History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Vol. II, Part 60

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 60

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PROMINENT MEN.

The town has produced a goodly number of men who have attained distinction and become ornaments to society. From this town has originated a larger number of evangelical min- isters of the gospel than from any other town in the county. Prof. Alvan Clark, the widely-known astronomer and telescope- manufacturer, of Cambridge, is a native of the town. Presi- dent William S. Clark, of Amherst Agricultural College, was also born in the town, and is a son of Dr. Atherton Clark.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION.

The records of the town prior to 1776 are in a very incom- plete state, and only seraps of them can be found.

The first recorded meeting was held at the house of Jona- than Sprague, March 8, 1762. Ebenezer Belling was chosen Moderator ; Samnel Belding, Town Clerk; Ebenezer Belding, Chileab Smith, Philip Phillips, Assessors; John Sadler, Col- lector ; John Sadler, Nathan Chapin, Josiah Rockwood, and Moses Smith, Hog-Reeves. At the same meeting it was " voted that hoggs shall run from the first of April ;" also, " to give ten pound for a bull and three pound for a boar."

The town was incorporated, in compliance with the petition of Ebenezer Hunt and others, on June 21, 1765, by the name of Ashfield, a name derived from the existence of large quan- tities of ash timber in the town at the time of the incorpora- tion. Prior to that time it had been known as Huntstown.

The bounds described in the act of incorporation were " east by Deerfield, south partly by Narragansett township, Number Four, and partly by Province Land, west partly by Province Land, partly by Bernard's and Mayhew's and Hatfield Land, and north by Province Land."

The first regular town-meeting after the incorporation of the town was held Jan. 6, 1766, at the house of Joseph Mitchell, innholder, pursuant to a warrant directed to Samuel Belding, of Ashfield, by Thomas Williams, a justice of the peace, dated Dec. 21, 1765. No record has been preserved of business trans- acted under the warrant.

The first regular March meeting for choice of officers, etc., was held March 31, 1766, at the house of Joseph Mitchell. Benj. Phillips was chosen Town Clerk ; Chileab Smith, Moses

Fuller, Thomas Phillips, Selectmen ; Richard Phillips, Aaron Lyon, Nathan Chapin, Assessors; Moses Smith, Constable ; Jonathan Edson, Nathan Chapin, Wardens ; Moses Smith, Jr., Jonathan Yeomons, Tithingmen ; Richard Phillips, Clerk of the Market; Jonathan Ycomons, Leather-Sealer; John Briggs, Chileab Smith, Fence-Viewers; Samuel Snow, Israel Standish, John Ellis, and Jeremiah Wait, Ilog-Reeves; Miles Standish, David Alden, Deer-Reeves. At the same meeting £4 were voted for a school, and EI to build a pound.

The following persons have filled the principal offices of Ashfield, and represented the town in the General Court :

SELECTMEN.

1762 .- Ebenezer Belding, Chileab Smith, Philip Phillips.

1763 .- Nathan Wait, Reuben Ellis, Saumel Belding.

1764 .- Reuben Ellis, Jonathan Edson, Nathan Chapin.

1765 .- Samuel Belding, Jonathan Yeomous, Ebenezer Belding .*

1766 .- (Jan. 6th) Ebenezer Belding, Timothy Lewis, Samuel Belding.

1766 .- (March 31st) Chileab Sunth, Moses Fuller, Thomas Phillips.

1767 .- Chileah Smith, Timothy Lewis, Thomas Phillips.

1768 .- Ebenezer Belding, Reuben Ellis, Nathan Chapin, Philip Phillips, Moses Fuller.

1769 .- Ebenezer Belding, Timothy Lewis, Isaac Shepard.

1770 .- Samuel Belling, Isaac Shepard, Samuel Allen.

1772 .- Samuel Belding, Jonathan Taylor, Aaron Lyon.

1773 .- Samuel Belling. Jonathan Taylor, Samuel Allen.

1774 .- Samuel Belding, Reuben Ellis, Jonathan Taylor.

1775 .- Jasher Taylor, Aaron Lyon, Elisha Cranson. 1776 .- Jasher Taylor, Aaron Lyon, Benj. Phillips.

1777 .- Aaron Lyon, Peter Cross, Dr. Phineas Bartlet.

1778 .- Benj. Phillips, Jacob Sherwin, Dr. Phineas Bartiet.

1779 .- Jasher Taylor, John Bement, Isaac Shepard.

1780 .- Benj. Phillips, Aaron Lyon, Roland Sears.

1781 .- Warren Green, Jr., Friah Goodwin, John Sherwin. 17×2 .- Jacob Sherwin, Benj. Phillips, Samuel Allen.

1783 .- Thomas Stocking, Capt. JJasher Taylor, Benj. Rogers.

1784 .- Thomas Stocking, Chileab Smith, Jr., John Ellis.

1785 .- Warren Green, Ephraim Williams, Chileab Smith, Jr.

1780-87 .- Thomas Stocking, Wm. Flower, Chileab Smith, Jr. 1788 .- Ephraim Williams, Roland Seurs, Philip Phillips.

1789 .- Roland Scars, Ephraim Williams, Chileab Smith, Jr.

1790 .- Roland Seals, Ephraim Williams, John Ellis.

1791-92 .- Roland Sears, Ephraim Williams, Chilenb Smith, Jr. 1793 .- Warren Green, John Bement, Lemmel Spurr.

1794-95 .- Ephraim Williams, Roland Sears, Chileab Smith, Jr.

1796 .- Abner Kelly, Joshua Howes, Abiezer Perkins. 1797 .- Joshua lowes, Aber Kelly, Elijah Paine. 1798-99 .- Joshua Howes, Abner Kelly, Ephraim Williams. 1800-1 .- Samuel Guilford, Chileab Smith, Abner Kelly. 1802-5 .- Sammel Guilford, Abner Kelly, Ebenezer Smith. 180G .- Abner Kelly, Samuel Guilford, John Allen. 1-07-8 .- John Alden, Abuer Kelly, Thomas White. 1809-11 .- Thomas White, Bethuel Lilly, Josiah Drake.

Is12-15 .- Thomas White, Chipman Smith, Nathaniel Holmes.

1×16-19 .- Nathaniel Holmes, Dimmick Ellis, Bethuel Lilly. 1820 .- Bethnel Lilly, Roswell Ranney, Jonathan Scars. 1821-22 .- Roswell Ranney, Jonathan Sears, Samuel Eldredge. 1823 .- Jonathan Sears, Samuel Eldredge, Simeon Phillips. 1824,-Samuel Eldredge, Jonathan Stars, Roswell Ranney. 1825 .- Sanmel Eldredge, Thomas White, Jonathan Sears,

1826 .- Thomas White, Jonathan Sears, Nathaniel Holmes.

1827 .- Thomas White, Nathaniel Holmes, Sanford Boice. 1828 .- Thomas White, Sanford Buice, Austin Lilly.

1820-Thomas White, Jonathan Sears, Austin Lilly. 1830-31 .- Jonathan Sears, Seth Church, George Hall. I832-33 .- Seth Church, George Ilall, Wm. Bassett. 1834 .- Sanford Boice, Daniel Williams, Joseph Hall. 1×35-37 .- Chester Sauderson, Anson Bement, Isaac Taylor.

1838 .- Chester Sanderson, Sauford Boice, Friend Knowlton.

1839 .- Sanford Boice, Friend Knowlton, Joseph Hall. 1840,-Chester Sanderson, Ansou Bement, David Gray. 1841 .- Wait Bement, David Gray, Salmon Miller. 1812 .- Wait Bement, Hosea Blake, Alvan Perry. 1843 .- Hosea Blake, John Guilford, Nathan Vincent. 1844 .- Wait Rement, Hosea Blake, Lot Bassett. 1845 .- Lot Bassett, Alvan Perry, Alvan Hall. 1846 .- Ilosea Blake, Ephraim Williams, Sanford Boice.

1847 .- Hosea Blake, Chester Sanderson, Sanford Buice. J848 .- Sanford Boice, David Gray, Wm. Bassett. 1849-50 .- David Gray, Henry Paine, Friend Knowlton.

1851 .- Henry Paine, Alvan Perry, Nathan Knowlton.

* The foregoing officers served prior to the incorporation of the town, being called assessors,

742

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

152 .- Henry Paine, Nathan Knowlton, Foster R. King. 1853,-Nathan Knowlton, Kimbel HI. Howes, Orville Hall. 1854,-Alvan Hall, Henry S. Ranney, Addison Graves. 1:55 .- Ilenry Paine. Addison Graves, Silas Blake. 1850,-Henry Paine, Orville Hall, Addison Graves, 1857-38 .- Nathan Knowlton, Orville Hall, Daniel Williams, Jr. 1:59,-Frederick Forbes. Freeman Williams, Chauncey Boice.

INGO .- Nelson Gardner, Josephns Crafts, Chauncey Boire. 1861 .- Josephus Crafts, Almon Howes, Lorenzo Wait. 1862 .- Josephus Crafts, Moses Cook, Daring Williams.

1863 .- Josephins Crafts, Nathan Knowlton, Almon Howes.

1864 .- Nathan Knowlton, Almon Howes, Josiah Croxs, 1865,-Alvan Hall, Frederick G. Howes, Josiah Cross, 1866,-Nathan Knowlton, F. G. Howes, Orville Hall. 1867 .- Henry Paine, Almon Howes, Addison G. Hall. ISGA,-Almon Howes, Addism G. Hall, Moses Cook. 1869,-Addison G. Hall, Joseph Blake, Albert W. Crafts. ISTO-71 .- Addiam G. Hall, Joseph Blake, Wait Bement. 1872,-Addison Q. Hall, Nathan Knowlton, Orville Hall.

1873 .- Addison G. Hall, Nathan Knowlton, Charles Howes.

1874 .- Cyrus A. Hall, Frederick G, Howes, Silas Blake.

1575 .- Nathan Knowlton, Charles lowes, Silas Blake.

1876 .- Nathan Knowlton, Orville Hall, Alvan Hall.

1877 .- Orville Ilall, Levant F. Gray, Alvan Hall.

1878,-Levant F. Gray, Alvan Hall, Almon Howes,

1879 .- Levant F. Gray, Chauncey Boice, Charles Howes.

TOWN CLERKS.

1762, Samuel Belding ;* 1766, Benjamin Phillips : 1775, Sammel Belding; 1776, Dr. Phineas Bartlet ; 1778, Jacob Sherwin : 1782, Dr. Phineas Bartlet ; 1794, Dr. Francis Mantor ; 1795, Dr. Phineas Bartlet ; 1799. Levi look ; 1802, Elijah Paine; 180G, Selah Norton : 1807, Henry Bassett; 1813, Lewis Williams; 1$14, Dr. Enos Smith ; 1816, Henry Bassett; 1823, Dimmick Ellis; 1826, James McFarland ; 1830, Russell Bement; 1832, Wait Bement; 1836, Samuel Barber; 1839, Henry S. Ranney ; 1847, Nelson Gardner; 1852, Sidney Brooks; 1833, Henry $. Ranney ; 1870, Moses G. Cook ; 1>73, Henry S. Rauney.

REPRESENTATIVES.

1775, Capt. Elisha Cranston ; 1779, Jonathan Taylor; 1780, Jacob Sherwin; 1782, Benj. Bogers; 1783-86, Capt. Elisha Cranston ; 1787, Chileab Smith, Jr .; 1789, Capt. Philip Phillips ; 1790-07, '99, 1:01-2, 4, Elijah Paine ; 1806-7, Ephraim Williams; 1808, Ephraim Williams, Elijah Paine; 1809, Ephraim Williams, Thomas White; 1810, Ephraim Williams, Henry Bassett; Is11-12, Thos, White, Henry Bassett ; 1814, Enos Smith ; 1816, Enos Smith, Henry Bassett; 1817, Enos Smith ; 1820, Henry Bassett; 1823, Dimmick Ellis; 1827, Henry Bassett; I>29 (May 4th), Dr. Enos Smith, Capt. Roswell Ranney ; 1829-30, Enos Smith, Samuel Bement ; 1831, Roswell Ranney, Henry Bassett; 1831 (November), Henry Bas- sett, Chester Sanderson; 1832. Chester Sanderson, Jonathan Sears; 1833, Seth Church, Anson Bement; 1831, Justus Smith, Judah Taylor; I>35, Jonathan Sears, Wait Bement ; 1836, Anson Bement, Wait Bement ; 1837, Roswell Ranney ; 1838, Win. Bassett, Friend Knowlton; 1839, Friend Knowlton; 1840, Sanford Boice; 1844, Jasper Bement; 1847, Samuel W. Hall; 1:48, Samuel Barber; 1849-50, Hosea Blake; 1831, Henry S. Ranney; 1852, Anson Bement ; 1833, Nelson Gardner; 1855, Manley Guilford; 1:56, Philip Bassett; 1858, Nathan Knowlton; 1860, Joseph Vincent, Jr .; 1863, Chauncey Boire; I>65, David S. Howes; 1867, Henry S. Ranney ; 1870, Levi Gardner; 1874, Frederick G. Howes; 1877, Nelson Gardner.

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. ASHFIELD PLAINS,

the principal village in the town, is situated a little east of the geographical centre. It comprises three churches,-Con- gregationalist, Baptist, and Protestant Episcopal,-a town- hall, three stores, a post-office, a hotel, and a large number of substantial dwelling-houses. The principal street is shaded by rows of beautiful maple-trees, and a handsome soldiers' monument adorns the village.

SOUTH ASHFIELD is a. small village one mile and a half south of the centre. There are a store and post-office there, several mills, and a number of residences.

HOWESVILLE and SPRUCE CORNERS are small hamlets,-the former in the north part of the town, and the latter in the southwest section.

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.

It has already been seen that provision was made in the original allotment of the town land for a school lot. The first vote recorded appropriating money to the support of a school was on March 31, 1766, when the sum of £4 was so appropriated. In March, 1768, £12 were appropriated " for the use of a school and other necessary town charges."

* Served until the incorporation of the town.

On Feb. 5, 1772, it was voted to divide the town into three school districts, to build three school-houses, and " that Tim- othy Lewis, Samuel Belding, and Aaron Lyon be a committee to build said houses." On March 1, 1773, 815 were appro- priated for a school. In 1777 a committee was chosen to divide the town into school districts, and a similar committee was chosen in 1787. The appropriation for schools in 1789 was £40; in 1790, £80; in 1791, £100; in 1794, £120; in 1796, €150; in 1798, 8400, and $60 for a music teacher ; in 1802, 8450, and by a gradual increase until, in 1879, it reached $1600. The school fund, resulting from the land set apart for educational purposes, has produced an annual average of about $80.

Among some of the early teachers of the district schools of the town, mention should be made of Gen. Longley (of Haw- Jey), Isaac Taylor, Bethuel Lilly, Abigail White, afterward the wife of Capt. Kimbal Howes, Wait Bement, Lydia Bas- sett,+ afterward the wife of Lucius Smith, Betsey Smith, Samuel and William Bassett, Polly Hall, and David Wil- liams.

At the present time there are fourteen school districts in the town, having in attendance 238 pupils, at an average cost per scholar of $8.42.

SANDERSON'S ACADEMY,

an institution of character and standing, was incorporated in 1821. It derives its name from Rev. Alvan Sanderson, a former minister of the town, who did much to advance the cause of education therein. While yet actively engaged in the discharge of his pastoral duties, he was accustomed to gather the young together to instruct them personally in the rudiments of education. In some sections of the town he held evening schools. When his labors ceased, because of a consumptive tendency, he put in operation measures to es- tablish the academy. Ile purchased a building on the hill, near where the meeting-house then stood, removed it to its present site, put it into a convenient form, and opened a grammar and classical school in 1816. The experiment proved a success. Many residents of Ashfield and adjoining towns availed them- selves of its privileges, and Mary Lyon is said to have re- ceived her first educational impressions and impulses there, and was for a time its teacher. Many were prepared for col- lege in the academy, and have served in the various profes- * sions and in business with honor and success. The institution is still sustained.

In 1815 a circulating library was gathered in the town, and from time to time valuable additions were made, until it be- came an important auxiliary in diffusing knowledge and cul- ture.

From want of proper organization, however, it had begun to decline, and was succeeded by The Ishfield Library Asso- ciation, which was formed in 1866. By generous contribu- tions from Messrs. George William Curtist and Charles Eliot Norton, both of books and gratuitous lectures, means were obtained to make a beginning, and, the fees of membership, $5 each, being added, the library was opened with 600 or 700 volumes.

From that time hooks have been annually added, until, at the present time (1879), the library consists of about 1800 volumes of miscellaneous books, besides about 200 volumes of public documents, printed and bound by order of the United States Congress. Messrs. Curtis and Norton have continued their benefactions, and Mr. Curtis has lectured every year, with the exception of two, since the association was formed, in behalf of the library. Mr. Alonzo Lilly has also been a generous donor. With a very moderate income, it continues to flourish, and to furnish valuable reading matter to all at small charge.

+ Daughter of Lot, born in 1794, still a resident of the town.

# Ashfield is a favorite summer resort of Mr. Curtis.

743

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

CHURCHES.

The religious history of the town is coeval with its first set- tlement. In 1751 a sum of money was appropriated to supply preaching. The first minister employed was Rev. Mr. Dick- inson, a Congregationalist of Hadley, who was followed by Rev. Mr. Streeter, of the same denomination. Religious ser- vives were first held in the house of Deacon Ebenezer Beld- ing, which stood on the site of the dwelling now occupied by Joshua Ilall.

THE BAPTISTS.

The first denomination to establish themselves in the town were the Baptists. A church was formed in July, 1761, con- sisting of 9 members. The first minister of the church was Rev. Ebenezer Smith, son of Chileab Smith, whose ministry continued thirty-seven years. He was dismissed in 1798, and removed into the western part of the State of New York. IIe was succeeded as pastor of the church, on Jan. 14, 1798, by his brother, Rev. Enos Smith, who served faithfully in that capacity for forty years.

In 1814 a second Baptist Church was constituted, the place of worship being in South Ashfield. For several years Elder Loomis, a resident of the town, served the society in the work of the ministry. Removing to the State of New York, he was succeeded by Rev. Orra Martin, of Bristol, Conn., who labored with the society for several years.

The present Baptist society was organized Jan. 13, ISG7, and was comprised of members of the different Baptist Churches in the neighborhood, and of the original Baptist Church. The first preacher for the society was Rev. David Peace, who was succeeded, on May 2, 1868, by Rev. E. N. Jenks. Mr. Jenks remained until May 5, 1870, when Mr. Peace officiated again, together with Elder Frary and others. On Feb. 1, 1871, Rev. T. IT. Goodwin was ordained pastor. Rev. George A. Willard, the present pastor, commenced his labors Feb. 1, 1874. The present membership of the church is 68; of Sabbath-school, about 50; number of volumes in the library, about 200; superintendent of Sabbath-school, J. L. Ilowes.

The first Baptist house of worship stood about 40 rods north of the present residence of Deacon Ziba Smith, and the sec- ond house stood a half-mile farther to the southeast. The present one was erected in 1869, and is at Ashfield Plains.

CONGREGATIONAL.

· This church was constituted Feb. 22, 1763, with a member- ship of 15. On the following day Rev. Jacob Sherwin was ordained its pastor by the same council that constituted the church. Among its original members were Jacob Sherwin, Thomas Phillips, Nathan Waite, Ebenezer Belding, Timothy Lewis, and Joseph Mitchell.

The first Congregational meeting-house was raised in 1766. It was originally placed on " the northerly end of house-lot No. 13, first division," which was near the top of the hill northeasterly of " Mill Hill," called Bellows' Hill. This frame was removed in 1767 to " lot No. 18, first division," which site is now occupied by the cemetery, about 50 rods north of the " Plain." It was used as a place of worship until 1814. The foundations of a new house of worship were laid in 1812 on "the Hill," about half a mile southwest of the " Plain." It was long in building, the contractor com- mitting suicide during its erection. It was occupied tem- porarily in the winter of 1813-14, while yet in an unfinished state. It was completed during the following season, and per- manently occupied as a place of worship about Thanksgiving time of the year 1814. This, with such repairs and modifica- tions as it has since undergone, constitutes the present town- hall. The present house of worship was erected in 1856.

Rev. Jacob Sherwin, of Hebron, Conn., the first pastor of the church, was ordained Feb. 23, 1763. He wa- born April 11, 1738; graduated at Yale College in 1759; was dismissed

from his pastoral relation in Ashfield, May 17, 1774, but re- sided for several years afterward in the town, officiating as representative in General Court, town clerk, selectman, and justice of the peace. He was installed pastor of a Congrega- tional Church in Sunderland, Vt., March 18, 1790, and died there Jan. 7, 1803, aged sixty-five.

Rev. Nehemiah Porter, the second pastor, was installed over the church Dec. 21, 1774. He was born in Ipswich, Mass., March. 22, 1720; was graduated at Yale College in 1745; was ordained in Ipswich, Chebacco Parish, Jan. 3, 1750, and was dismissed from his charge in that place in June, 1766. ITe afterward preached for several years to emigrants at Cape Canso, Nova Scotia. Ile lived to have two pastors successively settled as colleagues with him in Ashfield. He was in his one hundredth year at the time of the settlement of the last, and exhorted his people to live in peace among themselves from the pulpit on that day. He died at Ashfield, Feb. 29, 1820, aged one hundred years, lacking twenty-two days. The following epitaph is inscribed on his tombstone :

" Mr. Porter was a faithful minister of Christ. With long life he was satisfied. Ile fell asleep in Jesus, in hope of a joyful resurrection and a blessed immor- Iality.

" The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance."

Rev. Alvan Sanderson, the third pastor, was installed over the church June 22, 1808. He was born in Whately, Dec. 13, 1780; was graduated at Williams College in 1802; studied theology with Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D., of Lee, and for a short time with Rev. Joseph Lyman, D.D., of Ilatfield. He was licensed by the Berkshire Association, Oct. 17, 1804, and was ordained as an evangelist at Westhampton, Feb. 4, 1807. In 1814 he was attacked with hemorrhage of the lungs, and was obliged to suspend his pastoral labors. His feeble health led to his dismission Jan. 3, 1816. He died June 22, 1817, on the anniversary of his installation, aged thirty-six.

Rev. Thomas Shepard was the fourth pastor, and was or- dained over the church June 16, 1819. He was born in Nor- ton in 1792; was graduated at Brown University in 1813, and finished his theological course at Andover in 1816. He was dismissed May 8, 1833, from his pastoral charge in Ashfield, and was for several years employed as an agent for the Amer- ican Bible Society in New England. He afterward filled the pastoral relation at Bristol, R. I., where he now resides.

Rev. Mason Grosvenor, the fifth pastor, was settled over the church May 9, 1833. He was born in Craftsbury, Vt., in 1800; was graduated at Yale College in 1827. He was dismissed from his pastoral charge in Ashfield, July 16, 1835.

Rev. Burr Baldwin, the sixth pastor, was installed over the church April 20, 1836. He was born in Weston, Conn., in 1789; was graduated at Yale College in 1809. Previous to his settlement in Ashfield he was settled as pastor in Mon- trose, Pa., and was installed as pastor in New Hartford, Conn , Feb. 17, 1830, and dismissed from his pastoral charge in Ash- field in September, 1838.

Rev. Sereno D. Clark, the seventh pastor, was ordained over the church June 11, 1840. He was born in Southamp- ton in 1809; was graduated at Amherst College in 1835, and pursued his theological studies in part at Andover. He was dismissed from his Ashfield charge April 22, 1851.

Rev. William H. Gilbert, the eighth pastor, was installed over the church Dec. 3, 1851. He was born in Weston, Conn., in 1817, graduated at Yale College in 1841, studied theology ut Andover and New Haven, and previous to his settlement in Ashfield had been pastor of a church in Westminster, Vt. Ile was dismissed from the Ashfield Church in 1855.

During that year a division occurred in the church, and a new Congregational Society was formed, which erected a house of worship in 1856,-the same now occupied by the Congre- gational Church. The other Congregational meeting-house has become the town-hall. The second church had several pastors, but the two bodies were finally reunited.

744

IHISTORY OF THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

The Rev. Mr. Gilbert was succeeded as pastor in 1856 by Rev. Willard Brigham, who was followed by Rev. Edward C. Ewing, now pastor of the church at Enfield, Mass. .

Rev. Webster Woodbury became the first pastor of the re- united church, Sept. 9, 1868, and was dismissed Ang. 3, 1870. Rev. James Dingwell was installed pastor Ang. 28, 1872, and dismissed Nov. 30, 1877. Rev. JJ. Wadhams, the present pastor, was installed Nov. 6, 1878.

The present membership of the church is about 190; of Sabbath-school, 150; volumes in the library, several hundred ; superintendent of Sabbath-school, Fred. JI. Smith. Some of the deacons of the church have been Ebenezer Belding, Joshna Sherwin, John Bement, Jonathan Taylor, John Porter, Enos Smith, Elijah Paine, Samuel Bement, Daniel Williams, Jared Bement, Asa Sanderson, Alvan Perry, Daniel Howes, Joseph Vincent, Jr.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL.

This society was organized in the town in 1820, and in 1829 a neat and commodions house of worship was erected, and con- secrated by the bishop as St. John's Church. This has since undergone changes and repairs, and is still used by the society.

Rev. Silas Blaisdell, the first regular pastor of the church, began to officiate Sept. 26, 1830. Rev. Jacob Pearson assumed charge July 10, 1836. Rev. Joseph A. Storrs became the pastor Ang. 29, 1847. Ile was admitted by Bishop Eastburn, at Roxbury, Mass., June 26, 1848. He resigned Aug. 1, 1849.

The parish was in charge of Rev. William Withington during 1850, and for some time following. In 1853, Rev. Charles Cleveland became the pastor, and continued until abont 1858 or 1859, when the parish was supplied for sev- eral months by Rev. John Reynolds. Rev. Charles Il. Gar- diner commenced to officiate Nov. 20, 1859, and resigned Oet. 28, 1861. Rev. Brinton Flower entered upon the discharge of pastoral duties June 13, 1862, and died suddenly June 23, 1863. On May 29, 1864, O. II. Dutton, a deacon of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church of the diocese of New York, began to officiate as temporary supply. Rev. Lewis Green, the pres- ent pastor of the church, commenced his duties in October, 1864. The parish is small, comprising a membership of about 30.

THE METHODISTS

erected a house of worship and held services in the southeast corner of the town about 1830, and the Universalists organ- ized a society about the year 1831, which was in existence for several years, and worshiped in the house at South Ashfield, formerly used by the second Baptist Society.

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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 60

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