USA > Ohio > Licking County > Granville > The history of Granville, Licking County, Ohio > Part 17
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" His relations with the people of his charge & with other christian bodies were always exceedingly delightful, & all the memories & reminiscences of the Granville of 40 years ago, are very interesting. The population of the town, at that time, was about 800, & of the township, 2000. Of schools, there was a plentiful supply. Granville College, now Denison Uni- versity, was located one mile to the Southwest of the village & was for a young institution quite flourishing. Granville Female Seminary was then carried on under the auspices of the Episcopal Church, & did good service for the Church & for the state. Very many there learned to love their God & their Church. During no part of his ministry probably did the Rector of St. Luke's Church have a more profitable field for spiritual labor than that Seminary. In the interest of the Presbyterian Church, were the Granville Female Academy in charge of a noble woman, Miss Bridges, & the Male Academy in charge of Mr. Martin. It will be seen by this that the main business of the town was education. Of the churches then, by far the most prominent was the Presbyterian, under the pastorate of the Rev. Jacob Little, a noble good man, & faithful worker whose word was law for the township, but withal he was quite excentric. His new year's sermon caused quite a sensation. He enumer- ated the births [?] & deaths in the township, the number of praying households, & of heathen, i. e. those attending no church. His general influence was a great benefit to Granville. The Baptists were next in order, but like all College Churches was not supplied with a very regular pastorate. The Methodist & Episcopal Churches were small & weak. When Mr. B. com-
228
LEADING PHYSICIANS.
menced his labors, there were but eleven communicants, but though self supporting it never became very strong.
"The leading physicians were Drs. Richards, Spelman & Bancroft. Dr. Richards was Senior Warden of the Episcopal Church, a man of sound judgment, though slow in coming to a conclusion, of unblemished character & great influence in all the relations of life; & when he died, left a noble record behind. The others were worthy men & leading characters in their own churches. The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Going, President of the Baptist College, was a man of deservedly high reputation for learning, piety & influence, not only as a college officer, but as a citizen, Another man by his warm devotion to the Church impressed his memory very deeply upon the heart of the Rector, & that was Anthony P. Prichard.
" Names that deserve mention as more or less interested in the support of the Episcopal Church, were Alfred Avery, Walter Thrall, Benjamin Mower, Gaylord Adams, Mr. Huggins, Mansfield French, Christopher Rose, Timothy Carpenter, Levi Rose, General Munson, Freeman Haskell, George Case & P. W. Taylor. Jason Collins & G. B. Johnson are the only ones now living in Granville who were there during the Rectorship of the Rev. S. A. Bronson.'
"This sketch would be very incomplete without including a distinct notice of the Rev. Alvah Sanford. He came to Gran- ville, being called to take charge of the Female Seminary, when first opened in connexion with the Episcopal Church, & con- ducted it awhile for the Trustees. Finally he purchased it in fee simple, & carried it on himself as long as he wished, & re- tired to a farm. He was a man of thorough-going piety, sound judgment, untiring industry, & unflinching integrity. He & his sterling wife, by good management, accumulated & be- queathed to various societies about $50,000."
Rev. Alvah Sanford succeeded Mr. Bronson for one year ; Rev. William C. French followed for three years ; Rev. John L. Bryan for two years; Rev. Erastus A. Strong for three years; Rev. Thomas Corlett for two; Rev. Ezra B. Kellogg two years; Rev. C. S. Doolittell five years.
The church was next supplied for ten years by Rev. Wil- liam Bower, Rector of Trinity Church, Newark. Rev. R .. S. Nash followed for several months, and occasionally Rev. F. M. Hall, both of the same place; and Prof. Bates, of Gambier. Of recent years the church is feeble in num- bers, and they seldom have services.
229
THE WELSH CHURCHES OF GRANVILLE.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
The Welsh citizens of the township have been a thrifty class, frugal, simple in their habits, accumulating property, buying real estate in town and country, until they occupy a very large share of the township. They generally bring to our community a strong physique, industrious habits, exper- ience, patient toil and thrift. No class of our foreign popu- lation are so nearly universally the friends of the Bible. They are also generally the friends of temperance, of educa- tion, of humanity ; and are truly loyal to their adopted coun- try. Besides sustaining three Welsh churches, large num- bers of them are in the other churches, and take their share of official responsibility there. They also win their way to a meritorious standing in the several professions. The Welsh language is spoken all around us still, and new comers will doubtless keep it alive. But the descendants are fast adopting the English, and are amalgamating with American blood. A few generations suffice to obliterate all differences, with gain to both parties and loss to neither. They are ex- ceedingly welcome to share our heritage ; and long may it be ere the dento-lingual sputtering of Babel, said to have been begun by the Welshman of that day of dispersion getting his mouth full of mortar, shall cease from among us.
The first Welsh sermon delivered in the village is sup- posed to be that of Rev. Jaines Davis, a Presbyterian, who, at an early day, came from Delaware county, and preached in the dwelling of Mr. John Roberts, at the northeast corner of Main and Equality Streets. But almost from the first, preaching in their own tongue was enjoyed by citizens of the Welsh Hills.
Of their three churches, the earliest formed was the Welsh Hills Baptist Church.
" The First Regular Baptist Church of Granville " was
230
WELSH HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH.
organized Sunday, September 4th, 1808, at the cabin of Mr. David Thomas, Elder James Sutton officiating, assisted by Rev. Eli Stedman, a brother of Captain William Stedman, who, about the same time, brought a stock of merchandise to Granville. It was in fellowship with the Muskingum Association, an Old School Baptist body, until the era of Sabbath Schools. Indulging in that innovation, by having a Sabbath School connected with the church, it was cut off; and in 1841, it became connected with the Columbus Asso- ciation of the Regular Baptist Convention of Ohio. The original members were, Theophilus Rees, David Thomas, Jr., Nathan Allyn, Jr., David Lobdell, Joshua Lobdell, Thomas Powell, Elizabeth Rees, Elizabeth James and Mary Thomas. Theophilus Rees was chosen deacon, and Joshua Lobdell clerk. Their first house of worship was a log cabin, erected in 1809, on Mr. Rees' farm, about a mile from town. It was about 18 x 20 feet, and the cut will reproduce its appearance to any who may remember it. It stood with the door to the south, and the chimney was built only half way to the roof. It had puncheon floor, puncheon seats and puncheon desk.
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Mr. T. J. Thomas has caused the site of this church to be marked on the summit of the hill by an inclined marble slab 3 ft x 6, facing toward the east, with the following inscription :
231
SUCCESSION OF MINISTERS.
viz. "On this spot was erected in 1809 the first meeting House of. the Welsh Hills Baptist Church. Here also was organized in 1811 The Muskingum Baptist Association. The church was organized some 40 rods east in the cabin of David Thomas, Sept. 4th, 1808, with the following members. [Then follow the names as above.]
Rev. Thomas Powell preached for them occasionally.
Deacon Rees gave about one acre of land adjoining the ground on which the church stood, for a cemetery. This was Saturday, February 6th, 1808, on which day, his grand- son, Rees Thomas, son of David Thomas, was buried, it being, of course, the first interment.
For four years, from 1810, Elder J. W. Patterson was pastor of the church. In 1816, there were forty members. Elder John Mott followed as pastor for six years.
In 1819, Elder George Evans being a temporary supply for the pulpit, another log house was erected for the accommo- dation of the church, used also for school purposes, two iniles further northeast. It was about 20x 24 feet, and finished like the other with puncheon floor and furniture. A cemetery was provided near it also by a gift of land from Mr. Philipps. This house was burned in 1822, but another took its place near by, the following year, larger and of hewed logs. It stood eleven years when it, too, was burned. Elder Thomas Hughes, recently from Wales, was chosen pastor the same year, and continued to preach to the church until 1841, with the exception of one year, 1832-3, when Elder James Berry, who had previously served the Granville church, preached to them. In 1836, during Mr. Hughes' pastorate, a frame church, 30 x 40 feet, was erected, which continues to be the home of the congregation.
After Elder Hughes, " Elder James Sargent, a young inan from the Granville College, served the church very accept- ably for one year. During his ministry thirty persons were received into the church." Two other students from the College, Roberts and Owen, supplied the church another year
232
WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODIST CHURCH.
or more. The next preacher was Elder David Prichard, who supplied them for two years from 1844. From 1846 to 1848, Elder William Smedmer supplied them three-fourths of the time. Elder E. S. Thomas followed for two years ; and from June, 1849, Elder T. W. Heistand supplied them three- fourths of the time.
"In April, 1851, Elder Thomas Hughes was called for the third time to the pastorate of the church," but he died in the following September.
The pulpit was then supplied by Rev. Silas Bailey, D. D., and by Rev. J. Lawrence.
From Elder Hughes' term the succession of pastors is as follows:
Rev. S. Bailey, D. D., President Granville College, . '52.
" N. Clouse (20 additions) 1853-55.
" J. Hall, D. D., 1855.60.
" N. Clouse, a second time
" B. J. Powell (30 additions)
" S. Talbot, D. D.
A. Jordan
" J. Kyle
Up to Mr. Kyle's time, a period of sixty years, there had been received by baptismn 270, and the whole number was 73.
II. The second Welsh Church to be formed in the town- ship was the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church.
As early as 1834, there was a nucleus for a congregation of Welsh Methodists, who in doctrine were Calvinistic. Rev. Edward Jones, of Cincinnati, preached at the residence of Mr. Jenkyn Hughes, and a Sabbath School was organized.
October, 1835, the church was organized. They worshiped in the stone school house two miles northeast of town. Revs. Edward Jones and William Morgan were the ministers whose influence led to the organization. The members were : Wil- liam T. and Mrs. Williams, James and Mrs. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. Albans and Miss Albans, Jolın J. and Mrs. Evans, Rob- ert Walter, William Parry, William and Mrs. Lewis, and Miss Jane Davis.
233
HOUSES OF WORSHIP.
William Morgan was the first settled pastor. They after- wards came into town, and for a time met in a room over the Postoffice. "Revs. Edward Jones, William Parry and Wil- liam Morgan were the occasional preachers until 1840, when Rev. William Parry became the settled minister." In 1842, the church numbered thirty-nine. The deacons of the church were John Jones and William E. Ellis. The latter was an intelligent young man recently come from Wales, with a brother and two sisters. One of the sisters dying, the other returned to Wales; then the brother dying, William went to California. His office in the church was filled by John R. Owens. Mr. Jones, the other officer, soon died, and John J. Hughes took his place. Mr. Owens and Mr. Hughes are the present officers. The ministers have been, William Morgan, William Parry, Hugh Roberts, Joseph E. Davis, E. E. Evans, of Newark, who preaches occasionally, and Thomas Roberts, the present incumbent.
A Sabbathı School has been sustained uninterruptedly, numbering in regular attendance from forty to fifty, about fifty-five being enrolled. Prayer meetings have been held once a week; there has been one sermon every Sabbath morning; and in the evening, either a sermon or prayer- meeting.
The membership has fluctuated. In the time of the war it was very low, most of the male members being away. It is now about the same as at the organization. Their services are conducted in the Welsh language.
Their first meeting house stood on Broad Street, high up the hill Parnassus. It was built in 1843. This was sold and taken down, and in 1856 another was erected on Prospect Street, under Prospect Hill, facing east between Bowery and Market Streets. It is 21 x 30 feet, and very neatly finished and furnished as to pulpit and seats. Though small, it is a very inviting place of worship.
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234
THE WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
III. The Welsh Congregational Church.
This church was organized in 1842, by Rev. John Powell, in the conference room of the Congregational Church, now the basement of the Welsh Congregational Church. There were seventeen original members. Previous to this, those of this denomination had enjoyed occasional preaching from Revs. James Davis and Rees Powell, as well as Rev. John Powell, who became pastor of the church at its organi- zation.
In 1844, they leased a few feet of ground on the western part of the conference room lot for twenty-one years, and put up a small house of worship. But before the expiration of the lease, in 1863, they bought the whole lot and the acad- emy building The basement windows were closed up, the floor of the upper story was taken out, and one large and ·commodious audience room was made, with large windows, comfortable seats and nice pulpit. This was at a cost of $1500. The former house was sold with a little additional ground and converted into a dwelling.
The succession of preachers was as follows: Jolin Powell, Jenkyn Jenkyns, Thomas W. Evans, D. R. Jenkyns, D. Price, John E. Jones, John Cadwallader, D. Sebastian Jones. In 1862, there were one hundred and two members; now eighty. There have been many deaths and removals. Only two are living now who were in the first organization. John Davis and D. Lewis (?) were the first deacons, both now dead. Four have died since : Walter Davis, Evan Evans, Daniel Jenkyns, and Thomas D. Williams. One elected in 1843 is now living, Deacon William Jones, but too feeble to perform the duties of his office. The other officers are Roderick Jones and Jolin L. Jones.
The Sabbath School has been a very successful one, num- bering at one time, on an average, as high as one hundred and fifty. They have no lesson helps, but simply take the Welsh Bible with parallel columns in English, and old and young remain from the preaching service and study the good
235
SABBATH SCHOOL.
book. The preaching has always been in Welsh, but recent experiments are being made in having evening services, or services every fourth Sabbath, in English. But it is inevit- able that the succeeding generations will more and more lose the Welsh tongue and adopt the English.
236
DENISON UNIVERSITY.
.
CHAPTER XL.
(GRANVILLE LITERARY AND THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. GRANVILLE COLLEGE.)
In 1830, the Ohio Baptist Educational Society, whose object is indicated by the title, was thinking to establish an institu- tion for collegiate and theological instruction, primarily with reference to the training of young men for the ministry.
At a meeting held May, 1830, in connection with the session of the Ohio Baptist Convention, in Lebanon, Ohio, a com- mittee was appointed to nominate twelve Trustees and to receive bids for the location of the College. In response to this action, an offer went up to the next annual meeting of the society, held at Lancaster, Ohio, in May, 1831, from Granville. Mr. Charles Sawyer, a merchant, and Elder Allen Darrow, a licentiate of the Granville church, were chiefly instrumental in this action ; other citizens of the place coming to their aid. The farm of two hundred acres, once occupied by Simeon Allyn, on the Columbus road, a mile southwest of town, valued at $3400, was proffered as a site; a farm being chosen because a manual labor institution was con- templated as best designed to answer the needs of a new country. .
Three thousand four hundred dollars at the present time would go but a little way towards establishing a College and Theological Seminary, but at that day, with certain other considerations, it decided the location. The moral tone of the community as urged by Elder George C. Sedgwick, of Zanesville, also had much weight in the decision.
The Trustees nominated were John McLeod, Charles Sawyer, Luther Woods, Thomas Spelman, Jonathan Atwood Jacob Baker, Allen Darrow, William Sedgwick, W.Thompson, Isaac Sperry, S. Carpenter, and B. Allen.
The farm house was enlarged, but while the work was going 011, the entire building was destroyed by fire. The Trustees
237
FIRST CLASS - PRESIDENT JOHN PRATT.
proceeded at once to rebuild, and the new building was ready for occupancy by December of the following year.
Meanwhile, Rev. Jolın Pratt had been called to the presi- dency of the institution, had come upon the ground, and temporarily the classes were accommodated in the unfinished Baptist Church, and afterward in the new building erected by Mr. Sawyer, for the Female Seminary. Instruction began Tuesday, December 13, 1831. Considerable enthusiasm was awakened among the youth of the village and vicinity, and others came from abroad. The total number of students was thirty-seven. A class of a dozen or more was at once formed with a view to a college course ; among whom were William Whitney, William Richards, Gilman Prichard, Lewis Granger, Henry D. Wright, Henry Case, Elias Gilman, Sirenus Elliot, Giles Peabody, and Samuel White.
President Pratt was born in Thompson, Connecticut, Octo- ber 12, 1800, and died in Granville, January 4, 1882. His re- mains are buried in the College Cemetery. He was a man of very rapid mental operations, and a good scholar and educator. He was particularly ready in the languages. He inspired his scholars with commendable ambition, and the school rapidly rose to prominence. Through the Education Society and the Convention it commanded a large patronage throughout the State, and many sought its advantages even from the Southern States. While giving instruction in the general way incidental to an infant college in a new country, President Pratt was also instructor in theology.
The second year he had as an associate, Prof. Paschal Carter, a young man twenty-five years of age, thoroughly versed in mathematics and the natural sciences. The two proved congenial spirits, and they stood shoulder to shoulder for many years. Each occupied a homestead opposite the college grounds, and labored with great success, each in his department, earning a wide reputation as instructors. Prof. Pratt retained his connection with the institution in somne capacity until 1859; and Prof. Carter until 1854.
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238
CHARTER - PROF. S. B. SWAIN.
In 1832, February 2d, the institution was incorporated by act of the Legislature, as " Granville Literary and Theolog- ical Institution." [See Laws of Ohio, volume 30, page 88.] It was provided that the Board should not exceed eighteen in number, and not handle an income of more than $5,000 ex- clusive of lands or tenements occupied by the Institution for its accommodation and that of its officers or professors.
In 1833, Rev. Samuel B. Swain was made Professor of Moral Philosophy and Theology, which chair he filled until 1856. Rev. Asa Drury was also elected Professor of Latin and Greek languages, and so continued until 1835. George Cole was made Professor of Mathematics and Natural Phil- osophy in 1835, and continued his labors two years. In 1837, Rev. John Stevens was made Vice-President, and Professor of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy, and so continued until 1843. He was born in Townsend, Massachusetts, June 6, 1788, and died in Granville, Ohio, April 30, 1877.
Rev. Jonathan Going, D.D. was elected to the Presidency in 1837, and remained until his death, which occurred Novem- ber 9, 1844. He resided in town. He was a man of large person and generous heart; of great natural ability and of high literary attainments. He made a deep impression upon the place as a citizen and upon the Institution as an instructor. He was chosen to deliver the oration upon the occasion of the funeral obsequies observed by the citizens of Granville in 1841, on the death of President Harrison. The first two or three sentences of his address melted his audience to tears. His death was a great bereavement, not only to his family and the institution, but the entire community.
His monument in the College Cemetery, of shell limestone, " erected by the students of Granville College as a mark of esteem for their beloved President," says he was born in Reading, Vermont, March 7, 1788, and died at the age of fifty-eight. "His epitaph can be written only when eternity shall have unfolded the results of his earthly labors."
Professor Pratt after resigning the presidency and the chair
239
GRANVILLE COLLEGE- DR. S. G. BAILEY.
of Theology, took the chair of Latin and Greek languages, which position he filled until 1859.
In 1845, the name of the Institution was changed to " Gran- ville College." It has generally had some provision for the- ological instruction, but not always as an essential depart- ment of its work. It has always had a preparatory or acade- inic department. A scientific course is provided, giving to students who do not wish to take a full course, access to the English, mathematical, and natural science departments. At one time also it had an agricultural department in its course.
In 1846, Rev. Silas Bailey, D.D., LL. D., was elected to the presidency and remained until 1852. The great need of en- dowment became more and more pressing, and it was urged by the Doctor upon the Trustees and friends of the college. In 1849, Elder Carr was made a financial agent of the college · with a view to raising the necessary funds, but the work was new to the churches, and the claims of such an institution were not felt as in later years.
In 1850, one hundred and twenty acres of the college farm were sold, the land not being needed for the manual labor department. The Trustees so far departed from their plan of theological instruction as to approve of the effort to es- tablish a Theological Seminary at Fairmont, near Cincinnati.
In 1852, Professors Pratt and Carter offered their resigna- tions, but both continued still to give instruction. There was serious talk of removing the college to some other locality which would better secure the interest and patronage of the churches. The citizens of Lebanon offered $30,000 toward buildings if it should be located there. But an effort was made toward securing an endowment where it was. Scholarships were offered by the Trustees, $300 constituting a church scholarship, $250 an individual scholarship, and $100 a scholarship in the agricultural department, giving access for fifteen weeks in the year, to the particular studies needed in that line. Individual notes were received and certain gifts of real estate.
240
NEW PROFESSORS - DENISON UNIVERSITY.
At the same time an effort to remove the college into the village began to be made, and an effort to secure funds for a new and more permanent building was postponed in conse- quence. President Bailey then resigned.
In 1853, Rev. Jeremiah Hall, D. D., was made President, Rev. F. O. Marsh, Professor of Natural Sciences, and the Scientific Department was organized. The succeeding year Professor Marsh was changed to the chair of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, which he held until 1874, and Rev. J. R. Downer was made Professor of Rhetoric and Belles Let- ters, holding the place until 1866.
In 1855, after spirited opposition, the college was brought to the village, an eligible location being secured on the hill north of town, the grounds costing nearly $2000. A hand- some brick building soon crowned the summit of the Hill of Science. It is of four stories, 183 x 45 to 32, varying widths, having besides recitation, society and library rooms, accommodations for sixty-six students. The three story frame building that stood on the hill at the farm was also re- moved and stands in a less prominent place and west of the brick building.
In 1856, the name of the college was changed to " Denison University," as an honor to William S. Denison, of Adams- ville, Ohio. He was the first donor of the sum of $10,000 to the endowment fund. The College Cemetery was removed to a spot in the new grounds about eighty rods northwest of the buildings, and the old farm property was sold.
In 1868, William A. Stevens, son of Prof. John Stevens, was made Professor of Greek Language and Literature, and so continued until 1877.
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