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Gc 974.301 Or5w 1827731
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01085 9723
HISTORY
OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES
IN
ORLEANS COUNTY, VT.,
WITH BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF THE
PASTORS AND NATIVE MINISTERS.
BY PLINY HI. WHITE, ACTING PASTOR IN COVENTRY.
RUTLAND : TUTTLE & CO., PRINTERS. 1863.
:
.
1827731
1 White, Pliny Holton, 1822-1869. D 284364 .6 History of the Congregational churches in Orleans County, Vt., with biographical notices of the pastors and native ministers. Rutland, Tuttle & co., printers,1868.
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History of the Congregational Churches in Orleans, It. By Pliny 76. White
1868.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHI ....
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D 284364.
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PREFATORY AND EXPLANATORY NOTE.
What is here published is a specimen fragment of a History of the Vermont Churches, which the writer has for some time had in hand. It is published, that an opportunity may be afforded for correction and enlargement, and that those who are interested in the larger work may see what it is likely to be. To use the words of old Thomas Elvot, In his " Boke of the Governor,"-" If my renders do justly and lovingly interpret my labors, I, during the residne of my life, will now and then set forth such fruits of my study, profitable as I trust unto this my country."
All the towns mentioned in this pamphlet are in Vermont, unless some other Stare is mentioned, in which case that State is to be understood till another is unmed. From this rule, however, are excepted towns in which there are Colleges or Theo- logical Seminaries. The location of all those is presumed to be known to the readers. The ordination of a pastor is to be understood as his ordinnilon to the pastorate of a Congregational Church, unless otherwise specified. Ecclesiastical and literary titles are put in italics, if the person was not entitled to them at the time spoken of, but subsequently became entitled.
Any person who is able to correct errors or supply deficiencies, is earnestly requested to communicate with the author.
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HISTORY
OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHIES IN
ORLEANS COUNTY, VT.,
With Biographical Notices of the Pastors and Native Ministers.
ALBANY.
The church in Albany was organized 16th August 1818, by the Rev. James Hobart, of Berlin, and the Rev. James Parker of Enosburgh. It consisted of one female and three male members. In 1821, fifteen persons were added, most of them by letter from other churches. David Sexton was chosen deacon, 20th March 1822, and Ephraim Carter, 10th November 1824. No stated preaching was maintained till April, 1826, when the Rev Elias W. Kellogg began sapplying the pulpit, and in the following January he was ordained pastor, but as the church was unable to give him a full support, a part of his time was employed in neighboring towns. The Vermont Domestic Missionary Society assumed a portion of the salary, and has continued to render assistance dur- ing almost the entire existence of the church.
In 1831, an extensive revival took place. Thirty-five persons, most of them heads of families, united with the church, and its condition was in all respects greatly improved. In 1833, special trials were experienced. The public mind was much excited on the subject of masonry, and the church shared in the agitation. A resolution was finally adopted that "the institution of Speculative Free Masonry is unchristian, and that in the admission of mem- bers and the employment of ministers, the church will require a
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HISTORY OF ORLEANS COUNTY
pledge to forsake the institution." Quite serious difficulties were also encountered in providing a place for public worship. Hold- ing a house of worship in common with other denominations, the church had been obliged to meet in a school-house half of the time. By the burning of this school-house, they were compelled to hold meetings in a barn or in a dwelling-house, to the great diminishing of the congregation. The subject of building a house of worship now began to be agitated, but differences of opinion as to the loca- tion paralyzed all efforts and led to serious dissensions. Finding his usefulness much impaired by these occurrences, the pastor ro- quested a dismission, which was granted, but he continued to sup- ply the pulpit till the end of the year. For several succeeding years, the church was divided against itself, received no additions, and was destitute of preaching, except for a short time in 1885 by the Rev. Lyman Case, and on alternate Sabbaths for three or four months in 1836 by the Rev. Moses P. Clark.
The Rev. Elias R. Kilby began to supply the pulpit in 1839, and in March of the next year, he was ordained pastor, with liber- ty to preach elsewhere one-fourth of the time. Under his preach- ing harmony was restored, and in 1842, a house of worship was built. The congregation increased in number, and the day of bet- ter things appeared to have dawned. But the hopes thus raised were destined to be disappointed. In 1845, the church found itself pecuniarily unable to maintain preaching more than half the time, nor has it ever again been able to do more than that. Still more disheartening was the destruction by fire, in February 1846, of the house which had been built with so great sacrifices. Ques- tions of re-building and location began again to be agitated, but an advisory council which was called, nnanimonsly recommended the purchase of half the Baptist honse at West Albany, which was ac- cordingly made. This removal from the old village on the hill to the younger and rival village in the valley was not accomplished without much dissension, many heart-burnings, and permanent harm to the church.
Neither temporal or spiritual prosperity was again enjoyed. The occasional additions which took place did not compensate for the losses by death and emigration, and a slow process of decay was
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
continually going on. Mr. Kilby's pastorate was terminated by his death in February, 1851. With the exception of a few Sab- baths' preaching each, by the Rev. Lyman Case and the Rev. Thomas Kidder, the church was destitute till the third Sabbath in December, 1852, when the Rev. Phineas Bailey began to supply the pulpit, and continued five years. In Angust, 1858, the Rev. Asahel R. Gray became acting pastor, and continued till the third Sabbath in January, 1866. The removal of several prominent members in 1865, greatly weakened and discouraged the church, and in this depressed condition it was called to endure the evil consequences of going into partnership in a house of worship. By the terms of the original agreement between the Congregational- ists and the Baptists, either party, after a certain specified time of joint occupancy, had a right to insist that the entire house should become the property of one party by purchase of the other's inter- est. The Baptists now insisted that what was "nominated in the bond" should take effect, and as the Congregationalists were una- ble to buy, they were obliged to sell, and thus were compelled to discontinue public worship. Much sympathy for them was freely expressed, and offers of assistance from all classes of persons in Al- bany were made. They were thus encouraged to attempt the building of a house ; and with the aid of $500 from the Congre- gational Union, and other sums from benevolent individuals and sister churches, a house was built and furnished at an expense somewhat exceeding $4,000. It was dedicated 5th March 1868. The Rev. John H1. Woodward preached the sermou. Since that time the pulpit has been supphed by theological students, under. the auspices of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society.
PASTORS.
1. The Rev. ELIAS WELLS KELLOGO, son of Enos and Dimis (Wells) Kellogg, was born in Shelburne, Mass., 3d February 1795. He studied theology with the Rev. Elder- kin J. Boardman, of Bakersfield, Vt., was licensed by the North-western Association at Westford, 18th January 1826, and was ordained at Albany, 24th January 1827. The Rev. E. J. Boardman preached the sermon. During his residence in Albany,
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HISTORY OF ORLEANS COUNTY
· he was town clerk five years, 1828-33. IIe was dismissed 22d May 1833. In 1834 and 1835 he preached three-fourths of the time at East Berkshire and the other fourth at Montgomery. In May 1836, he commenced preaching at Jericho Center, . and was installed there 18th January 1837. The Rev. E. J. Boardman again preached the sermon. On account of failing health he was dismissed 7th July 1840. In March 1841, he commenced sup- plying the churches in Frauklin and Highgate, dividing time equal- ly between the two till March 1844, when he began to preach at Highgate all the time, and was there installed, 7th January 1846. The Rev. James Dougherty, of Milton, preached the sermon. Ile was dismissed 7th January 1852, and went immediately to St. Al- bans Bay where he was acting pastor three years. In 1855, he removed to Illinois, and preached first at Becatonica, then at Wayne Center. He died at Ringwood, 6th October 1861. HIo married 7th March 1820, Alzaida Holbrook, a native of Wardsboro, (born 15th November 1797) and a descendant of Gov. William Bradford. By her he had Sylvanus Holbrook, born 5th January 1821, and now a minister in Illinois ; Julia Sophia, born 15th September 1822; Edward Young, born 3d August 1827, died 28th September 1828 ; Calvert Spencer, born 26th February, 1829, died 13th September, 1833; Edward Payson, born 17th July, 1833, died 14 February, 1838 ; Charlotte Alzaida, born 10th March, 1836 ; Sarah Eliza, born 31st August, 1837, died 24th July, 1845 ; Wealthy Aun, born 20th June, 1839, died 10th July, 1845.
2. The Rev. ELIAS RUSSELL KIBY, son of Thomas Tyler and Abigail ( Parmelee ) Kilby, was born in Guildhall, 31st January, 1803. Without obtaining any more than a common school ednca- tion, he studied theology with the Rev. James Tisdale of Guild- hall, and the Rev. Thomas W. Duncan of Burke, and was licensed by the Caledonia Association at St. Johnsbury, 3d October, 1837. His first and only settlement was at Albany, where he was ordain- ed 4th March, 1840. The Rev. T. W. Duncan preached the ser- mon. During the last two or three years of his life, he was acting pastor at Newport half the time. His death occurred at Newport, 15th February, 1851.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
BARTON.
A Congregational church, consisting of seven or more mem- bers, was organized in Barton, 27th August, 1807, by the Rev. Elijah Lyman of Brookfield, and the Rev. Walter Chapin of Wood- stock ; but no attempt to sustain religious institutions was made, and in a few years the church became extinct.
The present church was organized 24th September, 1817, by the Rev. Samuel Goddard of Concord, and the Rev. Luther Leland of Derby, and consisted of seventeen members. Mr. Leland was its first minister, and he preached the gospel with much ac- ceptance and success. Additions took place at every communion season, and within a year the membership was doubled. Oliver Blodgett was chosen deacon 26th January, 1819. Through the agency, and mainly by the liberality, of Ellis Cobb, a house of worship was built, which was dedicated 6th September, 1820. Mr. Leland preached the dedication sermon, from Gen. xxviii. 17. A council was held 22th October, 1823, to ordain deacons for this church, and others in the vicinity ; and Oliver Blodgett of Barton, Loring Frost of Coventry, and Zadoe Bloss of Irasburgh, were or- dained deacons of their respective churches. The Rev. Noah Em- erson preached the sermon, and the Rev. William A. Chapin of Craftsbury offered the ordaining prayer.
The first pastor was the Rev. Thomas Simpson, who was settled in the fall of 1823. Ilis ministry at first was diligent and suc- cessful, but at length he became negligent, and failed to meet the reasonable expectations of the people. He also fell into difficul ties with members of the church, and after a pastorate of five years was dismissed. The Rev. Otis F. Curtis supplied the pulpit half the time for a few months in 1831, and a powerful revival took place ; but, before the close of his engagement, he became a Methodist, which had a disastrous effect upon the church. Some fell into despondency, some into indifference, and some into open sin. The labors of the Rev. Bowman Brown, who 'preached half the time during the year 1883, were well directed, and were fol- lowed by good results. On the second Sabbath in March, 1834, the Rev. Ora Pearson commenced supplying the pulpit, and con-
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HISTORY OF ORLEANS COUNTY
tinued for a year and some months. In January, 1835, a pro- tracted meeting was held, as the result of which, the church was . much quickened, and some members were added. For the two or three succeeding years there was almost an entire destitution of preaching.
In the fall of 1839, this church united with the Glover church in a call to the Rev. Ora Pearson, and at the beginning of tho next year he was installed pastor of the two churches. In 1842 another house of worship was built, and again mainly through the liberality of Ellis Cobb. It was dedicated 29th December, 1842, the Rev. Richard C. Hand of Danville preaching the sermon. The location of this house occasioned a good deal of dissatisfaction, the injurious consequences of which continued for many years. After a pastorate of nearly five years, Mr. Pearson was dismissed. His successor was the Rev. Levi HI. Stone, who commenced sup- plying the pulpit on the first Sabbath in July, 1845, and preach- ed on alternate Sabbaths for four years and two months.
The Rev. Clark E. Ferrin began to supply the pulpit in the lat- ter part of 1850, and so acceptable was his ministry that he was called to the pastorate, with a salary of $450, and in December 1851, was ordained. His health failing, he requested a dismissal in 1853 ; but, at the instance of the church, continued to retain the nominal relation of pastor, in hope that his health might be restor- ed. The Rev. David Root supplied the pulpit three months in the summer of 1851. Mr. Ferrin, having renewed his request, was dismissed in December 1854. During his ministry thirty-two per- sons were added to the church. The Rev. Edward Cleveland was acting pastor during the first half of 1856 ; after which there was only occasional preaching till September, 1857, when the Rev. William D. Flagg began to supply the pulpit, and continued for a year. The Rev. John H. Beckwith was acting pastor for the year 1859, and the Rev. Henry A. Hazen for 1860. In the latter part of 1861, the Rev. Benjamin W. Pond began to supply the pulpit, was soon called to the pastorate, and early in 1862 was or- dained. His pastorate continued about three years. On the first Sabbath in August, 1805, the Rev. William A. Robinson began to supply tho pulpit, and in the following January he was ordained
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
pastor. Under his pastorate an unusual degree of external pros- perity has been enjoyed. The congregation increased in numbers 80 that it was found necessary to enlarge the house of worship. A parsonage was also built, (in 1867,) and the salary of the pastor was advanced from $700 to $900 and the use of the parsonage.
PASTORS.
1. The Rev. THOMAS SIMPSON was a native of Deerfield, N. II., and received his education for the ministry at the Maine Charity School, (now Bangor Theological Seminary, ) where he was grad- uated in 1820, a member of the first graduating class. His first settlement was in Vershire, Vt., where he was ordained 10th De- cember, 1823. The Rev. Baxter Perry, of Lyme, N. H., preach- ed the sermon. He was dismissed 8th June, 1821, and was installed in Barton 26th October, 1825. The Rev. Jacob N. Loomis of Hardwick preached the sermon. He was dismissed 20d September 1880, left Barton under censure of the Orleans Asso- ciation, and was not again settled in the ministry, He removed first to Deerfield, N. H., then to Canada, and finally to Lowell, Mass,
2. The Rev. ORA PEARSON was born in Chittenden, Vt., 6th October, 1797, and was graduated at Middlebury in 1820, and at Andover in 1824. Ile preached in various places in New York for a year or more, and then commenced preaching at Kingston, N. H., where he was ordained 7th March, 1827. The Rev. Ira Ingraham of Bradford, Mass., preached the sermon. In connec- tion with his ministry in Kingston, a powerful revival occurred in 1831-2, which brought more than sixty persons into the church. IIe was dismissed 9th January, 1834, but continued to supply the pulpit till the following March. He then commenced preaching in Barton, and there continued a year and some months, after which he labored several years in Canada East, as a missionary of the New Hampshire Missionary Society. He was installed 1st January 1840, pastor of the churches in Barton and Glover. The Rev. James Robertson of Sherbrooke, C. E., preached the sermon. He was dismissed 19th November, 1814, and was a colporteur of the American Traet Society for five or six years,
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HISTORY OF ORLEANS COUNTY
when the loss of his sight compelled him to retire from active life. He died at Peacham, 5th July, 1858.
He was distinguished for amiability, humility, conscientiousness, fervency and power in prayer, and accurate knowledge of the Scriptures. So familiar was he with the language of the Bible, that when he had become entirely blind, he was in the habit of re- citing whole chapters in connection with his pulpit services, and so exactly that his hearers supposed he was reading from the printed page. Ilis last sickness was long and severe, but he gave such striking proofs of the reality and strength of his faith, and of the love of Christ to his people in their hours of trial, that perhaps the best work of his life was done on his death-be 1. His hope strength- ened and his joys brightened as the end drew near, and he achiev- ed a signal victory over death.
His only publication was "An Address to Professing Heads of Families, on the Subject of Family Worship," a pamphlet of twelve pages, prepared and published in 1831, by request of the Piscat- aqua Conference.
3. The Rev. CLARK ELA FERRIN, son of Micah and Lucinda (Conant) Ferrin, was born in Holland, 20th July, 1818. He fit- ted for college at Brownington and Derby Academies, and was gradnated at the University of Vermont in 1845 ; after which he taught in Georgia two years, and then entered Andover Theolog- ical Seminary, where he was graduated in 1850. He was ordain- ed in Barton 10th December 1851. The Rev. O. T. Lauphear of Derby preached the sermon. He was dismissed 19th December, 1854. About a year after his dismissal he resumed preaching, and was installed in Hinesburgh 6th February 1856. The Rev. N. G. Clark, D. D., of Burlington, preached the sermon. He was the representative of Hinesburgh in 1858 and 1859. His publica- tions are two funeral sermons and a thanksgiving sermon.
He married 6th November 1850, Sophronia B. Boynton, of Hul- land.
1. The Rev. BENJAMIN WISNER POND, son of the Rev. Dr. Enoch and Julia A. (Maltby ) Poud, was born in Bangor, Maine, 26th March, 1836. He was graduated at Bowdoin College in 1857, and at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1861, and was or-
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CONGREGATIONAL CHRUCHES.
dained in Barton 28th January, 1862. The Rev. Enoch Pond, D. D., preached the sermon, and it was published in the National Preacher. He was d smissed 5th October, 1864, and for about two years was employed at Washington, D. C., and in the South, in labors for the education of the freedmen. In April 1867 he received a call to Charlemont, Mass., and was there installed pas- tor, 21st May, 1867. The Rev. John Todd, D. D., of Pittsfield, preached the sermon.
5. The Rev. WILLIAM ALBERT ROBINSON, a son of the Rev. Sep- timius and Semantha ( Washburn) Robinson, and a descendant in the seventh generation from John Robinson, the pastor at Leyden, was born in Morristown 24th February, 1840. He was graduated at Middlebury College in 1862, tanght the academy at Coventry two years, and then entered Bangor Theological Seminary, where he was graduated in 1865. He was licensed by the Penobscot As- sociation at Bangor, 12th July, 1864, and was ordained in Barton 11th January, 1866. The Rev. Lyman Bartlett, of Morristown, preached the sermon. He has been superintendent of schools in Barton two years, 1×67-8
Ile married, 1st September, 1862, Lucy C. Swift , by whom he has two children.
NATIVE MINISTERS.
1. The Rev. JOHN KIMBALL, son of John H. and Harriet (Chamberlain ) Kimball, was born 10th October, 1831, and was graduated at Dartmouth in 1856, and at Union Theological Sem- inary in 1859. Soon after graduation he went to California as a missionary of the American Home Missionary Society, and preach- ed a year in Grass Valley, and a year and a half in San Francis- co. In October, 1861, he was ordained to the ministry at Sacra- mento. The Rev. George Mooar preached the sermon. In the spring of 1868 he returned to New England, and entered into the service of the Christian Commission, in which he remained during the war, and then engaged in labors for the freedmen.
HIe married, 18th January, 1864, Annie M. Eskridge, daughter of the Rev. Vernon Eskridge, of Portsmouth, Va.
2. The Rev. ROGER M. SARGENT, son of Stephen and Frances
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HISTORY OF ORLEANS COUNTY
(Noyes) Sargent, was born 7th September, 1824, and in early youth moved to Lowell, Mass., with all the family. Hle fitted for college at Lowell High School, and was graduated at Dartmouth in 1846, and at Andover in 1849. He preached for a while at Newbury, Mass., and at Farmington, N. H., and was ordained pastor of the Congregational church in Gilmanton Centre 27th April, 1852. The Rev. N. Bouton, D. D., of Concord, preached the sermon. He was dismissed 31st January, 1860, his term of service having continued exactly eight years. He was installed in Farmington 27th March, 1860. The Rev. Alvan Tobey, D. D, of Durham preached the sermon.
He married, 5th June, 1850, Elizabeth G. Spaulding, a native of Nashua.
BROWNINGTON.
The church in Brownington was organized 4th March, 1800. by the Rev. Jonathan Hovey, and consisted of four male and six female members. For a few mouths previous, there had been a general awakening, under the preaching of missionaries, and within a year fourteen were added to the church. Until 1524 no minister- ial labor was performed, except by the ministers of neighboring towns, or by itinerant missionaries. In the mean time, however, two revivals were experienced ; one in 1812, the other in 1516, by which the church was much enlarged and strengthened. During the first ten years of its existence, sixty persons became members.
In 1824, the Rev. James W. Woodward was engaged to supply the pulpit, and after several months of service was called to the pastorate. Early in 1826 he was installed, and he remained in the pastorate two years or more. He was a man of ardent piety and respectable talents, and was greatly beloved by the church and people. In August 1829 the Rev. Alexan ler L. Twilight be- came acting pastor and continued five years. His labors in 1831-2 were accompanied by a revival, as the result of which fifty-four were added to the church. The Rev. E. B. Baxter was acting pas-
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
tor two years from 1st November, 1836. With the exception of a few months in 1839, there was a period of destitution which lasted till February 1841, when the Rev. Asahel W. Nott became acting pastor for a year.
The public worship of the church was attended first in the court- house, and afterward in the academy, till 1841, when a house of worship was completed. It was dedicated 1st December. In the fall of 1842, the Rev. Vernon Wolcott was installed pastor, and continued nearly three years, when his health, both of body and mind, failing, he was dismissed. The pulpit was again supplied by Mr. Twilight in 1846-7, and by the Rev. William Scales four years from the fall of 1847. In 1851 a revival was experienced, and twenty-one additions took place. Mr. Twilight again supplied the pulpit for a season in 1852. Early in 1854, the Rev. Samnel R. Hall was installed pastor, with a salary of $400, and sustained that relation for thirteen years. In 1859-60, there was unusnal religious interest, which resulted in fourteen additions, The abili- ty of the church to sustain the institutions of the gospel has been greatly weakened by emigration. Twelve of the fourteen constit- uent members of the church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, organized in May 1867, were from Brownington. After Mr. Hall's dismissal, the pulpit was supplied three months, beginning in June 1867, by Mr. David Shurtleff, and in February 1868, he was ordained pastor, with a salary of $500.
PASTORS.
1. The Rev. JAMES WHEELOCK WOODWARD, son of Bezaleel and Mary ( Wheelock ) Woodward, was born in Hanover, N. II., 6th February, 1781. His father was the first Professor of Mathe- maties and Natural Philosophy in Dartmouth College, and his mother was a daughter of the Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, D. D., the first President of the College. Hle was graduated at Dartmouth in 1798, and studied theology with the Rev. Asa Burton, D. D., of Thetford, Vt., and the Rev. Nathan Strong, D. D., of Hartford, Ct. In December 1801, he went as a missionary of the Con- nectient Missionary Society, into the Black River country of New York, where he spent eight months, traveled 1800 miles, and
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