Demarest, Cornelius T. (1786-1862) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Cornelius T. Demarest was born in Tappan, NJ on January 23, 1786. Demarest studied theology at Columbia College, NY and graduated in 1804. In 1808, Demarest married Margretta Lydecker and together they had daughter Penelope Doremus Demarest. He also became the pastor at White House, NJ until 1813, when he began to minister at English Neighborhood until 1824.

Demarest seceded from his old denomination to join the True Dutch Reformed Church which he energetically promoted. Demarest continued his ministry in the True Dutch Reformed Church. He served as pastor at the Church in King Street, New York for eleven years. Demarest also published a lamentation for Rev. Solomon Froeligh, with whom he studied theology with at Columbia College. Demarest died on December 16, 1862.