CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM „„ Cornell University Library BX9211.B12 F52 '^'^'Sri/ii.Rj.i.te, /'■■*• Presbyterian church olin 3 1924 029 476 631 First PRESByTEEiAN Church, Babylon, N. Y. This was the Fourth Building erected in 1871). n t j»p mJim^'f'mrms IBflilHiiMill^^BBBfe ■■^■1 The Third Church Building Built in 18.39, now used as a Sunday School Room The Second Church Building Built in 1783, was a two story Building, now used as a Dwelling House Marks made by carriages driving too close to the structure can be seen on the east side of building. #1 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. • There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029476631 Jambs W. Eaton AUTHOR OF THE OF Babylon, Long Island FROM 1730 TO 1912 Consisting of a Historical Sermon by Rer. James O. Nightingale aud an Outline of the History of the Church by Rev. Robert D. Merrill COMPILED BY JAMES W. EATON Printed by The Babylon Publishing Company Babylon, N. Y. IL, n BABYLON PRESBYTERIAX CHUECH COPYEIGHT BY JAMES W. EATON BABYLON, N. Y. -1912 BABYLON PRESBYTEEIAN CHURCH III DEDICATION To the Descendants of the Pounders of The First Presbyterian Church OP IsLiP AND Huntington South This book is Respectfully Dedicated by the Author. IV BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ILLUSTRATIONS 1. The Fourth Church 2. The Second and Third Church Buildings 3. James W. Eaton, Author 4. Rev. Hollis Read 5. Rev. Gaylord L. More 6. Rev. Charles W. Cooper 7 Rev. James McDougal, Ph. D. 8. Rev. James C. Nightingale 9. Rev. W. B. Floyd 10. Rev. James C. Hume 11. Rev. John Dietrich Long 12. Rev. Robert D. Merrill BABYLON PEBSBYTERIAN CHURCH CONTENTS Historical Sermon, J. C. Nightingale 1 Outline History, R. D. Merrill 15 History op the Presbyterian Church op Babylon prom 1730 to 1912 21 The Pour Church Buildings 21 First Building Fund 22 Contributors to Salary First Minister 25 Extracts prom old Deed 27 Baptisms prom 1798 to 1857 28 Church Government in old Times 51 A Temperance Pledge 54 Formation op Presbyterian Church op Islip 55 Ministers op the Church 56 Interiors op the Second and Third Churches 57 Some Interesting Facts 58 Memorial Windows 61 VI BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH INTRODUCTION At the suggestion of Orville B. Ackerly of Yonkers, New York, these notes of the early history of the Presbyterian church were com- piled. He gave me a copy of a sermon preached by Rev. James C. Nightingale, July, 1876. Then the Rev. Robert D. Merrill furnished me with the outline history published by him in 1908, together with the old church registers, and several photographs of the ministers of the church. The work now seemed easy, especially as my great grand parents and my family, down to myself had been connected with this church until 1871. The writer's earliest recollection was in attend- ing the services of this church when the Rev. Charles W. Cooper preached, and when the church was heated by stoves, burning wood. The preacher in my estimation at that time was the most learned per- son in the village, and naturally the best person. The records of the baptisms in this church will be of great value to the genealogical student, as it comprises the early inhabitants of Islip, Bay Shore, West Islip, Babylon, Lindenhurst, Copiague and Am- ityville. The short extracts from the minutes, will give a good idea of the fashion of handling church offenders in olden times. Portraits of several ministers of the church, and of the church building are inserted. Some incidents in connection with the early history of the church are added. Mr. Nightingale in his sermon says the church was organized under the name of "The Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South." The records show that before organization it was called the church or congregation of Islip and Huntington South. When the covenant was signed by fourteen persons January 7, 1798 — they used the words "We the first church of Islip and Huntington South," and again December 14th, 1818 — "We the members of the first Presby- terian church of Islip and Huntington South." So it would seem BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHTTRdll VII that Mr. Merrill gives the name correctly in his outline history, viz: "The First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South." Again ]\Ir. Nightingale says, Mr. Cook commenced his labors in 1824 — ilr. Merrrill says in 1826, which seems to be in accordance with the church records. Out of respect to the memory of the late Rev. James C. Night- ingale his sermon is printed in full and the "outline of the history of the church" by the present pastor, Robert U. Merrill is givenl as a tribute to one who is beloved by all his church members, and one who is doing great good in the community. Katury Losee was propounded for baptism July 22, 1798 and was baptised August 5th, 1798, being the first recorded baptism. A list of the memorial windows in the present church is given. The author could easily have given his readers a more concise and connected history of the church, had he prepared it as a whole, but felt that what had already been done by those in the church, should be preserved. Thanks are due to all who have kindly assisted in this work and it is given to the public for the interesting history it contains of the church in olden times. West Islip, February 19, 1912. J. W. EATON Rev. Hollis Read Pastor for tlie year 1838 Born 1812, died in 1888 Pastoi- from 1852 to 1856 HISTORICAL SERMON By the Rev. James C. Nightingale Published in the South Side Signal July 22, 1876 The history of this church extends over a period of n-;ii]y one hundred and fifty years. The Corporate Najje The church was organized under the name of "The Presby- terian Church of Islip and Huntington South." This name was retained until a separate congregation was formed at Islip in 1857, when the title was changed to "The Presbyterian Church of Hunting- ton South." After the division of the town of Huntington, and the incorporation of the present town of Babylon, in 1870 the name was again changed to that which it now bears, "The First Prcshi/terian Church of Babylon, Long Island." The First Church Edifice The first church building was erected in the year 1730. It was a small and unpretending structure. The exact site on whiehi it was built is not known at the present time. The church was used for religious worship, only occasionally, as the people were few in num- ber, and were not able to secure the services of a permanent pastor. With such supplies as they could get from the Presbytery, they con- tinued their worship, doing what they could to promote the glory of Grod. They were undisturbed in the enjoyment of their religions privileges, until the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, when they were called upon to suffer a great loss in the destruction of their little- chnrch. It was torn down by British soldiers, in the year 1778^ and such portions of it as could be used for military pui-poses were transported to the western part of the Island. It was useless to make another church edifice during the existance of hostilities, and hence, for a number of years the congregation was deprived of a house- of worship. BABYT-OX PRESBYTERIAN CUURCII TuE Secoxd Chttrch Edifice At the close of the war, the people took new courage and snade a determined and successful effort to secure for themselves a .flmrch home. The site on which the present building stands was purchased for Ayc pounds, current uioney of New York. The pur- eliase was made November 4th, 1783. In the meantime, the following subscription, beaiing date August 14th. 1783, Avas circulated among the people, viz : "We irhof^e na^ns are hereunio suhscribcd, bdivving it to he our duty to cndcacur to proinotf the public worship of Almighty ■God, have and do by these presents uneniimously agree, to build a con- t'enioit house for that purpose, upon the terms and conditions follow- ing : FIRST, it is agreed that the liouse be set on some convenient p'iue of ground secured for that purpose, near the highway, and be- tmeen the houses of Arthitr Dingec (Did Aaron Higbie; or Jesse Weeks -'■'jrid Jacob Dow that they now live in. SECONDLY, it is agreed that ive appoint two or more of us to have the care of building said house, and to receive the sums of 4moncy that we subscribe against our names, and that they give in writing from under their hands, that they will faithftdly execute the trust reposed in them; and that they irill render to us a true account ■ of all that they shall do in this affair; and that they detain no more of :viid monry in their hands that we shall judge reasonable for their MPrriciS. THIEDLY, it is agreed that said house be for the use of the minister and people of the Presbyterian denomination; and that when we have such a minister settled, among or with us, he is to have the care -<»/ the pulpit; hut at such other times as u'e have no minister settled irith us, and on such days as the house sliall not be wanted for the ■ministers and people of the Presbyterian denominations, that then '.s'.sv>/'.s-. FOURTHLY, it is agreed that if the subscribers choose to Jmvt particular seats for tltemscives, and their families, then he or she that has /yli r. BABVLUN' PRESBrTKRIAN CHURCH 3 FIFTHLY , it is agncd, and ire do forli of as for liimself, prom- ■is' to perform wliat we subscribe in money, labor and materials, as witness our hand on this Uth day of August, Anno Domini, 1783. This paper received the signatures of 8-i persons, who sub- scribed the sum of £324, 4s., Od. The largest sum contributed was £58, 17s, Od. The smallest contribution was 2s, 9d. The build- ing of the church was commenced in 1783. The date of its comple- tion is not known, but it was not paid for until 1790, when a second subscription paper was circulated to make up the deficiency in the amount subscribed upon the first paper. The principal contributors, wlio ga^e ten pounds or more to the building fund, were Isaac Thomp- son, Aaron Higbie, Nathaniel Conklin, Garret Monfort, John Moubray, Arthur Dingee, Jesse Conklin, Timothy Scudder, Silas iluney, Jesse Wicks, Phoebe Conklin. Organization of the Church Tlie congregation, under the name of "Tlie Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South." was i-eeeived into thePresby- tery of Long Island, April llth,1797, and measvu-es were taken for the completion of its organization. A meeting of all those who wished to be united as a church under the care of the Presbytery was held at the house of Isaac Thompson, Dec. 10th, 1797, and a covenant was drawn up, which the members were required to sign. The covenant was read in the church on the following Sabbath, and was signed January 7, 1798. The covenant is as follows: "We do this day in the presence of the great, eternal and holy God. solemnly take the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to be our God; and we do desire to give up ourselves soul and body to be at His disposal, yielding ourselves to His service as willing and obedient subjects. And as ive are by nature, children of wrath, and are sinners by nature and practice, ur do now openly express our abhorrence and detestation of ivhatever in our tires and conversation has not been agreeable to the divine rule, and promise by the assistance of divine grace {ivithout which we can do nothing) to iredh agreeably to the rule above mentioned. We also solemnly promise to watch over one another in the love of the Lord; promising to submit ourselves and ours to tlie disci- pline of this church, according to the directions of Christ, and that we rvill hold communion with each other in the tvorship of God, and in the careful and diligent use of the ordinances of Jesus Christ, so long as 4 BABYLON PEESBYTBRUN CHURCH we coHiinue together in thif: telaHon By the grave of God, this tve promise." This covenant was signed by the following persons: Isaac Thompson, Jesse Ketcham, Tredwell Scudder, Arming Moubray, Thomas Ketcham, Sarah Thompson, Temperance Ketcham, Kaziah Scudder, ]\Iary iloubray, Rebecca Sammis, Phebe Ketcham and Jemima Sprague. On the 20th of January, 1798, at a meeting called for the purpose, Isaac Thompson and Tredwell Scudder were elected eldere, and Jesse Ketcham was elected deacon, and on the 4th of February they were ordained to their respective offices. The trustees, Jesse Ketcham, Nathaniel Conklin and Tredwell Scudder, had already been chosen, so that the church as an organization was now complete. The Lord's supper was administered for the first time in the new church on the first Sabbath of April 1798. The church adopted the following as a declaration of their principles : "This may certify all ivhom it may hereafter concern, that we the first church of Islip and Huntington South, have been formed upon Presbyterian principles; and do adopt the Directory of the Pres- byterian Church in the United States of America as containing the most consistent summary of the scripture doctrine that tve know of.'' In order to provide for the increase of the church, and the exclusion of all unworthy or improper persons, the following were adopted as terms of admission : FIRST. In order for a person to be a member in full com- munion irith this Chnrcli, his or her Inotvledge and piety must be such as to give satisfaction to the church; and he or she must also sign the covenant. SECOND. Adults ivho may apply to be baptized, and u;ho do not see it to be their duty under their present circumstances, to come to the ordinance of the supper, upon their giving satisfaction to the church with respect to their knoirledge and piety, and their malt- ing a public profession of their faith, and that they will submit to the government and inspection of this church, may be baptized. THIRD. It is- expected of the members in fidl cominuuijyn, and also of those n-ho have or may put themselues under the inspection and government of this church {except they are under tlie censura of the church) that they bring their children forward for baptism as sco-n after their birth as ivith prudence and convenience may come. BABVLON PKESBYTEKIAN CHUKCH 5 FOURTH Such persons as may have been baptized by regu- lUir ministers of other denominations, who may apply to join this church ill full communion, or to have their children baptized, shall be admitted upon the same terms as those baptized by a Presbyterian minister. FIFTH. Persons who put themselves under the inspection and government of this church must adopt the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, containing the confession of faith, catechism, etc., as being the most convenient sum- nmry of scripture doctrine that they knou- of, and thrij must be regu- lar in their lives and conversation." First Pastor of the Chukch The first successful effort to procure the services of a perma- nent pastor was commenced June 11th, 1796, at which time the follow- ing paper was drawn up, and circulated among the people to obtain subscriptions for the support of Rev. Luther Gleason, whom they de- sired to call as their pastor, in connection with the Presbyterian Church at Smithtown : "We whose names are hereunto subscribed, believing it to be our duty to promote the worship of Almighty God, and having a desire to enjoy the preaching and the ordinances of the gospel amongst %is, do unanimously agree to the following particulars: FIRST. If it shall be agreeable to the people at Smithtown for them, and for us here at South, to have Rev. Luther Gleason to be their and our minister, and for him and his family to live on their parsonage, and to preach one half of the Sabbaths at Smithtoivn, and the other half of the Sabbaths here at South, in our meeting house; and in case it shall be agreeable to said Luther Gleason to accept of their and our call, that then we do each one of us for himself promise to pay yearly to said Mr. Gleason, or to such other person or persons as we may appoint to receive it for his use, the sums of money that ive have subscribed against our names, so long as he shall continue t& preach to us or be our minister. SECOND. It is agreed that in case any of us should move away from this parish or society, or should be taken away by death; in such cases our subscription for that year in which we shall move away or die shall be paid, and then it shall cease. THIRD. It is agreed that a contribution shall be kept up on the Sabbath that he shall preach to us; and a house or houses shall he appointed for him to stay at xvhen he comes, with his horse, to b B^BYIjON PRESBYTEHl \N CIHTRCU jjrtach lu us, and from flu coiilrihiilioii inoiKy sncli persmt or j)crsr,,t<: shall hr paid a rrasonable sum for the same; and further, in case there should be some failure in our subsrriptioit by reason of death or moving away or some unavoielable aceideni, in such cases it sliall be mode ■up from the said contribution, if it be sufficient for the purpose. And in case that tlie contribution shcdl )tot alt be wanted for the pur- poses aforesaid, then in such case it may be applied in repairing the meeting house, and purchasing a bible, psalm boo],-, and other things ■necessary for the use of our minister and congregation. And further, it is agreed that ve shall appoint some one or more of us to tahe the contribution and to take care of the temporalities of our society. And lastly it is agreed that this present writing shall not be in force until Mr. Gleason shall accept our proposals or eeiU, and shall begin his first ■year in preaching to us; and then we ivitl endeavor to pay ivJiat we have subscribed yearly by the time it is due or before. And in case Mr. Gleason shall need some part of our subscription be- fore the end of each year, for the support of his family, in such ease we tvill endeavor {those of us that can do it) to pay our subscriptions in two payments, half a year apart." The above paper was signed by seventy-five persons,who con- tributed £79, 3s, Od, in sums ranging from £7 to 4s. The largest sub- scriptions were those of Isaac Thompson, Nathaniel Conklin, Tredwell Seudder and Anning J\Ioubray. Having ascertained that they were able to contribute eighty pounds yeai'ly, towards the support of a pastor, this congregation unit- ed with the church at SmithtoAvn, in the following call and agreement : "At a meeting of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church and congregation of Smithtotvn, and a committee chosen by and from the Presbyterian Society and congregation of Islip and Huntington South, held at Smithtown on the 22d day of Jidy, 1796, it ivas unanimously re- solved by the said Trustees and by the said committee whose names are hereunto subscribed, to call Rev. Luther Gleason to come and take the pastoral charge of the said church and congregation of Smithtoivn, and the said society and congregation of Islip and Huntington South. And for his encouragement and support amoug us, we dohereby covenant and agree with each other to give liim the use of the parsonage house, and barn and lands and meadow, belonging to the said church and con- gregation at Smithtown, during his natural life, he continuing faith- fully to discharge the office and duty of a Presbyterian minister of the gospel among us. Anv«^ and these interfered with the work of the pastor and of the cluirch. In 1838 Rev. Hollis Reed became pastor of tlie cliuirJi, ser\ii!ig only about one year. He was followed by Rev. Alfred Ketcham, wh© remained with the church for eight years. His pastorate appears to have been an active and useful one ; many members were brought int© the church; a new district arrangement of the congregation was adopt- ed; extra prayer meetings were established in tlie districts with special leaders. In 1839, a new church building was erected, which still serves as the lecture room. Rev. Edward 1. Vail became pastor in 1848, being installed on Xwv- ember 28th by the Presbytery of Long Island. The records of tha* period are very incomplete, owing to the death of the Clerk, and t'hs loss of urany of the papers. Mr. Vail continued as pastor until 1851. Rev. Gaylord L. More began to preach in February, 1852, and .se!-N«if" as pastor until late in 1856. Early in his pastorate the roll of* the church was revLsed, the membership as revised numbering 117. It is &i interest to find in the records at this time the unanimous opinion record- ed that a separate church organization be formed at Islip; evidently the church work in that village had become of sufficient importance to- demand such a step as soon as possible. The pulpit having been supplied for one year after Mr. More Jsa/S. left, Rev. Charles W. Cooper was called as the pastor of the church m. September, 1857, being regularly installed on November 10, following. In the year that inter\'ened one most important action was taken in the- IS H\KVI.ON PRESBYTERIAN CIU'RCII Jisiiiis-siiai of twenly-eight members to form ;i new parish, to he known as The Pi'esljyterifin Church of Islip. Tlie ]iastorate of Mr. Cooper was unusually happy and effective. Thi' I'ecords. which were kept with far greater care than formerly, tell of a prosi>crons i-ondition of the church. The year following the in- stallation, nineteen members were I'eeeived into the church on examina- tion at one time. Thci'e was a regular and constant growth. The pas- torate continued for tAvelve years, during which the people became «aeei)ly attached to the pastor. The church passed a hearty expression of )'egard upon the resignation of ^Ir. Cooper in 1869. The following year Rev. James .Mc Dougall began his work in the church, serving for a number of months as si^pply, and being installed as pastor by the Presbytery of Nassau, on ;\iay 24, 1871. This was an important day in the history of the church, for on the same evening that the pastor was installed, the new church building, which had been started the year before, was dedicated with appropriate exercises. This is the building which is still in use for church purposes. Two other items of iiiii^ortance apjjear at about this same time; one, the change of the name of the church to its present form. The First Presbyterian 'Oiureh of Babylon ; tlie other, the completion of the new house for the use of the pastor; this house was occupied by him and his family in the :aunimer of 1871 ; this is the house which still serves the same purposes. Mr. McDougall having resigned in September, 1873, to become the President of the Clollegiate Institute, of York, Pa., Rev. James C. Nightingale became his successor, beginning his work with the first of the year 1874. lie was installed on the 10th of the following February, and continued his work as pastor for more than six years. Few records of especial significance appear during this time, but the work of the church evidently went forward with harmony and steadiness. The well- kept records tell of steady growth and of healthful conditions. In October, 1S80. Mr. Nightingale resigned on account of poor health, and against tlie strong protest of a good-sized minority the pastoral rela- tionship was dissolved. The following February, Rev. Walter B. Fkiyd was chosen as Supply of the pulpit and Moderator of the Session ; he was not installed as Pastor, but continued to serve the church until 1883. In June of ibis year Rev. James McDougall returned to the church as Supply for eleven Sunday.s. Soon after this, a call to the pastorate was given to Py<^y. .lames (_'. Hume; he accepted the call, and \ras installed on Nov- BABYLON I'RESBYTERLiN CHURCH 19 ember 14. 188:i. Duriag this pastorate three of the present Elders of the church were chosen and installed. Work was also undertaken at Deer Park, of a mission character. Mr. Hume continued as Pastor until the autraun of 1888. In January, 1889, Rev. John D. Long was called; on April 17th, hf was installed. He entered upon his work in an energetic manner, introducing illustrated services, inviting a succession of evangelists to liold special meettngs, providing stages to bring those to church who lived at a distance, and in other ways making use of new methods of furthering the church ^vork. Two items in respect to the Communion Service are worthy of mention; in 1889 the Session voted that only un- fermented wine shoiild be used thereafter; and in 1897 the Individual Communion Cups were adopted, the sets which have since been in use having been given by one of the church members. In January, 1898, the centennial of the church was observed with elaborate exercises which began on Sunday, the second day of the month, and continued each evening of that week through Frida.v, the se's'enth, the actual centennial day. The following year the tenth anniversary of the installation of the Piistor was observed with appropriate exercises. The missionary work which the church undertook at this time de- sei-s'es special mention; it was decided to support a missionary on the Foreign Field, and to raise $600 a year for this purpose. This support was given to Rev. Robert H. ililligan, whose field of labor was in Africa, t;i)d was continued for about six years. The last night of the year 1900 a Twentieth Century Watch Night S^fi-vice was held, with exercises fitting for that occasion. Mr. Long resigned from the pastorate in December, 1904; a ma- jority refused to concur in his request for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, but the request was granted by the Presbytery; Mr. Long con- tinued to serve the church until the May following; his pastorate was tiie longest in the historj^ of the church, lasting sixteen years. Rev. A. H. Fish, Pastor of the Islip Presbyterian Church, acted as Moderator during the next few months, the pulpit being supplied with preaching. In September, 1905, a call was given to the present Pastor, Rev. Robert D. Merrill. Mr. Merrill was installed on October 81st, following. At that time the lecture room of the church had been placed in thorough repair and newly decorated by the gift of a member of the 2y the Presliyterian Church to the site directly adjoining the present church property on the Bast and was converted into a dwelling house now occupied hy tlie family of the late D. S. S. Sammis. The building is in a perfect state of preservation, and forms the front of the house. I have often heard my grandmother, ilrs. Samuel Higbie, tell of taking a foot stove, (which is still preserved), as there was no heat in the building, nor were the rafters covered with any plaster. A stove for burning wood to heat the building was installed in 1832. Very few persons know this building is now standing, and was at one time a church. It was a two-story structure and the shingles on the outside seem as good today as when tliey were put on one hundred and twenty- eight years ago. '\^ery few villages can show the sight seer three old church buildings standing side by side as they do in Babylon today. The third church building was built in 1838. on the site oc- cupied by the second church building, the formei- was rao\'ed in 1870, to its present position adjoining, and in the rear of the fourth church building. The latter Avas built in 3870, on the old site of the second and third church buildings. The First Building Fund List of subscribers to the first building fund in 1783 is as follows: The full text of the subscription paper is given in j\lr. Nightin- gale's history of the church so that only the names and amounts of the various subscriptions are given here, in order that the reader may know who resided in this vicinity in 1783. That the Presbyterian Church is closely connected \vith the history of this vicinity can readily be gained by reading the names of the con- tributors to the second building erected in 1784, viz : Isaac Thompson, £58.17. Aaron Higbie, 30. 8. 4 Phebe Conklin, 15. 0. Nathaniel Conklin, 15. 0. John Mowbray, 10. 0. Anning Mowbray, 5. 0. Arthur Dingee, 10. 0. Selah Dingee, 3. 3.10 B.ABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHCRCII ■I'd Jesse Conklin, 2.10. Jesse Conklin, Jr., 10. 0. Garret Jlonfort, 12. 1. 1 Silas ilnneey, 10.10. Timothy Scudder, 10. 6. Thomas Wiekes, 10. 0. Samuel ('arman. 8. 0. Zebulon Keteham l.\ 10. Isaac Muncey, 5.15. Eliphalet Oakley, 5. 0. Daniel Heartt, land, 5. 0. Nehemiah Higl)ie, 4.10. David Jones, 3. 4. Pen Wiekes, 3. 4. Miles Oakley, 3. 0. ] Joseph Whitman, 2.10. Zophar Smith, 2. 5. Zachariah Rogers, 2. 2. 8 Alexander Conklin, 2.10. John Snedicor, 2. 6. Abijah Keteham, 2. 0. 4 Philip Kellam, 2. 0. Isaac Young, 2. 0. 0^ Jesse Keteham, 2. 0. Charles Berry, 2. 0. Luie Fleet, 2. 0. Wilmoth Oakley, 2. 0. a Jacobus Nostran, 2. 0. Nathaniel Oakley, 2. 0, Jesse Weeks, 2. 0. 0- Benajah Strong, 2. 0. 0- 1 Timothy and Phineas Carll, 2. 0. Joshua Keteham, 1.17. 4 Jonathan Stratton, 1.10. Philip Keteham, 1.10. George Wiekes, 1.10. Joshua Keteham, Jr., 1. 6. Piatt Brush, 1. 4. Gilbert Hartt, 1. 4. 5-i BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Joshua Hartt, Amos Baldwin, Jacob Conklin, Peter Berry, Deborah Conklin, Elijah Chichester, Silas Carman, Richard Ruland, Peter Ruland, Jesse Baldwin, ■James Berry, Abel Wood, Isaac Oaks, -Joseph Dow, Samuel Muncey, John Poster, Parrot Fleet, Zophar Ketcham, Timothy Carll, Jr., Philip Piatt, • Samuel Smith, Obediah Barto, ■ George Norton, Lewis Hartt, Jedediah Williamson, Abraham Snedicor, Lamberson, Foster Norstrant, ■ Joseph Quason, ■ John Henderson, Jesse Hartt, William Brown, Richard Weekes, Philip Dow, Andrew Oakley, David Ruland, jMowbray Smith, Total, 1. 4. 1. 4. 1. 1. 4 1. 0. 1. 0. 1. 0. 1. 0. 1. 0. 1. 0. 1. 0. 1. 0. 1. 0. 0.18. 0.18. 0.16. 0.16. 0.16. 0.16. 0.16. 0.16. 0.15. 0.15. 0.13. 0.13. 0.11. 0.10. 0.10. 0.10. 0.10. 0. 8. 0. 8. 0. 7. 0. 6. 0. 6. 0. 3. 0. 3. 0. 2. 9 £320. 6. 4 BABi'LON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 25 C(.iXTRIBrTORS TO SaLARY OP FiRST ]\ilNISTER The subscription paper for the salary of the first minister, Luther Gleson, is given in order to show additional names of residents since the first paper in 1783. It is dated the 11th day of June, A. D., 1796, and is as follows : Isaac Thompson, Nathaniel Conklin, Treadwell Scudder, Anning ilowbray, Jesse Keteham, Thomas Ireland, Silas iluncey, Jesse Smith, Thomas Fleet, Nehemiah Higbie, William Garret, Isaac Muncey, Henry Smith, Eliphalet Oakley, Miles Oakley, Jonathan Stratton, Elias Leak, John Snedicor, Peter Ruland, David Sprague, John Wheeler, Gilbert Heartt, William Risley, Edmund Sands, Jonas Weekes, John Heydelberck, Richard Weekes, James Abbot, James Berry, John Vanderbilt, Isaac Youngs, John Rogers, Zacariah Rogers, Samuel Strong, £7. 0. 7. 0. 5. 0. 4. 0. 1.12. 1. 4. 2.10. 1.10. 1.10. 1.10. 0.16. 2.10. 1.10. 2. 0. 1. 0. 0. 8. 0. 8. 0.16. 0. 4. 0. 8. 0. 8. 0. 8. 1. 0. 0. 8. 0. 8. 0.10. 0. 8. 0. 8. 0. 8. 1. 0. 0. 4. 0.16. 2. 0. 3. 0. 26 BVBYUIX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Gai'i-et .Monfort, 2. 8. Steplien Stratton, 0. 8. James VanCot, 0. 8. Reuben Sammis, 0. 4. David Sammis, 0. 8. Samuel ]\Iuncey, L 0. Obediah Barto, 1. 0. ■Jesse Conklin, 2.10. Joseph Wliitmann, 0. 8. Thomas Farrington, 0. 8. Zebulon Keteham, 2. 0. William Nicoll, 1. 4. John Hendrickson, 0. 8. Silas Carman, 1. 0. Moses Scudder, 0.16. Moses Wiekes, 0. 8. Jeremiah Smith, 0. 8. Theodorus Weeks, 0. 8. Piatt Willets, 0. 8, John Willets, 0.16. Nathan Bishop, 0. 4. Eneas Bishop, 0. 8. Jesse Baldwin, 0. 5. Philip Morrel, 0. 8. Jas. Pearsall, 0. 8. Christopher Trim, 0. 8. Thomas Wiggins, 0. 8. Thomas Keteham, 1. 0. Philip Keteham, 0.12. John Lamberson, 0.10. Joshua Heartt, 0. 8. John Vallance, 0. 4. Fred Brush, 0. 8. Elijah Chichester, 0.16. Philip Keteham, 1. 4. Lemuel Howell, 0. 8. David Davis, 0. 8. Oliver Youngs, 0. 8. John Keleey, 0.10. BABYLON PKESBYTERIAN CHURCII 27 Isaiah Jarvis, 2. 8. John Whitman, 2.10. Total, £85. 3. That these names eomprise most of the principal families at that time there is not much doubt. Treadwell Scudder lived on H. B. Hyde's, now Louis Boissert's place. The writer remembers when the home stood directly on the ]Main road in front of the present house, and his farm barns and sheds were all open to the road and his farm wagons stood on the highway in front of the buildings. Isaac Thompson, grandfatlier of Doctor A. G. Thompson lived on Sagtikos Manor, where David Gardiner now resides. The next house was probably Willets, which stood just west of the dividing line be- tween Col. Alfred Wagstaff and his brother, C. DuBois Wagstaff's place on the East side of the pond, they were Quakers and their names do not appear on the list of subscribers. The next house was Doctor Richard Udall's, directly on the road and on the West side of the pond. The next house was Nehemiah Hig- bie's, now the "La Grange" Hotel, it then stood directly on the Main road. Between the hotel and the old mill there was the Brush house, the site of which is now occupied by Christ Episcopal Chui'ch. Extract From old Deed Extract from deed dated November 4th, 1783, from Daniel Heartt, Anna Heartt, Nehemiah Heartt and Mercy Heartt to Isaac Thompson, Timothy Scudder, John Mowbray and Garret Monfort, yoemen of Islip ; and Phebe Conklin, Jesse Conklin, Silas Muncey and Joseph Whitman, yoeman of Huntington, Suffolk County, State of New York : "All that piece or parcel of land being and lying within the Toivn- ship of Huntington and on the South Side of the Island on a neck off land commonly l-nown by the name of Sumpaums Neck; and bounded on the South by the ptiblick highiuay that lies East and West across, said neck, and on the East by a marked white Oak stake that stands on the North side of said highivay about eleven Bods and six feet west' from the dwelling in ivhich the above named Nehemiah Heartt notv liveth; and from said white Oak stake Northward thr^e Rods to a mark- ed Maple stake; and from said Maple stake Westivard five Bods to al 28 BABYI>()X PRE8BYTERIAX CHURCH Maik(d blach Oak dale and from said black Oak skih<: Southward three Rods to a red Oak stake standing in the Xorth side of the hightvay afore- said, and about ten Rods and si.c fret from the Corner tvhere JoshuaH Hearll's blacksmiths shop now standeth. Said granted piece contaimng fifteen square Rods of Land, viz -. five Rods in length East and West and three Rods in breadth Xorth and South." Sealed and delivered in the presence of Thos. Wickes, Nehemiah Higbie, Lewis Snedecor. Baptisms Prom 1798 to 1857 There seems to be no record of mai-riages made on the minutes of the church records down to 1857 and the records of death are so im- perfectly kept that it would be of very little use to publish them, as the woi'd "dead" written after a name seventy years ago means nothing historically. Tlie records of baptisms in the Church seems to have been kept quite regularly by the ministers and only when the Church was without a minister, were they neglected. They commence Aug. 5, 1798, down to 1811, when there is a break of seven years. There were four baptisms in the year 1818 and then no records are made until the year 1826. From that time with only one or two exceptions they were regular- ly entered. The most grievous neglect was made by E. C. Stadge, clerk from the Fall of 1848, down to the Fall of 1850, when not a single entry was made by him, nor any account of the meetings. The Baptisms are ar- ranged in this shape for convenience and to preserve uniformity with part of a regular schedule kept in tlie records. The spelling of names has been closely adhered to in order to show the quaintness of olden times. The records will grow more valuable as time goes on. A list of adults and children baptised in the First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South from August 5th, 1798, to De- cember 27, 1818 ; viz : NAMES. PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN Katiiry Losee Wife of Peter Losee. Aug. 5, 1798 Elizabeth Sands Wife of Edmund Sands Aug. 5, 1798 Kichard Wm. and Sarah GarrettSep. 16, 1798 Phebe Wm. and Sarah GarrettSep. 16, 1798 BABYLOX PRESBYTERIAK CHUECH 29- XAME Hannah Abraham Cooper and Keziah Fleet Debbe Israel Thomas Whited Hannah Smith Jonathan, Abigail, Fanny, Hannah, Samuel, Keziah, John Oakley, I'ARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED Tredwell and Ivpziah Seudder. Sep. 16, 1798 Children of Oilbert Heartt Sep. 16, 1798 Oct. 27, 1799 Gilbert and Hannah Heartt Oet. 27, 1799 Isaiali Jarvis Oct. 27, 1799 D. and Jemima SpragueDec. 1, 1799 Jonathan Seaman. mother lying dead in room Grandfather Jesse Smith Jan. 6, 1800 Jesse and Hannah June 1, 1800 Smith Thomas and Patience Ireland July 28, 1800 Thomas and Patience Ireland July 28, 1800 Thomas and Patience Ireland July 28, 1800 Thomas and Patience Ireland July 28, 1800 Thomas and Patience Ireland July 28, 1800 Thoma.s and Patience Ireland Apr. 5, 1801 BORX :-!(.) BABYL(.)N PRESBYTEIil \N CJIURCH XVilE I'ARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN Tredwell OMkley Tredwell and Keziali Sciiddei- Apr. 5, 1801 Rachel, Win. and Sarah (JarrettJune 14,1801 Charity Wiggins, Wife of Thomas Wig- gins .ruly 12 1801 Anna. Thomas and Charity Wiggins July 12 1801 Henry, Tliomas and Charity Wiggins July 12 1801 >Sarah, Thomas and Charity Wiggins July 12 1801 David, Thomas and Charity Wiggins Jul>- 12 1801 Zeroiah, Tliomas and Charity Wiggins Jul.N- 12 1801 Nathaniel, Thomas and Charity Wiggins Widow Naomi Trim Naomi Trim Naomi Trim, Charity, Elizabeth, Brewster, Elsey, July 12 1801 July 12 1801 July 12 1801 July 12 1801 i Isaiah and Phebe JarvisAug. 9, 1801 Henry and Ruth Smith Aug. 21,1801 June 2, 1801 John Blidenburgh, Hoses Sweezey Aug. 21,1801 April 5, 1801 Morris, Morris Barto and wife Aug. 23,1801 Jesse, !\Iorris Barto and wife Aug. 23,1801 Josiah Smitli, Morris Barto and wife Aug. 23,1801 Philetus, Morris Barto and wife Aug. 23,1801 Elkanah, Morris Barto and wife Aug. 23,1801 Zifary, Morris Barto and wife Aug. 23,1801 BABVLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 31 NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN Israel, Morris Barto and wife Aug. 23,1801 Rubin, Morris Barto and wife Aug. 23,1801 Elvin Fleet, Thomas Ketcham Feb. 19, 1802 Nov. 15, 1801 Betsy, Thomas Wiggins Oct. 3, 1802 Isaac, Isaac Willets Oct. 3, 1802 Matthew Beale, INIoses Swesey IMar. 20.1803 Charity, Jeremiah and Rebecca Smith ]\rar. 20,1803 Mary, INredad and Nancy Rog- ers June 12,1803 Jan. 8, 1803 Obadiah, ilon-is and Hannah Barto June 12,1803 April 23, 1803 Jesse. Wm. and Sarah GarrettJune 12,1803 Nancy, Jarvis and Mary RogersJune 12,1803Sept. 6, 1802 Alexander Barto, June 12,1803 Elizabeth Barto, his wife June 12,1803 Zeroiah Barto, June 12,1803 Phebe Stratton, Alexander and Eliza- beth Barto June 12,1803 John, Alexander and Eliza- beth Barto June 12,1803 Ebenezer, Rachel, widow of Ebe- nezer Hawkins Oct. 29, 1803 Richard Joel, Tredwell and Keziah Scudder Dec. 25, 1803 Ann Juline, Thomas and Phebe Ket- cham Apr. 15, 1804 Jan. 9, 1804 Sarah, Jamima and David Sprague Apr. 29, 1804 April 5, 1804 32 BABYLOX PRESBYTERJAN CHURCH NAME Mary, Walter, Eachael Briisli, Euth, Keziah, Benjamin, Sarali, Rachel, Walter, Phebe, Eliza, Elias, Mary Foster, Jane, Isabel, Mary, Deborah, Melinda, Anna, PARENTS, ETC. Thomas Wiggins Tredwell and Keziah Scudder BAPTISED BORN Aug. 5, 1804]\ray 24, 1804 David Jackson, Hannah Fraitenburg, Child under David Jackson's care Nov. 25,1804 :\Ieh. 17,1805 Alexander and Eliza- beth Barto Meh. 17,1805 Wife of Elias Leeke ]Meh. ,31,1805 Elias and Keziah Leeke Mch. .31,1805 Elias and Keziah Leeke Mch. 31,1805 Elias and Keziah Leeke Mch. 31,1805 Elias and Keziah Leekeilch. 31,1805 Elias and Keziah LeekeMch. 31,1805 Elias and Keziah LeekeMch. 31,1805 Elias and Keziah LeekeMch. 31,1805 Wife of John Foster Apr. 28, 1805 Closes and Hannah Bar- to Apr. 28, 1805 .Tan. 21, 1S05 Jeremiah and Rebecca Smith Apr. 28, 1805 July 29, 1804 Timothy and Ruth CarllApr. 28, 1805 Dec. 5, 1804 Samuel Muncey July 6, 1805 Samuel and Deborah Muncey July 6, 1805 Samuel and Deborah .Muncey July 6, 1805 July 6, 1805 July 6, 1805 Rev. James C. Nightingale Born in 1836. died in 1895 Pastor from 1874 to 1880 Rev. Walter B. Floyd Pastor from 1881 to 1883 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 33 Mary Kellam, His wife Mariali, Elizabeth, Cornelius, Sarah, Sarah, NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN Jonah Kellam, About Aug. 1805 About Aug. 1805 Jonah and ilaiy Kellam About Aug. 1805 Dec. 29, 1804 Wife of JonathanStrat- About Aug.- ton, Jr. 1805 Jonathan and ElizabetliAbout Aug. Stratton, Jr. 1805April 26, 1804 Jonathan Stratton Aljout Aug. 1805 March 20,1792 Nathaniel Wicks About Aug. 1805 Dec. 10, 1796 Margaret Weekes Wife,Theodorus WeekesOct. 27, 1805 Samuel Muncey, Jan. 5, 1806 Jonas Brush, .Tan. 5, 1806 Geo. Y. Conklin, Joseph and Zeroiah Conklin Jan. 6, 1806 Anning iIowbray,Jarvis and Mary RogersApr. 27,1806Jan. 14, 1806 Richard, Thomas and Charitj- Wiggins Apr. 27,1806 March 4, 1806 William Nicoll, Medad and Nancy Rog- ers Apr. 27,1806 Nov. 26, 1805 Richard, Selah Piatt Apr. 12,1806 June 9, 1792 Ellison, Selah Piatt Apr. 12,1806 Feb. 18, 1797 Mary, Eliphalet and Lettee Moubray ^May 10,1806 Jan. 20, 1804 Rachel, Jonathan Stratton, Jr. :\Iay 25, 1806 ilar. 4, 1806 54 B.\BYr,nN PRESBYTERIAN CMrRCH NAilE Mary Ann, Conklin, Sharlot, Israel, Charles Edwy, Julia, diaries Philip, Peter Coalman, Cteorge Conklin, Deboi'ah, Sarah Ann, John, "Wilmot, Elizabeth Susan, Nathaniel Alexan er, Mehetable, John William, Hannah, Jesse Brown, IIi?nry Brewster, PARENTS, ETC. BAI'TISED BORN" Alexander Barto May 25, 1806 Mar. 11, 1806 Elias and Ke/Jah LeekeSep. 14, 1806Sept. 26, 1805 Eliphalet and Lcttee Moubray Apr. 25,1807 Oct. 25, 1806 Jeremiah and Rebekah Smith Apr. 26,1807 Dec. 6, 1806 riiomus and Phebe Ket- cham Oct. 25, 1807 Tredwell and Keziah Scudder Nov. 15,1807 Jonali and ]Mary Kel- 1am Mar. 27,1808 ^Morris Barto Oct. 16, 1808 Jan. 23. 1808 Thomas Wiggins June 25,1809 Jei'emiah and Rebecca Smith Aug. 5, 1809 Morris Barto Aug. 5, 1809 Thomas Wiggins June 17,1810 Tredwell and Keziah Scudder Jan. 13,1811 Thomas and Abigail Gould Jan. 13,1811 Nathaniel Ketcham de- ceased June 2, 1811 Widow Nat'l. Ketcham June 2, 1811 Thomas and Abigail Gould April 5, 1818 :\lurris Barto Apr. 12,18ir Dee. 27, 1818 Dec. 27, 1818 BABYLdK PRERBYTEKIAN CHUBCH 35 P\KEXTS, ETC, BORN Adult Adult A list of persons baptised from July 23, 1826, down to July 10, 1857, in the First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South, followed by a list of adults baptised Avithin the above period, or from March 10, 1833, to ]\Iarch 29, 1856. NAME Purdy, Chai'ity Barto, Phebe C. Nicoll, Rhodaett, Susan Emmy, Charles Lester, Mary Rogers, Julia Ann Barto, "William Suly, Sally Ann, Alexander, Jonah, Mary, Amos Hogans, Mary Matilda, Arnol Sammis, Rachael, Deborah Ann, BAPTISED July 23, 1826 Nov. 5, 1826 Nov. 5, 1826 Widow of Philip Smith Jan. 22,1827 Feb. 6, 1817 Widow of Philip Smith Jan. 22,1827 Feb. 15, 1819 Widow of Philip Smith Jan. 22,1827 March 8, 1821 Adult Feb. 18,1827 Adult Feb. 18,1827 Jesse and Mary Brown Mar. 22,1827 Jesse and Mary Brown Mar. 22,1827 Jesse and Mary Brown Mar. 22,1827 Jesse and Mary Brown Mar. 22,1827 Jesse and Mary Brown Mar. 22,1827 Jesse and Mary Brown Mar. 22,1827 Fanny Fleet Fanny Fleet Fanny Fleet Fanny Fleet NathanielKetcham Alex, and Elizabeth Barto Alex, and Elizabeth Barto Alex, and Elizabeth Barto Alex, and Elizabeth Barto Will Augustus, Eliza Almedia, Alexander, July i, 1829 ilar. 25, 1820 July 4, 1829 Nov. 19, 1823 July 4, 1829 Feb. 14, 1826 July 4, 1829 Jan. 5, 1829 Feb. 15,1830 Feb. 15,1830 Feb. 15,1830 Feb. 15,1830 36 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Sarah Ann, Isaac Edwin, NAME PARENTS, ETC. Jared, Alex, and Elizabeth Barto Conklin Ketchara, Isaac and Elizabeth Muncey Isaac and Elizabeth Muncey Isaac and Elizabeth Muncey Thomas William, Joseph and Abigail Weeks Daniel and Deborah Austin Adult Isaac and Elizabeth Muncey Fanny Fleet Adult BAPTISED Feb. 15,1830 BORN Hannah ]Maria, Elisha Smith, Jesse, Keturah, Silas Muncey, Ann Eliza Muncey Charity Sammis, Hannah Williams, Ruth Butler, Sarah Muncey, Mary Ann Jarvis, Cornelia Ann Wiggins, Phebe Oakley, Marietta Smalling, Eunice Barto, Mary Ann, Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Adult Julia, widow of Selah S. Dec. 20,1830 Aug. 18, 1821 Dec. 20,1830 July 4, 1825 Dec. 20,1830 Ang. 4, 1829 July 16,1831 Aug. 28,1831Mar. 6, 1831 Nov. 6, 1831 Aug. 11,1832 Aug. 11,1832 Aug. 12,1832 Aug. 12,1832 Aug. 12,1832 Aug. 12,1832 Aug. 12,1832 Aug. 12,1832 Aug. 12,18.32 Aug. 12,1832 Aug. 12,1832 Aug. 12,1832 Aug. 12,1832 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 37 NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN Carll Nov. 17,1832 Julia Elizabeth, Julia, widow of Selali S. Carll Nov. 17,1832 Timothy Smith, Julia, widoM' of Selah S. Carll Nov. 17,1832 Mary Jane, Nathaniel and Phebe Wiggins Nov. 17,1832 Henry Smith, Nathaniel and Phebe Wiggins Nov. 17, 1832 Edward Lewis, John and Phebe BartoNov. 17, 1832 John Thomas, George and Cornelia Ann Wiggins Nov. 17,1832 Sarah, Timothy- and Bathvina Ketchara Nov. 17, 1832 Piatt Carll, Timothy and Bathvina Ketcham Nov. 17,1832 Elizabeth, Timothj' and Bathvina Ketcham Nov. 17,1832 Mary Ann, Charity Samist Nov. 17,1832 Martha Maria, Widow of Jared Samist Nov. 17,1832 George Thomas Daniel and Angeline Totten Nov. 17,1832 Charlotia Levine, Daniel and Angeline Totten Nov. 17,1832 Lineus Eldridge, Daniel and Angeline Totten Nov. 17,1832 Mary Elizabeth, Elvin and Angeline Ketcham Nov. 17,1832 Samuel, Benoni, Elvin and Angeline 38 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED Ketcham Nov. 17,1832 Silas, ConMin and Hannah Ketcham April 4, 1833 Oakley, Conklin and Hannah Ketcham April 4, 1833 Peter, Conklin and Hannah Ketcham April 4, 1833 Patience, Conklin and Hannah Ketcham April 4, 1833 Hannah, Conklin and Hannah Ketcham April 4, 1833 Mahala, Conklin and Hannah Ketcham April 4, 1833 Susannah, Zebulon and Ann Ket- cham Apr, 4, 1833 Mariett, Zebulon and Ann Ket- April 4, 1833 cham April 4, 1833 Zebulon, Zebulon and Ann Ket- cham April 4, 1833 Eliza Ann, Zebulon and Ann Ket- cham April 4, 1833 Martha, Zebulon and Ann Ket- cham April 4, 1833 Henriett, Zebulon and Ann Ket- cham April 4, 1833 Elizabeth, Jarvis and Keziah Ket- Apr. 4, 1833 cham Emila, Jarvis and Keziah Ket- April 4, 1833 cham April 4, 1833 BORN BABYLON )'RESBYTERIAN CHURCH 3!> NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED George, Jarvis and Keziah Ket ;- cham April 4, 1833 Henry, Piatt and Nancy Brush April 4, 1833 Maiyett, Jesse and Elizabeth iMuneej' April 4, 1833 Jemima Joel and Elizabeth Jarvis April 4, 1833 Ann Elizabeth, Joel and Elizabeth Jarvis April 4, 1833 Chariot R, Joel and Elizabeth Jarvis April 4, 1833 Scudder, C, Joel and Elizabeth Jarvis April 1 4, 1833 Henry, C. S., Joel and Elizabeth Jarvis April 4, 1833 Jesse, — Joshua and Rebecca Purdy April 4, 183a Scudder, Archelaus and Sarah Doxey Apr. 10,183a James Henry, Archelaus and Sarah Doxey Apr. 10,183S Elsey Charlotte, Archelaus and Sarah Doxey Apr. 10,1833: Almedia, Nathaniel and Almedia Barto Apr. 10,1833; Mary Frances, Nathaniel and Almedia I Barto Apr. 10,1833.- Charlotte, Luther and Sarah Soper Apr; 10,1833:: Nathaniel K., Daniel K. and Charitj r BOEN ■+'• BABYI.ON PRESBYTERIAX CHURCH NAIJE PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN Barto Apr. 10,1833 AlansoB, Daniel K. and Charity Barto Apr. 10,1833 BicUard, Daniel K. and Charity Barto Apr. 10,1833_ James Edward, Eli and Julia Ann Thompson Apr. 10,1833 Pevmelia, Selah and Zeviah Wil- morth Apr. 25,1833 Henry, Selah and Zeviah Wil- morth Apr. 25,1833 Eliza Ann, Selah and Zeviah Wil- niorth Apr. 25,1833 [NFary Elizabeth, Selah and Zeviah Wil- morth Apr. 25,1833 James, Selah and Zeviah Wil- raorth Apr. 25,1833 Juliet, Selah and Zeviah Wil- morth Apr. 25,1833 Daniel, S. and Z. Wilmorth Apr. 25,1833 Apr. 25,1833 William Cable Elvin and Angeline Ketcham Apr. 25,1833 Charles Woodhull Charles and Parthena Weeks Apr. 25,1833 Elvin Atwood, Joseph and Abigail Weeks Apr. 25,1833 Edward Brush, Charles and Ann Ket- cham Apr. 25, 1833 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 41 NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAI'TISED IMary Esther, ■Jonathan and Charity Conklin Apr . 27,1833 David Smitli, Jonathan and Charity Conklin Apr. 27,1833 Epenetus, Selah Wood, mother Apr . 27,1833 Phebe, deceased Apr. 27,1833 Sarah Anu, and name unknown Apr. 27,1833 Elizabeth, and name unknown Apr. 27,1833 ;\Iary Catherine, Selah and Sarah Wood Apr. 27,1833 Henry. ]\Iary Peltreau, now Conkling, Apr. 27,1833 Albert, Jonas and Angeline Apr. 27,1833 Silas, I\Iuneey Apr. 27,1833 Sarah Anu, Betsy Coukling :\Iay 2, 1833 Piatt, Betsy Conkling ^lay 2, 1833 John, Betsy Conkling .^[ay 2, 1833 ]Mary, Betsy Conkling May 2, 1833 Charles, Samuel and Betsy Sea man. :\Iay 2, 1833 IMary Ann, John and Hannah Bald win ilay 2, 1833 Susan, John and Hannah Bald- ^^•in :\Iay 2, 1833 Cornelia Ann, Jonas and Angeline Muncey r^Iay 2, 1833 Jarvis Rogers, Zebidon and Ann Ket- cham ilay 2, 1833 IMary Anna, Ebeneze and A. H. Piatt July 1834 Francis Piatt, Charles and Ann Ketch - BORN 42 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN Elizabeth Ann Of the household Alex. Slocura, Barto July 3. 1835 Franeesett, daughter of Jacob Fleet July 3, 1835 Many Ann, daughter of John Barto July 3, 1835 Joshua Smith, son of Joshua Purdy, July 3, 1835 Caroline, daughter of Sam'l Jar- vis July 3. 1835 Elbert, Ebenezer and Rebecca Smith July 5, 1835 William Ireland, Joel Jar^'is July 30,1835 Francis Pelletreau Ralph and Cornelia Smith Aug. 9, 1835 Isaac Elbert, Hiram and Maria Brush Aug. 23,1835 Phebe JIaria, Hiram and Maria Brush Aug. 23,1835 Charles Edgar, Hiram and Maria Brush Aug. 23,1835 Juliaetta, Hiram and Maria BrushAug. 23,1835 Silas Augustus, Hiram and Maria BrushAug. 23,1835 Sarah Wiggins, Sept. 27,1835 Mary Eliza Wig- of the household Thom- gins, as Wiggins Sept. 27,1835 Hannah Elizabeth, Isaac Muncey Oct. 4, 1835 Sarah Bra, Nathaniel Wiggins Jan. 1, 1836 Augustus Warren, Daniel and Charity Post July 19,1836 John Edward, Daniel and Charity Post July 19,1836 Mary Experience, Henry and Marietta Brewster July 19,1836 Phebe Adejaide, Alary Whitman July 19,1836 Harriet, Mary Whitman July 19,1836 Henry Doxsee, Mary Whitman July 19,1836 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 43 NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN Thomas Bloomer, Elvin P. Ketcham Nov. 17,1836 Mary Ann, Cliarles Ketcham Nov. 17,1836 Wm. Hewlet Wickes, Elizabeth Weekes June 30,1837 Sarah Maria, Elvin P. Ketcham Jan. 20, 1838 Kneeland Piatt, Zophar Ketcham Jan. 20, 1838 Edgar Fleet, Angel ine Totten Jan. 20, 1838 Henry Martyn, Elizabeth Muncey Oct. 14, 1838 Sarah Maria, Jesse Wicks Aug. 6, 1839 Julia Elizabeth, Elizabeth Weeks Aug. 6, 1839 Hannah, -Jonas ana Angeline Muncey Aug. 6, 1839 Israel Anderson, Rebecca Smith Aug. 6, 1839 Sidney, Rebecca Smith Aug. 6, 1839 Edgar Martin, Zebulon Ketcham Feb. 28, 1839 Catherine Worth- ington, Elvin F. Ketcham Nov. 26,1839 Louisa Emma, Mary Ann Barto Nov. 26,1839 Julia Anna, Henry and .Marietta ilay 6, 1841 Henry Doxsee, Brewster Jan. 13,1842 Julia Thompson, Elbert and Mary Ann Carll Sept. 29,1843 William Elvin, Daniel and Angelin Tot- ten April 5, 1844 Samuel Johnson, Charles and Eliza Em- mons June 23,1844 Cornelia Adelaide Thomas Ireland June 23 1844 Phebe Ann, Thomas Ireland June 23,1844 Caroline Ophelia, Wm. A. and ilaiy Ann ^'^ BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NAMES. PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN Barto Jvily 5, 1844 Anna Cecelia, ('. L. A. and Anna C. Betlenger July 28,1844 Hannah ^Maria GerrardKeliecca Brewster July 28,1844 Rhoda Frances GerrardRel)ecea Brewster July 28,1844 Sarah Melissa, GerrardRebecea Brewster July 28,1844 Edmund Smith j Gerrard Rebecca Brewster July 28,1844 Mary Esther, Jonah Brower Sep. 15,1844 Sarah Cornelia, Jonah Brower Sep. 15,1844 Edward Franklin John and Henrietta Oakley Aug. 8, 1845 John Henry, John and Henrietta Oakley Aug. 8, 1845 Nathaniel Thomas, J. and H. Oakley Aug. 8, 1845 Children of Ezra C. and Caroline Stadge No. date Junius Selden, Daniel and Angelina Totten Oct. 11, 1850 Theodore Allison, Charles and M. M. Bishop Oct. 11, 1850 William Augustus, A. F. and A. Ketcham Oct. 11, 1850 Edward Nostrand,A. F. and A. Ketcham Oct. 11, 1850 Catherine Louisa, C. L. A. and A. C. Bet- linger Oct. 3, 1852 Herietta, C. L. A. and A. C. Bet- linger Oct. 3, 1852 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 45 NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAI^TISED BORN Henry Smith, J. H. and Almira Dox- see June 18,1853 Ellen Isadora F. ]\I. A. and Angeline Weeks June 18,185:: Mary E. Doxsee, Moses and ilary DoxseeJuly 9, 1854 Milton Spencer, J. H. and Almira Dox- see Sep. 20,185-i Augustus Fleet, Dr. and ]\Irs. ^1. Bishop Jan. 5, 1855 Frederick William F. W. and J. Renwick Aug. 26,1854 Robert ^Maurice, Dr. A. G. and Sarah Thompson June 22,1855 Milton Strong, Dr. A. G. and Sarah Thompson June 22,1855 Susan ]\raria New- ton, E. and Mary Newton June 22,1855 William Jarvis, Wm. W. and iM. A. Jar- vis June 22,1855 Maiy Elizabeth, Samuel and Rebecca Muncey June 22,1855 Ezra Smith, Samuel and Rebecca Muncey June 22,1855 Edward Henry, Samuel and Rebecca Muncey June 22,1855 Hannah Eveline, William and Maryett :\Iuncey June 22,1855 Smith Tredwell William and Maryett Muncey June 22,1855 John , Mr. and Mrs. Frazer Aug. 6, 1855 Elizabeth Rogers, Woodruf and M. E. 46 BABYLIIK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NAME PARENTS, ETC. BAPTISED BORN Leak Dec. 29,1855 Pliebe Adeline, James E. and Eliza Dodd June 28,1856 Edgar, Win. B. and E. Lind Sept. 1, 1856 Thomas Warren, Edward and Mary New- ton Sep. 27,1856 Ella Augusta, Eliplialet and Caroline Smith Oct. 11, 1856 Laura Frances, Eliphalet and Cai-oline Smith Oct. 11, 1856 Eiigene, J. Harvey and Almira Doxsee Oct. 11, 1856 Ellen, Joseph and Mary Brown Oct. 12, 1856 Alice Olivia, F. M. A. and Angelina Weeks Oct. 13, 1856 Francis Smith, F. M. A. and Angeline Weeks Oct. 13, 1856 Eva Maria William A. and Mary Barto July 10,1857 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CPIUBCH 47 Names of adults baptised from March 10, 1833 to Oct. 12, 1856: NA ME IMiss Cornelia Peltreau, Mrs. Maria Brush, Miss ilartha Jones, Miss Caroline Muncy, j\liss ilary E. Whitman, Miss Phebe Doxy, i\Iiss Emily Smith, ^liss Phebe Smith, Jlrs. Rebecca Smith, ^liss Harriet Oakley, Mrs. Angeline IMuney, ]\Irs. Selah Wood, Miss Harriet Ketcham, Miss Fanny Ketcham, ]Mrs. Ruth Ketcham, Miss Cornelia Ketcham, Miss Phebe Ireland, Miss Eliza Ireland, Miss Phebe M. Jarvis, Mrs. Elizabeth Muncey ]\[iss Mary Ann Jackson, Mrs. Charity Conkling, Miss Phebe Frost, ]\Irs. Diannah Jarvis, ]\liss Hannah JI. Smith, Mrs. Francis Barteau, Oliver Samist, Mr. Daniel H. Post, Mr. Nathaniel Barteau, ;Mr. Alexander Barteau, Mr, Zebulon Ketcham, Jarvis Keetcham, Mr. John Ketcham, jMr. John Purdy, Mr. Silas Muncey, Mr. Selah Wilmot, Mr. Israel Oakley, BAPTISED March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 March 10, 1833 48 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAX CHrRCH NAME BAPTISED JMr. David Smith, March 10, 1833 Mr. Conkling Ketcham, March 10, 1833 Capt. Jonas Weeks, May •"), 1833 Doct Ralph Smith, May 5, 1833 Silas M. Weeks May 5, 1833 Jonas Weeks, Jun., May 5, 1833 Edward Smith, May .5, 1833 Jonas jMuney, May ■J, 1833 Jonath S. Conkling, May 5, 1833 Mrs. Phebe Weeks, Alay 5, 1833 Mrs. Clarrissa Underhill May 5, 1833 Jlrs. Maria Jarvis, May 5, 1833 Mrs. Sarah Yonge, May 5, 1833 Maria Brush, May 5, 1833 Hetty Brush, May 5, 1833 Mary Ann Ketcham May 5, 1833 Mrs. Hannah Baldwin, May 5, 1833 Mrs. Eliza Weeks, May 5, 1833 Mrs. Phebe Weeks, May .5, 1833 Airs. Parthena Weeks, May 5, 1833 Eliza Fleet, May 5, 1833 Mrs. Fanny Conkling, May 5, 1833 Richard W. Smalling, Jan. 3, 1834 Elizabeth Barto, Jan. 1 1834 Sarah E. Smith, July 6, 1834 Mrs. Sarah Wood, July 6, 1834 Mrs. Elizabeth Jarvis, July 6, 1834 Phebe Wood, Oct. 5, 1834 Phebe Wiggins, Oct. 5, 1834 Keziah Ann Leek, Oct. ."), 1834 John Youngs, July .), 1835 Margaret Berry, Oct. 4, 1835 Ann Maria Youngs, Oct. i, 1835 Elizabeth Nichols, Jan. :], 1836 Hannah Weekes, July 24, 1836 Mrs. Mary Smith Oct. 14, 1838 Mrs. Mary Back, Oct. 14, 1838 Miss Almedia Barto, Oct. 14, 1838 Rev. James C. Hume Pastor from 1883 to 1888 Rev. JoH^f Dietrich L(1ng Pastor from 1889 to 1905 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 49 KAiiB BAPTISED Miss Chassy M. Laws, Oct. 14, 1838 Miss Jlary Smith, Ort. 14, 1838 William C. Smith, Oct. 14, 1838 iliss Hetty Willets Smith, Jan. 13, 1839 ^liss Mary Smith Daughter of Elisha Smith. Jan. 13, 1839 Jesse Weeks, Jan. 5, 1840 John DeClew, Jan. 5, 1840 Charles M. Reeve, Jan. 5, 1840 Mrs. Emmaline Thompson, Jan. 5, 1840 Mrs. Elizabeth A. Brown, Jan. 5, 1840 Miss Phebe Higbie, Jan. •J, 1840 Miss Cornelia A. Fleet, Jan. ■5, 1840 Miss Phebe A. Wood, Jan. 5, 1840 Miss Charlotte Fleet, Jan. 5, 1840 Mr. Daniel Totten, April 5, 1840 Mr. Alexander Totten, April 5, 1840 Mrs. Mary Totten, April 5, 1840 Mrs. Phebe Ann Ketcham, April .5. 1840 Mrs. Sarah Baldwin, Jan. 1, 1843 Mrs. Julia M. McRea, Jan. 1, 1843 Miss Julia Ann Strong April 2, 1843 Mrs. Deborah Ann Burling, April 2, 1843 Miss Julietta Fleet April 2, 1843 Miss Marietta Fleet, April 2 1843 William Muncy, April 2, 1843 Samuel Muncy, April 2, 1843 Silas Whitman, April 2 1843 Daniel Sheldon, April 2. 1843 Archelaus Doxsee, April 2, 1843 Miss Almira Smith, April •2, 1843 Richard Jones, April 2, 1843 Mrs. Maria Catherine Smith, -i\.pril 2. 1843 Selina Davis April 2, 1843 Jane Nelson, April 2, 1843 Treadwell Fleet, April 2, 1843 Jane Jones, Oct. 11, 1846 Mary Eliza Dodd, March 27, 18.53 50 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NAME Mary Ann C'arll, ^laiy Ann Leak, Jemina Smith, Andrew Titus, .Martha :\liller, iMary Ann Jarvis, JIary Newton, Rebecca iluncey. Hannah A. Fleet, Adriana Fleet, Mary Strong, ilartha Smith, E. Piatt Conklin, ]\Irs. Elizabeth Weeks, BAPTISED June 26, 1853 Sept. 25, 185:j Nov. 27, 1853 Dee. 31, 1854 March 25, 1855 June 23, 1855 June 23, 1855 June 23. 1855 June 23, 1855 June 23, 1855 Sept. 29, 1855 Nov. 10, 1855 :\[areh 29, 1856 Oct. 12, 1856 * Mr. E. C. Stadge children in the record this way. •f Mrs. Phebe Weekes' name is entered twice unless there were two per- sons of the same name. babylon presbyterian church 51 Church Government in old Times People of the present day can hardly realize the duties devolving i;pon the elders of the church in those days. ]\Iost of their time was taken up in investigating the conduct of their church members. Petty quarrels among the church members were generally laid before the ses- s^ion for consideration. Again tattling among the church members was as common as among children. Spying upon the condiict of their neighbors was another amuse- ment and it seemed to be their bounden duty to report it to the session. The spirit of being much better than your neighbor was cultivated in the highest degree. Another heinous crime for a person belonging to one church, was in attending the services of another denomination. The writer himself re- members that the subject was often discussed among the boys in his vouth, and it was considered a sin to attend a Roman Catholic Church. Fortunately for the boys at that time, there was no such church m Babylon until 1878, so they could not sin in that way. The only thing that they were called upon to do was to drive their servants to Bay Shore or Penataquit, four miles away, to attend the Roman Catholic Church of that place. The boys also thought that the Roman Catholic Church was preparing to slaughter the christians, as in olden times. The writer has heard it suggested that when a stone church which was built in Brooklyn, up to the first floor and then roofed over until fur- ther funds could be obtained. It was thought that it was built in that way so that it could be used as a fort in case they attempted to carry on a slaughter of the christians. In order that the reader may gain some idea of the trials and troubles in the early history of the grand old First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South a few quotations from the old records of the church may be interesting. One Gilbert Heartt in March, 1799, was brought before the session and confessed that he had been guilty of drinking. In October of the same year he was again an offender. In the summer of 1800 additional charges were lodged against him, viz : "That some time about last November about the time he killed his hogs h& was intoxicated with spirituous liquor and that he was also in- toxicated ivith spirituous liquor some time near the first of March last, (ft a time that he and Selak Howell went in a wagon together to mill— 52 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH the last charge was for being concerned or aiding at a horse race on the first day of April last, near Ketcham Terry's Tavern." William Garret was a similar offender and his case was before the session several times.. This is one of the most curious decisions rendered by the session. On June 12, 1802, Jesse Ketcham brought a charge against Temperance Jackson "of imprudent and inconsistent conduct in her saying that she ■would not he confined to any church or society and had acted according- ly in going to other meetings." Thomas Wiggins was a witness. The session held that the charge was proven. Temperance apologized and the session restored her, but Jesse, the complainant was dissatisfied with the decision and the session gave him permission "to stay back from the next communion of th4 church in partaking of the Lord's Supper in order to obtain further satisfaction." This seems to show that Jesse still harbored a feeling against Tem- perance and was willing to be deprived of the Lord 's Supper in order to find his christian spirit. Also it would seem that the session might have punished Jesse if he had stayed away from the Communion without per- mission. Gilbert Heartt seems to haA'e been an old offender for he was again before the session who referred the matter to the Presbytery and "it recommended upon his confessing and sorrow that they receive him one time more." There was a report laid before the session that "WilUani Garrett and Sarah, his wife had made to free use of liquors they were notified to stay aivay from the communion until the session cmdd verify the report. They were notified several times to attend the session but gave as a reason that they had no horse, and the distance was too great, they were finally excluded from the communion. The first minister. Rev. Luther Gleson, seemed to have completely won the hearts of his people. He was convicted by the Presbytery of Long Island "in making too free use of intoxicating liquors" on March 20th, 1804. He was again arraigned on June 17, 1806, on a more serious charge and finally deposed October 16, 1807. His admirers petitioned the Presbytery to restore him. On being refused, they felt very bitter against the Presbytery and finally began to absent themselves from the Church. In 1809, in consequence of the troubles over Mr. Gleson, the session BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 53 was confronted with the fact that many of their members were leaving their church and connecting themselves with other churches. On Feb- ruary 10, 1812, the following was passed : "RESOLVED, that Thomas Ireland and Patience, his ivifc, 8am- tu'l Munceij and Deborah, his wife, David Jackson and Temperance, his wife, Jonathan Stratton and Mary, his wife, Ebenezer Smith and Mar- garet, his wife, Jonathan Seaman, Hannah Douglas and Phebe Higbie having habitually for a length of time absented themselves from the worship and ordinances of the church be cited to appear before the ses- sion." So an important session of the church was held April 20, 1812, Rev. Zacariah Green, moderator. Elders, Jesse Ketcham and Benjamin K. Hobart. Medad Rogers, Eliphalet Mowbray, Thomas Ireland and Pa- tience, his wife, did not appear and it seems that there was no proof that they had been cited. Samuel Muncey and Deborah, his wife, ap- peared to answer their citations. Mr. Muncey "charged Mr. Phillips of blackguarding in the pulpit when he preached to his people." Mr. Jackson and Temperance, his wife appeared, she said she was "a member of the church called Congregational and could not go with them while under Presbytery." Jonathan Stratton and Mary, his wife, appeared and said "they felt no disposition to return or unite, but if any union tool; place Pres- byterians must come to them and unite." Ebenezer and Margaret Smith said they "had taken th.c liberty which they thought reasonable, and could not consider that a church, was a prison. Mr. Smith said the Presbytery ivas oppressive, unjust, scribes and Pharisees' sitting in Moses' seat and he abhored their meas- ures especially in regard to Mr. Gleson and considered they ivere expr- cising an authority that the Gospel did not warrant nor justify." Mrs. Hannah Douglas appeared, "confessed she was once a member of the church, but was as ignorant of its principles and discipline as an infant when she joined it. She said she had since learned that it ivas oppressive and its rules not consistent ivith the Gospel which gave lib- erty. That she came forward tvitli others to receive her discharge but was much wounded on being denied it, and that she had since joined the despised Methodists, ivith luhom she had found that peace she had not found before, and that liberty which was of the gospel.. .She professed to love all on whom she saiv the image of the redeemer displayed.. .Yet the Presbytery were a set of imposing hypocrites ivhom she could not 54 BABYLON PRESBTTEEIAN CHURCH bear and to whom she would not submit — that they had dealt nnjuslhj with Mr. Oleason. ^Irs. Phebe Higbie, great-grandmother of the writei", expressed much "dissatisfaction" as to the measure tlie churdi had taken to bring her to a situation that exposed her character to the world, and ob- served that the 18th chapter of Matttieu- held up the exercises of churcli government which ought to hare been exercised upon her if she had done amiss. But she tvould deal plainly now, and let them knou' that site could never partal-e of the ordinances and receive the elements from the I'ands of those who had uicJ.ecUy destroyed and Idlled her sliepherd and spiritual Father. Jonathan Seaman did not appear. Mrs. Smith, wife of Jeremiali Smith came before the session and desired her certificate ■which was deferred for further consideration A Temperance Pledge Babylon, .May 4, 1833. Ttie church and session met according to notice and after deliberate consideration unanimously. Resolved, tliat hereafter before any person shall be received into this cliurch ttiey shall give their explicit consent to the following pledge, viz-. "Tlte members of this rJiurch believing that the use of intoxicating liquors, for persons in health, not only un- necessary hut injurious; and that the practice is the cause of forming; intemperate habits and appetites; and that while it is continued the evils of intemperance can never he prevented do therefore agree, that we will not, except as a medicine in cases of bodily infirmity, use distilled spirits ourselves, or procure them for the entertainment of our friends or for persons in our employment and that in all suitable ways u-e will dis- countenance the use of them in the community. B. C. Stadge, Clerk. March 3, 1837, Keziah Ann Leek was charged with varioiis immor- alities — " had associated lierself with the wicked — liad gone with them to places of vain and sinful amusement, had joined with them, in tlie same and she had also neglected to come to the Lord's supper. January 26. 1838, Joseph Stroud was accused of living in a tavern and tending at the bar. April 17, "Resolved, That we hold it to be liighly inconsistent tvitli, a Christian profession for members of the church to furnish intoxicat- ing drinks for their guests as a common beverage, or to engage in the BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 55 practice of dancing or card playing, or for luads of faiiiilics to allow of such practices in their liouses." Formation of Presbyterian Ciivrch op Islip Names of the persons dismissed August 16, 1857, to form a new parish to be called the Presbyterian Church of Islip : Charles A. Betlenger James Brewster. Peter Robertson. Richard Jones. Joseph Brown. Silas "Whitman. James H. Doxsee. William S. Brown. Jeremiah T. Smith. ilargaret Robertson. Mary P. Brown. Anna C. Bettinger., Maria Brewster. Jemima Smith Sarah Doxsee. Almira Doxsee. Harriet Whitmaii Mahala Doxsee. Sarah E. Bro^^^l. Martha Smith. Mary Sands Mary Thurber. Martha Sweesy. Elizabeth Wicks. -r- Angeline Wicks. August 23, 1859, the following persons were dismissed for the same- purpose, viz : Eliphalet Smith ilary Smith. Mary Velsor. The names of the persons that came from Islip show the readers of the present day what their forefathers had to do to attend church. A person can hardly believe that the old First Presbyterian Church of Islip and Huntington South was the Christian home for people from Massapequa to Islip, a distance covering fourteen to fifteen miles. A chapel connected with the church at Babylon was built in Islip in 1852, and in 1857 they formed an organization. In 1869 they completed a new church building at a cost of $15,000, which w^as con- sidered at that time one of the largest and finest church building in the county. Robert L. Maitland contributed $8,000 toward the ex- penses, the Stewarts Sugar refiners of New York presented the bell-, and Dr. A. G. Thompson, of West Islip, contributed the main cost of a $1,500 pipe organ. The old church was used for a Sunday schooL BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH illNISTERS OF THE C'HURCH A list of ministers from 1796 down to the present day is given to- gether with the years of service as prepared by the Rev. John D. Long, and published in a programme in commemoration of the One Hundretli anniversary of the organization of the First Presbyterian church of Babylon, January 7, 1898, since that date the closing year of Sir. Long's service has been added and the name of Mr. Merrill who succeeded Mr. Long. The list is as follows : Luther Gleason, 1796—1807. Richard Salter Storrs, 1808—1809. Samuel Weed, 1818—1820. Installed May 12, 1819. Alexander Cummings, 1820—1824. Nehemiah Baldwin Cook, 1826—1832. Jonathan Cable, 1833 Ebenezer Piatt, 1833—1837. Hollis Read, 1838 Alfred Keteham. 1839—1848. Edward J. Vail, 1848—1851. Gaylord L. Moore, 1852—1856. Charles W. Cooper, 1857—1869. James McDougall, 1871—1873. James C. Nightingale, 1873—1879. Walter B. Floyd, 1881—1883. James C. Hume, 1883—1888. John Dietrich Long, 1889—1905. Robert D. Merrill, 1905 In regard to the foregoing list would say that the old records do not give the names of Richard Salter Storrs, or that of Alexander Cum- mings, they are given in Prime 's history of Long Island. The name of Gaylord L. Moore in this list should be Gaylord L. Alore. The old church records show that the following ministers served the church at various times, viz : July 20, 1806. — NathanWoodhull, Lord's supper administered 28tb time. June 21, 1807. — No minister named, Lord's supper administered 29th time. February 19, 1809. — Nathan Woodhull- Lord's supper administered 30th time. BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 57 Ai;gust 6tli, 1809.— Peter Pish, Lord's supper administered 31st time. December 29, 1809.— Nathan Woodhull, Lord's supper administered 32ud time. June 17, 1810. — Zacariah Green (Greene), Lord's supper administ- ered 33rd time. July 21, 1810. — Ebenezer Pliillips, Lord's supper administered 34th time. February 10, 1812. — Ebenezer Phillips acted as moderator. April 20, 1812.— Zacariah Greene acted as moderator. April 22, 1812. — William Schenck acted as moderator. May 5, 1812, — Bradford ^larey acted as raodei-ator. March 5, 1818.— Bradford Marcy. April 5, 1818. — Zacariah Greene. April 12, ]818. — Bradford Marcy, Lord's supper administered 35th time. December 14, 1818. — Samuel Robertson acted as moderator. December 26, 1818. — Ezra King acted as moderator. December 27, 1818. — Ezra King administered the Lord's supper. This Avas the first time since renewal of the covenant, April 11, 1818. Interiors of the Second and Third Churches The late Judge James B. Cooper in his history of Babylon says of the interior of the second church. "The pulpit was narrow, very high and painied hive or lead color. A wide gallery extended around on every side except the North, where was placeel the pidpit. Wlien the minister was seated he could not he seen hy any portion of the congre- gation, not even by persons seated in the gallery.. .Only when standing at the sacred desk was he visible." The third edifice now used as a lecture room \vas nicely carpeted with pews having doors on the end and a gallery extending around three sides of the church, heated at first with stoves burning wood and later with coal stoves. Its interior was a very churchly and quaint arrange- ment, and it seemed a pity to see it torn down for it had fond memories to so many people. Fashion changes, and the present church is a vast improvement on all of the others. The writer has a great reverence for it, and his name is deposited in the corner stone, as he was a member of the Sunday school at that time. As you see the improvement in church buildings> so in studying 58 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH their history you will find just as great an improvement in the methods of learning how to do good in this world. What Christians did in the past would hardly be countenanced now. Some of the interpretations of the Scriptures preached in the past have been changed and an enlight- ened knowledge has been gradually permeating Christianity, all over the world, and this knowledge will still increase for the simple reason that it is only yet in its infancy. Probably in no church in this broad land would our Saviour be recognized, if he came unannounced and dwelt among them, ilay we all treasure the historic church of Babjdon for the good influence it has, and still is exercising in this community. May God 's blessing always rest upon it. A Few Interestin'g Facts Mrs. James B. Cooper informs me that her grandfather, Joshua Hartt, born at Dix Hills, Long Island, preached once in the Presbyter- ian Church at Babylon, probably before the war of 1812, taking his text from Joel III. 10. "Beat your plough shares into swords, and your pruniiing hoohs into spears; let the weal,- say I am strong." He incited the people to take up arms against Great Britain claim- ing that it was a righteous war, and wanted the people to maintain the rights of America. Her grandfather and the great-grandfather of the present Judge James B. Cooper, was educated at Princeton college- New Jersey. He preached regularly at Hempstead and occasionally at Babylon and Smithtown. While preaching at Smithtown on one occasion he was fired upon by the British soldiers, the musket ball hitting the pulpit. The latter 's great-grandfather was also a Revolutionaiy hero. The Rev. Joshua Hartt was imprisoned during the Revolution in the Provost Jail, the old Hall of Records in New York, that was recentlj' torn down. He was taken the second time to the jail chained to a negro and im- prisoned for his rebellious talk. Being a very large and stout man and used to out door exercise, he soon became veiy sick from his close con- finement. Col Ethan Allen was confined there at the same time and they became close friends. When ilr. Hartt was very sick, his friend Ethan Allen, made a most beautiful prayer for his recovery. When they part- ed Col. Allen said to Mr. Hartt, go home and tell your wife (Abigail Howell Hartt,) that when you were sick and in prison a servant of the most high God prayed over you, and you recovered. The records show that Mr. Hartt officiated January 13th, 1811. BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 5fl and baptised Wilmot Seudder, father of Edward A Scudder of Baliy- Ion, and this was the Sunday the sermon was preached. The deed, dated November 4, 1783, for the ground on which the second church was built, states "together with the house now huileling oj* said land," so that the church building must have been begun earlier in the year. Thompson's history of Long Island says a bell was present- ed to the church built in 1839 by David Thompson, Esq., of New York The bell in the present church was presented by H. A. Y. Post, Esq. a veteran of the Civil war. ilr. Post's residence is on the site of the house occupied by Nehe- miah Hartt in 1783 and is considered by most historians as Ijeing the site upon which the first house was erected in Babylon. Prime's history shows that the Long Island Presbytery before 1811 used intoxicating beverages at their meetings. The following resolution was passed at a meeting of the Presbytery of Long Island at Acquebogue November 5th, 1811 : "RESOLVED VNAXniOUSLY.—That hereafter ardent spirits and wine shall constitute no part of our entertainment at any of our public meetings; and that it he recommended to their churches, not to treat Christian brethern or others with ardent spirits as a part of hos- pitality in friendly visits." Mr. Prime says that he was informed that from the passage of the above resolution "the meetings of the Presbytery ceased to be disgraced with the intoxicating beverage. "Re also gives credit to this Presbytery as being one of the first to move in the great work of reform. The cause of temperance was taken up in the Babylon Presbyterian Church in 1833. The records show the church purchased a tankard and cups for twenty shillings on April 1, 1798. A platter and two plates on June 14, 1801. A bible for thirty shillings and a psalm book for six shillings December 15th, 1803. The old communion service was sold by order of the session, as fol- lows : Tankard, forty-one cents ; cup, twenty-three cents ; cup, twenty- two cents, and a plate for sixty-three cents in all one dollar and forty- nine cents. The bible purchased for the church in 1803 was probably the same one presented by the session to the Rev. E. J. Vail, and on his leaving the church, he presented it to Mrs. Mary Ann Carll, and the bible is still in possession of her family. The First Presbyterian Church of Babylon today stands as a monu- t)(l BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ment representing the earliest history of the village. Its plain church lines attract the attention of everyone and the town clock in its tower is as useful to the rich as to the poor, teaching all to look daily at God's cIiuitIi, and remember tliat time lost can never be recovered, and the •chance to do good to any one- neglected is also lost. Men and women in their prime today cherish the associations of former years as well as the memories that have been handed down from their parents and grandparents. In many cases even sacred memories of the past come to us from the great-grand parents. So the children of today are beginning to teach their little children to love this sacred church that stands and has stood for five generations, trying to teach the people that — "You hclicve that God for his own glory created all tilings, visible and invisible, and that according to his cfernal counsel, lie governs all vorld's and events." The second church register contains the records from March 25th, 1858 down to October 3rd, 1885, and contain a very complete re- cord of church members, and in many cases the dates of their deaths, iilso a list of marriages, giving dates and names of witnesses, and stat- ing whether a certificate was given. There is a complete list of in- fants baptised together with dates of births and names of parents, the adult baptisms are also entered in the regular minutes. These re- cords are all well preserved, and will be of great value to future his- torians. Tothose who are interested in church music, it may be of interest to know how the elders in this church viewed the music at one of their sessions, held August 6th, 1863. They felt that the responsibility rested on them, according to tlieir form of church government, and they viewed witli pain and alarm, the great and marked decline in congre- gational singing: In their opinion it was caused by the selection of new, strange, and difficult tunes which the congregation could not sing, and they passed five resolutions in regard to the same. The first di- recting the organist, to select only sijch tunes as are found in the Presbyterian Psalmodist, unless permission be obtained to sing others from the session. Second, in the evening service there is no objection to an occasional use of any other good tune, but no new tune may be sung except with the intention of making it a common tune, which all the congregation can sing. "Third, Resolved, that the interludes as non- prncliced are a waste of precious time, a needless display on the BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 61 instrument, and are destructive of devotional feeling Tlte session therefore, advise that the interludes be restricted to a very few notes, not exceeding six, which will afford ample lime for the people to re. spire. ' ' The fourth resolution showed their gratefulness to the ladies and gentlemen who sang in the vicinity of the organ, and the fifth resolution informed the congregation that the session will encourage sacred music in their own families, and throughout the congregation over which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers. According to a census it was found in March, 1868, that there were sixty two children belonging to church members not baptised. Now the sixth generation is rising and soon the seventh generation will be taught that God is love, and that the only way you can love God, is by planting in your heart the seed of charity, and the only way such love can grow, is by the child learning to do something for his neighbor. Associations, mean in a large sense, more than a person realizes — in fact they are the real life of the individual, and the individuals make the world. So the sacred associations that cluster around the First Presbyterian Church of Babylon, are dear to the hearts of many of her people. Memorial Windows op the Church None can sit in the church and read the inscriptions on the memor- ial windows without realizing that he is looking into the past, for they all bear dates of the last century. The oldest date is — In Memory of DAVID SMITH By his son, John W. Smith. 1802—1884 The records of the church show that David Smith joined the church March, 1833- and his son, David Smith, 2nd, May 5, 1833. The former David was a Revolutionary hero, and served in General "Washington 's army for seven years. '32 BABYLON PRESBYTERLVN CHURCH The second oldest date is — In Memory of CHARLES EDWY KETCHAM 1807—1898 Son of Thomas and Phebe Ketcham, grandson of Jesse and Temperance Ketcham, who were four of the thirteen charter members of this church. The third oldest date is — In loving ilemory of our Father ROBERT OLIVER COLT Bom 5th Aug., 1812 Died Dec. 15th, 1885 This window represents the four evange- lists, St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John. Mrs. Colt was much interested in church work and was a very kind and generous woman. She was one of the writ- er's teachers in the Sunday school. There are three windows in memorj' of women of the church, viz: In Memoriam MARY A. TITUS, C. E. Society, 1836—1900. In Memoriam EillLY S. KETCHAM, C. E. Society. 1842—1897. In Memory of ADALINE L. KETCHAM Died November 18, 1898. Bii the Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society. BABYLON PRESBYTEEIAN CHURCH 63 In memory of the pastors of the church there are four double win- dows as follows : In Memoriam REV. GAYLORD L. MOORE 1812—1888 Laus Deo, pastor of this church, 1852—1856 In ilemoriam REY. CHARLES W. COOPER 1830—1886 Laus Deo, pastor of this church 1857—1869 REV. JAMBS McDOUGALL, Ph. D. 1836—1892 Pastor this church 1870—1873 JAMES C. NIGHTINGALE 1836—1895 Pastor of this church 1874—1880 ' Sitting in the pulpit on the right side is a window representing St. Michael— In Memory of JULIA FOWLER COLT Born 3rd April, 1897 Died 15th April, 1897 On the left side of the pulpit is a window representing St. George — In Memory of HANNAH FITCHETT COLT Born 21 May, 1893 Died 13th September, 1894 64 BABYLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The present officers of the First Presbyterian church of Babylon are as follows: The Session James McLachlan. ordained in 1884 A. B. Leggett, M. D., ordained in 1884 John H. Baldwin, ordained in 1887 Charles M. Bergen, ordained in 1908 James H. Potter, ordained in 1908 The Board op Trustees J. B. Foulke, President E. V. Ketcham, Secretary Elbert C. Livingston Clarence Carman, deceased Charles E. Arnold Edward S. Alley Dr. W. H. Deale Churcpi Treasurer Charles M. Bergen The steeple of the church has been struck three times by lightning. First in August, 1895 ; second in the fall of that year and again on June 12, 1911, at one o'clock in the morning. The most damage was done on the latter date, but it was a singular fact the clock was not damaged nor did it stop running. The building acts as a protector of the village in a double sense. Well may the people be proud of it long may it stand, and may its in- creasing influence bring many to do only that which is good in the sight of the Lord. VTN1.S Rev. Robert D. JIerrill Present Pastor, Installed Oct. 31st, 1905. J I A _iini;, '< .i^iit^i'ifinVivpiyiiiPiiiiii^^