USA > Ohio > Lake County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 83
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 83
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Jonathan Root. The pioneer school house was built by subscription in 1812 or 1813. This was a frame building of fair size, the upper portion being occupied for a Masonic hall afterwards. This stood on the site now occupied by the "Stockwell House." Franklin Paine became the owner of this house, and, causing its removal, erected on the site a hotel of some forty by seventy feet in size. This was called the Franklin House.
FISHERIES.
In the spring of 1869 Charles Ruggles, of Huron, Ohio, inaugurated the business of catching fish by the aid of pounds, putting four of these in operation off Fairport harbor. So far as quantity was concerned his venture was eminently successful, his catch of sturgeon alone aggregating in round numbers fifteen thousand. There was no market for them as an article of food, and they were accordingly, the greater portion of them at least, disposed of to Messrs. Storrs, Harrison & Co., nurserymen, for one dollar per load, they using them to enrich the soil. The spring following Messrs. Babcock, Chapman & Henry put in a number of additional pounds, and Mr. Hart Pincus, then residing at Sandusky, Ohio, and who, by the way, was the first to make use of the spawn and bladders of sturgeon, came to Fairport, and erecting a building contracted with the above- named gentlemen for their season's catch, and began the business of manufac- turing caviar. This is prepared from the spawn of the sturgeon, and is, we be- lieve, highly esteemed as an appetizer by the epicures of Europe. The bladders are converted into isinglass; the bodies are smoked, and are, it is said, superior to halibut; while the balance of the fish is converted into oil, valuable to tanners and for lubricating purposes. The season of 1870 the business aggregated some ten thousand dollars. In 1873, Mr. Pincus began to do his own fishing, putting in six pounds for the purpose. The following year he erected a commodious ice- house holding fifteen hundred tons, and established in connection a freezing ap- paratus with a capacity of one hundred tons. By means of this the fish are frozen in the fall, and in this condition shipped to the western cities. The season of 1877 there were seven pounds in operation, the aggregate catch being some six thousand sturgeons. This method of utilizing this class of fish is entirely due to Mr. Pincus, to whom we wish to express our obligation for aid rendered us in the preparation of this sketch.
STORRS, HARRISON & CO.
In the spring of the year 1854, Mr. Jesse Storrs, formerly of Courtland county, New York, conceived the idea of establishing a nursery in Painesville, and ac- cordingly planted a few acres of land to trees. From this small beginning has grown the immense industry known as the Painsville Nurseries, by far the largest of its kind west of Rochester. In August, 1858, Mr. Storrs associated with himself as a partner in the business James J. Harrison, of Painesville, and after the close of the war two sons of Mr. Storrs, William G. and Willis P., were admitted to the firm, which then assumed its present name. From its small beginning the business has steadily increased, until now the company have over four hundred acres of land under cultivation, with fifteen green-houses. They employ an average of seventy-five men, and have a capital invested in the business of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Their products go to every State and Territory in the Union.
PAINESVILLE BOROUGH.
The following appears in the first number of the Painesville Telegraph, issued July 16, 1822, as descriptive of the village of Painesville at that date :
" The village of Painesville is handsomely situated on the west bank of the Grand river, in the county of Geauga, and thirty miles northeast of Cleveland. It coutains about four hundred inhabitants and one hundred buildings, chiefly of wood, many of which are built with elegance and taste. It contains two dry- goods-stores, one drug-store, and three taverns. There are four attorneys and four physicians in the village. The water-privileges for different kinds of machi- nery on the Grand river are very superior. Several mills are already erected. It is supplied with the best of water for domestic purposes from numerous springs oozing from near the summit of the bank, which afford at all seasons of the year a healthy and delicious beverage.
" The ground on which Painesville stands, ten years ago was marked only by the appearance of a few miserable log huts. Since its first commencement as a vil- lage to the present time, like a snow-ball on the roll, it has increased as it pro- gressed with astonishing rapidity. It is surrounded by a rich and flourishing country, making this the grand mart of its surplus products.
" If scenery adds to the appearance of a place, that of Painesville is truly pre- eminent. The eye descends from the village along the high, bold banks of the river to view its gently-flowing current, winding through meadows and corn-fields till it meets an abrupt declivity of rocks towering above the stream below, their summits crowned with lofty pines and beautiful trees of every kind."
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HISTORY OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.
Mr. Howe, in his " Recollections of a Pioneer Printer," speaking of the village as it was in 1822, says, " In Painesville the lawyers were Samuel W. Phelps, Stephen Mathews, Noah D. Mattoon, and James H. Paine and Ralph Granger at Fairport. The doctors were John H. Mathews, Storm Rosa, Dr. Holiday. Jedediah Hills was postmaster, justice of the peace, and druggist. William Lattimore and Benjamin F. Tracy were the only merchants. The following were then the only families, or nearly so, on the town-plat, viz. : on State street, Wil- liam Kerr, Robert Moody, Benjamin Knights, Henry Babcock, S. W. Phelps, Gideon Crofoot, George Warner, Clark Blodgett, Solomon Kingsbury, Eli Bond, Abijah Merrill, Mrs. Wheeler, Ira Seeley, Jedediah Hills, William Lattimore, J. H. Mathews, Josephus Huntington, Milo Harris; on Main street, Joel Scott, William Holbrook, Hezekiah King, Calvin Cole, C. Crofts, Dr. Holiday, G. A. D. Streeter, Sebastian Adams, Squier Spring, Ebenezer Williams, Marvin Hunting- ton, Edward Partridge, B. P. Cahoon, Carlos Granger, Milo Phelps, Milton Arm- strong, Harcey Abels, Warren French, E. Champney, F. Billette, Thomas Brooks; on Washington street, David Hull, James H. Paine, Dr. Storm Rosa, Captain James Beard; on High street, Hardin Cleaveland; on St. Clair street, Rev. Amasa Loomis, Simon Russell.
"The exports from the county were then mostly destined to Detroit and Mackinaw, and the greater portion was in whisky. Large quantities of maple- sugar were received in exchange from the western Indians. This was trans- ported in birch bark boxes, which were called Mococks, and containing from twenty to fifty pounds. This sugar was of the most disgusting character; being so saturated with hair, it was supposed that they cooked most of their game in the sugar-kettles while boiling, without ever being skinned.
" There were several distilleries in the neighborhood, which transformed most of the rye corn into blue ruin. One was located on the west bank of the river, a little above the site of the old arch bridge, and run by William Kerr and Robert Moody ; and one nearly opposite run by Jacob French. The most exten- sive one was located under the hill, below where the brewery now stands, and owned by Holbrook & Streeter. These appendages to pioneer life receded on the advance of civilization. They, however, left their marks enstamped upon the community for many years. Many of our best citizens fell a prey to the devouring monster.
" There was then only one bridge across Grand river in this neighborhood. It was located a few rods below the mill of Mr. Bigler, and was, I think, some five hundred feet in length. It was carried away by the ice the following year.
"The first fire in Painesville occurred November 25, 1823. It was on the north- east corner, at the intersection of Main and State streets, destroying two stores and a dwelling-house, the loss amounting to about ten thousand dollars. The present brick building now on that corner was soon after erected by Messrs. Hamot & Tracy, and, what is very remarkable, it has stood to the present time- fifty-four years-without even a scorching, while every other business part of the town has been swept over by the devouring element."
The village was incorporated in the year 1832, with Lemuel G. Storrs mayor and Addison Hills recorder. On August 4, 1857, an extensive conflagration pre- vailed, which destroyed the buildings on the entire south side of Main street, from State to St. Clair street. Prior to this date the records were kept in the council- room, located in the building then occupying the site upon which is now the sub- stantial business block of James L. Parmly. A volume of records was destroyed, which leaves a gap in the list of village officers. The following list shows the prin- cipal officers until the present time :
1847 .- Charles P. Livingstone, mayor; Jerome Palmer, recorder; Horace Kingsbury, E. T. Wilder, O. . J. Lewis, Levi Shepard, and Stanley L. Noble, trustees.
1848 .- Horace Kingsbury, mayor; recorder re-elected; Thomas Wilder, Charles D. Adams, S. B. Axtell, D. Donaldson, and Dr. H. C. Beardslee, trustees.
1849 .- Dr. H C. Beardslee, mayor ; George K. Reynolds, recorder ; Thomas Wilder, Chas. D. Adams, C. Morse, D. B. Clayton, and Seth Marshall, trustees. 1850 .- Mayor and recorder re-elected ; W. Croft, S. W. Phelps, J. E. Bach- elder, W. P. Carter, and L. C. Hoyt, trustees ; Wm. Lock wood, treasurer.
1851 .- Jerome Palmer, mayor ; C. L. Hoyt, recorder ; W. P. Carter, E. Wat- son, G. W. Steele, C. Morse, and L. E. Miller, trustees ; treasurer re-elected.
1852 .- P. P. Sanford, mayor; A. I Gillett, recorder; Horace Kingsbury, E. Watson, D. Donaldson, C. Morse, and J. F. Scofield, trustees ; treasurer re-elected.
1853 .- Wm. L. Perkins, mayor; Pearley Ayer, recorder ; F. Rockwell, J. B. Carpender, G. W. Steele, Wm. Mathews, and J. L. Batchelder, trustees; treas- urer re-elected.
1854 .- Milo Harris, mayor ; recorder re-elected ; J. L. Batchelder, J. B. Car- pender, L. Smith, C. C. Peuse, and D. M. Eddy, trustees; treasurer re-elected.
1855 .- M. L. Root, mayor; M. R. Doolittle, recorder; H. Higley, H. C.
Beardslee, Samuel Moodey, P. P. Sanford, and M. T. Gage, trustees; S. A. Tis- del, treasurer.
1856 .- Dr. H. C. Beardslee, mayor; recorder re-elected; Samuel Moodey, O. J. Lewis, J. F. Card, C. D. Adams, and S. W. Phelps, trustees; treasurer re- elected.
1857 .- Mayor re-elected ; S. P. Huntingdon, recorder; G. R. Cowles, S. Mar- shall, J. F. Morse, Wm. Mathews, and C. L. Hoyt, trustees.
1858 .- P. P. Sanford, mayor; George W. Steele, recorder; C. Morse, H. C. Gray, M. L. Root, C. A. Avery, and E. R. Barnes, trustees; Geo. K. Reynolds, treasurer.
1859 .- Mayor re-elected; M. L. Root, recorder; H. C. Gray, E. R. Barnes, A. J. Williams, M. M. Seymour, and O. J. Lewis, trustees.
1860 .- Aaron Wilcox, mayor; H. P. Sanford, recorder; C. Quinn, J. A. Mansfield, Wm. Mathews, L. Smith, and S. C. Hickok, trustees ; Wm. Lockwood, treasurer.
1861 .- C. A. Avery, mayor ; recorder and treasurer re-elected; Wm. Mathews, C. Quinn, S. C. Hickok, A. J. Williams, and O. J. Lewis, trustees.
1862 .- Mayor and recorder re-elected ; Lewis Hickok, D. C. Gray, J. F. Sco- field and Asa Childs, trustees ; H. P. Sanford, treasurer.
1863 .- C. D. Adams, mayor ; recorder re-elected; Asa Childs, C. Quinn, A. L. Tinker, M. H. Colby, and L. Farris, trustees.
1864 .- H. Steele, Jr., mayor ; recorder re-elected ; M. H. Colby, D. C. Gray, A. Teachout, George K. Reynolds, and S. C. Hickok, trustees ; William Lock wood, treasurer.
1865 .- Mayor, recorder, and treasurer, re-elected; D. C. Gray, S. C. Hickok, J. B. Carson, M. L. Root, and W. W. Dingley, trustees.
1866 .- Asa Childs, mayor; recorder and treasurer re-elected ; S. C. Hickok, W. W. Dingley, P. Bosworth, S. Moodey, and M. H. Colby, trustees.
1867 .- George E. Brewer, mayor ; S. P. Chesney, recorder ; S. Moodey, W. M. Dingley, L. Farris, N. O. Lee, and D. R. Paige, trustees; treasurer re-elected.
1868 .- Perry Bosworth, mayor; S. R. House, recorder; S. A. Tisdel, A. Teachout, J. L. Parmly, C. O. Child, and Frank Rogers, trustees; treasurer re- elected.
1869 .- Mayor, recorder, and treasurer, re-elected ; J. L. Parmly, F. Rogers, S. A. Tisdel, John Fertig, and J. M. Benjamin, trustees.
1870 .- Aaron Wilcox, mayor ; re-elected, S. K. Gray, C. D. Adams, and S. K. Stage, council for two years ; J. M. Benjamin, J. L. Parmly, and B. H. Wood- man, council for one year ; F. W. Loomis, treasurer.
1871 .- A. H. Garfield, W. W. Dingley, and B. H. Woodman, council for two years.
1872 .- P. Bosworth, mayor; H. P. Sanford, clerk ; treasurer re-elected ; Joseph Jerome, C. C. Paige, and S. K. Gray, council.
1873 .- H. R. Dickinson, L. Farris, and A. H. Garfield, council.
1874 .- Reuben Hitchcock, mayor ; clerk re-elected; R. A. Moodey, treasurer ; D. R. Paige, G. W. Steele, and J. L. Parmly, council for two years ; A. G. Smith, one year.
1875 .- William Blackmore, H. R. Dickinson, and A. H. Garfield, council.
1876 .- Aaron Wilcox, mayor; clerk re-elected; H. Carroll, H. Morse, and N. Brink, council.
1877 .- A. H. Garfield, R. K. Paige, and W. Blackmore, council.
1878 .- R. M. Murray, mayor ; C. Quinn, clerk ; S. K. Gray, treasurer ; H. Carroll, N. Brink, and S. Marshall, council ; H. M. Moshier, marshal.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In about 1841 a small rotary hand-engine was purchased, and a company of men organized to operate the same. It is thought D. Donaldson was the first foreman, and Vincent Root assistant. A hook-and-ladder company was organized about the same time. In 1849 another (Torrent) engine was purchased, and a company of fifty men recruited. Hon. Aaron Wilcox was foreman of this com- pany, and Horace Steele assistant. In 1856, Fire-Engine No. 3 was purchased, and on April 5 of that year S. W. Phelps was authorized to organize a fire com- pany of not more than fifty men. This he accordingly did, and was elected foreman, and H. L. Titus, assistant. A building was purchased of Dr. Seymour for fifty dollars, to be converted into an engine-house. There now occurs a break in the recorded history of the department, but not in their labors. An efficient force (for the period) was kept up, but gradually the citizens became awakened to the necessity of further protection in the event of the fire-fiend asserting his authority, and a correspondence was had with the manufacturers of steam fire- engines, the result of which is given as follows :
" At a regular meeting of the common council of the incorporated village of Painesville, held on the 27th day of January, 1871, it was resolved, that the proposition of the Silsby Manufacturing Company to furnish a steam fire-engine
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RESIDENCE OF REUBEN HITCHCOCK, PAINESVILLE. OHIO.
LITH. BY L. H. EVERTS. PHILA. PA.
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HISTORY OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.
and hose-cart for five thousand two hundred and fifty dollars ($5250) be, and the same is hereby, accepted. Also, that one thousand feet of hose and couplings be purchased."
Temporary officers were in charge until April 21, 1871, when Lucius Farris was appointed chief engineer, William B. Slocum assistant engineer, and Thomas Radcliff engineer of steamer. A volunteer fire department was formed, consisting of fifty members. Wm. B. Slocum was appointed chief engineer in April, 1872, but resigned, and George L. Riker succeeded him, with Lucius Farris assistant, and T. Radcliff engineer of steamer; 1873, Leander Riker chief engineer, War- ren L. Current assistant ; 1875, E. T. Donald chief engineer, L. A. Thorp as- sistant, T. Radcliff engineer of steamer ; 1876, L. A. Thorp chief engineer, Thos. F. Palmer assistant, T. C. Radcliff engineer of steamer, and D. J. Hough fire- man. These gentlemen are also the present incumbents.
The city have constructed a substantial brick building on St. Clair street, the lower floor of which is occupied by the engines, ladders, stables, etc., of the fire department, and the upper portion by the mayor's office, council-rooms, etc.
FIRST CHURCH OF PAINESVILLE.
The following history of this church is furnished by the Hon. Wm. L. Perkins : In 1801 a " plan of union between Presbyterians and Congregationalists in the new settlements" was formed with a view to prevent disagreement between the two denominations, and to facilitate their co-operation in carrying forward various evangelical enterprises. This arrangement continued thirty-six years, and under it were formed hundreds of churches in the States of New York and Ohio.
Under that plan of union this church was gathered, constituted, and organized on the 17th of June, A.D. 1810, by the Rev. Nathan B. Darrow, of the Connec- ticut Missionary Society. The following are the names of the members of this first class : Benjamin Blish, Phebe Blish, Joel and Molly Scott, Abraham and Mary Skinner, Jemima Jones, David and Agnes Allison, Robert and Lydia Mar- tin, David, Jr., and Matilda Allison. In November, 1834, under the lead of Rev. Ferris Fitch, from Massachusetts, it was voted that this church is Congre- gational in its form and government, and a set of standing rules for its regulation was adopted, by which, however, it retained its connection with Grand River presbytery, and acknowledged a qualified amenability thereto. In February, 1841, Rev. Charles Smith being pastor, the society was incorporated by act of legislation under the corporate name of the " First Presbyterian Society of Paines- ville." In December, 1851, the church withdrew its connection with the pres- bytery, on account of questions connected with negro slavery ; and in February, 1852, the church by regular action associated itself with " Plymouth Rock Con- ference," and is thenceforth known as "The First Church, of Painesville." Church edifices .- It is quite impossible for the present generation to comprehend the utter inability of their fathers before the opening of the Erie canal to furnish the means to build churches. There being no means of transporting their pro- duce to the Atlantic cities, they depended on the distillers for their market for grain, and sold their wheat for three shillings and their corn for one shilling and threepence per bushel, and took one-half in whisky, while they paid for cotton shirtings seventy-five cents per yard ; for nails, twenty-five cents per pound ; for salt, ten to fifteen dollars per barrel; and laborers' wages-all were laborers-were twenty-five cents per day and board.
The first church was several years in process of building; was occupied a year or two before completion, and was at length dedicated early in January, 1829. It was thoroughly repaired, the old square pews taken out and slips substituted, a new tower erected, and bell placed in it in 1844.
The contracts for the construction of the present beautiful Congregational church, under the efficient management of Messrs. C. A. Avery, L. A. Porter, and E. S. Pike, building committee, were happily concluded just before the ex- orbitant advances in prices, and the corner-stone laid on the 4th of August, 1862. The house was completed, furnished, and occupied in the spring of 1863. The entire cost was forty-five thousand dollars.
The following list comprises the names of all the pastors of the church who have occupied the position for a year or more, viz. : Rev. Amasa Loomis, from January, 1818, to July, 1823; Rev. George Sheldon, to April, 1825; Rev. Orange Lyman, to March, 1828; Rev. William D. Adams, to December, 1832; Rev. Ferris Fitch, to June, 1836; Rev. Carlos Smith, to October, 1843; Rev. H. Hulbert, to January, 1845; Rev. J. Mills Gillett, to December, 1852 ; Rev. Parshall Terry, to May, 1856; Rev. N. P. Bailey, to May, 1864; Rev. William W. Woodward, to March, 1866; Rev. H. C. Hayden, to November, 1871 ; Rev. James A. Daly, to February, 1875. Rev. W. W. Clark assumed the pastorate May, 1878.
The membership of the church, June, 1878, is four hundred and fifty. There is in connection with this church an extensive Sabbath-school, of which S. R. House is the present able superintendent.
ST. JAMES' CHURCH.
The first parish organization of the Protestant Episcopal church in Painesville appears to have been effected by the Rev. Silas C. Freeman. The date is uncer- tain ; it is only on record that Mr. Freeman remained here until August, 1829, when he departed, and the parish became inoperative. To all intents, therefore, the Rev. John Hall was the founder of' the present parish of St. James. He re- organized it, and had it in charge from January, 1834, to May, 1836.
Services were held in a room in the hotel standing where the Stockwell House now is, and subsequently in the brick school-house which stood near the present church building. The act of incorporation is dated February 26, 1835; Lemuel G. Storrs, Carter Foote, Addison Hills, Fred. A. Palmer, William Lockwood, Stephen Matthews, Peleg P. Sanford, and others, being named as incorporators. Under this act the parish organized, April 4, 1836, and elected Carter Foote and Lemuel Storrs, wardens; M. D. Van Loan, Stanley Lockwood, Thomas Griffith, S. S. Osborn, and A. S. Van Boskirk, vestrymen. Father Hall's first record gives the names of sixteen families, twenty-four individuals, and seventeen communi- cants. The building of a church was at once undertaken, Colonel Storrs donating the lot. It was completed in time to have the first rental of slips Sept. 6, 1836. Forty-eight slips were sold at prices from twenty-five dollars down, the amount realized being four hundred and ninety-eight dollars and fifty cents. Sept. 18, 1836, Bishop McIlvaine, then in the fourth year of his office, consecrated the building. Sept. 19, 1836, Rev. Joshua Eaton was invited to take the rectorship and took charge. On account of ill health he resigned, May 31, 1838. April, 1839, Rev. Alexander Varian, then of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, succeeded Mr. Eaton. He resigned, after a laborious and greatly prospered ministry, in 1844. April, 1844, Rev. Charles B. Stout took charge; remained until 1846; October, 1846, until April, 1849, Rev. J. A. Brayton ; August to November, 1849, Rev. E. W. Hager; April to September, 1851, Rev. Benjamin Austin ; November, 1851, to May, 1853, Rev. John E. Battin ; October, 1853, to April, 1854, Rev. Richard Bury ; June, 1854, to October, 1860, Rev. Alanson Phelps; October, 1860, Rev. Aaron Van Nostrand. Mr. V. was granted leave of absence that he might accept the commission of chaplain to the One Hundred and Fifth Regiment Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. He returned home with the camp-fever, and died Feb. 17, 1863. October, 1863, to Jan. 1, 1864, Rev. W. C. Mills; March 27, 1864, Rev. Thomas B. Wells became its rector, and has remained with the church until the present time. The vestry elected March 28, 1864, and who still constitute that body, are Aaron Wilcox and Henry P. Sanford, wardens; S. S. Osborn, M. M. Seymour, D. R. Paige, G. K. Reynolds, C. D. Adams, D. C. Gray, and T. Roberts, vestrymen.
May 23, 1864, the plans of the new church, drawn by Messrs. Hurd & Blythe, architects, of Cleveland, were adopted, and the following building com- mittee elected : Aaron Wilcox, D. R. Paige, G. K. Reynolds, C. D. Adams, and M. M. Seymour. February 15, 1865, fifteen thousand dollars having been sub- scribed, the committee were instructed to proceed with the building according to the plans previously adopted. Sunday, February 26, 1865, the last services in the old church were held, the congregation holding services in Wilcox Hall until the completion of the new church building. Wednesday, February 27, 1868, Bishop Bedell laid the corner-stone of the building, the Rev. J. H. Rylance de- livering the address. Thursday, February 27, 1868, the church was opened for divine service, Bishop Bedell officiating, the Rev. Dr. Starkey preaching the sermon. In the construction and finishing of the church S. C. Hickok was the general superintendent ; the Messrs. Hunter, masonry ; Messrs. Brooks & Son, painting. The ladies' society carpeted, upholstered, and furnished the church at a cost of some three thousand dollars. The fine organ, from the Baumgarten Organ Com- pany, of New Haven, Connecticut, was provided for by other friends. The entire cost of the church was fifty thousand dollars ; parsonage seven thousand dollars, including real estate.
DISCIPLES' CHURCH.
This church was organized January 29, 1843, the membership amounting to thirty-six, who were residents of Painesville and Mentor. Joseph Curtiss and William Harrison were appointed elders, and Thomas Smith and Lyman Durand deacons. April 22, 1851, this church was, agrecably to act of legislature, duly incorporated under the title of the " First Church of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ of Painesville, Ohio." At this time William Harrison, Joseph Curtiss, Julia Gillett, and A. W. S. Clark were appointed trustees. The subse- quent November, L. C. Stebbins was chosen trustee, vice Julia Gillett resigned. February 11, 1850, Joseph Curtiss, William Harrison, Lyman Durand, and L. C. Stebbins were appointed a building committee. A site was procured on Liberty street, and the present church building erected by Joseph Curtiss. This was finished and first opened for public worship the summer of 1853, by Rev. Mr. Collins. The ministry since that date has been Rev. E. Williams, M. S. Clapp,
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