History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 39

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454

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There were Methodists in what is now known as Delmar township in the very beginning of the century, and several years before Wellsboro was founded. The first church erected in the village was the Quaker Meeting House; the Methodists, however, had regular preaching in and about the neighborhood before this. From the meagre records that have been preserved, it appears that Rev. Caleb Boyer and family came from Delaware, together with several other families, and settled near where Wellsboro now stands about 1802. They belonged to the Delaware contingent attracted by the Pine Creek Land Company, of which Benjamin Wistar Morris was the active agent. But as Morris and other settlers at that time were Quakers, that denomination preceded all others.

History informs us that Rev. Boyer was one of the fifteen ordained ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church then in North America. He did the first preaching in Wellsboro and vicinity. Meetings were first held at private houses, but it was some years before an organization was effected. Mr. Boyer, however, may be regarded as the pioneer Methodist preacher in what afterwards became Tioga county.

In those early times little headway seems to have been made by the Methodists, as well as by other denominations. From the best information it appears that in 1820 Wellsboro was in the old Tioga circuit, which embraced all the territory within the limits of the Troy district, and probably more. That year Rev. Hiram G. Warner formed the first class in Wellsboro. Accounts state that the first year he was assisted by the Rev. Mr. Moore, and the second year by Rev. Caleb Kendall. The meetings were held in the original log court house, which stood nearly on the site of the present building.

Among the members of the first class organized in 1820 were William Bache, Sr., Mrs. Pamelia Coolidge, Capt. Israel Greenleaf, the Revolutionary soldier who lies in the abandoned cemetery on Academy Hill; Israel Kelsey, Mr. and Mrs. Kilburn, and Hannah Cole. All of these have long since passed away.

Little or nothing of the history of the organization during its earlier years has been preserved; but it is safe to say that its struggles were severe and that it had many trials. In 1839-40 Rev. Robert T. Hancock raised $2,000 toward build- ing a church. His successor, Rev. I. K. Tuttle, continued the work and left it in an advanced state, and was followed by Rev. Philo Tower, who carried forward the building to completion, and the new edifice was dedicated by Rev. William R. Bab-

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cock, presiding elder of the district, May 21, 1842. This was the second church erected in Wellsboro. It cost about $3,000, and was regarded as a fine church for that time.

Now that the society had a building of its own in which to worship, the mem- bership increased more rapidly. A parsonage was soon afterward erected, Rev. D. B. Lawson, the pastor, doing work on it with his own hands to the amount of nearly $100. Like his esteemed contemporary, the Rev. J. F. Calkins, of the Presbyterian church, he was not above setting an example for others. He was followed by Revs. Samuel Nichols, William Manning, James Landreth, A. W. Staples and others.

The church gradually gathered strength. In 1850 many conversions and addi- tions to the membership occurred under the pastorate of Rev. C. Nash. He was succeeded by Rev. W. C. Mattison, and the interest in church affairs was kept up. In 1867 Rev. O. L. Gibson was appointed to the charge. Debts in the meantime had accumulated against the church during the war, when a subscription paper was circulated by Isaac Sears, and so liberally signed that the debt of $1,000 was pro- vided for and $200 left to repair the church. The first Sunday the church was used after these improvements was November 17, 1867; and while the services were in progress the building was discovered to be on fire, and despite the efforts of the con- gregation and others, it burned to the ground. This was a hard blow, but the mem- bers were not wholly discouraged. Mr. Gibson, who had been assisting in holding revival meetings for two or three weeks and was presented with $25, gener- ously refused its acceptance, but insisted that it should be placed with the insurance to assist in making up a fund of $2,500. This was done, and that amount secured to the church, served as a nucleus around which to gather funds for a new building. Through the persistent labors of the pastor and members, aided by a generous out- side support, a substantial brick building, costing $25,000, was erected, and Novem- ber 17, 1869-two years to a day from the time of the burning-was dedicated by Rev. K. P. Jervis. This was a great triumph for the congregation after their mis- fortune.

The records show that the pastors since the present building was dedicated, when Rev. O. L. Gibson was in charge, have been as follows: Revs. D. D. Buck, from October, 1870, to October, 1873; W. M. Henry, 1873-4; Thomas Stacy, 1874-76; D. D. Buck, 1876-78; K. P. Jervis, 1878-79; E. H. Lattimer, 1879-82; James Moss, 1882-85; S. W. Lloyd, 1885-88; O. S. Chamberlayn, 1888-92; Dr. C. W. Cushing, 1892-97.

The church has a membership of about 263. In the Sunday-school there is an average of about 180 pupils. The church belongs to the Genesee Conference.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

The few Baptists residing in Wellsboro had frequently talked about making an effort to organize a society, but it was not accomplished until July 22, 1866, when Rev. D. R. McDermond, of Tioga, preached in the court house, and on Monday evening following a prayer meeting was started, which was maintained until March 19, 1868, when N. L. Reynolds, then pastor at Blossburg, preached in Bunnell Hall, and at the close of the sermon steps were taken towards the formation of a church. A vote was taken, and the large audience present, composed of representatives

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of the different churches, unanimously voted in favor of the movement. Twenty- six persons then present expressed a desire to unite in the organization and resolved to establish the First Baptist Church of Wellsboro.

The following charter members appear in the record: Victor H. Elliott, Josephine Elliott, Julia Wheeler, P. C. Van Gelder, Mrs. S. L. Van Gelder, Mary E. Kelsey, Mrs. S. H. Shearer, Charles Williams, Sarah Williams, F. Irene Eastman, Robert Trull, Rachel Trull, Mrs. Sarah H. Bowen, John B. Shakespeare, William Bowen, H. C. Bailey, Mrs. M. L. Bailey, Uriah Danks, Amy Danks, Mrs. Maria Bowen, Mrs. Samantha Hastings, Mrs. Sarah Jackson, Abigail Beecher, Calvin B. Kelley, Isabella Kelley, Ida Stoddard. Many of the foregoing are now deceased, and others have moved away.

May 2, 1868, the usual declaration of faith, covenant and rules of order were adopted by the new church as the basis of its organization. An agreement having been entered into between the Wellsboro church and the Delmar church, whereby they were jointly to enjoy the labors and give support to a pastor, they united in a call to Rev. W. A. Smith, of New Jersey, the agreement being that each church was to pay $500 and a donation per year, the pastor to preach to the Wellsboro church in the morning and to the Delmar church in the afternoon. This call was accepted June 1, 1868. A Sunday school was organized on the 26th of July follow- ing, with H. C. Bailey as superintendent. After being formally organized, July 29, 1868, the church was received into the Tioga Association in a meeting of that body at Tioga August 26 and 27, 1868. On the 1st of September of this year the church purchased the building then known as Bunnell Hall for use as a place of worship, agreeing to pay $1,100 for the property, and continued to occupy it until the erection of the present building in 1884.

At a meeting held April 5, 1869, the resignation of the pastor was received and accepted. On May 21st Rev. S. M. Broakman was made pastor pro tem .; and on April 1, 1870, Rev. C. A. Stone began his labors as pastor, and served the church as such about nine months. In that year the records show a membership of forty-nine.

At a special meeting held March 19, 1871, the unanimous call of the church was extended to Rev. N. L. Reynolds, of Blossburg, to become its pastor. The call was accepted; $200 of the salary of $1,000, being an appropriation from the General Association of the State. Mr. Reynolds commenced his pastorate May 20, 1871. The church grew rapidly in strength. In August, 1873, there was a membership of ninety-four, and the following year it had reached 113.

Under date of June 6, 1873, the First Baptist Church was incorporated by decree of court, the following persons appearing as charter members: N. L. Reynolds, Robert Trull, A. C. Winters, N. T. Chandler, A. B. Eastman, Henry Freeze, Mrs. M. B. Shearer, Mrs. Maria Bowen, Julia Wheeler, Calvin B. Kelley.

At a special meeting held November 8, 1875, E. B. Campbell, of Williamsport, was present, and made for himself and John R. Bowen, of Wellsboro, a formal presentation of the lot on which the present church building stands. The offer was graciously accepted and a committee appointed to prepare plans and devise ways and means for the erection of a church. But as the time had not come for carrying out the plan it was deferred to a more convenient season. In the meantime the accessions to the membership increased, and in August, 1878, they had reached 154.

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WELLSBORO (CONTINUED).

Sunday, December 7, 1879, the pastor offered his resignation with the request that he be released on January 1, 1880. The resignation was very reluctantly accepted. He had served the church with great acceptance and profit for nine years. He found it with a membership of forty-nine and left it with 169.

On January 12, 1880, Rev. Isaac E. Howd, of Waterville, New York, was called to the pastorate, which he resigned after a service of seven and one-half months. The pulpit was supplied for the balance of the associational year by Revs. E. L. Mills and D. T. Van Dorn. The record shows that on October 27th of this year, Rev. Abner Morrill, of Painted Post, was engaged to serve the church as pastor. His relation continued for fourteen months. Sunday, April 8, 1883, Rev. S. F. Mathews began his work as pastor, the interval between the closing of the last and the beginning of the new pastorate being filled by Rev. V. P. Mather, then pastor of the Charleston church-preaching in the evening.

During the summer of 1883 the question of building a suitable house of worship was agitated, and resulted in the adoption of a resolution that as soon as the means could be provided, including the sale of the property then owned and occupied by the church, to aid in defraying the expense, the enterprise should be undertaken; and on the 27th of September the building committee was authorized to obtain plans and specifications for a building, the cost of which was not to exceed $4,500. December 6th following the contract was let and the work was carried on through the winter of 1883 and summer of 1884, and the church was completed in September of that year. The new building was dedicated September 11, 1884, Rev. George Cooper, D. D., of Williamsport, preaching the dedication sermon, and to the encouragement of all it was dedicated free of debt, and there was $103.66 left in the treasury. William Bache subscribed $1,000, and Mrs. Bache $500, toward the fund for the new building.

On April 1, 1889, Mr. Mathews tendered his resignation to take effect July 1st. He had served the church for over six years and he was esteemed a faithful and zealous minister. The pulpit remained vacant until October following, when Rev. E. B. Cornell accepted a call which had been made on him August 26, 1889. Mr. Cornell took charge November 3, 1889, and remained until March 24, 1892. He was succeeded by Rev. J. L. Williams in September, 1892, who served the congrega- tion till October 26, 1895, when he retired. A call was then made on Rev. N. L. Reynolds, the present pastor, at Pueblo, Colorado, to return to his old charge. He accepted, returned to Wellsboro, and Sunday, December 8, 1895, preached his first sermon after having been absent for sixteen years

The church now has a membership of 273. The Sunday school numbers 225 scholars, under the superintendency of N. T. Chandler, who has served in that capacity for twenty-five years. The library consists of 572 volumes.

ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.

This church is the successor of St. John's Catholic Society, organized in August, 1873, by Bishop O'Hara, of Scranton. Within a year it numbered seventy- five members. Monthly services were held in Converse Hall, the officiating priests being Rev. John A. Wynne and Rev. John C. McDermott, of Blossburg. In 1879 it was made a parish church, there having been a large increase of membership. It was then named St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, and Rev. John C. McDermott

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placed in charge as pastor. In 1881 the old Academy building and grounds in the southern part of the borough, were purchased, and the building remodeled, at a cost of $1,200, so as to meet the needs of the congregation. A parsonage was also pur- chased at a cost of $1,000, and put in proper repair. Through the energy and business ability of Father McDermott, the money to meet these large expenditures was raised and the church and parsonage freed from debt. He also had charge of the mission churches at Tioga and Antrim, and at the latter place erected a church in 1877 costing $3,000.

In November, 1882, Father McDermott was succeeded as pastor of St. Peter's church by Rev. M. E. Lynott, during whose pastorate the new Catholic Cemetery, embracing eight acres of ground, in the southern part of the borough, was established, and a church building costing $6,000 erected at Hoytville. This church and grounds were damaged by the flood of June, 1889, necessitating a further expenditure of $600 for repairs. The erection of the present parish residence, opposite the church in Wellsboro, was also begun by Father Lynott, who was succeeded November 12, 1890, by Rev. M. J. Manly, the present pastor. In 1891 he completed the parish residence, which is a handsome two-story frame edifice, commodious, comfortable and well furnished. It cost $4,500. Since Father Manly took charge the church has been remodeled, a bell purchased, as well as statuary and paintings for interior decoration. The grounds have also been graded and carriage sheds built. The outlay for these various improvements has been between $4,000 and $5,000. The church at Antrim has been frescoed and a bell purchased, and the church at Tioga, which was damaged by the June flood of 1889, repaired.

In addition to his duties as pastor of the church in Wellsboro, Father Manly has under his charge the mission churches at Tioga, Antrim and Hoytville, and also the missions without churches at Elkland, Osceola, Knoxville, Westfield, Potter Brook, Gaines, Gurnee, Leetonia, Blackwells, Tiadaghton, Hammond, East Charles- ton, Lamb's Creek, Nauvoo and Stephensville, all within the confines of Tioga county.

In the discharge of his manifold duties Father Manly has endeared himself to the members of the Catholic faith throughout the county. He is able, ardent, enthusiastic and tireless in his efforts to forward the interests of his parish, and has many warm friends outside of his own faith. During his pastorate St. Peter's church has prospered. It maintains a Sunday-school with an average attendance of over 100, of which William B. Sullivan is superintendent and Miss Bessie Meehan assistant.

THE FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.

This society was incorporated August 28, 1882, by Rev. O. C. Hills, Wellsboro; Albert Saxbury and James Crampton, Chatham Valley; James A. Warriner, Stony Fork; J. C. Warren, Mansfield, and C. D. Clark. A lot was purchased and a church building erected, about 1886, on the northeast corner of East avenue and Cone streets. Rev. O. C. Hills, the first pastor, served about five years. His successor, Rev. Mr. Cook, served about a year and a half. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Cloud, who served until 1893, since which time the church has had no pastor, though occasional services are held.

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CEMETERIES.

The early settlers in and around Wellsboro buried their dead in the "half acre" adjoining the old Academy on the hill, set apart for that purpose by Benjamin Wistar Morris. The site was elevated and the view to be obtained from it charm- ingly picturesque. It was then "in the country," but in time the borough grew to, around and beyond it, until now it is near the centre of the corporate limits.

When it was first selected as a place of interment it was doubtless thought large enough to answer as a graveyard for many years. In time, however, its limited area began to be crowded. Its proximity to the Academy was objectionable, and the students complained that it affected their health. Except in a few instances, its graves were uncared for, and were overgrown with weeds and brambles. Being unfenced, it was a common, open to the incursions of domestic animals and of such wild ones as still lurked around the village. Its neglected condition was at last brought to the attention of the borough council, and in 1837 that body appropriated $35 for the purpose of inclosing it with a fence.

The necessity for a new burial place was admitted as early as 1840, but did not manifest itself in any practical way until several years later. Many were reluctant to abandon the old graveyard, while others were opposed to the removal therefrom of the remains of their relatives. To them the place was, and would ever remain, a sacred spot, hallowed by the tenderest memories.

There is no record to inform us whose remains were the first to be buried here, but burials doubtless began soon after the laying out of the village. Many of the graves are now unmarked, the gravestones erected by loving hands having fallen into ruin years ago. Native stone was used to mark the earlier graves, and it was more susceptible to the action of the elements than marble; but it is possible that van- dalism had something to do with the overturning and breaking of not a few head- stones, owing to the unfenced and unprotected character of the place.

A number of the undisturbed graves are marked by marble slabs. From a few of these the inscriptions have been copied, as follows:

Col. Isaac Field, died August 9, 1828, in the forty-seventh year of his age.

David Henry, Jr., died July 6, 1850, aged sixty-seven years, eleven months and twenty- two days.

James Henry, died September 30, 1849, aged sixty years and two days.

Rufus Butler, died December 6, 1847, aged seventy-four years and eleven months. Isabel, his wife, died March 5, 1842, aged sixty-four years, five months and seven days.

Joseph Thompson, a Revolutionary patriot, died November 23, 1842, aged eighty-five years, ten months and eighteen days.

Dertus Morsman, died August 30, 1847, aged forty-four years, seven months and four- teen days.

Daniel Ritter, died June 15, 1843, aged forty-two years, eight months and two days.

David Hurley, died September 14, 1854, aged fifty-eight years, one month and six- teen days.

Amos Coolidge, died May 16, 1851, aged sixty years, seven months and twelve days.

Jonathan Webster, Botanic Physician, died August 15, 1843, aged forty-three years, eight months and eleven days. Milly, his wife, died April 8, 1848, aged forty-eight years, seven months and nine days.

Israel Greenleaf, a Revolutionary soldier, died June 1, 1847, aged eighty-two years. Sarah, his wife, died March 8, 1840, aged seventy years.

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HISTORY OF TIOGA COUNTY.

It will be observed that two of these graves contain the remains of Revolutionary soldiers. Although each grave is marked by a modest marble slab, it is, nevertheless, neglected and overgrown with brambles, a condition that ought to appeal to the patriotism that exists, and has always existed in Wellsboro, and that, even at this late day, should rescue these graves from the ruin and neglect of this old-time burying ground. These heroes of the struggle that achieved our independence and made our present greatness as a republic possible, deserve at least a modest monu- ment to rescue their names from oblivion. The erection of such a monument and its dedication on Independence Day would be a fitting tribute to their memory and would serve to keep alive the spirit of patriotism, that rightly fostered, will not neg- lect a little duty, any more than it will shrink from a great sacrifice.

The Wellsboro Cemetery was incorporated under authority of an act of assembly, approved April 7, 1849, the original members being Benjamin B. Smith, R. G. White, George McLeod, John W. Guernsey, John L. Robinson, Josiah Emery, William Bache, James Lowrey and Levi I. Nichols. The incorporation was "authorized to purchase a lot of land, not exceeding ten acres, and lay out and ornament the same."

It appears that for several years after the incorporation of this company nothing was done toward securing a new cemetery site. In the meantime some of the incorporators died and were buried in the old graveyard. On April 26, 1855, a supplementary act was approved, substituting Chester Robinson, William Bache, George McLeod, Stephen F. Wilson, S. E. Ensworth, James I. Jackson, Joseph Riberolle, Levi I. Nichols and Peter Green for the original incorporators.

The new company acted promptly. About nine and one-half acres of land, north of the borough limits, as they then existed, were purchased from Stephen F. Wilson and Mrs. Timothy Coats. The location, which embraces a grove of pines, is very beautiful, and had it not been set apart for a cemetery would have been a model one for a park. This land was purchased in 1855, and the same year B. F. Hathaway, of Flushing, Long Island, an experienced landscape gardner, was em- ployed to survey and lay it out. This work he performed in a satisfactory manner, laying off 439 burial lots, besides walks and drives. Later 109 lots were added from ground remaining undivided. Over $12,000 were expended by the company in the work of purchasing and preparing this beautiful cemetery for its silent tenants. Two acres more were afterwards added, to be ready for future use. Mr. Hathaway made an accurate map of the grounds, which was copied carefully and correctly by James S. Bryden, who selected a lot for himself on a knoll or hillock. Soon after finishing the copy of the map he was suddenly taken ill, and died March 16, 1856, aged thirty-five years. He was buried in the lot he had selected and was the first person to be interred in the new cemetery. His connection with the work of prepar- ing the map, and his sudden illness and death, as well perhaps as a desire to witness the first burial in the new grounds, resulted in his funeral being very largely attended, and the facts in connection with his death being made a topic of talk throughout the borough.

The natural beauty of this cemetery has been enhanced by the artistic taste displayed in laying out its driveways and walks, as well as by the many sightly monu- ments and tablets of marble and granite that mark the graves of the sleeping dead, a number of whom were removed hither from the old graveyard on the hill.

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There is one tomb within this cemetery that is at once noticeable and unique. It was erected several years ago by Hon. Stephen F. Wilson, for the reception of his remains after death. It is built of gray stone, in the form of a log cabin, and is a faithful reproduction in its exterior appearance of the primitive home of the rugged pioneers of the early day. In striking contrast with it is the uncut shaft of native sandstone that, in its suggestiveness, typifies the character of that courageous minis- ter of the gospel, Rev. J. F. Calkins. The bronze likeness of "Nessmuk" set in the granite block that marks his grave, attracts the notice of the visitor and leads him to ask whose memory it is intended to keep alive in the minds of the living. In the northeast corner of the cemetery will be found the plain marble headstones that mark the graves of Benjamin Wistar Morris and his wife, as well as those of Judge Samuel Wells Morris, his wife and a daughter. Their remains were among those removed from the old graveyard adjoining the Academy. The monuments and tablets erected during recent years are mostly granite, and are noticeable for their massive and enduring character, as well as for an adherence to artistic and appro- priate designs.

A competent man has charge of this cemetery and the graves are all well taken care of the year round. During the summer months, when the trees are in full foliage and the flowers are in bloom, it is a really beautiful place, and is daily visited by those whose loved ones lie sleeping in its graves, as well as by strangers, who wander among its many monuments and glean from their inscriptions the brief history which they give of the "silent city's" tenants.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 39

Author: Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown Number of Pages: 1454

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454