Bald Mount Presbyterian Church

in Bald Mount (changed to Newton Centre),

Newton Township

"I love Newton church as I could love no other.

You may ask me why my affections are so strong for this church?

I answer it was the church of my father,

and as I love, honor and revere his memory,

so I love his church."

D.W. Richards, 1908

The beginning

Rev J Rhoades and Rev J Dorrance organized church with the 14 charter members listed below on October 29, 1835

14 Original Members

Peter Corselius and wife (Maria Youngs)

Peter Richards and wife (Fanny Beemer)

Peter Ayers and wife (Maria Drake)

Isaac Rozell and wife

Samuel Clark and wife

Sarah Comstock

Mrs. Mary Carman

Mrs. Matilda Rozell

Mrs. Harriet Thompson

Ministers (more information on this found in the book, History of the Presbytery of Luzerne by Rev J. Osmond)

Rev. J. Rhoades - about two years

Rev. NG Parke - from Pittston visited every four weeks

Rev. Owen Brown - once every two weeks for about two years

Rev. Jonathan Osmond - taught for ten years starting 1848

Rev. William C. Holmes - later part of 1857 - Apr 1859

Rev. JB Adams - May 1859 - Feb 7 1864

Rev. John H Sargent - May 1864 - Sept 1869

Rev. AG Harnard - Mar 6 1870 - May 1876 (married Amy Coon, of Newton)

Rev. John S Hanna - Dec 1877 - Jan 1879

Rev. JM Philips - without a pastor in 1880, visited by Rev Phillips

Rev JA Muir

Rev GG Smith

Rev AM Higgins

Rev TS Bagranoff

Rev Henry Cardew 1907 -1909

First Deacons:

Peter Richards

Samuel Clark

First Elders:

Peter Corselius

Peter Ayers

Peter Dersheimer

In 1908 speech, Richards refers to Elder Collum

Other interesting facts

WC Ayers - donated the land in 1848

Peter Dersheimer - built church

Church was located on Church Hill Road about 3 lots from Newton-Ransom Blvd. on the opposite side of the road from the current Newton Church. (source: 1872 map of Newton Twp.)

Based on Richards' speech in 1908, it was refered to as "Presbyterian Hill"

Horace Collum - first Sunday School superintendent

membership in 1880 - about 80

In 1901, church repaired and bell purchased.

Donors for 1901 Bell (each gave $25.00 for total of $125.00)

D.W. Richards

John Hice

Charles H. Biesecker

Adam Thompson (living in Scranton in 1912)

George W. Beemer

75th Anniversary of the Organization of the Church

Celebrated October 29, 1908

Rev Henry Cardew - Reverend

Address given by D.W. Richards (1839 - 1915, son of Peter and Mary Michaels Richards)

"I love Newton church as I could love no other. You may ask me why my affections are so strong for this church? I answer it was the church of my father, and as I love, honor and revere his memory, so I love his church."

Church leaves Newton Twp.

This church was torn down October 1912. It was moved to Old Forge and rebuilt. I have not investigated to find out what happened to it after this.

Sources of Information

Read about the History of this church from local history prospective:

Read about the 75th anniversary of this church including Speech given by D.W. Richards:

Read about where it is in 1912

Read about the History of this church from a minister's prospective:

History of the Presbytery of Luzerne (State of Pennsylvania) by Rev J. Osmond Tacoma, WA with Introduction by N.G. Park, D.D. Published under the Auspices of the Presbyterian Historical Society. © 1897 by Rev N.G. Park D.D.

Chapter XXIV: Newton, White Haven and Eckley. The Rev Jonathan Osmond pages 252-265

Christening Records

I received this from Beth Bentley, 10/21/07

I (Beth) found a list of 130 christening records of the Presbyterian Church, Baldmount.

You may want to link to it on your website.

Go to www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp, and search for Batch Number C524021 with no names or with one listed below:

Below is our index. More information (dates) are available at the website above. Beth and I both provided our best guess on who these people are. Some we were not able to identify. Any questions, comments and/or suggestions, email me

International Genealogical Index

Presbyterian Church, Baldmount, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania

Batch No. C524021 1842-1876

Source Call No.: 0501915 Film

1. HANNAH AYRES - Female Adult (presumably wife of Charles C. Kern) daughter of William C. and Anna Smith Ayers (he donated land for church) b. 1828

2. CLARENCE EDWARD AYRES – (son of Edward Ayres and Huldah) Grandson of William C. and Anna Smith Ayers

3. ELEANOR AYRES - Female Adult daughter of William C. and Anna Smith Ayers, wife of Jacob Bedell, b. 1837/8

4. MATILDA AYRES - Female Adult daughter of William C. and Anna Smith Ayers, b ca 1831

5. JOSHUA WILTON AYRES - (son of Edward Ayres and Huldah) Grandson of William C. and Anna Smith Ayers

6. JOHN AYERS - Male (no parents given, presumably son of Lewis B. Ayres, Sr and Phoebe Collum) Married Helen Storey,

7. CATHARINE AYRES - Female Adult daughter of William C. and Anna Smith Ayers, b ca 1830

8. JUSTIN VAN BASKIRK - Male (no parents given) probably son of Christopher and Asenath Williams VanBuskirk Jr. b. 1861

9. ELIZA J. BEESNER - Female (no parents given)

10. JENNIE BEISECKER - Female (no parents given, presumably, Jennie Vandenburg, wife of Charles Biesecker, daughter of James Vandenburg and Mary Kern) b. 1852

11. CHARLES BEISECKER - Male (no parents given, presumably son of Jacob H. Biesecker and Eleanor Krotzer) b. 1848

12. MARGARET CLARCY - Female (no parents given, presumable Margaret Clary, wife of John Clary, mother of Bridget Clary who married Ralphy Dupuy LaCoe) I am unsure of this at this point.

13. MALVINA COLES - (daughter of Simeon Coles and Amanda) According to 1850 census: possibly M.A. Coles (female) b. ca 1845

14. MARGARET COLE - (daughter of Simeon Cole and Amanda) According to 1850 Census, Martha was the youngest child, Margaret not listed

15. MARTHA COLES - (daughter of Simeon Coles and Amanda) According to 1850 census: Martha Jane Coles b. ca 1848

16. ELIZABETH COLLUM - Female Adult (Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Horace Collum and Sarah [presumably Skellenger], and presumably wife of Jacob B. Richards) b. 1832

17. HORACE COLLUM - Male Christening: 28 AUG 1852 (son of Horace Collum and Sarah [presumably Skellenger]) b. ca 1851

18. MARTHA J. COLLUM - Female Adult (no parents given, presumably daughter of Horace Collum and Sarah [presumably Skellenger]) married Peter Collum, b. unknown

19. ROSETTA COLLUM - Female Adult (no parents given, presumably daughter of Horace Collum and Sarah [presumably Skellenger]) b. ca 1834

20. SAMATHA COLLUM - Female (no parents given, presumably daughter of Horace Collum and Sarah [presumably Skellenger]) b. 1842

21. HORACE COLLUM - Male Adult Christening: 16 APR 1843 (no parents given, presumably husband of Sarah [presumably Skellenger]) b. 1809

22. ELENOR COLLUM - Female (no parents given, presumably daughter of Horace Collum and Sarah [presumably Skellenger]) b. ca 1843

23. LEVI COLLUM COLT - Male (son of H. H. Colt [father], no mother given)

24. FRIEND HALISLE COOPER - (son of J. Cooper [father] and C.) Middle name: Hollister, son of John and Catherine E. Biesecker Cooper, b. 1855

25. PHEBE ANN CORSELIUS - Female Adult (presumably daughter of Peter Corselius Sr. and Marie Youngs) b. ca 1833, wife of Horace Litts, son of Henry Litts

26. ROSINA CORSELIUS - Female Adult (presumably daughter of Peter Corselius Sr. and Marie Youngs) b. 1838, wife of Peter Kanouse (P.K.) Richards

27. ABEL KROUSE - (son of Joseph Krouse and Cathern) Mother’s maiden name: Huthmaker. Mother died in 1857 and father died in 1859, possibly Alva “Alvy” b. 1849, Alva listed as Alvin in 1850 census Alvy married Mary Etta Michael

28. BENJAMIN KROUSE - Male (no parents given) Son of Joseph and Catherine Huthmaker Krouse Mother died in 1857 and father died in 1859

29. ALBERT HAMILTON DECKER - Male (son of E. B. and M. B.)

30. FRANK DECKER - Male (no parents given, presumably son of James V. Decker and Catharine)

31. ASHBEL DERSHIMER - Male (son of Peter Dershimer and Laura) Seventh child of Peter and Laura Woodbridge Dersheimer, married and divorced Anna “Annie” Vanderburg, buried next to each other in Newton Cemetery

32. ANDREW DERSHIMER - Male (son of Peter Dershimer) Oldest child of Peter and Laura Woodbridge Dersheimer, middle name – Miller, married Isabelle (Belle) D. Vosburgh

33. PHERMELIA DERSHIMER - Female (daughter of Peter Dershimer and Lora) Fourth child (first daughter) of Peter and Laura Woodbridge Dersheimer, middle name – Stratton, also listed as Parmelia, listed on tombstone as Pamela, unmarried

34. TITUS DODDRIDGE DERSHIMER - Male (son of Peter Dershimer and Lora) Third child of Peter and Laura Woodbridge Dersheimer, married Aurora May “May” Walter

35. PERRY W. DERSHIMER - Male (son of Peter Dershimer) Second child of Peter and Laura Woodbridge Dersheimer, middle name – Woodbridge, married Mary R. Munro

36. AARCHIBALD ALEXANDER DERSHIMER - Male (no parents given) Fifth child of Peter and Laura Woodbridge Dersheimer, listed on tombstone as Archibald A., died in 1881 in Nebraska, buried in family lot in Newton Cem.

37. DENIS DERSHIMER - Male (son of B. Dershimer and R.) son of Bernard and Rozilla Rozelle Dorsheimer, Bernard is a first cousin to Peter Dershimer

38. DEWEY DERSHIMER - Male (son of B. Dershimer and R.) Went by Aseph Dewey (A.D.) son of Bernard and Rozilla Rozelle Dorsheimer, Bernard is a first cousin to Peter Dershimer

39. LORA ANNA DERSHIMER - Female (daughter of Peter Dershimer and Lora) Sixth child (Second daughter) of Peter and Laura Woodbridge Dersheimer, known as Laura Anna, married Frank Eddy Kindred

40. DESMOND OSBORNE DUSHIMER - Male (son of J. Dorn Dushimer and Sarah) son of Jacob Dorn “Dorn” Dorsheimer and Sarah Osborn Dorsheimer, b. 1872, Dorn is a nephew of Bernard Dorsheimer

41. HATTIE GARDNER - Female (no parents given) possibly Hattie Gardner b. 1862 daughter of George W. and Roselia Smith Gardner, married John Sharp

42. JAMES W. GAREY - Male (no parents given)

43. B. W. GARY - Male Adult

44. EZEKEEL GRIFFIN - Male Adult

45. ELIZA JANE GULEEK - Female Adult

46. MARTHA GULEEK - Female

47. ANDREW JACKSON GULEEK - Male (son of L. H. Guleek and H.)

48. FURMAN GULEEK - Male (son of L. H. Guleek and H.)

49. LIBBIE M. HASSER - Female (no parents given)

50. DORCUS HICE - Female Adult (presumably Dorcas P. Corselius, daughter of Peter Corselius, Sr. and Marie Youngs, and wife of John Hice) b. 1831

51. ANNIE MAY HICE - Female (no parents given, presumably daughter of John Hice and Dorcas P. Corselius) b. 1859 d. 1882 (adopted by John and Dorcas Corselius Hice)

52. MARTHA CLEMANTIA HICE - Female (daughter of John Hice and Dorcus) born 1854, known as Mattie, d. 1862

53. SARAH ANN HOPKINS - Female Adult probably daughter of James and Margaret Coss Hopkins, her brother, Andrew, married Sarah Michaels, daughter of John and Sarah Drake Michaels, b. 1831. Sarah Ann married Amos Sax, (listed below under Lax). However she married in 1847 so why she was not listed under Sax or Lax is unknown.

54. MAGGIE JOHNSON - Female (no parents given)

55. GEORGE JOHNSON - Male (no parents given)

56. WILLIAMSON JOHNSTON - Male (son of Thomas Johnston and Catharine)

57. ISABELLA JOHNSTON - Female (daughter of Thomas Johnston and Catharine)

58. ASHBEL CLARENCE KAMPMAN - Male (son of Albert Kampman and Anna A.)

59. FRANKLIN KEIM - Male (son of Nathan Keim and Caroline) Franklin S. “Frank” Keim b. Jan 18 1852, d. Apr 7, 1912, married Josephine Vosburgh

60. CAROLINE MILLY KEIM - Female Christening: JAN 1856 (daughter of Nathan Keim and Caroline) sometimes listed as Millie Caroline Keim

61. COONSMAN - Male (son of Samual Coonsman and Coonsman [sic]) This is possibly Samuel and Margaret Walter Coon. Possibly: George C. Coon, b. 1848 or Harvey b. 1846

62. CORA KRESGE - Female (daughter of Sebastian Kresge and Catharine) probably the daughter of Sebastian and Katherine Kunkle Kresge. Listed as Cora E. Kresge, Sebastian was the son of Peter and Elizabeth Brong Kresge. Cora’s brother, Sebastian Spering Kresge was the founder of Kresge 5&10 cent stores and K-mart

63. CLARENCE LAX - Male (son of Amos Lax) Son of Amos and Sarah Ann Hopkins Sax, b. Apr 23 1852, d. Aug 17, 1852

64. CHRISTANA LESH - Female Adult probably Christina Berry wife of Jacob C. Lesh

65. EMILY C. LITTS - Female Adult daughter of Lewis H. and Sarah “Sally” Litts, wife of Levi Dorsheimer (brother of Bernard Dorsheimer) b. ca 1841

66. HARRET LITTS - Female (daughter of S. H. Litts and S. N.) daughter of Lewis H. and Sarah “Sally” Litts, first name - Harriet, b. 1845

67. BARBARA LITTS - Female (daughter of L. H. Litts and S. N.) daughter of Lewis H. and Sarah “Sally” Litts, b. ca 1852

68. MARY JANE LITTS - Female (daughter of S. H. Litts and S. N.) daughter of Lewis H. and Sarah “Sally” Litts, b. ca 1848

69. HENY LITTS - Male (son of L. H. Litts and S. N.) son of Lewis H. and Sarah “Sally” Litts, first name – Henry, b ca 1854

70. LEWIS H. LITTS - Male Adult b. ca 1820

71. G. D. MC MILLAN - Male Adult first name – Gedeon, b. ca 1819, buried in Newton Cemetery, tombstone unreadable

72. MICHAELS - Male (son of John Michaels, presumably Elias Michaels, son of John Michaels and Sarah Drake)

73. MICHAELS - Male (son of John Michaels, presumably Jacob Michaels, son of John Michaels and Sarah Drake)

74. MICHAELS - Male (son of John Michaels, presumably son of John Michaels and Sarah Drake)

75. MICHAELS - Male (son of John Michaels, presumably son of John Michaels and Sarah Drake)

76. DENIS MICHEALS - Male (son of John Michaels, presumably Dennis Michaels, son of John Michaels and Sarah Drake)

77. MICHAELS - Female (daughter of John Michaels, presumably Mary Michaels, daughter of John Michaels and Sarah Drake) possibly Mary b. 1846, Sarah b. unknown or Phebe b. between 1850 and 1856

78. HENRY LILTS MILLER - Male (son of J. J. Miller and Kate L.) Middle name probably Litts, Kate L. Litts is the daughter of Lewis H. Litts, JJ Miller and Kate were married in 1869

79. ELIZABETH OSMOND - Female (daughter of J. Osmond and M. F.) Possibly a child of Rev. Jonathan Osmond, research has not been done to prove he was married or had children. Rev Osmond was minister here from 1848 to 1858

80. MARGARET W. OSMOND - Female (daughter of King Osmond) This is before Rev Jonathan Osmond began ministering to this church (1848) probably not related to Rev Osmond

81. MARY OSMOND - Female (daughter of J. Osmond and M. Y.) Possibly a child of Rev. Jonathan Osmond, research has not been done to prove he was married or had children. Rev Osmond was minister here from 1848 to 1858

82. WILLIAM OSMOND - Male (son of J. Osmond and M. Y.) Possibly a child of Rev. Jonathan Osmond, research has not been done to prove he was married or had children. Rev Osmond was minister here from 1848 to 1858

83. SARAH LYDIA PETTY - Female no parents given It is possible that this person is a sibling of Washington Petty. Possibly child of Peter and

84. WASHINGTON PETTY - Male (no parents given)

85. MAGGIE MRS RICHARDS - Female (no parents given, possibly Margaret Marshall, wife of Jesse P. Richards) first child in 1871

86. ALDEN RICHARDS - Male (son of J. B. Richards and Elizabeth, probably Jacob B. Richards and Mary Elizabeth Collum, but no Alden listed in History and Directory of Newton and Ransom Townships)

87. RICHARDS - Male (son of Jacob Richards and Elizabeth, possibly Elmer, b. 1861)

88. JESSE RICHARDS - Male (son of Peter Richards and Mary, probably Peter Richards and Mary Michaels) b. 1848

89. EGBERT ARTHUR RICHARDS - Male (son of Jacob Richards and Elizabeth presumably Jacob B. Richards and Mary Elizabeth Collum) b. ca 1858

90. DANIEL RICHARDS - Male (son of Peter Richards and Mary, probably Peter Richards and Mary Michaels) b 1839 d. 1915 , m. Almina Learn, made speech for 75th anniversary of church organization, 1908

91. HORACE PETER RICHARDS - Male (son of Jacob Richards and Elizabeth, probably Jacob B. Richards and Elizabeth Collum) b. ca 1852

92. FLOYD P. RICHARDS - Male (son of P. K. Richards and Rosina, probably son of Peter K. Richards and Rosina Corselius) b. 1859

93. CHARLES RICHARDS - Male (son of J. B. Richards and Elizabeth; possibly Jacob B. Richards and Mary Elizabeth Collum, but History and Directory of Newton and Ransom Townships doesn’t list Charles)

94. JOHN RICHARDS - Male (son of Peter Richards and Mary, probably Peter Richards and Mary Michaels)

95. CORNELIUS RICHARDS – Male (son of Peter Richards and Mary, probably Peter Richards and Mary Michaels)

96. OREN RICHARDS – Male (son of Peter Richards and Mary, probably Peter Richards and Mary Michaels)

97. JESSIE M. RICHARDS – Female (daughter of P. K. Richards, probably Peter K. Richards and Rosina Corselius) b. ca 1869

98. ALICE LOUISA RICHARDS – Female (daughter of Jacob Richards and Elizabeth, probably Jacob B. Richards and Mary Elizabeth Collum)

99. SARAH ANN RICHARDS – Female (daughter of Jacob Richards and Elizabeth, probably Jacob B. Richards and Mary Elizabeth Collum)

100. SUSANNA EUGENIA RICHARDS – Female (daughter of J. B. Richards and Elizabeth, probably Jacob B. Richards and Mary Elizabeth Collum)

101. SUSANNAH RICHARDS - Female Adult (probably daughter of Abram Richards, sister of Peter K. and Jacob B. Richards)

102. CHARLIE GORMAN RICHARDS - Male (son of P. K. Richards and R., probably son of Peter K. Richards and Rosina Corselius) b. 1872

103. DORCAS H. RICHARDS - Female (daughter of P. K. Richards, probably daughter of Peter K. Richards and Rosina Corselius) b. 1867

104. ELIZABETH FLORENCE RICHARDS - Female (daughter of Jacob B. Richards and Elizabeth, probably Libbie, daughter of Jacob B. Richards and Mary Elizabeth Collum) b. 1871

105. REBECCA ROSENKRANCE - Female Adult Christening: 02 AUG 1834 (probably Rebecca Williams, wife of Levi Rosenkrans)

106. ANSON ROSENKRANS - Male (son of James A. Rosenkrans)

107. MARY ROSENKRANS - Female (daughter of James A. Rosenkrans)

108. TERESSE ROSENKRANS - Female Adult (no parents listed, probably daughter of Levi Rosenkrans and Rebecca Williams) Levi’s daughter b. 1837, in this case, why listed as Adult?

109. ROSANNA ROSENKRANZ - Female b. 1841, daughter of Levi and Rebecca Williams Rosenkranz, first name – Roanna, wife of William A. Kern

110. ELIZABETH ROSS - Female Adult

111. HANNAH ROSS - Female Adult

112. THOMAS PARSONS SARGENT - Male C son of John H. Sargent and Frances E.) son of Rev. John H. Sargent

113. MARY FRANCIS SHOOK - Female (daughter of John Shook and Lydia)

114. DOLLY SIGLIN - Female (daughter of Amos Siglin and Chathern) daughter of Amos and Catherine Sutton Siglin, Amos’ sister, Dolly, married Jacob Huthmaker, b. 1854 d. 1928 married Adolphus Fisher she was known as Dollie

115. ELIZABETH SIGLIN - Female (daughter of Amos Siglin and Cathern) daughter of Amos and Catherine Sutton Siglin b. 1853 d. 1918 married William H. Smith she was known as Lizzie

116. ADAM FRANKLIN SLATE - Male (son of Alfred Slate, probably son of Alfred T. Slate and Susanna Kunsman) b. 1874, listed as Alfred F. in history book

117. GEORGE F. SMITH - Male (no parents given, probably husband of Clara Course and son of Elias A. Smith and Ann McGeever) b. 1857

118. MAHALA SNOVER - Female (no parents given) daughter of George S. and Mary Kresge Snover, b. 1859, married HF Bender

119. SARAH JANE SNOVER - Female (no parents given) daughter of George S. and Mary Kresge Snover, b. 1861, married Christopher S. Richards

120. WILLIAM SUTTEN - Male Adult

121. ADAM TAYLOR - Male Adult died Mar 8 1870, 86 years old buried in Newton Cemetery

122. JANE THOMPSON - Female Adult (possibly Lydia Jane Rosencrans, wife of Adam Thompson, and daughter of Levi Rosencrans and Rebecca Williams; or Jane Litts, wife of Andrew Thompson, and daughter of Henry Litts and Catherine Hoyt)

123. JOSEPHINE F. THOMPSON - Female (no parents given) probably daughter of Alva and Harriet Winters Thompson, b. 1859

124. PHEBE ELIZABETH VANDEBOGEST - Female (daughter of Jonas Vandebogest) probably daughter of Jonas and Elizabeth Vandabogart (Van de Bogart) b. ca 1844

125. HATTIE VANDEBERG - Female (no parents given) probably daughter of James and Mary Kern Vanderburg, b. 1854, married Friend Hollister Cooper in 1880

126. WEED - Male (son of S. A. Weed and Rebecca)

127. SAMUAL ELMORE WEED - Male (son of Samual A. Weed and Rebecca)

128. GEORGE WINTHROP WINTERS - Male (son of L. H. Winters and Ellie) Lewis H. Winters and Ella A Collum She is the daughter of Horace and Sarah A. Collum

129. ANN E. WOODBRIDGE - Female Adult Is she possibly related to Laura Woodbridge, wife of Peter Dersheimer?? This connection has not been researched

130. LIZZIE ANNA ZEISS – Female (daughter of William Zeiss and Catharine, probably William Zeiss and Catharine Freuhan) Family listed her as ElizabethAnna Zeiss, b. 1875

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