USA > New York > Chautauqua County > Fredonia > Centennial history of the Fredonia Baptist Church, Fredonia, New York, organized October 20, 1808 > Part 4
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Fifty-six years ago last May he married Cornelia M. Stone and the next day he was ordained to the Baptist ministry. They were two red letter days. In the one he solemnly entered the noblest profession known to men, and in the other he secured what every minister needs, a loyal, accomplished, conse- crated wife. His first pastorates were in New Hampshire and Vermont. Besides regular pastoral service, he engaged much in special evangelistic work. Going to Winfield, N. Y., to hold protracted meetings, he received and accepted a call to the pastorate there. His next fields were Pittsfield, Mass., Saratoga Springs and Albany. While at Saratoga there was a severe visitation of cholera. Fear- less of danger he gave personal care to the sick and for the time being the parsonage be- came a hospital. It was during these last pas- torates that he formed the acquaintance and friendship of such men as Francis Wayland, George B. Ide, and ex-Governor Briggs.
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At the capitol city he received an invitation to visit Fredonia. He came, staid two weeks, with the result that Dea. Barrell, on his way to New York to buy goods, stopped off at Albany and notified the family, saying in his cordial, enthusiastic way, "we shall certainly keep him." In the year after his settlement here there was a great revival, upwards of one hundred uniting by profession and by letter. As so often occurs this spiritual upbuilding was followed by a material advance and the next year the present church edifice was built. His subsequent pastorates were Adrian, Mich., El- bridge, N. Y., and Jamestown, Stockton and Cassadaga, in this county. As a preacher his characteristics are well known. He selected strong doctrinal proof texts. He took broad, comprehensive views of Bible doctrine. "He preferred," he said, " to sail down the middle of the stream, avoiding the shallows and eddies of near shore currents." His statements were clear and logical, his illustrations felicitous, his memory of remarkable tenacity. He could readily repeat many of Watt's hymns and copious selections from the poets. In the tem- perance reform he gave addresses as long ago as the Washingtonian Movement, and was a life-long worker in the cause. His success as a pastor is shown by the fact that he was thrice called for the second time to the pastorate of
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churches he had served. His sympathetic nature peculiarly fitted him to speak words of comfort to the mourner, and few clergymen ever lived in this county who have officiated at so many funerals. In his last days, enfeebled by age and disease, it was very hard for him to decline the frequent calls made to minister the last sad rites of the dead. Some of his addresses on these occasions were masterpieces of con- densed thought and real eloquence.
But the end must come, and a noble lifework as pastor, counselor, evangelist, and sympathiz- ing friend, must draw to a close. At the be- ginning of one of the rare June days his spirit took its flight and he calmly and sweetly fell asleep in Jesus. It became his to enter upon the glorious reality of the future life, the bliss- ful immortality of the righteous dead, so long his favorite theme of study and ad- dress.
The funeral services were held Sunday af- ternoon, in the Baptist church. Remarks were made by his pastor C. E. Smith, D. D., Rev. J. H. Miller and Dr. F. B. Palmer. Rev. G. O. King offered the closing prayer. The exercises were simple, impressive and appro- priate to the character of the deceased. The musical selections were admirably rendered by the church choir. From out of town there were present Mr. and Mrs. Newton Crissey, of
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REV. A. WHEELOCK, D. D.
Jamestown, Mr. J. D. Crissey and Mrs. S. M. Crissey, of Stockton.
Rev. Kingsbury leaves a widow and three children: Mrs. Ella K. Crissey, Miss Mary Kingsbury, and William S. Kingsbury. Richard Watson, the oldest child, died, aged twelve, at the time the family lived in Winfield, N. Y. Newton K. Crissey, of Fredonia, is the only grandchild. Newton K. Crissey died July, 1900, at Fort Wayne, Ind .- C.
REV. ALONZO WHEELOCK, D. D.
Alonzo Wheelock was born in Fish-Creek- Flats, Oneida county, N. Y., February 7, 1804.
He graduated from the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institute at Hamilton, N. Y., in 1833. He also received an A. M. in 1846 and D. D. in 1857, the name at both dates being Madison University. He entered the Seminary at Hamilton from Panton, Ver- mont. He worked his way through school, having no pecuniary assistance from anyone. His first pastorate was at Delphi, N. Y., where
he was ordained. His next pastorate was at Owego, N. Y. He was pastor at Norwich, 1838-1840. He was pastor of Sixteenth Street, New York City, 1840-1850; at El- bridge, N. Y., 1850-1853; at Fredonia, N. Y., 1857-1861; at Piqua, Ohio, 1863-1864. This was his last pastorate. He lived in Fredonia
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from 1864 to the time of his death, February 25, 1873.
He married Esther Wells, June 6, 1833. She died and he married Elizabeth Maria Bacon, November 7, 1836. By his second marriage there were two daughters, Mary Ester Wheelock, born in Owego, Aug. 9, 1838, and Lillian Wheelock, now Mrs. Judge Johnston, of Piqua, Ohio. Mary E. Wheel- ock married J. J. Parker of Fredonia, N. Y.
Dr. Wheelock was an excellent pastor, a safe, discreet, counsellor, and a most careful and critical student of the Holy Scriptures.
At the regular weekly prayer meetings his expositions of the chapter read were always of remarkable freshness of treatment, lucidity of analysis, and simplicity of expression.
While pastor in New York City, he was sent as a delegate to a World's Convention in Lon- don, England.
Elizabeth M. B. Wheelock was born March 6, 1815, in Leroy, N. Y. (or Rochester, N. Y.). She died at the home of J. J. Parker, Fredonia, N. Y., February 1, 1891.
JOHN HAMILTON, JR.
John Hamilton, Jr., was born in the town of Hope, Hamilton county, N. Y., July 5, 1827. He was of Scotch and French Hugue- not descent. In his boyhood he moved with
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JOHN HAMILTON, JR.
his parents, Dea. John Hamilton, of Provi- dence, R. I., and Olive J. Millard, to Chautau- qua county, and lived for a time at Milford and Van Buren. After attending the West- field Academy, he entered the mercantile busi- ness and was a prominent merchant of Fre- donia for eighteen years. Later his business was for many years in New York City.
During a portion of this time he resided at Orange, N. J. In 1880 he returned to Fre- donia, and made this village his home until the time of his death, March 22, 1898.
Mr. Hamilton married, February 18, 1849, Augusta E. C. Ely, daughter of Rev. Judah Ely, of Lyme, Conn., and Irene Stetson, of Boston, Mass. Their children are Mary Angeline, of Fredonia; Irene Stetson, wife of Professor Edward S. Burgess, Ph. D., of New York City; George Stetson, of Buffalo, N. Y., and Theodore Ely, Ph. D., a graduate of Harvard University.
Mr. Hamilton united with the Baptist Church of Fredonia in 1839. For eighteen years he was superintendent of the Sunday School, during which period more than three hundred of his pupils became members of the Baptist or of other churches. One of the most remarkable revivals in the history of Fredonia was inaugurated by the daily prayer meetings held by the pastor, Rev. A. Kingsbury, to-
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gether with Mr. Hamilton and a few other consecrated men. He also maintained, for ten years, a Sabbath School in Laona.
During his residence in New York City he was a leader in the mission and Sunday School work, and did valiant service in raising the fallen and in leading young and old to Christ. At one time he, with other Christian
prayer meetings at workers, conducted
the most notorious saloon in the city, and it was there that Jerry MacAuley was converted.
Mr. Hamilton was a man of rare gifts and charming personality. He was universally respected and beloved. His intense loyalty to Christ and the church; his intelligent interest in the church's duties and doings; his profound reverence for the Word of God, and accurate knowledge of its teachings; his scrupulous business integrity ; his liberal views and large- hearted charity towards others - these and other qualities made him stand out a conspicu- ous example of a man all whose energies of body and mind were consecrated to the service of Christ and the welfare of mankind. His whole life was irradiated with the love which transfigures.
The following from the New York Exam- iner, April 14, 1898, was written by Rev. Ed- ward Judson, D. D., pastor of the Baptist
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church of Orange, N. J., of which Mr. Ham- ilton had been a member :-
" The death of Mr. Hamilton, at his home in Fredonia, N. Y., on March 22d, has caused me painful surprise. He was one of my
helpers in the North Orange church, a man of large intelligence, warm sym- pathy, kindly manners, and deep Christian devotion. He was a life member of the American Baptist Missionary Union, the American Baptist Home Mission Society, the American Foreign Bible Society, and the American Sunday School Union. During his long residence in New York, as a dry-goods merchant, he won the respect of all who knew him, by his uprightness, geniality, and busi- ness ability. And besides this, he was deeply interested in every form of Christian philan- thropy - in the work among the prisoners and the street Arabs, at the Five Points House of Industry, and in behalf of the Home for the Friendless. He did good work as a lay preacher. He was superintendent of the Bethlehem mission, assistant of the Howard mission, and secretary and treasurer of the New York City Sunday School Association. By a life fruitful in good works he adorned the faith which he openly professed - a fine illustration of the poet's words: -
"' A heart at leisure from itself, To soothe and sympathize.' "
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1860-1869
Pastors-1860-A. Wheelock, D. D .; 1861-62 - Rev. Geo. D. Downey; 1863-1868 - Rev. Howard M. Jones; 1869-Rev. Charles Thompson.
Church Clerk - A. Z. Madison.
Meeting of Association - 1860 -Ellery Center; 1861 - Nashville; 1862 - Stockton; 1863- Randolph; 1864 - Fredonia; 1865 - Forestville; 1866-Cherry Creek ; 1867 - Sinclairville; 1868 - Stockton; 1869 - Kennedy.
JOEL R. PARKER
DEACON JOEL R. PARKER WAS BORN IN BOONE- VILLE, N. Y. FEBRUARY 16TH., 1812
DIED IN FREDONIA, N. Y. FEBRUARY 14TH. 1862 (Biographical Sketch by Rev. A. Wheelock, D. D.)
D EACON PARKER'S death plunged the whole community in grief. He was one of our principal business men, held an important place in every beneficent en- terprise, and was one of the most loved ones of the church of which he was a member, and indeed of all the churches in the place. The old and the young, the rich and the poor, the professor of religion and the non-professor, all alike lamented his death, and all felt that they had lost a friend. A large concourse from this and the adjoining towns, with sev- eral clergymen, attended his funeral. Rev. A. Wheelock, his former pastor, spoke from
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J. R. PARKER
Phil. i, 21. " For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." A sentiment exemplified in the christian life of our departed friend.
Dea. Parker was possessed of a sound and discriminating mind, a large and benevolent heart, and a charitable and forgiving disposi- tion. However great the provocation he could not hold a grudge, or cherish revenge. He would often apologize where others would severely censure. In the church, though great in the confidence and affections of all, he was ever meek and retiring - full of condescen- sion. Though full of business, he always filled his place in the social gatherings of the church, and took part in its worship. When his seat was vacant, we always expected he was sick or out of town. He possessed large means, and used it liberally for the support of the Gospel at home and abroad. In the busi- ness of the church and in its discipline, his judgment was most valuable.
The following resolutions of the Directors of the " Fredonia Bank ", shows the estimate in which he was held as a business man:
" It having pleased God, by a very sudden and unexpected stroke of His hand, to remove from this world and from his connection with this Board, our friend and brother, Joel R. Parker, Vice-President of this Bank, we offer this tribute to his memory:
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RESOLVED, That in the death of Joel R. Parker this Board loses an amiable and genial companion, a very capable, judicious and effi- cient officer, and an associate, whose careful counsels have contributed very largely to the prosperity and success of this institution.
RESOLVED, That in his business intercourse with the world, in his connection with the church to which he was attached, in his social relations with the citizens of this village, in his unostentatious and liberal contributions, from his abundant means, to all objects of charity or purposes of patriotism, and his proverbial lib- erality to the poor, he exemplified the charac- ter of the true man - and that he possessed in an eminent degree that indispensable qual- ity of character, unyielding integrity; and that we bear of him, in the highest sense, the testi- mony which Luke bore of Barnabas, " He was a good man."
RESOLVED, That we tender to the family of the deceased our sincere sympathy in this their sore affliction, and commend them to the keep- ing of Him "who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb ".
Joel R. Parker married Lovina Scott, Jan- uary 12th 1837. Their children - Julius Joel, Julia Lovina (Mrs. Julia P. Clark) were born Feb 9, 1838. Calista Lucy Parker born April 1st 1841 (Mrs. C. L. P. Brown) died in
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REV. HOWARD M. JONES
Springfield, Mo. March Ist 1898. Cornelius Walter Parker born May 16th 1842, died Nov 27 1864 in hospital at Beaufort, S. C., Pulaski Martin Parker, born March 9th 1844, died Nov 17th 1906 - Henry Christopher, born Sept 24 1846, died Oct 29th 1847.
HOWARD MALCOM JONES
The Rev. Howard Malcom Jones was born in Bangkok, Siam, July 19th, 1834. ยท His father, Rev. John Taylor Jones, D. D., was for many years a missionary. When Howard was about four years of age, his mother died of Asiatic Cholera, and the father sent his son and daughter, two years younger, to this coun- try to be educated and cared for by an aunt. He graduated at Brown University in 1853. During his college course he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and soon after he entered Newton Theological Seminary, graduating in 1857. He visited Egypt and the Holy Land and other countries in Europe. His first pastorate was at Schoolcraft, Mich., During this pastorate he married the eldest daughter of Dr. S. F. Smith, author of our national hymn, America, and many others. He had pastorates in Racine, Wis., Fredonia, New York, Bristol, R. I., Shelburne Falls, Mass. In 1883, he came to Albert Lea, Minn., where his wife died in 1885, leaving one son, Harry
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W. Jones, now an architect, of Minneapolis. He was married a second time and this wife and a daughter, Gladys, survive him. He had pastorates in Fairfield, Cedar Falls, LeMars, Clear Lake, Iowa, and in LeSeur, Minn. His tastes were literary and he wrote much for the religious press and for literary reviews. He traveled extensively in Europe, Egypt and the
Holy Land. He died at his home at Cedar Falls, Iowa, of Brights disease, Feb. 28, 1903. His loss was deeply felt by the communities in which he lived in his later life as he believed thoroughly in practicing what he preached and followed as near as possible the example of his Divine Master in becoming a blessing to his fellowmen.
STORY OF THE BELL Diary 1866 of Deacon David Barrell.
Tuesday, July 24 - Took the first Bus for Dunkirk, Buffalo and Troy. Spent the night with Russell and Maria at Adams Basin, N. Y.
Wednesday, July 25 - Maria called me up when she had my breakfast ready to take the early train via Brockport to Rochester and so on to Troy. Arrived in Troy in P. M., stopped at Mansion House; went directly about my business looking for a bell for our church.
Thursday, July 26 - After full investigation
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and finding no bell of size and tone desired, engaged Jones & Co to cast one. Quite pleased with the arrangements made with them.
Monday August 13th -Our Church bell that I purchased in Troy arrived this A. M.
Tuesday, Aug. 14th - Mr. Burch, of the firm of Jones & Co of Troy, came this A. M., to raise the bell at Church. I went to work with him and just at night got it up and safe on timbers in the tower.
Wednesday, Aug. 15th - Mr. Grant worked at church and they got the bell hung and rung it at noon. A beautiful sounding bell. In P. M., paid Mr. B., for it and he left for home.
Monday, Aug. 20th - Mr. Grant went to work with Mr. Wolfers at the church steps, building them all anew.
Sunday - Sept 2nd - I obeyed the summons of our new bell and went to church in A. M., and communion in P. M.
Sunday - June 7th 1868 - Our fine bell in church was cracked in ringing at 10 o'clock this A. M.
Monday - June 8th - worked most the day in church tower examining bell. Decided it is cracked, though we can find no place.
Monday - June 15th - Received letter from
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Jones & Co., Troy (they commenced tearing out basement of Church to-day) ..
Tuesday - June 16th-G. N. M., found crack in our church bell. :
Thursday - June 18th - Wrote Jones & Co., of Troy.
Friday - July 3rd - Received a very satis-
factory letter from Jones & Co., about bell. Thursday - July 9th - Received letter from Jones & Co., of Troy.
Monday - July 13th - Wrote Jones & Co. Friday - July 24th - Received bill of bell from Troy.
Monday - July 27th - At evening heard our Church bell had arrived at Dunkirk. Sent telegram to Jones & Co.
Tuesday - July 28th - Got the bell from Dunkirk and things together for raising it. Thursday - July 30th - Jones came at 9 A. M. Went to work and lowered the old bell and raised and hung the new one. All fin- ished in P. M., and settled with Mr. Jones and he returned at evening.
Friday - July 31st - Finished up things in tower of church in A. M. and shipped off the old bell.
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REV. CHARLES THOMPSON
1870-1879
Pastors-1870-72 - Rev. Charles Thompson; 1873-79 - Rev. Lester Williams, Jr.
Clerk - 1870-79 - A. Z. Madison.
S. S. Superintendent-1870-73- S. S. Crissey ; 1874-78 - Mrs. L. K. Lathrop; 1879 -Dr. F. B. Palmer.
Meetings of Association.
1870-Dunkirk; 1871-Ellery; 1872 - Randolph; 1873-Forestville; 1874 - Cherry Creek; 1875 - Fre- donia; 1876 -Stockton; 1877-Ellery; 1878-Dunkirk; 1879 - Point Chautauqua.
Meetings Baptist S. S. Convention.
1870-Westfield; 1871-Jamestown; 1872-Fredonia.
REV. CHARLES THOMPSON (Written by A. Z. Madison)
F ATHER THOMPSON was born in Dublin, Ireland. He was converted in early life, and preached the gospel for twenty-eight years in England, Ireland and Wales. He came to this country when fifty years of age. His first settlement here as a pastor was with the 2nd Baptist church in Rochester, N. Y. He subsequently spent eighteen years in the West laboring in Ottawa Ill. Iowa City and Washington, Ia. His last pastorate was in Fredonia.
The members of his church for more than three years were enriched by his instructions and the counsels of his ripe experience and
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knowledge of Divine truth. He was a min- ister of the gospel for fifty-seven years, as a preacher he was plain pointed, pungent, and clearly presented truth to the hearts and con- sciences of men. He loved the doctrines of grace and founded all his hopes on the finished work of Christ.
His end was peaceful. The last words he was heard to utter were "O death! come through Christ my Lord." This ended his long and useful life. May the mantle of this Elijah fall on many an Elisha.
REV. LESTER WILLIAMS, JR.
Rev. Lester Williams, eldest son of Lester and Cynthia Becker Williams, was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, July 24th 1823. He fitted for College with the late Rev. Sandford Lawton, of Springfield, and was graduated from Amherst College in the class of 1844. After leaving College, he studied Law with E. D. Beach of Springfield and was admitted to the Bar in 1846. Upon his admission to the Bar, Mr. Williams went to Knoxville, Tenn., and continued to practice his profession there until 1848. Becoming converted in that year, he took up the study of Theology and for the two following years continued to study and preach. Leaving Tennessee in 1851, he was ordained at Russell,
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Massachusetts, in August of that year, and served the Baptist church there as pastor for three years. Subsequently he was pastor of the Baptist Churches at West Townsend, Mass., for six years; at Holden, Mass., for six years; at Oswego, N. Y. for four years; and at Fredonia, N. Y. for seven years, from 1873 to 1880.
In 1866 Mr. Williams again went South and became Superintendent of the Colored Refugee Home at Camp Nelson, Ky. He also served as Chaplain of the Mississippi Consti- tutional Convention in 1868.
After leaving Fredonia in 1880, his last pas- torate, Mr. Williams spent the remaining five years of his life in his native town, West Springfield Mass. During those last years, his time was occupied with many and varied activities,- caring for his widowed mother; managing the estate left by his father; preach- ing as supply for neighboring churches; serv- ing the Town on the School Board for four years, much of the time as Chairman of the Board; officiating during his last year as Chap- lain of the Hampden County Jail. He died October 24 1885 as the result of an accident upon the railroad.
Mr. Williams was twice married; Sept 26th 1848 to Frances L., daughter of William Clough, who died in Holden Sept 7th 1861;
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and October 9th 1862, to Ann E., daughter of Waterman G. Warren of Holden.
Mr. Williams was unusually tall, erect in carriage and dignified in manner. "He was a man of vigorous mind, original thought and effective address. His preaching had char- acteristics peculiar to itself. He never trav- eled in any beaten path, but in his unfolding of the Scripture generally brought forth some- thing unobserved by others. If, occasionally, his labored thinking could not find clear ex- pression to convey his mind to another, yet for the most part he exhibited the power of a logical and instructive teacher. At times, he rose into flights of most impressive eloquence, and stirred the hearts of his hearers with most penetrating force. He was a man of sobriety and dignity and worth; a man to be respected in every relation of life. He had clean lips and hands and heart, and was a lover of all good men."*
* Minutes of Massachusetts Conference of Baptist Ministers, 1886.
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REV. LESTER WILLIAMS, JR.
THE MEMORABLE CRUSADE OF 1873
I T began in the audience room of the Fre- donia Baptist Church. The date, Decem- ber 14, 1873.
There was an appointment for a union, temperance, Sunday evening service. The ad- dress was by a noted temperance speaker and reformer; Dr. Dio Lewis. Probably not a single person of that large audience, went there, anticipating any special result.
Fredonia had been for many years, given over to her rum idols. The programme had been, that while " temperance meetings would come and go, the saloon went on forever". Sometimes it occurs that even temperance meetings, as well as individuals, " build wiser than they know ", and such, in the providence of God, was to be this meeting.
In the course of his address, Dr. Lewis outlined the plan of making the saloons the special subjects of visitation and appeal, by an organized band of women christian temperance workers. He gave several instances of good results from such efforts. The all-around dis- cussion, which followed this address, was marked by an enthusiasm never to be forgot-
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ten. Mr. Orson Stiles, the first speaker called on, responded with one of his characteristic, magnetic talks. He pledged himself and his wife to the work.
The Baptist pastor, Rev. Lester Williams Jr., true to his Massachusetts blood, and great hearted sympathy for those suffering from strong drink, advised immediate action. " The time to strike, is when the iron is hot ".
Rev. A. L. Benton, the able and influential pastor of the Presbyterian Church; Rev. Randolph, pastor of the M. E. Church - the church always foremost in temperance work, - heartily agreed with former speakers. Dr. Armstrong and Prof. Sanford of the Normal School; Messrs. L. A. Barmore and E. W. Meacham, each made telling remarks. The result was, that before the meeting adjourned, an organization of women was made and it was agreed to begin the next day - Monday.
Monday morning ushered in the first bright day that has been seen here for a long time, and Rev. Mr. Williams' remark that they could see the smile of God in the open heavens, did not seem extravagant. There were at least three hundred men and women on hand at the hour appointed and after prayer, singing by Prof. Riggs and exhortations by speakers of both sexes, the ladies withdrew to the rooms below and arranged the details of their march.
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The men present continued in prayer and con- sultation, when it was suggested that those present pledge their support in dollars and cents. The following names were given to a pledge to pay the necessary percentage of the sum set opposite their names, sustaining the movement. The sums were $1,000 each, so we merely give the names as follows: - John Hamilton, Jr., Geo. W. Lewis, Dr. E. M. Pettit, Alva Colburn, C. L. Mark, Geo. H. White, Alex. Morian, Dr. Dio Lewis, H. R. Sanford, Rev. L. Williams, Jr., Rev. A. L. Benton, E. Davis, S. S. Crissey, Rev. R. F. Randolph, G. N. Frazine, Otis Hall, G. C. Hutchinson, Frank Pier, Orrin Doolittle, J. M. Tiffany & Son, L. A. Barmore, O. Stiles, B. F. Skinner. Temperance meetings were arranged for every Sunday night and prayer meetings every night till the work should be accomplished. (Fredonia Censor Dec. 17, 1873)
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