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 Collection
Identifier: MC 970

Lamington Presbyterian Church Records

Dates

  • 1790-1887

Scope and Content Note

These records of Lamington Presbyterian Church in Lamington, NJ. are those of the congregation and the Board of Trustees, which is one group of the larger collection maintained by Special Collections and University Archives. All of the documents are predominantly financially related. These cover 1790 to 1887 including Receipts, Correspondence, and Donation records. The time period is well covered with only occasional gaps with series.

The financial documents are the majority of the records. Within the financial documents are Receipts, Building Construction, Statement of Settlements, Property Deeds, and Treasurer's Books. The Seating Documents (1814- 1826 and 1830) and the Salary Lists (1808-1884) give a unique description of the congregation. The seating documents indicate what members maintained pew space and later when and how they disposed of the pew space. The Salary Lists are records of the pew space payments and donation of the members of the congregation. These and the other financial documents are almost two-thirds of the collection. Within them the entire time period is well documented.

The Board of Trustees Documents, 1794-1886, are those with direct relation to the Board. The documents include the Elections, Depositions, Reports of Meetings and Correspondence. In other information the Board of Trustees is reported to have incorporated itself as the Trustees of the Congregation of Bedminster in the Counties of Somerset and Hunterdon, though there is no explanation for this title (Historical Records Survey, 1940). These documents also cover the time period of the collection well.

Unlike any of the other documents of the collection are the Portraits. Included in the collection are three paper based portraits of Henry N. Pohlman and William Craig. Their inclusion in the collection is because the men were members of the congregation but these are undated.

Extent

1.2 cubic feet (3 manuscript boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

No Restrictions.

Abstract

Records of the trustees, deeds and financial documents. The trustees records consist of correspondence, 1794-1875 with gaps; meeting reports, 1802-1857 with gaps; depositions, 1803-1866 with gaps; election acknowledgements, 1819-1849 with gaps; and documents, 1819-1820 and 1823, concerning the payment and departure of the Rev. Horace Galpin. The financial records include receipts, 1790-1884 with gaps; subscription lists, 1805-1864 with gaps; salary lists, 1808-1810, 1842-1882 and undated; treasurer's account books, 1809-1819 and 1853-1887; seating documents, 1814-1826 and 1830; building construction accounts, 1825-1827 and 1854; settlement statements, 1828-1875 with gaps, primarily concerning the Rev. William W. Blauvelt; and an undated donation list.

Chronology

Principal Officers

1740
Lamington Presbyterian Church established on Lamington Road; Rev. James McCrea called to pastorate; Administration committee of 4 men established.
1749
Administration committee increased to 15 men.
1766
Rev. James McCrea retired due to disability.
1770
Rev. Jeremiah Halsey called to pastorate.
1780 October 2
Rev. Jeremiah Halsey died at age 47.
1783 December
Administrative commi ttee established as a corporation, "The Trustees of the Presbyterian Congregation of Bedminster in the Counties of Somerset and Hunterdon."
1784 October 19
Rev. William Boyd ordained and installed as pastor.
1807 May
Rev. William Boyd died at age 49.
1810
Rev. Enoch Burt installed to pastorate.
1813 October
Rev. Enoch Burt dismissed from pastorate.
1814 June
Rev. Horace Galpin installed to pastorate.
1825 April
Rev. Horace Galpin dismissed from pastorate.
1826 April
Corner stone laid for new church building.
1826 May
Rev. William W. Blauvelt called to pastorate through the Presbytery of Newton.
1832
Congregati on becomes a member of the Presbytery of Elizabeth.
1859
Pastor's salary increased from $600 to $750.
1865
Pastor's salary increased from $750 to $1000.
1876 June
Celebration of the semi-centennial anniversary of Rev. William W. Blauvelt.
1882 January
Rev. William W. Blauvelt resigned from active pastorate service.
1882
Rev. John Kerr called to pastorate.
1886
Rev. John Kerr resigned from pastorate.

Church Officals

Pastors

1740 - 1766
Rev. James McCrea
1770 - 1780
Rev. Jeremiah Halsey
1784 - 1807
Rev. William Boyd
1810 - 1813
Rev. Enoch Burt
1814 - 1825
Rev. Horace Galpin
1826 - 1882
Rev. William W. Blauvelt
1882 - 1886
Rev. John Kerr

Arrangement Note

When the collection of the Lamington Presbyterian Church was received by the Special Collections and Archives, the records nearly filled one record carton. The various documents were not in any understandable order, though some of the documents were bundled together as if from one person.

The established record organization was formed by, the manuscripts archivist and the processor, the document type as recorded within the documents themselves.

Title
Inventory to the Lamington Presbyterian Church Records
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Eileen P. Meyer
Date
May 1994
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.
Sponsor
Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.