t Mr. Beekman i« a native of Uddlebxuh ; graduated at Prln
: .ual seminary, ism. He traa ordained pastor of the
Old rarmlogton Ohureh, In Ullnola, In is''J; called I
â– â– i.i . In ISM He is now engaged in private
i I'nii ,l.ii and supplying vacant churches on the Sabbath.
318
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
dained 1S31), John E. Holcoinbe (ordained lS5:i, died 1859), William
Waldron (ordained 1853, died 1866), Kalph Sutphin (ordained 1853),
John H. Johnson (ordained 1S65, removed 1872), Jacob S. Prall (or-
dained 1865, removed 186S), Jacob Voorhees (ordained 1865, died
1870), Zebulon Stout (ordained 1S70), William Hill (ordained 1870),
Irenseus R. Glen, M.D. (ordained 1S70, removed 1871), John T. Bellis
(ordained 1S72), George P. Bex, M.D. (ordained 1872), Abraham J.
Prall (ordained 1872).*
BAPTIST CHURCH, FLEMINGTON.
The beginning of any local interest in the Baptist
denomination in Fleniington, as near as can now be
ascertained, was in the year 1765 (ten years before
the first gun of the Revolution was fired), when
Thomas Lowrey and James Eddy gave the land (about
half an acre) for a Baptist meeting-house. The lot
was situated on the northeast corner of the main
street and the New Brunswick and Somerville roads. f
The house was erected in 1766, under the direction of
Thomas Lowrey, James Eddy, Gershom Lee, Jonathan
Higgins, John Jewell, and others. This was the first
Baptist meeting-house in Amwell township, which at
that time, together with the adjoining township of
Kingwood, was a part of Bethlehem ; since 1838,
when Amwell was divided, this church has defined
its location as in Raritan township. Although not a
regularly-constituted church, it was called the " Bap-
tist Meeting of Amwell,"J and was supplied with
preaching by neighboring ministers. Rev. David
Sutton, of Kingwood, supplied them for some time
during the Revolutionary war; he was finally shut
out of the meeting-house by Mr. Jewell, because he
was thought to be too favorable to the British.
About this time the American soldiers used the house
as a barracks and hospital, the marks of their fire-
arms being visible on the floor as late as 1825.
Following Sutton was Rev. Nicholas Cox, " a min-
ister of considerable talent, then of Kingwood." He
supplied a part of his time regularly, but in 1790-91
declared himself a Universalist. This was a great
* The writer would acknowledge obligation** to Rev. Amzi L, Arm-
strong, stated cleric of Presbytery of Now Brunswick, for transcript of
proceedings of Presbytery; also to ltev. Goorgo S. Mott, D.D., and E.
Vosseler, Esq., of Fleiniugton, for tho loan of documents.
â– f Barber'B Illst. Coll. State of New Jersey, p. 263.
X Tho title of this church was changed in 1853 to tho "Baptist Church
of Iflomiugton." See " Minutes of the Seventy-seventh General Assem-
bly of Stato of New Jersey," 1853, pp. 107, 364, 417.
shock, and prostrated the church for some time.
There was but little preaching for the next four
years; then Rev. J. Ewing, of Hopewell, supplied
them for ten months. In 1795, Rev. G. A. Hunt, of
Kingwood, engaged with them for one-third of his
time. At this period the meeting-house was almost
in ruins ; but, their circumstances becoming more
auspicious, the house was repaired, and June 19,
1798, there were fifteen persons constituted into a
regular Baptist church, under the title of " The Bap-
tist Church of Amwell." The names of these original
members were Nathaniel Higgins, William Merrell,
Jane Merrell, Elizabeth Hartenbrook, Sarah Ott,
John Runyan, John Carr, John Manners, Sarah Sut-
phin, Hannah Wolverton, Rachel Manners, Anna
Higgins, Elizabeth Yard, Anna Craven, and Mar-
garet Wilson. The first six were baptized at Fleni-
ington by Rev. G. A. Hunt, of Kingwood church ; the
others were from Kingwood and Hopewell churches.
They then elected their deacons, their clerk, and a
board of trustees. Rev. Mr. Hunt baptized fifty into
his fold during his pastorate, which he resigned in
the fall of 1803. In conjunction with Kingwood, in
1804, they called the Rev. James McLaughlin as their
minister. He officiated until 1809, and was succeeded
by Rev. Dr. Daniel Sweeney, whose pastorate con-
tinued less than one year. Feb. 1, 1812, they called
Rev. Charles Bartolette, of Lower Dublin, Pa., who
had the pastoral charge for thirty-four years. When
he came the membership was only about seventy.
The church edifice was again repaired and painted.
A course of prosperity was now fully inaugurated,
and their numerical strength so augmented as to ren-
der their house too small for their accommodation ;
therefore, in 1836, the second edifice was erected.
The number of communicants in 1844 was about 300.
Rev. Mr. Bartolette resigned in April, 1846, having
baptized more than 400 during his stay.£ His suc-
cessors, with the year of pastorate, have been Revs.
Clarence W. Mulford, 1846^9; Levi G. Beck, 1849-
51 ; Thomas Swaim, 1851-67 ; E. J. Woods, 1867-72 ;
T. E. Vassar, 1872-80. The Rev. Mr. Vassal- resigned
this charge during the fall of the present year (1880),
and up to the present time no call has been made to
his successor.
The imperfection of the early records of the church
render it difficult exactly to report the statistics of
this church, but they give a summary something as
follows : 997 baptized, about 200 received by letter,
about 250 died, 100 excluded, nearly 550 dismissed,
and a fraction over 500 still remain in good standing.
During the past forty years the charitable collections
have amounted to over $30,000, while the amount
raised for church edifices and the support of the gos-
pel has been quite $150,000. Seven persons have gone
forth from this church to preach the gospel, — Thomas
Ban-ass and William Pollard in 1830; Edward Bar-
§ Ho died a few years later, i
Ridge church.
nd was buried ill the shadow of the Sandy
RA1UTAN.
319
rasa in 1881 ; William I!. Stroupe and John L.
Brooks in 1843; Moses Heath in IN.M ; and J. I).
Merrell in 1854
The seventy-fifth anniversary of the organization of
this church was celebrated hy suitable exercises, on
which occasion an historical sermon was prea bed
by Rev. T. E. Vassar, and addresses delivered by ex-
pastor 1 >r. Thomas Swaim, Rev. ll. P.Smith, A. D.
Willifer. etc.
Offlcm of the Clturch (1880).
Pustor, Ttiomiw Edwin Viissar ; Dfncons, John 0. Biggfl, Judlah Hlggins,
Jr., Ana Bnyduln, Av«ry I'utlei, .1 iiim lit l:iiis, Chester Yau
Syckel ; Clerk, Asa Suydam ; Treasurer, Ilwiy A. Flack.
BAPTIST CHTJRCH, II EMING l"V
The present church ediliee was erected in |si!7. [|
cost, including organ and furniture, over $40, II is
liMH) sittings. The sin,, lure is tin- iargesl of any in
the count] used for divine worship, and the congre-
gation one of the largest, it' not the largest, about
800 persons being connected w itfa it
The Sunday-school was formed in 1880. Its first
superintendent was < 'harles < reorge, the editor of the
paper now known :i~ the Hunterdon County l>
It numbered '.'â– "> all told, most of the teachers belong-
ing to a familj now extinct in Flemington, but then
prominent, — the Blackwells, The school has enrolled
to-day 880. Its superintendent is J. \V. Britton. He
is assisted bj 80 officers and teachers.
METHODIST EPISCOPA1 I ill ROD, VI i.Mlv.
A great sensation was produced in the Presbyterian
Church when, one Sunday morning in 1822, the Rev.
* Afterwards, published in pamphlet form. f ity BaT, U. Johoa.
Dr. Clark stated that he had been requested by per-
son- calling themselves Methodists to announce that a
meeting would I"- held by them that afternoon in the
court-house. The men who thus desired to commi nee
Methodist meetings in Flemington were David and
[saac .lame-, brothers and local preachers from Tren-
ton. They had been invited to come by Asher At-
kinson, a Quaker, distinguished tor his love ofa good
argument on knotty theological questions, and partic-
ularly noted lor a strong antipathy against the * lalvin-
istic creed.
Popular opinion was divided on the question of
allowing the court-house to be used by the strange
Methodists,^ and Asher Atkinson, finding that the
janitrcss was disposed to keep the building closed,
strongly remonstrated with her, saying. " Lei me tell
you I am going to do as J please: when I say a thing
1 mean it. They are coming here, and are going to
preach. The sberilf has given his consent, and they
shall preach." David James was the preacher that
day, and thus the firal Methodist sermon ever heard
in Flemington was preached by him, his brother fol-
lowingwith another sermon a week or two afterwards.
In 1828, Flemington was made a regular appoint-
ment on the Trenton I 'ircuit, Bartholomew Weed and
.lame- McLauren being the stationed preachers.
In the fall of that year a camp-meeting, called the
"Stony Ground Camp-meeting," was li. 1.1 on land
own,, I bj Asher Atkinson, located near Mr. Charles
Sanson's. At this meeting ab.,nt forty professed
â– version. The most of them joined the Methodist
i burch and were organized into a class. Among the
number were Samuel Atkinson and Thomas ('arhart.
Polly Timbruck, living in the old house now occupied
by the Miller family, having joined the little band,
claSS-meetingS were regularly held in her house.
About this time John Atkinson i half-brother to
Samuel), a cabinet-maker, came from Philadelphia to
live here, lie was an earnest Christian, was the Brat
regular class-leader, and has been called the father of
Methodism in Flemington.
John ('reamer and [saac Winner were stationed
here in the spring of 1824, and then the question ,,i a
church edifice was agitated. A subscription paper
was drawn up by William Qiff, secretary of the offi-
cial board, ami indorsed by the w idclv-know n and
much-esteemed Manning Force, then presiding elder
• it' the Trenton district. David James and John At-
kinson were appointed a committee to " collect dona-
tions and subscriptions for building a meeting-house,
to and for the use ofthe Methodist Episcopal Society
; (hiring t! jraarethe tit 1 1 â– - band of Uethodlsta bad t.. oontandwIUi
SYeryalde. Tha following extract from tho
I Dntcb Chorea -
Idaaof the eatlmato placed "i iDthembyth. ntharcbni hi ofthetowo
and . . • 1 1 1 1 1 >- :
April 171b, 1T86\— "Margaret Dam horehtn
conntanan
..f -in, readmitted to the beui hi ot thai aw
320
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
of Flemington." A board of trustees was elected,
consisting of Andrew Hoagland, Samuel Atkinson,
Asher Hankinson, John Atkinson, and Peter Bodine,
taking for their corporate name " The Trustees of the
Methodist Episcopal Society of Flemington." The
lot on which the church now stands, designated as
"on the corner adjoining Charles Bonnell's tavern,"
was obtained from Thomas Capner, Esq., for the
nominal sum of $50.
The subscription-list shows that moneys were ob-
tained from Trenton, Pennington, Bordentown, Allen-
town, Crosswicks, Lebanon, Haverstraw, Nyack, New
York, New Brunswick, and other places, in sums
ranging from six and one-quarter cents up to $20.
The building, commenced in the fall of 1825, was
completed in the spring of 1826, John Walker and
Richard W. Petherbridge being the stationed preach-
ers. A camp-meeting for the Trenton and Asbury
Circuits was held in this neighborhood, probably on
grounds near the residence of John Huff, from June
9 to 14, 1825.
After the burning of the court-house, in 1828, this
church was occupied for the holding of the several
courts ; four regular terms, besides special terms for a
year, were held therein.
In 1826, John Walker and James Moore were sta-
tioned on the circuit; 1827-28, Thomas Davis and
William H. Bull; 1829, J. Finley and M. Lacost;
1830, John Finley and James H. McFarland ; 1831,
Richard W. Petherbridge (second term) and John
Buckley ; 1832, Solomon Higgins, while Mr. Pether-
bridge seems to have settled on the circuit as super-
numerary, — that is, temporarily retired ; 1833, Thomas
J. Thompson.
In 1834, Flemington appears on the minutes as a
separate circuit on the East Jersey district, it having
been heretofore connected with the Trenton Circuit.
J. S. Swaim was appointed preacher in charge. J.
L. Lcnhart followed him in 1835. Mr. Lenhart pos-
sessed considerable popular talent, and years later,
when chaplain in the United States navy, met with a
tragic fate, going down with the "Cumberland" in
the gallant but unequal conflict with the ironclad
" Merrimac."
The total number of members reported this year
for the circuit was 127 whites and 5 colored (in those
days the colored members were reported separately) ;
the amount of collections, $4.78. In the following
spring, when Mr. Lenhart's time expired, 170 white
members and 13 colored were reported. J. Lewis was
then stationed here.
In the year 1837 the old Philadelphia Conference
whs divided, and Flemington appears in the minutes
of the New Jersey Conference and Newark district.
The circuit must have, been divided also, for only 98
white and 3 colored members were reported; but the
collections amounted to $19.29. Manning Force was
presiding elder, James Hevener and J. M. Tuttlc the
preachers for tfcis and the following year. While
Mr. Tuttle was here controversy between the Baptists
and Methodists ran high. He invited Rev. Anthony
Atwood to come and preach on the points in dispute.
He having lately published a book or tract on " Bap-
tism," Mr. Tuttle supposed him to be just the man
for the occasion. Three sermons were preached by
Mr. Atwood.
In 1839, William Hanley and James White were
stationed here ; 1840, Abraham K. Street and George
Hichins ; 1841, A. K. Street and Washington Thomas ;
1842, J. W. McDougall and T. T. Campfield. Mr.
Campfield's letter gives a full and interesting account
of the circuit, especially of the great revivals with
which it was favored, and of the work of a Methodist
preacher in those days :
3 "Our Sabbath preaching-places were Flemington, Readington, Ser-
geantsville, Lambertville, and the Rocks, in Ainwell township. We held
an extra meeting in the woods at Amwell, commencing on the 15th of
September and continued it until November, — part of tho time in the
woods, at night in a large barn. When it stormed we had it in the school-
house. Over 70 conversions ; GO of this number joined our church. Then
we held an extra meeting at Keadington which lasted twelve weeks ; 120
converted; 102 joined the church. We then commenced an extra meet-
ing at Flemington about Christmas of that year, and about 30 con-
verted. In January, 18-13, we held a meeting at Lambertville; 25 con-
verted and joined our church. In February we held a meeting at
Sergeantsville, with 60 conversions, Rev. Enoch Green, of the New Jer-
sey Conference, being one of them. This meeting was contimred until
the last of March. Then wo went to Conference, held at New Bruns-
wick, N.J. Mr. McDougall lived at Flemington, in a rented house, near
the Presbyterian church. I had my home among the people, a few days
in a place. Rev. McDougall received §300 as salary, and a house ; my
allowance was S100. Over 300 were converted during that year."
In 1843, Edward Page and J. F. Canfield were here ;
391 white and 14 colored members were reported. In
1844, "Flemington and Readington" was the name
given to the charge, and Edward Saunders was the
preacher ; 1845-46, Caleb A. Lippincott. He was
altogether a most remarkable man, — eccentric, pos-
sessing natural talents of a very high order, and
highly successful everywhere. The parsonage was
then built, its first occupant being Nesley Robertson,
1847^8. The house was in an unfinished state when
Mr. Robertson arrived, and the people thought them-
selves unable to add the improvements necessary to
make it habitable, but by his persuasions a successful
effort was made.
In 1849-50, Joseph Ashbrook was appointed. Dur-
ing his first year an unfortunate disagreement between
him and some of the prominent members made a great
deal of trouble and hindered the prosperity of the
church. So strong was the feeling that a protest was
made against his return the second year ; and when,
in the face of that protest, Mr. Ashbrook was reap-
pointed, several persons left the church, never to re-
turn. In 1851-52, J. W. McDougall was stationed
here for the second time.
In 1853-54, J. P. Daily was pastor.
In 1855-56, Fletcher Lummis preached ; in 1857, S.
Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong was a man of marked
ability, a strong anti-slavery man.
In 1858-59, Thomas Walters, a genial Englishman,
RARITAX.
321
a good singer, and a master in the ait of phonography.
Hi was popular with all classes. The Presbyterians
were particularly friendly towards him, and when his
two little children, twins, died, they gave him the
burial-spot in their graveyard where the little ones
Were tenderly laid away.
t i. Vanhome was the preacher tor 1 si in -til. During
his term the church edifice was greatlj improved and
enlarged, at an expense of over $4000. The proposed
constitutional amendment changing the term of-min-
isterial service from two years to three was brought
before the Quarterly Conference, and the vote was
declared to be in favor of the old rule of two years.
In 1862-63, Sylvester II. ( Ipdyke served; 1804-06, J.
P. Daily, From an item in the pastor's report, April
80, 1864, to the Quarterly Conference, we learn when
the Sunday-school, in connection with the church,
was established. I le says, —
" Thoro ]» nothing in connection with this churob that is a morocheor-
fug sign of advancement than tin- present stato uf it* Su.nl e
owe round tl.is charge with no Sunday-school; there is
DOW a good one at this place, kopt open all tho year, and an nvorngo
attendance of Ofty nohu
David Wallers had charge in 1867-09. Flemington
become a station the year of Mr. Walter's appoint-
ment, tin' Rcadington Church in connection with Al-
lertown having. I. W. Dalley as its pa-tor.
In 1870 71, Albert II. Brown was the preacher in
charge; 1872 74, G. II. Winans; 1875, S. J. Morris j
i T6-'i -, T. E. Gordon; 1879, Richard Johns, at
present stationed here.
The last official report gives the church li»" mem-
bers and 1:; probationers.
The Sunday-school, under the supcrintendency of
Dennis S. Hall, reported _7 ollicers and teachers and
I 10 scholars.
Tin; KPiseoi'Ai. cm iau, i lkminctos-.
When tin' first Episcopal services were held here is
not known, although, no doubt, quite early in this
century. A. chapel was also built quite early, but at
what time is not definitely known. By appointment
ofthe Right Rev. Bishop of the diocese, the Rev. Mr.
( 'rane officiated here on everj alternate Sabbath after-
noon, "at four o'clock, in the session-room." This
was in the summer of L888. The Right Rev. Bishop
Doanc, on his annual visitation, preached at "Cal-
vary church," Tuesday evening, Oct. is and Wed-
nesday morning, Oct. I!', 1842.1
Mrs. E. A. Perry contributes the following reminis-
oences :
"About thirty yean Binco wo, as u family, remoTed to Flemington,
wishing to enjoy ohurofa privileges. A chapel belonging to thodioceso
thon occupied tho lot when Dr. Rowland^ house now ^tan.ls. A tin.*
avenue of treea extended quite a distance in'" the lot, which ran through
to a parallel street, Intended to! notary, tlr. William Olark
burled a child there ; i I « ""t lew man] others.
"The ss spring that we oame to Fit mlngton the officiating mission-
ary, Mr. Adams, loft the place with othet pi iminenl mbers, Inolndlng
(Iw family of WlUlam DaviS, who wore earnest and rhVieul workers.
Tho chapel was closed fur some tiino. Tho Rev. Mr. Drown, from Lain-
bertvUle, held afternoon service* in it a fow times to an exceedingly
small congregation. Atterwards the cha|>el was sold, to close the ni-n-
gago.
"Tho Rov.S. P. Jacques, from Port Coldon, openod the i—r\ ices again,
with much earnestness, in tho court-room, and the communion-service in
our parlors, to a very lew communicants. Then, thai we might have
regular Sunday services, I secured the services (from the New York
Theological Seminary) of a student, Mr. Wennuiu, a* a tutor to my sons
through ttie week, the hitdiop constituting him a lay-reader. After Mr.
Wenmanlefi we had Infrequent eorvices, sometimes led by lay-readers,
sometimes by ordained ministers."
After this services were held here at intervals, but
without any ,-etiled rector, and sustained mainly
through the zealous labors of a few churchmen and
women, prominent among whom may be mentioned
Mrs. Dr. Sullivan. During the past year the erection
of a line chapel was commenced in the village, and
i lie tokens indicate a revival of interest and effort in
this church.
ST. MARY MAGDALENE DB PASSU) (ROMAN CATlIOLIC)
i in iti ii of i [,i:misi;ton:
Prior to 1847 there were but two families of this
faith in Flemington, embracing four adults and one
child. The working of the copper-mine, west of the
village, brought thither quite a number of Irish
miners. There was no ehtireh here at that date, but,
through the invitation of the miners, Father Maekin.
Of Trenton, visited this place Sept. IS, Is 17. held -er-
vices at the house of a miner mimed James Hurley,
on Sunday the 19th, and then went to Lambertville,
when- was a Catholic mission. lie was the first priest
to celebrate mass in or near Flemington. He visited
I 'lemington again on < 'hristinas Eve, and in February
following.
In April, 1848, the mining was suspended and the
miners ' who were < latholics) all left. From that time
until 1868 no priest came here. In that year Father
Jcigou, a French priest, was located in the Lambert-
ville pariah, which then included this place ; he vis-
ited Flemington Once a month for four years, and
hehl mass in the dwelling-houses of Myles Cunning-
ham, Joseph Purcell, William Porcell, Nicholas
Barry, and William Dennis. During this time they
had grown to number six Catholic Families. Many
young women of this faith also came to Flemington
and found employment as servant-. Such was the
increase that in L858 it was proposed to build a
church. September 16th of that year, at a meeting
held at the bouse of Myles Cunningham, it was re-
solved to purchase a lot and build a church. The lot
was purchased of ex-Sheriff B tell, and William
Purcell and Myles Cunningham solicited subscrip-
tions trom the people ofthe village to pay for the
same. The citizens generally and generously re-
sponded to this appeal for help, and they proceeded
to erect a small church, 24 by •"! feet, which accom-
modated the Catholic people until 1879. In the sum-
mer of that year, and during the ministrations of the
late pastor, Rev. B. Henry Tef Woert, it was resolved
' tinnier Am Unfile, July 18, lsast.
t I hid., 1M2.
; From memonnda fornlshed by Myles Cunningham.
322
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
to build a new church. To the subscription-paper
which was circulated the people of the village of all
denominations very kindly responded, some giving
liberally, and almost all giving something. The
corner-stone was laid on the first Sunday in Septem-
ber, by Right Rev. Bishop Corrigan, and December
21st it was dedicated by the same personage. The
church is 37 by 66 feet, and cost $3200, besides some
$500 in labor, etc. The lot is paid for, and the church
also, save a small incumbrance. Myles Cunningham
and James H. Murphy are the present trustees.
From 1848 to 1879 this church was attended by the
priests located at Lanibertville, — namely, Fathers Jei-
gou, Carny, Catlen, O'Keefe, Murphy, P. F. Connolly,
J. P. Connolly, and B. H. Ter Woert, the latter of
whom officiated until July 1, 1880. The present
pastor, Father Brady, resides at Clinton, and attends
the three churches, — of that place, High Bridge, and
Flemington. This church has received six visits and
two lectures from the Right Rev. Bishop Bailey,
bishop of the diocese, and three visits and lectures
from Bishop Corrigan.
The Catholic population of Flemington about a
year ago was 250 individuals, but since that date
several families have moved to Raritan, Somerset
Co., so that it does not now embrace more than 180.
CEMETERIES.
The first burial-ground of Flemington was on the
knoll back of the dwelling of Judiah Higgins, upon
Mr. Fleming's land. His first wife was there interred.
Afterwards most of the bodies were removed to the
cemetery on the south side of Academy Street.*
The cemeteries now in use for mortuary purposes