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 2
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The first Meeting-house of the Congregationalists was built in 1766. The second was built in 1812. Col. John Ames, 2
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of Buckland, contracted to build this house, and had nearly finished it, when he committed suicide. The fear of sus- taining a serious loss by the contract, and probably a degree of insanity, led to this melancholy catastrophe. The second house was thoroughly remodeled about 1840.
Eleven Revivals have been enjoyed by this church and people, resulting in the addition of about 430 members to the church. The first was in 1780, and 25 were added ; in 1797, and 71 added; in 1801, and 13 added; in 1807, and 46 added; in 1816, and 20 added; in 1821, and 81 added; in 1828, and 18 added; in 1829, and 87 added ; in 1831, and 36 added ; in 1834, and from 20 to 30 added ; in 1843, and 14 added.
Several Councils have been called to settle difficulties among this people ; one was called in Feb., 1774; one was called April 24, 1832; one by an excommunicated member, July 1, 1835 ; and one by the church, June 1, 1847.
The Charitable contributions of this people, in 1853, amounted to $329 50. The church in 1853 numbered 180. In 1852 the Sabbath School contained 245 members.
The first Congregational preaching in town was by Revs. Messrs. Dickinson of Hadley, and Streeter. The following persons were invited to become pastors of the church, who did not settle in the ministry in Ashfield, viz., Rev. Sylves- ter Woodbridge in 1815, for whose ordination a council was convened, Jan. 2, 1816, but, upon the presentation of a pro- test, they declined to ordain him ; Rev. Stephen C. Crosby, May 6, 1818; and Rev. Ezekiel Russell, Nov. 30, 1835. This church has existed about 91 years, and has had settled pastors about 87 years, and has been destitute of the same only about three years. This church has had eight pastors.
PASTORS. 1 .* REV. JACOB SHERWIN was ordained as pastor of this church, the day after its organization, Feb. 23, 1763, and, after a ministry of about eleven years, was dismissed May 17, 1774. He was born in Hebron, Ct., Feb. 25, 1736, and graduated at Yale in 1759. After his ordina-
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tion in Ashfield, a contest arose between the Congregation- alists and the Baptists respecting their claims to a lot of land of several hundred acres, which was to accrue to the society which first settled a pastor. The case was decided in law in favor of the Congregationalists. Conflicting ac- counts of this affair are given by the different parties. The views of the Baptists on the subject, are given in the Minutes of the Franklin County Baptist Association for 1852. Mr. Sherwin lived in Ashfield several years after his dismission ; officiated as a justice of the peace, and as town clerk, and preached some in Buckland, and other neighboring towns.
Mr. Sherwin at length removed to Sunderland, Vt., and was installed as the pastor of one of the Congregational churches in that town, March 18, 1790. Rev. Nehemiah Porter, of Ashfield, preached the sermon on the occasion. Some singular circumstances occurred in connection with his settlement in this latter place. A lot of land in the town had been given for the support of the pastor who should be first settled. Two churches had been formed in different parts of the town, and each wished to have its min- ister settled first, so as to obtain the land. Both pastors were settled on the same day, and the land was claimed for both. Rev. Dr. Lee, afterwards a pastor in Colebrook, Ct., and Rev. Mr. Sherwin were the pastors. Suits at law were commenced. "The matter was continued in the County Court for a long time, and a great deal of curious testimony was adduced from the clocks and watches of Sunderland, respecting the point in question. At length, with a discrim- ination which has seldom, if ever, been equalled, it was decided that the settlement of Mr. Sherwin preceded that of Dr. Lee about two minutes. This settled the matter in re- spect to the law, but not in respect to the Gospel. The expenses of the suit were heavy, and the alienation such as could not be healed. Some of the best men left the place, among whom was the father of the late Jeremiah Evarts, Corresponding Secretary of the American Board. An awful
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declension followed, and the moral desolation remains yet to be repaired." See Am. Quart. Register, vol. 15, p. 135. Mr. Sherwin was unable to officiate as pastor for several years previous to his death. He died and was buried in Sunderland, Vt. Rev. Mr. Jackson, then of Dorset, Vt., de- livered the sermon at his funeral. The following is the epitaph on his monument, viz. : "In memory of Rev. Jacob Sherwin, who died Jan. 7, 1803, aged 66 years, 10 months, and 7 days."
" When Christ appears in yonder cloud With all his favored throng, This dust shall wake and sing aloud, And Christ shall be the song."
2 .* REV. NEHEMIAH PORTER Was installed Dec. 21, 1774. On the first day of the council only two ministers were present ; messengers were despatched for the absent mem- bers. Mr. Hubbard, of Shelburne, arrived the next day, and the council proceeded. Mr. Porter preached his own installation sermon. He was born in Ipswich, March 22, 1720; graduated in Cambridge in 1745; ordained in Ipswich, Chebacco Parish, now Essex, Jan. 3, 1750; dismissed in June, 1766, and then preached several years at Cape Canso, Nova Scotia. He lived to have two pastors successively settled as colleagues with him in Ashfield. Being in his one hundredth year at the settlement of his last colleague, he ascended the pulpit on that occasion, and, blind by age, and tottering in step, with a tremulous voice affectionately exhorted the people to live at peace among themselves. The following obituary notice, by Rev. Thomas Shepard, was published in the Boston Recorder, vol. 5, No. 33 :
" Rev. Nehemiah Porter was born at Ipswich, in the Coun- ty of Essex, State of Mass., March 22, 1720, O. S., of honest and respectable parents, who early dedicated this son to the Lord, and brought him up in his fear. Nehemiah, when a child, was put under the instruction of the Rev. Mr. Wig-
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glesworth, the faithful and pious minister of the parish where he lived. Here he became the subject of deep relig- ious impressions, which issued in a hopeful conversion to God, the evidence of which he exhibited by a public pro- fession of his faith in the Lord Jesus, and by a life and con- versation which adorned his profession. At length a strong desire was excited in his mind to become a minister of Christ, and to preach and recommend that religion to others, the excellency of which and the power of which, he had seen and felt in his own soul. This being communicated to his father, with whom he then lived and labored, he was again sent to Mr. W., to attend to his preparatory studies. *
* Soon after his settlement at Chebacco, he married his first wife, the daughter of Rev. Mr. Chipman of Beverly, by whom he had ten children. With this amiable and pious woman, the companion of his youth, he was called to part in the meridian of her life. In 1778 Mr. Porter married his second wife. * He occasionally exhorted and prayed in public, with edification to his hearers, until he reached his one hundredth year. In June, 1819, the Rev. Thomas Shepard was ordained the second colleague with Mr. Porter. Hundreds, if not thousands, will remember to the day of their death, the novel and melting scene of the ordination day. They will remember the venerable appearance of their senior pastor, bending under the weight of about one hun- dred years, as he passed along the broad aisle, leaning on his two staffs; they will remember the firm and steady step with which he ascended the pulpit stairs without aid, the fer- vency with which he engaged in the consecrating prayer, with his apostolical hand on the head of his young col- league, and the distinct, audible, and affectionate manner in which he addressed a few dying words to his beloved flock, in the form of a charge. With his second colleague he lived in great harmony and christian affection until his death.
" As a preacher Mr. Porter sustained a very respectable character ; if not a star of the first magnitude, yet he shone
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with a clearness and degree of lustre, which rendered him an ornament to the church. * * * His sermons were always plain and simple, well calculated to instruct and im- press the mind, and delivered with remarkable animation, pungency, and holy fervor. His ministerial labors were blessed to the awakening and converting of many sinners, and to the enlightening, comforting, and edifying of many christians. * * * For several years, previous to his death, religion was the constant theme of his conversation. It may be truly said, that he preached daily to those who visited him in his own house. * * He devoted many hours, every day, to secret prayer.
* He trusted solely in the merits of Christ for salvation. When told that he had labored a long time in the ministry, and had been instrumental of doing much good, he would reply, " I have been very unfaithful. I hope I shall obtain mercy through Christ." * * He expressed great confidence in God, and spake of death with much composure. At 9 o'clock, P. M., (Feb. 29, 1820,) he calmly fell asleep in peace."
The following incidents, communicated to the author, will still further illustrate the character of Mr. Porter. He was a chaplain in the American army, at the surrender of Bur- goyne. He used to say, with a great deal of animation, "I conquered him. The decisive blow was struck, and the battle decided, while I was holding a season of special prayer in a retired place, with a few pious soldiers." He had great firmness and decision of character. Once, when preaching on politics, a gentleman of the opposite party rose in his pew and said, "Mr. Porter, you had better let that subject alone." Upon which, with a stamp of the foot, and great energy, he exclaimed, "Silence," and proceeded with his discourse. He was a strict observer of the Sabbath. He would frequently go into his field, where his men were at work, on Saturday afternoon, to urge them to finish their labor by the going down of the sun.
At Mr. Porter's request, Rev. John Emerson of Conway
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preached his funeral sermon. He lacked but twenty-two days of completing one hundred years. On his gravestone, near the Congregational church, is the following epitaph :- " Mr. Porter was a faithful minister of Christ ; with long life he was satisfied ; he fell asleep in Jesus, in hope of a joyful resurrection and a blessed immortality." "The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance." He held the pastoral office in Ashfield, about forty-five years.
3 .* REV. ALVAN SANDERSON was installed as colleague with Mr. Porter, June 22, 1808. He was born in Whately, Dec. 13, 1780; graduated at Williams College, in 1802; studied theology with Rev. Dr. Hyde of Lee, and for a short time, with Rev. Dr. Lyman of Hatfield ; was licensed by the Berkshire Association, Oct. 17, 1804; was ordained as an Evangelist, at Westhampton, Feb. 4, 1807; the ordination sermon was preached by Rev. Rufus Wells of Whately; and he fulfilled several missions in Vermont and Maine, in the service of the Hampshire Missionary Society, previous to his settlement in Ashfield.
The following is an extract from a biography of him, written, it is supposed, by Rev. Mr. Spaulding of Buckland, and published in the 14th vol. of the Panoplist and Mission- ary Herald for 1818, at page 393 :-
" His duties to his flock occupied his time, and engrossed the sensibilities of his heart. In their afflictions, he was af- flicted; he sympathized in their sorrows, and rejoiced in their welfare. On occasions in which he thought his public performances had not possessed a warmth suited to the solemnity of the subject, his reflections on his own unwor- thiness and coldness, and his earnest supplications for pardon, showed his estimation of the responsibilities of his office, and his anxiety to be a faithful watchman over immortal souls. He enjoyed many encouraging evidences of a blessing from heaven upon his labors. His people gave a laudable attend- ance on his ministry, and exhibited much personal attach- ment, which he assiduously employed for their spiritual im-
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provement, that through his influence and exertions their souls might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. His de- sire was to be spent for them. The strength of his benevo- lence towards them, urged him to exertions which broke down' a constitution not capable of sustaining extreme fatigue.
"On the 3d of Feb. 1814, at a public lecture, in which the assembly was very large, after the pronunciation of an elab- orate discourse, he felt an unusual weariness, as the imme- diate consequence of his efforts in speaking. This was followed the next day by a spitting of blood. This symp- tom frequently occurring within a few days, excited some alarm, but did not induce Mr. S. entirely to suspend his public services. On the Lord's day, Feb. 13, he was unable to preach, and soon after an entire suspension of ministerial labors became indispensable. From a journey, undertaken as a means of restoration, he returned in the month of June, and was soon after attacked by a copious hæmorrhage, which so much reduced him, that his life was despaired of. Prov- idence, however, had ordained a lengthening out of his tran- quillity, and raised him up, not indeed to resume his public pastoral labors, but to do something, where he greatly de- sired to do much, as a helper of souls in the way to heaven.
" His confinement was not long, though for a time it as- sumed a threatening appearance. When it became evident that he could not soon, if ever, again undertake public speak- ing, his concern for the religious interests of his people would not permit him to stand in the way of their enjoying active services in a successor. He accordingly requested a dismission, which was granted, by advice of a council called to ordain another pastor.
" A consumption gradually advanced, and finally bore him away to the land of silence, whence he now speaks to us in the devout affections and humility of his life. While death was silently approaching, and his system sinking under the weight of disease, his mind was calm, and his faith and hope were in God.
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" Mr. Sanderson's life was comparatively short, yet long enough to produce, for the instruction and comfort of his re- lations and acquaintance, an example of Christian piety and ministerial fidelity, displaying the power of grace and the excellence of religion. His person was rather below the middle stature, his temper was mild, his manners affable, rather distinguished for gentleness and courtesy to all. His intellect, though not of the first class, yet by the unanimous testimony of his acquaintance, was truly respectable. His application to study, was that of a man searching for truth, such as will make men wise unto salvation. His mode of sermonizing was clear and convincing in the exhibition of doctrine, though not fascinating in style or manner. In all departments of his sacred employment, he was serious and judicious, desiring to leave a good impression on those with whom he was conversant. His brethren in the ministry will witness, that in his intercourse with them he was always conciliating and instructive. He possessed a tenderness, a sensibility, and freedom of address, eminently adapted to the offices of friendship and the enjoyments of social life. Among his people he was serious, familiar, sympathetic, and obliging ; was much in their society, a large portion of his time being spent in parochial visits, which were so divided among the scattered population of his parish, that they showed the interest which all had in his affections. For these purposes he had more leisure than most clergymen, resulting from his freedom from domestic cares.
"Although his salary was small, so well was it managed by prudence and economy, that, together with some little pat- rimony, it enabled him to procure a decent library, to be lib- eral in deeds of charity, and to accumulate something for appropriations to such objects as he wished to patronize. As his near relations were above want, he considered himself at liberty to devote his property to public uses. Accordingly, it was principally disposed of in the following bequests, viz. : To the church in Ashfield, to purchase a Bible, twenty dol- 3
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lars; to the religious society with which he had been con- nected, for the support of a Pedobaptist Congregational min- ister, four hundred dollars; to the Hampshire Missionary Society, two hundred dollars; to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, three hundred dollars. The remainder of his estate he committed to the care and management of trustees, for the continuance of the school, which he had begun under encouraging auspices. This last item is expected to amount to fifteen hundred, or two thou- sand dollars." The school here referred to, was afterwards incorporated as "Sanderson Academy." Mr. Sanderson was never married. He died June 22, 1817, on the ninth anniver- sary of his settlement in Ashfield, in his 37th year. Rev. Mr. Spaulding, of Buckland, preached at his funeral. His re- mains sleep by those of his aged predecessor, near the sanc- tuary. His ministry in A. was about eight years.
Among the numerous preachers who supplied the desk during Mr. Sanderson's sickness, and previous to the settle- ment of the next pastor, were Rev. Luke Whitcomb, Rev. Stephen C. Crosby, and Rev. Sylvester Woodbridge; the latter of whom was invited to settle, but the want of unan- imity among the people prevented the council, when con- vened, from ordaining him.
4. REV. THOMAS SHEPARD, D. D., was ordained colleague pastor, June 16, 1819. Rev. Dr. Shepard of Lenox preached on the occasion. Mr. Shepard was born in Norton, in 1792; graduated at Brown in 1813; studied theology at Andover ; was licensed by Londonderry Presbytery, April, 1816; was employed till 1819, as a missionary and teacher in Georgia, and as agent of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb at Hart- ford, Ct. After his dismission from Ashfield, May 8, 1833, was an agent for the American Bible Society, about two years ; and was installed in Bristol, R. I., April 30, 1835, where he still remains. During his ministry of fourteen years in Ashfield, two hundred and seventy-four were ad- mitted to his church. Dr. Shepard received his Doctorate from Brown University, in 1853.
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OF ASHFIELD.
5. REV. MASON GROVESNOR Was installed pastor, May 9, 1833. He was born in Craftsbury, Vt., Sept. 13, 1800; grad- uated at Yale, in 1827; studied theology at New Haven ; was ordained as an Evangelist at Guilford, Ct., March 22, 1831 ; was dismissed from Ashfield, after a ministry of about two years, July 16, 1835 ; was installed at Sharon, Ct., Sept. 28, 1836, and the sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Lathrop; dismissed from Sharon, Jan. 28, 1839; installed at Hudson, O., Dec. 22, 1840, and the sermon was by Rev. Dr. L. P. Hickok; dismissed from Hudson in August, 1843 ; was then at the head of a female seminary in Hudson, till 1847, and has since been an agent of the Society for the Promotion of Collegiate and Theological Education at the West, and re- sided in New Haven till 1853, when he left his agency, and became connected with the College at Jacksonville, Illinois.
6. REV. BURR BALDWIN was installed pastor, April 20, 1836, and Dr. Brown preached on the occasion. He was born in Fairfield, (now Easton,) Ct., Jan. 19, 1789; grad- uated at Yale, in 1809; studied theology at Andover ; preached for several years as a missionary in Ohio, Virginia, New York, and New Jersey ; acted as agent for several be- nevolent societies ; preached as stated supply for two years, in New Jersey ; installed at Montrose, Penn., in October, 1824, and the sermon was by Rev. Cyrus Gildersleeve ; installed at New Hartford, Ct., Feb. 17, 1830, and the sermon was by Rev. Mr. Andrus ; dismissed from New Hartford, Feb. 6, 1833 ; dismissed from Ashfield in Sept., 1838; then taught an academy in Newark, N. J .; and since 1847, has been a missionary in the Montrose Presbytery in Pennsylvania, and resides in Montrose. He exerted an important influence in the early introduction of Sabbath Schools into our country. In 1815 he gathered the first Sabbath School in Newark, N. J., and in six weeks had 300 scholars. Lack of health prevented the fulfilment of his early purpose to become a foreign missionary. He has one daughter, now laboring in the foreign field, the wife of a missionary. Mr. Baldwin's ministry in Ashfield was about two years and a half.
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7. REV. SERENO D. CLARK was ordained pastor, June 11, 1840. He was born in Southampton, in 1809; graduated at Amherst in 1835; studied theology in part at Andover; was dismissed from Ashfield, April 22, 1851; installed at Lee, June 11, 1851; dismissed from Lee, June 22, 1852 ; and was installed at Sunderland, May 31, 1853, and Dr. Cleaveland of Northampton preached on the occasion. He is the author of a premium tract on Christian Benevolence. Mr. Clark's ministry in Ashfield was about eleven years.
S. REV. WILLIAM H. GILBERT was installed pastor, Dec. 3, 1851. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. George Richards of Boston, and was published, with an Appendix, containing a historical sketch of the Con- gregational Church and Society and Ministry in Ashfield. Mr. Gilbert was born in Weston, Ct., in 1817; spent his early life in Colebrook, Ct .; graduated at Yale, in 1841 ; studied theology, both at Andover and New Haven; or- dained over the first church in Westminster, Vt., Oct. 21, 1846, and the sermon was by Rev. Dr. Davis of Westfield ; and was dismissed from Westminster, March 5, 1851. An interesting memoir of Mr. Gilbert's first wife, who was Miss Elizabeth Mosely of Westfield, and who died Dec. 13, 1846, has been published by Dr. Davis. Mr. Gilbert is now in the third year of his ministry in Ashfield.
Of the eight pastors of this church, six were dismissed. The average length of their pastorates has been about eight years and a half. Five of them are living.
CONGREGATIONAL PREACHERS WHO ORIGINATED FROM ASHFIELD.
1. Rev. Rufus B. Bement was born in Ashfield, June 5, 1808; finished the course of study at the Rensselaer Insti- tution in Troy, N. Y., in 1830; studied and practised med- icine several years; removed to Michigan in 1835; was a member of the Legislature of that State in 1838; studied theology with Rev. Dr. Cleaveland, now of Northampton ; was ordained in Clarendon, Mich., in Nov., 1840; preached
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in Ohio and Indiana ; visited Egypt, Arabia, and Palestine ; has given thirty courses of lectures on Chemistry, seventy- five courses on Botany, and a thousand lectures on Ancient History. He resides in Bedford, Ohio. In 1853 he deliv- ered his course of lectures on Ancient History, in various places in New England.
2. Rev. William Bement, brother of Rufus B. Bement, was born in Ashfield, April 5, 1806; graduated at Dart- mouth, in 1828; studied theology at Princeton ; was li- censed by Hampden Association, in the fall of 1832 ; preached at Hamden Plains, Ct., in 1833; was ordained at East Hampton, Oct. 16, 1833, and Rev. M. E. White preached on the occasion ; was dismissed from East Hamp- ton, in April, 1850; installed at Elmira, N. Y., March 5, 1851, and Rev. E. Y. Swift preached the sermon at his in- stallation. Mr. Bement still labors at Elmira.
3. Rev. John Cross was born in Ashfield, June 1, 1797 ; removed to Fabius, N. Y., in 1805; prepared for the minis- try in part at Oneida Institute, Whitesborough, N. Y .; was licensed by the Oneida Association, in 1833; preached in Geneva, Oriskany Falls, Oneida, and Camden, N. Y., several years ; was an anti-slavery agent, from 1836 to 1846, in New York and Illinois ; and was once imprisoned in Knoxville, Ill., for harboring a fugitive slave, a widow, and her chil- dren ; united with the Wesleyan Methodists in 1846, and was a circuit preacher till 1851; is now an agent of the Methodist Academic and Collegiate Institution at Wheaton, Ill., and resides at that place.
4. Rev. Anson Dyer was born in Ashfield, April 18, 1798; was in the employ of the American Board, as a teacher and laborer among the Choctaw Indians, from 1820 to 1828 ; his wife died at Elliot, in 1822; he studied theology with Rev. Moses Hallock, of Plainfield ; was licensed by Franklin As- sociation in 1829; was ordained by the same body as an Evangelist, April 21, 1831, at West Hawley, where he sup- plied for several years. He was deposed from the ministry
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by Franklin Association, for unministerial conduct, March 26, 1834. He resides in West Hawley, as a private citizen. Mr. Dyer, within a few years past, has been an inmate of the Asylum for the Insane, at Brattleboro', Vt.
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