Guide to the First Presbyterian Church (Elizabeth, N.J.) Records
Open for research.
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.
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
The researcher is advised to check the card catalog in the library for further records.
| 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 |