Down through the years, generation after generation, for more than a
century and a quarter, the DeForeests have contributed faithful continuous
service to the Methodist Church.
The first of this pioneer family, Isaac DeForeest,
was born on Christmas Day, 1700, on a farm where New York City in part
stands today, it then being called New Amsterdam. He was of French and
Dutch parentage. His son,
Abram DeForeest, born served under
Washington in the Revolutionary War, Co. B, 139th Volunteer Infantry. He
died in 1847 at the age of 98 years and 9 months and lies buried in the
cemetery at Brookfield, Ohio.
Gershom DeForeest, the grandson of Isaac DeForeest,
was a New Jersey farmer and came to Mercer County, Pennsylvania,
in 1832, having made the trip from New Jersey by team and wagon with his
wife and eight children. He was not a well-to-do man and purchased in New
Jersey a team of horses, wagon, and harness for $36.36, borrowing $400,
which amount he was to pay within four years with interest.
The family was six weeks en route and located in Mercer County,
Pennsylvania, near the Ohio state line where Mr. DeForeest rented a piece
of land with a log cabin upon it. In the year 1836 he purchased 157 acres
of land over the county line in Trumbull County, Ohio, for which he paid
$6.25 an acre, paying $100 down and getting time on the balance.
Gershom DeForeest was a thrifty and
successful farmer. He saved up money from all sources of revenue so that
he was able to pay off the original $400 loan within the four year period
with interest. Indeed a proud day in their lives was the pay-day on their
farm in the west. They continued farming in a highly profitable manner so
that at the date of his death he left an estate of $28,000.
In 1855 he built a frame house, moving from the old log cabin. He was
considered one of the most enterprising farmers of his day and locality.
He was a school director for many years and a devout member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church throughout his entire life. The closing words
on the life of
Gershom DeForeest in the History of Mercer
County read: "This truly hard pioneer and excellent gentleman who
blazed his way from the far away coast to the wilderness of Ohio, lies
buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Sharon, Pennsylvania."
There were five sons and several daughters born to Gershom and Elenor DeForeest.
The sons were
Abram, Samuel, John, Isaac, and William.
All were active members in the First Methodist Church.
Abram was the teacher of the DeForeest
Bible Class [at the First Methodist Church, Sharon] for twenty-five years. William
joined the church in 1854 at the age of sixteen when
Rev. C. W. Reeves was the pastor. He served
for many years on the Official Board and the Board of Trustees. He was an
active layman in the Annual Conference sessions and was a lay delegate to
the General Conference in session in Baltimore in 1908 presided over by
Bishop J. W. Hamilton. He was active in
establishing the Methodist Church in Masury, Ohio, in 1910. He had a
continuous membership of 67 years in the First Methodist Church of Sharon.
The DeForeest women were also faithful workers in the Master's Vineyard
Rev. John H. Vance, who in 1850, rode the
Clarksville Circuit of which Sharon was a part, returned sixty years later
as a guest speaker and delivered a sermon at the Centennial Celebration.
That day he spoke of
Mr. and Mrs. Gershom DeForeest in these
words:
"Mother DeForeest was one of the most saintly women I have ever seen
since my mother died. She was one of the most devoted Christians I ever
knew. I was glad she was here when I came here to dispense the word of
life. I am a better man than I would have been had she not been here.
There was something grand about brother DeForeest. He was strictly honest
and devout."
One Hundred Fifty Years of Methodism by Raymond H. Thoman, pages
18-20.
Read
biography of Isaac DeForeest
Read
biography of William DeForeest
View
another photo of William DeForeest
