Guide to the First Presbyterian Church (Elizabeth, N.J.) Records

Descriptive Summary

Title

First Presbyterian Church (Elizabeth, N.J.) Records

Inclusive Dates

1717-1913

Call Number

RG 68

Creator(s)

First Presbyterian Church (Elizabeth, N.J.)

Quantity

3.00 cubic feet

Restrictions on Access

Collection open for research

Repository

Presbyterian Historical Society, 425 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516 USA

Biographical Note / Administrative History

Administrative History

The First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, New Jersey dates its origins to the founding of the town of Elizabeth in 1664. It was the first church to be organized in New Jersey for worship in the English language. Until 1717 it was a Congregational church. Services were held in a meeting house constructed in 1664 until a new building was erected in 1724. In 1717, Presbyterian articles of faith were adopted and affiliation with the Presbytery of Philadelphia followed. The Church received its charter from King George II in 1753. The Church has been rebuilt twice since 1724: once in 1786 after the British set fire to it during the Revolutionary War and again following a fire in 1946 which destroyed all but the Church's outer walls. Among those of prominence who worshipped at the First Church of Elizabeth was Elias Boudinot, member and later President of the Second Continental Congress, Director of the U.S. Mint and first President of the American Bible Society.

Organization and Arrangement

SERIES 1: SESSION MINUTES/MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS AND LISTS, 1791-1903

SERIES 2: MEMBERSHIP RECORDS, 1786-1870

SERIES 3: PROPERTY RECORDS, 1717-1913

SERIES 4: FINANCIAL RECORDS, 1794-1861

SERIES 5: CORRESPONDENCE, 1784-1868

SERIES 6: MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, 1774-1846

Related Material

Catalog Headings

The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in the society’s electronic catalog.

Corporate Subject

First Presbyterian Church (Elizabeth, N.J.) Archives.

First Presbyterian Church (Elizabeth, N.J.) History.

Personal Added Name

Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821.

Murray, Nicholas, 1802-1861.

Collection Inventory

Box	Folder	Description

1	1	Finding Aid to Record Group 68

		SERIES 1: SESSION MINUTES/MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS/LISTS, 1791-1903

1	2	Session Minutes, 1791-1864
	3	Session Minutes, 1806-16
	4	Session Minutes, 1817-24
	5	Session Minutes, 1819-20
	6	Session Minutes, 1825-32
	7	Session Minutes, 1833-40
	8	Session Minutes, 1811-1903
	9	Infant/Adult Baptisms, 1811-24
	10	Deacons' reports and accounts, 1857-69
	11	Resolutions, reports, correspondence, 1854-61
	12	Pew indentures and deeds, 1878-60
	13	Pew indentures and deeds, 1878-60
	14	Pew rental papers, 1802-57

		SERIES 2: MEMBERSHIP RECORDS, 1786-1870

2	1	Certificates of dismission, 1786-1820
	2	Certificates of dismission, 1821-30
	3	Certificates of dismission, 1830-40
	4	Certificates of dismission, 1840-47
	5	Certificates of dismission, 1854-70
	6	Certificates of dismission, 1854-70
	7	Lists of families, 1810-12; 1834-35
	8	List of suspended members, 1824-51; Correspondence regarding disciplinary action, 1815-55
	9	List of deceased members, 1823

		SERIES 3: PROPERTY RECORDS, 1717-1913

2	10	Surveyor's reports, 1717
	11	Indentures/miscellaneous items, 1717-1913
	12	Charter of Incorporation (copy), 1753
	13	Correspondence, bids, receipts regarding rebuilding of Church 's spire, 1895-1902
	14	Miscellaneous items, 1797-1830
	15	Miscellaneous items, 1816-40, 1890
	16	Miscellaneous items, 1800-57

		SERIES 4: FINANCIAL RECORDS, 1794-1861

3	1	Annual reports of the Treasurer, 1807-61
	2	Statements of account, 1801-60
	3	Receipts, 1794-1832

		SERIES 5: CORRESPONDENCE, 1784-1868

3	4	Elias Boudinot, 1784-1822
	5	Nicholas Murray, 1833-51
	6	Stephen Ogden Thompson, July 5, 1853
	7	Letter from Trustees to Session, March 30, 1868
	8	Correspondence of John McDowell, 1813-42

		SERIES 6: MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS, 1774-1846

3	9	Miscellaneous trial notes, 1774
	10	Subscriptions, lists and books, 1791-1846
	11	Biographical sketches of Elders, 1818-20

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Guide to the First Presbyterian Church (Elizabeth, N.J.) Records

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