CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BROWNSTOWN ORGANIZATION AND MINUTES, 1857-1859
The Presbyterian church of Cumberland precinct was organized by the Rev. W. H. Bird. The persons entered into this organization were: Samuel Vanhorn, Maria Vanhorn, Henry Gruver, Ann Eliza Gruver, William Stanford, Martha E. Stanford and Joseph Stevenson, all of which had received letters of dismission from the Presbyterian church of Vandalia, Illinois. Samuel Vanhorn and Joseph Stevenson were chosen ruling elders, having been previously ordained ruling elders, they were simply installled by propounding the constitutional questions. The session then convened, opened by prayer. Mrs. Abigail Griffith and Mrs. Emily Stanford presented themselves for membership and were received on examination, after which they entered into covenant with the church. All united in celebrating the death and suffering of the Redeemer, after which the session closed by prayer. W. H. Bird, Moderator. _________________________________________________ Nov. 15, 1857 Session met in the school house. Present, Elders Samuel Vanhorn and Joseph Stevenson, Moderator W. H. Bird. Opened by prayer. Mr. Robert James Pilcher, and his wife, Rebecca Pilcher, presented themselved as applicants for membership. After examination they were received on profession of their faith in Christ. Mr. Henry Gruver and Mrs. Ann Eliza Gruver applied for letters of dismission and recommendation to the Methodist Episcopal church of this place, which were granted, and the church ordered to write them. Closed by prayer. W. H. Bird, Moderator. __________________________________________________ Jan. 10, 1858 The church held a communion meeting. After the sermon, Mr. Robert J. Pilcher and Mrs. Rebecca Pilcher, having been received by the session, adopted the articles of faith, received baptism and entered into covenant. W. H. Bird, Clerk of session ___________________________________________________ June 26, 1858 Session met, after preparatory lecture. Present, J. L. Riggs, Moderator and Rev. W. H. Bird, former stated supply of the church. Samuel Vanhorn, Elder, opened with prayer. Letters of dismission and recommendations were presented by the following persons, from their respective churches: James Gates, Elder and wife; Mrs. Charlotte Harper, from the Presbyterian church in Sardinia, Indiana; and Hezekiah C. Wallace, from the Presbyterian church in Terre Haute, Indiana, which were found in order and they were admitted to fellowship in this church. Closed with prayer. Immediately after, Mr. James Gates was elected an Elder of the church and was installed into office, the members of the church and session giving him the right hand of fellowship. J. L. Riggs, Moderator ___________________________________________________ Aug. 26th, 1858 Mr. Hezekiah C. Wallace, being about to return to Terre Haute, requested a letter of permission and recommendation to the church from which he had formerly come, which was granted. It not being possible to convene the session, on account of sickness, the consent of a majority of the members was obtained by applying to them individually. J. L. Riggs, Moderator ___________________________________________________ Oct. 31, 1858 Session met and opened with prayer. Present were J. L. Riggs, Moderator, and Joseph Stevenson and James Gates, Elders. Mr. John G. McCormick, Mrs. Matilda mcCormick, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Riggs, Miss Mary McCormick presented letters of dismission and recommendation from their respective churches, were found in order and they were accordingly received into membership with us. Mr. McCormick, being an Elder, was immediately elected to exercixe that office in this church, and was installed into office, the members of the church and session giving him the right hand of fellowship. Closed with prayer. J. L. Riggs, Moderator ____________________________________________________ Feb. 5, 1859 Session met at the Cumberland school house. Present, Elders James Gates, Joseph Stevenson and John G. McCormick, and Rev. Joseph Gordon, Moderator. Opened with prayer. Mrs. Elizabeth Riggs, having removed to Almira, New York, requested a letter of dismission from this church, to unite with the Presbyterian church at Almira, and session granted this request, and she was dismissed from our congregation. Session closed with prayer. Rev. Joseph Gordon, Moderator J. G. McCormick, Clerk _____________________________________________________ April 2, 1859 Session met, present James Gates, Joseph Stevenson and John McCormick, Elders, Rev. Joseph Gordon, Moderator. Opened by prayer. Mr. James Vanhorn and Mrs. Isabella Brownl as applicants for membership with this church, Mr. Vanhorn formerly belonging to the Lutheran church and Mrs. Brown to the Presbyterian church; neither of them had letters. After making their statements to the session, they were received into full communion with this church, after which the sacrament of the Lord's supper was administrated. Session closed with prayer. Rev. Joseph Gordon, Moderator _____________________________________________________ Oct. 15, 1859 The church held a communion, meeting after preaching Saturday night. Mrs. Caroline Higinbotom presented herself as an applicant for membership with this church. Sabbath morning session met, present Rev. Joseph Gordon, Moderator, and James Gates, Joseph Stevenson and John G. McCormick, Elders. Opened with prayer. Abner Griffith, Mrs. Nancy Griffith, David B. Waterman and Mrs. Hannah Waterman presented themselves as applicants for membership. After examination, they were received on the professions of their faith in Christ. Session closed with prayer. Rev. Joseph Gordon, Moderator John G. McCormick, Clerk After sermon, Mrs. Caroline Higinbotom, Abner Griffith, Mrs. Nancy Griffith, David B. Waterman and Mrs. Hannah Waterman were baptised, after which the Lord's supper was administered. John. G. McCormick, Clerk |
