breads, pay for the laun-
dering of the choir vestments, and provide palms and candles.
Their funds are derived from monthly dues, and by entertain-
ments and sales.
The present organ was installed, and dedicated on June 24,
1907. The organists on that day were Messrs. Frederick Den-
nison and Philander Avery. On the previous day there had
been an organ recital by Mr. Charles W. Fash of New York, as-
sisted by Dr. 0. North way-Meyer, the Misses Mildred Starr,
Clara Force and Elizabeth Chant, Mrs. C. G. Smith and Mr.
J. Stanton Ennis. This organ was secured by subscriptions
amounting to $968. to which was added the sum of $750. given
by Mr. Andrew Carnegie.
On June 24, 1910, ground was broken for the Parish House.
At this time there were present besides the members of the
16
Rev. John A. Milbank
Jan. 9, 1S99— April 8. 1901
congregation, the Rev. Messrs. Charles F. Canedy who threw up
the first spadeful of earth, the Rev. T. G. Losee, rector of Wal-
den, James M. Robertson, rector of Amenia, and the rector of
St. John's. The building was completed, and opened on October
24th of the same year. The cost was $7,000.
Meanwhile, in November 1909, there had died Mr. Eli
Wheeler Fairchild, one of Monticello's pioneers and a devoted
vestryman of St. John's. He had not only been a faithful
worker in behalf of parish welfare, but a generous contributor,
and had represented the parish many times in convention. On
Christmas Day 1911, the handsome lectern Bible now in use, was
presented and blessed in his memory, the gift of his daughter,
Miss Agnes Doll Fairchild.
Another faithful man, and vestryman went to his rest on
May 31, 1912. This was the Hon. Timothy Bush, County Judge.
He had been a staunch supporter of the parish, but the terrible
calamity which befell St. John's in 1899, separated him with
many others from it. His loss then to St. John's, and his loss to
the community at his death, was a great one.
Under the direction of the rector of St. John's, missionary
work was begun at White Lake and Forrestburgh, as well as at
South Fallsburgh, the latter a flourishing work now being ser-
ved under the supervision of the rector of Liberty. During 1912
this work was in the hands of Mr. H. Baxter Liebler, novv a
priest, and rector of Waukesha, Wisconsin.
The rector after a long and distressing illness passed to his
rest on September 22, 1913. During the last months of his life,
services were conducted by the Rev. Messrs. George M. Geisel
and Robert C. Masterton.
About a month after the rector's death, Mrs. Mary V. Z.
Cady passed away. This volume would not be complete without
17
a mention of her generosity. She was one of the most loyal
workers and liberal supporters St. John's Church ever had. In
1908 she was moved to give the parish an additional strip of
land on the north side of the property in order that a side porch
might be constructed and a driveway made possible.
The vestry now called in succession the Revs. George F.
Bambach and Stephen F. Sherman, both of whom declined.
On Feb. 10, 1914, the Rev. Walter White Reid, of Sheldon,
Vermont was called, and accepted. The present rector assumed
charge of the parish on Passion Sunday, 1914.
"Their ivorks do folloiv them.'*
18
Rev. Stephen Van Rensselaer
May 1, lyOl— Nov. 6, 1905
J.
Rectors of St. John's
Edward Keaton Fowler,
George Dent Silliman,
Charles F. Canedy,
Gustave E. Pemcker,
George W. West,
George H. Anderson,
John M. Windsor,
S. H. S. Gallaudet,
William F. Dickinson,
David T. Howell,
John A. Milbank,
Stephen Van Renssalaer,
Walter I. Stecher,
Walter White Reid,
Church.
Dec. 22, 1826— July 6, 1868.
Nov. 18, 1870— May 22, 1873.
Sept. 1, 1873— Oct. 24, 1876.
Nov. 24, 1876— July 1, 1878.
Feb. 5, 1879- August 1, 1880.
Nov. 1, 1880— March 5, 1882.
Sept. 23, 1882— July 1, 1885.
Jan. 18, 1886— May 31, 1886.
May 28, 1887— Oct. 1, 1895.
Oct. 1, 1895— April 20, 1898.
Jan. 9, 1899— April 8, 1901.
May 1, 1901— Nov. 6, 1905.
Nov. 30. 1905— Sept. 22, 1913.
March 29, 1914—
Ministers-in-charge of St. John's Church.
James Thompson, 1816.
John Brown, 1816.
Arthur N. Wrixon, 1869.
Pierity, 1869.
George Dent Silliman, July 3, 1870 -Nov. 18, 1870.
Assistant Ministers.
Charles Stewart, 1880, 1885.
George M. Geisel, 1913.
Robert C. Masterton, 1913.
19
30781'?P
T}ie Wardens and Vestrymen wlw incarparated the parish.
Hon. William A. Thompson, | ttt j
John E. Russell, 3
Luther Buckley,
Levi Barnum,
William Woods Sackett,
Ira E. Smith,
Hon. Livingston Billings,
Charles Thompson,
Otto V/illiam Van Tuyl,
John Lord,
r- Vestiymen.
The Wardens of St. John's Church.
William A. Thompson,
John E. Russell,
Luther Buckley,
Israel P. Tremain,
Roderick Royce, M. D.,
Solomon Dewey,
Hon. Jonathan Stratton,
James Eldridge Quinlan,
William H. Cady,
Samuel G. Thompson,
John Waller,
Francis G. Snook,
Abraham Olmsted,
George Waller,
Edward F. Thompson,
1816—1848.
1816— ? .
1832—1842.
1842—1843 ; 1864—1882 ; 1885—1886.
1843—1865.
1848—1855.
1855—1864.
1865—1874.
1875—1878 ; 1885—1892.
1878—1882.
1883—1885; 1886—1892; 1906—
1883—1885.
1892—1906.
1892—1895.
1895—
20
Rev. Walter I. Stecher
Nov. 30, li!0.5— Sept. 22, 1913
The Vestrymen of St. John's Church.
Roderick Royce, M. D., 1831—1835 ;
John Hill, 1831—1836.
Solomon Dewey, 1831—1837 ;
William E. Cady, 1831—1850.
Randall S. Street, 1831—1839.
William Clarkson, 1831—1832.
Hon. Jonathan Stratton, 1831—1838 ;
Marshall Perry, 1832—1839.
Peter F. Hunn, Esq. 1833—1837.
Cyrus Grannis, 1835—1837.
Samuel G. Thompson, 1836—1878 ;
Charles Broom, 1837—1839 ;
Cholbe Royce, 1837—1840.
John Halstead, 1839—1841.
Isaac Barnum, 1839—1840.
Israel P. Tremain, 1840—1842 ;
Henry Mead, 1840—1841 ;
James Eldridge Quinlan, 1841—1865.
Ephraim S. Burnham, 1842—1875.
William F. Russell, 1843—1851.
Elijah H. Dewey, 1847—1857.
Frederick M. St. John, 1851—1873.
William H. Cady, 1851—1875.
Gideon Howard, 1855 — 1866.
Seth B. Allyn, 1857—1870.
Jacob L. Hasbrouck, M.D., 1864—1882.
John Waller, 1865—1882 ;
Charles Barnum, 1866—1881 ;
Edward F. Quinlan, M. D., 1870—1889.
Abraham Olmsted, 1873—1878.
John K. Cooper, 1875—1890.
Henry A. St. John, 1875—1882.
Francis G. Snook, 1878—1882 ;
George E. Bennett, 1878—1881 ;
Hon. Timothy F. Bush, 1881—1895.
Albert E. Gillespie, 1881—1886.
George L. Frank, 1883—1889.
1837—1843.
1838—1848.
1839—1847; 1848—1855.
1883—1885.
1841—1843.
1843—1865.
1850—1851.
1885—1886.
1883—1885; 1889—1899.
1885—1886.
1883-1884.
21
The Vestrymen of St. John's Church, continued.
Philander M. Avery, 1884—1889.
Eli McMillen, 1885—1886.
Clinton V. R. Luddington, 1886—1895.
David Watkins, 1886—1895.
James Turner, 1886—1889.
Frederick S. Newkirk, 1889—1890.
Samuel F. Adams, 1889—1892.
Moses Schoonmaker, 1889—1911.
Samuel B. Green, 1890—1899.
Floyd I. Pelton, 1890—
Edward F. Thompson, 1892—1895.
Moses C. Duryea, 1895—1896.
Robert McNickle, 1895—
Andrew Dunn, 1895—1899 ; 1901—1906.
William Nelson, 1895—
Eli W. Fairchild, 1896—1910.
George E. Marlow, 1900—1901.
Thornton A. Niven, 1900—1901.
Burton Royce, 1900—1903.
Silas W. Demarest, 1901—1905.
David S. Avery, 1903—1905.
Ralph B. Towner, 1905—1908 ; 1910—1911 ; 1915—
William W. Johns, 1905—1909.
Russell W. Allan, D. D. S. , 1906—1910.
Ernest G. Rundle, 1908—1912.
Henry W. Stratton, 1909—1910.
William F. Miller, 1910—1912 ; 1914—
Hon. Jacob M. Maybee, 1911—1913.
Hon. H. Blake Stratton, 1911—1915.
George W. Rockwell, 1912—1914.
George D. Pelton, 1912—
W. W. Woolley, 1912—1913.
Roger W. Sears, 1913—1915.
John T. Curtis, 1913—
Alois von Isakovics, 1915.
George H. York, 1915—
22
Rev. Walter White Reid
March 29, 1914—
J
Clerks of St. John's Vestry.
Rev. E. K. Fowler, 1831—1832.
Peter F. Hunn, Esq., 1833—1837.
William E. Cady, 1837—1850.
William F. Russell, 1850—1851.
William H. Cady, 1851—1876.
Israel P. Tremain, 1876—1878.
George E. Bennett, 1878—1880.
Henry A. St. John, 1880—1883.
Edward F. Quinlan, M. D., 1883—1888.
David Watkins, 1888—1892.
George Waller, 1892—1893.
Samuel B. Green, 1895—1899.
Charles Barnum, 1899—1900.
Burton Royce, 1900—1903.
Floyd I. Pelton, 1903—1906.
Russell W. Allan, D. D. S., 1906—1911.
Hon. J. M. Maybee, 1911—1913.
George D. Pelton, 1913—
Treasurers of St. John's Church.
Rev. E. K. Fowler, 1831—1835.
William E. Cady, 1835—1876.
John K. Cooper, 1876—1883.
John Waller, 1883—1885.
William H. Cady, 1885—1892.
Samuel B. Green, 1892—1899.
Abraham Olmsted, 1899—1905.
Robert McNickle, 1905—
23
Delegates to the Diocesan Convention representing St. John's Parish.
1847.
James E. Quinlan, William E. Cady.
1850.
1851.
Wm. F. Russell, Wm. H. Cady.
E. H. Dewey, Wm. H. Cady.
1852.
Wm. H. Cady.
1853.
Wm. H. Cady.
1854.
Wm. H. Cady.
1855.
Wm. H. Cady, I. P. Tremain.
1856.
Wm. H. Cady, F. M. St. John.
1857.
Wm. H. Cady, I. P. Tremain,
James E. Quinlan.
1858.
Wm. H. Cady, I. P. Tremain,
Seth B. Allyn.
1859.
Wm. H. Cady, I. P. Tremain,
Seth B. Allyn.
1860.
Wm. H. Cady, I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1861.
Wm. H. Cady, I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1862.
Wm. H. Cady, I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1863.
Wm. H. Cady, I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1864.
Wm. H. Cady, I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1865.
Wm. H. Cady, I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1866.
Wm. H. Cady, I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1867.
Wm. H. Cady, James E. Quinlan,
F. M. St. John.
1868.
Wm. H. Cady, John Waller,
Samuel G. Thompson.
1869.
Wm. H. Cady, I. P. Tremain,
F. M. St. John.
1871.
C. V. R. Luddington, Esq. F. M. St. .
lohn, Charles Bamum.
1872.
C. V. R. Luddington, Esq. Wm. H. Cady, Edw. F. Quinlan, M. D,
1876.
J. L. Hasbrouck, M. D. I. P. Tremain.
1877.
J. L. Hasbrouck, M. D. I. P. Tremain, Wm. H. Cady.
1878.
John Waller, J. K. Cooper,
L P. Tremain.
1879.
John Waller, F. G. Snook,
L P. Tremain.
1880.
John Waller, E. F. Quinlan,
L P. Tremain.
1883.
I. P. Tremain, John Waller,
Wm. H. Cady.
1884.
John K. Cooper, John Waller,
Wm. H. Cady.
1885.
C. V. R. Luddington, Esq., John Waller, Wm. H. Cady.
1886.
C. V. R. Luddington, Esq., John Waller, John K. Cooper.
1887.
C. V. R. Luddington, Esq., John Waller, John K. Cooper.
1888.
C. V. R. Luddington, Esq., John Waller, John K. Cooper,
1891.
C. V. R. Luddington, Esq., John Waller, David Watkins.
1892.
C. V. R. Luddington, Esq., John Waller, Edw. F. Thompson.
24
Delegates to the Diocesan Convention rejn'eseyiting St. John's Parish,
continued.
1893.
John Waller.
1894.
C. V. R. Luddington,
Esq., Edw. F. Thompson.
1897.
Abraham Olmsted,
Eli W. Fairchild.
1898.
Abraham Olmsted,
Eli W. Fairchild.
1899.
Abraham Olmsted,
Eli W. Fairchild.
1900.
Abraham Olmsted,
Eli W. Fairchild.
1901.
Andrew Dunn,
S. W. Demarest.
1902.
Abraham Olmsted,
Eli W. Fairchild.
1903.
Abraham Olmsted,
Eli W. Fairchild.
1904.
Andrew Dunn,
Eli W. Fairchild.
1905.
Andrew Dunn,
R. B. Towner,
W. W,
. Johns.
1906.
John Waller,
Edw. F. Thompson,
R. W.
Allan, D.D.S,
1907.
John Waller,
Edw. F. Thompson,
R. W.
Allan, D.D.S,
1908.
John Waller,
Floyd I. Pelton,
R. W.
Allan, D.D.S,
1909.
John Waller,
Floyd I. Pelton,
R. W.
Allan, D.D.S,
1911.
John Waller,
Hon. J. M. Maybee,
R. W.
Allan, D.D.S,
1914.
John T. Curtis,
John Waller,
Floyd
I. Pelton.
1915.
John T. Curtis,
R. B. Towner,
Alois '
von Isakovics.
25
