USA > New York > Chenango County > Sherburne > Reminiscences, anecdotes and statistics of the early settlers and the 'olden time' in the town of Sherburne, Chenango county, N.Y. > Part 7
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In the early part of the excitement, the church had explicitly defined her position, by passing a series of resolutions upon the subject of slavery, which are record- ed in the following words :
" Whereas, The subject of Slavery is one of deep and intrinsic import- ance to every American Christian, and is now agitating the public mind throughout the land, we, as a church, feel it to be both our duty
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
and privilege to make a public expression of our views in reference to it. Therefore
"Resolved, That we consider the enslaving of one part of the human family by another, as a gross violation of the most precious and sacred rights of human nature-as utterly inconsistent with the law of God, which requires us to love our neighbor as ourselves-and totally irreconcilable with the spirit and principles of the gospel of Christ, which enjoins that 'All things whatsoever that ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them.' Slavery, we believe, creates a paradox in the moral system. It places rational, accounta- ble and immortal beings in circumstances where they have not the power of moral action. It makes them dependent on the will of others, whether they shall receive religious instruction-whether they shall know and worship the true God-whether they shall enjoy the ordinances of the gospel-whether they shall perform the duties and cherish the endearments of husbands and wives, parents and children, neighbors and friends-whether they shall preserve their chastity and purity, or regard the dictates of justice and humanity. Such are some of the consequences and evils of slavery-consequences and evils not imaginary-not arising from an abuse of the institution, but which connect themselves with its very existence, and are insep- arable from it. If, in any instances, the slave does not suffer all these evils, as we believe there are many, it is owing to the humanity of the master, rather than to any inherent righteousness in the system itself. The slave is deprived of his natural rights, degraded as a human being, liable to have inflicted upon him all the hardships and injuries which inhumanity and avarice may suggest. Such being the system of slavery, we regard it as a sin against God and man, and do feel it to be our duty to use our honest, earnest and unwearied endea- vours in all suitable ways, to remove its evils from our land and throughout the world.
"Resolved, That, holding as we do, that American Slavery is a sin against God and man, we cannot invite to our pulpit a minister who is actually a slaveholder, and approves of the system; nor invite to our communion an individual holding a like relation to the system.
"Resolved, That, great as we believe the evils of slavery to be, and much and earnestly as we desire its removal, we do not believe that its evils would be mitigated, or its abolition hastened by gatherings
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
for political effect on the Sabbath, and therefore we cannot approve or countenance gatherings for such purposes, on that sacred day.
"Resolved, That, as a church, we do not feel called upon to express an opinion of any system of political action for the removal of slavery, believing, as we do, that its political bearings should be settled by us as citizens, in connection with our fellow citizens, and not as an ecclesiastical body."
The church adopted these resolutions, with the expectation that they would satisfy all parties, and produce peace and concord among the brethren. In this they were disappointed. About forty withdrew, formed themselves into a separate body, thereby break- ing the covenant by which they were bound to the Great Head of the Church and his people, erected a house of worship, labored with zeal to build themselves a place and a name, but to no purpose. They speedily ran down, sold their house, and are scattered, more or less, through the land, and generally remain isolated from all church relations, like sheep without a shepherd. Five only have returned, after the lapse of fourteen or fifteen years, to the bosom of the church, which they had repudiated.
Rev. Archibald McDougal was installed February 14, 1854. Dismissed 1860.
The church, at an early day, was accustomed to assem- ble all the children of its members, at the commencement of every new year, for the purpose of having close per- sonal conversation with each, upon the subject of their souls' concern and future well being. They continued this practice until their increasing numbers rendered it impracticable, when Sabbath schools took their place. It was a general custom among them, to require their children to commit to memory the Assembly's Short Catechism. Nothing short of great accuracy in the answers would be accepted. With few exceptions, they
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entered, early in life, some branch of the vineyard of the Lord, and are useful members of the Church and State, an honor to their parents, honored and esteemed by the communities in which they reside.
The present number of communicants, is one hundred and sixty five ; and of Sabbath school scholars, one hun- dred and ten.
BAPTISTS.
The first Baptist Church was founded June 24, 1802. It consisted of twenty-four members, of whom, one only is now living. Their first house of worship was erected in 1818, east of Earlville, on the dividing ridge between the Chenango valley and the Handsome Brook, near the south line of the town of Hamilton. About 1836, they mutually agreed to divide and locate the church at Earlville .* Those living in that vicinity continued their relations with the first church. Those on the east side were organized as the Second Baptist Church of Sher- burne, Oct. 7, 1836, with twenty members. Their num- ber increased to one hundred and fifteen in four years, and was then diminished in one year, by emigration, to sixty-five. They now number eighty-seven.
* They sold their house to Henry Waters of Earlville, who removed it to the bank of the Chenango Canal, where it was converted into a store-house. Some years after, the conversation among a party of young men, turning upon the singular and quaint variety of articles with which Mr. Waters had surrounded himself, one of the number offered to bet that no one could inquire for anything in his store, which he could not produce. Another accepted the wager-revolving in his mind what impossible article of merchandise should save the stake -"Have you any pulpits for sale, sir?" Mr. W. promptly led him to an out building, where, in the midst of kindred rubbish, he dis- played to the astonished youth, and his intensely amused companions, the article inquired for, standing entire.
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
They erected their house of worship, in the village, in 1837, at the cost of about $2.300.
METHODISTS.
The Methodist Church was organized in the village of Sherburne, March 12, 1839, by Rev. James P. Backus and Ebenezer Colson. They built their house of wor- ship in 1840. They now number eighty-three members.
FREE COMMUNION BAPTISTS.
The Free Communion Baptist Church, was organized as a branch of the Plainfield Church, Feb. 8, 1809, by Elder Strait, Deacons Fuller and Crumb, jr., and Messrs. Spicer, Fitch and other brethren. They chose Elder Strait their pastor, and Ephraim Mowry church-clerk. They received, on that occasion, eighteen into their fel- lowship by baptism. From this time they had a succes- sion of pastors, and frequent additions were made until 1819, when, by mutual consent, a council of ministers and delegates, from churches in their connection, was called to dissolve their relations with the parent church. This council consisted of Elder William Hunt, from Plainfield ; Elder Benjamin Rowland, Exeter; Elder Easterbrooks, Brookfield ; Deacon William Phelps, New Berlin ; and Deacon Hart, from Plymouth. They met at the school-house, near Stephen Tillotson's, on the 2d day of June, 1819. Elder William IIunt was chosen moderator, and Royal Bryant clerk. The council after due consideration, organized them into a separate church, which contained forty-eight members. Elder Hunt gave the solemn charge, Elder Easterbrooks the right hand of fellowship, and Elder Rowland made the concluding prayer. Stephen Tillotson and Stephen Tinker were Deacons, Robert Dart church clerk.
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
About this time, Elder Benjamin Rowland, was chosen pastor, and occupied the pulpit seventeen years. During his ministry, there were frequent revivals. In 1820, there were fifty-five added to the church. Occasional additions were made from year to year, until 1831, when there was another revival, and sixty-seven were added.
About this time, they obtained a charter from the Legislature, and were incorporated Free Communion Baptists of the State of New York. They erected a house of worship, at the cost of about $500.
From 1831, the church continued to prosper-revivals were frequent, and large accessions were made. Deaths, exclusions and emigrations, have reduced their number at present, to about one hundred. Elder Rowland's suc- cessors, in the pastoral office, were : Elders Lotheridge, Mathers, Brown, Clark, Russel, Gardner, Moore, Cook, Lewis, and J. M. Darling, who is the present pastor.
Two of their members have become preachers of the gospel, viz .: William Lothridge, ordained July 9, 1831 ; and Daniel Mather, in 1837.
EPISCOPALIANS.
The Episcopalians were organized into a church, by the Rev. Russel Wheeler, in July, 1828.
Its first male Members, were-Thomas Kershaw, H. N. Fargo, Amasa Skinner, Asa Foote, Ezra Griffin.
First Wardens .- Thomas Kershaw, H. N. Fargo.
First Vestry .- Amasa Skinner, Alexander Holmes, Reuben Davis, Elijah E. Merrill, Peter J. Davison, Wm. Rees, Asa Foote.
Their first Rector was the Rev. Edward Andrews, who was engaged to officiate one fourth of the time, for one year, from the first of Sept., 1828.
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They erected their church edifice in 1831, at the cost of about $2.500, including the bell .*
In 1832, Bishop Onderdonk made them their first paro- chial visit, and confirmed thirty-six.
In 1832, the Rev. John. W. Woodward, supplied the parish one half of the time. In August of the same year, the Rev. Liberty A. Barrows was employed as Rector, one half of the time. By a subsequent arrange- ment, he continued to serve the parish until 1838, when he resigned. In January, 1838, the Rev. Thomas J. Ruger, succeeded him, and occupied the pulpit six months. In June, 1839, the Rev. Thomas Towel, filled the vacan- cy. In Feb., 1842, the Rev. Liberty A. Barrows was recalled, and continued until 1846, when he resigned. In May of the same year, the Rev. W. D. Wilson was chosen Rector, and continued the same until 1850. On the 8th of May, that year, the Rev. Levi H. Corson was chosen Rector. During his ministry, on the 19th June, 1850, the records of the church and society were burnt, and the above minutes were collected by him, from the best information that could be obtained. May 8, 1854, he resigned. The Rev. Thomas Applegate suc- ceeded in July, 1854. He resigned Oct. 1, 1855. Rev. G. L. Foote became Rector, April 1, 1856, and continued until April, 1858. May, 1858, the Rev. Joshua L. Bur- rows became Rector, and still officiates as their pastor.
In 1858, their church communicants numbered seventy. The number of families belonging to their society was fifty-eight, containing one hundred and thirty adults, and
* Trinity Church, in New York, contributed 500 dollars; John Watts, of New York, (a large land-holder in the north-east quarter,) $500; Amasa Skinner, Thomas Kershaw, and H. N. Fargo, each $100, and others smaller sums, according to their several abilities.
I
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
fifty children ; in all one hundred and eighty. Sabbath school pupils thirty. Moneys raised for missionary and benevolent objects $131 60.
UNIVERSALISTS .*
The Universalist Society of Sherburne, was organized on the 25th day of August, 1849, by the friends of the cause, who met at the brick school-house, situated east of the Academy, in the village of Sherburne, which building was previously purchased by them, to be used as a place of public worship. The meeting was organ- ized, by appointing the Rev. James S. Sherburne, as Moderator, and Isaac Plumb, as Secretary. The Rev. Alfred Peck, offered a prayer ; and a Constitution for the government of the society, was presented by the Rev. C. L. Shipman, for consideration, which was adopted. Alberto Sabin, Naham Starr and Luther N. Murdock, were elected Trustees; and Elijah S. Ly- man, was elected Secretary. Rev. James S. Sherburne, Naham Starr, Richmond White, Alfred Sabin, Alberto Sabin, Elijah S. Lyman, William C. White, Luther N. Murdock, and Isaac Plumb, were present and partici- pated in the proceedings of the meeting.
The society held religious services at this house, until the year 1856, when they purchased the meeting-house, in the village of Sherburne, known as the Free Church, a neat and commodious building, which they still occupy for religious worship.
ROMAN CATHOLICS.
After the completion of the Chenango Canal, a num- ber of foreigners, chiefly Irish, remained in the town.
* Communicated by Isaac Plumb, Esq.
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
They were soon organized into a church, professing the Roman Catholic faith.
In 1858, they purchased the house belonging to the First Congregational Church and Society of Sherburne, and have preaching once in two or three weeks. If I am rightfully informed, there is not an American born citizen, except their own children, united with them. It appears to be the policy of their Priests, to keep them isolated as much as possible, from all religious or educa- tional intercourse with the Protestant community.
LAST OF THE ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS.
Josiah Lathrop was one of the original proprietors of the south-west quarter ; and was three years in the service of his country, during the Revolution. He and Joel Hatch were the last survivors of that band of pioneers. It was a curious coincidence that their birth days should be the same day and month, the 29th of August, although Mr. L. was seven years the senior. It was their custom to meet at each other's houses, alternately on that day, and have a social visit with each other, and their offspring, to the fourth generation. It was a grand sight to behold these venerable men, " o'er whose grey locks four score and ten winters had shed their frosts and snows," sit side by side, and recount the reminiscences of the past. They had seen sixty winters pass over the valley, since their first arrival, and now found themselves the only survivors of all their compeers. Together they had gone through the trials and vicissitudes of their country, "in the times that tried men's souls." They could contrast the present with the day they first beheld the Valley of Chenango in its primitive glory, when it was only the residence of the roving Indian, the wild bear, the prowl-
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ing wolf, and the bounding deer. When with slow and steady perseverance of the ax, swung by their own arm, they beheld, one after another, the trees of the forest fall crashing to the ground. Now, in their stead, the expanded landscape, dotted with comfortable dwellings, surrounded by lawns of luxuriant grass, and fields of waving grain, spreads itself out before them. With hearts overflowing with joy and gratitude, they saw temples erected to the living God, filled with worshipers from Sabbath to Sabbath-flourishing schools around them- prosperity and internal improvements exceeding their most sanguine anticipations. Every bosom would swell with grateful emotion towards them and their associates, for all the toils and hardships which they encountered in laying the foundation for these results : all would be dis- posed to honor them, not only as soldiers of the Revolu- tion, but as soldiers of the Cross-to regard them not merely as aged citizens, but as sages " whose words were words of wisdom, which it would be safe to follow."
These fathers, and the greater portion of the early set- tlers with them, have gone the way of all the earth. The last of this band was Joel Hatch, who survived Mr. Lathrop, about one year; and was one of the first to explore and settle in this town, and the last to leave it. He died March 26, 1855, in the 91st year of his age.
CONCLUSION.
What people have received a greater legacy from their forefathers, than the people of Sherburne ? The boon of freedom, from tyrany and oppression, almost every one of the original, and many of the early settlers with them, were personally active in obtaining, which, together with the beautiful landscape that adorns the banks of the Che-
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HISTORY OF SHERBURNE.
nango, as a well watered garden, and was made such by the sweat of their brow, they have bequeathed to us. These organized churches, religious and literary institu- tions, so prominent in our midst, after being watered by their tears, and nourished by their prayers, they have handed over into our hands for safe keeping. May wo ever have their names in grateful remembrance, imi- tating their virtues, and transmitting this inheritance unimpaired to our posterity.
ยท
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Animals, Wild,
76
Ark,
59
Baptists, 94
Birds, 78
Bridge, 58
Burritt, Rev. Blackleach,
15
Carding Machine, 44
Census, .
61
Chenango Canal, 60
Climate,.
67
Church, . 85
Circuit Court, 44
Citizens who became preachers, &c., 65
Conclusion,
100
Deer,
78
Distilleries, 82
Episcopalians, 96
First Family, 11
First Justice of the Peace, 34
First Lawsuit, 35
First Payment of Lands,
31
First School,. 32
Free Communion Baptists, 95
Geology, 65
Gospel and School Lands, 49
Graduates of Colleges, 64
Grist Mill,
26
Hawks, 79
104
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Indians, 71
Indian Fortifications, 75
Indian Relics, 74
Introductory Remarks, 5
Judges, 43
Last of the Original Proprietors,. 99
Latitude and Longitude, 71
Lawyers, first in Town,
41
Library, 50
Log-houses, 19
Marriage, first in town,
50
Methodists, 95
Panthers, .
77
Party Ride,
51
Physicians, ..
46
Pigcons, Wild,
79
Pioneers,
17
Potatoes,
81.
Products of the Soil,
79:
Roman Catholics, 98.
School Houses,
48
Sherburneites admitted to the Bar,
65.
Skunks,
78
Store,
44
:
The Press,
61
Town Meeting,
82
Universalists,
. 98
Wedding,
50
Wild Animals,
76
Wolves,
77
Woolen Factory,
45
: .
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