USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Bernardston > History of the town of Bernardston, Franklin county, Massachusetts, 1736-1900, with genealogies > Part 14
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In January, 1825, Mr. Rogers preached a sermon at the dedica- tion of the meeting house which had been removed and rebuilt by his society, which was printed, the only one he ever published.
In the autumn of 1843 he had a paralytic affection, from which he never recovered, but he continued to perform his parochial du- ties, although greatly enfeebled in body and mind, till a year or two before his decease, which took place February 26, 1847, at the age of 66 years. About a year prior to his death, he had the great satisfaction of witnessing the settlement of a colleague and to see his beloved society so far increased in numbers and wealth as to be able to support regular ministrations of the Gospel each Sab- bath, which had not been done for the preceding twenty-four years.
Rev. Asarelah Morse Bridge, fifth minister, was born in' Lancas- ter, January 21, 1810, and was the son of Josiah Bridge. His early education was acquired at the common schools of that town and at the academy. When 14 he entered a store in Boston, where he remained 6 years. He then studied two and one-half years at New Salem academy, and in 1832 entered the Divinity school at Cam- bridge, graduating July, 1835. August 2nd of that year he com- menced preaching as a candidate in Norton, and his service proving acceptable, he was unanimously invited by the Congregational (Unitarian) parish in that town "to settle with them as their pastor in the Gospel Ministry." He was accordingly ordained the 27th of January, 1836. At a meeting of the parish in August, 1840, Mr. Bridge was dismissed by "the mutual consent of all parties," and on November ist of the same year he preached his valedictory ser- mon to that society.
At a meeting of the church September 30, 1842, it was "Resolved that we have full confidence in Rev. A. M. Bridge as a pious, faith- ful and devoted Christian Minister ; and that we cordially recom- mend him as such to those with whom he may be called to labour."
138
REV. THOMAS WESTON.
Mr. Bridge was installed colleague pastor of the Unitarian soci- ety with Rev. Timothy F. Rogers of Bernardston February 18, IS46. Sermon on that occasion by Rev. Chandler Robbins of Bos- ton from the text John x. 16. The other services were as follows: Introductory prayer, by Rev. Mr. Barlow of Warwick; reading of the Scripture, by Rev. Mr. Moors of Deerfield ; prayer of installa- tion, by Rev. Mr. Harding of New Salem: charge by the Rev. Mr. Livermore of Keene, N. H .; address to the people, by Rev. Mr. Willis of Walpole, N. H., and the concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Stearns of Rowe. The sermon was printed. .
Having remained in Bernardston about four years, he asked for a dismission and preached his farewell sermon March 31, 1850.
May 1, 1851, Mr. Bridge was settled in Hampton Falls, N. H., at which place he resided in February, 1863, but was then in very poor health, and is since deceased. He was twice married, the sec- ond time to Mary Ann, daughter of David and Sophia Fullom; she was born in Boston, December 5, 1819. His children were
Mary Ellen, b. at Bernardston, July 31, 1846.
Charles Lee Fullom, b. at Bernardston, January 16, 1849.
Emma, b. at Hampton Falls, N. H., August 19, 1853.
Next came Rev. Thomas Weston, the son of Capt. Coomer and Mrs. Hannah (Doten) Weston, born in Plymouth, Mass., August 30, 1821. His early education was received in the public schools of his native town. Being of studious habit he continued to study even while engaged in other occupations, and thus fitted himself to enter the Meadville (Penn.) theological school. Beginning his attendance there in 1846, he pursued the regular course of study, graduating in June, 1849.
After supplying various pulpits for short periods, he became pas- tor of the church in Bernardston, December, 1850, and continued there until the spring of 1852.
He was married April 29, 1852, to Lucinda, daughter of Ralph Cushman of Bernardston. She died in Greenfield, Mass., Decem- ber, 1889. They had one daughter, Mary Kay Weston, born at Bernardston, September 12, 1855.
In the autumn of 1852, Mr. Weston became pastor of the Unita-
139
REV. WILLIAM W. HEBBARD.
rian church in Northumberland, Penn., where he remained two years. Returning to Massachusetts, he was installed pastor of the First Congregational church in New Salem, April 18, 1855. After four years of service here, he assumed a like charge at Farming- ton, Me. ; here he resided for five years, then transferred his min- isterial labors to the society at Barnstable, Mass., where he remained nine years, being in addition to his ministry, librarian of the Sturgis (Free) library. In 1872 he removed to Warwick, Mass., re- maining here for six years. In 1878 he became pastor of the first church in Stowe, Mass., where he continued seven years. Becom- ing permanently lame-from the effects of a fall-he relinquished parish work, and in the summer of 1885, took up his residence at Greenfield, Mass., where with his daughter he now resides.
Mr. Weston has always been much interested in the cause of education, and has served as superintendent and school committee in most of the towns in which he has resided. He has occasionally preached as a supply since his retirement. A sermon preached at the funeral of Dr. Elijah W. Carpenter of Bernardston was pub- lished in November, 1855, accompanied by an obituary and an ex- cellent lithographic engraving of Dr. Carpenter. He has also had published a Fast day sermon at Farmington, in April, 1861, and a Thanksgiving day sermon delivered at the same place, Novem- ber 21, 1861, was published in the "Franklin Patriot," a newspaper printed in that town.
Mr. Weston has now in composition an interesting history of his native place, Plymouth, teeming with valuable historic reminis- cences, and containing an extended and vivid account of the Pil- grims. This is not, however, prepared with any definite plan for publication, Mr. Weston expending his leisure in the study and research so congenial to his taste.
As a pastor, he has always been devout and faithful; as a writer, he is concise and entertaining. He is also a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, in whose gatherings he takes a keen interest.
Rev. William Wallace Hebbard followed, preaching for the First Congregational (Unitarian) society for three years, commencing in April, 1852, and ending the 25th of April, 1855, but was not installed. He was born in Lisbon or Topsfield, Me., March 9, 1823-4, and was
140
REV. DARWIN HARLOW RANNEY.
the son of Timothy Merrick and Mary (Dyer) Hebbard ; was mar- ried in Granby, Ct., January 29, 1845, to Martha Sybil, daughter of Dr. Daniel Benjamin of that town. She died in Bernardston, July 28, 1854.
Mr. Hebbard was educated in Brunswick, Me., preached as a Universalist in Sheffield, Mass., in 1843, subsequently at Granby, Ct., and afterwards at Adrian, Mich., in 1846-7. He studied medicine with Dr. Lee, a homeopathic physician of Hartford, Ct., and graduated at the medical college, Brunswick, Me., in 1848, practiced medicine as a homeopathist in Attleboro and Waltham, Mass., studied theology at the Divinity school at Harvard univer- sity, graduated in July, 1851, preached about four years as a Unita- rian, then relinquished the ministry and took up the practice of medicine. He was a political lecturer of the anti-slavery and Re- publican parties, afterwards engaged in the dry goods business in Boston. In 1864 he resided at "Swango," Richmond, Me.
He was considered an eloquent preacher and lecturer, and some- times wrote poetry, but his frequent changes diminished his use- fulness. During the Fremont campaign in 1856, he, by invitation, delivered his great poem "The Patriot's Hope," in nearly every State in the Union. He died in Nashua, N. H., December 10, 189- where he had resided for a number of years. One son, Dr. E. C. Hebbard of Boston, survives him.
Rev. Darwin Harlow Ranney preached for the First Congrega- tional (Unitarian) society from December, 1855, to April, 1861, five years and four months, but was not installed and resided during that time with his family at West Brattleboro, Vt. He was the son of Hon. Waitstill Ranney of Townshend, Vt., and was born at. Chester, Vt., December 13, 1812. He obtained his preliminary education at Chester (Vt.) academy, was graduated at Middlebury college, Vt., in the class of 1835. He was ordained as an evangel- ist of the Baptist denomination at Westport, N. Y., the same year, and was employed at Westport and Ludlow, Vt., and at Claremont, N. H., for five years as a preacher of that denomination. Becom- ing dissatisfied with the exclusiveness of the Baptists, and think- ing it his duty to maintain the doctrine of open communion, and that all professed Christians in any locality should unite in one
ยท
141
REV. JOHN B. GREEN'S SETTLEMENT.
church on the basis of discipleship with Jesus Christ, he adopted independent views of Christian fellowship and discipline and pub- lished a small volume and some tracts on Christian Union.
Hence for fifteen years he was called a "Unionist " and preached to different societies on this basis at Rockingham, Vt., and subse- quently at Dover and Wilmington, Vt., where he assisted in organ- ing three churches with the Bible only for a creed and the recogni- tion of the personal right of judgment in the interpretation of the Scriptures. During the latter part of that time he preached to the Unitarian society of Greenfield, Mass., where he had an invitation to settle in the ministry, but for prudential reasons, declined it. In February, 1855, he removed to a farm at West Brattleboro, Vt., where he resided for a long time. In 1860-61, he was elected a member of Vermont House of Representatives from Brattleboro, where he distinguished himself as an able debater and a judicious statesman. He married Sybil Hale Mckinney of Westport, N. Y., January, 1836, and had six children. He preached his farewell sermon to the society in Bernardston, March 31. 1861, subsequently preaching in Walpole, N. H., and Vernon, Vt. Upon his departure from town, appropriate resolutions were drafted expressing the appreciation of his labors in the behalf of the society. He died in New York (?) and is buried in the cemetery at Townshend, Vt.
Rev. John Bremner Green was a pastor greatly endeared to this society, a native of Scotland. When quite young he came to this country, and received his theological education from the Meadville Divinity school, from which he graduated in 1861. In August of that year he became pastor of this church and was ordained Feb- ruary 5, 1862. It was during Mr. Green's pastorate that the stirring events of the first part of the civil war took place, and he was soon found in the front ranks joining the sanitary commission with which he was connected some time and where he rendered most excellent service. 'In 1864 he resigned his pastorate here, imme- diately accepting a call from the church in Leominster, where he remained about three years, going thence to Chelsea. In Febru- ary, 1876, he resigned to accept a call to a church in Montreal, Canada, remaining there three and a half years; thence he went to Brattleboro, Vt. Succeeding his residence and work there, he be-
142
REV. CHARLES T. CANFIELD.
came for two years agent for the American Unitarian association and the Christian Register association in the matter of their pub- lications. He then preached in Louisville, Ky., for a year, at the expiration of which time he was settled in Gloucester, Mass. Six years were spent in the Master's service there, when a resignation was tendered that he might take the charge of a mission in the "North End," Boston, carried on by the Boston Benevolent Frater- nity of Churches. Here he remained two years, during which time the population had become changed to such an extent by the ad- vent of the Hebrews in that section, that the mission was abandoned and Mr. Green was obliged to seek a new field of labor. In June, 1891, he was installed pastor of the Christian Union church in Reading, Mass.
He has been twice married. Of his children, one son has followed in the footsteps of his father, in that he has chosen the ministry for his life work.
Mr. Green is a most pleasing speaker, sincere in his convictions and earnest in his efforts to impart the truth of Holy Writ to his people, and upon his occasional ministrations here to his former parishioners, is eagerly welcomed by those who hold him in fond remembrance. He is now settled in Newberg, N. Y.
The next pastor, Rev. Charles T. Canfield, was born in Danby, N. Y., April 13, 1833, graduated at Harvard in 1852, from the Har- vard Divinity school in 1855. His first settlement was at Lock- port, Ill., in 1856. From this he was forced by illness to resign in the second year of his pastorate. He came east, settling in Ux- bridge, Mass., where he was ordained in 1859. In 1862 he left to enter the 36th regiment, Massachusetts volunteers, as chaplain.
February 12, 1861. he married Louisa B. Haywood of Walpole, N. H. In 1864 he came to Bernardston, remaining here until 1866, when he assumed charge of the Divinity school in Boston. Upon the transfer of that school to Cambridge, he remained in Boston, being engaged for about three years in teaching. Subsequently he assumed, for several years, the agency for different charitable institutions. In 1891 he was settled over the Unitarian church in Ellsworth, Me., but owing to illness, remained only about a year. In November, 1893, he went to Bath, N. H., where he now is in
143
REV. STILLMAN BARBER.
charge of the Unitarian society. His pastorate here was of short duration, and as pastors he and Rev. Mr. Campbell, on that account, were among the least known, perhaps, of any who have occupied the pulpit of this society.
Rev. Stillman Barber, the son of Azariah and Rhoda Temple Barber, was born in Warwick, Mass., July 21, 1818. His father was a farmer and he was early called upon to perform such duties about the farm as his years would admit, consequently the educa- tional advantages afforded were limited, the amount of schooling received being ten weeks in summer and winter until the age of ten years, and for the succeeding six years, ten in winter only. Possessed by a great love of study, and realizing the need of judi- cious use of the time allowed for that, he was enabled to master the common English branches, adding thereto enough of the sci- ences, United States history and the higher mathematics, so that fourteen weeks attendance during the two succeeding years at a private school, served to qualify him for teaching. This vocation he pursued during the winter months for seven succeeding years.
In 1840, he attended two terms of school at New Salem academy. From the age of sixteen on, it was his custom to devote at least one hour daily to study, more if possible, and in order to do this and facilitate the end so eagerly sought, namely, the acquisition of a thorough education, all amusements and recreations enjoyed by others of corresponding age, were of necessity given over. When sixteen years old, he made his first appearance as a public speaker, delivering a lecture before the district school lyceum. Two years later he began the study of Latin, carrying his books with him to the hayfield in order to secure the coveted time.
April 22, 1841, he was joined in wedlock to Mary C., daughter of Moses and Lydia Fisher of Warwick, and they immediately be- gan housekeeping, she aiding, by adding dressmaking to her other duties. Mr. Barber cultivated a small farm and at the same time increased his income by devoting all spare time to the perform- ance of whatever other work came to his hands to do. There have been three children born to them: Charles S., the eldest, Frank- lin S., who died August 29, 1856, and Carrie A., a graduate of the Framingham Normal school, and now a teacher in Plainfield, N. J. Mrs. Barber died February 21, 1898.
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144
REV. HENRY F. CAMPBELL.
Mr. Barber's religious convictions were formed at the early age of sixteen, and with slight modifications, always existed practically the same. At this time he had an ardent desire to enter the Chris- tian ministry, but was dissuaded from making the necessary prep- arations. When the Meadville Divinity school was established in the year 1844, determination to enter it came also, and the opening of its second year saw him enrolled as a student. The three years course ended in graduation in the summer of 1848. Immediately he began his ministerial labors at Como, Ill., a town upon Rock River, where he remained during the summer of 1848, preaching also for a time at Rockford, Ill., and returning east in the late fall. The succeeding year was spent largely in Massachusetts, preach- ing whenever and wherever occasion presented. In the winter of 1849-50, he was called upon to candidate in Rowe, Mass., and after preaching two Sundays, received a unanimous call to settle over that society, a call which was accepted. He was ordained June 11, 1850, the now Bishop Huntington preaching the sermon.
After a three years pastorate, he was successively a resident and pastor over the societies at Hubbardston, Townsend, Mendon and Tyngsboro, Mass. In the spring of 1868 he received and accepted a call to assume a pastoral relation over the Unitarian society in Bernardston, which relation continued in force three years.
After 1873, the time was largely devoted to agricultural pursuits, in which he always took a deep interest. He was president of the Franklin Farmers' institute, frequently lecturing before it, and was in 1893 a vice-president of the Franklin Agricultural Society. He was also greatly interested in historical matters, following closely the matter presented by the local historical society, the P. V. M. A. of Deerfield. He died February 15, 1901.
Rev. Henry F. Campbell occupied the Unitarian pulpit here for a time in 1871. 'Upon leaving his charge here, he removed to the eastern part of the State, where in 1881, he perfected some inven- tions and successfully engaged in business at Cambridge. He in- vented a machine for making barrel hoops, which proved an un- qualified success, and Mr. Campbell was able to dispose of a part interest in the same at a sum which rendered him financially in- dependent.
145
REV. SAMUEL B. FLAGG.
In 1884, it is understood that he was preaching for a Unitarian church and society at Francestown, N. H., where he had devoted some $2,000 to the improvement of the church building. For some years his time was wholly given up to secular pursuits. He was in 1894 in Boston, and one of the company owning Lookout Moun- tain hotel in Tennessee.
Rev. Samuel B. Flagg was born in Grafton, Mass., August 6, 1828, where he died November 16, 1900. He is descended from one of the original settlers of that place. His primary education was supplemented by attendance at the Friends school in Bolton, then Leicester academy and Quaboag seminary, Warren. He en- tered upon a collegiate course at Brown university, from which institution he graduated in 1850. Designing to become a member of the medical fraternity, he studied for that profession with Dr. H. Parker at Grafton, continuing his studies at Woodstock, Vt., and Boston, Mass., after which he enrolled himself as a student at the Berkshire medical school in Pittsfield, completing the course and graduating in the class of 1855. He successfully engaged in practice in Boston. Convinced that his duty to his Maker called him in other paths, and following the dictates of his conscience, he soon made a second choice in the matter of his life work, elect- ing the ministry. He entered the Meadville Theological school, graduating therefrom in 1859. His first pastorate, of six years' duration, was at Kalamazoo, Mich., where he was instrumental in organizing a church and society. Returning east, he was in 1865 installed over the society at Waltham, Mass., remaining there un- til 1868, when he resigned. For a year and a half he acted as stated supply at Sandwich, Mass., to which parish he was again called in January, 1893, and where he for some years resided, a much loved pastor among a cherished people.
December 29, 1869, he married Anna B., daughter of William W. Allcott of Kalamazoo, and grand-daughter of the late Osias Bangs of Cambridgeport. Mass. She died May 8, 1900, in Grafton, Mass. There are two sons, Charles, who was for a time a tutor in Bowdoin college, Brunswick, Me., then in the library at the Capitol, Albany, N. Y., now in the Congressional library, Washington, D. C., and George, now in San Francisco, Cal.
146
REV. WILLIAM JENKINS.
In 1871 Mr. Flagg came to Bernardston, remaining there for eleven years, a term of service equalled by none since Mr. Rogers' death in 1847. During his stay the society experienced a healthy, steady growth, and the wonderful example of steadfast faith, cour- age and devotion there displayed, not only cemented more closely the existing relations between pastor and people, but also exerted an influence for good over the best interests of the community. Not alone for his own church did he labor, but his usefulness was extended to the sister churches and the schools, and all have reason to hold in grateful remembrance the deep and abiding interest man- ifested, and the harmonious results.
After leaving town, and before returning to Sandwich, he min- istered at several places, chief among them being Marshfield, Mass .. and Dixfield, Me., and wherever his lot was cast, to an unusual de- gree did we find him enjoying the esteem and respect of those with whom he was brought into contact, and as was also his wife, active in promoting the welfare of both society and Sunday school.
Rev. William Jenkins was born in Boston, February 7, 1827. His collegiate education was acquired at Harvard, whence he graduated in 1848. Designing to make the ministry his profession, he en- rolled himself a student at the Cambridge Divinity school, com- pleted the course and graduated therefrom in the class of 1855. The 19th of the September following, he was ordained at Law- rence, Mass., where he remained until July, 1864, a pastorate of nine years. June, 1865, he was settled at Northampton, going thence in 1870 and locating the succeeding June at Brattleboro, Vt. Here he remained several years. In November, 1884, he was called to the church in Bernardston, and his ministrations here lasted un- til June, 1892-in all eight years.
It will be noticed that wherever Mr. Jenkins has been called, there he has remained for a considerable time, having had but four settlements in his thirty-seven years of ministerial work. This cir- cumstance is an eloquent testimony of his moral worth and intel- lectual ability, also of the esteem in which he has been held by his parishioners. His present residence is in Dorchester. He has re- tired from active service, feeble health obliging him so to do, and
147
REV. FRANCIS W. HOLDEN.
in his retirement he can look back upon a life well and happily spent in a noble calling.
Rev. Francis Wilder Holden is the son of Josiah Holden of Waits- field, Vt., where he was born July 28, 1862. His academical edu- cation was received at the Barre, Vt., academy, graduating in the class of 1885. He prepared himself for the ministry at the Mead- ville Theological school, from which he graduated in 1891. He be- gan his professional duties while pursuing his theological studies, preaching during different summers at Strawberry Point, Ia., Ar- .cadia, Wis., and Grand Haven, Mich. A year was spent in Roches- ter, N. H., and during that time he had the satisfaction of seeing a society organized and take its place beside sister churches in the denomination. Thence he came to Bernardston, where his ordina- tion occurred January 10, 1893, the sermon being preached by Rev. R. A. Griffin of Northampton. His connection here was terminated January, 1896. He married August 18, 1896, Gertrude, daughter of Leander Lynde of Gardner, Mass. Began preaching in Norton, Mass., September 1, 1896. During his pastorate here he closely allied himself with the young people of the society and the Young People's Fraternity bears evidence of his zeal in that direction.
Rev. Richard Elliott Birks, the present pastor of this society, was born at Stowey Middleton, Derbyshire, England, in 1846, the son of Rev. William Birks, whose busy parochial life furnished a worthy example to the three sons, all of whom became Unitarian ministers. Originally the Birks family were Scotch, but during the days of the first Stuarts, settled in England,"Being always lib- eral in Theology and politics." The Elliotts were a well-known puritan family, and Richard Elliott, the ancestor of Richard Elliott Birks, was a contemporary of John Wesley, and entered the min- istry at the personally expressed wish of the latter. " The Unita- rian Chapels or Meeting houses in the county of Derby, were mostly founded by the old English Presbyterians, who might be justly called the liberals of the Puritans. They built their churches and left them free from fetters of creed or covenant, in trust for the worship of Almighty God. Many of the first pastors were of the noble 2000-ministers who were ejected from the parish churches in 1662 (Charles the Second's Reign) because they objected to swear
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