USA > Vermont > Orange County > Bradford > A history of Bradford, Vermont : containing some account of the place of its first settlement in 1765, and the principal improvements made, and events which have occurred down to 1874--a period of one hundred and nine years. With various genealogical records, and biographical sketches of families and individuals, some deceased, and others still living > Part 31
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8. A sermon before the General Conference in Maine : The triumph of Christ's enemies no cause of discourage- ment.
9. A Fast sermon, at Belfast : God our only hope.
10. A sermon before the American Missionary Associ- ation, at Meriden, Conn .: Christ the conqueror.
11. A sermon before the Bradford Guards, when called to engage in their country's service.
12. A sermon in the National Preacher : Sinners en- treated to seek the Saviour while he may be found.
13. A sermon in the Covenanter, Philadelphia, on Ro- manism.
Also funeral sermons at Bradford and vicinity, a con- siderable number, on such topics as these :
14. The memory of the just is blessed.
15. The nature, duty, and benefits of a pious confi- dence in God.
16. Activity in duty urged from the brevity of human life.
17. The responsibilities of young men.
18. The Bible the young man's perfect guide.
19. God's way in the sea ; at the funeral of one of our young men, lost at sea.
20. Our Heavenly recognition.
21. To die is gain.
22. She hath done what she could.
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23. The attractions of Heaven overcoming those of the earth.
24. An example of ministerial fidelity and success ; in memory of Rev. Increase S. Davis.
Also a Scriptural argument in favor of withdrawing fellowship from churches and ecclesiastical bodies prac- ticing or tolerating slaveholding among them; published by the American Anti-slavery Society, at New York.
The Worth of a Dollar, a small tract translated into German.
A Review (twenty-six pages) in the New Englander, of Rev. Dr. Lord's letter of inquiry to the ministers, on the subject of Slavery.
And, to mention no more, An Address on the Right Ob- ject and Use of Religious Investigation, before the Socie- ty for Religious Inquiry in the University of Vermont, at Commencement in 1828, on which occasion that University conferred on the speaker the honorary degree of A. M., as Dartmouth College had six years before. In 1861 the same college saw fit to attach to my humble name the further title of D. D. For these titles I never either directly or indirectly sought; but was content in silence to re- ceive them, as expressive of the respect of the worthy men who had bestowed them. Every man is just what he is; and, whether with or without titles of any kind, is likely to be estimated accordingly. In promoting the work in which our religious, moral, and educational socie- ties are or have been engaged, I have also had something to do. For years, both in this State and in Maine, I have belonged to their Domestic Missionary Boards, have acted also as Secretary of the Vermont Education Society, aux- iliary to the American, and Secretary of the Vermont Temperance Society ; and, in behalf of the General Con- vention, Treasurer of the Fairbanks fund to assist young men in their preparation for the Gospel Ministry. Ihave at home taken a deep interest in the prosperity of Brad- 28
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ford Academy, and as President of its Board of Trustees served for nearly forty years, when I thought I had a right to be excused.
I have never had to go seeking for a parish, or employ- ment, have always had work enough to do from my youth to old age, for which I am thankful ; and only regret that I have not done more and better; but am satisfied that I have not been doomed or left to labor or live in vain.
I have not in a pecuniary view sought great things for myself; my stipulated salary has always been rather scanty, and sometimes not well paid; but through the lib- erality of friends, at home and abroad, unsolicited, we have been most kindly remembered, and probably have been as comfortable and happy as we should have been had we possessed ten times as much. God's promises to those who love and trust in Him are sure.
For a year or two past I have preached only occasion- ally; but with mental faculties, so far as I know, unim- paired, and remarkable health for one of my age, and with eye-sight nearly as good as in the days of my youth, I still find enough to do, and have been mainly occupied in preparing some historical account of Bradford and its people, which I hope may be of interest and use, not only to those of them now living, but to their posterity. This work I feel in haste to finish, being fully aware that my time must now be short. It is, however, to me a sweet thought that it will be neither shorter or longer than the God of my life, in His infinite wisdom and goodness, has absolutely determined.
This sketch of autobiography would be very incomplete without some account, though brief, of my dearly beloved family.
My first wife was Miss Phebe Fuller, eldest daughter of Rev. Stephen Fuller, of Vershire. She was born De- cember 18, 1794. We were married by Rev. Calvin No- ble, of Chelsea, June 4, 1816, a few months after her fa-
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ther's decease; and the next day commenced house- keeping at Bradford, in the same cottage which I now oc- cupy, though since that day considerably improved. She was in person somewhat below medium stature, slender, delicate, and of countenance prepossessing ; in mind and manners cultivated, of sweet disposition, and decided piety. We lived, and in the days of our youth, happily together for four years and nearly a half, when she was called away to her heavenly home. She died of pulmon- ary consumption, during the progress of which her sweet resignation to the divine will, deep humility, loving con- fidence in the blessed Saviour, and strong hope of eternal blessedness, were most admirable. She passed away on the last day of November, 1820, in the twenty-sixth year of her age, leaving three precious little daughters, and firmly trusting that God would be very gracious to them, and in His own good time bring them adorned in the beau- ties of holiness to enjoy with her the perfect happiness of the saints in Heaven. Nor has this consoling hope been disappointed. Those children all became hopefully pious in early youth, and after beautiful, though brief, lives of usefulness, died divinely sustained by the hopes and con- solations of the gospel.
As it regards education, I will here say, as it was our good fortune to live close by a respectable academy, both in Bradford and Belfast, my children were all favored with good school privileges while at home, and when of suitable ages were prepared to go abroad to other insti- tutions, possessing, in some respects at least, for them superior advantages. They were all natives of Bradford, Vt., and born in the same house, which I now occupy.
1. Marianne, my eldest daughter, was born April 14, 1817. She and her next sister, Serena, while young misses, applied themselves, among other studies, to that of the Greek language, with so much success as to be able to read the gospels, with satisfaction, in their origi-
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nal. She studied French, and some other branches of knowledge, at a Ladies' School in Bucksport, Me., and at South Berwick Academy, made fine progress in the study especially of astronomy, and finished there her academic course, receiving from the trustees a well-deserved diplo- ma. After that, she taught for about three years in the female department of Gorham Academy, and subsequent- ly for a year or two in Belfast Academy, of which Mr. George Field, now Rev. Dr. Field, of Bangor, Maine, was then the Principal. After our return to Bradford, she accepted, in the spring of 1843, of an invitation to take charge of the Ladies' Department of the Academy at Meriden, N. H., an important institution. In that posi- tion she was expected not only to teach several hours in a day, but to take the entire care of the young ladies in their common boarding house ; to distribute their work, after the fashion of Mount Holyoke, and see that it was properly done ; and moreover to purchase the provisions for their tables, and, as agent for the trustees, pay the bills for the same ! Work enough, surely, for at least two energetic ladies to perform. She endured it bravely for some time ; but, while all was apparently moving on suc- cessfully, her health and strength, before the close of her second year, were so evidently failing that she was per- suaded to resign and come home, to rest and recover her accustomed physical energy, but, as the result proved, to die. She came in the autumn, and during the subsequent winter everything was done for her which could be done . by the family, who loved her as they did their own souls, and by skillful physicians ; but on the 24th of March, 1845, in the twenty-seventh year of her age, she peace- fully passed away to that perfect blessedness for which, through grace, she was admirably prepared. In early youth she heartily devoted herself to the blessed Saviour, and thence onward her path of usefulness and happiness
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had been like the rising light, which shineth more and more unto perfect day.
2. Serena McKeen, my second daughter, was born January 23, 1819. She was a lovely child, and became decidedly pious while quite young. A few years after finishing her academic course with her elder sister, at South Berwick, Maine, she became, September 16, 1841, the wife of Rev. Charles Duren, a graduate of Bowdoin College and Bangor Theological Seminary, a worthy, kind-hearted man, and very devoted minister of the gos- pel. In the various places in which he was called to la- bor, Mrs. Duren, though for years in the latter part of her life an invalid, invariably exhibited such a beautiful example of all the Christian graces, that her influence was most blessed, and failed not to secure the admiration and love of the many who became acquainted with her. Amid the various trials of life through which she was destined to pass, she was so restrained by divine grace, and by the great kindness of all around her, that she en- joyed an unusual degree of real happiness ; and at West Charleston, Vt., August 6, 1862, in the forty-fourth year of her age, died as she had lived, confidently trusting in the blessed Saviour. Her remains, with those of her daughter, Elizabeth F., repose in the principal cemetery there.
Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Duren had one son and two daugh- ters. Little Marianne, their youngest child, died at Waits- field, August 31, 1853, at the age of two years and two months, and was buried there. Elizabeth Freeman, an in- telligent, pious and very amiable girl, died at West Charles- ton, December 30, 1860, in the 15th year of her age. Charles McKeen Duren was born at Sangerville, Me., No- vember 26, 1842. In his youth he was divinely led to consecrate himself to the Saviour, not only in heart, as he believed, but openly. He received a course of educa- tion qualifying him for commercial and banking business,
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and has for several years held the position of Cashier in Hardin County Bank, at Eldora, Iowa, to the satisfaction of his employers and the public. In the 26th year of his age he married Miss Gertrude Eliza Whiting, daughter of Rev. Lyman Whiting, D. D., then of Du- buque, an estimable lady. They have had two sons, twins, who died under two years of age; and now (1874) have two daughters, Alice Serena, born July 23d, 1871, and Mabel, September 7th, 1873; both promising chil- dren.
The Rev. Mr. Duren married for his second wife Sarah Atherton, a widow lady, of Sheldon, Vt., and at this date is officiating as acting pastor of the Congregational church at Plover, Wisconsin.
3. Julia McKeen, my third daughter, born April 16, 1820, was left, at the age of seven months and fourteen days, a motherless infant. She inherited a very delicate constitution, with a remarkably mild and affectionate dis- position ; and from childhood was very attentive to relig- ious instruction. At the age of fourteen, she gave good evidence of true piety, and became a beloved member of the church in Belfast, of which her father was pastor.
After having enjoyed for several years such education- › al advantages as she there had, early in the autumn of 1839 she went, with her next younger sister, to the Acad- emy at Gorham, Me., in which their eldest sister, Marianne, was principal of the Ladies' Department. She continued there until the next Spring, when her health had so failed that it was not without difficulty she could be brought safely home from Portland to Belfast by steamboat. Be- ing at home most tenderly cared for, she partially recov- ered ; but within a year went into a settled decline, which terminated in death, June the 9th, 1841, in the 22d year of her age. Her lingering and not unfrequently painful illness she endured with admirable resignation to the di- vine will; invariably presenting an example of person-
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al piety very affecting and beautiful. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Her funeral services were conducted by our dear friend, the Rev. Stephen Thurston, of Searsport, and her precious remains were laid down to their long repose in the ministerial lot in Belfast Cemetery.
I will now go back so far as to say that these three daughters, though bereft in childhood of their own moth- er, were within the course of a year blessed with anoth- er, entirely suited to their condition, who took them at once to her heart, and to whom they in filial love clung as their own dear mother, as long as they lived.
My second wife was Hannah Johnston, daughter of Captain Michael and Mrs. Sarah (Atkinson) Johnston, of Haverhill, N. H. Her father was son of Colonel Charles Johnston, honorably distinguished among the first settlers of that town. She was born at Haverhill, June 17, 1793. We were united in marriage by her pastor, Rev. Grant Powers, June 13, 1821 ; and a rich blessing she proved to be, not only to myself and family, but to our friends, dur- ing the twenty-seven and a half years of her subsequent life. By this marriage I had three daughters and one son, of whom some brief notices will now be given.
4. Philena McKeen, my fourth daughter, was born June 14, 1822. With the exception of a few months spent with her sister Julia at Gorham Seminary, she pursued her studies at the Academy in Belfast, where we then liv- ed. But, having talents and taste for vocal and instru- mental music, she subsequently availed herself of the best instruction to be had in Boston, and also in Brooklyn, N. Y., and was for several years employed as a teacher, with special reference to music, at North Bridgton, Me., Hanover, N. IT., St. Johnsbury, Vt., in Ohio Female Col- lege, of which Alphonso Wood, the Botanist, was then President, and for three years in the Western Female Seminary, at Oxford, Ohio. From that position she was
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called, in 1859, to take charge, as Principal, of the Abbott Academy for Ladies at Andover, Mass., where at this date, April, 1874, she still remains; enjoying the satisfaction of seeing the institution under her care in a very prosperous condition. She early became a member of the household of faith.
5. Catherine McKeen, born February 5th, 1825, like her sisters became hopefully pious while young. In her academic course she was classmate with her brother until he entered Dartmouth college, one year advanced, when she commenced teaching, but continued her classical studies as she had opportunity. She taught in Haverhill, N. H., and St. Johnsbury, Vt., academies, and for several years at Mount Holyoke Ladies' Seminary, Mass. Though not educated there, her services had been sought, not only on account of her general scholarship, but with special ref- ference to her reputation as a very competent teacher of Latin. Her services and influence as a teacher were high- ly appreciated, and in that way of doing good she found great satisfaction, but when declining health admonished her that she must retire for rest, and, if possible, the re- covery of her accustomed strength, she quietly yielded to the necessity. After two or three years spent partly at home and partly with her sisters, Mrs. Duren, at Sheldon, Vt., and Philena and Phebe F., at Oxford, Ohio, she went from there to her aunt and uncle Atkinson's, at Mount Leon, West Virginia, where, after months of the kindest care by them and their family, her peaceful de- parture to her final rest occurred July the 20th, 1858, in the thirty-fourth year of her age. I had visited her a few weeks before, and her sisters from Oxford were with her on the affecting occasion. Her remains repose in the burial lot of her kindred at Elm Grove, near Wheel- ing, West Virginia. Catharine possessed real poetical genius and taste, of which some specimens may be seen near the close of this book.
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6. George Whitefield McKeen, my only son, was born January 26, 1827. He was a bright, promising boy, and became hopefully pious and united with the church when about twelve years of age. He early fitted for college, and graduated at Dartmouth in 1846, in his twentieth. year. Among his classmates and beloved friends still surviving, were Professors Charles C. Aikin, of Prince- ton College, and J. J. Blaisdell, of Beloit, also Rev. Drs. J. W. Wellman, and A. H. Quint, of Mass. While in college his health became, through too intense applica- tion to study, seriously impaired, but on leaving he taught for a while as assistant to his friend, Jonathan Tenney, then Principal of Pembroke, N. H., Academy. studied medicine some, both at home and at Bangor, Me., and spent a year or two with main reference to physical improvement. He had hoped to become a good minister of the gospel, but under an impression that the practice of medicine would be more favorable to his impaired health, he entered the University of New York as a med- ical student, and for some time went on successfully there, until about the middle of February, 1850, when, un- der the influence of a severe bronchial affection, he came home to his anxious father and sisters-his beloved mother had previously died-and after the best possible care and medical treatment his disease in the course of a few months came to a fatal termination. His mind retained its clearness and strength to the very last, and was kept in perfect peace, being stayed on God, his Saviour. He died June the 9th, 1850, at the age of twenty-three years, four months and fourteen days. His funeral was attend- ed by a great congregation. The Vermont Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church being at that time in ses- sion at Bradford, adjourned and united in the services. A sermon of great excellence and appropriateness was preached on the occasion by Rev. President Lord, from the
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passage "Open thon mine eyes that I may behold won- drous things out of the law."
The venerable preacher said, "What have we that we have not received ?" Our young friend had a fine intel- lect, but God gave it to him, and a believing heart, but it was the product of the Holy Spirit, and sound principles, but they were instilled into him out of the Holy Scrip- tures, and an ardent thirst for good things, but it was be- cause a divine power had attended him to the great source of light and life. He was beloved at home, great- ly beloved at College, too, and honored, as I well remem- ber, and abroad in the busy world, but it was for quali- ties which he would not have posessed if God, for Christ's sake, had not produced them. He was peaceful, hopeful, in death, but he would have died in despair, and been miserable forever, if Christ had not had mercy upon him. Wherefore I praise him not, but God."
7. Phebe Fuller McKeen, my seventh and last child, was born July 21, 1831. She obtained her school educa- tion mainly at our home Academy. She remembered her Creator in the days of her youth, and at the age of six- teen or seventeen heartily consecrated herself to His ser- vice. Her first attempt at teaching was in a district school at Haverhill Corner, N. H. Then, after one term as an assistant teacher in Peacham, Vt., Academy, she was invited to Mount Holyoke Seminary, where, with her sıs- ter Catherine, she taught for about three years, after which she taught with her sister Philena for about three years in the Western Female Seminary at Oxford, Ohio. From that position she was called, with her sister, to Ab- bott Female Academy at Andover, Mass., in 1859, where they, my only surviving daughters, are still ( April, 1874) actively, and not without due appreciation, most usefully employed. While teaching, Phebe F. has found time to write somewhat extensively, under the name of "Jenny Bradford," for newspapers and other publications, and to
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prepare a small volume entitled Thornton Hall, with spe- cial reference to young ladies at boarding schools, published at New York in 1872, which has been received with pub- lic favor.
If the work of professional teachers, seeking the high- est good, temporal and eternal, of all under their care is great : so also are, and will be, the results of their abun- dant labors.
Having said thus much of these children, I go back to say a few words with regard to the death of the excel- lent mother who, from their infancy, had most tenderly cherished them, and faithfully endeavored to train them up in the way they should go. Her call from this to the eternal world came suddenly, at a time and in a way wholly unexpected.
On Wednesday, the 28th day of December, 1848, we were returning from a pleasant visit to our relatives in Vershire. There was no snow on the frozen ground, and we were in a covered wheel carriage, drawn by one horse. While descending the steep hill immediately north of the deep ravine styled Eagle Hollow, a holdback of the har- ness broke, the carriage suddenly dashed against the horse, which at once started on a run; to hold the strong and terribly frightened animal was impossible, and as the way was narrow, with sides rocky and precipitous, to turn either way would be instant death. There seemed to be no way but to keep still, and await our destiny. Having descended the hill she, in tremulous voice, said, " What shall I do? Shall I spring out?" My reply was, "Oh, I don't know ! I think not!" The horse dashed on with fearful power. In a minute or two she was gone ! I then dropped the reins, and threw myself out. Though bruised, and on my head gashed, I was enabled to rise and return to her, some ten or fifteen rods distant. She was lying in the first spot by the wayside which had pre- sented itself to her eyes as affording the least possibility
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of safety in case of springing out. But oh, what a spec- tacle! She breathed, but was speechless and insensible. No bones were broken, but the brain had received a fatal › concussion. A friendly man was quickly present. At his call others came, and on a bed conveyed her to a neighboring house, where we were kindly received. Friends rapidly gathered; skillful physicians, good minis- ters, and kind hearted women. All was done which could be; but she never spoke again, or appeared conscious of her condition. She languished till Saturday morning, nearly three days, when, at the house of Mrs. John Gor- don, of Vershire, but surrounded by her own family, and some other relatives, she expired December 31, 1848, at the age of fifty-five years. Her remains were taken di- rectly home to Bradford, a distance of some twelve miles, and her funeral, on the subsequent Wednesday, was num- erously attended by deeply sympathizing friends. Our friend, the Rev. Solon Martin, then of Corinth, conducted the services, and preached an appropriate sermon on the affecting occasion. She, beyond doubt, had found it gain to die. Her path through life had been continually grow- ing more and more luminous, and must have terminated, not in the darkness of the grave, but in the perfect light of eternal glory and blessedness.
My third wife was Miss Sarah Parmelee, of Guilford, Ct., a daughter of Mr. Jonathan and Mrs. Elizabeth (Hart) Parmelee, of that place ; both of decidedly Puritan de- scent, principles, and manner of life. In early woman- hood she became a member of the Congregational church of which the Rev. Aaron Dutton was then pastor, and to which her parents, sister, and two brothers all belonged ; and for some thirty years or more had devoted herself to the good work of teaching various schools in her native town. She remained with her parents to the close of their lives, then resided for a time with her beloved sis- ter, Mrs. Fowler, in the same village; but finally became
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the wife of a minister away here in the State of Vermont. We were married by Rev. David Root, her pastor, April 30, 1851, and came directly to Bradford, where she was cordially received by her husband's family and parishon- ers, and has since had her home. We are at this writing quietly living in the same cottage in which I first com- menced house-keeping, the same in which all my children were born, now, through the liberality of our people, made our own for life; and, still surrounded by kind friends, are aiming to finish whatever work our Heavenly Father has for us to do, and be ready to remove to our heavenly home at whatever time He, in His infinite wisdom and goodness, shall see best to call us away.
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