History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 153

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896

USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II > Part 153

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Charles Hammond, LL.D., was born at Union, Conn., in 1813, graduated at Yale in 1839, and served as principal of Monson Academy twenty-five years, and eleven years (from 1852 to 1863) as principal of Lawrence Academy, at Groton, Mass.,-a term of service more than twice that of any other teacher in Monson Academy. Ile was a man of broad views, extended scholarship, thoroughly devoted to the interests of the academy, and contributed largely to its prosperity. An earnest scholar and teacher, identified with the various edu- cational societies of the State, he greatly aided the cause of

education in Massachusetts. His death occurred Nov. 7, 1878, at his home in Monson. His funeral was attended by a large number of the former pupils of the academy, townspeople, and friends of education from abroad, who came to pay their tribute of respect to a noble man and to his work.

During the seventy-three years since the academy was dedi- cated in 1806, there have been 63 assistants employed, nearly all college graduates ; and many of them have become distin- guished as teachers in other institutions, and as members of the learned professions.

The first preceptress was employed in 1819, since which time 63 ladies have served in the office of preceptress or as- sistant. Much of the success and usefulness of the school has depended upon the character, ability, skill, and interest of its teachers in their work, together with the good-will and cour- tesy of the families in the village manifested toward the pupils.

Patronage and Pupils .- The academy has been from the first a mixed school, the proportions of the sexes having been, until recently, about two gentlemen to one lady, and about two-thirds of the patronage has come from non-residents.

The whole number of students connected with it since the original opening, as near as can be aseertained, has been not far from 7000. Of these, between 450 and 500 have entered college, and many have united with the professions without other preparation than that obtained at the academy. More than 200 have become ministers of the gospel.

Among the alumni may be mentioned Hon. Henry L. Bar- nard, LL.D., late United States Commissioner of Education ; Prof. W. A. Larned, late professor at Yale College; Rev. James L. Merrick, missionary to Persia ; David B. Coe, D.D., secretary of the American Home Missionary Society ; Richard S. Storrs, D.D., of Brooklyn, N. Y .; George II. Gould, D.D. ; Ilon. Yung Wing, LL.D., of the Chinese Embassy ; Rev. Samuel Curtis, professor of theology in Chicago Seminary. Two have been presidents and 4 professors in colleges ; 11 have been tutors at Yale College and 4 at Amherst ; 1 a judge of the Supreme Court of the United States; 1 a judge of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, and 3 have been members of Congress.

But no list of eminent men, were they three times as nu- merous, and far more distinguished, could represent fully the great benefits conferred on the students of Monson Academy in elevating and improving their character, and preparing them for the better discharge of the various duties of life.

Benefactions and Endowments .- The funds of the academy . have always been limited and insufficient for the wants of the institution. Its great strength has been in the zeal and sym- pathy of devoted trustees and teachers, and the patronage of its alumni, joined with the good-will and prayers of its friends.

The whole amount of benefactions from all sources is not far from $50,000. With the exception of the original State endowment, estimated at $10,000, nearly all the funds have been subscribed by citizens of Monson. Joel Norcross, Esq., in various sums, 87250; Deacon Andrew Porter, $3200; Ru- fus Flynt, $2250, Rev. J. Merrick, $2000, for the Persian scholarship. In 1863, $10,000 was raised for the repair and enlargement of the buildings, and $10,000 as an addition to the general fund, mostly by citizens of the town.

The buildings of the institution are the academy structure, situated in a pleasant grove, and the chemical laboratory, erected in 1825, and furnished with a chemical apparatus. The academy was extensively enlarged and repaired in 1863.

The income from productive funds is about $2000; from tuitions, $2300. Value of real estate, $20,000; of productive funds, $25,500 ; of libraries and apparatus, $5000. Total assets, $50,500.

The course of study is that usually pursued in New Eng- land academies. In the classical department, under the charge of the principal, students are prepared for the New England

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HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

colleges. In the English department, with a male and female assistant, the common and higher English branches are taught.

Tuition and Expenses .- The tuition fee has varied from $10 per annum to an average of $24 per annum at the present time. The school year of 40 weeks is divided into three terms. The price of board in private families varies from $3.50 to $5 per week. Three dollars a week is paid from the educational fund to suitable candidates for the ministry.

The Persian scholarship is not limited to any of the pro- fessions.

The influence of the educational fund has been highly favorable to the prosperity of the academy in securing a good class of students.

In July, 1854, a semi-centennial jubilee of the academy was celebrated, and largely attended by graduates, teachers, and friends of the institution. A discourse on "The Relations of Commerce to Letters" was delivered by Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D.D., former principal and teacher in the academy, and a historical discourse by Rev. Charles llammond, then principal of Lawrence Academy, Groton.

Most of the facts in this sketch have been obtained from Mr. Hammond's address and " Sketch of Monson Academy."

No institution, it is believed, has left pleasanter memories on the minds of its pupils in after-life than old Monson Academy.

Principals and Assistants .- The following is a list of the principals of the academy, with the date of their appointment and close of service :

Rev. Simeon Colton, D.D., appointed in 1806, graduated at Yale College, closed in 1807.

Rev. Levi Collins, A.M., 1807, Yale College, closed in 1813.

Rev. Joy 11. Fairchild, A.M., 1813, Yale College, closed in 1816. Rev. Frederic Gridly, A.M., 1816, Yale College, closed in 1818. Robert Ridell, M.D., 1818, Yale College, closed in 1820.

Rev. William W. Hunt, A.M., 1820, Williams College, closed in 1821. Rev. Simeon Colton, D.D., 1821, Yale College, closed in 1830. Rev. William S. Porter, A.M, 1831, Yale College, closed in 1832. Rev. Sanford Lawton, A.B., 1832, Yale College, closed in 1835. Rev. David R. Anstin, A.M , 1835, Union College, closed in 1839. Rev. Charles flammond, A.MI , 1839, Yale College, closed in 1841. Rev. Samuel A. Foy, A.M., 1841, Amherst College, closed in 1842. Rev. James G. Bridgman, A.M., 1842, Amherst College, closed in 1843. Rev. Frederic A. Fiske, A. M., 1843, Amherst College, closed in 1844. Rev. Charles Hammond, A.M., 1845, Yale College, closed in 1852. Rev. James Tufts, A.M .. 1852, Yale College, closed in 1859. Rev. William J. Harris, A.M., 1859, Yale College, closed in 1861. Rev. Ilenry M. Grout, A.M., 1861, Williams College, closed in 1862. Rev, Charles Hammond, LL.D., 1863, Yale College, closed in 1878. D. N. Putney, A.M., 1878, Dartmouth College.

CHURCHES.

THE MONSON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH*

was organized June 23, 1762. The original members-12 males and about the same number of females-were mostly received by letter from the church in Brimfield. Since the incorporation of the town, nearly two years before, Sunday services had been held alternately in the houses of Deacon Benjamin Munn and Lieutenant Thomas Stebbins, situated four miles apart, in the Southern and Northern Districts. The first meeting-house, in an unfinished state, was the place of organization. In the poverty of the people the General Court had granted a special tax of a penny an acre on all the lands in the town to help them build it. The site of this house of worship was near the centre of the township, on the summit of a hill which overlooks the valley, a little south- west of the present house. Often the expression rises to the lips of those who are passing by, " Beautiful for situation is ·Mount Zion .??

The building was rectangular, about twenty feet high, without chimney or steeple, lighted by a single row of small windows. For some years the inside was left unfinished, seated only with rude boards. It seems to have been poorly suited

to the rigor of the climate, for the town voted, Dec. 17, 1762, " to remove the meeting from the meeting-house for the win- ter season." At length the lower part was finished, floors laid, pews put in, and gallery-stairs built. The upper part was never finished, the rough beams, joists, rafters, boards, and bristling nails taking the place of modern frescoing. This house was used forty-one years, until another was com- pleted, when it was taken down.

Mr. Abishai Sabin, a native of Pomfret, Conn., and a gradu- ate of Yale College in 1759, was ordained and installed pastor, by the same council, and on the same day that the church was organized. Little is known of this pastorate of nine years beyond the use of the "half-way covenant," which was dis- continued in the succeeding one. . Mr. Sabin was dismissed at bis own request, on account of poor health, in July, 1771, and, without having assumed another charge, died in his native place in 1782.

The Rev. Jesse 1 ves succeeded to the pastorate, and retained it more than thirty-two years, from June 23, 1773, till his death, Dec. 31, 1805.

Mr. Ives was born at Meriden, Conn., was a graduate of Yale College in 1758, and had been settled in the town of Norwich, Conn. Ile was a tall, erect man, with a bright, ready mind, and notably " gifted in prayer." His pastorate, through the most eventful period of our nation's history, was not without trials. It was, however, on the whole very peace- ful and remarkably useful, leaving the number of the church membership 111. Toward its close a new meeting-house was built and the Academy Hall erected, both costing about $9000. This amount was all raised voluntarily except $300, which was voted by the town for the meeting-house.

This second house of worship, situated very near the site of the first, was dedicated Nov. 16, 1803. It was said to have been the best in the county at that time. The building was rectangular, 80 feet long by 50 wide, and of good height, lighted by a double row of windows. The steeple was the low open one, so common at that time. Originally there was but one room, with galleries on three sides. In 1838 the galleries were taken out, except across the south end ; a floor put in 12 feet above the old one; the old square pews were replaced by modern ones, and the walls were frescoed. The eost of these repairs was $3000. This house, after being used sixty-eight years, was sold in 1871, and removed to the foot of the hill, where it is used for a hall and stores.

Mr. Alfred Ely, the third pastor, was retained more than sixty years, from Dee. 17, 1806, until his death, July 6, 1866. Ile was a man of vigorous intellect, good judgment, decided organizing and executive ability, and of a strong and leading character. His influence was felt throughout this whole re- gion of country. His character, perhaps more than his schol- arship, although that was by no means lacking, gained for him the title of Doctor of Divinity from his alma mater in 1834. For forty-six years he was president of the board of trust of Monson Academy, where he did efficient service. The year Amherst College was incorporated he was appointed one of the corporation by the Legislature, and was faithful to his trust. In 1840 he was made corporate member of the A. B. C. F. M., an appointment riehly deserved for his abid- ing interest and valuable services in the cause of foreign mis- sions.

During this pastorate the church grew and developed rapidly. It was one of the largest, most active, and efficient churches in Western Massachusetts. A Baptist Church was organized in 1795, in the western part of the town, and in 1825 the Methodist Church was formed ; but the strength and vigor of this church did not materially suffer thereby.

The Sunday-school was organized April 21, 1819, with the pastor as superintendent, and at one time it is said to have included nearly the whole congregation.

One efficient auxiliary in the church work has been the

* Contributed by Rev. Charles B. Summer, Pastor.

1022

IHISTORY OF THIE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

" Female Praying Circle," formed in April, 1827. From that day the godly women have been a power for good. They have co-operated with the men in almost every branch of Christian activities. Especially was this true in the benevo- Jent work, which was developed to a high degree for that age. llardly less was this true in the great temperance reformation, which was at its height in 1832, when " nearly the whole population were pledged to total abstinence."

Mr. Samuel C. Bartlett was settled as colleague of Dr. Ely, Aug. 2, 1843. Mr. Bartlett was a native of Salisbury, N. II., a graduate of Dartmouth College and Andover Theological Seminary. lle remained here only three years, when he took the position of professor of intellectual philosophy in Western Reserve College. Subsequently, after a short pastorate at Manchester, N. H., and at Chicago, Ill., he took the chair of Biblical Literature in Chicago Theological Seminary, and is now president of Dartmouth College.

Rev. Charles B. Kittredge, born at Mount Vernon, N. H., a graduate of Dartmouth College and Andover Theological Seminary, succeeded Mr. Bartlett as colleague pastor, from Oct. 21, 1846, to May 4, 1852. Mr. Kittredge had been pre- viously settled at Groton and Westboro', and returned to the latter place to live without a subsequent settlement.

March 28, 1855, Rev. Theron G. Colton was installed col- league pastor. Mr. Colton was born at Westford, N. Y., graduated at Yale College and Theological Seminary, and had been settled at Fair Haven, Conn., and Ware village. Hle left Monson, Oet. 1, 1866, for White Water, Wis., and is now pastor at Hudson, Mich.

Mr. Charles B. Sumner, of Southbridge, a graduate of Yale College and Andover Theological Seminary, was inducted into this pastorate Jan. 2, 1868.

The following year a parsonage was built, at a cost of $7000. The same year, by the efforts of Hon. Reuben A. Chapman, then chief-justice of the Supreme Court of the State, and of Deacon Porter, a pastor's library was instituted, which now numbers about three hundred bound volumes. June 18, 1873, the third meeting-house was dedicated, on very nearly the same spot from which the second had been removed. This house, like the others, was built of wood, the main building 100 feet by 60, having a tower on one front corner, and a tall, graceful spire containing the town-clock on the other. At the rear are rooms on the ground-floor for chapel purposes, and above them social rooms. All is beautifully finished and furnished, and the main audience-room is graced with a fine organ. The entire cost of this house, with its furnishings, was about $40,000.

The deacons of this church, past and present, are Joseph Craft, Joseph Colton, Benjamin Munn, Abijah Newell, Abel Goodell, Simeon Keep, Joshua Fuller, Abel Goodell (2d), Abraham Haskell, Royal Merrick, Absalom Shaw, Jr., An- drew W. Porter, Marcus Chapin, George Morris, Edward F. Morris, Edward P. Keep, Rodolphus Homer, and A. Ilaskell White.

The intimate relation which this church has sustained to the academy has given to it a wider field of influence than it would otherwise have enjoyed. Its audience has often em- braced representatives of different States, countries, and races. On its catalogue are the names of Greeks, Chinese, and Jap- anese who have completed their studies and gone back to their native lands, some of them, like IIon. Yung Wing, to return to this country on most weighty business. Revivals of religion have occurred from time to time at least as far back as the early years of this century. At times the spirit of con- sceration has been very marked. Nourished and inspired by these influences, we find such characters as Rev. James L. Merrick, eleven years missionary to Persia; Rev. Samuel Robbins Brown, D. D., son of Mrs. Phobe Brown, author of some of the sweetest hymns in our language, who has devoted his life to missionary work, first in China, now in Japan ;

Rev. Gilbert Rockwood, a self-denying missionary to the In- dians ; Revs. John Keep and William A. Thompson, home missionaries in the West ; Rev. Almon Underwood, the suc- cessfulevangelist of over thirty years ; Rev. Charles L. Wood- worth, long an efficient secretary of the American Missionary Association ; Rev. William Barrows, D. D., secretary of the Massachusetts Ilome Missionary Society ; Revs. Elias C. Sharp, Luke Foster, Warren C. Fiske, and Joseph A. Coll- yer. Many names of excellent women might also be men- tioned who have been very useful as writers, teachers, pastors' wives, and missionaries to the Indians, the Sandwich Islands, and India.

More than $170,000 have been raised by this church. Of this amount, over $40,000 have been contributed to relieve want and preach the gospel beyond the parish limits. Nor is this one-half the amount that has been given privately and by bequest by the members of this church. These facts faintly suggest the stream of influence that has been flowing from this church during the one hundred and sixteen years of its existence.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL .*

The formation of the first Methodist class in Monson was in 1825. It was organized by Rev. Joel W. McKee, then the regular preacher of old Brookfield circuit. It consisted of some 20 probationers ; and llorace Moulton, a young, ener- getic, earnest Christian, a leading spirit in the movement, was appointed its first leader.

The following winter, the class having grown larger by about one-third, Selah Stocking, afterward a member of the New England Conference, and subsequently, by transfer, a member of the New York Conference, became its second leader. The following are the names of the class-members at the date April 1, 1826 : Selah Stocking (leader), Joseph Morse, Dolly Smith, Patty Smith, Anna Smith, Waite Morse, Pallas Bum- stead, Harriet Bumstead, Celestia Bumstead, Mosely Dwight, Daniel Paul, Sarah Paul, Annis Chaffee, Elizabeth Scripture, John Ormsby, Aulinda Blanchard, Royal Buffington, - Buffington, Francis Bartlett, Melvina Truesdell, Sabra Bum- stead, Mary A. Bidwell, Rhoda Chaffee, Theda Chaffee, Tam- mason Davis, Mrs. Bartlett, Peasley Truesdell, Jr., Calvin E. Chaffee, Marcus J. Pease, Ann Smith,-30 members in all.

Mosely Dwight, still living, one of the patriarchs of the New England Conference, was the third leader of the class. Ile became a Christian in a revival in his native village, Somers, Conn., under the labors of the then eminent evan- gelist, Asahel Nettleton. The first regular Methodist preacher in the town was Rev. Joel W. McKee, in 1825. He held his meetings in the old school-house, near the South Cotton-Fac- tory, on week evenings, once a fortnight. He was one of the " weeping prophets," but preached with great acceptance and success. One of the circuit preachers closely following Mr. Mc Kee was Isaac Jennison, who was appointed to Brookfield circuit in 1827-28. It is not certain whether George Sunder- land followed Mr. Jennison or not, but he was assigned to this circuit in 1829 or 1830. Horace Moulton was on the cir- cuit in 1830-31; Enoch Bradley, 1832; Ebenezer F. Newell, 1833; Amasa Taylor, 1834; Horace Moulton and George W. Green, 1835; Otis Wilder and James O. Dean, 1836; Joseph W. Lewis, 1837-38. During these two years Monson was included in Wales cirenit, and preaching was enjoyed every other Sunday. Efficient aid in pulpit services was often rendered by Drs. Raymond and Patten, of Wilbraham Acad- emy, the former then a student.

Rev. Charles Virgin was on the circuit in 1839; Rev. Wil -. liam Gordon, 1840; Rev. Walter Wilkie, 1841 ; Rev. Thomas W. Guile, 1842; II. S. Shed (a local preacher), 1843 ; Rev. R. P. Buffington, 1844; Rev. Spencer Tileston, 1845; Rev. William A. Clapp and Elder Bennett, 1846; Elder Ben-

* Contributed by the pastor, Rev. Henry Lummis.

1023

HISTORY OF HAMPDEN COUNTY.

nett (a Baptist preacher), 1847; James Billings (an Eng- lish local preacher), 1848. Rev. W. B. Olds, was pastor in 1849-50; Rev. John W. Dadmun, 1851-52; Revs. Charles Nohle and J. Paulson, 1853; Rev. John Paulson, 1854 ; Rev. David K. Merrill, 1855-56; Rev. Silas Piper, 1857; Rev. Thomas B. Treadwell, 1858-59; Rev. Albinus O. Hamilton, 1860-61; Rev. Frederie Woods, 1862-63; Rev. Hiram P. Satchwell, 1864-65; Rev. Rodney II. Howard, 1866-68 ; Rev. Charles K. True, 1869; Rev. William JJ. Pomfret, 1870-72; Rev. William Silverthorne, 1873-74 ; Rev. Osmon W. Adams, 1875-76 ; Rev. Henry Lummis, 1877.

Monson first had regular Sunday preaching in 1848. Mr. Billings lived in the house opposite the grist-mill, north of Rev. Mr. Tufts. He worked at secular labor through the week, and on Sunday morning preached in the Methodist chapel, and every other Sunday evening at the North Factory school-house. At the beginning of this year there were but 8 members in the society,-Levi C. Bates, Joseph Bumstead and his daughter Harriet, Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson, Mrs. Chad- wiek, Mrs. Lucy Leonard (a sister of Rev. Horace Moulton), and a colored woman, Harriet Porter. Three efficient workers came into the place during the year,-Elijah Cutter, Ira Fales, and Willard Willis.

There was a gracious revival in the autumn, resulting in gathering many souls into the church. From this time on, Monson has been a station, having stated service on the Lord's dav.

In 1826 a Methodist chapel was first projected ; the year following, it was built. The structure was 25 by 40 feet, and cost about $500. It was dedicated free from debt, though not finished. It was about a mile and a half south of the centre, and is now converted into a dwelling, which occupies the original site.

During the pastorate of Mr. Olds a proprosal was made to build a new church. Mr. Olds, Levi C. Bates, Eli Rogers, Dwight King, and Nelson F. Rogers were the building com- mittee, and Walter Smith, Dwight King and Nelson F. Rod- gers the committee for the selection of a site. The whole subscription amounted to $1595. On the 8th of October, 1850, the church was dedicated by Dr. Abel Stevens. The cost of church and lot was about $3300.

In 1860, under the pastorate of Mr. Hamilton, steps were taken to enlarge and beautify the church. It was ready for dedication in March, 1861, the improvements having cost $7000.

The following representative persons have gone out from the church during its history : Rev. Horace Moulton, a pio- neer itinerant, and a man of great courage and strong faith. He died Sept. 11, 1873, aged seventy-four years, and having been a member of the New England Conference forty-five years.

Rev. Selah Stocking, who joined the New England Confer- ence, and was subsequently transferred to the New York Con- ference ; an influential and useful minister.

Rev. Mosely Dwight, still living, a devoted man, and a zeal- ous advocate of a holy life. He has been a member of the New England Conference for over forty-seven years.

Rev. J. W. Dadmun, who joined the New England Con- ference in 1842; widely known as a sweet singer. He is the chaplain of the institutions of the city of Boston on Deer Island.

Rev. William A. Braman, who joined the New England Conference in 1844, is an efficient minister in the regular work, and is stationed at the city of Lawrence.

Rev. Francis Ward died at the early age of twenty-five. Rev. Miner Raymond said of him that he had never met an- other like him,-never one of greater promise or nobler char- aeter.

Wesley Squier, a young man about to graduate from Am- herst College with the highest honors of the institution. Pres-

ident Stearns remarked of him : " We believe him to have been 'an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile.' To him more than any other agency, it is thought, the revival en- joyed by his class in the Sophomore year was due."

Maria Stanton, sent by the missionary society of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church as a missionary to Africa. She ended her work in that far-off field only with her life.

George E. Ward, a young man of high promise, died in the war of the Rebellion.

Rev. Jonathan D. Bridge, a man of exceptional power and intelligence, died July 25, 1856.

Rev. Henry Ward, an earnest worker in the vineyard.

Rev. King D. Nettleton, now preaching in Central New York.

The present condition of the church is flourishing. It is free from debt, has an efficient board of trustees and stewards, has four large classes, averaging over 40 each, has a prosperous Sunday-school, and the largest attendance on social meetings in the town.

The Conference Minutes in 1878 report for Monson : church property, $12,600; church membership, 165; number of Sun- day-school scholars, 216; number of officers and teachers, 25; missionary collections, $162; other benevolent collections, $74. The current expenses of the church are about $1500.

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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. II, Part 153

Author: L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts Number of Pages: 896

Author: L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Louis H. Everts
Number of Pages: 896