History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 116

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 922

USA > New York > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 116
USA > New York > Franklin County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 116

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Gen. Wilkinson sent his negro servant one day across the street to Mr. Parmelee's for a few eggs. Mr. Parmelee told the servant to present his compliments to the general, and say "that he exceedingly regretted his inability to supply him ; that he had an abundance of eggs until the general's soldiers encamped near him, but that since that tinte not an egg had been seen or a hen to lay them." The message was carried, and in a few minutes Mr. Parmelee was in receipt of some coffee, sugar, and other necessaries, with the return compliments of the general.

On the 14th of February, 1814, Mrs. Parmelee, then being the mother of two daughters, died at Westford, Vt., while there on a visit in the hope of recovering her health, that had been ruined by excessive exposure in attending upon the sick. Mr. Parmelee had accompanied her. On his way back to Malone, he met crossing Lake Champlain on the ice a part of Wilkinson's army on its retreat to Burlington. The fugitives bore the intelligence that the British forces with one thousand Indians were on the march to burn French Mills and Malone. His anxiety became intense for the safety of his children and their grandparents ( Winchester), who had been left at his house, and he hastened to their rescue. On returning, he found that the American troops had all left, and that Malone was

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in fact in the hands of the British. Leaving his horse at Timothy Palmer's, he took a foot-path to the village. A guard was posted at the point on Main Street where the Congregational brick church now stands, another around his house, and another still at his own door. Through the courtesy of the British officer in command (Col. Scott) he got through the lines, and reached his home, finding all the loved ones safe.

The British made a short stay. Picking up what public plunder they could, they returned to Canada.

June 12, 1814, at Hopkinton, Mr. Parmelce was married the second time, to Fanny Brush. Her parents had recently moved from Vergennes, Vt., where she was born May 7, 1790. She had been well educated. She had a graceful figure, gray eyes, dark, hair, a joyous face beaming with love and good-will, a resolute spirit, and a heart full of Christian virtues.

The débris of "grim-visaged war" gradually cleared away. Malone improved in industry, in population, in morals, and in religion. The church became strong. Its influence and that of its pastor were felt at home and abroad. From year to year new members came in. Large accessions were made in 1816 from many of the business men and heads of families.

In 1817 the church, although Congregational, connected itself with the Champlain Presbytery, and from that day to this has been in full fellowship with Presbyterian councils. Mr. Parmelee was a Presbyterian, and his name is found, for nearly half a century, among the annals of the Presby- teries, Synods, and General Assemblies of that order. It would be difficult to enumerate the different ecclesiastical meetings in which he took part.

On the 30th day of May, 1826, the corner-stone of the stone church, sixty by eighty (demolished in 1851 for a new brick structure), was laid after the Masonic order, Mr. Parmelee delivering the address. At the close of 1827 it was completed, and dedicated Feb. 7, 1828. The con- gregation hailed the event with joy. For the first time it had a place of worship of its own. Mr. Parmelee's first sermon in the house was from the text, " I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord."

Mrs. Parmelee, after a painful illness of years, died at Malone, April 24, 1827.

Mr. Parmelee was married the third time at Plattsburgh, Sept. 3, 1827, to Widow Betsey Wood, who survived him two years. She was a woman of great worth, devoted to her husband, and a fit partner in all his domestic and Chris- tian labors. She brought him some pecuniary aid, which was timely. She never had any children, but the large circle of her husband's, whom she adopted while still in their juvenile years, cherish her memory with the kindest and warmest regard.

The Anti-Masonic crusade, growing out of the alleged kidnapping and murder of Morgan in 1826, shook not only political but religious circles. In 1829 it reached the Ma- lone church. Mr. Parmelee had joined the lodge soon after coming here. We have before us a traveling card given him by " Northern Constellation Lodge," Oct. 10, 1812 (5812), signed by Samuel Peck, Master; Noah Moody, S. Warden ; and Cone Andrus, J. Warden. A few of Mr. Par-

melee's leading members were also Masons. He and they were assailed with great bitterness. For the sake of peace, they were willing to retire from the order, which they did do ; but no threats or pressure could induce them to de- nounce it.

The majority finally acquiesced in such an arrangement, and the storm blew over. . A few, however, could not be reconciled, and their connection with the body was severed, some voluntarily, and some otherwise. They went away carrying with them strong personal animosity to Mr. Parmelee, whose voice and influence had been potential in the adjustment. Mutual explanations in after-years made them all friends again

In 1836 another matter stirred the church to its centrc. A Frenchman, calling himself Anthony Belmar, together with his reputed wife, came from Canada. He united with this church in 1826, and she afterwards. It subsequently turned out that the name was an assumed one; that the woman was his stepmother, whose proper husband (his father) was still living, and that they had fled from Canada, carrying away whatever property they could lay their hands on.

Belmar's religious zeal and remarkable gifts in prayer and exhortation gave him great influence. In 1830 reports as to the peculiar relations of the parties got afloat. They were quieted for a while by denial and the production of a marriage certificate,-which afterwards proved to be forged, -but again the story was revived. In the winter of 1836 fresh rumors sprang up. In the mean time five or six chil- dren, as the fruits of the alliance, canie on to the stage. Mr. Parmelee favored an investigation ; the church did not, so strongly did it believe in the innocence of the persons implicated. The matter came up at church meeting. A commission to be sent to Canada for inquiry was proposed and favored by the pastor. The discussion became warm.

The few persons alive who were present on that occasion will probably never forget the looks and words, the energy and fire, and determination elicited in closing the debate on the part of the pastor.

He stepped one side from the Moderator's chair, and said :

" MY BRETHREN,-This matter must be cleared up. Until it is done, you will be standing on the brink of a volcano, in constant peril of its eruptions. This charge has gone abroad in the community, and its truth or falsity must be determined. If this accusation is false, this church cannot permit itself and its injured brother and sister to remain under such a cloud ; if it be true, we cannot longer nurse vipers in our bosom. I will myself go to Canada and learn how the truth may be. This meeting is closed. Let us pray !"

And to Canada he went. Taking an interpreter, he started on his self-appointed mission. The result was, that incontestable proof was produced of the truth of the charges. On his return and confronting the Belinars with the docu- ments, they confessed the whole. At first consenting but afterwards refusing to abandon their mode of life, they were cut off, and soon after left the country.

In the spring of 1840 the call for new incasures, and for the aid of Evangelists, brought that eccentric divine, Rev. Jedediah Burchard, to Malone.

Mr. Parmelee did not admire him. His peculiar way of

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preaching, conducting meetings, and telling ludicrous anec- dotes, were quite distasteful. But, after some reluctance, the request for his coming was granted, on condition that the pastor should have control of the meetings. Mr. Par- melee would not consent to be a subaltern in a pulpit where " he was to the manor born." Mr. Parmelee per- sonally at Plattsburgh tendered the invitation. The con- dition was assented to, but its enforcement was not easy. For the six weeks that Mr. Burchard stayed, he and the pastor got along pretty well together. But the natural effect here, as elsewhere, where extraordinary instead of regular means are relied upon, was soon visible. The influence of the pastor was weakened. The Evangelist carried off the honors. His visit sowed the seeds which bore fruit five years later.

A few facts in passing.

On the death of Governor De Witt Clinton, in 1828, on invitation from a public meeting of the citizens, Mr. Par- melee preached a sermon, taking for the text, " Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel ?" and another sermon from the same text on the death of President Harrison, in April, 1841.

His sermon on " The Death of Susan Winchester" was printed in 1815; his "History of the Trial of Truman Dixon" in 1822; sermon on "The Olive-Tree" in 1825; " Origin and Destruction of Popery" in 1839.

He had some forensic debates, and several newspaper dis- cussions, with both clergymen and laymen, on matters of difference, religious and secular. His private and public correspondence was extensive.

For the twenty-three years following April 13, 1810, the entire church records are in his handwriting.

During his pastorate at Malone his highest salary in any one year was six hundred and fifty dollars. Some generous contributions were added at the annual January gatherings at his house.

These gatherings of all classes were a marked event- looked for ahead-remembered afterwards. The apartments of the house from top to bottom were usually filled ; the youth above, the old people below. From the pastor, dea- cons, and " Mothers in Israel," down to the most giddy- everybody unbent for the occasion. Mirth and a happy time went on without much restraint.

Middlebury College at an early day conferred upon Mr. Parmelec the degree of A.M., and in 1853 that of D.D.

In politics Mr. Parmelee was a Whig and then a Repub- lican. He never alluded to political questions in the pulpit, but did not hesitate to express his opinions outside of it ; and he was prompt at the polls to exercise,-as an American citizen,-the right and the duty to vote.

He was a warm Abolitionist, but never forsook the Col- onization Society. The denunciations of it by Mr. Gar- rison and his followers did not meet his approval.

We resume our narrative.

Mr. Parmelee toiled on with his flock. As to the last five years of his work as their spiritual guide, we quote his own words :

" From 1840 to 1845 my labors were continued, preach- ing twice on the Sabbath, and attending conference for the third service; giving generally. two lectures during the

week in somne sections of the parish ; visiting the sick, pre- siding at church mectings, and frequently devoting a portion of the regular hours for sleep and rest to prayer, reading the Scriptures, and preparing messages for the pulpit."

The Congregational Church of Malone had reached a power and strength before unattained. It had over three hundred and fifty members. Mr. Parmelee was past sixty years old, but his mental and bodily powers were still in full vigor. Almost from its infancy he had been the spir- itual teacher of that church. Youth and manhood had been spent in its service. He had seen it rise from a feeble and scattered band to become the most powerful religious body in the county. He had fought her battles against all foes from within and without. Her families were endeared to him by strong ties. Next to his Maker he loved that church.

But the hour for parting had come.

In April, 1845, he resigned his charge, and the Presby- tery of Champlain, at his and the church's request, met and ratified tlie action.

There is neither space nor need here to go into the causes that resulted in this important change. They run back through several years. Nearly all the prominent actors on the occasion are dead, and any animosities incident to it have passed away. It is enough to say that the church records and those of the Presbytery as to the matter are preserved ; and they are full and satisfactory in their en- dorsement of Mr. Parmelee. Better parting credentials could not have been asked.

The society paid up the arrears due for his homestead. And it should be added here that in after-years, when the shadows lengthened, that church showed, in repeated acts of generosity, that she loved him as a devoted child loves a father. If a mistake was made in 1845, it was fully atoned for afterwards.

He preached his farewell sermon from the text, " How I have kept back nothing that was profitable unto you," etc., and, on request of the society, occupied the pulpit for a few weeks till a substitute could be found.

Mr. Parmelee then preached for nearly three years in Bangor, an adjoining town.

In April, 1848, he was appointed chaplain of Clinton prison, Dannemora. To this place he removed. He held the position till July 7, 1851, when he resigned and re- turned to his old home. While chaplain he kept a diary from day to day, which is full of interest as to prison-life, inspectors, wardens, guards, and convicts. There is no room for a word of it here.

His old parishioners and neighbors, of all crecds, greeted his return with demonstrations of good-will. The Malone Congregational Church put upon its records, and sent to him, a resolution of which the following is a copy :

"Resolved, That this Church regard with feelings of pleasure and with gratitude to God the return of our beloved and long-respected former pastor, Rev. A. Parmelee, to spend his declining years with us ; and that at all times it will give us pleasure to see him in the desk, and, so far as consistent with his ability and engagements, to assist in the exercises and counsels of the church."

He afterwards preached on temporary engagements at Constable, Champlain, Belmont, and other towns, and often in his old pulpit. He bought new scientific and theological

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works, wrote sermons for the mere pleasure of the thing, and when at home attended and took part in the meetings of the church. His sermon of 1858, " Fifty Years in the Christian Ministry," was delivered by request to many audiences.

When the news flashed over the wires, in April, 1861, of the rebel attack upon Fort Sumter by Gen. Beauregard, Mr. Parmelee was in the midst of a circle of friends, and seemed much agitated. He broke out, " My father fought in the French and Revolutionary wars. His services in the latter were paid in worthless Continental money. His pri- vations and exposure made him an invalid for life. But when his boys were around him, he used to narrate the in- cidents of his campaign at Niagara, Montreal, etc., and say, ' My sons! I do not regret my toil and loss and suffering. They were a humble part in securing to you and your chil- dren the blessings of liberty and the Constitution of the United States.'

" Now, when I remember my father's words, and the heroic deeds of the Revolution, and see these Southern rascals trying to break up this Union and stamp under foot the flag of the Stars and Stripes, and tear down this edifice that our fathers reared, under the guide of Providence, I feel like shouldering a musket and going myself to Charles- ton to mingle in this fight."

Mr. Parmelee was at this time quite feeble, his face pale and haggard. But when he spoke his cye flashed fire, his form was straight as an arrow, and every energy and nerve of his physical and mental system stirred with new and youthful vitality.

He prepared, by appointment, the opening address for the Synod of Albany for the spring session of 1862, but was unable from ill health to attend. The meeting was at Troy. His health had become very much shattered ; his naturally strong constitution had succumbed to the ex- posures to which it had been subjected. But he was happy, and kept at work. April 3, 1862, a few weeks before his death, he wrote out in full a new sermon, from Hosea vi. 4, which he preached to his old church. To the last he was the same indefatigable student, the same untiring worker, the same warm-hearted and energetic man. Activity was his clement, religion his life. His mental faculties held out bright and clear. He often expressed the hope that when he died the event might come without warning. His wish was gratified.

The end was at hand. His death, at near seventy-eight years, came suddenly, in the afternoon of May 24, 1862, at his own house. He had been quite smart for several days, and, with his coat off, was at work in his garden, of which he was very fond, training some rose-bushes. A neighbor (Mr. Moore) called to get a few ears of some fa- vorite seed-corn. He walked into the garden, and there propounded to Mr. Parmelee some questions about the Abraliamic covenant, which were answered. Still talking and discussing the subject, they passed into the rear part of the house. Mr. Parmelee, with an clastic step, sprang into a chair, and was reaching up for the braided corn, when he faltered and fell back into the arms of Mr. Moore, DEAD, Not a sigh or groan escaped him. The eyes closed of themselves.

He was buried, May 29th, in the old cemetery near his house. The church was full to overflowing, the stores were closed, and the village draped in mourning. For the hour " the hum of industry" ceased, while the old and beloved Christian warrior was borne to his tomb.

In the space given it is difficult to properly analyze such a character. But sonie of Mr. Parmelee's leading traits may be noticed.

1. He was a good Bible student ; he made the book his daily study. He knew its contents from beginning to end. It was difficult to spring upon him any passage which he had not examined. He knew where it was, the connection, and whether correctly quoted. This acquaintance some- times gave him advantage with men otherwise better edu- cated than himself.

2. He was posted as to all the cardinal doctrines of his religious tenets. Hc had studied them, and the arguments for their support, till they were household words. If you touched him on his theology, the challenge was always ac- ceptcd. The ecclesiastical bodies of Northern New York are full of records of the debates in which he engaged. Called upon repeatedly to help adjust difficulties in these tribunals, he was never himself arraigned on any charge. He always settled his own difficulties.

3. He was a man of more than ordinary mental power ; his perceptions were quick ; his intellect strong; his man- ner of preaching did not differ materially from others of his class. Part of his sermons were written, and a part unwritten. It was sometimes difficult to determine which were the abler. Those without notes seemed the more im- pressive. His eye appeared to take in every auditor within its reach. His voice was strong and clear ; his enunciation distinct; his gestures easy and natural. He never hesi- tated ; he was seldom dull. He sometimes startled his audiences with his vigorous denunciations. At times he was eloquent. When the argument was begun it was ad- hered to; the text was never forgotten. Unblest with a classical education, he seldom blundered in either pronun- ciation or use of our Anglo-Saxon language. It was just the language needed to express his ideas.

4. His prayers were exceptional for their fervency and adaptiveness to the occasion. They were the pathos of the heart. No two of them were ever alike. And when offer- ing them he appeared to be in direct communication with his Maker. You could not hear him pray without believ- ing that he expected an answer.

5. He had a high regard for duty, and firmness in its discharge. Whatever religious principle indicated, natural courage performed. He was fearless of conscquences. He feared his Maker; he feared nothing else. Whenever he discovered a schism or heresy arising in his church, or an evil gaining root in the community, he put his foot boldly upon it. And he never took it up until the viper was crushed. It was a hard foot to get out of the way.

6. He had strong will and self-reliance. He had the faculty of putting the stamp of his own mind upon others. Consulted by everybody as to their affairs, he seldom asked advice as to his own. His self-reliant and iron nature sometimes led him into mistakes; but, when seen, these were frankly acknowledged.

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TOWN OF MALONE.

7. He was a keen observer of human nature. Very rarely was he deceived in his judgment of a mau after short acquaintance. Conclusions which were come to on sight were generally vindicated afterwards.

8. He had strong common sense. And this tempered movements that otherwise might have been hasty and fruitless. He was not indifferent to weighing the expedi- eney and practieability of a measure when right and duty were not at stake. In dress he sought conformity with the fashions of the time. As to matters in the community where principle was not involved he seldom interfered, leaving things or customs to work out their own success or failure. He had few peculiarities of his own; those of other people were easily tolerated.

9. He was prompt at meeting his engagements. If an appointment was given out, he met it. Sunshine or storm, it made no difference. A lecture, a funeral, a wedding, a sick brother, a family in any affliction,-if he agreed to go, nothing but the aet of God prevented compliance. Few of us at this day know what traveling was formerly in this county.

10. His Sabbath (he preferred this word to Sunday) was from sundown of Saturday to sundown of the next day. He brought this custom from Vermont, but never complained of others starting the day at midnight. His ob- servance of the day was strict. It annoyed him to see it disregarded.

During the war, carpenters, of a Sunday morning, eom- menced work on a building near his house. He could not brook the sound of the hammers. He went out and re- proved them till they stopped. He invited them to come and hear him preach. The same day, on his way to wor- ship, he saw a squad of soldiers, off duty, in the field, firing at a target. He went straight to them, asked them to stop and come to his service. All of the carpenters and a part of the soldiers came.

11. He was proverbial for making pointed remarks. Sometimes they were very severe, unnecessarily so, in the pulpit and out of it. It was a weakness that he could never overcome, and naturally it awoke animosities. Some- times in the midst of his meetings sharp rebukes came out. At other times, when reproving a man for some wrong with a burning glance of his small blue eye, a char- aeteristic nod of his head, and a point of his finger, his language sent the iron to the soul.

And yet in these things Mr. Parmelee never appeared to have a partiele of malice. It was his way, and, when well known, was forgiven. The generous nature that underlaid it all, and its ready outburst and readiness to extract the arrow, generally healed the wound. He never himself could cherish, for a moment, ill-will to any one.

12. His mind was active. It never scemed to have or nced repose. Between sundown of Saturday and daylight of Sunday, when other duties prevented carlier preparation, he often prepared his two sermons. On some of these oc- casions, when long watching at the bedside of a sick wife or child had apparently worn him out, the moment he en- tered the pulpit his strength and lungs scemed adequate to any effort.

While riding out in the country nothing cseaped his ob-

servation. The giant elm, the beautiful shade-tree, the evergreen, the sparkling brook, the sky, the cattle in the field, the little girl passing to school with her dinner-basket, the woodman with his axe, the farmer with siekle, a fine lawn, a shabby fence,-everything within range awoke observation and remark. There was no tameness or indif- ference; it was either approval or condemnation. His con- versational powers were remarkable. His body corres- ponded with his mind. His step was quick and elastic.

13. His liberality and hospitality were unbounded. The last loaf would be divided, if necessary, to allay the wants of another. He had no fortune, either by inheritance, demise, or acquisition. His means-always cramped-made a limit to his wishes. But what he had went frcely. It made no difference whether the recipient belonged to his church, or to another, or to none.

Before railroads were opened, his house was the constant resort, not only of the clergy, but of all the agents for Bible and tract societies, associations for the Jews, educational and missionary societies. Temperance lecturers, abolition speakers, book-pedlars, agents colleeting funds for acade- mies and colleges and for distant churches, musie teachers, men in search of schools, and traveling adventurers of almost every kind sought the minister's hotel for the double pur- pose of securing his influence for their particular hobby, and his bed and board free of expense. These men gen- erally traveled with a horse and carriage, and both quad- rupeds and bipeds must be fed. Added to these were hundreds, annually, of indifferent persons who shared his hospitality. But Mr. Parmelee never complained. The door was always open ; the guest was always welcome.

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History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 116

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 922

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 922