Collected Records of Indian Castle Church

Covenant

You do now in the presence of the everliving and heart searching God his holy angels and this assembly solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost to be your God your redeemer Sanctifier and everlasting portion. You give yourselves and all you have to him; confessing that your many sins have deserved his wrath, and building your hope of acceptance alone on his mercy manifested through the infinite atonement you do of choice take the word of God as the only rule by which to regulate your faith and practice - you cheerfully engage depending on his Grace to lead a life of purity and devotion towards God - and of uprightness and charity towards men; and to keep yourself unspotted from the world making Christ your example, and the building up of his kingdom your supreme delight - you sincerely dedicate yourselves to the service of Christ in his Church faithfully faithfully* covenanting that you will walk honestly and orderly with us in all the ordinances and institutions of the Gospel, and that you will submit to the discipline and work of the Church of Christ and do what in you his to promote its purity peace and Edification, and among other means to effect this you promise to be tender of the character of its members avoiding Slander and evil speaking and to reprove and receive reproof in the spirit of Meekness. in [time] you engage depending on the Grace of the new covenant not to turn back from your profession but to walk with God and his people ail the days of your life. You thus covenant and promise.

*Crossed out in original manuscript - word "faithfully."

A Meeting of the Presbyterian Church in Danube was held the 18th July 1832 pursuant to the call of a committee appointed by the Oneida Presbytery to visit the feeble churches in their connexion and to devise means for their relief - present Revrd. Mr. Loss of said committee in view of the feeble state of said church and their inability to support the Gospel by a settled pastor it was Resolved that a committee be appointed to confer with the church at Little Falls for the purpose of becoming anexed to said Church as a branch untill* and to be under their pastoral care untill they may be enabled to support a settled paster & that Jacob Shall John Holms. Gerrit House be said committee.

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Committee reported that thus** the above arrangement had been made with the church at Little Falls and that this church is now considered a branch of the Presbyterian Church at Little Falls agreable to the above resolution.

A church was accordingly constituted consisting of the following persons Viz. John Holms - Gerrit House Alida Holms - Catharine Kritsinger***. Sarah Holms Nancy Holms - Mary House

May I I th Church met at the Meeting House Reverend Daniel Van Valkenburg moderator after a preparatory Lecture the following persons in addition to those above mentioned were examined and approved - Viz Jacob Sholl - Abraham House - Catharine Kritsinger Sarah Owens - Nancy Sholl - & Melinda Dominick

Sabeth May 12th Sermon by Reverend Mr. Van Valkenburg after which the persons previously examined were reseived into church and Israel Holms son of John & Alida Hoims was Baptised.

Jacob Sholl was chosen & ordained Elder and John Holms; Deacon The Ordinance of the Lords Supper was administered

1834 Friday August 1st Sermon by Revd Mr. Ostrarn Charlotte Alida, daughter of John & Alida Holms & Norman son of Jacob & Shall were baptised.

Word "untill" crossed out in original manuscript.

Word "thus" crossed out in original manuscript.

Name "Catharine Kritsinqer" crossed out in original manuscript.

Sabeth 3 August Sermon by Revd Mr. Ostrom and Ordinance of the Lords Supper administered

Wednesday 17th December Church Meeting present Revd Mr. Ostrarn state of Church and proceedings examined Christians & advice-to the Members prayers, etc.

1835 Wednesday 7th Sermon by Revd. Mr. Ostrom Session convened Peter P. Smith & Mrs. Catharine Smith were received as members " & the Ordinance of Baptism and Steward Smith Infant son of Peter & Catharine Smith.

Susan Margaret infant Daughter of Peter & Delila Dillenback.

Records of Lutheran Churches in Fordsbush, Danube and Newville. Montgomery County Department of History, Fonda, New York.

REG!STER OF COMMUNIONS - 1838

John D. Lawyer says: 1838, July Administered Lord's Supper in the church in Danube, called Castle, to the following members of the Church & District viz:

John Davy & Wife

Peter Davy & Wife

WiIIiam Davy & Wife

John Davy Jr. & wife

Jacob Fralick

John P. Smith & Wife

Godfrey Byard

Mrs. John Rice

Mrs. George Rice

John Herkimer (Mrs.)

Peter Schuyler (Mrs.)

Mrs. George Doxstader

Mrs. Catherine Fralick

Jonas Rice & wife

Loney Rice

Barbara Davy

Eve Fralick

Betsey Davy

Margaret Schuyler

Elizabeth Schuyler

Records of Indian Castle Church, now deposited in the Margaret Reaney Memorial Library, St. Johnsville, New York, consist of two record books labeled: "Church Record" (Book 41) and "Consistory Records of the Reformed Dutch Church of Danube, N. Y." (Book 42).

Book 11 contains specifications for rebuilding and turning the church building in 1855-56 organization of the Union Society at the Indian Castle, and annual meeting minutes, accounts and petition lists for the period 1855-1925. Upside down at the back of the book are entered ministerial salary petitions and accounts for the dates 1860-1875, the period corresponding to the records of the Reformed Dutch Church found in Record Book 42. The records also include a number of loose receipts, repair fund petition lists and pencil drafts of annual meeting minutes later to be transferred to the books in ink.

The library at St. Johnsville also possesses an indenture (deed) to approximately one half acre of land west of the church, sold to the Church in 1802 for a cemetery. In basement display case are pewter communion chalices, three plates, and a Britannia-metal baptismal font on loan from the Indian Castle Church Restoration and Preservation Society. A door lock and two keys from Indian Castle Church are also on display.

RECORD BOOK #1 Record of the Union Society at the Indian Castle

At a meeting of the inhabitants living in the vicinity of the Indian Castle Church on the first day Febuary 1855 called for the purpose of takeing into consideration the propriety of repairing or rebuilding a new house upon the site of the old. Jacob Sholl was called to the chair and Zenas Green acted as Clerk.

After deliberating upon the subject it was unanimeously resolved that necesary steps be taken to build a new house. It was further resolved the Zenas Green Henry Miller and John Shall be a committee to report to a subsequent Meeting necesecary rules and regulations by Which the object of this Meeting May be carried out - Whereupon the Meeting adjourned to Meet again of the same place on Tuesday Feby 6th at 2 o'clock P.M.

February 6th 1855. At an adjourned Meeting of the inhabitants of Indian Castle Peter Green was called to the chair and Lester Green was appointed Clerk - Whereupon the committee to whom was referred the matter of organizing this community For the purpose of building a new Church did report the following preamble and resolutions.

Whereas it is very desireable right and proper that every community have a comfortable house in which to hold religious worship, and Whereas the old Meeting house in this place has become entirely unfit for that purpose - And as this community is divided in various denominations of Christians and no one denomination being of sufficient ability to build a house without the help and cooperation of the others - Now therefore we the inhabitants of this Community composed of Methodists Presbyterians Dutch Reformed Lutherans and Universalist do hereby form themselves into an organization to be denominated the Union Society at Indian Castle - The said Society shalI be under the control and supervision of five trustees one of whom shall be secretary who shall be elected -annually from among those comprising the members thereof.

It shall be the duty of the trustees to take charge of the buildings and keep them in repair to provide fuel and all the necessaries and have the general control thereof subject to the rules hereafter specified.

First - We believing that unless we have a perfect understanding of the rights and privileges of each other we shall not succeed in our effort. Therefore it is agreed by us that when the house shall be completed by our joint means the Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church shall occupy it one half of each alternate Sabbath, that the Presbyterians & Dutch Reformed shall be entitled to the same amount of time, that the Lutherans the some and the Universalists also one half of each alternate Sabbath, and no one shall at any time interfer or prevent the other from enjoying their equal share of the time as above specified.

Second - In order to accomplish our object in building a house upon the foregoing conditions a committee of five shall be appointed as a building committee Who shall circulate a subscription and obtain the means for said purpose, and when a sufficient amount shall be secured they shall let the work to the lowest responsible bidder who shall use the materials in the old house subject to the control of the building committee, and upon tile site thereof proceed to erect a new one to be completed by the first day of October next.

The foregoing preamble and resolutions were adopted excepting so much as relates to building a new house which was recinded.

And it was resolved to repair or rebuild the old house - and it was further resolved that Peter Green John Shall Jacob E. Fox John Smith & Lester Green be the building committee.

Resolved that the above committee report to the next meeting a plan of repairing said house, to be held at the Church on Saturday, Feby 10th of 2 o'clock P. M.

At an adjoined Meeting held Saturday Feby 10th Peter Green was called to chair and Lester Green appointed secretary. The proceeding of the last being read the report of the building committee was called for which was as follows:

That the building be turned east end to the north that the steeple be taken down and one be built at the other end of that the roof and clapboards be taken off and covered anew except the south end which shall be covered with the best of the old ones, what timbers are decayed to be replaced with new ones, the inside to be taken out, a partition to be thrown across the north end of seven feet six inches width with a gallery of the some width over the same, the body of the house to be finished with forty pews - which was adopted.

Ist It was resolved that after the house is completed the pews be sold and person buying a pew the amount thereof be deducted from his subscription.

2nd Resolved that after the sale of the pews should there be a surplus the same be applied to the purchase of a bell.

3rd Resolved that each branch of this Society have the privilege of inviting their respective clergymen and they collective dedicate the house.

4th Resolved that if the committee do not agree upon any important move the minority have the right to call a meeting of the subscribers on subscription that they have the right to make a final decision according to the amount subscribed.

5th Resolved that Peter Green be requested to make out a plan and specifica tions of the work to be presented at the next meeting. Adjourned to meet on Wednesday Feby 14th at 2 o'clock P. M.

Wednesday, Feby l4th. At an adjourned Meeting held at the Meeting house Felix Green Jr. was called to the choir and Lester Green was appointed clerk. Peter Green presented the following plan and specification which was adopted.

Specification

The old frame to be turned east end north and moved ten feet east; for foundation a trench two feet deep to be dug and filled with coblestone on which a waIl 11/2 feet in width to be built of the present stone under -the old house, to be laid in lime and sand 1 1/2 feet in height, the building to be placed on the wall after the wall is completed and two foundations to be made under each sleeper built in the same manner as the wall - The south end & both the side sills to be of new timbers 8 by 10 inches and all the old posts that need splicing to be spliced. The old steeple to be taken down and the loose timbers under it to be removed and the rafters in its place to be spliced up, and a new steeple to be built at the north end of the building after it is turned, the old roof to be removed and new sheeting of I inch hemlock boards to be put upon the east side and the whole roof to be covered with new spruce heart shingles, the clapboard on the old building to be taken off with core and the south end to be covered with the best of them, and the remainder of the old siding except so many as shall be necessary to seal up the store room hereinafter mentioned to belong to the Society, the two sides and north end to be covered to be covered with new pine clapboards clar stuff finished with water tables, the ends and eves to be finished with plain cornice and brackets 16 inches [by] 4 by 6 inches. Three windows on each side of 70 lights 6 by 12 glass, the sash lock rail in three divisions the largest sash in the center, the upper and lower sash to raise and fall by weight and pully. A window to be put in the south attic, one of the old end windows to be used, the six side windows to be Furnished with venetian blinds to be fastened in the windows, each blind to be in six divisions, the cross bars to correspond with the size of the sash. The blinds to (word indecipherable] . The front door at the north end to be double to open in the center to be eight feet high and five feet wide to be finished and the mouldings to be according to the plan and draft adopted by the Society and to which reference is here made, a panel to be finished over the front door of the same width as the door and casing- An entrance or hall to be partitioned from the north end 7 1/2 feet in width inside across the building with two doors to enter the body of the house.

At one end of the hall a stairway to be constructed to enter the gallery. At the other end of the hall a room to be finished 5 1/2 feet in width with a door to enter the same, over the hall a gallery to be built of the same dimensions as the hall with four tier of seats to be raised six inches one above the other. The ends and back of the gallery to be sealed as high as the back of the backs seat. Each seat to be provided with backs. The front of the gallery to be finished with a projection between the doors of 16 inches resting on two pillars, the whole front to be finished according to the plan & draft before mentioned.

The inside of the building to be all taken out the walls removed two studs 2 by 4 inches to be placed between each of the old posts to which to side to & inside of the some to lath & rough plaster between the posts inside the first coat plastering to be furred out with 2 by 5 studs to extend from the floor to the plate and to project inside the building 1/2 inch inside the old posts 13 inches apart, & the posts to be fured out even with the studs on which to lath for the second coat of plastering which is to be what is called the dry finish. The sides of the building to be sealed up as high as the back of the pews. Three timbers are-to be thrown across the building overhead to be placed on the under side of the plates, to be fastened to the plates with 3/4 inch iron bolts in each end, each timber to be 6 by 8 inches supported by two iron rods extending from the timbers above them into the same to secure them in the center. Joists 3 by 6 inches are to be placed upon these timbers three feet apart, to be fured across with 1 1/2 by 3 inch 13 inches apart upon which to lath & plaster the some as the sides. The old floor to be taken up and a new' floor of dressed 'spruce plank to be laid, the floor under the seats or pews to be raised 1 1/4 inches, the floor in the gallery to be laid with the best of the old plank.

The pulpit to be placed at the south end and the platform to be raised 28 inches from the floor, an entrance at each end of the same of four steps, the platform to be 5 by 6 feet, an alter to be finished in front of the pulpit of 12 by 4 feet enclosed with railing to be finished after the plan before mentioned, the pews are to be made with ends [and] backs level, the back of each seat to fall back 2 inches and the front of the seat raised 1 inch closed under the seat, and finished with an oval rail, and the body of the house to be so divided as to have forty two pews, and six seats front of the some, the size of them and the ailes and there location and the finishing of them to after the plan before mentioned. The whole inside to be painted of a light drab color except the railing of the pews which is to be a cherry, to be painted with two good coat of paint.

The steeple before mentioned is to be built according to the plan & draft, the upper and lower deck to be covered with fin, and the whole to be finished in a workmanlike manner, a chimney to be built at the south end to commence ten feet below the ridge and of suitable size and height above the platform to be built before the front door of 1 1/2 inch pine plank to be 4 by 12 feet in size. The outside of the building to be pointed with the first coat of good white lead and oil and two coots of white zink & oil. The lumber used for all outside work shol I be good clear seasoned pine, the inside good welI seasoned pine or white wood

The old materials inside shall be used as far as the building committee shall direct, and the whole control of the work shall be under the control and direction of the building committee and the house completed and ready for use by the first day of October next.

Resolved that the building committee receive proposals for said work until Monday Feby 19th at 2 o'clock at. the house of Z. Green and Co.

Monday Feby 19th building committee met according to adjournment where it was proposed to receive and open proposal and if there was sufficient subscribed they would enter into contract, if not, to adjourn to a future day, which was agreed to.

Whereupon opening proposals there was not sufficient subscribe to meet the same, it was resolved to adjourn to Thursday 22nd at I o'clock at same place, and in the mean time to endeavor to increase the amount subscribed, also to allow persons that had proposed for the work to do so again if they chose.

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Thursday Feby 22nd. Committee met according to adjournment, where on opening proposals, Solomon Doxtader proposed to furnish materials and do the work for fifteen hundred and ninety five dollars, being the lowest bidder, the work was allotted to him.

Copy of contract between committee and Solomon Doxtader & Jacob Shall

Artical of agreement made and entered into this twenty third day of Feby in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty five between Jacob E. Fox John Smith John Sholl Peter Green and Lester Green as the building committee of the Union Society at Indian Castle and in their behalf of the one part, and Solomon Doxtader and Jacob Sholl of the other part, witnesseth that whereas the said parties first mentioned have been authorized to contract For the building or remodeling and repairing the Old Indian Castle Church according to a plan and specification herewith shown and accompanying this agreement, and as the above mentioned Solomon Doxtader has agreed to take the job of doing said repairs or remodeling of said house, now therefore the said parties first above mentioned agree to pay or cause to be payed to the said Solomon
for completing said house according to the plan' and specifications mentioned the sum of one thousand five hundred and ninety five dollars, the one quarter to be paid on the first day of May next and another quarter on the first day of July next and the remainder on the first day of October or when the work is completed and accepted, and the said Solomon Doxtader and Jacob Shall as his security hereby bind themselves to take said contract and to repair or remodel said church or meeting house according to the plan and specifications accompanying this agreement and at all times to be directed by said committee as far as said directions shalI be in accordance with the aforementioned plan and specifications, and to do the work well as therein mentioned and to provide suitable materials for the work and in all things to comply with the conditions thereof, and to have the house completed in all its parts and ready for use on the first day of October next.

In witness whereof we have hereto set our hands and seals the day and year first above mentioned.
Peter Green
Jacob E. Fox
John Shall
John Smith
Lester Green
Solomon Doxtader
Jacob ShalI

Copy of Subscription for Repairing House

We the undersigned for value received promise to pay or cause to be paid to the building committee of the Union Society of Indian Castle for the purpose of rebuilding the old Indian Castle meeting house after the plan and specifications adopted by said society the sums set opposite our names, one quarter on the first day of May next, one quarter on the first day of July next, and the balance when the work is completed Dated February 10th 1855
paid Lester Green 50.00
paid Peter Green 100.00
paid John Smith 100.00
paid John Shall 100.00
paid Felix Green Jr. 100.00
paid Jacob E. Fox 150.00
paid Moses Walrath 100.00
paid Lyman Green 100.00
paid Zenas Green 50.00 paid Henry Staats 50.00
paid Henry Miller 100.00 paid Anson H. Holmes 25.00
paid Alexander Fox 25.00 paid Daniel Hyde 10.00
paid Sally E. Sholl 30.00 paid John Walrath 25.00
paid Joseph Sholl 50.00 paid Jacob M. Dillenback 25.00
paid John Devendorff 50.00 paid Gilbert Green 25.00
paid Alonzo Reed 50.00 paid Philip T. Bellinger 50.00
paid Catherine Kretsinger 30.00 paid Herkimer Green 15.00
paid David Klock 10.00 paid Cornelius Dennis 10.00
paid John Dillenback 5.00 paid William Green Jr. 25.00
refuses Edward Schuyler 5.00 paid James B. Owens 25.00
paid William Kneaskern 5.00 paid Jacob Shall 10.00
paid Augustus Schuyler 5.00 paid John D. Moyer 5.00
James Keegan 5.00 paid Henry J. Walrath 50.00
left William Gurbur 5.00 paid Abram Cramer 50.00
paid Felix Green 10.00

Danube, May 10th, 1855 Rec'd of the building committee of the Union Society at Indian Castle on contract for repairing Meeting house three hundred and twenty six dollars and fifty cents.
Solomon S. Doxtader

Danube, June 21st 1855
Recd of the building committee of the Union Society at Indian Castle on contract for repairing meeting house eighty eight dollars and seventy-five cents. Solomon S. Doxtader

Danube., July 21st 1855
Recd of the building committee of the Union Society of Indian Castle on contract for repairing meeting house three hundred eighty-two dollars and twenty-five cents. Solomon S. Doxtader

Danube, January 19, 1855
Received of the building committee of the Union Society at Indian Castle on contract for repairing meeting house eight hundred and twenty eight dollars in full of all claims. Solomon S. Doxtader

At a meeting of the subscribers for rebuilding the Indian Castle meeting house held October 10th 1855 by personal notice Joseph Sholl was called to the chair and Zenas Green was chosen Secretary. It was resolved that Solomon S. Doxtader be allowed until the first day of November to plaster the house. Resolved the time be extended to the first day of January next to complete the house. adjourned

At a meeting of the building committee held of the meeting house January 8, 1856 it was resolved that Solomon S . Doxtader be allowed thirty dollars for additional timbers under said building, and eighteen and fifty cents for two windows with blinds in front of building and two dollars for extra painting inside. Resolved that the committee pay S. S . Doxtader fifteen hundred and seventy five dollars on his contract, deducting twenty dollars for painting.
Adjourned

At a meeting of the individuals associated for the purpose of rebuilding the Indian Castle meeting house held persuant to notice on 17th day of January 1856 Moses Walrath was called to the chair and Zenas Green was chosen clerk. It was moved that the building committee report their proceedings in the premises which report being read, the same was accepted. Resolved that the building committee proceed to the sale of the pews.

The following is a statement of the sale of the pews
Peter Green purchased pew no. 10 at $65.00 Peter Green purchased pew no. 4 at 31.00
John Shall purchased pew no 8 at $5.00
John Shall purchased pew no.15 at $10.00
John Smith purchased of no. 27 at $50.00
John Smith purchased pew no 5 at $50.00 Henry Miller purchased pew no. 7 of $50.00
Henry MiIler purchased pew no. 6 at $50.00
Jacob E. Fox purchased pew no. 32 at $70.00
Jacob E. Fox purchased pew no. 33 at $60.00
Jacob E. Fox purchased pew no. 41 at 20.00
Lyman Green purchased pew no. 30 at $55.00
Lyman Green purchased pew no. 36 at $57.00
Felix Green Jr. purchased pew no. 28 at $60.00
Felix Green Jr. purchased pew no. 3 at $40.00
Lalley E. Shall purchased pew no. 29 at $50.00
Lester Green purchased pew no. 31 at $52.00
Catherine Vertsinger purchased pew no. 22 at $55.00
Catherine Vertsinger purchased pew no. 40 at $20.00
Moses Walrath purchased pew no. 12 at $55.00
Moses & John Walrath purchased pew no. 11 at $61.00
Henry J. Walrath purchased pew no. 9 at $50.00
Philip C. Bellinger purchased pew no. 13 at $60.00
John Devendorf purchased pew no. 14 at $52.00
Joseph Sholl purchased pew no. 35 at $51.00
Alonzo Reed purchased pew no. 26 at $50.00
Zenas Green purchased pew no. 34 at $50.00
Abram Cramer purchased pew no.34 at $50.00
James B. Owens purchased pew no.17 at $50.00
Peter Shall purchased pew no. 19 at $26.00
Alexander Fox purchased pew no. 18 at $25.00
WiIIiarm Green purchased pew no. 37 at $32.00
Gilbert Green purchased pew no. 39 at $25.00
Jacob M & John Dillenback purchased pew no. 38 at $30.00
Felix & Herkimer Green purchased pew no. 25 at $30.00
Daniel Hydepurchased pew no. 16 at $30.00
Augustus Schuyler & Cornelius Davies purchased pew no. 20 at $20.00
Henry Stoats purchased pew no. 2 at $50.00
Jacob Sholl rented for two-years pew 1 at $10.00

It was further resolved that Peter Green John Shall Jacob E. Fox John Smith and Lester Green the present building committee be the Trustees for the ensuing year adjourned.

Receipts
1855 May from Subscribers $418.00
1855 July from Subscriber $383.25
1856 Jany from Subscribers and Sale of Pews $840.32
1856 Jany 19th for old window $.74
1856 Jany 30 from Subscribers and Sale of Pews $81.00
1856 Jany 30 for old stove iron & brass $4.26
1856 Jany 31st from Davis for S . pipe $1.60
1856 July 20 from D. Klock - Subscription $10.00
1856 July 20 - Wrn N Kneaskern $5.00

1744.17

Balance in favor of the Church of $2.37
add for old' sash .37
2.74

Expenditures

May 10th 1855 paid Doxtader 326.50
June 21st paid Doxtader 88.75
July 21st paid Doxtader 382.25
July 21 for account book .75
July 21 to counterfeit money 3.00
October materials for plastering 20.23
Jan 19 1856 paid Doxtader 828.00
Jan 30 paid for stove & pipe 40.00
Jan 30 for lamps & cann 16.08
Jan 30 for sofa 14.00
Jan 30 I gal oil 1.25
Feby paid for carpit 9.00
Sept paid for lock & bolts 1.79
Oct 7 for bible 5.00
Nov 12 cleaning church 5.00
1741.60

At a meeting of the trustees of the Indian Castle Church held May 24th 1856. It was resolved that the morning of the first Sabbath in year should be occupied by the Presbyterians and the afternoon of the some day be occupied by the Methodist and the morning of the second Sabbath in the year be occupied by the Lutherans and the afternoon of the same day be occupied by the Universalists so alternately for the year.

At an annual meeting of the Union Society at Indian Castle held at the church on the 17th day of January 1857 for the purpose of electing trustees for the ensuing year. Henry Miller was chosen chairman and John Smith secretary.
The trustees presented their report which was accepted by the meeting. Whereupon Joseph Sholl, Zenas Green, Henry Miller, Moses Walrath and Henry Staats were elected trustees for the ensuing year. On motion the meeting there adjourned. Signed John Smith, Sec Henry Miller, Chair

From the report of the former trustees they paid into our hands $2.74 which amount was paid to Moyer for wood for the use of the meeting house.

At an annual meeting of the Union Society at Indian Castle held at the church on the 13th day of January 1859 for the purpose of electing trustees for the ensuing year and to attend to such other as should come before the meeting. On motion John Smith was called to the chair and Zenas Green chosen secretary. The Trustees presented their report which was accepted by the meeting. No money remaining on hand all having been expended by former trustees. Whereupon John Walrath, Peter Green, Alexander Fox, Allonzo H. Green, and John Shall were elected Trustees for the year (ensuing). There being no other business on hand the meeting adjourned. Zenas Green, Sec. John Smith Chair
May 15th Recd of Alexander Fox $2.00
May 15 Recd by collection 3.36

Names

Jacob Walrath paid $10.00
Jonas Walrath paid $ 5.00
Jacob Shuman paid 2.00
John D. Moyer paid 1.00
John Shuman paid 1.00
John Shaver paid 1.00
Catharine Diefendorf paid 10.00
Polly Walrath paid 1.00
Aaron Van Allen paid 6.00
Herkimer Green paid 5.00
Hary Cotenoll paid 2.00
Darius Greene paid 3.00
John Shall paid 10.00
Jarvis W. Briggs paid 10.00
Godfrey Byard paid 10.00
William Schuyler paid .50
Alexander Fox paid 5.00
Felix Schuyler paid 2.00
A. Oscar Fox paid 1.00
John N. Doxstder paid .50
J. Rogers paid 2.00
August Schuyler paid 1.00
John Devendorff paid 3.00
Jacob SholI paid 1.00
Ephram Shall paid 1.00
Mrs Reed & Family paid 5.00
E A Benedict paid [2.001
Lyman Green paid 12.00
Gilbert Green paid 12.00
John C Alexander paid 6.00
I J Shull paid
The above petition list and notes are on sheets inserted loose in Record Book 41, to maintain chronological order, it is added here.
Lester Green paid 6.00
Girtrude Greene paid 1.00
John Smith paid 8.00
J. G. Smith paid 1.00
S. Smith paid 1.00
Rufus Smith paid 1.00
Ephrarn Millr paid 2.00
Arthur Jones paid 2.50
Henry N. Gros paid 5.00
Betsy Van Alstine paid. 2.00
Washington Bayard paid 1.00
Charley Schuyler paid .50
Jacob Dillenback paid 8.00
William Green paid 9.00
Hiram Fox paid 5.00
Henry Milir paid 6.00
[ ] A Klock paid 2.00
Almira Wagner paid 5.00
A. A & P Cromer paid 8.00
Calvin ShalI paid 5.00
Elizabeth Walrod paid 3.00
[ ] Schuyler paid 2.00
[ ]Devendorf paid 3.00
Joseph Shull paid 5.00
Walter [ ] paid 1.00
Willett Briggs paid 1.00
Charley Walrad paid 00.50
Henry Arnold paid 1.00
Calvin Klock paid I
Cornelius Dennis paid 1.00
William Townsend paid 02.00
J H Van Alstyn paid 01.00
John Stafford paid 2.00
J E Fox paid 10.00
Lyman Green paid 8.50
from the fund of the
Hearse
John Kneaskern
[ ]Fox

EDITOR'S NOTE

The records of annual meetings do not include the period from 1867 through 1885; resumption of the annual meeting in 1885 featured the reading of "the minutes of the last regular meeting held Twenty three years ago." Other records (Stanbro salary petitions, 1861-1875 and the records of the Dutch Reformed Church at Indian Castle, 1860-1875) indicate that a congregation, however, continued to be active at the church during this 26-year hiatus.
D. Tuttle

EDITOR'S NOTE

Byron E. Fake, like most ministers of small churches, ministered to more than one congregation. The Rev. Fake also assumed charge of the Fords Bush Lutheran Church on July 19, 1892, two years before he is first mentioned in the Indian Castle Church records. He resigned from Fords Bush on September I, 1902. His records, now in the Montgomery County Department of History, Fonda, New York, record marriages, births and deaths among the Indian Castle Church congregation, as well as at Fords Bush.

July 1, 1894 B. E. Fake was Given nineteen dollars (Ten dollars & eighty-two cents) was from W. H. Walfamath fund of Dramatic society & eight dollars & 18 cents from subscription fund
Sept. 30 B. E. Fake was given twenty-four for preaching in full to Oct Ist 1894.
Dec 30 B. E. Fake was given Twenty-Four for preaching in full for the year 1894
Trustees have bargained with Pastor B - E. Fake at a price of $4 Four dollars for each and every sabbath that he preaches beginning with his services on January 7, 1894 and to continue him for the said year of 1894 every other sabbath at one- half past two o'clock until farther notice
Days Preached
Jan 7 Feb 4 Mch 4 Apr I Jan 21 Feb 18 Mch 18 Apr 15 Apr 29 May 0 June 3 July 1 Aug19 May 0 June 17 July 15 Aug 19 July 29 Sept 2 Sept 30 Oct 14 Oct 28 Nov 11 Nov 25 Dec 9 Dec 30

1895
Jan 6 Jan 13 Feb 3 Feb 17 Mch 3 Mar 17 Mar 31 ApriI 21

At a special meeting held in the church in the evening of Sept. 1st 1894. Meeting called to order by the Secretary. After a debate as to farther repairs a motion made and seconded that the ceiling above be left on that the sides and ends of room have the plastering taken off and matched lumber be put on and then be covered with cloth and sized and then papered and that ceiling above be clothed and papered likewise carried unamiously
On motion and seconded that the slip doors all be taken off carried unamiously. There being nine interested persons during the whole time taken up for the meeting. Adjourned Pro Tern

At a special meeting called to the church on the evening of Jan 22d 1895.
Mr. Lyman L. Green was chosen chairman by vote unamiously elected
Mr. Calvin Shall then presented to the meeting a subscription which he had circulated for repairs to the church. It was given to interested persons and showed an actual amt. collected of One hundred Sixty-seven Dollars & Fifty cents. $167.150. Then another subscription was presented to the meeting which had been circulated for repairs in Little Falls by Mrs Abbie Smith Mrs Jennie Smith Mrs Rogers & Mrs Amanda E Snell it showed an actual amount collected of Eighty- nine dollars. $89.00. On motion that all monies raised for repairs be put in the hands of the treasurer (Calvin Shall) with all receipts of monies paid for repairs and all monies raised for preaching be put in the hands of said Treasurer and kept seperafe from repair monies with receipts received for the some. The amount of collections for repairs up to date Jan 22d 1895 were Subscription of Calvin Shall $167.50
Subscription Mrs Smiths Rogers & Snell 89.00
Amt. left over from picnic fund 8.67
Total 265.17
Receipts for repairs to date. Jan 22d 1895
L. M. SnelI for coal 4.75
E. W. Hagaman for Labor and 3 16 tacks 48.00
John R. Taylor Hooks & wire .50
E. W. Hagaman 10 lbs tacks 1. 20
Calvin Shall for fare to Fort Plain twice
& dinner for church 1.45
H . S. Decker for paper 29.46
G. W. Shall for brick 1.00
Andrew Little for lumber 8.75
Aldridge & Co. for sheeting & thread 20.76
Maltby for repairing lock & key .65
Williams & Tanner I keg nails 1.75
Zo!ler Lumber Co Shingles 66.60
Shepherd & Skinner & Co for nails 3.00
Abe Cassidy for labor on church 1.00
Zoller Lumber Co lumber Hem 27.00
John E. Smith Lime, glass & putty 1.58
D. T. Lamb 2 lengths pipe .48
Lewis Smith for labor on church 1.50
Andrew Little crown mole 15
D. T. Lamb 12 lengths pipe 4 elbows 4.00
H. S. Temple freight on lumber 1.89
$225.97

$265.17 - $225.97=$39.20
We find a balance of S39.20 in the hands of Calvin Shall of repair fund at this date Jan 22d 1895
The amount of monies collected for preaching up to date Jan 22d 1895 were.
Subscription of Mrs Ephram Scholl Nellie Peeler & others collected 67.50 Amt of Dramatic society fund $35.82
103.32
The amount paid B. E. Fake for the year of 1894 92.00
At this date Amt in hands of Calvin Shall 11.32
Feb 22 By Social at Oscar Fox's 11.77
78 96 23.09
Apr 23/ Order given to B. E. Fake of - - - - - - - 23.09

On motion that we build a platform for pulpit commencing three feet from body slips extending from west side slips to East side of church with a raise of 8 inches then commence back of body slips six feet with a sixteen inch raise extending from a point within a distance of two and one half or three feet from said side slips to a corresponding point pass the centre of side of church with two eight inch steps on each side as an approach to said pulpit. Carried unamiously. On motion that the inside of the church be pointed first a ground work color and then a graining stain to be combed and varnished. Carried unamiously

Jan 22d 1895
On motion by Mr Peeler that we remove the ends of the seats forty in number and buy suitable boards at least one inch thick and in quantity enough to replace the some and in form to be with scroll arms to fit whatever form may be determined by those given the power to procure the same. Carried
On motion that Mr Lyman Green & Grant Shull plan and (procure] purchase the necessary lumber for the seats above mentioned. Carried
On motion that we adjourn. Carried

Mch 27 1895
Put in the hands of Calvin Shall by Miss Nellie Pealer & Miss Alice Waltamath raised by subscription for carpet for the church $42.50
At an adjourned- meeting in the meeting house at 7 o'clock Feb. 26, 1895 Calvin Shall was called to the chair
L. M. Snell was elected clerk for the evening
On motion and carried that the secretary read his report for the year
On motion and carried that the secretarys minutes be accepted
On motion and carried that the officers be elected by ballot for the term of
one year Persons Present
Calvin Shall Mrs C. Rogers
Oscar Fox Mrs 0. Fox
W. H. Waltamath Mrs A. & E. Snell
Wm Schuyler Mrs A Peeler
Ambrose Peeler Mrs A Smith
M. A. Jones Mrs W. Schuyler
Wm Lassell Mrs L Robinson
Louis Smith
L. M. Snell

Trustees elected
L. M. Snell
G. Shull
A. Peeler
0. Fox
M. A. Jones

Secretary elected from among trustees L. M. Snell
Calvin Shall elected treasurer
On motion and unamiously carried that the election of officers be made unamious

The following is a resolution which was before the meeting and carried unamiously. Resolve that for the purpose of organizing this and * community and to complete farther repairs with prudence and respect the following preamble and resolutions be agreed by us. Whereas it is very desirable right and proper that every community have a comfortable house in which to, devote a religious worship and whereas the meeting house in this place had become indecent for that purpose and as this community is divided into various religious beliefs or denominations and no one denomination being of sufficient ability or means to make the necessary repairs of said house without the combined effort and means or corporation of each other and as needed repairs thus for have been made by our joint means we do hereby form ourselves into an organization to be called the Union Society at Indian Castle the said society is composed of Baptists, Lutherans, Universalists Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, and Methodist Episcopal which shall be under the control and supervision of five trustees one of whom shall be secretary who shall be elected annually from among those comprising the members thereof. It shall be the duty of the trustees to take charge of the buildings and keep them in repair to furnish fuel and other necessaries and have the general control thereof We believing unless we have a perfect understanding of the rights and privileges of each other we Shall not succeed in our effort Therefore it is agreed by us that when the house is completed by our joint means the Word "and" crossed out in original manuscript. members of the Baptist church shall be entitled to occupy the meeting house one half of each sabbath the Lutherans the same amount of time The Universalists the same amount of time The Presbyterians and Dutch Reformed together are entitled to only one half of each alternate sabbath and the Methodist Episcopal to (all unoccupied time]* and no one shall at any time interfere or prevent the other from enjoying their share of the time as above specified It is further agreed that each branch of this society have the privilege of inviting their respecting Clergyman and they collective dedicate the house. Carried unamiously

[words here indecipherable because of erasure in manuscript] On motion and carried that we adjourn subject to a calI by secretary

At a special meeting of the trustees called by the secretary (L. M. Snell) and held at said Snell's place on the evening of Apr 4 1895. Marvin Jones was elected to the chair Pro Tem
On motion that Marvin Jones be made permanent chairman of said board of Trustees. Carried On motion and carried that the chairman appoint a committee of four to build suitable steps and walk to the church as agreed upon by said board and to purchase at A. Little's in Little Falls 250 ft of 1 1/2 inch matched spruce and charge the same to Calvin Shall Treasurer. On motion that we adjourn unlil the evening of * or night of the 22d of Apr 1895 at the same place Carried .

* Words "to only one sabbath evening every two weeks" crossed out and .bracketed words inserted in original manuscript.
* Word "of" crossed out and word "or" written following the correction. At an adjourned meeting held at Snell residence on the night of Apr 22d 1895. meeting called to order by the chair the following business was transacted

On motion that a committee be appointed or elected to invite Clergyman at the dedication. Carried. Resolved that the following gentlemen be elected as a committee to invite the different pastors to participate in the dedicational services to be held at Indian Castle
To represent. the Universalists Warren Fox
Dutch Reform Zenas Cramer
Baptists; L. M. Snell
Lutherans Grant Shull
Methodists Darius Green
Presbyterians Geo. H. Christy
Carried

On motion that Le Roy M. Snell have the power to hire some one to rake pick up all rubbish around the meeting house & shed and to burn the some in a suitable place. Carried. On motion that Grant Shull confer with Han Titus Sheard or A. M. Mills to deliver a dedication speech. Carried On motion that we adjourn until May 6th 1895 at same place. Carried

At an adjourned meeting held at residence of Sec. on the evening of May 6 1895 Meeting called to order by the chair Trustees all being present. On motion that we furnish the point & oil for painting the meeting-house and let the painting by contract. Carried On motion that we let the contract above mentioned to Benjamin Voorhees for forty dollars for the two coats and the secretary is to draw up the said contract in the best interest afforded by the judgement of secretary and said labor to be completed by the first day of June next and the work to come before the Trustees for their acceptance Carried On motion that the treasurer (Calvin Shall) buy the material for painling. Carried. On motion that we adjourn until Wednesday evening next. Carried

At an adjourned meeting held at residence of Sec. in the evening of May 8 1895
Meeting called to order by the chair.Trustees all present but Ambrose Peeler Contract for painfing meeting house was presented and signed by Trustees. On motion that we adjourn Pro tem. Carried

Meeting called to order by the chair M. A. Jones June 5 1895. 8. P. M. Trustees present M. A. Jones, Oscar Fox, L. V. Snell. On motion that we adjourn until Friday night June 7 1895 at seven oclock P. M, Carried

Meeting called to order by M A Jones chairman June 7 1895 at 8 oclock P. M. Trustees present
Oscar Fox
M. A. Jones
Ambrose Pealer
L. M. Snell
On motion that the labor for painting meeting house be accepted. Carried. On motion that the following be put in the form of dedication that the Methodists are entitled to all unoccupied time Carried. On motion that Oscar Fox & L. M. will be empowered to make arrangements to some one to put up a lunch counter on church grounds for the accomodation of the people. Carried . On motion that the hour for dedication be twelve o'clock. Carried. On motion that Grant Shull be chosen a committee to engage the Fords Bush choir and report at his earliest conveinence to the Sec. and also to engage some one to offer the dedicatory prayer. Carried. On motion that we adjourn. Carried . The form of dedicational ceremonies were held in the meeting house with no changes in the vote taken on February 26th 1895 at the hour of one o'clock P. M. June 20 1895. The clergyman present and who did take part in the services were
Rev. P. B. Strong Baptist
Rev. B. E. Fake Lutheran
Rev Leete Methodist
Rev Morrell Grace
Rev Tomelson Universalist
and a historical address was given by Hon Titus Sheard
Le Roy M. SnelI,Sec

Nov. 17th 1895 Mrs Christina R Rogers resented to the Indian Castle Union Church a Holy Bible printed by Eyre and Shottswoode - No. of pages 1244* * This Bible still remains on the pulpit; dedication inside cover reads: "Presented to the Indian Castle Union Church by Mrs. Christina R. Rogers, Nov. 17th 1895." The publishers were Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, New York, etc., not "Eyre and Shottswoode" as incorrectly spelled in the record. D. Tuttle. At an annual meeting held in the meeting house on the evening of Feb 26th 1895 Calvin Shall was called to the chair. L.M. Snell was elected clerk for the evening. Resolve that we adjourn until next Tuesday evening* night at seven o'clock Feb 26 1895 for the purpose of electing officers and to take in consideration the dedication of the meeting house how and when and to transact other business deemed proper to come before the meeting at this time Seconded and carried

Jan 22d 1895
For the hands of Calvin Shall repair fund $39.20
Given him Feb 4 by Mrs Nancey Green 1.00
Given him by a friend 1.00
Given him from a box social receipts 25.70
Given him by Mrs S. A. Dingman 2.00
Given him by Anna E Hazelton 1.00
Given him by S. N. Richmond 1.00
Given him by R Walrath Little Falls 1.00
Subscription raised for carpet 42.50
Subscription raised for painting 91.25 91.25
Collection taken at dedication with subscription 50.00
Collection taken at meeting by Rev Morrell 10.73
Payment received of Grant Shull for 5 gal oil 3.15
Collection taken at Sunday school entertainment 4.20
Hearse sold to Oscar Fox 15.00 Sleigh sold to G. Shull 1.25
Ends of seats 1/2 doz sold to G. Shull .20.
Ends of seats- 1/2 doz sold to M. A. Jones .20
Ends of seats 45 sold to Arby L. Green 1.50
Ends of seats 1/2 doz sold fo Martin Keegan Jr .20
$292.08