History of Lewis County, New York; with...biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 15

Author: Hough, Franklin Benjamin, 1822-1885
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Syracuse, New York : Mason
Number of Pages: 712

USA > New York > Lewis County > History of Lewis County, New York; with...biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 15

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BAPTISTS.

The Black River Baptist Association, was formed in 1808, at which time there existed a church at Denmark, of 29 mem-

bers under the Rev. Peleg Card, and an- other at Turin of 65 members under the Rev. Stephen Parsons. The Association then also included Jefferson and parts of St. Lawrence and Oswego counties numbering in all 9 churches, 371 mem- bers, and 5 ministers. The Black River Missionary Society was formed in 1817, and up to 1844, had received $7,837.

A file of "minutes " from 1808 to 1853, (excepting the years 1813, '32, '35, '36, '37, '41, '42, '43, '44, '45,) gives the follow- ing list of Elders of " close communion " Baptist churches during that period, in the county. It is not offered as com- plete, but will be of interest :-

Ashley, Riley B., Martinsburgh, 1825,'26; Turin, 1827, '28, '29, '30,'31,'32; Ley- den, 1834. (Removed to Plainfield, Ill.)

Blodget, John, Denmark, 1818,'19 ; Low- ville and Denmark, 1824, '26, '27, '28, '29; Lowville, 1831, '32, '34. Burdick, -, West Leyden, 1829. Card, Peleg, Denmark, 1808 to 1818; Turin and Leyden, 1824 to 1831.

Clark, Charles, Lowville, 1833; Copen- . hagen, 1834.

Clark, John, Leyden, 1815.

Guitteau, Norman, Denmark, 1821, '22, 23, '24. (Went to Watertown.) Hartshorn, Chancellor, Leyden, 1828, 29, '31.

Hersey, Simeon, Denmark and Low- ville, 1823, '24; Turin, 1825.

Horr, Calvin, Denmark and Lowville, 1833, 34. Marshall, Samuel, Martinsburgh, 1820, '25 ; West Leyden, 1826.

Morgan, Elisha, Lowville and Denmark, 1820, '23. (Went to Henderson.)

Morgan, Thomas, Leyden and Turin, 1820, '23. (Went to Lyme.)

Parsons, Stephen, Turin, 1808,-'19. Philleo, Calvin, Turin, 1824.

Rogers, Elisha, Leyden and Turin, 1821. Salmon, Martin, Martinsburgh, 1827,'31. Rice, William, Martinsburgh 1834.

Warner, Thomas, Denmark, 1826, to'31; Lowville, and Denmark, 1833. (Went to LeRay.)

Wedge, Albert, Denmark, 1833; Low- ville and Denmark, 1834.

IOI

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

The same source of information shows that in the years included, the " Associa- tion," was held in "Leyden in 1825, 1836, and 1846; at Stow's Square in 1834; in Copenhagen in 1838, and in Lowville in 1841 and 1851.

CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN LEWIS COUNTY.

Lewis county was included in the Diocese of Albany, until the formation of the Diocese of Ogdensburgh, Febru- ary 15, 1872, when it came within the jurisdiction of the latter.

The churches of this denomination, and the charges connected with each, are at the time of our writing as fol- lows :-

Constableville-St. Mary's, Rev. J. A. McKenna, who also has in charge, St. Patrick's of High Market, St. George, of Greig, and attends occasionally at Dannatberg, Botchfordville and other places.

Croghan-St. Stephen's, Rev. P. Greg- ory Schlitt, O. S. F., who also attends St. Peter's in Dayanville, St. Vincent in Belfort, and occasionally at Jordan Falls.

Lowville-St. Peter's, Rev. - Nyhan, who also serves Maple Ridge, in Mar- tinsburgh.

Port Leyden-St. Matthew's, Rev. Jas. O'Connor, (in place of Father Carroll, who died July 16, 1882.) He has also charge of St. Anthony, in French Set- tlement, six miles east of Port Leyden, and at Lyons Falls, Moose River Tan- nery, etc., where services are occasionally held.

Copenhagen-Rev. J. A. Haggarty, who has a pastoral residence at this place, but no church. He serves at St. Pat- rick's in Harrisburgh, Sts. Peter and Paul, in Pinckney, near New Boston, the chap- pel of the Sacred Heart in the west part of Martinsburgh, near the line of Montague, etc.

West Turin, (Mohawk Hill,)-St. Mi- chael's, served by Franciscan Fathers, who also attend at a small church near Fish creek, and at Prussian Settlement, in the Church of the Nativity, B. V. M.

UNIVERSALISTS.

The " Black River Association" was formed June, 1823, and includes this county, Jefferson and Oswego. The only churches erected within our limits are at Denmark at Talcottville, and at neither of these have services been had for many years. We believe they never had a settled minister, at either of these places.

FRIENDS.

There were never but a few individuals of this sect in the county. They settled at Lowville, and had a meeting-house there. It appears to be entirely extinct. The Lowville Quakers belonged to the Le Ray Monthly Meeting.

RELIGIOUS REVIVALS.

As a part of the history of the county, we should notice certain periods of un- usual religious interest that have oc- curred since its settlement. In the winter of 1803-'04, a revival occurred among the Baptists in Turin. In 1818, 1822, 1831, 1833, 1842-'43, and 1857, sea- sons of religious awakening occurred, some of them of extraordinary intensity, especially that of 1831-'33. That of 1857, was characterized by the absence of excitement, and by its apparently spon- taneous origin. Some facts in reference to the movement in 1831, are given in a series of articles first written for the Journal and Republican, by Mr. Ezra Bots- ford, of Martinsburgh, in September and October, 1876, and printed at Albert Lea, Minn., in 1877, in pamphlet form, entitled "The Country Church." The author's name did not appear, the arti- cles being signed "Sparks from the Blacksmith's Anvil," and as "written between heats," in the old brick black- smith shop in Martinsburgh, where Mr. Botsford has for more than half a cent- ury labored at his trade. From this

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HISTORY OF LEWIS COUNTY.

pamphlet, and from a diary kept by one who became interested in the events, we prepare the following account :-

"Early in 1831, there began to be held, what were called 'Conferences of the Churches,' or 'Three Days' Meetings.' The first in the county was held at Stow's Square, March 17-19, and another was appointed at the 'Line Church' for March 23-25. The Baptist church in Lowville, began one March 30th, and they quickly followed in Denmark, Co- penhagen, and many of the towns of Jef- ferson county, as well as in Martins- burgh, Leyden, and elsewhere. The meetings in Martinsburgh continued eleven days, and were conducted by Revs. Blodgett, Crandall, and Pickands, and by Judge William Root and others. On the second day thirteen public meet- ings were appointed, beginning at 5 A. M., and continuing till late in the evening. The court was in session at the time ; but as Mr. Botsford says-' the sanc- tuary had more attractions than the bar- room and the court house, as frequent interruptions occurred by officers of the court calling for persons at church who were wanted in court. By a mutual un- derstanding between the leaders of the meeting and the Judges, court adjourned, that all might attend the meeting. The body pews were reserved for them, and all came in procession.'"

In 1832, the Rev. Jacob Knapp, a Bap- tist, held meetings at the Line Church at Lowville, and in the following spring in Turin and Constableville. The Rev. Jedediah Burchard, a Presbyterian, in the same year held meetings at Stow's Square, Copenhagen, Denmark and Ley- den Hill. Weare able to quote from the autobiography of Elder Knapp, some ac- count of his own labors in Turin and Constableville :---

" During the period between the years 1832 and 1834, I held meetings in all the principal towns in the counties of Jeffer- son, Lewis and Oswego, and in many towns in Cayuga county. Throughout these two years I usually called in the aid of all evangelical denominations, namely the Baptist, Methodist, Presby- terian and Congregational. All labored

together, and I was content to leave the spoils with the pastors and churches after I had gone. But I found this method fraught with serious evils. In the first place, the different churches were almost sure to quarrel about their respective share of the converts. The churches, in these small country villages, were generally more or less feeble ; and each felt that its very existence depend- ed upon these accessions. This conten- tion would stop the revival, the wicked would triumph, and devils hold jubilee in hell."

In short, Elder Knapp, who was a Baptist, learned to work for his own church; although, as appears from his own statements, he was sometimes brought in contact with other church- es, but not as we are aware of in collision with any.

Deacon Tenman, of the Congregation- al church, and Calvin Horr, a licentiate of the Baptist church, accompanied him several years, and assisted in conducting his meetings for prayer and inquiry. He also mentions Elders Hervey Little, Thomas A. Warner, Charles Clark, Joshua Freeman, Martin E. Cook, Azel Waters and Albert Wedge, who labored with him; and writing in 1868, says :-

"Some of them prayed and toiled themselves to death. They died on the field of battle, with their armor on. How strange it seems that I am permitted to outlive them all, when I was expecting to be among the first to cross over Jordan, as I did more of the preaching, and per- formed the hardest part of the labor."

He however found sometimes " old fogies," who would invite neither Fin- ney nor Burchard to labor with them. They "went poking along like an old lazy yoke of oxen, keeping a little ahead of the converts, and hooking them back least they should go too fast."

We cannot refrain from quoting his description of the excitement in Turin. Instead of spelling out the names, he gives only the initials. We will improve upon this by adding as many stars as

103

REV. JACOB KNAPP.

there were letters, by the aid of which our younger readers will be able by a little inquiry, (and the older ones with- out,) to restore the names in full :-

" In the course of these two years, 1832-'34, I was called in the providence of God to attend a meeting of days in Turin, Lewis county, N. Y. At that time there was no church of any denon- ination in the village. The town was called 'Satan's Seat.' The people had built one meeting-house, which was free for anybody to preach in, whether they preached truth or error. A number of Christian people of different names com- bined together to get up a meeting, and then extended to me an invitation to preach .* When I arrived, I found a number of ministers of the Gospel of different names there, praying together, and ready to lend a helping hand for the conversion of the place. Most of the men of business were infidel or Univer- salist in sentiment. I commenced preach- ing day and night, and opened prayer- meetings in different places. The people came in, the Spirit began to manifest his power, and sinners were converted.

" But opposition soon began to arise and develop itself more and more. When speaking on the tendency or effects of Universalism one evening, I related the following fact which took place in that village :-

" A boy whose mother was a Univer- salist, stepped into a store one day, in the absence of the merchant, and took from the drawer all the money it contained. As he was going out at the front door, the merchant was coming in at the back door, and recognized him. The mer- chant knowing him to be a bad boy, followed and caught him, and accused him of having stolen money from his drawer. The boy denied the charge, calling on God to witness his innocence ; but the money was found in his pocket. The merchant asked him what he thought would become of him if he continued to steal and lie, and call on the name of God. The boy looked him impudently in the face and replied, ' I don't care if I do lie and steal; there is no hell ; mother tells

me so.' The Universalists did not fancy such a naked, unvarnished application of the tendency of their doctrines. So they stirred up the wicked, set the town in an uproar, and got out a summons for me, with the intention of breaking up the meeting, and of being revenged on me. Squire P *** agreed to carry on the suit free of charge; others subscribed five dollars each to meet the expenses, and it was reported through the town that Knapp had lied; and had slandered a poor widow, and was going to be prose- cuted. I called a council of war, and after praying over it, and consulting to- gether, we unanimously resolved to go on, regardless of what any one might say or do, and trust events in the hands of God. I was then young, and had had but little experience in such mat- ters. I entered the pulpit, told the brethren that possibly the sheriff might call for me before I had finished my dis- course, and that if he did I should goto jail, and I wished them to go on with the meeting, and that if I could get bail on the limits, I would open a protracted meeting there, and we would kindle a fire on both sides of the Devil, and burn him out. These remarks aroused the brethren, and seemed to carry them back to the Apostles, and they cried un- to God mightily. But no sheriff ap- peared. On that afternoon, however, I received a note from my persecutors, stating that if I would made a handsome apology, they would pass the matter over; if not, then the suit should go on ; and that they would all come that even- ing to the meeting, in order to hear my apology. All were excited to the high- est pitch ; some were praying and look- ing beyond all creature aid ; some were cursing, and some were smitten in their hearts. I think my text for that even- ing was,-' And Thou Mourn at the Last, when Thy Flesh, and Thy Body are Con- sumed, and say, How have I Hated Instruc- tion, and My Heart Despised Reproof, (Prov. v, 11, 12; ) and if I ever felt that I stood between the living and the dead, I felt so that night, The solemnities of the eternal world gathered around us, and settled on the whole congregation. Some sank down in their seats helpless,

* These meetings were held in the spring of 1833, in Turin, and in the course of the next summer at Consta- bleville.

* Elder Knapp was born in Otsego county, December 7, 1799, and was therefore aboul 34 years of age.

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HISTORY OF LEWIS COUNTY.

before I had finished my sermon. Not a dog moved his tongue. We spent a season in prayer, and several were con- verted on the spot ; others were unable to get home without assistance. Colonel F ***** , a dry goods merchant, could not stand on his feet; several of the brethren helped him home to his house, and staid with him all night. He was brought into light and liberty before morning. Strange to say, his wife con- tinued hardened, and was heard to say repeatedly that she would rather her husband lost all his property, than to have lived to become a Christian. If I am not mistaken, she was, notwith- standing, brought to give her heart to Christ sometime afterwards.

" From that hour, the work rolled on until most of the village was converted to God. The lawyer who offered to carry on the suit, was among the con- verts. A Dr. D **** , and wife, were converted. A wealthy man, by the name of P **** , a confirmed Univer- salist, who had subscribed five dollars towards the suit, and who laid his hand on the Bible and swore that he would cowhide any man who should darken his door to talk with him or his family on the subject of religion, was made a signal trophy of redeeming grace. His family likewise shared in the blessing.

* * * *

"The victory of the people of God in this place, was complete. The Devil was vanquished. Error was driven like chaff before a mighty wind, and I learned, from experience, that it was better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes."

He also gives a lengthy account of his meetings in Constableville, which were held in Edwin Miller's barn, a large and then newly finished building, which was fitted up with a bower upon each side, sufficient for the accommodation of two thousand people. There was then no other church at or near that place, ex- cepting St. Paul's (Episcopal,) about a mile north of the village.

In the bowers they conducted an anxious-meeting separate from the con- gregation which was listening to the

preaching. "As fast as one was brought under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and could be induced to go, he was led to the inquiry-meeting. The ungodly called it ' the finishing-off room.'"

While they were in want of such a room, Colonel Miller, offered the use of an old store which he was occupying for the purpose of packing pork, and it was thankfully accepted. Though a perfect gentleman, he would sometimes indulge in a sly joke with his friends, in a pleas- ant way, about the minister's taking the anxious to his "pork-shop," in order to get them converted, but before the end of the meeting he resorted thither himself.

In fact, wherever he went, Elder Knapp was sure to raise an enthusiasm- and this from year to year through a long life. At the time of the publica- tion of his autobiography in 1868, he had been living for some years in Illinois, but was then holding revival meetings in California.

Elder Knapp died at Rockford, Ill., March 2, 1874, aged 74 years and a few months. In a notice published at that time, it is said : "His preaching was stern and terrible, yet cultivated and able men were moved by it, as well as the populace," He had acquired by judi- cious investments a comfortable estate in his old age, a considerable part of which he distributed among the benevolent societies belonging to his denomination.

The Rev. Charles G. Finney, who is mentioned in the preceding notice, had for a dozen years or more, been labor- ing as an Evangelist in Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Oneida and other counties, but he does not, in his autobiography, mention this county as the scene of his labors. He was a law student at Adams, in 1821, when his attention was first given to religious matters. He was quite as remarkably successful in his ministry as Elder Knapp, and died at Oberlin,

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REMINISCENCES OF ELDER BURCHARD.

Ohio, August 16, 1875, nearly eighty- three years of age. His manner was of the argumentative kind, with neither wit nor dramatic effect. His statements were simple, plain and direct; often re- peated to enforce their meaning, and often with wonderful results. With Burchard, it was theatrical throughout.

In the summer of 1853, while spending a short time at Sackett's Harbor, in col- lecting materials for the history of Jeffer- son county, the author was called upon by the Rev. Jedediah Burchard, who requested him to appoint an interview. Being pressed for time, and having in fact none to spare, the hour of nine o'clock in the evening was mentioned as likely to make it short. He came with a friend, and after introducing the sub- ject by saying, that as we were writing the history of the county, perhaps some- thing might be said of him, and the re- ligious revivals he had conducted, he be- gan with giving an account of their ori- gin and progress, and of his manner of conducting them. It led into the recital of the most amusing anecdotes we ever heard ; in all of which he made himself the chief character, and many of them were told " at his own expense." They were told too, in a way so replete with humor, that the narrative compelled most immoderate laughter in his hear- ers, while he kept himself under perfect control, although intensely enjoying the spirit of wit that flashed and sparkled like diamonds in his narratives.

We do not in this, wish to intimate that there was anything in the slightest degree in derision of religious matters in his stories; on the contrary one could not doubt the sincerity of his convictions; but there was something in his nature that leaned strongly to the comic, and he had a faculty in bringing this out, that was inimitable. We remember one of his anecdotes that may serve as an exam- ple. He was holding a revival meeting

in central New York in a village where there were two hotels. The proprietor of one of them was a most worthy and respectable man-influential and forward in all worthy enterprises, while the other was in every sense of the word a " hard case." There had been difficulties be- tween them, and the latter was known to hate his more respected neighbor with a perfect hatred.

In the midst of the meeting one even- ing, as he was urging the people to arise, and ask prayers for themselves and their friends, this "hard case," arose in the broad aisle, and as all eyes were turned upon him, he gravely asked the prayers of the congregation, for the other man. Mr. Burchard, at a glance saw that there was something not sincere, but as both parties were unknown he enquired :- "Do you believe in the efficacy of prayer in this case?" Theanswer promptly came :- " I don't know; but I would like to see you try the experiment."

His methods in short, had been, to create an enthusiasm, and to work it up to furnace-heat-his wife assisting among the women and children, while he was engaged among the men. The inter- view lasted till morning dawn - in fact made one day of two. Not long after in meeting the friend he had brought with him, and in speaking of that night, he re- marked. "I have known Burchard for years, but never got acquainted with him till then,"

Whenever there was an enthusiasm to be got up, the people of Jefferson coun- ty knew where to apply. Mr. Burchard had settled in that county, and having acquired a considerable amount of prop- erty, became a director in the Jefferson county bank. In 1849, when the Irish were starving, a relief committee em- ployed him to work for them, which he did, with effect.

He was one of the most attractive and successful temperance lecturers ever

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HISTORY OF LEWIS COUNTY.

heard; and finally, in the early days of the war, when it was necessary to raise vol- unteers, he was again in his element, and at the patriotic meetings that were held, he addressed great public assem- blies, with thrilling effect.

He lived for some years at Sackett's Harbor, and finally died at Adams, Oc- tober 1, 1864, aged 70 years. His wife lost her reason in these intensely excit- ing scenes, which physical nature could not sustain, nor long endure.

The Rev. Abel L. Crandall, who labored in some of these meetings, and was the principal leader in those at Mar- tinsburgh, had nothing of the dramatic in his style, but he had an effectual way of presenting his ideas, and was especial- ly earnest in prayer. Unlike Finney and Knapp and Burchard, who made (if we may use the expression), a "specialty " of revivals ; his connection with them was occasional and limited to the churches in which he labored, or their vicinity.

RELIGIOUS AND OTHER SOCIETIES.

The Lewis County Bible Society .- This society was formed May 28, 1812, when the Rev. James Murdock was chosen President ; Rev. Isaac Clinton, Vice- President ; Stephen Leonard, Treasurer; Barnabas Yale, Secretary ; and Jedediah Darrow, Jr., Deacon Mather Bosworth, Deacon Samuel Dean, William S. Rad- chiff, and John McCollister, a Committee.

Members were required to pay $1.00 the first year, and 50 cents annually un- til it amounted to $3.00. During the first seven years, there was no change of officers except in the Committee, which included at different times, the Rev. Jeduthan Higby, Deacon Seth Miller, Jonathan Barker, Paul Abbott, Lemuel Dickinson, Chillus Doty, John Ives and Chester Shumway. In August, 1827, a Bible Society, auxiliary to the American Bible Society, was formed in

this county. Its donations to the parent society up to 1860, had been $599.08, and its remittances for bibles and testa- ments $3,056.39. Stephen Leonard acted as treasurer from the beginning, ex- cepting one year, until near or quite the time of his death. In 1828, it established auxiliaries in each town, but this was found unadvisable. A Bible census has been several times taken, by the first of which, in 1829, it was found that 400 families in 2,000 were without the Bible. In 1848 it was found that 708 out of 3,743 families were destitute, and of that num- ber 278 were supplied, the remaining 430 being all Catholic.

In 1818, John W. Towne, of Vermont, agent of Holbrook & Fessenden, at Brat- tleboro, got an immense subscription list for a $12.00 quarto family bible in this county. This was considered then, and may be regarded still as a remark- able transaction, in view of the relative scarcity of money then, as compared with the present time. The subscribers' names were stamped upon the back of the volumes, and in very many of the old families, copies of this bible may still be found.

The Bible Society still keeps up an organization in the county, but we think it has not had continuous existence since 1812. It holds an annual meeting, in October, and its present officers are .-

President-Horace Bush. Secretary-Royal P. Wilbur. Treasurer-Horatio Arthur.

THE FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL IN LEWIS COUNTY.

The first Sunday School in the county is said to have been started in Martins- burgh by Barnabas Yale in 1815, or 1816. Mr. Yale was a lawyer and magistrate, and a zealous Presbyterian. From the recollections of persons still living, that were present, the number attending was

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LEWIS COUNTY SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.

about forty, and the sessions were kept up with much interest, in Mr. Yale's office for several months. They were then transferred to the church, and organized into classes according to the present plan. They have since been continued with much regularity down to the pres- ent time.

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History of Lewis County, New York; with...biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 15

Author: Hough, Franklin Benjamin, 1822-1885 Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Syracuse, New York : Mason Number of Pages: 712

Author: Hough, Franklin Benjamin, 1822-1885
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Syracuse, New York : Mason
Number of Pages: 712