A History of the Yellow Frame

Presbyte·rian Church

i . t.

FREDON TOWNSHIP

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

-by-

NATHAN H. LANNING

THE CHURCH AS IT STANDS TO·DAY

A HISTORY OF THE YELLOW FRAME

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

HE HISTORY of the Yellow Frame Church begins with the history of the Upper Hardwick Church. The official name of this congregation T was Upper Hardwick First Presbyterian Church until 1859. The name was taken from the township in which it was situated. Hardwick comprised all the land north of the Musconetcong Creek to the Delaware River on the west and north, and, on the east to the line dividing East and West Jersey. This was a straight East-West Jersey line extended from a point on the Delaware River to Egg Harbor on the Atlantic. The exact location of this line has been much disputed but it is generally thought that the line crossed near Fredon. The history of this church is more than the history of a church; it is the history of the things which made America great. More than two hun­ dred years ago a group of settlers in and around Log Gaol decided some­ thing ought to be done about having "regular preaching." And so Upper Hardwick Church was organized. Log Gaol is now Johnsonsburg and the vicinity, Frelinghuysen Township. Long before Warren County was known and even before Sussex County, from which Warren was taken, was thought of, this region was settled by a few German pioneers whose love of freedom and religious liberty led them into the wilderness in quest of homes. Among these honest industrious pioneers were such names as Green, Armstrong, Kennedy, Pettit, Linn, Hazen, Dyer, Cook, Shaw, Everitt, and others. Their ancestors had come from Ireland, Scotland, England and Germany, according to Snell's History. Upper Hardwick's first church site was located one and one-quarter miles east of Johnsonsburg on what is now the farm of Russell Hendershot. The newly organized Presbyterian body leased an acre or two of land for a pe• riod of ninety-nine years from a Quaker named Dyer. A spot in the woods was cleared and a log house was built. It was built on a knoll very close to the road. (It overlooked a meadow through which Trout Brook runs. This made a very beautiful setting for the church.) One can see about where the foundation was. A large stone near the gutter of the now abandoned road is said to have been in the foundation of the church. According to the sites pointed out the building stood at an angle to the road. Soon burials were made near the church on both sides of the road. In 2 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH this ancient city of the dead lie the remains of the pioneers of the valley and the hills surrounding it. This cemetery is now completely in ruins. Some broken headstones lie around. A few inscriptions were still discernible sev­ eral years ago. Among them were the following: Jane Reader, 1769, in the 26th year of her age; Mary, daughter of John and Ann Wright, aged 17 years; Thomas Allen, 1769; Jane Hunt, wife of Abraham Hunt, aged 26 years; John Wright died 1797; a Mr. Luse died 1796; Moses Hazen, 1799; Isaac Lanning, senior elder died 1811. This Lanning plot is enclosed within a solid wall of concrete.

For many years after the church was abandoned burials were made in this cemetery called the Dark Moon Cemetery. In those early times not far upstream on the before mentioned Trout Brook there was a double log tavern. In the yard of this tavern stood a tall sign post with a high horizontal arm from which was suspended a sign painted white. In the center was a crescent moon painted black. This was the notorious Dark Moon Tavern. Upper Hardwick Church and graveyard became known as Dark Moon Church and Dark Moon Cemetery whether from the name of this tavern or because the road to the church was through a very dark and thickly wooded section of the country. The records of Hardwick Church previous to the year 1823 were de­ stroyed by fire. The Encyclopedia of the Presbyterian Church by Alfred Nevin says, "As near as can be ascertained Yellow Frame Church, Upper Hardwick- was organized in 1750._ The people of Hardwick supplicated ye Presbytery for a candidate if one might be obtained and, if not, for sup­ plies. Byram and McCrea supplied Presbytery Woodbury Sep. 4, 1751, Neshanny Mar. 6, 1751. The commissioners renew their supplication to Presbytery for a candidate in order for settlement arranged then and for Mr. Harker in particular. A call from Roxbury and Hardwick and parts adjacent for Mr. Harker Oct. 25, 1752. Call from Upper and Lower Hardwick was presented in 1764 to Mr. Peppard, was refused and Presbytery of New Brunswick took action reproving Mr. Peppard." No record seems to have been kept by the Presbytery of New Brunswick of the ministers appointed to organize the church but it is well established by tradition that the Reverend William Tennent took part in the services. The Reverend Isaac H. Condit during his pastorate at the Yellow Frame Church often talked about the "Great Awakening." George Whitefield, called England's greatest preacher of his time, came to America seven times and traveled up and down the colonies with others. The man generally re­ garded as the first preacher of the Great Awakening was a young German named Theodore Frelinghuysen. In 1720 he was called to America to be pastor of three Dutch Reformed congregations in the New Jersey Raritan Valley. He began to preach that every man needed rebirth. Revival spread among ministers and laymen alike. One of those was a Scotch Irish Pres­ byterian preacher, Gilbert Tennent, who became closely associated with Fre­ linghuysen. Through Gilbert Tennent and his father, William Tennent, revival fire fell upon the Presbyterian Church. While Gilbert preached in New THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 3

Brunswick, William taught three younger T ennents and a group of about a dozen other young men in a little log Academy at Neshaminy in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. From 1726 to 1746 this "Log College" as it was de!'isively called by its enemies, trained a band of spiritual leaders. These men were destined to be the leaders of the Presbyterian Church during the "Great Awakening" and were responsible directly or indirectly for the found­ nig of at least one hundred schools and colleges before the close of the eighteenth century. Among the best known institutions were Princeton, Hamp­ den, Sidney, Lafayette, Dickinson, and Washington-Jefferson. We wonder whether the influence of the great revival spread to the frontier here at Log Gaol or J ohnsonsburg and was reflected in that little Presbyterian Church organization called Upper Hardwick. It would be very interesting if we could find some light on who were the organizers of the church. Not many years later the church fa the rs began looking about for more space. Rich minerals had been discovered in Sussex County and the popula­ tion was growing rapidly. Newcomers were pouring in from the Passaic Valley, from the Hudson River region, and even from Philadelphia and Long Island. By 1780 the log meeting house needed repairing and it was too small. The people agreed that they needed a new and larger building. The question was "where." That question split the congregation. Some wanted a new building on the same site and ochers wanted a new location nearer the center of the congregation. The controversy grew bitter. Tradition says that some young men pried some of the logs out of place one night. Those who favored the new site carried the day. The place selected was at the head of Shaw's Lane, the present site of the Yellow Frame Church. The old building had been in a valley; the new edifice was to be on the crest of a hill overlooking two broad river valleys, the Paulinskill on the north, and the Pequest on the south, presenting a panorama of magnificent scenery.

Shaw's Lane took its name from the tract of seven hundred and fifty acres through which it passed. It was said that Robert Shaw wanted the church built here. The site chosen was at the intersection of Shaw's Lane with the Great Road leading from Newton to J ohnsonsburg. That is the name used on legal documents at the time to designate the road. We never learned why it was so called. The name King's Road was also used on maps. It was the stage road from Boston to Philadelphia.

The building of the new church was _hindered somewhat by the young men going off to join Washington's army in the War of Independence. But by the time the Revolutionary War was over the first real church edifice in this part of Sussex County neared completion.

Tradition says that the church was built among large oak trees; the last one blew down in the hurricane of November 25, 1950. The site 1s an ele­ vation of 889 feet. On this sightly elevation the congregation built a substantial structure fifty-two feet by fifty feet. Sawed lumber was used in the construction. Huge ceiling beams and rafters were of oak. It had a shingle roof; the original 4 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH shingles were handmade, some were still good in 1905 when the building was torn down. There was a stove in each corner of the church. Wood was burned. To us this seems like a great fire hazard with the shingle roof. Years later after a hall was added to the church the chimneys were changed to the top or comb of the roof and built of brick. There was a gallery around three sides of the building. The entrance to the church was on the southwest side. A high blue pulpit was on the west end. The choir was in the gallery. In 1858 a hall was built on the northeast end. This addition was twelve feet wide and extended across the church making the church building sixty­ £our by fifty feet. The hall was crowned with a tower and weathervane. The entrance was changed to the northeast. As one entered the church one faced the congregation. At the same time some changes were made in the sanctuary. The walls were frescoed and the building repainted and tastefully refurnished. It is recorded that the expenses incurred were one thousand three hundred and thirty­ seven dollars. On the walls were painted large fluted columns extending to the ceiling. Two of these columns were on the pulpit wall reaching from the floor to the ceiling, others had their bases on the pulpit steps. The wall back of the pulpit was painted with large fluted columns which gave the impression of an alcove. These painted columns appeared to be about fifteen inches in diameter and were striped in shades of brown with a cornice at the top. It was a work of art. The paintings were so realistic that one wa11ted to reach _out and touch the pillars. There was also border work on the ceiling. This work was done in 1859 by J. Ransley De Orsey, of New York City. There was a wide brown panel board work below the gallery, and at the base there was a molding made of little blocks fitted close together. They were about the size of dominoes. It interested me as a small boy to count the little blocks. The new church was completed and dedicated in September, 1786. This new building stood just inside the present cemetery gates. An always inter­ esting fact in connection with the site of the church is that the minister stood in Sussex County while his congregation sat in Warren County. The present church stands over the line in Sussex County. One of the earliest and probably the first pastor was the Reverend Francis Peppard who was called in 1764. Mr. Peppard is buried in the Yellow Frame Cemetery. Another of the early pastors was the Reverend Ira Condit who began his pastorate there in 1787 and whose descendants still live in this section of the county. Mr. Condit later became the first pastor of the Newton Presbyterian Church. Most of the early churches were built of stone or logs. But there was an­ other frame church in Knowlton. It was known as the Knowlton Frame Church. When the old Yellow Frame Church was built, it was painted yellow, hence its name, Yellow Frame. This building stood until 1905 when it was razed. It was about one hun­ dred and twenty years old and was one of the landmarks of northern New THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 5

Jersey. It stood, as does the present church, on one of the highest points in the county and commands one of the finest views in the state.

We quote the following from the records of the New Brunswick Pres­ bytery: "Basking Ridge April 26, 1785. Commissions from Hardwick re­ quest the privilege of building a new house of worship at Shaw's Lane­ Request a minister to visit them and ordain additional elders in that ch. Opposition to 1st part, George Allen, Jacob McColl um, Thom. Hazen & Isaac Lanning. A committee was appointed to whom application was re­ ferred who reported to Presby. unanimously. Messrs Hanna & Boyd ap­ pointed to visit cong. 1st Sab. in July and ordained elders. McCollum, Hazen, Lanning requested to be liberated from said cong. granted, were so liberated, Moderator Rev. John Woodhull appointed to write a letter to cong. to endeavor to harmonize it. Request for supplies, ordered at this meeting that the Rev. Messers Boyd, Clark, Hanna Warford be a com with Presby-Powers to visit Hardwick on the 2nd June to adjust & settle the differences now existing in the congregation & Mr. Woodhull to preach & administer the sac. of the L.S. on the Sab. preceding."

Just prior to 1887 this building was found to be in poor repair and after some discussion it was decided to erect a new church and it was built across the road from the older church and is now the place of worship of the Yellow Frame congregation. Rev. R. B. Foresman was pastor at the time. The new building was formally dedicated with impressive ceremonies. Dedication of Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church - 1887 Thursday was a bright pleasant day, fortunately for those interested in the dedication of the new church edifice which is directly opposite the old one. The parsonage is on the same side of the street but nearer the road leading from Johnsonsburg to Newton. Both are in Queen Anne style.

Upon the left of the entrance to the church is a room that can be used for meetings, but it also opens into the audience room which is almost cruci­ form in shape, though the recesses built for the pulpit and choir are hardly large enough to form the head and arms of a cross. The ceiling, wainscoating, window frames and inside blinds are yellow pine, while the walls are hard finished and white. The window panes are of figured ground glass, surrounded by a border of colored glass. The seats are black walnut partly stained and in part of the natural wood, and the floor is covered with a crimson carpet. The whole interior is in good taste making a bright and cheerful place for worship. The audience filled the pews and occupied chairs in the aisles. Rev. Wm. Cattell, D.D., opened the services with the invocation, Rev. W. H. Russell, of Tranquility, announcing the 573d hymn, which was sung by the choir, after which Rev. H. S. Butler, of Blairstown, read 121 and 122 Psalms, and offered prayer. Rev. R. J. Burtt, of Marksboro, then gave notice that the 954th hymn would be sung. The sermon followed from the text Deut. XXX: 19, and was preached by Dr. Cattell. It was an able discourse and listened to most at­ tentively. Rev. R. B. Foresman, the pastor, then read a brief history of the church, 6 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH which we publish elsewhere. The crowning point of the services was then reached, the dedication, Rev. A. H. Young reading the scriptures and Rev. R. B. Foresman making the dedicatory prayer. The pastor then announced that the church was dedicated free of debt, except the grounds; but that there were fences to be built and furnishing to be done, towards defraying which expenses a collection would be taken and a paper circulated so that those members of the church who had not already subscribed might have an opportunity to do so. At his request, Rev. A. H. Young, of Newton, then urged the import­ ance of giving, after which subscription papers and baskets were circulated. Rev. J. P. Clark, of Stillwater, then read the 572d hymn which was sung by the choir, dosing with the doxology. Dr. Cattell then pronounced the benediction, thus ending the services of the day. All strangers present were then invited to dine as guests of mem­ bers of the congregation. The church was tastefully decorated with odd and rare plants furnished by Mrs. J.B. Hunt, Mrs. David Roe and George Roy. Mrs. Roe contributed some nice coleus and fuchias while Mr. Roy brought nearly a wagon load of plants, among them being five varieties of cactus, a century plant, twelve years old, seven varieties of variegated leaf geraniums, six of begonias and more than a dozen other kinds of choice flowers. There was a century plant on either side of the pulpit, one of them belonging to Mrs. Hunt and the other to Mr. Roy. On either side of the window, back of the pulpit, were two handsome white silk banners, upon one of which Mr. Townley had photo­ graphed the old church and upon the other the new building. Upon one banner was the date 1878 and on the other 1776. Both are the property of Mr. George Roy and are the only photographs that have been printed as yet.

The Yellow Frame Church

A correspondent gives us the following which will interest many of our readers: The corner stone of the new Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church was laid Monday forenoon, May 2nd, in the presence of over 200 people and seven ministers. Pastor R. B. Foresman, Dr. H. S. Butler, of Blairstown, Rev. Mr. Russell, of Tranquility, Rev. J. T. B. Condit, of Stillwater, Rev. Mr. Burtt, of Marksboro, Rev. A.H. Young, of Newton and J.P. Clark, of Stillwater. The sermon was preached by Dr. H. S. Butler in the old church at 10: 30 in the morning, it being an able one. The services were opened with prayer by Rev. J. P. Clark. After prayer by Rev. Mr. Russell the clergy proceeded to the southeast corner of the new church. The following was the order of exercises at the corner stone: Introductory remarks by Rev. B. Foresman; prayer by pastor; reading of scripture; naming the contents in the box; putting the box in the cavity and placing the stone in position; laying the corner stone by the pastor; singing; address by Rev. A. H. Young; doxology; benediction by Rev. J. B. Condit. THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 7

The box was of copper, 7½x5 inches and 4 inches deep. The contents of the box are: Holy Bible, Confession of Faith, the Presbyterian, The Church at Home and Abroad, the Home Missionary Monthly, the Sussex Register, New Jersey Herald, Belvidere Apolla, Blairstown Press, Warren Journal, a paper containing name of pastor, and names of the elders, who are: Charles Gray, Levi Lanning, Kelley Westbrook, Casper Shafer, David C. Roe, S. and Wm. P. Vail, Isaac R. Kerr. Names of trustees, Levi Lanning, Philetus Luse, Charles Roy, Insley Roy, Charles Gray, Marshall R. Smith. Church building committee, Wm. Kyle, Hon. George Greer, W. C. Gray. Name of contractor, Simpson Cook, of Newton, names of the seven ministers taking a part with date of services, the holy history of the church, copied from the history of Sussex and Warren counties of 1881, copied by George W. Roy, of Fredon; a drawing of the church grounds showing where the old and new church stands. They are also building a new parsonage just below the church. Among the large contributions to the new church was $1,000 contributed by John I. Blair, Mrs. Hannah Hart $1,000, Levi Lanning $500.

Specifications for Building the Hall of The Hardwick Church in 1859

Specifications of the repairing of the Yellow Frame Church. An addition of ten feet to put to the north or front end of the same width and height of old part. A good foundation of stone laid in lime and sand and well trenched under said addition of same height of the old foundation. Siding-The new part and the part of one side from the bottom of upper windows up to be sided with good ½ inch pine siding excepting the part of tower imitation which shall be ceiled up plain surface. Flooring-The old part below and the new part above and below to be floored with good sawed ¼ mill worked pine boards same as Branchville Med. Church and the floors of the old part to be made level. Seating-The seats of church to be carefully taken up to allow the flooring and replaced in the same form as at present and new seats added where the stairs now stand.

Stairs-The old stairs to be taken out and new stairs put up in each end of the addition as per plan similar to those in the Pres. Church, Port Jervis, and run to any point which will best serve the entrance gallery. Tower-The tower to be continued in imitation to the ground and finished as per plan or the cornice from draft if the committee so direct and the whole surmounted by dome or spire as the committee may elect and the bell opening to be relieved by fluted columns or heavy brackets as the com.-may elect-the bell floor to have scuttle and the floor laid with tin. Shingles-·The old part and the new part to be both shingled with good pine shingles either rived or sawed as the com-may elect and well put on and made a good roof. 8 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Cornice-The cornice or rear to be left without alteration and the cornice on sides to be taken off and two good ¾ round iron rods put through the building and the rafters extended over the plate 18 inches and finished with good molding and drapery 12 inches wide 1 ½ thick of same style of Ham­ burg Church and that on front same style of Hamburg Church and project 18 inches and finished as per plan.

fVindows-The front windows as per plan 32 ligh.ts each 11 by 17 and finished with blinds-the windows of one side and back end to be furnished with new sash similar to old ones and the blinds taken from inside and put to all the windows on outside and two windows corresponding in appearance with those of the old part put in the new part in each side and finished with blinds but not with sash and plastered over on the inside. Painting-The new part to have three coats and the old part one coat of good oil and any material or color the com-may elect on the outside and the new work on the inside to have three coats and the old work one as the com-may elect. Doors-The doors in front as per plan and the doors changed and added as directed by com- S ubscriptions-We, the undersigned agree to pay the sums annexed to our names, to the trustees of the Hardwick Presbyterian Church for the purpose of making the additions and repairs that may be considered necessary to the Church-Frelinghuysen, October 14, 1858. Levi Lanning Martha Hull Willia1n P. Vail Peter Kidney Drake & Mackley Jacob Armstrong John Tillman Jesse Anthony Nathan K. Hazen Kelley Westbrook Abram K. Stimson Adam Hibler John Kelsey John Moot John Hart Hannah S. Hart N. Y. Hart George F. Coyle Jacob Vass Nathan Hazen Casper Sha£er John B. Stitnson E. Stull Warren Shiner A. T. Vass John H. Matlock Ezekiel D. Youmans Peter Bale T. Cook George Ayers Flavel McGee Dennis Blakeslee

REGISTER OF PASTORS

Thought to have organized in 1750. Lineal successor of Log Meeting House. Dark Moon ,cDyer" Name When Installed Dismissed Years Re,,. Francis Peppard April 1773 May 1783 10 years buried Yellow Frame " Daniel Thatcher Supply 1783 Oct. 1786 3 years " Ira Condit Nov. 1, 1787 Oct. 1793 6 years " Hollaway Hunt Supply 1793 1803 10 years " John Boyd Nov. 1803 Oct. 1812 8 years " James G. Force? Supply 1811 1816 5 years " J ehiel Talmadge Supply 1819 1822 3 years THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 9

" Benjamin I. Lowe June 4, 1824 Oct. 4, 1837 13 years " Samuel B. Ayres Supply 1837 1838 1 year " I. W. Candee Supply 1838 1838 ½ year " Jonathan Sherwood June 1839 Feb. 1841 1 213 year " Joseph Shafer Moderator May 21, 1841 " William C. McGee Oct. 20, 1841 May 25, 1867 when he died 25 years " Myron L. Smith Supply (of Newton) 1 ½ years " William C. Stitt May 1868 April 14, 1872 4 years " R. B. Foresman May 15, 1873 Nov. 17, 1889 16½ years " Thomas W. Pulham Supply Alex H. Young, Moderator May 4, 1890 Sept. 1890 4 Mo. " William N. Todd 1892 1895 3 years " William E. Faulkner Oct. 5, 1895 Sept. 23, 1896 1 year " John G. Addy Aug. 1898 April 4, 1900 1 213 years " James Halliday Supply 1900 1901 1 ½ years " Isaac M. Condit Oct. 30, 1901 Oct. 18, 1916 15 years " Robert Spencer Young Jan. 23, 1917 Mar. 1949 when he died The records of church previous to 1823 destroyed by fire. ''As near as can be ascertained Yellow Frame Upper Hardwick was or­ ganized 1750." Encyclopedia Presbyterian Church. Alfred Nevin. "The people of Hardwick supplicated ye Presbytery for a candidate if one might be obtained and if not for supplies" (Byram and McCrea supplied) Presbytery of New Brunswick Woodbury Sept. 4, 1751

Neshaminy Mar. 6, 1751 "The Commissioners renewed their supplication to Presbytery for a candidate in order for settlement amongst them and for Mr. Harker in particular." ''A call from Roxbury and Hardwick and parts adjacent for Mr. Harker," Oct. 25, 1752

Call from Upper Hardwick was presented 1764 to Mr. Peppard was refused and Presbytery of New Brunswick took action reproving Mr. Peppard. i'Lineal successor of Log Meeting House at Dark Moon." Dyer Tradi­ tion that Rev. Wm. Tennent took part in service of organization.

Harvest Home The Yellow Frame Harvest Home has been, in the past as well as 1n the present time, an outstanding event in the community. Turning back to the first Harvest Homes, we find they were held at the parsonage farm in connection with our church. Our pastor, Reverend 10 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

R. B. Foresman lived there with his wife and seven children. At that time all these young folks were at home and a good time at their house was a great event. Then in late August after the grain was harvested came this church supper-hence the name Harvest Home. The parsonage was a large house with a spacious lawn surrounding it. There were several tall elm trees and a beautiful big ash tree. Stands and tables and seats were placed under these trees. The decorations were sheaves of wheat, oats, and rye. People began arriving in the afternoon, especially the older ones and the younger set came in the evening. I was only a small boy at that time and I attended the first Harvest Home held at this place. I have tried out the memory of some older people but so far I have failed to get the year that the first event was helcl. My own recollection is that it was in 1878 or 1879.

Later the Harvest Homes were held on the lawn of the church. There was band music and people drove horses from many miles around to attend. Many years ago the Harvest Home was held under a large tent. That meant a lot of work for the men folk as well as the women. They had to go in the morning and put up tent and tables and stands. The morning after the affair they would return to take down the tent, roll it up and store it for a whole year so that nothing could damage it. Sometimes the tent would not be dry enough to store until nearly noon-time. After the kitchen was built all that work for the men folk was eliminated. Later the tent was sold.

Story of the Horse Sheds

The dates when the horse sheds were built are a little uncertain, we find, after summing up the subject with my sister and Mr. Philetus Luse and a very few others. I had no opportunity to confer with Hugh Foresman who lives in Chicago. At least we know that a number of them were built over eighty years ago. They stood on the east side of Shaw's Lane, as the road was called then, a little south of the church. The congregation began this horse shed building by individuals who wanted protection for the conveyance which they drove to church. The winters were bleak. This country church always had a goocl attendance in the long hard winters long ago.

I believe, perhaps, Messrs. Bowdewine and Insley Roy, brothers, each built a shed, adjoining theirs William Kyle, William C. Gray, Budd Hunt, George Greer. One was built for the minister, Mr. Foresman, then Marshall R. Smith built a shed on the northern end and enclosed it so that it was open only to the southwest. This was the last and best operated as I recall. These horse shed buildings never received any paint. They had a good slate roof. They were long enough to cover both horses and conveyances. They were made of rough boards and were always kept in good repair. There were thirteen or fourteen of them. Members of the congregation who did not own sheds often tied their horses in the rear of the shed building. There were iron staples driven in the THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 11 back timbers of the sheds and horses were often tied all along to the big posts under the front of the sheds. This method made somewhat of a protection for a lot of rigs, even though they were not under cover. Also we had rails all along the cemetery next to the church and some tie rails extended along the north side of the cemetery along the main road now route 94. At this place one was exposed to the elements in every direction. In the early days this was all that was provided excepting rail fences that existed in those days. I do not remember what other use was made of these sheds. In these sheds we school children always had a place for games at recess and noon­ times. This covering was wonderful protection from the storms and winds. Big boys came to school in the wintertime if not in the summer. They were often rather rough but here they could not do much damage and it saved the teachers from a lot of noise.

The Slave Burying Ground on the Nathan Armstrong Farm

On the old Nathan Armstrong farm there is a slave burying ground. I called at this farm when I was a young man. It was when John Kishpaugh was at home with his father who was then the owner. He pointed out this burial place to me, just one field east of the barn. I could see some slate slabs standing in the ground at this spot. This farm is now owned by Mr. Enema. Several years ago my wife and I called and talked with him about this burying ground. He, too, pointed out the location as east of the farm buildings. This present owner told us that descendents of slaves buried here had called at the farm and wanted to see the ground. It is all plowed over and not much to see. I have heard much in my lifetime of this burying ground. The Reverend Casper Shaffer who wrote the genealogy of the Shaffers at Stillwater wrote, "All my uncles, Armstrongs, had slaves." The Shaffer and Armstrong families intermarried. Both these families are of the early Yellow Frame folk. If there is any record of these colored people I do not know of it. So let their memory live in these records. The writer stood near this spot seeking for words to say of them in this book. The living erect grave markers for those who pass to the great beyond. But for these black people, who have served their masters, there are no markers with name and dates. It took a Civil War to free them from this bondage. At Gettysburg then the Southern Confederacy began to fall. That third day of three days battle of battles, invasion of the North armies of one hundred and fifty thousand men stood facing for battle, silent that memorable afternoon and breathed deliverance to the Almighty God to endure the might that was about to descend upon them gathered here. Words cannot describe the fearful carnage that was about to fall. The great General Lee had blundered. ''Gen­ eral Hancock wondered how flesh and blood could endure the horror longer," writes MacKinlay Kantor in his book, Gettysburg. 12 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Elam Farnsworth and his regiment had been destroyed obeying orders. Two hundred and twenty-five cannon had done their work. Ten thousand 1nen had died these three days and thirty thousand wounded. Before the day was done our American flag held within its folds victory for the states. The Virginia Cavalier had built for eternity and constitutional government lives on. The wounded soldier's cry sounded above the roar of battle, ('water, water." The heat of that terrible afternoon survived the night. Mid-night and the rain descended and washed the earth. The beaten and destroyed Con­ federacy retired to the Rapahannock. This battle was only one of the battles of the four years' war that it took to destroy he institution of slavery. The lives, that of mankind, that were destroyed in these terrible battles of the Civil War. The anguish of war waiting in the homes over our land waiting for loved ones to return, fathers, husbands, and brothers. Besides fighting their fellowmen, it was more than fifty years before sur­ vivors of the Southern and Northern armies shook hands, the North and rhe South, at the Gettysburg Battleground.

Sia very and Servitude in Sussex and Warren

Negroes and Other Slaves in the Early Days

If we will go back to a period about one hundred and eighty years ago and during the century succeeding, we wiU find that the inhabitants of this section of the country, in common with those of other portions of the state, and with every colony in the New World, considered the holding of their fellow-men in bondage as perfectly right and legitimate. It was not considered a crime, and even at that early day it had become, with this state, one of her institutions. The Quakers at Burlington, as well as the Dutch and English settlers in the Raritan, Delaware, and Minisink valleys, brought servants with them; so that in 1740, it is said, three-fourths of all the corn planted and hoed or the flax raised and dressed was the labor of negro slaves. The early records of these counties show that in the first ten years of the present century a large number of the old families still held slaves upon their farms.

Under the proprietors, persons were imported into the province as <(servants"; these, while they did not absolutely forfeit their personal liberty by their engagements with their masters, were still in all essential particulars bondmen, held in servitude, and entirely controlled by those who had brought them into the province for their profit. It was slavery in everything save the name, for the servitude was for life, and in some instances in­ cluded their children also. In 1664 the ('Concessions and Agreement of the Lords Proprietors of New Jersey," signed by Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, to encourage planters, promised every freeman who should embark with the first Governor, or should meet him on his arrival provided with a ('good musket, bore twelve bullets to the pound, with bandeliers and match convenient, and with six months' provisions for himself," one hundred and fifty acres of land, and the like number for every man-servant or slave brought with him provided THE YELLO\Y/ FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 13 with the same necessities. To females over the age of fourteen seventy-five acres were promised, and a similar number to every Christian servant at the expiration of his or her term of service. Those going before the 1st of January, 1665-66, were to receive one hundred and twenty acres, if master, mistress, or able manservant or slave, and weaker servants, male or female, sixty acres; those during the third year three-fourths, and during the fourth one-half of these quantities. Many of the settlers were sent out in the employ of the different pro­ prietors under such agreements as would afford them the benefits of the headlands granted to each individual brought into the province. Fifty acres were allowed to each master of a family and twenty-five to each person composing it, whether wife, child, or servant, each servant to be bound three years and at the end of that time to be allowed to take up thirty acres on his or her own account. Under this plan there was a shipment from Scotland in 1682 in the interest of Rudyard and Groom and another the following year, of thirty-one servants, under two overseers, on board the

It is not to be wondered at that the introduction of negro slaves into this state was coeval with its settlement, when it is remembered that the mother-country not only recognized their existence as property, but also engaged in the slave-trade, and that the adjoining provinces possessed them, not even Puritanic New England being exempt.

"Redemptioners"-Persons Sold For Their Passage-Money

Another species of servitude prevailed in this section and in the ad­ joining provinces, the subjects of it being known as "redemptioners." These were persons who sold themselves for a term of years to pay the price of their passage to the shores of America. These en1igrants, before embarking, signed a bond to the master of the vessel authorizing him, on arrival here, to sell them into service for a term sufficient to pay the price agreed upon for passage. After gaining their freedom many of them succeeded in placing themselves in comfortable circumstances, and some even became wealthy men and large landowners. Servants of this class were first found along the Delaware River about 1662, and for a quarter-century after that time do- 14 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

mes tic or mechanical labor was seldom employed for wages. Redemptioners from German and Dutch ports were frequently brought over on speculation, and when landed were sold at public sale. The purchaser had the right to resell the services of the redemptioner, who often passed through several hands before he had served out his term. The prices paid were usually very low. In 1722, German redemptionists in Philadelphia sold at ten pounds each for five years of servitude but in some cases they brought more than that for a single year. After the middle of the eighteenth century this form of servitude gradually died out, and finally disappeared, though there were occasional instances of its practice down to, and even after, the close of the Revolution.

Laws Respecting Slavery-Action of the Quakers

Many of the early colonial laws relate to this subject. The settlers were forbidden, under heavy penalty, to trade with slaves save by consent of their owners. A negro, if found five miles from his home, was apprehended and whipped, the party arresting him receiving five shillings therefor. "Run­ aways" from another province were flagellated by the nearest constable. If convicted of conspiracy to kill a white person, of rape, murder, or arson, the penalty was "death in such manner as the enormity of the crime in the judgment of the justices and freeholders seemed meet." The owners, however, were paid for slaves so executed, thirty pounds for males and twenty pounds for females. This was to prevent owners, to avoid the loss of what they esteemed to be their property, from being under the temptation of secreting slaves who had committed crimes. The fund for indemnifying the owners of slaves was created by an assessment made by the justices of the peace. The Quakers, although among the earliest to hold slaves, were not quite easy in their consciences in regard to it. The Yearly Meeting in 1696 advised Fri.ends "not to encourage the bringing in of any more negroes," and Sunday meetings in the next twenty-five years reiterated this advice. While their action was rather in the tone of caution than of censure, it ultimately had the desired effect, for the records of Woodbridge Meeting, June 17, 1738, inform us that "it hath bin three or four years since Friends have bought of them that was Imported, and not since to their Knowledg." A report to the Monthly Meeting at Plainfield in August, 1774, states that within the jur­ isdiction of the Society only one negro "fit for Freedom" remained a slave. Everything considered, it is remarkable that so few crimes were commit­ ted by the slaves. Pilfering, though common, was of a petty nature, and perpetrated mostly to obtain some disallowed luxury. Murder, arson, and the like were extremely rare still more so cases of blacks murdering whites. Some of the first offenders in the latter regard were burned alive. This mode of punishment as well as the rapidity of its executiton after commission of the crime, may have had a salutary effect in restraining the passions of the colored race. Yet, as a rule, the negroes were peaceably disposed. And it may be noted, THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 15 as an evidence in favor of the gentleness and amenity of domestic slavery in our country, that when the slaves were invited by the British, during the Revolution, to abandon their homes and seek refuge within their lines, very few of them responded. There were, in fact, slaves enough in the country to have decided the contest adversely to us had they generally joined the armies of our enemies. The first legislative action having for its object the abolition of slavery in this State was taken Feb. 24, 1821. It was then enacted that the children of all slaves in New Jersey born subsequent to July 4, 1804, should have their freedom upon attaining to the ages of twenty-five and twenty-one years for males and females respectively. Under the operations of this philanthropic action slavery gradually declined.

Abolition of Slavery in New Jersey-Statistics-Last Slaves

The act entirely abolishing slavery in New Jersey was passed April 18: 1846. We give the following statistics of slaves in Sussex County, taken from the census for sixty years, from 1790 to 1850, inclusive: 1790, 430: 1800, 514; 1810, 478; 1820, 378; 1830, 51; 1840, 13; 1850, 1. This last slave in Sussex County was Caesar Soul ts, an aged and faithful servant belonging to the Dewitt estate, in Walpack. When the law abolishing slavery was passed he refused to accept his freedom, choosing rather to remain at his old home and with those who had always treated their slaves kindly. Caesar died March 11, 1860, before the census for that year was taken. Some two or three years before his death Mr. Peter Dewitt, now of Somervile, N. J., kindly provided for the board and care of the faithful old servant in the family of Absalom Reamer, a respectable colored man in the neighborhood, where he spent the remainder of his days, being frequently visited and cared for by Dr. Dewitt personally. Mr. Dewitt says, speaking of that uncertain quan­ tity, the age of a colored person, "I was never able to leatn the correct date of his birth. My grandfather used to say that when he was a young married man just beginning to farm, Caesar was a boy old enough to plow, and from that circumstance I judge he was in the neighborhood of one hundred years old when he died."

The last slave in Warren County-John W ooly-is still living in Oxford township, near Belvidere. He belonged to the estate of the late Philip Mowry, deceased; and upon the death of Mr. Mowry, who left no will, the heirs made provision for him in the sum of four thousand dollars, the in­ terest of which is used for his support. He is now quite aged, probably ninety years old, and is taken care of by one of the sisters of Mr. Mowry, who resides on the estate.

Deed for Land on Which to Build School

Known by. the name of the Old School. And when by it shall same to deed the same then in that case the afore­ said property shall revert hack to the parties of the first part, his heirs, 16 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH executors, administrators, and assigns covenant and grant to and with the parties of the second part, their successors in office and assigns that the said party of the first part has not drawn or suffered or proceeded to be drawn any act or thing whereby the title of the parties of the second if in and to the above bounded and disclosed land prescribed or any part thereof can or may be changed, charged, altered, defeated in any way whatsoever in witness whereof the parties of the first part has date set hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of William Armstrong Elias Mushback New Jersey Be it remembered that on the 23rd January, A. D., 1841 Warren County personally appeared before me Elias Mushback one of the Judges of the inferior court of Common pleas in and for said county of Warren, William Armstrong the grantor of the within deed to whom I made known the con­ tents thereof. Whereupon he acknowledged that he signed sealed and de­ livered the same as his free voluntary act and deed for the uses and pur­ poses therein expressed. Elias Mushback William Armstrong to Hardwick Congregation

Received January 19th, A. D., 1842-as recorded in the Warren County Clerks Office, New Jersey, in book of deeds. vol 19, fol 601

D. M. Stiger Clerk Recorded 54

Mission School Back of Big Pond

Everyone knows how meager in early times the educational advantages were. In some communities the people were able to build a log schoolhouse and circulate a subscription paper and secure the services of a teacher for a portion of the year by pledging a certain number of days' attendance, thus guaranteeing to him a minimum salary. But it must be remembered that these were favored localities. There were other places where the settlers were too scattered and too poor, and perhaps also indifferent, to provide a school-house or to hire a teacher. A number of such families lived in the woods between the Kittatinny Mountain and the Big Pond, or Swartswood Lake as it is now called. Here were circumstances that appealed to the charitable and philanthropic; so a mission school was established there under the auspices of the ladies of THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 17 the Yell ow Frame Presbyterian Church for the purpose of teaching these neglected children to read and write. An old house that had recently been abandoned was secured and put in tepair. Then each of the ladies contributed some article of furniture; one loaned a stove, one a bedstead, and another a stand or two; others brought chairs and stools. The men folk made some benches out of slabs and chopped some firewood. A day was set for the opening of school; notices were posted at cross­ roads, and parents were visited and urged to send their children. Two of the ladies of the congregation, who had volunteered to act as teachers, were placed in charge, having been furnished with provision enough to last a week. In this way the neglected waifs of the woodland were gathered in and taught. Some of the children looked wild; and some were so scantily clothed that they had to be provided with garments; a few cookies given out at noon time had a wonder£ ul effect in securing regularity and increasing at­ tendance. At the end of the week, a wagon was sent by the congregation with a new supply of eatables; and with it came another lady to take the place of one of the teachers. Thus two teachers were always in charge, a new volunteer arriving each week and relieving the one who had been there two weeks. By this plan each week began with one new teacher and one experienced teacher who knew the names of the children and the routine of the work. Lydia Armstrong (born 1800, died 1858) and her sister Martha, fre­ quently did duty at this educational outpost; the Stinson girls also taught, and the Hunts and Roys and Shafers, and others.

Names of Subscribers. for Building the Old Academy School May the 8th, 1849

We the subscribers do promise to pay the sums annexed to our names for the building of the house by the Yellow Frame Church for private school, Sabbath School, singing school, a session room to be under the care and control of the session of the First Presbyterian Church of Hardwick.

Subscriber Names

Levi Lanning George L. V roome Job J. Shaw • Frances Shaw A. W. Shaw Casper Shafer G. C. Shaw I. Shiner John Hunt, Jr. S. 0. Hart Insley Roy John Lewis Elias R. Goble Na than H. Hazen Ralph J. Hunt Charles Roy G. H. Ayers Wm. P. Vail W. B. Mathis John Hazen Dennis Fuller James Kyle George R. Cooke J. V. Hazen 18 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

This record is of the school house built across the way a few feet north­ west of the church in Shaw's Lane-the rear of the school house extending into the cemetery, a few feet beyond the line of the church.

The building had cupola resembling the one on the church and the gable cornice resembled that on the church.

"This building was built by subscription for school, Sabbath school, singing school, session room. To be under the care and control of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Hardwick.

"This being understood that no one shall be under the necessity of study­ ing anything contrary to the wishes of their parents or guardians." Later the school building was removed south of the church, close to the west side of the great oak tree, and the west side of the school house then served a cemetery fence its length.

The Old Academy School

This Indenture made the twenty-eighth day of February in the year Eighteen Hundred and Fifty-three, between the Trustees of the First Pi-es­ byterian Church of Hardwick, the party of the first part-and the Trustees of the school district number eleven, Frelinghuysen Warren Co. Union district no. two Stillwater, Sussex Co., the party of the second part-WIT­ NESSED that the party of the first part in consideraion of the sum to them in hand paid by the party of the second part hath and by these presents doth grant, demise, and let and lease to the party of the second part and to their successors the privilege and use of the Academy belonging to the party of the first part-situated near to the Yellow Frame Church in the township of Frelinghuysen in the County of Warren for the purpose of teaching therein a day school to have and to hold the said privilege and use of the said Academy building for the purpose aforesaid-for the term of ninety-nine years-without any further demand of rent or impost thereon or thereof to be made or had of the said party of the second part-subject nevertheless to the use of the party of the first part for church purposes and assemblages whenever they may desire the same & for this purpose they are at all times to have the preference in use.-

This Academy was built a few feet northwest of the church. It was built with a cupola resembling the one on the church and the gable cornice also resembled that on the church.

Later this Academy was removed south of the church close to the west side of the great oak tree. Then the west side of this building served as a cemetery fence for its length, which was about thirty feet.

If it had ever been painted yellow when it stood by the church, it had become weather-beaten and gray in later years. THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 19

A Stove for the Academy

We, he undersigned, promise to pay on demand the several sums an­ nexed to our respective names for the purpose of securing a stove for the Academy. Levi Lanning Job J. Shaw Geo. R. Cook John B. Hazen Silas Smith

Gratitude December 3d, 1850

Singing school was taught in the Academy when I was a hoy. A teacher by the name of Robert Snyder taught the school. The winter evenings were appropriated to this exercise. They thought nothing of jumping into a sleigh and driving four or five miles to a singing school.

A Letter Written By George Watson Roy from Lincoln, Nebraska, to the New Jersey Herald

Editor:-! have some data which might he of interest to your readers. Mr. George Watson Roy, of Lincoln, Neb., has just loaned Mr. R. T. Hull an old cabinet photo of the Rev. Ira Condit who was appointed stated supply of Hardwick (Yellow Frame) Presbyterian Church October 17, 1786, was installed Nov. 1, 1787, as pastor of Hardwick, Newton and Shappanack. At his or~ination and installation, which took place at Yellow Frame, the Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon, the only clerical signer of the Declaration of Independence, was present, presided, preached the sermon, and gave the charge to the pastor. Rev. Condit resigned Oct. 17, 1793. At what place he lived we do not know. The Shappanack Church was over in Walpack near Hainesville. It was an octagonal church. In the old yard is a stone of Mrs. Anna Cleves Symnes, died July 25, 1776, aged 35. She was the mother of the wife of the President Wm. H. Harrison. Roy had the stone photo­ graphed. After Rev. Condit at Yellow Frame came Rev. John Boyd, Nov. 18, 1803-0ct., 1812. He lived at the William C. Roy, now Charley Roy place, northwest of Huntsville. Then followed Rev. Benjamin Lowe, 1824 to Oct. 1837. He lived at the old John Shaw place, now William West­ brook. Just east of the house stood a very small building in my day yet, where Lowe taught a private school. My father, Charles Roy, attended there when he was about sixteen. I have a photo of it, it was long used as a woodshed. There was another Rev. John Boyd, first pastor Old Scotts Church near Freehold, in Monmouth County, 1705-1708. He was horn 1680 in Scotland. He died 1708 and a tombstone was erected, the inscription in Latin in Old Scotts yard. He was the first minister ordained by the First Presbytery in America. The old Latin stone was removed by the Presby­ terian church to the library in the Presbyterian Historical Society in Phila­ delphia, and they erected a large monument at his grave costing $1,300. Later raised $i,000 to keep it looked after. It is called "The Presbyterian Historical Monument." The stone is enclosed in a strong standing frame 20 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH made of locust trees grown at Old Scott. In those days the parsonage or manse was called a glebe.

Agreement of William Armstrong and Trustees of Hardwick First Presbyterian Church

This indenture made this twenty-third day of January in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-one, between William Armstrong of the Township of Hardwick in the County of Warren and State of New Jersey of the one part and the trustees of the Hardwick First Church of the township of Hardwick and Stillwater in the County of Warren and Sussex and State of New Jersey of the other part witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of two dollars together with other thereunto being good and lawful money of the United States to him in hand well and truly paid by the said parties of the second part at and before the sealing and delivering of these presents, the receipt whereof, hereby acknowledged and the said parties of the first part then with fully satisfied, contented and paid has given, granted, bar­ gained, and sold, aligned, enfeoff ed, conveyed, and confirmed and by these presents do give, grant, bargain, sell, align, enfeoff, convey, and confirm to the said parties of the second part, their successors in office and assigns forever all that tract and parcel of land and premises hereinafter particularly described as follows, beginning at a white oak tree, situated, lying and being in the Township of Hardwick, Stillwater, and Green in the counties of Warren and Sussex and State of New Jersey, butted and bounded as fol­ lows: beginning at a white oak tree a corner of John and Andrew B. Ogden's farm in the line of Robert Shaw's land and thence by Shaw's and thence by Shaw's line north forty-six degrees west three chains and seventy links to a stone, thence south forty-five degrees west one chain and eighty-four links to a stake in south Forty-five degrees east one chain to a stone ( 4) south forty-five degrees west two chains and fifty links to a stake (5) south forty­ five degrees east two chains and seventy links to Ogden's line, ( 6) by this line north forty-five degrees, east four chains and twenty-seven links to the place of beginning containing one acre and thirty--three hundredths, be the same more or less of an acre, and with lot of land on which the church called the Yellow Frame Meeting House now stands including the graveyard and other land annexed and for a long time in the possession of the trus­ tees of the Hardwick First Church, except about twenty-five hundredths of an acre which is now included in the indenture together with all and singular, the profits, privileges, and appurtenances to the same belonging to them and appertaining also all the estate right interest, claim and demand of the party of the first part, of in, and to the same and being part thereof, to have and to hold all and singular the above described lands and premises with the appurtenances unto the said trustees of the Hardwick First Church and their successors in office and assigns forever to have and to hold to the only proper benefit, use, and behoof of the said trustees of the Hardwick First Church, their successors in office and assigns forever to have and to hold, the same as long as it remains in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America. THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 21

This agreement is for land that was not included in our first deed fro:n William Armstrong which upper Ha!"dwick Church Trustees bought to build a church in Shaw's Lane.

Historical Sermon Foresman Blairstown Press, Sept. 14, 1877 From notes of George W. Roy. The Hardwick (Yellow Frame) Presbyterian Church was organized about 1763. When the church was built at Dark Moon it was called Upper Hardwick to distinguish it from Lower Hardwick ( now Hackettstown) . In 1782, when the township of Independence was formed Upper Hardwick­ Dark Moon-Yellow Frame took the name of the Hardwick Presbyterian Church-a log building, rude in structure. Being too small, a new church building was erected at Shaw's Lane. Deed for 1 ½ acres of land bought from Wm. Armstrong July 5, 1785. Building begun in 1784 and finished in 1786. Church incorporated in April 1841, under name of First Presby­ terianterian Church of Hardwick, repaired and remodeled in 1841 at cost of $1200. Hall added and repairs made in 1858, cost $1337. May 1859 corpo­ rate name changed to The Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church. 1874 church again redecorated and pews, cost $1200. Mr. Levi Lanning presented the church with a parsonage in 1872 valued at $1000. This was sold in 1885 for $1800. As the building was getting old and needed repairs and was thought by some to be too large it was decided by a congregational meeting Dec. 20, 1886, to build a new church in front of the old one and across the street, also a new parsonage. The ground, one and one-half acres, was bought from Mrs. C. B. San Sickle. Hon. George Greer, Wm. Grey and William Kyle were appointed church building committee. Mahlon Budd, Joe Budd Hunt and Insley Roy were appointed parsonage building committee. Both buildings built in 1887 and cost of church $5075, cost of parsonage $2400. Church dedicated Sept. 14, 1887, free of debt. The church stands 889 ft. above sea level. We, William Hankinson, Samuel Kennedy, John Roy, George Armstrong, John Arinstrong, Abraham Shaver, and Isaac Lanning chosen by the Presby­ terian Congregation in Hardwick as Trustees to said congregation, and hav­ ing taken the oaths of allegience of office agreeable to a law passed the 15th day of March 1776: Do accordingly hereby constitute ourselves and our successors in office a body Politick and Corporate in Deed, fact and name of the Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church in Hardwick and by that name to have perpetual succession and do order the same to be recorded in the Clerk of the County office. Witness our hands and seals this 25th day of January 1787. William Hankinson. John Armstrong. Samuel Kennedy. Abraham Shaver. John Roy. Isaac Lanning. George Armstrong. Recorded 1st June 1787 Rhodes. Clk. 22 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

This letter is from a former resident of Hardwick Community and has the original red ink mark tc25c" Post Mark, Pontiac, Michigan, June 7. Obed Willson Sussex County Fredon Postoffice New Jersey

Most Respected Cousin I with much pleasure can inform you that we enjoy a tolerable state of health at this time and hoping these few lines may find you and yours partaking of the same Blessing with ourselves. I re­ ceived a letter from you dated May 7th, 1836 and was much pleased to hear you were all well and likewise. Received a check on the Sussex Bank for two hundred and eighty six dollars and sixteen cents. You note concerning the horse. I can't set no price on the horse for I don't know the condition of the horse or what he is worth but wish you to sell him for what you can get be it more or less as the horse is no use to me there and I shall be satisfied. Adam rote that David Stewart wish(s) to have a little longer time to his note if it is safe you may let him have two or three months as the rest of the notes I want you to get so that Coates and Hull can get their money. I wish you to send H. Maines note out so soon as you can. Maines is in Detroit. I have heard and I can have some chance to get my money. The imigration has been very great this Spring. The people is going in every di­ rection through this country in search of land and a great many buying second handed. Times are good, produce is high and market handy. They have commenced working on the railroad from Detroit to Pontiac and it is expected twelve miles will be completed this season. I have received all the money you sent. The check for the two hundrd Dollare come correct and the last for the two hundred and eighty six dollars and sixteen cents. The check answers me every purpose. Philip A. Hibler Pontiac, Oaklind Co., June 4th, 1836. Please remember us to all inquiring friends and wish to be remembered by you and your family. Likewise I don't know of anything more only that we have a Young Son of two weeks old and is quite Smart. The last record is dated Newton Sept. 26, 1803. Recently Yellow Frame Church has received two gifts. One is a large picture of the present Yellow Frame Church apparently taken soon after completion. It hears the names of the Building Committee and the pastor and some other data. It is the gift of Mrs. George Pierson. The other is a very old picture of tc:The Tree Of Life" given to the church by Eliza E. Shuster in memory of her mother, Abbie Westbrook Shuster. Both Mrs. Pier­ son and Miss Shuster are descendants of Kelly Westbrook who with his family was long identified with all the activities of Yellow Frame Church.

Yellow Frame Cemetery Association The earliest burials were on land donated by William Armstrong and deeded by him to the Presbyterian Congregation in 1785. THE YELLO·W FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 23

Herewith is printed in full the preliminary call which resulted in 1904 in the formation of an association for the perpetual care of this ancient burying-ground.

The Board of Trustees of the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church, being duly assembled at the parsonage on Tuesday evening, May the 19th, 1903, passed the following resolutions, viz:

Resolved 1st, That we ask the members of the session of our church and the following interested persons, viz.: Mr. Leonidas Dennis, New York City; General James F. Rusling, 224 E. State Street, Trenton, N. J .; Mr. Wm. Clinton Armstrong, New Brunswick, N. J.; Dr. Wm. H. Vail, 354 Mt. Prospect Avenue, Newark, N. J.; Dr. Milton N. Armstrong, Newton, N. J.; Mr. Lewis T. Stinson, Oxford, N. J .; Hon. Wm. P. Coursen, Fredon, N. J.; Mr. David C. Roe, Andover, N. J ., to join us in a call, issued to all persons interested, to assemble at the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church, Su;ssex Count, N. J., on Tuesday, July 28, 1903, for the purpose of con­ certing measures to improve and perpetually care for the Yellow Frame Cemetery and should the way be clear, to organize, on the above date, such voluntary association as may seem best to all concerned.

Resolved 2nd, That the unqualified authority of this Board of Trustees the lawful holders of the Yellow Frame Cemetery, is hereby given for the purpose specified in the first resolution, provided that at least two mem­ bers of the governing body in the proposed voluntary organization shall be chosen from the members of the Board of Trustees of the Yellow Frame Church, at the time existing, and that said organization shall provide for the presence in their governing body perpetually of at least two Trustees from the Trusteeship of the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church.

Resolved further, That the President of the Board of Trustees, Mr. James T oomath, the pastor of our church, and Messrs. Leonidas Dennis, Wm. Clinton Armstrong, and Dr. Milton N. Armstrong are hereby con­ stituted a commiittee to prepare the papers and secure, in due form, the issuance of the above mentioned call. Signed, Isaac H. Condit. Acting Secretary for the trustees.

Board of Directors

Section 3. The president of this organization shall serve as president of the board of directors. The board of directors shall have power to fill all vacancies of the board; upon consulting with the session of the church to set the date; make arrangements for the annual "Fellowship Meet" of the church;_ to disburse all contracts; pay all bills, and to take any action neces­ sary for the governing and direction of this organization. At the annual meeting the secretary shall submit a full report of its actions and discussions. 24 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Dues Section 4. The annual dues of this organization shall be {$1) one dollar a year.

Elections

Section 5. The officers and the board of directors shall be elected at the annual meeting, the first Saturday in June. One member of the board of directors shall be a member of the session. Section 6. The board of directors shall have the power to set the hour for the annual meeting, or to change the date if they deem it necessary.

Section 7. The officers shall hold office for a period of three years.

Section 8. One member of the board of directors shall be elected (at the first election) for a period of three; two for a period of two years; and one for a period of one year.

Committees

Section 9. The president shall appoint all committees subject to the ap­ proval of the board of directors. Section 10. The association at the annual meeting shall elect an auditing committee none of whom shall be members of the board of directors. This committee shall audit all accounts of the treasurer, secretary, of all com­ mittees and of the board of directors. It shall report to the organization at the annual meeting.

Parliamentary Authority

Section 11. All meetings of this organization shall be governed by the laws and rules pertaining to the Presbyterian Church. Organization

Section 12. When the Yellow Frame Congregation sanctions this organi­ zation, constitution, by-laws, they shall elect the officers of the Yellow Frame Church Society until the society is able to function. Letter

The Yellow Frame Church was one of the few Presbyterian Churches to exist in the country before the American Revolution. The plans of its or­ ganization, and methods and manner of organizing, and the date of its organization are unknown. It is known that the first church was located on the Dark Moon Road near Johnsonburg. It was a church building made of logs. This church was called the "Upper Hardwick Presbyterian Church." As the church grew and became prosperous, a new and better edifice THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 25 was needed. A controversy arose where to locate the new church. Presbytery was asked to decide on the location. The site decided was Shaw's Lane which is now Yellow Frame. This church building was completed in April 1786. In May 1859 the name was changed to Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church.

December 20, 1886 the congregation voted to build a new church. This one was located just across the road from the old one. This church build­ ing was dedicated September 14, 1887, free of debt. It is free of debt today.

The Yellow Frame Church has a history and a heritage too precious to be lost by reason of changing conditions. It is a good and noble thing to reverence the memory of our ancestors and friends who, in the years gone by, have paid their due respects to God by worshipping at the Yellow Frame Church. While the finger of time has moved on across the years, while by economics and other reasons, many of our ancestors had to migrate to distant places, they took with them the teachings of God as they found them at Yellow Frame. They left behind them a true heritage of Christian princi­ ples which have survived at Yellow Frame today. For these reasons the con­ gregation has organized a Yellow Frame Family Association.

We desire your assistance and cooperation in helping us to keep the family association of Yellow Frame. We hope that you may be able to take an active part in maintaining this association. Your suggestions and coopera­ tion will be gratefully accepted.

This association will have an annual meeting the first Saturday in June, two o'clock at the church, for the purpose of electing officers, and for any other matter that pertains to the association. The association will sponsor an annual "Homecoming Day" where you may have the opportunity of meeting old friends, and worshipping in the same church as your fathers have worshiped before you.

The congregation of the Yellow Frame Church desiring such an organi­ zation has adopted a constitution and by-laws to govern such an association. In order to get the association to function, the congregation has elected officers to perform the duties of such an association.

Membership in this organization is open to anyone who has or has had relationship to the church, and the descendants of those who have had this relationship.

Certain expenses will occur with such an organization. There will be postage, advertisement and other essentials that naturally will arise. It will be necessary to have a membership fee. This fee will be one dollar a year. Whenever this association has any proceeds above the necessary expenses, the association will determine for what purpose they desire it to be used.

We trust that you will not forget to cherish the memory of Yellow Frame. We want you as member. If you know of any one who has had a rela­ tionship with the church, will you kindly send the name and address? 26 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The Records of Church Previous to 1823 Destroyed by Fire

HAs near as can be ascertained Yellow Frame Upper Hardwick was organized 1750." Encyclopedia Presbyterian Church. Alfred Nevin. "The people of Harwick supplicated ye Presbytery for a candidate if one might be ordained and if not for supplies." (Byram and McCree Supplied.) Presbytery of New Brunswick Woodbury Sept. 4, 1751. Mehanning Nov. 6, 1751. "The Parishioners renewed their supplication to Presbytery for a candi­ date in order for settlement amongst them and for Mr. Harker in particular." A call from Roxbury and Hardwick and parts adjacent for Mr. Harker. Oct. 25, 1752.

Call from Upper and Lower Hardwick was presented 17 64 to Mr. Pep­ pard, was refused and Presbytery of New Brunswick took action reforming Mr. Peppard. "Lineal successor to Log Meeting House at Dark Moon." Dyer. Tradition that Rev. William Tennant took part in service of organization.

Levi Lanning Sr.'s Will (Copy)

.I give and clevise to the "Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church in Hardwick" and to their successors forever all that tract of land and prem­ ises being a part of my homestead farm which lies in the most northly side of the public road leading from Newton thru the farm to Marksboro, situ­ ate in the township of Frelinghuysen, in the county of Warren and state of New Jersey and contains one hundred and thirty acres and thirty-eight hun­ dredths of an acre to be held in trust by them for the following use and purposes. One hundred dollars of the an11ual proceeds of the said farm to be applied each year to the support of the enterprises of the Home Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church and after that so much as may be necessary in the judgment and discretion of the Trustees to keep in good order and re­ pair the cemetery grounds and fence adjoining what is commonly known as the Yellow Frame Church and the balance of the annual proceeds to be ap­ propriated to such uses and purposes of the said Yellow Frame Church as the Trustees in their judgment may deem wise and proper.

Yellow Frame Church Observance Sunday

Homecoming Service Will Commemorate the Installation of First Pastor in November, 1787. Annual home coming of Yellow Frame Presbytreian Church Sunday will be in observance of the installation November 7, 1787, of Rev. Ira Condit, THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 27 as pastor of the Newton and Hardwick churches. Importance of his installa­ tion appears in the fact that John Witherspoon, president of Princeton Uni­ versity, and only clerical signer of the Declaration of Independence, went to Yellow Frame and delivered the charge to the minister. A service at 11 A. M. will be a reproduction of the installation of the Rev. Ira Condit. The program: The service Sunday is a reproduction of the installation of Rev. Ira Condit on November 7th, 1787, as pastor of the Hardwick and Newton churches. On this occasion, history says John Witherspoon presided, preached the sermon and charged the pastor. Doxology-Congregation. Invocation-Rev. John C. Sharpe, D .D. Memorial-Rev. William Perez. Anthem-Choir of Newton Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Moses N. Strader, director. as Mrs. Samuel Kennedy. Interpreter-George H. Condit, as Capt. Peter B. Shafer. Hymn-St. Michael-Congregation, Millard Goldsmith as Gen. Aaron Hankinson. Scripture-Isaiah 51 1-16-Rev. Fred Schell as Rev. Joseph Treat. Trio- 114th Psalm-Mrs. Millard Goldsmith as Mrs. Gen. Hankinson, Ernest Smith as Joseph Gaston, Moses N. Strader as Dr. Samuel Kennedy. Prayer. Hymn-Old Hundredth-Congregation. Benediction-Rev. Robert S. Young as Rev. Ira Condit. Cast of characters-John Witherspoon, D.D., Rev. J. Charles McKirachan, D.D.; Rev. Ira Condit, Rev. Robert S. Young; Rev. Joseph Treat, Rev. Fred Schell; Capt. Peter S. Shafer, George N. Condit; Gen. Aaron Hankinson, chorister, Millard Goldsmith. Members of Congregation-Dr. Samuel Kennedy, Mrs. Samuel Kennedy, Mrs. Gen. Hankinson, Mrs. Swartzwelder, Ezekiel Hazen, Esq., Mrs. William Armstrong, Capt. Richard Hunt, John Coursen, John Arm­ strong, Joseph Gaston, Esq., Mrs. Joseph Linn, Mrs. Archibald Stinson, Mrs. Henry Johnson, Mary Howell, Nancy Hankinson, Sarah Ken­ nedy, Mary Schafer, Hannah R,oy, Mary Allen, Matilda Hunt. Newton Choir, under direction of Mrs. Moses N. Strader-Moses N. Stra­ der, Mrs. Moses N. Strader, Mrs. Millard Goldsmith, Mrs. Ernest Wallace, Ernest Wallace, Mrs. Austin McConnell, Joseph Valier, Rus­ sell Roof, Marion McConnell, Ernest Smith, Mrs. Linn Lewis, Mrs. Mildred Griggs, Mrs. Arthur Waldron, Miss Doris Ayres, Miss Mary Goldsmith, Miss Ruth Strader, Miss Dena Rose, Miss Dorothy Roy, Miss Helen Creveling, Miss Doris Maxwell. Every one is invited to attend this service, which will be held under a tent, on the site of the old Yellow Frame Church. Equally cordial is the 28 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH invitation to bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the fellowship and hour of reminiscence which will immediately follow the service.

Home Sunday at Yellow Frame

August 13, 1933 Two hundred seven persons in attendance at the old Presbyterian Church. A spirit of love and reverent happiness filled the Yellow Frame Presby­ terian Church Sunday morning last, when the members, friends, former members and their families taxed the seating capacity of the little church, which, it is said, stands on the highest ground of any Presbyterian Church in New Jersey. Two hundred and seven persons were in attendance. The pastor, Rev. Robert Spencer Young, conducted the morning worship service and preached a sermon most appropriate to the "Feast of Love." At the close of the service he read Edgar A. Guest's poem, ''The Little Church of Long Ago." At the noon hour everyone gathered under the tent around the tables spread with good things to eat, and all partook of the "Feast of Love." At the afternoon program Mr. L. Eugene Savacool, member of the Ses­ sion, presided. For a gavel he used a wooden mallet which a carpenter named Bulgin used in the building of the first Yellow Frame Church in 1786. The mallet was recently presented to the congregation by Mr. Ralph D. Howell. Mr. Harvey S. Hopkins led in the singing of many old favorite hymns, Greetings were reaed from William Coates Foresman and Hugh A. Fores­ man, of Chicago, sons of Rev. R. B. Foresman, who was pastor at Yellow Frame from 1873 to 1889. A generous check accompanied these greetings. Rev. Chester M. Todd, Sunbury, Pa., and Danfred S. Todd, Whitehouse, N. J ., sons of Rev. William N. Todd, pastor from 1892 to 1894, sent greetings as did Rev. John G. Addy, pastor of the Reformed Church of the Heights, Frame, 1898 to 1900. Greetings were also read from Mrs. Anna D. \Varbasse, of Andover; Mrs. William Sunderland, Arlington, and George Watson Roy, of Lincoln, Nebraska. Dr. William H. Vail, of Newark, spoke to the assemblage on the value of keeping the fourth commandment and the joy that right observance of the Sabbath had brought to him throughout the eighty-eight years of his life. Dr. John C. Sharp, of Blairstown, voiced the sentiment of those present when he stated that, "although the change in methods of transportation has made consolidation of congregations in the country advisable, he hoped that the Yellow Frame Church, supported by a loyal people, might always stand a beacon light upon the hill." Mr. William C. Armstrong spoke briefly. He was followed by Mr. Geo. H. Condit, of Newton, whose father, the late Rev. Isaac H. Condit, was pastor of Yellow Frame from 1900 to 1916. The entire Condit family were present, consisting of Mrs. Isaac H. Condit, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Condit THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 29 and three children, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Condit and daughter and Mr. and Mrs. Caryl Condit and daughter.

Reunion at Yellow Frame August, 1933

The call has gone forth, Come and worship today, In Old Yellow Frame Church To sing and pray. The tower bell will say come, come; Set aside busy cares with their noise and their hun1. The need for devotion is abroad in this Land And it's time we as Christians should take a firm stand; To keep alive the worship of God, So as Christians of old, Sing together and pray Then Old Yellow Frame will be able to say; We did our bit in our humble way.

Mrs. William R. Sunderland Arlington, N. J. The program closed with the singing of "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." Many grateful thanks were expressed to Mrs. R. Spencer Young, who conceived the idea of holding Old Home Church Sunday, and who planned and to a great extent executed the plans. Rev. and Mrs. Young are happy to assure the friends of Yellow Frame Church that Old Home Church Sunday will become an annual event.

Annual Home-Coming at Yellow Frame Church, 1934 Second Event of Its Kind to Be Held Next Sunday, 1934

Next Sunday, June 24, will be held the second annual home-coming of the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church. The celebration will begin with preach­ ing services at 9:45, standard time. At noon a basket lunch will be held. Several hundred members, former members and friends of the congregation are expected to attend. Last year the hon1e-con1ing was a great success. Rev. Young will have charge of the services. The Yellow Frame Church has had a long and colorful history. The precise time this church was organized is a matter of conjecture, since the early records of the church were burned in a fire which destroyed the home of Elder Hazen, in 1823, more than half a century after the founding of the church. This fire occurred on the farm now occupied by C. Alfred Huff. In connection with this home-coming it will be of interest to relate some of the historical facts concerning this fine old congregation. The records go back to nearly 1750. Before the division of the original Sussex county, the 30 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

county seat was in Johnsonburg. It was here that the Yellow Frame Church had its beginning. In any event, it is probable that the church was organized about 1750. It may be interesting to quote from the Centennial of Newton Presbytery (1917) which states: "In Hardwick township erected about 1713 there were two churches, Lower Hardwick or Hackettstown, and Upper Hardwick or Yellow Frame. We read: 'In this township, about a half mile from Dark Moon Tavern is an old bury­ ing ground from which the original trees had not been removed. Here sur­ rounded by woods on all sides stood a log meeting house belonging to the Hardwick Presbyterian Church.' " About 1782 the subject of erecting a new house of worship was agi­ tated. Some preferred the site of the first church in Dark Moon road while those living in the upper part of the township preferred a site in Shaw's Lane. This controversy required the intervention of the Presbytery and the decision was made in favor of the site where the present church and parsonage stand.

Friendship-Meet at Yellow Frame Will Be Held Sunday, Sept. 15, 1935; Event Resembles a Family Reunion

Sunday, September 15, will be the third annual Friendship-Meet of the Yellow Farme Presbyterian Church. This event resembles the family re­ unions that are held in this section of the state. In the late summer it has become a growing custom in Sussex and Warren counties for the relatives of families, from far and near, to assemble at some place for an annual reunion. In this way old memories are retold, present day social and politiical conditions are discussed. Toward the end of the day, the group breaks up, each family returns to its respective home bringing back a happy memory of the day.

Homecoming at Yellow Frame, 1935

Rev. John G. Addy, the only living former pastor, preached the sermon. By the north road, via Newton; by the south and west, via Hackettstown and Blairstown; by the east road, the Dark Moon road, there gathered at Yellow Frame, ''the ancient upper Hardwick church" (situate on the hill­ top amid the fields of fruit and grain) a goodly company of godly folk to 1neet God in His sanctuary, and to hold friendly fellowship with man in eating together. They were not only following the early customs of their own congregation, but also expressing and visualizing the spirit of the early Christian Church. In a neat and simple building, facing a pulpit made beautiful by flow­ ers arranged by artistic hands, love-inspired, the people worshipped the God of their fathers. The pastor presided and directed the congregation to the throne of grace in prayer. The girls' choir led in singing the old hymns of THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 31 the church, "Faith of Our Fathers," "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind," and "Stand Up for Jesus." The instrumental solo, ''Ave Maria," was sweetly rendered by Charles Keen of Newton. The Scripture was from John 14, probably the dearest of all chapters of the Word of God, beginning, "Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me," and closing with Philip's words, "Show us the Father and it sufficeth us." The congre­ gation listened with rapt and close attention to the sermon preached by Reverend John G. Addy, the only living ex-pastor. The simplicity of the speaker and of his subject, "Knowing God," was so signal that there was a serenity in the service that was significent.

After church, friend met with friend and broke bread together. Out in the glorious sunshine between the church and the ladies' kitchen, around the bountifully spread table, the company partook of the noon-time meal.

Anon by twos and threes, many of the congregation went across the road to "God's Acre" and doubt ye not, whoso readeth, that there, too, was a spiritual communion-those living on earth sensing the presence and power of the spirits of the just made perfect. Ere the setting of the sun the parting time came and each went to his or her own home there "to work, to love, and to pray."

Sesquicentennial at Yellow Frame Church

On July 5, 1936, the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church will hold a meeting for worship and fellowship, commemorative of the "150 years of service on the hill-top," for we are told that this church site is higher than any other in the state of New Jersey, and the date plate "1786" of the old church hangs in the present edifice. The worship will be at 10:45 a.m., D.S.T., in charge of the Rev. Robert Spencer Young, B.D.; sermon by the Rev. John Gilmore Addy (its only other living pastor) ; special music selections will be rendered; the offering, under the direction of the session, will be applied to the maintenance of the gospel in this venerable organization. After divine worship, human fellowship will be expressed by the congregation eating together. The re­ cently formed Yellow Frame Church Society, through its board of direc­ tors, has arranged for the accommodation of the congregation who will bring their mid-day meal and share with each other.

It may be of interest to note that in the grounds of the Yellow Frame Cemetery Association, Inc., across the road, are buried soldiers and generals of the Revolution, noted physicians of the region, as well as teachers and lawyers, together with "the honorable women" and the little children "whom our Lord loved," e.g., "here lies buried its first pastor, Rev. Francis Peppard, 1773-1783," as also Rev. William C. McGee, pastor for 25 years, his only charge. "That Yellow Frame was organized about 1750" (Nevin) is prob­ ably correct; for the records of New Brunswick read: "Woodbury, Sept. 4, 1751, The people of Hardwick supplicated ye Presbytery for a Candidate, if he might be ordained and if not for Supplies." Neehan1iny, Nov. Ye 6, 32 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

1761, c'the Commissioners renewed their application to Presbytery in order for settlement among them." B. B. Edsall ( address Centennial of Sussex County) indicated that Still­ water and Johnsonburg were settled about 1740. Yellow Frame is geo­ graphically between them. As these gatherings have proved profitable and pleasurable, both spirit­ ually and temporally, we cordially invite God's people, by whatever name they are called, especially the descendants of the early members of Upper Hardwick congregation and particularly the friends of the present day church, to participate in this Fourth Annual Homecoming with us. The facts quoted in this article are authentic and are taken from old files and from the Centennial of Newton Presbytery which goes into detail with the early history of its churches.

With this historical background it is no wonder that these home-comings, which were begun last year, should be great successes. All friends and members of the congregation are invited to be present next Sunday.

Annual Homecoming at Yellow Frame Church, June 3, 1937

The Fifth Annual Homecoming of the Yell ow Frame Presbyterian Church will be held on Sunday, June 13, at 10:30 o'clock, daylight saving time. The service this year will be of unusual interest as the day will be in memory of Rev. Robert Brown Foresman, who was pastor at Yellow Frame in 1873-1889. The members of Yellow Frame extended a hearty welcome to those who knew Rev. Foresman to be present at this gathering. To these younger friends who have come to know Yellow Frame since 1889 a cordial invitation is extended to assist in this commemoration. To young and old, pleasant sacred memories of the past and of the present will be reverenced at this annual gathering. Rev. Robert B. Foresman was born in Lycoming County, Pa., in 1822. He graduated from Lafayette College in 1848, and from Princton Theo­ logical Seminary in 1851. For a number of years his work was in the Pres­ bytery of Newton. He married Miss Elizabeth Reiley, a sister of the Pres­ byterian minister of Blarstown, in 1873. He became the pastor of the Yellow Frame Church in 1873. In August, 1882, he preached an historic sermon on the history of the Hardwick Church. This historic document gives much valuable information concerning the early history of the church. Rev. Fores­ man died in 1898 at the age of 77. He is buried in Chicago. Eight children were born to Rev. Foresman. Two daughters and two sons are living. Miss Rebecca was formerly teacher at Wilson College, Cham­ bersburg, Pa.; Mrs. Sarah Menaul, widow of the Rev. James A. Menaul; his two surviving sons, Hugh and Scott, are members of the educational THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 33 publishing firm, Scott Foresman and Co. of Chicago. Hugh is a trustee of Lafayette College. These four surviving children will be at Yellow Frame for the homecoming. The minister for this annual occasion will be Rev. John Van Ness. John Van Nes lived at Johnsonburg during his early life. It was here that Rev. Foresman was conducting a series of special meetings when young John Van Ness made his first public confession of faith. He later united with the Yellow Frame Church. For a long time he was organist at Yellow Frame. Upon graduating from Princeton he was received as a candidate for the ministry by the Newton Presbytery. At the present time he is pastor emeri­ tus of the Narberth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Mrs. Henry Budd, organist of the church, will have charge of the music. Her ability as a musician is well known throughout the vicinity of Yellow Frame. The church is more than fortunate to be able to have her services for this historic and religious gathering. The present pastor, Rev. R. Spencer Young, who for 20 years has kept the beacon light of Yellow Frame pointing to God and to his fellow men, hopes to see your face and to clasp the hand of all friends of the Yell ow Frame Church on Sunday, June 13.

Sixth Annual Homecoming at Yellow Frame THERE WERE A NUMBER IN ATTENDANCE, MANY OF WHOM WERE FROM A DISTANCE. The sixth annual homecoming of the Yellow Frame Church was held on Sunday, June 26, 1938. The Pastor, Rev. R. Spencer Young, D.D., officiated. Mrs. Madeline W oodmancie Budd, the church organist, presided at the organ. The service of the morning was in memory of the late Rev. William Newton Todd, pastor at Yellow Frame from 1892 to 1895. The order of service follows: Doxology; Invocation; Responsive reading of the 103rd Psalm; Apostle's Creed; Scripture lesson from Exodus 3: 1-22; hymn, ''Majestic Sweetness," favorite hymn of Rev. Todd; pastoral prayer; baritone solo, "My God, My Father While I Stray," by Raymond Todd, accompanied by Mrs. 0. Newton Todd; offertory, Andante from Beethoven's Fifth Sym­ phony; hymn, "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind"; sermon, The God of our Fathers, Exodus 3:6, Rev. Chester W. Todd; Prayer; hymn, ttRock of Ages"; benediction by Dr. John C. Sharpe, D.D., of Blairstown, senior member of Newton Presbytery. Tne following daughter and sons of the former pastor were present: Miss Louella Todd, of Bergenfield, N. J.; Rev. and Mrs. Chester \v. Todd, of Sunbury, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. 0. Newton Todd of Washington, D.C.; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Todd and daughters, Mary Jane and Katherine of Somerville, N. J. They provided the souvenir program which carried a picture of the Rev. Todd taken at the time he was pastor at Yellow Frame and a sketch of his life. 34 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The church was beautifully decorated with blue delphinium and pink roses from the gardens of church membres. There were about two hundred persons in attendance. Many came from distant points. The threatening weather made it necessary for the crowd to enjoy the fellowship of feasting inside the community house on the church grounds. It is interesting that among the number from outside the community was Miss Mildred Savage of Newark, a friend of Miss Phoebe C. Hunt. Miss Hunt chanced to mention the event of the Yellow Frame homecoming to this friend. She then told that an ancestor of hers had once been pastor at Yellow Frame. He was the Rev. Peppard, first pastor of historic Yellow Frame. The officials of the church had sought diligently but fruitlessly for any trace of any descendants of this pastor. This chance friendship has pro­ vided the missing information.

Homecoming Sunday at Yellow Frame in 1941

"I will lift up mine eyes," says the Psalmist. For over a century and a half the people of this community have lifted their eyes to see ever-present a church on a hilltop, the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church. As their eyes are lifted, so are their hearts lifted from daily petty toil by that steeple point­ ing upward.

Six generations have been served by this church. Each generation has seen its youth go forward to take the places of leadership in the community or in other places. Who can measure the influence of this church on people near and far? Even those who never fully comprehend the depth of God's promises must find some lesson, some comfort in the continuity of this church and its service to the community. For those far away the memory of the church is strength; for those nearby its presence is inspiration.

In peace and war; sorrow and joy; its members and friends have come to the church on the hilltop to worship and find strength according to their faith. Some have been long away, some have never left its shadow. Always the church has been there teaching by its permanence the security and strength of God.

So it is fitting that each year Yellow Frame should welcome back many of those by friendship and kinship associated with it. For each there is some contact, some tie, to draw him back to this homecoming, this fellow­ ship of old friends and new. May it be this year as in years before a symbol of a greater homecoming to God's House.

Perfect summer weather prevailed on Yellow Frame's 1941 Homecom­ ing Sunday. The church was filled to capacity. Rev. R. Spencer Young, pastor of the church, presided. Mrs. Madeline W oodmancie Budd, the church organist, was at the organ. The choir of the First Presbyterian Church of Newton assisted with the music. The church was beautiful with flowers THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 35 arranged by Mrs. Young, Mrs. W. S. Hibler, and Miss Grace Hunt. During the service silver offering plates were presented to the church by Mahlon W. Budd, Jr., John Budd and Roy Budd in memory of their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse M. Budd, Rev. Austin E. Armstrong of Ridgefield Park M. E. Church preached the sermon. Many of the congregation remained to eat their lunches together under the shade of the wide-spreading maples on the church lawn. This was the ninth annual Homecoming. It was in memory of the Armstrong family. This family has been connected with the congre­ gation since 17 44. June 22, 1941.

Annual Homecoming, Yellow Frame

Celebrated 25 Years of Service of Rev. R. S. Young

The tenth annual homecoming of the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church was an even more special event this year, for the pastor of the traditional old church, Rev. Robert Spencer Young, was observing his 25th year of service to its congregation. In recognition of this fact Mr. Young con­ ducted the service. The pastor was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Monmouth in April, 1905, and was ordained to the Gospel Ministry October 22, 1907, by that same presbytery. He was pastor of the Broad Avenue Presbyterian Church, Binghamton, N. Y., from September 8, 1907 to January 29, 1911; Associate Pastor Calvary Presbyterian Church, Newark, February, 1913 to 1915, and pastor of Yellow Frame January, 1917, to the present time.

During 1911 he accompanied his mother on an itinerary of the Mission Fields of China, India and Japan, on which he lectured on his return. He has held services on three oceans, two seas, eleven states in the Union and at four different churches in Scotland, one of which was where his grand­ father, Robert Young, preached his first sermon. He was graduated from Lawrenceville School, Princeton University and Auburn Theological Seminary. His father, Rev. Alexander Young, was at one time pastor of the Newton Presbyterian Church.

The homecoming was established a decade ago as a time of reunion for congregations of churches of which Yellow Frame was the mother. Of these is the Newton Presbyterian Church which was started 157 years ago by men and women who, while members of Yellow Frame, had come to the County Seat to live.

Rev. Dr. Charles J. McKirachan, who preached at the Newton church from 1935 to 1940, preached an inspiring sermon. He is now pastor of the Chamber Wylie Memorial Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. The Newton choir rendered music. After the service, the congregation, 200 strong, ate picnic luncheons under Yellow Frame's old maples, talking of the good old days. Point of interest among all present was the pin Mr. Young had re- 36 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ceived when recently made honorary member of the Board of National Missions.

Homecoming Day

Yellow Frame Church Marks Pastor's 25th Year ''Special to Newark News" Newton-The 10th annual homecoming of Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church was marked yesterday by the 25th anniversary of the installation of Rev. Robert Spencer Young as pastor. After the service, there was a box luncheon on the lawn. The event was started 10 years ago as a reunion for members of the various churches which branched from Yellow Frame, the mother church. The Newton Presbyterian Church was started 157 years ago by a group of Yel­ low Frame members who had moved to the larger town. The same is true of the Johnsonburg Church and others. The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Charles McKirachan, who was pastor of the Newton church from 1935 to 1940. He is now pastor of Chamber Wylie Memorial Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. Mr. Young, a graduate of Lawrenceville, Princeton and Auburn Semi­ nary, was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Monmouth in 1905. He was pastor of Broad Avenue Presbyterian Church in Binghamton, N. Y. to 1911; associate pastor at Calvary Presbyterian Church, Newburgh, N. Y ., 1912; assistant pastor of Central Presbyterian Church, Newark, 1912-15, and pastor of Yellow Frame from 1917. He was recently made an honorary member of the Board of National Missions. Son of Dr. Alexander Young, who preached in Newton, Mr. Young has had the longest stay of any of Yellow Frame's pastors.

Large Attendance at Homecoming, June 27, 1943 Several Churches Joined in the Services

Homecoming Day at Yellow Frame Church on Sunday last was a joy and satisfaction to all who attended. Many who have been present in other years were absent. May next year :find us in happier circumstances so that all who wish to come may be able to do so. Two hundred attended the service of worship at 11: 00 a.m. The congregations of Johnsonburg, Tran­ quility and Newton Presbyterian churches were guests of Yellow Frame. A committee of members of the Hunt family, in whose honor the service was held, planned the service as fallows: Prelude, Handel's Largo, Organ, Mrs. Henry Hunt Budd; piano, Miss Ruth Van Horn; Doxology; Invocation, and Creed; Hymn, ''Safely Through Another Week"; Scripture reading, Psalm 84, Rev. Hill, Tranquility; An­ them, ''Spirit of God," Humason, Choir of Newton Pres.; Prayer, Dr. THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 37

H. E. Phillips, Newton Pres.; Hymn, nI Need Thee Every Hour"; Offer­ tory, Ave Maria, Schubert, organ and piano; Trio, "My Peace I Leave with You," Mrs. John Griggs, Miss Margaret Goldsmith and Mrs. M. F. Gold­ smith; Hymn, "God Bless Our Native Land"; Sermon, "God's House Is Home," a meditation on Psalm 84, Rev. Charles S. Hunt; Hymn, "Savior Again to Thy Dear Name"; Benediction; Postlude by Cadman, organ and piano. The sanctuary was made beautiful by arrangement of flowers in blue and white with white candles. Mrs. W. S. Hibler was responsible for the flowers. Announcement was made during the service of a letter received from Dr. Vail of Newark whose custom for many years of attending Homecoming was this year broken because of failing strength. Dr. Vail will be ninety­ eight years old on August 4th. Perhaps some of his friends here can re­ member the day with cards. One hundred twenty-five persons sat down together under the shade of the maples to enjoy the noon time meal. The opportunity of fellowship with friends and relatives was more deeply appreciated this year than ever be­ fore. It was peace in a world of trouble. Many said and all felt, "It was good for us to have been here."

11th Homecoming at Yellow Frame - .June 27, 1943 Hunt Family Being Honored, Rev. Charles Hunt to Deliver Sermon

The eleventh annual homecoming of the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church will be held Sunuday morning at the church. Rev. Robert Spencer Young, the pastor, will preside. The Hunt family, whose membership in Yellow Frame Church is commem­ orated in the Sunday homecoming, was one of the first families to settle in that community. Members of the family have been connected with the church since its establishment.

The first member of the Hunt family in the Yell ow Frame community was Samuel Hunt, who came in 1752 from Hunterdon county to take up a grant of land from the English king. This land includes Hunt's Lake and was in sight of the spot on which the Yellow Frame Church was later built. His sons and grandsons, several of whom served in the Colinial and Revo­ lutionary wars, took an active part in the affairs of the community. Although Samuel Hunt's descendants are many and scattered, there have remained some in every generation in the Yellow Frame community and church. A part of the original grant is still held by members of the Hunt family. Among members of the family whose names occur in the rec­ ords of the church are Thomas P. Hunt, owner of the mills at Huntsburg, and Dr. Joseph H. Hunt, well known for his interest in Yellow Frame history. In the present generation there are several who are or have been church officers. Rev. Charles S. Hunt, the speaker Sunday, is of another branch of the 38 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH family. He has been a summer resident of Fredon several years. The Hunt family is one of a half dozen of the families who established Yellow Frame Church still associated with it. This association covers five generations. The Hunt family will be honored by this year's homecoming and Rev. Charles Hunt will preach the sermon. The choir of Newton Presbyterian Church will assist in the service. The Newton church will be closed and members of the congregations of other churches in this section will attend the Yellow Frame homecoming, a feature of the early summer. The service will open with doxology and invocation. Hymns will include "Safely Through Another Week," "I Need Thee Every Hour," "God Bless Our Native Land" and "Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name."

Yellow Frame Homecoming Day, June 24, 1945 Attendance Larger Than Past Two Years

Fredon-The following is a quotation from the invitations issued to friends of Yellow Frame for annual Homecoming Day: "America is anx­ iously waiting and praying for the safe return of its loved ones from distant shores. These anxious days have made us turn our thoughts toward some real spiritual and religious guidance. There is only one place in time of stress to find that peace of mind; it is with God in His Church." Almost two hundred years ago the country was passing through a crisis, similar in many ways to the one today. Our forefathers wanted some solid structure that they could cling to, in order that their souls could find rest to think out with God their spiritual and moral soluions. In order to meet this need they erected a religious building. It is known today as Yellow Frame Church.

With travel by cars a bit less restricted than in recent years the at­ tendance was noticeably larger. One hundred seventy signed the register and that is never a complete record. The three branches of service were represented by young folk on furlough, Sergeant Grace L. Hunt, Her­ man Crisman, Jr., of the Army, and DeWitt Budd of the Navy, were present.

Rev. R. Spencer Young, pastor of the church, presided at the worship service at 10:45 a.m. Mrs. Henry H. Budd, church organist, was at the organ. The sanctuary was made beautiful with Madonna lilies and roses. Rev. Meryln A. Chappel, D.D., of the Board of National Missions, N.Y.C., preached the sermon. His theme was "Critical Days Ahead." He warned of the two gravest dangers confronting our nation, the breaking up of the American homes and the inter-racial disturbances. Special music was pro­ vided by the Green township choir. Numbers included: Solo, ctThis Is My Task," Miss Mildred Harris; "Old Rugged Cross," and prayer hymn for service men. Members of the choir are Ula Harris, Mildred Harris, Naomi Pelham, Joe Donahoe, Raymond Faraday, Nancy Hall, Shirley Pittenger, Ida Albert, Betty Van Auken and Barbara Henry. THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 39

The weather was perfect for the noontide meal under the maples. Prayer and Grace was said by George Condit. Among the friends from a distance were Carol Condit and family, the Calvin family, Mrs. Susie V. Straley and Paul Bennetch and family.

12th Annual Homecoming Held-1944

Large Attendance Enjoyed Day Renewing Friendship and Picnic Lunch

The twelfth annual Homecoming Day at Yellow Frame Church was held on Sunday, June 25th. The service at 11:00 a.m. was dedicated to all the men and women of the community in the service of their country. The pastor, Rev. R. Spencer Young, presided. Mrs. Henry H. Budd, the church organist was at the organ. The attendance was not as large as pre-war years but the church was filled. The congregations of Tranquility, Johnsonburg and Newton Presbyterian Churches were invited guests. The church was beautifully adorned with flowers arranged by Mrs. W. S- Hibler, Mrs. E. P. Snow, and Mrs. F. W. Morrow. Blue delphinium and white roses predominated with a lovely vase of white lilies and roses on the beautiful hand carved Communion Table. The order of service was: Prelude, Meditation by Hall; Doxology; Invocation, pastor; Gloria and Creed; Hymn, Sweet Hour of Prayer; Scripture read by Reverend Benjamin Shinn of Tranquility; Hymn, 0 Master Let Me Walk with Thee; Prayer, Pastor; Hymn, Jesus Calls Us; Offertory: Theme from Sonata by Beet­ hoven; God Bless Our Native Land; Sermon by Dr. Harvey E. Phillips of Newton; Hymn, Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name; Benediction, Dr. Clar­ ence W. Rouse; Postlude by Tours. The weather being cool and windy the picnic lunch was eaten in the dining hall. This and the fellowship with friends is a high spot of each year for all friends of Yellow Frame older and younger. Nathan H. Lanning had on display during the afternoon a copy of the records of the New Brunswick Presbytery before the Newton Presbytery was formed, which was in 1812. The record was in regard to the supply pastors to be sent to the pulpits of Upper and Lower Hardwick Presby­ terian Churches. Upper Hardwick was known locally as Dark Moon Pres­ byterian Church and Lower Hardwick Church stood in or near the border of the Big Woods on the road from Johnsonburg to Greendell about a mile and a quarter from the former place. This paper was found recently in an old desk on the Lanning farm. The first record is dated Bound Brook, Oct. 15, 1765.

Hold Homecoming at Yellow Frame Thursday, June 27, 1946 The 14th annual homecoming service was held at Yellow Frame Pres­ byterian Church on Sunday, June 23, at 11 a.m. The congregation was welcomed by the pastor, the Rev. R. Spencer Young, 40 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH in the name of ''Yellow Frame, Mother of Churches in Northern New Jersey." The Rev. Andrew W. Blackwood, Jr., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Newton, was the guest preacher. Mrs. Millard F. Goldsmith, Jr., of Newton, presided at the organ. The Rev. Frank Dennis, pastor of the Tranquility Methodist Church, led in prayer. Other pastors present were the Rev. Austin Armstrong, of Lake Mo­ hawk, and the Rev. Mr. Jameson, of Johnsonburg. Gifts of roses, gladioli, delphinium and Madonna lilies, arranged by Mrs. W. S. Hibler, made the sanctuary beautiful. About 200 persons attended the service. Many of them remained after services for a picnic lunch on the church grounds. All nearby communities were represented among the friends of Yellow Frame. As always, many came from a distance back to the church they have known and loved in an earlier period of their lives. Among those this year were Carol Condit and family of Philadelphia, Pa., Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Moore and daughter of Plymouth, Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Flavell Smith and daughter of Fairlawn, Mr. and Mrs. David Hogue of East Orange, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Morrow and son of Tenafly, Mrs. Margaret Rucklehaus and daughter, Mrs. Robert Bennett and sons, and Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Van Derbeek of Orange.

Homecoming Held at Yellow Frame

The 15th Annual Homecoming of the Yellow Frame Church was held Sunday, June 22. It followed the usual custom, adopted from the ancient Agape of Biblical times, ''Worship together, eat together and fellowship together."

The church was decorated with baskets of pink peonies and bowls of pink and red roses, the work of Mrs. Henry Westbrook and her helpers. The call to worship was led by Amos Westbrook, and the anthem was sung by the Tranquility Girls' Choir. The sermon for the occasion was delivered by the Rev. Frank Dennis, of Tranquility, guest minister.

One of the oldest members of the Yellow Frame Society who was pres­ ent on Sunday was Mrs. Andrew Calvin, of Rahway. She recalled that when she was a child she and her father walked from near Stillwater to Yellow Frame to attend Sunday School. At that time the Sunday School building was a few feet northwest of the old church in Shaw's Lane. It was used for a day school, singing school, Sunday School and Session room. Later this building was moved to a site south of the church near the big oak tree. Nathan H. Lanning had on display the original list of signatures of the subscribers for the building fund for this community house. Several names noted were: Shaw, Hunt, Hazen, Vroome, Mathis, Roy, Fuller, Goble THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 41 and Lanning. This indenture states, ''This building is to be built by sub­ scription for School, Sabbath School, Singing School and Session Room. It is to be under the care and control of the session of the First Presbyterian Church of Hardwick. It is to be understood that no one shall be under the necessity of studying anything contrary to the wishes of their parents or guar d1ans.. "

An Old Letter, May 9, 1868

The organization of the Hardwick Presbyterian Church now worship­ ping in the Yellow Frame handed down by our forefathers now slumbering in their graves and their spirits appeared before the great judge of the earth to receive their just reward. The organization was founded by the late Rev. Mr. Tennant jr. a member of the New Brunswick Presbytery in the Old Log Meeting House on the site of the Old Burying Ground leading from J ohnsonburgh to Greenville. The relic of the old foundation on the right hand of the road as you pass to Greenville may yet be seen. What year I never ascertained, but may be known by referring to the records of the New Brunswick Presbytery. Whether they had supplies or a stated minister I never heard, or how long they continued to worship in the old House I never heard say. The families in the upper part of the congregation was the Shaffers, Linns, Hankinsons, Roys, Harkers, Greens, Lannings, Robe­ sons, Gastons, Gobles, Hunts, Shaws, Dildines, Kerrs, Hiblers. The lower part was the Allens, Hazens, Armstrongs, Cookes, Prices, Mingles, Rices, Shaf­ f ers, Konkles, Motts, Wildricks, Stinsons, Thompsons. The house being small and worn out, they got in contemplation to build a new house. The next question was where shall we locate. The upper part of the congre­ gation urged to locate it on the ridge where the Yellow Frame now stands but the lower part was in favor of locating on the old site. Whether it was left to a vote or by agreement, I never heard say. But I often heard the lower part of the congregation say that the new house ought to have been built on the old site. They never appeared to be satisfied with the removal. The complaint was that the new house stood in such a cold and bleak place. In what year the new house was built I never heard say, but one circum­ stance when I was a lad of seven or eight years old of being at the meeting at the new house of seeing the shavings out around the house which must have been in the forepart of 1790 for my birth year is 1788. There is one circumstance I often heard mentioned when the house was raised a man by the name of Jacob Reader clum up the rafter one side and down the other side head foremost. How they were supplied with the gospel I never heard, whether by the supplies or by a settled minister. It appears that Rev. Mr. Peppard must have supplied them either by instalhnent or stated supply. He died among them and his remains lay near the Gastons and Everets. A small marble headstone marks the spot. I often hear the name of Rev. Mr. Condit highly spoken of. Whether he was ever settled there I never heard. He went west and died there. The first settled minister of my memory was the Rev. John Boyd; installed Nov. 3, 1803-D. K. J. Semi­ Cent. Dis. p. 32 took place in 1802 or 3. Over the Hardwick Presbyterian Church and Newton Presbyterian Church. 42 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

He supplied both places sometimes and then took his dismission from New­ ton and continued the half of his time at Hardwick. The elders was Col. Abram Shaffer, George Armstrong, Isaac Lanning, sen., if any others I don't recollect. Mr. Boyd continued a faithful watchman over the flock till 1811. There was a dancing school got up at Johnsonburg. He, seeing the enemy entering the camp sounded the alarm by preaching a sermon on the danger, which caused many to take offense and stop the payment of their salary. Also the attendance at church began to thin and dwindle away. He, seeing the situation applied to Presbytery for the pastoral rela­ tion to be dissolved and in 1812 it was granted. Mr. Boyd and the Rev. David Barclay was the only ministers in this part of the country, Boyd at the Yellow Frame and Barclay at the White Frame, Knowlton, Mount Bethel, Pa., and Oxford.

The manner of going to church in early days were very different to what it is now. They had no buggies and light carriages. The country was new and in comparison poor. The conveyance the farmer had for his family was their large farm wagons. What we now call harness up they then called gear up. Their gears consisted of iron traces, leather guilers, back­ hands, and belly bands, rope lines. They would hook up to their big wagons, load in their families and away they would go helter skelter, pattering along> one horse half the length before the other, the young men and women on horseback if they had any. A horse, saddle, and bridle was the out set for a young man in that day. There was two services, one in the morning, then a rest of thirty minutes. The families would take a luncheon to stay their stomachs. There was a log cabin on the church yard, the tenant kept cake and small beer. The young gentlemen would invite the young ladies around the door and treat them with cake and beer. The manner of dress would look very singular in this day. Instead of hair on the face they cultivated it on the head. A good head of hair was an ornament. They would comb it out strait, take a black ribin, commence up by the head and wind round till they got nearly down then back again and tie it in bow-knot by the head which was called cuing. Their garments consisted of a single breasted coat. We now call them shad belly. The vest was long double breasted and flaps at the bottom, breeches to extend below the knees with straps and knee buckles. Their boots to come up to the knees and turn over on the top, four or five inches, grain side out. Their shoes was short quartered with straps one and one half inch broad. Instead. of tying they used shoe buckles wide enough to stake in the strap. There was very little silk worn. The ladies dress was called chime, now called calico. It cost from seven shillings to a dollar pr. yard. Fitted tight around the waist the skirt with a trail half yard long dragging the ground.

The foregoing proceedings on the way the gospel was preached and the settlement of ministers may be ascertained by referring to the records of New Brunswick Presbytery. Abram H. Cooke. May 9th 1868 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 43

Warranty Deed

Insley and Catherine Roy

To Trustees of the Yellow Frame Church.

Received in the clerks office of the County of Warren of the thirtieth day of June A.O. 1870 and recorded in Book 78 of deeds for said county on pages 469. H. Hunter elk.

This Indenture made this thirteenth day of June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and seventy between Insley Roy and Catherine Roy, his wife of the township of Stillwater in the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey of the :first part and John V. Hazen, Levi Lanning, William P. Vail, Kelly Westbrook, and Casper Shafer trustees of the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church of the township of Frelinghuysen in the County of Warren and State of New Jersey of the second part, witnesseth that the party of the first part for and in consideration of one dollar lawful money of the United States of America to them in. hand well and truly paid by the said party of the second part at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and the said party of the first part therewith fully satisfied, contented and paid has given, granted, bargained, sold, aligned, released, enfeo:ff ed, conveyed, and confirmed and by these presents does give, grant, bargain, sell, alein, releases, enfeoff, convey, and confirm to the said party of the second part and to their successors in office forever and that tract or parcel of land and prem­ ises, hereinafter particularly described situate lying and being in township of Frelinghuysen in the county of Warren and State of New Jersey, hutted and bounded as follows; beginning at a stake, said stake being marked by two notches cut in the fence, said fence being on the north-west side of the graveyard of the Yellow Frame Church and is a part of said graveyard fence and runs from thence along said fence ( 1) south forty-four and a quarter degrees, west fifty links to a corner of said graveyard fence (2) still along said fence south forty-five and a quarter degrees east one chain and thirty links to another corner of said fence ( 3) still along said fence south forty-four and a quarter degrees west eighty-nine links to the most westerly corner of said graveyard ( 4) north forty-seven and a quarter degrees west two chains and eighty-three links to the middle of the Great Road leading from Johnsonsburg to Newton (5) along said road north twenty-eight degrees east two chains and forty links to a stake in said road ( 6) south twenty-five and a half degrees, east two chains and forty links to the place of beginning containing forty-two hundredths of an acre of land, be the same more or less, together with all singular to have and to hold all and above described land, premises, and the appurtenances unto the said party of the second part and their successors in office to the only use and benefit and behoof of the said party of the second and their successors in office forever and the said Insley Roy and Catherine Roy, doth for themselves, their heirs and executors and administrators covenant and grant to and with the 44 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH said party of the second part and their successors in office that they, the said party of the first part, are the true and right owners of all and singular the above described land and premises and of every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances thereof belonging and that the said land and prem­ ises or any part thereof at the time of the sealing and delivery of these present are not encu1nbered by any mortgage, judgments, or limitation or any encumbrance whatsoever by which the title of the said party of the second part thereby made or intended to make for the above described land and premises can be changed, charged, altered, or defected in any way whatever: and also that the said party of the second part now have good right, full power and lawful authority to grant, bargain, sell, and convey the said land and premises in manner aforesaid and also that the Insley Roy and Catherine Roy will warrant, secure, and forever defend the said land and premises unto the said John V. Hazen, Levi Lanning, William P. Vail, Kelly Westbrook, Casper Shafer, Trustees as aforesaid and to their successors in office forever against the lawful claims and demands of all and every person or persons freely and clearly freed and discharged of and from all manner of incumbrances whatever. In witness whereof, the said party of the first has hereunto set hand and seal the day and year above written.

Insley Roy Catherine Roy State of New Jersey, Be it remembered that on this thirteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy before me a commissioner and proof of deeds in and for said County of Sussex per­ sonally appeared Insley Roy and Catherine Roy who I am satisfied are the grantors in the within deed conveyance named and I, having first made known to them the contents thereof they did acknowledge that they signed, sealed, and delivered the same as their voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein expressed and the said Catherine Roy being by me pri­ vately examined separate and apart from her husband did further ack­ nowledge that she signed, sealed, and delivered the same as her voluntary act and deed freely without fear, threats, or compulsion of her said husband.

Joseph H. Coursen

Commissioner Petit, Linn, Hazen, Dyer, Cook, Shaw, Everitt, and others. Genealogy discloses that some of the names mentioned were from Ireland, Scotland, England and Germany. Snell's History.

Deed Dated 1871 Insley Roy and Catherine Roy to the Trustees of the Yellow Frame Church. Recorded in the clerk's office of the County of Warren on the 29th day of January 1871 A.D. at two o'clock in the afternoon and recorded in book 83 of deeds for said county on page 67 & C. John Simerson elk. THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 45

Muirhead and McGee

Attorneys and Counsellors

This Indenture made the eighteenth day of July eighteen hundred and seventy-one between Insley Roy and Catherine Roy, his wife of the town­ ship of Stillwater in the County of Sussex and the State of New Jersey party of the first part and the trustees of the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church of the township of Frelinghuysen in the County of Warren and State of New Jersey party of the second part, whereas in and by a certain Indenture bearing date the thirteenth day of June A.D. eighteen hundred and seventy which said deed was recorded in the clerk's office of the said County of Warren on the 30th day of June A.D. 1870 in book 78 of deeds for said county on pages 469 & C the said party of the first part hereto did convey unto John V. Hazen, Levi Lanning, William P. Vail, Kelly West­ brook, and Casper Shafer Trustees of the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church certain lands in said deed mentioned and described and hereinafter partic­ ulary described and whereas said indenture was intended and understood by both parties thereto to be a conveyance of said lands to the said trustees of the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church, their successors in office and asigns as a corporation and not in any manner whatsoever to vest any individual estate in any of the persons therein named and whereas some doubts have risen as to the true construction of said deed as the same now remains of record and whereas it is important that the title to said lands should be made secure in said corporation.

Now, therefore this Indenture witnesseth that the said party of the first part, for, and in consideration of the foregoing and of one dollar to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknow­ ledged and the said party of the first part therewith fully satisfied, contented and paid have given granted bargained sold aleigned released and enfoeffed, conveyed, and confirmed and by these presents do give, grant bargain sell alein release enfoeff, convey and confirm to the party of the second part and to their successors and assigns forever all that tract or parcel of land and prem­ ises hereafter particularly described situate, lying, and being in the township of Frelinghuysen in the County of Warren and State of New Jersey butted and bounded as follows: Beginning at a stake in said stake being by two notches cut in the fence, said fence being on the northwest side of the grave­ yard of the Yellow Frame Church and is part of said grave yard fence and runs from thence along said fence ( 1) south forty-four and a quarter de­ grees west fifty-four links to a corner of said graveyard fence ( 2) still along said fence south forty-five and a quarter degrees east one chain and thirty links to another corner of said fence ( 3) still along said fence south forty-four and a quarter degrees west eighty-nine links to the n1ost westerly corner of said graveyard ( 4) north f arty-seven and a quarter degrees west two chains and eighty-ethree links to the middle of the road leading from Johnsonburg to Newton (5) along said road north twenty--eight degrees east 46 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

two chains and forty-two links to a stake in said road ( 6) south twenty­ five and a half degrees east two chains and forty links to the place of be­ ginning containing forty-two hundredths of an acre of land, be the same more or less, together with all and singular, the houses, buildings, trees, ways, waters, profits, privileges and advantages with the appurtenances to the same belonging or, in anyway appertaining, also the estate, right, title, interest, property claim and demand whatsoever of the said party of the first part of in and to the same and of in and to every part and parcel thereof. To have and to hold all and singular the above described land and premises with the appurtenances unto the said party of the second part, their successors and assigns in office to the only proper use, benefit, and behoff of the said party of the second part, their successors and assigns forever. And the Insley Roy and Catherine Roy and their heirs the above de­ scribed land and hereby granted and released premises and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances unto the said party of the second part their successors and assigns against the said party of the first part and their heirs and against all and every person and persons whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same shall and will warrant and by these premises forever defend. In witness whereof the said party of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. Sealed in the presence and delivered. Catherine Roy Insley Roy Joseph H. Coursen State of New Jersey County of Sussex ss Be it remembered that on the eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, personally appeared before me the subscriber, a commissioner appointed for taking the acknow­ ledgment and proof of deeds in said Sussex County, Insley Roy and Cath­ erine Roy, his wife, whom I am satisfied are the grantors in the within deed of conveyance named and having first made known to them the con­ tents thereof they did the refore acknowledge that they signed, sealed, and delivered the same as their voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein expressed and the said Catherine Roy, being by me privately exam­ ined, separate and apart from her husband did further acknowledge that she signed, sealed, and delivered the same as her voluntary act and deed freely and without fear, threat, or compulsion of her said husband. Joseph Coursen Commissioner Know all men by these presents that we, John V. Hazen, Levi Lanning, William P. Vail, Kelly Westbrook, and Casper Shafer, these persons men­ tioned as trustees of the Yellow Frame Church in the preamble of the fore- THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 47 going deed for the consideration therein expressed and the further con­ sideration of one dollar to us in hand paid at or before the unsealing and delivery of these presents that we John V. Hazen, Levi Lanning, William P. Vail, Kelly Westbrook, and Casper Shafer, the persons mentioned as trustees of the Yellow Frame Church in the preamble of the foregoing deed for the consideration therein expressed and the further consideration of one dollar to us in hand paid at or before the unsealing and delivery of these presents have released and forever quit claimed and by these pres­ ents do for ourselves, our heirs and executors and administrators justly and absolutely remise, release, and forever quit claim unto the said all right, title, interest, and estate which the said John V. Hazen, Levi Lanning, Wil­ liam P. Vail, Kelly Westbrook, and Casper Shafer have or claim to have as individuals in or to all that tract or parcel of land particularly described in the foregoing and hereto annexed deed from Insley Roy and Catherine Roy, his wife to the said ''The Trustees of the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church."

To have and to hold the above released premises unto the said T rus­ tees of the Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church, their successors and assigns to their only proper use, benefit, and behoof forever, so that neither we nor said John V. Hazen, Levi Lanning, William P. Vail, Kelly West­ brook, Casper Shafer nor any other person in our name and behalf shall or will hereafter claim or demand any right or title to premises or any part thereof but they and of these shall by their presents be excluded and for ever barred. In witness whereof we have hereunto seat our hands and seals this twenty­ ninth day of September A.D. eighteen hundred and seventy-one. Sealed and delivered in the presence of Isaac L. Cooke.

State of New Jersey Warren County John V. Hazen Levi Lanning William P. Vail Kelly Westbrook Casper Shafer

Be it remembered that on this twenty-ninth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one personally appeared before the subscriber one of the commissioners for taking the acknowledg­ ment and proof of deeds within and for said county, John V. Hazen, Levi Lanning, William P. Vail, Kelly Westbrook, Casper Shafer who I am satis­ fied are the grantors named in the foregoing deed of conveyance and I, having first made known to them the contents thereof, they acknowledged that they respectively signed, sealed, and delivered the same as their volun­ tary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein expressed. Isaac L. Cooke 48 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Deed 2275 George L. Vansickle and wife to Trustees of Hardwick (Yellow Frame) First C. H. of the Presbytery of Newton, New Jersey. Received in the clerk's office in the County of Sussex, the 15 day of May A.D. 1873 and recorded in book K. 6 of deeds, Page 462 & C. P. A. Vansickle, Clerk.

This indenture was made the twenty-ninth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three between George L. Vansickle and Elizabeth, his wife of the township of Frelinghuysen in the County of Warren and State of New Jersey of the first and William P. Vail, Levi Lanning, John V. Hazen, Casper Shafer, Charles Roy, Isaac N. Kerr, and Kelly Westbrook trustees of the Hardwick (Yellow Frame) First Church of the Presbytery of Newton of the County of Warren and Sussex in the State of New Jersey of the second part,

Witnesseth that the said George L. Vansickle and Elizabeth his wife for the consideration of seventy-five dollars have and by these presents do grant, bargain sell and convey unto the said William P. Vail, Levi Lan­ ning, John V. Hazen, Casper Shafer, Charles Roy, Isaac N. Kerr, and Kelly Westbrook trustees as aforesaid and their successors in office for ever all that tract and parcel of land and premises hereinafter particularly described situate lying and being in the townships of Stillwater and Green in the county of Sussex and State of New Jersey, butted and bounded as follows beginning at a white oak tree at a corner of said church lot and also a corner of schoolhouse lot by graveyard on the west side of road leading from said church toward Greensville and runs from thence, first by the said road north forty-five and a half degrees west, six chains and four links to a stone corner. 1:~Second" North forty-four and three quarter degrees east forty­ one links to a stake corner. "Third" south forty-eight and one-half degrees east six chains and four links to a stake corner 1:1:Fourth" south forty-four and a half degrees, west seventy-six links to the place of beginning, con­ taining thirty-four hundredths of an acre of land be the same more or less, the same being a part of the farm formerly owned by Andrew W. Shaw, together with the right members, privileges, and appurtenances, the reversions, and remainders, rents, uses, and profits thereto to have and to hold unto the said William P. Vail, Levi Lanning, John V. Hazen, Casper Shafer, Charles Roy, Isaac N. Kerr, and Kelly \Vestbrook and their successors in office to their only use, benefit, and behoof forever and the said George L. Van­ sickle doth for himself, his heirs, executors, and administrators covenant with the said church trustees and their successors in said office that at the sealing and delivery hereof he is the owner in fee simple of the said premises, hereby granted or intended so to be and that the same are free and clear of all charges and incumbrances whatever and that he and they, as aforesaid THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ·49 against all persons lawfully claiming or to claim the same shall covenant and forever defend. In witness whereof the said George L. Vansickle and Elizabeth, his wife have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year aforesaid. George L. Vansickle Elizabeth Vansickle Sealed and delivered in the presence of N. B. Westbrook in the ninth line intended before executed Isaac L. Cooke

State of New Jersey County of Warren S.S. Be it remembered, that on the twenty-ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy-Three, personally appeared before me the subscriber, one of the commissioners of deeds of the County aforesaid, George L. Vansickle and Elizabeth, his wife, who I am satisfied are the grantors named in the within foregoing conveyance, and having first made known to them the contents thereof they acknowledged that they respectively signed, sealed, and delivered the same by their voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein expressed and the said Elizabeth Vansickle being by me privately examined, separate and apart from the said husband acknowledged that she signed, sealed, and delivered the same freely, without any fear, threats, or compulsion of her husband.

Isaac L. Cooke Commissioner of deeds

Indenture I

This Indenture made this fifth day of July in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-Five between William Armstrong of Hardwick in thhe County of Sussex and State of New Jersey yeoman of the one part and George Allen, William Hankinson, Aaron Hankinson, Joseph Gaston, Alexander Linn, John Roy, Joseph Reeder, a committee chosen by a majority of the votes in the Presbyterian congregation of Hard­ wick of the other part, "Witnesseth that the said William Armstrong, for the encouraging and promoting the Presbyterian Congregation aforesaid and for the sum of five shillings of lawful money to him in hand paid by the party aforesaid of the second part the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and at the special instance and request of the said congregation he, the said William Armstrong hath granted bargained, sold, aleigned, enfeoff ed, re­ leased, conveyed, and confirmed and by these presents, doth grant, bargain, sell, aleign, enfeoff, release, convey, and confirm onto the said George Allen, William Hankinson, Aaron Hankinson, Joseph Gaston, Alexander Linn, John Roy, Joseph Reeder, the trustees chosen and appointed by the 50 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH said Presbyterian congregation as aforesaid and to their successors in office all that certain piece and lot of land situate in Hardwick aforesaid bounded as follows-beginning at a stake standing on the west side of the highway in the line of William Armstrong's land and fifty links south west from a white oak tree the southeast corner of said Armstrong's land, thence forty­ eight degrees west four chains to a stake, then south f arty-three degrees west three chains to a stake then south forty-eight degrees east four chains to stake in William Armstrong's line then by the same north forty-three degrees east three chains to the place of beginning containing one acre and two­ tenths of an acre on the which lot of land is now erecting a new frame meeting hom:e by the Presbyterian congregation together with all and singular the wood and underwood timb~r and trees ways, water, water courses, mines, minerals, profits commodities advantages, emoluments, im­ provements, and appurtenances whatsoever unto said hereby granted and de­ scribed piece and lot of land belonging or , in anywise appertaining and the revision and reversions remainder and remainders, rents, issues and profits thereof and of every part and parcel thereof and all the estate, rights, title interest, claim and demand whatever of him the said William Armstrong of, in, and to the said granted and described piece and lot of land with the ap­ purtenances unto the said George Allen, William Hankinson, Aaron Hankin­ son, Joseph Gaston, Alexander Linn, John Roy, Joseph Reeder, and their successors in office who shall at any time or times hereafter be chosen by the said congregation or by a majority thereof when convened together after public notice in trust and to the intent and purpose that the said hereby granted and described piece and lot of land shall be and remain forever for a meeting house for divine worship and burying ground and that for the use and service of said Presbyterian congregation and the said William Arm­ strong covenant and bind himself, his heirs, executors and administrators firmly by these presents to warra11t and defend the said party of the second part and their successors in office for ever in the quiet and peaceable possession and enjoyment of all and singular the above granted and bargained premises against him and his heirs and against all and every other person or persons claiming or to claim by, from, or under him, them, or any of them. And the said parties hereto of the second part do further acknowledge and declare by these presents that they and their heirs severally and respectively shall neither claim nor have by virtue of these presents grant to them any right, title, or interest in the said granted and described piece and lot of land and premises or any part thereof to their own particular use or benefit but only to find for the trust uses, purposes and services herein before mentioned and to no other use and services whatsoever and therefore in further accomplishment and performance of the trust and confidence aforesaid they, the said George Allen, William Hankinson, Aaron Hankinson, Joseph Gaston, Alexander Linn, John Roy, c}.nd Joseph Reeder for themselves and every one of them and for their heirs severally and respectively covenant, grant, promise, and agree to and with the said William Armstrong and his heirs that they the said parties hereto of the second part shall and will at all and any time or times upon the request of the congregation or a majority thereof convened as aforesaid make, execute, and acknowledge all such further and other acts and conveyances and assuranced whatsoever in the law as shall be advised by THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 51 council learned in the law to be needful for the better conveying and vesting the land premises in the succeeding trustes and further assuring of the said granted and described piece of land appurtenances to and for the uses, m­ tents and purposes aforesaid. William Armstrong Sealed and delivered in the presence of John Linn Joseph Carsen Sussex County

Personally appeared before me; Samuel Kennedy, one of the Judges of Common Pleas in and for the said county the within granter William Arm­ strong and acknowledged that he signed and sealed and delivered the within deed or instrument of writing for the uses within mentioned freely and voluntarily of his own will and record. Taken and acknowledged before me this day, 22nd May, 1797

Samuel Kennedy Received January 19, 1842, and recorded in Warren County Clerk's office New Jersey in book of deeds vol. 19 folio 602.34 D. M. Steger elk.

Comment-It is curious to note that this ancient deed signed in 1785 was not acknowledged until twelve years afterward in 1797 and that it was not recorded until nearly fifty-seven years after the signing (in 1842). During this long delay in completing title all the parties named therein had died. We note also that t~ deed was recorded in the new county of Warren and not in the old county of Sussex. After more than half a century of delay the deed was finally recorded in great haste on January 19, 1842. Why this sudden haste? William Armstrong, the granter, had died on January 18 and the announcement of his death excited a lively fear that the title to the graveyard might pass to his heirs with the title ,to the adjoin­ ing fields, hence a scurring to :find the old deed and a rapid drive to the county seat. William Armstrong's signature occurs twice on that old legal document. Judge Kennedy was a man of great caution for when he took the acknowledgement in 1797 he insisted that William sign the paper the second time.

Repairing The Old Ye,Ilow Frame Church

After the new church was built across the way, we used the old building for Harvest Home gatherings. After a time the roof needed repairs. Some shingles had blown from the roof comb making quite a leak. At a: meeting of the trustees the matter of the leaks in the old church roof came up. I had just been elected a new trustee. I · got the job without any sdlicitation. The minutes drawn up stated that myself was to get a couple of c:upenters and secure the needed materials. 52 THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

It is often the easiest part in an organization to move and second that such and such a one do the work. I got the two carpenters and the materials needed to repair the roof. We went up the stairway to the gallery hall. Then we climbed the ladder to the cupola, with the materials. We opened the west window over the comb of the church roof. The carpenters straddled the roof to the west end. There was one chimney on the way to detour in the comb of the roof with an armful of shingles. We had only a roofing ladder to lay on the roof and travel up and down that, no long extension ladder to reach the eaves. We were about thirty feet from the ground. I think we came the second day to co1nplete the work. I remember Nathan Ward of Marksboro, a carpenter, say, when we had finished, "when you have a job like this do not tell the carpenters what the job is." I am not sure whether there were any of the original handmade shingles left on the roof at the time we repaired it. It had been patchd many times. A painting shows a few of the grave stones of the Upper Hardwick Church Cemetery. There are less than a dozen markers remaining in a tangle of brush and briers located on the south side of the Big Woods east of Johnsonburg. Among the names on the markers are Hazen, Luse, Wright, Reader, and Lanning. History mentions Hunt but there is no marker now. These few graves are located on a cobble stone knoll. The plow and vandals have destroyed all others. The earliest date of burials discernible is 1772. Someone has the date of this log church building as early as 1762. Another date shows that burials were made in this cemetery as late as 1811. Twenty-five years later the new site in Shaw's Lane was chosen and a church built thereon. This was in 1786 and that church building was torn down in 1905. The earliest building was located about one and one-half miles from this present site. Stand on the stone step of our church and look in the direction of the lower cemetery gate and you will be looking in the direction of this early church site.

Upper Hardwick Church had also another burial place on the old road to Johnsonburg. This road branched off Route 94 at the Lanning farm. It was abandoned long ago. This was called the Green Burying Ground. In my teens several grave stones stood there. A number of slaves were buried here without markers. This spot was at one time considered as a site for the new church. It is an old story that the Hardwick congregation was never united on this site for a cemetery. Snell's history gives no account of it. The site is plow land now and has long been cultivated. Another cemetery in the community is the Hunt Burying located on a bluff east of Hunt's Pond. Still another burying place was a burial place for slaves on the Armstrong farm in the Hardwick community. Nathan H. Lanning This picture was painted by Marguerite L. Brooks of Easton, Pa. THE YELLOW FRAME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 53

Many years have passed since most of this historical material was compiled by Nathan H. Lanning whose death May 26, 1958 left it far from completion. Much that he intended to include we are forced to omit because we lack the information. The organization of the Sunday School, the valuable institution called the "Donation Party," and the early Yellow Frame Day School were subjects which we know the writer planned to include. Hours of patient research and work went into this short history. The author enjoyed the talk because he hoped by so doing that he would help preserve much that was good of the days that used to be. It is with pleasure that we offer this publication to our friends of Yellow Frame.

I. R. L.