USA > New York > Oneida County > Kirkland > History of the town of Kirkland, New York > Part 8
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" Jesus shall reign where 'er the sun Does his successive journeys run."
From this time onward for two years, nothing of special importance transpired in the affairs of this church and society. A log building of moderate size having been erected on the village Common, in 1792, furnished a place for holding religious worship. Mr. Norton also
OLD WHITE MEETING-HOUSE
95
MEETING-HOUSE BUILT.
preached in various parts of the town, as opportunity presented or circumstances required : to use his own words, " I often preached in school-houses and barns and in the open woods."
In the year 1796, the church now numbering about sixty members, and the pecuniary ability of the people having increased, they determined to erect a House of Worship. The log building on the Green was accord- ingly torn down, to furnish a site for the new edifice ; and the school-house, a small frame building standing on the ground now covered by the district school house in the village, was used for holding religious meetings until the new church was completed.1
This Meeting-House was built of wood, in the style of architecture then common in the rural parts of New England. It stood upon a knoll some ten or twelve feet higher than the present level of the village Park, facing the south, the front middle door being nearly two rods north of the south entrance to the Park. It was about sixty-five feet long, and forty-eight broad, with a square tower projecting half its depth in front, which was sur- mounted by an open belfry and a turret. It was clap- boarded, and painted white. The plan of the house was drawn by a Mr. Harrison, of Paris Hill, and it was erected partly under his supervision. During the first summer and fall the building was enclosed, the floor laid, and some temporary seats made. Here the work rested for a time, and the house was used for public wor- ship in its unfinished state, until the summer of 1801. On its completion this year, the pews were sold at public
1 That school-house was removed a few years afterwards, to make way for a brick one, and now stands on the north side of Kellogg Street, and is occu- pied by James Hughes as a Celtic boarding-house.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND.
auction, one pew near the pulpit being reserved for aged and deaf persons, and another for the family of the pastor.
The first bell was hung in the belfry, August, 1804. It was cast in this village by Captain Timothy Barnes, its weight being eight hundred pounds ; but owing to some defect in the casting it was soon broken. It was then taken down and carried to Troy, and re-cast, with some addition to its weight. The bell then and thus made has been in use until the present time. It is the one now in the belfry, of the Stone church.1
The Meeting-House was never dedicated by formal religious ceremonies. It began to be used for divine service before it was finished, and was used in this way so long that when completed it was not thought needful or advisable to set it apart by any special observances. Many devout persons maintained that the presence of God had already consecrated it.
There are some now living to whom it will be unneces- sary for me to describe this old Meeting-House. They will remember its three uncarpeted aisles ; its square, high-back pews, painted blue without and unpainted within ; the large, monumental-shaped stove standing in an open space near the middle door ; the lofty pulpit, with its modest show of carved work and tracery, its hangings of faded crimson, and the large windows in the rear shaded by Venetian blinds ; the . pillars supporting the gallery and the arched ceiling ; the high " Blue Pew "
1 A church building had been erected by the Congregational Society, of New Hartford, in 1793. The steeple was not built, however, nor was it otherwise finished until the year 1796. It must have been staunchly constructed, for it still stands, and with its frequent repairs, presents a very respectable appear- ance. As the oldest church edifice in this county, it is worthy of distin- gnished consideration.
97
STONE CHURCH BUILT.
over the orchestra in the gallery ; and the Negro Pew on the east side of it. Nor will they fail to see the reverend pastor walking up the middle aisle, bowing gravely and graciously, right and left, to his people in their seats. And then - to pass outside - who that ever saw the stately old building, can forget its pale-green doors, with their large handles and latches of wrought iron ; the lightning-rod dangling upon the western side of the tower ; the pagoda-like turret above the bell-deck, and the bell itself, swinging in its open chamber, and telling daily to the surrounding inhabitants the hours of nine in the morning, twelve at noon, and nine at night ; and the gilded letters at the top of the turret marking the four cardinal points ; and the ball and weathercock and star surmounting the whole ?
In the year 1833, this venerable structure having be- come somewhat decayed, and in its style of architecture out of keeping with the improvements of the age, and occupying a site which was considered unsuitable, it was resolved to remove it and to erect a new church. The present stone edifice was built in the years 1835 and 1836, at a cost of about $8000, and on its completion, the old meeting-house was torn down. A portion of the frame- work of the old church was used in building the present district school-house on the east side of the village Park.1
1 The masonry of the Stone Church was done by Mr. Charles Wilcox, and the carpentry by Richard Hardell. The lightning-rod, gilt ball, weathercock, and star, were with the bell, transferred from the old church to the new.
In the year 1869, by the aid of Mr. Gaius Butler, the venerable surveyor, I ascertained the site of the northwest corner of the old church, and the centre of its front middle door, and drove down red cedar stakes at each point. The top of each stake can now be seen, just even with the surface of the ground. Mr. Butler's note-book says: "The bearing of the northwest corner of the old 7
98
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND.
The pastorate of Rev. Dr. Norton extended through a period of forty years. These were, for the most part, years of general prosperity in the church and the community. During the later portion of his ministry, however, the introduction of what were styled "new measures," in connection with the preaching of Rev. Mr. Finney and others, gave great anxiety to the cau- tious pastor, and finally hastened his resignation. Yet this did not essentially mar the purity and peace of the church, nor check its growth. Dr. Norton gave up his ministerial charge in the year 1833.
The stated pastors of this congregation from that time until the present, have been as follows : Rev. Moses Chase, from July, 1835, to January, 1839 ; Rev. Wayne Gridley, from February, 1840, to February, 1845 ; Rev. Robert G. Vermilye, D. D., from June, 1846, to October, 1857 ; Rev. E. Y. Swift, from January, 1858, to May, 1862 ; Rev. Albert Erdman, from March, 1864, to February, 1869 ; he being succeeded by Rev. Thomas B. Hudson, D. D., in October, 1869.
This church was originally constituted with the Con- gregational form of government; but after adhering to this polity for upwards of seventy years, it was found expedient to change it for the Presbyterian. And for the following reasons : First and fundamentally, it was assumed that the Presbyterian form of government was at least no less closely conformed to the principles set forth in the New Testament, than the Congregational. It was found also that the Congregational churches of this region were becoming feebler ; that the Oneida As- sociation, with which this church was connected, had no
meeting-house from the northeast corner of the Mills' Block, is S. 36° E .; distance, 8 chains and 8 links."
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RULING ELDERS.
other settled pastor within its bounds, and that its meet- ings were often held at quite a distance from Clinton : while, on the other hand, this church was surrounded by numerous and thriving Presbyterian churches, and was within easy reach of the stated meetings of Utica Pres- bytery. The relations of the college in Clinton to the Presbyterian Church, had also some influence in deter- mining this change. This transfer of ecclesiastical rela- tion was consummated in the year 1864. The Creed and Covenant of the church remained substantially the same as they were from the beginning.
The following persons have been elected to the office of Ruling Elder : -
HENRY P. BRISTOL
JAMES S. COOK
Elected 1864. Elected 1864.
GEORGE K. EELLS
Elected 1864.
FREDERICK M. BARROWS
Elected 1864.
HORACE M. PAINE
Elected 1864.
LATHROP BROCKWAY
Elected 1864.
JOHN C. GALLUP .
. Elected 1864. Elected 1864.
ROSELLE L. NICHOLS
JOSIAH L. COOK
EDWARD NORTH
. Elected 1864. Elected 1865.
A. DELOS GRIDLEY
. Elected 1865.
JOSEPH S. AVERY
Elected 1866.
HAMILTON BROWNELL
. Elected 1869.
In the year 1850, the parsonage on College Street was built, and the church edifice internally remodeled. In 1869, the church was painted and frescoed, and its win- dows embellished with stained glass. At the same time, also, the chapel was built in the rear of the church.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND.
THE REV. ASAHEL S. NORTON, D. D.
In concluding this history of the oldest religious organ- ization in the town of Kirkland, I think it not inappro- priate to give a brief sketch of the life and character of its first pastor, the Rev. Dr. Norton, who held a conspic- uous position here for nearly half a century, and who was held in the highest respect and veneration by all who knew him.
Mr. Norton was born in Farmington, Conn., Sep- tember 20, 1765. His ancestry was highly respectable, and his father served as a colonel in the war of the Rev- olution. His studies preparatory to entering college were pursued under the care of the Rev. Dr. Perkins, of West Hartford. He was graduated from Yale College in the year 1790, bearing off the highest honors of his class.
During his Senior year he experienced a change of religious character, and resolved to devote himself to the work of the christian ministry. His theological studies were pursued under the direction partly of Rev. Mr. Strong, of Haddam, and partly of Rev. Mr. Smalley, of Berlin. In the year 1792, he was licensed to preach the gospel by the Congregational Association of Hartford County. As we have already seen, he was invited to be- gin his public ministry in Clinton, March 25, 1793. A quiet and unassuming man, he yet addressed himself to his chosen work with great earnestness and vigor. Nor were his labors in vain. His congregation steadily in- creased until it became one of the most efficient and flour- ishing societies in central New York. He preached up- wards of three thousand sermons during his ministry, more than half of which were written out in full. In
101
REV. DR. NORTON.
November, 1833, he was dismissed from his charge at his own request. He retired with the most dignified and christian spirit, and contrary to the wishes of a consider- able portion of his congregation.
Released from professional duties, he afterwards de- voted himself almost wholly to the care of his farm on which he had resided for many years. He continued to cherish a warm attachment for the people of his late charge, uniting with the pastors who succeeded him in the administration of the Lord's Supper, baptizing the children of parents whom he had baptized in their in- fancy, and attending funerals, until he at length followed to the grave the last of those who composed the church at the time of his ordination.
Dr. Norton was one of the founders of Hamilton Col- lege, and was appointed to deliver the Latin Address at the inauguration of President Backus. He was a trustee of the college from its establishment in 1812, to the year 1833, and he was deeply interested in its welfare as long as he lived.
During the years 1852-53, he was subject to the at- tacks of a disease which slowly reduced his strength and finally terminated his life. The manner of his dying was such as could have been desired for him. He passed away without any apparent bodily distress, calmly trust- ing in the Saviour, and cheered by those consolations which for so long a time he had ministered to others. He died May 10, 1853, aged eighty-seven years. His funeral discourse was preached by. the Rev. Robert G. Vermilye, D. D., one of his successors in the pastoral office at Clinton.
If now, in addition to this general outline, I may attempt a more minute and full portrait of this venerable man, the lines will be drawn somewhat as follows : -
1
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND.
In person, Dr. Norton was of medium stature and well proportioned. His complexion was dark, his eyes and hair black, his voice rich and melodious. Quick in his movements, he was yet dignified and graceful ; self- respectful, yet courteous, and possessing in all respects the manners of a true gentleman. To some he may have seemed a little reserved in his demeanor, -for he seldom unbent himself in general society, - but this was only in appearance, and did not proceed from coldness of feeling, but rather from a shrinking modesty, and a high sense of the dignity and sacredness of his office as a Chris- tian minister.
In the early years of his professional life, his health was quite delicate, - so much so that his friends thought him verging to a decline, - but by much exercise out of doors, in walking and in farm-work and riding on horse- back, he became more vigorous, and enjoyed firm health unto a good old age. As he was so somewhat noted for his pedestrianism, I once asked him how he came to adopt the practice. "Shortly after I began preaching," he replied, " I was reading a volume of travels in Italy, in which the writer said that while sojourning in Rome, he noticed several Catholic priests walking out daily into the suburbs of the city to a certain mile-stone, and then returning. They told him that this had been their practice for many years, and that they were largely indebted to it for their robust health. It occurred to me at once," said Dr. Norton, " that the regimen which had proved so beneficial to a Catholic, might be equally good for a Protestant. I have tried it and found it of most excellent service." He is known to have walked from Clinton to Paris Hill, a distance of five miles from his house, to fulfill an appointment to preach. He uniformly
103
DR. NORTON'S INTELLECTUAL POWERS.
walked to the church, a mile and more, to attend his Sabbath evening lecture. He did this from choice, walk- ing while his horse stood idle in his stable. I met him one summer morning at his physician's door, after he had become quite aged, and remarking that he looked somewhat feeble, he replied that he had not been well . for a few days past, and thought he would come over and get a little medicine. His cane and dusty shoes showed that he had walked a mile to see his doctor.
In accordance with the usage of that day, Dr. Norton purchased a farm, in the early part of his ministry, on which he labored as opportunity permitted, and the produce of which helped to make up the deficiencies of his salary. He was much interested in the introduction of new and improved varieties of grains and of fruits. Whenever he visited New England, he came back with new seeds and scions, and then went about among his people teaching them the art of engrafting. It is be- lieved that he first gave that impulse to pomology in this region, which has made Oneida County so precminent in this State for its fruit-culture.
Turning now to the intellectual endowments of Dr. Norton, it may be said that though they were not of a superior order, they were yet quite respectable, and were happily developed by liberal studies. His mind was not. distinctively philosophical and profound, yet he could analyze and present the argument of any chosen subject with much perspicuity and force. He was clear in his perceptions and calm and accurate in his reason- ings. He did not possess large gifts of imagination and fancy, yet, when the occasion required, he could adorn his speech with the graces of a finished rhetoric. The beauty of his mind lay in the symmetry and harmony
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND.
of its parts, and in its uniform and well-ordered manner of working.
Of his moral and religious character, it is not too much to say that he lived above reproach, and happily exemplified the graces of a sincere piety. He was a man of singular modesty and humility. So marked were his simplicity and purity that even his enemies acknowledged in him an Israelite without guile. He was particularly careful in the use of his tongue. He seldom spoke in disparagement of others. His chris- tian character exhibited itself chiefly in the form of high religious principle. Christ was the sole foundation of his hope, and he felt sure that it was a firm founda- tion.
His character as a preacher may be inferred from what has already been said of him in other respects. His voice was not powerful, nor was his action bold and strik- ing. There was nothing in his elocution to attract attention to itself. His manner was simple, easy, dig- nified, impressive. His style as a writer corresponded with his manner as a speaker. It was marked by purity and correctness. If it was formed upon any model, it was the Addisoniau. Often, it was enlivened by figures of speech; it was sometimes enriched by classical allu- sions; sometimes it rose to lofty eloquence; but its leading characteristic was elegant simplicity. He was a sober man, and he aimed to present sober views of all subjects. If he did not startle his hearers, he seldom failed to interest and instruct them.1 His theology was
1 He was very studious of the proprieties of time and place, almost fastid- iously so. It could never have happened for him to recite his text, as a very spare clergyman once did his, without first giving the chapter and verse, but exclaiming, "My leanness, my leanness, woe is unto me!" Nor as a broad- girthed minister once did his, by announcing, without preface: "If any other
.
105
DR. NORTON AS A PREACHER.
Calvinism as expounded by Edwards and Bellamy. He was a doctrinal preacher, yet truly practical. He had no hobbies - his whole nature forbade it -but he aimed to hold and to present a just and rounded view of all Scriptural truth. As a pastor, he was systematic and faithful in visiting his people from house to house.
From this view of his life and character, it is not surprising that his ministry was a successful one. There was a steady accession to his church from the beginning to the close of his pastorate.
Dr. Norton's only publication was an Historical Ser- mon, and this he suffered to be printed with great reluc- tance. His low opinion of his own productions and his exceeding sensitiveness to criticism led him to decline many requests for the publication of discourses and addresses. After preaching the historical sermon above alluded to, on a Thanksgiving Day, a leading member of his church (Dr. Seth Hastings) rose and moved that, as the sermon contained important historical facts, as well as useful moral reflections, a copy be requested for publication. The vote was unanimous. . While this gentleman was putting the motion, Dr. Norton was so embarrassed and overcome that he got up, seized his manuscript, and hurried out of doors bare-headed, for- getting his hat until he was in the open air. After much entreaty, he consented to the publication ; but as it was the first, so also was it the last.
After resigning his pastoral charge, he still maintained his habits of bodily and intellectual activity. His eye and his hand were busy in orchard, garden, and field. Even to his old age he was a great walker, walking a
man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more." He certainly would not have omitted the precautionary formula.
106
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND.
mile and more to the post-office and the church, and for social engagements. In his eighty-fifth year, he was seen at the top of one of his apple-trees, gathering the ruddy fruit he loved so well. He continued also his scholarly habits. His library was his favorite resort, and theology his favorite study. He kept himself abreast with the science and literature and general news of the day. When his eyesight failed, some member of his household read aloud to him. The people of his late charge made a special visit to him every winter, bringing with them substantial tokens of their regard. At these gatherings he was wont to make a short address ; some- times recalling the history of his connection with the people of this town; sometimes exhorting them to in- creased activity in religious duty ; and always assuring them of his love for the church and his desire for their temporal and spiritual welfare. And so his later years passed away, cheered by the recollection of a long life of usefulness, and by the hope of an endless life in heaven.1
1 The following sketch of Rev. Wayne Gridley (the only deceased pastor since Dr. Norton) was prepared by Professor Edward North, Necrologist of the Society of Hamilton Alumni, and is inserted here by request : -
" Rev. WAYNE GRIDLEY, the oldest son of Deacon Orrin' Gridley, for many years a prominent citizen of Clinton, and long a Trustee of Hamilton College, was born in Clinton, November 12, 1811. At the age of twenty he was received into the Congregational church. At the graduation of his class from Hamilton College in 1836, he pronounced the Valedictory oration. He completed his theological studies at Andover; and, in accordance with a long-cherished pur- pose, was ordained in Clinton, as a Foreign Missionary, September 25, 1839. He was kept from his field of missionary labors by the financial embarrassments of the American Board, and on the 26th of February, 1840, was installed as pastor of the Congregational church in Clinton. Here he labored faithfully and with great success for five years. During his brief pastorate, one hundred and five were added to the church. In 1845 he was compelled by failing health to give up the duties of the ministry. A year of foreign travel checked the prog- ress of his disease only for a time. After struggling for a year with increasing infirmities, he died in Clinton, November 23, 1846.
He was married to a daughter of Dr. Seth Hastings, of Clinton, and was the father of a daughter who still lives."
107
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
II. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.1
The history of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Clinton cannot be traced previously to the year 1818. Early in that year a "Class " was organized, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. John Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gillespie, and Mrs. Triphena Butler, who resided in the village, together with several persons living in the vicinity. This " Class " belonged to what was known as the Westmoreland Circuit, which included Augusta, Vernon, Verona, Paris Hill, Marshall, and Westmore- land. At that time there was no Methodist preaching in this village. There was a regular service, however, at Mr. Butler's, two miles distant, on the hill road to New Hartford, and at Malachi Barker's and Mr. Ely's, four miles south of the village. In the summer of 1819, preaching was established on a week day, in the village, at the residence of John B. Gregory, where it was con- tinued for eight years. There was occasional service in the school-house at the foot of College Hill, and at Clinton Factory, when about thirty were converted in one revival.
In the year 1831, Dr. Joseph Cornell became a resident of this town, and proved a valuable addition to the little society. Meetings were now held in the school-house, and shortly after in the session room of the Congrega- tional church. About this time a site for a church edi- fice was purchased by Dr. Cornell and Mr. Gillespie, for $1500. A subscription of $800 was secured, but very much less than that amount was realized from it. The enterprise would have failed had not Father Gillespie
1 This paper was prepared by the Rev. M. G. Bullock, pastor of said church from April, 1870, to April, 1873.
108
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF KIRKLAND.
assumed the responsibility, and by his personal efforts and sacrifices completed the building. It was dedicated in 1842, by Rev. Zachariah Paddock, presiding elder of the district. At this time the society, owing to removals and deaths, numbered only thirty members. Rev. John H. Hall became pastor in 1842, remaining two years. He was followed by Rev. S. G. Lathrop, Rev. William Loomis and Rev. A. J. Dana. Under Mr. Dana's pas- torate, a successful effort was made to free the church from debt. In 1849-50, Rev. Richard Cooke's labors . were blessed with a gracious revival, some fruit of which yet remains. Mr. Cooke was a very energetic man, and through his efforts the church edifice was thoroughly re- paired.
A parsonage was purchased in 1853, situated on Col- lege Street, which was afterwards sold and one obtained on Fountain Street. Rev. S. Stocking was instrumental in this good work. Rev. Dwight Williams was appointed pastor at the Conference which met in the spring of 1864, and remained in charge for the following three years. Mr. Williams was very successful in winning the affec- tions of the people of all denominations, and his earnest but quiet labors did much to prepare the way for the revival that soon followed. Mr. Williams was a preacher of fine talents, and had also more than ordinary ability as an amateur poet.
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