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Archiver > NJHUNTER > 1999-09 > 0937935395


From: Sharon / Harry Colquhoun <>
Subject: Re: [NJHUNTER] Harlingen Church: HAGAMAN
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1999 13:36:35 -0400


Linda, from The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, Vol. 15, No. 1, January
1940:

The Harlingen Reformed Dutch Church was organized May 18, 1727 under the
direction of Rev. Henricus Coens of Aquackanonck, and a small wooden building
was erected by the congregation at present day Belle Mead, where the old
cemetery established there is still in use. Rev. Theodorus Jacobus
Frelinghuysen at that time served the several outlying congregations of
central New Jersey, and in 1729 Harlingen was added to his charge. This
extended and partially unsettled circuit was something of a strain upon the
reverend's energies, and only occasional services were held in the small,
remote congregation of Harlingen. During the Coetus-Conferentie contraversy,
which for a number of years rocked the Dutch church in America, a rift
developed in the Harlingen congregation. In consequence, one group withdrew
and erected its own building (1750-52) on the site of the present church.
Upon the eventual reunion of the two parties, the old church was abandoned,
and in due time demolished. In 1803 a new building took the place of the
second one, which had become somewhat dilapidated. The present church
structure was erected in 1851.

Linda, the present church is on the left side of the road when you are headed
north from Princeton on the way to Somerville. If you continue a couple of
miles past the church, over the railroad and make the bend to the right
(noticeable on any New Jersey map as a wild curve) the original site/cemetery
are on the left.

There was at least one HOF/BERKA baptism that was posted earlier. Sorry, but
I don't have the time to do lookups nor do I have the books. They're locked
in a fireproof safe! I also have the additional handicap of not being able to
read the original Dutch...... sorry. I'm waiting for a sunny day so I can
take a good picture of the church and the cemetery. When I have one I'll post
a note and you can email me privately and I'll be glad to scan it to you. I
did that with Solebury Friends Meeting in New Hope and it came out great.
Sharon

lmuessig wrote:

> Hi Sharon,
> This is wonderful all this work you are doing on these records. I have a
> couple of questions. Do you know anything of the history of this church?
> And also are there any Hoff/Huff/Hough records included? Thanks millions.
> Linda
>
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