USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Sketches of the churches and pastors in Hampden County, Mass. : and also, an address delivered to the pastors by Rev. T.M. Cooley, D.D., at Mettineague, September 13, 1853 > Part 4
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REV. WILLIAM B. SPRAGUE is a native of Andover, Ct., graduated at Yale in 1815, studied theology at Princeton, and was ordained colleague pastor of Dr. L. August 25, 1819. He has published already more single sermons and volumes than his predeces- sor. He married, first, a daughter of General Eaton, of Brimfield; his second and third wives were grand-daughters of Dr. Lathrop. He was dis- missed in 1829, to become pastor of the First Pres- byterian Church in Albany. He has received the degree of D.D. from Columbia College, and also from Harvard.
REV. THOMAS E. VERMILYE was born in the city of New York, went through the whole course of study at Yale College, but did not graduate, He
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was ordained May 26, 1830, and was dismissed in 1835, to become pastor of a Dutch Reformed Church in Albany. In 1838 he received the degree of D.D. from Rutgers' College. He is now one of the pastors of the Associate Dutch Reformed Churches in New York.
REV. JOHN HUNTER Was born in New York, and did not graduate at any college ; was installed Aug. 25, 1835, and dismissed March 28, 1837. He had been a pastor previously, having been ordained Dec. 1828, and was settled at Bridgeport from 1839 to 1845.
REV. A. AUGUSTUS WOOD was from Leominster, graduated at Amherst, in 1831, studied theology at Andover and at New Haven, was ordained December 19, 1839, and dismissed, at his own request, August 28, 1849, to become pastor of Pearl Street Church, New York.
REV. HENRY M. FIELD, son of Rev. Dr. Field, of Stockbridge, graduated at Williams' College in 1838, studied theology at New Haven, and was pastor of a Presbyterian Church in St. Louis a few years, and installed pastor of this Church January 30, 1851.
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This parish has a fund of about $5000, and pays a salary of $900. In the Church there are 246 members.
There is also a fund held by Trustees be onging to this Society, called the Ashley Fund, the income of which is $200 annually, and is paid to feeble churches in the bounds of West Springfield. In case any of these churches cease to need it, it is to be appropriated to the aid of such churches else- where.
FEEDING HILLS, WEST SPRINGFIELD.
THIS is the Second Church in West Springfield. It was organized November 10, 1762, and, at that time, included Agawam ; the meeting-house was between the two villages. 1
REV. SILVANUS GRISWOLD, son of Rev. George G., of Lyme, Ct., graduated at Yale in 1757, and was ordained one week after the organization of the Church. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Dorr, of Hartford. He continued minister of the parish till 1781, and pastor of the Church till his death, December 4, 1819, aged 87 years. Previous to his settlement, a'
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IN HAMPDEN COUNTY.
Baptist minister gathered a small church in that part of the town, and went away. The members attended Mr. Griswold's meeting, and contributed to his support for a time. The Baptist minister returned after a few years, and called together his scattered flock. The burden of Mr. G.'s support being greater than the people were willing to bear, he gave up his claim to salary, and they theirs to his services. After that he seldom preached, though he performed some parochial duties. The Church and Society were in a sad condition for about forty years.
In college Mr. G. was a good scholar, and a pat- tern of piety. He sustained the character of a good man through life. As a speaker, he was dull and uninteresting. He died in peace, and in hope of a glorious immortality.
REV. REUBEN S. HAZEN Was a native of West Springfield, or came there in his childhood, gradu- ated at Yale in 1818, was ordained pastor of the Church at Feeding Hills and Agawam, October 17, 1821, and preached at each place on alternate Sabbaths. In 1830 he became pastor of the Church at Agawam, and relinquished his charge of this Church. He was dismissed from Agawam in 1843, settled at Barkhamstead for a time, and is now pastor of the Congregational Church in Westminster, Ct.
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REV. HERVEY SMITH Was born in Granby, gradu- ated at Williams' College in 1818, was pastor of the Church in East Stafford, Ct., from 1822 to 1830,' when he was installed at Feeding Hills. He relin- quished his charge of this Church in 1833, and be- came pastor of the First Church in Holyoke. Here his health failed ; he was dismissed in 1840; since then he has preached only occasionally. He resides in East Hampton.
REV. HORATIO J. LOMBARD, of Springfield, gra- duated at Williams' College in 1815, was settled at Oswego, N. Y., and installed here in 1834. He was dismissed the next year, has since been settled at Northfield, but now resides in Springfield.
REV. CALVIN FOOTE from 1836 to 1839. (See Southwick.)
REV. DILLON WILLIAMS, of Colchester, Ct., gra- duated at Yale in 1836, studied theology at New Haven, and was ordained June 30, 1851. He was dismissed May 19, 1848, preached a year at Chester Factories, and since then has been preaching at Bridgewater, Ct.
REV. STEPHEN D. WARD, of New Jersey, gra- duated at Nassau Hall in 1819, studied theology at New Haven, has been a pastor in New Jersey, and
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IN HAMPDEN COUNTY.
was settled at Machias, Me., from 1834 to 1844. He was installed at Feeding Hills, October 18, 1853.
This Church has 85 members, pays $325 salary, and gives the pastor the use of the parsonage. He receives also $100 from the Ashley fund.
AGAWAM, WEST SPRINGFIELD.
THIS is the Third Church in West Springfield, and was organized September 1, 1819
REV. REUBEN S. HAZEN from 1821 to 1843. (See Feeding Hills.)
REV. RALPH PERRY, of Hebron, Ct., graduated at Illinois College in 1838, studied theology at New Haven, and was ordained January 3, 1844. . In 1846 he was dismissed, in consequence of ill health, travelled a year as an agent for the Western Col- lege Society, regained his health, and was reinstalled December 28, 1847.
This Church has 118 members ; the parish has a fund of $4300, given by Capt. Allen. Salary $600.
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METTINEAGUE, WEST SPRINGFIELD.
THIS is the Fourth Church in West Springfield, and was organized January 10, 1850, has 40 mem- bers, and pays a salary of $500.
REV. HENRY COOLEY was ordained February 24, 1853. (See Southwick.)
CHURCHES IN HAMPDEN EAST.
BRIMFIELD.
THE records of this Church were burned with the house of the pastor in 1748; so that the precise date of the organization of the Church is not known ; it was organized sometime in the year 1725.
REV. RICHARD TREAT, of Glastenbury, Ct., gradu- ated at Yale in 1719, and was ordained the day the Church was organized. A difficulty arose between him and his people in 1733, and a council was called ; the nature of the difficulty, in the absence of all records, is not known. He was dismissed soon after, March 27, 1734.
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IN HAMPDEN COUNTY.
REV. JAMES BRIDGHAM, of Boston, graduated at Harvard in 1726, was ordained June 9, 1736, and continued pastor of the Church till he died, Septem- ber 7, 1779, aged 69 years. "He is said to have been a man of respectable talents, and to have per- formed the duties of his office to general accept- ance." He was an evangelical preacher, and was much respected by the people. He suffered so much from bodily infirmity, some of the last years of his life, that he was unable to perform the duties of his office.
REV. NEHEMIAH WILLIAMS, son of Rev. Chester Williams, of Hadley, graduated at Harvard in 1769, and was ordained February 9, 1775. He died in the midst of his days and usefulness, November 26, 1796, in the 48th year of his age. He is affection- ately remembered by the old people of the town; he had their confidence, and a good degree of har- mony prevailed. He was a very acceptable preach- er. A volume of his sermons was published after his decease .- Dr. Vail's Sermon.
REV. CLARK BROWN was not a graduate of any college ; he received the degree of A. M. at Yale in 1794, and at three other colleges prior to 1799. He was ordained at Boston, October 7, 1795, as pastor of the Church in Machias, Me. He was then an
4
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avowed Arminian. At Machias he reformed the articles of faith, abrogating the doctrine of the Tri- nity and total depravity, and admitting persons to the communion without any evidence of regenera- tion. About half the Church refused to unite with it in the new form, and they were suspended from its privileges. He was dismissed November 3, 1797, and installed at Brimfield, June 20, 1798. His stay here was short, and the time of his conti- nuance stormy. He preached the same doctrines he did in Me .; some were for him, but more against him. He was dismissed November 2, 1803. He is said to have been a man of gifts and of uncommon fluency, but not distinguished for patience or pru- dence. He died in Maryland, January 12, 1817.
REV. WARREN FAY, of Northborough, graduated at Harvard in 1807, and was ordained August 17, 1808. He was dismissed at his own request, June 26, 1811 ; settled at Harvard in 1814, was dismissed in consequence of receiving a call from the Church in Charlestown in 1820. In 1839 the fellowship of the churches was withdrawn from him, and he has since lived upon a farm in Northboro'. He received the degree of D.D. from Dartmouth in 1829.
REV. JOSEPH VAILL, of East Haddam, Ct., gra- duated at Yale in 1811, was ordained February 2,
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1814 ; dismissed September 6, 1834, to accept a call from Portland, Me., where he was pastor three years, and was then reinstalled at Brimfield, Novem- ber 1, 1837. He was dismissed in 1841, to engage in an agency for Amherst College ; which having finished, he was installed at Somers, Ct., August 6, 1845. He received the degree of D.D. from Am- herst.
REV. JOSEPH FULLER, of Vershire, Vt., graduated at Middlebury in 1827, studied theology at Ando- ver, and was ordained at Kennebunk, Me., Septem- ber 29, 1830, and dismissed July 16, 1834. He was installed here March 11, 1835, and dismissed June 7,1837.
REV. GEORGE C. PARTRIDGE, of Hatfield, gra- duated at Amherst in 1833, and was tutor there from 1836 to 1838. He was installed at B., Febru- ary 9, 1842, dismissed in 1846, and settled at Green- field, April 18, 1848, where he still remains.
REV. JASON MORSE, of Sturbridge, graduated at Amherst in 1845, and was ordained at Brimfield, December 2, 1849. He has been twice married to daughters of Theodore Parsons, of Southampton. The number of members in this Church is 204, and the salary paid is $600.
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CHICOPEE.
FIRST CHURCH. Chicopee was a part of Spring- field till the year 1848, when it was set off, and is now a town incorporation. This Church was organ- ized September 9, 1752.
REV. JOHN MCKINSTRY was the first pastor of the Church in Chicopee. He was the son of Rev. John McKinstry, of Ellington, Ct., who was a native of Scotland, and graduated at the University of Edinburg in 1712. He was sent out as a mission- ary to the settlements in New England, and was first settled in Sutton, Mass., where he remained about eight years. From thence he removed to El- lington, Ct., where he continued till his death. It was during his ministry in the latter place that John, who was subsequently settled in Chicopee, was born, in the year 1723.
John Mckinstry junior was educated at Yale College, and graduated in the year 1746. Soon af- ter he was licensed he was invited to Chicopee, to preach as a candidate for settlement ; and after preaching a few months, he received and accepted a call to settle, and accordingly was ordained on the 27th of September, 1752.
On the 7th of June previous, the parish voted that the ordination should take place on the 9th of Sep-
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tember, 1752. On the 7th of June previous, the pa- rish voted that the ordination should take place on the 9th of September; but by act of the British Parliament the Style was changed from the Old to the New in that month, so that the third day was called the 14th, there being a leap from the 2d to the 14th ; so there was no 9th of September in 1752.
It also appears from the diary of Rev. Jonathan Judd, of Southampton, that he attended the ordina- tion of Mr. Mckinstry on the 27th of September, 1752. Thus, it appears conclusive that the day of Mr. Mckinstry's settlement was the 27th of Septem- ber, 1752, in the 29th year of his age. His salary was £62 13s. 4d., together with a settlement of £80.
There he labored for 37 years, when the failure of his voice, together with difficulties in the parish, induced him to relinquish preaching ; but he conti- nued to conduct religious worship on the Sabbath, and perform other pastoral duties, and continued to receive a portion of his salary till his death, which occurred November 9, 1813, having nearly completed his 90th year.
Dr. Lathrop, of West Springfield, preached his funeral sermon, from Gen. xxv. 8: " Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years."
Of him the Doctor thus speaks :
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" Mr. Mckinstry was a man of good natural _ talents, a respectable scholar, and a sound divine. His preaching, though it suffered some disadvantage from the feebleness of his delivery, was yet edifying to his stated hearers. He was a man of exemplary piety, of a candid spirit, of a modest, humble dispo- sition, of great resignation under trials, of steady unwavering patience under long-continued infirmi- ties, and of Christian fortitude and hope in view of approaching dissolution."
Mr. Mckinstry married Miss Eunice Smith, of Suffield, Ct., with whom he lived fifty-four years, and by whom he had eight children, six of whom, with their mother, survived his death.
With the exception of two sons, none of his chil- dren were ever married. None of his sons received a liberal education ; one however entered the medi- cal profession, became a practitioner in his native place under flattering prospects, but died young. Only four of the children made a profession of reli- gion, but they were all virtuous and worthy citizens.
One daughter, by reason of strength continues to the present time ; being in destitute circumstances, she receives her support from the Congregational Charitable Society.
REV. ALEXANDER PHOENIX was the son of a wealthy merchant in New York. Having completed
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IN HAMPDEN COUNTY.
his collegiate education, at Columbia College, 1795, " he devoted his attention to the legal profession. After a time he laid aside his law books and engaged in the mercantile business ; but in this he was un- successful, and domestic afflictions pressing so hea- vily upon him that his way seemed to be hedged up on every side, he was led at last, like Saul of Tar- sus, to inquire 'what the Lord would have him do ?' "
Though late in life, his mind was directed to the study of theology, that he might prepare himself to build up some one of the waste places in Zion. He became a preacher, and was led, in the providence of God, to Chicopee, and was convinced that he had found the waste place in which he was to labor. On the 28th of April, 1824, Mr. Phoenix was or- dained and installed pastor of this Church, which on that memorable day received indeed an ascension gift. This was the dawn of brighter days. Five years passed away, and then, in 1831, this Church was greatly blessed by the outpouring of God's spi- rit. A large portion of the adults came out on the Lord's side, and a great moral change was visible in the whole aspect of society. There were about 40 additions made as the fruits of that revival, and dur- ing the whole of Mr. Phoenix's ministry of 11 years there were about 76 members added to the Church.
A great debt of gratitude is due to Mr. Phoenix
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from this people, for his faithful and self-denying labors here ; for he received but a nominal salary. Being a man of wealth, he lived mostly from his own private means, while the Church and parish gained strength every year. When he came, though the Church was receiving missionary aid, it could support preaching only a quarter or half the time. But with their new pastor was added strength ; the meeting-house was built, and the debt paid ; foreign aid to support the gospel was no longer needed, and the various causes of benevolence have received an- nually the contributions of this Church and people. Mr. P. left when he felt that duty called him away ; but still, in the evening of his days, he looks back upon those 11 years of his pastorate here as the happiest and most useful portion of his life. He had been the means of raising this Church to a self-sus- taining state, and had thus prepared the way for another pastor, and resigned the charge. Mr. Phœ- nix now resides in the city of New Haven, Ct.
REV. EBENEZER B. WRIGHT. (See Ludlow.)
REV. ELI B. CLARK, of Waterbury, Ct., gradu- ated at Yale College in 1837, and received his theo- logical education at New Haven. He was ordained October, 1839, and still remains the pastor of this Church ; while, during the period since his ordina-
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IN HAMPDEN COUNTY.
tion, almost all the other Churches in the Associa- tion have changed their pastors, and many of them more than once. The number of members in this Church is 89, and in the Sunday-school 75. The Society pays a salary of $600.
The SECOND CHURCH was organized at Chicopee Falls, July 3, 1830.
REV. DORUS CLARK. (See Blandford.)
REV. EBENEZER P. ROGERS, of Fairfield, Ct., studied theology with Rev. Dr. Hanes, of Hartford. After his dismission from this Church, he became pastor of the Edwards Church, Northampton, and is now settled over a Presbyterian Church in Augusta, Ga. He has received the degree of D.D. from a col- lege in Ga.
REV. FREDERIC W. BARTON, of Cheshire, Vt., studied theology at Andover. He was settled over this Church, September 30, 1841, and dismissed from the same, November 2, 1846, since which time, in consequence of an affection of the throat, he has preached only occasionally, and is now engaged in secular pursuits.
REV. WILLIAM WRIGHT, of Middle Haddam, Ct.,
4*
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graduated at Yale College in 1835, and received his theological education at New Haven. Previous to his installation in Chicopee, he was settled in the pastoral office, successively, at Jewit City and Plainville, Ct.
The present number of members in this Church is 151, and in the Sabbath-school 180. This Society pays its minister a salary of $700.
The THIRD CHURCH was organized October 16, 1834. The meeting-house was built at a cost of about $7000, more than $5000 of which were paid by Nathan P. Ames, Esq., a benevolent member of the Society, who has since deceased.
REV. SUMNER G. CLAPP, of Easthampton, gra- duated at Yale College in 1822, and studied theo- logy at Andover. Previous to his settlement over this Church, he was colleague pastor of the Church in Enfield, Hampshire county. He was dismissed January 22, 1850, and is now settled at Johnsbury, Vt.
REV. GEO. A. OVIATT, of Bridgeport, Ct., is a graduate of Yale, of the class of 1835. He studied theology at New Haven. He was twice settled previous to his installation over the Third Church in Chicopee : first, over the First Church in Bel-
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IN HAMPDEN COUNTY.
chertown ; and next, the Shawmut Church in Bos- ton.
This Church has 225 members, and the Sunday- school 240, and pays a salary of $850.
HOLLAND.
THIS town belongs to Hampden county, though its pastors have never been members of the Associa- tion. It is inserted here for the purpose of making the county complete. The Church was organized September 13, 1765, and at the present time consists of 47 members.
REV. EZRA REEVE, of Long Island, graduated at Yale in 1757, and was ordained the day the Church was organized. He continued there till he died, April 28, 1818, in the 85th year of his age.
REV. ENOCH BURT, of Longmeadow, graduated at Nassau Hall, Princeton, in 1805. He was in early life a machinist, and possessed uncommon inventive powers. After leaving college, he labored as mis- sionary at the West until about 1820. He returned to the East, was installed at Holland, May 19, 1821,
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and was dismissed March 5, 1823. He was then pastor at Manchester, Ct., from 1824 to 1828. Since his dismission he has continued to reside there, and is still living.
REV. JAMES SANFORD was born in Berkley in 1786, graduated at Brown University in 1812, and preached several years in Jefferson county, N. Y. He was installed at Gill, December, 1829, and dis- missed in 1831, and was at Holland most of the time from 1832 to 1846. He was in some of the years represented as stated supply, and in others as pastor in the Ministry of General Association. It is not known where he now resides
REV. ALVAH C. PAGE, of Hawley, graduated at Amherst in 1829, was ordained pastor of the Church in Norwich in 1834, and dismissed the next year. In 1836 he was settled at Tyringham (now Monte- rey), and dismissed in 1845. After this he preached a while in N. H., then at Pelham, Mass., and was settled at Holland, December 3, 1851.
LONGMEADOW.
THIS Church was organized October 17, 1716, when the ordination of its first pastor occurred.
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IN HAMPDEN COUNTY.
Longmeadow was incorporated as a distinct precinct, February 17, 1713, when it contained a little less than 40 families.
REV. STEPHEN WILLIAMS was the great-grand- son of Robert Williams, who came from Norwich, in England, and settled at an early period in Rox- bury. He was the grandson of Samuel Williams, a son of Robert, and a son of the Rev. John Williams, of Deerfield. Rev. John Williams, and all his fami- ly, except the eldest son, were taken captive by the French and Indians, February 29, 1704. His two youngest children were killed on the day in which they were taken, and his wife on the day following. He was carried to Canada, with five of his children. His son Stephen was redeemed, and arrived at Bos- ton, November 21, 1705. After his return from cap- tivity, he became a member of Harvard College, where he graduated in 1713. He was ordained October 17, 1716. He was married July 3, 1718, to Miss Abigail Davenport, daughter of Rev. John Davenport, of Stamford, Ct. They had eight chil- dren, three of whom settled in the ministry. Dr. Williams served as chaplain in three campaigns. He received the degree of D.D. from Dartmouth College in 1773. He died June 10, 1782, greatly lamented, in the 90th year of his age, and the 66th of his ministry. A sermon was preached at his
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funeral by Rev. Mr. Breck, of Springfield, from 2 Kings, ii. 9, 10, 11. The only publication of Dr. Williams, was a Sermon at the ordination of Rev. John Keep, at Sheffield, in 1772. His own ordina- tion sermon was preached by his father. A manu- script journal of Dr. Williams, in the possession of his surviving relatives in Longmeadow, is a relict of no ordinary interest. A part of it he wrote dur- ing his three years of service in the army as chap- lain.
REV. RICHARD SALTER STORRS was the son of the Rev. John Storrs, and was born at Mansfield, August 30, 1763. He was early adopted into the family of the Rev. Richard Salter, D.D., of Mans- field, and under his tuition was prepared for his col- legiate course. He graduated at Yale in 1783, and was ordained at Longmeadow, December 7, 1785. He was married, October 12, 1785, to Miss Sarah Williston, daughter of Rev. Noah Williston, of West Haven ; and after her death, in 1798, to Miss Sarah Williams, grand-daughter of his predecessor. He had ten children, two of whom settled in the minis- try. Mr. Storrs fulfilled the duties of his office with much fidelity and reputation, till October 3, 1819, when his labors were suddenly terminated by death. His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Osgood, of Springfield, from 1 Cor. xv. 5, 7. Mr.
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IN HAMPDEN COUNTY.
Storrs' ordination sermon was preached by his father, of Southold, Long Island.
REV. BAXTER DICKENSON, a native of Amherst, graduated at Yale in 1817. He was called, with great unanimity, to settle as the successor of Mr. Storrs. His ordination sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Perkins, of Amherst, from 1 Timothy, iv. 15. He was dismissed October 20, 1829, and was immediately settled over a Presbyterian Church in the city of Newark, N. J. Since his dismission from that Church, he has been a professor in Lane Theological Seminary, Cincinnati, O., and the Theo- logical Seminary at Auburn, N. Y. He is now one of the secretaries of the American and Foreign Christian Union. He received the degree of D.D. from Amherst, in 1838.
REV. JONATHAN B. CONDIT was born in Hanover, N. J. He graduated at New Jersey College in 1827, and studied theology in the seminary at Prince- ton.
He was dismissed from his charge in Long- meadow, October 4, 1835, since which time he has been a professor in Amherst College; pastor of a church in Portland, Me .; also pastor of a Presby- terian church in Newark, N. J .; and he is now a professor in Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, O.
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