Early Clergy of Pennsylvania and Delaware, S. F. Hotchkin, 1890 - Chapter 4, Wicacoa Clergy. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja and Sally Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ________________________________________________ EARLY CLERGY OF PENNSYLVANIA AND DELAWARE. BY REV. S. F. HOTCHKIN, M.A. Author of The Mornings of the Bible, History of Germantown, &c. P. W. ZIEGLER & CO., PUBLISHERS, NO. 720 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA. 1890 Copyright, 1890, by Rev. S. F. Hotchkin. NOTE: Use URL: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/1pa/1picts/hotchkin/early-clergy.htm to access other chapters. WICACOA CLERGY. 40 CHAPTER IV. WICACOA CLERGY. JACOBUS FABRITIUS. - In A.D., 1677 Rev. Jacob, or James, Fabritius was called to aid Mr. Lock in the growing population from what is now Philadelphia to Wilmington and New Castle in Delaware, and Salem in New Jersey. He officiated mostly in the Dutch language, which the Swedes appear to have learned during the ten years of Dutch power, before the Duke of York took the "Netherlands territory from the North (Hudson) to the South (Delaware) rivers, in 1644." Fabritius worked until he became too old for service. He was a native of Germany, or, some thought, of Poland. He was called from New York. He could hold service in the Swedish tongue. "His first sermon was delivered at Wicacoa on Trinity Sunday of the year 1677. Five years afterwards he had the misfortune to become blind, and continued so until the time of his death, which was nine years later." He is thought to have served two years two years longer than this. He strove to care for the congregation, notwithstanding his bodily infirmity. He lived in Kensington, which was then above Philadelphia, and went by canoe to Wicacoa and Tranhook Church (Wilmington), and even to Maryland. When he walked a person went before him with a staff, leading him. As Lock was lame and Fabritius blind, the people were served by those who could sympathize with their pains of body. Springer's letter touchingly says of Fabritius: "He is also an admirable WICACOA CLERGY. 41 preacher, but, God's blessing on him, he is so aged, and has lost his sight for so long a time, yet he is one who has taught us God's pure and true word, and administered the holy sacraments among us." Rudman says he died in 1693 or 1694. Anders Bengsten then became lay reader. PROVOST ANDREAS RUDMAN. - Acrelius refers to Superintendent Andreas Rudman's manuscript in the Wicacoa Church-Book as an aid to his history. Rudman collected information from the oldest American Swedes. In the mission of three clergy, in 1696, Andrew Rudman, of Gestricia, "a district in the Province of Norrland, candidate for the Degree in Philosophy," was the one first called. He pressed the building of Gloria Dei Church so zealously as to pledge the best articles in his house for money to further the building. "Castleman's Adventures" relates that he worked in the erection of the church to pay his subscription by labor. His health was poor, and he begged his friend, Andrew Sandel, to come from Sweden to assist him. He served the Dutch in Albany, N. Y., for a time, but returned to Philadelphia and held the English church at Oxford (Trinity) for years, and also the English church (Christ Church) in Philadelphia, until he died in 1708. He was buried in Wicacoa Church, "a long procession of English and Swedes" attending the funeral. Pastor Biorck preached from Ps. 73:24, "Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." The faithful clergyman chose this text himself for his own funeral. He had been in America eleven years, and was not forty years old. His wife "was of the Mattson family, and two daughters, Gertrude and Anna Catharina Rudman," survived him. He married in this country. Some of his relatives are now WICACOA CLERGY. 42 living in this land, Mats Mattson, father-in-law of Mr. Rudman, built the first house at Gloucester, N. J., where the Dutch had had their Fort Nassau. PROVOST ANDREW SANDEL (provost in 1714, died at Hedemora, Sweden, 1744.) - Andrew Sandel, of Upsala, was a theological student who was ordained by Bishop Eric Benzelius. In London, on his journey to America, the President, Mr. Leyoncrona, received him kindly, being always glad to aid the Swedish missionaries. Sandel succeeded Rudman at Gloria Dei, where he labored faithfully seventeen years, beloved and respected, and was remembered reverently "by children and children's children" after death closed his earthly toil. Sandel returned to Sweden in 1719. After his departure Mr. Arvid Hernbom alternated for a time with Hesselius and Lidenius in the services at Gloria Dei. JUSTUS FALKNER. - This German student was ordained by Rudman, Biorck and Sandel in 1703, and "had a congregation of Germans in Faulkner's Swamp" (Pa.), which was named from him. He was a Lutheran minister. The Swedish clergy did not generally ordain, as they had bishops. PROVOST REV. JONAS LIDMAN succeeded Sandel at Wicacoa. His commission was dated 1719. "He was the first who brought a wife from Sweden." He lived lovingly with his people. In his time the church building was improved. He returned to Sweden in 1730, and gave the care of the parish to Jno. Eneberg, "who was then preaching for the Germans," and in 1733 had the pastorship of Christina. He returned to Sweden in 1742. REV. GABRIEL FALK succeeded Lidman, having the Royal Commission of King Frederick I. He bore a letter to the Bishop of London and to the Propagation Society. Bishop Swedberg desired the people to "receive him as WICACOA CLERGY. 43 an angel of the Lord of hosts." He was kindly received, and was zealous and edifying, catechizing the people at their homes. He was pastor in 1733. REV. JOHN DYLANDER received the Royal Commission as pastor of Wicacoa, May 17th, 1737. John Malander a student of theology, accompanied him. The new pastor was well fitted for his office and loved by his flock. He also preached in German for the Germans in Philadelphia, Germantown and Lancaster. He sometimes preached in the English church (Christ Church). This good man died in 1741. Pastor Peter Tranberg preached his funeral sermon. "A great multitude of people" were present. "All laid this tribute of praise upon his grave: That he was a chosen teacher for the church, an ornament of his order, an honor to his countrymen, and an affectionate husband to his widow, the daughter of Peter Kock, of Passayungh." REV. GABRIEL NAESMAN reached Philadelphia in 1743. He had charge of Wicacoa, but preached at various places throughout the country. He was faithful in visiting the sick and attending malefactors in prison. After traveling in the West Indies and in Europe Mr. Naesman returned to Sweden in 1751, where his wife, Margaretta Rambo, joined him. "He had the character and honor of a professor bestowed upon him," and was appointed pastor of Christianstad, in Skane. PROVOST OLAVUS PARLIN, formerly chaplain to the royal counsellor, Count Thure Bielke, was commissioned for American Mission work in 1749, and sailed in 1750. He gained the confidence of the Wicacoa parish, being prudent and seeking the spiritual interests of his hearers, adapting himself to their understanding, and being agreeable and edifying in his intercourse. He drew many to the Church, and insisted on "the proper use of WICACOA CLERGY. 44 the Holy Sacraments, and especially of the Lord's Supper." He died in 1757, "to the deep sorrow of his wife, Elizabeth Tranberg, and his two children, Peter and Anna Catharina." The widow was the daughter of Rev. Peter Tranberg. He is buried in the chancel of Gloria Dei Church. PROVOST CAROLUS MAGNUS VON WRANGEL, D.D. - This clergyman was a very interesting and efficient man. He was made provost in 1759, and labored about nine years, returning in 1768. He was of the distinguished family of General Von Wrangel, who was in Gustavus Adolphus's army. He had studied at Westeras and Upsala, in Sweden, and at the German University of Gottingen, where he obtained the doctorate in divinity, and was court preacher in the royal chapel in Stockholm when Archbishop Samuel Troilius asked him to go to the American mission. He was active and influential here, and reorganized the churches. "He published in Dr. Franklin's printing office a translation of Luther's Shorter Catechism into English." He was zealous in instructing the young. He "gave the first impulse to the establishment of the Society for the Faith and Christianity in Sweden." Dr. Muhlenberg entertained him at The Trappe, and says, "I was greatly moved by his mild and humble manners and edified by his weighty conversation relative to the kingdom of God." Muhlenberg also visited him at Wicacoa and joined in the Ministerial Convention. Dr. Von Wrangel preached on "The Importance of the Holy Supper, after which," Muhlenberg adds, "we made confession and received absolution." Provost Von Wrangel also preached a sermon in Swedish on Ps. 126:5, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." The Holy Supper was received "with deep solemnity." The provost's "unspeakable WICACOA CLERGY. 45 care and toil" to repair the church's "outward hedge" and to guard it against attacks (Ps. 80) amidst suffering and victory, were shown in his report. He commended pastoral visiting and catechizing, and desired that the holy sacraments should be extolled in an evangelical manner, saying that he purposed to explain Christ's life in "private meetings and catechetical exercises with the children." Von Wrangel could preach in Swedish, German and English, and addressed the candidates for the ministry in Latin. He laid the corner-stone of St. James's Church, Kingsessing, in 1760. He caused that church and Christ Church, Upper Merion, to be set off as distinct parishes from Wicacoa, with the erection of churches for each parish. Such crowds attended his eloquent preaching that he sometimes preached in the open air. He went back to Sweden in 1768 and died in 1786. REV. MR. GEORGESON, in 1774, was in the Swedish churches, and had Rev. Charles Lute as assistant. He is mentioned by Dr. Clay and Miss Montgomery. REV. ANDREAS GORANSON was sent hither in 1766, assuming charge of Wicacoa Church in 1767 or 1768. He returned in 1785 and died in 1800. This clergyman officiated until 1779. REV. MATTHIAS HULTGREEN was pastor from 1780 to 1786. Professor C. J. Stille writes me that he found in Stockholm a report made by this clergyman to the Archbishop of Upsala. PROVOST DR. NICHOLAS COLLIN was sent to America in 1770, and officiated at Swedesborough, N. J. In 1786 he became rector of Wicacoa and its associated parishes, which he held forty-five years. He married 3,375 couples, making an average of about 84 annually, though in the beginning of his ministry the average was greater. WICACOA CLERGY. 46 In 1795 he married 199 couples and the next year 179. Park McFarland, Jr., a vestryman of Old Swedes' Church (Gloria Dei), Philadelphia, has copied these marriage records and those of other rectors from 1750 to 1863 with great toil, and had them printed in four pamphlets. He feared their loss in manuscript, but the church has now wisely built a safe in the porch. These are some of the most valuable church records in this country. Mr. McFarland also copied the record of baptisms and funerals. Dr. Collin noted the cause of death, at least in some cases. When he declined to marry he gave quaint notes of his reasons. Mr. McFarland well compares the record to what might have been made at Gretna Green. An aged lady told me that she went one evening to be married by the old rector, but as he came out to meet the bridal party he stumbled and fell over some bricks or debris in the rectory yard, and the gentlemen took him into the house, while the young bride sought the services of Rev. Joseph Turner elsewhere. The University of Pennsylvania conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity on Nicholas Collin. He was a learned man, especially in the languages. He died October 7th, A.D., 1831, at Wicacoa, in his eighty-seventh year. Dr. Collin constantly used the Episcopal Prayer-Book, and his assistant ministers were Episcopal clergymen. As the doctor served Kingsessing and Lower Merion he used to ride to these points on an old gray pony called "Tidy," and he kindly allowed it to take its own slow gait. Once he was thrown into the Schuylkill at Bridgeport by the lying down of the horse. He was beloved by children, who found his pockets stored with candy for their delight. The doctor was sensitive about his age. A young gentleman once asked his age at table; the clergyman made no reply. He asked again and received N. Collin D.D. WICACOA CLERGY. 49 the answer, "Old enough to die." Once in baptizing a curly-headed boy the doctor compared him to an angel, and painters take children's faces for cherubs, and perhaps the angels who behold the Father's face above are near the little ones on earth. Dr. Collin at one time announced each Sunday for three months that he would read an old document, and then read the names of those indebted for pew rents for twenty years, many of whom were present, simply closing with the words of Scripture, "Render unto Caesar the things that be Caesar's." At Swedesborough, N. J., Anthony Wayne once spent a night at the doctor's house, and the colored man-servant entered the General's room at night and told him the British were coming. Wayne departed, leaving his sword, and Dr. Collin was seized and carried away, but claimed that he was a subject of Sweden and was released. In the Pennsylvania Magazine of History, July, 1888, pp. 253-55, is a Parochial Letter to the Swedish Churches in Pennsylvania, donated to the Historical Society by Dr. Alfred Stille. It begins: "Beloved in God, whereas it may please the Father of our immortal spirits to call me before I can convene a meeting of you, I deem it a conscientious duty to impress this solemn charge on your mind." He speaks of "the mixture of nations and religious denominations in this part of America" and "the gradual extinction of the Swedish language." There is an earnest exhortation to a more religious and moral life, which he thinks his eleven years of work in preaching and conversation has helped to advance. "The Godly and generous zeal of some pastors and the solicitude of" ancestors had provided an estate to support divine worship, which Dr. Collin asked should be faithfully administered as by stewards of God. He WICACOA CLERGY. 50 wishes the people to have a Swedish clergyman, and speaks of Danish and Norwegian sailors, and others from those countries, as frequenting the Swedish church in Philadelphia, as being similar to those in their countries. Two American ministers, he thinks, would suffice the three congregations for the present. When vacant lots of land became valuable he recommends the purchase of glebes "in Kingsess, and even in Upper Merion after a convenient period, as a clergyman must live among the people in order to be most useful." He writes "in the deepest affliction for the loss" of his wife, who died two days before the letter was penned, "in the language of affection and zeal" to his parishioners, on whom he prays that God's blessing may rest. The long epistle is signed, Yr. faithful friend and servant, Nicholas Collin, and dated Philadelphia, the 1st of October, 1797. Mrs. Collin died of yellow fever, and was buried in the Old Swedes' churchyard. There is a manuscript letter in the Pennsylvania Historical Society Library, written in a bold and clear, but irregular hand, by Dr. Collin to the Moravian missionary, Heckewelder, at Bethlehem, Pa., asking him to send him some seeds of the sugar-maple tree. About 1832 an obituary memoir of Dr. Collin was read in the Philosophical Society, as Aubrey H. Smith, Esq., informs me. He has also given me further aid in this work. When the doctor was eighty years old his mind and body were sound, and he was "performing his duties to the general satisfaction." His death occurred October 7th, 1831, at his rectory. He was a vice-president of the American Philosophical Society, and one of the founders of the Society "for the commemoration of the landing of William Penn." "With his death ended the Swedish missions in this country." I notice Dr. Collin's name WICACOA CLERGY. 51 frequently in the reports of the Philosophical Society as in attendance. Bishop White was a member. Once a year the doctor preached in Swedish at Kingsessing. His English was broken. The nave of St. James's Church has echoed to his voice. Its cornerstone was laid in 1760. The date on the tablet is 1762. The stone horse-blocks yet stand as relics of a former day in the ample churchyard. Formerly two rows of square windows marked the church wall. In an alteration two windows were made into one. The picture of Dr. Collin, which accompanies this sketch, was drawn by Rev. Dr. H. J. Morton, from Dr. Clay's description. Dr. Morton never saw him, and Dr. Collin did not wish to have his picture taken. Mr. Thomas Sparks, who was a relative of the Swedish divine, and Rev. Dr. Abercrombie and Bishop White recognized the likeness at once. The picture now appears by the courteous permission of Park McFarland, Jr. Copies of the works of Campanius and Acrelius, in Swedish, are at the Ridgway Library.