USA > New York > Onondaga County > Jordan > Our church and her interests : being a souvenir of the past history and a survey of the present and future interests of the First Presbyterian Church of Jordan, Onondaga Co., N. Y. . . . > Part 4
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Nathan Hulbert, Mrs. Hulbert,
Betsy Jenkins, Eliz. A. Jenkins,
Harriet Jackson,
Hannah K. Knox,
Caroline Knox,
Sally K. Kennedy. *Cyrus Lull,
*Lydia A. Lull,
Nancy Reynolds,
Obadiah Rowley,
Mary Cantine, Catharine Clark,
Elizabeth Lathrop, Abby Lecknor, Frances Lyman,
Sara E. Rowley,
Levantia Raymond, Abram Rogers, Edward Roach, Laura S Roach,
Myron C. Roach, Josiah K. Roach, *Deborah Roach, Hiram Riggs,
Mary B. Daggett, Rebecca J. Daggett, Horace Dodge, Laura Davis, Maria Davis,
*Nancy McKissick, Alzima McKissick, Aaron McKissick, *Susan McKissick, *James McKissick, Stuart McKissick, Julia McKissick, John McAinly, Nancy J. McAmly, James McClure, Jr., Ann Stevens,
Mary Ann Prince, Louisa Partridge,
Oliver Partridge,
Sarah Perkins,
Salınon Payne, Sara Payne, William Richards, Susan Richards,
Sophia Carson, H. J. Curtis,
John Cnmmings, Matilda A.Chadwick, Julia Lansing, Henry Morris, Cornelia Morris,
Barnus Carder, Susan A. Carder,
Emily Coonley, Eben. Daggett, Mary P. Daggett, Henry B. Daggett, Julia A. Daggett,
Erastus Hunter,
Fidelia Pack, Elizabeth Paddock,
Susan Titus, Deborah Titus,
Thomas L. Carson, Margaret Carson, John Carson, *Jane Carson,
Margaret Powers,
Susan M. Thacher,
Pamelia Fulton,
Eliza Fleming.
Nicholas Stoven, Mary Stoven, Alanson Simmons,
Benj. R. Sweetland,
Maria Freeman,
Theron Warren, John G. Wiley, Lydia Warner, Reuben S. Williams,
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OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
F List of Members Jan. 1, 1877.
Mrs Cornelia Abrams,
Charles Barnes, George S. Barnes,
Mrs Eliza Howland, William Johnson, Mrs William Jobnson,
Miss Kate M. Peck, Mrs Mary Purce,
Miss Libbie Purce,
Mrs G. S. Barnes,
William F. Jayne,
Mrs Frances Phelps,
Mrs Wallace Roach,
Miss Florence Inda Barnes, George M. Jacobs, Miss Altai Barnes,
Chester D. Barnes,
Mrs G M. Jacobs, Mrs David King,
Mrs C. D. Barnes,
Mrs Augustine Kent,
Mrs Margaret Bloomer,
Miss Florence Kent,
Mrs Thacher Stevens,
Mrs Sophronia Burrill, Arza. Blakeslie,
Mrs Minerva R. Lewis, Cyrus Lull,
Miss Emma Smith,
Mrs A. Blakeslie,
Mrs Cyrus Lull,
Mrs Mary Stilwell,
Miss Cordellia Blakeslie, Mrs Sara Buck,
Silas E. Mann,
John Tyler,
Mrs J. Edward Close,
Mrs Rhoda Mann,
Mrs Jared Tyler,
Miss Ellen Carson,
Miss Martha Mann,
Mrs Robert VanKeuren,
Mrs Marvin Converse,
James McKissick,
Mrs Jane Ward, (widow)
Mrs Caroline Daggett,
Mrs James McKissick,
Thomas C. Ward,
Miss Nettie Daggett,
Charles McKissick,
Mrs Thomas C. Ward,
Mrs Eliza Dimon,
Mrs Charles McKissick, Mrs Mary McKissick,
William Wagner, Mrs William Wagner, .John Walker, Mrs John Walker,
Mrs Jane Goff, Miss Mary Goff,
Norman E. McKissick,
Miss Hessie Walker,
Mrs Sara Gillespie.
William H. Nash, Mrs Sarah Otis,
Miss Denota Walker,
Mrs A. B. Howe,
Miss Sara Otis,
Mrs Dr. Weed,
Miss Anna Howe,
Miss Elenor Otis,
Miss Mary A. Weed,
Mr. Lewis B. Howe,
Mrs Frank Otis,
Prof, F. N. Wright.
Mrs Rachel Harrington,
Mrs Dr. Paine,
Mrs Wood
Total number, ninety-five.
Miss Isabella McKissick,
Mrs L. Dawchy,
Miss Susan McClure,
Miss Theodosia Walker,
Miss Jennie Walker,
Dr. A. B. Howe,
Mrs Susan Meach,
Mr Geo. H. Dygert,
Mrs Geo. H. Dygrrt,
Mrs Mary Lloyd.
Mrs Sophia Stroh,
Mrs Deborah Roach, Thomas Stevens, Mrs Thomas Stevens, Thacher Stevens,
Miss Ida Breed,
Charles Kelly,
Mrs Richard Stevens,
Our Sabbath School.
Historical Sketch by the present Superin- tendent, Att. Chester D. Barnes.
Sabbath School Sketch.
I ask your indulgence for a little time, not that I may interest or instruct, but that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by our pastor, saying : "Go prepare for the good people a paper, " containing such facts pertaining to our Sabbath School as can " by diligent inquiry be produced ; enlist all who may have any " knowledge of our school since its formation in A. D., 1824, " by one Miss Botsford, and trace as near as may be the progress " and good works growing out of such an organization."
Varied, indeed, have been the changes in our Sabbath School since its formation, furnishing abundant material for an interest- ing history.
In the first place, I will read to you a letter furnished me by a much esteemed Christian lady, Mrs. Herod Otis, who was one of the original members of our Sabbath School. She writes: "The " first Sabbath School in Jordan, and I believe in the town of " Elbridge, was organized in September, 1824, Mr. Alva D. " Botsford, Superintendent ; Mrs. Edmund Botsford, Miss Olive " Otis and Miss Coonly as teachers. Many discouragements " were met with in gathering that company of children together. " The parents were not as ready to consent, as the children were " anxious to attend. Some were fearful of their being made " Presbyterians; but when told they would be taught the gospel, " and that a reward book would be furnished for attendance, " they gave a reluctant consent. This was by no means the case " with all that were called upon in the then small village of Jor- " dan. If discouragements were often spoken of, no such word " as 'fail ' came from Miss Botsford and Mrs. Stevens, who said,
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OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
" ' Go on-the Lord will bless the work, and from this school " will grow up a church in Jordan.' Words of cheer, then as " now, were all that were required by those that were starting " the school. Miss Botsford was the main spring of the enter- " prise. I think the school opened with about thirty children ; " one family, then of Elbridge, sending us three little girls, sisters " of Mrs. Howland. Mr. Alva D. Botsford had charge of the " school for three or four years. Of that first class that remain " with us, Mrs. Nancy Blakeslie and W. M. Pack are all I can " recollect. One of the scholars was Mary Fitzgerald, whose " parents were very poor and lived on the canal tow-path in a " shanty. A testament was given to Mary by Mrs. Jenkins, " another active laborer now gone to her rest and reward, and " it proved to Mary a great boon. After a year's attendance at " the school, Mary removed west. Some ten years afterward one " of the first teachers received a call from Mary, she being on " her way to Philadelphia to meet her husband, who was then " attending the General Conference of the Methodist church. " Mary remarked to her teacher, ' I could not pass by Jordan " without stopping to tell you of what that Sabbath School has " done for me,-a poor, ignorant girl until that testament was " put in my hand and I learned to read that book. Thank God ' for putting it into the heart of Miss Botsford to start that " school, giving me the opportunity to learn.' This lady's testi- " mony may encourage some who at times doubt if any good re- " sults from their labors here. Trust God to take care of that. " His word sown often brings forth fruit where we least expect " to find it. Many of those scholars who gathered in the old " school house on Main street, near the creek, are resting on " yonder hill ; others are settled elsewhere ; many, we trust, " diligently pursuing the good way in which they learned to " walk through the instructions of those devoted teachers. The " first excursion the children had was a ride on the canal to " Weedsport, in 1838 or 1839. Several of that class are with us " to-day. Of their number, Calvin F. Daggett and Isaac C. Otis " may be mentioned. Only two of the first teachers are living- " Mrs. Botsford (with her son, Rev. A. P. Botsford, at Port Jer- " vis) and Mrs. Herod Otis, of Jordan."
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OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
We have in this letter positive proof of good growing out of the study of the scriptures. No education, however liberal, is in any sense thorough, and no culture, however elegant, is redeemed from narrowness, which does not include familiarity with the sacred scriptures If you desire to be intelligent, to speak and write good English, and to understand and appreciate some of the finest and subtlest allusions in Shakespeare, Milton, Southey, Tennyson and other masters of the literature of our language, you must have an easy acquaintance with the writings of Moses, David, Solomon and Panl. The purest and strongest styles, whether of historian, essayist, or poet, have belonged to those who studied deepest and absorbed most from the fountain of purity and strength, the inspired word. There are many volumes on the shelves of our libraries, but there is only one volume which is itself a library. It contains not one treatise, but a col- lection, unique, wonderful, made up during many centuries, from many pens, in many varieties of literary form. If you want to get at the foundation of law, you must go to the Bible and read the writings of Moses. If you wish to possess a key to the phil- osophy of history, you must seek it in the history of the Jews, the one people who were themselves an ark in which the knowl. edge of God and His love were preserved and sent floating safely on the troubled flood of human affairs. If you like dramatic writing, you will find in all the world no drama nobler, sadder, profounder, chaster in diction, severer in simplicity, grander in poetic solemnity, than the book of Job. If you are gentle and sympathetic, sorry for the suffering, anxious to relieve and com- fort the sad, you can read nothing so congenial and so suggestive as the gospel story, " the old, old story of Jesus and his love." If we would give to our Bible half the earnestness of study which we are willing to give to any one of our secular studies, we would be richly repaid.
Following Mr. Botsford as superintendents, in the early his- tory of our Sunday School, were the good Deacons Greene, Dag- gett and Norton. They have gone to their reward, and are tu-day set down at the right-hand of our Father, who knows bet- ter than we of the good they accomplished while here in the body.
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OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
This we do know -- they left behind them a good name and influ- ence that shall live when the world has passed away ; still deepen- ing, still circulating, still acting and reacting through all the unend- ing future.
Nor would we be unmindful of the devoted, earnest teachers who helped on the work, if in their lifetime they did not witness the desired result of their labors ; their work, if earnest and sin- cere, was just as acceptable to God. He has kept a faithful record and will reward them.
I find that, without records to guide me, it is not possible to arrange a list of superintendents chronologically, or to name teachers. Not that all the latter are less deserving a place and mention in our paper-on the contrary, they are the nucleus of any school, and without them superintendents would be useless. But a good superintendent, with a good corps of teachers, whose hearts are, in the work, God will bless. " I have no brilliant " teachers," remarked an earnest superintendent, " but very faith- " ful ones, who work to the utmost of their capacity." After all, it is " not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith " the Lord." Faithfulness is the first and great requisite, and with it, a desire to make the most of that which has been given to us. Some have but a small pebble on which to begin to rear their success as teachers ; and yet, in time, what characters they build up! They become the solid ones, the stand bys ; the material upon which a superintendent may at any moment depend.
Coming down the list of superintendents, we find James Mc- Clure and Deacon Charles Barnes, and that good old standard bearer, familiarly known as "Father Hongh." At a good old age, after fulfilling his ministry and completing his life's work, he sailed into the harbor like a vessel freighted with a precious cargo, which bringeth glory to the owner thereof.
To mention some of the things that the children so much enjoyed. A pic-nic on Prospect Hill in 1841 ; still later, a pic- nic to Elbridge, not forgetting to mention Mr. Towsley, better known as the children's minister, whose winning way captivated the hearts of both old and young.
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OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
Doubtless we have failed to mention all the earlier superin- tendents, but we now come down to a time when it is possible to give dates. In May, 1856, Prof. T. K. Wright (then Principal of Jordan, now of Elbridge Academy) was elected Superintend- ent ; succeeded, in July of the same year, by George Barnes ; in May, 1857, Charles Chadwick was elected, and re-elected in 1858; following Charles Chadwick, in May, 1859, was Prof. 'Aumock ; and George Barnes again in May, 1860. In this year we had our first Christmas tree, in the American Hall; and about this time the Session discussed the subject of reviving an interest in the Sabbath school-an indication that the interest was then low. George Barnes was re-elected in 1861 ; succeed- ed by John Dales in 1862, who was re-elected in 1863 and 1864 ; in 1865, Charles Kelly, followed by James McKissick in 1866 and 1867, and Mr. Kelly again in May, 1868. In 1869, Mr. Perry, the then pastor of this church, became Superintendent, and was again elected in 1870. He was followed, in 1871, by Mr. Fancher, who was re-elected in 1872. In 1873, Mr. Kelly again became our Superintendent, and held the position till May, 1876, when our beloved pastor was elected.
Having now completed the list, we would speak of the good results of Sunday-school work. Through its influence many names have been added to the church record, but to conceive of all the good growing out of such an organization is beyond all human conception. As the value of a soul is not to be com- puted, we shall be obliged to wait God's time when all will be revealed.
As in conclusion we scan the present aspect of the work, there are social distinctions impossible to be overlooked ; granting which, however, there are numberless things that can be done to promote the genuine friendliness-the one family feeling-which is such a bond of strength and harmony. "The rich and the poor meet together ; the Lord is maker of them all;" and if ever distinctions of birth, or breeding or fortune, should be leveled, it is when men and women work side by side in this nursery-garden of the church-the Sunday school. The import- ance of winning the children is felt; is it less important to win
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OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
the teacher, who is so often suffered to slip into dull discourage- ment, yea, tempted to turn his or her back upon the work begun by cold neglect or idle indifference? And to the teacher I would say, Remember that your scholars are not "to order." You must take them just as they come to you. They will many times try your patience, but it is your prerogative to bear. Think not so much of what they are, as of what they may be, under your teaching, through Divine guidance.
"And Jesus took a little child," and with the words we see The far-off living picture on the shores of Galilee. The wise, the holy teacher, with his lesson, loving, mild, And the strange, toil-hardened faces gathered round the little child.
Oh ! when shall we the meaning learn of the lesson God would teach, And take the simple, earnest life he places in our reach ; We never clearly understand 'till "lights of earth grow dim," That he " suffers little children " to come very near to him.
$
Our Ladies' Society.
By its Vice-President, Dars. A. B. Howe.
2
Our Ladies' Boristy.
The different societies, as organized by the Ladies, have aided materially the financial affairs of this church, from the time of its organization.
Previous to 1864, missionary and other benevolent societies were common ; but while the church building was undergoing repair and renovation (in 1863 and 1864) a society was formed, called the "SANS SOUCI SOCIETY" --- the more specific object of which was to carpet and furnish onr re-modeled church. The organization of this society was effected September 9, 1863: Mrs. John Dales, Pres. ; Miss Sarah Bell, V. P .; Mrs. A. B. Howe, Treas. ; Miss Susan McClure, Sec.
These officers appointed and arranged sociables every two weeks, at which collections were taken -- the amounts given by each for the entertainment being optional with the donor.
This society raised, from Sept. 9, 1863, to April 13, 1865, $265, and therewith purchased carpets, lamps, etc .; at the same time Mr. Smith Wood contributed to the Ladies' Society fifty dollars, with which they purchased the pulpit furniture.
In the spring of 1864, the ladies collected and presented to Mrs. Robert Proctor (wife of their then pastor) the sum of one hundred dollars. Since then the ladies have purchased extra lamps, marble table, etc., for the church edifice.
On the 19th of February, 1874, the Society was re-organized and called " THE LADIES' PRESBYTERIAN AID SOCIETY," with the
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OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
following officers : Mrs. Wood, Pres .; Mrs. Purce, V. P .; Mrs. Otis, Sec. ; Miss Altai Barnes, Treas.
It was voted at that meeting that the special and immediate object of the Society, should be the raising of funds towards pay- ing the organist and cushioning the seats of the church. There was received from sociables that year, $61.63, and from the persuasive solicitations of the ladies (extraneous of these enter- tainments) about $100 to defray the expenses of cushioning the seats-the work of manufacturing and fitting them being executed by the ladies. The officers for 1875 were : Mrs. James Mc- Kissick, Pres. ; Mrs. A. B Howe, V. P. ; Miss Eleanor Otis, Sec. ; Miss Anna Howe, Ass't. Sec. ; Mrs. Buck, Treas.
During that year, in addition to the collections at sociables, this society received from a lecture on " Gossip," by Rev. J. Ed- ward Close (pastor of the church), $43.50, making the total re- ceipts of the year, $103.11.
March 9, 1876, the annual meeting was held at the house of Mrs. J. C. Otis, for election of officers, etc. Chosen : Mrs. Purce, Pres. ; Mrs. A. B. Howe, V. P .; Mrs. Buck, Treas. ; Miss Cordelia Blakeşlie, Sec.
For this year (up to the present time) there has been raised $210.76 from sociables and entertainments, to which should be added amount raised by special solicitation, to aid in making Christmas presents to our pastor and his wife, $30, making $240.76.
There ought to be noticed, in this connection, our most suc- cessful Centennial Entertainment and Supper, held in American Hall, on the 5th of April, 1876, an occasion of interest, amuse- ment and financial profit.
The circular of invitation to the public, prepared by our wor- thy citizen, Mr. Robert E. Greene, is characteristic of his happy genius, and deserves to be preserved as a souvenir of that enter- tainment to which he and many others contributed success :
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OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
1776.
1876.
Ye Centennial Compliments of ye
Patriot Familie
Toe all ye dwellers on ye Spacious Earthe,
GOODLIEST GREETING: Ye dystinguished Folkes of ye Auld Lang Syne wille assemble in ye AMERICAN HALL, JORDAN, N. Y.,
On ye WEDNESDAYE Nyghte,
ye 5th of ye monthe of Aprile, in ye presente yeare, to celebrate in praiseworthie manner, ye hundrethe yeare of ye Independence of ye
American Colonies.
A goodlie Supper will be redde wh wille bee serv-ed after ye manner of ye fore- fathers and ye fore-mothers.
Ye festivitye of ye occasion wille bee enlyvened bye ye Revolutionarie Tableaux, and ye Pies, made from ye toothsome Pumpkin. Ye jollie musick and ye jovial gingerbreade. Ye Ladye Washington in smyles and ye General in regimentals. Ye boil-ed. Pork and ye ba-ked Bean. Ye Goddysse of Libertye and ye gal-axy of States. Ye stimulating Apple-sass and ye frolicksome doughnut. Ye warme Tea and ye colde Milke. Ye tardy Sandwhiche and ye hasty Puddinge. Ye sober Johnniecake and ye happie Et Cætera.
N. B. Ye Polle-taxe hath been fixedde at ye sum of Two Shillynges, Currency. Ye tickets maye be boughten at ye shoppes of neighbor Howe, neighbor Dye, or pre- adventure at ye Money Changer's office. N. B. again .- All ye old time folke will be clothed in ye old time garments.
The following telegrams from distinguished individuals would seemingly, indicate their determination to be present.
QUINCY. MASS., March,-1876. Sink or Swim, Live or Die, Survive or Perish. Mrs. Adams gives her hand, and I give my heart to your patriotic invitation ; I remain as ever a warm friend to Liberty, Doughnuts and Centennial Celebrations. J. ADAMS.
OLD DOMINION, March,-1876. When in the course of human events a Centennial Supper gets all mixed up with Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness, then you can always make room for me.
TOM. JEFFERSON.
LA BELLE, FRANCE, March, -1876. Parley vous Francais, E Pluribus Unum, Sic Semper Tyrannus, au reservoir. GILBERT MORTIMER DE LA FAYETTE, ESQ.
OLD VIRGINNY, March'-1876. As for me, give me Liberty or give me two dishes of ice-cream. I have lost the only Lamp by which my feet were guided, but Madam ! I will come ; I repeat it Madam ! I will come. P. HENRY.
MASS., March-1876.
If, on the evening of your festival, I should get my wood split and chores done in season, then all the blood thirsty hirelings of George the Third cannot stay my coming. JOHN HANCOCK.
TICONDEROGA, March. - 1876.
By the great Constitional and the Continental Congress I'll be there. ETHAN ALLEN.
PHILADELPHIA, March -1876. B upright and you'll be straight .- B honest and you'll be poor .- B happy and you'll be virtuous. -B ready and I'll be there. B. FRANKLIN.
(And others too numerous, &c.)
(Imprinted by ye mandate of ye Ladies' Presbyterian Aid Society.)
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OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
The American Hall was crowded. The arrangement of tab- leux, the costumes of the impersonators of heroes of a century ago, the musical performance-vocal and instrumental-and last, but not least, the feast of fat things served in the basement be- low-all passed off with eclat. It was a pleasant time.
The last meeting of the society was a sociable, held at the pas- tor's residence, on Friday evening, December 23, 1876, when the pastor and his wife were agreeably surprised to be presented with handsome presents. The ladies had collected from the con- gregation sufficient to purchase for Mr. Close, eight volumes of Lange's New Commentary on the Old Testament. Mr. Chester D. Barnes, in a chaste and elegant" speech, made the presenta- tion, as a tribute of esteem and affection to our beloved pastor. The Vice-President then presented, as a like tribute to Mrs. Close, a handsome silver Cake Basket. After suitable and feel- ing responses in grateful recognition, and a season of very pleas- ant social intercourse and entertainment, the company dispersed, delighted with the evening's entertainments.
The society is now in a prosperous condition. It has achieved much-it proposes more-but the ladies, with unity and zeal, continne the good work for which they have already secured so honorable a record.
Without being envious of "the rights of man," but exercising the true " rights of woman "-(so far as regards public work, at least)-the ladies among us may find their " sphere " of duty in
" THE LADIES' PRESBYTERIAN AID SOCIETY !"
Our DEparted Friends.
I.
Ministers.
١
FCORMSBY
Rev. Justus Shaler Hough.
Our DEparted Friends.
I.
Ministers.
Rev. Justus Shaler Hough.
Born in Suffield, Conn., September 8, 1785. Died in Syra- cuse, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1872.
In 1792 (when seven years of age) his family removed to Ru- pert, Vermont, where, for several years, he worked with his father in the clothing business. Converted in early life, he struggled hard to obtain an education for the ministry. His parents and friends being unable to render him pecuniary aid, he was thrown on his own resources, and contrived, by teaching school and other methods, to obtain the necessary means. His experience, in this respect, illustrated the truth of the poet's words :
" Difficulty-'tis The firm foundation of all noble things ; The stepping-stone of bravery ; the spring-board Of the true man ; the cradle of the great ; The able nurse of energy ; the goad That pricks men on to greatness !"
In his preparation for college, the student was aided by his village pastor and physician, who both were graduates of Wil- liams College. He entered Middlebury College, Vermont, in 1806 ; graduated in 1810, teaching two winters as assistant at
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OUR CHURCH AND HER INTERESTS.
1807 he was called to the pastorate of the Marcellus Congrega- tional church, and installed September 16th of that year. That church, at the ordination of Mr. Parsons, consisted of eighteen persons, the same number as at its organization, October 13, 1801, and the same number which comprised the Jordan church at its organization. It is believed that Mr. Parsons was the second minister settled in Onondaga county. He was married October 9, 1809, to Miss Almira Rice. She died January 28, 1859. In January, 1833, he resigned the charge of Marcellus church, and preached in Tully one year, and one year in Otisco, when he re- turned again to Marcellus for a further ministry of six years, making the term of his ministrations to the Marcellus congrega- tion thirty-two years. After his resignation in 1841 he preached several years to the congregation on the State Road, and several years at Borodino. His active ministry was forty-five years.
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