<\/p>\n
These two were among the many histories that have been written of this church over the years. I would like to add my own to the stack, but am not quite ready to publish, so it seems fitting to begin with Messrs.\u201a\u00c4\u00f4 Hoppock and Bush, with just a few comments in the Bush article.<\/em><\/p>\n by Jonathan M. Hoppock<\/strong><\/p>\n The first church of this denomination in the United States was organized at Germantown, Pa., in the Fall of the year 1719, by Rev. Peter Beckers and his followers. They had their origin among the Pietists in Germany, in the year 1708. Not being allowed the religious liberty claimed by them in the mother country, they in consequence sought and found a home in the New World.<\/p>\n In the year 1733, Rev. John Naas, Anthony Deerdorf, Jacob Moore, Rudolph Harley and John Peter Lawshe crossed the Delaware, with their families, from Germantown, and settled near Head Quarters, now Grover, forming the second church of this denomination in America, likewise constituting the first organized religious body that had an existence in what is now known as Delaware Township. No permanent house of worship was erected until the year 1811, when a plain frame building, less pretentious than the present one, was built. The one shown in this view was erected in 1856.<\/p>\n The old pioneers above named were among the first people who made permanent settlements in this part of our County, and they materially aided in opening up and developing this section of New Jersey for future settlers. Their descendants have for nearly two centuries been classified among our leading citizens. Although their growth in numbers in this locality has not been rapid, yet from time to time from the Mother Churches ministers and laymen have been sent to the West and South, and mainly through their efforts their communicants in their respective sections are numbered by the thousands.<\/p>\n Among the many pastors who have officiated since the church first organized, the longest in service was Rev. Israel Poulson, Sen., who served for more than fifty years, receiving no pay for his labor.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u00ac\u2020 * \u00ac\u2020 \u00ac\u2020 * \u00ac\u2020 \u00ac\u2020 * \u00ac\u2020 \u00ac\u2020 * \u00ac\u2020 \u00ac\u2020 *<\/p>\n Rev. Israel Poulson Married Three Sisters in Succession<\/strong> By Egbert T. Bush, Stockton, N.J. This church is not old as church organizations run, but the community is an old one. The building stands on ground conveyed by Israel Poulson and wife, May 18, 1811, to Gideon Moore, Samuel Fauss and Henry Lawshe, Trustees of the German Baptist Church: \u201a\u00c4\u00faBeginning at a stone standing in the road in line of John Arnwine\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s land and containing about 21\/40 of an acre, whereon the frame for the said intended meeting house is now standing, the said lot of ground to be for the purpose of erecting or building and rebuilding a German Meeting house upon the same for worship therein.\u201a\u00c4\u00f91<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n The grantor in this conveyance was the widely-known \u201a\u00c4\u00faOld Israel,\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 affectionately so called after his son Israel began to preach. Old Israel married for his first wife a daughter of Daniel Moore. His second wife was her sister Hannah, and by this one he had several children, \u201a\u00c4\u00fayoung Israel\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 among them. The second wife died, and \u201a\u00c4\u00faOld Israel\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 married her sister, then Mary Moore Lawshe, the grandmother of Cyrus Van Dolah.2<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n It is evident that there were many people here holding to the faith of the German Baptists long before the meeting house was erected. This organization may well be said to have grown out of the spiritual demands of the community. For forty-five years the unpretentious building witnessed the weekly gatherings and simple devotions of these earnest old-time people. In 1856 the old building was demolished, and a new one was erected on its site, a building better adapted to growing needs of the congregation. This house is still standing. Instead of being neglected, as too often happens, it is well kept, attractive in appearance, and a credit to the community.3<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n Old Israel?<\/strong><\/p>\n With the passing of the old house, also passed the dear \u201a\u00c4\u00faOld Israel,\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 who had labored here from its erection; and not confining his unrequited labors to this immediate congregation, he also preached at stated times in the \u201a\u00c4\u00faHemlock Church\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 after its erection in 1849, this congregation being an offshoot from the strong and growing \u201a\u00c4\u00faLower Church.\u201a\u00c4\u00f94<\/a><\/sup> After the death of the old pastor, Feb. 13, 1856, his son Israel followed in the work, laboring here and at the Hemlock for many years. The present congregation is served by Rev. Henry T. Horne. But it is not the intent to give here anything more than the merest sketch of church history, an indispensable part in any sketch of the community.<\/p>\n Long before and in the earlier days of this church organization, the community burying grounds seem to have been somewhat scattered, one being what was known as the Moore Burying Ground, three-fourths of a mile southeast of the church, near the Moore\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s School. We are told that Gideon Moore offered to the congregation a plot of ground free of charge, if they would establish a cemetery near the church. The offer was accepted and interments were soon after made therein. In 1840, a substantial stone wall was built around the plot, and this wall is still standing in excellent condition. The grounds have since been extended and beautified, making them an interesting spot to visit for reflection upon the lives and activities of those now resting there.<\/p>\n The stone showing the earliest date discovered in this yard marks the grave of Rachel, wife of Elias Conover, who died in 1811, in the 33d year of her age. Here lies \u201a\u00c4\u00faRhoda Moore, wife of Tunis Case, who died in 1812, aged 56 years.\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 Elizabeth Case died in 1822, at the age of 21. Another stone is in memory of Mary Case, who died in 1816, in her 93d year, but who she was is not noted.5<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n Married Three Sisters<\/strong><\/p>\n The old-time pastor lies here, the stone saying \u201a\u00c4\u00faIsrael Poulson, died Feb. 13, 1856, aged 86 years.\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 His wife, Hannah Moore, who died in 1832, lies near him. After the death of his wife Hannah, Israel married one of her sisters; and after the death of the second wife, he married another of Daniel Moore\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s daughters, who was then Mary Moore Lawshe. This third wife was the grandmother of Cyrus Van Dolah.6<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n Mathias Peoplesdorf died in 1848, aged 91, and is resting here beside Rebecca Moore, his wife, who died in 1852, aged 92 years.7<\/a><\/sup> Rebecca Peoplesdorf, their daughter, married Mitchel Hann, the leader of song in the Hemlock Church, and died in 1902, to sleep with her husband and her parents among the good old people there.8<\/a><\/sup> Her sister, Mary Ann Peoplesdorf, married Charles Hann, and her sister Amanda married John Hann\u201a\u00c4\u00eethese three husbands being brothers. This is a record in family history probably quite [as] unusual as that of Israel Poulson\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s marriage to three sisters in succession.<\/p>\n \u201a\u00c4\u00faDaniel Moore, Sen. died May 1, 1860, aged 98 years.\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 But this was a later Daniel Moore. Henry Trimmer died in 1856, aged 82 years. Dinah Trimmer (probably his wife, but not so stated), died June 25, 1858, aged 90 years. James C. Green\u201a\u00c4\u00ee \u201a\u00c4\u00f9Captain Green\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 of the Frog Tavern vicinity\u201a\u00c4\u00eedied in 1865, at the age of 65 years. Mary Peoplesdorf, wife of James C. Green, died in 1891, at the age of 92. Near them lies Esther Peoplesdorf\u201a\u00c4\u00ee\u201a\u00c4\u00f9Hetty,\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 as we always knew her\u201a\u00c4\u00eesister to Mary Green and victim of dementia from early womanhood, who made her home with the Greens, and died in 1881, at the age of 85.<\/p>\n Hannah, wife of Jacob Lawshe, died in 1861, aged 89 years. Jacob Lawshe died in \u201a\u00c4\u00fa1865 at the age of 99.\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 David Lawshe died in 1844, in the 27th year of his age. By his side lies his wife Elizabeth, who died 40 years later.<\/p>\n Daniel Moore\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s Will<\/strong><\/p>\n The will of Daniel Moore, dated April 3, 1805, and probated January 28, 1808, makes Gideon Moore and Israel Poulson his executors, provides well for his wife Elizabeth, and makes the following bequests: \u201a\u00c4\u00faTo my son Gideon Moore, his heirs and assigns all that my messuage and farm situate in the township of Amwell and adjoining my home farm whereon he now resides, containing one hundred acres more or less, he paying to my executors the sum of two thousand four hundred dollars in four equal yearly payments &c.\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 He also gives to his sons David & Solomon, \u201a\u00c4\u00fathe farm of one hundred acres, whereon I now do live, they to pay the sum at which it shall be appraised.\u201a\u00c4\u00f9<\/p>\n He further orders that the residue of his estate shall be divided into fifteen equal shares; one to be for his wife Elizabeth, and one for each of his fourteen children. Daniel is said to have been the father of 20 children, but this will recognizes only fourteen, and explicitly says ten of these are by \u201a\u00c4\u00famy present wife,\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 and makes provision that if one of them died without heir, before receiving his or her share, it shall be divided among the survivors of the ten. Among these he mentions seven daughters as follows: Hannah Poulson, Mary Lawshe, Sarah Prall, Judith Tice, Rhoda Moore, Anna Moore and Agnes Moore.<\/p>\n The farm devised by Daniel Moore to his son Gideon, passed from Gideon to his son Asa, and by will of the said Asa to his son Gideon. At the death of Asa\u201a\u00c4\u00f4s son Gideon, the property passed to his two children\u201a\u00c4\u00eeMary Whitlock and Theodore S. Moore, who conveyed it, March 23, 1911, to Albert W. Servis, the present owner and occupant.<\/p>\n The stone mansion house on this farm has a datestone bearing this inscription: \u201a\u00c4\u00faA. & M. M., 1842.\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 This means that Asa Moore and Mary, his wife, were the builders. The frame part of the house, which still glories in its exposed overhead beams, is much older. This structure was removed from its old site three or four hundred feet northward, to the far more desirable site of the new building, which commands a pleasant view to the east and southeast.<\/p>\n A Neglected Graveyard<\/strong><\/p>\n Partly on this farm and partly on what is generally known as the William Moore farm adjoining it on the east is an old neglected grave yard, with many rough and unmarked stones and one slab which, despite its tumble-down condition, plainly bears this inscription: \u201a\u00c4\u00faSacred to the Memory of Jerusha, formerly wife of Peter Taylor and late wife of James Jones, died Aug. 29, 1823, aged 72 years.\u201a\u00c4\u00f9 According to the best information available, this James Jones was the father of Asa Jones, Sheriff of Hunterdon County in 1833-35; grandfather of John L. Jones, Sheriff in 1862-64; and great-grandfather of Asa Jones, Esq., until recently a resident of Flemington.<\/p>\n To this neglected spot, Mr. Servis kindly escorted us, crossing a rolling field that offers a fine view of several interesting old places, some near at hand and some far away. Much we enjoyed the scenes, the hospitality and the privilege of standing here among the graves of unknown sleepers, many of whom were once, no doubt, useful participants in the life and activities of this fine old community. This one slab seems to mark the approach of changing conditions, and to suggest the sadness of a sudden transference to more favored grounds.<\/p>\n This small burial place has one peculiarity, not noticeable to the transient observer. The boundary line between the two farms from which it was taken, runs diagonally from the northeast corner to the southwest, taking a triangular half of its area from each of the adjoining farms. The Jerusha-Taylor-Jones marker lies near the southwest corner, on the Servis side of the diagonal.<\/p>\n\n
![\"This](\"https:\/\/goodspeedhistories.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Brethren-Church.jpg\")
<\/a>AMWELL GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH, 1733-1901<\/h2>\n
\n
THE GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH AND VICINITY<\/h2>\n
\nMoore Family Predominates<\/strong><\/p>\n
\npublished in the Hunterdon County Democrat, March 26, 1931<\/p>\n