Baptist church records, ca. 1779-1812
Letters to and from various Baptist congregations in New Jersey, Philadelphia, Virginia, and New York, etc.
The Church of Christ att the Scotch Plains in East Jersey holding belivers Baptism the laying one of hands Elections & final Perseveriance and &c.
To the ministers Elders & messengers of the several Congregations in Pensylvania & the Jerseys of the same faith & order with us mett in consolidation att Philadelphia this 7 day of October 1755. We send our Christian salutation & rejoices in having this opportunity to let you know our efforts & hope to hear from you as to our affairs att present.
Glory to God we are all att peace & in love amongst our selves & have had Sondery added by baptism & 4 removed by death the Lords work is we hope still a going on thear appears hopeful sign of farder additions sondery souls appears to be seeking the Lord : & as to any farder acompt we refer you to our messengers whome we have chosen for your assistants which is our beloved breatherin Benja. Miller John Stits so we add no more butt wish you a comfortable meeting Signed att our meeting of Business September 30 1755.
William Darby, Isaac Maning, John Blakford, Nethaniel Drak, Elias Lambert, John Whithead, William MacDonald, Ephram Frazer, John Shottwell, Samuel Lamb, Joseph Fitch Randolph
[LDS Film #946016 - Original records at the New Jersey Historical Society.]
"The first meeting house erected by the
Baptists in this place was probably commenced in the year 1743. The managers
engaged in its erection were John Stites, Wm Lines, and Wm Darby" .......
"in the course of the year 1759, the house was much enlarged,....This
improvement was made under the direction of Recompence Stanbery, John Stites
Esq., ...."
[Source - 'A centenial discourse : containing a history of the Scotch
Plains Baptsist Church' unknown 1847. pg.31]
"John Stites was chosen (as a Ruling Elder)
on the 29th July 1761. He, therefore, must have occupied this position for over
twenty years. Mr. Stites was a man of large property, and was eminent in the
political, as well as the religious world. He resided in the neighbourhood of
Elizabethtown, and was for some years the Mayor, or Chief Magistrate of that
place. Two of his daughters were married to Dr. James Manning and John Gano, two
of the most eminent ministers of the Baptist denomination in their day. He
filled his place in the church with great assiduity, and by his counsel and
liberality, contributed much to its usefulness and respectability."
[Source - 'A centenial discourse : containing a history of the Scotch
Plains Baptsist Church' unknown 1847. pg.25]
"The land now known as the parsonage ground,
was purchased on the 8th of September 1775, by Messrs. John Stites,.....who
acted as a committee from the church and congregation.......Toward paying for
the land, ... the prominent subscribers, to which, were John Stites
£12...."
[Source - 'A centenial discourse : containing a history of the Scotch
Plains Baptsist Church' unknown 1847. pg.32]
30 Jul 1777 - The Church as usual met to consult the affairs of the same for
the glory of God and the good ordering of the same being opened by prayer John
Stits Esq. chosen Moderator.
[The records of the Baptist Church at the Scotch Plains in East
New Jersey in the year of our Lord 1747. pg.73.]
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