Tri-Counties Genealogy & History by Joyce M. Tice Churches of the Tri-Counties Bradford County PA Chemung County NY Tioga County PA

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The following document can be found in the Bradford County Courthouse in Towanda, PA.   It is in Deed Book 92, page 31.  It is not the deed to the Beaver Meadow Church.  The Church Deed is located in Deed Book 571, page 644.  The Deed was recorded by the Beaver Meadow Cemetery Association.   It is very difficult to read the copies of the Tuscarora and Rush Religious Compact that are at the Courthouse in Towanda.  The original copy is in the possession of Douglas Clapper and that is comprised of four sheets of paper taped together.  It is very difficult to read.  There was also a copy in the old Secretary's book rewritten by Raymond Cobb.  That copy is the insert following page 19 of this book.

This process was started May 4, 1868 and completed May 25, 1869.

(Historian's Note: With this document, the Charter becomes the Tuscarora and Rush Religious Compact.  The 185- Charter from the Secretary's book records the name as the Tuscarora and Rush Compact.)
 

APPLICATION FOR INCORPORATION OF THE TUSCARORA AND RUSH RELIGIOUS COMPACT
 

IN THE MATTER OF INCORPORATION OF THE TUSCARORA AND RUSH RELIGIOUS COMPACT - IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF BRADFORD COUNTY No. 167                September 11, 1868

 December 8, 1868, the Articles of Incorporation of the Tuscarora and Rush Religious Compact having been filed in the Prothonotary's Office and due notice given in a newspaper in said County, and on motion of Mercur and Morrow, it is declared and decreed that the persons so associated shall become a corporation and body politic in law, and that said proceedings shall be recorded in the office for recording deeds in said County and said instruments and proceedings being recorded the persons so associated or meaning to associate shall become a corporation or body politic in law and in fact in the name of said title.
 
 

WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL AT  TOWANDA, DECEMBER 24, 1868

W. A. THOMAS,PROTHONOTARY

RECORDED  1868

BOOK 92

PAGE 36 (or 31) Microfilm

Whereas the following named persons, citizens of this Commonwealth to wit: John Clapper, A. B. Culver, Wm.  Bradshaw, P. F. Hardy, Miles Bennett, A. Pickett, E. Marbaker, Abram Clapper have together with other citizens associated for the purpose of worshiping the All Mighty God according to the religious compact the following religious denominations to wit: Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Wesleyan  (sic), Baptist, Presbyterian or Congregation(al) churches have formed a congregation at and in the Township of Tuscarora, County of Bradford, State of Pennsylvania, and are now desirous of being Incorporated agreeably to the Provisions of law, they therefore declare the following to be the objects, articles, and conditions of their said associations to which they desire to be incorporated to wit:

First:  The name of the Incorporation shall be the Tuscarora and Rush Religious Compact.

Second:  That this union compact is made up from the various denominations above mentioned.

Third:  This incorporation shall have full power and authority to make, have and to use one common seal with such device and inscription as it shall deem proper to the same to alter and change at pleasure, and by the foresaid name, style, and title shall be able and capable in law to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded in any court in all manner of suits, complaints, pleas, causes, matters and demands whatsoever in all respects, in as full and afectiable (sic) a manner as any person or persons, bodies politic, an(d) corporate within the Commonwealth may or can do, and are authorized and empowered to make rules, by-laws, and ordinances, and do everything needful for the good government and support of the affairs of said corporation, provided that the said by laws, rules, and ordinances on any of them be not repugnant to the Constitution and Laws of the United States, or to the Constitution and Laws of this Commonwealth, or to this Charter of Incorporation.

Fourth:  That this corporation shall be capable in law to take, receive, and hold lands, tenements and hereditaments, not exceeding in value the sum of ten thousand dollars, and any sum or sums of money paid, given or bequeathed to it to be emploid (sic), and disposed of according to the objects, articles, and conditions of this charter or according to the articles and by laws of this corporation, or of the will and intentions of the donors, provided that the clear yearly value or income of the real and personal estate held by the said corporation, shall not at any time exceed the sum of Two Thousand Dollars.  And further provided that all the property which said corporation shall in any way acquire shall be taken, held, and held as enure, subject to the control and disposition of the members of said Union Compact, or of such officers thereof, as shall compose a majority of the Trustees being citizens of this Commonwealth elected by said members.
 

Fifth:  That the officers of this corporation shall consist of five trustees, a Treasurer and a Secretary, all of who shall be citizens of this Commonwealth who shall continue in office one year, and until others be chosen, and the election thereof shall be made the first day of March of each year.  Said trustees to be distributed as near as may be among the denominations mentioned.  Each and every member of the compact being entitled to a vote in the election. And it is further provided that a majority of said trustees shall constitute a quorum and all vacancies shall be filled by the appointment of the remaining trustees.

Sixth:  That P. F. Hardy, A.B.Culver, John Clapper, Miles Bennett, Alexander Gibbs shall be trustees until the next election, and that John Clapper be Treasurer, and P. F. Hardy be Secretary until others be chosen.

(Historian's Note: Abram Clapper, Miles Bennett and William Bradshaw never signed the document according to the copy found in the Secretary's book.  Maybe they didn't have to sign, since they were mentioned in the Charter.  Edward Marbaker, who signed the Compact, and Miles Bennett did serve as trustees at various times in church history.  These men were also listed as members of the Silvara Free Will Baptist Church Charge.)
 

This photo was courtesy of Rev. Ruth Breitweiser.  This photo was taken after the steeple was stolen and before the horse sheds were removed.