The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-05-04
Inauguration Speech.
An Address Delivered by Rev. ]. H. Grif-
fifth, of Troy, N. Y, at the Inaugu-
ration of the Baptist Church
in DeLand. on April 23d.

IN DeLand. on April 23d.
Friends:
In consenting to address you upon
this interesting and important occa-
sion, l sought to acquaint myself with
some of the facts in the settlement of
the town. l learned that there was
record OF its early history, and |
know OF no more fitting introduction
to what have to say than few ex.
tracts from this journal.
"Mr. Henry y. DeLand, a resident
of Falrport, New York, after much
travel, and careful investigation, de-
cided that the present site of the
town Of DeLand was the most eligi>
BILE, and was unsurpassed in it's beauty
and many other advantages for such
purpose. Conceiving the project
OF founding town upon Christian
and upon true business principles to
insure its rapid progress and perman.
ent prosperity, and desirous OF cor
dial cooperation by the residents III
its vicinity, general meeting, by his
invitation, was called and held upon
the 9th day OF December, 1876. Many
We're present, both ladies and gentle.
men, and the following was the pro-
ceeding and action OF the meeting:
"On motion, MIR. o. p. Terry was
chosen chairman and Nelson r. Sco-
vel secretary.
"On motion, Mr.. DeLand was re.
quested to state the object of the
meeting. After few comprehensive
and pertinent remarks embodying his
earnest desire and determination to
establish a town upon proper basis,
he stated that primary object 10.
ward its complete success was the
organization OF school, the speedy
4Sz-~etse.. " I. xca0oi DulIdfng anu
church edlfice, and the foundation of
a church society; that he wished 10
consult the resident citizens and OBJ
tain their views in regard to the FEAST
bilitY OF speedily building a roomy
and substantial school house sufici.
ent for the rapidly increasing wants
OF the community that for this pur-
pose he would donate the amount of
land needed-say one acre-upon
which they were standing that a
tasteful and coz G-Aodious house could
be built for $500 or $1,000, in his
judgment, and that it such a one
should be completed in ninety days he
would give, i'll addition 10 the land,
$500 towards its erection should the
cost be as he estimated. He added
that the school house could be used
Tor Divine worship and Sunday
school, until such time as church
could be built, and when that time
should come he pledged himself to
give like sum OF $4UO TO any Chris
llan denomination that should build
one, or tor a Union church as should
be deemed best.
"On motion Ut Mr.. James q. Owen
it was voted that the sense OF this
meeting is, and is hereby declared to
be, that 1t is OF paramount importance
we should have proper accOmmoda-
tions for church service, Sunday
school and day school as soon as
possible and that the generous offer
of MIR. DeLand be accepted"
Then follows the appointment Of
the necessary committees for build.
ing aid the naming OF The town and
streets.
December 10, 1876, l find this
record:-"The first church service
ever known i'll this place or its imme-
diate vicinity, was regularly COM
menced this day i'll a beautiful grove
of lofty pines Oh the site OF the future
school house, Rev. NJ. S. Leet ofici.
ating. The congregation numbered
thirty-two, as follows: Ii. A. De-
Land, o. p. Terry, Hiram Waters,
Vincent Kirk, Charles Kirk, FredeI,
ick Allen, John Rich hls wife Clara
and young son Stephen, Il. B. Austin
his wife and young SONS Henry and
George, John w. Cannon, DR.. CIV.
Lancaster, E. Scott Brown his wife
and little daughter Winston, John
Wood, DR.. Henry, j. w. Howfy and
his brotherr Charles Howry, j. G..