The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-04-26
DR.. Muhlenberg's Love-story.

4 He l6Cl VI all lutCICStluk Uub odu
romance connected with the early life of
the late DR.. William A. Muhlenberg has
often been limited at, but its full details
had never before been published until
they appeared in the obituary notice of
the distinguished clergyman and philan-
thropist as published in the last number of
the Lancaster (Pa) Inteliiaencer. The en-
gagement of marriage between President
James Buchanan-then young lawyer of
Lancaster-and the beautiful Miss Ann
Coleman, of that place, was terminated by
the suicide of the hapless young lady, be-
cause, it is said, her parents objected to
the marriage. A similar attachment ex-
listed between her sister, Miss Sarah IL.
Coleman, and Mr.. Muhlenberg, at that
time-fifty years ago-Rector of St.
| James Church in Lancaster. Her father,
Robert Coleman, proud and wealthy
| citizen of the town, also objected to this
marriage, although he had been mainly
instrumental in calling the young rector
to his charge. His course produced an
unpleasant feeling in the church, aid the
congregation divided into two parties,
espOusing the cause of the rector and the
naughty father respectively. While par
tisanship was still running high, Miss
| Coleman died-of consumption, as her
parents said, but of a broken heart rs be-
lieved by most people of the town. This
sad event but intensified the division in
the church, Of which Mr.. Coleman was a
| leading member, and on June 10, 1926,
Mr.. Muhlenberg communicated to the
vestrv his intention to resign on account
| of reasons which it was unnecessary
| ior him to state. A committee of
five was appointed to confer with him
with view 10 get him to reconsider his
determination, but, with thanks for their
|. kindness, he declined to do SO In more
| lengthy letter, in which he stated that his
course was taken after due deliberation,
| and that it was not necessary for him to
enter into details regarding his motives !;
he trusted that they were pure, and such
as he could think of with complacency
"in reference to the great day of ac-
counts" 49, sa-5& 81
AT the same meeting communication
was received from Mr. Edward Coleman,
brother of Miss Sarah Coleman, the read
| ing of which was deferred until future
meeting. On June 26, 1926, the vestry re-
| ceived the more peremptOry resignation
of their rector, dated New York, June rs,
and asking that 1t be received at once
| 1t was accepted, and the Wardens were
| instructed to draft reply expressing the
sorrow of the church at his resignation.
Afterward, at this same meeting, the let
| ter of Edward Coleman, previously laid
over, was read. 1t announced to the ves-
! try that .'in the event Of all connection be-
tween the Rev. Mr.. Muhlenberg and St.
James Church being dissolved, abs0lutelu
and Joreoer, on or before July I, and not
thereafter, the sum of 81, 900 (which, but
for circumstances not necessary now to
dwell upon, would have been left to the
church by our departed sister, Sarah H.
COleman) will be placed in the hands of
the Trustees for the benefit of the church
| by her heirs and legal representatives. y
The offer was signed by Edward Co.e-
man, for himself and the other heirs cf
his deceased sister.
"A committee WAS appointed to inform
Mr.. Coleman that such q dissolution OF
|. the connection between Mr.. Muhlenberg
and the church had taken place, and the
| trustees Of the church werc ready 70 re-
ceive the money. Mr.. James Hopkins
| protested Against the appointment Of such
q commieee, ard before the RESOLUTION
| y a9sNQ Cqennn's le1ter passed ne
witl1116W irpp - meed4fs lAs vestry
| meeting, held June 50. memorial was
presented, aligned BY Sarah 'Yeates, Mar
| garet Yeates and Catherine Yeates, ro-
9usstin sss 2 - ...s : .s sslOsusica2 y sa
Invited to preach IN Ut. Jamee' pulpit
whencver'it vas unoccnpie1s ii heyeaid
b their letter that they bad NO doubt this
M he wish Of Z majority Of the congre-
sssie2e: 3 sls tes rs Sss'S l9|Ssa e e. e
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