The Old Scotch Church mentioned still exists as First Presbyterian Church (USA) in Freehold, NJ (http://www.fpcfreehold.org/OurHistory.html) " About 1692, a crude log and timber buildings was erected on Free Hill, three miles north of Freehold in the area known as Wickatunk. Fourteen years later this house of worship was the scene of the very beginnings of organized Presbyterianism in the New World. In December of 1706 this church building known as "Old Scots-Freehold Church" was the scene of the first recorded Presbyterian meeting. By the actions taken at that meeting "Old Scots-Freehold Church" became the first Presbyterian Church in the colonies of East and West Jersey and at this same meeting John Boyd was examined, ordained and installed as pastor of "Old Scots Church". This was the first ordination of a Presbyterian Minister in America." See also: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F50810FE3B5911738DDDAC0894 DE405B8585F0D3 John's Biographical data is on record at the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia (http://www.history.pcusa.org/collections/bvfi.cfm) He is buried in the cemetery of the Old Tennent Church in NJ (http://www.oldtennentchurch.org/html/telling_old_tennent_s_story.html) John was also ordained by a commission of pastors, including Francis Makemie: "In 1707 there came to the city of New York, Francis Makemie, known as the apostle of American Presbyterianism. He was a native of the North of Ireland, and had with great difficulty managed to get to Glasgow to attend the University, because Presbyterians were not admitted to the irish colleges. After his graduation he returned and was ordained by the Presbytery of Laggan about 1681. Shortly thereafter he came to the New World and did pioneer work in Maryland and Virginia, and was one of the seven ministers who formed "The Presbytery" in 1706, the first formal organization of the Presbyterian Church in America. Early in 1707 he was commissioned to proceed to Boston, and also to join in the ordination at Freehold, N.J. of John Boyd, the first Presbyterian minister to be ordained in this country. On his way from there to Boston he and his associate John Hampton stopped in New York and were urged by the little group of Presbyterians to preach to them and lead them in worship. Lord Cornbury refused to allow Makemie to preach in the Dutch Church, claiming that he was not properly licensed, and so a meeting for public worship was held in the house of William Jackson, at the lower end of Pearl Street. This was a gathering of ten or fifteen people only. A sermon was preached and a little child baptized. The following day he was arrested at the order of the Governor and thrown into jail, where he languished for two months before being released on bail. He was charged not only with not having a license from the Governor, but "with intent to spread pernicious doctrines and principles to the great disturbance of the church by law established and of the government of the province." The trial was long drawn out, Mackemie quoting the laws of England, Lord Cornbury insisting on his supreme authority. When the jury received the case he was acquitted, but made to pay all the costs, including the fee of the prosecutor, an equivalent of several hundred dollars. The next legislature, however, made it impossible for any such thing to happen again. It is interesting to read Lord Cornbury's description of Makemie in a letter to the Board of Trade in London, written just after this incident: "I entreat your Lordship's protection against this malicious man who is well known in Virginia and Maryland to be a disturber of the peace and quiet of all places he comes into; he is a jack of all trades, he is a preacher, a Doctor of Physick, a merchant, an attorney or counsellor at law, and what is worst of all, a disturber of governments." This whole matter served but to rally the group of Presbyterians and their friends and informal meetings continued. Some "Dissenting Minister," whose name is unknown to us was asked to be their leader in 1709, but no further record of him appears. The hopes of this faithful group were realized in 1716 when there was organized what became the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York, but commonly known for many years as the Church in Wall Street. The story of this enterprise is written in the Minutes of the Church of Scotland and the names of the prime movers are recorded." (http://thehistorybox.com/ny_city/nycity_worship_presbytery_beginnings_artic le00535.htm) For more records, check First Presbyterian and the Presbyterian Historical Society... they will have the wealth of information. The Rev. Christian D. Boyd, D.Min. Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, PC(U.S.A.) New Church Development Pastor & Leadership in Ministry Team Moderator Mob: 618.292.8583 Email: cdboyd@celtichound.org Social Network: facebook.com/christian.d.boyd www.linkedin.com/in/christiandominicboyd cor meum tibi offero domine prompte et sincere -----Original Message----- From: boyd-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:boyd-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Kim Boyd Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 8:50 PM To: Boyd List Subject: [BOYD] John Boyd - Old Scotch Church - Freehold, NJ Does anyone know about this John Boyd in the paragraph below?...... "Walter Ker, along with John Craig, and John Henderson in 1692 along with other Covenanters built the The Old Scotch Church of Freehold, NJ. and worshipped according to the tennents of Calvin without a minister until The ordination of John Boyd and installation on the last Sunday of 1706. The history of the Presbyterian Church in the new world begins at the Old Scotch Church of Freehold NJ and John Boyd. Made possible by the labors of a stubborn godly old covenanter named Walter Ker." Thanks, Kim Boyd ______________________________________ House of Boyd Society's (HBS) Annual General Meeting (AGM) & Gathering of the Clan 2012 will be held in Woodland,CA, USA in conjunction with the Sacramento Caledonian Club's 136th annual Sacramento Valley Scottish Games & Festival in April 2012 (unofficial date April 28th and 29th -- to be confirmed by the venue). 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