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HISTORICAL SKKTCH 
 OP THE 
 FIRST STAiraORD (BAPTIST) CHURCa 
 
 AS 
 BAKGALI, DUTCHESS COUKTT, N. Y. 
 BY 
 MR. ETKLYH BRIG OS BALDWIU. 
 

 ^- 
 
«1) 
 
 -1- 
 
 I f The Plrpt Stanford (Baptist) Chr.roh, at Bengali, 
 
 I>ntohee8 Cowty, F. Y., Hit'torlopl Sicetoh, Early Marrlag« 
 Records and Abstraote of TombBtone InBorlptlona. Prepared for 
 the New York Genealogioal and Piographloal Record, by Eyelyn 
 Briggs Baldwin. 
 
 In present Ine herewith a historical sketch of the Flret 
 Baptist Chnrch of the tcwn of Stanford (village of Bangall) , 
 DutchesB Coimty, II. Y. , I content myself by offering an abstract 
 of a paper prei)ared by a member of the ohnroh as published In 
 the proceedings of the 37th Anniyersary of the DutohesB Baptist 
 Association, held at Bangall, Ang. 30, and 31 and Sept. 1, 
 1871. 
 
 Abstract of HlPtorloal Sketch. 
 
 First records dated Great Nine Partners, Charlotte 
 Precinct, N. Y.- First members appear to have emigrated from 
 MassaohTisetts. The first record; dated 1755 reads thrs : 
 
 Vhereae there were a few of ns, of the Baptist faith and 
 order, settled in this wilderness as sheep having no Shepherd, 
 being destltnte of the glorions pri-v lieges which otir dear 
 Redeemer hath purchased for us, of having the gospel Preached 
 among ns and the ordinances administered tinder Hie law and 
 solemn oanse, we thonght it needful to meet together and to 
 give up ourselves to God by prayer and supplication, with 
 continuance. 
 
 God was pleased to add unto us some more souls, which 
 gives us great reason to hope God did own this our free-will 
 offering, whereupon wo continued asoembling together till in 
 the year 1759, on the 15th day of October. Then we were 
 embodied together here in Dutchess Coxuity, and in the Province 
 
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 of Hew York, and did make ohoioe of two, via. Ephraim Ballook 
 and Comer Bullook to be as tinder shepherds, over us, to preach 
 the gospel and administer the ordinances among us, v^ioh were 
 •stablished, and authorized, by the infinite goodneBS of God. 
 
 Ve had the presence and assistance of Elder Jabes Wood and 
 Elder Robert Wheaton, who were Elders of the First Baptist 
 Church in the town of Swansea, in the cotmty of Bristol and in 
 the province of Uassaohnsetts Bay, in Hew England." 
 
 The next record, dated Jtine 6, 1772, states that the Chiirch 
 ohose two brethren to draw lots for one to serve as Deacon, 
 which lot fell upon Richard Bullock, Jun. and he was duly author- 
 ised. 
 
 Then follows:- "Whereas the above said Church was authorized, 
 and a considerable addition was made to it. 
 
 Just at this time we were informed that our mother ohoroh 
 that established us, sang by rule Watts' Psalms, and we laboured 
 with them for some time to forbear, but they continued and we 
 withdrew ourselves from them. Then some time after that some 
 of U8 grew uneasy because we had broken union with them about 
 singing, viz. Richard Ballook and Ellis Bullock, and some time 
 flifter Elder Comer Bullock grew so much timoasy, that we thought 
 it our duty to make our recantation to that church for what we 
 had done, believing that the Psalm, or tune, was not a sufficient 
 thing to break union upon, but that every believer may sing 
 aocording to his own understanding, and that it is agreeable 
 to the gospel day. Some of the brethren made a reqaest that 
 they might sing Watts' Psalms, and were denied altogether. 
 Then we three above named made known our desire to the 
 Churoh, that we wished to make a confession to the Swansea 
 
ohuroh that w© did wrong in withdrawing from them.whloh w« 
 BUBt do for oonBoienoe sake, which gave great diBBatlefaotion 
 to this ohtiroh, irho when they ocuae to labour upon it, found 
 they oould not walk with ub if we made our vonfeeaion to them 
 and allowed the singing of T/attB' PsalmB, whioh thing we find 
 it our duty to do. So, then, we whose namee are hereunder 
 written (*here followa the names of twenty-four brethren 
 and BiBters) left asBembllng otureelTeB with them and remained 
 Toid of meeting together for the worship of God, for some 
 time: but having a oonferenoe, thought it duty to attend the 
 worship of God as soon as there was a door open. Soon after 
 there was a fervent call in the neighborhood whioh we readily 
 aooepted, and appointed a oonferenoe for those scattered mem- 
 bers, who when we came together, found ourselves to be of 
 one hewt, and after several conferences thonght it our duty 
 to give up ourselves to God and each other as follow members 
 to walk together in visible oomnainion, which we entered into 
 on this 9th day of May, in the year 1778, and then follow the 
 names of twenty-four more, as being willing to walk together 
 in the Order of the Gospel, with singing of Psalms and Hymns 
 as a part of Divine worship. 
 
 Oct. 17, 1779, a letter of invitation was received by 
 the ohtiroh from ianderhook, saying the greatly desired this 
 ohuroh to send their under shepherd to preach the gospel and 
 to administer the ordinance of baptism; after perusal of 
 the letter the church appointed Elder Comer Bullock and Bro. 
 George Crandall to act in fellowship and report the same to 
 the ohtirch. 
 
 These messengers reported as follows: Nov. End, 
 
arrlred at Bro. Wm. Hares, and fotuid there that evenlnc three 
 pereone whoa the Lord had wroneht npon by thie spirit, and 
 other Bpeotators. Mov. 3rd, held Divine Service at Bro. .7in. 
 Haree and one person wae baptised. Nov. 4th, servioe was held 
 at Bro. Henry Joslin's. Nov. 7th, servioe held at Wm. Hares 
 and one brother and four sisters dedicated themselves to the 
 Lord. After these meetings they were established by the 
 authority of the ohnroh as a bran oh of this ohuroh. Thus 
 ended the first missionary tour of seven days by this ohuroh. 
 
 Hov. 27th, the ohuroh appointed a oonferenoe to be 
 held at the house of Elder Comer Bullock, every Saturday and 
 that a like due attendance should be gi^®n *o *h® Church 
 Meetings on the last Saturday in every month, which hath hither- 
 to been too much neglected. 
 
 March 6th 1780, the ohuroh received another request to send 
 the Elder and a brother to Klnderhook to administer the ordin- 
 ance of baptism, whereupon Kills Bullock was chosen by lot 
 to accompany the Pastor. These setting out upon their Journey 
 Marvh 7th arrived at their destination the following day, 
 where they did preach the gospel of Christ, after which several 
 candidates were baptised and received into full fellowship. 
 
 April 1st, the Church met at the house of Elder Bull- 
 ock, when one of the brethren called upon the Elder to bring 
 In the late necessary charges which proved to be in money six 
 pounds, eight shillingB, likewise the messengers expended six 
 working days of man and horse, and four dollars, paid by 
 the Elder for paper, it being for the necessary use of the 
 ohuroh. At this time two of the brethren had fas they said) 
 made a new discovery, via. that there should be an equality 
 
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 In the ohnroh in the payment of the expeneee. April S8th the 
 ohnroh being aseembled at the honse of the Pastor one of the 
 brethren explained hlB new discovery of duty as follows: To 
 plough, plant and hoe the Hldrr's corn, mow and seonre his 
 hay, plough and prepare the fallow ground for sowing wheat 
 for him, jTidglng It most convenient for ns, in onr low oiroxim- 
 stanoes, to recieem what time we oan i'n. order that the Elder 
 might dedicate to the Lord all sxioh redeemed time in work 
 pertaining to his ministerial functions. 
 
 Sept. 1780, the brethren at r^/er ajtxd adjacent places 
 requested that Elder Bullock and the messengers of the chnroh 
 should visit them. Accordingly they visited those quarters 
 and preached the gospel and baptized Samuel Htmt, Hezekiah 
 Lookwood, John Purman, Abljah Prost, Seurah Palmer, Ruth Lock- 
 wood, and Jemima Farman. 
 
 Nov. 3, 1781, a conference being held at Xinderhook, the 
 Elder preached at Bro. '.Vm. Hares and on the next day baptized 
 and received three persons into the church. Then the Elder 
 preached in other places, journeying as far as Bethlehem and 
 returned to the Branch on the 7th. 
 
 On Nov. 8, 1781, a conference was held at Stephentown, 
 at Esq. Colvers, where they were me* by Elder Drake and some 
 of his brethren. 
 
 June 29, 1782, the elder received six into the church 
 at Little Hoosic. 
 
 Oct. 28, 1786, the Elder reported that on the 8th of 
 Oct. he had received ten persons into the church, and on the 
 ElBt throe more, showing an IncreaBe of Pastoral labor at 
 Kinderhook. In 1789 there were in the last nine months con- 
 
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 stant aooeaelonB. 
 
 Oot. 29, 1787 an invitation vms received fromthe neigh- 
 borhood of Daniel Jonee (Just eaat of Mabbettsville) for the 
 Klder to ooiae and baptize. The ohnroh appointed the Elder, 
 and by his reqneet, eome brethren to go with him and hear 
 their experiences. Nearly forty of them were baptised, and 
 by their request they were, April 26th, 1788, oonetitTited 
 a branch of this ohtirch. 
 
 k branch is also apoken of as near Jacob Lawrence's 
 and two brethren were chosen as overseers of it. May Slst, 
 brethren at Noble Town requested the Pastor to administer 
 the ordinance of baptism. 
 
 Deo. 22nd a cotmoil was called and Nathan Canfield and 
 James Pnrdy were ordained as deacons. Elders Dakins, Gano, 
 and Bullock officiating. 
 
 January 17, 1789 eleven oandidate1& were baptized at 
 Little Hine Partners, Jan. Slst Desujon Canfield expressed a 
 dissatisfaction that the church consisted of so many branches 
 that the mother church was destitute of preaching the greater 
 part of the time. 
 
 June 1st, 1789. the branch at Kinderhook was constitu- 
 ted a gospel church, numbering thirty members. Book 2nd, 1790, 
 contains their Articles of Faith in full. 
 
 In June 1790 some candidates residing at a placed called 
 Hudson sent a messenger to the church asking them to send 
 their Elder to administer the ordinance of baptism. 
 
 Aug. 26, 1791, being the first day of the week a 
 great number of people were gathered together, and two were 
 baptised and added to the church, xhe Elder preached from 
 
the words: "He that ie not with roe is against me, and he that 
 gathereth not with me eoattereth abroad." 
 
 Deo. 29, 1790, Deaoon Uanfield requested the brethren 
 to coiiBider the Elder in hie needful oiroTinuitanoeB in respect 
 to bread and wood, when the ohui-oh agreed to relieve his 
 wants. 
 
 IhlB was Jtist In view of the fact that he heA fed 
 many and provided fuel for the people ta be oomf or table so 
 many winters when asBembled at his house. It is not a matter 
 of reoord that he evea received a penny as a salary. He did 
 on one oooasion receive a contribution and, for eo doing, 
 was called an hireling, whereupon the church very promptly 
 voted that he had a perfect right to receive any contributions 
 the people were dibposed to make him. 
 
 On Aug. 28, 1790 the church voted that the Elder and 
 Bro. Adams, a licentiate, should attend a meeting at Oewago, 
 at the house of Bro. Powler, or near, once every month and 
 BO continue for twelve months. 
 
 In April the chxirch voted that the Elder should preach 
 for them three Sabbaths in the month for one year, the 4th 
 Sabbath at the village and to the branch near David Jones* ; 
 when there were five Sabbaths he might have liberty to go 
 where he should think best, -at the yearly meeting a Bro. 
 Freeman was sent to them from Zdnderhooic vrith a request that 
 they would hear him improve his gift, and, after hearing, 
 report in vrriting what they considered his gift to be, which they 
 thought to be exhortation. This shov7s a confidence in the 
 ability of the church to Judge. In 1798 a messenger (Bro. 
 Scott) presented a request from candidates in Rhinebeck, 
 
wiBhlng Baptism, for the ohuroh to send an adminletrater. 
 Therefore the ohuroh roteA to send for Elder Hopkins to oome 
 and go with them to Rhinebeok the third Sabbath in ITay. May 
 19th Elder Bullock, Klder Hopkins and Dea. Canfleld met at 
 the house of Bro. Robert Soott at Rhinebeok Plats, and heard 
 the experience of four candidates, and on Lord's Day, one 
 more. Then Elder Hopkins preached and baptized them, which 
 was done by order of the church. July 21 st^ Elder Bullock 
 baptized three more. 
 
 In 1799 a proposition was made to have a stove in the 
 Meeting House but it was voted down. Nearly all the meetings 
 were held at the Pastor's house, especially in cold weather. 
 The dwelling house then owned by the Elder, rebuilt about 
 1870 or earlier is still standing and la located about three 
 miles north of the present house of worship in Bangall. 
 
 Nov. 9th, 1800 a request was made of the church that 
 Elder Bullock should preach at the house of Bro. John 7/iley 
 once a month. This was granted. 
 
 In 1802 there were some baptisms by Elder Hopkins. 
 Still the meetings were held at Elder Bullock's house, he 
 presiding as moderator. The last record pertaining to this 
 faithful man is that he presided at a church meeting in his 
 own house, Feb. 29, 1804. 
 
 The church on May 29, 1802, presented a call to Elder 
 Hopkins to preach for them three months half of the time, 
 and voted to give him twenty shillings a Sabbath. Elder 
 Petit is spoken of as having served as a supply several months 
 and baptized some. Elder Arnold is also referred to as a 
 "Bupply". Up to this date the church at Bangall had establish- 
 
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 ed eight different branohes^ Ti«., Xlnderhook, OBwago, Hoble 
 Town, Dover, Daniel Jones', .Vest Branch, South .Teat Branoh and 
 Rhinebeok. 
 
 The first reoord of Elder Luman Btiroh is that he olosed 
 a ohurofe meeting by prayer Peb. 23rd, 1805. On Arigust SOth 
 the chTiroh proposed hie ordination, but this he declined. On 
 June 14, 1806, a ootmoil ooneisting of l.lders Leland, Wood, and 
 Johnson was convened and on the next day Bro. Luman Buroh 
 was ordained. Elder Johnson preaching the sermon. This oc- 
 curred in a grove where the first meeting-hotuae stood and at 
 the sane time. Comer, a son of Elder Comer Bullock was ordained 
 a deacon. At the close of these services Elder Leland baptized 
 Johiel Canfield and Abraham Hicks. 
 
 Among the first baptized by Elder Burch wore Samuel 
 Saokett, and Asa Thompson who became a deeujon and was a pillar 
 of the church for nearly fifty years. ThxiB Elder Buroh began 
 hie labors and most of his life as minister of the Gospel 
 was spent here. 
 
 In July 1814, a new house was raised and in August 1815 
 the church met there. It was located about a cfuarter of a 
 mile south of the first. 
 
 One year, probably in 1821, Elder Buroh preached at 
 Anenin, :he same year in which Elder Doty preached at Bengali. 
 Some iiii iculty arising in regard to the singing. Elder Buroh 
 asked for a letter of dismlBsal. This was granted but after- 
 wards repealed with the specification that no reflection 
 should be cast from the desk. In Nov. 1821. Elder Doty asked 
 for a letter of dismisuion, the request being granted. 
 
 Elder Buroh preached a part of the time at Fishklll 
 
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 and at Bangall only half of the time, probably about three 
 
 years, as this 1p not fnlly oxplalned In thr reoordP. He 
 alBo preaohed froqr.ently at PleaBant Ial3«»y, '•'hero, ap well 
 ae in PlBhW.ll, he was preatly loved . He aDRo preaohod at 
 Pino Plains, the first refford of which, la Jtme 7th 1P35. 
 when he baptised oipht oonvette, and on the 18th seven more. 
 The ohnroh then voted to hold a rogrlar meeting at the Plains 
 every eeoond Saturday in tho month, !Iov. 14th, ho baptized 
 foTir more, when Bro, Cornelins Hueted in behalf of himself 
 and others requested the ohuroh to permit Elder Bur oh to 
 preaoh for them one Sabbath in eaoh month for the enpning 
 year. The recruest was granted and in 1839 they were oon- 
 stltiited a regular Baptist Chto-oh. 
 
 In the first weel of June l^AZ a ^reat revival began, 
 meetings being held dally for abont five weeks, and aboTit forty 
 members were added to the ohuroh, many boing in the vigor 
 of life. Elders Isaac Sevan, Nathsin I>. Benedict and ?., G. 
 Ambler then pastor of the let Pishkill ohuroh, were the labor- 
 ers in that meeting. Rev. Silas Ambler, who tmited with this 
 ohTiroh by letter from the Norfolk ohiiroh, also labored in 
 that meeting. He died Nov. 25. 1857. aged 57 years. Soon 
 after this revival the meeting-hotise was repaired and painted, 
 
 and a stoop built. Peo. 31, 1842, David Van Pradenburgh 
 was baptized. Subsequently he was licensed to preaoh. 
 
 Elder Buroh labored in this oommnEity a number of years 
 and by industry and economy secured a small farm, this in a 
 great measure pupporttng himself. His salary was small and 
 foreseeing that his successor would have but scanty support 
 and feeling that he himself was rosponslble for not having 
 
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 eduoated the ohnroh to glTe more liberally for the pastor's 
 support, he proposed to tho ohuroh, .lime 26, 1852. to raise 
 the stun of ^1000 to bnild a pareonae*. drew tip a stibsortptlon 
 for the same and headed the Hat vrlth hlR o.vn name for '.-'.lOO. 
 The money was raised and the parsonage built. He was a 
 worthy suooesBor to the former pastor. The two were the only 
 pastors from 1755 to 1855, In which latter year Elder Btiroh 
 closed his labors as pastor, having been stricken with palsy. 
 He lingered a enfferer nntil ITov. 17th, 1858, -Then he died, 
 aged 81 years. 
 
 June 30, 1855 Elder Elijah Lnoas was extended and 
 accepted a call as pastor of the church, and on the 23rd of 
 September enterec! npAn his pastorate with the ohnroh. On 
 Rov. 2l8t he waB ordained as a ninister. The sermon on 
 this occasion vr&s preached by Elder Joshua n.etoher of Amenia. 
 On Dec. 26, a goodly number were baptized and added to the 
 church, 
 
 Jan. Ist. 1860. at a regular meeting of the ohuroh 
 Bro. P. Z. Snckett, in behalf of the following members, 
 viz: P. X. Sackett, I. I. 'bright, Chepel Bobinson and others 
 asked for letters to form another Baptist Church in the town 
 of Stanford, whereupon the church appointed a special meeting 
 two weeks from that date, to consider the request, which 
 being refused Bro. P. K. Saokett said that they would withdraw 
 from the church. TThile these events were transpiring Bro. 
 John Vassar came among the people and labored for the spirit- 
 ual good of the ohixroh and coninnnlty. After Elder luoas left 
 Bro. Vassat moved his family into the parsonage and remained 
 several months. His labors were greatly appreciated. 
 
Oot. 29, 1859, Klder J. HolnanB appears as Moderator 
 in the ohtiroh meet Inge. He oontlnnofl with the cshuroh as a 
 enrPly tmtll In ?:aroh 1860, when he was tmanlriOTjely elected 
 paBtor, In 1865 Elder Holmane tendered his reslgniatlon as 
 pastor, Rnd on Jan. 1, 1866 It was accepted. In April Elder 
 E. G. Ambler heoame the paBtor of the ohnroh. In 1068 about 
 thirty aero added to the church. 
 
 The second hotise of vrorship stood about ono fonrth 
 of a mile eonth of the first honse and was occppled for about 
 fifty-three years. In it the Dutchess Baptist Apsooiatlon 
 was organized and at its first meeting in 1835, Rev. T. VTinter 
 was Moderator. 
 
 In the fall of 1867 a stirvey was made for the THitohesa 
 and ColTjmbia Rail Road which passed throtigh the pnlplt. The 
 honse was therefore mored a little more than the width of 
 It to give way for the work of the road. In Peceraber the 
 Railroad gave the chnrch ?'1650 damages, the tmPteee of the 
 ohTiroh accepting a proposition of the agents of the roadf to 
 that effect. The present house of worship was then erected. 
 It is located abotit one fobrth of a mile sotith of the second, 
 and cost f 12, 000. 
 

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 UBSOMEEEER 
 
 . \ /" PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGIES. LP. 
 y\>-, III Thomson Pa* Drive 
 K) I Cranbenv ToMiship. PA 16066 
 

 
 
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