USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Rutland > History of Rutland; Worcester County, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement, with a biography of its first settlers > Part 5
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
SICKNESS.
ALTHOUGH the air of Rutland is salubrious, and its wa- ters pure, it has been visited with distressing and desolat- ing sickness, especially among its children. In the fall of the year. 1749, the children were visited with the canker rash, or throat distemper, as it was termed, which for many years after its first appearance in New England, proved a most desolating scourge.
Northborough out of a society not much exceeding three hundred, sixty children fell victims to the destroying pesti- lence. In Rutland many died ;- some families were left childless. Peter Moore buried three children in one week, and Benjamin Reed the same number in twelve days, and was left childless.
In 1756, Rutland and many towns were visited with the dysentery or bloody flux, as it was called; many families were called to mourning; in the fall months Rutland bur- ied nearly sixty of her children; Peter Goodenow and Dorothy his wife buried four children from the 9th to the 23d of September, and many others from two to three in a few days.
SMALL POX.
IN 1759 or 1760, a soldier passed through the town from the army, who was not cleansed from the small pox ;- it being on the Sabbath, his dog went into the meeting-house and gave the infection to several persons, of which the fol- lowing died and were buried on their farms: Wid. Rachel Rice, Wid. Hannah Davis, Patience Stone, wife of Samuel Stone, Daniel Read and Daniel Read, jun.,-were father
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
and son, and lived, died, and were buried on Wood Hill. Jacob Shaw, Anna Shaw his wife, and Bethiah Shaw, took the infection from the soldier at the Folly Tavern on the Plain where they all died. The Widows will be noticed in the biography of their families.
In 1810, this and several other towns were visited with the spotted Fever, which for a short time caused great fear and consternation ; a few persons died suddenly.
In 1813, this town was visited with a putrid fever which swept off about seventy of its inhabitants of various ages.
ACCIDENTS BY GUNS.
Abel Moore, son of William Moore, and Tamer his wife died Dec. 5, 1753, in the 25th year of his age; being shot through his head with a gun he had in his own hands. Isaac Rice, son of Asa and Charlotte Rice, was, on June 26, 1827, killed in a similar manner.
CASUALTIES BY WATER.
Cyprian Wright, was drowned in Muschopauge pond June 29, 1739. Tradition says he was going to a raising, and gave his clothes to his companions, - told them he would swim across; but he sank before he reached the shore, supposed to have been taken with the cramp.
Joel Read, on June 13, 1783, when out with a party on a fishing excursion, was drowned in the same pond.
On the evening of Oct. 23, 1783, Lieut. Samuel Brown- ing was drowned in a brook on his return from town.
On Aug. 28, 1815, Doct. John Field was drowned in Cedar Swamp Pond. He and one more were fishing, and
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like the two women grinding at the mill, " he was taken and the other left."
On July 5, 1825, Timothy Ruggles, William Ham- mond, Doct. Jonah Howe and Jonas How, were drowned in the last mentioned pond. They (except Hammond) were with several others out at a fishing party, and taking a repast of what they caught; on their return after their meal, they called to Hammond to meet them with his ca- noe, which he did. In shifting their position, the canoe dipped water; they were affrighted -jumped into the water, four of whom never more were to arise with life.
On the 5th July, 1827, Mr. William Henry was drowned in a brook near Long Pond; was found by Mr. Asa Moore, after probably having been dead several hours.
Between forty and fifty years ago, Eleazer Adams and Joel Howard, two young lads, sons of Titus Adams and Ezekiel Howard of Barre, were in the evening crossing Stevens' brook at a dam near Barre line, on horseback ; by accident they were thrown from the horse and drowned.
CASUALTIES BY FIRE.
FROM the commencement of the settlement of Rutland to the present time, the following buildings have been de- stroyed by fire. The first grist mill, tradition says was burnt by the Indians ; it stood on Mill Brook, at the site where Reuben Woodis's shoe peg factory stands.
About eighty years ago, a small house owned by Mi- chael McCoffin, near where Capt. Sardine Muzzy lives, was burnt.
In 1776, on a bitter cold morning, Samuel Blood and his wife, were by their servant boy, awakened from their sleep, with their house on fire ; they had no time to put on
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
their clothes. Although Mrs. Blood was a delicate fe- male, she caught her infant son with some bedding. placed him on the ground or snow, and for a few minutes exerted herself with masculine strength and activity in rescuing some of her most valuable furniture from the devouring element ; - then with her husband. son and servant, with frozen limbs. made her way on the snow and frozen ground to the nearest house. (Mr. King's.) The son thus preserv- ed. has heen a Senator and General of the County of Worcester. The house burnt stood ninety-four rods East of the meeting-house. near Dea. Woodbury's.
In 1780. the house of Lieut. Peter Davis. with the most of its contents was burnt ; it stood where Joel Davis, Esq., lives.
Many years since. an old house occupied by Eleazer Rice, was burnt ; it stood where Jeremiah Rogers now lives. Also. the house of Gideon Brown at White Hall, a small house or shop near Thos. Davis's house, and a small house. untenanted. at White Hall were burnt.
In 1813. the house of Ebenezer Miles and sons was burnt with its contents.
1826. Williams Dean's house and most of its furniture was burnt.
In 1829. the last third of the Barracks, owned by Wil- liam Henry's heirs. was destroyed by fire.
Several years past. a barn of Dr. John Frink, was burnt ; it took fire by lightning.
Recently. a barn of Jeduthan Green was burnt; it caught fire from blasting of rocks.
Within a few years two mechanic shops were burnt ; one of which stood near Bigelow's mills. the other in New Boston. not far from Dale's mills.
In 1812, the school house in District No. 4 was burnt.
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
More recently the school house in District No 1, was burnt.
In 1830. the meeting-house erected in 1759, was on February 28th burnt : supposed to have taken fire by coals falling from a stove through a crack in the floor on shavings. It was in a blaze, about one half hour after the afternoon services were ended.
In 1832. the school house in District No. 3. was burnt.
Most of the buildings were burnt in the day time; and fortunately no lives were lost.
EXTRACTS FOM REV. MR. WHITNEY'S HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
" We are happy in being able to say, that the records respecting Rutland. have been kept very correct and per- fect. and in fine order from the first.
" The land in general is very good, and the soil is rich and strong: It is not extraordinary for raising of grain, though a sufficiency is produced for the inhabitants ; it is very well adapted to grass and grazing, and most excel- lent for orcharding : Here are large and fine orchards.
"In this town upwards of forty persons have lately united, and established a social Library, of the value of nearly 304., and containing about seventy volumes, at pres- eut."
On Sunday, Jan. 1st, 1826, the Sabbath School Library commenced ; it now contains upwards of three hundred volumes.
On July 4th. 1835, the Sabbath School Scholars to the number of two hundred and seventy-five, assembled at the meeting-house, where a pathetic and affectionate ad- dress was delivered to them by their Pastor; after which
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HISTORY OF RUTI.AND.
they were escorted with music to the Town House, and with their parents partook of a friendly repast furnished by the Ladies.
" The people of Rutland are principally farmers, except a few traders in European, East and West India Goods, the usual mechanics, and those employed in the card mak- ing business, which is newly set up here; And they are a peaceable, happy, flourishing people. In this town, pot and pearl ash making is carried on very largely. When the census was taken in 1790 there were 1072 souls in the town. In 1820, 1276."
In 1788, the ratable polls were 242. In 1834, 306.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
The inhabitants of Rutland have not been destitute of a preached Gospel or settled minister, only for a few short intervals from its first settlement to the present time.
As early as July 12th, 1721, " At a town meeting legal- ly warned to choose some able, learned Orthodox minister to settle in Gospel Order, the Rev. Mr. Joseph Wil- lard was chosen by a great majority of the voters, which invitation he accepted." This Mr. Willard had been or- dained a minister of Sunderland in the county of Hamp- .shire.
After he had accepted the invitation to settle with the people of Rutland, he met with many and great discour- agements, and particularly by reason of the fears and dan- gers arising from the Indians ; so that an appointment of his installation was deferred. However, at length a day- was fixed upon for his solemn separation to the work of the ministry in that place, in the fall of the year 1723; but he
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
lived not to see the day, being cut off by the Indians, Au- gust 14.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of Rutland, July 14, 1724, they chose a committee to treat and agree with Mr. Andrew Gardner to settle with them in the work of the ministry. There is nothing further on record as respects Mr. Gardner.
The following persons preached in the interim between the death of Mr. Willard, and settlement of Mr. Frink ; Rev. Mr. Pierpont, Mr. Samuel Jenison and Mr. William Brintual.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of Rutland legally warn- ed May 17, 1727, to choose and call an able and learn- ed Orthodox and pious person to dispense the word of God unto them. Being met at time and place, Capt. Samuel Wright was chosen Moderator.
The votes being called for, Mr. Thomas Frink was chosen by a unanimous vote, to be the minister of Rutland, (having had the advice of three ordained ministers as the law directs.) Mr. Frink had preached as a candidate from August, 1726, to his call.
MR. FRINK'S ANSWER.
At the adjournment of the meeting July 12, 1727.
" To the Town of Rutland. GENTLEMEN.
" I have now considered on the call you gave me to settle with you in the ministry. And as I think it is a call from God in his Providence, so I do accept of the same, and shall be willing to settle among you as a Gospel min-
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
ister, Provided I have a suitable Encouragement, and Gospel Maintenance.
I am your friend and servant,
THOM'S FRINK.
Rutland, July 18, 1727.
On Oct. 9, next following, Capt. Samuel Wright, Lieut. Simon Davis, Messrs. Joseph Stevens, Edward Rice, Moses How, Malcolm Hendry, Jonathan Davis and Samuel Brown assembled (at the house of said Wright) with the said Frink, and after Solemn Prayer to God, and Mutual Christian Conference, they signed a Church Covenant in Form Following, viz. :
SOLEMN COVENANT.
WE whose Names are hereunto subscribed (Inhabitants of Rutland) apprehending ourselves called of God into the Church State of the Gospel ; Do first of all confess ourselves unworthy to be so highly favored of the Lord, and admire his free and rich Grace which calls us here- unto. And then (with humble Reliance, and entire De- pendence on the Assistance of his Holy Spirit hereunto promised ; ) under a deep sense of our own Insufficiency and Inability to do any good, because of our sinfulness and proneness to offend the Most High God in Heart and Life, through the prevalence of sin in us, and manyfold Temptations without us ; Do thankfully lay hold on his Covenant and promises, do solemnly enter into Covenant with God, and one with another according to God. We declare our serious and hearty Belief of the Christian Re- ligion as contained in the Holy Scriptures, acknowledging them to contain the whole revealed Will of God concern-
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
ing our Faith and Practice, resolving to conform our Ilearts and lives unto the Rules of that Holy Religion as long as we live. We give up ourselves unto the Lord Jehovah, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, the on- * ly True and Living God, and Avouch him this day, to be our God, and our Portion forever. We give up ourselves to Jesus Christ, who is the Lord Jehovah as our blessed Savior, Prophet, Priest and King over our Souls, and only Mediator of the Covenant of Grace. We acknowledge Ilim to be the Head of his People in the Covenant, and promise by his Spirit to adhere unto him as such by Faith and Gospel Obedience. as becometh his Covenant People. We acknowledge our everlasting and indispensable Obli- gations to glorify Our God in all the Duties of a Godly, Sober and Righteous Life, and particularly in the duties of a Church State, as a Body of People associated in Obedience to Him in all the Ordinances of the Gospel. We engage, with dependence on his promised Grace and Spirit, to walk together as a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Faith and Order of the Gospel. As partic- ularly, To keep the Lord's Day holy to Ilim, and consci- etiously attend the public Worship of God thereon, in praying to Him, and, Singing His Praise, and giving rev- erent attention to his Word read and preached according to his institutions. To hold Communion with each other in the administrations of the Seals of the Covenant, name- ly, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. To submit to the HIoly Discipline appointed by Christ in his Church ; Obeying them that rule over us in the Lord. To walk in Love and Charity One towards Another, endeavouring our mutual Edification and Comfort, and heedfully to follow the several Rules laid down and given us by Christ and his Apostles for Church dealing, and watchfully avoiding sin-
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
ful stumbling Blocks and Contentions, as becometh the Lord's People in Covenant with Him.
And furthermore,-Such of us as have Children do also present them with ourselves unto the Lord, promising to bring them up in the knowledge and Fear of God, by holy Instructions and Corrections in the Lord. And such of us whom it may please God in time to settle in Families, as also we who are by his Blessing in a Family State, do promise, by his Grace, to walk in our Houses in the Fear of God, maintaining Family Worship, and reading the Scriptures, and by being Examples of Holiness, Sobriety, and Righteousness, to all that are or may be of our charge, and by catechising and Educating such Children as God shall give us, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by presenting them to the mercy of his covenant.
And all this we do, flying to the Blood of the Covenant for Pardon of our sins and Errors, and praying that the Glorious Lord Jesus Christ, who is the great Shepherd and the head of Influences, would, by his spirit, prepare and strengthen us for every good work, working in us that which is well pleasing in his Sight. To whom be Glory forever. Amen.
THOMAS FRINK.
SAMUEL WRIGHT, MOSES HOW, JOSEPH STEVENS, JONATHAN DAVIS, SIMON DAVIS, EDWARD RICE,
MALKEM HENDERY, SAMUEL BROWN.
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
MR. FRINK'S ORDINATION.
AFTER signing the Covenant the said Covenanting Brethren agreed and voted to send Letters Missive to the Churches of Marlborough, Lancaster, Sudbury. East and West Parishes, Leicester and Brookfield, to afford their Presence and Assistance by their Pastors and Delegates on November 1st, following, to embody into a Church State, and for the Solemn Separation and Ordination of the said Thomas Frink to the Gospel Ministry and Pastor- al Office among them. And Capt. Samuel Wright and Lieut. Simon Davis were chosen to sign the said Letters in the name of the Brethren ; And accordingly Letters were sent forth by them signed to the said churches.
On the 31st of October in the evening, the Covenanting Brethren met at the house of Capt. Samuel Wright and admitted Eleazer Heywood into their number, who then signed the said Covenant. At the same time and place, the said Churches sent unto, assembled by their respective Pastors and Delegates, viz .: Church of Marlborough, Rev. Mr. Robert Breck and Delegates ; Lancaster. John Prentice, &c .; West Sudbury, Israel Loring, &c .; East Sudbury, William Cook, &c .; Leicester. David Parsons, &c .; Brookfield, Thomas Cheney, &c.
The said Pastors and Delegates formed themselves into a Council ; Rev. Mr. Breck was chosen their Moderator. The Covenanting Brethren then presented themselves be- fore the said Council with their covenant signed as afore- said ; and those of them, who had been in Church Fellow- ship before, produced their Letters of Dismission and Re- commendation, viz. ; Thomas Frink and Samuel Wright from Sudbury West Church ; Simon Davis from Concord ;
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
Edward Rice, from Marlborough ; Moses How, from Brookfield, and Malkem Hendery, produced Letters Tes- timonial from Rev. Mr. Halyday, Presbyterian Minister of the Parish of Adstraw in Ireland ; all which were ac- cepted ; and the other four signers of the Covenant (who had been in Church Fellowship) were also approved of. Then the said Brethren declared to the Council, their choice of the said Thomas Frink to be their Pastor; and by the direction of the Council, they chose Mr. Breck to give the Charge at Ordination ; and then the Council chose Mr. Prentice to gather the Church in the public Assembly ; and Mr. Loring to give the . Right Hand of Fellowship. On November the 1st, was the day appoint- ed for Ordination. In the meeting-house, Mr. Cheney opened the Solemnities with Prayer; Mr. Loring preach- ed the Sermon from 2d Cor. ii. 16, " And who is sufficient for these things ?" Mr. Parsons prayed preparatory to the Ordination ; Mr. Prentice Gathered the Church, &c .; Mr. Breck (after the Church and Congregation had pub- licly by uplifted hands declared their Election of the said Thomas Frink to be their Pastor, and he had also declared his acceptance of their call) proceeded to Prayer, and the Charge, he, Mr. Prentice, Mr. Loring, Mr. Parsons and Mr. Cheney laying on their Hands, and Ordained the said Thomas Frink a Presbyter of the Church of Christ, and Pastor of Rutland, &c. Mr. Prentice prayed after the Charge. Mr. Loring gave the Right Hand; and after singing part of the 89th Psalm, the new Ordained Pastor pronounced the Blessing.
MR. SEWALL'S GIFT.
MARCH 24,-After the first Holy Communion, it was
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
proposed by the Pastor, and unanimously agreed to by the Brethren to send by their Pastor particular Thanks to Mr. Samuel Sewall of Boston, Merchant, for his very kind and valuable Gift of the Sacramental Vessels to the Church.
REV. MR. FRINK'S DISMISSION.
IN a short time after Mr. Frink's settlement, the Church consisting of about three-fifths Congregationalists and two- fifths Presbyterians ; some of the tenets and modes of Church ceremonies and discipline being a little different, it created a coolness in affection in some of the Brethren towards Mr. Frink, and contrary to his advice and admo- nition communed with the Presbyterians in other towns ; and in a short time withdrew and erected a House of Wor- ship by themselves.
In 1740, June 30th, At a Church meeting, Rev. Mr. Frink requested a dismission from his Pastoral Relation to the Church. At this time the Church did not grant his re- quest. Mr. Frink renewed his request. It was laid before the town ; and on Sept. 8, 1740, "Voted, That the Town are willing that the Rev. Mr. Frink should be dismissed from his Pastoral Relations to this Church and Town, and do refer the manner of his Dismission to the Church." Thereupon Voted, "That the Church do comply with the Pastor's request and accord- ingly Dismiss him from his Pastoral Relation to this Church and Town, and Recommend him to the Grace of God and Holy Church Fellowship." "I do consent to this vote and declare my Pastoral Relation to this Church and Town dissolved, and on my Part do recommend this Church to the Grace of God and holy Church Fellowship."
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
And then the said Thomas Frink dismissed the Breth- ren with a Blessing. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Members of the Church. Joseph Stevens, Edward Rice, John Stone, Phineas Stevens, John Fletcher, John Hubbard, Jonathan Davis, Samuel Brown, Jonas Stone, Samuel Man.
PRESBYTERIANS.
THE following persons brought Letters Testimonial of their being Communicants in Ireland, and were received into Church Fellowship in Rutland, viz: Malkem Hen- dery, from Rev. Mr. Halyday, Presbyterian minister of the Parish of Ardstraw in Ireland, John Hamilton and wife, John Crawford and wife, Aaron Crawford and wife, John Browning and wife, Margaret, wife of Malkem Hendery, Ann, wife of William Fenton, Margaret, wife of Robert Patrick, Sarah Mccarter, single woman, Alexander Bothwell and wife, John Moor, Robert Mclem and wife, also from other churches, or admitted as new members, Consider, wife of John Lecore, sen., William Fenton, Duncan McFarland's wife, Edward Savage and wife, Wil- liam Sloan and wife, Matthew Slarrow and wife, Wil- liam Mccarter and wife, Eleanor, daughter of John Ham- ilton, Margaret, daughter of John Crawford, John Clark and wife, William and Anne, son and daughter of Thomas Mcclanathan, and William Watson.
As stated above, these withdrew and took no part in the dismission of Mr. Frink ; - Built them a house to meet in, and placed it on the Northeast corner of House Lot, No. 46, afterwards owned by Capt. John Mcclanathan, . now by Andrew Putnam, near the roads leading to Paxton and Spencer. Having certain privileges granted them, it
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
was taken down, and set up in the West Wing, and was the meeting-house in Oakham until their pesent one was erected near the same place. The Church of Christ in that place was on August 23, 1767, embodied in Presbyte- rian form.
The Presbyterians, as well as the Congregationalists were conscientious in having their children dedicated in baptism the first convenient opportunity after their birth ; - some were so tenacious of having the ordinance administered by those of their particular tenets, (as bad as the roads then were upwards of seventy years ago) carried their infants in their arms on horseback as far as Pelham, to have the ordinance administered in Presbyterian form, &c.
MR. THOMAS MARSH.
AT a Church meeting March 6th, 1740-41, to make choice of some suitable person to be their minister, the votes being called for and brought in, the Rev. Mr. Thomas Marsh was unanimously chosen.
JOSEPH STEVENS, Mod'r.
On April 1st, 1741, the town by a unanimous vote con- curred.
JOSEPH STEVENS, Mod'r.
Chose Capt. John Hubbard, Capt. Joseph Stevens and Ens. Moses How to inform Mr. Marsh, and receive his answer. This is the last we find on record respecting Mr. Marsh.
CHURCH MEETING-MR. BUCKMINSTER.
AT a Church meeting in Rutland, Nov. 17, 1741, the
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
meeting was opened by prayer to God for his assistance. It was put to vote whether the Church would proceed to the choice of a minister at present, and it passed in the affirmative. The vote for a minister was called for, and being brought in, Mr. Joseph Buckminster was chosen to be our minister.
JOHN STONE, Mod'r.
On Dec. 9th, 1741, the town being met, by a large majority, concurred with the Church.
JOHN STONE, Moď'r.
TOWN MEETING-MR. BUCKMINSTER.
1742, August 9th, Dea. Eleazer Ball, Chosen Mod'r. Voted, That the town accept of Mr. Buckminster's con- tract, and join in his ordination ; and chose Eleazer Ball, Capt. Moses Rice and Daniel Estabrook a committee to provide for the same.
MR. BUCKMINSTER'S ANSWER.
Rutland, June 7, 1742.
GENTLEMEN,
I READILY accept of the Settlement and Salary you have offered me, and gratefully acknowledge your kind- ness therein,-hoping that I have the presence of God with me in this undertaking, and that his Blessing may succeed both you and me, - may God grant that we may live together in love as Brethren, and members of the same body, whose Head is Christ. I give myself to the ministry, and hope that if it be ordered that I be ordained
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HISTORY OF RUTLAND.
among you, I shall be found a skilful and faithful divider of the Word of Truth.
JOSEPH BUCKMINSTER.
The ordination of Mr. Buckminster was on Sept. 15, 1742.
The town and church were so well united at the close of Mr. Buckminster's ministry and life, that every person in town that paid any taxes, paid a part of his salary .*
" Mr. Buckminster continued the able, faithful and wor- thy minister of Rutland until November 3d, 1792, when he died in the 73d year of his age, and the 51st of his ministry."- Whitney.
REV. HEZEKIAH GOODRICH.
1793. THE Church having invited Mr. Hezekiah Goodrich to settle with them in the Gospel Ministry, and on April 15th, the town concurring, Mr. Goodrich gave the following answer.
To the Church of Christ and Society of Rutland.
BRETHREN AND FRIENDS,
WHEREAS in moving for the re-settlement of a Gospel minister, you have been pleased to invite me to the Pas- toral Office. Permit me here to acknowledge my affec- tionate gratitude for the respect paid me in this act of yours. Permit me farther to say that the several steps you have taken relative to this matter, have not failed to gain
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