Middletown transcript., 1895-04-20

history for the renowned Boston Tei
Party, 1773. The bricks of which i
was built were brought from England
the ship conveying them running VI
Drawyer's creek and landing then
within hundred yards of the site
upon which the church was erected.
The framework of the building il
put together with pins or pegs, nail
not being used at that time, while the
interior has gallery running around
the sides containing the original high
backed pews used in the first building
The pulpit in the rear is about
feet high while the platform is 4 feel
with a miniature staircase on each
side leading from the ground floor
Overhead is the old-fashioned sound
ing board surmounted by gilt dove
which has become considerably black.
ened by age.
Set in the wall 10 feet from the floor
between the pulpit and windows, are
two blocks of marble, bearing on one
the inscription
This church of the First Presbyterian Society
in this hundred Built A. D. 1773, Rev. Thos.
Read A. NJ, Pastor This stone the gift OF
Mrs. Mary Hill.
On the other is:
This site Purchased May 10, I'LL,
The first church built I'LL,
Rev. John Wilson, Pastor.
Your Fathers, where are they?
Large windows with the heavy green
latticed blinds are on either side of
the pulpit, and in front is a small
aperture with railing, in which the
clerk sat. His duty it was 'to raise
the tune" instrumental music being
of course unknown. The ceiling is
oval shaped. Three windows are on
each side, five in front on gallery
floor and an equal number on the
ground floor. Each window contains
20 panes of glass about 6x8 inches
each. The front door is fastened by
bolts and hung on strap hinges, while
both ends of the building outside are
covered with ivy.
In the cemetery are a number of
graves considerably over a hundred
years old and a great many unmarked.
At the south side and right in front
OF the door stands a plain marble
stone upon which is engraved, "Thos.
Belville, Born May Is, 1890, died
March Is, 1928" Why the tomb
should be placed directly under the
door is a matter of conjecture. On the
north side of the church considerably
blackened by age lies stone fiat on
the ground bearing the inscription:
Beneath this stone are laid the re-
mains of Mr.. James Darrah, Merit, 1884,
aged 45 years. He was an affectionate
husband, a tender father, steady
friend, good neighbor and honest
dealer.
"'Integrity and uprighteousness
distinguished the man.
Nine years around thee cry
Ye living men come view the ground
Where surely you must lye'
Adjoining this tomb are two graves
surrounded by solid brick wall, four
feet high, and a marble slab set in
the bricks, bearing the names Of
Captain William Frazer of the Della
ware Lig Horse, and his wife. |
Captain Frazer died September gath,
1877, aged 65 years, and received his
title in the War of the Rebellion
through which he served his country
until it's close.
"In front of the church lie two graves,
husband and wife, ,and the |
headstones bear the inscriptions: In
memory of Captain John Crawford,
who departed this life February 18th,
1870, aged 4s years; and Agnes Craw-
ord, his wife, departed this life Feb
ruary 7th, 1890, aged 4s years. Just 10
lays between their deaths forming a
striking coincidence
1.-THE original cemetery becoming
over crowded few years ago it was
found necessary to enlarge it, and
new ground was accordingly pur-
chased and divided into lots. A num-
Der of new and handsome monuments
we're erected, but the two Oldest
graves in the yard judging from the
on the stones are these of
Joseph Hill, who was born in Boston,
New England, 1859, and died Decem-
Der 9TH, 1862, aged 70 years. The
'tone also bears this verse:
Whoever thou art who now attends nv shrine.
D think thy golden hours once were mine;
improve these seasons while thy days last.
'or y with unremitting speed it was past
"The other is In momory of
Martha, wife of Gideon Griffith, who
departed this life November 23d. 1774
4ged So years.
"The place is in charge of Sexton
jleaver, who resides at Odessa. He is
very courteous gentleman, and takes
. great deal of pride in showing Wis
tors through the venerable building
md grounds. He is extremely an .
,ious to see the project of Mr.. L. G.
'andegrift succeed. A few years ago
tornado visited the locality and de-
aolished one very handsome stone.
% upset number of others, to re-
lace these, and recut inscriptions {