USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Amherst > The history of the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, pt 1 > Part 25
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Albin P. Howe was born in 1806 ; he came to Amherst in 1825 and resided here for more than forty years, during which time he was one of the most prominent members of the community. He served the town several years as selectman, assessor, clerk and treasurer, and for many years as justice of the peace, before whom cases were tried, the town having at that time no trial justice. For more than twenty years he was proprietor of the Amherst house, a genial landlord, held in high esteem by the traveling public. He was for a time secretary of the Hampshire AAgri- cultural society ; he also served as chairman of the building committee which had in charge the erection of the present high school building. He gained the military title of captain by serving in the Amherst cavalry com- pany. His public duties were discharged with intelligence and fidelity, and his superior judgment was much sought by the town and by individuals. He died at West Marlboro, Feb. 14, 1879.
Oliver Watson, son of David, was born March 17, 1806. His father dying when Oliver was but nine years of age, he was apprenticed to the tan- ner's business, serving his time until he was 21 in Hadley, under the care of Asa and Elihu Dickinson. When he became of age, he succeeded his father in the tanner's business at East Amherst; in 1832, he erected a building for the manufacture of boots and shoes. He served the town as selectman, and in 1852 was its representative in the General
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Court. He married, in May, 1839, Sarah White of Florida, Mass., by whom he had five children. He died in Amherst, Jan. 9, 1870.
Simeon Clark, son of Simeon, was born in Amherst, Oct. 15, 1807. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Amherst Academy. His principal occupation in life was farming, although he studied field-surveying and practiced it more or less for forty years. He served the town as selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor for many years. For thirty years he was justice of the peace. He united with the First church in 1831, and served as one of its deacons for sixteen years. When but twenty years of age, he was chosen captain of a militia company, holding the office for several years until the company was disbanded, gaining the title of "Captain " Clark, by which he was generally known in later years. He was a godly man, whose religion entered into all the acts of his daily life, mingling kind words with charitable deeds, that to many made life seem better worth the living. He married, May 21, 1828, Myra Cowles, by whom he had nine children. He died, July 31, 1883, in the house at Mill Valley, which his father had built in 1780, in which he was born and where he had spent his happy and useful life.
John Leland, son of John, was born in Peru, Mass., in 1807. In 1820, he removed to Amherst : the same year he was appointed by the trustees of Amherst Academy their agent to receive donations for the charity insti- tution other than those made to the permanent fund. From that time until 1835, he was treasurer of the institution. Soon after his removal to Amherst he united with the First church, which he afterwards served as deacon for thirty years. He represented Hampshire county in the Massa- chusetts Senate in 1833 and 1834, and in 1847 was member of the House of Representatives, from Amherst. He was active in promoting the building of the Amherst & Belchertown railway, serving after the comple- tion of the road as one of its directors. He died in Amherst, Feb. 18. 1864.
Frederick A. Palmer was born in West Springfield, Nov. 20, 1793. He was a descendant, of the sixth generation in direct line, from Governor ' William Bradford. He also numbered among his ancestors representatives of the Edwards, Hoar, Dwight and Ripley families. He came to Amherst in December, 1813. He took a prominent part in town affairs, was frequently elected to public office and held many places of trust. He was well read. a man of good judgment whose counsel was frequently sought m business matters. He early won and ever retained the confidence of the public by his upright and honest business methods. He was commis- oned as deputy-sheriff in 1838, and held the office until his death in 1874. Mr. Palmer was twice married, (1) in 1877, to Lucy, daughter of Simeon
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
Clark of Amherst; (2) to Hannah, daughter of Samuel Smith. He had five children, Albert R., Lucy C., Dwight W., Frederick, and Sabra D.
Warren S. Howland was born in Conway, Aug. 31, 1798. He learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade, and came to Amherst in 1821, to assist in building the Amherst College chapel. The remainder of his life was spent in Amherst. He was among the best-known contractors and builders in this section, erecting, among other buildings, the Congrega- tional church at the center, now known as College hall, the house built by Amherst College for its president, the church at East Amherst, churches in Pelham and Belchertown, the Russell church in Hadley, besides several private residences in the village. He also assisted in finishing the build- ings of the Mt. Pleasant Institute. He early became interested in tem- perance reform, and furnished no liquors for his workmen or at raisings after 1827. He was one of the first to assist in organizing an anti-slavery society in Amherst. Mr. Howland served in the state militia, gaining the title of "Col." Howland, by which he was generally known. When the civil war broke out, he was anxious to engage in active military service, but was debarred by age.
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE FIRST CHURCH .- PASTORS AND TERMS OF SERVICE .- MEETING- HOUSES .- VESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL HALL .- CHURCH MUSIC. -THE PARSONAGE .- PARISH FUNDS .- THE PRESENT CHURCH EDIFICE.
The pastorate of Dr. David Parsons over the First Congregational church, although ushered in by a revolution among its members, was long and successful. He was a man of marked ability, possessing in a high degree those social qualities that make warm and lasting friendships. That he was of more than local reputation is proved by the fact that on one occasion he delivered, on invitation, the "election sermon " before the governor and legislature at Boston ; he was, also, on recommendation of President Dwight, appointed professor of theology at Yale College, an honor which he did not accept. Under his care the church prospered exceedingly and large additions were made to its membership. Numerous
FORMER PASTORS OF AMHERST.
REV. S.P. PARKER.
REV. P.J. MOYCE.
REV. J. T. SMITH.
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REV. E. P. KING.
REV.POMEL
BELDEN.
HUNT. REV. W. V.
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REV. J. L. MERRICK.
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DR. PARSONS DISMISSED.
anecdotes are related of him, one to the effect that, when expostulated with by a kinsman for regarding things too frequently from a humorous stand- point, he replied, "I know it all, Bro. Howard, and it has been my burden through life, but I suppose after all grace does not cure squint eyes." On another occasion, it is said, he found his hired man resting in a field where he had been sent to plow. Dr. Parsons told him to take a bush-scythe and cut brush while he was resting. The man thereupon replied that the Dr. ought, on Sunday, while the choir was singing, to take a little flax and hetchel it out.
In 1795, trouble arose in the parish concerning Dr. Parsons' ministry, and a vote was passed on the question of dissolving the ministerial relations existing between them, being decided in the negative. Aug. 3, 1819, a committee was appointed to confer with Dr. Parsons, to see if he was willing to be dismissed from the pastorate, and if so, on what terms. Dr. Parsons agreed to submit to a mutual council the question of his dismission, and the further question as to what compensation he should receive. The council met, Aug. 31, 1819, and adjourned to the next day, when it decided that the civil contract existing between the parties should be dissolved, and that the parish should pay Dr. Parsons $1,300. Sept. 20, 1819, the parish voted to raise $1,450 for making a final settlement with Dr. Parsons, so that he should have no further claim on the parish.
Sept. 20, 1819, at the meeting when it was voted to raise $1,450 to settle all claims that Dr. Parsons might have against the First parish, the parish made one more and, it is believed, a final effort, to bring about a union with the Second parish. It was voted that a union of the First and Second parishes, so as to constitute but one church and one congregation, under charge of one minister, would be for the furtherance of the Gospel, the peace, tranquility and respectability of the town, and a source of very great economy. The parish offered to unite with the brethren of the Second church. if the latter saw fit, in calling a council of churches from adjacent counties to bring about such union. The calling of Dr. Parsons to the pastorate of the First church had caused the breach that led to the organization of the Second; with the dismission of Dr. Parsons, it was hoped and believed that the differences might be adjusted and the churches united. But the breach had become too wide; the Second church, now firmly established, had no thought of giving up its independence.
Nov. 22, 1819, the First parish voted to unite with the church, if the latter saw fit, in extending a call to Rev. Daniel A. Clark to settle in the ministry, offering him a salary of $675 per annum. The church concurring, Mr. Clark was installed as pastor. Jan. 26, 1820 ; he had previously been settled at Weymouth and at Southbury, Conn. Mr. Clark was a preacher of great power. Three volumes of his sermons were published, and were
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
regarded as among the ablest sermons of the times. In a biographical sketch by Rev. Dr. George Shepard, of Bangor, Me., contained in one of these volumes, he is described as follows : "Mr. Clark's person, voice and entire manner were in perfect keeping with his style, a large masculine frame; a voice harsh, strong, capable of great volume though not very flexible ; an action, for the most part, ungraceful, but significant and natural; a countenance bearing bold, strongly marked features at every opening of which the naked and working passions would look intensely out ;- altogether gave the idea of huge, gigantic power." He was an aggressive reformer, taking a leading part in the warfare, then in its infancy, against intemperance. During his pastorate Amherst College was founded; he took great interest in the enterprise and preached an eloquent sermon at the laying of the corner-stone of the first college building. The closing year of Mr. Clark's ministry was marked by serious dissensions between pastor and people. Nov. 24, 1823, the parish appointed a committee to bring charges against Mr. Clark ; April 12, 1824, he was requested to take a dismission, but refused to comply with the request. July 5, 1824, the parish requested the church to unite in calling an ecclesi- astical council, to consider the subject of Mr. Clark's dismission, and should he refuse to join them in calling such a council, then an ex-parte council was to be summoned. It was also voted to inform Mr. Clark that it was not the wish of the parish that he should supply the pulpit prior to his dismission. Mr. Clark consented to refer the matter to an ecclesiastical council, and on the advice of this council was dismissed, Aug. 5, 1824. The records contain no hint as to the nature of the charges against him.
Nov. 7, 1825, the parish voted to concur with the church in extending a call to Rev. Royal Washburn to settle in the ministry. The salary offered was $600, and a stipulation was made that either party to the civil contract entered into might terminate the same on giving a six-months' notice to the other party. Mr. Washburn was installed as pastor. Jan. 5, 1826, and continued in the pastorate until his death, Jan. 1, 1833. He was married, in 1827, to Harriet, daughter of Dr. Parsons. Mr. Wash- burn won the respect and love of his people to a marked degree. He was not only an eloquent preacher, but a loving pastor, whose advice was freely given and highly valued, whose sympathy in the hour of affliction was very grateful, who possessed in full measure the graces that go to round out a Christian character. In May, 1832, Mr. Washburn tendered his resignation to the parish on account of ill health ; the parish was unwilling to dismiss him, and voted, Aug. 13, not to sever the connection, but to discharge hin from his duties and supply the pulpit for a time.
Nov. 13, 1832, the parish appointed a committee to procure a perma- nent supply for the pulpit, with reference to the settlement of a minister.
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PASTORS OF THE FIRST CHURCH.
July 29, 1833, the parish voted to concur with the church in inviting Rev. George E. Adams to settle in the ministry, offering him a salary of $600 per annum. Nov. 29, 1833, the parish voted to call Rev. M. T. Adam and to offer him a salary of $650. The latter call was accepted and Mr. Adam was installed Dec. 28, 1833. He was a native of Scotland, having been educated at Glasgow and London. Oct. 31, 1834, the parish voted to dissolve the connection with Mr. Adam ; he objected and asked for reasons ; among those offered were that his practice of associating with neighboring ministers, exchanging with them and conducting social meetings, was not agreeable to the usages of parishes and churches in the vicinity. He agreed to leave the questions at issue to the decision of a mutual council. Dec. 10, 1834, he was dismissed, the council testifying that he had been " unwearied in his labors, faithful and conscientious in the discharge of his ministerial duties and above all suspicion as to high moral and Christian character."
June 5, 1835, the parish extended an invitation to Rev. Edward P. Humphrey to settle in the ministry, offering him a salary of $Soo; Oct. I of the same year, a similar invitation was extended to Rev. Daniel Crosby of Charlestown, and Dec. 30, Selah R. Treat was invited to become the pastor of the church. These " calls" were none of them successful, but better luck attended the parish when, March 7, 1836, Rev. Josiah Bent was given an invitation to settle in the ministry ; the salary offered was $Soo and he was to be granted $100 for moving expenses. He had previously been settled at Weymouth. He was installed April 19, 1837, and died in office, Nov. 19, 1839. His ministry though short was fruitful, 22 persons being admitted to the church in 1838 and 99 in 1839. He was consecrated to his work and did not spare himself in his Master's service.
April 1, 1840, the parish voted to extend a call to Rev. Aaron M. Colton to settle in the ministry ; the salary offered was $Soo. Mr. Colton accepted and was ordained June 9, 1840. Mr. Colton seems to have been the first pastor of the church who was allowed a vacation, the parish voting, .April 6, 18.17, that by the terms of his settlement he might be absent from church not exceeding four Sabbaths a year, when the pulpit would be supplied without expense to him. . In August, 1852, Mr. Colton requested the church and parish to unite in calling a council for his dismission ; the parish voted against such action at the' time, but in October complied with his request. Mr. Colton was dismissed, Jan. 4, 1853, after a pastorate during which the church and parish were greatly prospered. During his ministry the church experienced three seasons of religious awakening. one of marked power in 1850, as a result of which there were 95 additions to the church the following year. Mr. Colton took an active part in temperance work and was a leader in the movement that suppressed the sale of liquor
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
in Amherst. After his departure from Amherst, he was settled for many years over a church in Easthampton, in which town he died in the spring of 1895.
May 24, 1853, the parish invited Rev. E. S. Dwight to settle in the ministry, offering him a salary of $900, " he to have four Sabbaths during the year for his own use and vacation." Mr. Dwight became acting pastor, Aug. 21, 1853 ; was installed, July 19, 1854 ; dismissed, Aug. 28, 1860. He was greatly beloved by parish and congregation and the church prospered greatly under his ministry.
Feb. 5, 1861, Rev. H. L. Hubbell was called by the parish to become its minister, at a salary of $1.000. He was installed, April 24, 1861; dismissed, April 4, 1865. His pastorate, lasting through the period of the civil war, was marked by one general revival of religious interest. In the summer of 1864, Mr. Hubbell visited and ministered to the Amherst soldiers who were fighting at the front. He was held in high esteem by the church and community. He is now president of Lake Charles College, Lake Charles, La.
Dec. 4, 1865, a call to settle in the ministry was extended to Rev. David Torry, D. D., at a salary of $1.500 and the use of the parsonage. Oct. 1, 1866, a similar invitation was extended to Rev. J. P. Skeele. Early in 1867, propositions looking to a settlement were made to Rev. J. L. Jenkins, and Jan. 28 of that year, a letter was addressed to the parish by Mr. Jenkins, agreeing to supply the pulpit at a salary of $2,700 and the use of the parsonage, the question of settlement to be postponed. Sept. 2, 1868, the parish invited Mr. Jenkins to settle'in the ministry ; he accepted, and was installed, Sept. 24, 1868 ; he resigned, Jan. 23, 1877. Of the pastors of the First church since its organization, few have been held in such high esteen as was Mr. Jenkins. An eloquent preacher, he possessed social qualities, as well, that especially endeared him to his congregation. He was a natural leader of men, and the impress of his character was manifest upon the history of church and parish during all his pastorate. Each year there were large accessions to church membership, each year marked progress in all lines of religious work.
Oct. 8, 1877, Rev. Howard Kingsbury was called to the pastorate. The parish offered him a salary of $2,000, the use of the parsonage and an annual vacation of four weeks. He was installed, Dee. 6, 1877, and died in office, Sept. 28, 1878. During his brief pastorate he won the love of his people as few ministers have done, before or since, and his death caused mourning in the parish and in the town as well.
May 6, 1879, Rev. Forrest F. Emerson was invited to settle in the ministry. He was installed the same year and continued in office until his resignation, which was accepted by the parish, Feb. 14, 1883. All who
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FIRST PARISH-SECOND MEETING-HOUSE, AND PARSONAGE.
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THE SECOND MEETING-HOUSE.
knew Mr. Emerson during his pastorate in Amherst will bear witness to his sterling qualities as a man and as a minister of the Gospel. Better sermons were never delivered from an Amherst pulpit than were listened to by his congregations.
June 13, 1883, Rev. George S. Dickerman was called to the pastorate. He was installed the same year and continued in office until his resignation, March 5, 1891. During his pastorate the church prospered greatly, enjoying many seasons of revival and gaining largely in membership.
Oct. 21, 1891, the parish extended a call to Rev. F. L. Goodspeed .. He continued in office until Nov. 3. 1894, when he resigned. Mr. Good- speed was very popular both as a preacher and a pastor, and his departure to another field of labor was a cause of deep regret.
Oct. 15, 1895, the parish called to the pastorate Rev. Oliver Huckel. of Philadelphia; he accepted, and was installed Dec. 4.
In 1787, the parish voted to build a new meeting-house on the hill where the old one then stood ; its foundations were to be of hewn stone, it was to be 65 feet long and of proportionate width, and twelve months was allowed for erecting and enclosing it. A committee of nine was appointed to make preparations for the building, to prepare estimates of all articles that should enter into its construction, and to " divide the Inhabitants of the parish aforesaid as equally as may be into eight classes, with a descriptive list of each and every one's proportion of all and every article necessary for carrying into effect the aforementioned votes." The committee was to "assign to each class and individual of classes their respective proportion of every article which may be necessary for erecting and finishing the proposed house," and also to assign to every one "his and their proportion of all labor supposed to be necessary in framing, that each class may do their proportion thereof." The building committee was selected later on, and consisted of Simeon Strong, Esq., Capt. Eli Parker, Elijah Dickinson, Daniel Kellogg and Zebina Montague.
June 18, a committee of five was appointed to superintend the taking- down of the old meeting-house; this was to be done without cost to the parish. The spectators were to be "served on raising days at the frame with cake and cheese and liquor at the parish expense." Work on this. building was carried on with far greater expedition than on the building of the first meeting-house, and in November it was so well advanced that a parish meeting was held in it. The galleries were put in the following summer, but the inside was not finished until 1791. Viewed from an architectural standpoint, the new building was a great improvement over its predecessor. It had a porch built on the west side and this was crowned by a belfry. The parish voted, Sept. 5. 1788, that "any of the parish who are inclined have liberty to build a belfry at west end of meeting-house, by
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, MASS.
subscription." In 1789, $20 were appropriated to erect a lightning-rod on the steeple. In 1792, {100 was appropriated for a bell ; the " konk " had outlived its usefulness. In 1797, it was voted to have the bell struck at twelve of the clock in the day ; in 1799, to have it struck at 12 of the day and 9 of the night ; the latter vote was repeated for many years thereafter. The 9 o'clock bell was to warn orderly citizens that it was time they were in bed. In 1815, it was voted to build a cupola. There were three doors, one each on the east, the west and the south side. As regarded interior arrangement, the pulpit was at the north end, about on a level with the galleries, and over it hung the sounding-board. Directly under and in front was the deacons'-seat where the deacons sat facing the audience. The singers occupied the gallery opposite, the boys the gallery on the right and the girls that on the left. Dec. 3, 1801, it was voted to seat young people in the galleries. Tithing-men were appointed to regulate the behavior of the young people. Samuel Abby was engaged to finish the meeting-house, but before the work was completed he became financially embarrassed ; as a consequence, the parish was called on to defend several lawsuits brought by Mr. Abby's creditors. The building when completed was esteemed one of the finest meeting-houses in the region, and was a source of pride to those who worshiped therein.
The second meeting-house, completed in 1791, satisfied the needs of the parish for nearly forty years. It had some imperfections; the roof leaked, and the parish passed many votes in regard to repairing it. As has been stated in a previous chapter, when Amherst College was first established and for many years thereafter, the students worshiped in the First parish church. The students rapidly increased in numbers, and as there was also a steady, though less rapid growth. in the membership of the parish, it became apparent, as early as 1827, that measures must be taken to provide greater accommodations for the worshipers. Dec. 10. 1821, it was voted that the officers and students of the charitable institu- tion might occupy the meeting-house as a chapel the ensuing year, on condition that they would make good all damages caused by them. Dec. 28, 1826, the parish committee was authorized to consult with the college faculty and to rent pews to them. April 9, 1827, it was voted that the seats in the meeting-house heretofore occupied by the faculty and students should henceforth " be by them enjoyed without interruption."
Jan. 8, 1828, it was voted to build a new meeting-house or remove and rebuild the present one if sufficient funds could be raised by a previous sale of pews. A committee was appointed to have charge of the matter ; this committee reported, Jan. 17, 1828, that it was expedient to build a new house. The trustees of the college had offered to convey to the parish a piece of land ten rods square, on the northeast corner of the farm lately
FIRST PARISH -THIRD MEETING-HOUSE.
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THE THIRD MEETING-HOUSE.
owned by heirs of Rev. David Parsons, for a meeting-house, provided the parish would take down the present house and allow the college to hold its. annual commencements in the new building ; the committee considered this a most advantageous location. They had also procured plans of a house, Box65 feet, with 124 pews on the ground floor, which could be built at an estimated expense of $6.500. They presented a series of regulations to govern the management of the property, among them the following : " No person shall sell or lease his or her pew to any black or mulatto, or to any person of notoriously infamous character ;" " The parish have no right to allow town-meetings to be held in said house." The parish voted to accept the report, to dispose of the old house and appropriate the avails toward the erection of a new house on land proposed in committee's report.
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