USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > The history of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; > Part 17
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THE HISTORY OF. WILBRAHAM
has, for part of the time since, been used by the Academy for a music hall and for a gymnasium. The erection of the stone church was commenced in 1867 and it was formally opened with a sermon by Dr. Miner Raymond in midsummer in 1870. The total cost was nearly $45,000. The bell was given to the society by Col. Benjamin Butler, who lived on the Bay Road, in the northeast part of the town, and the funds for the pur- chase of the clock in the tower were secured by subscriptions from many different persons.
WILBRAHAM'S FIRST METHODIST CHURCH [Built in 1794 and now used as a dwelling.]
In 1912, Mrs. William P. Allis, 80 years old, then and now living in that ancient building, wrote the following poem:
THE HISTORIC CHURCH AT WILBRAHAM
1794-1835
A structure of colonial pride, It stands upon the village street In ancient grace and stateliness Its high square sides and angles meet.
No turret tower for bell designed, Nor useless lines might art bestow ; Nor Pynchon gables, Hawthorne styled, Could this quaint roof, unbroken show.
Consigned within these sacred walls, Where altar offerings once were laid, Bright memories their full records hold, Silent, but true to Wesleyan's shade.
Historic trees fit canopy formed For worship on its native sod; Where youth and age together walked, Devoutly walked and worshiped God.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Still beautiful the shadows fall On church and consecrated soil, And side by side, the new and old, Are yet the same in love and toil.
When Wesleyan zeal most brightly burned, This valley claimed her noted best; The Prince of Saints his rights confirmed, And Wesley's name was fitly blessed.
In connection with the camp meetings held by this society, I insert the following, copied from an account book of Stephen Newell.
"A DREAM
"I saw and behold People were gathered Together on the top of a delightsome Spatious hill where there were a number of high Lofty Towering Steeples bright and shining arranged along and on the vast tops were people clothed in white who stood upright and gave out the word hymn or tune and the people below burst into song.
So I awoke Aug. 17th 1795."
In different writing follows:
"I conclude this was fulfilled in the Camp ground at Wil- braham."
I insert another item from the same source.
"CONTEMPLATIONS
"Again we have been taught that it will be a great consola- tion to Saints in heaven to see the dammed in hell plased nigh in full view and that it will greatly promote their hapiness and it will set in Clear Light the compassion of God and Christ.
"Such a preacher never had a distant Idea of the happiness of heaven or of what it consisted of he never has known Jesus nor the ways of Salvation never has one taste of the Love of Jesus nor the powers of the world to come."
"Those Preachers are always on the dark side They do
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
not Penetrate so far into heaven as their mind doth into Hell."
The camp meetings, to which reffercncc has been made, were probably held in the grove, which then covered the hill, about sixty or eighty rods easterly of the present Grace Church at North Wilbraham.
Camp meetings were held there by several societies, on dif- ferent weeks, for many years. The Millerites or "Adventists," as they are now called, held camp meetings there, until they moved to their present location in Springfield. Also, I think, a negro society held meetings there for a few seasons. The grove was also used for Sunday school picnics.
On August 24, 1857, the Springfield District of the Methodist Conference, began to hold camp meetings in Collins Grove, on the ground now occupied by the Collins Manufacturing Company's mill, and boarding houses. The ground was leased at $1.00 per year, and the meetings were held there for seven years until 1864; then they were held at Hatfield until 1872, when the present location at Laurel Park, Northampton, was secured.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF BAPTIST CHURCH AT COLTON HOLLOW
I have mentioned that the year 1794 seems to have been filled with religious activity in our town. The business of moving the first meeting house down from Wigwam Hill, the building of the Methodist meeting house on our Main Street, were both going on at that time. And in addition, a Baptist society was gathering over on the mountain, easterly of Glen- dale, in a locality now known as "Colton Hollow," consisting of residents of both Wilbraham and Monson, and partly of persons who were already members of the Baptist Church at East Wilbraham, of which Elder Seth Clark was pastor.
The following is a copy from the records of this Church society, now in possession of Sumner Smith of Hampden.
First leaf of records is almost gone.
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
corner of leaf gone
"7th Day 1794.
"Then met according to adjournment-and in the first place proceeded in the matter concerning the gifts or qualifications of Deacons and found the Chh not ripe for action at this time. "2ly Considered the matter as to the Sacrement and voted to have it as often as once in Eight weeks.
(Rest of the leaf gone)
(On next leaf)
"-and found that the minds of the Chh sentered on Brother Israel Bennet Consequently unamoslly voted that Brother Israel Bennet Be first Deacon in this Chh. Then pro- ceeded to no What the work of a Deacon was not having time at this meeting Voted to Ajourn the meeting to Thursday the 15 Day of May Next at Nathan Peases at one of the clock p. m. This meeting is Ajourned.
"May the 15 Day 1794 the Chh met acording to Ajournment then proceed in the Labour Conserning the work of a Deacon after much time spent in Labour come to no Conclusion then voted to Ajourn the meeting to Thursday may the 29th Day at one o'clock p. m. at Nathan Peases.
"May 29 Met according to Ajournment . ... concluded to take up the qualifycations office And work of a Deacon in their order as they stand pinted out in Scripture-as set forth Acts 6-3-5. Tim 3 from 3 to 12. Qualifications of a Deacon (abbre- viated) Aught to be honest-Full of the Holy Ghost, a man of Gravity and Soberiety-a Man of Faith-open hearted-not close fisted or greedy of filthy lucre.
"6ly We believe that a deacon ought to be The Husband of but one wife ruling well his own children and house Hold and that their wives ought to be sober grave and faithful in all things.
"Then 2ly Voted to send to the following Chhs to see if we might obtain their fellowship (Vis) Suffield Wilbraham and Infield to meet in Conference at Bro. Nathan Peases Wednesday the 2nd day of July at 10 of the clock. m.
"Wilbraham July the 2nd Day 1794. At the request of a number of Bretheren members of the Baptist church under the Pastoral care of Elder Seth Clark who propose to Incorporate
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
into a Destinct Church Met in Council at the Dwelling house of Mr Nathan Pease Elders and members from the following Churches. (Suffield, Enfield, names given, 3 from each) (Wil- braham) Elder Seth Clark and Brothers Joseph Butler Noah Polk (?) Josiah Hill Zadock Bebee Samuel Miner-made choice of Elder John Hastings moderator, Ephraim (?) Robins clerk .- proceeded to hear Sd Bretheren Relate the Standing of their minds with regard to being set off into a Chh State. the Concil Being by themselves and Deliberated on the matter and after mature Consideration the Concil were of opinion that it will be for the furtherance of the Cause of God that they be Con- sidered as a distinct Church and this Concil give them fellow- ship as such under the Appillation of the 2nd Baptist Church in Wilbraham.
"Sind By order and in behalf of the Concil John Hastings moderator "Attest Ephriam (?) Robins Clerk
"March 24th 1795
(Church meeting) "to hear a complaint of Sister Mary purches (?) against Brother Aron Chapin consisting of two Charges (?) 1st that Brother Chapin took some sheep of her and Declined to give her security therefor to her satisfaction. 2ly that in paying the Rent for the sheep the wool was not Equil to Contract. (The Church considered the matter and reported what Brother Chapen ought to do, and appointed a committee of four to settle any dispute between them in the future. Nothing else done. Meeting disolved)
"Oct 23ยช 1799. A number of Christian people of the Baptist Denomination met at Nathan Peases for the purpose of Col- lecting their minds concerning the Publick Worship of God and travel of their minds present Elder Seth Clark Elder Stephen Shepard (and others) then sought to find the union Between Elder Clarks members and others in the worship and found aGreement-then went into the labour to see how many Could commune to Gether and found Forteen members that was free to commune .- Voted to send a letter of the proceedings of the day to Elder Clarks Church which is as follows.
"A number of Bretheren who met in their worship at Brother Peases to the Baptist Church of Christ in Wilbraham to whom we are connected (&c)-We would inform you that Elder Clark Deacon Elisha Cleveland (?) and a number of your Bretheren here together with ourselves this day had a Blessed interview in
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
a free Conference at Brother Peases and found in the first place we were hapily agreed to worship together when we have Opportunity: and in the second place there was Forteen members stood ready for Communion who was here present- and all agreed that not withstanding our diferent oppenion respecting our being a Church Before this date Each part was willing Each other should maintain his oppinion and not con- sider one another Knowingly wrong. and finding ourselves free to Worship & Commune together we did in the conclution with the greatest freedom by way of Condesention to lay aside the Idia of a Chh till we have your Aprobation If you can give it and have this day agreed to set out anew the same as if there had been nothing done before in considering ourselves a chh. Except we see no need of calling a Council Because our present prosperity Cannot alter their former opinion. We heard no noise of ax or hammer this day those members Who are not ready now to Embody with us are free towards our doings and we are free towards them (and more)
"Sined in Behalf of the Bretheren
Israel Bennet"
(The answer)
"Wilbraham Nov, 6th 1799
"at a chh meeting held at Elder Clarks house this Day Dear Breathern we took your letter into Consideration dated the 23d of october last We rejoice to see your union and fellowship one with other and wish Grace mercy and peace might be multiplied with you. We as a chh can give you fellowship as a chh But think for your furter Benefit that it is Necessary that you have the fellowship of other chhs also. We remain your Breathern in tribulation
"Sined in Behalf of the Chh Elder Seth Clark
"To the Brethern in the south part of Wilbraham & Monson
"The Church Covenant
"Is subscribed to by 133 persons, the first 18 are
"Nathan Pease Hannah Pease
Israel Benet
Susanna Benet
Nathan Pease Jur. Eliphlet Green Aaron Chapin Urial Lamphere
Silvia Pease
Hannah Firmin
Hannah Green
Hannah Chapin
Elijah Butten
Gerusha Lamphere
Jonathan Hakes
Lucy Butten
Nathan Brumly
Easter Hakes"
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
"A mecting was held Feb. 6th 1800 at Isaac Meechams and in the first place heard Brother Meechams accusations against sister pease and her reply. The chh attended with the greatest Calmness (?) and were all agreed that Brother Meecham was much out of the way in holding things so hard against Sister hannah pease and all the Chh Except two members were free (favorable) towards her and they were in some measure removed and had nothing as against Bro. an what Before they had was in some measure removed out of the way.
"At a chh meeting held at Nathan peases April 3rd 1800, voted that Elder Stephen Shepard Preach half the time with us at the present and continue so long as he shall think proper and we continue our freedom in Contributines to him in bilding the house upon that Land Elder Shepard had of Brother hakes (?)"
May 3rd, 1800: Conference attended by Elders and mem- bers from other Churches the Articles of Covenant were read and approved and the fellowship of their Churches given. (This seems to be the second time the Church was constituted. Perhaps they had not held meetings regularly since 1794.)
June 9th, 1804: "Voted that no Brother ought to bring a matter to the Chh without it is a matter of Trespass (?) as there is many differences in our judgment which may be left to Endividuals which are not a just bar from the communion."
Jan., 1807: "Voted to have a free conference at Nathan pease. Jr. the 18th instant for the purpose of Bilding a meetinghouse"
Mar. 30th, 1808: "2ly agreed to the eyedee that Elder Shepards present standing is not binding on his parishiners. Voted on Elder Shepards motion that he is at liberty to be absent from us and we to look out for other help" Voted "immediately to try to obtain other help."
Dec. 23rd, 1809: "At a chh meeting held at Brother James Works-2ly Conversed freely upon inviting Ministers to administer to us who belong to and attend the masonic lodge Voted that under existing circumstances we think it best not to invite them to the grief of any of our bretheren."
The last of Dec., 1809: "Voted to request that hampton Chh ordain Brother Alvin Bennet-that he may administer the ordinances to the Chh."
June 23rd, 1810-"at a Conference meeting held at our meeting house." (The first mention of using the meeting house. The previous meeting held at Elder Shepards.)
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Oct. 17th, 1811: "At a chh meeting held at Brother Nath Pease house in Wilbraham-Brother Truman Trask Came forward and made his mind manifest that he was not satisfied with his Baptism on the account of his not being quite all over Whelmed in Water through a mistake. It was largely Con- versed upon after all the Light that Could be Brought forward, then the voice of the Chh was taken and all was agreed Exsepting one that Brother Trask was Gospelwise Baptised and therefore is a member of this Chh.
March 21st, 1812: "In the first place opened the way for Bro. Aaron Chapin to free his mind why he left the Chh, he said that the principle reasons was Conserning masonry and the mode of singing the Chh had adopted. Conversed largely on the first point and finding his mind Still tryed. not wishing to leave the Chh Could he see with them. the Chh agreed to wait on him a while longer."
Monson July 31st, 1830: "In the first place took up the matter concerning Br. Jedidiah Smith joining the Freemasons. Voted to send him a letter of admonition. Elder Bennett to write Sd letter the letter was wrote, read and Excepted."
Feb. 12th, 1831: "Voted to send Br. Jedediah Smith a second letter of admonition, Elder Bennett to write it."
April 9th, 1831: "Voted to exclude Jedediah Smith from church fellowship."
May 4th, 1833: "-7th Voted that a committee of three be appointed to corospond with Sister Chhs on the subject of Free Masonry.
Sept. 13th, 1817: "Voted to release Br Asa Beebe uppon his own request from Chh Chorister. 2ly Voted that they was willing that the singers should sing and regulate themselves."
April 20th, 1822: "Then Oliver Bliss presented a Complaint against Bro. Asa Beebe-appointed April 24th to hear Sd Complaint." (On April 24 met to hear the Complaint which was): "that Bro. Beebe had defrauded and deceved him in selling him a yoak of oxen " (evidence given.)
Then the Church deliberated on the matter and voted the following report. "We are sensuble that the intention of the mind must crown the merit of the action and of this the Lord only can Judge. We are sorry that Br. Beebe did not inform Mr. Bliss that the ox had been poaked at the time he sold him
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
the Cattle which we think he ought to have done and we are very sorry that he did not and hope he is or will be sorry for it also which we think he ought to bee. Then Br. Beebe Replied and said that he was sorry that he did not tell Mr. Bliss that the ox had been Poked (ox was unruly). Voted to Disolve this meeting."
20 church meetings for business were held in 1837 and 29 in 1838 and many members were excluded from fellowship, causing much trouble and at the request of the church a com- mittee from the association considered the subject.
April 26th, 1845: Voted "that the name of our church be so far changed as to be called Baptist Church Monson & Wil- braham. Voted to organize a Sabbath School."
April 18th, 1846: After hearing the testimony concerning Mrs. Hunt, "Voted we think she did wrong when her husband came home in taking the tea and hideing it and then make her husband think he had not got any and he went and got more. Also we think she has used profane language. Voted that she confess publicly-Mrs Hunt said she could not comply with the requirement of the church. Voted to wave the subject for the present."
It seems there are no records of church meetings from August 19th, 1849 to November 30th, 1852.
On November 30th, 1852: "The church met a committee of the Association consisting of four, A. Parker, Robinson, Bachelor, J. Nichols. The object of the committee was to learn the state of the Chh. Upon inquiry of each member present it seemed to be their desire to sustain the visibility of the church and make one more effort to sustain the preached gospel in this place."
April 27th, 1853: "Voted to ask the committee of the Asso- ciation Rev. Parker, Robinson and Bachelor to know whether in their opinion the church have lost their visibility or identity in their past neglect of various duties &c."
Dec. 2nd, 1854: "Voted to dedicate the new Meeting House in South Wilbraham. Committee appointed to fix the time and make all necessary arrangements. Voted to appoint our next Covenant meeting at the Baptist Meeting House in South Wilbraham."
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Jan. 6th, 1855: "Voted to continue our meetings at the new meeting house and make it our place of worship."
July 5th, 1856: "Voted that we consider Bro. Henry S. Stevens as pastor of this Chh during his stay with us."
Aug. 2nd, 1856: "Voted Sumner Smith Church Clerk in place of Gideon Day resigned."
PETITION OF NOAH STEBBINS AND OTHERS
FOR INCORPORATION "INTO A PARISH OR RELIGIOUS SOCIETY, BY THE NAME OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL PARISH, IN THE TOWNS OF WILBRAHAM, SPRINGFIELD, AND LUDLOW."
"To the Honorable the Senate, & the Honorable the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court assembled, in Boston, on the twenty-ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five :-
"The Petition of the subscribers most humbly exhibits that they are of a persuasion and denomination of Christians com- monly called Methodists, belonging to the towns of Wilbraham, Springfield & Ludlow, in the County of Hampshire; and that they are of sufficient number & ability to support a teacher and defray the expenses of upholding publick worship among themselves.
"They therefore pray that they may be admitted to the rights and benefits of the Constitution in this respect, that they, and such others as may hereafter join them in such manner as shall be prescribed by law, may be incorporated into a parish or religious society by the name of the Methodist Episcopal Parish or Religious Society in the towns of Wilbraham, Spring- field, & Ludlow, and be invested with the powers priviliges & rights which by the law & Constitution of this Commonwealth parishes ought to have and enjoy.
"And as in duty shall pray
"Newel Cone,
Matthew Cone, Ichabod Cone, John Langdon, Calvin Stebbins, 2d.
Leonard Frost, Ezra Barker,
Charles Converse, Moses B. Bartlet,
Samuel Brewer,
Charles Johnson,
Gaius Brewer,
Russel Parker,
Gordon Chapel,
John Brewer, Peter Wallridge,
James Calkins, Jr.
Reuben Hendrick,
Rowland Crocker, John Kneeland,
Ahimaaz Willey,
Walter Langdon, Eldad Stebbins, Christopher Langdon, Walter Stebbins,
Josiah Langdon, Noah Stebbins, Charles Brewer, Abel Bliss, Jr.
Eleazer Bishop, Joseph Bannister,
Abner Chapin, Jonah Beebe,
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Benjamin Weaver,
Luther Stebbins, 2d,
Nathan Mack,
Sewall T. Mack,
Noah Stebbins, Jr.,
Ezra Goss,
Elijah Jones,
Stephen Stebbins,
Phineas Stebbins, Jr.,
David Calkins,
Sylvanus Stebbins,
Elisha Shepard,
Fred. Stebbins,
Luther Stebbins,
Nathan Alvard,
Noah Frost,
Eldad Stebbins, Jr.,
Steph. Cadwell, Jr.,
Abel Bliss,
Zadock Stebbins,
Benjamin Allen,
Charles Brewer, Jr.,
William Brewer, Jr.,
Jonas Keyes,
Jona Merrick, Jr.,
James Calkins,
61."
Zenas Parker,
David Cadwell,
Committed to the Standing Committee on Parishes, May 30, 1805, by the House of Representatives.
In the same words another petition is presented at the same time, signed as follows :-
"James Malvin, Samuel Frost, Eliphalet Green,
David Orcutt, Silas Holton,
John Charter, William Carlile,
Joseph Webster,
David Slaster,
Jonathan Benton,
John Clough,
David Stebbins,
Stephen Pease,
Anthony Slaster,
Jedediah Sawyer,
Stephen Howard,
Gideon Hunn,
Uriah Clough,
Ephraim Fuller,
Chester Wakefield,
Anson Craw, 33
Elijah Thacher,
Daniel Swetland,
Reuben Frost, Elias Frost,
William Butler,
John Russel,
Elkanah Tenney, Lemuel Parsons, John Paulls, Jr.,
Wilbraham, 59;
Samuel Harris,
Springfield, 25; Ludlow, 8."
Ephraim Fuller, Jr., Samuel Frost, Jr.,
On the "Petition of Noah Stebbins and others and Stephen Howard and others, Inhabitants of Wilbraham, Springfield, and Ludlow, praying that they may be incorporated into a religious Society, by the name of the Methodist Episcopal Parish or Religious Society in the towns of Wilbraham, Spring- field, and Ludlow" it is
"Ordered, that the Petitioners cause attested copies of their Petitions, with this order thereon, to be served on the respective Town Clerks of the said towns of Wilbraham, Springfield, and Ludlow, and on the several Parish Clerks within the said towns, thirty days at least before the second Wednesday of the first session of the next General Court, that all concerned may then
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
appear, and shew cause (if any they have) why the prayer of said Petitioners should not be granted.
"In Senate, February 22, 1806.
"Read and accepted.
"Sent down for concurrence,
"H. G. Otis, President.
"In the House of Representatives, February 24, 1806 "Read and concurred,
"Timothy Bigelow, Speaker"
A previous petition of Noah Stebbins and others only is ordered and referred in the same way, June 11th, 1805 (except "third instead of second Wednesday" and "next session" instead of "first session of next," etc.)
The next autumn, forty-three of these petitioners renewed their petition, "not withstanding there may be objections by Towns or Parishes."
The North and South Parishes answered the notification of the petition in nearly the same words, as follows (omitting the formal introduction) :-
"The clerk of the town has favored us with a writing pur- porting to be an order of your Honors on the petition of Noah Stebbins and others, praying to be incorporated into a religious society, also papers purporting to be petitions of said Noah Stebbins Stephen Howard and others, but neither of said papers are attested by any person as coppies, so that we are wholly at a loss whether there be any such petitions pending and we know not the names of the petitioners except the two above men- tioned. Indeed, the person who left the papers with the clerk said he would give the names of as many as he could remember, and gave about fifty. He soon after called and took said list away, so that we have not the names of the Petitioners but by the memory of the clerk, and his information was incomplet; but a number have appeared and said that they signed said petition, but that they were deceived-that they had no idea of saying that they were Methodists, and wished to be incor- porated, but that they were willing that others, to wit, Method- ists, might be. Upon the whole, we think there has been great unfairness in obtaining said Petitions, and in giving notice. We therefore pray, if there is such a petition pending, your
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THE HISTORY OF WILBRAHAM
Honors would not grant the prayer thereof until we are regu- larly notified and have the names of the petitioners.
"'As in duty bound shall we pray.'
1
Chilcab B. Merrick Samuel F. Merrick Philip Morgan
Committee for North Parish
Robert Sessions
Stewart Beebe
Committee for South Parish
Calvin Stebbins
of Wilbraham"
In 1819, forty-two inhabitants of Wilbraham, Palmer, and Monson, petitioned to be incorporated as "The Third Religious Society in the town of Wilbraham," alleging that they were situated about four miles from the nearest place of public worship, and that they had twenty years since formed them- selves into a separate religious society, and erected a house of worship, and supported preaching almost constantly since that time; but at length, finding it inconvenient to do so, in con- sequence of the want of an act of incorporation, granting to said society power to lay and collect a tax for that purpose.
The act of incorporation was not passed, and it is hardly necessary to copy the names of the petitioners. They were, I suppose, the supporters of the Baptist Society in the North Village, or the one at Colton Hollow.
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