For what it's worth, I also found my Morris Co. ancestors (1740-1830) switching Presbyterian churches without (apparently) switching residences, and ranging among the churches in Morristown, Hanover, Madison, Rockaway, Mendham, etc. I can only conclude that when they didn't like things they heard from the pulpit, they found a preacher with a different point of view! Or maybe there were other reasons? Does anyone have an idea? Although people from that time/place seemed to be God-fearing, churchgoing folk, they were also characterized by the same human foibles as the rest of the world. On one trip to Morris Co. I read some of the original parish meeting minutes from the 18th century. Quite an education. Some members were expelled for petty theft and several young couples publicly reprimanded for "pre-nuptial fornication." What we wouldn't give to have been a fly on the wall in those church meetings... Tom Cooper ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2001 8:33 AM Subject: [NJMORRIS] Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church around 1769/Bondsmen questions > Hi! Does anyone know how people acquired their pews at the Basking Ridge > Presbyterian church? First come, first served? Most important people best > pews? > > Secondly, looks like my ancestor and others were church hopping between > Basking Ridge (Pew holders 1769+), marrying, etc., at First Presbyterian, > Morristown. It seems more than a case of wife, etc., belongs to other > church. Does anyone know the history of these two churches? Was there only > one church available in the area? When was the other built? Looking at > period 1760-1799. > > > And secondly, in a notice of death 12/30/1776 it lists "Fellow Bondsmen: > Joseph Marsh, Morristown, NJ" What is a fellow bondsmen? > > Thanks, Melissa >