295 B^ 
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CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
Historical Sketch 
 
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Cornell University 
 Library 
 
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 the Cornell University Library. 
 
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 http://www.archive.org/cletails/cu31924029475534 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Monmouth Presbytery 
 
 AND ITS CHURCHES. 
 
 REV. JOSEPH G. SYMMES. 
 
 Published by order of Presbytery. 
 
 TEENTON, N. J.: 
 MacCeehish & QuiGiEY, Steam Powee Pkinteeb, 16 East State Steeet. 
 
 1877. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
 
 The profligate reign of Cliarles II drove many of his best 
 subjects from England, Scotland and Ireland to the new 
 world. These were largely Presbyterians; and they gave 
 immediate attention to the founding of churches on their 
 own distinctive principles. And these all had the Scottish 
 type. But they attracted into their folds many from Hol- 
 land, France, Switzerland and Germany. And to this day, 
 in the older parts of our country, the nationality of the 
 early settlers can be recognized from the names that pre- 
 vail ; wherein Dutch and Scotch names struggle for the pre- 
 eminence. But this diverse nationality does not prevent a 
 harmonious moulding and blending into one homogeneous 
 whole, so grandly suggestive of the final unity of believers 
 in Christ. 
 
 But our fathers, careful in planting churches, were not 
 neglectful of an external bond of unity and strength. In 
 1706 they formed themselves into the Presbytery of Phil- 
 adelphia; and in 1716 they organized the Synod of 
 Philadelphia. The territory covered by the Presbytery of 
 Philadelphia was divided into four Presbyteries, and these 
 constituted the Synod. The number of zealous, faithful 
 laborers in the Gospel rapidly increased, and churches were 
 multiplied. And this growth increased the difficulties and 
 expense of attending ecclesiastical meetings. This caused 
 further division of territory, and the formation of new rela- 
 tions. But this did not begin until 1732, sixteen years after 
 the Synod of Philadelphia was constituted. 
 
 The original Presbyteries were Philadelphia, Kew Castle, 
 Snow Hill and Long Island. In 1732 Donegal was formed 
 out of New Castle; and the next year East Jersey was 
 
formed out of Philadelphia; and in 1735 Lewes, out of 
 New Castle. In 1738 came the events most interesting to 
 us : The Presbytery of New York was formed out of a 
 union of Long Island with a part of East Jersey ; and th^t 
 of New Brunswick out of Philadelphia and the other part 
 of East Jersey. This last event took place in August of 
 that year. The territory was the middle and northwestern 
 portions of the State. The south belonged to Philadelphia, 
 and the northeast to New York. But we must remember 
 that dividing lines were not very distinctly drawn; and 
 during the period of division, from 1742 to 1758, there was 
 much confusion. At the reunion the boundaries were 
 adjusted, making little change with New Brunswick. 
 Indeed, the boundaries of New Brunswick continued 
 almost unchanged until 1817, when the Presbytery of 
 Newton was formed. This cut off the whole northern part 
 of the State. On the south few changes occurred until 
 1839, when the Presbytery of West Jersey was formed out 
 of that of Philadelphia. In the same year Raritan was 
 formed out of Newton. Ten years after this, in 1849, the 
 Presbytery of Burlington was carved out of West Jersey, 
 with Allentown and Bordentown from New Brunswick. 
 These changes left New Brunswick with an extended terri- 
 tory ; too large, as many thought, for efficient supervision 
 and wise cultivation. This conviction culminated in a peti- 
 tion to Synod, in 1859, for a division. The prayer was 
 granted, and the Presbytery of Monmouth was formed. 
 The change gave the new Presbytery a territory fully equal 
 to that left to the old. Upon the new field diligent and 
 faithful work was performed ; new churches were founded, 
 and old ones strengthened. But the arrangement thus 
 made was not destined to abide long. Glorious times were 
 at hand. The unity of believers began to be, more than 
 ever, perhaps, since the days of the Apostles, not only a 
 sentiment, but also- a practical reality. Manifestations of 
 this sentiment appeared on every hand. Christians, of 
 every name, have been drawn closer together. And the 
 
influence of this reviving sentiment has been seen in the 
 closer organic union which has been formed between bodies 
 of Christians holding the same system of doctrine and gov. 
 ernment. 
 
 Among these events none was more notable or gratifying 
 than the union between the two largest branches of th" 
 Presbyterian family of churches. In 1870 was consum- 
 mated the event over which Christians everywhere rejoiced. 
 And now we are permitted to rejoice in the prospect that 
 this was only the harbinger of still more glorious things to 
 come in the same direction. But this event, so glorious to 
 the whole Church, wrought out results not so grateful to 
 individuals. In the adjustment of boundaries and ecclesi- 
 astical relations made necessary by the union, the former 
 principle of division was reversed. Heretofore it had been 
 thought that small Presbyteries were more efficient than 
 large ones. But now an unwieldy Assembly presented 
 itself; and the only plan that could be agreed upon to meet 
 that difficulty was to form large Presbyteries. And, possi- 
 bly, we sacrificed a principle to a difficulty ; we abandoned 
 the principle of small Presbyteries before the difficulty of 
 reducing the Assembly. Time and experience only will tell 
 whether, when the difficulty is removed, we will not return 
 to the old principle. 
 
 But, in the adjustment thus made necessary, Burlington 
 and Monmouth Presbj^teries were united, and a slice of 
 New Brunswick was added, Camden being given to West 
 Jersey. If it may not be said that this was a union without 
 the consent of the parties, certainly this may be said, it was 
 without the approbation of any of the parties. It was revers- 
 ing the principle that had hitherto prevailed. But we were 
 all loyal Presbyterians, and we submitted to the decision of 
 the higher powers. And we came together certainly with- 
 out any animosities towards each other. And we have 
 lived together long enough to know each other ; and the 
 more we know each other, the more easy do we find it to 
 obey the loving injunction, "Little children love one 
 
6 
 
 another." Very rarely has any new household dwelt 
 together more harmoniously. And it may be doubted 
 whether we would not soon vote the old principle a mistake, 
 and hold that large Presbyteries are most efficient ; we cer- 
 tainly would vote them most agreeable. 
 
 But this new Presbytery scarcely has a history of its own. 
 It may point to good work already done ; but it is too soon 
 even to attempt to set forth the fruits of this labor; and we 
 would not sit in judgment upon ourselves. There seems, 
 then, to be only one thing left for the historian to do, and 
 that is to sketch the history of the individual churches 
 composing the Presbytery. 
 
 Please permit, then, first the statement of the great law 
 of the Church's existence on earth, and then a glance at the 
 history in illustration of this law. That law is groioth. It 
 is essential to the existence of religion in the soul that the 
 believer shall grow in grace. It is essential to the existence 
 of the Church on earth that she shall grow. This is not 
 merely a truth that is common to all human organizations. 
 It is of the very essence of religion that it be expansive, 
 aggressive, progressive. It is a leaven hidden in a measure 
 of meal — it must operate to leaven the whole mass. If it 
 does not, there is no life in it. This is true of the indi- 
 vidual, and of the masses. You cannot fill up a church, 
 and then, like a bottle of preserves, seal it up and set it 
 away. The Church, considered either in its collective or 
 individual capacity, must grow. And the most critical period 
 for an individual church is when it is flourishing and full. 
 She must find room for further growth, or decline will 
 ensue. 
 
 The history of our churches will show striking and grati- 
 fying illustrations of this law of growth. In exhibiting 
 them, after considering the alphabetical and chronological 
 order, it seemed best to adopt the plan of grouping churches 
 together. Here and there will be found original centers of 
 influences — nuclei out of which have sprung the growth of 
 more than one hundred and fifty years. All the later 
 
churches trace their relations more or less directly to the 
 original centers, albeit some of the younger have outgrown 
 the older. The attempt is now honestly made to present 
 the groupings as nearly as possible according to this law ot 
 growth. 
 
 SHREWSBURY. 
 
 There are at least four churches in this Presbytery that 
 never had a formal organization— Shrewsbury, Tennent, 
 First Cranbury, and Allentown. It seems certain that the 
 first of these points to enjoy preaching was Shrewsbury. 
 In 1672 George Fox, the founder of the society of Friends, 
 paid a visit to the place, and found the members of that 
 society building a meeting house. When or how Presby- 
 teriauism was planted cannot be ascertained. But there 
 must have been preaching occasionally by ministers of that 
 persuasion : for in 1734 Samuel Blair began regular minis- 
 trations to a Presbyterian congregation already formed. 
 He remained, however, but five or six years. After him 
 the church enjoyed regular ministrations, and had consider- 
 able prosperity, until the war of the Revolution. Then its 
 pastor, Rev. Charles McKnight, a zealous patriot, was 
 seized and confined upon a British prison-ship, and died 
 soon after his release. The church edifice, about this time, 
 became dilapidated, and was sold at auction. 
 
 From this time the church .became almost extinct for 
 nearly fifty years. In that time they had a stated supply for 
 only two years. Some neighboring ministers, especially 
 Dr. Woodhull of Tennent, came occasionally to preach and 
 administer the sacraments. The organization was main- 
 tained, elders and deacons being added now and then, and 
 occasionally a new member. A few faithful souls remained, 
 and kept a spark alive that afterward kindled to a flame. 
 One of their efforts cannot now be commended. In 1805 
 application was made to the Legislature for permission to 
 open a lottery to build a house of worship. For some reason 
 
the application failed. But in 1821 they began to build 
 by legitimate means, and finished in two years. The Rev. 
 Horace Pratt had been sent there by a female missionary 
 society at Princeton, and soon new life began to circulate in 
 old veins. Mr. Pratt remained but about four years, and 
 was succeeded by several stated supplies, all of whom gave 
 but a brief period to this field. An effort was made to 
 settle a pastor in 1826, but it failed. In this unsettled state 
 of course the growth was slow. 
 
 In 1840 the Rev. Rufus Taylor became the pastor, and 
 seems to have been the first pastor of the resuscitated 
 church. This was the beginning of a new era. This pas- 
 torate continued about twelve years. And in the Fall of 
 1852 the present pastor, the Rev. Thaddeus "Wilson, was 
 installed, who enjoys the distinction of being the oldest set- 
 tled pastor of this Presbytery. Recently the church has 
 improved its appliances for good work by the erection of a 
 fine lecture room. 
 
 Here, then, we have a church more than one hundred 
 and fifty years old, much of the time without the ministry, ' 
 often without officers, and for long periods nearly extinct. 
 Yet the germ of life continued, and is now bringing forth 
 fruit abundantly. The present membership is one hundred 
 and thirty. 
 
 MATAWAtT. 
 
 Middletown Point is first mentioned as one of the preach- 
 ing points of Rev. Elihu Spencer previously to 1764, who 
 for a number of years lived at Shrewsbury and exercised a 
 kind of itineracy all along the coast. In 1766 Middletown 
 Point, or Matawan as it was afterwards called, united with 
 Shrewsbury in calling Rev. Charles McKnight from Allen- 
 town. But the house of worship was destroyed during the 
 Revolution, and the members scattered.. 
 
 The house was rebuilt by a lottery, but was rarely used 
 by Presbyterians until 1820, about the time of the resusci- 
 
tation of Shrewsbury. The church was organized, or, if 
 you choose, re-organized in that year. And this fact has 
 close connection with another fact— that Eev. Eli F. Cooley 
 was the first settled pastor. Previous to this the Lord's 
 Supper had been administered but twice since the time of 
 Mr. McKnight. 
 
 The church was for twenty years, afflicted with brief pas- 
 torates. Father Cooley served for only three years, and 
 was followed by Revs. Clifford S. Ames, George S. Wood- 
 hull, and Joseph L. Shafer, until 1838, when Rev. Charles 
 Webster became pastor. It was at the beginning of his 
 period of service that the present church edifice was 
 erected; which has since been enlarged. After serving 
 eleven years he gave place to the lorigest pastorate, of 
 eighteen years, that of the Rev. John M. Rogers. Then, 
 after two years service by the Rev. James 0. Denniston, 
 came our lamented brother, J. H. Kaufman, whose brief 
 pastorate, loving and successful, is memorable chiefly for 
 its sudden and impressive termination ; the summons find- 
 ing him in the pulpit, endeavoring to join in singing " The 
 Saviour's matchless worth," whence he passed to sing that 
 worth " in loftier, sweeter notes " than mortals ever heard. 
 
 The present pastor, the Rev. J. M. Anderson, was settled 
 in May, 1874. A regular growth had been the feature of 
 the church's history. The only exception was that in the 
 last year there was an accession of nearly fifty on profession 
 of their faith. Very recently the erection of commodious 
 lecture and Sabbath school rooms have added to the facili- 
 ties for good work. The present roll includes one hundred 
 and ninety-seven names. 
 
 RED BANX. 
 
 The church at Red Bank was organized in June, 1852, 
 by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, and was constituted 
 of twenty-seven members, taken wholly from Shi-ewsbury. 
 
10 
 
 Mr. F. Reck Harbaugh, a licentiate of the Presbytery of 
 'New Brunswick, was ordained and installed first pastor in 
 October of the year following. The present church edifice 
 was erected in 1856, under the pastorate of Rev. William 
 Seribner. The usual vicissitudes of struggles and discour- 
 agements attended the history of this church, until 1863, 
 when it had become a serious question whether it could 
 survive. Then the Rev. Dr. D. V. McLean was called to 
 the pastorate ; and within a few months the incubus of debt 
 was removed, and a parsonage was built. 
 
 The church then entered upon a period of growth and 
 prosperity that has continued ever since. Along with this 
 financial prosperity there was also rapid spiritual develop- 
 ment, both of which were checked by the sudden death of 
 Dr. McLean, in November, 1869. But the flock was not 
 long without a shepherd, and in the June following the 
 good work went on under our lamented brother, J. R. 
 Hamilton. Declining health soon constrained him to 
 resign, a decline which quickly ended in death. Then, by 
 a striking Providence, in just twenty years from his first 
 settlement there, the present pastor, the Rev. F. Reck Har- 
 baugh, was recalled. " Peace has been within their walls 
 and prosperity within their palaces," until " the place of 
 their habitation has become too strait for them," and they 
 are now considering plans for enlarging their borders. The 
 present roll includes one hundred and seventy names. 
 
 OCEAOTC. 
 
 The church of Port Washington was organized by the 
 Presbytery of Monmouth in April, 1861, constituted of 
 members from Red Bank and Shrewsbury. Li the Fall of 
 that year Mr. Albert B. King was ordained and installed 
 the first pastor. 
 
 Two pastors died in succession — Rev. Alexander Cle- 
 ments, in 1868, and Rev. James McFarlane, in 1871. Then 
 
11 
 
 the church had stated and occasional supphes until June, 
 1874, when Eev. Charles S. Newhall took the charge, and 
 remains until this day, although he has never been Installed. 
 The church has struggled through difficulties and discour- 
 agements. But there are now many hopeful signs of 
 growth. Since the opening of the Shore Railroad there 
 has been a rapid increase of the population of that whole 
 region. The village and church have recently taken on a 
 new name, Oceanic. The membership has increased three- 
 fold within the last three years, and now numbers forty- 
 four. 
 
 In close proximity to Oceanic a watering-place by the sea 
 has sprung up, called Sea Bright. Here, by private liber- 
 ality, a chapel has been built, and public worship main- 
 tained part of the time. This chapel is soon to become the 
 property of the Presbytery by deed of the private owners. 
 And it is hoped that the spiritual growth may keep pace 
 with the material. 
 
 TEN'NENT. 
 
 In 1685 a band of Presbyterians, who had suffered in the 
 bloody persecutions of Charles II, were shipped from Scot- 
 land to be sold as slaves in the Colonies. But tbeir captain 
 died, and his successor determined to take his cargo to Vir- 
 ginia, as likely there to find the best market. But a tem- 
 pestuous voyage drove them into Perth Amboy; and, being 
 set free by the authorities, they determined to locate m 
 Few Jersey. Many of them settled in Monmouth county. 
 True to their extraction and education, they gave imme- 
 diate attention to religious privileges. They formed them- 
 selves into a church as early as 1692, and probably had 
 built a house of worship before that time. They called 
 their church Freehold. Among their number was John 
 Boyd, who was possibly licensed to preach m Scot aiid. At 
 least he appears as ministering to that people m 1706. In 
 December of that year he was ordained m his own pubhc 
 
12 
 
 meeting house," by the newly formed Presbytery of Phila- 
 delphia — the first minister ordained by this first Presbytery. 
 After two years steps were taken to have him regularly 
 installed, when he died. 
 
 Then for twenty years Rev. Joseph Morgan ministered to 
 that people, though it is not certain that he was installed. 
 On his leaving them the people were sadly divided, and 
 " there seemed no hope of their ever settling a minister." 
 But a marked Providence sent them John Tennent, cer- 
 tainly the most saintly of the five of that name who made 
 such a deep impression upon the early history of Presby- 
 terianism in this country. He was settled at Freehold in 
 1730, and was probably tte first pastor. A decided change 
 immediately followed. In that same year steps were taken 
 for the building of a new house of worship. It was near 
 the site of the present building. 
 
 John Tennent died in two years, and was succeeded by 
 his brother William, the most famous of the four remarka- 
 ble brothers. Immediately a parsonage farm was purchased ; 
 where William Tennent resided during his nearly half cen- 
 tury pastorate ; and which was, in part, the scene of the 
 battle of Monmouth. 
 
 Such was the prosperity attending the labors of the two 
 Tennents that in 1750 it was deemed necessary to build a 
 larger house of worship. And the present edifice was 
 erected, almost precisely as it is to this day. It is to be 
 hoped that before this building is too far decayed it may be 
 hermetically sealed up in a glass case, to be seen by future 
 generations, a landmark, and a monument of the early days 
 of Presbyterianism. It stands not only as a monument of 
 the church, but is also to be venerated for having seen the 
 clash of arms in one of the most important battles of the 
 war of Independence. 
 
 This church, blessed with an unusual succession of able 
 and godly men for pastors, still brings forth fruit in old 
 age — a green old age. 
 
13 
 
 Succeeding the nearly half century of Tennent came 
 another half century pastorate under Dr. John Woodhull, 
 not only a teacher of the people, but also a distinguished 
 teacher of teachers. Then came briefer pastorates under 
 Revs. Job F. Halsey, Eobert Eoy, D. V. McLean, J. Clark, 
 L. H. Yan Doren and Donald McLaren, under whom there 
 was constant and healthful growth. The present pastor, th^ 
 E,ev. A. P. Cobb, was installed in August, 1863. Very 
 shortly after his settlement he had purchased the parsonage 
 property and refitted and enlarged it, when, before the fur- 
 niture was arranged in it, a fire consumed the whole, and 
 with it all the records of the church. 
 
 For more than one hundred and fifty years called " Free- 
 hold," the name was changed only a few years since, and 
 now it bears, most appropriately, the name of " Tennent 
 Church." It embraces within its broad bosom more than 
 four hundred and fifty souls. 
 
 FREEHOLD. 
 
 Though it is doubtless true that the first interior settle- 
 ment in Monmouth county was made around the Tennent 
 Church, it was not the most important point. In Colonial 
 times a point two miles southward had secured the import- 
 ance of the seat of justice, and for many years the best 
 known name was Monmouth Court House. In early times 
 Monmouth county covered a vast extent of country. But, 
 however counties were carved out of her territory, Freehold 
 retained the seat of justice. Its vicinity to the venerable 
 Tennent Church must have been the only reason why the 
 origin of a Presbyterian Church there was of such recent 
 date. However that may be, it was not until Dr. McLean's 
 pastorate at Tennent that a movement was made m that 
 
 direction. . ■, ^ 4. 
 
 In 1835 the people of Freehold determmed to erect a 
 house for the convenience of public worship, not mtendmg 
 
14 
 
 to form a separate organization. The next year they 
 secured a legal incorporation. And in February, 1838, 
 they were organized by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, 
 calling themselves the Village Church of Freehold. There 
 were thirty-two members, taken wholly from the Tennent 
 Church. But more were speedily added from other 
 churches, and especially from the First Church of Howell, 
 which was dissolved about that time. In November of the 
 same year, 1838, the Rev. D. V. McLean was installed their 
 first pastor. The church grew rapidly under his ministry 
 of twelve years ; when he was succeeded by the Rev. 
 Samuel D. Alexander, during whose ministry the house of 
 worship was enlarged. 
 
 The present pastor, Rev. Frank Chandler, was installed 
 in May, 1857. The rapidly growing town and steadily 
 increasing congregation soon proved the house of worship 
 too straitened. And in the memorial year, 1870, it was 
 resolved to undertake the building of a new house in 
 another location. The plan adopted was a great undertak- 
 ing; but the people responded to the call in.a very generous 
 manner, and in 1874 were permitted to dedicate the work 
 of their hands to the worship of Almighty God. With a 
 commodious house of worship, and convenient Sabbath 
 school rooms, we may hope this church enters on a new 
 career of prosperity and usefulness. The present member- 
 ship is three hundred and fifteen. 
 
 ENGLISHTOWN. 
 
 History repeats itself. Sixteen years ago in Englishtown, 
 a village two miles from Tennent, on the side opposite to 
 Freehold, a house was erected for the convenience of public 
 worship, not intending, at once, a separate organization. 
 But last year the time seemed to have come for such a 
 movement. And in December last a church was organized 
 there, by the Presbytery of Monmouth, with more than 
 
15 
 
 seventy members. Having a church building out of debt, 
 and with a subscription before organization nearly enough 
 to cover current expenses, the prospect certainly seemed 
 promising. But immediately after that event they were 
 able to secure the services of the Rev. Donald McLaren, 
 once pastor of Tennent, who is now acting as stated supply. 
 And the hope for a self-sustaining church is bright. 
 
 MILLSTOISTE. 
 
 Among the out-stations of the older churches Upper 
 Freehold soon became an important point. . As early as 
 1785 there was an arrangement by which the pastors of 
 Tennent, Cranbury and Allentown held regular services 
 there. But the Tennent pastor. Dr. John Woodhull, took 
 special interest in this work, and secured regular preaching 
 from Rev. Joseph Clark, who had been one of his students 
 of theology. But Mr. Clark was settled in Allentown in 
 1788 ; and the supplies by the three pastors mentioned con- 
 tinued until 1826. During Mr. Clark's ministry a plot of 
 ground was purchased, and a house of worship commenced. 
 This was on the spot where the present edifice now stands, 
 and forms part of the same. 
 
 In 1826 the Presbytery of 'Eew Brunswick organized a 
 church, the young Cranbury pastor. Rev. Symmes C. 
 Henry, acting as the committee. There were thirteen 
 members. It was organized as the Church of Upper Free- 
 hold, but the name was changed afterwards to Millstone. 
 The new church was both fortunate and unfortunate in 
 securino- the services of Rev. WiUiam Woodhull as first 
 pastor ;'who was a grandson of Dr. John Woodhull. Under 
 his ministry in hve years the membership ran up to near 
 two hundred. But the pastor was then silenced for intem- 
 perance. Soon, however, he was restored ; but had scarcely 
 resumed his work when he died. Rev. L. S. Beebee and 
 Rev William S. Betts filled two brief pastorates, and were 
 succeeded in 1841 by Rev. C. F. Worrell. The member- 
 
16 
 
 ship had dwindled to forty-three at the beginning of his 
 labors. At the close of this pastorate of twenty-six years 
 there were two hundred and twenty-four members. And 
 in the meantime contributions had been made to the mem- 
 bership of Manalapan and Hightstown churches. A par- 
 sonage farm had been purchased in 1850, but was lost to 
 the church during the brief and troubled pastorate of Rev. 
 D. Lockerby, growing out of causes arising before his time. 
 In November, 1873, the present pastor, Rev. George "W". 
 McMillan, took charge. He found the church reduced to 
 seventj'-six members, very heavily in debt, and greatly dis- 
 couraged. The Head of the Church bestowed His blessing, 
 and now the debt is nearly paid, and the membership is one 
 hundred and eighty. 
 
 MANALAPAN". 
 
 When the people of G-od refuse to obey the law of growth 
 and go forth to build up new walls, the Lord often casts an 
 apple of discord among them and compels them to separate. 
 So it was with the church of Millstone. In 1856 some of 
 the members of that church petitioned the Presbytery of 
 New Brunswick for a new organization. Meantime a build- 
 ing was in course of erection. And in July of that year 
 the unusual combination was witnessed, the Manalapan 
 Church was organized and the house of worship dedicated 
 in the same service. Rev. Dr. Henry, who had laid the 
 corner stone, preached on this interesting occasion. In the 
 Spring of the next year, 1857, Rev. John L. Kehoo was 
 ordained and installed the first pastor. After seventeen 
 years of most faithful, laborious and successful labor, ill 
 health compelled him to resign his charge. 
 
 There were forty-eight original members, drawn chiefly 
 from Millstone, but supplemented from Cranbury and Ten- 
 nent. The new enterprise received a gracious baptism of 
 the Spirit in its infancy. The first report made to Presby- 
 tery reported forty-five received on examination. In 
 
17 
 
 December, 1874, the present pastor, E,ev. George Warring- 
 ton, was installed. And within a year the seal of the Spirtt 
 was set to his ministry, and more than one hundred souls 
 were added to the church on profession of faith in Christ. 
 And now, with all animosities buried, the mother and 
 daughter rejoice together over what God hath wrought. 
 His hand was in the separation, and His blessing has rested 
 upon both homes. The Manalapan membership is two 
 hundred and eighty. 
 
 CRAKBURY FIRST. 
 
 The Church of Cranbury is one of those whose beginning 
 runs back into the dim and shadowy past. Whatever else 
 our fathers did or did not do, they failed to keep accurate 
 records. Joseph Morgan, the pastor for twentj' years of 
 Freehold (Tennent), writes to Cotton Mather, in 1733, that 
 " formerly there had been no Presbyterian congregations 
 within twenty miles of Freehold on the north. Our minis- 
 trations were as little desired as enjoyed; but now new con- 
 gregations are formed, Allentown and Cranbury, where 
 formerly the people thought us as bad almost as the 
 Papists." 
 
 The first settlers of Cranbury came principally from 
 England; joined very early by others from Hcotland and 
 Holland, and also by some of that precious cargo of Pres- 
 byterian slaves from Scotland. Settlements began as early 
 as 1680. In 1736 a mill was built on Cranbury brook, 
 which was the nucleus of the village. But some time pre- 
 vious to this, when cannot be ascertained, a house of wor- 
 ship had been erected higher up the stream, four miles east 
 of the site of the village. In this probably the Episcopa- 
 lians took the lead. But, however this may he, fraternity or 
 necessity induced them to unite in the building and the 
 occupancy with the Presbyterians. This house has long 
 since disappeared, its only memento a neglected cemetery. 
 In 1740, by advice of Presbytery, an amicable separation 
 2 
 
18 
 
 was arranged, and the Presbyterians built a new bouse 
 near wliere the building of the First Church now stands. 
 There seems to have been a fully organized church as early 
 as 1734, for in that year a call was extended to the Rev. 
 Samuel Blair, The next appearance of the people of Cran- 
 bury was as suppliants for supplies at the first meeting of 
 the Presbytery of New Brunswick, in 1738, when Gilbert 
 Tenneut was sent to them. And they constantly appear in 
 the same character until 1744, when the Rev. Charles 
 McKnight was settled over the united congregations of 
 Cranbury and AUentown : Mr. McKnight residing at Cran- 
 bury, probably in the house still standing there. But he 
 could not reside here in peace. There was a contest for 
 his residence between the two places, which was only ended 
 in 1756 b}' Mr. McKnight taking sole charge of AUentown. 
 
 Cranbury depended upon supplies until 1762, when Rev. 
 Thomas Smith became the pastor. Since that time, for 
 one hundred and fifteen years, the pastoral ofiice has been 
 vacant but two and one-half years, all the vacancies put 
 together. Another remarkable fact — who will say it is not 
 directly related to the other ? — is that the growth of this 
 church has been constant and steady. The records are 
 very imperfect back of the year 1800. But for these 
 seventy-five years the admissions to the church have aver- 
 aged nineteen, and seldom below ten in any one of these 
 years. Then, in addition to this steady growth, there have 
 been several periods of large ingathering, notably in the 
 years 1828, 1858, 1870, and 1875. 
 
 In 1758 the property where Mr. McKnight had resided 
 was purchased for a parsonage, together with one hundred 
 and fifty acres of land. The parsonage and half the land 
 is still owned bj- the congregation. A new house of wor- 
 ship was built in 1789, which, much enlarged, is the one 
 now occupied. Revs. Gilbert T. Snowden, George S. 
 WoodhuU and Symmes C. Henry were the successive pas- 
 tors. The history has been marked by long or peaceful 
 pastorates. Counting the present, there have been but six 
 
19 
 
 pastors ia one hundred and thirty years ; and three of them 
 are buried among their people. The present pastor, the 
 Eev. Joseph G. Symmes, was installed in May, 1857. 
 
 The old Cranbury Church has been a prolific mother of 
 churches, no less than eight having been formed, in whole 
 or in part, out of her membership. Her roll now embraces 
 four hundred and forty names. 
 
 CRANBURY SECOND. 
 
 Some of the earliest churches formed out of First Cran- 
 bury are not in connection ■ with Monmouth Presbj'tery. 
 The first to be named in this connection, as exemplifying 
 the law of growth, is Second Cranbury. In the old church 
 there had been a remarkable period of growth, covering 
 three or four years, up to 1830. This enlargement necessi- 
 tated increased accommodations. But over this question 
 grew up a controversy, whether it should take the form of 
 a new building, or an enlargement of the old. The ques- 
 tion could not be settled until the parties had imitated the 
 example of Abraham and Lot ; they separated. The advo- 
 cates of a new building went out and built a new one : the 
 advocates of enlargement remained and cai-ried out their 
 projects. It was seen immediately that the Lord's hand 
 was in the contest, driving His people to do what they should 
 have done voluntarily. If there was any bitter feeling in 
 the separation, it has long since been buried, and mother 
 and daughter most cordially thank God together for what 
 His hand hath wrought. 
 
 In 1837 a new building was begun, and in June of the 
 following year the Presbytery of New Brunswick organized 
 a church and dedicated the new edifice, Drs. Miller and 
 Comfort acting as the committee. Almost immediately a 
 handsome parsonage property was built. The new enter- 
 prise was most fortunate in securing the services of Eev. 
 Joseph W. Blythe, who began his labors almost immedi- 
 
20 
 
 ately, but was not installed until the next Spring, 1839. 
 The blessing of G-od rested upon his labors, and many were 
 gathered in, and especially in the earlier yeai's of his min- 
 istry. Suddenly resigning his chai'ge in 1856, he was suc- 
 ceeded by the Rev. Thomas D. Hoover, a most zealous and 
 earnest preacher, and a sympathetic and successful pastor. 
 At the beginning of his pastorate the house of worship was 
 enlarged. And, better than that, rather as the cause of 
 that, a great blessing attended his labors. He died sud- 
 denly, while attending the meeting of the General Assem- 
 bly, in Cincinnati, in 1867. 
 
 After a brief pastorate by Rev. J. B. H. Janeway, he was 
 succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Joseph S. Van Dyke, 
 in May, 1869. The very beginning of Mr. Van Dyke's 
 ministry was marked by a large blessing ; and the succeed- 
 ing years have also been attended by tokens of Divine 
 favor. The present membership is three hundred and three. 
 
 JAMESBURG. 
 
 The Cranbury pastors have always done much itinerant 
 work, preaching in the region all round about. Among 
 the most prominent of the points thus occasionally supplied 
 is Jamesburg. It is on record that for more than one hun- 
 dred years all the neighboring pastors preached at this 
 point. But thirty years ago the place began to grow more 
 rapidly into prominence. And as this material growth 
 advanced, the desire increased for more regular means of 
 grace. The struggles and self-denials to secure this blessing 
 cannot be recounted, but they culminated in a petition to 
 the Presbytery of New Brunswick for an organization in 
 1854. The object was effected in June of that year, the 
 two Cranbury pastors, Henry and Blythe, taking part in 
 the services of the occasion. The early members were 
 nearly all from the Cranbury churches. 
 
 A house of worship was dedicated three weeks after the 
 organization, and in May of the next year, 1855, Mr. J. 
 
21 
 
 Halstead Carroll was ordained and installed the first pastor 
 ihe new enterprise was watered with the dews of grace 
 and large accessions were received. In three years our 
 good brother, Rev. William M. Wells, succeeded to the 
 pastorate, and performed eleven years of laborious and suc- 
 cessfal work. During his service the church edifice was 
 enlarged. 
 
 The^ present pastor, Eev. B. S. Everitt, was installed in 
 January, 1870. During his pastorate the house of worship 
 was again enlarged, the parsonage refitted, and the blessing 
 of God has attended the means of grace in a marked 
 manner. The seed for a hundred years is bringing forth 
 abundant fruit. The roll embraces four hundred and 
 twenty-seven names. 
 
 HIGHTSTOWlSr. 
 
 In 1788 the Baptist Church, which had been established 
 in Cranbury forty years before, was removed to Higlits- 
 town. There it rapidly grew into a strong and fiourishing 
 congregation. This fact, doubtless, long delayed the estab- 
 lishment of a Presbyterian Church in that place. But 
 occasional preaching by Presbyterian ministers was long 
 maintained, and especially by the Cranbury pastors. But 
 finally the interest became so strong that, just as the long- 
 est pastorate of the Cranbury First was closing, a move- 
 ment was made to establish a church in Hightstown. An 
 organization was completed by the Presbj'tery of ISTew 
 Brunswick in May, 1857. The majority of the first mem- 
 bers came from Cranbury Pirst; but Cranbury Second and 
 Millstone also contributed their quota. And a building 
 was commenced immediately. In December of that year 
 Rev. R. Taylor was installed first pastor. In the succeeding 
 June a fine and commodious house of worship was dedi- 
 cated. 
 
 In June, 1862, Dr. Taylor was dismissed, and was suc- 
 ceeded by Rev. S, S. Shriver, who, in addition to his 
 
22 
 
 pastoral work, performed very great and unrequited labor 
 in connection with the founding of the Van Rensselaer 
 Memorial Institute. But it should be stated that the church 
 at Hightstown has had no connection with the Institute. 
 In November, 1869, Rev. J. B. Davis was installed pastor, 
 and continues in that relation to this day. The next year 
 witnessed the erection of a large and comfortable chapel 
 for lectures and Sabbath school. Last year there was a 
 large and encouraging ingathering ; and the present mem- 
 bership is two hundred and thirty. 
 
 DAYTOK 
 
 Another of the outlying preaching stations of the Cran- 
 bury pastors was Cross Eoads. And, in addition to this 
 regular service, there was maintained a weekly prayer 
 meeting, which, by the devotion mainly of one man, was, 
 perhaps, never omitted once in twenty-five years. About 
 ten years ago it became very manifest that the Lord 
 attended these meetings. The neighboring ministers came 
 in, but the prayer meeting character of the services was 
 maintained. One result was that something like one hun- 
 dred souls professed their faith in Christ, in the surround- 
 ing churches, but mainly in those of Cranbury. Another 
 result was that the people began at once to ask for a church 
 of their own. After long consultation their desire was 
 realized, and the Presbytery of New Brunswick organized 
 a church in October, 1869. And the inhabitants of the 
 community having changed the name of the place, they 
 took the name of Dayton Church. 
 
 Of the fifty-eight original members, forty-six were from 
 the Cranbury churches. These churches, having reached 
 that critical period of " full and flourishing," the pastors 
 and people fully agreed to give the new enterprise a hearty 
 God-speed and substantial assistance. Two consequences 
 followed : the young church started self-sustaining, and in 
 
23 
 
 SIX months more than twice as many had been added to the 
 old churches as they had dismissed. The blessing of God 
 came down upon the new church, even before they had 
 secured a pastor, while Eev. J. H. Schofield was acting as 
 supp y In May, 1870, the Rev. J. W. Hubbard was 
 installed hrst pastor. A house of worship had been begun 
 before the organization, and was dedicated in August, 
 1870. A pleasant parsonage was also built the same year' 
 The present pastor, the Eev. A. Westveer, was installed 
 m December, 1875, and is receiving tokens of the Divine 
 favor. The present membership is one hundred and sixteen. 
 
 SOUTH AMBOY. 
 
 From its situation, if for no other reasons, South Amboy 
 was, and must continue to be, a place of importance. The 
 character of the population, however, that was attracted 
 hither was, for the most part, such as did not demand the 
 means of grace, and especially as administered by Pro- 
 testant hands. But efforts had been made from time to 
 time, by Eev. George 0. Bush, and others, to plant a church 
 here. But they were successful only to the extent of sowing 
 the good seed; though from the changing and transient 
 character of the population the seed was much hindered in 
 taking root. But the coming of a layman (A. H. Van 
 Cleve, Esq.,) to be head of the railroad interests centered 
 there, was the beginning of a new era. Through his exer- 
 tions a church was organized by the Presbytery of New 
 Brunswick in 1864. In October of the next year Eev. W. 
 E. Westervelt was settled as the first pastor. He was 
 largely occupied, during his pastorate, with the building of 
 a church edifice. This was accomplished, and in February, 
 1868, a commodious and substantial building was dedicated 
 to the worship of God. The church has suffered greatly 
 from the transient character of the population. But hopeful 
 foundations are laid, and we may safely trust that with 
 God's blessing the good work will be successful. 
 
24 
 
 After a brief pastorate by the Rev. John Brash, the 
 present pastor, the Rev. R. J. Burtt, was installed in June, 
 1872. Amid many discouraging circumstances, chiefly 
 from many removals from the place, he has been permitted 
 to see the blessing of the Lord resting upon his labors. 
 The present membership is sixty-four. 
 
 ALLENTOWlSr. 
 
 The province of West Jersey was settled, to a very large 
 extent, by the followers, or at least the co-religionists, of 
 William Penn. The Friends early took possession of the 
 regions around Allentown. But the seeds of Presbyterian- 
 ism were early introduced, probably by some of that cargo 
 of Scotch martyrs. To these were added Hollanders coming 
 from East Jersey. Morgan, the pastor at Freehold from 
 1708 to 1728, preached here, but met with a cold reception 
 from the Friend element. But occasional preaching was 
 enjoyed until about 1722, when Morgan procured the settle- 
 ment of John Walton among them. They seem then to 
 have had a house of worship. The preaching of Walton 
 was attended with wonderful success. Morgan writes, 
 " He had like to have brought over all the people to our 
 way." But he was very erratic, and soon fell under serious 
 charges, under which he seems to have ceased to be a Pres- 
 byterian minister. 
 
 The little church was greatly distracted, and remained 
 vacant until 1730, when Eleazer Wales settled among 
 them. He remained but four years, and thence the church 
 depended upon occasional supplies, until 1744, when they 
 united with Cranbury in settling Rev. Charles McKnight. 
 In that year they secured a lot for a church and cemetery. 
 On this a brick structure was erected in 1756, which 
 remained until 1837. A glebe was purchased, in 1752 
 containing at one time two hundred and fifty acres. This 
 has lately been sold, the church holding only a parsonage. 
 
25 
 
 Toward thelatter part of the last century Allentown was 
 associated with ITottingham, or Hamilton Square, in support 
 of the ministry ; but since 1840 has stood alone. 
 _ ihis church has suffered from short pastorates and lon^ 
 interregnums. From Mr. McKnight's departure, in 1766, 
 to the end of the century, they had three pastors, Revs. 
 William Schenck, George Faitoute and Joseph Clark, serv- 
 ing fourteen years, and twenty years vacancies. Then came 
 a twenty years' pastorate. Rev. John Cornell ; when he was 
 succeeded by Rev. Dr. Henry Perkins, who served from 
 1820 to 1864. Venerable in years, and crowned with honor, 
 he continues with us to this day, spending the evening of 
 life among the people he so long served. In his time the 
 venerable edifice erected by the fathers gave place to a new 
 one, which has since been enlarged; and even thus extended 
 it approaches the perilous ground of " full and flourishing." 
 This long pastorate was succeeded by two short ones, those 
 of Revs. K P. Ketchum and L. M. Colfelt. 
 
 The present, and tenth, pastor, the Rev. George Swain, 
 was installed in November, 1874. And certainly his term 
 of service begins under promising circumstances. The 
 church numbers two hundred and fifty communicants. 
 
 BORDENTOWK 
 
 Bordentown had been a preaching station in connection 
 with Allentown in the days of Charles McKnight. And 
 the successive pastors of Allentown continued these occa- 
 sional supplies. But it was not until 1848 that successful 
 efforts were made to establish a Presbyterian Church. 
 Then the Rev. Alden Scovel was stationed there as the 
 principal of a classical school. Through his labors in that 
 community and his efforts in the Presbytery of New Bruns- 
 wick, a church was organized in May, 1848, Dr. Perkins 
 acting as chairman of the committee. Mr. Scovel was at 
 once secured as stated supply, and, in connection with his 
 
26 
 
 school, held this relation until 1861. During this period a 
 house of worship had heen erected and dedicated, free from 
 debt. 
 
 The church was served by stated and casual supplies until 
 May, 1866, when Rev. Joseph Greenleaf was settled as first 
 pastor. During his pastorate the old edifice was sold, and 
 a new one was erected, more commodious, and more favor- 
 ably located. This enterprise involved the congregation in 
 a debt which would have swept it out of existence, proba^ 
 bly, but for the wise and generous assistance of two Trenton 
 gentlemen, George S. Green and Joseph G. Brearley. By 
 them it was held while more strenuous efforts were made to 
 lift the debt. Then came Rev. Dr. R. Taylor, and in a 
 brief pastorate of less than a year the great feat of paying 
 the whole debt was accomplished. 
 
 A more prosperous career immediately opened up. The 
 church is now without a pastor ; but with the prospect of 
 speedily settling one the future is full of promise and 
 encouragement. Mr. Oliver A. Kerr, of the theological 
 seminary at Princeton, has been called to the pastorate. 
 The membership is one hundred and fifteen. 
 
 CREAM RIDGE. 
 
 Among the out-stations of Allentown the Cream Ridge 
 neighborhood was long deemed an important point. A 
 plot of ground, occupied by a Baptist Church which was 
 removed to Imlaystown, was offered to the Presbyterians 
 by Mr. Daniel Tilton. It was accepted, and on it a house 
 of worship — the present one — was built in 1858. Rev. Dr. 
 Perkins, of Allentown, preached in this building for six 
 years on alternate Sabbaths. And with other help preach- 
 ing was maintained every Sabbath for part of that time. 
 
 In 1864, when Dr. Perkins's relation to Allentown was 
 dissolved, the Presbytery of Burlington effected the organi- 
 zation of the Cream Ridge Church, with twenty members. 
 
27 
 
 Mr. B. H. Withrow was ordained and installed first pastor 
 in August, 1864. That relation continued five years, and 
 was dissolved at Mr. Withrow's request. Shortly after this 
 Cream Eidge and Plumstead Church at Few Egypt were 
 united in one pastoral charge, and in September, 1869, Mr. 
 William G. Cairnes was ordained and installed pastor. It 
 is said this was the last service of this kind performed by 
 the Presbytery of Burlington. The relation between these 
 two churches ceased in 1870, and Mr. Cairnes continued 
 pastor of Cream Ridge, until, at his request, his relation 
 was dissolved in July, 1876. Since which time Cream 
 Ridge has depended upon occasional supplies, until now 
 she has fixed her choice upon a new shepherd, Mr. E. E. 
 Moran, of Princeton Seminary. Her roll now embraces 
 fifty-nine names. 
 
 PLUMSTEAD. 
 
 The Rev. George C. Bush commenced preaching in the 
 " Old Harrison School House " in the Spring of 1845, 
 and in connection with this service conducted a Sabbath 
 school, which was very prosperous. Towards the close of 
 that year there was sufficient interest developed to justify 
 the attempt to build a house of worship. Meantime, in 
 April, 1847, a church was organized, called the Plumstead 
 Church of ISTew Egypt. It consisted of eleven members. 
 Jn the succeeding April the house of worship was dedicated. 
 During that and the following year there was considerable 
 interest developed, and a number were added to the church. 
 In 1850 Mr. Bush left them; and then for several years 
 there were only supplies from neighboring ministers. Good 
 service, of this character, was rendered by Revs. J. B. 
 Davis, William B. Curtiss, J. A. Blauvelt, J. E. Miller and 
 B. H. Withrow. 
 
 In September, 1869, the Rev. William G. Cairnes was 
 installed as the first and only pastor, in connection with 
 Cream Ridge. After him came Rev. A. Marcellus for three 
 
28 
 
 years as stated supply. Now tlie church has united with 
 Cream Ridge again in calling Mr. E. E. Moran. The 
 membership is thirty. 
 
 BURLmGTON. 
 
 The city of Burlington was founded by the Friends, and 
 for a long time they exercised a controlling influence over 
 all its affairs. It was long the seat of government for West 
 Jersey, and the official residence of the last Colonial Gov- 
 ernor, William Franklin. And for a long time it was the 
 rival of Philadelphia. But members of the Church of 
 England came in, and Queen Anne liberally endowed an 
 Episcopal Church called St. Mary's. These facts very natu- 
 rally made Burlington the seat of Episcopal authority, and 
 it has long been the residence of a bishop. But all these 
 facts were unfavorable to the planting of Presbyterianism, 
 the mean between forms and no forms. Nevertheless in 
 1836 the influences and movements in this direction culmi- 
 nated, and the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia organized 
 the Church of Burlington, with nine members. They 
 immediately secured the services of Rev. Dr. Cortlandt Van 
 Rensselaer, a man whose memory is precious not only in 
 this community, but also throughout the whole Church of 
 God. He was called in August, 1836, but was not installed 
 until the following June. Shortly thereafter their first 
 house of worship was dedicated. But this first pastoral^, 
 relation was of short duration, being dissolved in May, 
 1840. Yet Dr. Van Rensselaer continued their wise and 
 steadfast friend and liberal benefactor to the day of his 
 death. Then for more than ten years three stated supplies 
 ministered to the church, namely, Revs. Eliphalet Bos- 
 worth, Theodore L. Cuyler, and John B. Ripley. For the 
 second pastor Rev. R. B. Westbrook was installed in Octo- 
 ber, 1852. In quick succession he was followed by Revs. 
 F. Reck Harbaugh and John Chester, until 1864, when the 
 present pastor was installed. 
 
29 
 
 The present edifice was ei-ected soon after the enterprise 
 was started, but was enlarged in 1865. The year before 
 this enlargement a suitable and well located manse had 
 been purchased, mainly with a legacy that had been 
 bequeathed by the first pastor for that purpose. 
 
 It is not surprising that the founder and patron of paro- 
 chial schools should have one especially under his own care. 
 Dr. Van Rensselaer early founded such a school in Burling- 
 ton. It was not until 1853 that it was taken under the care 
 of the Session. Its founder made certain provisions for it 
 in his will. A new building was erected for it in 1873 ; and 
 last year it was re-organized on a higher grade, and named 
 Van Eensselaer Seminary. 
 
 The present pastor of the church. Rev. Edward B. Hodge, 
 was ordained and installed in April, 1864. During this 
 time the growth has been constant and steady. One fact is 
 worthy of special note, all renting and selling of pews was 
 abolished in 1872. And the report claims that the efliect 
 has been excellent. The present membership is one hun- 
 dred and seventy-eight. 
 
 MOUNT HOLLY. 
 
 The Friends, who had founded Burhngton, spread out in 
 every direction, and very early made a settlement a few 
 miles to the eastward, on the Raneocas. They called the 
 place Bridgetown, from the fact of possessing a bridge 
 across the river. When the Indians among whom the 
 Brainerds labored began to scatter or disappear, John 
 Brainerd removed to Bridgetown. This was about 1759. 
 He divided his time between his scattered Indians and the 
 whites. And so there gradually grew up a Presbyterian 
 Church. A house of worship was built, having a burial 
 plot attached to it. During the Revolutionary war Brainerd 
 took an active part, like all Presbyterians, on the side of his 
 country. When the tide of war swept over that part of the 
 
30 
 
 country he felt obliged to retire, and went to Deerfield, 
 where, before the war was over, he died. His church was 
 burnt by the British, and his flock scattered. About this 
 time another Bridgetown began to loom up in the southern 
 part of the State. And because it was older, or had grown 
 more rapidly, or because they were more peaceably inclined, 
 the good people of our Bridgetown gave up the name : and 
 casting their eyes upon a goodly mountain hard by — the 
 highest point of ground in Southern Jersey — covered with 
 holly trees, they took the name of Mount Holly. And in 
 1796 they captured the county seat from Burlington. 
 
 When the storm of war was past, the Presbyterian 
 Church did not revive with the town. The little flock 
 dwindled still ; and presently the church became entirely 
 extinct. It remained in this state until about the year 
 1833, when Eev. John Plotts came to Mount Holly to estab- 
 lish a classical school, and in connection with this work 
 preached as he had opportunity. He found established, 
 and continued, Presbyterian services in the upper room of 
 his academy. He died in 1889, and within three months 
 afterward' a Presbyterian church was organized by the 
 Presbytery of JSTew Brunswick. Revs. Charles Hoover, "W". 
 R. S. Betts and Robert Earp served brief terms as stated 
 supplies. And in 1845 Mr. Samuel Miller took the charge. 
 A house of worship had been erected, and in December of 
 that year Mr. Miller was ordained and the house dedicated 
 at the same time. Mr. Miller was not installed as pastor 
 until 1850. 
 
 When this church was organized they obtained, by 
 special act of the Legislature, the old Brainerd burial 
 ground, but afterwards sold it to the Methodists. Mr. 
 Miller, in connection with abundant labors in the Gospel in 
 the region round about, founded and maintained the West 
 Jersey Collegiate School. Dr. Miller was dismissed at his 
 own request in 1873. And the present pastor, Mr. R. Ran- 
 dall Hoes, was ordained and installed in July, 1875. The 
 membership of the church is now one hundred and forty-four. 
 
31 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 The church at Columbus was organized by the Second 
 Presbytery of Philadelphia, in 1835, and is, therefore, 
 nearly coeval with that at Burlington. In 1845 Columbus 
 was transferred to the Presbytery of West Jersey. Only 
 occasional supplies could be secured during the first ten 
 years. Then for twenty years, and almost without compen- 
 sation, the Pev. Dr. Samuel Miller, of Mount Holly, sup- 
 plied the pulpit. A house of worship was erected in 1836. 
 The Rev. Henry S. Butler was installed as first pastor in 
 October, 1866, in connection with the church of Providence. 
 Mr. Henry E. Hall was ordained and installed pastor, in 
 May, 1869, by the Presbytery of Burlington. He was 
 afterwards installed over the church of Pittsburgh. And 
 in this relation he still continues. The present membership 
 of Columbus is thirty-four. 
 
 PLATTSBURG. 
 
 In 1844 the Church of Plattsburgh was organized by 
 Revs. Isaac V. Brown and Robert Earp. Afterwards they 
 reported their act to the Presbytery of l^ew Brunswick, 
 and the name was entered on the roll. In the same year 
 the present house of worship was erected. For many 
 years Plattsburgh was associated with various neighboring 
 churches, and had temporary or stated supplies. In 1869 
 the Rev H R Hall, who had been installed as pastor at 
 Columbus, became stated supply. But in 1872 Mr Hall 
 was also installed as pastor at Plattsburgh. In 1868 the 
 membership was two : now it is twelve. 
 
 PROVIDENCE. 
 
 In the Summer of 1863 Rev. John Chester and Rev. John 
 P. Robins began preaching at the village of Bustleton, near 
 
32 
 
 Burlington, preaching and holding Sabbath school under a 
 large tree still standing. During that Fall a house of wor- 
 ship was erected, and dedicated free from debt in December. 
 A 3'ear of missionary labor was given to the field by Mr. 
 L. R. Fox, then just from the Seminary. In October, 1865, 
 the Presbytery of Burlington organized a church there 
 called Providence Church, three-fourths of the original 
 members being of the family of Mr. David Styer, who is 
 still the only elder there. 
 
 After a few months' service from Mr. P. B. VanSycel, 
 Mr. Henry S. Butler was ordained and installed first pastor 
 in October, 1866. This relation lasted but two years, since 
 which time the church has been in charge of Rev. E. B. 
 Hodge, who, with the aid of Rev. Mr. Robins and of theo- 
 logical students, has been able to maintain regular services. 
 These labors have been greatly blessed during the last year, 
 and twenty-eight were added, on confession of their faith, 
 at one time. This people feel greatly favored in being per- 
 mitted at the present time to enjoy the services of the Rev. 
 L. R. Fox. The present membership is forty-two. 
 
 JACKSONVILLE. 
 
 The church at Jacksonville was organized, of twelve 
 members from the church at Columbus, in October, 1871, 
 mainly through the exertions of Elder John Scott. Efforts 
 were at once put forth to erect a house of Avorship. And 
 one was finished and dedicated in January, 1873. They 
 have never yet had a pastor, but services have been regu- 
 larly maintained by young men from Princeton, whose 
 services, here and in neighboring churches, have been 
 invaluable. ' Recently they have been permitted to enjoy 
 the labors of Rev. L. R. Fox, who, residing in Burlington, 
 has done good work in the country round about. The 
 membership is thirteen. 
 
33 
 
 BEVERLY. 
 
 The first Presbyterian services ever regularly held in 
 Beverly were condiicted by the Eev. Mr. Osborne, of Phila- 
 delphia, in 1884. These services, M^hich continued for a 
 few months, resulted in the organization of a church, but it 
 was an Episcopal church. They built a house of worship 
 the next year. Presbyterians held but scattered services 
 until 1850, when Eev. M. L. HoiFord procured the organiza- 
 tion of a church, and supplied its pulpit, in connection with 
 his conduct of a school, for several years. In 1853 a E". S. 
 Presbyterian church was organized, and for five years was 
 served by Rev. Charles Boyter. In that year Presbyterians 
 bought their house of worship of the Episcopalians. And 
 in 1862 the 0. S. church was merged into the N. S. The 
 Revs. C. K. Bliss and D. G. Mallery served brief pastoral 
 terms. 
 
 In 1870 Rev. A. PL Fullerton was installed pastor, and 
 rendered two years' very effective service. This church 
 had then reached the crisis in her history. In 1872 the 
 present pastor. Rev. J. H. Mcllvaine, began his labors, and 
 in June of the following year was ordained and installed. 
 But the time had come when a larger house of worship was 
 imperatively demanded. After much deliberation, and 
 with many misgivings, the work was commenced, impeded 
 by a diiFerence of opinion as to its location. But in Decem- 
 ber, 1873, the new building was dedicated. This point was 
 not reached without incurring a heavy debt. This was a 
 great incubus, but in 1875 an effort was made to remove it. 
 That effort was entirely successful. And it is thought that 
 the educating influence of the voluntary system contributed 
 to the accomplishment of this result. Since then the 
 growth has been rapid, and the future is promising. The 
 present membership is one hundred and seventy-six. 
 3 
 
34 
 
 FAIRVIEW. 
 
 The Eev. M. L. Hoftbrd, while conducting a school at 
 Beverly, preached in the country around, as he had oppor- 
 tunity. In 1867 he commenced regular services at Fair- 
 view. The interest thus awakened led to the formation of 
 a church, in December of that year, by the Fourth Presby- 
 tery of Philadelphia. The next year, 1868, a house of wor- 
 ship was erected, and dedicated in September. And very 
 soon after this the debt remaining was liquidated. The 
 Rev. M. L. Hofibrd continued to act as stated supply until 
 November, 1872, when he was installed pastor over Fair- 
 view and Delanco. This relation was dissolved in Novem- 
 ber, 1876. A flourishing Sabbath school has been sustained 
 from the beginning. 
 
 This point, together with Riverton and Delanco, has the 
 prospect of securing again regular ministrations. And a 
 field both interesting and promising is thus opened up to 
 our coming brother. Rev. J. R. Sanson. The membership 
 of Fairview is thirty. 
 
 DELANCO. 
 
 Another of these points is Delanco. In the Spring of 
 1872 there was no public service in the M. E. Church, and 
 a union prayer meeting was arranged to meet on Sabbath 
 morning in the school house. Soon after this Mr. HofFord 
 was invited to preach there ; and in August of that year a 
 church was organized by the Presbytery of Monmouth. 
 Mr. Hofibrd was elected pastor, and installed in October, to 
 serve this church in connection with Fairview. The next 
 year a building was commenced, and it was dedicated to 
 the worship of God in August, 1874. The pastoral relation 
 was dissolved in 1876. Since then preaching has been 
 maintained quite regularly by young men from Princeton. 
 And a pastor has just been called. The present member- 
 ship is eight. 
 
35 
 
 RIVERTOK 
 
 Further down the river is another of these points, River- 
 ton. Mr. Hofford commenced preaching here in a school 
 house, in February, 1874. An application was made to the 
 Presbytery of Monmouth, in April following, for an organ- 
 ization. A committee was appointed for that purpose. 
 But the desire was expressed that a building should first be 
 secured. And the financial depression having delayed that 
 object, an organization has not yet been effected. A legal 
 incorporation was secured in July, 1874. And there are 
 encouraging prospects that, under the arrangement with 
 Delanco and Fairview, a flourishing church may soon be 
 planted at this point. 
 
 MANCHESTER. 
 
 Many years ago a blast furnace was opened in Man- 
 chester, and one of the first railroads in the State was built 
 thence to Toms River. This being the source of life to the 
 village, necessarily produced a changing and uncertain pop- 
 ulation. ISTevertheless the proprietor early turned his atten- 
 tion to securing religious privileges for the people. 
 
 In 1841 a house of worship was erected, and dedicated in 
 November of that year. Dr. Samuel H. Cox ofilciating. 
 The church was organized in the Spring of the next year 
 by the Presbytery of Brooklyn, New School. The succeed- 
 ing Spring, 1841, Mr. William E. Schenck, now of the 
 Board of Publication, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New 
 Brunswick, was called. Then occurred what is believed to 
 have been the first fraternal correspondence between the Old 
 and New School bodies, between the Presbytery of Brooklyn 
 and the staid, dear old Presbytery of New Brunswick, 
 mother of us all, and ever faithful in sound doctrine. The 
 Church of Manchester was transferred by the former to the 
 latter Presbytery; and Mr. Schenck was ordained and 
 
36 
 
 installed first pastor. A large committee, headed by Dr. 
 Benjamin H. Eice, came down to install him, and the occa- 
 sion was a memorable one in that part of the country. 
 
 Mr. Schenck left in two years, and the church passed 
 through two more brief pastorates before 1851. Then 
 came a period of great depression, the village being nearly 
 depopulated for ten years. Regular services and Sabbath 
 school, however, were maintained by Elder William Torrey, 
 with occasional ministerial help, until August, 1864, when 
 a regular pastor was secured. Then Revs. Charles D. l^ott, 
 James Petrie, and E, M. Kellogg came in rapid succession, 
 remaining each but a short space, with almost equal spaces 
 between. 
 
 The brief ministry of Dr. Schenck was greatly blessed. 
 But the church has been favored with a constant growth, 
 through its changing history. JThe present pastor. Rev. B. 
 T. Phillips, was installed May, 1876. The membership is 
 now fifty-six. 
 
 HOLMANVILLE. 
 
 The pastors and supplies who labored at Manchester 
 extended their labors into the country round about. Among 
 other places they maintained regular services at Goshen and 
 Holmanville. And, indeed, it must be stated that the first 
 efforts to carry the Gospel to these places were put forth by 
 the pastors at Perrineville. And especially was very zeal- 
 ous, as well as regular and long-continued, labor given by 
 Dr. Worrell. The people were, for the most part, in strait- 
 ened circumstances, and hence it required patient and long- 
 continued labor to build up churches. 
 
 The first to begin was Goshen, or Cassville. In 1825 a 
 house of worship was built there ; and a church has been 
 organized and dissolved. The property was held in trust 
 by Dr. Worrell until 1860, when he transferred the title to 
 the newly elected trustees at Holmanville. And soon after 
 that a new house of worship was erected, which still con- 
 
37 
 
 tinues in the hands of the above named trustees. This 
 field was for many years the scene of labor for many pastors 
 besides those of Ma ti Chester and Perrineville ; and also of 
 zealous students from the seminary at Princeton. There 
 was a kind of fascination about labor " in the Pines." And 
 we are called upon to bear testimony that it was not as 
 water spilled upon the sand. 
 
 About the year 1845 a united eftbrt was made to build a 
 house of worship at Holmanville, to be free to all denomi- 
 nations. The effort was not very successful. The building 
 was nearly finished, but so encumbered with debt that it 
 was about to fall under the hammer. Rev. Mr. Eowell, 
 then at Manchester, visited the place, and oflered to secure 
 outside aid on one condition : that every subscriber to the 
 building fund should sign an agreement that it should 
 become a Presbyterian church; giving members of other 
 churches an opportunity to do the same thing. The condi- 
 tion was accepted, the debt was paid, and the title given to 
 Mr. Rowell in trust. This was in 1848. In 1860 the Pres- 
 bytery of Monmouth organized a church there, embracing 
 the members residing at Goshen, Dr. "Worrell and Mr. 
 Kehoo being the committee. Then Mr. Rowell passed the 
 title to the trustees. In 1852 Goshen undertook to build a 
 parsonage, but failed, and lost the property. 
 
 In 1861 Rev. Isaac Todd became stated supply at Holman- 
 ville. And there, until this day, he has been doing most 
 faithful and self-denying labors. Those labors have been 
 greatly blessed, and in 1874 more than ninety were added 
 to the church. The church has suflered much since that 
 time by death and removal, and numbers now eighty-three 
 members. 
 
 FARMINGDALE. 
 
 Since the formation of this Presbytery, in 1870, its Mis- 
 sionary Committee has labored very zealously and effectively 
 to plant new churches and sustain feeble ones. One of the 
 
38 
 
 first points claiming attention was Farmingdale. Being a 
 railroad junction, it was naturally expected that the place 
 would grow rapidlj^ In December of that year the Pres- 
 bytery organized a church there, consisting often members, 
 one uniting on profession of faith. These persons came 
 from various churches, and some distant ones. 
 
 For nearly a year the new enterprise was temporarily 
 supplied, chiefly by retired brethren at Bricksburg. In 
 October of the next year, 1871, the church was fortunate 
 enough to secure for its first and only pastor Rev. E. J. 
 Pierce, who had but lately been compelled to return from 
 missionary labor on the Gaboon river, Africa. Immediately 
 the blessing of God came down upon the newly-gathered 
 church, and twenty-three persons were added on profession 
 of their faith. Since then there have been constant acces- 
 sions. But the village has not prospered as it was expected. 
 The financial stringency has been severely felt there ; and 
 hence vei-y many have left the place, among them many 
 members of the infant church. So that, though sixty-six 
 persons have been received altogether, only fifty-seven 
 names remain on the active roll. 
 
 The Missionary Committee did not abandon the church as 
 soon as organized, but pushed forward at once to build a 
 house of worship ; and, with aid from the Church Erection 
 Board, soon succeeded. And the church now owns a beau- 
 tiful edifice, free from debt. It was dedicated in Decem- 
 ber, 1870. 
 
 ^! 
 
 SQUAN VILLAGE. 
 
 When the Rev. Charles McKnight was at Shrewsbury, he 
 itinerated all along the shore, and at various points had 
 regular appointments. One of these points was Squan 
 Village. And neighboring ministers after him maintained 
 occasional services. But it was nearly one hundred years 
 before there was a stated supply at that place. In 1843 a 
 free house of worship was erected. This greatly stimulated 
 
39 
 
 the good work, and within five years another house was 
 commeaoed for the Presbyterians. When tliis was com- 
 pleted, the people were moved to call a pastor. The Rev. 
 M. Rowell, who, while pastor at Manchester, held regular 
 services at Squan, was in 1848 invited to give all his time 
 to the latter place. In April of that year the Presbytery 
 of K"ew Brunswick organized a church there; and soon 
 after that Mr. Morse was installed as first pastor. The 
 church, from the beginning, has depended upon outside aid, 
 bemg assisted also by the Board of Missions. This fact has 
 produced fluctuating pastorates and long vacancies. 
 
 Revs. H. R. Avery and 8. H. Freeman succeeded Rev. 
 Mr. Rowell for brief terms, and several brethren came and 
 preached under a call without being installed as- pastors. 
 In 1868 the Rev. C. F. Worrell, D. D., was called, but not 
 installed pastor till January, 1872; and he continues to 
 hold that relation. During his term $3,000 have been 
 expended in improving the church property, and the amount 
 has nearly all been paid. And now an eflx)rt is to be made 
 by the people to walk alone — to become self-sustaining. 
 The present membership is ninety. 
 
 OCEAiT BEACH. 
 
 Some gentlemen, chiefly of Trenton, bought a tract of 
 land south of Ocean Grove, and laid out a " city by the sea." 
 They took the name of Ocean Beach, and adopted measures 
 to secure a rapid material growth. With wise liberality 
 they also gave attention to spiritual interests. They ofi'ered 
 building lots to any religious denominations that would 
 undertake to build houses of worship thereon. The trus- 
 tees of Monmouth Presbytery, under orders from that body, 
 secured two of these lots, and the work of establishing a 
 church has been undertaken. Under Dr. Worrell's foster- 
 ing care a church was organized there on the 20th of March, 
 1877, the youngest of the sisterhood at the present moment. 
 And immediately efforts are to be made to erect a house of 
 worship. 
 
40 
 
 BRICKSBURGH. 
 
 At the old Bergeu iron works a thriving village has sud- 
 denly' grown up with great rapidity, named Brickeburgh. 
 The proprietor of the lands, mindful of the value of religious 
 privileges, invited the Rev. A. H. Dashiel, Jr., fresh from 
 service as a chaplain in the war of the rebellion, to visit the 
 place. The visit resulted in the removal of Mr. Dashiel, 
 and his permanent location in 1867. He came under a 
 commission from the Home Mission Committee of the New 
 School Presbyterian body. The proprietor, Mr. R. A. 
 Brick, built a parsonage, which he furnished free of charge. 
 Christian people began to come in from New England and 
 New York ; and the next year, 1868, steps were taken to 
 secure an organization. The Presbytery of Newark 
 stretched a long and loving arm to them, and sent Drs. 
 Wilson and Aikman to organize them. Sixteen persons 
 constituted the church thus formed. 
 
 Mr. Dashiel continued to serve them as stated supply 
 until the reunion and reorganization in 1870, when Bricks- 
 burgh came into the loving embrace of Monmouth Presby- 
 tery. The second stated meeting of this Presbytery was 
 held in that place in April, 1871, when Mr. Da.shiel was 
 installed first pastor. And we enjoyed the pleasing incident 
 of the venerable father of the pastor preaching the sermon. 
 The year before a house of worship and chapel adjoining 
 had been erected, the latter of which was finished just in 
 time for this occasion. The former, owing to the financial 
 depression, has not yet been finished. The present mem- 
 bership is eighty. 
 
 TOMS RIVER. 
 
 The aborigines, as they disappeared from New Jersey, 
 left behind them mementoes of their existence in the shape 
 of names imposed upon our mountains and rivers. In the 
 
41 
 
 southern part of the State lived a famous Indian whose 
 favorite river bears his name, although this honor is dis- 
 puted by a white hunter. Upon that river, near its mouth 
 was early built a small town called Dover. During the war 
 of the Revolution it was the scene of a contest between a 
 devoted band of patriots and another of miscreant loyalists. 
 The former, running short of ammunition, were forced to 
 surrender, and the town was utterly destroyed. It was long 
 in rebuilding, and as it gradually emerged from its ashes, it 
 never acquired any other name than Toms River. When, 
 in 1850, Ocean county was incorporated, the seat of justice 
 was fixed here, and immediately the place took on more 
 importance. It had often been visited by Presbyterian 
 ministers in preaching excursions. And now this seed 
 began to bear fruit. 
 
 The Presbytery of ISTew Brunswick made this place a 
 regular preaching station. Several ministers were here as 
 stated supplies at various times. Among others was Rev. 
 Thomas S. Dewing, who labored here from 1850 to 1852. 
 And in 1853 the corner stone of a house of worship was 
 laid. But it was not dedicated until September, 1858, at 
 which time the church was organized. Rev. Mr. Milne 
 served as stated supply for a time ; and in the fall of 1861 
 Rev. J. II. Frazee came, and soon after was settled as first 
 pastor. He was followed, in rapid succession, by Revs. J. 
 T. H. "Waite and C. H. Holloway; and, last of all, came 
 Mr. Frazee for a second term. But the second term was 
 shorter than the first, and now the pulpit is vacant. But 
 another pastor — Rev. John Hancock — has been called, and 
 we hope he will not be an " itinerary without system." 
 
 In the brief existence of that church one hundred and 
 sixty-five persons have been communicants therein. And 
 now there are ninety-four members. 
 
 FORKED RIVER. 
 
 Southward from Toms River stretches a fertile strip of 
 country quite thickly populated. On this ground, it is 
 
42 
 
 claimed, John Murray proclaimed the doctrine of universal 
 salvation for the first time in this country, and their Church 
 of Good Luck is located there. All along the shore the 
 ministers of Shrewsbury and Freehold were accustomed to 
 preach a different doctrine during the last century. How 
 far south they came cannot be known ; but many years ago 
 a preaching station was established at Cedar Creek, and in 
 course of time a building for that use was erected. But 
 Toms Eiver on the one side, and Forked River on the other, 
 advanced more rapidly than Cedar Creek. The church 
 could not be established there. The property was bought 
 by Rev. C. F. Worrell in 1857, and in 1866 the house was 
 taken down and transferred to Forked River, on a plot of 
 land given by Mr. James Jones. There was occasional 
 preaching here until the Summer of 1871, when Mr. James 
 M. Denton began regular services. 
 
 In June, 1873, this Presbytery organized the church 
 there, and in the following November ordained and installed 
 Mr. Denton as first pastor. A gracious outpouring of the 
 Holy Spirit was enjoyed during the last year, and twenty- 
 two were added to the church. Recently thirteen members 
 have gone off to form the new church at Barnegat, leaving 
 twenty-six at Forked River. 
 
 BARNEGAT. 
 
 Like many other places along the shore, Barnegat has 
 long been an occasional preaching station. But Mr. Denton 
 soon established regular services there in connection with 
 his charge at Forked River. Li February, 1876, the church 
 of Barnegat was organized, with nine members. There is 
 great need for a house of worship, and negotiations are now 
 in progress by which it is hoped the church will soon come 
 into possession of a hall that will be suitable for this pur- 
 pose. Rev. Mr. Denton is engaged as stated supply, and 
 the prospect is hopeful. There are now thirteen members. 
 
43 
 
 TUCKEETOK 
 
 The most distant point south in the bounds of this Pres- 
 bytery is Tuckerton. Here strong prejudices existed 
 against Presbyterian doctrines and worship. A select 
 female school, established in 1850, by Messrs. Sapp and 
 Pharo, did much to remove these prejudices. Another 
 thing that helped that result was that regular services were 
 commenced in 1849, and long maintained, by Eevs. A. H. 
 Brown and R. H. Reeves. Another minister (Rev. S. 
 Miller) rendered valuable service there in connection with 
 his charge at Mt. Holly. It was during his ministry there, 
 1859, that a house of worship was ei'ccted. In January of 
 that year the Presbytery of Burlington organized the 
 church with five members. During the year before. Dr. 
 Van Rensselaer spent a Sabbath there, and became so much 
 interested that he left a legacy to the new church. 
 
 The new enterprise depended upon supplies, chiefly by 
 Rev. Samuel Miller, until May, 1863, when Rev. K. P. 
 Ketcham was installed first pastor. But this field has been 
 a kind of training school for ministers, having had five 
 pastors in twelve years, and Rev. S. R. Anderson serving 
 for half that space. But the lack in this respect was, to 
 some extent, supplied by the untiring zeal and labors of 
 Elder Joseph B. Sapp, from the beginning to the present 
 day. In May of last year Mr. J. "Wynne Jones was 
 ordained and installed pastor, ann under his ministry the 
 prospects of the church are promising. Previous to this 
 Tuckerton had been associated with Bass River; at the 
 beginning of this pastorate it began to stand alone. The 
 membership is now forty-five. 
 
 BASS RIVER. 
 
 At Bass River, a point a few miles in the interior from 
 the one just mentioned, a house of worship had been 
 erected in 1850. But for ten years there was no organiza- 
 
44 
 
 tion, though for the most part of that time there were 
 regular supplies. In February, 1861, a church was organ- 
 ized here by the Presbytery of Burlington, the same minis- 
 ters acting as the committee as in the organization at 
 Tuckerton— Revs. S. Miller and A. H. Brown. There 
 were, however, no ruling elders until 1875, the church 
 being under the care of the Tuckerton Session. 
 
 Bass River continued associated with Tuckerton in the 
 same pastoral charge until last year, since which it has 
 stood alone, but without a pastor, and enjoying only occa- 
 sional supplies. The present membership is nineteen. 
 
 WHITmG AND SHAMONG. 
 
 Southward from Manchester, on the ISTew Jersey South- 
 ern Railroad, are several points that have commanded the 
 attention of the Missionary Committee of Presbytery. In 
 August, 1875, a church was organized called the Church of 
 Whiting and Shamong. At Whiting a good church edifice 
 was built in the same year, and dedicated in October. At 
 Shamong another house was built last year, and probably, 
 if times revive, there will soon be an application for an 
 organization there. 
 
 At present Rev. George W. Cottrell is acting as stated 
 supply, and he has under his care a tract eighteen miles 
 long and fourteen miles wide. The population is scattered, 
 concentrated for the most part at four railroad points — 
 Whiting, Wheatland, Woodmansie, and Shamong. There 
 are sixteen members in the new church. And it is hoped 
 that returning prosperity to the communities will add to 
 the members in the church. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 Such is a brief and imperfect sketch of the history of the 
 churches embraced in this Presbytery. The amount of 
 tears and toil, of self denial and sacrifice, required to attain 
 
45 
 
 the results indicated, none can tell. But the tears are in a 
 bottle ; the toil is remembered ; the sacrifices are rewarded. 
 Even on earth they are bringing forth fruit, " the wilderness 
 and the solitary place have been made glad by them." In 
 the eyes of all men it is seen that this " labor has not been 
 in vain in the Lord." And to-day we live to see history 
 making more rapidly than ever. The historian must not 
 go to sleep, or new churches will be knocking at his door 
 for record, and old ones will be pointing to expansion and 
 improvements coming too rapidly for notice. 
 
 Hitherto it has been mainly a time of planting. Now, 
 while we must continue to plant new fields, we are permit- 
 ted to see the old fields bringing forth fruit, and " the fruit 
 thereof even now shakes like Lebanon." But the narrator 
 may not pause for long drawn-out reflections upon such a 
 narrative. Only this may be said, in closing : the lessons 
 are patent — the reflections suggest themselves. 
 
 We shall be very slow of heart to believe, if we are not 
 inspired, by such a review of the past, with a stronger faith 
 in the progress and triumph of the Kedeemer's Kingdom. 
 And we shall be very laggard in love if we are not animated 
 to renewed zeal in such a cause as this, and be more willing 
 than ever to spend and be spent in a service that is certainly 
 to lead to such glorious results as are predicted by the 
 prophet when he says: "The earth shall be full of the 
 knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." 
 
LIST OF PASTORS OF THE VARIOUS CHURCHES. 
 
 The date of organization of the churches follows the 
 name, except as to four, which were never organized. 
 Pastors marked with an asterisk (*) died in office. 
 
 ALLENTOWN. Before 1722. 
 
 Installed. Dismissed. 
 
 Eleazar Wales 1730 Sept. 19, 1734 
 
 Charles McKnight July, 1774 October, 1766 
 
 William Schenck 1774 1778 
 
 George Faitoute 1779 1781 
 
 Joseph Clark June, 1788 April 26, 1796 
 
 John Cornell June 23, 1800 Feb'y, 1820 
 
 Henry Perkins, D. D Dec. 6, 1820 April 28, 1864 
 
 K. P. Ketcham Aug. 31, 1864 April 11, 1871 
 
 Lawrence M. Coif elt May 9, 1872 Mar. 13,1874 
 
 George Swain Nov. 11, 1874 
 
 BEVERLY. Oct. 1, 1852. 
 
 Charles K. Bliss April, 1859 1862 
 
 D. G. Mallery June, 1865 *April, 1868 
 
 Alex. Fullerton Nov. 22, 1870 Sept. 3, 1872 
 
 J. Hall Mcllvaine June 26, 1873 
 
 BORDENTOWN. May 14, 1848. 
 
 Alden Scovel, (Stated Supply) 1848 1866 
 
 Joseph Greenleaf, Jr May, 1866 Feb. 21, 1871 
 
 Rufus Taylor, D.D Jan. 5, 1874 Nov. 1, 1874 
 
 Leigh Richmond Smith Sept. 9, 1875 Nov. 8, 1876 
 
 BRICKSBURG. April 28, 1868. 
 Alfred H. Dashiel, Jr April 12, 1871 
 
 BURLINGTON. July 7, 1836. 
 
 Cortlandt Van Rensselaer, D.D June 29, 1827 May 13, 1840 
 
 Shepard K. Kollock Sept. 15, 1842 April 23, 1846 
 
 R. B. Westbrook Oct. 28, 1852 Oct. 10, 1854 
 
47 
 
 Installed. Dismissed. 
 
 F. Reck Harbaugh Nov. 1, 1854 Sept. 28, 1858 
 
 John Chester Sept. 14, 1859 Feb. 20, 1864 
 
 Edward B. Hodge April28, 1864 
 
 COLUMBUS. August 15, 1835. 
 
 Samuel Miller, (Stated Supply).... 1845 1865 
 
 Henry S. Butler Oct. 23, 1866 April 14, 1868 
 
 Henry R. Hall May 4,1869 
 
 CRANBURY FIRST. BEroEE 1733. 
 
 Charles McKnight July 13, 1744 October, 1756 
 
 Thomas Smith Oct. 19, 1762 *Dec. 23, 1789 
 
 Gilbert Tennent Snowden Nov. 24, 1790 *Feb. 20, 1797 
 
 George S. Woodhull June 6, 1798 May 4, 1820 
 
 Symmes C. Henry, D.D Augusts, 1820 *Mar. 22, 1857 
 
 Joseph G. Symmes May 28,1857 
 
 CRANBURY SECOND. June 28, 1838. 
 
 Joseph W. Blythe Feb. 13, 1839 April 20, 1856 
 
 Thomas D. Hoover Feb. 3, 1857 *May 22, 1867 
 
 J. B. H. Janeway Jan. 28, 1868 March 3, 1869 
 
 Joseph S. VanDyke May 13, 1869 
 
 CREAM RIDGE. April 26, 1864. 
 
 Benjamin H. Withrow Aug. 31, 1864 Mar. 23, 1869 
 
 William G. Cairnes Sept. 14, 1869 July 2, 1876 
 
 E. E. Moran June 12, 1877 
 
 DAYTON. Oc'foBBR 16, 1869. 
 
 Joseph W. Hubbard Nov. 10, 1870 Augusts, 1875 
 
 Adrian Westveer Dec. 16, 1875 
 
 DELANCO. August 25, 1872. 
 
 Martin L. Hofford Oct. 9, 1872 Nov. 8, 1876 
 
 FAIRVIEW. December 29, 1867. 
 
 Martin L. HofFord Oct. 9, 1872 Nov. 8, 1876 
 
 FARMINGDALE. December 29, 1870. 
 
 Epaminondas J. Pierce Jan. 15, '1872 
 
 FORKED RIVER. June 17, 1873. 
 James M. Denton Nov. 25, 1873 
 
48 
 FKEEHOLD. February 21, 1838. 
 
 Installed. Dismissed. 
 
 Daniel V. McLean, D.D Nov. 5,1838 Oct. 16, 1850 
 
 Samuel D. Alexander, D.D Feb. 19, 1851 April 22, 1856 
 
 Frank Chandler May 19, 1857 
 
 HIGHTSTOWN. May 6, 1857. 
 
 Rufus Taylor Dec. 27, 1857 Oct. 1, 1861 
 
 Samuel S. Shriver Oct. 31, 1862 July 1, 1869 
 
 Jesse B. Davis Sept. 5, 1869 
 
 HOLMANVILLE. September 16, 1860. 
 Isaac Todd (Stated Supply)... April, 1861 
 
 JAMESBURG. June 6, 1854. 
 
 J. Halstead Carrol May 30, 1855 Feb. 2, 1858 
 
 ^Villiam M. Wells Kov. 4, 1858 July 1, 1869 
 
 Benjamin S. Everitt Nov. 2, 1869 
 
 MANALAPAN. July 31, 1856. 
 
 John L. Kehoo June 30, 1856 April 26, 1874 
 
 George Warrington Dec. 16, 1874 
 
 MANCHESTER. March 13, 1842. 
 
 William E. Schenck, D.D Feb. 28, 1843 May 14, 1845 
 
 Morse Rowell Dec. 9, 1845 April 1, 1848 
 
 Charles D. Knott Aug. 11, 1864 Aug. 24, 1865 
 
 James Petrie Nov. 15, 1866 Mar. 12, 1872 
 
 E. M. Kellogg July 24,1873 Oct. 22,1874 
 
 B. T. Phillips May 9, 1876 .* 
 
 MATAWAN. August 31, 1820. 
 
 Charles McKnight April 21, 1767 *Jan. 1, 1778 
 
 Eli F. Cooley August, 1820 April, 1823 
 
 Cliflfbrd 8. Ames 1828 1832 
 
 George S. Woodhull March 5, 1833 *Dec. 25, 1834 
 
 Charles Webster Nov. 6, 1838 April 24. 1849 
 
 John M. Rogers Feb. 20, 1850 July 7, 1867 
 
 James 0. Denniston Jan. 27, 1869 Jan. 3, 1871 
 
 J. Henry Kaufman Oct. 13, 1871 *Oct. 27, 1873 
 
 J. M. Anderson June 30, 1874 
 
 MOUNT HOLLY. October 27, 1839. 
 
 Samuel Miller, D.D Jan. 29, 1850 Oct. 31, 1873 
 
 R. Randall Hoes July 2, 1875 
 
49 
 
 OCEANIC. APRIL23, I8G1. 
 
 Albert B. King Oct 
 
 Installed. 
 
 Dismissed. 
 
 ., p, , - 22,1861 July 1,1862 
 
 Ale.v C^men j,„,, ,^^ J865 Mar. 14 1868 
 
 James McFarlane April 30, 1868 *Apr.23, 1871 
 
 Chas. S. Nevvhall, (Stated Supply)..June 20,1874 
 
 PERRINEVILLE. June 2, 1826. 
 
 William Woodhull Sept. 6, 1826 May 
 
 L. S. Beebee Sept. 16,1834 Nov. . ._„ 
 
 William S. Betts June 13, 1838 Aug. 25^ 1840 
 
 Charles F. Worrell, D.D April 2, 1842 Mat-. 9,' 1867 
 
 Daniel F. Lockerby July 13, 1869 Sept, 
 
 George W. McMillan Nov. 1 1873 
 
 7, 1832 
 
 8. 1836 
 
 9, 1871 
 
 PLATTSBURG. 1844. 
 
 J- ^- I'avis Mar. 19, 1850 May 10, 1850 
 
 J. E. Miller Feb. 22,1865 Oct. 3,1866 
 
 Henry R. Hall June, 1872 
 
 PLUMSTEAD. April 18, 1847. 
 
 J. B. Davis : Mar. 19, 1850 May 10, 1852 
 
 J. E. Miller Feb. 22, 1865 Oct. 3, 1866 
 
 William G. Cairnes Sept. 14, 1869 April 16, 1871 
 
 PROVIDENCE. October 16, 1865. 
 Henry S. Butler Oct. 30, 1866 April, 1868 
 
 RED BANK. July 15, 1852. 
 
 F. Reck Harbaugh Oct. 26, 1853 Oct. 23, 1854 
 
 William Scribner Feb. 7, 1855 Feb. 2, 1858 
 
 D. Dubois Sahler July 20, 1859 July 23, 1863 
 
 Daniel V. McLean, D.D March 9, 1864 *Nov. 23, 1869 
 
 John R. Hamilton June 7, 1870 Oct. 2, 1873 
 
 F. Reck Harbaugh May 18, 1874 
 
 SHREWSBURY. Before 1733. 
 
 Samuel Blair Sept.. 1734 Sept. 5,1739 
 
 Elihu Spencer, D.D May, 1761 May, 1764 
 
 Charles McKnight April 21,1767 *Jan. 1,1778 
 
 Rufus Taylor Nov. 11,1840 April, 1852 
 
 Thaddeus Wilson October, 1852 
 
50 
 
 SOUTH AMBOY. DECEiinER 14, 1864. 
 
 Installed. Dismissed. 
 
 William B. Westervelt Nov. 8, 1865 June 22, 1869 
 
 John Brash Jan. 18, 1871 Nov. 22, 1871 
 
 Robert J. Burtt June 5, 1S72 
 
 SQUAN VILLAGE. Apkil 11, 1848. 
 
 Morse Rowell June 13, 1850 May 5, 1856 
 
 Henry E.Avery Feb. 24,1857 Nov., 1858 
 
 S. A. Freeman June 7, 1864 Nov. 4, 1868 
 
 Charles F. "Worrell, D.D Jan. 31, 1872 
 
 TENNENT. Befoke 1706. 
 
 John Boyd Dec. 29, 1706 *1708 
 
 Joseph Morgan Sept. 20, 1710 Sept., 1728 
 
 John Tennent Nov. 19, 1730 *Apr. 23, 1732 
 
 William Tennent Oct. 25, 1733 *Mar. 8, 1777 
 
 John WoodhuU, D.D 1779 *Nov.23, 1824 
 
 Job F. Halsey, D.D June 14, 1826 March 5, 1828 
 
 Robert Roy Feb. 18, 1829 *Mar. 15, 1832 
 
 Daniel V. McLean, D.D October, 1832 Nov. 8,1836 
 
 James Clark, D.D Nov. 8,1837 Oct. 2,1839 
 
 Luther H. VanDoren June 17, 1840 July 5, 1856 
 
 Donald McLaren July 1,1857 Nov. 5,1862 
 
 Archibald P. Cobb August 8, 1863 
 
 TOMS RIVER. September 25, 1858. 
 
 JohnH.Frazee May 7,1862 Sept. 1,1866 
 
 James T. H. Waite June 10, 1867 Dec. 1, 1871 
 
 Charles H. HoUoway Oct. 31, 1872 April 15, 1873 
 
 John H. Frazee Nov. 18, 1874 March 1, 1877 
 
 John Hancock May 2, 1877 
 
 TUCKEETON. Janttaey, 1859. 
 
 Kneeland P. Ketcham May 5, 1863 Aug. 31, 1864 
 
 S. H. Thompson Nov., 1865 April 10, 1867' 
 
 G. T. Le Boutillier .June 9,1867 Aug. 4,1869 
 
 S. B. Anderson.. (Stated Supply). .June, 1869 Feb'y, 1875 
 
 J. Wynne Jones May 16, 1876 
 
PAMPHLET BINdIr^ 
 
 Syracuse, N. Y. ] 
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