USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > A century of church life. A history of the First Congregational church of Marietta, Ohio, with an introduction by Rev. John W. Simpson > Part 19
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The first day I attended school an incident occurred to me which illustrates to some extent the disposition and tempera- ment of Col. E. Sproat. Passing his house he met me at the gate, inquired my name and expressed a wish to become ac- quainted. He said that he always counted the ribs of little boys to ascertain whether they would ever be married, and that depended on the fact of having eleven on one side and twelve on the other. Catching me before I had time to make my es- cape, he commenced operations and after much struggling, and great efforts on my part to escape, he pronounced me all right. I went immediately into school when Mr. Putnam came to me saying, "Ah ! a new scholar ! What is your name?" I gave the appropriate answer when he inquired what made my face so red. I replied I did not know unless it was because Col. Sproat had just been counting my ribs, at which he appeared to be not a little amused.
The greatest change which now meets the eye is the absence of the forest, and it appears to me that the eastern, north-eas- tern and western hills which surround the town, have lost much of their altitude, aside from what would naturally appear from the removal of the timber. The island, the adjacent banks and the hills just mentioned, have lost greatly in their beauty since a continuous forest almost in its native state cov- ered them all. The high ridge opposite the town on the South side of the river, was fully clad with a growth of stately timber.
A whipping post and pillory for the punishment of major and minor offenses were located where the county offices now stand. I once saw in one day seven men whipped at that post for horse stealing. The sentence of the court was forty stripes save one to be laid on the bare back. Timothy Buell, sheriff, and his depu-
213
ty, were the executors of the sentence. I do not recollect ever seeing the pillory used except by boys, and then only when one could be found who was green enough to permit his neck and hands or feet to be placed under the bars. When such a one was found, he was usually detained until it would have been rather a "snakey" business to let him loose had it not been for the number of outsiders present who were enjoying the sport.
The surrounding country was well supplied with game of different kinds, and not unfrequently deer, bears and turkies would come into town causing for a time great excitement. In the fall of 1807 I was riding to the mouth of Duck Creek, and about sundown on my return, I overtook a large bear not far from a creek which enters the Ohio about half way from Duck Creek to the Muskingum. On approaching him he ascended a large tree. I rode home immediately and reported the case. Two of our neighbors with guns repaired to the place, and in a short time returned with the "varmint" in quite a reliable con- dition. It was said by those conversant with such matters that had he been as fat as that animal usually is, he would have weighed three hundred pounds."
VI. LETTER FROM GEN. RUFUS PUTNAM.
After the resignation of Rev. Daniel Story in 1804, a com- mittee of the Society addressed a letter to President Timothy Dwight, D. D., of Yale College, asking him to recommend a candidate for the vacant pulpit. To this Gen. Rufus Putnam added a personal letter, mentioned on page 26. In this letter Gen. Putnam stated the charges made against Mr. Story, and the facts respecting the organization of a second Society to support Rev. Stephen Lindley, as described on pages 145-8, and then gave a description of Marietta and the outlook for a min- ister here as follows:
"With respect to local circumstances, Marietta is beautiful for situation. The climate very fine and the inhabitants re- markably healthy. With respect to character we claim that of being a civil people in general. We have among us several gen- tlemen of literature and many respectable families, and I flatter myself the gentleman who comes forward will find agreeable society. With respect to improvement in buildings, etc., our houses are generally of wood, many of them large and well built. We have only one of brick. We have three rope walks. Ship building has been carried on for some years to a consider-
214
able extent. Business is lively. Our population is not numer- ous, but rapidly increasing.
To suggest anything to you, sir, with respect to the character a minister should in general sustain would be highly imperti- nent, but as we are a people collected from various parts of the country and brought up under different kinds of preachers, it may not be improper to say something of the character most likely to unite the people and give general satisfaction.
I therefore beg leave to suggest that we hope he may be one who shall preach the pure gospel of Jesus Christ without teach- ing for doctrines the opinions of men. One of a liberal charity toward those who may differ from him in some points wherein some of the greatest divines have not been altogether agreed. One who for the sake of displaying his learning and talents will not entertain a common audience with meat which the strong- est have not been fully able to digest. Yet we desire and hope he may be one of the first class for literature and science as well as popular talent.
Since I began to write, I hear that Mr. Lindley has given his answer to settle with the Second Society and is expected to re- turn in about six weeks, and although at first view this may appear a discouraging circumstance, yet there is ground for considering it in a different light. There are several neighbor- ing settlements neither one of which are of themselves able to support a minister, and it is expected that Mr. Lindley will supply some of them a part of the time, (the Second Society in Marietta are to give a certain stipulated sum in proportion to the time they shall be able to pay him), so that what to us in one point of view may be disagreeable may prove a furtherance of the gospel.
I have before observed if none of the Second Society should return to us yet the First in present situation is able to give a Minister a handsome support.
Our great solicitude is that a candidate may arrive as soon as possible. We expect his pay will commence on his leaving home."
Pres. Dwight replied to this letter as follows :
VII. "NEW HAVEN, June 26th, 1804.
DEAR SIR: I have received your token and that which ac- companied it from your committee. I have made application on the subject to a young gentleman of much merit, who has the subject now under consideration. As soon as he gives me an answer I propose to transmit it to you. I am happy to find
.
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you well, and to observe in your writing that you enjoy a vigor- ous age. Give my kind compliments to your son, and accept the best wishes for your prosperity of your old friend and very obedient servant,
TIMOTHY DWIGHT."
A month later the following letter was received which will indicate that it was not an easy matter for parents to consent - to allow their children to go as missionaries to Ohio a century ago :
VIII.
"NEW HAVEN, July 24th, 1804.
DEAR SIR: Yesterday the young gentleman mentioned in my former letter informed me that his parents refused to con- sent to his going to Marietta, and that he thought himself bound to yield to their wishes. I know not any other candi- date whom I can recommend as likely to answer the expecta- tions of your people.
I am very respectfully, dear sir, your obedient friend and servant TIMOTHY DWIGHT."
Major General Putnam.
IX GENERAL RUFUS PUTNAM.
Mrs. Sarah Cutler Dawes, born April 17th, 1809, a daughter of Judge Ephraim Cutler, and granddaughter of Rev. Manasseh Cutler, LL. D., gave her remembrance of Gen. Rufus Putnam as follows :
"I was attending school in Marietta in 1822 or 3, and Miss Sophia Tupper was my seat mate and special friend. She was a granddaughter of Gen. Rufus Putnam. She lived at Putnam, O., but staid with General Putnam when at school here. Gen. Putnam's daughter, Miss Betsey, kept house for him in the old house which was part of Campus Martius (the house is still standing on the west corner of Washington and Second streets.) I was often at his house with Sophia, and I remember staying there once all night. I often saw Gen. Putnam and talked with him. Once Miss Betsey introduced me as Ephraim Cutler's daughter. He shook my hand a long time and said, "You are Ephraim's daughter." He was quite deaf; he seemed to me a very fine looking man, but feeble with age. He was very erect in his carriage and dignified in manner, and I thought he walked like a soldier. He asked a blessing at the table stand- ing himself at the head of the table, while we all stood behind
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our chairs. At night he had family prayers. We all stood up during the service which was conducted by the General. The house was well furnished but not better than others of the same class. I often saw him in church; he would walk up the aisle with great dignity and all the people seemed to pay him great deference. Liquor was used in Gen. Putnam's house as was the case everywhere else. Rufus P. Browning told me that he once took a drink of liquor and his grandfather, Gen. Putnam, saw him and said, "Do not touch another drop of liquor," and this had a great influence over him for he never did. General Putnam dressed like other people."
X.
The following is the correspondence respecting the ordination of Rev. Samuel P. Robbins, to which allusion is made on pages 28, 9.
To the Rev. Ammi Rahamah Robbins, Pastor of the Church of Christ in Norfolk, State of Conn .:
SIR: We, the committee named in the foregoing proceedings of the Congregational Church of Christ in Marietta and its vi- cinity, although profoundly unknown to you, yet confiding in your Christian philanthropy and readiness to serve a church of Christ wherever opportunity presents, do in the name and be- half of this church request and authorize you to join with Mr. Samuel P. Robbins, the pastor-elect, in convening an ecclesias- tical council for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Robbins pastor of the Congregational Church and Society at Marietta and vicin- ity, agreeably to their united invitation and call. It would be very pleasing to the church and people to have the ordination take place at Marietta, but sensible that this must depend on circumstances, we leave it with you and Mr. Robbins to conduct the business as you shall judge proper. Permit us to repeat our request that so soon as Mr. Robbins shall inform you of his acceptance of the call of this church you will with him take the necessary measures for his ordination.
Rev. and Dear Sir, we are with high respect, yours in the fel- lowship of the gospel, in behalf of the church,
R. PUTNAM, J. GUITTEAU, Committee.
A. LORD,
Marietta, Aug. 24th, 1805."
XI.
The following seems to have accompanied the call to Mr. Robbins :
217
"We, the subscribers, committee of the First Religious Soci- ety in Marietta, by virtue of the authority to us given by the last of the foregoing resolutions, do in behalf of this aforesaid Society covenant and engage to and with Mr. Samuel P. Rob- bins that the Society shall and will pay or cause to be paid to him, the said Mr. Samuel P. Robbins, his annual salary as stip- ulated in the second of the aforesaid resolutions, agreeably to - the true intent and meaning thereof.
R. PUTNAM, Jos. GILMAN, JABEZ TRUE, ICHABOD NYE, JAMES WHITE,
Committee.
Marietta, Aug. 23d, 1805."
XII.
"MARIETTA, Aug. 23d, 1805.
The Committee of the First Religious Society in Marietta, to the Rev. Ammi Rahamah Robbins:
SIR : By the power vested in us by the articles of association of the said Society, we do appoint you our agent to appear and represent us before an Ecclesiastical Council to be convened at -, for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Samuel P. Robbins over the First Congregational Church and Society in Marietta, and hereby authorize and request you in our name to do and perform, in behalf of said Society, all things necessary for ef- fecting said ordination which would be proper for or might be required of us were we personally present.
R. PUTNAM, Jos. GILMAN, JABEZ TRUE, ICHABOD NYE, JAMES WHITE,
Committee."
XIII.
"MARIETTA, Aug. 22nd, 1805.
SIR: Enclosed you will receive the proceedings of the First Religious Society in Marietta respecting the settlement of Mr. Samuel P. Robbins in the work of the ministry in this place, with the assurance of the Society's committee of paying or pro- curing the payment of his salary, and also your appointment as agent to represent us before the council. It is, however, the universal and earnest wish of the people that a sufficient num- ber of ministers, etc., might be prevailed upon to come to Ma- rietta that the ordination may be here. But fearful that we
218
may fail of persuading gentlemen to convene in council at this place, we have judged it expedient to make provision for the ordaining of Mr. Robbins before he leaves New England. How- ever, if gentlemen in sufficient number can be secured, we au- thorize you to assure them that their traveling expenses will be paid by the Society. But pleased as we should be with such an event, we submit it to you and Mr. Robbins to conduct the business in that way you may judge best. Having no claim for the favor we ask of you, we must apologize for troubling you with our concerns, but circumstanced as we are we doubt not your willingness to oblige us.
R. PUTNAM, Jos. GILMAN, JABEZ TRUE, ICHABOD NYE, JAMES WHITE,
Committee.
Rev. Mr. Ammi R. Robbins."
XIV.
The following letter is the reply of Rev. A. R. Robbins : "NORFOLK, CONN., Oct. 19th, 1805.
Your letters and their important contents I duly received, which for the interesting matter they contained, awakened my most serious deliberations, solicitude and prayer. It was not until many days in which I took council with some of my breth- ren in the ministry that I came to a full decision, in conjunc- tion with my dear nephew, respecting the proposed ordination. He at length after prayerful and painful attempts to find what was his duty, came to a settled conclusion to give an affirma- tive answer to your call, and it was agreeable to the minds of many of us in the ministry with whom he took counsel.
The documents and credentials with which you were pleased to furnish me respecting the ordination (should it be here) were ample, accurate and complete, but after mature deliberation with advice and counsel, we concluded that it might be practi- cable, and if so, on various considerations that it might be much the best that the solemnities should be attended to on the spot, especially as it is the earnest wish of the people there if it could with propriety be done.
The distance and advanced state of the year renders it very difficult for any of us in the ministry here to attend the ordi- nation, although your offer to be at the expense is indeed noble and generous, but we think it might be well performed by those who are nearer, and who may probably be able to attend.
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Mr. Badger (Rev. Joseph) and my son (Rev. Thomas Rob- bins,) both ordained ministers, now in the county of Trumbull, I think may be obtained. I have conversed with Dr. Strong, one of the missionary trustees, who fully accords with the pro- posal that they two attend the ordination, and if need be Mr. Bacon also, who is likewise there.
The above gentlemen or any two of them, together with Mr. Potter on the Ohio, with one or two Presbyterian ministers you can invite to assist, will make a respectable council, and doubt- less give general satisfaction. Give me leave to observe to you, gentlemen, that ordination is office work, and is, and ought to be considered valid and regular whether performed by Congre- gationalists, or Presbyterians, or both together. The clergy in Connecticut correspond and hold ministerial and Christian communion with the Presbyterian churches, and they with us.
Your friend and brother in Christ Jesus, and your ready servant for his sake,
AMMI R. ROBBINS."
XV.
In 1810 Rev. S. P. Robbins made his first visit to Connecti- cut, and was absent several months. Meanwhile the pulpit was supplied by a. Mr. Belknap. The following is an extract from a letter written by Mr. Robbins to Gen. Putnam during his absence :
"NORFOLK, CONN., May 1st, 1810.
MY DEAR SIR: I have just arrived here from Boston, and on my arrival found many letters in the office from Marietta, by some of which I recived intelligence of some things truly aston- ishing. I refor to what I have heard respecting Mr. Belknap. Can it be that he has changed his ground? Can it be that he is leading (as I fear he is) some of the dcar people of my charge into paths of error respecting important things of infinite con- sequence, and apparently taking advantage of my absence for the purpose? O! I feel as if I wanted wings to fly immediately there. I long to be at home; but as circumstances imperatively forbid this for the present, I feel as if the only relief I can get is by writing and letting you, and through you, others know of my feelings on the subject, and the only apology I have to make for writing so near the time of my expected return (and which I think is a sufficient one) is the interest I feel in the spiritual welfare of my dear people, and in the prosperity of the cause of truth. With these feelings I submit a proposition to your judgement and that of other Christian friends who, being on the spot, are certainly under better advantages than
220
myself to know what is best. My plan is that Mr. B. be re- quested to leave the desk immediately on the reception of this letter, at which time, by the way, his term of engagement (three months ) will have expired. I make this request or proposal because I do not expect to be at home (as you have probably been informed) till the very last of this month, and I would rather the people be destitute during the residue of my absence than to be built upon a founation which I fear from accounts Mr. B. has been attempting to lay, but I hope Mr. Lindley will supply during that time."
XVI.
In the sermon preached by Rev. Thomas Robbins at the ordi- nation of Rev. Samuel P. Robbins, January 8th, 1806, he gave the following advice to the church: "Dear brethren, live in unity and be at peace with one another. Let each one be as charitable to the errors and defects of others as of himself. Let no trifling incidents, magnified by prejudice and misrepre- sentation, disturb the unity and harmony which now so happily exists. Look not for perfection in your minister or in each other, but let each one labor to find it in himself."
XVII.
The petroleum which has been a prolific source of wealth in the Ohio Valley was not unknown to the early settlers. In the journal of a tour by Thaddeus M. Harris, A. M., printed in 1805, the author says: "The Seneca Indian oil in so much repute here is petroleum, a liquid bitumen, which oozes through the tissues in the rocks and coal in the mountains and is found floating on the surface of the water of several springs in this part of the country, whence it is skimmed off and kept for use. From a strong vapor which arises from it when first collected, it appears to combine with it sulphurous particles. It is very inflamable. In these parts it is used as a medicine and proba- bly in external applications with considerable success. For chilblains and rheumatism it is considered as an infallible specifiic. I suppose it to be the bitumen which Pliny describes under the name of Naptha. Let. II, chap. 105.
1
INDEX.
Athens Presbytery, organized, 37; installed Mr. Bingham, 44; dis- missal of Mr. Bingham, 49.
Allen, Rev. D. H., D. D., 53, 62, 125, 126.
Association, Ohio State, organized at Mansfield 1852, 58 ; creed of, 58. Andrews, Pres. I. W., D. D., LL. D., quotation from, 61; account of, 77; right hand of fellowship by, 65; other mention, 73, 99, 64, 106, 68.
Addy, Rev. William, D. D., 65, 90. Andrews, Mrs. Marianne, 106. Adams, Dea. Dennis, 68.
Act to incoporate the First Relig- ious Society in Marietta, 151; amendment to, 153.
American Board, contributed to, 38. Albany Convention, in 1852, 58. Avery, Rev. John, 60.
Amherst College, 73, 125.
Andrews Hall, 75. African Methodist Church, 88.
Adams, Henry, 125.
Appendix, 209.
Andover Theolog. Sem., 41, 42.
Battelle, Col. Ebenezer, conducted services at Belpre, 17, 82.
Badger, Rev. Joseph, letter to, 29; Moderator of Council, 30.
Baptism, resolution on, 19; record of, 200.
Banka Dachova, (a Bible Reader), 111.
Bible Society, American, 36 ; Wash- ington County, 33.
Bible, distributed among British soldiers at Chillicothe, 33.
Bingham, Rev. Luther, pastorate of, 42; letter from, 42, 48; in- stalled by Athens Presbytery, 44 ; dismissed, 49; connection with Marietta College, 124-5; other mention, 43, 41, 162.
Biscoe, Prof. T. D., 99.
Beaman, Rev. N. S., D. D., 53.
Bigelow, Mr. T. B., 53.
Bartlett, Rev. Francis, 53. Bosworth, Daniel P., 68, 99.
Belpre Settlement in 1789, 16, 18, 32; church in, 83. Barnard, Rev. Thomas, 21.
Bacon, Rev. Mr., 29.
Burlingame, Miss Martha, wife of Rev. S. P. Robbins, 39.
Bates, Rev. J. A., 65.
Barker, Miss Nettie, 75.
Berry, R. G., 76.
Barth, Paul T., 76.
Barnes, Mrs. Caroline, 78.
Barnes, Rev. J. R., 78.
Blennerhassett Island, 84.
Beynon, Rev. R. G., 88.
Ballentine, Rev. H. W., 90.
Barker, Miss Sophia, 98.
Bailey, L. B., 110.
Baldwin, Jonathan, 118.
Buell, Joseph, 120. Belknap, M. B., 122.
Brown, Mr. Nelson, 125.
Battelle, Phebe, 124.
Bell, donation of to First Religious Society, 160.
Breck, Rev, Daniel, preached first sermon on Marietta, 12.
Books published by Rev. Thomas Wickes, 59.
Beech Grove Presbyterian Church, 88.
Buell's school room, 96.
Colonies from First Church, 82. Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Beverly, 83. Centre Belpre Church organized, 84.
Cedar Narrows Church, 89. Childlaw, Rev. B. W., D. D., 95. Cotton, Susan B., 108. Choctaw Indian Mission, 109.
222
Coffing, Mrs. Josephine, 112. Curtis, Mr., (teacher), 118.
Catechising children in early
schools, 122.
Clough, A. K., 122. Crawford, John, 125.
Confession of Faith, 128.
Creed adopted in 1806, 37.
Cutler, Rev. Manasseh, LL. D.,
sermon preached at Marietta, 13; agent for First Church in ordina- tion of Rev. Daniel Story, 21; other mention, 10, 14, 15, 21, 22, 25.
Cutler, Hon. W. P., 77. Communion with Baptists, report on, 19.
Conncil to ordain Rev. Daniel Sto- ry, 21; to ordain Rev. S. P. Rob- bins, 30; to install Rev. Thomas Wickes, 53; to install Rev. Ther- on H. Hawks, 65.
Cartright, Rev. Peter, 31.
Cotton, Dr. John, 40, 96, 125.
Cotton, Dr. John T., letter from, 47. Circulars addressed to the churches
in Ohio concerning the organiza- tion of a State Association, 55, 57. Cowles, Prof. Henry, 58.
Consociation, (now conference) Marietta, organized in 1841, 55.
Children's Missionary Society, 66, 112.
Cushing, Nabby, (first death in Marietta, ) 15.
Church organized, 18.
Campus Martius, 13, 16, 25.
Cass, Lewis, 27.
Connecticut Domestic Missionary Society, 29.
Chillicothe, Mr. Robbins visits, 33. Chicago Theological Seminary, 73. Chapel built, 161 ; re-built, 75, 161. Creed of Ohio State Association, 58. Camp Tupper, service at, 75.
Connection of the First Church with Sunday Schools, 94.
Dwight, Pres. Timothy, D. D .. LL. D., letters, 26. Appendix, VII, VIII.
De Witt, Rev. L., 53.
Dickinson, Rev. C. E., pastorate of, 73; call to, 73 ; resignation, 79. Resolutions concerning, 79, 80, 162.
Dickinson, Aaron and Sarah Miller, 73.
Dana, Rev. Joseph, 21. Dana, Rev. Gideon, 86. Danielson, Timothy E., 122.
Deed of pew in meeting house, 157. Diary of Dr. Wickes, extracts from, 60.
Eells, Deacon John, 70.
Education, relation of First Church to, 118. Emerson, Caleb, 122, 125.
Fast, National, 1812, 1814, 33. Fasts during sickly seasons, 39, 40. Forward, Rev. Mr., 18.
First Religious Society in Marietta, 27 ; history of, 141; constitution of, 143; incorporation of, 151; first officers, 144; resolutions of, respecting Rev. D. Story, 145; accept Mr. Story's resignation, 148; call Rev. S. P. Robbins, 148. Fourth street Presbyterian Church organized, 54; account of, 90, 111. Fay, Rev. Levi L., 88, 89, 108.
Fry, Rev. G. V., 88-89.
Fearing Congregational Church, 54, 89.
Frost, Mrs. Nancy Allison, 94.
Follett, Judge M. D., 30, 99.
Fay, Elizabeth, 108.
Fearing, Paul, 119, 120.
Friend, John, 119.
French, Mansfield, 125.
First sermon preached in Marietta, 12.
Gallipolis supplied by Mr. Robbins, 37
Guitteau, Judson, 26, 30. 149, 158; death of, 39.
Guitteau, Mrs. Patience, 39.
Guitteau, Sarah, 108.
Gilman, Mrs. Hannah, 27.
Gilman, David. 122.
Gunn, Mary Antoinette, wife Dr. Wickes, 63.
Gates, Beman, 64, 74.
Grosvenor, S. L., 74.
Gaboon Mission, 78. Gould, Rev. David, 56, 57, 86.
Greene, Griffin, 119, 144,
Greene, Charles, 119, 146.
Gates, Nathaniel, 145.
Gilman, Benjamin Ives, 150, 154.
Gates homestead purchased for parsonage, 161.
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Hartford Theolog. Seminary, 72. Hart, Dr. Josiah, First Deacon, 22, 27, 144.
Hart, Dr. Simeon, ( 91. Mrs. Lydia, S
Hart, Rev. C. C., letter from, 46.
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