USA > New York > Erie County > Buffalo > History of St. Paul's Church, Buffalo, N.Y. : 1817 to 1888 > Part 33
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In this magazine article are several typographical errors which should be noted. On pages 205 and 206 of the magazine, the letters written by
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Rev. Dr. S. F. Jarvis, in 1818, to Dr. Shelton's father, the Rev. Philo Shel- ton, in reference to the imminent probability of his (the Rev. Philo Shel- ton) being elected Bishop of Connecticut, are printed in the magazine as if addressed to Rev. William Shelton, the son, then a student in his twentieth year. And, referring to the system of laity representation in the Church of England in the colonies, in the fifth line from bot- tom of page 210, by printing, " copied in great measure for the Church in the United States," the intended meaning of the sentence is reversed. For for read from.
Bishop Coxe, in his memorial sermon, preached on All Saints' Day, November 1, 1883, thus refers to the words in regard to Dr. Shelton spoken by the Lord Bishop of Niagara : "He has told us of the adop- tion of the laity into the councils of the churches of the Dominion, and of the fact that, in this respect and others, the constitutions of the colonial churches and of the disestablished Church of Ireland have been patterned after ours. More than that, he tells us that if ever the Church of England herself shall be disestablished by national caprice, her constitution, as such, will be similar. Now, I know that to the Bishop of Niagara the colonial churches are largely indebted for this great plan of reconstruction. But, he tells us, he himself learned it from your late rector. Dr. Shelton was thus the modest link by which a great chain of unity has been made complete throughout the Anglo- Catholic world. This was his greatest contribution to the general work of the Church, in his generation, and thereby the man of God in this city has been felt, in his influence, wherever the English language is spoken."
Other quotations from this sermon of Bishop Coxe will be found on pages 150-152.
The following extracts are from a valuable paper on Dr. Shelton, treating of him especially in his capacity as a citizen, prepared and read before the Buffalo Historical Society on February 15, 1886, by the late Rev. Dr. Brown. The manuscript has not been published, but
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is in the possession of the society, and through the thoughtful cour- tesy of the secretary, Frank H. Severance, we are enabled to make use of it here :
. " From all that can be learned, there was no expressed wish on the part of the young Shelton at that time [before 1827] to seek the far west as a field of labor. He, however, made an excursion to Canada, and went down the St. Lawrence in a canoe with an Indian guide. After this he was quite anxious to be the guest of the wonderful Eagle Hotel, which had already obtained an extended reputation for its excellence. Walking down the street he met Rev. Mr. Searle, who at that time was the pastor of St. Paul's. This must have been about two years previous to his coming to Buffalo [to stay]. Mr. Searle prevailed on his young friend to remain over Sunday, which he did, and preached in the little old frame church with such effectiveness that the congregation determined to secure him, if possible, to succeed Mr. Searle on his departure. Mr. Searle, too, evidently was much taken with the young preacher and seconded the efforts of the people to obtain his services. . . Mr. Shelton con- cluded at first to give up all idea of coming west. Mr. Searle, February 11, 1828, replied by letter to some inquiries made by Mr. Shelton regarding the parish -as to salary, etc. He says the salary from the parish is $550, from the missionary fund $125 - about $700 -- which would do for himself very well if it were not for the numerous church wants - 'and moreover it was not so much when I came, but with the rise of the parish the salary has risen $150.' . ... The expenses, he wrote, were about the same as in New England, excepting fuel and meats - fuel good and cheap -meats, excepting the excellent venison, very cheap and generally very poor. Mr. Shelton asks, ' What are the real prospects of Buffalo?' Mr. Searle replies, 'neither so won- derfully great as some have imagined, nor so very inconsiderable as others have repre- sented. It will be a great inland town and is now advancing fast enough for permanent
growth. . . .. You would, in my humble opinion, do remarkably well for this place. But the other consideration, whether you would be contented and happy in Buffalo or no, I cannot tell. . Much, very much people visit this place every year and would expose you to some agreeable, interesting company. This is a frontier station, truly an outpost.' . . . .
" In 1832 the cholera raged in the city, and here was exhibited the fearless devotion to duty which always characterized the life of him of whom we now write. It is recorded that Dr. Shelton was the only clergyman here at that time for five weeks' dura- tion of the scourge. R. W. Haskins, Esq., in a letter, calls that year of the cholera ' a memorable year.' It was the year in which the cholera first made its appearance in the United States. 'Its fame as the mysterious destroyer of our race had preceded its approach from Europe, and when it actually appeared among us, stout nerves were
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shaken, and consternation was as general as it well could be, without becoming abso- lutely universal.'
"The new minister at once, on coming to Buffalo, sought the comforts of the renowned Eagle Tavern, and his long-personal friend, our worthy and venerable towns- man, Hon. Lewis F. Allen, told me he remembered him very well as one of the board- ers - always in his place, an affable, dignified and welcome guest. He remained at the Eagle until the sad departure of Mr. Rathbun. . . Dr. Shelton, I find from the remembrance of those who knew him in the early life of his ministry here, was always interested and foremost in every movement which had for its object the welfare of the town and the improvement of society. As one remarked to me - whatever came up to produce any stir, the Domine was always on hand. When the old Kremlin block burned [1832] he was there as a fireman, working with might and main to sub- due the flames. Fond as he was of literary pursuits, it was but natural that we dis- cover him associated with well-known names in the lyceum and literary associations of the town. . ... Indeed, I find among his papers a theme on 'The foundation of a fund for the support of literary men.' This was written as early as 1817, and must have been his subject when he graduated from the academy. . . . .
[The original of this early article by Dr. Shelton is in the possession of the Buffalo Historical Society. ]
"Dr. Shelton was chosen the first president of the Young Men's Association, in 1835. . . . . It was, if I mistake not, at this time (about 1835), that the noble and splendid John C. Lord began his ministry here, and with whom Dr. Shelton had the most affectionate and fraternal companionship. Positive and strong as their tempera- ments were, they ever held the other in honor and esteem through their lives, and Dr. Shelton spoke of it as a blessed privilege to enjoy the friendship of this excellent citi- zen and pastor. When the intrepid soldier of the Cross laid aside his armor, it was his old friend who came to minister with others at his death-bed. Once, in a tremend- ous storm, the winter, I think, in which Dr. Lord died, Dr. Shelton sought to reach the home of his old friend on horseback. There was no roadway - every path was blocked with snow. The family saw a form struggling in the drift as if trying to reach the house. The farm hand was sent to the assistance of Dr. Shelton, who had to abandon his horse, and reached the house much exhaused from his labors. [Dr. Lord's home was far out Delaware Avenue, opposite Forest Lawn, and was, at that time, almost in the open country. ] It was the Doctor's voice, too, which was heard com- mitting his friend to his resting-place in Forest Lawn."
"He traveled throughout Europe and visited the Holy Land [in 1851 and again in 1864-5]. The journal of his travels shows him to have been an industrious sight-seer, and close observer of men and things. He returned much invigorated by his trip, and entered again with great fervor into his work. Dr. Shelton was pronounced in all he
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undertook of whatever nature. He was this or nothing. So was he in his loyalty to his country as he was to his Church, and though no public mention do I find of any special service at the time of the war, yet I am informed that in every effort of the citi- zens in behalf of the country and the soldiers he had his full share, and discharged his duty with the same zeal which marked his every work. The Doctor had many valued friends abroad, especially in England, but he never allowed his friendship to permit any lack of deference in behalf of his country, and he really by his correspondence accom- plished much good.
" One of his friends in England was Sir John Seymour. He addressed him an epistle couched in most earnest and indeed vehement language to protest against the supposed action of England when Mason and Slidell were arrested. I have seen very long letters from his other English friends showing the correspondence to have been voluminous.
" As a clergyman, he attained a national reputation in the Church for the fearless defense of Christian truth and for the eminence of his Christian character. He was signally honored by his Diocesan. . . Bishop DeLancey addresses him in his cor- respondence as dear Shelton, and shows the most unqualified confidence in his friend- ship and judgment. This was mutual - and so with the present beloved Diocesan [Bishop Coxe] - him he held in high honor and affection. .
" A word of him as you all knew him - to remind you of the sincerity of his char- acter - the honesty of his purpose - and the generosity of his heart. The poor he never turned empty away, and he often admitted how he had been imposed upon by the unworthy - yet, as he said, he could not help it. This feature in his life was most prominent. . . . . . On the bitterest, coldest nights in winter you would meet him with a huge bundle under his arm going to the homes of the destitute. Once he came in from one of his visitations and asked his wife for some bed clothing. She said, ' My dear Doctor, you have nearly taken everything already.' 'Never mind,' he said, ' I must have it,' and stripping the clothing from the bed, he started out on his errand of mercy. .
" It is most proper to mention here his intimacy and strong attachment to the genuine brother and friend, Dr. Ingersoll. In the closing of their lives respectively they were brought very near together, and Dr. Ingersoll was seldom a single day from his side. The gentle, amiable, confiding temperament of the one-in connection with the strong, stern, noble and assertive one of the other, were but the deepening richness of color and the lighter glory in the same Christian character -like St. Paul and St. John - filling out so grandly the lives of these devoted servants of God. . . . .
"The testimony of the bishop . . .. is, 'That a Shelton in every town would be salt to the nation.' So we bear him in blessed memory - whose work cannot be computed by figures- whose life cannot be estimated in years. Bound
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up in the book of his living are the records of lives whose histories cannot be told. The tear-stained pages are there - for he was ever ready to minister to the sorrowing. The brightly illuminated pages, too, are there, for he . . . . shared with all their bright days of happy reunion. The heroic tale is part of his life, for he was fearless and brave-in all his duty. These all, in their endless variety and influence, went to make up the unwritten history of our venerable father, now at rest.
" He was a dutiful citizen - a true friend - an honest man - an humble Christian - a faithful servant of the Most High God."
The terrible time of the cholera epidemic, in 1832, referred to in the quotation from Dr. Brown's paper, is graphically described by the late Hon. Lewis F. Allen, in his article, in Volume IV. of the Publica- tions of the Buffalo Historical Society. Mr. Allen characterizes Loring Peirce, the sexton of St. Paul's, as " a hero," for his tireless and inval- uable services during this time of appalling trouble. (See also the footnote, pages 107, 108, this volume.)
In Mr. Allen's article, as indeed quite generally in all the articles referring to him which have been printed in the newspapers and elsewhere, the name has been misspelled " Pierce." "Loren Perce " is another incorrectly printed variation. He, himself, wrote it invaria- bly Loring Peirce, a form of spelling well known in New England. His autograph signatures on the subscription lists for the building of St. Paul's, and on numerous receipts still in existence, are distinctly written and are always the same. The name was pronounced "Purse."
The cholera returned again to Buffalo in 1834, with equal violence, but the terror of the people was not quite so great, owing to the improved facilities for coping with it, and to a better knowledge of its treatment.
Again, in 1849, the dreadful scourge reappeared, at which time many victims fell beneath its ravages, among them both Mr. and Mrs. William Williams, who died on the same day, August 1, 1849. Mr. Williams was a prominent member of St. Paul's, a vestryman, the efficient treasurer of the parish, and a member of the building com- mittee for the new church. (Page 57.)
Historical Notes, 1817-1903. 377
September 1, 1849, Jacob A. Barker, writing to Mr. Upjohn, refers to the heavy blow sustained by the church in Mr. Williams's death, and says, further, that the general health of the town is so far improved that the work on the foundations was then about to begin. He refers in other letters, at that period, to the delay in the building operations caused by the terrible sickness - of the impossibility of having a quo- rum of the building committee, most of whom had taken their families and left the town-and of the great difficulty in getting workmen sufficient to do the excavating. Cholera came again in 1854.
Through all of these terrible visitations, Dr. Shelton remained at his post, often walking several times a day to the cemeteries to read the burial service over the victims.
Forest Lawn Cemetery was not used until July, 1850.
The following copies of the original autograph letters are of inter- est as bearing upon two important points in Dr. Shelton's early life :
"I hereby certify that William Shelton has for more than one year past been a can- didate for Holy Orders in this Diocese, and that he is now, at his request, dismissed from the same, for the purpose of connecting himself with the Diocese of New York.
" New Haven, June 28, 1823.
"T. C. BROWNELL, "Bishop of the Diocese of Connecticut."
"The Rev. Wm. Shelton, a Presbyter of the Diocese of Connecticut, intending to visit the western part of this State on his way to the Falls of Niagara, I take this mode of introducing him to the clergy and to the members and friends of our Church. Mr. Shelton is an alumnus of the General Theological Seminary, and is highly esteemed by me for his talents, his piety and general worth.
"New York, July 3, 1827.
"JOHN HENRY HOBART, " Bishop Diocese of New York."
In an old book of "Records of Ministerial Duties," dated 1824, in Dr. Shelton's handwriting, are the following entries :
"Was ordained [deacon] by Bishop Brownell, at Cheshire, Connecticut, August 6, 1823.
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" Arrived at Plattsburg [New York], August 11, 1823.
" On the 23d day of July, 1824, I gave up the missionary station at Plattsburg, and returned to Connecticut. .
" Memoranda of the Parish of St. Paul's, Red Hook [New York], October 1, 1824. Arrived at Upper Red Hook the last of August, and preached until the meeting of the convention, at which time accepted the proposals of the wardens and vestry, which were that I should remain with them, and receive for my support the amount of sub- scriptions - 420 dollars - and whatever over should be collected. . . At the expiration of my year's engagement at Red Hook . I determined to leave, not knowing whither I should go.
" After preaching about a month in the parishes of Fairfield [Trinity Church] and Weston [Connecticut] on New Year's Day, 1826, my regular year commenced. Here, living in my own home and surrounded by my hereditary friends, and protecting my own family, I preach over the bones of my venerated father - usefully, I trust - with a salary of $450. The parish of Fairfield contains about fifty families, all in moderate circumstances, and living in much simplicity." (See pages 40, 41, 149, 150, 151, 152. )
The Rev. Mr. Shelton was ordained to the priesthood, by Bishop Brownell, May 17, 1826, in Trinity Church, Fairfield. (Report of the bishop to the convention of the Diocese of Connecticut, June, 1826.)
In a paper read before the Buffalo Historical Society by William Hodge, February 4, 1879, entitled "Buffalo Cemeteries," is the following :
"The first interment in Forest Lawn was that of John Lay, Jr. . ... Late one summer afternoon, July 12, 1850, the quiet of the place was broken by the entrance of the first funereal train ; and at the going down of the sun, as the earth closed over the mortal remains of John Lay, Jr., began the peopling of this new necropolis of the Queen City of the Lakes. On that occasion were heard for the first time in this cemetery the words of the lofty and impressive burial service of the Epis- copal Church, as Mr. Lay was consigned to his final resting place, under the direction of him who had performed this office for two generations of his fellow citizens ; I mean the late Loring Peirce, so many years our 'city sexton.' Since then, how rapidly has been fulfilled the saying of the venerable and beloved rector of St. Paul's Cathedral, who officiated at that time, and, as he surveyed the place, bethinking him of its intended purpose, exclaimed, ' What a flood of grief will here be poured out.'" (Volume I., " Publications of the Buffalo Historical Society.")
Historical Notes, 1817-1903. 379
No pictures are in existence, save those in the recollections of the older citizens, showing Dr. Shelton as he was wont to go about the city, years ago, upon errands of business or mercy, mounted on his favorite horse. Dr. Shelton was a fine horseman, and sat firmly and well, feeling and appearing perfectly at home in the saddle. He continued this almost daily custom until considerably beyond his three score years and ten. Memory, only, recalls the dignified figure and the sedately-stepping horse as they passed down the quiet, shady streets of the Buffalo of those days.
The remembrance of a joke upon the Doctor has outlasted more than half a century. When the rectory on Pearl Street was completed in 1847, Dr. Shelton felt that, being parish property, it should not be regarded merely as his personal residence.
Accordingly, one day a plate appeared upon the door, bearing the words "St. Paul's Rectory."
The rector's old friend, Sheldon Thompson, one of the founders of the parish, passing slowly down Pearl Street, saw the little sign.
Turning, he ascended the steps and rang the bell. "Is Saint Paul in? " he inquired solicitously, and then hurried away. What the Doctor said when he heard of this bit of pleasantry is not recorded, but there is no doubt as to what he did. The inscription promptly disappeared and the well-remembered silver plate, reading simply "William Shelton," took its place.
The following little story is told of Dr. Shelton, and is so charac- teristic of one phase of his personality that it should not be lost. In the old days, the young people of the parish used to meet together in the basement of the church in the week before Christmas, to make wreaths and garlands of evergreens to decorate the edifice at the great festival, and these meetings often called forth much innocent jollity. Upon one occasion (in the 50's) it was decided to have an impromptu dance in the basement as a reward for the steady work of the evening. Dr. Shelton coming in said, "I hear there is some talk of a dance here to-night." "Yes, Doctor," replied one of the young men, " we thought
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we would have a little dance after we finished the work." "Well, snapped the Doctor in a terrible voice, " you can't have it - I won't allow it." There was much murmuring, but nothing to be said against the Doctor's command. Later he came back, and, saying sternly, "I want to see you across the street at my house - I have something to say to you," turned and went out. Much rebellion on the part of the young people followed at a prospect of further lecturing from the irate Doctor, and some declared that they would not go, but it was finally decided to adjourn to the rectory in a body, as to refuse would be disrespectful and likely to hurt the Doctor's feelings. Dr. Shelton met them at the door of the rectory, and with a kindly gleam in his eye, behind a fierce frown, said : " The entire church is consecrated, and no place for dancing - you may dance here." Then the frown vanished, and with beaming face he shook hands and welcomed each one by name. Two fiddlers had been brought in, and, after a merry dance, the folding doors at the back of the large parlors were thrown back, and a bountiful supper was served, after which they all went home feeling more than ever that Dr. Shelton was a father to each and all.
Sometime in 1870, a mortgage had been placed upon the Pearl Street Rectory, incurred in order to complete the fund for the main spire, etc., of the church. This debt was being extinguished by frequent offertories for what Dr. Shelton called " The Tower Fund." One Sunday morning, when Bishop Bissell of Vermont was present, Dr. Shelton announced that "the collection to be taken up after the sermon would be for the Tower Fund," whereupon, to the delight of the congregation, Bishop Bissell entering the pulpit, announced his text from St. Luke, xiv., 28 : " For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it ?" It is needless to add that the good bishop was wholly innocent of any local application.
Dr. Shelton took a deep interest in western missions, and especially in Nashotah in its earlier years, and there was long a “ Nashotah So- ciety " in the parish, to aid the seminary, which was founded in 1842.
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Historical Notes, 1817-1903. 381
Shelton Hall, a handsome stone building now used at Nashotah House as a commons and professors' residence, is named for Dr: Shelton, and was largely built through his own generosity and that of St. Paul's Parish. In the building is an oil portrait of him, and a number of views of St. Paul's, Buffalo. In the chapel of the seminary are sev- eral memorial windows, given by St. Paul's : one to Bishop Seabury, one to the Rev. Philo Shelton, one to the late Edward S. Warren, and another to his young son. Dr. Shelton was for many years a trustee of Nashotah House.
The Gospel Messenger, in an article published in 1862, describes the stained glass window, given by Dr. Shelton in memory of his father, at Nashotah. The window bears the Shelton coat of arms with the motto, " Nil sine Deo," and the following inscription :
" A Filial Memorial to the REV. PHILO SHELTON, A. M., a faithful and true churchman, who, for nearly forty years, was the beloved and venerated Rector of the parishes of Fairfield and Bridgeport Connecticut. He was the first person ordained by the Rt. Rev. Samuel Seabury, D. D., the first Bishop of the American Church, A. D. 1785. Born 1754. Died 1825."
. . " My venerated father lived forty years in the only parish he ever served. My younger brother lived thirty-seven years in the only charge he ever had, and I myself have presided over my own beloved parish forty-eight years. These are examples of stability which do not often appear in this changing and uncertain age." (Rev. Dr. Shelton, in an address at the reunion of the Shelton family, at Birmingham, Conn., June 14, 1877.)
For references to the Rev. Philo Shelton's ordination, see foot note, page 40, this volume. Also, "History of Stratford and Bridgeport, Connecticut," by Rev. Samuel Orcutt, Part I., pages 623-625. Tablets to the memory of the Rev. Philo Shelton were placed in the old church
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in Mill Plain, Fairfield (under the chancel of which he was at first buried), and in St. John's Church, Bridgeport. Dr. Shelton's mother survived her husband thirteen years, and " left a name only to be loved and hon- ored by her friends." She is buried by the side of her husband and two daughters in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport. In the inscription on the marble monument, erected by Dr. Shelton to their memory, he speaks of his father as "a faithful pastor, a guileless and godly man."
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