USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 50
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JAMES LEWIS.
Rev. James Lewis was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, 1770. He was of Puritan ancestry. "His father, Major George Lewis, removed with his family, to Gorham, Maine in 1784. He was a man of great weight of character, excellent understanding, noted for the earnestness of his religious and political convictions ; a true specimen of the Puritan deacon."l
He was an intimate friend of the Longfellows, Wadsworths and other prominent men of his time.
James Lewis inherited many of the qualities of his father ; he was a man of excellent character, good abilities and of earnest religious convictions ; he was converted to the doctrines of Methodism and united with the Methodist church at the time of Jesse Lee's visit to Maine, and in 1800, received license to preach ; he commenced his active labors as a local preacher immediately, and continued in this work fifty-five years. "He was wont to preach every Sabbath, often three times, rarely losing an appointment by sickness, and still more rarely by storms in summer or winter. His labors were quite equally divided among all the towns within fifteen miles around. His rides out and
1 History of Barnstable, by F. Freeman. Also, History of the Town of Gorham.
527
J. THOMPSON.
back, often over the roughest roads, or through heavy snows, averaged, probably, from fifteen to twenty miles. It was estimated that he had officiated at not less than fifteen hundred funerals, sometimes riding, forty miles, for that purpose.
His services at funerals and camp-meetings included, he could not have preached less than eight or nine thousand times. He never received a dollar of compensation for his ministerial servicc. Though a hard-working farmer, his hospitality to his itinerant brethren was unbounded ; he was a man of fine personal appearance and agreeable manners ; he was earnest in his religious work and remarka- bly fervent in prayer.
Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss thus writes of a visit of this venerable minister, then eighty years of age :
" My husband's uncle, James Lewis, spent last night here, and this morning, he prayed a delightful prayer, which really softened my whole soul. I do not know when I have had my own wants so fervently expressed, or have been more edified at family worship "
In several towns of Cumberland and adjoining counties, he was the revered patriarch, as half a century before, he had been the youthful pioneer of Methodism,
When he departed to be with Christ, August 20, 1855, there was no better man in all the State to follow after him.2
JOHN THOMPSON.
Rev. John Thompson was born June 26, 1765 in the town of Derry, New Hampshire.
In 1790, or near that time, he married Miss Betsey Winslow and soon removed to Maine, and settled in what is now the town of Industry upon a lot of land in the easterly part of the town, where he cleared a large farm, erected good buildings and became a prosperous farmer.
The precise date of his conversion cannot be ascertained; it was probably about 1793, as he was the guide who accompanied Rev. Jesse Lee from Farmington, December 1, 1794, through New Vineyard, Industry and Stark to Anson, a large part of the way by spotted trees, through deep snow, and pathless forests.
Near the beginning of the present century, he received a license as local preacher and commenced holding meetings on the Sabbath, in
2 Life of Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss, by Rev. G. L. Prentiss, D. D., page 108.
528
J. THOMPSON.
his own and neighboring towns, laboring during the weck upon his farm, for the support of his family.
The services of the local preachers, in those days, were generally gratuitous, the privilege of preaching, was considered by the people, a sufficient reward.
He made a record of his labors from 1809 to 1833, by which it appears that during that time, he baptized one hundred and sixty-nine persons in Industry, and some nine or ten surrounding towns, and joined in marriage, forty-six couples. His children were all converted and united with the Methodist church.
Mr. Thompson was specially active in the crection of a house of worship near his home in 1822. It was a small building plainly finished, with free seats, in which for many years, meetings were held with great regularity.
Father Thompson was emphatically at home, on those occasions, and a very important member of those worshiping assemblies.
He was a man of small stature, but vigorous and active, naturally of an impetuous disposition which was wonderfully modified by grace. His voice was sharp and penetrating, and his style of preaching remarkably animated and forcible; his congregation, if so dis- posed, could not comfortably sleep under his sermons. He was kind-hearted and generous. The poor in his neighborhood were kindly remembered by him ; on one occasion, while holding a meeting, on a cold day, in a school house, the scripture lesson contained these words : "He that hath two coats let him impart to him that hath none." While preaching, he noticed a poorly clad neighbor, who seemed to be suffering from the cold ; at the close of the services, he took his overcoat and gave it to the poor man ; thus giving a practical illustra- tion of the scripture lesson. The overcoat was a new one which his good wife had manufactured from the fleece, with her own hands. How he settled the matter with his hard toiling and frugal wife, we are not informed. Other anecdotes are related, illustrating this trait of his character.
His impulsive nature, and the force of early habits, sometimes led him into mistakes. But he was always ready to atone for the error by a humble apology, and thus he retained the confidence of his brethren He was an honest and good man and a faithful worker in the Master's vineyard, preaching wherever his services were needed, for the love of the work ; his piety ripened with his age.
He died May 17, 1836, aged seventy years and eleven months, esteemed by all who knew him.
529
MOSES EMERY.
His son Asa H. Thompson, a young man of much promise, died, while preparing for the work of the ministry. At his death he was Principal-elect of Maine Wesleyan Seminary.
MOSES EMERY.
Rev. Moses Emery was born in Minot, Maine, September 20, 1772. He was the son of Moses Emery the first settler of the present town of Minot, originally a part of Bakerstown, which embraced Poland also. He was the first male child born in the town.
Nathan, a younger brother, became a member of New England Conference in 1800 (See page 49 of this volume). The late Judge Stephen Emery of Paris, was also a younger brother. The subject of this notice "embraced religion when a young man, and he and his companion were among the first to unite with the Methodist church in Minot.
They encountered no small amount of opposition from the prejudices that existed in those early days, but they ever remained faithful to the canse they had espoused, and were warmly attached to the church of their choice, and were cminently useful in awakening an interest in religion around them. The ministers of Christ always received the most cordial welcome to their hospitable dwelling.
For more than forty years Mr. Emery sustained the relation of local preacher, and while his health continued, he usually preached every Sabbath. He also contributed liberally to the support of the ministry, and the benevolent enterprises of the church.
He was often called upon to solemnize marriages, and always gave the fees received for such service, to the missionary cause. He lived to see his companion and five of his nine children pass away from earth, all of whom left behind them the savor of a good name.
He was a man of active business habits, ever diligent in business, at the same time "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." He was ardent in his devotions, always enjoying a hearty response during prayer and exhortation. He was also uniform and consistent in his religious deportment ; cheerful, and often playful in conversation, at the same time cherishing a deep reverence for sacred subjects. His life was such as to give the impression that religion is calculated to make this life pleasant and happy as well as the future glorious. He died at Livermore Falls, November 4, 1861, in the ninetieth year of his age.
A large circle of christian friends of different denominations, as well
34
530
OBED WILSON.
as many others, cherish an affectionate remembrance of this faithful servant of God."3 His wife was Susanah Woodward, sister of Mrs. William Caldwell. His son, the late Moses Emery, was, for many years, an emineut lawyer in Saco. Several daughters, became connected with highly respectable families.
OBED WILSON.
Rev. Obed Wilson, son of Oliver Wilson, was born in the town of Norridgewock, Maine, October 15, 1778. In his early childhood, his father removed and settled in Stark, near the mouth of the Sandy river, opposite to "Old Point." Here he spent his boyhood, working upon the farm.
His school advantages were very meager. He attended school only uine weeks in his life. Books were searee and expensive ; newspapers and periodicals were seldom seen in this remote region. The few books that were within his reach, he carefully read, and by diligently improving his spare time, he laid the foundation of a substantial English education.
In 1799, he was married to Miss Christina Gray of Emden.
In 1802, he removed to the town of Biugham, then called Carratunk, aud settled upon a tract of laud entirely covered by a heavy forest. He eleared a road with his own hands, through the woods, to the spot seleeted for his farm, and with his young wife and two infant children, eame to his wilderness home. Soon a log cabin was erected, a clearing made, aud the hard work of pioncer life resolutely entered upon. Here, happy with his growing family, he toiled hard in elearing and cultivating his farm.
During a revival in 1804 or 1805, he was converted, and soon beeame impressed with the conviction that it was his duty to preach the gospel, and after a serious struggle with doubts and reluctance, he at length yielded to an imperative convietion of duty.
His first sermon was preached in 1806, and thenceforward, while busied with work upou his farm through the week, he preached, with but little intermission on the Sabbath, often two or three times the same day, traveling, often, several miles between a morning and evening serviee ; his field of labor gradually extending, till it embraced a wide distriet of country.
3 From an Obituary, by the late A. F. Brainard, whose wife was a daughter of Moses Emery. The writer is indebted to George F. Emery, Esq., of Portland, son of the late Judge Stephen Emery, for a copy of the obituary, and other faets.
531
O. WILSON.
He always cheerfully responded to calls for his services, involving, often, tedious journeys over bad roads, much exposure, and much loss of valuable time, with only very meager compensation, and often none at all.
For more than thirty years, he attended many of the funerals in his own and neighboring towns. His services of this kind were of great value, as no settled pastor was near, and the itinerant came but seldom to the place. A long list of marriages, baptisms, and funerals. at which he appeared, attest the great amount and value of his services ..
Mr. Wilson was also foremost and active in the civil affairs of his- town and of the State.
He was a member of the convention in 1816 and 1819, that framed the constitution of the State. He was a member of the first Legisla- tature after the constitution was adopted, and was several times, subsequently, a member of the House of Representatives and of the Senate.
He was deeply interested in the cause of education, serving as a member of the Board of Overscers of Maine Wesleyan Seminary from the organization of that Board, till his death. In this institution, three of his sons were educated, of whom one, Oliver, was, for many years, at the head of one of the large public schools in Cincin- nati. Another, John, was, for many years a successful lawyer in Ohio ; another, Horace, was for several years, Professor of mathe- matics in Hamline University. The youngest, Obed, is an active business man in Clifton, Ohio. The eldest son, a young man of rare promise, died while a student in Waterville College, about 1823.
Mr. Wilson was ordained elder at the Conference in Vienna, in 1828. From that time, he devoted a large portion of his time to the work of the ministry, and though a local preacher, he was practically an itinerant, traveling often considerable distances, to preach in neglected neighborhoods, and rendering valuable counsel and aid to the younger preachers appointed to the circuit,
Mrs. Wilson died November 13, 1834; an estimable woman, always sympathizing with her husband in his religious work.
In 1837, he married for his second wife, Mrs. Martha Cox, the widowed mother of Rev. Melville B. and Gershom F. Cox, and the same year, he removed to Skowhegan, and took charge of the Metho- dist church at that place. Soon after, his health failed, and continued to decline till his death, which occurred November 18, 1840, sustained to the last by the faith which he preached to others.
.532
MOSES FRENCH.
Mr. Wilson was tall in person, with a vigorous physique, and a strongly marked countenance. He was a man of remarkable natural ability ; apt in acquiring knowledge, and logical in its arrangement ; he had a lively imagination, a retentive memory, and a ready command ·of language ; he was a natural orator.
As a preacher, he was methodical, fervid and cloquent. He was liberal in his views, charitable towards all, and popular with all denominations, and yet firm in his belief of Methodist doctrines. Considering his lack of early advantages, his attainments were .extraordinary. If he could have devoted himself exelusively to the itinerant work, he would undoubtedly have attained the highest rank of exeellenee and snceess. He had the qualities of mind that fitted him for the highest positions in the church.
MOSES FRENCH.
Rev. Moses Freneh was born in Salisbury, Massachusetts, May 10, 1777. In his eighteenth year, he went from home, as an apprentice, to learn the trade of joiner.
He returned home about the time of his majoriry and was converted under the labors of Rev. George Pickering, then stationed at Salisbury. His eonversion was thorough ; he began at onee to deelare to others, what God had done for him.
Early in 1800, he came to Maine, and worked at his trade for several years. While thus engaged, he sought christian society and took an active part in the social meetings of the Congregationalists, availing himself of every opportunity to hold meetings as an exhorter.
In 1804, he went to Solon, and made arrangements for removing to a farm in that place
In 1805, he was married to Miss Martha Buswell of his native town, removed to Solon and eommeneed operations upon his farm. His wife died in 1808, and the next year he married, for his second wife, Miss Sarah Patten.
The result of this marriage, was the birth of eleven ehildren, of whom six died in childhood or early life. Two of the sons became preachers, Luther P., a member of Maine Conference, and Joseph P., a member of the East Maine Conference. The latter was killed in the war of the rebellion, the former still serving as an effective preaeher, now in the forty-eighth year of his ministry.
Mr. French after removing to Solon, commenced at once to hold meetings on the Sabbath, wherever there was need of his serviees.
533'
HOWARD WINSLOW.
There is no record of the time when he received license to preach. He continued through life, so far as his health would allow, as a local preacher, with very meager compensation, often none at all ; attending funerals and visiting the sick, sometimes also adding his services gratuitously, in making coffins for the dead.
He was an energetic, live man of deep sympathies and an ardent temperament ; an earnest preacher, and remarkably fervid in prayer. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He extended his labors through all the surrounding towns. It was said of him that "he attended more funerals and made more coffins, than any other man in the county."
He died in peace, May 17th, 1845, at the age of sixty-eight.
REV. HOWARD WINSLOW.
The subject of this sketch was born of pious parents, in the town of Freetown. Massachusetts, April 9, 1786. He was the youngest of nine children. The family being in reduced circumstances, removed in the year 1797, to New Vineyard, Maine.
The school advantages in this new settlement, were very poor, such as they were, however, they were improved. When this son was seventeen years of age, his father suddenly died, leaving the family in embarrassed condition. He was converted in a revival in New Portland. an adjoining town, in 1804.
When he was twenty-two years of age, he was married to Miss. Mary Winslow, a devoted christian young woman, who proved a valuable helpmeet. He had, for some time, impressions of duty to preach, which he strenuously endeavored to suppress At length after the discipline of severe trials and a dangerous sickness, together with the encouragement of his wife and the traveling preacher, he was induced to commence active religious work. He was licensed to exhort and was favorably received. He soon received license to preach, and in due time was ordained deacon and elder, and continued his labors as local preacher for fifty years. His labors were very far from local, as they extended through all the towns in the region of his home.
He was the first Methodist preacher who visited Dead River ; he. frequently visited the camps of the lumbermen by whom he was kindly and generously treated ; his labors were eminently successful, resulting in many conversions and rendering valuable assistance to the traveling; ministers.
534
STEPHEN BENNETT.
He was often called to attend funerals, sometimes traveling many miles for that purpose ; his services were rendered without any stipulated compensation, though he was often in straightened circum- stances. The people he served contributed to his necessities according to their own free will. Some times irreligious and profane men would contribute to him, because they believed him to be honest and sincere. He was simple and unassuming in his manners, sympathetic in his nature, and fervent in his religious excreises ; he was catholic in his religious views, and was kindly received by all denominations. Though without any pretensions to scholarly culture, he had a rich experience, and was eminently qualified for the humble service to which he was providentially called, and fulfilled his mission honorably and well.
His son, Howard Winslow, Jr., a young preacher of rare promise, was received on trial into the Maine Conference in 1838, and died the same year. Another son is a preacher of the Free-Baptist church .- (From Life of Rev. Howard Winslow, by Rev. J. W. Hathaway.)
STEPHEN BENNETT.
Rev. Stephen Bennett was born on the Island of Chebeague, in 1793. He was converted under the preaching of Rev. Edward M. Whittle, in 1808, and soon felt himself called to the work of the ministry, and became a licensed local preacher. For thirty years, he continued his ministry upon the Casco Bay Islands and was eminently useful and successful ; he worked hard for his own support six days of the week, and preached on the Sabbath, some years receiving not over fifteen dollars for his ministerial services. He was highly esteemed and greatly beloved by the people, the more so, perhaps, because, like the apostle Paul, he labored with his hands for his own support ; he has been very justly called the apostle of the Casco Bay Islands.
Mr. Bennett was a man of good natural abilities, but of limited education. Like many other local preachers of those times, he rendered a much needed and valuable service to the church, in the days of her poverty. Father Bennett died in Portland in 1862, aged sixty-nine, and was buried on his native island.
The success and eminent usefulness of the lay preachers in the Methodist church, in its early history, furnishes, perhaps, the best answer to the question, what shall be done for the feeble charges in Maine ?- (Rev. B. Freeman.)
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DAVID YOUNG.
DAVID YOUNG.
Rev. David Young was born in Pittston, Maine, in 1780. He was the eldest of a remarkable family, consisting of eight sons and four daughters, all ultimately settling around the old homestead in East Pittston.
The parents, David Young and his wife. Elizabeth Clark, came from East Kingston, New Hampshire, about 1777 or '78, and settled in Pittston, and his house became the cradle of Methodism in that region. Four of the sons became Methodist preachers, and one of the danghters became the wife of Rev. Eliakim Scammon, for some years a member of the Maine Conference, and one of the brothers, Rev. John Young, was for many years a prominent member of the Maine Conference. Aaron, another son, was a traveling preacher for some years, but subsequently joined the Unitarians. Jotham, another brother, after preaching as an itinerant several years, joined the Episcopalians.
David, the subject of this notice, after receiving his license, was appointed as an assistant upon Windsor Circuit, but, his health failing, he purchased a farm in East Pittston, where he settled down for life, continuing his labors as a local preacher, his wife, Sally Colburn, a noble christian woman, remarkable for her power in exhortation, often accompanying her husband in his almost constant preaching excursions on the Sabbath.
Seven children were born to them, the eldest daughter, Eliza, a woman of rare excellence, marrying Rev. Mark Trafton, in 1836, then of Maine Conference, afterwards of New England Conference.
The services of Father Young, as he was familiarly called, were in great demand. After closing his week's work upon his farm, he was accustomed for many years, accompanied by his wife, to ride away to supply some pulpit, or to assist in a protracted meeting, or at a camp-meeting ; his services were also in great demand for conducting funeral services ; no preacher in the vicinity was more frequently songht for on snch occasions.
In the wonderful revival at Wiscasset in 1828, Father Young rendered efficient service. As an ordained elder, his services were often in demand to administer the ordinances.
He was a man of great energy, and a ready speaker; his preaching was expository. pungent, powerful and effective. He was strongly attached to the church of his choice, and was given to
536
JAMES WILLIAMS.
hospitality ; his house was the welcome resting place of scores of traveling preachers.
No class of men deserve more honorable mention than those self- denying laborers in the gospel vineyard, who, like the apostle Paul, worked with their hands that they might make the gospel without eharge.
Father Young lived in the heroic days of Methodism. His memory is revered by those who knew him ; he died at his home in 1848 .- (Letter of Rev. M. Trafton.)
JAMES WILLIAMS.
Rev. James Williams was born in Stowe, Massachusetts, May 24, 1782. In 1812, he removed to Baltimore, and worked at his trade, as a blacksmith.
Being gifted in prayer and exhortation, he was urged by his friends and by his pastor, to preach. An appointment was made for him on a Sabbath for that purpose. He prepared himself, as he thought, thoroughly, for his first sermon, and at the appointed time, went into the pulpit without manuseript, commeneed the services, announced his text, but his well prepared sermon vanished from his memory, and he was obliged to sit down in silent mortifieation, while the pastor took up the subject and delivered an effective sermon.
The next effort was at City Point, a little out of the eity. Humbled by his failure, he went to this appointment with less confidenee in himself and more trust in God, and had good sueeess ; conversions followed the sermon.
Mr. Williams afterwards moved to Readfield, Maine, and lived at Kent's Hill, where he worked at his trade during the week, and preached on the Sabbath. It was his custom for all the family to begin at four o'eloek, Saturday afternoon, to prepare for the Sabbath, while he rode to some neighboring town to hold meetings. In this way, he rendered valuable serviee to the eause of religion in all that region. He was a man of strong faith, and remarkably fervent in prayer. Instances of remarkable healing in answer to his prayers, are related. At one time, he ealled upon a woman who was believed to be siek unto death ; after conversing with her, he prayed for her with such fervor that the siek woman was " thrilled from head to foot," and was immediately restored to health, and lived many years.
Mr. Williams afterwards removed to Frederieton, N. B., where he continued his faithful labors as a local preacher, preaching with great
537
JAMES BUCK.
boldness against the sins prevailing in that place. He had seven children, who all lived to mature life, and all became members of the Methodist Episcopal church .- (Sketch from account by F. A. Williams. )
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