History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 81

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700

USA > Massachusetts > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I > Part 81

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April 13, 1737, the precinct voted to give Mr. David Parsons, Jr., a call " to settle in ye Ministry," and offer him "two lots of land that was granted by the town of Hadley for the set- tlement of the Gospel in this Precinct," £80 in money, with yearly inerease up to £100, and also "towards Building a Dwelling-House, to set him up a frame forty foots in length, in Breth twenty-one foots, and two stories high, and cover said ITonse and Build ye Chimney and Cellor."

* The principal facts for this sketch were furnished by Mr. Oliver D. IInnt, of Amherst.

November 22d, it was voted to hire a minister for five months, at 40s. a Sabbath. Nov. 14, 1738, the site for the meeting- house was again changed, and it was put in the place first chosen, -a little north and cast of the present " Woods Cabinet." December 15th, it was " Voted to raise nineteen pounds for Thomas Temple for framing ye Meeting-house," and to " Ebenezer Kellogg for rum and sugar, three pounds seventeen shillings," and to "raise one hundred pounds for Mr. David Parsons for preaching the year past." Mr. Par- sons was master of the situation, but was finally induced to accept the lots, £175 toward a house, and a salary of £100, with gradual annual increase until it reached £160. In 1739 he accepted in the following laconic style : "Sept. 28. Com- ply'd with the request of the inhabitants of the third precinct in Iladley. Per me, David Parsons, Jun'r." March 18, 1740, it was voted, " that the committee to build ye meeting- house go on with ye work," and, March 16, 1741, " that sd committee build a pue for ye minister's wife, and said pue where ye Rev. Mr. David Parsons shall chuse." The building was occupied before 1742, and a person chosen to sweep the meeting-house and give a signal for meetings in 1743. Aug. 25, 1749, Jonathan Smith, Solomon Boltwood, John Nash, Ebenezer Dickinson, and Ebenezer Kellogg were appointed to " seat" the meeting-house, and instructed to place " the males together and the females together." Jan. 23, 1753, £10 were voted to finish the meeting-house.

The church was organized Nov. 7, 1739, with the following members : David Parsons, Pastor ; Nathaniel Kellogg, John Ingram, Samuel Hawley, Eleazar Mattoon, John Nash, Pelatialı Smith, Ebenezer Dickinson, John Cowls, Aaron Smith, Ebenezer Kellogg, Jonathan Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Joseph Clary, Jonathan Cowls, Richard Chauncey. Jan. 1, 1840, David Smith (son of Luke) and 27 females were ad- mitted. Until the admission of the females, among whom were the wives of nearly all of the above, the church cannot have been considered as fully organized. Mr. Parsons con- tinued in the pastorate until his death, Jan. 1, 1781, in the sixty-ninth year of his age.

Rev. David Parsons,+ D.D., son of the first pastor, was settled Oct. 2, 1782. A division in the church was occasioned by his settlement, which, in spite of the many meetings for the healing thereof, resulted in the organization of the Second Church. The new minister's salary was made equivalent to $333.34 and firewood ; the salary was increased in 1807 to $425. Dr. Parsons was dismissed at his own request, Sept. 1, 1819, when, by vote of council, he was allowed $1300. He was a graduate of Harvard; died at Wethersfield, Conn., May 18, 1823, aged seventy-four. During his pastorate, in December, 1787, it was voted to build a new meeting-house, near the old

+ " To the Inhabitants of Amherst, in Town-meeting assembled on the 12th Inst., AAugust, 1782:

" GENTLEMEN,-Inasmuch as you have passed sundry votes respecting my en- couragement and support in case I should Bettle with you in the work of the Gospel Ministry ; and as it is always expedient that the meaning of parties in Transactions of this nature should be well explained and clearly understood, to prevent any dispute or misunderstanding between them afterward, I beg leave to express to you my sense of the meaning of your proposals as I understand them, which is as follows (viz.) : The several sums which you offer me in settle- ment and salary I understand to be in silver money, Spanish Milled Dollars at six shillings, or other Silver or Gold equivalent. And as to the Payment of my settlement, I understand that you will procure me Real Estate to the value, in case any such can bo procured to my acceptance; otherwise, that you will pay me the money according to your first vote. And as to the article of wood, I un- derstand that the most that I am ever to expect is forty cords of fire-wood of good quality in a year, unless the town shall voluntarily make addition on being satisfied that forty cords is not sufficient for my reasonable nse. Give me leave further to add that I must understand it to be your intent that no advantage shall ever be taken of any paper Currency Depreciated, or of any act of Govern_ ment that may be passed, to avoid the fair, honest, and equituble intent of the Contract. If this bo your meaning, as I have expressed my sense of it, and if nothing more than I know of shall appear to prevent, you may expect an answer in the affirmative to the Church's Call.

" Your affectionate friend and servant,

" DAVID PARSONS."

257

HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

one, and that it stand on hewn stone and face the south. The parish also voted that at the raising "the spectators be fur- nished with cake, cheese, and liquor at parish expense, and the raisers with a good and decent entertainment."

The first bell was purchased for £100 in 1792, and weighed 982 pounds. In 1794 a master was hired to teach a singing- school for four months at a salary of £12.

In November, after the retirement of Dr. Parsons, an effort was made to unite the two churches, but without avail.

Rev. Daniel Clark, the third pastor, was installed Jan. 26, 1820; dismissed Aug. 5, 1824. Rev. Royal Washburn was settled Jan. 5, 1826 ; died Jan. 1, 1833. During his pastorate, in 1828, the third meeting-house-now the property of the college, and known as " College Hall"-was erected.

The following pastors succeeded, and served for the terms indicated respectively : Matthew T. Adams, Dec. 26, 1833, Dec. 10, 1834; Josiah Bent, April 19, 1837; died Nov. 19, 1839; Aaron M. Colton, June 10, 1840, June 4, 1853; Ed- mund S. Dwight, August, 1853, Aug. 28, 1860; Henry L. Hubbel, April 24, 1861, April 4, 1865; Jonathan L. Jenkins, Feb. 17, 1867, installed Sept. 24, 1868, February, 1877 ; Ilow- ard Kingsbury, Dec. 6, 1877 ; died Sept. 28, 1878. The church has now, February, 1879, no settled pastor. During the pas- torate of Mr. Dwight, an organ was first obtained, and the stringed instruments were supplanted. The fourth and last church edifice was commenced during the pastorate of Mr. Jenkins, and largely through his efforts. It is built of Mun- son gneiss, and cost complete, including land and parsonage, $67,000. The pulpit was made from logs of cedar and olive,- from Mount Lebanon,-secured and shipped for the purpose by Rev. Daniel Bliss, D. D., of Beirut. The cedar log was 7 by 23 feet, and bore marks of great age.

In the nearly one hundred and forty years of its existence, the church has grown from 16, or rather from 43, members to the present number, 433, and " has one offspring in East, one in South, and one in North Amherst, and still contains the names Kellogg, Hawley, Nash, Smith, Dickinson, and Cowles, or all but 5 of the names of the original 16 males."

THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

was formed in November, 1782, and composed of 22 members, who had withdrawn from the First Church because of the settlement of the second Dr. Parsons by that body. Capt. Ebenezer Mattoon was of this number.

Simultaneously with the ordination of Dr. Parsons, an ad- visory council representing " five churches west of the river" was held at Amherst, October 1st, 2d, and 3d, but did not suc- ceed in reconciling the factions. Another council convened October 28th and 29th, and again November 11th and 12th, which finally determined that the offer of the mother-church was " unequal and unjust, " and advised the seceders to " pro- ceed to organize and to settle a minister," unless within four weeks the former should accede to a mutual council. A di- vision and much ill feeling followed .* The succeeding year, 1783, the church was incorporated by the Legislature.

The first pastor was Rev. Ichabod Draper, who was installed in the fall of 1785,t and dismissed on account of ill health Oct. 12, 1809. Mr. Draper was from Dedham, and a graduate of Harvard in 1783. The succeeding pastors have been the fol- lowing : Nathan Perkins, Jr., a native of Hartford, and grad- uate of Yale, 1795, ordained and installed Oct. 10, 1810, died March 28, 1842; Pomeroy Belden, born at Whately, 1811, graduated at Amherst, 1833, installed Sept. 14, 1842, died in the pastorate, March 2, 1849; Charles L. Woodworth, a grad- uate of Amherst, 1845, ordained and installed Nov. 7, 1849,

dismissed Sept 2, 1863; J. Clizbee, ordained and installed April 5, 1865, dismissed March 25, 1867; F. P. Chapin, in- stalled Jan. 21, 1868, dismissed Nov. 27, 1871; C. A. Conant, acting pastor, from July 1, 1872, until July, 1876. Rev. C. W. Hawley, ; the present pastor, was installed Nov. 15, 1876.

The first meeting-house stood in the centre of old East Street, a short distance southeast of the present church, south of the "east and west highway," and was erected in or about the year 1790. The pews were so many pens, like unto most pews of that day, and the children could look only heavenward for light and freedom. Many, of middle age, can recall the raps and significant finger-pointings of the tything-men, in reproof of wayward and uneasy youth. The present church was erected in 1839, and is situated on the north side of Main Street.

The old conch, whose far-reaching bray, more eloquent than the later stage-horn, once summoned young and old to " mert- ing," has lost its occupation, though not its latent power, and is sacredly preserved in the family of Mr. Clapp.

THE NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF AMHERST?

was organized by an ecclesiastical council, convened for that purpose, Nov. 15, 1826. The original members numbered 47, and three of them are still living. The original name of this body was " The Congregational Union Church in Amherst." The first officers, chosen Dec. 20, 1826, were: Deacons, Daniel Russell, Jr., and Ransom Dickinson ; Clerk, Daniel Dickinson ; Treasurer, Ransom Dickinson ; Church Committee, the den- cons and Jonathan Cowles.

Rev. William W. Ilunt was called Feb. 7, 1827; ordained as first pastor March 7th following. Mr. Hunt was a native of Belchertown, a graduate of Williams College, and labored faithfully and successfully in the pastorate until his death, Oct. 5, 1837. During his ministry 159 persons united with the church. George Cook, a native of Keene, N. H., and graduate of Dartmouth College, was ordained pastor Jan. 15, 1839, dis- missed May 20, 1852, and received 105 persons to membership.

George E. Fisher, of Harvard, graduate of Amherst Col- lege, was installed Sept. 16, 1852, dismissed Jan. 6, 1858, and welcomed 131 to membership. A great revival occurred during his pastorate. John W. Underhill, a native of Ips- wich, Mass., and a graduate of Amherst College, was ordained and installed Oct. 5, 1859; died Oct. 17, 1862, having received 22 to membership. Daniel H. Rogan, a native of Kingsport, Tenn., and graduate of Amherst College, was installed Oct. 5, 1865; dismissed Nov. 21, 1866. William D. Herrick, a native of Methuen, Mass., and graduate of Amherst College, was in- stalled Sept. 19, 1867 ; dismissed May 25, 1874. He received 119 to membership. The seventh pastor was George F. Ilum- phreys, whose pastorate was terminated within a year after his ordination, owing to trouble in the church. Since this time the church has been without a settled pastor. The pulpit was, however, supplied for two years and a half by Rev. Dwight W. Marsh, D.D. The present-1879-acting pastor is Rev. George Henry Johnson, a native of Worcester, Mass., and a graduate of Harvard College.

The present and only church edifice of this society was dedicated Nov. 15, 1826, and will seat about 400. It was re- paired in 1860. The present number of members is 265. The officers for the year are as follows : Acting Pastor, Rev. George Henry Johnson ; Deacons, Edmund Hobart, Samuel E. Har- rington, Asa Adams, George L. Cooley ; Prudential Commit- tee, the pastor and deacons, Lowell W. Roberts, Ebenezer l'. Spear; Assistant Clerk, S. P. Ainsworth ; Superintendent of Sunday-school, Deacon George L. Cooley ; number of Sunday- school scholars, 210; contributions for benevolent purposes, $601.56.

One of the strange facts-as it seems in this day-connected

# Some facts for this sketch were furnished by the pastor.

¿ Contributed by the Rev. George Henry Johnson.

* " Warm contentions and unfriendly dispositions, which were lasting, grew out of this division. My grandfather presided in this council, and my father was a delegate, and I heard much about this strife when a boy."-Judd's Ilist. of Hlad- ley, page 416 and note.

According to Judd, he was ordained Jan. 25, 1786.

258

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

with the earlier history of the church, was that previous to 1840 every pew-deed had the proviso that if the purchaser " shall let the pew or any part thereof to any negro or mu- latto, or in any way admit any negro or mulatto to the pos- session or occupancy of the same, then the said pew or pews, or such share thereof so let or occupied, shall in every such vase be forfeited."

It is said that a goodly amount of liquor was provided for the workmen and visitors at the "raising" of the church in 1826; but the present belief of the church is embodied in the following article : " This church will not sanction the manu- facture, sale, or use as a beverage, of intoxicating drinks by any of its members."

THE SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF AMHERST*

was first organized in 1824, but reorganized in 1858. Its house of worship was dedicated in 1825, remodeled in 1843. Its set- tled pastors have been as follows : Revs. H. B. Chapin, 1825-29; Aaron Gates, 1832-37; Gideon Dana, 1838-40; Dana Good- sell, 1841-46; James L. Merrick, 1849-64; Walter Barton, 1864-66; George Lyman, 1869-73. Rev. F. B. Pullan sup- plied the pulpit in 1875. The present acting pastor, Rev. Charles S. Walker, began his labors in April, 1876.

The original number of members was 48; present number, 157. The present officers are : Deacons, R. B. Bridgman and HI. C. Diekinson ; Standing Committee, C. F. Ilayward, A. J. Robinson, and Thomas Read ; Superintendent of Sunday- school, F. L. Pomeroy ; Parish Committee, Thomas Read, Charles A. Puffer, and Joseph Dana.

ZION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH; (COLORED).

This society, although existing in a crude form as early as the fall of 1862, was not fully organized as a religious body until the settlement of their present minister in 1876.

The first meetings of the colored people of Amherst for religious instruction were held in the fall of 1862, and were attended numerously by their friends of the white race. These meetings had the character of a Sabbath-school, in which the colored members were scholars and some of the whites teachers. These assemblies were first held in the old academy building, and after that was demolished, in 1868, were held in a brick school-house then standing on Pleasant Street. Still later, having passed the winter in the school-house, the society re- moved to the Methodist chapel, then standing on North- ampton Street. The present chapel on Parsons Street was erected in -. This society, now composed of about ten members, has been from the first largely assisted by those at- tached to the college, and especially by the wives and daughters of the professors. Students of theology from the college sometimes conduct the services. Rev. S. L. Hobbs, a retired missionary, is the pastor of the society.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN AMHERST#

was organized as a branch of the New Salem and Prescott Church, Nov. 8, 1827, removed its connection from the church in New Salem and Prescott to the church in Northampton in October, 1830, and was recognized as an independent church -" The First Baptist Church of Christ in Amherst"-Aug. 3, 1832. The church began its separate life with 40 members, and adopted the Articles of Faith and the Covenant of what was then the Federal Street Baptist Church, in Boston. Its present house of worship was soon erected, and was set apart for the worship of God Nov. 10, 1855. Its original dimensions, 60 by 40 fect, have never been changed, though it has been twice repaired,-once during the pastorate of Rev. E. A. Cummings, and again in 1865. At the latter date the renovation was

thorough, and then began for the society a period of increased activity and usefulness, its membership Having increased nearly threefold. The church has had to meet more than the ordinary difficulties in establishing itself, but is at the present time (1879) fairly prosperous, having a total membership of 181, of whom 145 are resident members, and the Sunday-school mem- bership is 170, with 15 officers and teachers. Rev. Stephen S. Nelson, a resident clergyman, and Rev. Solomon Peck, pro- fessor in Amherst College, were among the earliest members. Of its constituent members only three now remain,-Austin Eastman, Mary Robbins, and Orinda Ball.

The following persons have served the church as pastors, during the periods given, respectively : Mason Ball, July, 1834, to October, 1836, and March, 1846, to -, 1848; N. G. Lov- ell, November, 1836, June, 1840; Joseph Hodges, August, 1840, August, 1841; George Waters, January, 1843, Febru- ary, 1846; Elkanah A. Cummings, May, 1850, October, 1852, and January, 1854, January, 1855; Edward Anderson, No- vember, 1852, September, 1853; J. Torrey Smith, November, 1856, April, 1865; A. J. Paddelford, February, 1866, April, 1868; F. E. Tower, December, 1868, December, 1871; Syl- vester Burnham, July, 1873, April, 1874. D. W. Hoyt, or- dained July, 1874, is the present pastor.

The following have served the church as deacons : Isaac Robbins, Sylvester Andrews, Seth Clapp, Inerease Gilbert, Silas Shaw. The present deacons are Lewis Fish, J. L. Lovell, and Samuel Smith.

GRACE CHURCH. ¿

The first services of the Protestant Episcopal Church ever held in the town and the ultimate establishment of the present church organization were the fruits of a correspondence opened early in the summer of 1864, by Miss Almy Emerson, a prior resident of Amherst, with Dr. F. L. Huntington and Miss Mary H. Jones, a resident friend of the cause. This lady se- cured the use of the Baptist meeting-house, where, on July 17, 1864, and for five successive Sundays, evening services were held at five o'clock, Rev. G. M. Bradley, of Northampton, officiating the first Sunday, Rev. George T. Converse, of Rox- bury, the second, and Dr. Huntington the last four. The first communion was administered by Dr. Huntington, Sunday morning, September 4th, in the same house.

The parish was organized under the above title at a meeting held September 12th the same year, in the presence of Dr. Huntington, at the house of Mrs. Jones. Others present were I. F. Conkey, Henry C. Nash, L. D. Shepard, George Burn- ham, Dr. Rufus Belden, O. G. Couch, George Graves, John E. White, C. T. Brown, Merrick M. Marsh, Henry O. Pease. George Burnham was chosen Senior Warden; John M. Emer- son, of New York City, Junior Warden; O. G. Couch, Clerk and Treasurer ; I. F. Conkey, Henry C. Nash, Horace Ward, Charles Denel, L. D. Shepard, John C. White, Merrick M. Marsh, M. N. Spear, R. W. Stratton, Vestrymen.

Rev. S. P. Parker, D.D., of St. Paul's Church, Stockbridge, served the parish from Nov. 27, 1864, but was not settled until January 11th following. Services were held in a hall of the academy until March 2, 1866, when the basement of the present church was first occupied. July 17th the church was consecrated, and on the 1st of September of the same year its tower was completed and supplied with a fine clock and bell. These and the tower were the offering of George C. Shepard, D.D. This handsome church edifiee is of stone, and cost about $35,000.

Rev. Henry Freeman Allen began his labors as pastor the first Sunday after Easter, 1872; resigned April, 1877. Ile was succeeded by the present rector, Rev. Frederick Burgess, on the last Sunday of that year. Present membership, 80.

* Contributed by Rev. Charles S. Walker.

f From information given by Mrs. Olive Jackson, of Amherst.

Į Supplied by the pastor, Rev. D. W. Huyt.

& Parts for this sketch were taken from the church records through the cour- tesy of the pastor, Rev. Frederick Burgess.

259

HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

WESLEY METHODIST EPISCOPAL SOCIETY, AMHERST .*

In 1868 a Methodist Episcopal Society was formed, and carried on a little more than a year, with Rev. E. Frank Pitcher as pastor. The project of building a church was at this time attempted and abandoned, and the society disbanded. In the winter of 1874, Rev. S. L. Rogers, who was supplying the Methodist Episcopal Church at North Amherst, formed a class at Amherst with twelve members, and appointed Mr. Cummings Fish leader. The church was again organized in the summer of 1875, with thirteen members. Rev. S. L. Rogers was the first pastor of the new society, and served one year. In the spring of 1876, Rev. D. S. Coles was appointed preacher in charge. He also supplied one year. In the spring of 1877, Rev. E. C. Ferguson succeeded, and remained a like period. The church during these three years enjoyed a health- ful growth. In the spring of 1878, Rev. Edward P. King was appointed to the charge, and during the ensuing fall work was commenced on a church edifice, on the corner of Main and Whitney Streets. Here a brick church has been erected, known as the " Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church." The vestry was formally dedicated Jan. 26, 1879, and during the ensuing spring the audience-room was ready for worship.

Present membership, 34. The church has 5 trustees and 9 stewards.

THE METHODIST SOCIETY, NORTH AMHERST,+

was not regularly organized until March 9, 1849, although preaching was begun by ministers of that denomination more than six years earlier. In the month of August, 1842, Rev. E. S. Potter held services in the school-house in "Amherst City,"-so called,-under the appointment of the presiding elder of Springfield District, New England Conference. He remained, preaching at times also in Hadley, until 1844, having meantime united with the " Wesleyan Connection." James Billings, of the W. M. Conference, served the society from June until October of the same year, and was succceded by John Pike, as supply, until the close of the conference year, in 1845. The chapel was dedicated January 1st, in that year, E. S. Potter preaching the sermon of dedication.

The succeeding ministers were William Bevins, one year, until April, 1846; J. W. Dadman, supply, November, 1846, to April, 1847; Jonas M. Clark, who found a few friends of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but no members, April 23, 1848, until 1849. March 9th, of the latter year, an official board was organized. The Quarterly Conference then consisted of Amos Binney, Presiding Elder ; Jonas M. Clark, Preacher in Charge; Joab Ingram, Steward. B. Perkins Farnham was chosen as an additional steward.

Then succeeded as preachers, II. M. Nichols, April, 1849, two years, during which period the society suffered the loss of many members by removal, and for the next two years had no regular pulpit services ; David Todd, 1853-54; William Hubbard, December, 1854, to April, 1855; John Peterson, local supply, April, 1858, to April, 1860; J. O. Peck, at the same time a student in Amherst College, one year ; Robert II. Winslow, one year; Rufus Gerrish, one year ; John Jones, of Pelham, who served as a supply nearly all the time from 1863 until 1867; John W. Lee, one year ; John Jones, again supply, one year ; Lorenzo Dibble, local supply, was then a student at Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, April to August, 1869; William S. Jagger, January, 1870, to 1871 ; J. Jones, supply, until 1872; D. K. Bannister, who rendered an efficient two years' service ; S. L. Rogers, two years, until the spring of 1876, when the present pastor, Rev. C. H. Walter, was appointed.

The church edifice was repaired at considerable expense during the pastorate of Mr. Lee, 1867-68; and during that of Mr. Rogers-1874-76-the building was raised and a vestry

* Contributed by the pastor, Rev. Edward P. King.

+ Facts for this sketch were furnished by Mr. B. II. Taylor.

made underneath, at a cost, with other repairs, of about $600. Previously-1858-the church had received a legacy of $100 by the will of Mr. Alden Woods, of Leverett.

The church now has about 30 members, and a Sunday- school averaging nearly 40 pupils.

The present stewards are D. W. Adams, William II. Lawton, B. H. Taylor, J. W. Chandler, and James A. Hill.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC SOCIETY, AMHERST,

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History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. I, Part 81

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 700

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 700