The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1919-06-17
Historic Mount Holly
A TRIBUTE TO AN EARLY HIsroR1.

. TRIBUTE TO AN. EARLY HISTORIAN
In his will dated November 8, 1851
John Cripps refers to his plantation O
500 acres at Mount Holy. The subse
quent land holders have not always re
garded the place as sacred, but it ha
been well-beloved spot to many o
them. Several residents have writer
more or less complete histories of tn,
nelghborhood, and among the mos
prominent and most devoted to thu
task was Dr. Zachariah Read, whC
compiled manuscript history o.
Mount Holly from its beginning to
1909. This work makes typewriter
book of lis pages of legal cap and deals
with every individual property in the
town, street by street, and with each
of the owners. In addition to this
monumental work DR.. Read completed
histories of the local fire companies, of
St Andrews parish, and some bio
graphies, but these have been unfor-
tunately lost.
This history of Mount Holly, which
has never been published in it's entire
ity, is quarry from which much has
been taken at various times and with
out it much that has been accom-
plished could not have been done, nor
perhaps ever attempted. Like Rud-
yard Kipling, the doctor may have
said, after me cometh builder; tell
| him, too have known"
/ DR.. Read was not infallible; he made
some errors, and the frequent omis-
sion of dates impairs the value of his
manuscript.
This introduction to the following
article by DR.. Read may serve in some
sort as an appreciation of the great
service he rendered his community in
his labor of love, in preserving for
posterity so much that is of interest to
them after lapse of sixty years.
The Presbyterian Church
Previous to the Revolutionary war
and during that memorable struggle
there stood upon Brainerd street one
story frame building known as the
Presby terrain church or meeting house.
Its precise location was the lot now &C.
cupied by the new Methodist church
Adjoining thereto and extending to
the free school house was the Presby-
terrain graveyard, in which | recollect
few marble slabs standing, to mark the
repose of the slumberers beneath. This
building was occupied by the British
soldiers as barrack, who upon leav-
ing, applied the torch and burnt 1T to
the ground Behold in this instance,
picture OF human nature manifested
by the gospel spirit. This venerable
structure, which had shielded them in
their necessity, should have been safe
from such vandalism, and have been
left uninjured, as monument of their
gratitude and forbearance. 1t was here
the venerable Brainerd, in bygone
times, held forth, and in bold and
fearless manner declared the message
of his Master to fallen world. Saliva
ton to all who believe in the Son of
God and patiently abide His coming.
Salvation! o the joyful sound,
Glad tidings to our ears;
A sovereign balm for every wound,
A cordial for our fears.
Glory, honor, praise and power;
Be unto the Lamb forever
Jesus Christ is our Redeemer.
HalIeluiah, praise the Lord.
The Rev. Mr.. Brainerd lived on this
street (which has been named in honor
of him) in one story house which
formerly stood between the old Baptist
church and the academy. He preached
at Quakeson and also at the Indian
mills, in the township of Shamong, in
this county. There being so few of this
persuasion at that day, noattempt was
made to build new church.
About 1888 the Rev. John Plots
came here from Princeton, bought the
academy on Brainerd street, and with
the assistance of his brother, Comfy
Plotts, opened school for young men
and fitted up the upper story for
church. In this undertaking he was
highly successful, and we are indebted
to him, under Providence, for this
second attempt to plant in these parts,
this branch of the church OF Christ.
Mr.. Plots married Hannah, daughter
of Joseph M. Bispham, late of New
York, but formerly resident of this
town. He settled himself, and looked
forward to a long life of usefulness.
But how mysterious are the ways of
Providence? For soon the hand of
God was laid heavily upon this ener-
getic young missionary, he was strick-
en- down with disease, and in few
days was gathered to his fathers, thus
leaving this work in the hands of
Others, perhaps less fitted to carry out
this important undertaking. His body
rests in the cemetery near the mount,
in the land of his adoption, where
marble monument, erected by his
faithful partner, marks the spot. A
few years after this Rev. Samuel Mil
Ter, Jr., A. M, son of the venerable
president of Princeton college, came
here, opened a school for young men,
and officiated in the church. In this
he was very successful, and about the
year 1887, with the assistance of Rev.
Isaac " Brown and others, succeeded
in erecting handsome church on Gar
den street, upon property formerly be-
longing to Anthony Sharp. Mr.. Miller
has been the regular clergyman for
many years, and under his ministry
the church has grown and is now in a
most prosperous condition.