USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Huntington > History of the town of Huntington, in the county of Hampshire, Mass., from its first settlement to the year 1876 > Part 3
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON.
purpose, not only for Sabbath services, but also for even- ing meetings during the week.
The Second Congregational society was legally organ- ized, by the choice of officers, January 12, 1846. The object of this organization is thus stated by those who formed it-" To support public worship and permanently maintain the various institutions of Christianity, to ad- vance the cause of evangelical religion and sound moral- ity, and for the attainment of such other objects, and the promotion of such other interests, as are generally con- templated by similar organizations." This declaration of their object was signed by Edward Taylor, and twenty- six others, some of whom remain to the present time, though the greater part have passed away, either by death or removal. They had, at that time, no separate church edifice of their own, but as they had an interest in that built by subscription, in common, and then occu- pied by the Methodists, they used that a portion of the time.
The question of building an edifice of their own was at length agitated. November 18, 1847, the society, at a legal meeting, voted to build a house for public wor- ship and to try to raise $2,500 for this purpose; this sum then seemed large; but they went forward with their enterprise until it was crowned with success; the whole cost of that building was about $4,000; but with open hearts and liberal hands, the expense was met. This house answered their purpose for public worship until January 12, 1863, when, unfortunately, it was con- sumed by fire, together with the school-house and Union Hall standing near it. Not disheartened by this disaster, the society immediately resolved to erect a new edifice on the site of the one destroyed; a vote to this effect was passed only twelve days after the fire; the same year the edifice now used was built at an expense, in-
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON.
cluding bell and furniture, of about $7,000. This build- ing was used for a few years, not only for public worship on the Sabbath, but for evening meetings also, during the week. Though admirably adapted to the wants of the people for Sabbath services, it was still not as appropriate to some other exercises; there was a felt necessity for some more convenient place for prayer-meetings and social gatherings; to supply this lack, Miss Julia Taylor made the parish a donation of $1,500 to aid in building a chapel ; other sums were also contributed for this pur- pose. The building was erected in 1869; the whole expense, including land and furniture was not far from $2,000. It is happily adapted to the object for which it was built ; it stands a perpetual monument to the memory of Miss Julia Taylor ; though dead, she still speaks. May her salutary influence be perpetuated to the end of time. " The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance."
The Second Congregational Church was organized August 26, 1846 ; it was composed of twenty-eight mem- bers ; most of these united by letter from other churches- some by profession. The following clergymen assisted at the organization : Emerson Davis, Ebenezer B. Wright, John H. Bisbee, Edward Clarke, Francis Wariner.
So broad and catholic were the views of the first mem- bers of this church, so kind and tender their feelings towards Christians of other church organizations, that the clergyman who was appointed to address them, was spe- cially requested to be careful not to say anything which would in the least, reflect unfavorably upon any other denomination, or imply any hostility, or antagonism to any branch of the household of faith.
The council which organized the church, at the same time and place, ordained Rev. Perkins K. Clark to the work of the gospel ministry, as an evangelist. He sup- plied the pulpit for several years, preaching a part of 5
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON.
the time at Chester ; until they had a church edifice of their own, they worshiped in what is now the Baptist Church, the Methodists occupying it half the time. The first deacons appointed were Melvin Copeland and Ed- ward M. Taylor.
December 27, 1853, Rev. Townsend Walker, having received and accepted a call, was installed pastor of this church ; he was from Monterey, a graduate of Williams College in the class of 1839 ; he remained pastor until August 2, 1865, when, in a state of feeble health, he was regularly dismissed. He was subsequently settled in Goshen, Mass., where he died, in the pastoral office, July 31, 1873, aged sixty-one years.
After his dismission at Huntington, the pulpit was sup- plied one year by James A. Bates, a returned missionary.
Rev. John H. Bisbee was the second settled pastor of this church ; he was installed April 10, 1867 ; he was a native of Chesterfield, Mass., and graduated at Union College in 1831; he studied theology at the Seminary in Auburn, N. Y. He previously labored in the pastoral office five years in Middlefield, and twenty-eight years in Worthington. He is still pastor of this church.
Since the organization of this church, two hundred and twenty-seven additional members have been received, making a total of two hundred and fifty-five. But so many have been the removals by death and dismission, that the present number is but ninety-nine ; these changes are adapted to remind the living that " here have we no continuing city."
A Baptist Church was organized in Chester, June 23, 1812, composed of twenty-six members. "The same day, Samuel Otis and Joseph Stanton were ordained deacons, by prayer and laying on of hands." The following clergy- men assisted in this service : Rev. Bennett Pepper of Southwick, Rev. Asa Todd of Chesterfield, Rev. Amos
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON.
Kingsley of Becket, Rev. Abraham Jackson of Hinsdale. Their church edifice was originally at Chester Center ; subsequently it was removed to North Chester ; the meet- ing-house was their usual place for public worship ; but the records show that they frequently held their services in the vicinity of Norwich bridge, and occasionally at Falley's X Roads, or Chester Village, now Huntington. The rea- son for this may, probably, be found in the fact that quite a large number of their influential members resided in or near these places. Rev. John Grant was their first pastor ; he was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Abbot; the next regular pastor was Rev. Silas Kingsley, a native of Becket, whose .ministrations continued twenty years or more. This church, as a body, has passed away, its members having been gathered into other organizations.
A Baptist Church was gathered in what is now Hunt- ington Village, in 1852; it was composed of members from different localities, especially from the church previ- ously existing in Chester. At a meeting held for the purpose, the following resolution was adopted :
" Resolved, That we, John Green, Joseph Stanton, Leartus Porter, Eli F. Cady, Sarah P. Clark and Laura Porter, after prayerful deliberation, and relying on the Great Ilead of the church for divine wisdom and support, do now, this seventh day of October, A. D., 1852, in the fear of God, declare ourselves a visible Baptist Church, in the faith and fellowship of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in Chester Village, Mass."
In November of the same year, Rev. John Green was invited to become their minister; this invitation was ac- cepted. Joseph Stanton, who had for many years served as deacon in the church in Chester, was elected to the same office in the new organization ; this office he held until his death, which occurred in March, 1870; in 1855, it was voted that this be called the Huntington Baptist Church ; between 1854 and 1864, several preachers were employed ; among these may be named William Good- win, Samuel Allard, - Wheeler, -- Hopwood.
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON.
Rev. Horatio L. Sargent was called to the pastorate, December 26, 1864 ; he continued his active labors until May 6, 1866, when, on account of failing health, he was, by vote of the church, kindly released ; a few weeks after this, he died, universally beloved and lamented by his church and congregation. He was succeeded by Rev. S. Hartwell Pratt, who commenced his labors in August of the same year ; he was a native of Wales, in Massa- chusetts, a graduate of Brown University, and of the Theological Seminary at Rochester, N. Y. He resigned his pastorate in 1867, and is at present settled over a church in Lowell, Mass. The next pastor was Rev. E. A. Goddard ; he was a native of Boston, and was educated at Harvard University ; he was first settled in Stamford, Vt., from whence he came to this place ; he closed his labors here in 1873; since that he has been settled in Palmer ; he was succeeded, for a little more than a year, by Rev. Daniel Rogers, who was educated at Madison University ; he is now laboring as a missionary in the Indian Territory. Rev. S. D. Ashley, of Becket, next re- ceived and accepted a call, and commenced his labors June 1, 1875; he is the present pastor of the church. He is a son of a clergyman, and a native of Porte Mat- toon, Nova Scotia ; he received his classical education at Middleton, Mass., and at Yantic, Conn., and studied theology with an elder brother. The present member- ship in this church is one hundred.
All these churches have passed through various scenes ; they have had times of prosperity and dark days of adversity ; they have had seasons of refreshing, when many have been added to their numbers, and they have had seasons of declension, when the love of many waxed cold ; all have cause of thankfulness for blessings received, and of humiliation for duties neglected, and privileges disregarded ; they may well unitedly say, " Hitherto hath
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON.
the Lord helped us." Trusting in his aid for the future, they need not be discouraged nor dismayed ; they may confidently persevere in the work given them to do, till their mission is fully accomplished.
The construction of the Boston and Albany railroad, and the consequent increase of manufacturing industry, introduced a new element in the population. Previously, the inhabitants had been almost exclusively native Ameri- cans, and in religion, Protestants; but the increased demand for labor brought in many foreigners to fill important positions in some industrial pursuits ; a large proportion of these belonged to the Roman Catholic Church ; in accordance with the universal practice of that denomination, arrangements were promptly made for occa- sional public religious services; these began to be held about the middle of the present century ; the officiating priests, according to their custom, were appointed by the bishop, and conducted their worship on the Sabbath, at stated seasons,-usually once a month. Having no church edifice, they have hitherto occupied the Town Hall which is still their place of meeting. With some residents of neighboring towns who unite with them, they now have quite a large congregation.
Each of the churches now existing here, has had, and still maintains a Sunday-school, where the children and many adults gather every Sabbath day, to receive moral and religious instruction ; in this institution as well as from the pulpit, each church teaches in accord- ance with its own views of doctrine and duty. The most extensive religious freedom is thus practically en- joyed.
The following persons are at present engaged in mercantile business here :
E. N. Woods, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes ; also dealer in groceries and Yankee notions.
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HISTORY OF IIUNTINGTON.
Edward Pease, Myron L. Church, Alonzo Wells, dealers in dry goods and groceries.
Chester A. Dewey, dealer in hard-ware and furniture. Edward A. Allen, dealer in stoves and tin-ware.
E. H. Cross, druggist.
Martin Pease keeps a meat market.
Joseph Lefleur keeps a hotel.
Daniel Woodbury, watchmaker and jeweler ; also agent of the American Express Company.
The following is the list of those holding the more prominent offices of the town for the year 1876 :
William S. Tinker, Clerk and Treasurer.
Elijah N. Woods, David Smith, Alonzo S. Sylvester, Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor. .
Benjamin P. Brown, James D. Beach, George M. Lind- sey, Constables.
John J. Cook, Edward Greenwood, Austin T. Hancock, A. S. Sylvester, William P. Miller, Ira Higgins, School Committee.
Other officials : George M. Lindsey is Deputy Sheriff for the counties of Hampshire and Hampden.
Edward Pease is Post-master; Charles M. Lindsey is Railroad Station Agent.
CONCLUSION.
We have thus passed, very briefly, over the history of this town during the first century of its existence. This labor has been vastly more difficult and arduous, than it otherwise would have been, on account of our inability to obtain reliable information on many important points ; it is greatly to be regretted that the records of the town in the earlier years of this period, are not more full, so that more definite knowledge might be had of the early settlers and of their doings. There is also just cause for complaint that some of the later records are not more
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HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON.
definite and complete ; many important facts are either through neglect or carelessness entirely lost, or left in such obscurity as to be wholly unintelligible. Possibly some of these defects might, at the present day, be sup- plied, so as to be serviceable for the future. The full, fair record of births, marriages and deaths is often of great importance to individuals and families, and indeed to the whole community. The little that has been gleaned from the records of the past may be of some service to the present population of the place, and to future genera- tions.
Brief and imperfect as is the history here written, it contains many lessons of valuable instruction ; these will naturally be suggested to every reflecting mind. A cen- tury passed ! How brief, and yet how marked with changes ! How many have been the mutations in this little township ! "Our fathers, where are they " ? Three generations have already passed away. The names of a few of these are so recorded as to be preserved; the multitude are already forgotten by the living ; even the name of many has perished. So will it soon be in the case of those now in active life; in the past have been joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, connections formed and sundered ; schemes have been formed and frustrated, plans laid and broken ; expectations have been disappointed and hopes have been blighted. " The thing that hath been is that which shall be." The present and the future may be expected to resemble the past. We live and labor among the graves of preceding generations. From their dust we reap our daily bread ; others will soon tread upon the clods that press upon the bosoms of those now living. While we cherish the memory of those who have preceded us, let us practice their virtues, avoid their errors, and not only thankfully accept the legacy which they have bequeathed to us, but according to the best of
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our ability make improvements upon the same. Then shall we leave to our successors a richer inheritance than we have received from our predecessors, and they will have occasion to rise up and call us blessed. Though dead, we shall speak, and our influence will be salutary. We may thus give practical lessons of instruction to generations yet unborn.
6
HISTORY
OF THE
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON,
IN THE
COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE, MASS.
From its First Settlement to the year 1876.
BY REV. J. H. BISBEE. V
SPRINGFIELD, MASS .: CLARK W. BRYAN & COMPANY, PRINTERS. 1876.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 0 014 078 727 9
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