Page 5

ers and 123 volumes in 1851. Some volumes were added in the succeeding years and the library apparently flourished during the fifties.

Mr. Franklin resigned in 182, and the Reverend William H. Brooks was called to succeed hi. The new rector entered upon his duties on September 5 and on November 10 a rectory was purchased at a cost of $1,100. During his rectorate of three years and that of his successor, the Reverend Samuel R. Slack, who held office for two years, the Parish entered a period of steady growth. In 1854 there were 19 communicants; in 1855, 25; in 1856, 44; and in 1857, 51. The considerable increase in numbers between 1855 and 1856 is explained by the settlement at Eastburn’s Stone Quarries, six miles from Newark, of fourteen persons who had recently emigrated from Ireland. Most of whom were communicants of the Established Church of England and Ireland. Mr. Brooks visited three people frequently and distributed Bibles, prayer books and tracts among them. Since they were unable to attend services in Newark because of the lack of any conveyances. Mr. Slack held services and administered the Sacrament to them at the Union School House, Mill Creek Hundred.

By the end of Mr. Slack’s rectorate the need for enlarging the church was recognized. Mr. Slack noted in his journal that there were but 25 pews for 34 families, and the vestry resolved on July 1, 1856, that the church be enlarged as soon as the necessary funds could be raised. It is nor surprising that this could not be accomplished in the period of financial panic, agitation and civil war during which the Rev-

Page | Cover | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | >>