USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > History of the churches and ministers, and of Franklin association, in Franklin County, Mass., and an appendix respecting the county > Part 19
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15. Rev. Timothy A. Taylor was born in Hawley, Sept. 7, 1809; graduated at Amherst in 1835; and finished the theological course at Andover in 1838 ; settled as pastor in Slatersville, R. I., Jan. 23, 1839, and Rev. Dr. Thomas Shepard of Bristol, R. I., preached the sermon. Among the works published by Mr. Taylor are the following, viz. : " The Solace," " Zion," "Zion's Pathway," "The Bible View of the Death Penalty," and the Memoir of his brother, Rev. O. A. Taylor. Mr. Taylor still preaches in Slaters- ville, R. I.
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16 .* Rev. Thomas H. Wood was born in Norwich, Ct., (in that part of it now incorporated as Bozrah,) Dec. 11, 1772; with his parents removed to Hawley in 1775 ; grad- uated at Williams in 1799 ; studied theology with Rev. Dr. Lyman of Hatfield ; licensed by Hampshire Association, April 26, 1803 ; preached in Oxford and in Lebanon, N. Y .; ordained as an Evangelist at Amherst, May 2, 1804, and the sermon was preached by Rev. John Emerson of Conway, and was published ; in 1804 spent several months as a mis- sionary in Maine ; in 1805 took a missionary tour in the State of New York ; was settled as pastor in Halifax, Vt., Sept. 17, 1806, and died while pastor in that place, Dec. 26, 1842, aged 71.
The following notice of Mr. Wood is an extract from a historical discourse preached by Rev. Alpheus Graves, his colleague : " During Mr. Wood's ministry, one hundred and thirty united with the church by profession, all but ten of whom were baptized in infancy, and twenty-four united with the church by letter, making in all one hundred and fifty-four. The number of children baptized during his ministry is one hundred and thirty-five. The education of young men received his special attention, nine of whom from his own society fitted for college with him, besides a considerable number from adjoining towns. Six became ministers of the gospel, who grew up under his ministry. Of the young men from abroad who studied with him, were Jonas King, of the Greek Mission, Nathan Brown, of the Baptist Mission in Burmah, and Abner Hazleton, who was afterwards a member of Congress. * * Mr. Wood is re- membered among his people as having been a faithful and beloved pastor, a preacher of sound doctrine, decidedly Cal- vinistic. His sermons are said to have been methodical in the arrangement, always written out, and delivered with a full and distinct enunciation. In his intercourse with his people he was familiar, yet sustained his dignity as a minister. He was fond of society, especially that of his ministerial
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brethren. In relating anecdotes, with which his mind was well furnished, he was peculiarly apt. Kindness and gener- osity were prominent traits of character ; the latter of which he possessed, perhaps, to a fault.
" Mr. Wood was married twice ; had six children who lived to adult years, four by his first wife and two by his second wife. Three of his children united with the church during his life."
The following obituary notice of him was published in the New York Observer for Jan. 28, 1843: "For thirty-two years he performed the sacred functions of the pastoral office with great wisdom and fidelity ; and many souls through his instrumentality were made trophies of the Re- deemer's grace. During the last four years of his life, God, in his wise Providence, laid him aside from his active labors by an illness of epilepsy. But his earnest solicitude for the prosperity of his flock was unceasing. The cause of benev- olence, in its various departments, lay near his heart. The education of pious youth for the gospel ministry received his special attention ; and a large number of them, some of whom are among the first and most efficient missionaries in foreign climes, have received essential aid from his instruc- tions. * * * In anticipation of leaving his family and the dear people of his charge, he often expressed great joy that the Lord reigns. For some time previous to his departure, the communion of glorified saints, whom he loved while on the earth, the holy society of the Triune God and angels, was the exalted theme of his contemplation. * * As a faithful and beloved pastor, as a preacher of sound doctrine, his name will long be venerated by the christian church and community. He survived all the ministers of the county who held the pastoral office at the time of his installation. The funeral obsequies were performed on the 28th ult., (Dec. 28, 1842.) The Rev. Mr. Graves, the colleague of the deceased, delivered an appropriate sermon from Ps. xvii. 15, 'I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.'
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The Rev. Mr. Walker succeeded with an impressive address suited to the occasion. The services were attended with deep solemnity, in the presence of a large concourse of sym- pathizing friends." Both of Mr. Wood's wives, and his eldest son, have deceased. One of his daughters is the wife of Rev. Edward F. Brooks of Gill. His remains, and those of his predecessor, Rev. Jesse Edson, lie within a few rods of the pulpit where they preached the gospel.
Of the sixteen ministers here reckoned as the sons of Hawley, twelve were natives of the town ; fifteen were graduates of colleges ; all were ordained ; and twelve are living.
Rev. Alvah Lilley, who is noticed in the sketches of Ashfield ministers as a native of that town, lived in Hawley after he was about eight years of age till manhood.
OTHER DENOMINATIONS.
It is not known that any other church or religious society, except the two of the Congregational order, has been organ- ized in Hawley.
METHODISTS. In past years, Methodist meetings have been held occasionally in the southwest part of the town. Three Methodist ministers, viz., Revs. Judah Crosby, Silas Leonard, and Proctor Marslı, originated from Hawley.
SUMMARY of preachers originating from Hawley : Congre- gationalists, 16 ; Methodists, 3. Total, 19.
HEATH.
A large portion of the territory of this town was formerly included in Charlemont, and, " together with a large forest unsold," is said to have belonged to proprietors in England. " One of the cordon of forts built in 1744, for defence against the Indians, was situated in this town, and called Fort Shir- ley." The town was incorporated Feb. 14, 1785, and named after General Heath of Roxbury, then an influential
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member of the General Court. Some parts of the town began to be settled about a century ago. Its population in 1850 was 803. Four churches have been organized in Heath, viz., two Orthodox Congregational, one Baptist, and one Unitarian.
CONGREGATIONALISTS.
Previous to the incorporation of this town, the people worshiped with the people of Charlemont, under the minis- try of Rev. Jonathan Leavitt, and their house of worship was situated in what is now Heath. After the incorporation of the town, and Mr. Leavitt's dismission, they were supplied several years by various preachers before they settled a pastor.
FIRST CHURCH. The church was organized April 15, 1785, with 35 members, 20 males and 15 females. The Meeting-house in which the people of Charlemont and Heath had worshiped together was removed, in 1789, to the centre of Heath, and used as a house of worship till 1833, when the second and present house was built, a few rods north of the site of the other. Numerous revivals have been enjoyed among this people, viz., in 1792, and 78 added to the church ; in 1797, and 11 added; in 1800, and 40 added; in 1808, and 30 added ; in 1816, 1817, and 1818, and 26 added ; in 1822 and 1823, and 121 added ; in 1827, and S added ; in 1828, and 23 added ; in 1829, and S added ; in 1830, and 30 added ; in 1831, and 54 added ; in 1832, and 10 added ; in 1848, and 30 added. Rev. Moses Miller, in a historical dis- course delivered in Heath, Oct. 13, 1852, says of the church, in reference to the period from about 1830 to 1832: " At this time it contained a few more members than any other in the county, and, probably, in the State, according to our population." "The population at this period was a few less than 1200. This church had then 316 members, the Baptist church about 100, and other denominations a few. Nearly one half of the population of our society were professors of
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religion, and a large majority of the adult population. More than a third of the population of the town, and the majority of its adults, were professors of religion."
Councils were called for the settlement of difficulties, March 6, 1844, and June 9, 1846. The amount contributed by this people to the cause of benevolence in 1853 was $64 27. The Sabbath School in 1852 numbered 154. The number in the church in 1853 was 117. The following ministers have been invited to settle as pastors of this church, who declined to settle, viz., Rev. Lucius R. Eastman, Oct. 5, 1837 ; Rev. Mr. Carver, Feb. 5, 1838 ; Rev. C. Coburn, July 25, 1838 ; Rev. Zolva Whitmore, April 13, 1848. In the sixty-eight years since the organization of this church, it has been supplied with pastors about fifty-four years, and has been destitute of the same about fourteen years. This church has had six pastors.
PASTORS. 1 .* REV. JOSEPH STRONG was settled as the first pastor of this church, Oct. 27, 1790, and was dismissed from there, June 10, 1803. He was born in Granby, Conn., April 7, 1756, and was the son of Rev. Joseph Strong, who was a pastor in Granby, Ct., and afterwards in Williamsburg. He graduated at Yale in 1784; studied theology with his father ; was licensed by Hampshire Association, Aug. 2, 1785 ; preached as a missionary in Maine before going to Heath ; after his dismission from Heath he lived at South Hadley, and performed a mission in Maine in 1803; was a settled pastor in Eastbury, a parish in Glastenbury, Ct., from 1806 to 1818; then lived in Belchertown; then lived again in South Hadley ; and in 1823 preached in Preble, N. Y. ; and died at the house of his son, Professor Theodore Strong, in Clinton, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1823, in his 68th year. His re- mains, and those of his wife, were removed to South Hadley about seven years ago, and a neat monument marks the spot where they lie interred. Several revivals were enjoyed under his ministration, both at Heath and at Eastbury, Ct.
Mr. Benjamin W. Dwight, of Brooklyn, N. Y., his grand-
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son, says of him : "He was remarkably meek, tender- hearted, conscientious, and devoted to his work. He was poor like most clergymen, and worked quite a large farm, and that, too, generally by himself without help, in order to support his large family of nine children ; laboring on the farm by day, and writing his sermons by night. He was particularly apt, tender, and pathetic at funerals, and was therefore sent for on such occasions from far and near. He was also at all times remarkably interesting in prayer. All who knew him regarded him as a sympathizing friend and a righteous man. His great desire in life was to preach the gospel even to his dying day. He died of the liver com- plaint, which had been of long standing. He died an ex- ceedingly happy death ; being in full consciousness, and rejoicing with joy beyond expression." His son, Professor Theodore Strong, now in New Brunswick College, N.J., says of him ; "He loved to preach the gospel, and the aim of his life was to glorify God in all things ; yet he was so modest that he seldom spoke of himself, so that an estimate of his character was to be formed from what he did, rather than from his profession." Six of his children, three sons in pro- fessional life, and three daughters, are living. Mr. Strong's pastorate in Heath was about twelve years.
2. REV. MOSES MILLER was settled as the second pastor, Dec. 26, 1804, and the sermon was preached by Rev. Joseph Field and was published. After a ministry of about thirty- five years, the last two of which a colleague pastor was as- sociated with him, he was dismissed from Heath, April 21, 1840. Mr. Miller was born in Worcester, Nov. 23, 1776 ; graduated at Brown in 1800; studied theology at the same institution ; after leaving Heath was installed as pastor in West Hawley, May 20, 1840, and was dismissed from there, Oct. 20, 1846 ; from 1846 to 1848 preached in Nunda, N. Y., and Portage, N. Y .; for several years past has been living with his son-in-law, Rev. Washington A. Nickols, in Brook- field. He preached a sermon before the Missionary Society
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at Northampton in 1824, which was published ; and his His- torical Discourse, delivered in Heath in 1852, was published. He was married to Miss Bethiah Ware of Conway, Oct. 13, 1806; and she died in Portage, N. Y., Aug. 17, 1848, aged 69. Three only of his nine children are living. His son, Thomas Spencer, died while a tutor in Amherst College. One of his daughters married Rev. W. A. Nickols; and an- other married Rev. Lemuel Leonard.
3. REV. CALVIN BUTLER was settled as the third pastor, and as a colleague with Rev. Moses Miller, Oct. 31, 1838, and after a ministry of about one year and a half was dis- missed, March 17, 1840. Mr. Butler was born in Pelham, N. H., April 25, 1810; graduated at Dartmouth in 1834; finished the theological course at Andover in 1837 ; before going to Heath preached in Richmond, N. H., and in Sacca- rappa, Me .; after leaving Heath preached six months in 1840 in Burlington, Ct .; then supplied a year in Salisbury, Vt .; in 1841 was installed pastor in Bristol, Vt., and Rev. James Meacham preached the sermon ; was dismissed from there, Sept. 6, 1845 ; then took charge of an Academy in Salem, N. Y. ; in September, 1851, removed to Somerville, N. J., where he still resides, having charge of a Young Ladies' Institute. Rev. Francis Danforth preached his ordination sermon at Heath. Mr. Butler buried a son three years of age at Salem, N. Y., in 1846.
4 .* REV. SAMUEL M. EMERSON was settled as the fourth pastor, Sept. 16, 1840, and after a ministry of ten months died in Heath, July 20, 1841, aged 55. Mr. Emerson was the son of Rev. John Emerson, of Conway, and was born in that town, Nov. 17, 1785; graduated at Williams in 1810, and was tutor in that college from 1812 to 1814; studied theology at the same institution ; was ordained as pastor in Chester, Feb. 1, 1815, and the sermon was by Rev. Joseph Field, his brother-in-law, which was published ; was dis- missed from Chester, Dec. 1, 1818 ; was installed as pastor at Manchester, Sept. 12, 1821, and the sermon was by Rev. Dr.
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Justin Edwards ; and was dismissed from there, Sept. 18, 1839. He published one sermon in 1825 on " Redeeming the Time." He was licensed in June, 1815. He studied theology under the direction of President Fitch, of Williams College. The following is from an obituary of him, written by Rev. Oliver A. Taylor, his successor at Manchester, and published in the Boston Recorder :-
" Mr. Emerson was the youngest son of the late Rev. John Emerson of Conway, and grandson of the Rev. Joseph Em- erson of Malden, and great-grandson of the Rev. Joseph Em- erson of Mendon. His paternal grand-mother was a daughter of the Rev. Samuel Moody of York, in Maine, who was highly distinguished in his day for piety, zeal and faith- fulness.
" Of the early life of Mr. Emerson we have no particular information. He made a public profession of religion soon after he left college. His appointment to the office of tutor, in the college where he received his education, is decisive evidence of the purity of his character, and the respectability of his standing as a scholar. During his ministry at Chester, he was esteemed as a young man of more than ordinary tal- ents, and greatly beloved for his simplicity, zeal and force as a preacher, and for his kindness and fidelity as a pastor. But his useful labors there were cut short by the failure of his health, which induced him to resign his charge.
" Having regained his health, he entered a second time upon the duties, responsibilities and trials of the pastoral office ; and after laboring in Manchester 19 years, his health again failed, and he was again constrained, by a painful sense of duty, to request a dismission from his flock, many of whom cherish his memory with great affection, and will not soon forget his fervent instructions, warnings and prayers from the pulpit, in the social meeting, and from house to house. After a few months, his health was so far restored, that he was induced to accept an invitation from a church and parish in Heath, to settle with them in the ministry.
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They had suffered much from division and strife, and many had almost despaired of ever having the ministrations of the gospel established again among them. But so favorably im- pressed were they with the preaching of Mr. Emerson, that the call they gave him was given with perfect unanimity. Under such encouraging auspices, did he enter this new field of labor. And the manner in which he did his work, is thus described by an intelligent gentleman on the ground. 'In the pulpit he was distinguished for the clearness and variety of the truths presented, and the holy fervor with which he endeavored to impress them upon the hearts and consciences of his hearers. Every sermon seemed to manifest a desire to discharge his whole duty. His appeals were uniformly affectionate, as well as urgent, and, in this respect, I know not that I ever heard his equal. The youth of Heath had been inclined to the idea that the terrors of the law were too often presented from the sacred desk. Mr. Emerson did not refrain to present the consequences of incorrigible impeni- tence with clearness and force. But he loved especially to dwell upon the theme of a Saviour's love. The youth of his congregation, particularly, will not soon forget what interest he manifested in their spiritual welfare, and with what glow- ing fervor he portrayed before them the compassion of a Sa- viour. But I cannot do justice to that, which nothing but the eye and ear can duly appreciate. Suffice it to say, that we always went to church expecting to be instructed and fed, and never went away feeling that we had received less than we had hoped.
" He was frequent in his parochial visits, and the desire which his people manifested for his society was made evi- dent by the fact, that, in mid-winter, they would go for him through the deep snows two, three, or four miles, and carry him back in their vehicles. The sick and dying found him an affectionate friend and a faithful pastor, and mourners loved to listen to his sympathetic and appropriate addresses. The sermons he preached on several of the Sabbaths before
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his labors closed, seemed like the last efforts of a faithful preacher. Said Mrs. Emerson, ' It really startled me to hear him express such clear views of the joys of heaven, of the character of God, and the love of a Saviour. It seemed a premonition that he had not long to stay on earth.'
" In the month of June, 1841, Mr. Emerson was induced to visit Saratoga, and try the efficacy of its waters upon his impaired and declining health. Those waters, instead of mitigating the severity of his disease, appeared to aggravate it and to hasten its crisis. With much difficulty he returned from the springs to his family at Heath, and in three weeks from the time of reaching his home, he closed the last scene of life, and entered, as we believe, into the reward of a faith- ful steward.
" An extract we are permitted to make from a letter written by his surviving widow, three weeks after his death, to a friend in Manchester, will show the state of his mind, when in the prospect of a speedy dissolution."
" My dear Mrs. L.,-It is with a trembling hand and a bleeding heart, that I attempt to answer your very kind, affectionate and sympathizing letter. Could I seat myself beside you this evening, in your retired chamber, I would rehearse to you the dealings of God with us since I saw you last. I would tell you of the many blessings that have been showered upon us, of the union among the people here, and how much my dear husband was encouraged and animated with the belief, that, in the providence of God, he was placed in a part of his vineyard where he was doing as much to advance the cause of Christ, as at any period of his min- istry ; and of his high hopes and expectations of confirmed health and usefulness. I would tell you, too, of his perfect composure and resignation, when his health failed, and symptoms became so alarming, that he gave up all hopes of recovery-and not only of his resignation, but perfect cheer- fulness, when making his arrangements for leaving his dear people and family. His confidence in God was firm and un-
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shaken. When looking at death and into the grave, he said there was no gloom about it. He expressed great delight at the thought of being where he would no longer be liable to sin against God. At one time, he said to me, 'I do not know that I am a christian, but I do know that I love the cause of Christ ; I know that I love the people of God ; and love to promote the cause of Christ better than everything else.'
" Ever after his return from Saratoga, he told me he should not recover, and conversed with me freely and fre- quently upon the subject of our separation, and made such arrangements as he judged best for his family, with as much calmness as he would in preparing for a short journey. But as it was not unusual for him to feel discouraged when sick, this did not alarm me as much as it otherwise would. His sickness did not confine him to his bed, nor even to his house. He was abroad for exercise but two days before his death. The last day of his life was a day of ease and com- fort. We were all encouraged to hope that he would soon recover. Sitting in his chair, and while engaged in giving me some directions about his medicine, he suddenly dropped his head upon my arm, and, without a gasp, was gone! O, if I were with you, I might attempt to describe the surprise, the anguish of the scene. My poor bleeding heart has re- ceived a wound that can never be healed. Each day's ex- perience confirms the truth, that I am alone. O, the bitter pang of separation ! I am overwhelmed with grief-my heart is wrung with anguish. But I desire to be still, and feel that my Heavenly Father has done it, and be resigned to his holy will. I would not be unmindful of his goodness in sparing my dear husband to me so long, nor of the many comforts that yet remain. I have many kind and sympa- thizing friends who do all in their power to alleviate my sorrow; but they cannot heal the wound that death has made. I thank you for your kind sympathies and prayers, and beg you would continue to pray that I may not dis-
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honor religion by inordinate grief, nor provoke God to re- move the comforts that remain."
" The theological opinions of Mr. Emerson were strictly evangelical, and, with him, they were not orthodoxy in an iceberg, but truths that warmed his affections, quickened his moral sense, directed the energies of his mind, and con- trolled the actions of his life. His preaching was character- ized by simplicity, earnestness, directness and pungency, rather than by elaborate discussion, beauty of style, logical precision, or metaphysical abstraction. His discourses were highly practical and experimental, drawn from the pure fountain of God's word, and such as he is wont to bless to the conversion of sinners, and the edification of them that believe. His labor was, accordingly, crowned with success. Large accessions were made to the church at Manchester, during his ministry there, and many, who went before him, or shall follow after him, will be his crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord."
Mr. Emerson's death was sudden. Rev. Horatio Flagg preached his funeral sermon. The following epitaph is on his gravestone :- " An affectionate husband, a kind father, an active and faithful pastor, a disinterested man, a devoted christian. His life was sincere and benevolent. In death he was resigned and happy." He was married in 1815 to Miss Charlotte Bulkley of Colchester, Ct., who died in Wil- liamstown in 1848. Mr. Emerson left four children, one of whom is a lawyer in Great Barrington.
5. REV. JOSIAH FISHER was settled as the fifth pastor, Sept. 7, 1842, and the sermon was by Rev. Samuel Harris ; and he was dismissed from Heath, Aug. 27, 1845, after a ministry of about three years. Mr. Fisher is the son of Rev. Jonathan Fisher, once a pastor in Bluehill, Me., and was born in that town in 1802; graduated at Bowdoin in 1828; completed the theological course at Andover in 1831; was licensed in Boston, April 26, 1831; was ordained as pastor in Orono, Me., March 15, 1832, and Rev. Dr. Tap-
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pan of Augusta, Mc., preached the sermon; was dimissed from there in 1835; then preached as a missionary in Maine ; in 1836 was settled as pastor at Clyde, N. Y., and Rev. Dr. Hay of Geneva, N. Y., preached the sermon ; was dismissed from there in a few years; then supplied a year or two in Huron, N. Y. Since leaving Heath, Mr. Fisher resided in Greenbush, N. Y., till 1850, preaching occasion- ally, and having charge of an Academy for about two years ; in April, 1851, was installed pastor in Succasunna, N. J., where he is still a pastor.
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