USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > South Worthington > The South Worthington parish > Part 3
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At first the ministers lived in different places. In 1837 John Pomeroy bought the house where Sarah Adams now lives, and sold it to Rev Ephraim Scott, who develey it to the following men who were trustees: Horace Cole. Ebenezer Cole, Consider Cole. Samuel Cole, Elkanah Ring. Elijah Cole, Amos Cole, Mar- tin Conwell, John Pomeroy.
Ephram Miller, Elijah Higgins, Elijah Willis, John Taylor, for the sum of three hundred and ten dollars. In the year 1849 the people decided to build a better home for the minister. Elijah Willis gave the land upon which the house now stands, for a parsonage, deeding it to John Pomeroy and AAsa Merritt for the purpose of building thereon. The price paid for land was fifty dollars By Dec. 1. 1850. the house was completed and at that time deeded to the Wesleyan Methodist Society for the sim of seven hundred dollars. From 1850 to 1899 the build- ing was used for a parsonage, being burned in February of the latter year. At the time it was burned it was occupied by Eugene Johnson and wite, and they lost many of their house- hold goods. The building was a total loss, there being no m- surance on the same.
May 1. 1899. Rev. Mr. Moody, whose people live in Andover, Mass,, was sent to South Worthington by Presid- ing Eller Knowles of Spring- field District. A more dis- couraged people it would be hard to find. South Worthing- ton is a community five miles trom any other place. a farm- ing section by itself, with two basket factories, a pen-hohler shop. and a sawmill. These people without a pastor wouldl
THE PARSONAGE AND VESTKY
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not go to church anywhere, and surely were in need of a preacher. There was no house tor a preacher to live in. They had one hundred and thirty five dollars signed for preaching, but did not know how they could pay even one Mr. Moody being a man who understood human nature, possessing energy and faith in the okltashioned methods of work with divine help, and fally believing that things could be changed, set himself to the task of persuading the people to undertake the work that needed to be done. He visited the people and propounded the question to each, "Can we build a parsonage?" The answer always was, "We are too poor." Mr. Moody looked over the lot with its two hundred bushels of ashes, prayed and pondered long and at last con- ceived the plans which have been successfully carried out. After two weeks of planning he laid the matter before the presiding elder. who. approving of his views, assured Mr. Moody that he would stand behind him, and advised him to go ahead. To this word of cheer the people of South Worthington owe much. Mr. Moody persuaded the people at the West end of the town to give trees standing in the woods for the barn. To such men as P. 1. South. Z. 11. Hancock. C. W. Smith and many others due credit must be given, for it took the combined efforts of each and all to accomplish the ends sought. The first man approached offered four trees, but being unable to assist in the cutting. the minister accomplished that task alone. In cutting the fourth tree it lodged in another, so the brother gave five trees, saying that this was all the minister would get; but Mr Moly hept right on and ere twelve months went by, with the help of friends of that section, over sixteen thousand feet of lumber was ready for the new parsonage. Meanwhile the people at the South end were being lead to the great work before them. On August 27th tive men with the minister cut birch for the floors and basswood for clapboards. From this day and as often as possible the minister, with as many helpers as he could get. would be found on the hillsides, c itting trees here and there until over thirty-five thousand feet of lumber had been hauled from the South end to the mill, where it was in time prepared for the new parsonage.
When we were in the midst of this work Mrs. Blair's house was burned. Mrs. Blair, a poor lone widow living on the hillside, is the only Baptist in our community, and toward her the sympathy of the whole farming district went out. . On the Sunday following the memorable night, the people all came to hear what the minister had to say regarding this unfortunate woman, who in so short a time had
gained the pity of everyone. The older members asked him not to preach, but advise them what they should do to help this poor widow in her loss. Mr. Moody recommended that they build her a house. for with a home she would be able to care for herself. A committee of nine men and women were chosen and all with one accord said that they would help if the minister would lead. He did not back down. and after talking the matter over with his people it was decided that on the next Friday they would gather for a bee. Mr. Moody announced that he would be on hand to greet them all. One of the leading men rose early, and did his chores so as to have the laugh on the minister. By some strange chance the minister also was astir bright and carly. When the good brother came around the turn in the road, whistling, and believing he was the only one upon the spot. he was greeted by the hearty "Good morning" of the minister, wha was standing on a rock waiting the first arrivals of the day. Of course the brother was very much surprised. The joke was too good to be kept, so the man's wife had to tell of it. Twenty-eight men and four- teen pairs of horses came to this bee. It hardly needs to be said that every man did his best, for when the sun went down behind the western hills, fourteen thousand feet of lumber had been cut, and nine thousand drawn to the mill. The ladies of this committee canvassed the town and the men worked, so that shortly a house seventeen by thirty feet was created on the spot where the old one had stood When the floors were being laid Mrs. Blair moved in. People far and near made her presents of all sorts of necessary housekeeping articles: in tact everybody gladly contributed to the success of the undertaking. Four hundred and fifty-eight dollars represents the labor and material put into its construction. We think that no other community can beast of such a work as this.
After providing for Mrs. Blair, the people again turned their thoughts toward the parsonage; they rallied around the minister, and each day, when possible, the sound of hammers were heard. The lumber and labor were given; money was raised in various ways. Under the leadership of the minister. the people entertained two ex- cursions brought to town by the Rev. Dr. R. 11. Conwell of Phila. delphia, the proceeds of which netted the parsonage fund $339 Doctor Conwell gave $50, about $12; was given lecally, and $500 by the Church Aid. From other small subscriptions, and the use of the Autograph Album about $1.600 has been raised. Mr. Moody has
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come in touch with over two thousand people who have contributed all the way frum five cents to titty dollars. His charging ten cents each to write names in the album has netted the enterprise about $175. Mr. Menkly has never done any work of bought any material that he was not sure of paying for, of the work was somewhat delayed. He was also his own architect. Over one ton of mails were used. The house is twenty two by twenty eight let, the "1." eighteen by thirty-two feet; the barn twenty-four by thirty leet. By having a "lean-to" of twelve feet on the " 1." a vestry has been made which gives a room twenty -in by thirty feet. It has a front entrance of five steps into the basement The man house has a partir, sitting room, hed- room and entry on the first floor, with two sleepingrooms and study on the second floor. In the " I." are provided a dinmg-room, kitchen. two large sidelunds, with a bedroom and bathroom upstairs. The kitchen and dining room are fitted with all molern oppments. These rooms are finished in cherry; the rest of the down stairs rooms in quartered oak : front entry and stairs in black aish. Every window w the building was paid for by some moiskhal. Every window and door has on it the donor's name. The steel ceiling was put up in the vestry in the spring ol b)03, and at last the work was completed. We have a vestry twenty-sis by thirty leet and a kitchen twelve by eighteen feet, giving to the Society a fine room for social lite. The cost of the vestry was $650. It was dedicated . August 11, 1903, when speakers that would bring helpful messages to the people were seenred. and all had a great mental and spiritual uphitt. It may never be nur pleasure toi have another such opportunity of hearing distinguished doctors, lawyers, politicans and ministers as was given on that day. Each one brought suggestions that ought to prove very helpful in lite's journey. The labor in preparing and getting the lumber (the pick it this section) In the spot was worth $600. The building could not have been huished but for the gift of himber. The minister and his family being obliged to move am, they were on July 14. 1901. found making use of the "1.," and as fast as the other rooms were finished they were occupied. The minister's wile is deserving of much praise for the patience and the helpfulness which she displayed toward her husband during these years of labor.
When the work of lathing was hanging heavily upon the minister's hands, he called for a ladies' bee, and lo, the ladies turned out and of course the men came too, and the work was quickly done. Over
twenty tons of plastering was used. The mason boasted to his boss Westfield that the minister was the best tender he ever had. The next time the minister preached in Westfield this man very pleasantly surprised him by giving him five dollars towards the parsonage. One morning when the minister was discouraged, at family prayers he asked Good to show him some visible boken that this was his work. He went to work on the parsonage and in about an hour one of the members came and gave him a five dollar bill and told the minister to go to the mill and get a thousand shingles. Surely God answers prayer. The minister's wife collected $32 for carpets. Mrs. P. 1. Smith odlected $17 for curtains and also the money to furnish the spare hedrom. and 53 toward papering. Henry Eddy gave the vestry stove. The Trinity church gave Sigo and Doctor Hardy of New York City Sio. .A friend in Dalton gave $50.
A list of the contributors of money, labor and material is given below. We count a man's time fifteen cents an hour and a pair of horses at twenty cents. We are aware of the disadvantage that we labor under in this, but it seems to be the best basis on which we can reckon.
CASH REYFIVEU
Sept. 16 Concert
$0.00
Jan
Church Aid 13 Parkman St Church 0.10
Old bron 25
Feb
C E Socity
:02
1Xec. 4 R Il Conwell 50 00
o C K Brewster :00
April 3 Church Andl 59>5
L Converse €.00
1000
June to helge Conwell $5 00
27 Excursion and allmin 1 30 05 28 Auction 10 70
100
7 Mrs. Ildhurt
: 00
12 Mrs. E Thggins 1 00
100
1 00
20 Drake Family Reunion 10 00
1 00
Det. 10 Church .Inl
2; Church Aid
10.00
23 Mrs Angel and Son
24 ℃ Carrington
IN Church And
40.00
Jaly
6 Excursionand album 219.01
15 Me Bishop
50
24 llenry Benton
1.55
23 Church ul
23 54
16 George Beals 2.00
Aux. 21 John Pease
15 00
28 Misses Nichols
800
22 llome Coming
$4 94
19 Church Aid
43 60
Sept 25 Lecture 12 00
Total for 1000
$404 .30
2× 2 11. Hancock 4 00
--...
----
--
F. Cole 150
Church And
Total for 1sat
zo Church Ant 14 Wilbraham Church
59.41
28 Maple St Church. L.vnn (4 00
.Aug. 25 F B Alkon Mrs Allen 50
Sept 1; Mrs. Lidldingtmm 4 00 Mrs Treadway 1 00
to Misses Converse Mr Ormsby A. G. Drake C' W Smith
1 00
1.00
IFI P M.On
5.00
1 00
Collection
2 2
Nov 25 Gool Templars 5.00
1
Sept 8 Album Souvenir
$2 00 $ 75
Received by years -
$69.55
1000
404 30
Collection for Ins J NO
Dec. 8 For lock 1 00
Album
30
1003 332 11
1904
72 99
Total for 1001
$579 20
190 2
Jan 2 Church Aul $24 94
Three posts
Four bundles hair 1 00
April 23 A G Drake
3 00
Church And 20.05
May 20 Lecture ( D) Pickk's) , 00
.40
July
Pajwer 4 Ice Cream Matenal given
5.00
Labor Profit
5.00
$ 02
Apnl Pipe receiver and ash box
2.10
One bbl. linie
1.50
One gal. oil
.75
Brush
Saw bull (Higgins)
25 00
Feb. 11 Bdl (F Cole)
4.50
16 W. Smith, work 26 00
Mar. 11 200 lbs of lead 11 25
Four latches and hook .70
Three saws tiled Two lbs. nails Gladwin's bill 2 50
Fcb & Oliver & Howland 3.50
23 Cooley Bros
5 00
31 Church .Vul
106 73
April : Ex .Gov Crane
50 00
July Mrs Thayer
5 00
16 O S Pomeroy
2 00
Seventeen lbs nails 45
27 Cement
3 00
31 W Smith, work 11.00
April 22 Two lbs, nails .10
26 Grass seed 65
Rev C R Sherman
3 00
; Work on logs
3.00
Sept. 12 Saw bill (Ball)
7.40
25 ()ne hbl oil
25.77
One bbl lune
1 50
John Yale, lumber
34 51
July
; Turning blocks Repairs on wagon
1 00
Total for 1003
$332 11
1004
.May P L Smith So g+
& Hardware
44 71
Aug. 20 John Tedford
12 75
lo llinges and nails 21 Nails
2.80
23 Gladwin's bill
0.50
flinges. rope, etc. 1 35
24 Per bill 4 30
25
Seventy-two ft., cherry 1.46
Nails 3.20
Sept 28 Lock $1.00
Lumixr 5 00
Scoscia and nwoulding 2 20
7 John Tedford 10 00
Rope and R R fare 2 97
21 llonks and latches . 50
Oct. 4 [[ Eddy. bdl 12 00
.55
Screens and doors 6.75
$ llinges and lock 1 15
One gal tilling 1.50 Hinges, screws, nails .76
29 / Tedford 14 50
Two vestry windows 20 55
Insurance ٢٠١٥
Four bbls lime 6.00
Freight on doors 31
Two doors and glass 5.65
Dec. 24 Lumixr 11.05
31 Saw bill (Iliggins) 3.00
Total for 1001 $501.70
1002
Jan. 13 H. Stanton, lumber $22 40 Paint and turpentine 1.04
1903
Jan. 10 Dr flanly $10 00
19 C E Society Album
7.00
Glass
.50
Mar to Mr. Bryant
2 00
Cherry paint
.00
Filling
75
5.00
Brush
15
18 M. Todd. work 6.00
One lb. paint .10
Six ft finish. pk brands 2 5
Aux 23 W 11. Niles D L Prentice
< 00
Misses Converse
2.00
Sept 3 & Cole
$ 00
Material
1 40
Aug Home Coming. 1003 110 53
For two chairs 1 00
Freight on hardware
.31
31 Turning blocks 4 50
Two gross serew's M Panish, luinlxr Mr Gooch, work
12 31
John Yale, lumber
3.00
Aug 17 Home Coming $104 05. less S42 paidto church 02.05 Received two subsenp. tions
10 00
Total for 1904 $72 90
Freight on doors 25
Nov. 8 Paidon bill (windows) $; 5 00 Freight on windows 10 17
Oct to F. Converse, work 10 00
Saw bill ( lhiggins)
Sink pipe. pump 23.54 Four bbls hime 6.00
Insurance on church 2 05
Dec. 19 Paid on bill (doors) 43 00
13 W Smith, work 10.00 16 Saw bill (Benton) 20.00
Total for 1000 $431 15
1001
Jan
o Final payment doors and windows $49 94
1000
Jan. 21 Brick 519 25
31 Nails 15.05
Carfare 85
Box wood 2 25
Aux 10 Rivenved 30 ZN
Sept 12 Res R 11 Conwell 14 00
: John Fellows 5.00
Oct. 3 Received
Total for 1002
$1 30 20
Two kegs of nails
5.40
Paint
July 12 Six saws filed Windows
1.50
Apnl 4 L. Converse, work 20.70
2 25
W. Smith, work 23 40
5 0) S Pomeroy. lumber 5 00 11. Stanton, lumlwr 3 20
May 2 0 S Pomeroy, lumix'r 39 16 7 Saw bill (Higgins) 10 Four bundles lith 1 00
July
6 M Tixld. work Mr Witherell's bill 18 F. Stanton, lumix'r
10 15
35 00
T'en Ibs nails Turning blocks 1.80
May
2 Twenty lbs nails 1.00
24 Saw bill (Benton)
20 %%
June 2 11 Eddy 28 00
11 50
3.00
2 50
1 50
4 00
NO
23 Twenty- fourft flooring
Sept.
13.00
150
Sept. 3 Labor on doors Saw filed 13 F. P. Stanton
25
8.00
2 3
Knee to sink pipe L. Converse. work 4 50 4,5
Mar 20 Seventeen lbs nails NO
Five gals. oil
Freight Vestry posts
21 M Todd. work 3.00
10 00
Seven doz pulleys 2 50
Aug To Nails and paper per bill
22.40
Gladwin's bill Screens
11 00
1 20
3 8G
Stove pije
2.05
Screws and pulleys 71 Glass 2 50
Saw bill ( Damon) 3.00
Pump, vestry 2 50
Iron caps 16
2& L. Converse, work 35 00
1800 CASH PAID OUT
Dec 15 Seven barn windows $0.45
Saw bill ( Damon) 10.80
Total for 1200 $20.25
Total
$1588 05
Oct. 21 fforatio Biber 5 00
1001 579 20
130.20
1 20 3 25 Four bundles lath Work on chinney Lime and hair Pipe receiver .85
Oct. I Lumber Insurance Barn door rollers
4 One gal paint .00
42.00
1.22
20
Sept. 13 Il. E Stanton
$7 20
Towards Ins 1004 So.50
Maurice Smith
$1.05
L. Higgins
$7 56
Papering. 1903
7.86
A. Thrasher
11.15
M Stetson
E. Thrasher
1.20
A Dodge
365
One pint dryer 15
Seventy-five R lumleer
E Cole
George Thrasher .12
23 Hinges 45
11. Eddy's ball
16 00
: 48
Mr. Angevine
1 Roller for small door 1.00
Screws and oil .No
Stanton's bill
Rooting
26 00
Total for 1902 $1 35 04
1003
Money Expended by the year.
W. Smith
0.70
23 0) S Pomeroy. lumixr 2 00
$26.25
1000
4.31 15
561 70
Fel, + Six snaps 18
5 Lumtxer 1.00
1003
292 32
1904
119.81
Angel Bros
8.75
3.72
Hauling lumber
1.00
Dishes
19.13
1 85
P. Skelton
2 45
Mar 33 One piece pijn
$1 .585 40
1.20
J. N Yale
7.1%
27 Glass
3 23
1.588 65
2.40
31 Steel ceiling
04 00
Total expended
1.585.40
1.35
Apnl ro Freight on ceiling
Balance
$3.25
1 5
R. Tower
23 Blinds and freight
30 92
Received from cloth sold
2.00
May
Eddy's bill 22.66
Balance for chairs
$5 35
a Paint
$ 55
Brush
30
G R Moody
677-39
Screws and nails
65
Z H. Hancock
133.89
June 15 Five lbs nails and lead
No
A G Drake
22 85
Iron bolts
15
Moulding
.43
Rufus Adams
16 04
J. Rochon. work
8 40
L Converse
21.98
L. Converse, work
33.25 .
Marshall Smith
80.04
pipe
7 24
3.15
One gal. turpentine and nails
3.08
Alvin Pease
93
Gasolene stove
3 co
A Freeman
28.73
Door stools (iron)
1 20
L Granger
2: 75
Sept. : Cherry lumber
Irving Burk
1 20
11 750 ft spruce lumber 7 50
Il Higgins
24 07
Total for 1003
$202 32
C. W. Smith
108 30
Clev Smith
50
Hooks
$0.65
Tra Raymond
.05
Insurance
8.50
Gaston Smith
2 10
West Worthington
L. Mayhew
210
J. Witherell
44.00
1 Perceivile
J. M Billings
7.00
A Billings
3.46
G Cross
2.10
E. Cross
1.50
P. Cady
$4 31
George McCrea
2.55
Sawing lumixer
1.35
& Two Ibs nails
R Drake
10.94
A Drake
J. Yah.
15
W Meacham
L Stone
16 20
Mr. Torrey
9 77
Paid for putty
A Meacham
25
C. Sylvester
5 20
Keg nails
C. Carrington
08
L .. M Pierce
2 41
1926 ft cherry 23.01
75
A Thayer
1.40
P L. Smith & Son
$454.28
T. K. Higgins
33.14
Mr Barnes
yt t
Rev. E. Small
30
II Bowman
6 85
W. Dade
7.10
M. Parish
J. Tedford
6.05
J. Stearns
5 10
Misses Converse
0.01
F. Ball
3.70
Mr. Warren
9.30
Aug.
C Bates, work
15.00
Putting in pump and
Ernest Fay
M Todd
10.15
Lewis Pease
3.00
Lumber
3.30
Irving Pomeroy
.75
The following persons attended the Ladies' Bec: Mrs Blair. Mrs. H Higgins, Mrs. Elzina Cowing, Mrs. Marshall Smith, Mrs. Ida Johnson, Mrs. Hattie Hescock and Mrs. Mary Smith.
At the first Quarterly Conference held in South Worthington June 9, 1899, Rev. J. O. Knowles, Preskling Eller, was in the chair The old parsonage having burned Feb. 2, 1899, (it had been used about fifty years), it was deemed advisable to choose a Building Com- mittee to see what could be done for a parsonage and if possible build one. P. 1 .. Smith. A. G Drake, Laforest Converse, Rev G R Moody, Manly Stetson and Russell Tower were chosen members of this committee to represent West Worthington interest The first meeting was called for July 8, 1899, but it heing rainy it was post- poned until July 15th, when the committee met at P [ .. Smith's
36 Twodampers. Two lbs nails
70
1 35.04
B Drake
1.20
F. Kinnie
1.05
Murray Brown
E. Bush
A Ormshy
F. Robinson
4 95
R. Meacham
30
C. Thayer
B Stone
5 05
E. Cowing
1.05
E. Buxton
0 05
Amount of labor and material given :
F Parker Wal. Higgins
60
Paint for blindts
100
G T Dodge
9 84
R Lyman
7 60
H. Gooch
3.7.5
C' Perry
1 05
F. Damon
14 73
R Pomeroy
S Pomeroy
1 20
II I lliggins 10.30
Milton Billings
7 47
15.09
Jan 17 11 Eddy SQ. 10
Draw handles 1.00
Nov. 3 Hinges
Expense of dedication 7.75
W Anable
Gladwin's hill
47 02
Hesenck & Johnson
32.05
J Anable
2.00
Horace Converse
Total received
Gro Pease
house, P. L. Smith, G R Moody, 1 .. Converse, A G. Drake and M. Stetson being present. The meeting was opened with prayer. P. 1 .. Smith was chosen chairman and G. R. Moody, secretary After much discussion Mr. Moody was appointed to see if Mrs. Burk's house could be bought, and report at the next meeting. Voted to adjourn.
The next meeting was held July 29th at P. I. Smith's house, P' L. Smith, A. G. Drake, L. Converse, M. Stetson and G R. Moody being present Opened the meeting with prayer. Mr. Moody reported that Mrs Burk's house could not be bought. but C. Thayer's could be had for one thousand dollars. It was thought better to build. After much discussion voted to adjourn until next Wednesday evening, Aug. 20 Appointed Mr. Moody to Invite Rev. Dr. Conwell to be present. Mr. Conwell, unable to come, sent words of encour-
agement. Rejected all motions to huy Voted to build, the main house to be twenty two by twenty-eight feet, "L" eighteen hy thirty- two feet, and the outside of the vestry thirty by thirty-two feet. Barn twenty-four by thirty feet. Voted that l'. 1 .. Smith and Mr. Moody prepare plans. Voted to adjourn to the call of the secretary.
August toth the committee met, P. L. Smith, A. G. Drake, 1 .. Converse and G. R Moody present. After fully discussing the plans presented by Mr. Moody, it was voted to change the back door to the end of the piazza, also to have piazza across the front and sale of the main house. The cost of material was estimated to be twelve hundred and fifty -eight dollars; labor on same eight hundred: total two thousand and fifty-eight dollars, with what lumber would be given; estimated the cost of house in cash, five hundred dollars, and vestry two hundred dollars, making a total material and cash value of twenty-seven hun- dred and fifty-eight dollars. Rev Mr. Moody was instructed to go ahead and see what could be done. Adjourned to the call of secretary.
Met at the parsonage Sept. 10, 1900, l'. 1 .. Smith, 1 .. Converse and G. R. Moody present. Voted to have stained glass in the vestry and to give the people in South Worthington an opportunity to pay
for some of the doors and windows. Committee met Sept. 24, 1900 1. L. Smith, A G Drake, 1 .. Converse and G L. Moody present Voted G. R. Moody and P. L. Smith authority to buy whatever was needed. Voted to insure the parsonage for $1000. The committee met at P. L. Smith's house May 9, 1901, P. 1 .. Smith, A. G. Drake, 1 .. Converse, R. 11. Adams and G. R. Moody being present, Z. H. Hancock and 11. Stetson absent. At the spring Quarterly Conference R. H. Adams and Z. 11. Hancock had been added to the Building Committee. The reports of the previous meetings were approved. Committee reported that they had insured the church and parsonage for $1000 each; reported $724 6t raised, and $701.82 paid out ; amount of labor to Feb. 1, 1901, $1, 166.19. Voted that it was a reasonable request to ask the community to pay for the plastering. Mr. Smith and Mr. Moody were selected to look after this matter.
Committee met Jan. 13, 1903, at the parsonage, P. L. Smith, A. G. Drake, L. Converse and G. R. Moody present, Messrs. Hancock, Adams and Stetson absent. The report of progress on the parsonage was accepted. Mr. Moody presented plans No. 2647 and 2648 in regard to the vestry, and it was voted that Mr. Moody make a contract for same if he could do no better. Voted to see about the cost of putting on the ceiling, and if possible have it done with the means at hand, if not to do the best he could. Voted to buy lumber, and as soon as the money could be obtained to buy nine dozen chairs, stove pipe and desk.
At a meeting held in the spring of 1904 the committee made an itemized report, which was accepted and is elsewhere printed. Every- one in our community was in some way identified in this enterprise. Some whose names are not printed helped in the excursions and Home Comings which required much toil and labor, and we give them hearty commendation. In closing our history of the parsonage we want everybody to feel that everything that was done by them in any. way was appreciated, and to assure them that they have the sincere thanks of the committee who toiled in their behalf.
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2 5
PLATE C
31
L
2.
3.
3.
M
7.
0
I Dr. and Mrs. Conwell
1 Dr. Conwell's Home
3 Academy
+ Gymnauum Hall
$ Intenor Hall
6 Dr. Conwell's Farmhouse
Castle Place
Chapter V .- Rev. Russell H. Contcell, LL.D.
A MONG those who have been born here and received the uplifting influences of our hills, vales, rocks and woods. and the discussions of the fireside of a mountain home, is the noble and generous Russell Il Conwell. We do not presume to write a history of this noble man of God, for already three such books have come from able writers, but do want to add our mite for the encouragement of our own. Doctor Conwell was born in the Red house on the hillside Feh. 15. 1843. at the very time the people were discussing the problem of leaving the mother church. How much these questions had to do with his life we can not tell. The house was built by Theodore Drake and sold to William Jackson, then to John Pomeroy, who sold to Martin Conwell in 1836. Here he began his married life, while over at the brook to the west he had spent his childhood days Martin Conwell was no dreamer, but a good old-fashioned New England Yankee. He loved his town, his people, his church; he did his best for his boys. His home was ruled in respect for his God and with a motive of doing his best for his children and mankind. No words can half speak the praises of the parents of this man. Any man should be proud to have been born in such a home, surrounded by such scenery. It should make any wicked man repent of his sins. The very atmosphere should make us sing. Doctor Conwell takes his poetical and oratorical gifts from his mother. while richly endowed by nature from both parents. His father tilled the soil, sold eggs and butter until he felt that he was not getting his just due; then he started selling butter and eggs for himself and others. While other boys wore cowhide boots, sometimes his father gave to Russell calfskin, and when the new pair came the other boys wished theirs were like them. lle went to school as other boys, in- Auenced by preachers, teachers and thousands of little things that go to make life real
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