I finally got a response from the General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church in Madison, NJ. Official Journal of the Minutes of the New York East Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church held at St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, NY April 7-15, 1897. Pages 134-137: excerpted obituary: "Rev. Samuel Augustus Seaman" Samuel Augustus Seaman was born August 18, 1818, in the city of New York, and died in the city of his birth October 23, 1896, at the age of seventy-eight. His ancestors belonged to the Society of Friends, but his parents, Samuel and Sarah Seaman, were members of Greene Street Methodist Episcopal Church, New York City. .... The record shows that he was baptized in infancy in the second John Street Church by the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson; that he was converted in October, 1835, was received into the Church by the Rev. John B. Stratton, was licensed to exhort in 1839, to preach in 1841; that he joined the New York Conference in 1842, was ordained deacon in Brooklyn, June 16, 1844, and elder in May, 1846, to both orders by Bishop Janes. .... He prepared for college at the New York City High School, entered New York University, and graduated with the class of 1841. He was the Latin salutatorian of his class. ..... He gave much time toward collecting materials for a local history of our denomination. So careful and severely accurate was he that his "Annals of New York Methodism" published in 1890, will never need revision. ..... With the exception of his degree of A.M., conferred by his alma mater in course, it seems not a little strange in these days of easily acquired degrees, that some of our literary institutions had not thought of him as a candidate for higher honors. .... He retired from the pastorate, taking a superannuated relation in 1885. ..... [page 136 top] In his domestic relations he was very fortunate and very happy. Just previous to graduation into full orders in our ministry in 1844, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna A. Byrne, a ward of the late Rev. James Floy, D.D., an honored member of this Conference. She was a true wife, a valuable helpmeet [sic] to her husband, and gave much inspiration to his life. The delicate and difficult duties of an itinerant's wife she preformed faithfully and well. It might be truthfully and beautifully said of her, "She hath done what she could." After forty-one years of married life she entered upon the life immortal January 16, 1885. To this devoted couple eight children were born, five of whom survive. His was a beautiful home life. .... [page 137 bottom] His funeral services were conducted by Bishop Andrews, from the home of his son. The Bishop was assisted by the Rev. A. H. Ferguson, his lifelong friend, who has since joined him in the excellent glory. His remains are interred at Searington, L.I. Burial by Rev. Frank Hallock, pastor.