USA > New York > Warren County > Queensbury > A history of the town of Queensbury, in the state of New York : with biographical sketches of many of its distinguished men, and some account of the aborigines of northern New York > Part 21
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"On the 11th of August, 1832, according to appointment, thirty brethren and sisters met at the Red school house,2 in the west part of the village. Chose Elder J. C. Holt, moderator, and Moses Soper, clerk. They then passed the following resolu- tion :
" Resolved, That we will meet with the professors of religion of the Baptist Order in the village of Glen's Falls and vicinity for religious conference, and the prosperity of Zion; and that we assume the name of The Glen's Falls Baptist Conference." By the same document we learn the date of the full church organization as recorded in the following language, viz :
" On Thursday, March 11, 1834, by request of the conference,
1 This abstract was kindly furnished by Col. Hiram K. Colvin, at that time clerk, to whose memory, as a passing tribute of regard for a highly valued friend, now gone to his reward, the author would say, that he was a genial, kind hearted, stead- fast and reliable man, exemplary in his life and conduct, and whose public spirit and enterprise were so marked that the entire community, at his decease, deplored his loss as one not readily to be replaced.
2 The Old Red School House stood nearly upon the site of the present brick school house in District No. 20, at the junction of West and South streets. Tra- dition hands us down a story of Presbyterian opposition to this meeting, by which the door was found locked, and the windows fastened, when the hour for meeting had arrived. One of the sturdy brethren met the unexpected obstacle by taking an axe and knocking the door from its fastenings.
199
THE CHURCHES.
the following churches, represented by delegates, met to or- ganize a Baptist church at the village, namely, Moreau, Green- field, Luzerne, Queensbury, Kingsbury, Hartford, Fort Edward, Milton, and Burnt Hills. The council organized by appointing Elder John Harris moderator, and Elder Norman Fox for clerk. A committee of seven was appointed to draft articles of faith, and a covenant to be adopted by said church; viz. Brethren Harris, Skinner, Baldwin, Grant, Fox, Holt and Billings. As soon as the committee made their report, it was accepted and adopted unanimously. A motion was then made that the right hand of fellowship be given to said church. Elder Harris, of Burnt Hills, preached the sermon; Elder H. C. Skinner, of Greenfield, extended the hand of fellowship in behalf of said council; and Elder Henry F. Baldwin, of Hartford, addressed them as a church."
During the first five years, this little flock had no regular pastor. In 1837-8, the elders of the association, were detailed in order successively to visit and preach to this congregation once in every month as a gratuity. From the year 1834 to 1840 only 10 had been added by baptism to the church and in the last named year a membership of 53 was reported, the same aggregate with which they started. But better times were at hand. The season of their extremity became God's opportunity, and he sent them, as a co worker in this portion of his vineyard, Elder Amos R. Wells, who by his industry, devotion, and self- sacrificing efforts, commenced building the sure foundations of this New Zion, upon which so fair and goodly a superstructure has since been added. He united with the church by letter on the 1st of May, 1839, and became its first pastor. He found less than forty members in its communion, and, in the words of the last report made to the association, "they were a feeble band, under discouraging circumstances, sometimes almost ready to give up their vitality, but at other times more encour-
aged. The disappointment endured in not having more than half the preaching promised the last year, was very great, but the coming of one half of the pastors, was as cold water to a thirsty soul." In this forlorn condition Elder Wells took charge of them, made their case his own, and labored in faith and hope for about seven years, inspiring them by his zeal and self deny- ing endeavors, to build a house of worship. This building was commenced in the spring of 1840, and was completed, and finally
200
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
dedicated on the 30th of March, 1842; Elder Joseph Fletcher of Saratoga Springs preaching the sermon of dedication.1 A series of meetings followed, in which the pastor was assisted by Elder James Delany, then of Kingsbury, and through whose instrumentality many were added to the church.
Elder Wells steadily continued his ministry until the fall of 1845, when for a few months his place was occupied by Elder Asa Bronson.2 In 1846 Elder Walls resumed his labors here for another year, when he finally terminated his pastorate, whose duties had been so long, faithfully, and laboriously discharged by him.3 During his ministry, from 1839 to 1846, the church received about 120 to her membership, of whom Elder Wells baptized about 50, and lost 55 in various ways. He found 38, and left a membership of 107. His salary was inadequate 4 to
1 It was the same building now occupied by the Baptists on Maple, facing Church street. It has since, been greatly improved, and somewhat enlarged. The material is of brick, with a full sized basement 40 by 60 feet, having a bap- tistry, bell-tower and bell, the original cost of all which, was probably not less than $5000. It has been asserted that its cost equalled the actual capital of all the membership at the time it was built. The burden of this was lightened in great degree by the liberal contributions of friends from abroad, who generously responded to the appeals of Elder Wells, and his struggling parish. The amount of these benefactions can not now be accurately stated, but, in the year 1841, alone, about $420 was contributed by eight of the sister churches embraced in the asso- ciation.
2 He had been a very useful minister at Fall River, Mass., for many years, and had also served the First Baptist church of Albany, the previous year. An able preacher and exemplary man, he spent about two months as pastor of the two churches at Glen's Falls and Sandy Hill, but being recalled, he returned to the field of his former successful labors in May, 1846.
" In 1847 he supplied the Baptist church at North Hebron, N. Y. In 1850-1 he filled the pulpit of the first Fort Ann church, where he performed his last ministe- rial labors. This church bore the following testimony to his merit, in a letter to the association in 1852. " Our former pastor, Elder A. R. Wells, closed his labors in the spring of 1851, and was soon called to his rest and reward. So long as he remained among us, he continued to be esteemed and beloved by his brethren, and by all lovers of good men. for his firm adherence to the doctrines of the gospel, his amiable and Christian spirit, and his exemplary and godly life."
4 There are few who realize how much the Baptist cause in Glen's Falls is in- debted to the patient toil and unselfish sacrifices of Elder Amos R. Wells, and his faithful wife. Their remains rest in the village cemetery, the spot being marked by a neat monument of marble upon which is engraved the following inscription, viz :
REV. AMOS R. WELLS, Born Nov. 19, 1794, Died June 10, 1851.
SARAH WHITEHEAD,
Wife of Amos R. Wells, born April 25, 1800, Died Nov. 27, 1864.
201
THE CHURCHES.
the support of his family. His wearisome labors, and persistent industry, deserved a better recompense than he received. But the days of his zeal and devotion are not yet forgotten, and the impress of his labors still rest upon the church as a seal of his effective ministry.
In the autumn of 1846, Elder William W. Moore of Lansing- burgh, N. Y., was called to the pastorate, dividing his time be- tween this church, and the one at Sandy Hill, in order to obtain an adequate support, for the space of two years. His gifts as a preacher were of a superior order. A revival of great interest ensued the following winter, as the result of which 95 members were added to the church, 64 of whom were newly baptized converts. He dissolved his connection with this church in the fall of 1848, continuing his pastorate over the Sandy Hill society another year.1 During his ministry here the church attained a membership of 170.
With such a field of labor, and so large a congregation it is not surprising, that the people should feel that the exclusive services of a pastor were needed.
Late in the summer of 1849, Horace G. Mason,2 a native of Granville, N. Y., was called to officiate. In September follow- ing he was ordained, and immediately entered upon the active duties of his charge. His ministry was attended with gratifying results, by the addition of considerable numerical strength, and material resources to the church. Although but a youth, he served with great acceptance, and among other solid works done, was the clearing up of a mortgage on the church, which had weighed down and paralyzed its energies from its infancy. During his brief pastorate about 100 members were added to the church, and upwards of $200 contributed towards various objects of Christian benevolence, besides quite an amount spent in refitting and repairing their place of worship. His health failing, his resignation was tendered and accepted in the summer of 1852.
He was succeeded by Elder A. G. Bowles, who held the charge for about one and a half years, at first giving good satisfaction, but toward the close of his engagement serious
1 He then removed to Albany and assumed the charge of the State street church.
2 He was of a ministerial family, having two brothers already in the sacred office, namely, Elders J. O. Mason, D.D., of Granville, N. Y., and J. T. Mason, of Sterling; Ill.
26
202
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
accusations were preferred against him, which became the sub- ject of a public trial by a council of the clergy, greatly to the scandal of the church, and resulting in his dismissal.1
A few months later Elder Charles Ferguson was engaged, a man whose signal piety and devotion, have left the impress of his labors upon the church to the present day. He was a man to whose large experience, and faculties, matured in former fields of labor, was added such a depth of piety, and active con- secration to his work, that his ministry was abundantly blessed. Thirty were added to the church during each of the first two years of his service, and the third year over one hundred were added, nearly eighty of whom were new converts; the largest gain this church has ever experienced in any one year. An attack of pulmonary hemorrhage in the spring of 1858, the re- sult, probably, of excessive and exhaustive pulpit labors, forced him to a resignation of his charge. Greatly to the credit of the church, his salary was maintained and paid up to the time of his decease, which occurred in February, 1859.2 During his ministry of four years, 170 were added, raising the membership to 284, exclusive of all the losses of those years, in which nearly eighty were dismissed to other churches, and twenty died.
In the interim, occurring before a successor to Elder Ferguson was chosen, Elder A. D. Milne, who established The Messenger, printed here, and who was engaged also in the publication of a Baptist periodical, filled the desk and ministered to the wants of the church.
In August, 1858, Elder Daniel T. Hill, from Carmel, Putnam county, N. Y., was engaged, and filled the pastorate for one year. After dissolving his connection with this church, he be-
1 He afterwards served several churches in western New York, and died at Hor- nelsville, 11th October, 1869, aged 50 years.
2 During the year 1855-6, he preached on the south side side of the river Sun- day afternoons, and baptized 24 into that church. His widow, at her removal, re- ceived a parting gift of $200 from the church. The following record was entered on the minutes of the association, in June, 1859. " Elder Charles Ferguson, late pastor of the church at Glen's Falls, will not soon be forgotten among you. His life and ministry were characterized by great zeal for the conversion of sinners, and his labors in various places for years, ' in season and out of season,' by night and by day were owned of God. Though called away in the meridian of his life, it was not short, because it answered life's great end. Death did not take our brother by surprise, the Saviour was with him in all his afflictions, and did not forsake him in the final conflict. We commend his mourning widow and father- less children to your sympathies and prayers, and the life and zeal of our brother to your imitation, as he followed Christ."
203
THE CHURCHES.
came zealously interested in the church across the river where, chiefly through his efforts, a house of worship was built in 1860 or 61.1
From the fall of 1859 to'60, the pastorate was filled by Elder L. H. Purington, of Rensselaerville, who resigned, and removed on account of ill health.
He was followed in October of the latter year by D. C. Hughes, who was ordained the following month, and who served the church for two and a half years during the turbulent and exciting period of the war, with great acceptance, dividing his labors with the church at Sandy Hill.2
Elder C. A. Skinner, the next in order, filled the pulpit for one year from September, 1863, gathering into the church about 45, of which number he baptized 27. He afterwards removed to Massachusetts.
On the first of October, 1864, Elder James M. Ferriss was called to the pastorate from Preston Hollow, Albany co., N. Y. During the four years of his ministry here, the church enjoyed two seasons of revivals, in which he baptized over 70, and added 36 by letter, increasing the membership to 284. In the spring of 1866, the church edifice was renovated and repaired, the number of sittings increased, and the building furnished with carpets, cushions and gas fixtures. On the first week in June, 1866, the association held its thirty-second anniversary here.
Elder Ferriss resigned in October, 1868.3 In November, fol- lowing, Elder Charles H. Nash was engaged as the supply for the winter, and in the spring he was settled as pastor.4 Since that time, about $1,400 has been raised to extinguish a debt on the church. His pulpit ministrations and pastoral labors have thus far proved eminently satisfactory, and his quiet industry, great
1 A large debt was left on this South Glen's Falls church, which was afterwards cleared off by the self denying efforts and unsparing industry of Elder Stephen Wright. His labors in this connection covered a period of about one and a half years, from October, 1865, to April, 1867.
2 Elder Hughes, after serving the churches at Sandy Hill and Fort Edward for a few months, accepted a call to Oswego, N. Y., and is now located at the city of Newark, N. J.
$ He removed to Hartford, Washington county, N. Y., where, during the follow- ing winter, a wonderful revival was enjoyed by which 143 were added to the church by baptism. Elder Ferriss removed in May, 1870, to Marion, Wayne co., N. Y.
4 He had served the Baptist church at Westport, Essex co., for four years and a half with great acceptance, having been ordained there in January, 1865.
204
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
purity of character and devotion to his calling, have won the warm regard of all who know him.
The following brethren have acted as deacons, viz : Henry Moses, - Squires, Asa Velie, Daniel Numan, - Palmer, A. L. McOmber, W. A. Faxon, Wm. Henry Moses, Freeman Mason, and Zina Cowles.
The following have served as clerks of the church, Peter Peck, 1834; A. W. Phillips, 1838; H. Green, 1844; Jas. Trumbull jr., 1846; John Skym, 1848; Hiram K. Colvin, 1853; P. H. Corey, 1860; Joseph Safford, 1862 ; D. H. Cowles, 1863 ; C. H. Faxon, 1864; J. H. Allen, 1866; C. B. Ide, 1867; Merritt Ames, 1868.1
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In the absence of written records, it cannot be determined with precision at this late day, when the first services of this religious body, were held in this town.
A few families, with predilections for this faith, had migrated and settled here soon after the Revolutionary war. These were mostly, from the town of New Fairfield and neighboring settle- ments along the western borders of the state of Connecticut. To this small number, were added from time to time, fresh ac- cessions from the same source.
Traditions are yet handed down to us of the earlier matrons of our village who accompanied their husbands on horseback, or riding on pillions behind them, forded the swift current at the Sand beach ; or in other instances walking the perilously narrow path of string pieces which spanned the seething waters of the Gulf, 2 to attend the occasional ministrations
1 The author begs to acknowledge his indebtedness to Elder Stephen Wright for his compilation and arrangement of the material from which this sketch has been condensed, and of which in many instances the exact language has been used.
2 In the Warren Messenger, of February 5th, 12th, and 19th, 1831, there were published a series of articles entitled Recollections, over the signature of Har- low. From these are extracted the following quotations :
" The Presbyterian Church was framed in 1805-6. The Rev Mr. Boardman its
first ordained minister." * * * * " String pieces for crossing the Hudson at our village, were constructed in 1786, which extended from the island to either shore. These endured about three years, when the present bridge, and
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GLENS FALLS. Erected 1867.
205
THE CHURCHES.
and services of their Congregational neighbors at the Union Church near Reynolds' corners in Moreau, which was erected about the year 1800. Of this handful there were not wanting a few who, in exercise of their devotion, carefully carried their stockings and shoes in hand by the way, until near the place of worship, when some mossy bank, or wayside log answered the convenience required for their rustic toilet. At a still earlier date occasional opportunities were afforded for participating in the services of the Congregational society at the River church, in Moreau, by crossing the ferry at the Black-House. 1 This church was erected in the year 1796, and the Rev. Lebbeus Arm- strong was installed as pastor over it in the year 1803.
The Corners,1 as our village was then often called, was but a small hamlet, without post office, or church building, whose scattered dwellings, mostly built of logs, and bordered by " the forest primeval," gave but little indication or promise of the pre- sent growth and activity of the place.
Doubtless, occasional services by traveling or itinerant preachers, were held in the neighborhood, as the following re- ceipt from the papers of the late Hermon Peck, Esq., would seem to show. This paper bears date 24th February, 1806, is signed by Abial Russell, and acknowledges the payment from Mr. Reuben Peck,2 to him of fourteen shillings and six pence for schooling his child one quarter, and twenty-four shillings for supplying with preaching one quarter. These services were held in the school house, which then occupied the site of the writer's residence on Elm street.3
toll-house were built." * * * " The mole at the Sand beach with the mills it supported, was carried away in a freshet, and few traces of its original situation can at this time be discovered."
1 An inn of considerable note in the early history of Washington county. The building is still standing by the side of the old turnpike from Whitehall to Troy, about three miles below the village of Fort Edward.
2 In 1803, Mr. Reuben Peck was one chosen by several subscribers to this object, to employ two teachers to keep a select school. One of these, a gentleman. by the name of Randall, then fresh from Yale College, was engaged to teach the lan- guages, and higher mathematics, while John Hitchcock, a son of Dr. Zina Hitch- cock, of Kingsbury, was employed for the ordinary English branches. The school- house referred to above, was a framed building of one story, and having a fire place at each end. This was divided into two rooms, with a door between. It was fre- quently used as a place for holding religious meetings ; where Jehiel Fox, and other traveling ministers often preached, and held services ; the minister standing in the middle doorway, within view and hearing of the audience seated on either hand .- Relation of Mrs. Elmore Platt, March, 1871.
3 The author has testimony from those who are still living, that Mr. Russell was a Presbyterian minister.
206
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
The first effort, of which we have any authentic account, in the direction of building a church edifice within the present limits of the corporation of Glen's Falls, was made in the year 1803, when a movement was projected for the construction of a Union church, somewhere in the vicinity of the Four Corners, which should be free to all, and the exclusive property of no one reli- gious denomination. In furtherance of this object a subscription paper, of which the following is a copy, was drawn up, on the fourth of March, of the year above named, to which subscriptions varying in amount from one, to two hundred and fifty dollars, and reaching an aggregate of over thirteen hundred dollars, were obtained in the course of the three following months. This subscription seems to have been turned over to Mr. Parsons Ranger, who had the contract for building.1
Copy of the Subscription Paper.
" We the subscribers, whose names are hereunto annexed, do promise to pay to a committee to be chosen by a majority of the subscribers, such sums as shall be annexed to our respective names for the purpose of erecting a house of public worship in the town of Queensbury, county of Washington, somewhere near the Four Corners. And further, it is hereby agreed and understood, that when a committee shall be chosen by the ma- jority of the subscribers, that then the committee are hereby authorized to call on each subscriber for the sums which shall be subscribed, and make such use of it, as a majority of the committee shall think proper, for the purpose aforesaid men- tioned, that of building a house of public worship. And also the committee shall be hereby authorized to erect the aforesaid building on such a spot of ground as they shall think proper, somewhere near the Four Corners, aforesaid mentioned, and it is further agreed by the subscribers that the committee to be chosen shall be agreed on, the first day of June next.
Queensbury, March 4th, 1803."
Warren Ferriss,. $250.00 De Hart & Huyck, $100.00
John A. Ferriss,
100.00 Henry Spencer,. 20.00
Parsons Ranger,
50.00 Elias Joiner, 5.00
Peter Peck,
75 00 Alfred Ferriss, 10.00
John Mallerey, .
40.00
John Higson, 10.00
1 This is inferred from the possession of the subscription paper by the Ranger family, who have kindly allowed me the use of it for this publication.
207
THE CHURCHES.
David Sanford,
$25.00 William Freeman, ... $5.00
William Robards,
25.00 Jonathan Freeman, .. 2.00
Ahijah Jones,
5.00
Thomas Hays, 5.00
John McGill, ..
25.00
Thomas Curtis, 5.00
John Gorham,
5.00
Charles Baker, 5.00
Elnathan Sanford,
12.00
Doty Collamer, 2.00
James Higson,
15.00
Aaron Priest jr.,
1.00
Charles Lewis,
10.00
Reuben Caswell,
2.00
Daniel W. Wing,
10.00
Salmon Snow,
2.00
John McGill jr.,
30.00
David Smith, 1.00
Benjamin Miller,
10.00
Francis Fritz, 1.00
Chester Church,
50.00
Isaac Smith, 1.00
Samuel Milliken,
5.00
John Mallery jr., 2.00
Adam Larkin,
2.00
Harvey Baxter,.
1.00
Stephen Gorham,
15 00
Uzziel Stevens, .. 5.00
Eliphalet Gilbert,
10.00
Jonathan Hammond,
1.00
Abraham Hendryx,
5.00
Stephen Jenkins,
2.00
Bogardus Parsons.
5.00
Jacob Welch,
1.00
Jonathan Pitcher jr.,
5.00
Peter Shader,
2.00
Amasa Millard,
10.00
Asa Ripley and Frederic
Jonathan Lord,
5.00
Hubbell, 2.00
James Smith,
5.00
Carr Jenkins,
2.00
Thomas Coates,
5.00
John Ripley,
1.00
Elijah Williams,
5.00
Seba Snow, .
2.00
Eben Noble,
5.00
Roger Downey, 1.00
William Wing,
8.00
John McGill, 2.00
Benjamin Maxel,
5.00
Henry Shader, 1.50
Gideon Church,.
5.00
Samuel Law,
3.00
Nehemiah Wing,
10.00
Hermon Hoffman,
10.00
Nathan Hays, 3.00
Josiah Burnham,. 6.00
Lawrence I. Van Kleeck, .. 8.00
John Pierce, .. 6.00
David Burnham, ..
6.00
Lyman Derby, 2.00
Jonathan Sewell, 3.00
Silas March, 2.00
Jirah Skinner,
2.00
David Ogden,
12.00
Arzel Peirsons 2 galls. rum,
2.00
Anson Comstock,.
10.00 Richard Wing,
1.00
5.00 James P. Robertson,.
2.00
Morris Ferriss,
Micajah Pettit, $150, " and
Daniel Fellows, 2.00
John Derby, 1.00
150.00 Joseph Clark, 1.00
as much more as any man will give,".
Subscriptions made subsequent to June, 1806.
John Van Duzen jun., 5.00
Obadiah Ogden,
12.00
John Van Duzen. 5.00
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY.
Israel P. Baldwin, .........
$2.00 Robert Lewis,
$1.00
Daniel Peck 101bs. nails, ...
1.45 Justus Smith,
2.00
Adam Rhodes,
1.00
Benjamin Wing jr.,. 5.00
John Chad wick,
1.00
Felix Alden,
1.00
Total $1,322.95
Probably not over twelve hundred dollars of the above sum was collected, for, on one of the subscription papers quite an array of names are marked with the significant direction " to be sued."
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