TOWN OF PRATTSBUllGH. 



363 



kept open by the society for that purpose, or to revert to 

 his heirs. This gives to the society a certain chartered 

 right in these, and the records show that such oversight 

 has been taken of them by the society in former years. 

 Rev. S. Griswold then supplied the church for one year 

 from July 1, 1836, as nearly as the date can be ascertained. 



Rev. B. Foster Pratt began regularly to preach with the 

 year 1838, and was installed over the church January 31, 

 and continued until Aug. 31, 1841. During the first year 

 of his ministry there were added to the church 121 mem- 

 bers, the largest number ever received in any one year. 

 During his whole ministry there were added not far from 

 175. His pastorate was terminated by an event somewhat 

 amusing to read at the present time, but probably serious 

 enough at that time. Mr. Pratt was charged with preach- 

 ing a sermon of Rev. Mr. Gay lord's, then principal of the 

 academy, but Mr. Gaylord testified to having never written 

 or preached a sermon on that text. Mr. Pratt died in 

 Kalamazoo, Mich., Nov. 4, 1870. 



Rev. Aaron Judson then followed as stated supply for 

 two years, and a season of special interest occurred during 

 his ministry. 



Rev. B. C. Smith began his ministry Jan. 1, 1844, and 

 was installed pastor of the church April 9, 1844, upon a 

 salary of $500, which was afterwards increased to $600 ; 

 which pastorate continued until April 30, 1859, when he 

 resigned from failing health, — a ministry of fifteen years and 

 four months. Mr. Smith graduated at Auburn Seminary, 

 in 1827, and was for twelve years thereafter chaplain of 

 Auburn State Prison. His ministry was also characterized 

 by revivals of religion, one in 1849 adding 48 to the church 

 on profession at one time; 310 were added to the church 

 by letter and on profession. He died Oct. 16, 1861, and 

 his widow still abides among us, beloved by all. In 1845 

 16 feet were added to the church building, the galleries re- 

 moved, and the floor raised, forming a basement story as at 

 the present time. 



Nov. 5, 1859, the church, numbering at that time 340 

 members, called Rev. David D. Gregory upon a salary of 

 $600. He was installed, and his ministry began Jan. 1, 

 1860, continuing until Aug. 1, 1866. During his minis- 

 try 100 were added to the church. Mr. Gregory was a 

 minister of more than usual ability, and filled several very 

 important pastorates. He is remembered with great affec- 

 tion by many in this place. 



Rev. D. H. Palmer, now of Penn Yan, became the stated 

 supply of the church Jan. 1, 1867, with a salary of $1000. 

 He was born at Victor, N. Y., graduated at Rochester 

 University in 1860, and at Auburn Seminary in 1863, and 

 from his graduation until he became the pastor of this 

 church, labored as a home missionary beyond the Rocky 

 Mountains. During his pastorate there were two interest- 

 ing revivals, and 72 were added to the church on profession 

 and 18 by letter. His ministry closed in October, 1871. 



Rev. S. W. Pratt was called as stated supply Jan. 1, 

 1872. He was born in Livonia, N. Y., graduated at Wil- 

 liams College in 1860, and at Auburn Seminary in 1863. 

 He was ordained and installed at Brasher Falls, N. Y., in 

 July, 1 873, where he preached four years, after which he 

 was stated supply at Hammonton, N. J., for four years. 



Two general revivals have occurred thus far during his 

 ministry, in 1873 and 1875, the latter continuing through 

 eight weeks in the village, and eight weeks in surrounding 

 school-houses. A debt of $1000 was paid in 1873. The 

 pastor has assisted as superintendent of the Sunday-school, 

 and taught a Bible class and the teachers' meeting. 



STATISTICS. 



The whole number of members received into the church 

 is 1367, 287 have died, as far as known ; the number re- 

 ceived by letter is over 300 ; the number excommunicated 

 over 40 ; 609 have been dismissed to other churches ; 146 

 have removed without taking letters, and may be noted as 

 unknown. The average annual loss to the church for the last 

 ten years, by death and removal, has been not far from 18. 



Previous to March 6, 1839, this church was governed 

 by action taken in open church meeting, when it was re- 

 solved that it was expedient to elect a standing committee 

 to be chosen by ballot in classes annually, of which the 

 pastor should be chairman ex officio. This arrangement re- 

 mained till Nov. 18, 1868, when ruling elders were elected 

 in place of the standing committee, and the church became 

 fully Presbyterian in its organization. 



After the division of the Presbyterian Church, in 1837, 

 this church became connected with the New School body. 

 Rev. J. H. Hotchkin was vice-president and acting mod- 

 erator of the meeting at Auburn, which made the famous 

 declaration of principles. 



The following have served as standing committee of the 

 church : Theron Linsley, John Hopkins, Gamaliel Loomis, 

 David Judson, Edward R. Porter, Chauncey Hayes, Jesse 

 Waldo, Gilbert E. Burton, Addison Judson, P. B. Sheldon, 

 Aaron Waldo, Charles T. Hopkins, Charles G. Higby, J. 

 H. Hotchkin, P. C. Howe, U. T. Carpenter, Martin Miner, 

 Aaron Cook, Elam Bridges, 0. P. Fay, Bacchus E. Stevens, 

 William P. Curtis, John C. Denniston, Auren Daboll, Elias 

 Wygant, Erastus Skinner, Julius Bartlett, Joseph Lewis, 

 D. W. Hotchkin, H. B. Eddy, Charles Waldo, Luther 

 Sturdevant, Albigence Waldo. 



The following have been, or now are, ruling elders in the 

 church : U. T. Carpenter, Luther Sturdevant, J. H. Hotch- 

 kin, W. S. Foster, Ashman Daboll, Elias Wygant, John S. 

 Parker, Henry J. Pinneo, Charles G. Higby, Martin Miner, 

 P. C. Howe, John Hotchkin, Stephen A. Jackson, D wight 

 S. Cook, Z. J. Terry. 



This church has sent out the following ministers of the 

 gospel : Rev. Silas C. Brown, Rev. David Judson, Rev. 

 Beriah B. Hotchkin, D.D., Rev. John W. Hopkins, Rev. 

 Edmund F. Waldo, Rev. Theron Loomis, Rev. Henry 

 Spalding, Rev. William Beardslee, Rev. David Malin, D.D., 

 Rev. Robert L. Porter, Rev. Charles W. Gurney, Rev. 

 Edward Prentiss, Rev. Levi Waldo, Rev. Cyrus E. Rosen- 

 krants. Rev. James M. McLean, Rev. Joel Wakeman, D.D., 

 Rev. Silas F. Judson, Rev. George Southworth, Rev. Piatt 

 H. Skinner, Rev. Edwin S. Skinner, Rev. David F. Judson, 

 Rev. J. Merril Manning, D.D., Rev. Norman Prentiss, 

 Rev. James H. Phelps, Rev, T. L. Waldo, Rev. T. B. 

 Williams. 



Rev. S. M. Campbell, D.D., Rev. John E. Benton, and 

 probably others, were members of the Sunday-school. 



