USA > New York > A history of the purchase and settlement of western New York : and of the rise, progress and present state of the Presbyterian Church in that section > Part 35
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Pharsalio, First Congregational Church .- This church was or- ganized Oct. 25th, 1814, by Rev. Oliver Hitchcock of Truxton, and Rev. Abner Benedict of Paris, with ten members, of whom five were males, and five females. It has a house of worship, erected in 1837, which is forty-two feet by thirty-four. It enjoyed the preaching of the gospel one-third part of the time from April, 1837, to July, 1840. It seems never to have been flourishing. At one period it was reduced in numbers to three members. It now num- bers eighteen, of whom seven only are males. Its ecclesiastical connexion is with the Oneida Association.
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Plymouth .- At what period this church was organized is not known to the writer. It was organized a Congregational church, and came into connexion with the Union Association in February, 1814. In this connexion it continued till the dissolution of that As- sociation in 1822. In 1829, it is first noticed on the Statistical Ta- bles of the General Assembly, as connected with the Presbytery of Chenango. 'It then numbered forty-six members, and had for its pastor Rev. Luther Clark, who continued from year to year to be reported as the pastor of the church, until 1834. From that period the name of the church is not on the list. At that period it con- sisted of ninety-six members. The greatest increase in any one year was that which preceded the report for May, 1832. In that year thirty-four members were received on examination, indicating that a visitation of the Holy Spirit had been enjoyed. This church received aid from the A. H. M. Society, in the support of Mr. Clark, during the years 1802, '3, and '4. Also in the support of Rev. David Abel, during 1842 and '43.
South New Berlin .- This church was organized and became connected with the Presbytery of Chenango June 15th, 1833. It consisted at its organization of eighteen members. It is reported in 1833 and 1834, as having a stated supply ; the latter of these years, as composed of thirty-six members. In 1846, it is reported as va- cant. From the report of the American Home Missionary Society it appears that Rev. Sidney Mills received a commission, Sept. 1st, 1832, to labor as a missionary in this place, for one half of his time. His commission was renewed for the next year, and fourteen con- versions were reported as connected with his ministry. Rev. Elias Childs was appointed a missionary to this church, in November, 1835, and his commission was renewed the following year.
Norwich .- At what period the settlement of the town and village of Norwich commenced, the writer is not informed. It must have been at a pretty early period. The early settlers were not many of them religious people. It is, however, stated, that at a pretty early period, Rev. John Camp preached for several years, alter- nately in this place and in Oxford. Mr. Camp is stated to have been a missionary. The writer supposes that this is an error, and the Mr. Camp here alluded to, is the Mr. John Camp of whom men- tion is made in the ninth chapter of this work. No church of the denomination to which this history refers, was organized in this place, until 1814. In that year Rev. Joel T. Benedict, acting un- der a commission from the Missionary Society of Connecticut, visit- ed this place, in conjunction with other missionaries, and the Spirit of the Lord attended their preaching to the conscience and hearts of the hearers. Mr. Benedict, in his report to the Trustees of the Missionary Society, says, " In the shire-town of the County of Che-
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nango called Norwich, for years past the greatest stupidity, and an almost total indifference to divine things prevailed, and the Sabbath was wholly neglected. During the last winter and spring, the Lord remarkably owned the labors of missionaries in that place. I organized a church there in June, consisting of twenty members, and on the Sabbath the audience was large ; nearly four hundred persons attended. It is impossible to describe the alteration that has taken place there within a short time, for the better." From this period till 1827, the author has no information respecting its history. In 1827 the name of the church appears on the minutes of the General Assembly, in the Statistical Table, as connected with the Presbytery of Chenango. At that period it contained sixty-five members, and had a stated supply. The next year it is reported as vacant. In 1830 it appears that Rev. Horace P. Bogue was pastor of this church, and that it had increased to seventy-two members. During the year for which the report of 1832 was made, thirty-nine members were received to the church, on profes- sion of faith, indicating that the Holy Spirit had graciously visited the church. For 1835 and 1836, the church is not reported, but in 1837 it is reported as containing one hundred and twenty-four members, and having for its pastor Rev. John Sessions. In 1843 the church is reported as vacant, Mr. Sessions having been dis- missed from his pastoral charge. In 1846 it is reported as consist- ing of one hundred and thirty members, Rev. Charles P. Jennings being stated supply. On the ninth day of July, 1847, Rev. Daniel Clark, Jun., was, by the Presbytery of Chenango, installed over this church, as their pastor. This church has a commodious house, and has never required the aid of the American Home Missionary Society. In the village there is an Episcopal, a Methodist, and a Baptist house of worship, with organized churches connected with them.
Preston .- This is a Congregational church, organized March 27th, 1822, by a Committee of Union Association, consisting of Rev. Charles Thorp, Rev. Asa Donaldson, and Mr. Asa Bradley, delegate. The original number of members was twenty-eight. Some of them had previously been members of the church of Norwich ; some were from churches in New England ; and some were received on a profession of their faith in Christ. The num- ber of its members at the last account was thirty-nine. It became connected with the Presbytery in 1830 or 1831, but transacts disci- pline in the Congregational manner. Prior to the settlement of the present pastor, it was successively supplied with preaching a part of the time by Rev. Messrs. Charles Thorp, Jeremiah Woodruff, and John Ivison. The present pastor, Rev. Hiram Dyer, com- menced his labors with the congregation in March, 1836, and was installed as pastor, Oct. 19th, of the same year. The church have a
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house of worship 48 feet by 38, with a steeple and gallery, erected in 1835. They have received aid from the American Home Mis- sionary Society for several years till the close of the year 1843. An interesting revival was enjoyed in the spring of 1837, in which twenty-five or thirty hopefully were born again. Perhaps one eighth of the inhabitants of the town attend worship with this church. The First-day Baptists are perhaps two to one of the Congregational Church. There are a few Free-will Baptists, some Methodists, and scores of Universalists.
McDonough .- This church was organized July 28th, 1814, by Rev. John Truair of Sherburne. At its organization it consisted of fourteen members, mostly from Massachusetts, and adopted the Congregational form of government. In February, 1817, it became connected with the Union Association, and continued in that con- nexion till the dissolution of that body. The church adopted the Presbyterian form of government in October, 1826, and united with the Presbytery of Chenango, at the time of the first meeting of that body, after its organization. What ministerial assistance it received previous to its union with the Presbytery, is not known to the writer. Rev. Nahum Gould officiated as stated supply one half of the time, from 1827 to 1831, three years and a half. Rev. John Ivison for half of the time, from 1832 to 1835, two years and a half. Rev. Hiram Dyer for one fourth of the time, from 1836 to 1838, two years and four months. Rev. Charles Bowles for one third of the time, from 1838 to 1841, two years and a half. The number of members in 1846, was thirty-seven. The highest num- ber reported at any time, is forty-six. The church has at several times received aid from the American Home Missionary Society. They have a house of worship, forty-eight feet by thirty-eight, with a steeple and gallery, which was erected in 1838, but is not com- pleted. Within the bounds of the congregation are many members of Baptist churches, both of the close communion and of the free will descriptions ; also a large Society of Methodists.
Smithville .- The name of this church is found in the Statistical Table of the Minutes of the General Assembly for 1828, and seve- ral succeeding years, till 1834. It was connected with the Pres- bytery of Chenango. The greatest number of members reported at any one time is twenty-two. This was in 1829. Rev. Nahum Gould was at that time preaching, as stated supply, for a part of the time. Whether the church has changed its ecclesiastical rela- tions, or become extinct, is not known to the writer.
Oxford .- The settlement of this place commenced, as we have already narrated, about the year 1791, by emigrants, chiefly from
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New England. The early settlers brought with them their regard for the institutions of religion and learning, which characterized the land of their nativity. As evidential of this, it may be men- tioned, that, in 1794, an Academy was incorporated in this place by the regents of the University, and went into operation the same year. The first frame house erected in the village was the Aca- demy edifice, which for several years was occupied on the Sabbath as a place for public worship, and in this building the gospel was first preached by Rev. Uri Tracy, principal of the Academy, and the missionaries who occasionally visited the region. At an early period, Rev. John Camp was employed to preach alternately in this village and at Norwich, and was continued in this employment seven or eight years. It was during his ministry, in the year 1799, that the church was organized on Congregational principles. Soon after the discontinuance of Mr. Camp's labors, the congregation called Rev. Eli Hyde to be their pastor, and, in compliance with the call, he was solemnly inducted into the pastoral office by an ecclesiastical council convened for the purpose, June 23d, 1808. The exercises on this occasion are said to have been exceedingly interesting, and, as no house in the village was competent to hold the assembly in attendance, the installation services were performed in the open air. The church then consisted of about twenty mem- bers. During Mr. Hyde's ministry public worship was attended in the old Academy, which had been fitted up for the purpose. On the first day of September, 1812, the church became connected with the Union Association, and, on the next day, the pastoral relation subsisting between them and Mr. Hyde was dissolved. The relation of the church to the Association was continued till the dissolution of that body.
Up to the period of Mr. Hyde's dismission the whole community had been united in one religious society, and in the support of one minister. Among the evidences of the union and harmony which then existed, is an old subscription written on parchment, having attached to it eighty-one names. This instrument is dated April 25th, 1808, and is about seven feet long, and seven inches wide. After Mr. Hyde's departure, the congregation were much depressed, and a long season of destitution of the stated preaching of the gos- pel succeeded. A valued correspondent observes, "We find her (the church) now worshipping in the old Academy, and now in a private dwelling ; at one time assembling with members of other denominations for prayer in a tavern, and then, for a considerable period, meeting with one accord in the upper chamber of a cabinet shop, where for a season she found rest, and enjoyed a refreshing from the presence of the Lord." The church, though without a minister, regularly maintained public worship on the Sabbath, availing themselves of the best helps which they could obtain. They received occasional assistance from the ministers of the
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Union Association and others. In 1813, Mr. Burt, a licentiate from Connecticut, labored here for a short season. In 1818, Rev. Wil- liam M. Adams preached during six months, dividing his labors between Oxford and Norwich. Rev. John Truair preached also a few times. In 1821, Rev. John F. Schermerhorn and Rev. Charles Thorp assisted the church to some extent, and a more than ordinary seriousness prevailed.
Under these circumstances Rev. Marcus Harrison visited the church, and labored with them for a season. The Lord blessed his labors, and a goodly number, as the result, was added to the church. During the seriousness which prevailed at this period, the upper chamber became too strait to accommodate the people who were disposed to attend the meetings, and it became neces- sary to enlarge it, and in the course of a single week, at an ex- tremely cold season, a room thirty-six feet by twenty-five was finished, arched, plastered, and furnished with seats, and actually occupied the next Sabbath. In the month of March following, the congregation resolved to erect a building for religious worship. This resolution was carried into effect, and on the thirty-first day of July, 1823, the present commodious and beautiful house was dedicated to the service of Almighty God. On the same occa- sion Mr. Joseph D. Wickham, a licentiate of the New Haven West Association, was ordained as an evangelist, and commenced his labors as stated supply to this church, which were continued till the spring of 1825. In the summer of that year, Rev. Elijah D. Welles was called to minister to this church, and, on the twelfth of July, 1826, was installed pastor, by the Presbytery of Chenan- go. During the following summer the church became connected with the Presbytery. Mr. Wells was dismissed in 1828. After his dismission Rev. Joel Chapin supplied the pulpit for a short time. In May, 1830, Rev. James Abell received a call from the congregation to become their pastor, commenced his ministerial labors, and was regularly installed. At this period the church consisted of about ninety members. During Mr. Abell's ministry the Spirit of the Lord was poured out extensively in this region, and the congregation of Oxford shared in the blessings, and about thirty were added to the church on a profession of faith in Christ. In April, 1836, Mr. Abell was dismissed. After the dismission of Mr. Abell, the church was supplied for a short season by Rev. Mr. Gilbert, and after him by Rev. Octavius Fitch. From May, 1838, ill June, 1839. Rev. Mr. Bassett officiated as stated supply. In October, 1839, Rev. Arthur Burtis commenced laboring with this church, and, on the twenty-second day of July, 1840, was, in ac- cordance with the unanimous call of the congregation, installed their pastor, in which relation to them he remained till January, 1846, when the pastoral relation was dissolved. Rev. William M. Richards immediately succeeded as stated supply.
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The church has been greatly diminished by removals. The number of members, Jan. 1st, 1816, was eighty-one. During the long period of destitution which succeeded the dismission of Mr. Hyde, other Societies sprang up, and new churches were organ- ized. The Methodists, Baptists, and Episcopalians, have each organized societies, and houses of worship. In 1835 the Univer- salists organized a society, and built a house of worship. It has been remarked (with how much truth the author cannot say), that Elder Knapp built this church, and that Elder Swan filled it.
Guilford .- Of the date of the organization of this church the author is not informed, nor respecting its early history. It was connected with the Union Association, and represented by a dele- gate in the meeting of the Association at the time of the dissolution of that body. Rev. Asa Donaldson was, by the Association, in- stalled pastor of this church, May 25th, 1819, which relation he sustained till 1831. The name of this church is first found on the Minutes of the General Assembly, in the Statistical Table for 1825. It was then connected with the Presbytery of Otsego, and contained one hundred and twenty-seven members. When the Presbytery of Chenango was organized, it became connected with that Presbytery, in which relation it still continues. In the year 1828 twenty-eight members are reported as added, and in the year 1832, fifty-one, indicating that those were years of revival. But the year for which the report of 1833 is made, is emphatically the year of the visitation of the Holy Spirit. One hundred and four members were received into the church during that year on pro- fession of their faith. Rev. Leverett Hull is reported as stated supply for that year. In 1840, Rev. Solon G. Putnam is reported as pastor, and in 1843 and 1846, Rev. Justus L. Janes. In the last of these years, two hundred and sixty-five members are re- ported as belonging to the church, seventy-five having been added on profession of their faith during the three preceding years.
Bainbridge .- The name of this town was formerly Jericho. It constituted part of a tract of land granted by the Legislature of the State, in 1788, to the sufferers by former grants in the present State of Vermont, to which New York had laid claim. Those who had suffered in this way, as well as by aiding in the defence of the laws of New York, received here a measure of indemnity. The first inhabitants were from the Eastern States, and the commencement of the settlement of an early date. A Congregational church was organized, probably as early as 1797 or 1798. Within a year or two from the period of the organization of the church, Rev. Joel Chapin was, as has been already stated, ordained to the work of the ministry, and at the same time, it is believed, installed pastor of the church. Of what number of members the church, at its organiza-
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tion, was composed, or how long the ministry of Mr. Chapin was continued with them is not known to the writer. 'Of the history of this church he has little information. In February, 1818, it became connected with the Union Association and continued in this con- nexion till the dissolution of that body. In 1829, it is reported as connected with the Presbytery of Chenango, containing forty-eight members. Rev. Ethan Pratt was at that time pastor of the church, and so continued till 1832. In 1833 the church is reported as hav- ing had an accession the preceding year of forty-nine members by examination, and as having a 'stated supply. The next year it is reported as composed of 156 members, and as supplied by Rev. George Spaulding. In 1837, it is reported as vacant ; also in 1840. In 1846, it is reported as consisting of forty-seven members, and as having a stated supply. In February, 1826, Rev. Sayers Gazley ministered to this church under a commission from the American Home Missionary Society. Rev. Calvin Warner is also reported, in 1843, as a missionary of the same Society, in this church. A revival is also reported for that year, with forty hopeful converts.
South Bainbridge .- This church was organized in 1802, by Rev. Daniel Buck. It was composed of members from the church in the north part of the town. and was a Congregational Church in its form of government. In 1819, it became connected with the Union Association. Soon after this period, Rev. W. Ruggles was or- dained, and installed pastor of this church by a committee of the Association. In 1840, it is reported as in connexion with the Presbytery of Chenango. It has now become extinct, leaving a large house of worship unoccupied, except when occasionally used by the Universalists, or on a funeral occasion.
E Bainbridge and Nineveh .- The village of Nineveh is situated in the town of Colesville on the Susquehannah river, at the point where the river is intersected by the line which divides the counties of Chenango and Broome. The church denominated " The Presby- terian Church of Bainbridge and Nineveh," was organized, October 22d, 1831, by a committee of the Presbytery of Chenango. At its organization, it was composed of twelve members, all of them by letter from the church in South Bainbridge. On the next day it received an accession of twenty-three members from the world. It has from its organization to November, 1845, numbered 113 dif- ferent individuals ; but in consequence of removals and deaths, it numbered at that time but fifty-one. It has never, till within about four years, enjoyed constant ministerial labor. From the period of its organization, Rev. Ira Smith preached three or four years from one-half to three-fourths of the time. After Mr. Smith, Rev. Mr. Lombard supplied about a year, for one half of the time. Rev. Mr. Wells succeeded him, for one year, a part of the time. Rev.
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Mr. Spaulding was his successor, and preached two years, half of the time. After him Rev. Josiah Hawes was stated supply one- fourth of the time for two years. Rev. Crispus Wright followed him for six months ; preaching to the church one half of the time. Soon after Mr. Wright discontinued his services, Rev. Willard M. Hoyt was settled as pastor, and has continued his labors the whole of the time, between four and five years to the present time. The church have, with the aid of fifty dollars one year from the Ame- rican Home Missionary Society, towards the support of their pre- sent pastor, been enabled by a vigorous effort on their part to support the ministry of the gospel. Their house of worship is a building which was originally built for a school-house, but after- wards purchased by the Society and fitted up for a house of wor- ship. It will accommodate near 200 hearers, and is often upon the Sabbath well filled.
Within the village and its near vicinity, are several Methodist classes, a part of two Baptist Churches, and an Episcopal Church. The members of the Baptist and Methodist churches are the most , numerous, and are respectively of about the same strength as the Presbyterian Church. Probably not more than one-fourth of the inhabitants can be called regular attendants on any public worship.
Harpersrille .- A church was organized in this place, which is one mile below Nineveh, in July, 1827, by Rev. Seth Burt. It was Congregational, but united with the Presbytery of Chenango, and in the report to the General Assembly for 1828, is reported as consisting of eleven members. It is at one time reported as con- sisting of sixty members, but it never flourished, though for a sea- son it enjoyed the labors of Rev. Ira Smith for a part of the time. After a few years it dwindled away to a very small number, most of whom united with the church in Nineveh, and the church of Harpersville became extinct.
Coventry First Church .- The present town of Coventry began to be settled at an early period, by a few families from New Eng- land. Among them there was not one male professor of religion. But having been brought up amidst the Sabbaths of worshipping New England, they felt that they could not suffer the Sabbath to pass without public worship. Accordingly they agreed to meet on the Sabbath, and selected the man whom they deemed most capa- ble to be the leader. The exercises consisted of singing, prayer, and reading a printed sermon, the man selected for the purpose leading in prayer, though not professedly a Christian. We have in this an interesting illustration of the influence of early training. After a short period they were joined by a pious man, and soon after by one or two more, who took the lead of their publie wor- ship. This was the origin of the congregation, now known as the
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First Church of Coventry. The families attending these meetings were distant from three to five miles from each other. After this manner the meetings were conducted for several years, when an old minister by the name of Camp visited them, and preached for a season. The writer supposes that this was the Mr. Camp of whom mention has been made before. After Mr. Camp, a man from England, styling himself a Presbyterian or Congregational minister, came and preached a year or two, and left the place. The church was organized in 1807, with fourteen members, by Rev. David Harrowar. A revival of religion was enjoyed in 1808, which added twenty-four members to the church. Some time this year Rev. Joseph Wood commenced laboring with this congrega- tion, and continued two or three years. In 1810 or the following year a house of worship was built. Some time previous to 1812 the church became connected with the Northern Associated Pres- bytery. In July, 1812, Rev. Charles Thorp was ordained and installed pastor of the church, and in the following year a measure of divine influence was felt, which added seven members to the church. In February, 1815, the pastor and church connected with the Union Association, as more convenient in their location than the Northern Associated Presbytery. In 1816 and '17, a revival, which added to the church twenty-eight members, and another in 1819, which added forty-nine members, were enjoyed. These were times of refreshing to the flock. In 1823, the pastoral rela- tion of Mr. Thorp to the church was dissolved. The church at this time numbered one hundred and sixteen members. In May, 1825, Rev. Ambrose Eggleston commenced preaching in the con- gregation, and, as the writer believes, was soon after installed pas- tor of the church. His connexion with it continued till 1830 or '31. During the year of the commencement of Mr. Eggleston's ministry with this church, twenty-seven of its members were dis- missed to form a separate church. In June, 1827, the church was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Chenango, in which re- lation it still continues. In 1830, Rev. Nahum Gould officiated as stated supply a part of the year, and in 1831 Rev. Oliver Hill supplied a part of the year. In 1832, Rev. Octavius Pitch com- menced laboring in the congregation. His ministry was attended with a blessing ; the Spirit was poured out upon the congregation, and, in the result, seventy-eight were added to the church in the course of the year. From some time in 1833 to some time in 1835, Rev. Daniel B. Butts performed the duties of stated supply, and in 1835 and '36, Rev. Elijah Whitney labored one year, aided by the American Home Missionary Society, to the amount of one hundred dollars. From May, 1837, to 1841, Rev. S. A. McEwen labored as stated supply. The present pastor, Rev. Crispus Wright, com- . menced preaching in this congregation in Nov. 1841, and in June following was ordained and installed pastor of the church. During
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