USA > Vermont > Orleans County > Greensboro > A history of Greensboro and the Congregational Church : a semi-centennial discourse delivered November 24, 1854 > Part 2
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employed in town was Miss Jane Johnson, who occupied the first school house ever built in Greensboro',-and afterwards de- stroyed by fire,-which stood on the eminence between Mr. O. W. Ellsworth's and Mr. Josiah Hale's. From these small beginnings, schools have multiplied so that instead of one or two, we now have fifteen districts, in most of which are schools both summer and winter.
Religious organizations have been multiplied to a sufficient extent, but we regret to say are not all well sustained. Since the organization of this church in 1804, there have been formed in town a Baptist Church, Episcopal Methodist, Protestant Meth- odist and Wesleyan Churches, a Universalist Society and an. Associate Presbyterian Church. The Baptist Church organ- ized at an early date, was once somewhat large and for a time seemed prosperous. They first enjoyed for a season the min- isterial labors of Elder Mason, of Craftsbury, and afterwards of Elder Marvin Grow, who was their regularly ordained pas- tor. But of that church there is at present almost nothing re- maining. Many once connected with it removed their relation to the church in Hardwick ; but in this town, its organization has long since ceased to be maintained. We are sorry to ob- serve also that the Methodist Churches are in a low condition, and maintain preaching but a small part of the time. The Presbyterian Church was organized January 13, 1845, at the house of Mr. John Taylor. It at first consisted of twenty members. On the day of organization, James Esden, Sen., George Smith and John Taylor, were chosen elders. Their neat and comely house of worship was finished in 1850, and dedicated by Rev. Dr. Bullion. About the first of October, of the same year, their present pastor, Rev. Gawn Campbell, was installed, having received a call during the previous December. Prior to Mr. Campbell's settlement, during the months of June, July and August, 1850, Rev. Mr. Chapin being unable to labor, the Presbyterian Church occupied the Congregational house,
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the Congregational people worshipping with them ; during which time they were favored with the ministerial labors of Rev. Mr. Fairley. Since Mr. Campbell's settlement, his people have been favored with general prosperity, and not a few have been added to the church, which now contains nearly eighty members.
Had we time we might speak of our pleasant little village, of its different merchants, mechanics and professional men, of the changes which have from time to time taken place, and especially of the conflagrations by which large business estab- lishments have been laid in ashes; in one of which, on the 9th of August 1831, were destroyed the Town Records, on account of which is greatly increased the difficulty of my attaining to that accuracy which I would, in my present under- taking. And it would be well, had we time, to speak a little of the natural features and scenery and curiosities of our town and vicinity, of our beautiful ponds and our more beautiful lake, and especially would the children be interested to hear us tell how, on the 6th day of June 1810, one of the great ponds, lying partly in this town, but mostly in Glover, burst its bounds and ran away, sweeping off' every thing in its course ; refusing longer to empty its waters through a small channel into the Lamoille, but giving all, as it were at once, to the Memphrema- gog, through Barton River. And had we time it would be in- teresting to hear the fathers and mothers tell, in what families and in what forms Death first began to multiply its victims here ; and how with sad hearts the few inhabitants assembled to commit to the dust the remains of the first adult person who was by death removed from their numbers, viz. Mrs. Hill, wife of Dea. Peleg Hill .* And it would be interesting, as well as sad, to hear them describe the scenes of suffering and sorrow through which they passed during the year of 1802, when of seven families, fourteen persons were suddenly removed from
. I. r remate still .keep upon the form of her grandson. Samuel Will, Faq.
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earth by Dysentery ;* and how, when that disease had abated, small pox was introduced, occasioning much suffering, and of which two or three children died.t But of none of these things have we time now to speak, but having just alluded to them, we would say, "Ask thy fathers and they will show thee, thy elders and they will tell thee." And to the elders I would say, " Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation."
We come now to notice more particularly, and yet as briefly as may be, the history of the church upon whose fiftieth anni- versary we are this day fallen. But first, let us here remark that from the first settlement of the town until the present hour, God has ever had a church in it. True, there was at first, and for many years, no regularly organized Christian body ; but, with gratitude would we say it, the fathers of this town were Christian men From the time when those ministers of the Lord Jesus, encamping upon this Lake shore, poured forth prayer to God for the future settlers here, and pronounced, as it were, a benediction upon this soil, and reared here an altar unto the Lord ; this township has, by the great hearer of prayer, ev- er been held in kind remembrance. From the log cabin of Ashbel Shepard, prayer and praise ascended as sweet incense before Jehovah's throne. When a few families had settled here, Ashbel Shepard and Dea. Hill were wont to assemble the people upon the Sabbath, and at other times, for divine wor- ship. At private dwellings at first, and afterwards in school houses, the fathers and mothers of Greensboro' were accustom- ed to meet and worship, long before this church was organized, generally without, but once in a great while with, the aid of a minister. The first of these ministers, remembered by an aged
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*These were the wife and three children of Col. Levi Stevens, three children of Wm. Sanborn, two of Timothy Stanley, two of Joseph Stanley, one of Capt. David Stone, one of ('apt. James Andrew, and one of Stephen Adams. Mrs. Stevens was the second adult who died among the settlers.
t Children of James Hill and Jonathan Nay.
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sister of the church, was Rev. Mr. Sparhawk, of Worcester County, Mass. Another remembers Rev. Mr. Strong, of Con- necticut. But still here was no regular organization, no reg- ular church, no administration of the ordinances, no power of church discipline, and there were no seasons of communion. Our pious fathers and mothers, perceiving the inconvenience and the wrong of all this, resolved upon becoming a regularly organized christian body.
Accordingly, on the 24th of November, 1804, just fifty years ago this day, in the store chamber of Messrs. Hale & Strong, twenty-one persons, hopefully pious, of whom nine were males and twelve females, convened for the purpose of being organ- ized into a Christian Church. With them were present, at their request, Rev. Leonard Worcester, of Peacham, Rev. Sam- uel Collins, of Craftsbury, and Elder Amos Tuttle, of Hard- wick, and other Christian friends, members of Congregational and Baptist Churches out of town, to witness the solemn busi- ness about to be transacted.
Rev. Mr. Worcester offered a solemn and pertinent prayer. Then in the presence of these witnesses, the individuals who were to constitute the Church of Greensboro', gave to each other some account of their religious experience, and the rea- sons of the hope that was in them ; after which they were banded together in a Christian form as a Church of Christ. The names of the persons that day organized into a Church were : Seth Eddy, Ashbel Shepard, William Sanborn, Matthias Haines, John Phips, Ephraim Strong, William Sherburne, George Risley, David Johnson, Zilpha Ring, Sarah Haines, Elizabeth Eddy, Dorothy Lincoln, Elizabeth Sanborn, Sally Ellsworth, Clarissa Strong, Peggy Sherburne, Mary Gates, Ab- igail Haines, Rebecca Haines and Sally Johnson.
On the same day, this little band made choice of Ashbel · Shepard as moderator, Ephraim Strong, clerk, and Seth Eddy as deacon.
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The next day, which was the Sabbath, Rev. Leonard Wor- cester being present, the Church publicly assented to their ar- ticles of faith,-the very same still in use,-and took upon themselves the covenant, and were, by Mr. Worcester, declared to be " a regularly organized Christian Church."
To this little band, others were soon added. In June, 1805, George Risley, Jr., was received ; and in April, Asahel Wash- burn ; and before the close of the year, Horace Risley, Mary Shepard, Abigail Chamberlin, Israel Bill, Elizabeth Nay, Aaron Farnham, Florilla Farnham, Peter Farnham, Catherine Farn- ham, Betsey Parmelee, Mary Bill, Sally Libbe, Obed Cutler and Azubah Cutler,-making the whole number, up to the close of . the year 1805, 40 persons.
Tnen followed, it would seem, a season of darkness ; for from the records it does not appear that another name was add- ed to the list of members till September, 1809, a period of three years and eight months. But it should be noticed with grati- tude that most of the years that have since then rolled away, have witnessed at least some accessions to this band of profess- ed believers. The greatest numbers, however, were received during the years 1810, 1817, 1831, 1840, 1851, and 1854, dur- ing which years, respectively, were received, 19, 57. 29, 17, 35, and 23 persons ; making a total for these six years of 180.
It may be proper here to remark, that the whole list of names upon the catalogue of the Church, from the time of its organi- ization up to the present date, numbers 326. But of these, .a very few have been twice recorded, the persons having been either dismissed or excommunicated and afterwards received a second time.
Dividing the half century into periods of ten years each, it may be observed, that during the first ten years, 84 names ap- peared upon the Church list ; during the second ten years, 75 ; the third, 54; the fourth, 37 ; the fifth and last, 76. Of these, 64 have been added during the last four years.
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But while additions have been not a few, the removals have also been many. From the records it appears. as nearly as can be ascertained, that 134 have been dismissed or informally connected with other churches; and that 63 have, while mem- bers, been removed by death ; and that 11 have been excom- municated ; making our whole number of members at the present time, 118. Of these, 45 are males and 73 females, and 22 are non-residents.
Although this Church was not, during the earliest years of its history, favored with the constant labors of a pastor ; and, though for the most part without any thing more than occa- sional preaching, yet it is gratifying to observe how regularly and constantly public service has by it been maintained from its very beginnings to the present time. It is interesting to read upon the records such minutes as the following :
" March 4th, 1805. The church met at the house of John Ellsworth, Esq , and appointed Dea. Seth Eddy, Ashbel Shep- ard, Ephraim Strong, George Risley, William Sanborn, and Asahel Washburn, to pray in public religious meetings ; and Bro. Ephriam Strong, clerk of the Church, to read the psalms and sermons when we have no minister." Three years later, viz., March 8, 1808, it is recorded, " The Church made new choice of persons to lead in prayer in public meetings, viz., Dea. Seth Eddy and Bro. Ephraim Strong." "Sept. 8, 1808. At a meeting of the Church at Bro. Farnham's, in consequence of the death of Bro. Ashbel Shepard, Dea. Eddy was chosen standing moderator of the Church, and Bro. Strong being about to remove to Connecticut, Bro. Aaron Farnham was chosen clerk in his room ; and Bro. Aaron Farnham and Will- iam Sanborn were appointed to take the lead in public worship, with Dea. Eddy ; and Bro. Asahel Washburn was appointed to read the psalms and sermons, when we have no minister."
From the above, it appears that the Church never entertained
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the idea of dispensing with public worship when no minister was with them. Minister or no minister, there must be public religious service every Lord's day ; and that there might be no failure, but that every thing might be done decently and in order, it was well understood who should from time to time perform the different parts of divine service, when without preaching. Nor had they meetings on the Sabbath only, but the regular monthly Church meetings were well sustained, and also, in general, prayer meetings during the week.
Such a Church, of course, would not be always without preaching. Such a people would use the means in their power to obtain preaching ; and to such, the great Head of the Church would be pleased to send, from time to time, his servants to break unto them the bread of life. Accordingly, we find, ever and anon, some notice of a visit from a minister or missionary. Among the names of those occasionally here, previous to the settlement of Mr. King, may be found the names of Worcester, Collins, Day, Fitch, Swift, Davis,* Carpenter, Thompson, Cleaveland, Lyman, Kellogg and Smith.
" Jan. 13, 1809. At a business meeting of the Church, Rev. Leonard Worcester in the chair, Rev. Salmon King, missionary from Connecticut, being present, the Church voted that he be requested to sit with, and give us his assistance and advice." Mr. King, in this meeting, led in prayer. Some eighteen months after this, we find the Church taking measures for Mr. King's settlement with them as pastor. A council for this purpose was convened at the house of Ashbel Hale, Esq., July 10, 1810; and on the following day, Mr. King was publicly installed pastor of this Church, the services being held out of doors, under a bower prepared for the occasion, near the old south school house. Rev. John Waters, a missionary, offered
*The following is from the report of Rev. James Davis to the Missionary Society in 1804. After speaking of visiting 40 towns in this mission, and preaching 127 sermons, in 16 weeks, he adds : " The Lord has been pleased to grant showers of divine grace upon the people of Berkshire and Greensboro'. Prayerless families have been made to consider it their privilege to offer up mor- ning and evening sacrifice, and numbers have hopefully been brought out of darkness into God's marvelous light."
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the opening prayer ; Rev. Leonard Worcester preached the sermon; Rev. John Fitch offered the installing prayer ; Rev. James Parker gave the charge ; Rev. Chester Wright expressed the fellowship of the churches ; Rev. Luther Leland offered the closing prayer.
From the minutes of the council it appears that Mr. King had previously been a pastor in East Hartford, Ct .*
Mr. King's pastoral relation continued three years, six months and ten days. His labors were in general acceptable and use- ful, as much so as could be expected under the circumstances, preaching as he did at different places, for the most part alter- nating between the north and south school houses, but occa- sionally preaching elsewhere, there being as yet no meeting house in the town.
While here, Mr. King built, and for a time resided in the dwelling house now owned and occupied by Mr. Henry Blake. During his ministry, eighteen were received into the church, and some disciplinary labor performed. But like other minis- ters, he was subjected to trials, and on the 25th of January, 1814, was convened an ecclesiastical council, by which the pastoral relation between Mr. King and this church was dissolv- cd. At that council were present, Rev. John Fitch, of Dan- ville, Rev. Nathaniel Rawson, of Hardwick, and Rev. Luther Leland, of Derby, and their delegates. From the minutes of that council, it appears that the ostensible reasons of Mr. King's dismission grew out of a want of a competent support.
Soon after Mr. King's dismission, viz., April 24, 1811, Dea. Eddy was again chosen moderator, and Thomas Tolman, Esq., clerk, and the two requested to select sermouis to be read on the Sabbath. From this time till February, 1819, the records were neatly and fairly kept. in the hand writing of Thomas 'Tolman, Esq., when appears the following minute : " Voted,
. . Mr. King was a native of Connecticut : graduated at Yale College, in 1796; studied theology vlh Rev. I harl'« Bachos. of somer-, and was five years pastor at East Hartford, before he came to Vermont. After leaving Green-bero', he went to Pennsylvania, and was settled at Warren, Hear Silver Lake.
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that the resignation of Bro. Tolman, of the clerkship of the church, be accepted ; and thereupon the brethren proceeded, by ballot, to the choice of a new clerk, when Bro. Ashbel Hale was declared to be duly elected. Attest, Thos. Tolman, late clerk."
From this time till September. 1825, the doings of the church are fairly recorded, over the signature of Ashbel Hale, scribe. During this period of eleven years and more, the church was favored with only occasional preaching. But still the little band held on their way. Nor were they, during these years of deprivation and toil, without some special manifesta- tions of the favor of the Most High. Some still with us, well . remember that rich display of God's power to save, about the year 1817, during which no fewer than fifty-seven persons were added to the church; and that, too, while not favored with the constant labors of any minister. Godly men were, indeed, occasionally here .* They helped as they could ; hav- ing charges elsewhere, and duties to perform in other fields. But the members of the church were prayerful and active, ready unto every good word and work. The labor done was mainly done by the church, moved to action by an influence from on high. That work was preeminently the work of the Holy Spirit.
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One powerful instrumentality, if I am correctly informed, was that of Sabbath school instruction. Upon the Sabbath School, which was first organized about three years prior to this, was poured, in rich measures, the blessing of Heaven.t Long live the memory of the worthy men who first brought it into being, and with pious and humble zeal so long and so successfully labored in this department of Christian enterprise. Their children and their children's children shall call them blessed. Generations yet unborn shall honor their memory.
*An aged brother mentions, as occasionally helping in this revival, Rev. Messrs. Goddard, Williston, and Waters.
tThis is supposed to be the first Sabbath School ever organized in Vermont, See Appendix.
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But to return to the thread of history. The church meant to be faithful. It had its trials, but it was not without its con- solations also. It had its dark hours, but then, there were oc- casionally sunny days. Wayward brethren sometimes caused trouble and sorrow ; but faithful labor for their recovery, for the most part, proved successful, and then there would be rejoicing as if a lost sheep were found. And as before stated, some ministerial labor was here bestowed. Of the ministers who, during these several years, preached more or less frequently to this people, sometimes at the north school house and sometimes at the south, may be found the names of Hobart, Goddard, Williston, Randall, Davis, Lawton, Bingham, Low, Clement Parker, James Parker, Levi Parsons, and perhaps once in a great while, Worcester of Peacham, Washburn of Royalton, Lyman of Brookfield, Wright of Montpelier, and probably oth- ers whose names have escaped my notice. Oftenest, it would seem, were the people favored with the labors of Rev. James Hobart, who, for a time, appears to have taken a kind of over- sight, administering the sacrament once in three months. Next to him, as to the frequency of his visits, perhaps we should mention the name of Goddard, a man whose praise was in all the churches.
But by and by Providence opened the way for a regular min- isterial supply. Rev. Kiah Bailey, for many years the minis- ter of New Castle, Maine, came into this vicinity, in 1825. An invitation was extended to him, in September of that year, to become the regular supply, or pastor of the church and soci- ety in Greensboro', with the promise that the subscription for his support should amount to, or exceed, $200 annually. This invitation was, by him, accepted, and he at once entered upon his labors. From this period till March, 29, 1829, the records of the church were kept by his hand ; and generally over the 'signature of " Kiah Bayley, Pastor." Mr. Bayley labored faithfully and acceptably. It was during his ministry, that
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this meeting house, the first ever built in town, was erected and dedicated. Upon the records, under date of August 26, 1827, is the following minute : "The church requested their pastor to preach the sermon at the dedication of the meeting house, and appointed Brothers Hale, Conant and Rand a com- mittee to unite with the committee of the parish, or proprie- tors, in making such arrangements for the dedication as they may think proper, and to superintend the religious transactions of the day." Signed, " Kiah Bayley, Pastor."* After this, the hand writing of Mr. Bayley no longer appears, but upon the church book is again found the hand writing of Ashbel Hale t
The Church being again without a regular ministerial supply, we find upon the records the following : "July 6, 1829. At a regular meeting of the church, held in the meeting house, Dea. Conant, moderator, after prayers as the monthly concert, voted, that Ashbel Hale be the clerk of the church for the time being, and that Ezekiel Rand and Ashbel Hale assist in carrying on the meetings on the Sabbath, in the absence of the deacons."
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We next find the desk supplied for a time by Rev. Lyman Case ; after which, there was for a while only occasional preach- ing, by Rev. E. W. Kellog, Rev. Amariah Chaudler, Rev. R. Page, and others, till about May, 1833, when appears the name of Rev. Jacob N. Loomis, who seems to have acted as pastor during that and the following years.
But near the beginning of the year 1835, appears upon the records, as acting pastor, the name of Rev. William A. Chapin. After having labored with this people for six years, he was pub- Jan. 20-1841 licly installed as pastor by an ecclesiastical council, at which were present, Rev. James Johnson, of Irasburg, Rev. E. R.
*The request was complied with, and the house dedicated by Mr. Bayley, assisted by Mr. Mason and Mr. Loomis, as remembered by many ; but upon what day, I cannot a certain.
}Mr. Bayley yet lives, and though for many years he has been unable to preach, still his prayers for the welfare of Zion are unceasing, aud his pen can yet speak, and does often and ably speak on various topics, but especially in behalf of the down trodden and oppressed of our land.
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Kilby, of Albany, Rev. S. R. Hall, of Craftsbury, Rev. Reu- bei. Mason, of Westfield. Rev. Ora Pearson, of Barton, Rev. J. Clark, of Morgan, and Rev. L. S. French, of Coventry. The history of Bro. Chapin's labors among you, and the time and circumstances of his removal from this to the Church triumph- ant in Heaven, is familiar to most now present, and need not be recited here. He died in fait !: , November 27, 1850, aged about 60 years. His record is on high .*
Soon your present minister came among you, in weakness and with much trembling, and without any expectation or in- tention of any thing like a permanent stay. But in the provi- dence of God, I remain with you till this present time, having in the brief space of less than four years had the pleasure of witnessing two seasons of more than ordinary religious inter- est ; of receiving sixty-four members to the church ; of seeing this sanctuary remoddled and improved ; a neat and commodi- ous parsonage erected, completed and paid for ; and a sweet toned bell suspended on this belfry,t to call the people to the house of God ; and their ability and disposition to devise and to do liberal things, clearly developed. To God be all the glory.
The Deacons of this Church have been as follows : the first deacon was Seth Eddy, who was elected to the office when the church was first organized. He was a man of faith and prayer, who used the office of deacon well. After a protracted season of suffering, he died, rejoicing in hope, Oct. 21, 1823.
On the 4th of October, 1810, Ephraim Strong was chosen ceacon ; and in December following, signified his acceptance of the office. Some time subsequently, he removed to Silver
. R., William Arms Chapir was n native of Newport, N. H., where he was born December.6. 170. He was the de af of fairly children. all of whom became members of the same church un/ hunsen. Iran that he could repeat the A samtaly's shorter catechism before he had. Hatted to real. Atthe age of twenty frame, in became a subject of renewing prace, and routh afair spontanea minister of the Gospel. He took his collegiate course at Dart- math. 11 1- 2, le wa . . ith din Catte body, where he remained twelve years ; during which
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