Methodist Episcopal Church of Corning records, 1832-1897.
Collection Number: 6079

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Methodist Episcopal Church of Corning records, 1832-1897.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
6079
Abstract:
Records of the Painted Post Circuit quarterly conference meeting (1832-1839) and the Painted Post Church (1832-1833); records of the leader's minutes for the Corning circuit, and quarterly conference meeting minutes for the Methodist Episcopal Church of Corning. Also Class Number One's class leader's records (1839-1844), Trustee's annual meeting minutes (1857-1897) and a register listing the history of, statistics about and a subscription list for the church built in 1861; marriage, probationer's, membership and class lists. Subjects discussed include slavery, temperance, a missionary society, revivals and church discipline.
Creator:
Methodist Episcopal Church of Corning (Corning, N.Y.)
Quanitities:
1 microfilm reels.
Language:
Collection material in English
ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

In 1832 Painted Post was set off as a separate circuit containing (as of 1837) Little Flatts, Painted Post, "Addison Village", West Addison, Erwin Centre, Campbell and Tioga. In 1833 a class formed at Caton, which was set off with Corning in November 1839. Another division occurred in 1843 when Erwin, Painted Post and Campbell formed a circuit named after the latter two towns. In 1861-62, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Corning built a church which seated 700.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Item 1 contains records of the Painted Post Circuit Quarterly Conference Meeting (1832-1839, Parts A,D) and the Painted Post Church (Part C, 1832-33); records of the leader's minutes for the Coming Circuit (Part B, 1841-44); Quarterly Conference minutes for the Corning Circuit (Part E, 1839-1846) and Quarterly Conference meeting minutes for the Methodist Episcopal Church of Corning (Part F, December 1847-1867). The collection also includes Class No. 1's class leader's records (1839-1844); Trustee's annual meeting minutes (1857-1897); and a register listing the history of, statistics about and a subscription list for the church built in 1861; marriage, probationer's records, and class and membership lists. Subjects discussed include slavery, temperance, a missionary society, revivals and church discipline.
(Note: Sections of this book were in different parts of the volume -right-side up, upside-down, back to front and vice versa.)
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Cite As:

Methodist Episcopal Church of Corning records, #6079. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
SUBJECTS

Places:
Corning (N.Y. -- Religious life and customs.
Painted Post (N.Y.) -- Religious life and customs.
Steuben County (N.Y.) -- Religious life and customs.
Subjects:
Temperance and religion -- New York (State) -- Corning.
Church discipline.
Antislavery movements.
Methodist Episcopal Church -- New York (State) -- Corning.
Church records and registers -- New York (State) -- Corning.
Church records and registers -- New York (State) -- Painted Post.
Methodist Episcopal Church -- New York (State) -- Painted Post.
Form and Genre Terms:
Minutes.
CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Item 1
Records of the Painted Post Circuit
Scope and Contents
(Note: See the Collection Description for a breakdown of contents.) Items of note are as follows:
Section A
Scope and Contents
Inside cover contains a steward's record listing the number of adults and children and the budget for 1835. Contains meeting minutes for October 9, 1842.
Section B: Coming Circuit Leader's Meetings.
September 29, 1841
Scope and Contents
A committee is appointed to build a parsonage.
July 21, 1844
Scope and Contents
Reports of a Sunday School.
Section D
p. 2,
 December 22, 1822
Scope and Contents
Resolved to form a tract society and to promote the cause of temperance.
p. 3,
 June 15, 1833
Scope and Contents
Resolved to form a Benevolent Society to include sabbath schools, tract and missionary work and other purposes.
p. 8,
 August 2, 1834
Scope and Contents
Resolved to form a missionary society.
p. 9,
 n.d. 1835
Scope and Contents
Resolution on supporting temperance societies.
p. 13,
 February 20, 1836
Scope and Contents
Resolution concerning "Wesley's Rule of Discipline" on the use of ardent spirits.
p. 31,
 July 27, 1839
Scope and Contents
Last Meeting
Section E: Quarterly Conference Minutes for the Corning Circuit
p. 33,
 November 1839
Scope and Contents
Discussion of recent division of the circuit.
p. 37,
Scope and Contents
Curriculum for prospective elders and deacons includes English grammar.
p. 42,
 July 24, 1841
Scope and Contents
License denied to a man charged with trifling with the affections of a female.
p. 48-49,
 January 29, 1842
Scope and Contents
Resolution on slavery.
p. 58,
 November 12, 1842
Scope and Contents
Collection taken for the Wesleyan Genesee Seminary.
p. 61,
 February 4, 1843
Scope and Contents
Member required to give a statement "in love feast".
p. 69,
 July 15, 1843
Scope and Contents
The church requests a conference to divide the circuit and to make a station of Corning with Caton as an appointment. Painted Post and Campbell Circuit would have Erwin appointed with it.
p. 71,
 July 15, 1843
Scope and Contents
The first of a series of yearly reports on Sunday schools.
p. 90-91,
 August 22, 1846
Scope and Contents
Reports on a dispute over the pastor which has been disrupting the church.
p. 93,
 August 17, 1843
Scope and Contents
Last entry.
Section F: Quarterly Meeting Minutes for the M.E. Church of Corning
p. 96
Scope and Contents
First meeting.
p. 111,
 March 14, 1850
Scope and Contents
Resolved to join with Lawrenceville to hold a camp meeting.
n.p. ,
 February 1, 1863
Scope and Contents
Reports of an improvement in spirituality and new converts .
1861-62 meeting to 1867-68 meeting - gap.
Item 2
Class No. 1 Leader's Book (September 1839-1844)
Scope and Contents
After four pages of printed "General Rules of the United Methodist Societies" are lists of members and their attendance at class meetings (1839-1844). The front and back inside covers contain exhortations.
Item 3
Trustee's Record Book, 1850
Part A: Trustee's Annual Meeting Minutes,
 1850-1897
Scope and Contents
Records the annual election of trustees and matters pertaining to the temporal life of the church. Items of note include:
July 9, 1850 : Meeting to incorporate.
 July 9, 1850
September-October 1860 : Plans to build a new church.
 September-October 1860
May 8, 1861-December 1861 : Discussion of pew rent.
 May 8, 1861-December 1861
After June 21, 1864 is inserted the "Berea lesson for 1874"
Quarterly conference minutes for August 5, 1876 .
 August 5, 1876
Part B: Quarterly Conference Meeting Minutes ( 1862-? )
 1862-?
Item 4
Register, 1853-1869.
Section I.
Scope and Contents
Record of baptisms includes date, name, residence, officiating minister and witnesses.
Section II.
Scope and Contents
Record of marriages includes date, names of parties and their place of residence, officiating minister and witnesses. [note: after section II there is a history of the construction of the church with statistics and a list of "Receipts for the church," September 1862.]
Section III.
Scope and Contents
Record for probationers (1856-1862) includes date, name, condition, residence, church relationship and remarks.
Section IV.
Scope and Contents
Membership lists (alphabetical) includes name, residence, time and mode of joining, class leader and remarks. Continued after section V.
Section V.
Scope and Contents
Record of the classes lists class members and remarks under the leader's name.