USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections: containing I. The Reformation in France; the rise, progress and destruction of the Huguenot Church. Vol I > Part 30
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These young converts adopted the form of adult baptism, or, as called, Believers' Baptism, and called to be pastor of their church Biel Ledoyt, the young man who had been the leading spirit among them.
The number of members who joined in the organization in February, 1766, is not now known, as their early records have been lost. The facts here given have, so far, been derived
* George Whitfield was born in Gloucester, England, December 16, O. S., 1714, and died suddenly of asthma at Newburyport, Massachusetts, Sunday morning, September 30, 1770. He first visited America, May 7, 1738, arriving at Savannah, Georgia.
He made seven visits to America, and made tours through all the English colonies from Georgia to New Hampshire, preaching in all places where he passed, drawing together vast assemblages, and stirring up great religious feeling, carrying conviction to the hearts of multitudes who had but little religion before.
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mostly from Backus' " Church History of New England." Eighteen years later, in 1784, Mr. Backus gives the number of members in this church as 143 ; and twenty-one years after its formation its number of members are reported by the War- ren association in 1787 as 126.
Though the church was nominally without a pastor the first year of its existence, Mr. Ledoyt was, no doubt, the minister from the time of its organization, proving his fitness for the ordination which he received in 1768. Tradition reports the first years of this church as harmonious and prosperous ; that in the year 1780 fifteen persons were added to the church by baptism in one day.
Towards the close of Mr. Ledoyt's pastorate two councils were called-one in August, 1788; and another, which met, July 16, 1790. Among the ministers present at these coun- cils were those two eminent Baptist divines, Thomas Baldwin, moderator, and Isaac Backus, scribe. The nature of the diffi- culty existing at this time does not appear, but probably referred in some respects to Mr. Ledoyt, who resigned his pastorate in 1790, about the time of the last council, after serving the church and society about twenty five years.
The Rev. Samuel Webster followed Mr. Ledoyt with this people. In 1792 there were added to this church twenty-five members, and the whole number was seventy-three, as stated by the Warren association. It appears that Mr. Webster was a colored man, of slender gifts, ordained as an Evangelist while here, but the time he commenced or ended his services is not given, it is supposed to have been about two years, closing before September, 1794, at which time this church is reported by the Warren association as without a pastor.
In 1796 the church was reported to that association, with Rev. Robert Stanton, a licentiate from Stonington, as preacher. At this time the membership was about sixty-six. Mr. Stanton was ordained on January 19, 1799, and continued to serve as
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pastor till 1805. He found the church in a low condition, but in 1801 a revival is recorded, in which thirty-eight were added, increasing the membership to ninety-three.
This church now withdrew from the Warren association, and, uniting with other churches in 1802, formed the Stur- bridge association.
The present meeting-house of this society was commenced to be erected in 1804, but not finished until 1806. Previous to this time their meetings were held in a building which stood about half a mile to the south-west of the village, and is de- scribed in the records as a dilapidated structure, resembling a barn in bad condition.
Rev. Mr. Stanton served this people about nine years. During his pastorate forty-seven were added to the church, and the increase of membership was twenty-two. Serious divisions arose during his ministry, which continued several years after he left.
The first pastor and founder of the church was welcomed back to the place of his former labors in 1805, as successor to Rev. Mr. Stanton. Mr. Ledoyt had been absent about fifteen years, during which time he was a resident of Newport, New Hampshire ; preached there and elsewhere in the vicinity, leaving his record in all that region as an earnest and success- ful preacher of the Gospel.
The church records have preserved the following testimo- nial, signed by the clerk of the church in Newport, which is deemed worthy of preservation, touching the character of this minister of the Gospel :
"To all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, this may certify, that Elder Biel Ledoyt is, and hath been, not only a minister of the Baptist church of Christ in Newport for upwards of fourteen years past, but hath served us as a faithful minister of Jesus Christ that term of time, and is approved as such by our sister churches throughout our association. We should gladly have retained him with us; but God,
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who overrules all things, hath opened a door in His Providence whereby he must return and labor with the church of his youth.
And we do unfeignedly recommend him as a faithful brother and an able minister of the New Testament."
He found this church in as sad a state of dissension as when he left it fifteen years before. In his earnest efforts to heal its divisions he met with but partial success. He continued his labors here and vicinity until his death, March 24, 1813, aged seventy years.
The deceased was referred to in an obituary notice in the Baptist Magazine soon after this occurrence :
"He was a plain, unlettered, but not ignorant man. He was well acquainted with his Bible and with its distinguishing doctrines, which he endeavored to preach with all plainness and simplicity. Few men have lived more uniformly devoted to the service of their Divine Master, or enjoyed more extensively the confidence of the brethren with whom he was acquainted.
"His last sermon was from the words, 'Therefore be ye also ready ; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.' Closing this discourse he was seized with a fever, then prevailing in that vicin- ity : he said to those about him, 'Carry me home to die.' He died the Wednesday following.
" His remains lie buried in the old burying-ground of this parish. A respectable marble slab denotes his resting-place. It bears the following inscription : 'In memory of Rev. Biel Ledoyt, pastor of the first Baptist church in Woodstock, Connecticut. He was ordained, A. D., 1767; dicd at Woodstock, March 24, 1813, in the seventieth year of his age. He left a widow and four children to mourn his loss; but their cup was mingled with the sweet reflection that their loss was his gain. He was remarkably distinguished for his piety and zeal, and rose high in the es- teem and affections of his brethren of the Baptist denomination. He was indefatigable in his labors, and the Lord blessed them for the gath- ering of the church of which he was pastor, from which originated sev- eral others in this region.'
" Well done good and faithful servant, From pain to bliss, from earth to heaven removed, In death remembered and on earth beloved."
It will be noticed that this inscription gives 1767 as the date of his ordination, while the preceding notice, taken from
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Mr. Backus' history, gives 1768 ; the reason for this is, that Rev. Mr. Smith, in his historical discourse before referred to, inclines to the latter date, as the true one.
With the death of Rev. Mr. Ledoyt, the first pastor and founder of the first Baptist church in Woodstock, closes nearly the first half century of its existence. Although his efforts, the last years of his life, did much to heal the divisions in this church, which had for many years existed, it is reported that his death closed dissensions, and that full harmony now prevailed.
The membership in 1813 is given as sixty-four. In 1814 Nicholas Branch, a young licensed minister, supplied this pulpit. He was a member of the first Baptist church of Providence, Rhode Island, and was admitted to membership with this church, June 26, 1815, and the day following was ordained its pastor. Rev. Stephen Gano, of Providence, preached the sermon ; Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, of Sturbridge, offered the ordination prayer; Rev. Luther Baker, of Provi- dence second Baptist church, gave the charge ; Rev. George Angell, of the second Baptist church of Woodstock, gave the right hand of fellowship; and Rev. James Grow, of Pomfret, offered the concluding prayer.
Rev. Nicholas Branch served six years as their minister. He was regarded as a successful pastor; the church and society prospered under his administration ; at its close the membership was seventy-three. During his service the par- sonage grounds were purchased, and the buildings as now standing were erected.
This church now remained several years, from 1820, with- out a settled minister.
Rev. Artemas Arnold, from Chatham, supplied the pulpit one year. Rev. John Nichols, of Thompson, followed for a short period ; the names of Rev. Mr. Barnes and Glazier are among those who supplied occasionally ; and Rev. John
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Paine, from South Woodstock, supplied one fourth of the year 1824.
It appears that during this unsettled condition of affairs, an important revival in religion arose with this church and others in this vicinity, which added many new members.
This church united with others in 1825, in forming the Ashford association, and at its first meeting that year, its church members were represented at 110. There were forty- nine members received by baptism that year.
In the year 1825 Rev. George B. Atwell was settled, and continued his services nine years, till April, 1834. His labors here were in harmony with the church and society, and successful in adding members to the same; when he left its numbers in communion were 151. During this period, Calista Holman, afterwards wife of Rev. Justus H. Vinton, became interested in religion and missionary affairs, to which she has since devoted herself.
The successor in the pastorate here was Rev. Nathan D. Benedict, who continued till 1839. A revival which began in September, 1834, and was general in this vicinity, favored this church, giving new vitality to its efforts. Its members, in 1839, were 173. Two, who were among the converts of this period, John B. Gould and Hugh Dempsey, were soon after licensed to preach, and subsequently became ordained ministers and successful preachers.
A call was now given to Rev. Bela Hicks, who began his service in the spring of 1840. Mr. Hicks continued a pros- perous ministry for a period of three years. Fifty-three new members were received, making an aggregate of the member- ship, at its close, of 193, probably the largest number of com- municants it has ever had at any one time.
During this pastorate of Rev. Mr. Hicks the meeting-house received extensive repairs to the extent of $1,100, restoring it to the condition it was in at the time it was finished in 1806.
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This church was now supplied for 1843 by Rev. Isaac Woodbury. His successor was Rev. Henry Bromley, who served about two and a half years, closing in 1846. Rev. E. C. Brown now served till the spring of 1849, when Rev. Bela Hicks returned, and served a second term of three and a half years, till the autumn of 1852.
The church was now for a time without a supply, until the spring of 1853, when Rev. Thomas Holman, a brother of Mrs. Vinton, before referred to, was called to the pastorate.
Mr. Holman remained about a year and a half, and resigned his charge in the autumn of 1854. At this time the number of members was 167.
Rev. John Paine now supplied preaching a few months. During 1854 the meeting-house was repainted and repaired at an expense of $304.
Rev. Levi H. Wakeman accepted the pastorate in the spring of 1855, and served acceptably four years, leaving a member- ship in the church of 147.
Rev. Nicholas Branch, a former pastor, succeeded Rev. Mr. Wakeman in 1858, serving over two years. It was now forty- five years since Rev. Mr. Branch supplied this pulpit first, as a young licensed preacher from Providence ; then the number of members was sixty-eight, now 147; but of those sixty-eight he came to, in 1813, only three or four were now remaining. Here Mr. Branch, like his predecessor, in his first settlement, began his ministerial life, and like that venerable predecessor, Rev. Biel Ledoyt, he returned here and closed both his minis- try and earthly labors.
He retired from the pastorate here in the spring of 1861, at the age of seventy-five years, and from the ministry. He continued his residence here, loved and venerated by his people, dying, September 30, 1863, in his seventy-eighth year.
The ministry of Rev. Mr. Branch was longer than that of the venerable Ledoyt; both together had been witnesses of its
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seasons of prosperity and adversity during nearly a century of its existence. Their memory is still fragrant here.
After the resignation of Mr. Branch, in the spring of 1861, Rev. Watson A. Worthington succeeded to the pastorate, and served acceptably four years. The church and society pros- pered under his administration, at the close of which, in the spring of 1865, the membership in the church was one hun- dred and fifty-one, a net gain of twelve during this period.
A call was now given to Rev. J. Torrey Smith, who entered upon his duties as pastor soon after the resignation of Rev. Mr. Worthington, and served this church and society about four years.
The character of his centenary discourse, delivered in 1866, gives evidence that he was a man of great industry, entering fully into the spirit of his duties, and having a special re- gard for the welfare of his charge. He was succeeded by the Rev. S. Barrows.
THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH IN WOODSTOCK.
This church and society is in the south parish of this town. Those who embrace the faith of this denomination in this par- ish are persons of much respectability. The particulars as to the time of its first organization, or names of the ministers that have been settled there, have not been ascertained, ex- cept about the year 1813. Rev. George Angell, late pastor of the first Baptist church and society in Southbridge, was their minister, and continued with them till he was settled at South- bridge, in 1816.
They have a meeting-house, and the society, it is believed, is generally supplied with preaching. It is understood that their records are very imperfectly kept; such has been the report when application was made for facts relating to their history, for this work. Thus its history fails to appear in this sketch. It may here be remarked that, with many, but little
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interest is manifested favoring any research into the past his- tory of these societies ; other engagements so much engross their time, it is supposed that little is left for such objects. Then, again, distance from the location of these facts has pre- vented this writer from any prolonged research among such records as are to be found, although many visits have been made to this town exclusively for such object ; and thus much of the history of these several religions societies, as well as the facts concerning the history of the affairs of this town, have been omitted.
It is understood, however, that another writer in their im- mediate vicinity is engaged upon an historical work embracing this town and others in Windham county, which is expected to be far more particular and deserving of the name of history than anything here accomplished.
THE THIRD CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY; OR, MUDDY BROOK PARISH, EAST WOODSTOCK.
This church and religious society was formed by a separa- tion of the members of the first church and society in this town, in the year 1759. It was occasioned by a disagreement regarding their minister, the Rev. Abel Stiles, who had been settled over this first church in 1737. By this disagreement a majority, in 1759, had become dissatisfied with the pastor, while a respectable minority of the church members favored their minister; and at this time, by the rightful exercise of the authority which was used by the majority, he was dis- charged, but taken up by his friends in this body, who with- drew at this time with their pastor, and formed a separate re- ligious society ; and in the year 1766, having all the previous records of the society from which they separated, declared themselves the first church of Woodstock.
It does not appear, from evidence yet discovered, that this separate organization, which established its house of worship
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at East Woodstock, ever attempted to raise funds for its sup- port by assuming the right permitted by law to the first re- ligious society, to tax the property and polls of this town; and it is believed that its support has been derived simply from the members of the parish.
The Rev. Mr. Stiles continued his pastorate with this sepa- rate organization during the remainder of his life, which ter- minated on July 25, 1783, at the age of seventy-four years. On the 27th of December, 1780, the Rev. Joshua Johnson was ordained as his colleague, and dismissed on the 28th of September, 1790.
Their next pastor was Rev. William Graves, ordained, August 31, 1791, and died here, August 26, 1813, at the age of forty-eight.
Mr. Graves was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Backus, or- dained, January 19, 1815, and continued the pastorate to the 3d of June, 1830, when he received his dismission.
He was followed in the pastorate by Rev. Orson Cowles, ordained, April 25, 1832, and dismissed, September 4, 1837.
Then this church called to the pastorate Rev. Thomas Bou- telle, who was ordained, December 6, 1837, and continued, until dismissed, March 21, 1849.
Preaching was now supplied by Rev. James A. Clark from December, 1849, to January, 1851.
The Rev. M. Burdette now became their pastor. He was installed, April 21, 1852, and dismissed, January 9, 1854. Then the Rev. J. A. Roberts supplied preaching from March, 1855, to April, 1855, and was followed for a supply in the ministry, December. 1855, by Rev. Edward H. Pratt.
Following Rev. Mr. Pratt, as supply, there have been the Rev. Francis Dyer, Rev. G. L. Putman, William A. Benedict, and William H. Phipps, who was engaged with this people in 1872.
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DEACONS
OF THE THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, EAST WOODSTOCK.
Caleb May, elected, September 24, 1766.
Nehemiah Lyon, elected, September 24, 1766.
Elisha Child, 66 November 13, 1782.
Charles Child, October 14, 1789.
Nathaniel Briggs, about 1815.
William Child, 66 January 17, 1819.
Luther Child, June 25, 1824.
Theophilus B. Chandler, elected, November 4, 1836.
Asa Lyon, elected, November 4, 1836.
Elisha C. Walker, elected, March 30, 1849.
Halsey Bixby, December 1, 1854.
Since the last above date, George A. Paine was elected deacon of this church, who deceased in August, 1872, and when this information was obtained, there had been no choice for a successor.
MEETING-HOUSES.
The first meeting-house erected in East Woodstock was for this third Congregational society, and was built in the parish of Muddy Brook, about the year 1767. This continued as the place of worship for all persons of this denomination in this parish till 1831, when a part of the church mem- bers and society withdrew to a new house at Village Cor- ners, and formed the fourth Congregational church and so- ciety in this town. This church and society erected for them- selves a new meeting-house in 1832, on the location of their first house of worship, in which, now in 1872, they continue their meetings.
CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY, NORTH WOODSTOCK.
This church and society arose from a division of the church at East Woodstock, or Muddy Brook parish. That church and society embraced the principal inhabitants of both east and north villages.
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In 1830, by a vote taken for building a new meeting-house, it was decided by a majority of the members to locate the house in the north village. The meeting-house was built ac- cording to said vote, and on the 25th of February, 1831, soon after the house was finished, it was voted by a majority of members to hold their meetings for religious worship in this new meeting-house.
This action caused a separation of the church and society ; those opposed to this removal continued their worship at the old house, and remained, as before, the third, or Muddy Brook Congregational society. The new society, composed of those who withdrew from the Muddy Brook or East Woodstock society, now took the name of the " Congrega- tional Society of North Woodstock," located at the village known heretofore as Village Corners.
The number of members in the church at the time of this division was seventy-four.
Rev. Alvan Underwood preached as supply a short time as their first minister.
Rev. Foster Thayer received a call as their first pastor. He was ordained, June 29, 1831, and dismissed, September 19, 1836. The successor was Rev. Lent S. Hough; the ordina- tion service took place, January 11, 1837, as follows :
Introductory prayer and sermon by Rev. L. Ives Hoad_ ley, of Charlestown, Massachusetts ; installation prayer, by Rev. Joseph S. Clark, Sturbridge, Massachusetts ; charge to pastor, by Rev. Otis Rockwood, South Woodstock; right- hand fellowship, by Rev. Mr. Cowles ; address to the people and concluding prayer, by Rev. John D. Baldwin, of West Woodstock.
Rev. Mr. Hough came to this church from Chaplin. He was dismissed, May 11, 1841. This was occasioned by the ill- health of the pastor, and at his request.
During his ministry, thirty-three members joined the church
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by profession, and twelve by letter. Twenty-three joined by profession at one time, May 5, 1839.
A call was given in July, 1841, to Rev. Willard Child, D. D., but not accepted. The invitation was renewed in June, 1842, but again declined.
Dr. Child supplied for a time; but in August accepted a call, and settled with the fifth Congregational church at Norwich.
An invitation was given to Rev. William H. Marsh, in 1844, to become their pastor, and accepted. His installation took place, November 20, as follows :
Introductory prayer and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Benjamin Ober, West Woodstock ; sermon, by Rev. Edward W. Hooker, D. D., of the Theological Seminary, East Wind- sor ; installation prayer, by Rev. Joshua Bates, D. D., of Dudley, Massachusetts; charge to pastor, by Rev. Daniel Dow, D. D., of Thompson ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Thomas Boutelle, East Woodstock; address to the people, by Rev. Eber Carpenter, of Southbridge, Massachu- setts ; concluding prayer, by Rev. Daniel C. Frost.
During Rev. Mr. Marsh's pastorate, seven joined by profes- sion, and ten by letter. He was dismissed, April 22, 1851.
Rev. O. D. Hive succeeded to the pastorate, and was in- stalled on January 6, 1852, by the following services : Prayer, introductory, and reading of Scriptures, by Rev. L. Carey, Web- ster, Massachusetts; sermon, by Rev. George Bushnell, Wor- cester ; installation prayer, by Rev. L. Carey ; charge to pastor, by Rev. Jonathan Courtis, of Woodstock ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. R. C. Learned, Canterbury ; charge to the people, by Rev. A. Dunning, Thompson ; and closing prayer, by Mr. Learned.
Rev. Mr. Hive was dismissed, October 31, 1855. During his ministry thirteen joined the church by profession, and eight by letter.
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Rev. D. M. Elwood was the successor ; after supplying the pulpit about ten months, was installed, March 24, 1858, and received dismission in September, 1859, to accept a call from the Congregational church at Centre Falls, Rhode Island.
There were received into this church during this pastorate, fifty-one by profession, and ten by letter.
In the spring of 1857, about the commencement of Mr. Elwood's services, there became an important revival of reli- gion with this people, the fruits of which were an addition to the church by profession in March of thirteen, and in May following, by profession, thirty-two; and by letter, five; in- creasing its members by fifty communicants.
It was voted at the regular church meeting in March, 1858, that the meetings for prayer, conference, and the cultivation of Christian fellowship and sympathy, be held on the second Thursday of each month.
At this time the pastor and deacons were authorized to revise the articles of faith and covenant, and prepare a church manual to be presented for the use of the members. This vote was again made in March, 1860, when Rev. John White was pastor, and was speedily carried into effect.
Rev. Mr. White commenced his labors as supply and acting pastor, December, 1859, and left to perform some unfinished business of the Mendi Mission, for the American Board, in December 1, 1861. Having finished this mission business in Africa, he returned to the ministry at this church in Novem- ber, 1862, and continued here until December 19, 1865, when, owing to failing health, he asked for dismission, and soon after became pastor of a newly organized church at Ames, Story county, Iowa. He was a faithful minister, ardently devoted to the cause of Christ. During his services there were added to this church twenty-four members by profession, and thirteen by letter.
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