Rev. H. T. Widdemer Dead

Rev. H. T. Widdemer, who had a sensational career as a minister at Asbury Park, died of heart disease at Philadelphia on Monday of last week, aged 54 years. Widdemer's troubles began thirteen years ago while pastor of an Episcopal church in Philadelphia. He had trouble with his wife and he secured a divorce and married again. For this he was tried and convicted by the church and was dismissed from the Episcopal ministry. He then affiliated with the Congregational church but soon afterward became a Presbyterian. In 1895 he became pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Asbury Park. The Monmouth Presbytery refused to ordain him on account of the scandal and he organized a Congregational church at Asbury Park with a large and fashionable congregation. Scandal soon arose over his alleged indiscretions with a young woman who was his secretary. He won in a trial brought against him by the church on this charge, and he was reinstated as pastor of the church. Soon afterward he resigned and he went to Philadelphia, where he had since lived. His death is said to have been largely due to the severe mental strain which he underwent during his troubles.

Source: Red Bank Register, Wednesday, Mar 6, 1901

Some additional excellent resources for your research are:

• New Jersey Census, 1772-1890 - Ancestry.com

• Calendar of New Jersey Wills, 1670-1760 - Ancestry.com

• Interment.net - NJ ~ New Jersey Cemetery Transcriptions on the net.

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