iiJrk\T^'kc^k£iI<[^soa%!kiX - ■ V lass r 1^^ hOOK |V^3 iT^'^'M REV. JAMES LILBURN JEWELL, I^RESENT Pastor. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE Pv^^b\iUxian Qlljxixxi) OF SOUTH SALEM, NEW YORK, 1752— 1902. BY JOSEPH A. WEBSTER. PREPARED AND PUBLISHED BY DIRECTION OF SESSION, ON THE Occasion of the 150TH Anniversary. JOURNAL PRINTING HOUSE. ELIZABETH, N. J. n ■\- ^mL.^'\- 4ti /^.j/At/fi Sj /.^ 1 , ■_ ■'■/■'- i ^'w,,.^'^ \y,. .. ,>...x^..- : r .::../(.,',. . - , - // / . ' ; . fJtttJ^J /JfittJ^4 ' ?.: ^..•■;' /v --I- ■■'; /'.■■■'i^ ' ■-r--~-^^-|aiir'"-i ...... ./- • . --• !^ ,.. . , ■ rJ'^L Hk- >f^>^' R&s. Wbif/jfj'^-:,.. • "'if^fU ^^^Mi-'i Wj^'- -^.. ■**"'" '•/"■■• . ../ 4Jn lff'«^ . 4» " 0* : ... ' H''7 • •^ -** ^Kk-w «^:. ^■tji^ . - "^^sJC^ 1 ^^^^^ V'.-.- - AS. J .V Mi^M^iMMHl nil-: ol.I) DHHD. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LOWER SAEEM. January 4, 17 85. (gnoix) (^ff (Weil Bg ^3e6c ^UBmis That we Nathan Rockwell and Gould Bowton Elders of the Presbyterian Church and Congragation of the Town of Lower Salem in the Count}- of Westchester and State of New York do hereby certify that the Reverend Solomon Mead Minister of the said Church and Congregation on Sunday the 4th day of December last, after Divine Worship was ended on said day, did give publick notice to the said Church and Congregation then assembled at the Presbyterian Meeting house in the said Town that an election would be held on the Nineteenth da}- of the same Month at ten of the Clock in the Morning at the said Meeting house for the purpose of Choosing Trustees to take the Charge of 3-e Temporalities of the said Church and Congregation Agreeable to the Laws of this State which notice was likewise given on the Sabbath subsequent thereto and that on the said Nineteenth da}- of December a Considerable number of the Male persons who by Law were entitled to vote at the said Election did Assemble at the said Meeting house for the pur- pose aforesaid and by a majority of Voices did Choose and Appoint Abijah Gilbert Jacob Hait Matthew Seymore Gideon Seley Michael Halsted and Nathaniel Newman to be trustees for the said Church and Congregation for the purpose of tak- ing into their Charge and Care and Managing all the Tem- poral Affairs Relative to the said Church and Congregation Agreeable to an Act of the Legislature of this State Entitled an Act to enable the Religious Denominations in this State to appoint Trustees who shall be a body corporate for the pur- pose of taking care of the Temporalities of their respective Congregations and for other purposes therein mentioned passed April the 6th 1784 and that the said Abijah Gilbert Jacob Hait Matthew Seymore Gideon Seley Michael Halstead and Nathaniel Newman Appointed Trustees as aforesaid and their successors for ever hereafter shall and may be known by the name stile and title of the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church and Congregation of the Town of Lower Salem and that the said Trustees have each of them since the time of their appointment as aforesaid signified their readiness to take on themselves the trust reposed in them by means of such Ap- 8 Certificate of Incorporation. pointment Given under our hands and the seal of our said Corporation this fourth day of Januar}- in the Ninth Year of the Independance of the State of New York and in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and Eighty five. Signed and sealed Nathaniel Rockwell In the presence of Gould Boutox 5Be ii QRemcmBercb that on this fourth day of January in the 3'ear one Thousand seven Hundred and Eight four Nathan Rockwell and Gould Bouton the signors to this Certificate or Instrument of writing Appeared before me Ebenezer Purdy one of the Judges of the Inferor Cort of Commonpleas for the County of Westchester and acknowledged that they signed and sealed the same and that every measure and thing therein con- tained were impartially Conducted Agreeable to the Law therein mentioned and I having examined the same and find no material mistake do allow it to be recorded. Ebenezer Purdv. A true copy of Original Certificate and of the acknowl- edgement endorsed this loth of February 1785. Richard Hatfield, Clk. Biait of (Uetw <^orft, Office of the County Clerk ov) ss.: WiCSTCHESTlvR CoUNTV. I have compared the preceding with the certificate re- corded iii the Book of Religious Corporations in this office on the loth day of February, 1785, and do Hereby Certify the same to be a correct transcript therefrom and of the whole of such original. IN TliSTJMON)' \\iniRl-:01-\ I liave hereunto sul)- scribed my name and afhxcd my official .seal this 5th day of P'ebruary, 1902. Leslie Sutherland, County Clerk of Westchester County. CHAPTER I. History of the Organization and Religious Work OF THE Church. THE history of the vSoiith Salem Presbyterian Church begins when Solomon Mead, then a young man, just graduated from college, came from his home in Green- wich, Conn., to Salem, a short time previous to the organiza- tion of the church, May 20th, 1752. He was not married, and not as yet an ordained minister. His great care, in making a full and accurate record, has given us an excellent account of the organization and early life of the church. Mr. Mead's description of his own ordination, and of the organiza- tion of the church of Salem, in the quaint old-fashioned language of that day, cannot be excelled, and we quote it in full : ' ' As the people belonged not to any Presbytery or Asso- ciation, it was agreed by said society that the committee of said society with the candidate then on Probation viz. : Mr. Solomon Mead, jointly should send for some of the neighbor- ing ministers to perform the work of authorizing of him, the said Mr. Mead, and invest him with the ministerial charge over them. The ministers sent for were those that follow viz. : Rev'd Messrs Abraham Todd — Elisha Kent — William Gay lord — Jonathan Ingersol — Robert Silliman and Samuel Sacket, which convocation was agreed to be called on May the 20th, 1752. Accordingly on the 19th met those that are set down, in the convention, which I transcribe from the doings of said 10 History of the Organization and convention and is as followetli : At a convention of ministers at vSalem on the 19th of May, Anno Domini, 1752, met upon the desire of the People of Salem and places adjacent in con- junction with Mr. Solomon Mead, a candidate for the Gospel ministr}', in order to ordain the said Mr. Mead a Gospel minis- ter among or over said people. Present of the Rev'd Messrs sent for, Abraham Todd — Jonathan Ingersol and Samuel Sacket. Mr. Todd chosen moderator, Mr. Ingersol scribe of the meeting. Opened by prayer performed by the moderator. The Rev. Mr. James Davenport being present, was voted in as a member of the convention. Proceeded on Mr. Mead's trials ; examined him in the Languages, in his experimental acquaintance with religion, his doctrinal knowledge of Divinity and his ortho- dozy. Then meeting adjourned till tomorrow morning. Met according to adjournment. Mr. Mead presented and read a Sermon to the convention and upon a deliberate con- sideration, unanimously agreed and voted to proceed in the ordination of Mr. Mead. Voted that Mr. Ingersol make the first prayer and give the Right Hand of fellowship, that Mr. Todd .should preach, that Mr. Sacket make the ordination prayer, that Mr. Kent give the charge and that Mr. Davenport conclude with prayer and a word of exhortation. At which time a church was gathered consisting of eighteen members, viz.: Josiah Gilbert — Solomon Close — Stephen Brush — Jonah Keeler — Noah St. John — Daniel St. John — Nathan Northrop — Andrew Bishop — P^ben Scofield — John Bouton — Kben Gronunon — Lot Keeler — Paul Keeler — Abraham Northrop — Benjamin Bishop and lUijah Keeler. The ordination was performed accordingly. [tkst.] Jonathan I^nckksol, vScribe. This was the first ordination in Salem and the first church gathered in said town. S01.OMON Mkad. Religious Work of the Church. 11 The first Sabbath after the organization, viz.: May the 24th, I took a vote of the Church whether we should join with the Western Association in Fairfield County, voted in the affirmative, the whole church except Nathan Northrop. Ac- cordingly I joined as a member of said association on the next Tuesday, viz.: the 26th of May." This careful mention of dates above shows that the church was organized on Wednesday. It was at first a Congrega- tional church, belonging to the Fairfield County Association. The action of the church in joining this association was no doubt due to the fact that Mr. Mead was a member of the Congregational Church, and also because this portion of the town of Salem was at that time, and for some years later, a part of the Colony of Connecticut. About this time, twenty-nine other members united with the church on the recommendation of neighboring ministers, from whose churches they had come. Most of these were the wives of the eighteen who organized the church, thus making the total membership forty-seven. Three more were added during that year including Epenetus Howe and his wife, Mary. On July 2nd, 1752, Solomon Close and John Bouton were elected deacons. At another meeting of the church, on September 14th, of the same year, it was voted to contribute four pence a man and three pence a woman for the year en- suing. From this it would appear that the salary of the pastor was not a great burden to the congregation. Mr. Mead, however, was the owner of a large farm, and probably depended on the products of his land for most of the necessi- ties of life, with which the farmers of those days were usually content. There is no further record of any church meeting until September 8th, 1757, when the following, rather odd minute, was recorded. " At a meeting of ue church to hear reasons of Deacon Bouton's resigning his office, after hearing and agree- ing he had power to lay down, ue church proceed to a new 13 History of the Organization and choice. Again make choice of ue deacon. He desires three weeks from Lord's day ensuing for consideration. Petition granted. Ue deacon accepts." It would seem to be an impossible task, nearly one hun- dred and fifty 3'ears later, to seek an explanation of this singular action of " ue deacon," but the writer has been informed by a person now living that when Deacon Bouton's son married the daughter of another member of the church, this man was, for some cause, very angry at the marriage and carried the matter so far as to refuse to take the sacrament from the hands of Deacon Bouton. A reference to the record shows that this marriage took place in 1755, and without doubt this explains the cause of the deacon's resignation and the subsequent action of the meeting. The next recorded meeting was on September 29tli, 1763. It was voted to adopt the Presbyterian form of government, and five ruling elders were chosen, viz., Deacon Solomon Close, Deacon John Bouton, Josiah Gilbert, Esq., Joseph Osburn and Thaddeus Crane. From this time until the close of Mr. Mead's long pastor- ate, in the year 1800, there are only four church meetings recorded, and these were held to fill vacancies in the eldership. In 1765 Joseph Benedict was chosen elder in place of Joseph Osburn, deceased; in 1778 Nathaniel Wicks was chosen in place of Solomon Close, deceased ; in 1782 Nathan Rockwell and Capt. Gould Bouton were elected, and in 1786 Capt. Samuel Lawrence was chosen in the room of Col. Joseph Benedict, deceased. Where the record is so meager we can only judge of the growth of the church by the list of members added. Two lists were kept by Mr. Mead, one, of those who were admitted to the church, and the other, of those that " renewed the cove- nant " — this phrase evidently referring to those persons who were baptized in infancy and in late years united with the church. Sixty names are recorded in the first list between Religious Work of the Church, 13 1753 and 1802, and the second list numbers one hundred eight3'-six. It is idle to wish that Mr. Mead had given us a much fuller account of the church and people of his time, but there is one part of his record which he kept very fully and with great accuracy, as has been often proved by the many people who have searched the record of baptisms, marriages and deaths. During the forty-eight j-ears of his pastorate he baptized nine hundred twelve persons, and performed the marriage ceremony six hundred sixty-six times. Each date is carefully entered, and also a list of the deaths in the congregation after 1767. The troublous years of the Revolutionary War have left scarcely an}- trace on the church records. Among the recorded deaths are only two which were certainly the results of the war. One reads: "July nth, lyord's da}^ 1779, Stephen Ambler, at Bedford, nuirdered." A relative of Mr. Ambler has a record of this death, and he states that he was killed in the war, no doubt l^y Tories in ambush. The other entry is: "October, 1779, Abijah Northrup, New York, a prisoner." Without doubt the man died on one of the British prison ships. Although the English troops in their raids entered nearly every one of the surrounding towns and burned the Presbyte- rian churches in Poundridge and Yorktowai, it is said that no British soldier ever entered this town, except Major Andre, and he was at the time a prisoner. Directly after the close of the war Mr. Mead adds military titles to several of the members, including Col. Solomon Close, Col. Joseph Benedict, Capt. Gould Bouton and Capt. Samuel Dawrence. These men were all commissioned oihcers in the American army. Mr. Mead's long ministrj^ closed early in September, 1800; and until late in the year 1804, when another pastor was chosen, no regular records were kept, but from some recorded baptisms it would seem that Mr. Mead continued to officiate during that time when his health permitted. 14 History of the Organization and On November ajtli. i--nine members, and during his pastorate of nearly eight years fifty-seven names were added to the church roll, mostly by profession of faith. In 1806 Thaddeus Rockwell and David Northrop were elected elders; and again, in 181 1, it became necessary to choose elders to fill vacancies caused by death. At that time Aaron Keeler and Miah Northrop were elected. All of the other minutes of session during Mr. Ely's pastorate simply record the examination of persons presenting themselves for admission to the church. The church had no pastor for about a year after Mr. Ely's resignation, but on Se]itember 22d, 181 3, Rev. Jacob Burbank was installed. Mr. Kurbank's pastorate covered a period of only four years, and the records of session present no items of esi)ecial interest. At a church meeting held in March, 1814, William Townsend and Nehemiah Northrop were elected elders. An imi)()rtant event in the histor\' of the church took place on No\-ember 14th, 1S15. On that day a num1)er of the ladies of the congregation met at the parsonage and organized the first missionar>' society ever formed in Salem, luider the title of " Female Charitable Society." The secretary of the W'oman's Missionar}- Board in New York states that there is no record of an\- similar society in the Presbyterian Church as old as this which has kept a continuous record to the present time. Rev. Chark'S F. Bnller was installed as ])astor of the Religious Work of the Church. 15 church June 14th, 1820. But the trustees' records show that he had been supplying; the pulpit nearly all of the time after the retirement of Mr. Burbank. Mr. Butler's pastorate was a short one, as ill health compelled him to resign in the early part of 1823 ; but during his ministry the church experienced one of the greatest revivals in its history. On September ist, 1822, seventy-two persons united with the church by profession of faith, many of them heads of fami- lies ; in fact, in reading over the list it seems as though nearly the whole congregation not already connected with the church must have joined at this time. Another remarkable thing is that this whole work was conducted during the summer months, which are always considered the busiest in the year in a farming community. At Mr. Butler's coming there were one hundred twenty members of the church, and during his short stay ninety-two were added, and only two by certificate. On August 17th, 1822, Thomas Mead and Josiah Gilbert, 2nd, were elected elders. Toward the close of this year Mr. Butler's health failed so rapidly that he found it necessary to resign his pastorate, the meeting of session held November 30th being the last at which he presided. At a meeting of session held February 28th, 1823, Rev. Stephen Saunders presided, and signed his name as moderator, so he had evidently at that date accepted a call from the church. He was duly installed as pastor on May ist follow- ing, and thus began a ministry which lasted just eleven years. During these eleven years one hundred thirty-four addi- tions to the church are recorded, only thirteen of these being by certificate. A large proportion of these members joined during a revival in the years 1831 and 1832. In September, 1825, Jared Bouton and Ezra Northrop were elected ruling elders, and June ist, 1829, Aaron Northrop was chosen to that office. Between these dates two members of the .session, Thad- deus Rockwell and Ezra Northrop, had died. The records kept by Mr. Saunders are very full, but there 16 History of ihk Organization and is only occasionalh' an item of any historical interest, much space being taken up with the action of session regarding the conduct of delinquent members of the church. In February, 1833, a colored woman appeared before the session and was ad- mitted to church membership, an action not often taken in those days. Until about this time the historian is obliged to depend mostly on the records for accurate information, but from 1830 onward much reliable information is obtainable from some of the older members of the congregation. It was Mr. Saunders' custom to make regular pastoral visits throughout the congregation, and during the winter months to hold Bible classes on certain week-day evenings in the different neighborhoods, usually at private houses. It was his custom also to preach occasionally in the school-houses in the vicinity, and this custom was followed also by his suc- cessor, Mr. Frame. It is difficult to get information as to the time of first holding regular weekly prayer meetings as there is no mention of the matter in the records, and none of the older people seem to have a definite recollection of the first prayer meet- ings. It was, strangely enough, the custom for a number of years to hold a monthly concert missionary meeting on Mon- day afternoon, but why this time was chosen we do not know. Mr. vSainiders' health was failing during the latter years of his niinistr\', and in the sj^ring of 1S34 he asked the con- gregation to join in his recpiest that Presbytery dissolve the pastoral relation. The }nil])it was vacant only a few months, however, as a call was extended on vSeptember 9th, of the same year, to Rev. Reuben Frame, and by him accepted. The installation .services took ])lace October (jth, and llius connnenced a pastor- ate of si.xteen }-ears. It was during these years that a great wave of temperance reform swept over the whole countr}-, and Religious Work of the Church. 17 Mr. Frame was an active worker in this cau.se, as well as in all forms of religious effort. The old custom of two preaching .services in the day-time on the Sabbath was still followed, except that during the winter months only the morning .service was held. On Sabbath evenings Mr. Frame usually preached in some of the neighbor- ing school-houses. In 1842 there was a great increa.se of religious interest in the whole community, still spoken of by the older people as "the great revival of 1842," at which time upwards of forty were admitted to church membership. During Mr. Frame's whole pastorate about one hundred thirty additions to the church roll are recorded, only twenty-five of the.se bj- cer- tificate. In December, 1840, Aaron Northrop, one of the elders, was dismi.s.sed from the church on account of his removal to Ridgefield. This left the session with only three members besides the pastor, namel}' : Thomas Mead, Josiah Gilbert and Jared Bouton. An election of elders was held on Monda}^, February i6th, 1846, at which time Edwin Bouton, John Bouton and Martin Mead, 2nd, were chosen. Mr. Frame resigned his pastorate in the fall of 1850, hav- ing received a call to another field. For nearly two years the church was vacant, although several attempts were made to call a pastor, in fact, in April, 1851, a call was made out to Rev. John C. Rankin, but there was a strong minority in opposition, and the call was declined. Again, in February, 1852, a call was extended, this time unanimously, to Rev. W. C. McFee, but for some reason Mr. McFee declined. Then, on June 24th, 1852, a unanimous call was extended to Rev. Aaron L. L,indsley to become pastor of the church, and was by him accepted. There is, strangel>-, no record of Mr. L,ind.sley's installation, but a note in the register of mem- ])ers states that he was installed November 24th, 1852. At this time the roll of church members was thoroughly revised 18 History of the Organization and 1)\- llic pastor, and it is possible for the first time in a ajood nian\- years to t;et accurate statistics without searching,;' the records name 1)\- name. The total membershiji of the church was one hundred ninety-six in June, 1852, and during Mr. Iyindsle:,'s pastorate there were one hundred thirty-five addi- tions to the church. During the hundred years of the history of the church thus far reviewed, there had been scarcely an}- change in the customs of the church, and perhaps almo.st as little in the habits of the people. But from this time onward, we notice many and frequent innovations and instances of old customs being dropped, and new ideas and methods of work taking their i)laces. It is not in the proxince of a narrative of this kind to decide as to which of these changes are improvements, or whether they all are, but it seems to be the place just here to mention some of them. An\- member of another denomination, bringing a letter of reconnnendation, was examined as to doctrinal belief l)y the session luitil 1854 ; the custom of hold- ing a monthly missionary meeting on Monday afternoon was also continued until al)()Ut that time. For years there had been continual service of siunmons on members of the church to a]i]-)ear before session to answer charges of reports of "com- mon fame," and also to give reasons for absence from com- nuniion .services. vSeveral times in the 'fifties a certain mem- ber was \-isited by members of .session, dnh' a]ipointed, lo .see w li\- he failed to attend serx'ices, and t'urlher action was sug- gested, although his excuse was al\\a\s lliat his health would not ])ermit of his attending. Ihit when this gentleman finall\- died l)efore the last conunittee apjtointed could .see him, the .session, in a minute on record, express their regret that they had not realized tliis man's physical condition, and there is no liirtlier account of an\- attempt on the ])art of session to en- force the attendance of members of the church at the regular services. Religious Work oh the Church ['J In 185S the society disposed of its hearse to Mr. vSidney R. lyockwood, and thus pernianeiitly went out of the under- taking business. No musical instrument was regularly used in the church services until 1863, when an organ was purcha.sed, and Miss Julia W. Liudsley appointed organist. As late as 1866 some one offered a resolution that the doors of the church should not be opened for singing concerts or any secular meeting, but the day for such resolutions had evidently passed, as no one was found to second it. The afternoon service on the Sabbath w^as discontinued in 1863, and an evening service substituted, and many other changes of less importance have taken place in the years inter- vening between that time and the present. Dr. L,indsley's pastorate was in every way an em- inently successful one. He was an eloquent and earnest preacher, and his efforts for the salvation of souls were greatly blessed, especially in the latter years of his ministry in vSouth vSalem, when in one year, 1866, fifty-eight persons were admitted to the church on con- fession of faith, many of them being heads of families. He was also greatly interested in every movement for educational and moral advancement, and was the acknowledged leader in such matters in the community. Being, too, a great lover of nature, he was constantly trying to improve and beautify the parsonage grounds and the village street, and the row of stately elms in front of the church property are an enduring moniunentand constant reminder of his efforts in this direction. Many changes in the eldership took place during the years of Dr. Lindsley's pastorate. On April nth, 1857, Martin Mead died, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and a suitable minute recording his death was adopted at the next meeting of session. On Monday, July 6th, of the same year, Jacob Webster and Leonard B. Todd were chosen elders, and duly installed on Sunday afternoon, August 30th. Twice in the 20 History of the Organization and following year were members of the session removed by death, Jared Boiiton, August 24th, 1S58, in his seventy-sixth year, and Josiah Gilbert, October 25th, in his seventy-second year. The session recorded their appreciation of the long and faithful service of these two men, Mr. Gilbert having been an elder for thirt>-six years, and Mr. Bouton for thirty-three. On P'ebruary 28th, 1868, after preparatory lecture, Web- ster B. Hull and Thomas Gilbert were elected to the oflfice of eldership, and were installed on Sunday, March 15th. Thomas Mead died May 5th, 1868, in his eighty-seventh year, and as he was elected an elder at the same time as Mr. Josiah Gilbert, he had served the church in that office for fort3'-six years. Mr. Mead's work in the church was duly acknowledged in the minutes adopted by session, and the mourning at his death was general throughout the conniuuiitx', for he had l)een a man prominent in all local affairs, alwa\s active in every good work, and honorable and U])right in all his dealings with his fellow-men. The writer well remembers the draping of the pew which Mr. Mead had occupied in church for man}- years, and that the elders wore crape on one arm at all public services . for tliirtx- days after his death. Twice during ]\Ir. Lind.slej-'s pastorate Presbyter\- met in the vSouth vSalem church, once in October, i86r, and again in October, 1867. These are the nn\y meetings of that body, not called for a s])ecial purpo.se, which ha\-e ever been held in this church, so far as the records show. In May, i860, the following entry was made in the .ses- sional record : " Aaron Mead, ba])ti/.ed September 7th, 1777, b\- Rev. vSolomon Mead, was admitted to full connnunion on examination." The fact that this gentleman was a))out eighlN-lhree years of age at the liiiR' he united with the church makes it notewortln\ 'i'lie > ears of the Cix'il War, with their attendant anxiety and excitement, ha\-e left no mark on the church records; l)nt some now li\ing will rememl)er the deep impression i)roduced Religious Work of the Church. 21 by the eloquent patriotic sermons delivered during those years by Dr. Lindsley, especially on the national Thanksgiving days and those set apart by President Lincoln as days of fasting and prayer. The members of the congregation were bus}- during those years also in providing many things for the use of the soldiers in camp and the sick and wounded in the hospitals. Some of our young men, too, saw active ser\-ice in the field during the war, and a few from this congregation went forth never to return. In the summer of iS6S Dr. Lindsley went to the Pacific coast, and at the urgent request of a chiu'ch in Portland, Oregon, decided to remain there. Con.sequently, after a period of just sixteen years, the church was again without a pastor. The pulpit was vacant for about six months, and then, on March 29th, 1869, a call was made to Rev. Daniel vS. Gregory, of New Haven, to become the pastor, and was by him ac- cepted. During the next two years Dr. Gregory did a great deal of hard work throughout the whole congregation, organ- izing Sunda3'-schools in several of the school-houses of out- lying districts during the summer, and holding many services in the different neighborhoods in the winter, besides extra services at the church when special interest in religious mat- ters seemed to indicate that good would thus be accomplished. At every comnuuiion season during this time one or more persons united with the church on examination, the whole number for the two years and three months of Dr. Gregory's pastorate being twenty- four, and there were also five by cer- tificate from other churches. In the summer of 1871 Dr. Gregory received an appoint- ment as President of a Western institution of learning, and tendered his resignation, which was regretfully accepted at a congregational meeting held August 7th of that year. There was no long vacancy at this time, as a unanimous 22 History of thi; Organization and call was made out to Rev. Thomas M. Gray, on September 1 8th, and he was shortly after installed as the pastor. It was during the early part of Mr. Gray's pastorate that the church was thoroiighly repaired and remodeled. Prepara- tions for this work had been going on for some time, and the repairs were commenced in the sununer of 1.S72 and com- pleted in the following winter. The minutes of session present no items of special interest, being mostly devoted to the regular routine business. During Mr. Gray's ministry twelve names were added to the church membership roll, and an eflfort was made to thor- oughly revise the list of members, but the work was not com- ])leted. Mr. Gray resigned in the spring of 1.S76, and from that time until March, 1879, the church was without a settled pastor. On vSuuday, June 4th, 1S76, the Rev. A. L. Lindsley, D, D., a former pastor, ]>reached to a large congregation and administered the sacrament of the L,ord's Supper. Rev. Henry J. Owen came to the church as a supply in the fall of 1 .876, and during the following winter, although in feeble health, was unceasing in his efforts for the salvation of souls. As a result of his labors nearly fift\- jiersons united with the church at the connnunion, March 4th, 1S77. Hut while engaged in this work Mr. Owen's health gave wa>- en- tirel>-, and in the spring he went to Colorado. The rest and change howexer, came too late, and he died at Colorado vSprings, March 3i.st, 1878, at the early age of thirty-two years. Resolutions ]iassed at that time by the session express the appreciation of the church and congregation of his serxices here and the sense of personal bereavement felt by all. kcw George A. vSeeley, an intimate friend of Mr. Owen, who was in tliis countrx- for a \acation after se\-eral vears of work as a iiiissionar\- in India, assisted in 11k' work toward the close of Mr. Owen's sta_\- among us, and continued to sup])l\- the- pul])it ill a \er}- acceptable manner for about a >ear CHURCH BUILDING OF 1872 Religious Work of the Church. 25 and a half afterward. While Mr. Seele}' was supphing the pulpit fourteen names were added to the list of connnunicants. On January 4th, 1.S79, Rev. George M. McCanipljell signified his acceptance of a call tendered to him by the con- gregation, and was duly installed March 12th following. Elder Jacob Webster retired from the active duties of that office November 5th, 1879, and Elder Leonard B. Todd died quite suddenly on February 6th, 18S0. The connnunit}' was saddened by the death of Mrs. McCampbell in the same mouth. Although her residence in South Salem had been brief, Mrs. McCampbell had won the love and respect of everyone, and her loss was deeply felt by all. It is remarkable that during all the 3'ears this w^as the first death wdiich had ever occured in the parsonage, and onl}' once before had an}- member of a minister's family been removed by death while such minister was acting as pastor of the church. Shortly after Dr. Eiudsley came to South Salem his mother was fatally injured by being thrown from a carriage, and died in the home of a neighl^or. As in former cases, a suitable minute regarding Elder Todd's usefulness in the church and community was recorded in the session book shortly after his death. Mr. McCampbell's pastorate ended July 30th, 1882. There were thirty-three additions to the mem])ership of the church during his ministry. Rev. John M. Buchanan supplied the pulpit for several months in 18S3. The church had no settled pastor until tiie spring of 1884, when Rev. Eynian I). Calkins was installed. Mr. Calkins had, however, supplied the pulpit for some time previous to his installation. Elder John Bouton died March 5th, 1885, and the minute of session adopted at that time .speaks of his long ser^-ice of thirty-nine years as a ruling elder. After two years of active and earnest labor, Mr. Calkins resigned to accept a call to a church in Brooklyn, N. Y. 26 History of the Organization and TwentN'-five names were added to the church roll in these two 3'ears. From June, 1886, until January. 1888, Rev. John M. Buchanan and others supplied the pulpit. Rev. Manford P. Welcher was called on January 20th, 18S8, and installed June 5th of that year. On March ist, 1889, John F. Bouton, George E. Hull, Henry h. vSt. John, and Joseph A. Webster were elected ruling elders and ordained to that office March 31st following. On June 23d of the same year, at the invitation of session, Rev. Aaron L,. Lindsley, D. D., preached to his former con- gregation, and at the regular meeting of session in August following a suitable resolution was passed regarding this .service, and thanking Dr. lyindsley " for the gracious influence of his ministration here, morning and evening, for the edifica- tion of this church." The years of 1890 and 1891 brought sorrow and a feeling of personal loss to the members of the congregation, on account of the death of four men who had at different periods exerted a great influence for good, and been prominently identified with the work of the church. Klder Webster B. Hull died August 17th, 1890. Rev. George A. Seeley was suddenly removed from his active work on earth on March 15th, 1891. After his marriage to Miss Jennie L. Pardee, Mr. vSeeley and his wife returned to his mi.ssionary field in India, where lhe\- labored together for eight years. Then, on returning to lliis country, Mr. vSeeley accepted a call to Morristown, N. V., where after a very brief pastorate he died suddenly of pneu- monia. Rev. Reuben Frame also pa.ssed peacefully awa\- at the home of his .son-in-law, William Oilman, at Chicago, 111., on March 31st, 1891, aged eighty-six years. Rev. Aaron L. Lindslew I). 1)., was fatall>- injured in a runaway accident just after conducting service in llic clnu'ch which he had organized near his summer resitlence ; he was Religious Work of the Church. 27 at once removed to his Portland home, where he died, on August 1 2th, 1 89 1. The resohitions passed by the session regarding the bene- fits which the Hves of these men had brought to the South Salem church would take up too much space in this historical sketch, otherwise they would be inserted in full. Thirt}'-five members are reported as added to the church during Mr. Welcher's pastorate. It was also largely through the effort of Mr. and Mrs. Welcher that the Christian En- deavor Society was organized. An account of this society will l)e found in another part of this work. Mrs. Welcher also ver}' successfully carried on a Mission Band, the result of which is seen among the 3'oung people of today. ^Ir. Welcher resigned in the fall of 1893. There was only a very short vacanc}- at this time, as a call was made to Rev. Theodore ly.Van Norden,iJanuary 2d, 1894. Mr. VanNorden supplied the pulpit during the winter and was installed as pastor in Ma}- of the same year. In Ma}', 1894, another vacancy in the eldership was caused, by the death of Elder Edwin Bouton, in the eight}'- tourth year of his age. Mr. Bouton had ser\-ed the church as a ruling elder for forty-eight years, and had been for about nine 3-ears the sole survivor of those elders who were in office when Mr. Frame resigned and Dr. Lindsley began his pastor- ate in South Salem. Mr. VanNorden resigned the pastorate of the church September 22d, 1897. Twenty-six persons united with the church during his ministry. For more than a year various supplies and candidates, including Rev. Charles T. Berry of Brooklyn, N. Y., occupied the pulpit, and on February 21st, 1899, a congregational meet- ing was called to elect a pastor. Rev. James L. Jewell, the present pastor, was unanimously chosen, and having accepted the call was duly installed, on May 23d of that year. During his pastorate twentj'-five names have thus far been added to 28 History of the Organization and the church rolL The church roll has now, for the first time in fifty years, been thoroughly revised, and it is expected that a church manual will soon be published. During Mr. Jewell's pastorate the weekly prayer meetings have l)een held in the winter months in the afternoons, with satisfactory results. There has also been a Home Department organized in connection with the Sunday School. The oldest living members of the church are Mrs. Richard Mead and Mr. Charles Fancher, who united with the church in 1 83 1, and Mr. Samuel Adams, who was received June 2d, 1900, he being at that time ninet}- years of age. Of the former pastors only Revs. Daniel S. Gregory, D.D., LL.D., George M. McCampbell, Lyman D. Calkins, D.D., Man- ford P. Welcher and Theodore L. VanNorden are now living. The pastorates of Revs. Solomon Mead, John Ely. Stephen Saunders, Reuben .J^rame, and Aaron L. Lindsley covered a little more than one hundred years. As before mentioned, the num])er of members in 1852 was one hundred ninety-six. The number reported in 1901 is one hundred fifty-six, and in the intervening years there has been a considerable variation, partly owing to methods of calcula- tion, as sometimes names of members who have not li\-ed in the place for a long time have remained on the church roll, and, in fact, a thorough revision, although several times attempted, has just now been completed. Again, the constant removal of the young people from the place has for man\- years been a drain upon the strength of the church, and ex- cept for the many timely additions very few meml)ers would have been left. Referring to times when a large number have united with the church at one time, wc find of the fifty-eight who joined in 1866, forty-eight are either dead or lia\-e removed from llie place; of the forty-nine receixed in March, 1877, onl>- l\vent\- remain ; and e\-en later, of the thirl>-three persons who were received !)>■ IcUcr oi' on ])rofe.ssion of I'ailli during Mr. Religious Work of the Church. 29 McCanipbell's pastorate, only thirteen still reside in this place. It has seemed best, in following the story of the church through the j-ears, to record particularl}- the number added to the roll from time to time. This has been done, however, onh- as a matter of reference, and not to conve}' the idea that the number of persons added to the church is alwa^'s a correct measure of the good it has done in the community, or that the number of dollars contributed to benevolent objects show accurately the amount of sacrifice made by such contributions. Influence is something which never has been, and never can be, estimated b}' figures or by any meter devised by man, and all of the results of the labors of the pastors and their wives and of the good men and women who have been con- nected with the work of the South Salem Presb^'terian Church during its century and a half of life, will not be known until the final great accounting. In this connection it seems as though special mention should be made of the work of the ministers' wives, who, in addition to the arduous duties of home life, were ever ready to assist the sick or need}^ act in any capacity- as officers or workers in the several benevolent societies which were con- trolled by the ladies of the congregation, and for that matter, to answer prompth' and efficiently the many calls for work, advice or help which constantly come to the wife of a country pastor. Of these devoted women the following are still living: Mrs. Lindsle}-, Mrs. Gregory, and we would include Mrs. Owen, though her husband was not a settled pastor of the church, Mrs. Calkins, Mrs. Welcher, Mrs. VanNorden and Mrs. Jewell ; but whether they live or whether they " rest from their labors," their names are held in grateful remem- brance and " their works do follow them." The statement made on page i i of Chapter I, tliat " this portion of the town of Salem was at that time, and for some years later, a part of the colony of Connecticut," is incorrect. The boundary line was changed in 1734. CHAPTER II. Church Property, Buildings and Music. /. — The CJiunh Property. IT seems like going ver}- far into the past to .speak of the time when George the Second ruled over the provinces of New York and Connecticut. But we must go back that far to discover the first gift of land to the Presbyterian Church of vSouth vSaleni. This deed begins as follows : ' ' To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come : greeting, Know ye that we the signers and .sealers of this instrument for and in consideration of our love and good will for the inhabitants of vSalcni in the County of We.stchester and province of New York and for the advancement of the Redeemer's Kingdom amongst them."* Then follows the usual covenants, with a description of the property deeded and the statement that, " it is to and for the use and improve- ment of the first Presbyterian or Independent minister that shall l)e settled and ordained in the said town of Salem and to his successors for ever. Dated December 23rd, 1751, and in the 25th year of the reign of our vSovereign lyord, George the Second, King." The signers are: Jonah Keeler, Benjamin Keeler, Thaddeus Crane, Benjamin Bjnedict and elex'en oilier owners. About six montlis after lliis, Rew vSolomon Mead was ordained and installed o\er the l-'irsl IndepL-ndeiit Cluircli of * Sec fac simile, l';ij;c o Church Property, Buildings and Music. 31 Salem. He and his successors have had the use of tliis land, or its equivalent, ever since. The land occupied by the church, and that part used as a burial ground, seems to have been purchased in two parcels. A deed for one acre was given by Thomas Rockwell of Nor- walk. Conn., to Josiah Gilbert, in the year 1760, the con- sideration being three pounds, York money, or, in present currency, seven dollars and fifty cents. This was evidently merely a nominal consideration, as it is stated that this deed of land includes the meeting house and .school house on the same. The land probably lay open to the highway, and having been alread}' occupied for church and school purposes, and also as a burial ground, this deed was given to Josiah Gilbert, representing the Presb3'terian vSociety, so that the title might be clear. On February i6th, 1784, Thomas Rockwell exe- cuted a second deed. The deed at this time was to the deacons and elders of the church in Salem, giving their names in full. The amount of land this time sold was one-quarter of an acre, and was bounded partly by the acre mentioned above. It is not easy to understand the cause of this, but it is certain that it all thereafter belonged to the Presbyterian Society, as inventories, taken at different times a few years later, mention this one and a quarter acres as part of the assets of the Society. In the year 1801 the following change was made: Mr. Mead had alwaj's lived on his own farm, but after his resig- nation the trustees applied to the legislature for permission to sell about fifty acres of their unimproved lands, and a special act was passed giving them this authority. They then sold forty-eight acres and twenty-two rods, to eight different pur- chasers, for the sum of four hundred eighty-nine dollars and fourteen cents. With this and other money they then purchased, for eight hundred eighty-two dollars, of George Cadwise, fifty-six acres of land formerly belonging to Thaddeus Rockwell, and 33 The Church Property. adjoining the church yard. This kind was first given by trust deed to Abijah Gilbert, and he sold twenty-three acres of it to one Aaron Keeler, for twenty-three dollars and fifty cents per acre. He then deeded the balance to the Presb}-terian Society, for use as a parsonage and the support of the minister. These changes were nuicli to the ad\-antage of both the minister and the society. In December of this same year it was voted to purchase one hundred apple trees, and have them set out on the par- sonage land. The few very old trees remaining on the land are probably part of that orchard .set out just one hundred years ago. At the time of purchase, there mu.st have been a log hou.se on this property-, as ^Ir. Kl>- lived in a log hou.se for a sluM't time after coming to this church as pastor. In a few months, however, a new house was Ijuilt, and, a short time later, a barn. This house, with a good many additions and changes, was the residence of the successive ministers until the present jxarsonage was built, in iSSS. A part of the old one was taken down, but the ])art built in Mr. Ivly's time was m()\e(l (lirectl>- across the street, and is now owned l)y Miss Carrie A. Ivly, a granddaughter of Mi'. I-"l>'. The l)arn was finally torn down, about 1.S62, and a new one l)uilt. This .second one was destroyed l)y fire, in iSSs, and was replaced by the barn and carriage house now in use. The building used as a lecture rooai, and for town pur- po.ses, was erected in 1S40. The funds necessar\- for this work were rai.sed by subscrijition. In 1S52, a ]K-tition was made to the Count\' Court for ])eniiission to sell al)out fifteen acres of the ^xu-sonage land. The c-onrt directed that lliis land be sold, and tlie proceeds invested in bond and mortgage or other secniities, and that the trustees ap])l\- the interest deri\ed tlierefroni toward the support of the (iOS])el in .said elimxli and c-oiigregation. These fifteen acres were accord- ingly sold to Henry 1). Keeler and Aaron Keeler. Church Property, Buildings and Music. //. — The ChurcJi Bui/diiios. 33 There is some doubt as to the exact time when the first church was erected on the present site. It is certain that reUgious services were, for some time, held in a log building situated in a field nearly opposite the present residence of Miss Mary E. Webster, and tradition says that Mr. Mead for some time preached in this building; but an old deed, covering the present site and part of the churchyard, says : " Including the meeting-house and schoolhouse on the same ' ' ; and as this deed was executed April 14, 1760, it is evident that the old church was built prior to that date, and consequently less than eight years after the organization of the church. The Hear House Hh Church of 1820 i^By permission of Bolton's History} This building, with some few alterations and repairs, was used until 1826, when the new church, built directly in the rear of the old one, was ready for use. It is not possible to learn exactly when the first burials took place in the adjoining churchyard, as many of the oldest stones either had no dates, or else these dates have become illegible during the century and a half which has passed. 34 The Chl!R(:h Bliildings. There is no item of interest which connects itself with the church Iniilding until the beginning of the Revolution. At that time a public meeting was called in the meeting-house for the purpose of organizing a militia companj-. The company then formed soon after saw hard service, under General Mont- gomery's command in both the expedition into Canada, and the attack on Quebec, when General Montgomery was killed. This information comes from one of the present elders, John F. Bouton, whose grandfather was one of that company. There are several people now living who attended service in the old church during their childhood. Among them Messrs. Harvey Mead, Charles Fancher, Samuel Adams, Mrs. Richard Mead, and Mrs. Mary L,ane ; and from them has been obtained a pretty good description of the building as it appeared about the year 1820. The building, which was situated exactly in front and close to the site of the present church, was small and houselike, or, except for the windows, we might almost say barnlike, in outward appearance, as there was no chinniey or steeple. The entrances were at the south, and the pulpit at the north end. The pulpit was high and .small, and directly beneath it, facing the congregation, was the seat occupied by the elders, and known as the "deacons' seat." There were narrow galleries, and the pews in the body of the church were of the ancient style, with high backs and sides. A single aisle through the middle separated the rows of pews, which reached from this aisle to the sides of the building. According to the custom of the time, no fire was allowed in the building, except such as the ladies brought from home in their foot-stoves. Sometimes, however, the cold winters seems to have had some effect, even on that hardy generation, as, for instance, at the annual meeting in December, 1805, "it was voted that some wood ])e given to kee]") fires in the school- house on Sabbath days, at noon, between meetings." This would give the worshipers a chance to "thaw out" while Church Propkrty, Buildings and Music. 35 eating their lunch, which they usually brought with them. It was also voted that the west door be fastened up during the winter. The salary of the sexton in those daj-s surely would not now be considered as excessive. In 1809 James Hoyt took charge of the meeting-house for one j-ear for one dollar and fifty cents, but the salary was raised in 1810, when Job Rock- well received two dollars. Some time before 1820 a chimney must have been erected in the church, as in that }'ear it was voted to purchase a stove for the meeting-house. Whether this was actually done is not known, for shortly after this, in January, 1823, at a special meeting, it was voted to try and raise twenty-five hundred dollars by subscription to build a new meeting-house, and from that time on all efforts were with this end in view. In March of the same year it was voted "to go on and build the meeting-house with what money we have got signed," and in September following a resolution was passed ' ' that the site of the meeting-house should not be altered, and that the trustees shall decide whether to build of brick or wood." It is difficult to arrive at the cost of the building, as very much of the work was done by members of the congregation, and a great deal of the lumber, and nearly or quite all of the timber was either given, or cut and drawn from the parsonage wood- land. The cash book of the trustees, show\s paid-up sub- scriptions of about twenty-five hundred dollars, but the value of work and timber furnished would be purely guesswork. There are those now living who remember some things regarding the building of the church which are worth re- cording. One lady of the congregation, who had just married, lived at home with her father for a year, because her husband had promised a certain amount of labor and timber for the church building, and consequently delayed the building of his own house for a year. This lady is Mrs. Richard Mead, at the present time 96 years old. Mr. Charles Fancher states 36 The Cm'Kcn Bciloings. tlial the i)ill;ir.s for the binklin,i^, of which there were six, reacliinj; from the l^oor through the gallery to the ceiling, were so long that there was no shop in the communit}' where they could be turned, hence they were drawn to the barn, on the place now occupied by Mr. T. L,. \'an Norden, and placed in lathes set upon the barn floor. Here, with a man to turn each lathe, and others to use the chisels, they were fashioned by hand to the required shape. The day when the frame was ready to raise was a general holiday, and the men from far and near came to assist. Any of the older people who have ever attended an old fashioned raising, can readily picture the scene of the small army of men, working under the command of the " boss " carpenters, James Eggleston and vStephen Pardee. x\bout noon the ladies arrived with great (juantities of j'jrovisions and hot coffee, which were spread before the hungry men on boards and timbers. The raising of the frame was completed in the after- noon, without serious accident. Building in those days was a very slow ]iroce.ss, and although work was begun in 1824, the church was not completed until .sometime in 1826, as .shown In- the trustees' cash l)o()k. Xo changes of nutch importance were made in the church until tlie year 1S72. All the older ])eople will distinctl}' remember the old church's appearance : the two entrances at the .south end ; the two aisles, with double rows of .scats through the middle, and shorter .seats on the sides reaching to the walls ; the galleries, with their four tiers of seats ex- tending around three sides of the building, and the high pul- pit on the south end, reached b\ a llight of stairs on each side. The inside of the church was entirely changed and rei)aired in 1872, and some changes also made in the outside of the building, the total cost of which was between .seven and eight thousand dollars. The interior was entirely refitted with new pulpit and furniture, ])lace;l at the north end, with an extension ]>ehind for the organ and choir, new pews, arranged Church Property, Buildings and Music. 37 with a centre aisle, and one on each side next the wall, and new carpet. The galleries were removed, and the old belfry converted into a gallery, over the vestibule at the south end. The wood work was newly painted, and the walls frescoed. The appearance of the exterior was verj' much improved by the removal of the small doors at the front entrance, and substitution of large double doors. The spire was remodeled, and the two rows of windows, wath their square sashes and blinds, were replaced by the circular form of Gothic window, with ground glass. The first bell for the church was bought in 1831. December 30th, 1830, it was voted that three hundred dollars be raised by subscription, to purchase a bell, and an entry in 1 83 1, shows that Jacob Gilbert gave forty dollars to be expended in ringing it. The story of its first ringing is interesting. Mr. Gilbert, who was alwaj'S very active, and also very liberal in all good undertakings, w^as upon his death- bed when the bell arrived ; and he expressed a desire to hear it rung before he died. Accordingh*, the bell was hung on a limb of the large oak tree, west of the church, and rung for some time, that his wish might be gratified. This bell was exchanged in 1846, for a new one, wdiich remained in use for many years, until a bad flaw in the side spoiled its tone, when it, in turn, gave place to a new one, wdiich after a short time, was spoiled in the same way, and was exchanged for the one now used. The first organ was purchased in 1863, and was used until 1894. In that year, through the efforts of the Home Society, a new and much larger one was purchased at a cost of about eighteen hundred dollars, and before this instrument was placed in the church, the interior of the building was redecorated, and various improvements and repairs completed. The work of decoration was performed by Arthur Keeler, a son of the late Harvey Keeler, who did the work in an artistic and very satisfactory manner. On November 7th, when every- 38 The Music. thing was completed, an organ recital, largely attended and greatly enjo^xd by the audience, was given by the firm that built the organ. The proceeds were to augment the treasury of the Home Society, and therefore to help pay for the organ. The latest improvement was the building, in the summer of 1901, of church parlors, by adding fourteen feet on the north, and extending this and the choir room forty feet east, making two rooms upstairs, a kitchen, and room for a furnace in the basement. This building is used by the Sunday-school and all prayer meetings, as well as for social gatherings, the cost being about sixteen hundred dollars. The Home Society had planned, at the time of its organization, to undertake the Imilding of these parlors at once, but the calls for other improvements and necessar>- repairs on the church ])r{)]K*rt\-, delayed the work for more than twenty years. III. — The Music. This history would l)e incomplete were we to omit the music, the excellence of which was, during what may be called the ])almy days of this society, proverbial. We are limited, however, to the briefest mention of an epoch in wliich was laid the foundation of the exceptionally good vocal music for which South Salem was long distin- guished. Sixty years ago, or early in the 'forties, Joshua Hall, a singing teacher from W-rmont, came into the ])lace and was engaged for two or three successive winters to give instruction in the art of vocal music. He was a most thorough teacher ; and as there was no lack of nuisical talent among his pupils, the result was a choir of such proportion and i)ro- ficiency as few country churches could boast. For more than forty years the Pre.sbyterian Church of South Salem was distinguished for its large and well-trained choir : Squire Lawrence, vStephen Howe, and Kdward L,aw- Church Property, Buildings and Music. 39 rence, among its efficient leaders ; Miss Hulclah Keeler, Mr. and Mrs. Webster B. Hull, Mr. and Mrs. I^ewis Benedict, the Misses Lavinia and Julia Keeler, Miss Maria Keeler, Frederick Smith, Rufus Hoyt, David Rudd, and many more ; a long roll of names deserving an honored place on the pages of this church's history. Let it not be inferred for a moment that we would speak disparagingh- of the present choir : far from that. The musi- cal reputation which characterized the church in the days gone by, has ever since been maintained, to a certain extent, and in a few instances a much higher degree of culture is apparent than was shown in the old daj'S. The efficiency of the present organist, Mrs. Henry L. vSt. John, who has presided at the organ for thirty-one years, and that without any regular salary; the faithfulness of the present choir leader, Samuel H. Lawrence, and for the other members of the choir, are well known and greatly appreciated by the church and congregation of toda}-. IV. — Trust Fiinds of the Society. On June i8th, 1828, the trustees executed a bond to Stephen Gilbert and Thomas Mead, executors of the will of William Rockw^ell, binding themselves and their successors in office to comply with the conditions of the will, by which one thousand dollars w^as left in trust, the interest only to be used by the trustees, and in case the society should change its connection and principles of discipline, or should use the principal sum, the legacy was to be forfeited to the heirs. In 1833, a legacy of one hundred dollars was received from the estate of Jacob Gilbert, under similar conditions. Since 1884, three members of one family have given the following amounts, only the interest from which is to be used by the church : Hancey Keeler, one thousand dollars ; Sally Keeler, five hundred dollars ; and Aaron Keeler, eight hundred dollars. CHAPTER III. SOCIKTIKS AND ORGANIZATIONS CONNECT]".D WITH THE Church. /. — The Foiialc ( ha ri fable Soeie/v. The Female Charitable Society, one of the oldest, and perhaps the oldest organization, of the kind connected with the Presbyterian Chnrch of the United States, was organized at the parsonage on Tnesda}-, November 14th, 1S15. IMolh- Mead was chosen president ; Electa E. Bnrbank, secretary ; and Hannah Lawrence, treasurer ; and the names of the charter members include the ancestors of many of the present members, and represent most of the old families of the place. In the constitution, which was adopted at the time, it was stated that the object of the society was to aid the cause of missions ; and, with the exception of a few dollars, gi\en the first year toward the ])astor's salary, all of the receipts have been devoted to missionary work. For several years after its organization a ]>ortion of the receipts of the society was given to the " Heathen vSchool in America." The membership fee has always been fifty cents, paid annually, though .some members have annually given one cent ])er week. For a number of ^ears a sermon or address was deli\ered Societies and Organizations. 41 by the pastor at the annual meeting, but this practice has long been discontinued. The minutes furnish nothing of particular interest, as the society has held but one meeting each year, and that for the election of officers and to appro- priate its funds to some specific work. The eightieth anniversary of the society was celebrated by special services in the church, on the evening of November 14th, 1895. The annual receipts have varied from about fourteen to upwards of forty dollars, and the total receipts during the eighty-six years of the existence of the society have amounted to a little over two thousand dollars. //. — The Female Befievolent Association. {Eastern.') Under this name a missionary society was organized at the parsonage, in South Salem, on May 28th, 1834. Part of the first record book is missing, including the first list of members; but in 1839 there were sixty-two members, and their meetings were held on the Thursday afternoon before the full moon in each month. Various kinds of work were undertaken, and the proceeds from it were usually devoted to foreign missions. No gentle- men were allowed at these afternoon meetings, but after a few years the custom changed ; the meetings were continued into the evening, and the gentlemen were expected to arrive in time to partake, with the ladies, of a supper provided by the lady at whose home the meeting was held. The regular bill of fare was bread and butter, tea, one kind of cake, and apple sauce. For this each one was expected to pay ten cents. Later on the afternoon meetings were discontinued, and the meeting became a social evening gathering, and was held on the Wednesday evening before the full moon. This custom is still followed, the supper provided being not quite so plain as formerly, and furnished by contributions from the 42 The Female Benevolent Society. (Western.) congregation ; twenty-five cent.s is the amount usually ex- pected for the entertaiinnent from each one present. There was one year, about twenty-five or thirty years ago, when the society voted to dispense with the supper, but the meetings, or, as one gentleman styled them, " the famines," were not successful, and it was voted to return to the custom of feeding the people. On account of missing records, it is not possible to give exact figures of the sums of money contributed by the society, but the total would probably be somewhere between three and four thousand dollars. Usually the money has been voted to the Board of Foreign Missions ; although there have been exceptions to this rule. ///. — The Female Benevolent Soeiefy. ( IVestern.) On account of the large territory included within the l)ounds of the South Salem congregation, it was thought best by the ladies to organize a second missionary society, in the western part of the parish, and this was done November 19th, 1839. Mrs. Margaret Frame was elected first directress ; Mrs. Theodosia Reynolds, second directress ; and Mrs. Lucinda Todd, secretary and treasurer. There were thirty-one charter meml)ers, but as in the case of the eastern society, some of the records are missing. The objects and methods of the two societies were practically the same, excei)t tliat the western society devoted its funds to aid the cause of domestic missions. It has been the custom of this societ>-, from the time of its organization until the ])resent, to meet with the different nicmljers on the finst W'ednesday afternoon of each month, except July and August, adjourning after supper, which is furnished by the hoste.ss. The funds contributed to domestic or home missions amount to between one and two thousand dollars. SoaETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS. 43 IV. — T/ie Dorcas Society. This society was organized by a meeting of ladies held at the parsonage, in January, 1874, with a board of officers and board of managers. The officers elected at this meeting were Mrs. Thomas M. Gray, president ; Mrs. Charlotte F'ancher, vice-president ; lyUcy G. Mead, secretary and treasurer. The constitution states that "the object of this society is to pro- vide, from time to time, supplies of clothing for the relief of indigent persons in South Salem and elsewhere." Besides furnishing clothing and other supplies to our own needy ones, this society has each year sent away a box of clothing and bedding : for sixteen years, to the Home of the Friendless, New York City ; two years, to mission schools among the Indians, and the remaining eleven years, to Park College, Missouri. The estimated value of these boxes for eighteen years is one thousand one hundred eleven dollars. There is no record of appraisal for the other nine years. V. — T/ie Home Society. The Home Society was organized at a meeting of the L,adies' Benevolent AvSsociation, held at the home of Cyrus Lawrence, 2d, January 28tlr, 1880. A president and secretary were elected, and a committee appointed to draft a constitu- tion and by-laws. At a subsequent meeting, on the nth of the following February, the report of the committee was accepted and a constitution adopted. Four years later it was duly incorporated under the laws of the State of New York, so that the society might do business on its own account and have a legal manager for its funds. Of the ten incorpora- tors only six are now living. The object of the organization is stated thus, in the second article of its incorporation : ' ' The society is formed for the purpose of improving and embellishing the property of the 44 Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor. Presbyterian Church and congregation, and for making such alterations and repairs thereon, by consent of the trustees of said society, as may from time to time seem to us to be proper." The society reached its majority last winter, being then twenty-one years of age, and it has certainly succeeded admirabl\- thus far in accomplishing the purposes for which it was formed. During that time a new parsonage has been built, and also a new barn on the parsonage property, to replace one which was burned ; a new organ has been pur- chased, and the inside of the church re-decorated and thor- oughly repaired ; and most of the money for all of these improvements has been furnished by the Home Society. It has also from time to time made many minor repairs, paid insurance on the buildings, and is at present using all of the funds it can raise to pay for the recently constructed church parlors, and for furnishing the same. The net earnings in the different years have varied from $172 to $612. The most successful year, financially, was 1S89, when the net proceeds of the fair, including profit on the "Old Oaken Bucket," a paper issued by the society, amounted to $524.50, and the total gain for the year was, as stated above, $612. There have been six years in the history of the societ\- when the net receipts have exceeded five hundred dollars per year, and eleven years when they have exceeded four hundred dollars. The total amount received and expended to date of November, 1901, is about nine thousand dollars, exclusive of gifts of about six hundred dollars at the time the new organ was ])urchased. There is also a trust fund of $200, receixed from the estate of the late Aaron Keeler. IV. — Yoiini^ People s. Socidv of C/iristia>i /-'Ndeavor. The South vSalem Ivndcavor vSociet\-, was organized Jan- uary 20th, 1.S92, through the efTorts of Rev. M. P. W'elcher. Rev. J. H. Eastman and Henry R. Barrett, of Katonah, Societies and Organizations. 45 assisted at the organization. There were at this time sixteen active, and eight associate members. The first officers elected were, George E. Hull, president ; Elmer E. Lawrence, vice- president ; Miss Marietta Benedict, corresponding secretary ; and Miss Celia A. Banks, treasurer. During the ten years since its formation seventy-five persons have joined the society as active members. Of this number two have died, six have been transferred to the honorary list, and twenty-four are .still on the roll. The remaining forty-three have joined other .societies, resigned, or been dropped from the roll. Of the thirty-nine who have joined as associate members twenty have united with the church and become active members. The home-work of the society has always been actively carried on. The regular weekly meeting has always been held on Sunday evenings, just before the preaching .service, and on certain special occasions has taken the place of that .service. The various committees have been a great help in the work of the church, by the earnest and faitliful performance of the duties for which they were appointed, and the society has from time to time voted a portion of its funds to aid in paying the current expen.ses of the church. All of the money not thus used has been divided between the Home and Foreign Mission work. Every Christmas the society has sent several boxes of useful articles to the New York Flower Mission. The receipts to date amount to five hundred fifty dollars. l^II. — The Mission Study Circle. After a county convention of the Christian Endeavor Societies of Westchester County, a company of young people returned to their home church with a resolution to study missions, the result of which was " The Mi.ssion Study Circle," organized March 14th, 1899. This cla.ss does ju.st what its name 46 Junior Christian Endeavor Society. si Jellifies — studies missions, meeting every two weeks. The original and present officers are, Charlotte E. Hull, president ; Abbie E. Rockwell, vice-president ; Elizabeth Lawrence, secretary and treasurer. I'll I. — Junior Christian Endeavor Society, A Junior Endeavor Society was organized in June, 1901, through the efforts of Mrs. Jewell, with sixteen members. The Junior meetings are held ever}- Saturday afternoon, and conducted by Mrs. Jewell, or her assistant. Miss Elizabeth Lawrence. The work of this society is very encouraging, and three of its members have already united with the church. IX. — Sn )i da\ 'sc/iool. It is difficult to find out exactly the time when the first Sunday-school was organized, as there is no record of any kind, prior to about 1857, by which one would know that there was any school connected with the church, and that record only states that the session elected Stephen G. Howe super- intendent. There was, however, a Sunday-school in existence as early as about 1820. Mrs. Mary Lane remembers, attending when she was six or eight years old Sunday-school on Sun- day afternoons, in a large upper room in an old house which formerly stood between the present residences of Dr. Lane and H. L. St. John, and known as the "Sam Anil)ler House" and she thinks the school was just then organized. Why llic church wa.s not chosen as tlic meeting place is not known, l)ut it is pos.sible that some of the good peoj^lt* of that da\- thought that it would not be right. Mrs. Lane remembers the names of some of the other .scholars of the class, including Clara Adams and Abby Ronton, and she .says, the .scholars stood in a row and read in turn, so that the teachers .should know how to divide tlKin into cla.sses. This goes to show that she remenit)ers the first meeting of the Sunday-.school. Societies and Organizations. 47 Mr. William Benedict remembers attending school in this same room, with William Ho}-t and his brother Lewis, and that Ezra Northrop, "who was a tall man, and very pious," was teacher and superintendent. He says also that the school afterward met for a time in the " lean-to " of Gould Hawley's store. How long these buildings were used as places of meeting is not known, but several of the old people now living, remember that, a few years later the bell-room was used for that purpose. This was a room in the church, directly over the lower hall, and just back of the pulpit, a large bare place, with a rope hanging through the ceiling ; for it was here that the .sexton came at the proper times to ring the church bell, occasionally taking a peep into the pulpit, through a curtained window, to see if the minister was yet in his place. In later years this room was used by the primary class of the Sunday-school, during the summer months. Messrs. Jared Bouton, Josiah Gilbert, and Mo.ses Pardee were at different times performing the duties of superintendent, but no records of the school prior to about i860 are in existence. The number of scholars from that time to the present has varied from one hundred to about one hundred eighty. One remarkable feature has always been the large number of adults in attendance, including some old people, who have been present at most of the sessions of the school for forty or fifty years. The contributions of the school have been v^ery regular, and for man}' years have amounted to upwards of one hundred dollars per year. Most of this money has been devoted to missionary objects, very little of it being used for the necessary expenses of the school itself. There have been times when the sessions have been sus- pended for about two months during the winter, but in later years the school has convened on every Sabbath in the year, with the exception of an occasional stormy one. CHAPTER IV. Biographies of Pastors. REV. SOLOMON MEAD Solomon Mead was born December 3d, 1725, at Green- wich, Conn., and was a direct descendant of one of the original settlers of that town. He was the fifth son of Kbenezer Mead, and spent his early days at home. He was gradnated from Yale College in 1748. He came to Salem when abont twenty- five or twenty-six years of age, and after a short time organized a cluirch there, and was then ordained and installed as its first pastor in 1752. Why he chose this place for his life work is not known, l)nt he was at an early date the owner of a large tract of land in this vicinity, and this may have been a reason for his choosing to settle here. He was married Jannary i.st, 1755, to Hainiah vStrong, of Stanford, Conn., who died October 20th, 1761. He was married the .second time, Jannary Stli, 1765, to Hannah Clark, of Waterbnry, Conn., who died November 13th, iSog. Mr. Mead spent his whole life here, after 1752, and is the only one of the j^astors of the chnrch who is bnried in the church-yard, close to the scene of his lalior. vSeveral of Mr. Mead's descendents still reside in or near vSouth vSalem. Tlie following miinite was recorded in the Sessional Records of the church, at the time of his death, September 5th, 1812. Biographies of Pastors. 49 " Departed this life, Rev'nd Solomon Mead, aged 86 years, 9 nios., 2 days. He officiated in the ministry 48 years, 3 mos. and 15 days. " In his ministry, baptized children and adults, 912 ; and married 666. ' ' Here we see ended a long life of a venerable minister, who may be remembered by this church for his great zeal in the cause of religion, for his planting a church in this place, and in letting his light shine in such a manner as to be imitated safely by all." REV. JOHN ELY John Ely, second pastor of the church, was born at Lyme, Conn., June 14th, 1763. He was a graduate of Yale College. He married Mary Lord, January 25th, 1791, and was settled at Bethel, Conn., in 1792. He remained there about twelve years, at the expiration of which time he received a call to the South Salem Presbyterian Church, which he accepted, and was installed as pastor on November 28th, 1804. He remained in this place about eight years, and then removed to Guilford, Conn., where he was settled over a church for fifteen years. In 1827 he resigned his pastorate in Guilford, intending to move to Central New York and reside with his son, the late Seth Ely, but while removing his goods to a boat for shipment, his horse took fright and ran away. Mr. Ely was thrown from the wagon, and so severely injured that he died in a few hours. His death occurred November 2d, 1827. Mr. Ely was the father of eleven children, only six of whom lived to maturity. Several of his descendants are still living in New York City and in neighboring towns, among them Miss Carrie A.Ely, from whom the data for this sketch were obtained. REV. JACOB BURBANK It has been impossible to find anything at all regarding 50 RiOGRAPHits 01- I'astors. the life of Re\\ Jacol:) Burbank, except those items already recorded, durint^ ]iis short stav in South Salem. REV. CHARLES F. BUTLER. A. M. Charles F. Biitler was born in New Hartford, Conn., January 21st, 1790, where he spent his childhood and the greater part of his youth. At the age of nineteen, he gave him.self to God, and began his studies preparatory to entering college. In 18 13 he entered the sophomore class at Yale, and was graduated in 1S16. Shortly after leaving college, and while studying theology privately, he was invited to take charge of the Bedford, N. Y., Academy. Here he remained for two years, at the same time continuing his theological studies under Rev. Ebenezer Grant. On February loth, 1S17, he was married to Miss Amanda Rundle. Shortly afterward he was licen.sed to preach by the Congregational As.sociation of Fairfield County. He preached his first sermon in the Ik-d- ford Presbyterian Church. Several members of the South Salem church were present on this occasion, and were much plea.sed with the young preacher. The result was that he received his first call from the South Salem Church, and accepted it. He remained in this place less than three \ears, but during his stay more than .seventv members united with the church. His health failing, he retired for a rest of several years. In 1.S2S, he was called to the church at Greenwich, Conn. , where he remained for ten years. Later, he was .settled at Stockbridge, N. Y., for two years, and after that in Verona, Oneida County, where he remained ten years. Here his wife died and was buried, and man\- years later he was laid to rest at her side. Always in feeble health, he ne\er undertook another pas- toral charge, but during the remaining years of his life did nuich ew'uigelistic and mi.ssionary work as his strength per- mitted. He died at Bedford, N. Y., August 14th, 1S66. Mr. Biographies of F^astors. 51 Butler was the father of eight children, only one of whom, Mrs. Sarah B. Robertson, of Manlius, N. Y., is now living. REV. STEPHEN SAUNDERS It has been impossible to obtain a full biography of Mr. Saunders. He is said to have come from Norwalk, Conn., to this place, but his other settlements, and the place of his birth, the writer has been unable to learn. He was the father of three children, and when he resigned the pastorate in South Salem, on account of the failure of his health, went with his wife and family to Norwalk, Ohio, near which place he owned a tract of land. He died there shortly afterward, and, about three years later, Mr. Charles Fancher visited his family at their home, and went to Mr. Saunders' grave. His daughter Harriet and her husband visited the old parsonage in South Salem a few years ago, and called on one or two friends, but none of these persons seem to have kept their address, or to remember their place of residence. REV. REUBEN FRAME Reuben Frame was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, on June iS, 1804. After receiving a thorough education, graduating from Jefferson College in 1826, and from Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, in 1831, he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New Castle, April 16, 1831. For the next thirty-two years Mr. Frame was almost uninterruptedly engaged in ministerial and pastoral work. He was ordained at Bethel Church, Clermont County, Ohio, where he remained in charge from 1831 to 1834. Then a call to the Presbyterian Church of South Salem, New York, was accepted, resulting in a long and useful pastorate, from 1834 to 1850 ; at Wappinger's Falls, New York, from 1850 to 1855 ; in Fond-du-Lac, Wisconsin, from 1855 to 1859 ; then the charge of the church at Morris, Illinois, from 1859 to 1863. 52 BlOGKAPHIKS OF PaSTORS. Duriiij;' this, liis last pastorate, Mr. Frame became almost totally blind, which necessitated the giving up of active minis- terial work — a great trial to this indefatigable worker — but as the "walk by sight" failed the "walk by faith" grew stronger. After an operation, performed in New York City, partial sight was restored, and although not sufficient to per- mit a return to his charge of the Morris Church, Mr. Frame frequently preached as a supply, while residing with his daughter, Mrs. J. B. Davidson, of Morris, Illinois. In 1875, failing health caused Mr. Frame to remove to Chicago, Illinois, where he lived with his youngest daughter, Mrs. William Oilman, until his death, on March 31, 1891. Reuben Frame married Margaret S. Selby, at Flushing, Long Island, October, 1S32. Of their eight children (three .sons and five daughters) all but the eldest, Sarah Selby, were born in South Salem parsonage. The eldest .son, William M., died soon after leaving South vSalem. The two remaining sons, John Selby and Walter Reul)en, entered the ministry. Of Mr. Frame's grand.sons, four are now ministers of the Go.spel — one of them a missionary in India — thus helping to an.swer his ]ira\-ers for the conversion of the world to Christ. The last sixteen years of Mr. Frame's life were happily spent with his ever sweet and de\-otcd wife, in the home of their yoinigest daughter, Mrs. William Oilman. REV. AARON L. LINDSLEY, D. D. Aaron Ladner Lindsley was born in the city of Troy, New York, March 4, 1S17. His studies were prosecuted at the Troy Polytechnic Institute, at Marion College, Missouri, and at Union College, vSchenectad\-, New York. For a jiart of his theological course he attended I'nion Seminarw New \'()rk, but c(>m])leted it in Princeton, New Jerse>-. Mr. Lin(lsk->- was coiuerted while in Missouri, and at this time devoted himself " to Ood and the far West." He was ordained to the work of the Go.spel ministry May 8, 1846. Rev. and Mrs. Reuben Fkame Rev. and Mrs. A. L. Lindsley Biographies of Pastors. 53 Four days later — May 12, 1846 — he was united in marriage with JuHa, tiie youngest daughter of John West, of New York City. Although the early death of the lad's father necessitated iniexpected toils, the little boy never lost sight of the goal of his ambition, which was to secure a thorough education. Books were among his best friends, and mental labor an inex- haustible delight. Mr. Lindsley's first field of labor was in Prairieville (now Waukesha), Wisconsin, which has of later years become famous for its medical springs. To this he went in June, 1S46. Here, with tireless exertions and in connection with a few like-minded servants of God, deep and enduring founda- tions for Presbyterianism were laid in the Territory of Wis- consin. Here also were plans made for Carroll College, and the institution was set on foot by Mr. I^indsley and a few kin- dred spirits. The present status of the college abundantly justifies the great labor thus expended. While in charge of the Waukesha church, as ever in later years, the midnight oil was freely burned in pulpit preparation, that there might come out of the treasury things new and old. His labors on the outward house of God at this time could not be easily computed, comprising, as they did, personal toil in burning lime for the stone edifice, and hewing black walnut in the forest for the inside finishing. The missionary work was con- stantly prominent, and the young clergyman spared no labor in preparing the way for the future propagators of a sound faith. But a few years of such excessive and varied toil, added to adverse climatic influences, so greatly impaired Mr. Linds- ley's health, that it became evident that the path of duty pointed to the necessity of a decided change. And so, after a winter spent in missionary work at Port Washington, on the shore of Lake Michigan, the Providence of God brought him to his Bethesda, as he loved to call it, in dear old South vSalem. 54 Biographies of Pastors. This was in June, 1852. Of his life and work there, inchid- ing the family school, others who knew him well, and are not in danger of being influenced ])y ties of kindred, may give their testimony. During the sixteen years thus happil_\- spent amidst j^leas- ant surroundings and beloved friends, there were many invita- tions received to larger and more prominent fields. Although often very attractive, in none of them was discerned a leading of Providence until a repeated in\itation from the First Church of Portland, Oregon, led Mr. Lindsley to take the long western journey and reconnoitre the ground. The result was a residence of thirty-three years upon the Pacific coast. Here, in addition to pulpit and parish labors, were the claims of the great untilled missionary field, and the mute pleadings of the long-suffering Indian. For the Nez Perce Indians Mr. Lindsley 's toil was not .spared, and their appreciative affection for him was manifested by daily praj-ers for God's blessing upon him. — petitions in .some instances continued long after people in the bus}- world knew that he had obtained his release. After much preparator}- examination of the field, includ- ing conversations with General Howard, who had been sta- tioned in Alaska, and Secretar}- Seward, who had just visited the country, Dr. Lindsley started missions in that Territor}', .sending teachers and preachers to that supposedly inhospitable region. This work was prosecuted at first at his own expense, until later the Board relieved liim from tlie burden. The re- cords of eternity alone can reveal the lal)t)r involved, or the ble.ssed results from this foinidation work, in that now ra]-)idly developing field. Just before leaving South Salem, Mr. Lindsley received the degree of D. I). . which was conferred by the University of New York. The title of LL. D., was bestowed in 1889, by Lafayette College. While still pastor at Portland, an iiixilation to the cliair Biographies of Pastors. 55 of Pastoral Theology in the San Francisco Seminary led to the resignation of his Oregon charge and removal to Oakland, California, in December, 1886. A few 3'ears were spent in the faithful discharge of the new and very responsible duties thus involved, till during his annual vacation, while visiting his children at the North, A. L. Lindsley met the accident that closed his earthly service. One word only was vouchsafed, "\'ictory!" and it was alike comprehensive of completed work and near reward. In Portland, Oregon, he " fell asleep " August 12, 1 89 1. A marble tablet near the pulpit of the First Presbyterian church ser\-es as a permanent reminder of one of South Salem's former pastors. Upon it stand inscribed these words : lln /Iftemor^ OF AARON LADNER LINDSLEY, D. D., LL. D., FOR Eighteen Years the Honored and Beloved Pastor OF THIS Church, Preacher, Educator, Philanthropist, Organizer of Twenty-two Churches IN THE Pacific Northwest. Patron and Friend of Missions among Aboriginal Tribes of Idaho and Washing- ton, Founder of Evangelical Missions in Alaska, and for the last five years of his life, Professor of Practical Theology in San Francisco Theological Seminary, Who was Born March 4th, 1817, AND who ENTERED INTO REST August 12th, 1891, Aged 74 Years. "Ubanhs be to ©o^, IHtlbo ijivctb us tbc IDictorv!" 56 Biographies of Pastors. REV. DANIEL S. GREGORY. D. D. Daniel Seelye Gregory was born at Carniel, New York, a few miles northwest of South Salem, August 21, 1832. His ancestors, the Gregorys, were among the earliest set- tlers of Norwalk, Connecticut, having come over the ocean about 1650. On his mother's side, Mr. Gregory was descended from the well-known Seelye family that settled in New Canaan, Connecticut, not far from the same time that the Gregory family settled in Norwalk. The education of Mr. Gregory was begun in the countr}- school where he and the present Bishop Cyrus D. Foss, D. D., LL.D., sat together on the old-fashioned wooden benches to receive their early lessons. At the age of seventeen he entered the State Normal College, at Albany, New York (by special permit of the Secretary of State, as being under the required age), from which he was graduated October 3, 1850. Nearly three years were devoted to teaching in the public .schools. During this time, having made a public profession of his faith in Christ, and united with the Gilead church, at Carmel, and feeling that he was called to preach the gospel, he carried on his preparation for college, completing it at North Salem Academy in 1853. Entering Princeton College, he was graduated with honors in 1857. Passing at once to the Theological vSeminary at Princeton, he completed his theological course in the spring of i860, and was licensed the same spring. His desire to iK'Come a foreign missionary was given up because his health was not deemed sufficiently vigorous. He then turned his attention to the Home field, and being again disapjiointed, accepted a call to the South Presl)yterian Church, Galena, Illinois. Here he was ordained by the Presbytery of Rock Island, in February, 1861. Mr. Gregory filled llic following successive pastorates : the South Presbyterian Church, Galena, Illinois; the Second Presbyterian Church, Troy, New York ; and the Third Con- Biographies of Pastors. 57 gregational Church, New Haven, Connecticut. As the work in the latter was being laid down, a unanimous call came from the church at South Salem, New York, in response to which Mr. Gregory entered upon the w^ork there, in the spring of 1869. In the summer of 1871, two calls to educational work came unsought, and, reluctantly, he asked to be released from his charge. He accepted the chair of I^ogic and Metaphysics in the University of Wooster, Ohio, and from, 1 878-1 8S6 was President of I^ake Forest Universit}-. In 1885 he delivered the course of lectures on the L,. P. Stone Foundation before the Princeton Theological Seminary. He was managing editor of the "Standard Dictionary," i890-'94, and since 1895 has been editor of " The Homiletic Review." During the years since he left South Salem, Dr. Gregory has published among other books the following important ones : " Christian Ethics," " Key to the Go.spel," " Christ's Trumpet Call to the Ministry," " Practical Logic," and " The Crime of Christendom." Besides these, Dr. Gregory has been a contributor to the magazines, daily and weekly papers. From Princeton Universit}- he received the degrees of A. B., A. M., and D. D., and from the University' of Wooster, the degree of UL. D. He married, in i860, Jane Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher C. Brown, of Croton Falls, New York, who died during his pastorate in Troy. During his New Haven pastorate, he married Miss Harriet By ram, adopted daughter of Rev. Dr. David N. and Mary De Klyn Halliday. Dr. Gregory is now living in New York City with his wife and daughter, their only surviving child. REV. THOMAS M. GRAY The Rev. Thomas M. Gray was a member of the Presby- tery of Westchester from its organization in 1870 until his 58 Biographies of Pastors. death, which occurred at Salem Center, New York, December 24, 18S3, in the fifty-fourth \ear of his age. Mr. Gray was the son of the Rev. Dr. John Gray, for many years the eminent pastor of the Presbyterian church in Easton, Pennsyh'ania. Graduating from Lafayette College in 1851, and from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1855, he began his minis- try in Bridgehampton, Long Island, where he was ordained and installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church in 1856. This pastorate continued for nearh' ten years. After supplying for a time the Mansfield Church in New Jersey, and the Huntingdon Valley church in Pennsylvania, he removed to Connecticut, and became the acting pastor of the Congregational Church in Derby for nearly five }-ears. Preferring the Pre.sbyterian, in 1871 he accepted a call to the church in South Salem, New York, and was installed pas- tor there November 8. After a ministr}- here for more than four years the pastoral relation was dissolved March 15, 1876. After preaching for a time in the Church of North Salem, he became pastor of the Presb}-terian Church at New Lebanon, New York. It was here that his wife died, and from the shock of that bereavement he never recovered, his health be- coming so enfeebled that he was obliged to give up his charge at New Lebanon. Then he returned to North Salem, where the remainder of his life was spent, preaching to the congre- gation there as his strength would permit. During the last year of his life he was entirel\- unable to take any active service, patiently awaiting the time of his de- parture. The Presbytery of Westchester bears cheerful testimon>- to the fidelity and value of Mr. Gray's t\venty-fi\e years of service in the ministry. He preached the tnilli with the earnestness of con\-iction, and the seed sown in liis se\-eral fields has \ielded l)lessed fruit. BlOGRAPHIHS OF PaSTORS. 59 REV., GEO. M. MC CAMPBELL Mr. McCampbell was graduated from Hanover College June, 1862 ; and in the 3'ear 1870 that college conferred upon him the honorarj- degree of A. M. His theological course, of three years, was spent at Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, entering Princeton just before the close of the War of the Rebellion, during part of which struggle, he was " aide-de-camp," Corps of Engineers, Seventh Division, Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Geo. \V. Morgan. Entering the Theological Seminary in September, 1863, he was grad- uated therefrom April 24, 1866. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of New Albany, at JeflFersonville, Indiana, his native place, and in the church founded and builded by his grandfather, Dr. Samuel Meriwether, and in which, as a 3'oung man, Mr. McCampbell had been sexton, choir-master and superintendent of the Sabbath-school ; preaching his first sermon, and before the Presb3'tery, in the same church. Was ordained by the Presbytery of the Potomac, and in- stalled pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, Virginia, fall of 1866. Received the call to said church before leaving Theological Seminary. In July, 1868, was invited to supply the pulpit of the Fifth Avenue (Old Brick Church) Chapel, New York City. He accepted, and remained there until called to the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church of Maj'sville, Kentucky, the same 3'ear. He was called from Maysville to the pastorate of Old Spring Street Church, New York City, in October, 1872. Resigning in 1876, he became acting pastor of The Church of the Incarnation, Brooklyn, New York, from 1877 to January, 1879. Was then called to First Presbyterian Church of Peoria, Illinois, and at same time to Christ Church of same city. Declined both calls, and accepted the call to become pastor of 60 Biographies of Pastors. the Presbyterian Church of South Salem, New York, January 4, 1879, being installed March 12, same year, at 2 o'clock p. M. Resigned from South Salem Church July, 1882, and ac- cepted the call of the First Edgewater Presbyterian Church, Staten Island, New York, becoming Dr. J. E. Rockwell's successor for seven years. Was installed November 23, 1882, resigning, from ill health, vSeptember, 1889. After a year and five months' retirement from the pastoral office, he accepted the call of the First Presbyterian Church of Middletown, Ohio, Februar}^ 1891. He resigned November, 1895, on ac- count of impaired health, after five years, and after the erec- tion of the costly church edifice of that city. After a ministry of twenty-nine 3'ears, Mr. McCampbell retired from the active ministry to engage in l)usiness in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, until his acceptance of the urgent call of the Presbyterian Church of Millvale, Allegheny, Pa., April 8, 1901. He was installed there, and is at this time the pastor. REV. LYMAN D. CALKINS. D. D. Lyman I). Calkins was l)()rn in Ih'ooklyn, New York. January 13, 1845, and at the age of thirteen publicl>' confessed Christ. He attended Williams College — whose princii)al at- tractions were its beautiful and healthful location, its religious atm()S])here, and its prince of teachers, Mark Hopkins — grad- uating here in 1867, and from Princeton Theological vSeminar\- in 1.S70. Mr. Calkins has had charge of the Presb}-terian church at Muncy, Pennsylvania, from 1 871-1873, where he was ordained ; of the Park Street Congregational Church, W^est vSpringfield, Massachusetts, from 1S73-1S83; of .South Saluiii Presbyterian Church, from 1SS3-KS86; of Trinit_\' (now Central) Presl^^terian Church, Brooklyn, from 1 886-1 8S9 ; of Biographies of Pastors. 61 the Presbyterian Church at Far Rockaway, New York, from 1 890-1901. Mr. Calkins was married to Mary Hepburn Rankin, May 13, 1874. They had three children — Marion (now Mrs. John B. B. Douglas) ; David Osbert, who died in 1894, aged seven- teen ; and William Rankin, who died in 1893, aged thirteen years. We conclude this brief sketch in Mr. Calkins' own words : ' ' Permit me to declare anew my faith and love towards God, my acceptance of the Bible as God's word, and my conviction that Jesus Christ is the only and all-suflficient Saviour of all who come unto God through Him." REV. MANFRED P. WELCHER Manfred P. Welcher was born on a farm at Newark, New York, October 29, 1850. Formal education began by learning the alphabet from the raised letters of the cooking stove ; then followed in due time and order the old red school- house ; the "Newark Union Free School and Academy;" Cortland State Normal School ; Rochester Collegiate Institute, graduating from Williams College in 1877, and from Union Theological Seminary in 1880. This course was interrupted by two seasons of teaching, which helped to supply the money needed in addition to parental generosity and sacrifice. He was called to his first pastorate in Pleasantville, New York, in 1880, thence, in 1888, to South Salem, where he served for over five years on this historic ground, afterward supplying the Reformed Church in Peekskill and the Presbyterian Church in East Palmyra, until called in 1897 to assist the Rev. R. J. Kent, D. D., in the Lewis Avenue Congregational Church, Brooklyn. While thus assisting, for nearly two years he was preaching on Sunday in the Parkville Congregational Church. This resulted in a service there of more than four years, with sixty-five members received and a house of worship furnished. 62 Biographies oi Pastors. His coininissioii from the State Missionary Society expired, and his work there ended July, 1901. Shortly after he was again called to assist Dr. Kent in the Lewis Avenue Congregational Church, and is now laboring in that field. In 1 88 1, Mr. Welcher married Miss Fanny F. Avery, of New York, finding a minister's wife devoted and efficient in the home and in the church. The family, including three daughters and one son, is still unbroken. THEODORE LANGDON VAN NORDEN Theodore Langdon Van Norden, the thirteenth pastor of the church, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 26, 1869, and his winter home, during early childhood, was in the South. His first instruction was received from governesses, but when nine years old he was sent to school in New York. He prepared for college in private schools in New York, and passed the entrance examination for Columbia University in 1885. He did not enter college, however, until 1886, and graduated with bachelor's degree in 1890. He continued his studies in the University School of Philosophy of Columbia, then just organized under the presi- dency of vSeth Low, for two years. D'.iring tliL* same >ears, he attended lectures at Union Theological Seminary, and was licensed to preach Ijy the New York Presbytery in the .spring of 1892. The following autunui Mr. Van Norden entered Oxford, England, as a university student. Returning to America in 1893, he preached in the- South vSaleiii Presbyteiian Church, received a call to l)ecome its i)astor, and was installed in Ma\-, 1894. He was married in October, 1892. During liis uni\ersit\- life, and afterward, he was made a member of several societies interested in various fields of research. He was also a member of several .social clubs and BlOCRAl'HlES OF PaSTORS. f)."? several clubs for promoting interest in pure-bred live stock. During his life in New York he was interested in the life of the tenement-house districts, and was president of one of the first organizations of bo3\s, which have developed into these boys' clubs. Mr. Van Norden has always been interested in agricul- ture, and since his home has been in South Salem, somewhat identified with the agricultural interests of Westchester County. At present he is President of "The School of Practical Agriculture and Horticulture," near Pleasantville, N. Y., and is connected with the following local organizations : President of the Citizens Association of the Town of Lewis- boro, and of the South Salem I^ibrary Association ; Vice- President of the Home Society of the South Salem Church, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. REV. JAMES LILBURN JEWELL James Lilburn Jewell, the present pastor, was born at Tusculum, Teun., September loth, 1868, and spent the early part of his life on his father's farm. He prepared for college in the Preparatory School con- nected with Greenville and Tusculum College, from which college he graduated, with bachelor's degree, in 1891. During his senior year he was President of the college Y. M. C. A., and in the same year represented the Y. M. C. A. work among the colleges and univ^ersities of the State. During one vacation he represented the Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-.school work in the Presby- tery of Holston, and during another, the American Bible Society in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. He was commissioned by the Home Board as Principal of Jeroldstown Academy for the years '9i-'92 and '92-'93. In 1893 he entered McCormick Theological Seminary, 64 Biographies of Pastors. where he spent two years. Duriiiiij both vacations he preached hi the Washington and Springplace churches, in Tennessee, which churches he suppHed for a year, until he entered Auburn Theological Seminary, the fall of '96. Before graduating, he accepted a call to the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church of Jamesville, N. Y., and ser\-ed the church there until April, '99, when he became pastor of his present charge at South Salem, X. Y. The son of an elder in the Presbyterian Church, he was brovight up under strict Presbyterian influences, and united with the church when thirteen years old. Early in life he had a desire to enter the ministr}*, and was received under the care of the Holston Presbytery w^hile in college. He was licensed to preach by the same Presbytery August 23, 1895 ; was ordained and installed pastor over the Jamesville Presbyterian Church, by the Syracuse Presbytery, June 15, 1897, and over the present charge by the Westchester Presbytery, May 23, 1899. In September, 1900, he was mar- ried to Mary E. Ray, of Auburn, N. Y. ^ o; - of Waterbury, Connecticut. He rode to Waterbur>- on hor.se- back, was married, and returned to South Salem with his wife riding on the double-saddle behind him. Solomon Mead, of this place, a great-grandson of Rev. Solomon Mead, has in his possession a number of relics formerly belonging to the first pastor of the church. Among them are Mr. Mead's cane, one or two of his Latin books, an old collection plate u.sed for many years during his pastorate, and a number of his sermons in his own handwriting. One sermon, however, has been lost. It was delivered on the first Sabbath of July, 1776, from the text, Prov. 14 : 34 : "Right- eousness exalteth a nation ; but sin is a reproach to any people. ' ' Mrs. Reuben Frame, now in her ninety-fourth year,* sends this greeting to the South Salem Church : Revelation 2 : 19. "I know thy works and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works ; and the last to be more than the first." Isaiah 64:4. — "For since the begin- ning of the world, men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that w^aiteth for him. ' ' ' ' My love to the dear people that remember me, and in God's time may we all be gathered in heaven, to be forever with the Lord." Dr. Lindsley, on his last visit to South Salem, in June, i.S.Sg, delivered a memorable sermon in the church. His sudden death, only two years later, makes the .sentences given below like a benediction and farewell : " A pilgrim, but not a stranger, appears again among you to retouch the keys of lov'e and friendship, to recall events that should not be forgotten, and to take a glance with you at the swdftly coming future and its certainties. My pastorate here * Mrs. Frame sent the above greeting only a few clays before her death, which occurred February 6, 1902, Th::se words are thus a farewell message. 73 Glkanings. ended twenty-one years ago. During this period my lot has been cast among people of all descriptions ; my labors as citi- zen and minister have been widely extended. Yet these changes have not blotted from my mind the scenery or the people of South Salem. The hills and valleys, the cascade brooks, the slumbering lakes, deep set in wavy verdure, and mirroring the sky, forming a landscape of picturesque beauty seldom surpassed, are photographed on tablets that never perish. Even the trees I know^ Monarchs of the orchard and forest. They remind me of the patriarchs who planted them and guarded their growth. Every bend and bridge on your roads, every corner to be turned, were known to me as well by night as by day. The homes, the names, the faces are familiar to me .still. It was not uncommon to find three generations under the same roof, or grouped around it. Sometimes the fourth appeared. The fourth has since grown to manhood ; and now the fifth generation is joining juvenile voices in household scenes and .songs. I appear among you, therefore, as in some sense related to four or five generations. I knew the grandparents and parents and children of many of you, who are no longer young. You have a worthy ancestry. They belong to the order of sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. " You do not boast that you derive your birth From loins enthroned and rulers of the earth, For higher far your proud pretentions rise. The sons of those passeil into the skies." "They were noted the country- through for their industry and .sobriety, their honesty and hospitality-, their intelligence and ])iet\-. The>- were economical, l)Ut 11r-\- ])ai(l tlieir debts ; not by shrinkage to grow rich on it. If the\- chose to li\-e plainly, they ate their own bread and thanked God for it. If any among them lived in slotli or on other jieople's monev. they had to go out of tliis town to learn how to do it. They had no .school for .scamps, and no shingles to shelter whiskey Glkanings. 73 saloons. But they knew how to lay by in store, and always had something to give to the needy and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and religion among men. They maintained homes with enlightened privileges, and the strug- gle among these rocks and swales made them brave and inde- pendent. The foundation of their virtues w^as the word of God, which enlightened their consciences, and the motives which actuated them were purified by communion with Christ through his spirit. Their lives influenced society and dictated its general course. " I knew these men and women. I knew them in their daily life, I knew them in their joys and sorrows. It was my lot to minister to some of them in their last days on earth, and I remember with what experiences of the divine faithfulness they departed." ^ 74 REV. REV. REV. REV. REV. REV. REV. REV. REV. REV. REV. REV, REV REV Pastors, Deacons and Eliihrs. SOLOMON MEAD, JOHN ELY. JACOB BURBANK, CHARLES F. BUTLER, STEPHEN SAUNDERS, REUBEN FRAME, AARON L. LINDSLEY, DANIEL S. GREGORY, THOMAS M. GRAY, GEORGE M. McCAMPBELL, . LYMAN D. CALKINS, MANFRED P. WELCHHR, THEODORE L. VAN NORDHN, JAMES L. JEWELL, 17^2-1800 1804-181 2 1813-1817 1820- 1 82-, 182 ^,-18^4 i8",4-i8;o 1852-1808 1 8oq- 1 87 1 1871-1876 187Q-1882 1884-1886 1888- 1 89-, 1804-1 8*57 i8qo- SDcacons anti oJlDcr?. Deacons. Solomon Closk, John Bouton. ElDcrs. Solomon Closk, John Bouton, JosiAH Gilbert, Esq_., Joseph Osburn, Thaddeus Crane, Joseph Benedict, Nathaniel Wicks, Nathan Rockwell, Capt. Gould Bouton, Capt. Samuel Lawrence, Thaddeus Rockwell, David Northrop, Aaron Keei.er, Miah Northrop, William Townsend. Nehemiah Northrop, Thomas Mead, JosiAH Gilbert, Second, Jaked Bouton, Ezra Northrop, Aaron Northrop, Martin Mead. Second, John Bouton, Edwin Bouton. Jacob Webster, Leonard B. Todd, Webster B. Hull, Thomas Gilbert, John F. Bouton, George Evereti Hull, Henry L. St. John, Joseph A. Webster. ^^ '^mBM^^r ^F^' ^vAc? :#^^ 4V'.,^i "i ••■ -• " . \,-^ •><' / -"'^^i^AO 0/fV ^m^^mmM II I pi I ||il|| LIBRARY ■8li||{ OF CONGRESS ; :! 11 ! il I; ;l ! ,11 plil illf III ill III I il il i IP ill • * ffiiiiiiiiii liii!i^» fill pi!' Ill 'I I ., .Pi' I ill'll II llfPiii !j p Ijlj! ! Ill I ill I pillili I {i|! I i , I ' ill p ililill ili ,.n,,iiiir ini I I il ;>; i iji jl ( I I ' Ijljll i ijljjljjljjjljjjjl 1! i i i ' ijiiiiiii™' iiiij 1 1 ihiM iiilB^^^^^^^^^^^^ (I nil MM I i! II ii