Old School Baptist Church and Family History
Research Assistance for Otsego County, New York
CHURCHES:
OTEGO (OTEGO)
The following letter from the Signs of the Times shows some of the trials of the Old School Baptists in this county: "We insert the following letter, as a specimen of the result of our persecution by the Franklin Association, who at their last session, took occasion to pour upon us a torrent of abuse. We believe that the best recommendation that such bodies as have deserted the ancient faith and practice of the church of God can give the Signs, is to let the public know their hostility to us, as we would blush to stand approved by them, in their present degenerate state. [Quote: "Butternuts, Otsego Co., Nov. 10, 1834. MR. BEEBE, SIR:- I understand by the Minutes of the 'Franklin Baptist Association,' that you are the Editor of a newspaper entitled the "Signs of the Times." I enclose two dollars, and wish to become a subscriber to that amount. Very Respectfully, JOSIAH LOOMIS."]
The following letter adds to the above information: "Otego, Otsego Co., N. Y., July 2, 1842. DEAR BROTHER BEEBE:- We wish to inform you and our brethren that are scattered abroad that there is here a little church that acknowledges no mother but that Jerusalem which is above, that spiritual Sarah whose children are all of them born by promise; which promise is to us a pillar to support our hope, because we have some experimental knowledge that he that hath promised is able to perform the thing that he hath spoken. And what good thing is there that he hath not promised to perform for Zion? And hath he spoken, and shall it not be done? Hath he commanded, and shall it not stand fast! O that Zion's children might not be faithless, but believing. The children of the bondmaid are very numerous in this country, and although many have changed their names, there are few that have changed their nature; and as the bondmaid and her son despised the free women, and persecuted her son, so they will again. When we were first drawn to meet together by that attractive power which a oneness of spirit and a oneness of faith gives, it was without any organized form, and our meetings were conducted on the plan of social conference. At that time, which was about ten years ago, we knew of no preacher that would take us by the hand or bid us God's speed, and Hagar's children were ready to tell us there were none, and there never would be any; and when we contemplated assuming the name of a church, we were often interrogated, with what will you do for a preacher? But we had learned in the school of experience that the truths of religion did not depend upon a preacher, nor upon the smiles or frowns of men, or ecclesiastical bodies of men; so we told them that we could afford to do without until the Lord would give us one that would preach the gospel, and preach it without the agency of a money power. While were musing on these things in our hearts, we providentially became acquainted with an aged Baptist minister, who had moved into a neighboring town, by the name of Josiah Loomis. His credentials were from a church in the state of Massachusetts, and he seemed to be a man that feared God rather than man; and who delighted in showing kindness to the needy. May the Lord help him in time of need as he hath helped others. We were occasionally refreshed by his preaching, and strengthened by his prudent counsel, and it was with his advice that we assumed the name of an unassociated church. This was done under the full conviction that Zion's King takes care of Zion's interests, and when the help is Omnipotence, what is there that may not be done! This was done about eight years ago, and we went on endeavoring to maintain the character of a gospel church; had occasional visits from Elder Loomis to administer ordinances, &c., for about five years longer, when we became satisfied that the Lord had fitted one of the little vessels of his house for the reception of the heavenly treasure, and filled it with the good word of God which he brings to us as a free gift, from him who ascended up on high, and led captivity captive; and so little idea has he of the power of money to make religion go, that he proclaims the gospel from the top of the house upon the same free principle that it is whispered to him in the ear. But before things were sufficiently matured for his ordination, our venerated friend, Elder Loomis, had removed to the state of Virginia, and we were again left without any one that we knew would take us by the hand. Herre again we found the use of faith, and as God did not command Israel to go through the sea without opening the sea for them, so we concluded that he would not bid us to go forward when there was no way for us to walk. We had heard of two ministers in Broome county, viz: Elders Abia Worden and John Miller, who preached to unassociated churches in that county. We sent a messenger to them and received a promise of assistance, which they fulfilled, and brought delegates from their churches with them. We had heard of Elder David Mead, of Delaware county, and we ventured to address a letter to him about fifty miles distant from us. He received our letter on the day that it was necessary for him to start, to reach our meeting in time, about 10 o'clock a.m., and at twelve he was on the way. We came together as strangers, but had the satisfaction of feeling the influence of that religion that makes strangers and foreigners fellow citizens together, and parted with feelings of sincere affection. Our meeting was held on the first and second days of last month. Our brethren were satisfied with our situation as a church, and with the christian experience, call, and doctrinal views of our Brother William H. Birdsall, and were agreed with us on the propriety of his ordination. The various exercises were conducted in a satisfactory manner, and excited an interest that made our hearts glad. Elder Mead preached the ordination sermon from, "Preach the word;" and we must say that his preaching was to us as of one having authority, and not as the scribes. A general meeting will be held at this place on the second Wednesday in January next. Our companions in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus, are invited to attend, and we hope that Elder James Bicknell in particular will favor us with a visit at that time. Brethren that attend our meeting from a distance will enquire for William H. Birdsall, John Birdsall, or William Shepherd, and they will keep as many as they can, and tell others where to go. Please request Elder Jewett to notice said meeting in his paper. Peace be with you and the Israel of God.Farewell. Done by order of the church. JOHN BIRDSALL, Church Clerk.
OTEGO (OTEGO)(1857)
On April 4, 1816, twelve persons met at Unadilla (now Otego) to form the Baptist church, viz., Abraham BLAKELY, Benjamin GREEN, William THOMAS, John BIRDSALL, Phineas ST. JOHN, Silas P. HYATT, Eli PLATT, Jerusha BIRDSALL, Mary BIRDSALL, Sabra HUNT, Lydia GREEN, Polly THOMAS. The twenty-four members of the Baptist church met in the Congregational church, the school house and various homes until 1829 when a church edifice was built on the present site. A. BLAKELY was the first treasurer and deacon, and William THOMAS clerk. Aug. 15, 1818, Elder Daniel ROBINSON was chosen pastor, and served for eight months for a salary of $50. The church edifice was erected in 1829, and rebuilt in 1854 at a cost of $2000. In 1857, after 20 years of controversy, the opposing faction of the church withdrew to form the Primitive Old School Baptist Church on Willow Street. Otego Old School Baptist Church, at Otego, was organized January 12, 1857, by Elder A. St. John, who was the first pastor. The first trustees were Gilbert Bundy, John Smith, and G. M. French. The first clerk was James Bundy. The church building was built in 1869. Prior to that, services were held in private houses, schoolhouses, barns, and even in the woods. Elder Balas Bundy was a member and long-time pastor of this church.
SURNAMES OF MEMBERS:
Birdsall, Bundy, French, Shepherd (very incomplete list due to loss of records).
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