USA > New York > Chautauqua County > Fredonia > Centennial history of the Fredonia Baptist Church, Fredonia, New York, organized October 20, 1808 > Part 3
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"It is my duty in this brief record to men- tion one event in the history of the church, that we would all perhaps be willing to forget.
About the year 1831, the church became di- vided, making two separate churches. I will not now give the causes which made this un- happy separation, suffice it to say, that many good honest Christian people went with each branch, and after nearly three years of separa- tion came together; forgetting their past dif-
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Purta
REV. DAVID BERNARD
ferences; and forgiving all supposed griev- ances; and on the fourth day of February 1834 the two branches were united.
A quite similar experience was that of the Fredonia church. After the storm - sun- shine. The years immediately following the unfortunate dissension of 1829-33, were un- usually favored with revivals and large addi- tions. The record of baptisms is - 1834 - 56; 1836 - 5; 1837 - 93, 1838 - 54, or 208 in all bringing the total membership in 1838 up to 246.
DAVID BERNARD
David Bernard, born in Utica, Oneida Co., N. Y., Dec. 26, 1878. Read law with Hon. Felix Grundy, in Nashville, Tenn., 1819-1820. Baptised in 1821, in Utica and joined the Broad Street Church, Rev. E. P. Willey, pastor. 1822 and 1823 in Columbia College, Washington, D. C. Licensed to preach by Broad Street Church, Utica, April, 1822. Ordained by a large council at Still- water, N. Y., June 1, 1822. Pastor of that church, one year; Covington two years; War- saw two and one-half years; thence to Chau- tauqua, Fredonia, Jamestown and Busti, N. Y. From there to the Sixteenth Baptist Church, New York City. From New York City to Bedford, N. Y .; to Norristown, Penna .; to Penfield, N. Y., to Elyria,
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Ohio; to Akron, Ohio, and to Chautau- qua, N. Y.
In Chautauqua County, Rev. David Bernard was pastor of the Fredonia Church in 1830; of Laona Church in 1831, and on the organiza- tion of the Baptist Church in Jamestown in 1832. In the History of the Busti Baptist Church (1878) by Rev. A. W. Bush: - " Rev. David Bernard became pastor of the church in August, 1832, preaching here every fourth Sunday. His ministry was blessed. Several were converted and eighteen baptised. Twenty years afterward, he was pastor here again. * May 1, 1852 Elder David Bernard was engaged as pastor. He re- mained nearly four years. He was a power- ful preacher. In the Spring of 1853, there began a precious revival. Over thirty were baptised into the church in 1853 and 1854. Among them were James Sunderland, now pastor of the First Baptist Church, Ottumwa, Iowa, who was baptised March 27, 1853, and A. S. Bush, baptised the same day, licensed to preach, by his church, September 20, 1855, and. now pastor at Arcade, N. Y.
Rev. Bernard was engaged in Bible agency for 12 years, and assisted in revising some of the books of the Bible. He baptised hun- dreds of converts and was instrumental in bringing thousands to Christ. Died July 1,
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1876 at Troy, N. Y., and was buried there in beautiful Oakwood Cemetery.
He married Harriet Billings of Saratoga, N. Y. born February 26, 1807. She died January 8, 1890, at Busti, N. Y., and was buried in Troy, N. Y.
There were seven children: Of which Augus- tus Newton, David Billings, Charles Brock- way, Franklin Livingston, and Mary Eliza- beth, wife of Dr. Henry Hall of Jamestown, N. Y., are not living. Harriet A. Bernard Coburn, wife of Dr. Edward S. Coburn, now of Troy, N. Y. Emma Sherwood Bernard, is a resident of New Haven, Conn.
Mrs. Harriet Billings Bernard was a woman of rare personal and social gifts. Mr. and Mrs. Bernard are pleasantly remembered by many friends in Chautauqua county.
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ORGANIZATION OF DUNKIRK BAPTIST CHURCH
(Taken from a historical sermon, preached in Dunkirk by Rev. C. B. Parsons)
T HE organization of the Baptist Church in Dunkirk was accomplished in the following manner :- There were mem- bers of the Baptist Church in Fredonia, living in Dunkirk, who, feeling that they were de- prived, at times, of religious privileges, thought it their duty to organize themselves into a church, if thought advisable by the church, at Fredonia. They, therefore, laid their request before that body; permission was granted and a council was called to sit in the village of Dunkirk, on the 17th of March, 1830. This council, as appears from its records, was composed of fifteen delegates from Baptist churches in Fredonia, Mayville and Ripley. The ministers comprising it were: - Jairus Handy and his father, Joy Handy, Elisha Tucker, Washington Wind- sor, and Jonathan Haskell. These were re- markable men; pioneer ministers in this county ; of such sterling piety, self-forgetting zeal for Christ's cause, and notable intellectual vigor, that before their labor ceased in this region, it was understood that the Baptist Church in Chautauqua County was decidedly in the advance of all other Christian denomi- nations.
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For some reason, after hearing the wishes of the brethren and sisters at Dunkirk, and examining the articles of faith which they had adopted, the council adjourned till May 5, 1830, when the little band was recognized as the First Baptist Church of Dunkirk. The names of the persons thus united, were: -
From Fredonia: - Benjamin F. Robbins, James Hale, Moseley W. Abell, Abel Brown, John Bond, James Barnaby, Daniel Bowen, Levi Parson, Cordelia Teft, Uarian Robbins, Nancy Church, Lavina Gates, Celinda Teft, Ninett Bond, Elizabeth Fink, Eunice Ray- mond, Susan Barnaby, Lucy Bowen, Lucy Parsons, Abigail Woodcock.
From Coventry and Green: - Betsy Farns- worth.
From Nelson: - Henry W. Ayers.
In all, there were twenty-two members of the church, organized at this time, and twenty of them were from the Fredonia Church.
JIRAH D. COLE
Jirah D. Cole, D. D., who for six years was corresponding secretary of the State Mission- ary Convention, was born in Catskill, N. Y. January 4, 1802. His own account of his con- version (February 25, 1821) says: "On the following Lord's Day, March 4th, my father and I and five others were baptised. In about sixteen months I was licensed to preach, and in
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August, 1822, was received at the seminary in Hamilton."
While in the seminary he was active in form- ing a missionary society, the third one of the kind in the United States. He graduated in 1826, and was ordained at Ogden, N. Y., Sep- tember 12, 1827. He served as pastor or sup- ply of the following churches in New York: Greenville, Ogden, Fredonia, Second Roches- ter, Parma, Fabius, Ithaca, Whitesborough, and Nunda.
During the last two pastorates he served the Missionary Convention as corresponding sec- retary, from 1844 to 1850. This service was given at a time when the Convention was pass- ing an important crisis. Such men as Elon Galusha and John Peck had retired from their positions in its counsels; the reaction from the great revival of 1843 was being seriously felt, and the relations with the Home Mission Soci- ety were broken up. It was providential that such a man as Dr. Cole was willing to take this important position, which he filled with credit to himself and greatly to the efficiency of the work.
In 1850 he accepted the appointment of the Missionary Union as general agent for the Northwestern District with headquarters at Chicago. In this service he continued seven and one half years.
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In 1860 he again entered the pastorate, serv- ing the churches at Barry, Ill., Valparaiso, Ind., Galva, Cordova, Atlanta, Lockport, Rosette, and Neponsett, Ill. This was his last pastorate. In 1882 he retired from active service in the ministry, and in February, 1883, in the city of Chicago, passed quietly to his eternal rest.
Doctor Cole was a man of great physical endurance, possessed a clear mind, and was an indefatigable worker. He rendered impor- tant service with his pen, not only as secretary, but as author and compiler of several works; and was a frequent contributor to denomina- tional periodicals. Few men in his day per- formed more valuable service or left a better record.
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1840-1849
ROM 1839 to Feb. 12, 1848, the church was divided, one part meeting in the meeting house and the other in the Academy on the opposite side of the street. Pastors in one division were, 1840-1845 Rev. John F. Bishop; 1846-1847 Rev. B. C. Wil- loughby and Rev. S. P. Way.
The pastors in the division meeting in the Academy were Rev. J. L. Richmond, Rev. A. C. Barrell, Rev. Alfred Handy and Rev. Ebenezer Loomis.
Mr. Madison in his history (1871) says:
" The usual alterations occurred in each of the two bodies claiming to be the first Baptist church in Pomfret, but as I have not had access to the records, I cannot give the statistics."
L. B. Grant was clerk of one division and David Barrell clerk of the other. The basis for a settlement was written by Rev. S. P.Way and concurred in by a conference of ministers.
The basis was submitted to each body Feb. 12th, the day of covenant meeting. Each separately adopted it, and then adjourned to meet in the church Feb. 14, 1848, when on motion of Dea. J. R. Parker it was mutually adopted.
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Ebenezer Webster, John Hamilton, Sen. and Joel R. Parker were elected deacons of the church as now united.
A little later Almond Z. Madison was elected clerk and treasurer. The first cove- nant meeting occurred on Saturday, March 4th, when four recent converts were received for baptism and membership. These were baptised by Rev. B. C. Willoughby March 5. Rev. A. C. Barrell preached the same afternoon, and the two ministers joined in the administration of the Lord's Supper.
May 13, 1849, Rev. Salem T. Griswold be- came pastor, remaining until August 9, 1850.
Meetings of the Association, 1840 - Sin- clairville; 1841 - Stockton; 1842 - Forest- ville; 1843- Clear Creek; 1844 - Ellery Centre; 1845 - Silver Creek; 1846 - Sheri- dan; 1847 - Fredonia; 1848-1849-Stockton.
At a meeting at Forestville, 1842, the church was represented by Rev. J. L. Rich- mond, pastor and as delegates by A. D. Berry, D. Sweet, A. Taylor, J. E. Norcross, J. Moore, J. Hamilton; number of members, 90.
At the meeting at Silver Creek ( Angel Set- tlement) in 1845 the church was represented by Rev. John F. Bishop as pastor, and as dele- gates, Dea. John Miller, B. Willoughby, John Forbes, David Saxton, Lewis B. Grant; number of members 232.
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On June 21, 1829 a part of the 1st Pom- fret church was set off by a council and the 2nd Baptist church in Pomfret was organized at Laona.
May 1st, 1830 another part was set off by a council and the Baptist Church in Dunkirk was organized. 1
This dismissal of members to other Baptist churches in adjoining towns as well as per- haps other causes, resulted in reducing the membership from 346 in 1838 to 210 in 1849.
BLISS C. WILLOUGHBY
Rev. B. C. Willoughby passed away July 28, 1906 at the advanced age of ninety-nine years, six months and five days. His usual vigor of both body and mind continued until within a few years of the time of his decease. He was known as a man of energy, persis- tence and courage, characterized by strong convictions, will power and enthusiasm. His life, in a measure, both spiritually and tempo- rally, was a success.
At 24 years of age he accepted Christ as his redeemer and master, and at once entered upon his service. After much fasting and prayer, he felt assured that it was the Lord's will that he should engage in the work of the ministry, though conscious of unworthi- ness and sensible of unfitness.
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He planned for special preparations at Hamilton, but his purposes were providenti- ally prevented from materializing, and his special culture limited to a few months under the instruction of Rev. William Arthur, father of ex-President Arthur, and a short time at Wyoming Academy.
On returning to his home at Rutledge, Cat- taraugus Co., and having received a license to preach from the Wyoming Baptist church, he began without delay to preach as he had op- portunity; but it was not long before churches asked for his service. From that time on he worked with churches zealously, satisfactorily and successfully.
The churches favored with his leadership were Clear Creek, Cherry Creek, Randolph, Fredonia, Stockton, Sheridan Centre, Eden, Warren, Meadville, Pleasantville, Sinclairville, Kennedy, Union City, and Napoli.
His time was largely spent with feeble, de- clining, divided and discouraged churches,- some of which, under the blessing of God, he was instrumental in saving, apparently from impending ruin, and generally infusing new life, arousing to action, uniting discordant ele- ments, building churches, enlarging congrega- tions, increasing membership by baptisms, and gaining the confidence of the community.
He acknowledged the efficient aid of a de-
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voted wife, who, though for some time a staunch Presbyterian, became convinced after special study of the Divine Word, that Baptist doctrines were scriptural, and therefore joined the Baptist Church.
Much time and hard work were devoted to the preparation of his sermons, and he was much in prayer for the blessing of God upon his efforts. He preached the gospel as he be- lieved, according to the will of God and not to please the people. He was tactful, saga- cious, enthusiastic and a great worker.
It seems that he did not hesitate to take the pastoral charge of any church, whatever its condition, however forbidding its prospects. His support did not trouble him, what the church lacked in furnishing he supplied. He served churches to build them up and glorify God, and quit when he thought his work was done. His work shows that success in the ministry depends chiefly upon the Holy Spirit and hard work.
J. A. Pickard, A. Dickson, N. Crissey, com- mittee to prepare obituary.
ALMOND C. BARRELL
Rev. Almon C. Barrell was of Scotch and English descent. He was the oldest child of Christian parents, who settled in northern New York when it was a dense wilderness. He was
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REV. A. C. BARRELL
born in Gouverneur, St. Lawrence Co., New York, July 15th, 1813 and spent all his life of nearly ninety years in his native State. Working on his father's farm and attending the neighborhood school, Mr. Barrell passed his boyhood days. Later he was one of the first class of pupils in the Gouverneur Academy. When he was seventeen years of age, he was converted and united with the Baptist Church of Gouverneur, of which his father was an or- dained deacon.
Soon after entering the Church, Mr. Barrell decided to dedicate his life to the Christian ministry. He, therefore, in 1836, entered the Hamilton Theological Seminary, where, with much self-sacrifice, and arduous labor, he pre- pared himself for his holy calling. In 1837 he was licensed to preach, by the Baptist church in Hartford, N. Y.
The strenuous effort to gain an education, resulted in illness, which obliged him to leave the Seminary before his course of study was complete. Greatly disappointed, he went to Fredonia, N. Y., to recuperate and be with friends. After a few months of rest, he was able to preach at Laona, N. Y., and here Feb- ruary 7, 1839, he was ordained as a minister of the gospel and at the same time and place, was married to Keziah E. Barber, of Fredonia, N. Y.
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1
Mr. Barrell remained with the Laona church about two years, where his work was greatly blessed. The congregation increased in mem- bers, a Sunday School was organized and the moral tone of the entire community greatly uplifted.
From Laona he removed to Fredonia, where he served the church about three years. Then followed a short pastorate at East Aurora, N. Y .; when, at the earnest request of the Fre- donia Church, he returned there and again be- came their pastor, from 1844-1848. Mr. Barrell always referred to these years as the most crit- ical in his ministry. The church had become much weakened by division, but, under his wise and careful guidance, it grew once more into a united and harmonious body. Al- though greatly desiring that he should con- tinue to be their pastor, Mr. Barrell, believing that the best interests of the church would be promoted, by a stranger, resigned and went to Warsaw, where he remained only one year and a half.
From 1849-1855 Mr. Barrell was pastor of the Baptist church in Leroy. Here his wife died, leaving one son, George W. Barrell. Two years later, Mr. Barrell was married to Miss Selena L. Johnson, of Fredonia. From Leroy, Mr. Barrell went, in 1855, to Albion, where he gave the best years of his life. A
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church was built and dedicated, free of debt, and a large number were added to the member- ship. Mr. Barrell remained with this church eight years. As a result of the changes brought by the Civil War, family ties made it seem imperative to him, to resign, at much sacrifice to himself, his Albion pastorate; and for three years, he devoted himself to the care of others. In 1866 Mr. Barrell resumed his pastoral work with the Ogden Baptist Church, and continued it until 1872, when failing health compelled him reluctantly to lay aside the work he loved so well.
He removed to Albion in 1872, where he spent the remainder of his life, an inspiration to all who knew him - a noble, Christian gentleman.
Rarely has one passed his declining years in a community and left so many sweet and lasting memories of a beautiful life. His , genial spirit and the perfect sincerity of his purpose to be of service to others, could but attract young and old to him. He was pos- sessed of excellent judgment and as a pastor, or friend, was often appealed to for advice and counsel.
Mr. Barrell was called an ideal pastor. He loved to preach the gospel, and many were won to the Saviour, through his influence. His face and voice expressed the kindliness he felt in
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his heart; and those in trouble were comforted and helped under his ministrations. He shared the burdens others carried, and his rare words of sympathy and his prayers brought renewed courage to those in sorrow.
Mr. Barrell was devoted to the interests of the Albion church - helpful and beloved. His last pastor spoke of him as " simply a delight to him." With his mission of service here fin- ished, with the faith of a little child, and with that perfect love that casteth out fear, he en- tered, on the morning of October 28, 1902, into the presence of his Redeemer, to go out no more forever.
REV. SALEM T. GRISWOLD
He died in Greenfield, Ohio, August 22nd in his 71st year. He was born in Penfield, N. Y., July 4th 1813. Jan 7th 1840, he was married to Miss Minerva P. Durfee, who survives him. He first experienced the joys of salvation in 1829, and became a promising member of the Baptist Church in his native town. He was licensed to preach by his home church in. 1833, and soon after went to Madison Uni- versity to prepare for more efficient work in the Gospel ministry. He remained at Madi- son three years, when he was ordained in Clin- ton, Canada West. His second pastorate was at Marion, N. Y. Here he remained five
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REV. S. T. GRISWOLD
years, and some 200 persons were added to this church in this time. He was next settled over the Baptist Church in Fairport, and from there he went to Fredonia, where he found the Church much divided, but left them working harmoniously and faithfully. In 1852 he re- moved to Ohio, and settled with the Church at Lancaster. This pastorate lasted two years. In 1857 he removed to Columbus, where he bought property, and resided for about seven- teen years. During this time he supplied the Baptist Churches at West Jefferson and Jer- sey, and at intervals was agent for the Ameri- can Baptist Foreign Missionary Society. His next pastorate was at Johnstown, and while there, in 1862, he enlisted as Chaplain in the Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteers. He was in the army not quite two years when the war closed. In the constant exposure of a Southern tramp he contracted the disease that led to the fatal paralysis. When he entered the army he was a rare specimen of a sound, healthy man. In January 1872 he was called from Johnstown to Greenfield, where he re- mained for seven years, during which over sev- enty persons were received into the Church. From Greenfield he removed to Washington- Court-House and remained a year and a half, when he was stricken with paralysis, and his formal pastoral work was ended. He re-
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turned to Greenfield, and after two years of patient waiting his happy spirit took its flight. His loved and faithful wife lived to mourn his departure.
He was a man of sterling character and sound judgment. He had a good report of all who knew him. As a preacher he was strong and scholarly, not afraid of the counsel of God, nor to declare it to men. He had clung with all the force of his nature, yet he was kind and gentle towards those of opposite minds. As a friend he was genial and re- freshing. He was pre-eminently a man of heavenly mind, full of the gospel, full of com- fort, and with a mind cheerful and bright. His sick-room was lit up by a confidence and trust that knew no doubting. Never a mur- mur escaped his lips through all the long months of waiting. His funeral sermon was preached, by request, from 2 Tim. 1: 12, by Rev. J. L. Smith, his pastor.
Minerva P. Griswold, widow of Rev. S. T. Griswold, was born in New York State, April 30th, 1819. At the age of 11 years she became convinced of sin, and soon after found evi- dence that she had given her heart to Jesus. At 16 she united with the Baptist Church at Penfield, Monroe County, N. Y. Five years later, Jan. 7th 1840 she was married to Rev. Salem T. Griswold. In 1852, she with
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her husband, left New York and came to Ohio. On his settlement in Greenfield in 1872, as pastor of the First Baptist Church, she be- came a resident of this place. At the close of his pastorate in 1879, they removed first to one and then another adjoining town after a lapse of two or three years, returned to find here their permanent home. She was left a widow, Aug 22 1883, and died at her residence, corner Sixth and Lafayette Streets, Greenfield Oct. 11 1889.
Mrs. Griswold was a Christian woman of notable grace and strength of character, spir- itually minded, and abundant in good works. As a church member she was faithful, earnest, benevolent and active almost beyond her strength. As pastor's wife she was a de- voted, untiring helpmeet both in the care of their home, which was always a model of neatness, and in the cares of the Church, shar- ing with her husband intelligently, bravely and with fervent spirit the many trials, anxieties and arduous labors which are a part of the heritage of the pastoral calling. S. F. M.
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1850-1859
PASTORS
1850 -S. T. Griswold.
1851-1855, A. Kingsbury.
1856-1857, Chas. N. Chandler. 1858-1859, A. Wheelock, D. D.
Church Clerk - A. Z. Madison. S. S. Superintendent - John Hamilton, Jr. MEETING OF ERIE ASSOCIATION
1850 - Cherry Creek; 1851 - Fredonia; 1852 - Nash- ville; 1853 - Randolph; 1854 - Ellington; 1855-Stock- ton; 1856- Fredonia; 1857 -Cherry Creek; 1858 - Sinclairville; 1859 - Forestville.
REVIVAL OF 1851-1852
I T was a time of great spiritual declension in the churches; but a few, devout, soul- burdened men determined to meet each afternoon and, ,continuing in prayer," wait for the blessing."
A terrible storm raged day after day and the snow was drifted high around the church, but, nothing daunted, they took turns in shoveling paths and building the wood fire. Thus they met, and prayed, and waited. Towards the close of the second week, the storm abating, others began to attend. Soon the awakening spread throughout the entire community and the country around. Sixty-five persons were received into the Baptist church, and there
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REV. A. KINGSBURY
were also large accessions to the Presbyterian and Methodist churches.
The continued praying and confident wait- ing of that handful of consecrated men, de- spite the storm and discouraging outlook, re- calls the Hay-Stack meeting one hundred years ago, at Williamstown, Mass. In one case the prayers were for Fredonia; in the other, for the heathen world.
Those God-honoring men, Rev. Arnold Kingsbury, Pastor, Messrs. John Hamilton, Jr., Dwight A. Woodruff, Joel R. Parker and Thomas B. Sweet, have gone beyond the reach of earthly praise, and to God alone, if they were here, they would give all the glory; still, - when such men there are, and through such manifestation of faith they so honor Christ and so bless the Church, they deserve the Church's acknowledgment .- MRS. J. H. JR.
REV. A. KINGSBURY - THE RECORD OF A NOBLE LIFE
Died, in Fredonia, N. Y., June 8, 1893, Rev. A. Kingsbury, in his eightieth year.
His youth was passed in a New England home, under the shadow of the Green Moun- tains, in the state severe of climate, infertile of soil, yielding scanty export of food prod- ucts, but sending forth her full share of men of mind and destiny. There were thirteen
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children under the parental roof, seven sons and six daughters. Four of the sons became ministers and the fifth barely missed the pulpit that he might make an excellent deacon. Con- verted at sixteen and following the prevailing family inclination he early began to exhort, and soon after, by an irresistible evolution, to preach.
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