USA > New York > Chautauqua County > Portland > Historical sketches of the town of Portland : comprising also the pioneer history of Chautauqua County, with biographical sketches of the early settlers > Part 11
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infirmities of age overtook him at last, and he was forced to resign. He settled for a time over a church in the present town of Busti, where he died, Angust 24th, 1826. His remains were brought to Sheridan for burial, and the tombstone marking the spot stands near the road in a cemetery two miles west of the 'Center.'
"Many are the anecdotes which are told of him in his missionary days, but reference will be made to but tew. He was not only a good horseman, but an excellent judge of horses. Except his first engagement in this county, which he performed on foot, he always traveled on horseback. His daughter Lydia, his only surviving child, thus writes respecting his labors: 'His only, or his chief chance for study was when he was riding along in the woods. That he used his Bible and hymn book much in all weathers, their soiled appearance will, attest. He always carried them in his coat pocket, and they are badly stained through more than half the depth of their leaves. I have heard him say that beside all his other reading, he had read the Bible through by course eight times, while riding alone.' "For many years he rode a very large, powerful horse which he obtained from Mr. Goodrich who kept tavern near Eighteen Mile Creek, on the road to Buffalo, where Mr. Spencer often had occasion to stop. On one of these occasions, when he was about leaving, his horse which was a fine animal, attracted Mr. Goodrich's attention, who said, .Mr. Spencer your horse is a fine one. and if you ever trade I should like to exchange one I have for him.' Mr. Spencer replied. I will look at your horse, Mr. Good- rich.' The horse was produced, and Mr. Spencer remarked at once .How do you propose to trade, Mr. Goodrich ?' The answer was, .I think I ought to have your horse and twenty dollars for mine.' To which Mr. Spencer replied. .Will you take forty dollars and never complain that the old minister cheated you?' will,' said Mr. Goodrich, and the exchange was made.
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Some time after Mr. Spencer again passed that way, and stopped as usual. Mr. Goodrich was unusually pleasant and remarked, I thought I was smart in a horse trade. but you are a great deal smarter than I am, Mr. Spencer : I find no fault, you are welcome to call as often as you please.' From that time he made no charge against Mr. Spencer -a courtesy never extended before."
Mr. Spencer founded thirteen churches during his missionary life, and among them one in Sheridan in 1816, one in Ellicott in 1816, one in Portland in 1818, one in Fredonia and one in Sherman.
He preached to and fostered these churches as he had opportunity in his rounds until the close of his missionary life. He was unwavering in his faith and indefatigable in sowing the seed of the Kingdom. No man succeeded in laying a foundation for a larger religious interest and success on the " Purchase," but the full extent of this may never be known in time. Eternity only will unfold it to view.
NOTE .- For many of the facts in the above sketch the writer is indebted to the politeness of Judge Hazeltine of Jamestown, this county.
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CHAPTER XXIV.
Methodist Church.
The writer is exceedingly sorry that he is obliged to present so meagre an account of early Methodism in Portland. There is not the least trace of records of the church or society for many years and he is obliged to pass the early history almost in silence. There were doubtless many facts and incidents of interest that it would be profitable to record that will never be known. For what he has given as occurring previous to 1838 he has been obliged to draw upon the memory of the only surviving member of the first class formed in town, Mr. Simon Burton.
The M. E. church was the second church formed in town. The first member of the order was William Dunham, who settled on lot 32, T. 5, a little west of the present residence of J. E. Harris, in 1816. Hardly had he become settled in his log cabin ere he began holding meetings on the Sabbath at his house, and soon called about him a few of like spirit who were formed into a class the next year (1817), June 9, by Rev. - - Godard, whose circuit extended from Cattaraugus creek to Erie, Pa., and was called the Chautauqua circuit. The members of that first class were William Dunham, Lucy Dunham, Isaac Baldwin, Parthena Baldwin, William Correll, Barbara Correll, Abial Flint, Mary Flint, Simon Burton. Mr. Dunham may be called the father of Methodism in Portland. The first additions to the class were Elisha Fay and Mrs. Sophia Fay, Parsons Taylor and Mrs. Taylor and
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Mrs. - Thompson, sometime early in 1818. In that year (1818) a protracted meeting was commenced under the charge of Rev.'s Summerville and Hatton, in the log barn of "Father Dunham," that continued for two or three weeks and resulted in a large ingathering, insomuch that the old settlers still speak of it as the "great reformation." Not long after its elose another class was formed on the south road and large additions were made during the season. The classes met for the larger portion of the time at private houses, occasionally in one of the two or three schoolhouses accessible. The first
class-leaders in town were William Dunham, Isaac Baldwin, Elisha Fay. The oldest members of the church in town have no recollection of the formation of a church, as such, by any ceremony. They report that some time late in 1818 or early in 1819 the two or three classes, for the better accommodation of preachers, were united in one class, "and the work was done ; " a very simple and primitive style, but who shall say that it was not just as efficient for good and as binding on the heart and conscience as though they had given their assent to creeds, covenants and articles of faith. There was no regular preaching to the church for several years. The circuit was large and the preachers sent to the charge were obliged to oceupy from one to two weeks in filling their appointments. But such are the efficient workings of the system of Methodism that its influence was felt and appreciated by the settlers through the employment of the gifts of the laity. They held their meetings at various points as they were able to obtain the privilege, and for three or four years previous to the building of the first church edifice, in the large hall of the house now owned by O. Jerome Greene, on south part of lot 34, T. 5, experiencing many vicissitudes of fortune in this respeet until 1835 when the first church edifice was built. We have no means of knowing anything definite in regard to the earlier preachers or the earlier members except the first class, so we pass them by. From the small beginnings we have seen they grew to be a large and strong church,
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considering the poverty of the settlers. From its earliest! history to the present it has occupied a commanding position and numbered among its members a fair share of the prominent and influential citizens of town. The number of: members now in the original church at Portland Center is. males, 28 : females. 41 : total. 69.
In 1853 a portion of this church uniting with a class on . Harmon Hill " formed a church at Salem X Roads now Brocton. Rev. T. D. Blinn being then in charge, which at this date. April. 1873. numbers males. 25: females. 50: total. 75.
The first society formed in connection with this church was in 1822 at the house of James Bennett. on the farm now owned by J. S. Weld. on lot 31. T. 5, under the direction of Rev. Nathaniel Reader. a local preacher. living on part of lot 33. T. 5. land now owned by Mrs. Bush. This society was formed for the purpose of securing and holding real estate granted by the Holland Company to religious associations in 1820. The act of incorporation was probably recorded but the writer has not been able to find it. It seems to have had an existence at least as late as 1828. as the deed of the land spoken of was dated December 12. that year. and given to James Bennett and others, trustees.
This society. however, was reorganized February 3. 1834. under the name of the "First M. E. Society in Portland." the former having lost its identity and its acts become illegal from some informality in the choice of officers. The meeting for such reorganization was held at the schoolhouse in district No. 10. Darius Williams and Asahel Peck presiding and Joseph Morley being clerk. The first trustees were John A. Showerman. Hiram Barrett and Nicholas Lake. The act was acknowledged before Hon. T. B. Campbell on the 17th of the same month and recorded the 21st. The first church edifice was built at Portland Center in 1835. The lot was purchased of A. B. Bebee by David Showerman and Joseph Lockwood and donated to the society. The house is still standing and is the dwelling of William Clark. which with the lot was sold to
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THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
him in 1868 for $600. It was used as a place of worship until the present house was dedicated. which was built in 1868 at a cost of $7.000. The lot upon which it stands was purchased of Ledyard Douglass for $300. the deed bearing date May 12. 1868. The parsonage at Portland Center was built by subscription in 1843. The church at Brocton. a part of the original church. was organized in 1853. Their house of worship. standing in the eastern portion of the village. was built in 1853 by Mr. Samuel Crandall at a cost to the society of $2,500. The lot was purchased of Oliver B. Elmore. the deed bearing date May 18. 1854. The sheds in the rear of the house were built in 1871 at private expense.
The church and society have been largely prospered and have enjoyed the labors of a class of preachers that would do no discredit to any section. Their names are given here very nearly in the order in which they came to the circuit. though possibly not strictly so. One or two names also may be omitted. but the list is sufficiently accurate for the purpose intended. - Godard. 1817-18 : J. Summerville. 1818-19: R Hatton, 1819: J. Hill, 1820: - Bronson. 1820: Nath. Reeder. 1821; R. Hatton. 1621: - Keyes. 1822: - Kent. 1825: - Knapp. 1826; - Wright. 1827: A. Plimpton. 1828; J. Filmore. 1829; W. B. Mack. 1829: J. Barris. 1830 : -Preston. 1830: - Babcock. 1831: - Halleck. 1832: - Stowe. 1833: D. Williams. 1834; - Ince. 1835: - Kinney. 1836: L. Rogers. 1837: J. Flowers. 1838-39 : 1. 1I. Tackett. 1838-39 : - Hunter. 1841; J. E. Chapin. 1843-44: J. S. Baker, 1845-46: - Browning. 1847: J. Uncles, 1848: J. O. Rich. 1849: T. D. Blinm. 1850-51: J. Peet. 1852-53: - Burgess. 1854-55: - Wrigglesworth. 1856-57 : P. Burroughs. 1858 : T. D. Blinn. 1859-60; A. Tibbitts. 1861-62: J. Leslie, 1863-64; G. W. Gray. 1865-66-67 : E. B. Cummings. 1868-69 : J. Hill. 1870 : J. C. Sullivan. 1871-72. The preachers usually came on to the ground in July of the years named. Probaby no other order in town has a more efficient system. or one
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better adapted to the work it has in hand. or for reaching the great mass of the people.
The honor of having first publicly introduced Methodism to Chautauqua county was without doubt due to Dr. Lawton Richmond. for some years a practicing physician at the Cross Roads, he having preached the first sermon of any clergy -. man of that order as early as 1809 or '10. Where this sermon was preached the writer is not able to say. but Dr. Rich- mond was living at the time near the head of Chantanqua Lake. having settled there in the summer of the former year. 1809.
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THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
CHAPTER XXV.
Churches Continued-First Baptist Church-Its formation-First members-The Council-Articles of Faith-Deacons-Members-Places of worship-Westfield members withdraw-Colony of 1842-Settlement of Eld. LaHatt &c .- His Sermon -The Parsonage &C.
The first Baptist church in Portland was organized on September 20th. 1819. and was composed of eleven members. as follows : Win. Harris, John Light. Sylvester Andrews. Erastus Andrews, Charles Morse. Rachel Harris. Deborah Light. Anna Taylor. Phebe Fay, Sally Sage and Sarah Mum- ford. The meeting was held at the school house standing on the southwest corner of the Cross Roads in school dist. No. 4, where the school house now stands. near the resi dence of the late Bela Burroughs.
The council called to set them apart as a church was composed of Revs. Joy Handy, Pearson Crosby and Jonathan Wilson. Elder Joy Handy was chosen moderator, and Elder Wilson. clerk. The usual forms and ceremonies of the order on such occasions were observed. and the charge to the church and the right hand of fellowship given by the moderator. The articles of the "Dansville Association" so called were adopted. These however were revised in 1836 by a committee of the church appointed for the purpose, consisting of Elder (. LaHatt. J. Whitman, Elijah Fay. A. Gill and Isaac Sage.
There were added to the church the first year of its exist ence. fifty-two members: forty-three by baptism and nine by letters from other churches. Polly Andrews was the first accession. uniting on the day of the formation of the church.
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During the first month, eight united, and amongst them Elijah and Mrs. Lucy Fay. Sylvester Andrews was the first church clerk. The first deacons were, Elijah Fay and Sylvester Andrews. elected April 8th. 1820. and ordained in the following day. Elder Jonathan Wilson was the first pastor.
Of the sixty-three members comprising the church at the close of the first year of its existence, but three are living, as far as is now known: Orrin N. Sage, living in Cincinnati, Ohio: James Andrews. living at or near Waverly. Iowa, and Philip Kane, living at Littleton, lowa. Having no stated place of worship, meetings were held for most of the time at the house of Dea. F. Fay. until September 26th. 1820, when it was "voted that we hold meetings half of the time at the house of Dea. E. Fay, and half of the time at the house of Bro. John Price." on the Dr. Wilbur farm northeast corner of lot 38, T. 5. In January. 1822, it was :voted to hold meetings half the time at the house of Dea. E. Fay, and half the time at the school house near D. Eaton's." This was the frame school house on the corner east of Mr. Eaton's. on lot 33. T. 5. For some time meetings were held in a house belonging to John R. Coney, and as there is no farther record with refer- ence to the matter, we rely upon the memory of the "oldest inhabitant," which is to the effect that meetings were held at various points as convenience or necessity dictated, until about 1830 to 32, when they came to be held pretty reg- nlarly at the school house at Salem X Roads, now Brocton. Previous to this date. March. 1831. there being no Baptist church at Westfield, those of that faith there had united with the Portland church : but the inconvenience of attendance at so great a distance indneed them to ask a council for the purpose of "forming an independent body." and place them in position to assume the duties and responsibilities of a church. After due consideration the petition was granted. Those thus leaving the church. were. Elias Mallory. Joshua Tinker.
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THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
Joshua Tinker, jun .. Wm. Vranderburg, Sarah Vranderburg, Mary Rice, Ruth Wilcox. Sally Sexton, Sally Ludlow and Sarah Overton.
In 1842 another colony left the church to assist in forming a church of the order at West Portland : (See notice of that church,) since which time the course of the church has been marked by "lights and shadows," and they have come up to their present strong and influential position through much of difficulty and trial; often necessary in order that a church be the better fitted for the work it has to do.
The membership at this date. March, 1873, is 149; males 60. females, 89. They enjoyed the ministerial labors of Elders Jonathan Wilson and Pearson Crosby up to October, 1822. when it was "voted to employ Elder Charles LaHatt, to preach for one year upon the following terms:" to "find him a house and garden and firewood : move his family and pay him $150; ] in produce at the country price, proportioned to wheat at 75 cents per bushel ; the remaining } in cash." This will indicate pretty clearly the poverty of the church, the low price of produce and the scarcity of the circulating medium of the country. Perhaps, however, the Elder preferred produce to the "rags" circulating as money; for the writer very distinctly remembers hearing him discourse on a Sabbath in 1836, very vehemently against all banks and banking institu- tions. as so many means in the hands of the devil to lure men to destruction ; and the United States government and the State government chartering and uphokling them would be held responsible for the evil done; that this curse was but marking the downfall of the "model republic." "Father La Hatt" remained with the church as pastor until 1838, when he was dismissed. but preached more or less until the time of his death, which occurred August 3d, 1850. He was a German, born in the city of St. Goar, and was educated at the University of Bonn. and emigrated to this country before the Revolution. He was a man ardent in temperament, and outspoken with reference to his impres-
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sions, and unyielding in all his convictions of duty ; a good man, no doubt a christian, but better fitted to command than to lead.
Elder Corwin preached to the church about 1838 ; Eli Dodge in 1839. Elder Sanderson was employed in October, 1839, ordained in September, 1840, and dismissed in 1841 : since that time they have had the services of Elders Chas. La Hatt. Howard, Wilson, Marble, Keyes. Rathbun. Roberts, Alden. Mace. Smith, Dickinson. Connelly. J. H. Miller and G. W. Divoll. the present pastor. Others were employed for short periods, but it is impossible to determine the precise time of each, or the term of their services.
" The First Baptist Society of Portland." formed and acting in connection with the church, was organized April 6. 1822. under the act of 1813, for the incorporation of religious societies. The meeting was held at the house of John Price. on the farm now owned by Edward MeGarrall : Elijah Fay and Charles Morse presiding. The first trustees chosen were Isaac Sage, Charles Moise and Elijah Fay. Isaac Sage was clerk of the meeting. The act was signed by the officers, and the acknowledgment taken by Hon. Zattu Cushing. April 15. 1822. and recorded April 24, 1822. On the consummation of the organization of the society, they received 333 acres of the one hundred acres donated to religions societies in the town by the Holland Company in 1820; the Congregational and Methodist Societies having received a like number of acres. In May, 1831, the Society, under the direction of the court. sold the land to Chauncey Hill for $176. This land was a .part of lot 11. T 5. R 13. and a part of the farm now owned by John Hardenburg.
The first house of worship was commenced in 1834. a few rods west of the center of the village of Brocton, then "the corners" on the site of the present house. The finishing of the audience room was done by A. S. Moss and J. B. Fay in 1837. and the honse was dedicated the same fall. The first meeting held in this house was a covenant meeting of
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the church, October 7. 1837. The first marriage in the house was that of Joseph B. Fay and Mariah M. Sage. October 8, 1837. The lot on which the house was located was donated by Dea. E. Fay and conveyed to the society by deed bearing date October 26, 1833. This house was occupied by the church and society until 1867 when it was sold to G. E. Ryckman for $250. It is now owned by Josiah Hall as à joiner and machine shop in Brocton. It was intended to introduce the original subscription list obtained to defray the expense of building, but it is now nowhere to be found. Tha1 it was not adequate to defray the expense incurred is shown by the records of an occasional assessment upon the property of the male members of the church to pay a balance for a specified object.
The present tasteful and commodious brick edifice was erected the same year (1867) and is at once a credit to the society and the vilage and town in which it stands. The subscription for the purpose of raising funds for that object was circulated first in July and August of 1866 ard with a success that determined at once the action of the society, and they proceeded in the latter month to elect a building committee and make arrangements for the commencement of the house early in the following spring, which arrangement was carried out and the house was completed in December of the year 1867. "for the people had a mind to work." The. architect was Atron Hall of Jamestown, N. Y. Thomas Walker of Westfield, had charge of the mason work. The frescoing was done by V. Boloni of Buffalo. It was dedicated December 18, 1867. The sermon preached on the occasion was by Rev. B. D. Marshall of Buffalo, from Prov. xxx : 26: " The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks." The entire cost of the house was nine thousand dollars.
Much difficulty seems to have been experienced by the society with reference to a parsonage. They had resolved to build but could not definitely fix upon a location. On the 12th
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of July, 1823, it was "voted to purchase an acre of land of Deacon Fay and erect a commodious house on the same for the use of a minister." On the 23d of August of the same year it was again "voted that the church and society build a house for our minister." "Voted to raise money by subscription to build said house, and that the deficiency, if any there be, be made up by assessment on the property of the male members of the church." In January, 1824. " voted. first. to reconsider the vote of the 12th of July : to purchase land of Deacon Fay. Second, to build a house on brother Price's land " (Dr. Wilbur's farm). "Third. to have a committee of three to superintend the building. Fourth, that Dea. Fay, J. Safford and James Andrews compose said committee." On the 9th of February following "voted to erect a house for the use of our minister on John R. Coney's land. Voted that Deacons Fay and Andrews and J. R. Coney serve as a committee to superintend said building." The records show no further action in the case. but from other sources it is known that the acre of land was purchased of Mr. Coney. part of lot 26, T. 5. on the North Erie road, place now owned and occupied by Hiram Burton. on which a parsonage was commenced the same year (1824), and which was occupied by "Father LaHatt" until his death in 1850. In the winter of 1850 '51 it was exchanged with Milo A. Driggs for the place in the east part of the village of Brocton now owned and occupied by the society as a parsonage, the society paying a difference of $650.
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THE TOWN OF PORTLAND.
CHAPTER XXVI.,
West Baptist Church.
About 1831 the meetings of the first Baptist church of Portland had come to be regularly held at Salem X Roads. now Brocton; and a church edifice completed in 1837. Some of the members lived in the west part of the town-five miles from their place of public worship. With them the task of a regular attendance at Salem was felt to be extremely difficult, and many times from stormy weather and other causes, almost impossible. Under these circum- stances they petitioned the church at Salem X Roads to be allowed to meet for worship in their locality, as a branch of the Portland church. A meeting of the church was called March 12th, 1842, at the place of worship, to consider the above petition, and the following resolution was offered, fully considered and passed : "That all the members of the Baptist church in Portland who can be better accommodated for worship at the stone school house in said town, shall have the privilege of being a 'branch' of the church, possessing the power of receiving and dismissing members, and doing all other business that may come before the church, except the returns to the association, which shall be made by the clerks of the church and the branch, as the Baptist church in Portland ; and also the exception of employing a minister. which business shall be done by the church and the 'branch,' as the Baptist church in Portland. Done by order and in behalf of the church.
ARTHUR B. POST, Ch. Clerk."
In June following, at a meeting of "the mother church,"
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a request was received from the "branch" in West Portland to the effect that the "branch" be allowed to become a distinct and separate church. After a discussion of the request the following was offered and passed : "That the branch of this church be and is a separate body from this body when recognized as such. and receives the fellowship of sister churches.' A. B. POST, Ch. Clerk.
A council was called to set them apart as a church. Rep- resentatives from the following churches were invited: Cas- adaga. Stockton, Dewittville, Ripley. Mayville, Panama. West field, and Northeast, Pennsylvania. The council convened on the 22d day of June 1842. in the bain of Matthew Farington, standing on the farm now owned by H. A. Blowers, on lot 41. T. 5. and now standing on farm of Darwin Holenbeck, on the north part of lot 37, T. 5. Elder J. Going preached a sermon from 1. Thes. 3 ch. 8 v .. when the usual ceremonies were had. and the "branch" declared a church in "Gospel order." under the name of the "West Baptist church in Portland." Lemi Bartholomew and James Andrews were elected deacons. and Titus Roe. clerk. The names of the members of the "branch" have been lost. The mumber was twenty-three. At the organization of the church it numbered eighty-seven : males thirty-five. females fifty-two. Their names were as follows:
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