USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections: containing I. The Reformation in France; the rise, progress and destruction of the Huguenot Church. Vol I > Part 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
Elisha Gallup taught the summer term of 1813.
Nathaniel Allen, a graduate of Yale college, taught the next winter, and had only ten scholars. Mr. Allen, Dr. Marcy, and Ephraim Houghton, went the next year to Harvard Medical school, the only students from Connecticut.
The teachers, from the years 1814 to 1818, were Andrew
528
WEBSTER.
and Archibald Burgess. They were from Canterbury, gradu- ates of Yale college; and were regarded as good teachers.
From 1820 to 1843 there are no records; and, according to reports, there was but little interest felt for this institution by the citizens of the town. A portion of that period the school was abandoned. In 1822 there were two schools. Elias Skinner taught a school for boys, and Miss Caroline Dutch for girls. After this, several parties were engaged, but the length of time or when, does not appear.
Among those who were here in that period, were Elihu Morse, Thomas Jefferson Forbes, of Maine; Nathaniel Mills, of Thompson; Theodore Weld, who had lived in Danielson- ville; and Welcome Wilmoth, of Thompson, who remained here three years, and was regarded a good teacher. Evans Malbone Johnson, taught in 1834. He was at the time studying for the ministry, and afterwards became an Episcopal clergyman.
He established the Episcopal church at Brooklyn, Con- necticut, and there married Grace Malbone. He removed to Brooklyn, New York, and became rector of St. John's Church, and died there, a man of wealth, a few years since. Johnson street, in that city, was named in his honor.
Abraham Hazen Robinson, of Yale college, was preceptor, from August, 1835 to July, 1836. He afterwards studied medicine at Dartmouth college. It is also stated that Rev. Erastus Dickinson taught here, in 1833, for a time; also, Miss Lucy Brigham, of Grafton, Massachusetts, taught about that time; and Edwin E. Bliss, now president of a college in Syria (who had seven brothers, all missionaries), was a teacher here.
In 1843 the academy building was renovated and put into complete order by Henry C. Bowen.
A new belfry was built, the old one becoming unsafe. The academy was re-opened in 1844, with John T. Averill, a graduate of Dartmouth, as teacher ; that autumn he had 126
529
WEBSTER.
scholars. He remained four years, and was a good instructor. In the spring of 1844 the Hutchinson family gave a concert here, when the receipts were given for the benefit of the acad- emy, and resulted in the purchase of a chemical apparatus. The elm-trees in front of the academy were set there this year by the teacher and scholars. Also, the first printed catalogue was issued in 1844 ; it contains a wood-cut of the academy, drawn by Miss Maria Lyman, a granddaughter of Rev. Eliphalet Lyman. Mr. Alden Southworth was preceptor in 1845, and sustained a good reputation as teacher. Elias B. Hillard taught here in the summer term in 1848; following him came James W. Patterson (a graduate of, and afterwards a pro- fessor in, Dartmouth college), who continued the next three years ; Miss Edna Dean Proctor being his assistant. Mr. Patterson was an excellent teacher, and increased the number of scholars to one hundred. Besides holding many political offices in New Hampshire, his native State, he has represented that State in the house of representatives at Washington, and is now a senator from that State in Congress. Rev. Jonathan Curtis, and Rev. Louis Gano, were the next teachers. The Rev. J. R. Davenport followed in 1851, and proved a good teacher.
Then were teachers here, E. D. Rawson and his brother Henry; Rev. George N. Webber, professor of intellectual philosophy in Middlebury college; John M. Wolcott was preceptor in 1854-'55 ; Henry C. Parker, now a lawyer in Worcester, Massachusetts, succeeded ; and then came Edward Conant, John Holmes, and J. M. Manning, a graduate of Brown university, who taught in 1860.
Then after three years' suspension came George N. Hopkins, another graduate of Brown university.
Next were John A. Corbin and Miss Rosa Palmer, who continued the institution for a period at their own expense, but were not very successful.
530
WEBSTER.
In 1868 a proposition was made to place the academy on an independent and permanent basis, and for that purpose to establish a fund, which, it is understood, has been fully accom- plished, and now exceeds $15,000.
The teachers since have been Messrs. Burnett, Cook, and Davison, who have advanced the school in numbers, discipline, and scholarship. To-day Woodstock academy is among the first, in all its appointments, in the State of Connecticut.
From the time of the first opening of this academy there have been 41 preceptors during a period of 21 years; 38 males and 3 females ; and of the 38 males, 31 were college grad- uates : 14 from Yale college, 5 from Amherst, 4 from Brown, 3 from Dartmouth, 1 from Bowdoin, and 4 unknown.
Among the scholars of distinction who received instruction here, may be named, in part, Hon. William L. Marcy, gov- 'ernor of the State of New York, and secretary of the United States; Commodore Morris, of the United States navy, a native of this town; General William Eaton; lieutenant- governor Stoddard, of this State; Dr. George Mcclellan, of Philadelphia ; Dr. Samuel Mcclellan, his brother; Hon. Aaron Skinner, mayor of New Haven, one of the most popular mayors of that city ; Judge Young, David and the Hon. Pres- cott Hall, Rev. Willard Child, D. D., Rev. Alvin Bond, D. D., and Louise Chandler Moulton and Edna Dean Proctor, both well known in literary circles ; Charles E. Burleigh, the abolitionist and temperance advocate; and his brother, William H. Burleigh, the poet. The new academy was dedicated, Thursday, August 21, 1873. The building is stated to have cost $22,500. When ready to receive its fixtures and furni- ture, the funds raised for completing the building, $15,372, had more than been expended ; and, after consultation in the board of trustees for devising means, under some despondency as to securing the necessary funds to carry out the design, to compare with the fine and well-adapted building, then in
531
WEBSTER.
order to receive the internal preparation, suitable for opening the school favorably,-when Henry C. Bowen, Esq., who it ap- pears has at all times led in this affair, as well as others in this his native town, generously proposed to take upon him- self the expense of fitting and furnishing the building, in every way to compare with the structure itself and its pleasant surroundings.
This furnishing consists of desks, seats, and settees of modern style ; a valuable clock and piano; at a total cost of between four and five thousand dollars.
After the conclusion of the addresses, on the occasion of the dedication, Henry C. Bowen arose and made some spirited remarks, stating that the financial affairs showed a consider- able debt, and appealed to their generosity to add to their past contributions, and thus relieve the same of any incum- brance.
The result was a very liberal contribution on the spot, as follows :
W. D. Carroll, $10; Joseph Mcclellan, $50; John Paine, $10; George A. Penniman, $10; Mrs. P. Skinner, $2; A. A. Carroll, $10; W. P. Snow, $10; E. M. Armes, $5; Asa Lyman, $20; Clara A. Armes, $5; A. B. Cooley, $5; Henry E. Bowen, $50; Harrison Johnson, $20; S. B. Collins, $500; A. B. Dyke, $100; J. F. Russell, $10; A. C. Andrews, $10; George Spalding, $10; James Collins, $10; P. N. Boutelle, $10; Minnie Palmer, $5; Frances M. Lyman, $10; Saralı T. Lyman, $25; D. T. Lyman, $50; Lewis Williams, $50; Lucius Fitts, $25; Jane C. Weaver, $5; cash, $8.32; Mrs. C. P. Briggs, $50; R. T. Town, $30; John O. Fox, $150; Hiram Dewing, $100; D. Blackmar, $20; James Gor- don, $10.
These several subscriptions amounted to $1,420. The pre- vious subscriptions were in all $15,372, making the total build- ing fund to this date, $16,792. Showing still a debt of about $1,500. Considering, however, the large sums raised for the permanent fund, construction account, and furnishing-about $38,000, this balance is but a small item. The whole is a
532
WEBSTER.
grand result of the liberal efforts of the people of this town, and a good example for the community around them.
The present instructors are
Mr. William E. Davidson, A. B., principal ; Miss Elizabeth R. Beach, assistant-principal ; Miss M. Jennie Atwood, second assistant-principal ; Miss Mary E. Langdon, teacher of instrumental music; Mr. J. Astor Broad, teacher of vocal music.
In a letter from Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, read on this occasion, he gave an account of a school kept here by Thaddeus Mason, Esq., found among the papers of his father. It com- menced, November 10, 1729, and continued to April 1, 1730. The names of his scholars were as follows:
Jolın Chandler, Gardiner Chandler, Mary Chandler, Esther Chand- ler, Moses Lyon, Nehemiah Lyon, Joshua May, Caleb May, Stephen May, Thomas May, Benjamin Sanger, John Sanger, David Holmes, Josiah Holmes, Caleb Johnson, Peter Johnson, Nathaniel Payson, Asa Payson, Joseph Bartholomew, John Bartholomew, Samuel Bartholomew, Jede- diah Bartholomew, Daniel Abbot, Joseph Abbot, Nehemiah Bugbee, Zeruiah Bugbee, Eleanor Bugbee, Joseph Barnard, Samuel Barnard, Ebe- nezer Barnard, Abner Barnard, Edward Morris, Isaac Morris, Grace Morris, Bethiah Morris, Joshua Tucker, Benjamin Tucker, Joseph Wil- son, Jacob Wilson, Manasses Hosmer, Uriah Hosmer, Joseph Hosmer, Nathaniel Child, Henry Child, Benjamin Child, Jesse Carpenter, Benja- min Carpenter, Joseph Carpenter, Daniel Marscroft, Jacob Marscroft, Darius Sessions, Josiah Cummings. Daniel Davis, Ebenezer Smith, Nathaniel Henry, James Levens, Silas Bowen, Oliver Barrett, Peter Morse, Nathaniel Ainsworth, Isaac Hemenway, Benjamin Thayer, Samuel Lillie, Isaiah Tiffany, Ebenezer Phillips, Eunice Draper, and Nathaniel Sanger.
In the list in manuscript, was written opposite the name of David Holmes, " My Honored Father," by Dr. Abial Holmes, father of O. W. Hohnes.
SUPPLEMENT.
THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE.
For denomination of ministers.
B. for Baptist. C. for Congregationalist. M. for Methodist. U. for Universalist.
TIIs parish was incorporated the 28th of February, 1801.
Its name in the act of incorporation was " The Second Re- ligious Society in the town of Charlton."
It is not the design here to give a history of this parish, but the history of the Parish Meeting-House, and as far as the writer's researches extend, to give the names of the different ministers who supplied preaching in that Meeting-House during the sixteen years of thé existence of the parish. Also to give some account of these several ministers, and the years in which they preached in that house, and where they resided, and what religious faith they professed to preach, as far as known.
This list of ministers contains seventy-six names, so far as as- certained ; but it is probable there may have been some others ; but few, if any.
A large number of these names are given in the manuscript lecture delivered in Southbridge before the Lyceum Society of that town in March, 1836, by the late Moses Plimpton, Esq. In his sketch of names he gives no place of residence, and in some instances only the surname, and gives no account of the charac- ter of any of these parties.
Much of Mr. Plimpton's knowledge of these several preachers
534
THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE.
was obtained from the recollection of old people of his time, and much, particularly, from an old lady known as Hannah Clark, re- markable for her retentive memory. She was of the Universalist faith, and delighted in her criticisms of the different preachers, and being a constant attendant on all the meetings she could not only give the names of the different ministers, but relate the texts they preached from, and the substances of the discourses.
The men who were the most influential in obtaining the act of incorporation of this Poll Parish were persons of independ- ence of thought, and possessed of more than the ordinary degree of intelligence.
They were no bigots, although firm in their religious faith of the denomination to which each belonged.
The first object was the erection of a meeting-house for re- ligious worship in a central part of the territory most conven- ient of access to all the inhabitants.
As the religious faith of the people in this territory was of the several denominations -Congregationalists, Baptists, Meth- odists, and Universalists-it was agreed that each of these de- nominations should enjoy equal rights in this house in the preaching of their particular faith in proportion to the amount of subscription of the parties embracing such faith.
The political action of the members of this parish was cor- rectly recorded. That book was obtained by this writer when writing the history of this parish as a part of his historical col- lections published in 1874. He then had these manuscript records rebound and deposited for safe keeping in the public library in Southbridge ; but so far as appears, there was no record kept of the religious doings of these several religious sects in connection with this Meeting-House. All that is now known has been gathered from recollection and detached items of information connected with these several denominations in their separate acts.
535
THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE.
These items of information show the faith of the different preachers, and from various historical and biographical sources have been obtained the character, place of residence, and inci- dents connected with these several ministers, as related in the following sketch :
The contract for erecting this Meeting-House was made with Major William Love, then a resident of Dudley ; but he soon after removed to this parish. The frame was raised on the 4th of July, 1797, and the house was not finished till early in the year 1800.
For the proprietors' names and owners of the several pews see " Historical Collections," by this writer, Vol. II., pp. 233-235.
The first religious service was on the 6th of April, 1800, by the Rev. Alvan Underwood, a young licentiate minister, who was soon after settled as pastor of the First Congregational So- ciety in West Woodstock.
The dedication of this house to the worship of God was on the 4th of July following. The Rev. Erastus Learned, then the minister of the Congregationalist Society of Charlton, delivered the ordination sermon. Rev. Mr. Learned was the successor, at Charlton, of Rev. Archibald Campbell, the second minister of that town. He was ordained there Nov. 8th, 1797, and dis- missed on the 16th day of September, 1802. Then, for a time, supplied preaching at different places, but mostly for the Con- gregational church at Killingly, Connecticut.
Closing his services at this latter place, he received a call and was installed over the Congregationalist church and society at Canter- bury in that State, and it is believed he continued the pastor for that people the remainder of his days as a preacher. Mr. Learned, in this latter place, arrived to a considerable distinction as a preacher.
Sixteen years after he delivered the dedication sermon in this Parish Meeting-House, he was invited and assisted in the ordina-
536
THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE.
tion of Rev. Jason Park, the first settled Congregational minis- ter in Southbridge, and delivered the ordination sermon on that occasion .*
The following are the names of the ministers as they supplied preaching in this Parish Meeting-House, each year, while the parish continued.
For 1800, Rev. ALVAN UNDERWOOD, supplied 12 Sabbathis.
Mr. Underwood, the following year, was ordained on the 27th of May, pastor over the Congregational church in West Wood- stock, and continued there till March, 1833, when he was dis- missed. He continued as a preacher many years, and returned and preached for this society again in 1852 and 1853, and for a time supplied preaching in North Woodstock, which is all that has been ascertained of his history.
Rev. ERASTUS LEARNED, of Charlton, before referred to, 2 Sabbaths.
Rev. ZENAS L. LEONARD, of Sturbridge, Baptist, 15 Sabbaths.
Mr. Leonard began his services with the Baptist church in Sturbridge, in 1795, was ordained Sept. 15, 1796 ; he continued this pastorate till Oct. 13, 1832, when by failing health he re- quested, and was dismissed. He died there the 24th of June, 1841.
Rev. TIMOTHY WILLIAMS, no knowledge of him, 1 Sabbath. Rev. DANIEL BROMLEY, a noted Methodist, 2 Sabbaths.
Mr. Bromley preached mostly in the western towns of Mas- sachusetts, and is known to have served in Bernardston, Leyden, Alford, and Rowe.
5 ministers supplied preaching this year, 32 Sabbaths.
* Rev. Jason Park was a native of Canterbury, and a member of the church and society of which Rev. Mr. Learned was pastor, which was the reason for his participating in Mr. Park's ordination, and this was no doubt the last appearance of Mr. Learned in South- bridge. The other ministers who joined in these services were : Rev. Otis Lane, of Stur- bridge ; Rev. Daniel Dow, D.D., of Thompson; Rev. Eliphalet;Lyman, of Woodstock ; Rev. Edwards Whipple, of Charlton ; Rev. Alvan Underwood, of W. Woodstock, and Rev. Samuel Backus, of E. Woodstock.
537
THIE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE.
For 1801, Rev. ZENAS L. LEONARD, Baptist, 8 Sabbaths. Rev. ALVAN UNDERWOOD, W. Woodstock, C., 2 Sabbaths. Rev. DANIEL BROMLEY, itinerant Methodist, 1 Sabbath. Rev. HOSEA BALLOU, Dana, Massachusetts, U., 1 Sabbath.
Dana was the place of Mr. Ballou's first settlement as a preacher. He was ordained here in 1800. He was born at Richmond, N. H., April 30, 1771 ; his education was by self- culture. For a time was settled at Barnard, Vermont ; in 1807, at Portsmouth, N. H .; in 1815, was at Salem, Mass., and in 1817, was installed over the Second Universalist society in Bos- ton, where he continued his pastorate, till his decease, June 7, 1852, at the age of 81 years.
Rev. EDWARD TURNER, of Sturbridge, Universalist, 8 Sab- baths.
He was born in Medfield, July 28, 1776 ; began to preach at the age of 22 years, was an itinerant for several years. See an historical sketch of Mr. Turner in Vol. II. of " Historical Col- lections," by this writer, pp. 197-205.
DANIEL SABIN, a layman, often at this period officiating at devotional meetings of the Baptist order, 1 Sabbath. He had but little education, or method in his remarks.
Rev. DAVID SAUNDERS, of Medfield Mass., C., 1 Sabbath.
Mr. Saunders was known to many of the descendants of the founders of Sturbridge.
Rev. ELIJAH BROWN, Sherburn, Mass., C., 1 Sabbath.
Rev. Mr. Brown was brought here through his acquaintance with Dea. Daniel Morse, who was a native of Sherburn.
Rev. ISAAC ALLEN, of Bolton, Mass., C., 1 Sabbath.
Rev. WILLIAM GRAVES, E. Woodstock, C., 1 Sabbath.
He was settled as pastor there August 31, 1791, and continued till his decease, August 26, 1813, aged 48 years.
Rev. EZRA WILLIAMS, no knowledge of this person, 1 Sab- bath.
538
THE POLL PARISHI AND MEETING-HOUSE.
Rev. JOHN ANDREWS, Newburyport, Mass., C., 1 Sabbath.
Rev. HUBBELL LOOMIS, Willington, Ct., C., 1 Sabbath.
He was pastor there twenty-four years, but afterward became a Baptist. In 1829 was installed over the Baptist church in East Dudley, which place became a part of Webster in 1832. Mr. Loomis founded the first Sabbath-school there. He was dismissed in 1830, and removed to Illinois, and founded the Theological Seminary at Alton in that State. His health fail- ing, he removed to Upper Alton and retired to private life.
Rev. Mr. Bisco, probably of Grafton, Mass., 2 Sabbaths.
No definite knowledge of him; a man of that name was at Grafton.
Rev. LABAN THURBER, Brookfield, Mass., Baptist, 2 Sabbaths.
Rev. THADDEUS FAIRBANKS, of Shelburn, Mass., C., 5 Sab- baths.
Mr. Fairbanks was born in Shelburn in 1772; a graduate of Yale College in 1796, was a teacher of much ability in the En- glish department of Leicester Academy, from 1798 to 1800 ; he then studied theology, and for a time was an itinerant preacher. It is believed that he never held a pastorate. After this he studied medicine and was known as Doctor Fairbanks, and was a physician in Brimfield, Mass. ; and continued his practice there till his decease in 1826.
Rev. ELIJAH CODINGTON, South Brimfield, B., 2 Sabbaths.
Mr. Codington was ordained there November 11, 1773, and was the third minister over the Baptist society there, and con- tinued his pastorate 53 years.
17 ministers supplied this year, 39 Sabbaths.
For 1802, Rev. ALVAN UNDERWOOD, W. Woodstock, C., 2 Sabbaths.
Rev. ZENAS L. LEONARD, Sturbridge, B., 5 Sabbaths.
Rev. ERASTUS LEARNED, Charlton, C., 3 Sabbaths.
Rev. EDWARD TURNER, Sturbridge, U., 8 Sabbaths.
539
THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE.
Rev. THADDEUS FAIRBANKS, itinerant, C., 4 Sabbaths.
Rev. HUBBELL LOOMIS, Willington, Ct., C., 6 Sabbaths.
Rev. OTIS LANE, Sturbridge, C., 2 Sabbaths.
Mr. Lane was the successor of Rev. Joshua Paine, and the third minister of that church; born at Rowley, Mass. ; a graduate of Harvard College; ordained Dec. 10, 1800. Rev. Abial Holmes, D.D., delivered the ordination sermon. He was dismissed the 24th of February, 1819.
Rev. JOSHUA FLAGG, an itinerant Universalist, 2 Sabbaths.
Rev. JOHN NICHOLS, Thompson, Ct., B., 1 Sabbath.
This Mr. Nichols was the minister of the Baptist church in Egremont, Mass., in 1808 and to 1811. There was also another Rev. John Nichols, a Universalist, who, for a time, in 1811 and 1812, supplied preaching for the Universalist church in Oxford, who, it is probable, preached occasionally in this parish ; thus, as there are no records to show which of these two ministers preached here, the matter is uncertain as to which supplied mostly here.
Rev. ELIPHALET LYMON, Woodstock, C., 1 Sabbath.
Mr. Lymon was settled over the First Congregational church in Woodstock in 1779, and continued their pastor till 1824, when, at his request, he was dismissed ; he died there in 1835.
Rev. Mr. PHILIPS and Rev. DAVID MARTIN, each one-half day, 1 Sabbath.
12 ministers preached this year, 35 Sabbaths.
For 1803, Rev. ZENAS L. LEONARD, Sturbridge, B., 6 Sah- baths.
Rev. ERASTUS LEARNED, Killingly, 11 Sabbaths.
Rev. HOSEA BALLOU, Barnard, Vermont, U., 1 Sabbath.
Rev. EDWARD TURNER, Sturbridge, U., 11 Sabbaths.
Rev. JOSHUA FLAGG, U., 3 Sabbaths.
Rev. JOHN MURRAY, of Boston, U., 1 Sabbath.
This Mr. Murray was the founder of the faith in Universal-
540
THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE.
ism in America. Some further account of him will be given in this article.
6 ministers supplied this year, 33 Sabbaths.
For 1804, Rev. ALVAN UNDERWOOD, West Woodstock, C., 1 Sabbath.
Rev. ZENAS L. LEONARD, Sturbridge, B., 5 Sabbaths.
Rev. ERASTUS LEARNED, C., 4 Sabbaths.
Rev. EDWARD TURNER, Sturbridge, U., 12 Sabbaths.
Rev. THADDEUS FAIRBANKS, itinerant, C., 5 Sabbaths.
Rev. EZRA WILLIAMS, no account of him, 1 Sabbath.
Rev. JOSHUA FLAGG, U., 1 Sabbath.
Rev. WM. WILDE, no account of him, 1 Sabbath.
Rev. EDWARDS WHIPPLE, Charlton, Congregationalist, 1 Sab- bath.
9 ministers supplied this year, 31 Sabbaths.
Rev. Edwards Whipple was, no doubt, the most able preacher that has been pastor of a church in Charlton ; he was a gentle- man in manners and social intercourse, and a preacher of a high order. Born at New Braintree in 1778 ; a graduate of Williams College in 1801. He was ordained pastor of the First Congre- gational church in Charlton January 25, 1804; his salary was $400; on the church declining to advance his salary to $500, in 1821, he asked for, and received, dismission. The same year he was called by the First Congregational church in Shrews- bury, and installed there the 21st of September following, with a salary of $550. He died suddenly on the 17th of September, 1822, at the age of 44 years.
This year the Universalists held their, general convention in this Parish Meeting-House ; there were present on this occasion many of the most distinguished ministers of this order, among whom were the noted John Murray, the founder of this faith in this country, then of Boston ; Rev. Michael Coffin, of New York ;
541
THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE.
Rev. Edward Turner, of Sturbridge, and, no doubt for his ability and growing influence with this denomination, this con- vention was called here; Rev. Elkany Ingalls, of Grafton ; Elder Caleb Rich, of Warwick ; Rev. Adam Streeter, of Douglas ; Rev. Richard Carique, then the Universalist minister in Charl- ton ; Rev. Hosea Ballou, then at Barnard, Vermont ; Rev. Jacob Wood; Rev. Joshua Flagg; Rev. Nathl. Stacy, and others. This Mr. Stacy has left on record his remarks touching the preaching of Rev. John Murray, of two discourses here during the sitting of this convention. He says :
" It was interesting to me to see and hear Mr. Murray. I had heard my parents often speak of him, they having professed this faith. His manner was pleasing, his eloquence captivating, possessing a perfect government over his passions, riveting the attention of the hearers, carrying them with him throughout his discourse, making them feel the sensibilities of his own soul ; would bring tears into their eyes, or excite their risibility with as much care as the words flowed from his lips."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.