USA > New York > Chenango County > Norwich > History of the first one hundred years of the First Congregational Church, Norwich, New York, 1814-1914 > Part 1
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100 HUNDRED YEARS TO COME All we within our graves will sleep, "One hundred years to come; No living soul for us will weep, One hundred years to come; But other men our states will fill, And other men our lands will till. The birds will sing as blithe and gay And bright the sun shine as today, .< One hundred years to come, ..
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Mary & Chapman Touch - Jan 1900.
A Delightful Evening.
The annual thank offering meeting of the Missionary societies of the Con- gregational church, held at the house of W. P. Chapman on Tuesday even- ing, was greatly enjoyed by the ladies present. The programme was new in this church and had been carefully planned and was well carried out. The most prominent feature was the read- ing of two selections from Longfellow by Miss Benedict, the singing of the earliest known Christian hymn by Mrs. McCaw and Mrs. Millspaugh, and a hymn of the tenth century by Mrs. Matterson. "The mite boxes given out in the spring were opened and found to contain more than $30. When all are handed in the sum will be considerably increased. After the close of the meet- ing the ladies stayed for the social hour, which is always made so delight- ful in this charming old colonial house, where the hostess knows so well how to welcome the stranger-and every- one went away feeling thankful to the Missionary society that made this pleas- ant evening possible.
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Thoughts on the Closing Century.
BY MRS. WILSON TREIBLE. [Read at the Watchnight services in the Bread Street church, New Year's eve.}
Do we but dream or is it strangely true, That the great century we have called our own, Is passing from us, and an era new, Will dawn before the shades of night ire flowu?
Within this sacred place while we remain To watch the closing moments of the passing year : A sense of sadness, loneliness, and pain, Breathes forth upon our : ongs, our prayers and tears.
All nature seems responsive to the hour And sadly speaks of joys forever fled; Our souls are moved by her magnetic power, And with her whisper, "Cherished hopes are dead."
The wailing winds of winter sob and sigh, Then, fainter growing, chant in cadence sweet A solemn requiem while the old years die; A dirge whose low sad tones our hearts repeat.
Dismantled of her verdant robes, the earth Lies cold and pulseless in her winter sleep;
The moonbeams pale that woke the new year's birth, Bathes the white shroud that wraps her slum- ber deep.
O blessed years, years of our happy past,
O precious years that brought us joy ahd love,
And all the friends we cherish and hold fast, Whom time nor death cannot from us remove.
Fond memory like a strong and hidden chain Binds all we love, or have loved, to the past; The thoughts of all the years it doth retain, Its reign like life and love shall ever last.
Yet mingled with the memories pure and sweet, Come thronging many we would fain forget, Like spectors dark, they solemnly repeat, The records of a time whose seal is set.
The past is past, nor can our prayers and tears, A single record of the past remove;
Yet God's compassion fails not through the years; He covers all the records dark with love.
A priceless heritage; great gifts are ours Of all we cherish most or most desire,
Of wealth and wisdom and immortal powers What in return of us doth God require?
No other age in all man's history, Has brought such knowledge of material good; ť e a
Such vast r 'verlings of deep mystery; The hidden wisdom other search withstood.
A page of history begins tonight;
Shall we its wondrous reco ds soil and stain? God help us keep its pages pure ani white, Nor let one thought ot sin or shame remain.
With confidence, O Lord, to Thee we come; While with Thee never harm nor i'l befell, Thy guiding hand will lead us safely home; God lives as yesterday, and all is well.
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 03026 4631
Gc 974.702 N83ja Johnson, Charles R. History of the first one hundred years of the First
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A LOVING TRIBUTE TO REVEREND SCOVILLE
The following taken from The Daily
Mr. Scoville went to that church Advocate of February 23, published at|from "First Congregational Church o 3tamford, Conn., will he of Interest In | Norwich, N. Y.," in October, 1879, He Norwich:
A tribute was paid to the memory of Rev. Samuel Scoville in the Congrega- ional church, Sunday morning. A tab.
The tablet, a fine white marble stone, is the gift of Howard L. Sco- field of this city. It bears the inscrip- ion: "In memory of Rev. Samuel Scovllle: Born December 21, 1834. Died April 15, 1902. Pastor of this church from 1879 to 1899. 'He came lot to he ministered unto; hut to min- ster.' "
Rev. C. J. Ryder, D. D., of this city, vho was a close friend of Mr. Scoville, ind was associated with him in many of his works, delivered the principal ddress, The pastor, Rev. Louis F. Berry, also spoke in Isudatory terms if Mr. Scoville, emphasizing hi's pa- triotism and the comradeship that ex- ,ted between him aud the veterans of the nation's wars.
Dr. Ryder said that the words of the ext fittingly described the life of Mr. coville. Out of his intensely sympa- hetic nature, ne said, there came the
d in carrying it, out, hut the vision at brought it into heing, was Mr. Sco- ille's he said. The Associated Chari- ies was largely the result of his ef- orts, too, he sald. His idea was that fficiency should characterize - the york of the charities of the town. It ras largely through his earnest efforts nd the co-operation of others equal y earnest, that the Stamford Hospita ame into helng. He was Interested Jo, in the formation of the Civi league; in fact, said Dr. Ryder', quot ng a Stamford man with whom be had discussed the matter, Mr. Scoville zas associsted actively in about ev. ry philanthropy that came into exist. ence in Stamford during his work iere.
" "Although a man of serious pur ose," said Dr. Ryder, "Mr. Scovill, vas full of good humor and joy and. hirth. No man ever visited our home: Those presence brought more of good heer than did his. He put hls hroad houlders under many a domestic oad, and helped to carry It. He was Felcomed hy everyhody, everywhere. Ie knew no class prejudice, no class llstinction, no race antipathy. I ver a life was consecrated to the 'rvice of his fellowmen, the life of Samuel Scovilie was so consecrat. ed."
Hymns that were Mr. Scoville's fav ; Love;, hut the greatest of these is rites were sung by the chon. The Love!" C.R.J.
congregation was a large one.
A copy of the paper was lately rv ceived by W. J. McCaw who kind' furnishes It for publication as of In terest to many readers of the Norwich Sun. .
had heen pastor 'of the latter church 18 years, He remained pastor of th former church 20 years and was lover In that church the same as he was if et to the memory of Mr. Scoville, who j this and the above tribute came' as & vas pastor of the church from 1879 to 1899, has been placed in the chancel, nd the Sunday morning service was n recognition thereof.
token that the love for him has no iwaned during the passing of fifteen years.
He found the Norwich church rent asunder, He believed that the Lor had sent him to heal the wound. II about two years he had layed the man tle of Christian love over the whole hody and the wound was healed.
That love was irresistable, All drost of hitteruess was hurned .away and disappeared. It has been said many times that he was "the best loved inan ever living in Norwich." His great heart took' in the whole population and the whole population returned ir kind the love he gave, and it was real love on both sides. Hi's handshake was a benediction and his look "did one good like a medicine." This with his unbounded energy wrought mir- acles brought things to pass which were called impossible. We canno. name them here, but "they are known and read of all men."
When he died in Philadelphia the tamford Children's Home. Others aid- [hody was taken to Plymouth church Brooklyn, of which he had heen assis ant påstor for ahout a year and a fu neral service was held, in charge o Dr. Hillis. The hody went to Stam ford next day; was taken into the church and an elaborate funeral serv. ice was held. An immense crowd filled the Inrge nuditorium. Dr. Ryd- er, mentioned above, who wss a very warm friend of Mr. Scoville, and who bad long heen pastor (I think) of the 'arge Presbyterian church, was the principal speaker.
The hody was then taken to West Cornwall, Conn., Mr. Scoville's birth- lace, and in which is now the family home, where a final elaborato service vas held in the Congregational church nd hurial made In the family plot in he village cemetery.
I hope this touching tribute msy he taken as a suggestion hy some one, 'r' ali of those who knew and loved 'his great-hearted man who did so much for the betterment and Chris- tlan life of Norwich; and that a ilke tablet may be placed in the church in memory and honor of him who bullt the church and labored so faithfully. lovingly and effectively for them and for all the people of Norwich.
"Mauy will rise up and cnll lim blessed."
"And now abideth Faith. Hope,
Bernhardt Able to Sit Up.
The foregoing report of the placing of the well deserved tribute of love Bordeaux, March 9 .- The bulletin issued hy Dr. Denuce, who is attend ng Sarah Bernhardt at the hospital In Bordeaux, to which she is confined owing to the recent amputation of her 'nd respect for their pastor who had 'erved them so falthfully twenty "ears, is taken from the Daily Advo ate of the City of Stamford, Conn of February 23, 1915; a church which leg, says: "Mme. Bernhardt is able to vas organized about 270 years ago sit up today. Her condition is excel and is a very flourishing organization | lent."
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, NORWICH, N. Y., 1914.
HISTORY
OF THE
First One Hundred Years
OF THE
First Congregational Church,
Norwich, New York 1814 -- 1914
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C. R. JOHNSON Thirty Years Church Clerk
JUNE 19, 1914
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
CHENANGO ONE ENLANED UNION
NORWICH, N. Y.
The First Congregational Church Norwich, New York
June 19, 1814
HONOR ROLL
Tracy Ensworth, Sr., and Polly, his wife John Ambler, and Ruth, his wife Joseph Kelso, and Esther, his wife Levi Ray, Sr., and Tryphena, his wife Elijah Chamberlain Joseph S. Fenton, and Sarah T., his wife Truman Enos, and Lenda T., his wife Prudence, wife of Josiah Dickinson - Elizabeth, wife of Abraham Snow Bridget, wife of Ephraim Welles Hannah, wife of John Randall Adocia, wife of Judge Elisha Smith Phebe, wife of Brewer
Betsey Miller
Polly Bisbee
The Twenty-one Constituent Members of First Congregational Church.
ERRATA
PAGE
LINE
4
9
For foundin read found in
6
4-5
Read line 3, then line 5, then line 4, then line 6
6
17
For doman read domain
32
17
For at read of
32
Picture
For July 16. 1816, read July 14, 1819
42
For June 14, 1816, read July 14, 1819
57
31
59
9
For someone read some one
62
25
For 1931 read 1831
62
33
For Phadsalia read Pharsalia
64
19
For w ith read with
71
23
For 1943 read 1843
74
Picture
For 1842-1843 read 1844-1845
76
15
For 1951 read 1851
77
13
For July read July 10
83
2
For unquestionable read unquestionably
84
35
For hi: read his
85
32
For p.obable read probably
87
10
Line upside down
98
30
For followed by Mr. Doane read followed Mr. D
99
16
Read Many say the most important event
102
30
of all else, until he lost his
109
21
For Harriett read Harriet
111
6
111
15
111
29
112
·2
For Harriett read Harriet
116
16
For not here read not there
119
37
For assistantsuper- read assistant super-
121
2
For hold read holding
121
3
For grasp read grasped
124
18
For a blur read a
128
35
For Chenago read Chenango
130
1
For rom read room
130
3
Erase and read he arose from his seat and stand- ing there spoke not
133
8
For A. B. C. C. M. read A. B. C. F. M.
133
13
For brought read bought
133
14
For it may be read it might be
134
23
For "wife" read "wifie"; and forsimple nd read simple and
134
27
For his home read this home
139
18
For Louise read Louisa
Erase and read, hopeless task to the exclusion
For Hanah read Hannah
For he read her
For Episocopalianism read Episcopalianism For he read the
56
31
139
29
For went o read went to
140
1
For in the school read into the, etc
140
7 For atended read attended
140
16
For anl read and
143
21
For young read young
144
25
For eelcted read elected
145
9
For someone read some one
155
11
For possessions read possession
155
12
For I am to to read I am to
159
29
For new years read new year
161
28
For he hade read he had
162
13
For wesee read we see
166
27
For department July read department
170
20
170
26
172
38
For line left out read, for a series of meetings. He came Nov. 27. It
173
22
For a series of sermons in, read a series of Sun- day evening
173
27
For Mr. Otis preached, etc., read of almost ev- ery sermon and his prayer meeting talks
174
18
For acres of laid read acres of land
175
4
For Whiby Island read Whidby Island
178
16
178
32
179
22
179
32
181
25
201
13
211
Diag
218
31
220
17
215
17
For ene evening on the 24th read On the evening For followed by several men read followed by For canse of the explosion read cause of the fire For when he left read when he left the pastorate For 1891-2 read 1881-2
For King's Dughters read King's Daughters For Brick Church read Brick Church, 1875 For case of Flowers read vase of flowers Erase ( duplicated)
For his word read his work
For Brechlin read Rechlin
PREFACE
Old Seneca, born B. C. 4, at one time said to his son: "My son, when you write a book read it over carefully and lay it aside for a year. Then read it over carefully again and cut it down one-half and lay it aside for another year. Then read it again carefully and -burn it."
The old philosopher's advice was sound; but I have not followed it; but I have tried to make this history unique in at least one particular, which may commend it to the reader for some better purpose than as kindling for a bonfire. and that is as a record of what might be called folk lore, which, with the help of "the art preservative," to put into permanent form the simple everyday life of the common people and to show that there is much material in even that class which will interest even their remote decendants.
Series I, does not take much account of individuals-men and women as such, except as parts of the history; but in writing Series IJ, more and more the idea was confirmed that the real history of the church must be the record of the lives of the men and women who had constituted the body of the church and carried on its activities; therefore, I have given a good deal of space to narrate the lives of some well known men and women who have given a large part of their time, strength and means to make this church a power for good in this community. Many more might have been mentioned who have been in a large degree influential in this church and have done a great deal toward making it what it is today; but it was manifestly impossible from lack of space; and, further, in the lack of records. One cannot write history that is of value without records. I could make a list of probably 50 names of men and women, who, in their day were as prominent in the church as any I have given space to at this time; but all that is left of them now is their names in the list of members of the church. Nearly all given at this time were personally known to me, so that I remem- ber now what they said and did; and of those I knew I have not made that fact the only reason for giving them a place in the history; but have selected from the many those who were recog- nized in their day as leaders in the church, regretting that I was not able to do more. I might add that, of many of those prominent
in the church in the first 30 years of its existence, only the merest outline can now be obtained; for since 1861, the year in which Mr. Scoville came, every member of this church, born before 1830, has died; and but very few in the town are living; and very many whole families have been blotted out entirely and are now unknown to much over half of the residents of the Norwich of today.
Since my election as church clerk I have been a crank as to the gathering of data relating to the history of this church. A very large part of it will be foundin the pages of this volume.
Of course, it has been impossible, from lack of time, space and ability to give in each sketch a lengthy estimate of the character and capabilities of each subject; but I think enough has been given to enable even a stranger to form an intelligent opinion of each individual. "They were all good men and true " anyhow.
It has been impossible to obtain pictures of all the ministers who have served the church. Several of them died before photographs or even deguerrotypes were discovered, and the only way like- nesses could be made was by engraving, which was too expen- sive for the clergymen of those days. Those of Mr. Benedict and Mr. Truair were made in that way and the pictures of them in this book were photographed from them.
Neither will it be possible for me to name all who have been of help in furnishing information which has made this History pos- sible; therefore I desire in thi's way to acknowledge with thankful- ness all such assistance rendered on the part of all.
C. R. J.
REV. JOEL TYLER BENEDICT. The Man who Organized the First Denominational Church in Norwich, The First Congregational, June 19, 1814.
HISTORY OF THE
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
NORWICH, N. Y.
( SECOND SERIES)
" Chenango!" exclaimed the Iroquois Chief, as he halted in his across country march, on the thickly wooded and verdure clad bank of the river flowing smoothly and silently at his feet and the loveliness of the scene burst upon his sight. No one knows when this discovery was made, nor the name of the chief who made it; but that word, whose equivalent is our word " beautiful," became the Indian name of the river many years before the whites settled on its fertile braes; and, like many another Indian name, has been taken without change into the American language. It gradually came to be the name of the whole valley and a large part of the adjacent territory, when the white pioneers built their log houses and made their homes here early in the latter half of the eighteenth century.
The Iroquois Confederacy was the first " Trust " in America. It was formed by the federation of five Indian nations, by Hiawatha, whom their tradition calls a "Heavenly visitor," as an ideal protection against their subtle Indian foes. This federation formed the famous " Five Nations" to which another was added a little later, forming the invincible " Six Nations," which dominated the vast territory now including the States of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and a large part of East- ern Canada; and a strip of territory from New York to and into Kentucky. Its people were the most
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First Congregational Church History
intelligent of all the Red Men and they had attained a marked degree of civilization when the whites began to settle in this section. It came very near of union and the form of government adopted by the to a democracy; and it is very significant that the plan United States of America in 1783-89, is almost an exact counterpart of that set up by these savage statesmen many years before the slogan of the Yankees which John Dickinson of Maryland had given them in " The Liberty Bell" in 1768, was used :-
" Then join in hand brave Americans all; By uniting we stand; by dividing we fall."
and this was the very reason for the Iroquois Confeder- ation.
It is also very significant that this great Confed- eracy, to whom all this vast doman was, of course, very familiar, and in which are many beautiful sites, with larger streams and grander mountains, should have selected this locality-almost the very spot in which is the village in which are our homes today, as the ideal one in which to establish its headquarters, build its Council House and " Castle." There must have been some quality inherent in this river and valley which made a lasting impression upon the untutored, yet impressionable minds of these noble warriors. It could have been none other than its quiet beauty, ex- pressed in their euphonious word " Chenango." There may have been other localities used for the same pur- pose, but no records have been found, nor any tradi- tions become known.
Hon. Samuel S. Randall, born in Norwich in 1809 and living to manhood in the village; in many of his writings praises the beauty of river and valley. He relates this incident :- " The venerable President Dwight of Yale had occasion to journey from Utica down the Chenango valley to what is now Binghamton, near the close of the eighteenth century. He enthusi-
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First Congegational Church History
astically compares it with the celebrated "Vale of Cashmere," which lays between Thibet and India, and and is spoken of by all who have seen it as " the beauty- spot of the world." It is described by Tom Moore in the exquisite oriental poem Lalla Rookh.
Oh that some " Tom Moore," or some " Bobbie Burns," with transcendent genius might have followed the sturdy pioneers into this region, to have seen and sung the beauties of our own Chenango; they would then have been as widely known and as fully appre- ciated as " Flow gently Sweet Afton " and " Ye banks and braes o' Bonnie Doon." Sweet Chenango would have been just as famous and sung by king and peasant in as many lands, as those jems of Scottish verse; and I am sure that our beautiful river is as worthy of fame as those small streams in faraway Scotland. I venture to say that this river, whose total length does not much exceed fifty-five miles, forty of which are in the county named from it, is not surpassd in natural beauty by any of the smaller streams of this state.
The Indians evidently thought it unique, for they knew them all; yet to this alone they gave the name " Chenango," and on its banks they established their Council Chamber and " Castle."
Chenango River does not figure much in literature. It was distant from the regular lines of early travel and very few persons besides pioneers, farmers and, later, tradesmen ever visited the small villages on its banks. The only poem in eulogy of its beauty that I have ever seen was by a young lady, a native and a resi- dent of Norwich. It was written when she was about 20 years old and a student in Norwich Academy. It was published in 1855, in " The Literary Independent," a small sheet printed and issued by E. Porter Pellett, Jr., George H. and James E. Spry, for a few months only. It is certainly worthy of restoration at this time. It might well be taught to the children in the Norwich
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First Congregational Church History
schools as a means of teaching them to appreciate the beauties of their home town.
" THE CHENANGO RIVER." BY NOBODY.
Pride of the valley ! Beautiful stream !
Bright in the sunbeams thy blue waters gleam; Softly and lovingly breathing a song A lullaby humming the lilies among.
Whence do thy waters come, where do they flow? How dance thy silver waves crested with snow? When do thy water sprites come from their caves? Lighted by rainbows bright, roofed by the waves.
Gaily the violets jem thy green banks; Softly the wavelets murmur their thanks; And gracefully dipping their low drooping boughs The silvered leafed willows then whisper their VOWS.
Oft, oft by thy waters in days that are gone,
When life was all rosehued, I've wandered with one
Whom God and the angels loved better than I And they wove her a crown beyond the blue sky. (Her mother.)
Changes may creep o'er thee many and stern; Jehovah in anger the world may o'er turn; Yet far in the spirit land God's shelt'ring arm, Twined round his loved ones shields from all harm.
The young lady was Miss Harriet Mitchell Wait, a daughter of John Wait, Esqr., a very well known lawyer of Norwich, whose one story brick office was
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First Congregational Church History
torn down in 1873, by Judge Follett, to make room for the two story office for his own use. It is now owned by Judge Ray.
Miss Wait was a member of this church. Later, she married Rev. N. Reed Evarts, a Baptist clergyman. She died in Little Falls, N. Y., August 15, 1872, aged 34.
The Indians not only thought the river as simply a watercourse was beautiful, but one section of its shores especially appealed to them; that was the section upon which Norwich now stands. The hills east and west do not crowd the valley and the floor of the valley is nearer level than at any other point, making it an ideal site for a small city-such as Norwich is. The Che- nango River on one side and the Canasawacta Creek on the other, afforded an abundance of good water, with plenty of fish and the woods with other game for food.
The two streams had very much more water then than now. Then the forest, the product of unnumbered years of rain, sunshine, snow and wind, was every. where and water was abundant; but the body of water has steadily grown less in proportion to the denuding of the forest, and thus the improvident people are pay- ing the penalty by a shortage of water every summer in the streams.
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