his brother, started a school. A scheme to purchase
the building known as the old Amwell Academy, and
to start a school therein, was soon formed. The two
brothers entered into partnership, under the firm-name
" The Seminary at Ringos, N. J." The building was
bought, and preparations to begin a school were made
in December, 1869. The school was arranged for both
sexes.
The first term began Jan. 3, 1870. There were in
attendance 29 pupils. The faculty was as follows:
Rev. A. B. Larison, M.D., principal, Latin, Greek,
and moral science ; Mrs. K. B. Larison, English litera-
ture and French ; C. W. Larison, M.D., natural sci-
ence. The school fully met the expectations of its
patrons, and at once became very popular.
During the early part of the second academic year
it became necessary to enlarge the faculty. Charles
M. Lee, M.D., was added as teacher of mathematics,
and Miss Margaret Aller as teacher of music.
Sept. 25, 1872, the seminary suffered the loss of its
worthy principal, Rev. A. B. Larison, M.D. This
necessitated a considerable change. His widow, Mrs.
Catharine B. Larison, became, in his stead, partner to
the survivor of the firm. C. W. Larison became the
principal of the school, and assumed the duties of
teacher of Latin and Greek, in addition to his duties
as teacher of natural science. Mrs. Catharine B.
Larison kept charge of the department of English
literature and French, and Mrs. Mary Jane Larison
was appointed teacher of mathematics.
June 19, 1874, the seminary held its first commence-
ment. The deportment of the officers and students
was such as to win for it many friends. From this
day its old supporters grew more and more warmly
attached to it, new ones became zealous, and, as time
advanced, opponents became fewer. There was but
one student to receive the honors, — Miss Carrie Wal-
dron, of Kingston, N. Y.
During the first term of the academic year 1874-75
several changes occurred : C. W. Larison, having been
appointed professor of natural science in the univer-
sity at Lewisburg, Pa., resigned his position in the
faculty. Mrs. Catharine B. Larison became principal,
and the Rev. Ebon J. Pearce, A.M., was employed
to teach Latin and Greek. Under this arrangement
the school prospered, and new friends were gained for
the institution. At this time the school in the village
that had been started in opposition to the seminary
closed, and many advocates of that enterprise now
patronized the old institution.
In December, 1877, Rev. Charles S. Converse, A.M.
was appointed lecturer on belles-lettres. His work
proved very satisfactory, and many of the lectures
were published in the Lambertville Record. About
the same time, Rev. J. M. Helsley was appointed
lecturer on biblical literature.
During the academic years 1877-78, Miss Mary A.
Reading acted as an assistant to the principal, and
Miss Annie Williamson as teacher of music.
In this school there has been for some years a cus-
tom of selecting from the higher classes the students
most efficient as teachers to assist the principal.
Among those thus selected have been Rettie Dalrym-
ple, Mary A. Reading, Annie Ingraham, Amos Haines ;
Hiram Fisher, Cora Williamson, Lizzie M. Reading,
and Mary Y. Fisher.
The graduates of the seminary are as follows :
Class of 1873: Carrie Waldron, Kingston, N. Y. ;
Class of 1874 : Mary S. Hampton, Oliver I. Black-
well, Lorenzo D. Hagaman ; Class of 1877 : Henri-
etta Dalrymple, George E. Mathews, E. Stanton Wil-
liamson ; Class of 1878 : Annie E. Ingraham, Mary
A. Reading; Class of 1880: Mary Y. Fisher, Lizzie
M. Reading.*
CHURCHES.
Within the limits of this township are now located
six churches, of which two are Presbyterian — the
" Kirkpatrick Memorial," at Ringos, and the " United
First," at Pleasant Corner ; two belong to the Bap-
tist denomination, and are located at Ringos and
AVertsville ; one, Methodist Episcopal, is located at
New Market; and a Unitarian, on the Sourland
Mountain, in the southeast corner of the township.
So early as 1725 an Episcopal church was in exist-
ence at Ringos. It was built of logs, and was located
just beyond the railroad station.! " It was organized
* Since this article was prepared Isaiah N. Leigh lias taken charge of
tho school, during the absence of Miss Larison as teacher in the Female
Institute at Lewisburg, Pa.
t An indenture made Jan. 22, 1726, between Wm. Lummox, and John
Knowles and Duncan Oliphant, all of Amwell township, witnesseth, that
" in consideration of the Bum of five shillings of current silver money, 1 '
Wm. Lummox conveyed unto Knowles and Oliphant a tract of land con-
taining cloven acres, " being a part of tho plantation whereon the said
Wm. Lummox now lives," the bounds of which began in the lino of
Wm. Lummox and Francis Mooro's land, and rail " by land of Godfrey
Totors, crossing the King's road" (the Old York Road) ; being part of a
larger tract purchusod by Lummox of Nathan Allen of Monmouth. This
conveyance was in " trust to the solo benefit and towards tho settling of
tho Church of England ministry, and for no other intent or purpose
whatsoever." Sealed and delivered in presence of John Parke, Na-
thaniel 1'oltit, John S. Locker, Christopher Becket, etc., and attested
by John Heading.
EAST AM WELL.
359
under a charter from the Crown bj a missionary of
tin Society for the Propagation of the < rospel in For-
eign Parts. ' Both organization and edifice ha
since ceased to exist, and .-it the present time ao
copal society is i" be found in Easl Amwell.
Tin: DOTTED FIRST 0H1 BCH m .\ \| w I II..;
Little nr nothing can be fonnd of the earliest eccle-
siastica] history of the Amwell Germans. Churches
abounded iii this n-i.iii hi mi early day. St. Peter's
(Episcopal) church was located where the Etingos
public school now Btands, and the Amwell First
13 terian 1 church was only one and a half miles
to the east, in the old graveyard. A few years later
1 1 76 1 1 the Amwell Second I Presbj terian church was
erected at Mount Airy.
Our (li -i-riui n :i in c-stors early took measures to have
.1 church of their own. Tradition speaks of an old
lot: house, but there is nothing certain concerning it.
The earliesi authentic date is November, 1717, — the
time when Rev. Michael Schlatter visited Amu-ell.
The German churches in Ajnerica had very few min-
isters ioiiK lour in L760) ami but sixteen charges,
several neighboring congregations constituting one
charge. All but three of these were in Pennsylvania.
Only one was in New Jersej , composed of the Am well
and Rockaway and Fox Bill congregations.
Rev. Michael Schlatter was sent from Germany as
gem 1.1 1 superintendent in L746. He resided in Phil-
adelphia, and had charge of the German churches
there ami in Germantown, but most of his time was
spent in visiting the vacant chimin â– -. [ieinc invited
by the New Jersey congregations, he came to thi no in
November, 1717, and adiuinistered the rites of the
Lord's Supper ami ha pi i-n 1. At thi - time the Amwell
church had been without regular preaching for up-
wards of three years. Thirty members took part in
this communion-service.
The next date is Jan. 21, L749, when the deed to
the graveyard was made by .lames Whittakei to Wil-
liam Case, Peter Hofman, and William Bellowsfelt,
"trustees for the Calvinistical High Dutch Congrega-
tion." Whittaker derived his title from the heirs of
Anthony Diezdorf, to wb it was deeded in I742by
Nathan Allen, of \ lleiiti .\\ n. Tl Id stone hoii-e
was erected the same year. The minutes of the old
Dutch Church in N.« fork, of date May 22, 1749,
record a resolution to paj £15 to the High Dutch Re-
formed Congregation at Amwell, to help in bull
church, sinee their own mean- fall short, signed by
John Ritzema, pastor. The church was consecrated
Dec. I. L749. The services were conducted !
George Michael Weiss or Weitzius and Rev. John
Philip l.eiiiieii. December 2d a congregational meet-
ing was held, and " Articles of ( ir.hr ami Discipline"
adopted and signed by the ministers present and
fcwentj three male mi mbi 1-. \ re extended series
• "Kii>l e. i.lniy ..I IIiii.Imi.1mi. i.mm.i.v." I; M . I'i M 11.
; Bj Rot. ( - •
of rule- was adopted on July 12, 17''.!'. in addition to
those of 1749. They were again confirmed in congre-
gational meeting Nov. L6, 176S.
I he record-book of the old church has unfortu-
nately been lost. For the next sixty years little can
be given of interest, except such facts about early
pastors as are given in " Harbaugh's Lives." It has
been found imi.ossii.lc to obtain a complete li-t of the
German pastors, and there is some uncertain^ about
the dates of some of them. Their names, as far as
known, will be given in regular order.
Rev. John Conrad Wirt/, did not live at Amwell.
hut came to Rockaway and Fox Hill (Lebanon and
German Valley) soon after Mr. Schlatter's visits
1750 62 . He is supposed to have preached also in
tin \mwcll church. But little is known of him. lie
was the ancestor of Hon. Alexander Wurts, of Flem-
ington.
Some . dd receipts indicate that Ihv. John Casper
Lapp was serving here in 1755 56, but nothing is
known of him.
Rev. William Kails (1757-59) came from London
in 1756 and labored in Philadelphia till his settlement
here. After having Amwell he preached in New
York. Rev. Caspar Michael StabelJ (1762-68) re-
sided in Amwell. hut preached also in I.,!. aicn and
German Valley. His ministry here was short, but
successful. He died in 1766, and is buried in our
aid.
The name of l!cv. l-'rclcrie Dalliker (T7l'i.".-70) was
originally De la Cour; he was probably ofHugui oot
descent. He died in 1799 and is buried in the Ger-
man Reformed cemetery at Faulkner Swamp, Pa.
The life of Rev. John Wesley Gilbert Nevelling
I 77H s:l 1 al 1011 in Is iii historic interest. Morn in W. -1-
phalia in 177.li, he came to America in his boyhood,
and studied theology with his uncle and another
German minister. He preached at Amwell when lit-
tle more than a boy — only twenty ; and soon after was
ordained. Mr. Nevelling was an ardent patriot in
the Revolution. Hesold his property and loaned the
iii..iic\ some siio.oiiti -to Congress. He was after-
wards defrauded of his certificate and left destitute.
The British offered a large reward for his capture, and
at one time Gen. Washington sent a troop of horse to
protect him. After the war he re veil to Reading,
Pa., but was soon disabled by a remarkable accident
He was a devoted smoker. While riding on horse-
back his horse fell with him, and the Btem of his pipe
pierced his throat. The remainder of his Ion
was -pent as an invalid; he was a paralytic
\.ar- and entirely helpli - forty. He Ii\cl in Phila-
delphia in his last years, ami died Jan. L8, 1844, aged
ninety-four.
Rev. John Jacob Wacs 1798 L806) was the last
German pastor. He married an aunt of John. Wil-
liam, and David S. Bellis, now elders. He was the
-
360
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
first pastor who used English in this church. After
leaving Am well he labored in New York, and was a
chaplain in the army during the war of 1812-14. He
subsequently became an independent minister.
English Period. — We now enter the second period
of our history. Like the other German churches of this
neighborhood the difficulty of being remote from the
German Synod of Pennsylvania was keenly felt. All
of them about the same time, led by the same cause,
abandoned their old connection and entered the
Presbyterian Church.
The name of the church was changed at this time.
At first it was spoken of in the old deeds as " The
High Dutch Calvenistical or Preisbeterian Church ;"
in 1800 they adopted the title "German Presbyterian
Church of Amwell ;" in 1809 it became the " Arnwell
Dutch Reformed Church ;" and in 1810 it assumed its
jsresent title, the "United First Church of Amwell."
This was the result of a union with the Amwell
First Church. All the Amwell Presbyterian Churches
were at this time vacant. The Flemington Church
made overtures for a union in supporting a pastor,
but they were declined. A similar proposition from
the Amwell First was accepted. Together they had
funds yielding about $600 a year. In April, 1810, in
conjuction with the Amwell Second Church, they
called the Rev. Jacob Kirkpatrick, a licentiate of the
Presbytery of New Brunswick. He was ordained in
the Amwell First Church, or " old house," June 20,
1810. The arrangement was that he should preach
twice a month at Mount Airy and once a month in
each of the two houses of the United First.
In 1818 the United First Church divided its funds
and separated into its component elements. For
several years unsuccessful efforts had been made to
secure a new church building in place of the two old
ones, which were too small and uncomfortable. They
were unable to agree, and it was thought best to sever
the connection. The old First Church branch resumed
that name, while the German branch retained the
name United First.
The same year the present building was erected, on
a lot given by Mr. Joseph Kugler, to the west of the
old graveyard. Both branches desired to retain Dr.
Kirkpatrick's services, but it was decided that he
should remain with the United First and Amwell
Second, preaching alternately in the two places.
In 1823 a separate bench of elders was elected for the
United First Church. After the union with the Am-
well First, one Session attended to the spiritual affairs
of the three congregations, and this arrangement con-
tinued for several years after the withdrawal of the
First Church. It was now thought best that each
congregation should have its own Session. The ear-
liest list of elders to be found is of date 1798, twelve
years before the union. They were Peter Young,
Jacob Fisher, Peter Bisler, and John Trimmer; with
Adam Bellis, Jacob Young, Paul Kulil, Jr., and Jacob
Bearder as deacons. In May, 1823, Peter Young and
George Dilts were the elders present at the first
meeting of the separate Session. John T. Skillman
and John Vandyke were nominated at this meeting,
and ordained in August, 1823. Others have since
been elected at intervals, — in January, 1830, David
Bellis and Thomas Skillman; May, 1836, John Kuhl,
C. Farley Fisher, and Derrick Sutphin; November,
1848, William M. Bellis, James J. Fisher, Sr., and
John William Bellis ; May, 1859, George F. Wilson
and D. B. Kirkpatrick; March, 1867, Theodore Y.
Van Marter and Dr. Jacob Dilts ; February, 1873,
David S. Bellis, Jacob Brewer, William W. Fisher,
and William Brewer. Thus in nearly sixty years
this church has elected eighteen ruling elders. Six
are still in active service, and three others are living
and in the bounds of the village congregation.
In September, 1852, the congregation decided to
employ a co-pastor with Dr. Kirkpatrick. This
action was the result of a conviction that, as both
churches were large and able, they ought to have
preaching in both houses every Sabbath. Rev. S. M.
Osmond was called in 1853, and labored zealously
here for four years. Poor health then led to his res-
ignation. After his departure the two congregations
separated in peace, and were served by separate pas-
tors, Dr. Kirkpatrick remaining with the United
First. In January, 1866, another co-pastor was
employed on account of Dr. Kirkpatrick's failing-
strength ; Rev. W. S. Wright was called, and installed
on April 28, 1866.
Rev. Dr. Jacob Kirkpatrick died May 2, 1866, in
the fifty-sixth year of his pastorate in this church.
He was universally beloved and esteemed. The
funeral sermon was preached by his aged friend and
co-presbyter, Rev. Dr. Studdiford, who soon followed
him to his rest. He sleeps in the old graveyard. A
handsome marble shaft was erected over his remains
by a subscription of the congregation. In his semi-
centennial " Historical Discourse" Dr. Kirkpatrick
speaks of having " enjoyed ten special seasons of
revival. In one year we received 117 ; in another,
67 ; and from 40 down to 20. The whole number
received is over 600." In these fifty years he " sol-
emnized 635 marriages ; attended more than 800
funerals ; preached at home and abroad more than
10,000 times."
Mr. Wright's pastorate was of short duration. The
connection was dissolved by the Presbytery of Rari-
tan, Oct. 1, 1867. He is now laboring in Pennsyl-
vania.
The next pastor was Rev. Samuel Harrison, called
June 27, 1868, and installed September 5th, of
the same year. His pastorate commenced under
great difficulties arising from the division of the
church. For many years there had been a lecture-
room in Ringos, in which Sunday-school, prayer-
meetings, and other services were held. Many were
in favor of removing the church to the village, but a
majority voted against it. The result was that the
EAST AM WELL.
361
Kirkpatrick Memorial church was built in Ringos,
and 17 members, including three elders, di-ini~~ci 1 by
Hie old church in December, 1868. The old church
was repaired and enlarged at this time. Mr. Harri-
son's pastorate will long be remembered for the re-
vival of L870. Eighty-three were received into the
church "ii profession at the spring communion, and
six more later iii the year. During his pastorate a
Sunday-school was established at the church, also a
ladies' missionary society.
.Mr. Harrison resigned in the fall of 1875, in eonse-
quence of a throal affection that disabled him from
preaching. He Btudied medicine, and is now prac-
ticing at Clover Hill, N. J.
The presenl pastor, Rev. Charles S. Converse, was
ordained and installed May 8, 1876. This is the only
ordination thai has ever taken place in this church.
The United First Church now numbers 200 mem-
ber- ' or about iMn, including scattered absentees i, and
is a united church in fact as well a.s in name.
Tilt: "KIBKPATRIOK MKMoKIAi. , in la II" (PBE8BYTEBIAN)
AT IUNUOS, N. J.«
This church was erected as a memorial of the minis-
try of Rev, Jacob Kirkpatrick, D.D., for fifty-six
years pastor of the Aniwell churches in this vicinity.
During the later years of his life Dr. Kirkpatrick
made several attempts to induce the Amwell United
First Churoh, located al Larison'e Corner, about a
mile mil of Kingos, to remove to the village of Rin-
gos, but these attempts proved ineffectual. After his
death, in isiili, the clb hi «• renewed by members of
thai congregation resident in the village and vicinity,
but still without success. Then a separation was de-
termined upon, as the following historical minute
shows:
"Thu it'll, iliii mis i,( tint vlllageof Itiiik'o* unci vicinity, baring long
been ini| d with the mill "1 lln' lie-in.- of iiniii 1 t\>r themselves and
Hi, ii . l.ii.ii .-ii nearer to them than the old place of worship, oi d all
i able and Christian effort! with theli brethren of the United lint
Clinch, Alnwi-ll, Im until' with tlii'ln ill ll l.-i linn Ofa cum.' I HUM ii
..hi .mil Bndniing edifice In tin' rlllago, and thai the whole '•■•ciKrogutiun
might be transferred. Having failed in thle attempt, tln-y resolved to
i, mi, i cherishing ao anklnd feelings toward*, tb — whodld not como
with them."
The corner-stone of the new edifice was laid Oct. 8,
ISliS. The Rev. Thoiiia- L. Jam-way, I b 1 b, made an
address and laid the stone.
The people applied iii the Presbytery of Raritan to
set them apart in a new organization, and at a meet-
ing held at Lambertville, V J., Dec. 28, L868, the
Presbj ter\ , satisfied with their reasons, and believing
that the cause of Chrisl would be thereby promoted,
resolved to grant their request and organize them
into a church, with the name of the " Kirkpatrick
Memorial church." Accordingly, on December 28th,
the committee appointed bj Presbytery met with
the applicants at Ringos, for the purpose of organiz-
ing them into a chimb. Forty-nine persons pre-
sented certificates of dismission and were enrolled as
• Bj the Bey. Alex. Miller.
members, viz.: From the Amwell United First
Church: Jacob Dilts, Malibm Schenck. Hannah M.
Schenck, Liscomb T. Bchenck, Virginia I '. Schenck,
Edward H. Schenck, Frances J. K. Schenck, George
F. Wilson, Mary A. Wilson, Nathaniel ( '•. Wilson,
Caroline Wilson, David Williamson, Mary L. Wil-
liamson, .Martha Williamson, Mary Williamson, Sa-
rah C. Williamson, Jane E. C. Williamson, Elizabeth
Kirkpatrick, Joseph C. Sutphin, Cornelia A.Sutphin,
Mary F. Egbert, Mary Ten Kyek, Catharine Tiudall,
Anna ( '. Young, Peter I. Young, .Jacob Young, I in o-
dore Y. Van Marter, Ann S. Van Marter, .Jacob S.
Van Marter, Mary C. Van Marter, Robert 1. Hunt,
Catharine T. Hunt, Frances M. Hunt, .John J. Con-
over, Henrietta Conover, < ieorge Rowland, Amanda
Rowland, Levi M. Housed, Rebecca A. Housel, Ada-
line Housed, Tin una- Van Fleet, Catharine Scrvis,
Caroline Blaekwell, Elizabeth N. Young, Peter
Brewer, Catharine Brewer, Sarah A. West, Elias
Brister. From the Presbyterian Church, Lambert-
ville: Mrs. Eliza Schenck.
At the same time, Jacob Dilts, George F. Wilson,
and Theodore Y. Van Marter were elected and in-
stalled as ruling elders, they having been previously
ordained as elders in other churches. The tinancial
interests were committed to a board of trustees, con-
sisting of Jacob Dilts, John J. Conover, Edward II.
Schenck, Cornelius Vrceland, J. < '. Sutphin, J. S.
Van .Marter, and Xoah Blackwcll. Services were
held in the lecture-room, a frame building 36 by 24
Iii t, which bad been erected near the centre of the
village by them and other residents many years be-
fore, and used for Sabbath-school, prayer-meetings,
and occasional preaching services. At the separation
from the obi church this property fell to the new or-
ganization, which built library and infant class rooms
in the rear of the building, adding 1 t feet to it-
length. It is now valued al about sl'ion.
Meantime, the new edifice was completed, and ded-
icated Oct 27, 1869. It is a substantial stone struc-
ture, Gothic style, one story and basement, with
pitched roof, 76J by I8j feet, and with seating capac-
ity of about bun. Tin- massive memorial tower 14 by
I I feet, projecting from the front centre and Slir-
inied by a spire running to a height of I- 11 feet,
form- a spacious outer vestibule to the church. It-
ecc-t may be gel down at si 2, i.
im over a year after organization the pulpit was
supplied mainly by Dr. Jam-way ami other members
..I Presbytery. The lir-t pastor was Rev. John 1>.
Hewitt, who was installed in this, his first pastorate,
April is, |s7o. Here In- ministered successfully for
nearly -even years, his pastoral relation being dis-
solved Dec. 29, 1876, upon hi- acceptance ofa call
to engage in home mission work at Helena, Mon.
After a vacancy of a few weeks, he was succeeded by
Rev. Alexander Miller, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who, on
April ... 1877, was formally in-tailed as the second
pastor.
362
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY,
In the spring of 1872 a deaconate on the rotary
principle was inaugurated, Amos M. Hart, David
Lawshe, and Isaac Cherry being elected for one, two,
and three years, respectively, and ordained and in-
stalled May 12th of that year.
In the fall of 1875 a lot was bought on the north
side of the church, and a parsonage built the follow-
ing spring, at a total cost, including lot, of about
$3500.
When the church was organized, the old " Ringos
Sabbath-school," previously carried on in the lecture-
room, was reorganized as " The Kirkpatrick Memorial
Sabbath - school." The successive superintendents
have been D. Williamson, George F. Wilson, H. H.
Gorton, D. Lawshe, and W. M. Rue. It numbers
about 100 officers, teachers, and scholars.
The present officers of the church are : Pastor, Rev.
Alexander Miller; Elders, Jacob Dilts, T. Y. Van
Marter, Jacob S. Van Marter, David Williamson,
John Rue; Deacons, Amos M. Hart, John Conover,
Levi Holcombe; Trustees, D. Williamson, W. M.
Rue, P. 0. Holcombe, Noah Blackwell, Ira Mnnson,
William S. Quick, John Conover; Superintendent of
Sunday-school, William M. Rue.
This church now numbers 170.
THE BAPTIST CHAPEL, RINGOS.
From the time Dr. C. W. Larison settled in Ringos,
in 1863, he was active in his efforts to facilitate the
progress of the gospel in the village. He believed
that the establishment of a new church (there being
but one, — the Presbyterian) would draw the crowd
away from the tavern and tend to improve the morals
of the place. After many discouragements and
prophecies of failure, Israel Poulson, a Dunkard
minister, then a merchant in the village, advised them