New-York tribune., 1896-05-04
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PARSONAGE.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PARSONAGE.
Brewer; Dr. James Brewer. Of Peekskill's pic
neer citizens and Its leading druggist in his life-
time He had In his possession an account OF the
moneys expended In the erection OF the building by
stephen Brown and Samuel Haght. trustees. This
document was dated Peekskil. September 49, 1880
The total amount f37 S. ID This. said the late
DR. Halliday was the first place Of worship that
opened It's doors In Peekskill. Services
Quoted In this building from time to time. though
there is no record trace Of any regular church
organization until 'oig time thereafter: In fact
not until the FIRST Church incorporated.
A division took place in the church at Yorktown
about 1913 The Rev. Sas Constant was then
pastor In Yorktown. AS a result there was organ
ized what was known as the Independent Church.
The Independent Presbyterian Congregation OF
Peeksklll was incorporated September 29 1918. The
trustees John Constant. John Lent and Sam
uel Lent. They worshipped In building that is still
remembered by the older inhabitants OF Peekskl
as the Church the Hill" 1t demolished
about 1871.
At that time the Presbyterians had two places OF
worship. in south-st.. the other on hill west
OF Man-st. Neither church. however. had an organ
izaton.
church OF seventy-five members was organized
In 1916 The Rev. Mr.. Brundase was made pastor
and John Lent and Ezra Lockwood were elected
officers The Rev. Mr. Brundage resigned his charge
In 1919. when the church roll contaired 100 names.
DIVISION AND REORGANIZATION.
Seven years later the influence OF large congre-
gational element from Connecticut gave great dis
satisfaction to some who preferred the faith and
government OF the Presbyterian Church. Conse-
quently, In 1926 division took place. Those who
remained were finally merged into the Dutch Re-
formed Church. Those who withdrew founded the
First Presbyterian Church. This Is the first entry
which appears upon the records of the session:
The Presbyterian Church in the village OF Peeks
kill was organized Lords Day, June q. in the year
OF our Lord 1895 by the Rev. Elihu w Baldwin, OF
the Presbytery OF NewYork. according to the Book
OF Discipline OF the Presbyterian Church In the
United States of America.
At the time Of It's organization the congregation
consisted OF sixteen members-Benjamn Hing.
worth an elder OF the Yorktown Presbyterian
Church: Nancy Conkn. Daniel Merritt, Elizabeth
, Campbell Elizabeth Oakley Ann Ccnklin, Caroline
Strang, Mahala Gilbert. Rebecca Hawes Maria
Jones Jermima Brown Sarah Dusenberry. May Oak
ley Rachel Buskllk Ann Budd and Susan Shaw
The elders choeer were Daniel Merritt and Ben
jamin nllngworth. More OF these original members
are now living. although when the church cele-
brated its seni-centennla In 1876 Maria Jones' then
Mrs Holly, was present at the services Mahala
Gilbert was also living at that time. but un-
able to be present.
In October 1926 the church became connected
with the Presbytery Of New-York. and extended
call to the Rev. John II. Leggett. then a member
| OF tho Second Presbytery OF New-York. He ac-
cepted the call and became the first pastor or the
| church. being Installed December H. 1875 HIS pas
| torate extended over three years, In wfich time
ten persons added to the church. The heV
| Mr. Leggett died May a. 1879.
The Rev William Marshall was the next pastor
He began preaching in the spring OF 1881, and oc-
cup.ed the pulpit until the fall OF lSiS In MS pas