History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 37

Author: Craft, David, 1832-1908; L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 812

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CONGREGATIONALISTS.

As the early settlers of this county were for the most part from New England, they brought with them their New England habits, and their social, political, and religions ideas ; and, as Congregationalism was the predominant re- ligion in New England, so for many years it was in Brad- ford County. With but a single exception, the old churches in this county which are now Presbyterian were first organized as Congregationalists. In fact, seventy-five years ago Congregationalism approached much nearer Presby- terianism than at present. Then Congregationalists uni- formly held to the Westminster catechism, and were frequently governed by a bench of elders or committees, while councils and associations, though professing to hold only advisory power, yet, really, it was ground for disfellow- ship for any church to refuse to follow their advice. Re- serving for another place the history of those churches which, though organized as Congregationalists, are now in other ecelesiastical relations, a brief account will be given of the churches which are now of " that faith and order."

EAST SMITHFIELD CHURCH .*

The Pedobaptist Congregational church of East Smith- field was organized in Poultney, Vt., Feb. 11, 1801, by Rev. Elijah Norton and Rev. Lemuel Haynes, the cele- brated colored preacher. The church then consisted of Solomon Morse, Samuel Kellogg, Esq., and Nathan Fel- lows. They chose Samuel Kellogg their moderator, and were commended to the grace of God. Their articles of faith were penned by Mr. Haynes. They immediately started for the "far west," arriving the same month in what is now East Smithfield.

The first record of the church, dated May 16, 1801, is the record of the baptism of Jemima Almira, daughter of Solomon Morse, Rev. James Thomson officiating. The first business meeting was Aug. 16, 1801, when Sarah Kellogg and Jemima Morse were received into the church on profession of faith.

In 1802, Rev. James Wood, under the Connecticut Con- gregational missionary society, preached the first sermon and administered the first communion to the church in a log sehool-house which stood near the foot of what is now ealled Mitchell's hill. The communion-table was a large plank, split from a log with a beetle and wedges and hewed with a broadaxe, the table-legs were sticks driven into auger-holes in the plank. The wine used was the unfer- mented juice of wild grapes tempered with water and maple- sugar. It was a season of great enjoyment to the little church.

The next church meeting on record is dated May, 1803 ; then Anna Fellows was received by letter, and Rufus Bald- win on examination ; and September 28, following, Thomas Barrows, Eunice Barrows, and Mary Needham were received on examination. No other record of a church meeting is found till October 7, 1807. At this meeting Ruth Pieree was received by letter, and the following record is made : " Agreed to set up a meeting every fourth week. Attest : Solomon Morse, moderator." This meeting was for public worship. April 17, 1808, Asahel Dutton was received on ex- amination, and Zephaniah Ames, Diantha Ames, Elias Need- ham, and Mary Needham by letter. February 1, 1810, Lois Ames was received on examination, and April 27, following, Nehemiah and Luey Tracy and Ebenezer Harkness. In 1811, Solomon Morse and Zephaniah Ames were elected deacons.

The Luzerne association was founded in 1810, and the church, consisting then of 18 members, joined it in 1811.

In 1811, a houset of worship was erected on the ground where the present one stands, a small building, built at great sacrifice, and for twenty years it remained without regular seats. It was the first house of worship erected in this part

# A brief history of this organization has been prepared by Albert 0. Tracy, and published in their Manual for 1877. It will be freely quoted from without other acknowledgment.

# This house cost about $300, and was completed after much effort. It is said Nehemiah Tracy sold his last cow to buy nails and glass for the windows. Mr. Tracy came from East Haddam, Connecticut, to East Smithfield, in 1805. A missionary on a journey stopped in Smithfield overnight, in 1809 or 1810, and preached in the widow Gerould's house, from the text, Jer. xxxi. 19. Among the few gathered at that service was Nehemiah Tracy, and be dated his conversion from that sermon.

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

of Pennsylvania. For years it was the only one in East Smithfield. It was free for the use of other denominations when not used by themselves. This continued to be the house of worship of the society till the year 1861, when the present one took its place.

From 1814 to 1817, the church had its first regular pastor, Rev. John Bascom. Up to this time 44 mem- bers had been received, and no record had been made of death or removal. The church not being able to support its pastor, he was dismissed, and for a series of years the pulpit was irregularly supplied.

In 1817, the Luzerne association took the name of the Susquehanna presbytery, and the Congregational churches entered into the "Plan of Union." In 1837, when this plan was abolished, the church of Smithfield continued to retain its Congregational form. From 1817 to 1831 the records of the church are defective. In 1831, Rev. Wil- liam Franklin became pastor of the church, and continued until his death, in 1834. In 1835, Stephen Sargent sup- plied the pulpit a short time. In 1836, Rev. S. M. McClung was employed, and Rev. John Moule served in 1839. Rev. C. C. Corss was the preacher one-half of the time during 1838, and in 1840 one-fourth of the time ; from January, 1841 to 1847, one-half the time; and from 1847 to 1869 the church employed his entire time. In 1870, Rev. Cyrus Offer was employed about a year. March 11, 1871, Rev. J. H. Nason commenced preaching for the church, and continued to be its pastor till March 26, 1876.

This is the strongest Congregational church in the county, and one of the most influential of any denomina- tion.

THE CHURCH AT POTTERVILLE

was organized by a council representing the churches at Elmira, Springfield, and Owego, June 17, 1851, with 27 members, the greater part of whom had formerly been members of the church of Orwell, when that church wor- shiped in a house on what is called the "Ridge," about midway between Potterville and Orwell Hill; but when it was resolved to build the new house at the latter place, on account of the inconvenience of travel, these members withdrew and were constituted into a new church. On the 28th of June, of this year (1851), the Susquehanna association was formed, and Potterville church became connected with it, and has so remained ever since, except for a short time in 1860 to 1863, when it was connected with the Susquehanna presbytery. Rev. N. Pine was the second pastor, and during his pastorate there were a number of additions, 14 at one time, so that the church numbered at that time 100 members. The present mem- bership is 44. The church has given great attention to Bible study, and its Sabbath-school and Bible-classes are among the best in the county. It has had many pastors and supplies : Rev. T. Thomas, 1851 ; N. Pine, 1853; J. G. Sabin, 1855; M. Frink, 1858; D. Craft, 1860; J. C. Wilhelm, 1861; H. Losch, 1864; William Hills, 1867; Mr. Cushman, 1868 ; H. Gilbert, 1869 ; Raynor, 1872; Baldwin, 1873; E. J. Morris, 1874.

Its deacons have been Uri Cook, before the division and continued to his death (1860, aged eighty) ; Jason Potter, died 1878, aged eighty-three; A. G. Matthews, Ezra Lyon,

Henry Shoemaker (removed), and William Darling. The first house of worship was built in 1849, before the or- ganization of the church, at a cost of $500. In 1875 the congregation built a new house, which cost them $4000. They have also some real estate and invested funds.

THE CHURCH AT NEATII.

In the years 1824 to 1827 several pious Welsh families settled along the line dividing the counties of Bradford and Susquehanna, the settlement being partly in Pike township and partly in Middletown. From the year 1827 the settle- ment kept up a prayer-meeting. In 1831, Rev. Daniel Jones, a Welsh Congregationalist, moved into the settlement, and commenced preaching. In the winter-time the meet- ings were held in private houses, and in the warm weather in a log barn near the centre of the neighborhood. In 1834 they erected a building which answered the double purpose of church and school. This building stood on the east side of the burying-ground. The church being inde- pendent of any eeelesiastical connection, by a unanimous vote beeame Presbyterian, and both church and minister united with the presbytery of Susquehanna. Mr. Jones continued his connection with the presbytery about eighteen months, when he withdrew, and about one-half of the mem- bers set up again a Congregational church, and in 1848 built an edifice on the opposite side of the burying-ground. Mr. Jones continued to minister to his party, and Rev. T. Thomas, then a licentiate, was secured for the Presbyterians. This division continued until 1850, when both parties united as a Congregational church, under the pastorate of Rev. Samuel A. Williams. The Rev. T. Thomas moved to Orwell, and Mr. Jones died the very day Mr. Williams moved to Neath. Mr. Williams continued with the church until 1870, when he resigned on account of the infirmities of age, and Rev. E. J. Morris, a young man and a graduate of the Congregational theological school of London, came from Wales and assumed the pastorate of the church. Under his ministry the church has been greatly strength- ened ; they built a new and commodious church, which was dedicated March, 1873. They have preaching in both Welsh and English, good Sabbath-schools, and superior music.

THE CHURCH AT LE RAYSVILLE.

No statisties have been obtained of this church.

THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST .*

The history of the Disciples in Bradford County forms part of an extended religious reformation.

Early in the spring of 1827, Silas E. Shephard, a young Baptist minister from the Northumberland asso- ciation, moved into Canton. He had read " Duncan on Creeds," and became convinced that human creeds were unwarranted and injurious. He united, by letter, with the Baptist church at Canton, Sept. 8, 1827. From the orig- inal records of this church, now in the possession of Col. Irad Wilson, of Alba, it appears that the first preliminary meeting was held Dec. 9, 1817. It was formally recog- nized as a church by a council convened for that purpose

# By Elder B. S. Dean, of East Smithfield.

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

June 4, 1818. A house of worship was built, in 1820, a little below the present village of Canton, and regularly occupied till about 1830. Of the original members of the church, three have outlived the fifty-eight years that have elapsed since its organization. They are Irad Wilson and Betsy Rockwell, of Alba, and Minerva Rogers, of Canton. Some months before he united with the church, Mr. Shep- hard had been engaged to preach for it, and for six or seven years continued the pastor of the congregation. During that period there were frequent additions to its membership. At the very beginning of his ministry at Canton, Mr. Shep- hard expressed himself freely on the question of creeds. Thus, entirely independent of the Campbells in Virginia and Scott in Ohio, he began a similar work in northwestern Pennsylvania.

Early in 1829, four members became dissatisfied with the teachings of Mr. Shephard, and absenting themselves from the meetings of the church, began to hold meetings by themselves. In the fall of that year they decided to con- sider themselves as the " church," and passed a resolution to exclude the nineteen who adhered to the teachings of Mr. Shephard. They represented themselves at the Chemung Baptist association, which met at Wellsburg in the fall of the same year, and were recognized by that body, while the main body of the church was ignored. The church sent messengers and a letter again in 1830, which were again rejected. Thenceforward they were not regarded by others nor by themselves as a Baptist church, but assumed the simple title, "Church of Christ," or, individually, " Dis- ciples of Christ." After 1830 or '31, the better to accom- modate the members, the majority of whom lived in the vicinity of the present borough of Alba, meetings were held there. The regular place of meeting was a hewed log school-house, which stood near the present residence of Darius Manley.

In 1834 a house was built, and occupied till 1859, when the present commodious edifice was erected on the same site. In 1830, a change in church polity necessitated the election of an additional bishop or elder. On Saturday, May 8, R. R. Rogers was chosen to that office and ordained by the laying on of hands and prayer. The pastor, S. E. Shephard, was already regarded an ex-officio elder. In 1832, the church parted with twenty of its members to form the church at Granville. The year 1834 was one of unusual religious interest. Beginning with November, 1833, there were additions every month but one, for ten months,-about fifty in all.

In 1835, Mr. Shephard removed to Auburn, N. Y., where he remained till 1839, when he returned to Alba. He was also absent about a year, during 1843-44. During this second absence, a remarkable series of meetings was held by J. I. Lowell, from the State of New York. For a time he preached in the old meeting-house below Canton Corners, and then transferred the interest to Alba. Early the same winter, Isaac Gates, an Advent preacher, had de- livered at the old church a series of lectures on the proph- ecies. He was honest in the conviction that April, 1843, would witness the end of the world, the second coming of Christ. The whole community was deeply stirred. Many were converted to the idea, many more were in a state of

eager expectancy. It was under such circumstances that Mr. Lowell began preaching the gospel. Waiving all spec- ulations as to the coming of Christ, he preached Christ as the sinner's only hope. The little old meeting-house at Alba, with its seats rising one above the other, was packed to its utmost. Upwards of seventy were baptized. As might have been expected from the peculiar state of the public mind, the religion of some of the converts did not survive the disappointment of the next April. But in spite of all the excitement, much good material was built into the church, which remains to this day.

In September, 1850, the old hive swarmed again, sending off thirty of its members to form the congregation at the village of Canton.

Nov. 9, 1859, the present house of worship was dedicated. N. J. Mitchell, of Centre county, preached, and continued for a week or more, with twenty additions. During the year 1860, upwards of twenty more were added to the church under the labors of James G. Encell. In October, 1865, W. A. Belding held a meeting, with fourteen addi- tions. Among the converts at this time was R. H. Delnot, who has since devoted himself successfully to the ministry. In 1868, the church was strengthened by twenty-four addi- tions, under the preaching of Ira C. Mitchell. Successful meetings were also held in 1870 and 1872, by A. Greenlaw, who was for some years pastor of the church.

The following is the list of persons who have served the church as pastors, or by stated preaching : S. E. Shephard, R. R. Rogers, David Palmer, Milton Shephard, T. Miller, Chas. McDougall, J. G. Encell, T. B. Knowles, N. J. Mitchell, and A. Greenlaw. S. E. Shephard has preached for them the greater part of the time.

The present officers are: Elders, Irad Wilson, D. R. Manley, Leonard Lewis ; Deacons, Joel Taylor, C. S. Cran- dall, Simcon Case, H. D. Freeman ; Pastor, S. E. Shep- hard. Present membership, 130 ; members of the Sabbath- school, 60 ; value of the church property, $3500.

EAST SMITHFIELD.

On the Ist day of January, 1828, Mr. Shephard, in com- pany with Dcacon Samuel Rockwell, of Canton, visited Smithfield. The Baptist church, which had been founded in 1810, and greatly built up by a remarkable revival in 1818-19, was, at the time of Mr. Shephard's visit, much divided in sentiment concerning certain of their articles. On the question being raised, Mr. Shephard at once declared his conviction that the use of the articles was unwarranted and injurions. Other conversions followed. The question was raised of employing Mr. Shephard. The following res- olution, adopted Jan. 9, 1828, shows the result, and is an index of the times: "That we have Elder Shephard for our minister, one-half of the time, for one year ; and that we give him $150 for his services, to be paid in wheat, at one dollar per bushel, and corn and rye, at fifty cents." He preached one year. Additions were frequent. In 1829, the church could not agree on a preacher. The leaven of definite principles was at work. The question of articles began again to be agitated, but it was not now the old issue of 1819-28. Then the question was, Are the Calvinistic articles true ? Now it was, Do the Scriptures warrant the

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

use of articles at all ? Thus a well-defined issue was formed. Dec. 2, 1830, a resolution was offered "To dispense with the articles and covenant, and take the Word of God in their stead for the constitution of the church." The vote stood thirty-nine for, and forty-six against, the motion. The meeting adjourned to Dec. 4. On that day the con- test culminated in the following resolution : " That fellow- ship be withdrawn from all those who voted in favor of dispensing with the articles.'

Eighteen days later, thirty-two of the thirty-nine em- braced in the act of exclusion, together with eight others in sympathy with them, met and resolved to consider them- selves a church of Christ, and to adopt the Word of God as their only rule of faith and practice. This was Dec. 22, 1830. It is a significant fact, that of the twenty or more who were gathered into the Baptist church, under Mr. Shephard's preaching, less than one-half entered the new organization. The majority of the members were persons of mature years and long standing in the church. After the lapse of forty-five years, eight of the forty still survive. Of the original forty, eleven were Woods and five were Geronids ; ten were sons and daughters of Deacon Samuel Wood. Jan. 9, 1831, the church was more fully set in order by the election of Moses Wood, James Martin, and Abraham Wood as elders, and Asa Hackett and Ezra Wood, deacons. The services of Mr. Shephard were engaged for one-half the time during 1831 and '32. He also preached one-fourth of the time during 1833. The remainder of the time the church depended on its own resources. In 1832, George Wells was authorized to teach in the absence of the regular minister. In 1834, Jonathan Wood was appointed to the office of public teacher, which position he filled for ten years. In 1844, Bernard Wood was associated with him in the work.

The young church did not grow rapidly at first. During the first two years there were twelve additions. From May, 1833, to June, 1838, there was not a single addition, and some losses. There was, however, no tendency to dis- solution : no church quarrels, and a general and firm main- tenance of the ground on which they had intrenched them- selves. Early in January, 1838, David Palmer, of Canton, came to the assistance of Jonathan Wood. In the meetings that followed the church nearly doubled its membership. There were occasional additions up to 1844, when Mr. Palmer was again called in. Twelve were added to the church.

In 1845, Milton Shephard preached for the church. For the next two years Bernard Wood preached. Up to the year 1847, a period of seventeen years, the Baptists and Disciples occupied the same house. The Baptists met in the meeting-house on one Sunday and the school-house the next. The Disciples alternated with them. It is a singular fact that, after the division, both houses were moved and both were finally burned. In June, 1847, the Baptists proposed to give or take $400 for their half-in- terest in the house. The Disciples decided to sell. The next August they bought a large frame house of George Goodrich, and enlarged and fitted it up for a meeting-house. In the mean time E. E. Orvis had been called to the care of the church. Meetings followed the occupation of the new house, with several converts,

The winter of 1850 was one of deep religions interest, in which all the Smithfield churches shared to some extent. The Disciples were strengthened by frequent accessions, and twenty-six were baptized that year. The possession of a honse of worship all their own had given to the canse a new impulse, and clothed it with an air of permanence which it did not before possess. Upon occupying their own house the church began to observe the Lord's Supper every Lord's Day. In 1850 a Sunday-school was organized. Since 1848 not a year has passed without additions.

During the year 1851-52, Milton Shephard ministered to the church. During 1853-54 the church was without a regular pastor. Francis Apperson and E. Griffin were employed part of that time. In the fall of 1854 a success- ful meeting was held by Charles McDougall, and another, in 1855, by W. A. Belding.

From 1855 to 1857, L. B. Hyatt was settled with the church. A. S. Hale was one of the converts of 1850. The church soon discovered in him the germs of a useful preacher. In August, 1855, they formally and publicly called upon him to devote himself to the ministry of the gospel. The same year he entered Bethany college, from which he was gradnated in 1858. In 1859 he was called to the ministry in his boyhood home, where he continued with great acceptance and growing power for four years. Over fifty were added to the church in that time.

W. R. Spindler ministered to the church with mutual satisfaction from 1863 to 1866, during which time forty- five were added to the church. From April, 1867, to Sep- tember, 1869, the church enjoyed the labors of Lucian Ames.

In the spring of 1868 it was decided to build a new house, as the old one was too small for the needs of the growing congregation. The new house-a frame structure of 40 by 56 feet, with basement story-was dedicated Jan. 14, 1869. L. P. Streator, of Washington county, preached the dedication discourse, and continued the meeting for a month, with about fifty additions. In June, 1870, B. S. Dean was called to the pastoral care of the church, and entered upon his work July 24. Six years of his ministry have been remarkable for nothing save great unity and steady growth. Additions have been 103.

The additions by decades have been from December, 1830, to December, 1840, 487 ; from December, 1840, to December, 1850, 66; from December, 1850, to December, 1860, 129; from December, 1860, to December, 1870, 130; from December, 1870, to July 18, 1876, 95. Contributions for all purposes for six years past have averaged about $1400. In the two years previous above $5000 were raised. Missionary contributions for four years have averaged $150. The present year's contributions for missionary and educational purposes will reach $250.

Prayer-meetings have been held for many years at private houses ; at the church for nearly twenty years. The Sun- day-school is twenty-six years old, and was the first school in Smithfield to winter through. For thirteen years it was an " annual ;" for thirteen years it has been perennial, and now, under the superintendency of the pastor, numbers-officers, teachers, and pupils-240, of whom 120 are members of church.

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HISTORY OF BRADFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Two families in the church have been very prominent, both in numbers and influence,-the Woods and Geroulds.

Total number on record, 493. Present membership, 235. Value of church property, $6000. Present officers : Elders, Merritt Wood, A. C. Hale, B. S. Dean, E. G. Kingsbury. Deacons, Enos Califf, Asa Phelps, O. E. Wilcox, A. R. Dutton. Pastor, B. S. Dean.

GRANVILLE CENTRE CHURCH.

In the fall of 1831, Mr. Shephard made several visits to Granville. His preaching took an early and vigorous hold of the community. Among the first fruits of that preach- ing were Luman Putnam and wife, Benjamin Saxton, and Jeremiah Taylor. These converts, with several others, united with the church at Canton (now Alba). By the spring of 1832 they were thought strong enough to warrant the organization of a separate church. This was effected with the assistance of Mr. Shephard, April 1, 1832. The church was composed of twenty-five members, with Uriah Baxter and Jeremiah Taylor elders. In June, 1834, John C. Rockwell was called to the eldership. Mr. Shephard continued to visit the infant church until he left the coun- try, in 1835. There were few extraordinary meetings, but the congregation thrived until discord arose over a case of discipline. A house of worship had been begun, but was never finished, and in 1840 the church ceased to meet. During the nine years 117 persons had been gathered into its membership. After twelve years of disorganization, by the efforts of T. Miller and Chas. MeDougall the scattered members were gathered up. Dec. 20, 1852, a reorganiza- tion was effeeted, with twenty members. A series of meet- ings followed, during which the membership was increased to thirty. D. B. Ross, Geo. Brigham, and Hiram Rey- nolds were chosen elders, and L. D. Taylor deacon. Chas. MeDougall preached, and, assisted by L. B. Hyatt, con- ducted a successful meeting. Further meetings have been held by L. B. Hyatt, in 1857 ; Chas. McDougall, in 1858 ; J. G. Encell, in 1862; W. R. Sperider, in 1866; L. P. Streator, in 1869; Wm. Olin, in 1872; and R. F. Del- mot, in 1873. The following persons have ministered reg- ularly to the church : S. E. Shephard, Geo. Wells, M. Hurlbut, R. G. Barrow, Chas. McDougall, J. G. Encell, Cyrus Hurlbut, and Alex. Greenlaw. The growth of the church at Granville has not been spasmodic. There have been four great revivals, but its work has been of a perma- nent character. The increase has been, from 1852 to 1860, 70; from 1860 to 1870, 93; from 1870 to 1876, 35. Total membership since 1852, 218. Present membership, 106. Members of Sunday-school, 105. Value of church property, $3500.

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History of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 37

Author: Craft, David, 1832-1908; L.H. Everts & Co Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : L. H. Everts Number of Pages: 812

Author: Craft, David, 1832-1908; L.H. Everts & Co
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 812