USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Goshen > History of the town of Goshen, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement in 1761 to 1881, with family sketches > Part 5
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In 1843 a series of meetings, held for many days in succession during the months of February and March, resulted in adding thirty- two more to the membership of the church. In 1848 there were 22 additions; in 1877, twelve; in 1879 twenty-six.
During the first ten years of the history of the church, from 1780 to 1790, seventy-one were added to its membership; from 1790 to ISoo, fifty-nine; ISoo to 1810, seventy; 1810 to 1820, twelve; 1820 to 1830, forty two; 1830 to 1840, eighty-four; 1840 to 1850, seventy-nine; 1850 to 1860, forty-one; 1860 to 1870, fifteen; 1870 10 1886 inclusive, sixty-three.
The question is sometimes started, "what good comes of the church?" The influence of the church upon the people of this town may help to answer the question.
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The number of young men, natives and residents of the town, who have fitted for the ministry has been large as compared with the pop- ulation.
Jeremiah Hallock came here with his father, Wm. Hallock, in 1776, at the age of eight years, was ordained as a preacher and dismissed from the church in Goshen and recommended to the church at West Simsbury, in 1785, preached forty years at Canton, Conn., with great success, died 1826. His memoir is too well known to need further remark in this sketch.
Moses Hallock, brother of Jeremiah, united with this church in 1784, graduated at Yale, 1788, was installed at Plainfield, 1792. He fitted more young men for college, it is said, than any man of his time. He died in 1837, at the age of 77.
Rev. Justin Parsons, a native of Northampton, son of Lieut. Benja- min, who died in Goshen in 1777, was not a graduate of any college. He united with the church in Goshen at its organization or soon after. He was a man of strong intellect, of good business capacity, and re- ceived from his townsmen frequent proofs of their confidence, by electing him to positions of trust and honor. When nearly fifty years of age he commenced the study of theology with his pastor, Rev. Mr. Whitman, and the Rev. Dr. West of Stockbridge. He was ordained pastor of the church in Whiting, Vt., January 24, 1810. He was dis- missed in 1812, and in the next year was installed pastor over the united churches in Pittsfield and Stockbridge, Vt. He remained here till 1831, and after his dismission preached in Jamaica, Vt., for about ten years. He then removed to Oberlin, Ohio, and was a benefactor of the college founded there in 1833. He married Ist, Lucretia Par- sons of Stockbridge, 1786; 2d, Electa Frary of Hatfield, 1788. He died at Ridgeville, Ohio, April 1847, aged 88 years.
Levi Parsons, son of Rev. Justin and Mrs. Electa (Frary) Parsons, was born in Goshen, July 18, 1792. He possessed from childhood a most amiable disposition, and his parents never had occasion sharply to rebuke or correct him. He united with the church in the revival of 1808, but soon after removed with his parents to Whiting, Vt. He graduated at Middlebury college 1814, Andover 1817, embarked at Boston under the direction of the American Board as a missionary to Palestine, Nov. 3, 1819, and arrived at Jerusalem, Feb 17, 1821. He remained there for a short time busily engaged in distributing Bibles and tracts and visiting the principal places of historical interest, but
REV. LEVI PARSONS, MISSIONARY TO PALESTINE.
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the unsettled state of the affairs of the country caused him to leave for Smyrna. At Syra he was detained with serious sickness. At Smyrna his health again failed, and he went with his associate, Mr. Fisk, to Alexandria, hoping a change of climate would restore it. But he lived only a short time after his arrival. He died at Alexan- dria, Feb. 10, 1822. The annual report of the Board said of him, "Few men in any employment, even among those who have been dis- tinguished for their piety, leave so spotless a name as was left by Mr. Parsons." . His native town possesses a pleasant memento of him in the beautiful maple shade trees that line the avenue leading to the residence of F. Willis Sears, about a mile north of the meeting house. The setting of the trees was the work of Levi in his boyhood, while this was the homestead of his parents. An interesting biography of him was written by his brother-in-law, Rev. Daniel O. Morton.
Benjamin Parsons, brother of Rev. Justin, became a lawyer, resided for some years in Chesterfield, which town he represented in the Legislature 1805-8, and soon after removed to Boston. He subse- quently became a preacher of the Unitarian faith in the West and author of several theological works.
Silas Parsons, another brother of Rev. Justin, united with the church in Goshen by letter from Shelburne, in 1790; removed from Goshen to Charlemont about 1802; studied theology, and became pastor of the church in Sudbury, Vt.
Erastus Parsons, son of Rev. Silas, entered Middlebury College 1810, and was active in Christian labor. In the winter of iSri he taught school in Pittsford. His labors for the good of his pupils were inde- fatigable; a revival of religion in his school resulted in adding thirty youth to the church. His health failing, he took a dismission from college, but was licensed to preach in May, 1812. He declined a pastorate, but continued to preach as his health permitted, till his de- cease in May, 1813.
Rev. Horatio Bardwell, D. D., born in Belchertown, November 3, 1788, removed to Goshen with his father's family in 1803; united with the church in May, 1808; entered Andover Seminary, 1811; licensed to preach, 1814; ordained, June 21, 1815, as missionary; sailed October 23, 1815; arrived at Bombay, November 1, 1816.
Mr. Bardwell continued there till January, 1822, when his health
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having failed, the physicians decided he could not live and labor in that climate. He reached Boston in November following, and was eventually released from the service. His improving health allowed him to resume his labors in the ministry, and he was installed pastor of the church in Holden, in 1823. He was appointed agent of the American Board in 1832; installed pastor of the church in Oxford, June 8, 1836, from which, at his own request, he was dismissed June 5, 1864. Amherst College conferred upon him, in 1857, the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
His biographer says: "The key to the entire life and character of Dr. Bardwell, is found in his consecration to the work of missions. He pursued his studies just at the period when the churches began to be stirred with a new zeal for extending the kingdom of God among the heathen. It was an untried experiment and demanded singleness of purpose, firmness of faith and heroic self-denial. * He was a man singularly unselfish, never shrinking from service, never obtruding himself, always courteous, affable, and genial, always a man, a christian always." Says another, "his ministry was success- ful and he kept his church united."
Preston Taylor, a native of Ashfield, united with the church in Goshen in 1821. He gave up agricultural pursuits for the ministry, and preached for several years in Putney and Bridgewater, Vt. He afterwards removed to Schoolcraft, Mich., where he preached for many years, serving also as postmaster and Justice of the Peace. He died some years since.
Rev. E. Putney Salmon, born in Goshen, April 5, 1804, studied medicine in New York, and theology at Andover and Princeton. In 1833 he moved to Ohio and practiced medicine successfully for ten years. Having secured a competence, he gave up the practice of medicine and devoted all his time to the ministry. In 1860 he re- moved to Allen's Grove, Wisconsin, took charge of the Congregation- al church, and became President of the Academy, the preparatory school of Beloit College. He removed to Beloit in 1865, and retired from active life. He died December 11, 1880. He had been an in- valid for five years.
Rev. Jason Olds was long engaged in the ministry at the West. He was settled in Ohio.
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Ezekiel Cheever, son of Rev. Samuel Whitman, graduated at Williams, preached some, was the author of several pamphlets, died in 1862.
Rev. William Williams, son of Jonah, a graduate of Amherst, and classmate of Henry Ward Beecher, was a professor in Lagrange Col- lege, Alabama, till the breaking out of the rebellion, when he was obliged to flee to the north. He returned to his home at the close of the war, and died several years since.
Benj. F. Brown, son of Thomas, graduate of Amherst, became a preacher, went to Virginia, where he died in 1812.
Alvan Stone, son of Maj. Ambrose, studied at Amherst, but his de- voted piety demanding a more active field of labor, he took a dismis- sion from the college in 1831, went to Illinois, and was there zealously engaged in establishing Sabbath schools and in other missionary ef- forts, till his early death, which occurred at Alton, Illinois, in 1833, at the age of 25. His short life was full of good works. An interesting memoir of him was published by Rev. David Wright.
Frederick W. Burgess, son of Silas, studied at Williams, but grad- uated at Union College. He preached for some time in Michigan and other places, was a very devoted and faithful christian, but was soon called to his reward. He died 1838, at the age of 27.
Rev. Joseph S. Burgess, another son of Silas. studied theology at Whitestown, N. Y. He is now settled at Lewiston, Maine.
Rev. D. Grosvenor Wright, D. D., son of Rev. Joel, the former pastor of the church, is pastor of a church in Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
B. Franklin Parsons, son of Willard, a graduate of Williams, won a good reputation as teacher. He was for some time principal of Baron Academy, at Colchester, Conn., and afterwards at New Mail- boro', Mass. He is also licensed as a preacher.
J. Fisher Crossett, son of Rev. Robert, entered the ministry and went to China as a missionary.
Rev. Rufus Cushman, son of Caleb, born in Goshen, 1778, gradu- ated at Williams College, 1805 ; united with this church in 1798 ;
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married Theodocia, daughter of Dea. Artemas Stone, June 9, 1806 ; became pastor of the church in Fair Haven, Vt., 1807 ; died Febru- ary 3, 1829, having been pastor of the same church 22 years. The Cushman Genealogy says,-" He was a good, plain, Puritan man, distinguished for solid, rather than brilliant qualities ; sedate, firm, and persevering in his labors ; willing to 'work on-work ever' in the cause of his Master, whose service he loved, and whose life he aimed to imitate. He did what he could to bring sinners to repen- tance, and to promote and diffuse love to God and love to man among his people."
It is told of him that he had a rich parishioner, who was fond of jokes that were not always free from sharp points. He rode up to Mr. Cushman's door one day, and the pastor stepped out with his sermon in his hand to see what he wanted. "Good morning, Mr. Cushman," said he, " what have you got there ?" " My sermon for next Sabbath. I am sewing it together." "Ah, yes; but if it is no better than the rest of your sermons you had better sew it up all round." The pastor dropped his head and turned away, for he never joked his parishioners. The man's fun was spoiled. He went home in the deepest sorrow. Now, thought he, I have done wrong. I am not a gentleman, and though I am not a christian, and I am not a member, and have never done enough for him, I will henceforward be his friend. He unharnessed his horse, went in, and made out a deed of a farm giving the minister the products of it during his natu- ral life. He continued to reap its fields, and to enjoy the sweetest friendship of the generous parishioner through life. His son, Rev. Rufus S. Cushman, D.D., thirty-four years in the ministry, died three and a half years ago in Manchester, Vt.
Rev. Ralph Cushman, born in Goshen in 1792, brother of Rev. Rufus ; united with this church 1808 ; graduated at Williams College ; married Sophia Moseley of Westfield, 1820 ; licensed to preach in the same year, and went to Hopkinsville, Ken., as a home missionary ; was installed pastor of Presbyterian church in Manlius, N. Y., 1825 ; appointed General Secretary of American Home Missionary Society, 1830, for the Western States, and removed to Cincinnati ; died at Wooster, Ohio, August 27, 1831. He is said to have been a devoted servant of Christ, and many friends bore testimony to the faithfulness and success of his labors in the ministry.
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Calvin Cushman, brother of the above, born June 13, 1784 ; mar- ried Laura Bardwell of this town, November, 1809 ; taught school when a young man, but had not a college education. In the early efforts of the American Board for the civilization of the Cherokees and Choctaws, Mr. Cushman, Mr. John Smith and Mr. Elijah Bard- well, all members of the church, were sent out with their families as assistant missionaries and teachers to the Choctaws in Mississippi.
They left Goshen, September 13, 1820, for their field of labor, going by way of the Ohio, Mississippi and Yazoo rivers. The account of their journey shows a wide contrast between the modes of travel of that day and the present. They embarked in a craft in common use in those waters, called an ark. It was 56 feet long, 14 wide and 6 high, bottom flat, roof convex, the walls at the sides and ends straight and perpendicular. Two long oars at the side served for rowing and one at the stern for a rudder. It had three apart- ments. In one was a cow, one served for a kitchen and sitting room, and the other for a school room, where, during the three months of their passage down the river, was taught a school of ten children. Such arks cost about $100, and being unmanageable against the current were sold at New Orleans for a mere trifle. In floating down the river the missionary company were not idle. They sent copies of the "Swearer's Prayer" on board another ark, which induced the crew to quit profane swearing by agreement, and procured for Rev. Mr. Byington from Stockbridge, who went as missionary with the others named, an opportunity to preach to the crews of seven or eight other arks on successive evenings. A man at a village on the western bank of the river, hearing of these meetings, besought the missionaries, with tears, to land and have a meeting at his house, as some of his neighbors had never heard a sermon They complied and had a very interesting meeting, and the people promised that they would thenceforth meet every Sabbath and read the scriptures.
They arrived at the mouth of the Yazoo, January 27, where it be- came necessary to leave their ark. Mr. Cushman and family passed through the wilderness with a wagon, and arrived at his destination early in March. Mr. Bardwell also went by land and arrived in May. Mr. Smith and others. ascended the river in a batteau. His oldest son, after toiling three weeks at the oar, sickened and died in a week. A hundred miles from any human habitation the remains were buried and the bark peeled from a tree to mark the grave. For three weeks
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longer they were obliged to toil in rowing against the current, the females assisting at the helm, before reaching the end of their journey.
It has been sometimes intimated that these missionaries engaged in their work from motives of a mercenary character. A historical sketch of the mission referring to the removal of the Indians beyond the Mississippi in 1833, sets this matter probably in its true light. It says, "As fewer laborers would be needed among the Choctaws, Messrs. Cushman, Smith, Bardwell and others, with their wives, were, at their own request, released from the service of the Board. Most of them had expended ten or twelve of the best years of their lives in missionary labors and sufferings, with no compensation but a bare subsistence for the time ; and such of them as had property had given it to the board. Now, when they were about to be left without employment, in the decline of life, and with impaired health, the board was not authorized to give, nor were they willing to receive such compensation for past services as their labors might have com- manded in some worldly pursuit ; but from the household and other movable property least salable, which no longer could be used for missionary purposes, they were allowed to take such articles as would enable them to commence frugal arrangements for future support."
They were released from service January 15, 1833. Mr. Cushman and wife and Mr. Smith and wife spent the remainder of their days in Mississippi. Mr. Bardwell removed to Michigan and became a preacher. Mr. Cushman became a prominent citizen, was Judge of Probate, and an elder in the Presbyterian church. He died August 8, 1841.
Miss Electa May, daughter of Nehemiah, born in Goshen, 1783, went as missionary to the Choctaws in 1823, and was married the next year to Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, one of the earliest missionaries to the Choctaws, and accompanied them to their new home beyond the Mississippi. Mr. Zechariah Howes of Ashfield, and Mr. Anson Dyer of Plainfield, also were sent out to this mission field in 1820.
Minerva Cushman, born August 20, 1788, married first, Amos Dresser, 1808, and removed to Peru. They were parents of Rev. Amos Dresser. The father died 1813, and the mother married, second, Henry Pierce, and of their children was Rev. Charles Henry Pierce, a successful pastor.
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It may not be out of place to say a word respecting Rev. Amos Dresser, so nearly connected with this church and people. Born in 1812, an orphan before he was four months old, he entered Oneida Institute, 1830, which, in company with Horace Bushnell, he left to enter Lane Seminary, but they found on arrival it only existed in prospect, and would not be opened for some months. They hired and furnished a room, and commenced their studies, and so Lane Seminary was commenced. Other young men came and followed their example, prosecuting their studies regularly, as if the institution had been fully equipped with officers and teachers.
The discussion of the slavery question by the students in the win- ter of 1833-4, in the absence of Dr. Beecher, the president, created much excitement, and the faculty dissolved the anti-slavery society which the students had formed. Young Dresser and about to others, feeling aggrieved, left the institution. Soon after, his health failing, he purposed visiting his uncle Calvin, the missionary in Mississippi. He purchased a horse and carriage, took a quantity of bibles and other books to pay his expenses, and set out on his journey. Stop- ping at Nashville he was seized and brought to trial. A bible had been found wrapped in a copy of the Emancipator, which had thrown the people into intense excitement. His trunk was searched, and his journal examined to find some evidence against him. The mayor, after scanning its pages, said, "It cannot be read, but it is evidently very hostile to slavery." He was sentenced to receive 20 lashes, after which he found it necessary to leave at once, and in disguise, in order to avoid a worse fate. He is now, and has been for many years, a pastor in the west.
Vesta Cushman, another daughter, married Moses Dresser. They had a family of eight children, one of whom, George Dresser, is now an officer of the church, chosen in ISSo-its centennial deacon.
Wealthy, the eldest daugher of Caleb Cushman, born in this town October, 1779, married Jonathan Wright, of Northampton, Novem- ber 19, 1799, and subsequently removed to Jackson, Me., where she died in 1846. One of her sons became a minister of the gospel, served faithfully as a chaplain in the army of the Union, and is now the beloved pastor of the church of his maternal ancestors, a worthy son of worthy parentage-the Rev. J. E. M. Wright.
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A goodly number of the daughters of Goshen have married minis- ters and missionaries. Their names are entitled to remembrance, and as far as can be ascertained, are given. The family of Elijah Bardwell seems to have borne off the palm in this respect. Rhoda, the oldest daughter, married in 1807, Rev. Wm. Fisher; Laura, married ISII, Calvin Cushman, the missionary to the Choctaws; Sarah, mar- ried 1813, Rev. James Richards, missionary to Ceylon. Two of the brothers, Rev. Horatio Bardwell and Rev. Elijah Bardwell, were the missionaries already referred to. Lucretia, daughter of Rev. Justin Parsons, joined the church in 1808, married Rev. Daniel Morton. They were the parents of Hon. Levi Parsons Morton, member of Congress from New York city, who is now prominently before the public as worthy of, and likely to receive, a position in President Garfield's cabinet.
The family of William Hallock have also a worthy record. Of Revs. Jeremiah and Moses, nothing needs to be added. Abigail, married Rev. Joel Chapin; Esther married Rev. Josiah Hayden. They were the parents of Lieut. Gov. Joel Hayden.
Hannah, daughter of Reuben Dresser, married Rev. Abel Farley; Electa, daughter of Col. Nehemiah May, married Rev. Mr. Kings- bury, missionary to the Choctaws; Hannah, daughter of Ebenezer Putney, (Ist,) married John Smith of the Choctaw mission; Prudence May married Rev. Isaac Babbitt; Electa, daughter of Jared Hawks, niece of Electa May, married Rev. Wm. H. Boardman; Theodocia Stone married Rev. Rufus Cushman; Ruby Kellogg, daughter of Stephen, married Rev. Preston Taylor; Sophia B., daughter of Capt. Reuben Dresser, married Rev. Samuel Whalley; Ellen E., daughter of J. M. Smith, married Rev. Robert C. Alison; Mary Leora, daughter of J. M. Smith, married Rev. J. C. Houghton; Clarinda B., daughter of Hinckley Williams, married Rev. Lucius M. Boltwood; Martha Baker, adopted daughter of Daniel Williams, married Rev. William Carruthers.
Another daughter of the church, Mrs. Deborah (Smith) Williams, is worthy of remembrance. In February, 1856, the Congregationalist published a communication containing the following extracts:
Messrs. Editors :- "In your paper of Nov. 3c, is a communication from Rev. J. H. Rood of Goshen, Mass., volunteering from one of his lady parishioners an offer-
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ing of #500, as the nucleus of a fund to be applied to the building of churches in Kansas, and if deemed expedient, Orthodox churches throughout the West, paya- ble whenever a plan should be adopted for carrying the designs of the donor into effect. * * The Congregational Union of New York, acting under a pro- vision of its constitution authorizing to aid in church building, have taken the mat- ter under consideration and have decided to carry out the suggestion of Rev. Mr. Rood's communication by rendering immediate and permanent aid towards building churches in Kansas. An agent has been sought to carry their measures into effect, and we trust an appeal will soon be made to the churches for further means to sus- tain the work."
The work was immediately commenced, the churches responded nobly to the appeal, and the result has been most gratifying. More than one-third of the Congregational church edifices in our country have been aided in their erection by this society.
[NOTE. The records of the church in former years were kept by the pastors; more re- eently by one of the deacons. Benjamin White was clerk 1853 to 1855; T. L. Barrus 1861-65 and from 1867 to the present time. ]
The Congregational Society.
In 828, the Congregational society severed its connection with the town and became a separate organization. Benjamin White, Esq., was its first clerk. Benjamin White, Asahel Billings and William Abell were its first board of assessors; Reuben Dresser was collector and treasurer. Benjamin White served many years as clerk. Hiram Barrus was clerk from 1850 to 1860. Daniel Williams was collector and treasurer from 1850 for several years. Col. Luther Stone, Capt. Horace Packard, Elijah Billings, Freeman Sears, George Abell, Ezra Carpenter often did service as assessors. Alvan Barrus, Hiram Packard and T. L. Barrus were assessors in the years 1874-5-6-7, and Maj. Joseph Hawks, collector and treasurer; Charles Barrus, clerk, 1874-5-6. Officers for 1878 :- T. L. Barrus, John H. Godfrey, E. C. Packard, assessors; J. Hawks, collector and treasurer; E. C. Packard, clerk. 1879-T. L. Barrus, J. H. Godfrey, A. B. Dresser, assessors; T. L. Barrus, collector and treasurer; E. C. Packard, clerle. 18So-George Dresser, A. B. Dresser, T. L. Barrus, assessors; Lorin Barrus, collector and treasurer; E. C. Packard, clerk.
The society has the annual income from a fund of five thousand dollars, which is to be appropriated to the support of "a minister of the Congregational Trinitarian Order." This fund was the donation also of Mrs. Deborah (Smith) Williams, a native of the town. The
.
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fund has been for many years in the hands of a trustee, Harvey Kirk- land, Esq., of Northampton, who was appointed by Mrs. Williams. The society in 1851, purchased the former homestead of Dea. Jona- than Lyman near the church and built the present house for a par- sonage. The income of the fund and the productions of the parson- age land are important aids to the small but earnest society in the support of the ministry.
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