USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Spencer > Historical sketches relating to Spencer, Mass., Volume II > Part 2
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In 1850 this boy was favored by one term at the Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham. Three years later having received "free- dom" when nineteen, student life was renewed at Westminster Academy. Later the purpose of a collegiate course was given over because of many hindrances.
In 1858 Mr. Cole married Lucy J., daughter of H. B. Skinner, M. D. of Boston. After the birth, in Spencer, of two children, Harry Joshua and Mary Helena, a brief residence followed in Oakdale, a village of West Boylston.
The offer of a license to preach had been tendered by the Church in Spencer again and again and as often refused. Later one was accepted from the Church in Oakdale in the spring of 1863. After a few efforts to use the authority thus conferred three years were spent at the School of Theology, then in Con- cord, N. H., but now in Boston University. In 1865 he joined the New Hampshire Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is still a member of that body. The first station was Henniker. In the third year at that place he re- ceived a severe spinal injury by being thrown from a buggy and was laid by eight months. Work was renewed in 1868 at Hud- son, N. H., and continued at Lancaster, and Plymouth, N. H. Hoping a larger freedom from spinal irritation a year was given to teaching and preaching at Walden University, Nashville, Tenn. This was disappointing and after his return a long and serious illness followed in Worcester. Upon partial recovery two years were spent in Paxton as acting pastor of the Congre- gational Church. Returning then to N. H. at the call of his own Church was stationed at Newfields, Suncook, Haverhill, (Mass., ) Bristol and Portmouth.
At Suncook, church and parsonage were burned and the pastor was made chairman of a building committee and a new and finer building took its place in that village. At Bristol the church, a nearly new and excellent building, burned to the ground in the hour of public worship. Again Mr. Cole served on the building committee and helped to create and pay for a new and adequate church home. Near the end of the fifth year at Portsmouth illness again appeared and compelled a rest. In January 1898 a call for farther service with the Congregational Church in Paxton was accepted. But in the summer of '99 fail- ing vigor made retirement essential. Since then his residence has been with his son, a member of the Essex County bar in Haverhill.
Memories of Earlier Days of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church in Spencer
BY REV. OTIS COLE.
In 1845 or 6 I heard George Bates preach at the North Spencer schoolhouse. He was then the Methodist preacher at Spencer. I think he held service more than once at the school- house ; though I was but a boy I recall his manly bearing, rich
AMOS KITTRIDGE. Born in Spencer Feb. 10, 1802. Died in Spencer Feb. 14, 1884.
voice and pious fervor. His words are mostly forgotten but the thrill they brought to my young life stirs in me yet.
Some two years, perhaps, later my parents attended the dedi- cation service of the church built for the growing band of Meth- odists whose assemblies for praise and prayer began in the home of Mrs. Amos Kittridge, one of the Lord's "elect women." Of
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
these early meetings I heard Amos Kittridge say he sometimes helped to put the room in order for the coming of the worship- pers by turning in one of his calves! Alas his rude sport, off- spring of a sinful nature, proved too costly. Later when he himself loved the hour of prayer and all the assemblings of the saints, he was oft compelled to go alone for the true wife who prayed him into the Kingdom had become worn and weary and her failing vigor early brought her translation. But her work was done -her husband, long an eager, rough sinner, was now
PLINY ALLEN,
Born in Spencer, October 2, 1802. Died in Springfield, September 16, 1884.
an earnest, prayerful disciple of Jesus and on the way to the country whither she went.
The sermon of dedication was by Miner Raymond, that prince among preachers. It brought no slight enrichment of the table-talk at my home, so although I heard it not, it served to in- crease my growing, though largely unconscious, interest in the "people called Methodists."
About this time, I think, James Porter preached in Pliny Allen's big kitchen from the text, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return
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MEMORIES OF M. E. CHURCH
unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Class meeting followed the sermon, whereupon the Allen boys started for the rear kitchen; I went with them and thence we listened at the edge of the unlatched door.
Another incident of the early times may be given. William Henshaw, Nathaniel and Silas Eldredge were Methodists when they came to town and began the making of cloth. Silas, how- ever, was not a church member; his wife was and her sister, Mrs.
SARAH (BARNES) ALLEN, Born in Spencer. Died in Spencer, January 13, 1875, aged 71.
Henshaw, also Mrs. N. Eldredge. For a time Sunday services were held in a tent at some convenient point near or in the village. It was told me, long since-so long I can give no particulars-that on a certain Sunday the meeting was disturbed by the unseemly and irreverent conduct of some young men, scions of good families of the town. To their surprise Mr. Henshaw secured for them on Monday public censure in a Jus- tice's Court, thereby insuring enhanced respect for Methodist meetings in Spencer.
Opposition appeared in other and more serious ways or, probably, there had been no occasion for such vigorous action by
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
Mr. Henshaw. The Congregationalist minister stoutly objected to the new religious movement, declined to give letters to those of his flock who wished to unite with the Methodists and had a polemical tilt with one of their clergy.
In the fall of '49 a generous revival brought blessing to the Church. On the first Sunday of October, that year, there was no service at the Baptist Church in North Spencer. So a wagon- load from Dea. Cole's went to worship with the Methodists. William M. Mann was the preacher. He was an evangelistic
MARTIN HERSEY,
Born in Spencer, August 5, 1811. Died in same town, November 13. 1880, aged 69 years, 3 months, 8 days
force; the support assured him in his efforts was fervent and strong. In the afternoon, after the sermon, penitents were warmly invited to the front seats. I shared a pew in the N. W. corner of the house. Soberly I watched the filling of two pews, then two more and as the third line across the center of the house was forming I pushed by my father and "sat with the mourners." In the evening I walked from home to the meeting and again sought a place with the penitents; this I continued to do. I was pushed by eager desire to be with that Christian band. I was not of them; I was a sinner. I was utterly weary of being one. Tuesday night of the second week my "load of sin" was
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MEMORIES OF M. E. CHURCH.
taken way and I was inwardly assured that I belonged to the people of God. It may be worthy of mention that Martin Hersey, a most earnest disciple, was within the altar when this inward change came; pointing to me he cried: "There, the Lord has blessed that soul, I see it in his face!"
Those were great days in the history of Methodism in Spen- cer. Strong men and women were then active. The meetings had an evangelistic force and value which, unfortunately, has not been fully retained. There was a variety of character and ability. Quiet men and women were flanked by those who shouted lustily. The song service was vigorously led by Martin Hersey. His great, vibrant tones I hear across the years. Many heartily sang with him. Hymns of invitation rang out; mightily, exultantly, they sang over the young convert :
" My God is reconciled, His pard'ning voice I hear; He owns me for his child, I can no longer fear With confidence I now draw nigh And Father, Abba, Father, cry."
Prayer, prevailing prayer, was then and there. Men and women prayed and were heard. Testimony and exhortation were quick and powerful. Many were active and forceful. I see again the full ranks. Hall, Henshaw, Hersey, Eldridge, Allen, Snow, Stow, Tucker, Kittridge, Mullett, Lamb, Stearns, Shaw, Boice, Dickerman, Delvey, Clark, Holmes, these and other names of strong families, men and women aglow with the love of God and man and longing to help in the great work of making disciples for their Lord.
Brother Stow, a quiet man, was superintendent of the Sun- day school. His low, steady tones in prayer abide in memory and will abide. While he prayed at the opening of the session that October Sabbath this roguish boy was sobered for all time.
Lewis W. Snow, another low voiced man, had then and for very many years later a Sunday noon class meeting in the small vestry. How quietly his invitations to attend were given. In like stillness of speech, yet not without a genuine glow, he led his class. His calm, yet earnest words to the young convert were full of Christian cheer and helpfulness.
The lusty shouting of the louder voiced men and women were not less valuable. The gentle tone of Sister Sarah Allen was only the fair complement of Brother Pliny Allen's stentorian voicing of what stirred in his great nature. I recall him as kneeling humbly in his mill pond as he received Christian baptism, his pastor plunging him forward under the sunlit water, his heart, his home, his all an offering to God. I am showing that for the
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
men and women of that time I had a great love. They gave me abundant reason. Gladly would I place here some tribute for each. I may not do that, their record is on high. Hardly any are left of the workers or of the converts that had place in that revival.
I must speak of Edward Hall. He showed no little kind- ness. Often he took me to his home that I might share the Sunday night meeting without the journey home and back in the afternoon. His hand-grasp was a benediction, his counsel
LEWIS WILLARD SNOW,
Farmer and ox muzzle manufacturer. Born in Spencer, Sept. 6, 1815; died in Spencer, August 28, 1891.
wise, his Christian fellowship delightful. Not very long after I thus knew him he was blown from his powder mill and was picked up a mangled, broken man, without murmuring and with a sublime peace, after a few hours of agony in body, he went to his Lord and Master no more to know shock or pain. I still hold my early estimate of Spencer Methodists. I found among them a loving sympathy, a reverent, ardent piety, a love of holiness, a great heartiness in song and prayer and a forceful evangelism. The memory of the people and of their character- istics and work has been and is a blessing. I wish the high strain had ever been maintained.
I recall the time when the first "Social Levee" was held.
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MEMORIES OF M. E. CHURCH
Desire for larger revenue led to such action. Many objected, saying it was perilous to venture thus. Possibly these were none too ready to give willingly of their substance and their ap- prehension may have been more of a possible levity in the as- sembly than of the commercialism thus to be brought into the activities of the church. However the new idea prevailed. An evening was given to the delight of buying various things in thinly disguised lotteries and then tickets to a bountiful supper. After supper there was a tilt of witty stories by the pastor and a
REV. EBENEZER T. NEWELL. From a painting by W. O. Bemis.
guest, the Rev. N. E. Colbeigh, then preaching in Worcester, after editor of Zion's Herald.
It will not be too much to record here that all this brought no increase of spiritual power to the Church, however it may have bettered its financial status.
I may name one more of the good men of the early days of the Church. Lucius Lamb, crippled in body, but not in soul. After the death of Edward Hall I often shared the Sunday after- noon hospitality of his home. With eager expectancy he ever went to the house of God and never was "sent empty away." That which made him a cripple among men blessed him by bringing him early to the land of immortality. His memory is
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
precious. Father E. F. Newell had a home in Spencer with Mr. Dwight Prouty. He was one of the pioneers of Methodism in New England. I knew him only in age. Voice and vision had failed. Yet he loved to preach even then. Many times I led him, arm in arm, to Church, to the pulpit. In whispers he would tell again the story of love divine. A sacred charm at- tended his ministrations and he was revered and beloved by all. A choice place in Pine Grove cemetery was prepared for his burial by the citizens of Spencer. When he was told thereof he was pleased and thankful, but said that if death came when on one of his journeys he wished burial where he fell. He journeyed much though dependent on the kindness of the strong, who could see and show him the way and died on a trip to South Carolina. A patriarchal, evangelistic, beloved man.
Father Newell was born in Brookfield, Mass., Sept. 1, 1775, and died in Johnsonville, S. C., where his son lived, March 8th, 1867, at the age of 93 years, 6 months and 8 days. He was con- verted January 19th, 1800, and united with the church at St. Stephens, N. B., on June 29th of the same year. He was licensed to preach on March 23rd, 1806, at Loudon, N. H. Bishop Asbury ordained him Deacon on June 17th, 1809, at Monmouth, Me. He was ordained Elder on June 25th, 1811, by Bishop McKendree at Barnard, Vt. He began to preach on the Pembroke Circuit, N. H., from the date of his license. He was married to Fanny Butter- field at Sidney, Me., October 21st, 1810. He preached in Maine, N. H., and Vermont. His second marriage occurred at Brookfield, Mass., on Feb. 14, 1826, Mrs. Polly Blanchard being the bride. In 1831 he was transferred from the Maine Conference to the From 1842 to 1847 he labored in the vicinity New England. of Brookfield. He visited South Carolina in 1847, 1856 and 1866, and attempted to found a freedmen's school. He was pre- eminently good, genial, quiet and a blessing to his parishioners. Many of his latter days were spent in Spencer with members of the M. E. church who lovingly cared for him and who hardly knew him by any other name than Father Newell.
I once heard at Spencer, Phineas Crandall, Presiding Elder, a man of much vigor and of note in the Church as an anti- slavery agitator. Also a bit later, Jonathan D. Bridge in the same office and a fiery advocate of the slave and a great preacher. Later still, Jefferson Hascall. I remember my old schoolmaster, Willard Rice, as saying with playful allusion to the swarthy face and the name of this Presiding Elder, "I always hear that Black Rascal preach when he comes to town." His preaching was always in heroic mold. But I must find an end of later things. I will mention one bit of the life-story of William Henshaw. A day came when because of suretyship of others he
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MEMORIES OF M. E. CHURCH
was in serious straits. I heard him say that inasmuch as he had not a dollar to pay for preaching he could not join his brethren in asking a preacher for the coming year. Later while serving the town as tax collector he was seriously ill. I helped him complete the task of collection. His painful malady increased, the end was judged to be near. One night all thought it immediate. He bade his family farewell. Mr. James Capen, soon after his son-in-law, was called in. Then thinking of the Church he loved so well, he sent for me and gave me instruction
WILLIAM HENSHAW,
(Copy by Currin)
Cotton cloth manufacturer and maker of hay cutting machines. Born at Auburn, Mass , March 3, 1808. Died in Spencer, February 8 1876. Served the town as selectman, assessor, treasurer and representative to the General Court.
concerning certain matters. As the closing seemed so near I was bidden to wait with the rest. After a few minutes, no change appearing, his wife with a sudden, swift impulse went to him and said: "William, you can't die just when you've a mind to, you must wait till the Lord calls you." This was done with an indescribable beauty and force. The sick man felt a fresh thrill of life and at once began to mend. Full recovery
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
followed. Business was renewed with large success and the Church shared more largely than ever his benefactions.
Mrs. Mary Allen, widely known as Aunt Mary, was long recognized as a worthy, helpful, yes saintly member, of the Church. She was indeed an exemplar of Methodist life. In many ways she was a tried woman. Her domestic experience was blessed generally as trials are made beneficent, by the un- seen. Year after year she served as a seamstress; near-sighted in early days she was later able to do the finest needlework without the aid of glasses. Her piety was ever present. Light radiated from her as aroma from flowers. Sometimes she
JANE HENSHAW, (Photo by Currin) Wife of William Henshaw. Born at Hudson, N. Y., May 24. 1816, Died in Spencer. March 22, 1892.
sewed in her humble calling at the home of Washington Hill. Once in making a suit for Mr. Hill, a happy conceit led her to embroider on the lining of the vest, neatly, these suggestive words: "Wash Hill, serve God." Thus she sought at once to re- prove and to lead her patron to better things. At least he was not offended. The suit was duly worn, and the result of her effort to show the way of the Lord is sealed unto the Great Day.
Later she had a pleasant experience with Mr. Hill's son,
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MEMORIES OF M. E. CHURCH
the Hon. Luther Hill. Aunt Mary" had been authorized to solicit money for the Church to make up a deficit in the finances of the year. With this errand she called on Mr. Hill. To her solicitation the gentleman responded by saying, "I don't go to Church; I don't know what I should pay money for. What good would it do me?" "Well," said the ready woman, "I should pray for you; perhaps that would do you some good." "Perhaps so," said Mr. Hill and gave her a ten dollar note. It was most thankfully received. Later this generous giver to a church whose services he did not attend except once a year, ac- cording to his then custom, met Mary in the street and asked if
MRS. MARY (BARNES) ALLEN.
Born in Spencer in 1813. Died in Spencer Jan. 27, 1898, aged 84 yrs 10 m. 18 dys This picture was taken from a group photograph of picknickers at Moose pond under auspices of the Kings Daughters circle of the M. E. Church. Aunt Mary was a guest of honor. This is thought to be the only portrait extant. She is looking downward as was her custom most of the time.
she had secured all the money she wanted. "No," was the swift response.
"Well," said he, taking out his wallet and tendering her another note, "I guess I'll take ten dollars worth more of your prayers."
To many her memory is precious.
Mrs. Olive Prouty is also remembered as a strong character.
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SKETCHES OF SPENCER HISTORY
In early life she was a Methodist of much worth in Worcester. Having become the wife of Joseph Prouty, she came to Spencer with him when, before the Civil War, he retired from business in the city. While he lived and afterward Mrs. Prouty was a dili- gent and faithful worker in the Church. Of generous and com- manding form, tall and well made, she was also original in modes of thought and expression. Her experience in divine things was deep and rich; these endowments made her presence and testi- mony most welcome and of unusual value in the social assemblies of the Church. In her later years Mrs. Prouty was oft an
OLIVE (TATMAN) PROUTY, Born in Worcester, June 24, 1816. Died in Spencer, October 1, 1896.
honored guest for many days at a time in the homes of various members of the Church, where she was prized for her gracious and wise speech, for reminiscences of a busy Christian life and for the genial ripeness age brings to the devout and saintly.
One incident related by her is worthy of record here. Sometime after the death of Mr. Prouty she served a certain prosperous farmer of Charlton as housekeeper. One day when seated at the table with a number of guests the farmer sought to
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MEMORIES OF M. E. CHURCH
be facetious in the interest of his friends and at her expense by requesting her to ask a blessing. Such tribute to her piety brought no ruffling of nature nor confusion of thought. Surely divining his unworthy spirit and purposes she reverently invoked the blessing of God with fitting words, then added in unchanged bearing the petition: "O Lord give the head of this household wisdom, courage and grace hereafter to ask his own blessings!" The recoil was unexpected. The lesson thus given was so re- ceived that no repetition of such facetiousness occurred. The memory of this true, fearless, forceful disciple is one of the treas- ures of this Church.
The Old Elm in Front of Jenks' Tavern,
Twenty-two feet in circumference, said to have been set out by Sloan a negro slave, probably about 1760. The heart of the tree near its base died in its old age about 1888 and became honeycombed from the depredations of ants. It was then dug out with an opening on the side toward the hotel large enough for a man to pass through and a room formed within large enough for six or eight men to stand comfortably. This was a favorite hiding place for boys playing hide and seek and a retreat for them on rainy days. At one time Luther Hill brought from the West a prairie wolf. He was fastened to the tree by a chain and the inside used as a den. This arrangement worked well for a while but one morning the coyote was found dead, poisoned, it was sup- posed, by a boarder at the hotel who was disturbed by its noc- turnal howling. The elm was so nearly destroyed by the fire that burned the hotel, September 20, 1870, that it was afterward cut down.
James Draper mentions as worthy of note the case of Maj. Isaac Lamb as being the father of twenty-one children. The case of Clark Hill is still more remarkable as he not only was the father of as many children but they were all by one wife, whereas Maj. Lamb was twice married and had about an equal number of children by each wife. Clark Hill was a teamster and a poor man and lived in a very small house in what is now mow- ing land east of the road leading down the hill going to the farm of Erastus J. Starr. There are those living who remember see- ing in the cellar of the house straw bunks on which some of the children slept. As the location was high and dry this unusual practice did not, so far as known, prove to be injurious to their health.
3
RECOLLECTIONS OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN NORTH SPENCER
BY REV. OTIS COLE.
Early in the past century in the northeast corner of the town a sturdy citizen, known as Jonathan Cunningham, kept an old time stage tavern. As there was expectancy of village growth and prestige the Baptists of the vicinity built a meeting house on the hill just a little eastward from the tavern. Mr. Cunningham being familiarly called "Jock," the locality was long known as "Jocktown."
Certain changes in the lines of travel gave the slight village growth of the northern part of Spencer to a point called "Bum- skit," one mile from the meeting house. Here was the Jonas Wilson tavern, Captain Isaac Prouty's first boot shop and a small cluster of dwellings. In its turn this point found rejection and decay. The stages to towns more westerly were transferred to a new road outside the town limits, the tavern was closed and later the boot business was taken to the center of the town where modern facilities could be commanded. Thus both Jocktown and Bumskit were left with only rural environment and possibil- ities.
In time, the ancient meeting house having none to assemble within its sacred walls, was itself left desolate and finally became the property of Mr. Daniel Green and later Mr. John Norton, a citizen owning the J. Cunningham farm. He utilized the venerable building for the storage of farm products. This was not an unworthy closing of a noble history. The descendants of former worshippers at this shrine need not murmur at this service as ignoble. The labor of those who till the soil is honorable. " The king himself is served by the field."
Surely a history of the town should have some fair and ample remembrance and record of the Church once vigorous within the town limits, albeit much of the Christian life thus cen- tered and active came from homes in other townships. The meeting house was barely within the Spencer line. Many Pax- ton homes sent of their oldtime fulness to its stated worship under Baptist forms and usages. Leicester and Rutland
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RECOLLECTIONS OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH
1127358
sent devout men and women from within their borders. There was no Baptist church in either of these neighboring towns. Spencer had no other of that order. Hence Baptists came from all direc- tions to this place of meeting and worship.
This rural church was favored in some degree also by the ancient parish-tax laws. I remember the time when if a citizen could show that he paid for the support of the gospel at this far away Baptist church he would be released from the parish tax at the center of the town. So some strong families in each of the above named towns helped the finances of this country church by moderate payments and thus eased their annual burdens, although not very regular in attendance at the altars blessed by their con- tributions of current money.
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