HISTORY

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MO/NTGOME-Rg BAPTIST

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MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA.

By EDWARD MATHEWS.

A. K. THOMAS, PUBLISHER, AMBLER, PA.

THB AMBLER GAZETTE PRINT. 1895. MONTGOMERY HAITIST CjBUKCH, 18DÖ PREFACE. The historic sketch contained in this little volume is not presumed to be exhaustive, nor comprising all that might be told concerning the past history of Montgomery church. Its preparation was prompted by the desire of the writer to pre­ serve the records of the old church book, and to multiply copies of that account, ere, through some misfortune, it might be destroyed. From the beginning, it was thought desirable to proceed further and add a narration of the origin of the church and of those who founded it in the wilderness. To this naturally grew some memorial notes concerning the several pastors who have ministered to the people during the long period since the organization of the church. The secession of New Britain in 1754, and the preceding controversy, is a matter of interest to both churches now, whilst the separation of Hilltown, in 1781, left the mother church with only a neighbor­ hood membership. The account of the constituent members in 17IQ> and of the early worthies who succeeded them, and their further fortunes, may be of interest to the large number of persons who are their descendants. E. M. NORTH WALES, PA., September, 1895. REV. CHARLES HENRY PINCHBECK. (The Present Pastor.) •History of the Montgomery Baptist Church.

The Montgomery church, like all other Neshaminy gather their waters, that run of the early Baptist churches of Penn­ to the eastward. Montgomery church is sylvania, was founded by Welsh people. situated on the northern slope of this These immigrants in considerable num­ elevation, midway between its summit bers accepted the invitation of William and the village of Colmar, on the rail­ Penn and came to the new province he road to Doylestown. had founded. Some were among the There are several points of interest earliest arrivals. The majority came be­ about the early membership of Mont­ tween 1700 and 1740. They came not gomery church, which are worthy of pre­ only to better their fortunes, but to secure liminary notice. Among these is the greater religious liberty. These Welsh fact that these early AVelsh colonists immigrants were either Friends or Bap­ were familiar with the AVelsh tongue and tists. The siteof the Montgomery church used it in ordinary conversation. They was the centre of one of these Welsh understood English, but only imperfectly. settlements, which comprised the town­ They probably used their mother tongue ships of Gwynedd, Montgomery, New for a considerable time, and doubtless Britain, Hilltown and portions of Hat­ heard preaching in that language. Un­ field and Towamencin. The Welsh in like the Germans, who were settled in Gwynedd and Towamencin were Qua­ solid bodies, they lost or discarded their kers. Elsewhere, they mostly were Bap­ language after the lapse of a generation tists. The church is situated in the or more. English was the language of northern part of Montgomery, one of the the courts, the markets, and of the books smaller townships of the county of the they read. English was taught to their same name. The early members, such children in the primitive school houses. as lived in the vicinity, were mostly res-, They were surrounded by an English- idents of the central and upper portions speaking people. The first generation of the township. More than a majority doubtless retained this knowledge of lived in New Britain, Hilltown and Hat­ Welsh, and their children must have field until the separation of the New heard it spoken. But the language seems Britain and Hilltown churches. Mont­ to have been wholly lost by the second gomery township has remained an agri­ or third generation, or at least before the cultural region, and within the last half time of the Revolution, when it had be­ century has but slowly increased in pop­ come a foreign and forgotten tongue. ulation. A great highway, the Bethle­ hem turnpike, crosses it from north to It was fortunate for those who came south. It is crossed from east to west by after thein that these first Welsh settlers a high ridge, upon which are situated the were mainly a moral and religious people. hamlets of Montgomery Square and In this respect they were similar to the Montgomery ville. From this divide the founders of churches of other denomina­ waters flow in opposite directions. Here tions, and other races—English, Scotch- are the sources of the Wissahickon, flow­ Irish, Hollanders and Germans—who ing southwest, and two branches of the settled Pennsylvania. They were not satisfied with merely the acquisition of HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. land and property and the rude plenty of drinking of alcoholic liquor was almost a new country. They might have been universal. It damaged the Welsh worse content merely with material prosperity. than the people of more stolid, less ex­ Houses and barns, cattle and money, all citable and phlegmatic races, just because the goods of this world might have been the Welsh were more sprightly, mercur­ their inspiration and the end of their ial and nervous in temperament. In efforts. Instead, they aimed at some­ those days the habitual drinking of in­ thing higher and better—the mental, toxicants was no bar to church member­ moral and spiritual culture of themselves ship. Nearly everybody did that. They and their posterity. A struggle for and were turned out of church only for re- * contentment with only worldly good peated drunkenness. The theory was would, in time, end with moral and men­ that alcoholic beverages were good to use, tal degeneracy, in profligacy, vice and but not to abuse—-a belief even yet not crime in the community, and in the loss extinguished.' It was not deemed wrong of that very worldly wealth, unwisely to sell such liquor, and dealers in such aimed at as the chief good. They started held membership in Baptist churches all aright the foundations of a well-ordered their lives. Considerable numbers of the and prosperous community, of prosperity Welsh of the second and third generations lost their property through intemperance, which should endure for generations to and their lands passed into the hands of come. owners of another race, who were not They were not unmindful of mental Baptists. Spiritual decadence was quite enlightenment, as well as spiritual im­ marked about the time of the Revolution, provement. In the deplorable lack of when the churches were closed for wor­ state or public provision for free schools ship, the Sabbath was not regarded, and in the early history of Pennsylvania, ig­ infidelity was rife among the classes who norance would soon have become univer­ read and thought and directed the move­ sal had not the early churches come to ments in social and political affairs. This the rescue. Nearly all of them, whether period continued for many years after in­ the members were English-speaking or dependence was established. German, placed school houses alongside of their churches. These proved insuf­ Among the early Welsh settlers of this ficiënt for the efficient education of the region were a number of men of superior whole mass of the people, but they did education, piety and mental force. They much to dispel the mists of ignorance were the natural leaders of the people. ami to impart the rudiments of knowledge Such men were Abel Morgan, Benjamin to the early generations. The voluntary Griffith, William Thomas, Joseph Eaton, system had a long trial and proved inad­ Simon Butler, and others that might be equate. It was happily succeeded by the named. By their piety, their courage, better free school system, established their industry, their wisdom, their self- over half a century ago. sacrifice, they led their people forward in Notwithstanding all these efforts to the path of mental and religious growth. promote religion and dispel ignorance, They were respected and revered, not there were times of great spiritual de­ only because of these qualities of leader­ clension and of mental darkness in the ship, but because they were of the people, last century. The second generation and labored with their own hands, as did were not up to the mark of the immi­ the other settlers. They toiled in the grants, especially in education. Very fields, they ploughed the land, or worked many men in the period before the Rev­ at the handicraft of the mechanic. This olution signed their names with their was a necessity of that time, as the mem­ "mark," and among the women the il­ bership of the churches were too poor, literacy was greater. Intemperance was or thought themselves too poor, to ade­ a very great curse of that day, especially quately support the preachers. among people of Welsh lineage. The It is evident that if the region from HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 9

which the early membership of Mont­ have been divested of their antique spell­ gomery was drawn had wholly remained ing and phraseology only : in the possession of their descendants, 1718—Esther Roberts, wife of John the parent church today would have Roberts, baptized. been immensely stronger in numbers. So 171!)-Esther Evans, daughter of John would the Baptist denomination in the Evans, and Mary James, wife of Wm. townships of New Britain, Hilltown and James, and Margaret Young, baptized. Hatfield. There would now exist six 1720—Evan Thomas and Mary, his wife, or eight strong and powerful Baptist received from Baptist church in Pem­ churches, embracing nearly all the peo­ brokeshire, Wales ; likewise Bernard ple in this territory. Such was not to be Young, received from church at Welsh the ease. Slowly, but surely, the people Tract ; Ann, wife of William Thomas ; of another race acquired the lands at first Benjamin Griffith and wife, Sarah, held by Welsh Baptists and established from Welsh Tract and from Radnor. churches of another kind. This change 1720—John Evans and Esther Roberts of population naturally has checked the died. growth of the Baptist churches in these 1720—The Baptist meeting house at townships. In the case of New Britain, Montgomery erected. however, at least one-half the member­ 1720—James Davis married to Margaret ship is now of German descent, and of Thomas, she being no member, but a people whose ancestors belonged to other constant hearer. denominations. 1721, May 2—Excommunicated Margaret The Montgomery church may truly be Young for several lies and slanders told said to be the parent of New Britain and and raised by her and never acknowl­ 11 illtown, and indirectly of the modern edging her fault. churches of Lansdale, North Wales, 1721, June—Received from Welsh Tract Ambler and Point Pleasant. Its influ­ Joseph Eaton and Gwen, his wife ; ence for good has gone out over a wide George Eaton and Mary, his wife ; An­ extent of territory and left its blessings thony Mathews, Simon Mathews and upon unnumbered individuals. Jane, his wife ; Daniel Rees and Jane, ENTRIES IN THE CHURCH BOOK OF MONT­ his wife. GOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 1721, July 2—Received Simon Butler and The Montgomery Baptist church was Ann, his wife, from Welsh Tract. organized June 20th, 1711). The consti­ 1721, Dec. 16—Received Griffith Owen, tuent members were John Evans and late from Wales, and Janet Lewis, also wife, Sarah; John James and wife, Eliza- from Wales. t><-iti ; William Thomas and wife, Ann; 1721, Dec. 22—Died, Mary Thomas, wife James David, William James, Thomas of Evan Thomas. James, Josiah James, James Lewis, David 1722, May 18—Received Thomas Rees Williams, Esther Roberts, Esther Evans, and Elizabeth, his wife. Margaret Young, Evan Evans, David 1722, June 2—Received David Evans, from Keoon Hongood, and Sarah, his Evans, Jenkin Evans, Isaac James. All wife, of Llannerwarth, Wales. of these had but recently, or a few years 1722, Aug. 2—Baptized Thomas Powell. previously, come from Wales. 1723, May—Received Ann Jones, wife of Rev. Benjamin Griffith became pastor Henry Jones, from Great Valley. October 24th, 1725. Previous to that 1724, March—Baptized Thomas Lewis date sixty members had been received, and Alice Evans, wife of Jenkin Evans; eight dismissed, and the total member­ also David James, from Great Valley ship numbered sixty-two. church. The following is a copy of the ent ries 1724 April 2(i—Baptized John Bartholo­ in the old church book,from 1718down to mew, Jeremiah Lewis, Benjamin Phil­ after the close of the Revolution. They lips, Rees Lewis, Uriah Eaton, wife of LO HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

Joseph Eaton ; Sarah, wife of Thomas Phillips; Mary, wife of Aaron James ; Davis, from Pennypack ; also Elinor, Mary, daughter of Joseph Eaton; Ann, wife of David James. Dismissed Geo. wife of Thomas Morris, received by Baton and Mary, his wife, to Penna- credentials from Pennypack. peek, or Pennypack. 1730, May 17—Baptized David Stephens 1724, Aug. 26—Baptized Evan Stephens and Mary, his wife ; Ann, daughter of and Elizabeth, his wife. John Bartholomew,and Christley Rees. 1724, Sept. 20—Received Rev. William 1730, June 21—Baptized Thomas Davis, Thomas, from Philadelphia. Hugh Jones, and Elizabeth, wife of 1724, Nov. 15—Baptized Evan Rees and David Griffith. Received Isaac Evans, wife, Elinor, and Katharine, wife of from Great Valley. Thomas Morris. Dismissed Daniel 1730, July—Received William George, Rees and Ann, his wife,to Great Valley. from Great Valley. 1724, January—Received Mary, wife of 1730—Aug. 16—Baptized David Rees. John Bartholomew, and Elizabeth, 1730, Sept. 20—Baptized Mary, wife of wife of Evan Thomas. John Markoliftor. 1724, June 21— Received Thomas Morris 1730, October 18—Baptized Margaret, and Janet, his wife, and Daniel Davis, wife of Thomas Lewis. all from Pennypack. 1731, Nov. 16—Baptized Joseph Eaton, 1725, May 30—Received Elizabeth, wife Jan» j Martha Lunn and Elizabeth Wal­ of Josiah James, from Great Valley ; ton. also Daniel Jones ; also Abraham Rich­ 1732, April—Baptized Margaret, wife of ards, from Pennypack. (ioorge Lewis. 1725, October 21 — Received Thomas 1733, Aug. 18—Baptized Rees Thomas Jones, from Wales. and Sarah, wife of Rees Lewis. 1725, Nov. 19—Baptized Jane, wife of 1733, October—Dismissed David James Thomas James. and Elinor, his wife, and David Rees 172(1, March 20—Evan Thomas "cutoff" to Welsh Tract. for several untruths and oft repeated 1735, May 18—Dismissed William Rees, drunkenness. son of David Rees, to Welsh Tract. 1726, April 17—Excommunicated Rees 1737, February 11—Received Sarah, wife Lewis, for drunkenness. of David Evans, from Welsh Tract. 1726, Aug. 21—Received David Evans, 1737, Aug. 19—Baptized Rev. William from Wales Coffin. 1726, Dec. 17—Received David Cornorth 1737, Sept. 10—Baptized Rebecca, daugh­ and Katharine, his wife, from Rliyd- ter of William James. william, South Wales. 1738, Oct. 8—Baptized John Mathew and 1727, June 19—Baptized John Lloyd. Simon Butler, Jun., Benjamin Butler 1727, July 18—Dismissed John Lloyd to and John, son of William James. Penn i pack. 1738, Nov. 12—Baptized Simon Mathew, 1727, June 16—Dismissed Hannah Llew- Jun., Simon Morgan and wife, Ann ; ellin and Elizabeth James to Great Samuel John and Joshua John, two Valley, and Ann Yerkes to Pennypack. sons of Thomas John; Sarah Edmund 1729, Dec. 19 —Baptized lid ward, son of and Thomas Humphrey. Joseph Eaton. 1739, Aug 11—Baptized Hannah, wife of 1729, Feb. 15—Baptized David Phillips. Thomas Humphrey. 173(1, March 15—Baptized Diana Thomas 1740, July 12—Received William Wells and Elinor, wife of John Luke. and Hester, his wife; Clement Doyle 1730, April 19—Baptized John Morris, and Margaret, his wife ; Samuel Now- Thomas Morris, Isaac Morris, three man and Martha, his wife, and Martha sons of Thomas Morris ; Evan Thomas Riale. and Joseph Thomas, two sons of Evan 1710, Aug. 10—Baptized James Pool and Thomas; William Phillips,son of David John Marks. HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 11

1741, Aug. 8—Baptized Joseph Day and 1751, May 15—Baptized Margaret, wife Dorothy, his wife; James Hunter and of Edward Jones, and Martha, wife of Catharine Pool. Thomas Jones. 1741, Sept. 19—Baptized Daniel Griffith 1751, June 9—Baptized John Williams and Walter Shewed and wife, Mary. and Ann, his wife. 1741, Oct. 12—Baptized John Stephens, 1751, Nov. 10—Dismissed to Great Valley Joseph Barton, David Stephens, Jun., Thomas Edmund and Mary, bis wife, Rachel Bartholomew, Lavina Stephens and Evan Thomas and Susannah, his and Mary Stephens. w i fe. 1741, Nov. 7—Baptized Samuel Kennedy. 1751, October 12—Baptized Edward Jones 1741, Dec. 12—Baptized David Caldwell. and .Mary, wife of John Jones, and [Here the church entries go back to Alice Evans. 1738 again.] 1752, May 9—Baptized Mary, wife of 1738, May 14—Received Thomas Ed­ Thomas Thomas, and Esther, wife of munds and Mary, his wife, from Welsh Thomas Jones. Tract, New Castle county, Delaware. 1752, June 14—Received James Williams 1738, May 14—Baptized Elizabeth, wife from church in Wales. of Thomas Rees, late comers into the 1752,Aug. 9—Received William Williams. country. 1752, September 24—Baptized Isaiah 1738, Aug. 19—Dismissed to Lancaster Lewis. county David Evans and Sarah, his 1753, April—Baptized Uriah, wife of wife; Thomas Nicholas and Elinor, his John Marks. wife; James Edward and Margaret, 1753, May 12—Baptized Margaret, wife his wife, and Rees Thomas. of Richard Williams ; Mary, daughter 1741, Aug. 9—Restored, on satisfaction of Thomas Williams; Joanna Penquoit; given of repentance for drunkenness, Jane, wife of John Davis, and Margaret Rees Lewis, who, with his wife, was Rowland. dismissed to Great Valley. 1753, Aug. 11—Baptized Benjamin Grif­ 171.;, April 24-Elizabeth Rees dismissed fith, junior. to Great Valley. 1753, Oct. 11—Baptized Sarah, wife of 1744, March 25—Dismissed to Cumru, Abel Griffith. Berks county, David Edward and Eliz­ 1754, April 13—Baptized Joseph Griffith, abeth, his wife. son of Benjamin Griffith. 1744, April 24—Baptized Abel Griffith. 1754, June 8—Baptized Mary Hawks- 1744, Aug. 28—Baptized Ephraim Thom­ worth and Mary Lewis. Received as and wife, Ellinor. Mary, wife of Joseph Griffith, from 1745, March 10—Ann Waters, daughter Southampton. of John Bartholomew, dismissed to 1754, Sept. 7—Baptized Mary Robeson. Great Valley. 1754, October—Baptized Margaret, wife 1745, Nov. 10—Baptized Mary and Mar­ of Thomas James ; also Thomas Jones, tha, daughters of Thomas John. David Morgan, Jane, wife of Alban 1746, Nov. 10—Baptized Elizabeth Rees Thomas, wdio were baptized at New and Margaret Davis. Britain. 1746, March 9—Baptized Robert Kenne­ 1754, Nov. 9—Ann Simon and Hester dy and Catharine, his wife, aud John Morris baptized. Received from Great Davis, son of Daniel Davis. Valley William Davis; also Margaret, 1747, Jan. 14—Dismissed to Welsh Tract wife of Rees Phillips. Mary, wife of Thomas Edmunds. 1757, Nov.—Baptized Priscilla James. 1749, May 13—Baptized Stephen Row­ 1757, March—Dismissed to church in land, Susannah, wife of Evan Thomas, Baltimore county, Maryland, Mary and Ellinor, daughter of Jenkin Evans, Hawkesworth. 1750, Oct. 14 —Baptized Elizabeth Morris. 1757, May 14—James Williams dismissed 1750, Nov. 13-Baptized Mary Williams. to Welsh Tract. 12 HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

1702, May 7—Dismissed John Davis to 1759, Aug. 12—Margaret, wife of John Baltimore county. Williams, dismissed to New Britain. 1759, June 10—Baptized Nathaniel Brit- 1771, May—Ann, wife of Rev. Joshua tain, Jones, and others. Jones, dismissed to New Britain. 1759, Aug.—Baptized Henry Harris and 1768, Aug. 13—Baptized Rebecca, daugh­ wife. ter of Robert, Heaton. 1759, Sept.—Baptized Rebecca, daughter 1768, Oct. 8—Baptized Samuel Jones and of John Thomas. Lea, his wife ; Hannah Mathias, Sarah, 17(10, Oct. 9—Baptized Elizabeth, wife of daughter of John Thomas, and Catha­ Thomas Mathias. rine Phillips. 1760, Nov. 8—Dismissed William Coffin 1768, Nov. 12—Bapt ized Job Thomas, son and wife, Martha, to Philadelphia. of Thomas Thomas, and wife, Rebecca. 1761, Jan. 10—Dismissed Rachel Davis 1769, Aug. 12—Baptized Enoch Thomas, (formerly Bartholomew)!*) Philadelphia. son of Ephraim Thomas, and his wife, 1761, May 10—Dismissed James Hunter Sarah ; Rachel, wife of John Drake, to Philadelphia. and Ann Lewis, widow, of Perquasy. 1761, Aug. 12—Dismissed John Marks 1769, Sept. 9—Baptized John Mathias and Uriah, his wife, to Virginia, and and wife, Alice, and Jonathan New- Joseph Marks to Philadelphia. house. 1761, Aug. 9—Dismissed Mary Bartholo­ 1769, Sept. 30 — Baptized Mannasseh mew and Esther James (formerly Mor­ Thomas, Henry Godshalk and wife, ris) to Philadelphia. Elizabeth (formerly Thomas). 1762, Sept. 10—Baptized Mr. Brittain and 17(1!), Nov.—Baptized John West and wife wife, Ann ; Benjamin Drake aud wife, 1762, Oct. 7—Baptized Jeremiah Vastine Rachel; Lawrence Kelly, Deborah and Alice, wife of Joseph Lunn. Drake, daughter of George Drake 1703, Sept. 11—Thomas Jones and Thom­ 1769, Dec. 31—Margaret Lewis (formerly as Mathias baptized. Rowland) restored to communion. 1763, Oct. 8—John Hickman and Peter 1770, May 5—Baptized Rachel Harding. Evans baptized. 1770, Aug. 11—Baptized Rachel, wife of 1764, Dec. 9—Bernard Wintzinger and Abraham Morris ; Rachel, wife of Sarah, his wife, baptized. Joseph Gray, and Martha Clark. 1765, March 10—Excommunicated Thom­ 1770, Sept. 1—Baptized Amos Thomas as Hutchin, for scandalous conduct in and wife, Ruth. taking his oath at two times in a differ­ 1770, Sept. 30—Baptized Mary, wife of Richard Riale. ent manner, relating to the death of 1770, Oct. 13-Baptized Richard Miles. William Thomas. 1770, Nov. 3—Baptized Elizabeth, daugh­ 1765, Aug. 11—Lavina Wells dismissed ter of Jenkin Evans. to Ketockton, Virginia 1770, Nov.—Baptized Rebecca, wife of [Here the record goes back ten years.] Stephen Rowland. 1755, Oct.—Evan Thomas and Diana, his 1770, Sept. 9—John West and wife, Ann, daughter, wife of John Mathew, dis­ and Mary, wife of James Lewis, dis­ missed to New Britain. missed to Virginia. 175(1—Thomas John and Ellina, his 1770, Nov. 10—Mary Cook dismissed to wife, dismissed to New Britain. Baltimore. 1750, Aug.—William James dismissed to 1774, April 10—Ann, wife of William New Britain. Williams, dismissed to Virginia. 1757, April 8—William Davis dismissed 1774, June 14—Martha Clark dismissed to New Britain. to Philadelphia. 1758—Simon Butler, senior, and his 1776, Oct.—Sarah, wife of Joseph Gray ; daughter-in-law, Rebecca Butler; John Rachel Gray, Margaret, daughter of Mathew and Evan Thomas, Jun., dis­ Joseph Gray, and Sarah Gray dismiss­ missed to New Britain. ed to North Carolina. HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 13

1777, May—Benjamin Drake and wife, 1723 - Gwen Eaton, wife of Joseph'Eaton, Rachel, dismissed to Virginia. died. 1778, April—Sarah Blackwell (formerly 1724, March 17—Joseph Eaton married Thomas), wife of John Blackwell, dis­ Uriah Humphrey, who was a member missed to Hopewell, New Jersey. of Pennypack. 1778—John Hickman dismissed to Fro- 1724, May 21—Josiah James, son of John qucre, Virginia. .lames, married Elizabeth, daughter of 1772, June—Margaret, daughter of Joseph Thomas Perry, who was a member of Gray, baptized Great Valley 1772, July 12—Baptized James Morgan, 1721, Dec. 19—Jane, daughter of Benja­ of Durham, and Rebecca, daughter of min Griffith, was born. Isaac James. 1723, April 17—John, son of Benjamin 1772, Oct. 14—Baptized Margaret, wife of (iriffith, was born. Edward Williams, and Ruth, daughter 1724, June 13—David Williams married of Joseph Gray Elinor, daughter of Lewis Thomas, 1774, June 11—Baptized Isaac, son of she being no member. Richard Freeman, of Northampton 1724, July 8 —Daniel Evans, son of Mark county, and Sarah, wife of Jonah Evans, of Montgomery township, was Thomas, of Perquasy. born. 1774, Sept. 10—Baptized Christopher 1713, Sept. 25-»Anu, daughter of John Wells and wife, Elizabeth. Bartholomew, was born. 1775, Oct. 7—Baptized Thomas Davis, 1715, Aug. 10—Joseph, son of John Bar­ Jun., of the Plains (Hatfield), and tholomew, was born. wife, Margaret. 1717, June 10—Thomas, son of John 1777, Oct.—Baptized Elinor Aaron, wid­ Bartholomew, was born. ow, and Moses Aaron, her son ; also 1720, June 1—Was born John, son of Elijah, son of Nathan Brittain, all of John Bartholomew. llilltown. 1722, March 10—Was born Rachel, daugh­ 1779, Sept.—Baptized Joseph Eaton, of ter of John Bartholomew. Hatfield. 1724, Jan. 15—Was born Andrew, son of 1780, June 5—Baptized Mary, wife of same. William Heston. 1724, Dec. 22—Was born Abel, son of 1781, June 2—Baptized Nathan Evans, Benjamin Griffith. aud Sarah, wife of Joseph Thomas, of 1720, July 9—Was born Mary, daughter llilltown. of Jenkin Evans. 1781, Sept. 9—Elinor Mills excluded for 1722, Feb. 27—Was born Elizabethjdaugh- , base and scandalous conduct. ter of same. 1801, Sept.—Enoch Beam and wife, Mar­ 1723, Dec. 22—Was born Walter, son of garet, received. same. 1809—Elinor Kulp, wife of Benjamin 1726, June 6—Was born Ellinor, daugh­ Kulp, received. ter of same.

DEATH, MARRIAGE AND UIRTII RECORD OF 1725, Oct. 28—Died, Elizabeth, wife of MONTGOMERY CHURCH. Evan Thomas. 1726, March 3—Died, Anthony Mathews. In another portion of the Montgomery 1726, July 16—Died, Catharine, wife of church book are other records, pertain­ Thomas Morris, of Pine Run. ing to the births, deaths and marriages. 1727, March 2—Benjamin Phillips mar­ They are doubtless complete in the earlier ried Sarah James, who was no member. years of the history of the church, but 172ii, Oct. 2—Jeremiah Lewis married not after the first fifteen or twenty years. Mary Howard. She was no member. The record is valuable as far as it goes. 1728, June 2 —Thomas John married 1723, June 12—Bernard Young married Elinor, widow of Evan Rees. Janet, daughter of Lewis Thomas. 1728, Nov. 27 — James Ixwis married 14 HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

Elizabeth Morris. She was no member. 1754, May—Died, Janet Morris. 17.31—Was born Mary, daughter of John 1754, Dec. 4—Died, Benjamin Phillips. Bartholomew. 1759, May—Died, Martha, wife of Thos. 1734—Was born Augustine, son of same. Jones, tailor. 1730, Aug. 29—Was born Edward, son of 1703, Sept. 18—Died, David EvaiiB ; he same. being the first deacon of the church, 1726, June 6 — Mary Edward married and had served forty-one years. Evan Rees. He was no member. 1764, Oct. 18 —Died "Griffith Owen, of 1729, Nov. 26—Isaac James married Ann llilltown. Jones. The births of seven children of Joseph 1729, Nov.—James Lewis died. Griffith, named Benjamin, Jane, William, 1729. Nov.—Jeremiah Lewis died. John, Elizabeth, Abel and Joseph, took 1728, May 15-Was horn Benjamin, son place Nov. 22, 1754 ; Feb. 8, 1750 ; Oct. of Benjamin Griffith. 16, 1758; July 20, 1763 ; Aug. 31, 1765 ; 1732, April 24—Was born Sarah, daugh­ Aug. 21, 1767, and July 9, 1769. ter of same. 1725, Nov. 8—Was born Peter, son of 1734—Was born Joseph, son of same. Mark Evans. 1729, Sept. 13—Was born James, son of 1724, Aug. 24—Was born John, son of .lames Lewis. same. 1731, Feb. 11—Was born Walter, son of 1730, Aug. 18 — Was born Margaret, 1 >avid Evans, of Montgomery township. daughter of same. 1730, June II—Edward Eaton married 1730, Aug. 18—Was born Rebecca, daugh­ Mary, widow of Jeremiah Lewis. ter of same. 1731, June 25—Griffith Owen, of Hill- 'Thomas Pool's children : Edward, town, was married to Margaret Morgan. Feb. 24, 1739; Martha, Sept. 24, 1740, 1745, March 25 —Died, Mary, wife of and John and Mary, twins, Feb. 2, 1743. Thomas Edmunds. 1735, Sept. 2—Sarah, daughter of George 1740, Aug. 9—Died, Thomas Morris, of Lewis, born. llilltown. 1750—Thomas John died. 1746, Dec.—Died, Alice, wife of Lewis 1756, June—Died, Thomas Rees. Evans. 1747, Dec—Died, David Phillips. 1756, Oct. 30—Died, John Bartholomew. 1736, Sept. 11—Was born Rachel, daugh­ 1757, Oct. 8—Died, Rev. William Thomas, ter of Benjamin Griffith. of llilltown. 1738, Sept. 16—Was born Rachel, daugh­ 1759 — Died, Uriah, widow of Joseph ter of David Evans. Eaton. 1748, Aug. 30—Died, David Williams, of 1765—Died, Robert Kennedy, in city of New Britain. Philadelphia, and James Davis, at Co-< 1748, March—Died, William Wells. hockson, Berks county. 1749, Dec. 9—Died, Ellinor, widow of 1765, Aug. 10—Thomas Lewis died. David Williams. 1766, Aug. 10—Moses Aaron died. 1750, April 9—Died, John Thomas, the 1766, January—Died, the wife of George weaver. Smith. 1750—Died, John Marks. 1767, Feb. 6—Died, Sarah, widow of 1750, Oct. 11—Esther Wells married to David Evans, deacon. Isaac Stout. 1767, Aug, 10—Died, Katharine, widow 1752, Nov. 12—Died, Ann, wife of Rev. of Benjamin Phillips. William Thomas. 1767—Died, Mary Pngh, an aged widow. 1753, March—Died, Daniel Davis, one 1768, Oct.' 5—Died, Rev. Benjamin Grif­ of our deacons fith, minister. 1753, Nov. 22—Died, Sarah, wil'e of Rev. 1769, July 25—Died, Mary Jones, widow, Benjamin Griffith, of New Britain. of Perquasy. 1754, April 3—Died, Benjamin Griffith, 1770, Aug. 8—Died, Joseph Lunn, dea­ junior. con, of Hilltown. HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 15

1771, Jan. 4—Died, Hester, widow of 1780, June 18—Died, Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Jones Christopher Wells. 1771, Feb. 25-Died, Elizabeth, widow 1780, Oct. 22-Died, Dorothy, wife of of Thomas Rees. Joseph Day. 1771, Feb. 25—Died, Thomas Morris, of 1781, January—Died, Joseph Day. llilltown. 1772, March 25—Died, Thomas James, 1781, March—Died, Elizabeth Aaron, of mason, of New Britain, an old mem­ Hilltown. ber. 1749, March 13—A deed dated this day 1772, Nov. 28—Died, Edward Jones, of was signed by Jenkin Evans, David 11 illtown. Evans and John Bartholomew to Abel 1774, Nov.—Died, Mary, widow of Daniel Griffith and John Davis, for one acre Davis. and sixty perches of land in Mont­ 1775, Sept. 18—Died, Mary, wife of Evan gomery township, whereon the meet­ Mathias, of llilltown. ing house stands. And the said John 1776—Died, Sarah, widow of Abraham Davis and Abel Griffith did also sign a Vastine. declaration of trust to John Bartholo­ 1776—Died, Ephraiin Thomas, of Hill- mew, David Evans, Thomas Edmunds, town, an ordained elder. and John Marks, showing that the said 1777, Jan. 12—Died, Margaret, wife of deed, was made by them in trust only Edward Williams. for the use of,the Baptist church now 1777, March 27—Died, Thomas Davis of meeting in house erected on said land. the Plains (Hatfield). Said deed was delivered into custody 1778, January—Died, Martha Jones. of Thomas Edmunds till said church 1778, Aug.—Died, Evan Mathias. shall call for said writings. 1778, Sept. 1—Died, Nathan Brittain, an elder upon trial. Thomas Edmunds left the church £200. 1778, Nov. 20—Died, Edward Eaton, of He had been a member, but was dismiss­ Hilltown. ed to Welsh Tract. He died in July, 1779, April — Died, Sarah, widow of 1758. The money was held by trustees, Humphrey Bates. Abel Griffith and Joseph Griffith, who 1779, Aug. — Died, Rebecca, widow of paid annually to the church £12 interest, Abel Griffith. Formerly Rebecca Miles. down to 1779. Then it was all paid in.. 1779, Dec. 12—Died, Hannah Humphrey, At a business meeting held May 9, 1779, of Montgomery. it was agreed to put the money in the 1780, Jan. 30—Died, Thomas Thomas, of llilltown. Continental Loan Office, together with 1780, Feb. 1—Died, Elizabeth, wife of £10 left the church by William James, Manasseb Thomas. of New Britain.

ADMISSION AND DEATH OF MEMHERS FROM 1753 TO 1860. The following are extracts from the minutes of the church from 1753 down to 1860. They concern the admission of members, but are supposed to be incomplete in the last century. DATE OF ADMISSION. Jonara Penquit, 1753, May 12 ; Feb. 27, 1822. Peter Evans, 1763, Oct. 8 ; Sept. 28, 1822. Thomas Davis, 1775, Oct. 8 ; March 20, 1815. Margaret, his wife, do. Feb. 1,1815. Rachel Drake, 1769, Aug. 12 ; March 28, 1816. Edward Pennington, 1782, Nov. 10; April 22, 1813. Charles Humphrey, 1782, Nov. 10 ; Feb. 28, 1815. Amos Griffith, Sr., 1783, Sept. 14 ; Nov. 13, 1812. Phoebe Griffth, do. Feb. 15, 1800. John Harris, do. Margaret Harris, do. August, 1800. Benjamin Thomas, 1784, Mav ; Oct! 7, 1800. Mary Evans, 1786, Sept.; Aug. 26, 1847. HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

DATK OF ADMISSION. Si his Hough, 1796, May 8 ; May 14, 1823. Joseph Hubbs, do. July 11, 1827. John Hattie, Sr., do. June 12, 1828; Sarah Ilartle, his wife, do. April 8, 1815. Win. Hoxworth, 1800, Jan. 12; Mary Hubbs, do. Feb. 8, 1818. Joseph Lunn, 1798, Aug. 11 ; May 31, 1847. Sarah Humphrey, 1799, Nov. 24; Dec. 14, 1814. Polly Humphrey, do. Sept 7, 1801. Wm. Collom, do. Patty Harris, do. August, 1803. Thomas Harris, do. Sept. 10, 1824. John Hartle, Jr., do. Alice Lunn Griffith, 1799, Nov. 10; 1845. Ann Lunn, 1799, Dec. 22 ; January 26, 1839. Daniel Harrar, 1799, Dec. 8 ; Sept. 27, 1840. Lydia, his wife, do. Feb. 2,1818. Olive Tomlinson Madary, do. July 20, 1844. Mary Williams Yoeum, do. Dec. 29, 1845. Salome Davis, 1800, Jan. 1 I ; Oct. 30, 1843. Nancy Howell Humphrey, do Nancy Harris, do. Margaret Craven, do. April, 1852. Margaret Kelly, do. May 1, 1821. Hannah Drake, do. May 3, 1831. Daniel Morgan, 1800, Feb. 9 ; Andrew Morgan, Jr., do. Aug. 81, 1814. Matthew Camlin, do. Nancy Brown Land, do. April 11, 1839. Robert Gordon, 1800, April 13 ; Sept 3, 1825. Elizabeth Gordon, do. 1835. Edward Hoxworth, do. Jan. 10, 1847. Mary Hoxworth, do. Sept. 0, 1823. Israel Hoxworth, ilo. Nov. 25, 1825. Owen Jenkins, do. May, 1850. Eleanor Snare, 1800, Mav 11 ; Levi Jenkins, 1800, Aug. 8 ; Eve Hoxworth, do. 1827. Nancy Thomas, 1800, Oct. 12 ; Jan. 10, 1852. John Maderia, 1800, Nov. 9 ; February, 1847. Susanna Jenkins, 1801, Aug. 1 ; Feb. 12, 1822. Enoch Bean, 1801, Sept.; Oct. 20, 1820 Margaret Beam, do. Dec. 2, 1803. Jacob Johnson, 1801, Sept.; Elizabeth Johnson, do. June 24, 181 I. Polly Bartleson, do. Oct. 15, 1838. Jacob Hopple, 1801, Oct. 0 ; Rebecca Hopple, do. Jan. 3, 181.8. Enoch McClean, do. Elizabeth Hoxworth, 1801, Dec. 12; April, 1812. Cloe Davis, do. April 9, 1841. Patty Bartleson, Jr., do. Aug. 23, 1829. Ann Brown, do. Jan. 7, 1810. Mary Pennington, 1802, Oct.; March 12, 1812. Elizabeth Newberry, do. Dr. Amos Griffith, 1802, Nov. 14 ; Nov. 17, 1863. William Johnson, 1803, March 12 Magdalena Johnson, do. . Katie Johnson Thomas, do. Alice Roberts Phillips, 1803, Sept. 11 ; Ann Croup, do. Sept. 14, 1821. Elizabeth Griffith, 1804, Jan. 8 ; Jan. 3, 1843. Christian Ludenberg, do. Margaret Howell, do. Lewis Thomas, 1805, Feb. 9 ; HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 17

DATE OF ADMISSION. DIED. Rachel Evans Rowland, 1805, Sept. 21 ; Nov. 10, 1823. Peter Burk, 1801V Feb. 9- Edward Roberts, 1809 June li ; Eleanor Kulp, 1809 July 9; 1842. Thomas Thomas, 1809 Aug. 12 ; Mary Thomas, do. March 30, 1825. Phoebe Brown Ewers, 1811 July 7 ; May 7, 1817. John Brown, 1811 Oct. 13 ; Sept. 2, 1818. Hannah Gray Donly, do. Sarah Hoxworth, 1806 April (i ; Thomas Lunn, 1813 Dec. 11 ; Oct. 12, 1814. Elizabeth Lunn, do. Rachel Roberts Drake, 1811, Oct 31 ; John Drake, 181 I, Julv L0 ; June 24, 1814. Elizabeth Havis Butler, 1815, July 2; Aug. 10, 1802. Mary Davis Col lorn, 1815, July 2; Lawrence Ludenberg, 1815, Aug. 13 ; April 9, 1822, Elizabeth Gordon, 1810, June SO ; .lames Davis, do. June 5, 1858. Hannah Evans James, 1810, Aug. 11 Jonathan Guy, do. Hannah Guy, do. William Sentman, do. September, 1828. Elizabeth Sentman, do. Christian Hoppell, do. Sarah Hoxworth, 1810, Sept. 15: Feb. 23, 1864. John Jenkins, Jr., do. Nov. 1, 1805. Sarah Conover, do. Feb. 23, 1804. John Jenkins, Jr., do. Nov. 1, 1865. Marv Ludenberg, do. Betsy Bean, 1810, Oct. 13 ; 1861. Mary, wife of Owen Jenkins, 1810, Nov. 10 Dec. 7, 1874. Hannah Drake, 1817, April 20'; 1879. Walter Evans, Sr., 1817, Nov. 23 ; July 31, 1822. Mary Evans, do. 1834. Evan Evans, 1818, March 8 ; Jonathan Gordon, 1818, May 11 ; Elizabeth Humphrey, 1818, Mav 11 ; December, 1869. Mary Gordon, 1818, Aug. 11 ; November, 1869. Thomas Heaton, 1819, April 18 ; Erusa Heaton, 1819, Aug. 7 ; Nancy Snare, 1819, Aug. 8 ; Ann Ward, do. Rebecca Harrar, do. ('atharine Curry, 1821, March 9; Emilia Evans, 1821, Aug. 12 ; Sept. 20, 1838. Joseph Lunn, Jr., 1822, Aug. 10; Levi Jenkins, Jr., 1822, May 22 ; 1862. Mrs. Levi Jenkins, do. Ann Darrah, 1822, Nov. 10; Betsy Bates, 1822, Oct.; April 19, 1858. John Fry, 1822, Oct. 12 ; March, 1858. Ann Bates, do. Eliza Knight Morris, 1823, June 12 ; Oct. 13, 1840. Sarah ( iri tilth Snyder, 1823, Jan. 12 ; 1840, Oct. 13. Elizabeth Griffith, • do. Dec. 8, 1868. Mary Evans Hough, do. Jenkin Evans, do. 1871. Lawrence Ludenberg, do. April 9, 1820. Jane Shepherd, do. Anna Robinson, 1823, Feb. 9 ; Ann Griffith, July 31, 1828. Charles M. Griffith, 1823, April 13 ; Aug. 23, 1878. Margaret Hoxworth, do. March 5, 1883. Rachel Mogee, 1837. HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH,

BATH OF ADMISSION. Samuel Smith, Taey Smith, Jan. 24, 1825. Surah Eder, 1823, June 15 ; Hannah Selser, 1823, Aug. 10; Feb. 21, 1888 Agnes Davis, Jan. 12, 1845. Catharine Sewos, Mary Land, 1825, June 12 Mary Griffith, Jane Morris, May 29, 1863. George Luden berg, 182(5, April 8 ; 1836. Rebecca Heaton, 1760, Aug. 13 ; March, 1826. Rev. James B. Bowen, Lucinda Bowen, Rebecca Evans, 1830, Dec. 12 ; April 14, 1S38. John Evans, 1831, Jan. 30; April 19, 1866. Mary Drake, 1831, March ; 1845. Margaret Benner, 1831 ; Dec. 11, 1854. Elizabeth Morgan, • 1832, Jan. 1 ; Jan. 4, 1871. Mary Pool Thomas, do. Mary Stagner Haldeman, 1832, Jan. 22 ; Jan. 31, 1850. Abel Griffith, 1832, March 4 ; Sept. 10, 1848. John Robinson, Naomi Harrar, 1832, May 6 ; March 18, 1878. Eurey Maderia, do. 1855. John Kramer, 1833, Aug. 12; 1850. Rebecca Whitcomb, 1833, Jan. 13 ; Sept. 15, 1851. Margaret Mattis, do. Jan. 27; Eliza Meyers. do. Jacob Whitcomb, do. Feb. 3 ; Mary Cramer, do. Jacob McGargey, do. March 10 ; John Hoxworth, do. Mary Yocum Puff, do. April 7 ; " John Darrah, do. May 5; Margaret Harrah, do. do. Ann Roney Whitehead, do. do. (Elder) Thomas F. Robinson, May 27, 1838. Abigail Robinson, Phoibe McVaugh, Philip Mathias, 1833, June 9 ; Elizabeth Rhoads, 1833, June 14 ; Dec. 24, 1806. Enoch Moyer, do. Eliza Rees, 1833, Aug. 11 ; Mary Ann Morgan, 1834, Feb. 14; Oct. 5, 1890. Archibald Davis, 1834,Marc h 9 ; Aug. 19, 1809. Hannah Cadwallader, 1834, April 6 ; July 23, 1847. Mordecai Roberts, 1834, May 11 ; Rebecca Roberts, do. Sarah Martin, do. Joseph Stagner, 1834, June 8 ; Rebecca Humphrey, do. Ann Howell, 1834, Nov. 9 ; Aug. 9, 1&56. Rachel Emory Stagner, 1835, Aug. 9 ; Rachel Cadwallader, 1836, Feb. 10 ; June 15, 1883. Mary Althouse Stagner, do. Mary Jenkins Higgins, do. Catharine Neavel, 1839, Aug. 11 ; Henry Stagner, 1839, Sept. 8 ; Sarah Hatfield, 1840, Aug. 9 ; Feb. 6, 1351. Rev. William Mathews, 1840, Dec. 13; 1866. Sarah Mathews, do. 1846. Lydia Yothers, 1841, March 14 Matilda Hoxworth Morris, 1841, July 11 ; Jane Evans, do. June 4, 1882. Richard Trinnich, HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

J)ATJ5 OF ADMISSION. Elizabeth Trinnich, William Hawkins, 1843, Sept. 10 ; Sarah Hawkins, do. Lavina Harrar, do. Sept. 19, 1848. Abigail Griffith, do. July 17, 1870. Rebecca Ocky, 1844, Oct. 13 ; 1852. • Ann Jenkins lihoads, do. Susan Griffith, 1844, Nov. 10 ; Feb. 27, 1875. Eliza Jones, July, 1809. John Crispin, May 25, 1851. Ann Evans, Matilda Pool Mathews, Harriet Toy, Charles Toy, John W. Griffith, Oct. 5, 1884. Andrew Delp, Feb. 10, 1887. Charles Toy, David Evans, 1850, Feb. 24 ; John Santman, do. Knos Mathias, do. March 10 ; Dec. 3, 1871. Elizabeth Mathias, do. Gwennie Ann Streeper, do. Sept. 11, 1887. Margaret Lunn, do. 1870. Ann S. Jenkins, do. Elizabeth Jenkins, do. William Harrah, do. March 29,1879. Oliver S. Frick, do. Mary Santman, do. Nathan Harrar, do. Oct. 21, 1872. Jacob Streeper, do. Sarah Ann Steer, do. Esther Ann Evans, do. Alary Hill Slight, do. Mary Weeks, do. Peter Hoxworth, do. Silas S. Jenkins, do. William Allebaugh, do. Thomas Coar, do. Rachel Jenkins, do. John J. Hoxworth, 1850, May 12 ; Rev. George Higgins, do. Ruth Higgins, do. Elizabeth Morgan, do. Mav 19; Eliza Jenkins, do. July 14; David Hedrich, do. Aug. 11 ; Mary Ann Shelly, do. Sept. 15 ; Eupnemia Banes, do. do. Mary Banes, do. do. Jonas Rockafellar, do. do. . Elizabeth Roc kafe 11 a r, do do. Alary Lukens, do. do. Abner Watson, do. Sept. 29 ; Mary K. Griffith, do. Oct. 13 ; Alary Rockafellar, Sarah Campbell, Priscilla Johnson, Elizabeth Beaver, Sept. 13, 1809. < ieorge Leech, 1850, Oct. 13; June 10, 1889. Esther Leech, Frederick Weber, ' 1850, Dec. 8; Euphemia Weber, Mary Ann Martin, Ann Evans, March 9, 1891. John Rhoads, 1851, April 0 ; Margaret Rhoads, do. HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

I)ATB OK A KM ISSIOX. Susanna Sellers, 1851, April 0 ; Dinah Hoxworth, do. John Martin, do. Philip Jenkins, 1851, Aug. 3 ; Hannah Jenkins, do. Esther Davis, do. Nov. 11, 1875. Ellen Evans, do. August, 1857. Enoch Stewart, do. June 11, 1876. Lydia Stewart, do. June 3, 1892. Victoria Banes Whitten, 1851, Sept. 21 ; Wilson Davis, do. Nov. 16; Jan. 17, 1894. Sarah Davis, do. do. April 29, 1890. Ellen Martin, 1852, Jan. H ; Jane Martin Dickinson, do. Amanda Jones, do. Mary Ann Young, 1852, April 11 ; July 3, 1864. Mary Bardart, do. Elizabeth Toy, do. Martha Stewart, do. September, 1856. Robert Gordon, 1853, Dec. 18; June 10, L864. Anna Butler, do. Elizabeth Bender Harrar, do. Sarah Dodd, do. Sarah Swallow, do. 1855. Martha Harrar, do. Naomi Davis, do. Elizabeth Harrar, do Benjamin D. Harrar, do. March, 1875. Mary Eleinstine, do. Esther Davis, do. May 2, 1885. John Selser, do. Jan. 3,1892. Lydia Selser, do. Susan Thomas, 1854, April 4 ; March 4, 1880. Mary Ann Layman, do. Feb. 12; Jacob Strine, do. Montgomery Weber, do. Elizabeth Rockafellar Pearson, do. William Brady, do. Humphrey Martin, do. Emahne Fry, do. Isaac Lewie, do. Jane Delacey, do. Caroline Slight Similar, do. April 28, 1894. Lemintine Stewart, do. Catharine Meyers Conard, do. December, 1S55. Mary Ann Moore Weber, do. 1861. William Conrad, do. William Leech, do. William Haldeman, • do. Mrs. Mary Brady, do. Sept. 24, 1886. Jacob Yothers, do. Susan Honk, 1854, April Í) ; Mary Leech, do. Oct. 8; Aug. 3, 1873. George Davis, 1855, March 24 ; Catharine Wanklin, do. Emma Wanklin Harp, do. . Elizabeth Brady, • do. Jacob Barthe, do. Allan Troutman, Peter Bender, 1855, April 8 ; Oct. 30, 1889. Margaret Davis Todd, 1856, Aug. 17 Dr. Amos Griffith, do. December, 1862. Leidy Cook, 1857, Jan. 4 ; Benjamin Harris, do. John Harrah, do. HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

DATE OF ADMISSION. Burgess Medary, 1857, Jan. 4 ; May 16, 1879. Charles Martin, do. Nov. 22, 1863. Lambert Merker, do. Susan Brong, do Lydia Harris, do. Ehnira Banes, do. November, 1864. Catharine Bender, do. Catharine Rockafellar Smith, do. Abigail Summers Stevens, do. Martha Burrows, do. John J. Jenkins, 1857, Feb. 11 ; Edmund Swallow, do. Oliver P. Summers, do. Edward Ferden, do. Charles Evans, do. Catharine Solliday, do. Grace Jones, do. Matilda Jones. do. 1869. Lydia Brunner, do. Robert Leech, do. Holmes Leech, do. Philip Sellers, do. Margaret Markley, 1857, April 12; Susan Beam, do. Sarah Singley, do. Hiram Livezey, Anne Mathias, March 27, 1861. Mary Harris, Daniel B. Reyner, 1857, Dec. 13 ; March 13, 1879. Martha Reyner, do. Nov. 14, 1890. Jane Campbell, 1858, Jan. 7 ; June 18, 1876. Cordelia Jones, 1858, June 6; Emalino Jones, do. Charlotte Bisson, do. Margaret Brong, 1859, Feb. 13 Caroline Jones, Abel Evans, 1859, April 5 Oct. 29, 1865. Amanda Evans, October, 1871. Mary Snare, 1860, April 8 Mary Krewsön, Thomas M. Harrar, 1861, Feb. 10 Isaac N. Harrar, do. Jonathan R. Harrar, do. Eliza Ann Harrar, do. Wilhelmina Houk Harrar, do. Emma Sentman Moore, do. Priscilla Sentman, do. Mary Beck, do. Oliver Lewis, do. Norris Davis, 1861, Feb. 24 ; Henry Reyner, do. Joseph Jones, do. James Jones, do. George Dotts, do. Emma Jones, do. Catharine Sholler, . do.

(CONTINUED ON PAGE 49.) Origin and History of flontgomery Baptist Church.

From a brief history of the Montgom­ be a church of Jesus Christ; the right ery church prepared in 1884 by Rev. N. hand of fellowship was given to them as B. Baldwin, for the Philadelphia Associa­ a sister church, with exhortation and tion, we make extracts relating to the instruction suitable to the station and origin of the church and its successive relation they now stood in ; and the pastors. The first Baptists who came whole was finished with solemn prayer here were John Evans and Sarah, his to God for a blessing on the work of the wife, who came from Carmarthenshire, day. South Wales, in 1710. They had been The names of the constituents were membërs of a Baptist church there, of John Evans, Sarah Evans, John James, which ,lames James was pastor. In 1711 Elizabeth James, William James, Thomas John James and Elizabeth, his wife, James, Josiah James, James Lewis, David members of the Khydwillym church, in Williams and James Davis. Pembrokeshire, of which John Jenkins For over five years after the first organ­ was pastor, settled in Montgomery. When ization of the church it had no pastor, Abel Morgan, the famous pastor of Pen- but was often supplied by Rev. Abel nepek and Philadelphia, learned of the Morgan and Rev. Elisha Thomas, of arrival of his fellow countrymen, he vis­ Welsh Tract, in Delaware. In the year ited the new emigrants and preached 1722, the church having increased con­ at the house of John Evans. He contin­ siderably in numbers, the following per­ ued to visit the neighborhood as often as sons were called upon to exercise their occasion permitted, and baptized a num­ gifts upon trial : John James, David ber of persons. These believers having Evans, Benjamin Griffith and Joseph increased to ten persons by the year 1710, Eaton. Of these, in 1725, the church it was moved to them either to join with unanimously agreed to call Benjamin some neighboring church, as that of Pen- Griffith to the work of the ministry by nepek, being the nighest, or to be settled ordination. This was accomplished on in a church by themselves. Upon which the 24th day of October, Elisha Thomas they consulted and concluded, by reason and Jenkin Jones acting and assisting by of distance of place and diversity of lan­ the call of the church. About two years guage, they understanding very little later, October 24th, 1727, the church called English, to be.rather a church by them­ Joseph Eaton to the full work of the selves. This conclusion met with the ministry by ordination, Rev. Elisha approbation of Abel Morgan, wdio, being Thomas and Rev. Benjamin Griffith of­ himself a native of Wales, was the most ficiating at his ordination. Mr. Eaton able and trusted of all the brethren in continued as the assistant of Griffith in those parts. He was the first preacher the pastoral relation at Montgomery for to these few Baptistsin Montgomery, and many years—possibly till 1743, a year so far as this is concerned, may be con­ previous to the time when the first church sidered the founder of the church. was erected at New Britain. A day was accordingly set apart for the John Thomas, the second son of Elev. important.event, which was on the 20th William Thomas, the founder of the of June, 1719. The morning was spent church at llilltown, was called to become in fasting and prayer by the brethren the assistant pastor with Mr. Griffith in about to be formed into a church, and in 1751. He probably confined his labors listening to a sermon by Mr. Morgan. as preacher to the branch church at Hill- They were pronounced and declared to town until after the death of Griffith. HISTORY OK THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 23

This occurred October 5th, L768, after a as such until his death, on December 26, long pastorate of forty-three years. He 1802, at the age of eighty-three. was succeeded by Rev. John Thomas, who In this place we give merely the length continued as pastor for thirteen years, of service of the modern pastors, or those including the Revolutionary period. His of the present century : pastorate ended in 1781, with the seces­ 5. SILAS HOUGH, from June, 1804, to sion of the llilltown church. December 8, 1821, or seventeen years. In 1782 the church called Rev. David 6. SAMUEL SMITH, from 1822, to Decem­ Loof borough, who continued as pastor ber 24, 1826, about five years. until 1787. Concerning the latter Rev. 7. JAMES B. BOWEN, from April 4, 1830, Joseph Mathias speaks thus in his writ­ to April, 1831, one year. ings: "There was also a David Loof- 8. THOMAS T. ROBINSON, from Novem­ borough, who came among them a short ber 13, 1831, to May 27, 1838, six years. time previous to the separation, and, as Í). WILLIAM A. MATHEWS, from No­ is often the case with something new, he vember, 1840, to March, 1850, nearly ten stole the hearts of some of the people of years. Montgomery. He continued with them 10. GEOKGE HIGGINS, from May 12,1850, some lime after the church at llilltown to March Í), 1869, nineteen years.

MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH IN 1731. (Size 24 x 42 feet, stone. This house succeeded the original log structure erected in 1720.)

was constituted, and then removed to the 11. NORMAN BRISTOL BALDWIN, from Redstone settlement in Western Pennsyl­ November 1, 1800, till July, 1887, about vania." eighteen years. For a period of eight years, from 1787 12. JOSEPH L. PLUSH, from April 9, to 1795,. there was no pastor. Rev. Abel 1888, till July 30, 1893, about five years. Griffith and others supplied the pulpit The membership of the church at dif­ at times. The period during the Revolu­ ferent times has been as follows: 1702, tion and for ten or fifteen years after was ninety; 1788, twenty-eight; this was one of general declension in religion, and after the separation of llilltown had de­ Montgomery suffered in common with tached fifty-four members. In 1800 fifty- other churches. At this time its mem­ seven members were reported ; in 1850 bership declined to its lowest point, being there were 102; by 1869 these had in­ only twenty-eight in 1788. In 1705 Rev. creased to 190 ; in 1884 there were 204, Joshua Jones became pastor, continuing and the number in 1892 was 175. 24 HISTORY OF TI I K MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

THE SECESSION OF NEW 1SIUTAIN. commonly known by the name of Bock- Many of the early members of Mont­ hill. All assembleatNew Britain on the gomery lived in another township and first Sunday in the month to celebrate county, from three to seven miles dis­ the Lord's Supper. There are some tem­ tant. These were those who had settled poralities belonging to the church in New Britain, Bucks county, upon the also : First, thirty pounds, the gift of fertile lands bordering or near the Ne- Thomas Jones ; second, five pounds, the shaminy and its branches. It was inev­ gift of William Thomas; third, five itable thata separation should take place pounds, the gift of Simon Mathew. With sooner or later, by reason >f distance and these helps the income of the minister inconvenience. It was preceded, how­ may easily be made up to forty pounds ever, by along and bitter controversy, a year. The families belonging to the which to us at this time seems to have place are about seventy. The members been unfortunate and unneccessary. number forty-nine. This was the state Welshmen are proverbially choleric and of the church in 1770. As for the past, obstinate in opinion, and these race char­ we have no farther to look back than acteristics doubtless colored and length­ 171::. To that year the people in the ened the dispute. neighborhood had been a branch of Montgomery ; but then they divided. At New Britain two acres for a grave­ The cause of the division was a proposal yard had been given the Baptists there for a meeting house on Leahy hill, which by Lawrence Growdep about 1740. Up­ should be central for all the people. This on this ground the first place for public project Montgomery warmly opposed and worship was erected in 1744, which was the New Britainers as warmly urged, till popularly known as Society meeting the unhallowed passions of both were house, from the fact that it stood upon a stirred up. There was also a difference large grant of land originally patented to respecting the Sonship of Christ, some the "Free Society of Traders." grounding the character of the Son on an Morgan Edwards, a Welsh preacher eternal generation, others on mediation travelling in America, wrote an account only, but both allowing His personality of the Baptist churches existing in the and equality with the Father. A contro­ colonies at about the date of 1770. The versy therefore arose, too inconsiderable following is his description of New Brit­ to produce the effect it did had not a sep­ ain at that time, and an account of its aration been a determined point. Ac­ separation from Montgomery : cordingly the matter was fomented by a "This is the ninth church in the Prov­ paper that was often called 'Butler's ince with respect to seniority. It is Creed.' How the controversy was man­ commonly distinguished by the above aged may be seen by the report of the name of the township where the meeting committee which the Association had is, in the county of Bucks, about twenty- appointed to examine the whole affair, five miles north by west of Philadelphia. dated November 7, 1744, and signed by The house is of stone, forty feet by thirty, Owen Thomas, Benjamin Stille and erected in 1744 on a lot of two acres, Thomas Jones. They blame both parties partly the gift of Judge Growden and and leave it doubtful which party was partly the purchase of the congregation, most blameable. However, a division whereupon are stables, a school house, took place, one party having Benjamin and a fine grove. It is a rising ground, Griffith at their head, the other Joseph formed into an angle by the crossing of Eaton; each crying : 'The temple of the the high roads. The house is accommo­ Lord are we, the essence of the church dated with seats, galleries and a stove. is with us !' Henceforth they acted as The church exists in two branches, the two separate churches, and sometimes one near the meeting house, the other in under one roof. Numbers favored the the border of the Great Swamp, fourteen claim of the New Britainers, but they miles off, where also is a meeting house, HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST OHURCH. 25 quilting the house in 1744 the scale favor­ and all the endeavors used heretofore ed the people of Montgomery's claim. with said party not having had the de­ Nevertheless, New Britain petitioned for sired effect: Resolved, not to enter upon a dismission, and Montgomery granted their debates again by receiving accusa­ it—the one to conlirm their churchship, tions or charges, either from the parties the other to get into the Association. At themselves or others espousing their the division about fifteen sided with cause, respecting the things that have neither party ; therefore they were called already been heard and debated over and 'Neutrals,' some of whom belong to no over, to little purpose." In 1748 the As­ visible church to this day." sociation advised their ministers not to So much for the terse and pithy account preach for the Society party without first of Morgan Edwards. The records of the exhorting them to be reconciled to the Philadelphia Association give us further Montgomery church, and then the way enlightenment in regard to the secession would be clear ; for, otherwise, preaching of New Britain. The controversy had to them would tend to strengthen their arisen many years before the erection of faction. a meeting house at the latter place in It will thus be seen that the New Brit­ 1744. As early as 1736 these troubles ain people were constantly under the had been brought to the attention of the ban of the Association. They may have Association, its minutes of that year say­ been most in the wrong, but perhaps, ing : "The Association, being informed of also, this may have been because Benja­ a discord and- contention in the church min Griffith had greater influence and at Montgomery, did nominate Jenkin power in that body than Joseph Eaton Jones and Owen Thomas, ministers, with and Simon Butler. Nevertheless, so any other two brethren that they might determined and persistent was the revolt judge serviceable, to visit and to endeavor of the seceders against Montgomery that to conciliate matters between them." they triumphed at last. In fact, the This action of the Association was caused New Britain members had boldly claimed chiefly by the doctrinal controversy above that they were the main church, and referred to. threatened to have Montgomery recog­ At the meeting of the Association in nized only asahranch. This, as Edwards 1743, Joseph Eaton appeared in person says, caused the latter finally to agree to before the body and made a full and a separation. So New Britain was organ­ satisfactory recantation and confession of ized as a separate church November 28th, his errors, and the body forgave him. 1754, and was received into the Associa­ At the same time Simon Butler, by letter, tion in 1755. In these minutes of the also recanted and confessed to the satis­ Association aud the historical notes of faction of the messengers of the churches. Edwards we have only the skeleton of Nevertheless, in 1746 the Association the great controversy which so divided voted that "the letter from the 'Society and embittered that generation. Its party' came into the Association disor­ echoes were doubtless heard when Ed­ derly, and their messengers are not to be wards wrote, a quarter of a century later, received as members of the house, which and probably did not die out till after vote passed without any contrary votes." the Revolution. The details of these It will be seen that then delegates from contentions and of the various accusa­ the various churches were called "mes­ tions hurled at each other by either party sengers. " might be interesting reading now. But, perhaps fortunately, they have long since Again in 1747 the following preamble been lost and are utterly forgotten. and resolution were passed by the Asso­ ciation : "Whereas, the Association hav­ MONTGOMERY OHTJBCH IN 1770. ing from time to time for several years The following is the account of Mont­ past heard the allegations of the Society gomery church written by Morgan Ed­ party against the church at Montgomery, wards in 1770. It will be seen that the 26 HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

meeting house was near the same length church in 1770 including that of the Hill- as that at New Britain, but more narrow : town branches. It would be interesting "This is distinguished by the above to separate from the list the names of name of the township where the meeting members belonging to the mother church is, in the county of Philadelphia, about at Montgomery, but this cannot certaitdy twenty miles north by west from the city. be done, so we give them all together, The house is a stone building, forty-two premising by saying that the Hilltown feet by twenty-four, with seats, galleries, members were then much the most nu­ a stove and two fireplaces. It was erect­ merous portion, or about two-thirds of ed in 1731, on a lot of one acre, the gift the whole : of John Evans, whereon are also con­ "John Thomas, minister; Ephraim venient stables and a school house. This Thomas and Isaac James, elders ; Joseph church exists in three branches :The one Thomas and Joseph Lunn, deacons ; Jen­ near the place of worship, another at kin Evans, Joseph Thomas, Henry Harris, Perquasy, where is a house erected in Thomas Davis, Mannasseh Thomas, 1737 by Mr. William Thomas, who also Enoch Thomas, Thomas Thomas, Job appropriated thereto four acres ; the Thomas, Nathan Britain, Samuel Jones, third at Upper Perquasy, where is a house Joseph Griffith, Peter Evans, John Hitch- built in 1752 on an acre of ground, the man, Benjamin Drake, Lawrence Kelly, gift of John Kelly, within eight miles John Mathias, Thomas Morris, Thomas of the mother church ; the other within Jones, Evan Mathews, Jeremiah Vastine, four miles. From these quarters the peo­ Edward Jones, Edward Eaton, Joseph ple resort to Montgomery to celebrate Day, Thomas Mathias, Thomas Jones, the Lord's Supper on the second Sunday John Williams, John Britain, Nathaniel of each month. Besides the said acres Britain, Joseph Britain, Jonathan New- are other legacies left to the church : (1) house, Henry Godshalk, Abel Griffith, Twelve pounds a year, the gift of Thomas Richard Britain, John West, Thomas Edmunds; (2) one pound, sixteen shil­ Jones, Evan Pugh, Ann James, Mary lings a year, the gift of Thomas Rees ; Davis, Elizabeth Thomas, Martha Harris, (3) one pound, sixteen shillings, the gift Martha Jones, Sarah Bates, Sarah Thom­ of William Rees. With these helps the as, Alice Lunn, Elinor Thomas, Sarah living is thought to be worth forty pounds Thomas, Mary Thomas, Rebecca Thomas, a year. • The families belonging to the Ann Britain, Leah Jones, Elinor Evans, church are about ninety, whereof ninety- Mary Lewis, Mary Griffith, Rachel Drake, nine persons are baptized and in the com­ Hannah Humphrey, Jonanna Davis, munion of the church. The present Deborah Drake, Sarah Thomas, Alice minister is John Thomas. This was Mathias, Hannah Mathias, Mary Mathews, their state in the year 1770." Rebecca Eaton, Elizabeth Vastine, Gwen- It will be seen from theaccountof both ellian Morris, Sarah Gray, Margaret Jones, the New Britain and Montgomery Sarah Vastine, Mary Eaton, Dorothy churches that the early Baptists were not Day, Elizabeth Mathias, Rachel Drake, unmindful of secular education. Both Ann Morris, Ann Lewis, Ann Williams, had built school houses near the meeting Elizabeth Jones, Ann Williams, Hester house before 1770, but when built we do Jones, Elizabeth Britain, Hannah Cast- not know. Here the youth of the vicin­ ner, Ann Newhonse, Mary Cook, Katha­ ity might at least obtain the rudiments of rine Phillips, Mary Lewis, Mary Griffith, an education—and nothing more was ex­ Rebecca Pugh, Rachel Britain, Margaret pected to'be taught in the country schools Jones, Abigail Britain, Ann Young, Eliz­ of that time. It would be interesting to abeth Godshalk, Catharine Dungan, Ann know who were some of the teachers of Jones, Ann West, Sarah Parker,Elizabcth that Colonial period, but their names Rees." and character are lost to us. Several things are noticeable concern­ Edwards gives the membership of the ing the names here and elsewhere given HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 27 in this volume. First, until after the proportion in Montgomery were of .that Revolution the great majority of names race At that period, however, the two were of Welsh origin ; a few were Eng­ races had not become amalgamated, lish and Scotch-Irish. Scarcely any were either by social ties, by marriage or German, except a very few who had be­ church relationship, to any extent. come Baptists after marrying into Welsh Secondly, population was not so dense families. At first the settlers of Mont­ then as to render convenient the usage gomery, New Britain and Hilltown were of middle names, or at least the custom nearly all Welsh people. But long before had not been adopted. Third, both men 1770 nearly half the population of Hill- and women bore old-fashioned names, town were of German origin, one-third either of Scriptural or of ancient British of that of NewBritain, and a considerable origin. Biographical Sketches of the Pastors of Montgomery.

BENJAMIN GRIFFITH. justly reckoned as the first American The first pastor, Benjamin Griffith, Baptist historian. In 1749 "the Associa­ was born in the parish of Llanllyni, tion unanimously approved and agreed Cardiganshire, Wales, October Kith, 1088 ; to an Essay of Benjamin Griffith respect­ emigrated to America in 1710 ; was bap­ ing the powers and duties of an Associa­ tized May 11, 1711, and settled at Mont­ tion, to be inserted in the Association gomery in 1720. He was licensed in Book." Mr. Horatio G. Jones says of 1722, and ordained as pastor October 23, Mr. Griffith : "He was a man of great 1725. He was a most diligent student, note in his day, and wielded a powerful was quite a linguist, and highly esteemed influence among the churches." lie by cultivated men. He was a capital was half-brother to Rev. Enoch Morgan, penman, a good historian, a judicious of Welsh Tract, and Rev. Abel Morgan, writer. His acquaintance with law and of Pennepek. His chief published work medicine was such as to lead many per­ was printed in 1747 by Benjamin Frank­ sons to seek his counsel and advice. The lin. It appears as an appendix to the confidence reposed in his judgment was book of Abel Morgan, of Middletown, such that his opinion was seldom rejected called "Anti-P;edo-Rantism, or Mr. Sam­ or appealed from. Several productions uel Finley's Charitable Plea for the of his pen were printed. He revised and Speechless Examined and Refuted," and enlarged a "Treatise on Church Disci­ was a reply to or "Remarks on Some pline," begun by Abel Morgan, of Peu- Particulars in a Late Pamphlet Entitled nepek, which was attached to the Baptist Divine Right of Infant Baptism." Mor­ Confession of Faith. He was very widely gan Ed wards says: "He appeared in print known and greatly esteemed among Bap­ in vindication of the resurrection of the tists of the whole country, and scarcely same body, a very scarce piece, which I less esteemed by the political, profession­ have never seen." Mr. Griffith was al, official and learned citizens of the moderator of the Association in 1755, colony. He had the blessing of very 1759, 1760 and 1705, and no doubt was many as a peacemaker, and in him were clerk for many years. He died October combined more of the useful and social 5th, 1768, in his eighty-first year. A qualities than fall to the lot of most tombstone to his memory stands in the men. As an illustration of the confi­ rear of the present Montgomery church. dence reposed in him by his brethren, Indeed, Montgomery church was em­ we find in the doings of the Philadelphia inently fortunate in having for its first Association in 1746 the following minutes: pastor such a man as Benjamin Griffith, "Concluded, that Brother Benjamin who was fitted by natural gifts and by Griffith should collect and set in order superior education to be the leader, in­ the accounts of the several Baptist structor and guide of the pioneers by churches in these Provinces, and keep a whom he was surrounded. And this was record of the proceedings of our denom­ not only .in religious, but in secular affairs, ination in these Provinces, and that the lie was sufficiently versed in the law to several churches shall draw out and send give his parishioners sound advice in legal him as soon as possible what accounts matters concerning their rights and es­ they have on record in church books of tates. His proficiency in the healing art their respective constituents, and by enabled him to readily prescribe for the whose ministry they have been supplied." pains and ailments of his flock. Such By this it will be seen that he may be was the benevolence of his character that HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 29 for these services he refused any compen­ for about half a mile, and was about sation. Such a man could not be spared three-fourths of a mile in width. At from a pioneer community, and it is no present it is bordered by roads on three wonder that he never had to" seek the sides, and by the railroad on the south­ pastorate of another church. In fact, east. This tract, comprising three hun­ most of the founders of the early churches dred acres, was purchased by Griffith in of all denominations were men of influ­ 1722, of Joseph Kirkbride, for £67 10. ence and superior education, not only A few years ago it was divided into compared to their flocks, but to the sec­ the farms of Joseph Ruth, John S. ond generation of preachers who came Ruth, Isaiah Beck, and parts of the farms after them. Although receiving some of John Kromt, Henry Kroat and Isaiah salary, they were in worldly circum­ G. Ruth. In June, 1723, we find Mr. stances measurably independent of their Griffith one of the signers of the petition

KKV. ABEL MORGAN. [Mr. Morgan was a frequent visitor to Montgomery Baptist Church, and was one of its earliest preachers.) churches, as they held farms and labored for the formation of the township of on them, thus providing for their own New Britain. His wife was Sarah Miles, subsistence. They were sure of a living by whom he had children: Jane, Abel, whether their churches wanted them as Sarah, Joseph and Rachel, who married pastors or not. into the Evans, Coffin, Davis and Roberts Benjamin Griffith, the pastor of Mont­ families. His son Abel became also a gomery church, did not live either in minister, and had a church at Salem, Montgomery township or county, but in New Jersey, before the Revolution. The New Britain township, Bucks county. site of the old preacher's home was near His farm lands comprised a tract about a the centre of his plantation, on the hill­ mile east of Line Lexington, bordering side near the later residence of John S. the county line, and watered by the Ne- Ruth. Here, within the memory of those shaminy. It bordered the county line now-living, stood an old stone house of 30 HISTOKY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

one and a half stories. This was a few paralytic stroke he became so disabled hundred yards up the slope, northwest that it was with difficulty that he could from the banks of the Neshaminy. The be borne to the two places of worship and old house and barn here were demolished attend to* his ministerial labors. He a number of years after Jacob Ruth put lived on a farm in llilltown of 212 acres up new buildings in 1817. The site of inherited from his father, now or recently Griffith's house is now- part of a cultivated held by Jacob Seiple and Samuel Detwi­ field. ler, and near the hamlet of Fair Hill. In 1754 Griffith sold 150 acres, com­ His children were four daughters: Anna, prising the southwesterly side of his Rebecca, Leah and Sarah. Anna married plantation on the county line, to his son Nathan Brittain ; Rebecca married Daniel Abel, the Salem preacher. A year Inter Pugh ; Leah became the wife of Samuel the latter sold to his brother Joseph, who Jones, and Sarah married John Black- also inherited the other 150 acres, where well, of Hunterdon county, New Jersey.

his father had lived. In 1770 Joseph DAVID TiOOFHOROUGH. Griffith began to sell his patrimony to The third pastor, David Loofbor- strangers, who were Germans. One of ough, was born at Kingwood, Hun­ them was John Detwiler, who bought terdon county, New Jersey. He was 100 acres in 1770, and another was a licensed to preach at Schooley Mountain, tavern keeper named Tobias Shull, who and was ordained as pastor of the church bought the original homestead and 150 at Pemberton March 25, 1781, where he acres in 1779. The will of Benjamin remained one year. His pastorate at Griffith was witnessed by Griffith Owens, Montgomery lasted five years, from Au­ Owen Owens and Ebenezer Owens, all of gust 18, 1782, till 1787. This was the Hilltown. His daughters, Sarah Davis period of the greatest religious declension and Rachel Roberts,each received legacies the church had seen, following as it did of £20. Jane had married an Evans, the time of the Revolution, when infidel­ and was deceased, leaving a daughter, ity was rampant, no firm government es­ Jane. tablished and morals at a low ebb. The JOHN THOMAS. church had but a handful of members, The second pastor, John Thomas, was becoming reduced to twenty-eight. From the second son of Rev. William Thomas, .Montgomery Mr. Loofborough went to aud was born in Radnor township, Dela­ Morristown, New Jersey, and in 1794 was ware county, where his father was then at Upper Freehold. He subsequently seeking to retrieve his fortune by cooper­ removed to western Pennsylvania, where ing. This was on the 9th of December, he became pastor of the Church of Mt. 1713. In early life he followed farming Moriah, in Fayette county, and also of in llilltown, and did not enter the minis­ Great Bethel, in Uniontown, same county, try till near middle life. His ordination from 1791 to 1794. took place in 1751. In 173S he married Sarah James, of Radnor. In the early JOSHUA JONES. years of his ministry he was an assistant The fourth pastor, Joshua Jones, spent to Mr. Griffith, and also of his father, the closing years of his ministry in preach­ William Thomas, of llilltown. On the ing for the Montgomery church. He was death of Mr. Griffith, in 1708, Mr. Thom­ born in the parish of New Castle, Pem­ as was installed as sole pastor, and con­ brokeshire, Wales, in 1721; came to tinued as such for thirteen years. Upon America in 1726, and was ordained at the secession of Hilltown church, in 1781, New Britain in 1701, but did not assume he became its lirst pastor, which he re­ full pastorate of that church till 1708. mained till 1789. His death took place He was its preacher for a long period, in­ October 31st, 1790. The last time he ad­ cluding the time of the Revolution. ministered the rite of baptism was in When becoming old, he took charge of June, 1780. From the effects of a slight Montgomery church, June 7, 1795, and HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 31 so remained till his death, December 2(ith, taught school. He was ordained to the 1802, honored, respected and beloved by ministry June 7, 1804. He was always all who knew him. One mannerism or called "Dr. Hough," and in addition to peculiarity of his own was his always his ministerial duties he practiced medi­ ©losing his sermons with the same sen­ cine. He preached both at New Britain tence: "I leave it with you briefly and and Montgomery. In March, 1818, he abruptly; may God add His blessing." was stricken with palsy while in the pul­ In I7i)2, while pastor of New Britain, he pit at New Britain, but he remained wrote the circular letter on "The Assur­ preaching at Montgomery till 1822. His ance of Grace and Salvation,'- for the deat h took place May 14, 1823, at the age Philadelphia Association. of fifty-seven. He was a man of unusual Although Joshua Jones was pastor of suavity of mannerand sweetness of dispo­ t he New Britain church for a quarter of a sition. He was also noted as being a fine century, he did not live in. New Britain musician, having studied music under at all,but in Montgomery township. This, Mr. Adgate, of Philadelphia. He was too, was near its lower edge, about a half highly esteemed in the Association, and mile west of the village of Eureka. It waschosen itsclerkin 1804-1812,1816, and extended to the Horsham road and com­ its moderator in 1813. When he died prised 189 acres. This he bought in 1750 he left the New Britain church $1,000, and held till 1799. The inconvenience of and a similar sum to the Association in ministering to so distant a church as New behalf of the Ministers' and Widows' Britain may be imagined when it isstated Fund. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter that it was six and a half miles away, and of John and Rebecca Hart. They left no at a time when the roads were greatly in­ children. His widow survived himthirty- ferior to the present. Probably a horse­ seven years, or down to 1860, when she back journey on every Sunday morning had reached eighty-seven years. was sufficient, evening meetings being then not much in vogue. Even Mont­ SAMUEL SMITH. : gomery church was three miles distant. The sixth pastor, Samuel Smith, was He had favored the cause of the seceders born in New Castle county, Delaware, at New Britain, and became one of its September 23, 1790, and was baptized in constituent members in 1754. No chil­ February, 1815, by Rev. Daniel Dodge, dren are mentioned in his will of 1800. He uniting with the First church of Wilming­ left a bequest to Joseph Hubbs, "with ton, Delaware. He was called to Mont­ whom I reside," and who bought his gomery church in 1822, where he labored plantation. He left also £100 to the Bap­ till December 24, 1826. He removed to tist church of Montgomery. The farm the church at Roxborough. His subse­ once owned by Joshua Jones has changed quent pastorates were 1831 to 1838 at Cape ownership many times. In 1881 the site May ; 1838 to 1842 at Salem ; 1843 to 1853, of his homestead was bought by William Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was after­ M. Hugg. wards pastor atParkersburg, WestVirginia; Covington,Kentucky,and Lancaster,Ohio. SILAS HOUGH. He died at Parkersburg October 4, 1880, The fifth pastor, Silas Hough, was the in his eighty-fifth year. His oldest son, first pastor of nearby birth. He belonged Rev. Lewis Smith, was pastor at Trenton to an old Bucks county family, and was and Heightstown, New Jersey. born February 8, 1706, in Warminster township, the son of Isaac Hough. His JAMES B. BOWEN. mother's name had been Edith Hart. He was pastor of Montgomery for only He learned the trade of millwright. When one year, from April, 1830, to the same about thirty years of age he was baptized month, 1831. He had previously been at Montgomery by Rev. William White, pastor of the Southampton church, which May 8, 1796. He then attended school became known as one of the old school, to better his education, and for a time or anti-mission churches. In 1840 be 32 HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. wrote a preface to a pamphlet concerning his life he removed to New Britain, the life of Elder Thomas T. Robinson, where he died June 5, 1866. He was his successor. married-in England to his first wife. His

THOMAS TREBLE ROBINSON. second wife was Elizabeth Pool, by whom he had a son, John, now deceased. He The eighth pastor was born June 13, had two daughters by his first wife, who 1792, in Staines, Middlesex county, Eng­ married and removed elsewhere. land. He came to America with his father and all the family, arriving in New GEORGE HIGGINS. York May 1, 1819. He went to Pittsburg, The tenth pastor was born December 1(1, where he began exercising his gifts for 1798, in England, and lived in his youth in the ministry. He studied theology with Philadelphia. The writer has heard him the celebrated Dr. Staughton, in Phila­ describe, in a sermon preached at New Bri­ delphia, for two years. His first pastorate tain, the inspiring spectacle of the Ameri-

HEV. GEORGE HIGGINS. ( Pastor from 1850 to 1869.) was at Everham, New Jersey, where he can war vessels he had witnessed from the went in 1821. His wife was Abigail, wharves of that city during the war of daughter of Eli Evans. His second pas­ 1812, and which he had looked upon with torate was from 1822 to 1831, at the Cape boyish enthusiasm. He became a mem­ May church. He came to Montgomery ber of the First Baptist church of Phila­ April 4, 1831, and remained as pastor delphia in 1817, was licensed to preach there till his death, May 27, 1838. by the Spruce street church in 1827, and WILLIAM A. MATHEWS. was ordained in Reading in 1829. He The ninth pastor also was an English­ spent considerable time in missionary man. He was born in 1792, and was labors in bis younger days, in Northum­ pastor of Montgomery for the ten years berland, Lycoming and other counties. from 1840 to 1850. Towards the close of Among the fruits of these labors were HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 33 the churches at Reading, Clinton, Jersey were baptized by him. In June, 1864, Shore and Lock Haven. In 1839 he be­ his health failing, he closed his pastorate came pastor of the Third church, Phila­ of eleven years and removed to his farm, delphia, and so successful was he there near Colmar. From thence he supplied that 276 new members were received in the churches at New Britain, Bristol and one year. In 1841 a colony from this church Gwynedd. In November, 1869, he be­ was organized, now the Calvary church, of came pastor of Montgomery. Large ad­ which he was pastor till 1850, when he ditions to the church followed, about was called to Montgomery. Here he had seventy being baptized the first year. much success for many years, the church Other revivals followed in 1875-6-7, and greatly increasing in numbers. It is in 1881-2. Up to 1884 he had baptized said that during his whole ministry some 122 persons. One of his sons, Rev. E. F. 1500 received baptism at his hands. He Baldwin, sailed in 1884 as missionary to was moderator of the Association in 1843. Morrocco, Africa. Mr. Baldwin continued Mr. Higgins was thrice married. His as pastor till July, 1887, and the following second marriage, to Ellen Jones, occurred year removed to Hilltown, of which after his coming to Montgomery. It was church he was pastor five years and celebrated on a bright moonlight winter seven months. Mr. Baldwin, in speak­ evening, in January, 1852, in the church, ing of his connection with the Hilltown and as the sleighing was good the attend­ church, says it was "a prosperous pastor­ ance was very large. His third marriage ate and a dear people." At the present was to Mary, daughter of Owen Jenkins, writing Mr. Baldwin resides in German- who still lives at Col mar. His children, town. six in number, were by his first wife, and JOSEPH L. PLUSH. were: Maggie, Ruth, Mary, George, Mar­ The twelfth pastor was Rev. J. L. Push, tha and Annie. who assumed the office on the 9th of His death occurred at Montgomery April, 1888. Previously, he had preached March 9, 1869, in his seventy-first year. as a supply since October 24th, 1887. His NORMAN BRISTOL BALDWIN, A. M. father had died when he was quite young, A brief biography of the eleventh pas­ leaving his mother poor. She resided in tor, Norman Bristol Baldwin, A. M., was Gerniantown. Her son, whilst a boy, written by himself in 1884, which we worked for various farmers in Montgom­ copy entire. He was born August 23, ery county His first pastorate was at 1824, in New Milford, Litchfield county, Dunning's church, in a distant county, Connecticut, and was the son of Rev. from wdience he came to Montgomery. Daniel Baldwin, an esteemed and highly He continued the pastor till his resignation, useful Baptist minister. He was baptized on the 30tli of July, 1893. From Mont­ December, 1840, by Rev. E. C. Ambler, gomery he went to Orbesonia, Hunting­ and became a member of the Northville don county. church, and was licensed to preach in 1841. He was educated at Madison Uni­ REV. CHARLES HENRY PINCHBECK. versity, New York, and graduated in 1846. The present pastor of the Montgomery In January, 1847, he became pastor of the Baptist church, the Rev. Charles Henry Baptist church at Monticello, Sullivan Pinchbeck, was born August 7th, 1872, county, New York, and in June, 1849, in the historic market town of Horiicastle, was called to the Bethesda church, New charmingly situated in an agreeable dis­ York city. Owing to ill health he resigned. trict at the foot of the Wolds, twenty In 1854 he became pastor of Calvary miles east of the noted city of Lincoln, church, Philadelphia, succeeding Mr. in the county of Lincoln, England. Higgins. From this he went out with a He was the fourth son born into the colony of 220 members, forming the Oli­ household of Joseph and Alice Pinch- vet church, October 7, 1856. Extensive heck, of whom it may be said that none revivals followed his labors, and hundreds were more thoroughly respected in the 34 HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

community for their integrity, industry From that time on, as he travelled and devotion. much of this vast country in pursuit of Three more sons and one daughter his business, God constantly called him were in after years entrusted to them by to the ministry. In many Providential the hand of God, and it was always then- ways did God impress this call upon his chief concern and delight to spend hours mind and heart, until at last, yielding of secret devotion and religious conversa­ himself to the urgency of many men of tion with their children, that their open­ God and to the persistent call of God, he ing minds might be set upon things entered once more upon the student's above and that they might early learn to life. love and serve God. On September 23, 1891, he entered Amidst such auspicious surroundings Crozer Theological Seminary, at Chester, Charles grew up in the quiet town of Pa., and graduated June 6th, 1891. Horncastle, until at last, when the boy Throughout his entire course he showed was about seven years old, his father re­ marked proficiency in all lines of study, moved with his family to Tottenham, in and had the esteem of both faculty and the northern part of the city of London. students on account of his godly life. Here Charles, with his brothers, was For a few months during the summer sent to the Tottenham National school, of 1893 he preached in the town of Flor­ where his mental ability, his depth of ence, Burlington county, N. J. It was investigation and his thirst for knowledge here that he met Miss Mary Higgins, a became proverbial. devoted Christian worker, loved by all Although suffering with poor health, for her piety as well as her scholarly he threw himself with such ambition attainments, who became his wife Janu­ and earnestness into his studies that he ary 31st, 1895. was graduated with, honor at the age of Whilst yet a student in Crozer Semi­ thirteen. From thence he entered a nary he became pastor of Montgomery private school in the delightful town of church, taking full charge, after serving Sutton, in Surrey. them acceptably for some months, on But the acquisition of knowledge, January 1st, 1894. which was his delight, must be forsaken During his pastorate be has succeeded, for a business training. Stern necessity m a marked degree, in endearing him­ seemed to be marking out his career, and self to the people; in bringing many souls so, at the age of fourteen, he was appren­ to Christ and in increasing both the ma­ ticed to the firm of II. & E. Bullen, to terial, mental and spiritual prosperity of learn the grocery and provision business, the church. The present membership in the town of Woodville, in Derbyshire. of the church is 140 and the Sunday AVith this firm he remained until the school has a membership of about ninety. year 1889, when, on the 13th of July, he Within the church there are various or­ set sail from Liverpool for America, with ganizations for Christian work, all of a view to the increase of health and which are doing gloriously in Christ's fortune. name. Arriving in New York July 25, 18S9, In a word we might say that the old after settling himself in the city, he went church has taken on new life and has with those who worshipped to the house been restored to its old-time vigor under of God. It was in the Ascension Baptist the simple, healthful preaching and ju­ chureh of that city that he was converted dicious leadership of its present pastor. and baptized, September 29, 1889. Temporalities.

John Evans, the first Baptist who set­ Mitchell. The church grounds and cem­ tled at Montgomery, gave an acre of etery embrace about eight acres. Upon ground, upon which, in 1720, was erected this is erected a stone house for the use the lirst meeting house. This lot within of the sexton. (he present century has been twice en­ Of former pastors of the church were larged, once by a gift from Dr. William buried in the graveyard Benjamin Grif­ Bryan, and again by purchase of more fith, Joseph Eaton (first pastor of New land by the church. It is probable that Britain), Joshua Jones, Silas Hough, the first church was only a temporary Thomas T. Robinson and George Higgins. building, for in 1731 the church built one The latest bequest to the church was of stone, 42 by 24 feet, with a trallery. In from Theophilus Cornell, to the amount 1816 this was taken down and a new one of $12,000. Mr. Cornell, a wealthy gen­ erected, 55 by 50, with a gallery all tleman, becoming interested in the wel­ around. In 1883 the latter edifice was fare of the old Montgomery church, left greatly enlarged and improved, the walls a bequest which will prove of inestimable being raised, the length increased fifteen value to the church. Some of the an­ feet, and a basement story provided with cestors of Mr. Cornell are buried in the a church parlor and robing rooms. The graveyard adjoining the church. In his main audience room has cushioned seats will Mr. Cornell bequeaths to the trus­ and stained glass windows. tees of the church in trust, money and There have been several bequests made property to the amount of about $12,000, to the church, one of which was $1,500 consisting of five mortgages and a prop­ from John N. Thomas, who resided on erty on Eleventh street, Philadelphia ; the later Summers farm, New Britain. the whole of this amount to be kept He was a young physician, and died invested in legal securities, and from the April 15, 1816, in the thirtieth year of his increase of same the sum of $25 to be age. He had studied medicide under paid to the sexton of the church yearly, Dr. Silas Hough. He was the son of to pay him for keeping Mr. Cornell's and Owen Thomas and Susannah Mathews. the Vansant grave plots in perfect order. He also left $1,000 to New Britain church. The income of the estate, less the amount A few years since, Rev. John Shive willed to the sexton, is to be used in Jenkins left the church $500. He was keeping the church property in good once a member, and had been sent forth order and repair. This income will be by the church as a minister of the gospel. available as long as the church exists. For many years the church owned a The new parsonage was erected out of the farm of thirty acres, upon which were accumulation of this fund. Mr. Cornell erected suitable buildings for a parson­ also left a house to his housekeeper, Liz­ age, but in 1860 the property was Bold zie Rare, the income to be hers during and the proceeds invested for the use of her lifetime, the rental of which is $22 the church. This was about a mile per month. After her death it goes to northeast of the church, near the Doyles- Montgomery church. town road. It is now owned by Joseph Notes of the Earlier Members.

The following brief sketches of some have record of his daughter, Esther, be­ of the constituent members of Montgom­ ing baptized. ery church, and of various other worthies JENKIN EVANS, of the earlier time of the church, may A constituent member and a native of be of interest. They relate to those con­ Wales. He bought a piece of land in cerning whom the writer has some his­ 1717, comprising 108 acres and lying torical knowledge. between the Bethlehem turnpike and the JOHN EVANS county line. The site of the present Was one of the constituent members in church and a portion of the graveyard 1719, and one of the earlier settlers of were on the west corner of this purchase.

REV. N. B. BALDWIN, A. M. (Pastor from 1869 to 1887.) Montgomery township. It was at his The cross road extending to the county house that the scattered members gather­ line was the upper boundary. His resi­ ed for worship before any church was dence was where the Houck family has built, and to whom Rev. Abel Morgan lived for many years. The oldest stone preached. An entry in the church book in the graveyard with an inscription is of the date of 1720 announces the death of the date of 1729, and is to the memory of John Evans—supposed to have been of Walter, son of this Jenkin Evans. the above mentioned. He was probably In a deed for the property, recorded at not then a young man, as in 1719 we Norristown in 1797, the recitals say that HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. .",7

"some time after" its purchase in 1717, indication of superior intelligence in those "one acre on the northwest corner was days, and this old Welshman was probably conveyed to the Baptist church." This a better read man than the average pion­ transfer to the church was made in 1731. eer of Montgomery township. In his Before this date interments had taken will mention is made of a quarto Bible, place in this ground. From its purchase "Usher's Body of Divinity" and "Wil­ in 1717 this homestead remained in pos­ son's Dictionary." To Walter he gave a session of Jenkin Evans and his descend­ Bible, "Cotton's Concordance," "Bnn- ants for 116 years, or till 1833. There yan'sCovenant"and "Pilgrim's Progress" may have been two persons of the name and "all the remainder of my books." of Jenkin Evans living at the same time. The second, or perhaps the third Jenkin Sarah Evans is mentioned as the wife of Evans sold his share to Walter and went Jenkin Evans, whilst Alice Evans, wife to New Britain. He becanie owner of of Jenkin Evans, w-as baptized in March, the Butler mill, at Chalfont; was justice 1724. He was probably twice married. of the peace and a member of the Legis-

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REV. JOS. L. PLUSH. (Pastor from April 9, 888, till July 30, 1893.) In the county records is mention of the lature. He died July 1st, 1814, in the will of a Jenkin Evans in 1770. The sixty-seventh year of his age. name of his widow was Jane. He left JOHN JAMES minor children. His two sons, Walter and Jenkin, Jr., inherited the homestead, Was the ancestor of the James family of whilst his daughters were Elizabeth, Bucks county. He came to America Rachel, Sarah, Mary and Ellinor. His from Wales in 1711, bringing with him widow was to be furnished with a horse four sons. These were Thomas, William. "to go to meeting and other necessary Josiah and Isaac. He is supposed to places," and doubtless she went on horse­ have remained in Montgomery for the back. The possession of books was an first eight or nine years. He exhibited 38 HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. ability as a speaker, and we find that that where Robert Johnson now lives, during the years from 1722 to 1725 John but for a lifetime the home of the late James and several other "young men" Thomas C. James. William James was were called upon frequently to "exercise dismissed to New Britain church in Aug­ their gifts for preaching." In reality, ust, 1756. His wife was one of the con­ John James at that time was a man of stituent members of that church. He middle age. The young church was lived to advanced age, dying at the house looking out for a pastor from among its of his daughter, Rebecca Butler, on the members. It finally selected Benjamin premises now of Michael Martin, near Griffith, one of these young men, and Chalfont. His will was made in 1776. made a wise choice. John James remov­ The public bequests were : "To my bro­ ed to New Britain in 1720, where, in ther, Isaac James, who is also my brother conjunction with his son Thomas, he in Gospel bonds, and Peter Evans, of purchased 1,000 acres lying on Iron Hill Montgomery, ten pounds for the support and along Pine Run. This land their of the ministry of said church." "To descendants continued to possess for David and Daniel Evans, twenty pounds many generations, and a small portion is in trust to New Britain church." "To yet held by owners of that name. The the Baptist burying ground at New Brit­ death of John James took place in 1749. ain, five pounds." "To Rev. Joshua In his will mention is made of two Jones, minister, five pounds." daughters, Mary Lewis and Rebecca Miner. He left ".£5 to my friend William THOMAS JAMES Davis, Minister at New Britain," and £2 First settled at Montgomery, but went to the Rev. Joseph Eaton, also minister with his father to New Britain in 1720. to the same church. His wife, Jane, was received as a member in 1725. In conjunction with his father JOSIAH JAMBS he purchased the 1,000 acres. In 1731 he Was one of the sons of John James, and bought 197 other acres, lying immediately a constituent member. Concerning him west of New Britain cross roads, now we know little, and he left no descend­ mostly contained in the farms of Eugene ants in this part of the country. He James and Nathan Houk, and somewhere went to New Britain and in 1722 purchas­ whereon he lived. His trade was that ed 235 acres from his father, situated of a mason. He lived to reach a great west of the present hamlet of Newville. age. An entry in the church book of He conveyed this land to his brother March 25, 1772, says: "Died, Thomas William in 1725, and went we know not James, mason, of New Britain, an old whither. In 1725 his wife, Elizabeth, member." He left £5 to New Britain was received from Great Valley church. church. He had sons, James, Thomas By the date of 1747 he was doubtless and Samuel, and his descendants were deceased, as there is no mention of him from the'last named. in his father's will of that year. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas ISAAC JAMES Perry, of Great Valley, whom he mar­ Was a constituent member and the young­ ried May 21st, 1724. est of the sons of John James, born in Wales in the year 1700. He was the WILLIAM JAMES only one who remained in Montgomery. Was born in Wales as early as 1092, He became the owner of 200 acres, went with his father to New Britain, situated a half mile northeast of the and from him have descended a larger church, on the upper side of the Doyles- progeny, than from any of the other town road—the present Rady property. brothers. His wife, Mary, was baptized The present dwelling is pleasantly situat­ in 1719. He came into possession of ed on the slope of a meadow, and shel­ large tracts of wild land along Pine Run tered by woodland. He married Ann and Iron Hill. His residence was near Jones, November 26th, 1729. He re-

1, HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 39 mained on this homestead for a long life­ great estate remained unbroken down to time, his death occurring in 1791—the about 1835. It covered the site of Col- latest survivor of his family. Tradition mar station and village, extending up to says that he was an influential member Trewigtown and to the county line. His of the church and exercised much au­ residence was at the present Moore stock thority. He left no sons, but had two farm. David Evans had no sons, but one daughters, who married brothers, Isaac and daughter, Rachel. She married Peter Benjamin Johnson, of Lower Providence. Evans, and thus the property was kept The Johnsons were Mennonites, of Hol­ in the same name, being entailed by will land descent, but in consequence of their to her children. The tombstone of David marriages they became Baptists, and the Evans, in Montgomery churchyard, bears church of Lower Providence owes much the following quaint epitaph, worthy of to the descendants of Isaac James, of preservation in an age when such inscrip­ Montgomery. In the will of Isaac James, tions are discarded : made October 15, 1789, mention is made "Intombed I am, in dust I lie. of daughters, Sarah, Rachel and Eliza­ And wait that blessed morn beth. Also of two sons-in-law, Benja­ When Christ's own voice calls me to rise, min Johnson and John Drake. There To live in light forever." were grandchildren, John Drake, Rachel David Evans died September 18, 1763, Drake and Isaac Johnson. He bequeath­ aged seventy-three years. He was the ed £50 to Montgomery church,the interest first deacon of Montgomery church, elect­ of which was to be used for the support ed in 1722, and served forty-one years. of the minister ; also £10 for cleaning His descendants are many. Some of the parsonage. them had possession of a portion of the ancestral lands till a recent date. Among JAMBS LEWIS, JAMES DAVID AND DAVID these was Septimus Evans, late of Tre­ WILLIAMS. wigtown, Hatfield. There were no less Concerning these three constituent than three persons of the name of David members the writer has little knowledge. Evans who were members of Montgom­ It is supposed that James Lewis lived in ery at the same time, one being received llilltown. He married Elizabeth Morris, in 1722, and another in 1726. No vember 27th, 1728. David Williams SIMON MATHKW lived in New Britain, where he died Was not a constituent member, but, along August 30, 1748. His wife, Ellinor, died with Joseph Eaton and others, was re­ the following year. James Lewis died ceived by the church in June, 1721, by in 1729. James David, or Davis, married letter from Welsh Tract. He was born Margaret Thomas, in 1720, who was not in Wales between 1680 and 1687, and a member. coming to America in 1710, first settled in DAVID EVANS the State of Delaware. Morgan Ed wards, Was a constituent member. He was the historian, says: "Simon Mathew, born in Wales in 1690. Morgan Edwards Simon Butler, Anthony Mathew, Arthur speaks of David Evans as a member Melchoir and Margaret David were ad­ wdio, having some talents as a public mitted to the membership of the Welsh speaker, was called upon to exhibit his Tract Baptist church, in New Castle coun­ gifts with a view to the ministry. Itdoes ty, Pecander Hundred, Delaware, in 1710. not appear that he ever became more They came from the church of Llange- than a local exhorter, and made farming nych, Carmarthenshire, South Wales, of his occupation. He became owner of a which Morgan Jones was pastor." From great plantation, comprising the north Welsh Tract Simon Mathew and Simon corner of Montgomery township and the Butler, his brother-in-law, removed to east corner of Hatfield. It was a mile New Britain in 1720, and in conjunction and an eighth in length, and over a mile built what became known as Butler's mill, in width, embracing 753 acres. This Mathew being a millwright. He first

IAS VEGAS FAMILY HISTORY CENTER 40 HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. purchased 147 acres in 1720, and 197 more ary, 1755, when probably about the age in 1731, or 344 in all. The lands of the of seventy. family afterwards comprised the fertile SIMON BUTLER tract in the valley of the Neshaminy ex­ Had come from the same locality in Wales tending from Butler's mill to New Britain along with Simon Mathew, and was first a station. Portions of this have remained member of Welsh Tract. He was admit­ in the family ownership for five and six ted to Montgomery July 2, 1721 ; was a generations. The residence of Simon miller by trade, and settled in New Brit­ Mathew was wdiere is now the home of ain, where he built, in conjunction with the family of John Mathias, a short dis­ Simon Mathew, a mill, about 1722, at tance east of Chalfont. Simon Mathew the junction of Pine Run and North was the ancestor of all those bearing the Branch. He acquired 465 acres of land, name on the western side of Bucks coun­ covering the site of the present village of ty, and who spell the name with but one Chalfont and the region southeast of it.

DEACON ABEL GHIKFITII.

"t," as has been the custom in the family Butler was a man of mark, of influence, since coming to America. An entry in of decided ability and weight of charac­ the church book says that Simon Mathew ter, both in secular and church affairs. was dismissed to New Britain in March, In 1723 he was among those who signed 1755. Simon and Jane Mathew were the the petition for the formation of New parents of five sons and t wo daughters : Britain township. He built or had open­ John, Simon, Benjamin, Edward, Mar­ ed the highway known as the Butler garet, Ann and Thomas. Of these, road, leading southward from Chalfont, Thomas, Edward and John retained their now a turnpike ; was justice of the peace father's plantation, whilst Simon and for forty years, and a trusted man in all Benjamin removed to Virginia. The business affairs of his neighborhood. In death of ttieir father took place in Janu- the long conflict with Montgomery the HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 41

talents and force of character of Butler writer's volume, "The Thomas Family of were a tower of strength for the New Hilltown," published in 1884. Hisdeath Britain people. He was not a constituent took place on October 8th, 1757. member of the latter church, but was REV. JOSEPH EATON dismissed by letter to New Britain, April 8th, 1758. His death took place in Aug­ Was an early member of Montgomery ust, 1764, or fifty-four years after his em­ and the first pastor of New Britain ; was igration to America. His age was prob­ admitted to membership from Welsh ably eighty years. His sons were Abiah, Tract in June, 1721. He was twice mar­ Simon and Benjamin. ried. His first wife was Gwen Morgan, who died in 1723. On the 17th of March, BERNARD YOUNG 1724, he married Uriah Humphrey, Was an early member, received by letter "Uriah" being then a woman's name. from Welsh Tract in 1720. Tradition She came from Pennypack. She survived says that he was not a Welshman, but a her husband ten years, or till 1759. The French Huguenot, who had fled to Wales Eaton family first settled in Lower Dub­ from religious persecution. He was the lin, Philadelphia, where George Eaton ancestor of the Young family who after­ purchased iand in 1095. Joseph Eaton wards lived in Hilltown, Montgomery was born in Nantmel, Radnorshire,Wales, and other localities. On the 12th of August 25th, 1679. In 1686, when a child June, 1723, he married Janet, daughter of seven, he was brought to America. of Lewis Thomas. In 1724 he bought a About 1721 he bought 353 acres, mostly plantation in Hilltown of 300 acres, lying in Montgomery township, a small which he increased in 1741 by another portion in New Britain. It was along purchase of 379 acres. This was situated the present State road, comprising the on the highlands near the New Britain present farms of John Roberts, Ephraim line. He was twice married, his second Kratz, Alfred Comly and Albert Arthur. wife being Susannah Brittain. In 1752 His home was on the site of the Arthur he removed to Loudon county, Virginia, farmhouse. Eaton was called to the taking his letter to Botteton church. 'ministry in 1722, and was ordained in Seven years later he went to South Caro­ 1727, when a man of middle age. He lina, where he died. He left two sons, often preached at Montgomery as the William and John, who lived in Hilltown assistant of Griffith, and became the and New Britain and left numerous de­ minister at New Britain in 1744, preach­ scendants. ing there for five years. He lived over

REV. WILLIAM THOMAS four miles distant, and we may suppose that he preached but once a Sunday. He Was a man of mark and celebrity in the took an active part in sustaining the side early history of Bucks county. He was of New Britain in the dispute with Mont­ the founder of Hilltown church, where gomery. His death took place April 1st, he preached from 17,37 to 1757. He was 1749, at the age of seventy. His children born in Wales in 1678, in Llanwenarth, were eight by his first wife, and three by Monmouthshire; came to America in the second. In his will mention is made 1712; was a cooper by trade, and lived of John, Joseph, Edward, George, David, for a time in Philadelphia city, and in Mary, William, Joanna Goodwin and Delaware county, at Radnor. He came Sarah Jones. By the second wife were to Hilltown, where he first bought land Isaac, Jacob and Hannah. Morgan Ed­ in 1718, and became a large landowner wards, writing in 1770, says : "George there. He was received into Montgomery and Jacob died childless. Joseph is not church by letter from Philadelphia Sep­ married. The rest formed alliances with tember 20, 1724. It would require much the Todd, Young, David, Wall, Williams, space to do his life and character full jus­ Goodwin, Jones, Butler, Wilgus, Stout tice. A much more extended account of and Doyle families, who have raised him William Thomas may be found in the 42 HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHUIiOII. a numerous progeny of grandchildren." gave the church the west corner of the One son, Isaac, became a Baptist minis­ old graveyard. The lands of Joseph ter, and removed to Hopewell, New Jer­ Bate were 173 acres bordering the Hat­ sey, of which church he long continued' field line and west of the church. These the pastor. he acquired in 1730. His death took GRIFFITH OWEN place September 24th, 1741, and his plain Was a native of Wales, from whence he tombstone may yet be seen near the wall came in 1721, and was received as a mem­ of the graveyard. He left children: ber of Montgomery church December Humphrey, Thomas, Margaret, wife of 10th of that year. Ten years later, June Thomas Thomas, of Hilltown, and Elean­ 13, 1731, be married Catharine Morgan. or, wife of Ephraim Thomas, of same His life was spent in Hilltown, where, township, and both sons of Rev. William in 1724, he bought 500 acres, comprising Thomas. The old Bate homestead has the highlands and valley west of Leidy- passed through many hands and been town. He was a surveyor, a clerk, and a much sub-divided. Benjamin Weikle good scholar for that day, and recognized purchased the central portion in 1879. as a man of note and capacity. In 1749 The farms now or formerly owned by he was elected a member of the Colonial John and Edward Fry and Rev. N. B. Assembly, and of which he continued to Baldwin were part of the old Bate plan­ be a member for eleven years in succes­ tation. sion ; was a captain amongt.be Associators JOHN BARTHOLOMEW in 1747, or the militia raised to defend Was received a member by baptism April the province against French invasion, 20th, 1724. The name of his wife was and transmitted to his descendants a Mary, also a member. They had chil­ sword which he had won as a soldier. dren : Ann, Joseph, Thomas, John, His children were Owen, Ebenezer, Levi Rachel and Andrew, born between 1715 and Rachel. His death took place on and 1724. Their father was born in the 18th of October, 1764, forty-three Wales, in 1685, and was by trade a weaver. years after his arrival in America. In 1715 he bought 150 acres of Margaret THOMAS REES Pugh, situated at the north corner of (the Was a native of Wales. He and his wife, crossing of the Butler pike and the State Elizabeth, were received as members road. This corner became a tavern prop­ May 18, 1722. They lived many miles erty either before or after the death from Montgomery, in that part of New of Bartholomew, which took place Octo­ Britain since ceded to Warrington. Here ber 30, 1750. His widow held the old he became the owner of 315 acres, his tavern till 1700, when she sold it to Blaize first purchase being made in 1722. His Weaver. She and her children are sup­ plantation covered the later Martin, Sei­ posed to have moved to Philadelphia. ner, Wei sel and other properties. His If the curious epitaph carved upon his death took place in July, 1750. His dingy tombstone is an indication, he had children were Hannah, Ann and David, his full share of the troubles allotted to the latter receiving the plantation. The this mortal life : daughters were married into the Johns "Although my life hps been so long, family. In his will was a legacy of thirty Still troubles did increase; shillings annually for the support of the But now at length my race is run Baptist minister at Montgomery. His And I lie down in peace." widow survived him till as late as Febru­ EVAN STEPHENS ary 25th, 1771. Was admitted to membership, with his JOSEPH BATE wife, Elizabeth, August 26, 1722, and Was born in Wales in 1672 : lived in both were constituent members of New Montgomery township. Tradition says Britain in 1754. They lived a long way that Humphrey Bate, probably his son, from Montgomery, in what is now Doyles- HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 48

town township. In 1729 Evan Stephens THOMAS MORRIS. bought 400 acres, situated along the val­ There were several of that name living ley of Cook's Run. This land extended at the same time in this region. The from the junction of the State and Chal­ elder Thomas Morris and his wife, Janet, font roads, two miles west of Doylestown, were received from Penny pack June 21, northeast for a mile and a half, and was 1724. They lived in Hilltown. He died over half a mile in width, covering the there in 1746, and his widow in 1754. present site of the village of Fordhook, The second Thomas Morris, supposed to or Vauxtown. This tract is now divided have been a son of the former, was bap­ into many farms, and is a beautiful strip. tized April 19, 1730, along with his broth­ For several generations the descendants of ers, John and Isaac. Catharine, the first Evan Stephens held his lands. His wife of Thomas Morris, died July 16, 1726. death took place in the summer of 1770, This is supposed to have been the same

DEACON SPENCER C. BALDWIN. at an advanced age, leaving four sons, Thomas Morris who owned a plantation John, Evan, Benjamin and David. in New Britain, along Pine Run, which EVAN REES he bought in 1729. His home was where Was received by baptism, along with his Robert W. Lovett now resides. His death wife, Ellinor, November 15, 1724. He took place in 1762, leaving his son John also lived in New Britain, a mile or more this plantation. He had many descendants. north of the church, along Pine Run and DANIEL DAVIS at the foot of Iron Hill. His homestead Was one of the early deacons of the was once the Callendar property, and church. His homestead bordered the then of the Jacobys till recent times. It county line, on the New Britain side. is now owned by Esther B. Keen. Evan This was formerly the Markley property, Rees died young, in 1727, and his widow later owned by the Stubbs family. This married Thomas John, June 2d, 1728. tract, including also the Donaldson farm, 44 HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. was first purchased by Rev. Abel Morgan covered the site of Wetherill's mill. His —"the incomparable Abel Morgan,"as his daughters, Mary and Martha, were bap­ contemporaries styled him, and who tized the same day, November 10, 1745. bought it in 1720. Morgan did not hold CLEMENT DOYLE it long, his death occurring in 1722. In 1723 his widow, Judith, then of Lower Was a native of Ireland, and was one of Dublin, sold 213 acres to Daniel Davis. three brothers from whom Doylestown The life of Davis extended till March, was named. He was received as a mem­ 1753, and he had two sons, Abel and ber, along with his wife, Margaret, July David. David Davis became the owner 12th, 1740. He lived in New Britain, of his father's plantation, and it contin­ two miles northwest of Doylestown, in ued to be held by his descendants down the Pine Run valley, and just south of to 1846. the later Swartzlander mill. Here he bought 148 acres in 1733. He and his AARON JAMES wife became constituent members of New Is mentioned in the old records chiefly in Britain, and we presume they gladly sev­ connection with his wife, Mary. She ered their connection with Montgomery, was received into the church April 19, since that meeting was eight online miles 1730, and she was a constituent member of distant. His death took place in 1772, New Britain in 1754. Aaron James lived leaving children, John, Jonathan, Rich­ for many years, between 1730 and 1760, ard, Rebecca and Margaret Evans. on the present Keeley farm, near New Britain church. He was not known to ISAAC EVANS be related to the other families of the Was received from Great Valley in June, same name, and it is not known whither 1730. He was the ancestor of the family he removed or the date of his death. which lived in the valley of Pine Run till recent times. He bought 139 acres JOHN MATHEW, in 1731. He was a constituent member The eldest son of Simon Mathew, the of New Britain. His death occurred in emigrant, was born in Delaware in 1713, September, 1761. In his will mention is and married Diana, the daughter of Evan made of sons, .lames, Daniel and David. Thomas, a native of Wales, in 1738. He The latter became a man of note in the was received by baptism October 8, 1738, community. He held bis father's plan­ along with several other young men from tation. He was first a member of New New Britain, Simon Butler, Jr., Benja­ Britain. He became a Universalist min Butler and John James. He was preacher, after vainly trying to proselyte dismissed to New Britain in 1755, and be­ the church to his belief. came a deacon of that church. He own­ ed part of his father's plantation. In JOSEPH DAY. 1745 he built a large stone house, midway Little is known of him. He was re­ between Chalfont and New Britain, ceived by baptism along with his wife, which was demolished in 1894. His Dorothy, August 8, 1741. He lived in death took place in March, 1782, and he Hilltown. Ilis death occurred in 1781. left many descendants. His daughter, Abigail, married William THOMAS JOHN Thomas, Jr., son of Rev. William Thom­ as. Lived in New Britain, in the valley of North Branch, a short distance southwest WALTER SnEWELL of the village of New Galena. He is be­ Lived in New Britain, two miles south­ lieved to have been an early member of west of Doylestown and north of the the church. In 1737 his two sons, Sam­ Neshaminy. He was born in 1702 in uel and Joshua, were received. In 1756 Gloucestershire, England. He bought he and his wife, Ellinor, were dismissed 215 acres of land in 1729. He was an to New Britain. His son, Benjamin, in­ early member of Montgomery, into which herited his plantation of 200 acres, which he was received September 19, 1741, HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 45 along with his wife, Mary. He married llilltown and New Britain, and by asso­ Mary Kimher, of Maryland. He was a ciation and marriages became thoroughly man of importance in his neighborhood," affiliated with the Welsh people. and he and his wife were constituent STEPHEN ROWLAND members of New Britain. He died Octo­ Was received by baptism May 13, 1749, ber 23, 1779, leaving sons, Robert and and lived in New Britain, on the North Walter. The latter was married in the Branch, northeast of New Galena. He Philadelphia Baptist church on Sunday was born in Wales in 1722, and came to evening, January 5, 1764, to Mary Sal­ America with his father, Owen Rowland, lows, by the celebrated Welsh writer and in 1725. He was twice married, his first divine, Morgan Edwards. The second wife being Anna, daughter of Rev. Wm. Walter Shewed left descendants who Thomas. His second wife was Rebecca, held the ancestral place, called "Pains- daughter of William Davis. Her bap­ wick Hall," till a recent period. tism is recorded in 1770. He had chil-

FRANK HARRAR. (Church Clerk.) JOSUPII BARTON dren : Owen, Thomas, William, Stephen, Lived at Castle Valley, Doylestown town­ Joseph, Margaret and Mary. The father ship, where his father, Thomas Barton, of this family lived till the age of ninety, had bought 200 acres. The crossing of his death taking place in June, 1811. the Neshaininy here was called Barton's THOMAS MATHIAS Ford. Both father and son were on the Was the son of John Mathias, the emi­ New Britain list of members in 1768. grant, and was born in 1730, in Franconia JEREMIAH VASTINE township. He was a stone mason by Was mentioned in the Montgomery trade, and married Elizabeth, daughter records as having been received by bap­ of Thomas Jones. She was baptized tism October 7, 1762. The Vastines were October 9,1700. They lived in Hilltown, of Holland stock, the name being more on the farm long owned by Newton Row­ properly Von Vashti. They lived at land, a mile west of Dublin. He was a 46 HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

man widely known in his day. His death words, he committed perjury. As in occurred in 1799. His children were many such cases nowadays, there was a Thomas, Elizabeth, Abel, John and "strong effort to conceal the real facts. We Joseph. The latter became a Baptist do not know anything about this Thomas preacher, and was for fifty years a pastor Hutchin, or where be lived. of Hilltown. His records were of great value to the local history of Hilltown MOSKS AARON and New Britain. Came from Wales and bought a plantation in Hilltown about 1730. This was a mile WILLIAM THOMAS, JR., northward from Line Lexington, and Was the youngest son of Rev. William along the New Britain border. He mar­ Thomas, of Hilltown. He lived on part ried Mrs. Elizabeth Butler, widow of Ben­ of the ancestral property. It is not jamin Butler, and daughter of Thomas known that he was a member of the James. He was a member of Montgom­ church. His death occurred in July, ery church. His death occurred August 1764, and was of a tragic character, caus­ 10, 1766. His sons were Moses and Obed. ing a great sensation at the time. He The latter received the Hilltown home­ was found dead one morning, within the stead, but Moses took another farm that doorway of his house, with a dark streak his father owned in New Britain, near around his throat, as though strangled. the Pine Run bridge. An entry in the The civil authorities made an investiga­ church book of October, 1777, mentions tion and testimony was taken, though no that Elizabeth, widow of Moses Aaron, one suffered any punishment. This ex­ and her son Moses were then baptized. plains an entry in the church book of This Moses Aaron was the father of Rev- March 10, 1765, as follows : "Excom­ Samuel Aaron, a Baptist preacher of many municated Thomas Hutchin for scanda­ gifts, a brilliant orator and an earnest lous conduct in taking an oath at two temperance and anti-slavery agitator of times in a different manner in relation to the present century. thedeath of William Thomas." In other The Separation of Hilltown.

The separation of Hilltown took place services, which were held at Montgomery, twenty-seven years later than the seces­ and also because one pastor could not per­ sion of New Britain, and after a union form efficient service over so wide a terri­ with Montgomery lasting nearly forty-five tory. It was hastened, however, at that years. At the close of the Revolution time by two prominent causes of a tempor­ and even before its beginning the Hill- ary nature. The first wasthe dissatisfaction town branch contained the larger portion of the Montgomery people with the pastor, of the membership. The number dis­ Rev. John Thomas, a Hilltown man, and missed to Hilltown in 1781 was fifty-four who had succeeded Rev. Benjamin Griffith members, whilst in 1788 Montgomery in 17(18. The former was the son of Rev.

HARRY [ARRAR. (Superintendent Sunday School.) bad but twenty-eight members. At that William Thomas, but was not a man of time the majority of the people of Hill- such ability and education as his father. town were of Welsh descent, and they He continued the pastor of Hilltown for were nearly all Baptists. There were then the first eight years after the indepen­ also many German Lutherans, Reformed dent organization of that church, till old and Men non i tes, but in no such propor­ age and its growing infirmities caused his tions as became the case later on. resignation. Rev. Joseph Mathias, in his The separation from Montgomery was jubilee sermon of 1831, thus speaks gently inevitable in the course of time by reason of the matter : "Elder John Thomas was

0f the distance to come to communion not considered so eminently possessed of 48 HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. ministerial gifts as his predecessor, Benja­ take the oath of allegiance. The majority min Griffith." did so, but many refused. The latter It may seem strange that the second were liable to fine if they set foot beyond cause for the separation of Hilltown was the line of their respective counties. This of a political nature. But it was the law the more violent Whigs frequently most powerful cause, owing to the fierce enforced upon their neighbors, even when animosities engendered by the Revolu­ the latter meant no barm, such as crossing tionary war. Whilst in the Scotch-Irish into Philadelphia (now Montgomery) settlements the people were almost unani­ county on their way to marketor church. mous in their hostility towards Great On going to Montgomery meeting these Britain, there was a more divided senti­ Hilltown people weresometimesdetained, ment among the Welsh,and a considerable threatened, disturbed and maltreated. At minority sympathized with the mother one time a number were arrested when country, or else were lukewarm in behalf attending Montgomery and carried before of the cause of independence. Mathias Peter Evans, a justice of the peace living tells the story substantially as follows : just east of Col mar. He was also a mem­ The last and most prominent circum­ ber of the church, and although a strong stance that influenced the brethren of Whig, saw at once that their arrest was Hilltown to the measure at that time was rather from malicious motives, and that the Revolutionary war and the party it was giving the law a meaning that was spirit and collision of sentiment which never intended. He released them and prevailed in this as in other sections of advised that there should be no more the country. There were two political arrests. Yet these arrests so annoyed parties, known as Whigs and Tories, the some of the Hilltown members that they former warmly attached to the cause of determined to seek a separation from liberty and supporting the independence Montgomery. After considerable ne­ of the States. The Tories retained the gotiation, Montgomery consented, and sentiment of loyalty and gave aid and fifty-four members living in Hilltown comfort to the forces of King George III. were constituted as a separate church, Congress had passed an act requiring the November 28, 1781. people to subscribe to the "Test act" and List of Members Received from 1861 to 1895.

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21.) The following list, taken from the church record, gives the names of members and dates on which they were received from 1861 to 1895. The deaths have probably not all been recorded :

DATE OF ADMISSION. Myra Moore, 1861, Feb. 24 ; Isabella Toy, do. April 23 ; Rachel Lewis, do. Margaret Davis, * do. 1864, Feb. Elizabeth Rever, do. 1895, Feb. 26. David McGlathery, do. March 24 ; Margaret Fry, do. June 9 ; 1871, Sept. 10. Sarah Fry, do.' 1879, Feb. 28. Henry Erwin, 1862, Jan. 26 ; Abraham Detwiler, do. Isabella Detwiler, do. Ella Jenkins, 1863, Feb. 22 ; Lydia Taylor, do. Sarah Jordan, William Selser, 1863, April ; Tacy Knight, 1864, Feb. 13; 1890, July 18. Martha Ann Davis, do. March 6; 1885, Jan. 17. Margaret Mathias, do. Sarah Mathias, do. Elizabeth Brong, do. Mary Fry, do. Anna Warner, do. Caroline Foreman, do. Ann Foreman, do. Angie Summers, Martha Harrar, 1880, March 23. Huston Yerkes, 1864, April 10; Howard Yerkes, do. Catharine Yerkes, do. William Hill, do. Aug. 14; Adelaide Hill, do. Michael Streine, do. Nov. 10; Sarah M. Strein, do. Charles Strein, do. J. Edward Strein, do. Amanda Sims, do. Dr. Amos W. Griffith, 1865, June 1 ; 1891, May. Mary Ann Evans, 1868, Feb. 2 ; Edmund L. Summers, do. April 5 ; Silas E Summers, (deacon), do. 1894, Feb. 3. Oliver Wismer, do. Rachel Ella Evans, do. Elizabeth Clark, do. Sarah Ann Davis, do. 1877, Dec. 24. John T. Mathews, do. Dec. 13; Matilda Mathews, 1869, Feb. 14 ; 1875, Dec 19. Sarah Eglee, do. Nathan Strine, Michael Strine, 1869, Jan. 17 ; William Johnson, do. Emma Bender, do. Ella Bender, do. Ella Reese, do. HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

DATE OF ADMISSION. Mary Detra, 1869, Jan. 17; Jane McAdams, do. Elizabeth Lukens, do. Aug. 8 ; 1881, April 15. William Leech, do. Ainanda Leech, do. Albert French, 1870, Feb. 13 ; Clementine French, Joseph McCracksn, 1870, April 3 ; Mary E. Detwiler, do. Catharine A. Evans, do. June. 1 I ; 1872, April 24. Mary E. Sellers, do. Mary E. Evans, do. Ann Harrar, do. George Markley, do. Nelson M. Markley, do. Elizabeth Fry, do. Eupheinia Davis, do. April 3 ; Abraham Fry, Harriet Fry, 1894, Sept. 7. Emma L. Slight, 1870, April 3 ; Spencer C. Baldwin, do. Edward C. Tillburn, do. John Brinker and wife, do. June 11 ; George W. Solliday, do. Ella Solhday, do. Samuel Mitchell, do. Franklin 1'. Harrar, do. April 3 ; Henry C. Harrar, do. Ella M. Harrar, do. Anna V. Harrar, do. John Achenbach, do. William Bender, do. 1895, March 10. Annie M. Bender, do. Sarah McCracken, do. Ella C. Slight, do. April 24 ; Napoleon Robinson, do. June 11 ; Rev. N. B Baldwin, do. Aug. 14 ; Caroline E. Baldwin, do. Thomas Jones, do. 1892, Oct. 17. Susanna Jones, do. M. Margaret Jones, do. Amanda Jones, do. Sarah Grubb, do. Feb. 4 ; Lizzie Layman, do. Oct. 14 ; Eva Baldwin, do. Mary A. Layman. do. Elizabeth Reese, do. Dec. 11 ; Esther Davis Baldwin, 1871, March 26 ; William Rumford, do. William Keen, do. Elizabeth Lonks, do. Norman B. Baldwin, do. Jane Medary, do. Otis Heaton, do. April 9; Gertrude Eaton, do. June II ; Thomas M. Harrar, do. Aug. 13 ; Rebecca Harrar, do. 1882, Nov. 15. Anna C Michener, 1872, March 24 ; 1880, Sept. Eliam L. Davis, 1873, Sept. 21 ; Johii D. Evans, 1874, Dec. 6; Deborah V. Haas, do. Elmira Davis, do. Carrie Neiman, do. 1893, June 7. Charles,!. Baldwin, do. Mary Jane Harrar, do. HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

DATE OF ADMISSION. Rachel T. Hill, • 1874, Dec. 6; Anna L. Hill, do. 1877, Aug. Joel E. Davis, do. Morris B. Davis, do. Emma P. Robinson, do. Robert Leech, 1870 ; Annie S. Leech, 1870; 1894, Dec. 22. Philip Sholler, 1875, April 3 ; Clara George, do. April 11 ; James S. Harrar, do. April 4 ; 1882, April. Abel M. Griffith, do. Austin E. Griffith, do. A. Judson Griffith, do. Bartram Griffith, do. Yost Achenbach, do. Matilda Sechrist, Margaret Toy, do. Adelaide Evans, do. June 6; 1876, Sept. 2. Lizzie Evans, 1870, April 2; Elma Jenkins, do. Lizzie Jenkins, do. Mary Clark, do. Emma Morris, do. Minnie Keisel, do. Josephine Robinson, •do. April 9 ; Hannah Eaton, do. Josephine McComb, do. Camilla Hillman, do. Victoria Campbell, 1877, March 15; Lewis H. Baldwin, do. Charles Bradford, do. April 1 ; Rynaldo W. Vodges, do. Walter Went worth, do. Lillie Mary White, do. Almira Amelia Baldwin, do. Anna McCork, do. Ella P. Bigony, do. William Harris, do. Martha Sentman, do. Martha Harris, do. Mary Campbell, do. Gilbert F. Clark, • do. Flora Campbell, do. Amelia Brinker, do. June 3; Joseph Smith, do. Martha Smith, 1878, Dec. 7 ; Adda Soliday, do. Mrs. Sims, 1879, April 0; Sophie Hare, do. William B. Hare, Wm. H. Fennel!, do. Harriet E Kibblehouse, 1880, Feb. 1 ; 1889, Dec. 19. Sallie E. Fry, do. Hannah McCray, do. Vol ma Davis, do. Anna A. Sellers, 1881, April 3; Emma Grubb, do. Susan Hill, do. Irwin Evans, do. Emma George, do. Lizzie Todd, do. Lizzie Cain, do. April 10; Charles Knapp, do. Mrs. C. Knapp, do. Clara Pearson, 1882, March 26; do. do. HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

DATE OP ADMISSION. Charles M. Pearson, 1878, April 7; Meredith Clymer, 1882, March 26 ; Mrs. M. Clymer, do. Emma Clymer, • do. Maggie Clymer, do. Mary Knapp, do. June 4 ; Mrs. David Selser, do. Isabella Clemens, 1883, Aug. 12 ; Lillie L. Eaton, do. Oct. 15 ; Mrs. Dr. Eaton, 1884, Feb. 11 ; Lizzie H. Harrar, do. July 30 ; Nelhe M. Robinson, do. Dora Smith, do. June 22; Joseph Smith, do. Kendall Leech, 1878, April 7 ; Lydia Leonard, 1885, May 24 ; John Hill, do. Leander W. Baldwin, do. George Deal, 1886, Aug. 8; Harriet Deal, do. Sallie Deal, do. Milton Reedinoyer, do. Dec. 12 ; John Todd, 1888, May 6 ; 1889, Sept. 16. Eliza Todd, do. Viletta Campbell, do. Cordelia Hines, do. Joseph Hines, do. May 20; John M. Summers, do Feb. 17 ; Ellen M. Summers, do. Julia B. Summers, do. Rev. Joseph L. Plush, do. Aug. 11 ; Mrs. Carrie Plush, do. Elizabeth Shade, do. Oct. 13 ; 1891, Dec. 4. Bertha S. Mitchell, do. Frank Solliday, Joseph Loux, 1889, March 31; Emily Snyder, do. Harriet L. Snyder, do. Estella Evans, do. April 7 ; Mary Ann Beck, do. Hannah Mitchell, do. March 31 ; Mary E. Mitchell, do. Sept. 1; Annie Harris, do. Ethel J. Jenkins, do. Emily Knapp, do. Laura McCrav, do. Ella Walton, do. Joshua Stevens, do. April 14 ; Mary Clark, do. April 7 ; John Knapp, 1890, July 27 ; Annie Clymer, do. John W." Pottage, do. June 29; James Clark, Sr., 1891, Feb. 15; Thomas J. Kirkpatrick, do. George Jackson, do. Cora A. Jackson, do. Gertrude Loux, do. Annie A. Brown, do. Hattie C. Fry, do. Lydia R. Eckert, do. March 15 ; Maggie Stevens, do. Laura M. Landis, do. Hannah C. Eckert, do. Wm. C. Walker, do. March 29; Thomas Stevens, do. do. June 7 ; HISTORY OF THE TGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH.

NAME. DATE OF ADMISSÍON. DIED. Lizzie Hare, 1891, June 7; Samuel Reiner, 1892, April 24; Maggie H. Reiner, do.. Wm. E. Sassaman, Henry Oberholtzer, 1893, Jan. 15 ; Lizzie Oberholtzer, do. Rev. Charles H. Pinchbeck, 1894, April 25 ; Mrs. Allen Prick, do. Sept. 23 ; Mrs. Samuel Mitchell, do. Nov. 18 ; Eva Anna Griffith, do. Dec. 9 ; Lettie Campbell, do. Mary Knapp, do. Dec. 23 ; Bessie Knapp, do. Elwood Land, do. Hiram Walters, do. Joseph Toy, do. Dec. 30; Mrs. Lizzie Toy, do. William Carrigan, do. Mrs. William Carrigan, do. Jennie Clymer, 1895, Jan. 13; Mary Pinchbeck, do. April 10; Emma S. Smith, do. June 12; Mr. Eunk, do. May 29 ; Mrs. Funk, do. OLD=TIME STATISTICS.

Past Century Records of the Philadelphia Association of Baptist Churches— The Trying Times of the Revolution and the Yellow Fever Scourge.

The annual meetings of this ancient extent. There wasone year (1777) when body have taken place since 1707. In it the Association failed to meet. The enemy were formerly represented all the Baptist were in possession of Philadelphia and churches of the city and of the surround­ the surrounding country. Wars may be ing counties on both sides of the Dela­ waged in self-defence, may be waged to ware. Becoming unwieldy in size, it has, attain political and religious liberty, may within fifty years, been divided, but yet free a nation from oppression and slavery ; represents a numerous and powerful col­ yet, of itself, war is a dreadful thing. lection of churches. Even before the Within the area of conflict there are no Revolution these churches contained a Sundays in war times. Vice, immorality membership of upwards of three thou­ and intemperance are fostered amid sand. There was little change in this camp life. Morality and religion decay number from 1770 to 1795. In fact, it for the time being. rather decreased. Another cause bad, perhaps, an equally The records of such an old Association deteriorating influence at that time. This contain much of historical interest, not was the influence of the French propo- only to Baptists, but to people of other gandists for liberty and equal rights for denominations, and even to those of no all men. These earnest souls were in sect. The annual circular letter reflects revolt against a dead and corrupt State the spirit of the times through all the church, that was in alliance with civil many years : whether the country was tyranny of the monarchy and the aris­ in peace or war ; whether prosperous or tocracy. This church had long represent­ in financial distress ; in time of health, ed all that was known in France as the or amid the horrors of pestilence ; whether Christian religion. To them it made the the churches were in spiritual deadness, latter the symbol of oppression and the or amid the gladness of revival refresh­ denial of free thought to the human mind. ing. The names of the old-time preach­ In the insurrection of free thought, of ers and lay delegates of one generation which they were the leading spirits, the gave place to their successors, one by one, rebound led clear over to infidelity and and these in time passed away for other to no faith at all. In the cemeteries of generations. Paris was inscribed the motto, "Death is The writer has had access to no statis­ an eternal sleep." tics earlier than 1762, since which time To the sympathy and aid of France they have been preserved. From that America owed much in the struggle for date till 1775 the country was prosperous, independence. Along with this aid and and the churches, in receiving frequent assistance, many of our people who guided additions, reflected the outward prosperi­ thought and opinion imbibed also the ty. Population and wealth were rapidly infidelity and Unbelief then rampant in increasing. The Revolutionary war freed the nation to whose benefaction the strug­ the land' from the mother country, but gling Colonies owed so much—and all dealt a blow at this prosperity. It did this was reflected in the decay of the worse. The war and other influences churches. then prevalent set back the spiritual We will confine our statistics to the growth of the churches to an alarming three or four Baptist churches then ex- HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 55 isting in Backs and Montgomery counties, sixty-four members. Montgomery—104 namely: Southampton, New Britain, members. New Britain—Joshua Jones ; Montgomery and Hilltown. one baptism, fifty-three members. 1762. New Britain—One baptism, one 1775. Montgomery—Isaac James and death, fifty members and 200 "hearers." James Thomas; two baptisms, three ex­ Southampton — Four deaths, forty-one cluded, and 103 members. Southampton members and 200 hearers. Montgomery —John Gilbert, William Vanhorne and (then including llilltown)—Three bap­ Joseph Hart; sixty-three members. New tisms, one death, ninety members and Britain—Joshua Jones ; fifty members. 150 hearers. 1770. Montgomery — John Thomas ; 1771. Erasmus Kelly was pastor of 101 members New Britain — Joshua Southampton. He was the son of John Jones ; fifty members. Southampton— Kelly, of llilltown, the founder of the William Van horn, John Blackwell ; sixty- Upper church. The church had fifty-two one members. There were no additions members,and New Britain fifty-seven. to the churches that year.

DEACON Wíl jLIAM HILL.

1773. New Britain—Rev. Joshua Jones During the Revolution the Association and 'David Evans, delegates. The latter was frequently held elsewhere than in afterwards became a Universalist preach­ Philadelphia, owing to the stress of war er. There was one baptism and sixty- times and the occupation of the city by four members. Southampton—Joseph the enemy. In 1776 it was held at Scotch Hart and William Vanhorne, delegates ; Plains, New Jersey. In 1777 none was eleven baptisms, sixty-three members. held at all. In 1778 it met at Hopewell, Montgomery—Rev. John Thomas, Elijah Monmouth county, New Jersey, a very Davis and James Morgan, delegates ; old Baptist church. In our own time we eight received, and 103 members. often hear people, ignorant of the past, 1774. Southampton — William Van- decrying the present day and lauding the horn, John Blackwell and Arthur Watts; old time. It is distance that lends en- 56 HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. enactment to the view. They had their In 1794 Montgomery had been reduced own troubles in those days, and more of to but twenty-one members. them than we have now. People were 1793. This was the year of the yellow just as bad in proportion to numbers, fever in Philadelphia, and it was the most and, in fact, much worse. Hear the deadly just when the Association was to plaint of the circular letter of 1778 : "You be held. There was no use trying to face must be sensible that we live in a day of death by meeting in the city. Concern­ very general calamity and distress ; a day ing this, we have the following in the of lukewarinness and hardness of heart; minutes of that year : "Having been pre­ a day of great corruption, both as to doc­ vented meeting at the time appointed in trine and manners"—and much more in the city of Philadelphia by a prevailing the same strain. In some quarters the infections disorder, with which God, in Universalists were making inroads upon His providence, has been pleased to visit the orthodox sects, and their teachings the city, the Association was held by were regarded with more horror and special appointment, at Southampton,

éåå m

DEACON WILLIAM LEECH. alarm than those of direct infidelity: Bucks county." This was held on the The first sign of the churches recover­ 29th and 30th of October. The statistics ing their ground was in 1783, at the close were: New Britain—Joshua Jones and of the Revolution, wdien Rev. John Edward Mathews; one death, twenty- Thomas baptized thirty-five at Hilltown, six mem bers. Hilltown — Rev. James then a newly formed church. This re­ McLaughlin, Isaac Morris and James vival, however, was not shared by the Lunn ; one death, and 101 members. other churches. Montgomery — Charles Humphrey and 1788. New Britain had reached its John Harris; two deaths, and twenty- lowest ebb, having but nineteen members. two members. Southampton — Arthur Joshua Jones, Benjamin Mathews and Watts, Elias Dungan and William Watts; Edward Mathews were the delegates. one death, and fifty-four m øibers. HISTORY OF THE MONTGOMERY BAPTIST CHURCH. 57

The time of revival at length came— town, thirty at Montgomery, and forty "like a flood," the old records say. This at New Britain. The churches had then was in 1799 and 1800. By the date of for pastors James McLaughlin at Hill- • 1801 Hilltown had 151 members, New town, William White at New Britain. Britain ninety-three, and Montgomery Southampton afterwards, about 1832, sixty-four. By 1803 New Britain had became what was called an "old school" 118, Montgomery seventy-seven, and church, or anti-mission. Those who did Southampton ninety-three. In 1799 fif­ not agree with this belief and policy split teen were baptized at Hilltown, and off and formed the existing Davisville twenty-one at New Britain. In 1800 church. there were thirty-nine baptisms at Hill-