History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 125

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904. 4n
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 1438

USA > Pennsylvania > Monroe County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 125
USA > Pennsylvania > Pike County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 125
USA > Pennsylvania > Wayne County > History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania > Part 125

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On John Andrews' and Fitel H. Curtis' class- book for 1816 it is written, “ Be Partickular Every friday Preceding quarterly Meeting, Must be observed As a day of fasting and Prayer For the prosperaty of Zion ;" also " keep close to the Lord, keep close Class-Meetings," and they did keep close class-incetings. Sinners were sometimes admitted whom they supposed seekers ; afterward they had written permits. They have been known to reject their own members when they had not these permits. After the Protestants retired they became more

768

WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

liberal in these matters. If members were ab- sent for three consecutive class-meetings they rendered a reasonable excuse therefor. Falling or losing their strength was a phenomenon of early Methodism in Salem, as elsewhere. Dr. Peck says sinners, as well as professors of religion, used to fall. He thinks it was a practice to be discouraged. There are two Protestant Churches in Salem, one at Hollister- ville, built about 1840,-and one near the town- ship line, built in 1884. Rev. Joseph Barlow and Bern B. Doty were among the first Pro- testant preachers. About 1828 Amasa Hollis- ter and wife, John Andrews, Sr., and wife, · Conrad Swingle and wife, Jeremiah Osgood and wife, and Jolin Cobb and wife organized the Protestant Methodist Church. Among the preachers were John Smith, Ambrose Abbott, James K. Helmbold and Dr. Payne.

Asa Cobb, Jr., and Aaron Gillett were local preachers ; E. S. H. Cobb and Joseph Watrous were ordained elders; Joseph Watrous was president of the district at one time.

CONGREGATIONAL-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. -- A number of the early settlers were of Puri- tan Congregational proclivities, and the Con- necticut Congregationalists had missionaries on the ground at an early date. Among these missionaries were Rev. Seth Williston, Rev. E. Kingsbury and Rev. David Harroway. It ap- pears from the old church records that a Con- gregational Church was formed in Saleni, August 15, 1808, by David Harroway. The following is the list of those who united at that time: Hezekiah Bingham, Hezekiah Bingham, Jr., Joseph Woodbridge, Ashbel Woodbridge, Jesse Miller, Rachel Weston, Martha Stevens, Ann Woodbridge. Subsequently we find the names of Elijah Weston, Nancy Pellet, Eunice Bingham, Almira Woodbridge, Polly Ansley, William Woodbridge, Elijah Weston, Jr., Luther Weston. Rev. Daniel Waldo is men- tioned among the early missionaries. When they had no preacher, sermons were read. People nsed to remark that they would as willingly hear Joseph Woodbridge read a sermon, as to hear a preacher. Rev. Worthing- ton Wright was the first settled pastor over the churches in Wayne County in 1812. He re-

sided at Bethany. Joseph Woodbridge eon- tribnted ten dollars ; Seth Goodrich, six ; Ashbel Woodbridge, six ; Jesse Miller, three ; William Woodbridge, five; and Elijah Weston, three. They agreed to double their subscription if the minister would live in Salem. In 1815, having lost his wife and his health failing, Rev. W. Wright asked dismission and left the county. Rev. Phineas Camp preached occasionally about 1818. The Salem and Palmyra Congregational Church was re-organized at the East school- house, February 2, 1832, as a Presbyterian Church. Rev. Joel Campbell, of the Hones- dale Presbyterian Church, was chosen moderator, and Stephen Torrey, a ruling elder of the same church, clerk. Of the old members there were the following present : Luther Weston, Elijalı Weston, Nancy Pellet, William Woodbridge, Almira Woodbridge, Polly Ansley (absent), Ashbel Woodbridge, Henry Stevens, Martha Stevens, Eunice Bingham and Dolly Roosa. Marilla Curtis and Lydia Wright were ad- mitted by letter. George Goodrich, Alanson Hollister and Miss Arrian Corbin were admitted on profession of faith. Also Minerva T. Weston, Nancy Nicholson, Jolın H. Bullen and Hannalı, his wife, were admitted February 19, 1832. Also at this meeting Luther Weston, Elijah Weston and George Goodrich were ordained ruling elders by Rev. Joel Campbell. Subse- quently we find the names of Jolin Roosa, Jared Taylor, Horatio Nicholson, Sally Hollister, Eliza Wheeler, Laura Weston, Dr. Erastus Wright, Catharine Northam, Zenas Nicholson, Margaret Adams, Edmund Brown, Jonathan B. Watrous, Matilda Watrous, Lncy Moore, Lanra Matthews, Daniel Noble, Erastus Noble, Fanny Wheeler, Ambrose Nicholson, Minerva Nicholson, Ellen Andrews, Maria Woodbridge, Mary L. Raymond, Dr. Burr, Mary Leonard, Jane Butler, P. Howe, A. Howe, Mary A. Howe, Abigail Watrous, Mahala Jones, John A. Cook and family, Arselia Brown, and still later, Thomas Cook, Amos Polly, Austin M. Nicholson, John Nash, E. J. Ayers, R. M. Stocker, E. B. Polley, Lewis Cook, J. T. Stocker, James D. Stocker, Henry Cook. The Presbyterians built a church in 1833, in which they worshipped until 1852-54, when the

769

WAYNE COUNTY.

present church was erected. Rev. David R. Gilmer, Rev. D. R. Dickson and Rev. Lyman Richardson supplied the pulpit until Rev. Moses Jewell was installed pastor of the church and congregation of Salem, by Rev. Adam Miller, September 24, 1833. He left Marclı 23, 1834, and Rev. Joel Barlow preached from 1837 till 1844 ; Rev. Albert R. Raymond, from September, 1844, until June, 1863; Rev. E. Merriam,1 two years; Rev. R. Crossett, two years ; Rev. Samuel Hutchings, one year ; and Rev. C. M. Des Islet, about three years, since which date students have supplied the pulpit during the summer. John A. Cook was made ruling elder during Rev. A. R. Raymond's time. Thomas Cook, John Nash and Austin Nicholson were made ruling elders about 1866, and Jerome T. Stocker became a ruling elder October 12, 1872. Of these, A. M. Nicholson removed to the West and John Nash joined the Methodists. As early as 1832 candidates be- fore the session, in answer to questions put by the session, " express their determination to ab- stain from the traffick and use of ardent spirits as an article of luxury." The following is a specimen of old-time discipline copied from the minutes of the session, as kept by George Goodrich, clerk. Charges had been preferred against Mr. B- for unchristian conduct. The minutes say : " The Session having had two interviews with Mr. B-, and he having acknowledged that the charges were true, and has neglected to make such satisfaction as the Gospel requires, it was voted by the Session that a written notice be served on him inform- ing him that he stands suspended from all the privileges of the church until he make such satisfaction as the Gospel requires ; and as he has of late expressed a willingness to make a Public Confession of his faults, that he also be notified that an opportunity for this will be given him on the coming Sabbath or at any other Public Meeting of the church within fifteen days from this date." A notice was ac-

cordingly prepared and served on Mr. B. -, giving him an opportunity to publicly confess or stand suspended.

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH was built in 1847. Rev. Mr. Cushman conducted service in the East school-house about 1840, before the church building was erected, Mrs. Robert Patten being the leading spirit in the enter- prise. The leading members were Robert Patten and wife, Franklin Goodspeed, John Raymond, Caleb B. Hackley, Daniel Potter, Gaius Moss, Mrs. Anson Abby. Among others are Richard Evans, Russell Bidwell, George Simons, Catharine Foote, Lucy Walker. Rev. Edwin Mendenhall 2 was their first rector and officiated about fourteen years. After his death Rev. Mr. Cowpland occupied the pulpit for two or three years, when Rev. R. H. Brown preached for fifteen years. There has been no rector since. The Baptist Church in Hollister- ville was organized in 1854-55, by Rev. Newel Callender, the prominent members being Alanson Hollister and wife, Platt Stevens, William Hollister and wife, James Waite and wife, James Rockafeller, Asa Hollister and wife, M. H. Race. The Catholics had preacli- ing occasionally in Ledgedale school-house from 1851 until 1877, when they built St. Mary's Church near the township line. They draw their congregations from Paupack and East Salem. The Christians have some mem- bers who have preaching occasionally at Osgood's school-house. The Christian Church at Osgood's was organized November 26, 1866,

2 Rev. Edwin Mendenhall was born of Quaker parents, in Chester County, Pa., February 27, 1803. In 1831 he married Elizabeth Culbertson. Of their children, Elizabeth married Thomas B. Townsend, of Chicago; Ellen married Horace A. Beal, and lives at Parkesburg, Pa. September 28, 1841, Mr. Mendenhall entered the Theological Semin- ary at Alexandria, Va., was ordained July 14, 1844, and he was shortly after sent to Salem, where he organized a parish in 1845. Hle made personal application to friends for assistance from Philadelphia in erecting St. John's Church, which was consecrated by Bishop Alonzo Potter, August 5, 1850. Gaius Moss was senior warden and Daniel Potter was junior warden; F. B. Moss was leader of a volunteer choir, which, according to the testi- mony of the bishop and visiting clergymen, rendered the best music they heard outside of city choirs .- From Ellen Beal' s letter.

1 Rev. E. Merriam was a young man who had just com- pleted his studies, and was installed pastor of Salem Church, where he died, aged twenty-eight, much be- loved by his congregation for his devotion and real worth as an unassuming, scholarly man.

e h Le

770

WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA

by Elder Henry Black, of New Jersey. The first members were James Swingle, Enos Swingle, George Edwards, David P. Edwards, Eugene Goodrich, Jeremiah Wilcox, Adnia Wilcox and Eliza Edwards. They have since added thirty-four members. C. E. Wells, pastor ; Samuel Swingle and James Swingle, elders.

SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. - Ann Woodbridge, the widow of Joseph Woodbridge, after her hus- band's death, in 1816, went to Connecticut and attended Sunday-school in Hartford, Conn., and in New York. On her return, in 1817 or 1818, she asked Sally Brown, then fourteen years of age, to notify her young friends and come to her house the following Sunday for the purpose of organizing a Sunday-school. She agreed to it and kept her promise, but not without misgivings, and was troubled all the week to know how they could have a school on Sunday without breaking the Sabbath. The next Sunday, however, Sally Brown, Laura Goodrich, Ambrose Nicholson, Malvina Potter, Betsy Hollister, Abigail Hollister and Anna Wright appeared in the Widow Ann Wood- bridge's 1 log house, which stood on the corner opposite the present stone house. She had them all stand in a row and read the Testament, of which they had two or three copies. She had several John Rogers primers, containing Cate- chism and commandments, which she loaned then. Shortly after we find William Wood- bridge superintending a school at East school- house, and every alternate Sunday was spent at the West school-house. February 5, 1832, the Salem Sunday-School Society was formed at the West school-house, Zenas Nicholson being president; George Goodrich, secretary ; Elijah Watson, treasurer ; Alanson Hollister, Amos Polly, Esq., and George Goodrich, directors. They adopted a constitution and effected a regular organization, making it auxiliary to the American Sunday-School Union Society. Luther Weston, Dr. Erastus Wright, Medad Walters, Amasa Jones, J. B. Watrous, Jared Taylor, Ambrose Nicholson, Palmer Miller and Dr.

Chas. Burr were connected with that society. Hiram Clements, Thomas K. Benson, Mat- thias Haag, Sandford Swingle and John Nash have been prominent Sunday-school workers. Rev. A. R. Raymond is an excellent Bible- class teacher. Mary L. Raymond, his wife, has taught for many years. There was a Sun- day-School Association auxiliary to Wayne County Sunday-School Association organized at Salem in 1872, or about that time. Rev. C. M. Des Islets was first president and Jerome T. Stocker secretary. A number of Sunday- school conventions were held every year. There are usually ten Sunday-schools in operation in the township.

The first school-house in the township was the East school-house, which stood on the eor- ner just west of Major Woodbridge's house. It was built about 1805-8 of hewn logs, with a door in the south end, a stone chimney on the west end and the teachers' desk opposite. The desks were against the wall, the sharp edges of whichi served as a back-rest when the pupils were not writing. The seats were thick plank, with sap- ling legs. Berkely, one of the first teachers in this school, was a college graduate and so was Rev. William Woodbridge, who taught later. Children came for five miles around to the East school. The West school was at Salem Cor- ners. The London House and Charles Good- rich's house were used for school purposes until 1814, when a frame school-house was built. There was also a school-house near Elizur Mil- ler's, made of basswood boards, for summer schools. P. G. Goodrich says he attended about 1810, Irene Potter being teacher. In 1827 a school-house was built on the knoll above L. A. Griffin's carriage shop in Hollis- terville, Phineas Howe being the first teaclier. Bidwelltown school-house was built about 1838 and Daniel Gorman taught two or more years.

A log school-house was built on the lane that comes from A. J. Rollison's in 1838. Tryphena Lee was the first teacher. Osgood's, Ledgedale, Centreville, No. 20, and Razor Hill schools came later. There are ten schools in Salem. Sally Hamlin Bonham taught the first school in 1804, when she was fourteen years old. She

1 This was probably the first Sunday-school ever held in Wayne County.

771

WAYNE COUNTY.

reecived a two-dollar bill for three months ser- vice, which was placed in an open book. As she sat before the fire-place, a gust of wind blew the bill into the fire and reduced her three months' lahor to smoke and ashes before her eyes. Ashbel Woodbridge, Samuel Mor- gan, Mary Ann and Egbert Woodbridge, R. G. and George Goodrich, Sally Case, Mr. Bene- diet, Jason Bradley, Timothy Morgan, John W. Gordon, Oliver Hamlin and Joseph Moore, Jr., were among the early teachers.

An academy was built in Hollisterville in 1862. M. H. Race taught a number of years as did also E. J. Ayres. It is now used for a Methodist Church. Butler Hamlin placed seats over his new store and schools were taught there by E. D. F. Brownell, R. M. Stocker and F. J. Foley.

ROADS .- From old records of Westmoreland County we find Esquire Tryp appointed, Octo- ber 19, 1772, to oversee men working on " Rode from Dilleware River to ye westermost part of ye Great Swamp to Pittstown." The first roads were mere bridle-paths through the forest, indicated by marked trees. Later the swampy places were bedded with poles, called corduroy roads, pole bridges being made.

Nathan G. Wright signed a contract, October 8, 1818, with Samuel Morgan and Vene Lee, a committee appointed by the managers to con- struet the Belmont and Easton turnpike, to build one hundred and fifteen rods, commeneing at Ann Woodbridge's, thence north one hundred and fifteen perches, to be completed September 1, 1819. They gave him six shares of stock for building it, and bound him under six hun- dred dollars forfeiture to keep it in repair. This road was a great thoroughfare for travel, and droves of cattle and sheep, amounting to a number of thousands annually, passed over it to market. The stock was gathered up north as far as the lake region of New York and driven to Easton and Philadelphia markets. The road was divided into sections about fifteen or twenty miles long, and a four-horse tally-ho coach passed both ways daily. The section passing through Salem Corners extended from Canaan Corners to Captain Howe's, a distance of eighteen miles. John P. Mitchell drove

stage a number of years. The East and West road, which extended from Milford to Salem Corners, thence through Cobb's Gap to the Lackawanna Valley, was built in 1825. At that time Hamlinton was a place of some im- portance, but the railroads have left the towns situated on hills and passed through the valleys.

The oldest settlers of Salem were nearly all Revolutionary soldiers and from Connectieut. The town is more thoroughily New England than any in the county. The pioneers met many obstacles. They made logging bees and house-raisings ; thus, by associated labor, they helped one another to elear their farms and build their houses.

" There are no times like the old times-they shall never be forgot !

There is no place like the old place-keep green the dear old spot !

There are no friends like our old friends-may Heav'n their lives prolong,

And bring us all-life ended-to join the happy throng."

John Bunting assessed Canaan in 1799. It had twenty-eight taxables, five of whom be- longed in Salem. Jolin Bunting was also the first justice of the peace.

Josiah Curtis assessed Salem in 1809, after it was set off from Canaan. He returned sixty taxables. In 1810 there were fifty-seven. In 1811 fifty-four, Joseph Woodbridge and Salmon Jones assessors. In 1812 fifty-eight taxables. In 1816, after Sterling was formed, Elijah Wes- ton, assessor, returned fifty-four taxables, and in 1824 there were eighty-eight taxables. In 1880, after Lake was formed, there were sixteen hundred and thirty-five inhabitants in Salem.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JUDGE BUTLER HAMLIN.

Harris Hamlin, father of Judge Hamlin, of English origin, was born in the State of Con- necticut April 27, 1767, and married Rue Eas- ton, a native of the same State, August 22, 1787, who was born February 28, 1770. They left their native State in 1801, and, with nine children, came to the then wilderness country

ol je

a e, Is

772

WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

of Easton, Pa., and settled one and a quarter mile west from Salem Corners, in Salem town- ship, Wayne County. Here they built a log house in which they resided for some eight years, when they erected a framed house-the first one built in the township. Harris Hamlin was a farmer and brick manufacturer, and both himself and wife were consistent Christians and members of the Methodist Church. Dr.

Almira, Butler and Philena (who married Vol- ney Cortright). The latter is the only one sur- viving in 1886-a widow and resides in Scran- ton, Pa. Judge Butler Hamlin, youngest son of Harris Hamlin, was born in Salem township April 17, 1808. His early life was spent on the farm at home, and, in common with the other boys during the early history of the county, he knew what hard work meant and

Butler Stamlin

Peck says of him: " He was a man of generous impulses and solid worth, an earnest Christian and a thorough Methodist." He died August 4, 1854; his wife died December 5, 1833. Their children are Rue, Sarah (wife of John Bonham, recently died in Wayne County at the age of ninety-four), Catherine (wife of Horace Lee, resided in Canaan, and her son John F. Lee is a farmer in the township), Ruey (the 2d, married Daniel Baldwin and moved to Minnesota; she was a talented and pious lady), Oliver, Amanda (wife of John Andrews), Harris, Ephraim W.,

had little opportunity for obtaining an education from books, being only allowed three months' schooling during the winter months each year, until the age of sixteen. His practical ideas in after-life, his general intelligence, his devo- tion to principle, integrity of purpose and sympathy for all worthy objects, however, be- speak how thoroughly he was educated in youth in all that made him the man so much esteemed by his fellow-citizens. For two years following 1827 he worked at the trade of a hatter with his brother-in-law at Montrose,

773

WAYNE COUNTY.

Susquehanna County, Pa., for an annual sti- pend of thirty dollars, one-half of which, by strict economy, he saved, and now had, on reaching his majority. He spent two years more as a clerk in his brother's store and post- office at ten dollars per month, when he became a partner in the concern and continued this business relation until 1837, when he became sole owner of the store, was appointed post- master and held the place with slight interruption through the various administrations and changes in political organizations until the time of his death, which occurred December 10, 1883. In 1861 he was elected associate judge on the bench with Judge Barrett. The two offices being in- compatible, he resigned as postmaster, but was reinstated upon the petition of the patrons of the office as soon as his term as judge was completed. Again, during the Presidency of James Buchan- an, he was removed for political reasons, but after a little more than a year he was reinstated during the same administration, through the petition of the patrons of the office, comprised of both political parties.

Judge Hamlin's political affiliations were with the Whig and Republican parties, and as a member of those lie was a safe counselor and sought to support the principles of reform, rather than the men who represented party alone. It may be truly said that he acted justly and honestly toward all men in all the relations of life, and during his business career as a mer- chant, which continued for nearly a half-century in the same place, all who knew him accord to hiim sterling eliaracteristics. Although he never united with any church organizations, he was a prayerful man, a constant and studious Bible reader and a supporter of all church work in the vicinity of his home.

In 1838 Judge Hamlin formed the acquaint- ance of a Miss Sallinda Rathbone, daughter of Abel and Alice Rathbone, who came to Salem, Wayne County, that year on a visit to friends, and during the summer taught the school in the neighborhood. They were married in Oc- tober of that year, and their children who grew to man's estate are Lenora F. (wife of George A. Clearwater), Florence B. (died in 1875), Della P., Frank B. and Charles E. Hanlin.

HOWEL WOODBRIDGE.

Joseph Woodbridge and his wife, Ann Hol- lister, both natives of Glastonbury, Conn., soon after their marriage, December 30, 1802, set- tled in Salem township, Wayne County, Pa., on land heretofore described, a part of which remains in the family in 1885.

He spent his life as a farmer, was ap- pointed the first justice of the peace in the town- ship, and held the office until his death, October 14, 1816, at the age of thirty-five years. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and was about to engage in mercantile operations when death came so prematurely, and cut his life short. He was identified with the pre- liminary work in organizing the Presbyterian Church of Salem, yet he did not live to see the fruits of his labor. His wife, a woman of cul- ture and Christian fortitude, the first superin- tendent of the Sunday-school at Salem, was left with seven children,-Egbert, Wells, Howel, Mary Ann (wife of John Kelsey), John, Eliza (wife of William C. Gridley) and Ebenezer, of whom only three survive in 1885, -Jolin, on a part of the old homestead ; Eliza, in West Candor, Tioga County, N. Y .; and Ebenezer, at Lee Centre, Lee County, Ill. Of these children, Egbert Woodbridge lived to a good age, and died November 27, 1866, having served as justice of the peace in Salen township for many years, and filled other important positions of trust. By her second husband, Joseph Moore, Mrs. Woodbridge had three children. She died July 2, 1860, aged seventy- six years.

Howel Woodbridge, third son of Joseph, born at Salem, January 28, 1808, spent a part of his early life in Connecticut and acquired a practical education. He married Maria, daugh- ter of Captain Jared Strickland, of Glaston- bury, and settled upon a part of the homestead in Salem, which he afterward inherited, and there spent the remainder of his life. Their children were Hosmer, born January 1, 1838, died December 30, 1859; Henry, born Scp- tember 5, 1840, served nine months in the late Civil War and until its close, and was killed by a falling tree July 11, 1869 ; Joseph, born January 17, 1843, served in the Second

774

WAYNE, PIKE AND MONROE COUNTIES, PENNSYLVANIA.

Heavy Artillery in the late war and was hon- orably discharged (he married Elizabeth Van Norsdel February 22, 1870, and resides in Melborne, Marshall County, Iowa, and have children-Minnie A., Frank H. (deceased), Mary E. (deceased), William E. and Clarence L. Woodbridge) ; Sarah Ann, born December 1, 1849, a teacher for fifteen years, resides on the homestead ; Mary W., born July 11, 1848,

died at quite an advanced age, leaving as their successor their son John, who was born in Orange County, N. Y. John was a man of universal attainments. Besides conducting the old home farm successfully, he turned his at- tention to theology, and for many years repre- sented in the pulpit the doctrines laid down by the Protestant Methodist denomination. Having | acquired a competency, he contributed liberally

on the homestead ; Jared, born October 13, to all worthy local objects, and was especially 1850, resides in Arizona Territory.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties, Pennsylvania, Part 125

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904. 4n Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co. Number of Pages: 1438

Author: Mathews, Alfred, 1852-1904. 4n
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 1438