Delaware County, NY Genealogy and History Site

I recently located the membership roll for the Bovina Reformed Presbyterian Church and did a transcription of it. It is not long, with 129 members. There likely was an earlier membership roll that has yet to be located. --Ray LaFever, May 9, 2006

The Reformed Presbyterian Church, also known as the Covenanter Church, was created around 1814. Members of the church, also known as Cameronians, held that Christians ought not to take any part in a government that was not conducted on religious principles. Because the United States Constitution had no mention of God, the Covenanters never voted or held elective office, though they were law-abiding citizens.

In 1825, the congregation agreed to build a meeting house: "Bovina, N. Y., June 13th, 1825. The male members of the congregation being present, the meeting was constituted with prayer. John McEvers was chosen chairman and James Miller, sen., was chosen clerk. The following items were agreed to: 1st, That a meeting-house be built with stone, of the following dimensions: Length, 34 feet; width, 24 feet; height 12, and to have a gallery. 2d, James Russell, David Ballantine and John Russell are appointed to collect the subscription and superintend the erection of the building. 3d, David Ballantine was chosen treasurer." The church was near the butt end - the graveyard of the church still exists. In the 1860s, the congregation built a new church in Bovina Center, where the playground and firehouse now exist.

The congregation held its own, though it was never as large as the Associated Presbyterian congregation. In 1865, the membership was at 40, with about 90 people regularly attending services. That number was up by 1875 to 87, with about 110 in regular attendance. At some point, however, the numbers dropped. It was reported that the congregation was inactive in the early 1920s, though services were still taking place.

On October 13, 1937, the church property, which included the church building and the pastorate or manse, was deeded to the Reformed Presbyterian Synod of North America. In September 1942, a meeting was held at Fred Henderson's at which the congregation of 18 met and voted to sell the church property. The Reformed Presbyterian Church applied to the County Court to go ahead with the sale of the property. The church elders at this time were Millard F. Russell, Cecil H. Russell and Fred J. Henderson. The deacons were George H. Russell and Arthur Russell. The land and buildings were sold to J. Russell Boggs in October 1943. His son, Donald Boggs, tore down the church around 1944 to build a barn on his farm on Reinertsen Hill Road. Some members joined the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Walton, which still exists and has the pulpit Bible from the Bovina Reformed Presbyterian Church. Some others joined the Bovina United Presbyterian Church.

Scroll over to view all 6 columns of data

Date of Adm First Name Last Name Family How received How removed

6/23/1855 John G. Russell Exam. Died 1913
8/30/1859 Margaret N. Russell Wife of John G. Ex & Cer Died 1914
6/26/1875 Margaret A. Scott Wife of Wilson R. Exam. Died May 1916
7/3/1858 Andrew T. Russell Exam. Died Oct 1922
4/21/1865 Eliza M. Russell Wife of Andrew T. Certif. Died May 22, 1906
4/26/1884 J. Keurdy Russell Son of Andrew T. Exam Died
10/13/1887 Nettie A. Russell Daughter of A.T. Exam Certified to UP Church, Oneonta, NY 1915
10/13/1887 George T. Russell Son of Andrew T. Exam Removed Membership, Sept. 1909
6/29/1853 Nancy T. Campbell Wid. Of Duncan Exam Died May 6, 1912
10/23/1875 Mary C. Campbell Daughter of Nancy T. Exam Died July 26, 1912
5/12/1877 Elizabeth N.C. Miller Wife of David J. Exam Died Aug 23, 1919
10/13/1887 Emma S.C. Laidlaw Wife of Rd. Laidlaw Exam Died Aug 17, 1928
9/28/1866 William B. Thompson Exam Died Feb 23, 1929
5/10/1888 Jannette Thompson Wife of Wm. B. Cer & Exam Died Aug 1919
9/22/1883 Cora J.T. Van Bramer Daughter of Wm. B. Thompson, wife of --- Van Bramer Exam Died Apr 9, 1910
11/16/1889 Alexander M. Thompson Son of Wm. B. Exam To UP Church BC
5/10/1888 Leonard Thompson Son of Wm. B. Exam United with --- church (rest illegible)
10/11/1866 James B. Thompson Exam Died - Aug 1916
4/26/1884 Marietta Thompson Wife of James B. Exam Died
5/14/1892 Libbie T. Taylor Daughter of James A. Thompson, Wife of John Taylor Exam Certified to Pres Church, Delhi, NY, Jan 1917
10/22/1897 Phoebe May Thompson Daughter of James B., now wife of Robert R. Tweedie(?) Exam By letter to Andes, NY
4/25/1874 A. Dixon Thompson Exam Died Aug 12, 1933
10/15/1892 Addie M. Thompson Wife of Dixon Exam Died July 5, 1929
5/23/1903 Mable Thompson Daughter of Dixon Exam Transferred to Walton Cong
10/3/1868 James Russell Exam Died
9/28/1866 Mary J.T. Russell Wife of James Exam Died
4/22/1871 John A. Russell Exam Died Sab. Dec 11, 1910
4/14/1883 Agnes O. Russell Wife of John A. Certif. Died Aug 16, 1933
10/22/1897 Clarence A. Russell Son of John A. Exam Rec'd letter of standing to church of Troy, NY
5/18/1901 Everett O. Russell Son of John A. Exam Received letter of standing May 10, 1924
6/30/1858 Hellen B. Thompson Wife of Robt. F. Exam Died - Aug 21, 1917
10/13/1887 Fannie B. Thompson Daughter of Robt. F.; Now Mrs. Walter G. McDivitt Exam Received letter of standing, Nov 20, 1920
9/28/1866 Lydia Johnston Wife of Fred Exam Died Feb 9, 1923
10/12/1879 Francis A. Russell Exam Died Jan. 27, 1910
6/24/1899 Addie C. Russell Wife of Francis A. Cert & Ex By letter to UP of Bovina, Oct 1, 1941
5/12/1877 Margaret A. Thompson Wife of J.W. Exam Died Nov 1st 1938
5/28/1887 Thomas D. Russell Exam Died June 20 1937
10/13/1887 Jennie G. Russell Wife of Thomas D. Certif. Died July 29, 1935
6/25/1880 Margaret B. Russell Wife of E. R. McKee, daughter of David B. Exam Died Apr. 7 1943
10/11/1873 James A. Russell Exam Died Jan 28, 1917
4/26/1884 Rose D. Russell Wife of James A. Certif. Died
5/22/1897 Phena(?) May Russell Wife of Rev. W.M. Robb; daughter of James A. Exam Certified to Southfield Cong Southfield, Mich, May 1912
5/18/1901 Calvin M. Russell Son of James A. Exam Certified to Syracuse
11/6/1869 Robert H. Russell Exam Died March 31, 1921
4/14/1883 Margaret D. Russell Wife of Robert H. Certif. Died June 25, 1933
5/18/1895 Elmer G. Russell Son of Robert H., Paster of Kansas City Exam Pastor, Kansas City
10/22/1897 Herman St. J(?) Russell Son of Robert H. Exam Received letter of standing May 11, 1912
5/23/1903 Charles J. Russell Son of Robert H. Exam By letter to Oneonta
1/18/1904 Cecil H. Russell Son of Robert H. Exam By letter to UP Ch at Bovina
5/10/1888 William T. Russell Son of Stephen Russell Exam Died Feb 7, 1925
1/10/1905 Martha B. Russell Wife of Will T. Cer & Ex Died July 25, 1903
10/18/1890 George H. Russell Son of Stephen Russell Exam Died Sept 18, 1948
1/10/1905 Irene Russell Wife of George H. Cer & Ex Died Feb 1 1936
10/12/1879 Eliza J.P. Russell Exam Died Jan 31, 1932
9/26/1891 Mary J. Russell Exam Died Feb 1926
5/3/1866 Jannette Russell Exam Died May 1907
10/13/1897 Andrew S. Gilchrist Certif. Died April 19, 1915
10/13/1897 Eliza Gilchrist Wife of Andrew S. Certif. Died June 15, 1906
10/13/1897 John K. Gilchrist Son of Andrew S. Certif. Removed membership May 11, 1906
10/13/1897 Margaret Gilchrist Daughter of Andrew S. Certif. Died Sept 2, 1908
10/13/1897 Ella Gilchrist Daughter of Andrew S. Certif. Removed membership March 21, 1907
10/13/1897 Annabelle G. Ross Wife of Will Certif. Removed membership May 11, 1906
5/18/1895 Mary M. Odell Wife of --- Odell Exam Removed membership 1906
Mrs. George McLawry Wife of George Exam Died
10/22/1897 Maggie C. Monroe Wife of James Cer & Ex Removed membership Feb 5, 1906
5/18/1901 Elma J. Scott Daughter of Margaret A., Wife of David Cameron Exam Received letter of standing Feb 5, 1913
10/16/1880 William S. Thompson Exam Died March 7, 1921
10/6/1866 James Dewitt Warren Exam Died Mar 10 1917
10/6/1866 Jennie Warren Wife of Dewitt Exam Died
11/4/1905 Echo S. Robb Wife of Wilmer G. Certif. Certif to Hitherton(?) Mich, 1914
9/29/1906 Fred Henderson Certif. Transferred to Walton, NY
6/28/1907 Hazel Elinor Russell Daughter of James A. Exam. Certified to Syracuse
6/28/1907 Andrew Ralph Thompson Son of William S. Exam. Certified to Pres. Church 1914
1/3/1908 Mrs. Nellie J. Henderson Wife of Fred Henderson Cert & Ex. Transferred to Walton, NY
1/3/1908 John F. Thompson Son of Dixon Thompson Exam Transferred to Walton, NY
1/3/1908 Eldred Ray Thompson Exam Suspended
12/26/1908 Archibald Millard Thomson Son of Will S. Thomson Exam Certified to Walton, NY
6/26/1909 Anna Christina Scott Daughter of Wilson and Margaret A. Exam Removed membership May (?) 1930
1/10/1910 William Rice Cert. Died
1/10/1910 Sarah F. Orr Cert. Certif to Walton, NY - Apr 1917
10/7/1911 David Barton Russell Son of T.D. Russell Exam Pastor at Utica, Ohio
5/11/1912 Helen Spencer Russell Daughter of T.D. Russell Exam Certified to (illegible), May 1929
5/29/1915 Ruth Russell Daughter of T.D. Russell Exam Certified to Lake Reno, June 1932(?)
5/29/1915 Renwick Russell Son of T.D. Russell Exam Died June 3, 1924
5/29/1915 Millard Russell Son of Fran A. Examinat. Transferred to Walton Cong
5/29/1915 Arthur Russell Son of Fran A. Examinat. Transferred to Walton Cong
5/29/1915 Ernest Russell Son of Fran A. Examinat. By letter to UP Church
5/7/1916 Mrs. Ina Thomson Wife of John Foldine T. Certif & Exa
5/7/1916 Mrs. Ruth Thompson Wife of Eldred Ray T. Certif & ExaSuspended
1/30/1916 Harry McCumber Examin. Suspended
5/5/1916 Mrs. Jessie McCumber Wife of Harry McC Examin. Suspended
5/30/1916 Frank Rice Examin. No trace
5/27/1915 Mrs. Mary Thiense(?) Widow Certif & ExaCertified to Gould Memorial Church of Roxbury, NY
11/25/1913 Clara Keys Certificate Certified to Greeley R.P. Church
10/9/1915 Mrs. Wilba Katherina Graham Wife of Rev T.E. Graham Certificate Received letter of standing June 26, 1920
5/6/1916 Mrs. Ella Mead Wife of Benjamin M. Certif & ExaNo trace
5/6/1916 Kenneth Radcliffe Kaufman nephew of Dixon Thomson Examinat. Suspended
5/6/1916 Lafayette Franklin Compton Examinat. Stricken from roll 6/21/19
4/21/1917 Edna Russell Daughter of Will T.R. Examinat. Died
4/21/1917 Edith Russell Daughter of Will T.R. Examinat. Certified to U.P. Church of Andes, NY
6/23/1918 Janet T. Laidlaw Daughter of Mr & Mrs A. Laid. Examinat. Died May 1931
11/30/1918 Frank Munson Certif. & ExDied - Dec 13, 1920
6/26/1920 Herbert McCumber Nephew of Harry McCumber Examin. Suspended
11/5/1921 Margaret Elizabeth Russell Daughter of Will T. Russell Examin. By letter to UP of Bovina, Apr 1, 1941
11/5/1921 Lester James Henderson Son of Fred Henderson Examin. Cert fo Walton NY, May 8, 1942
4/29/1922 Mrs. Abagail Fuller Cert & Exam Died Dec 12, 1933
4/29/1922 Mrs. Anna Katherine Ruston Examin. Cert. to M.E. Church Andes
4/29/1922 Richard Douglas Ruston Examin. No Trace
4/29/1922 Dorothy Evelyn Ruston Examin. Cert. to M.E. Church Andes
5/10/1924 Margaret Laidlaw Dau of Mr. and Mrs. Laidlaw Examin. Cert to U.P. Church Bov Ctr
5/9/1925 Verna E. Ruston Examin. Cert. to M.E. Church Andes
5/9/1925 Gordon R. Ruston Examin. Cert. to M.E. Church Andes
5/9/1925 Isabel H. Russell wife of Millard Russell Certificate transferred to Walton, NY
5/9/1925 Herbert Wm. Russell Son of W.T. Russell Examine Letter to U.P. Church Jan 1942
5/9/1925 Burton H. Hernderson Son of F.J. Henderson Examine Letter to U.P. Church Jan 1942
11/13/1926 James Wilber Tweedie Son of Mrs. R.R. Tweedie Examine By letter to Andes
11/13/1926 Clair Thomson Tweedie Son of Mrs. R.R. Tweedie Examine By letter to Delhi
11/13/1926 Mrs. Margaret C. Thompson Wife of A. Melville Thompson Certificate Certif to Hemet(?) - Sept 14, 1930
10/6/1928 Beatrice Thomson dau of Mr. & Mrs. J.F. Thomson Examin Transferred to Walton
10/6/1928 Hannah McCumber dau of Harry McC Examin Suspended
10/6/1928 John McCumber son of Harry McC Examin Suspended
11/21/1931 Wanda Hoffman Henderson wife of Lester J. Henderson Examin Cert to Walton May 8, 1942
5/7/1933 Arimenta McCumber Dau of Harry Mc Examin Suspended
5/7/1933 James McCumber Son of Harry Mc Examin Suspended
5/7/1933 Elizabeth Henderson Wife of Burton Henderson by letter Letter to U.P. Church Bovina
10/29/1932 Marion Ormiston Spear Wife of Rev Spear by letter by Cert to New Castle
11/15/1933 Doris Thomson Dau of Mr. & Mrs. J.F. Thomson Exam To Lutheran Cong at Delhi
11/15/1933 Millard Russell, Jr. Son of Millard F. Russell Exam Transferred to Walton
11/2/1940 Clifton Russell Son of Millard F. Russell Exam Transferred to Walton

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