USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Poultney > A history of the town of Poultney, Vermont, from its settlement to the year 1875, with family and biographical sketches and incidents > Part 8
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The applicant for a place in the Poultney printing office was successful. Mr. Bliss, after consultation with his foreman, took him in, and Horace Greeley then and there took his first lesson in type-setting. He remained in this office four years and two months. There are several persons still living in Poultney who remember Horace Greeley well, while learning his trade in the Spectator onice. They all agree as to his personal appearance, which has been given to the public over and over again. They agree, also, as to his remarkable industry and studious habits. Harlow Hosford, with whom Mr. Greeley boarded two years or more during the time of his apprenticeship, told the writer that Mr. Greeley never lost a day from his work during his whole time here, except once or twice he made a short visit to his parents; and when his day's work was done, he was reading, and gave little attention to anything that was going on about him. J. Joslin, then a teacher of the schools at that village, says he heard Mr. Greeley make his first public speech. It was
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in a debating society, which held its meetings in the school house in East Poultney. He astonished every one who heard him, and seemed better informed than any of the speakers on the subject matter of the discussion. Mr. Joslin also says that he did not attend any school while in Poultney, but kept up a study of several branches, together with his reading. As he left his work for his boarding-place, he would almost invariably have a book or paper under his arm, to which his attention would be given, instead of engaging in out-of-door sports, or rambling conversation with other young men during leisure hours. The other workmen of the office would sometimes make themselves merry in coloring Horace's white hair with printer's ink. One or more would hold him, and another put on the ink. Horace would make no resistance, but say, "Now, boys, do stop; let me alone."
The last issue of the Northern Spectator was gotten off at 11 o'clock one June morning, in 1830; and in the afternoon, at 1 o'clock, Horace Greeley, with a stick and small bundle resting on his shoulder, and an overcoat on his arm, which Mr. Hosford had given him (the first he ever had, and probably lasted until he obtained his white one), bid adieu to friends in Poultney, and started on foot for his father's, who then lived in Pennsyl- vania, five hundred miles away.
Mr. Greeley remembered his Poultney friends. He kept up an occasional correspondence with Mr. Hosford and other friends, and always recognized his Poultney acquaintances, wherever he met them, with evident pleasure. It is but a few days since we had the relation of an interview, in 1853, at the Tribune Building in New York, between Mr. Greeley and his old friend Amos Bliss. Our informant says: "I was in New York with Mr. Bliss, and on his invitation I accompanied him to the Tribune Building. I followed Mr. Bliss as he wended his way up the stairs to Mr. Greeley's office. He opened the door without knocking, and there sat the great editor of the world writing. He was evidently thinking intently, as he heeded not our entrance. Mr. Bliss waited a moment; but no recognition from Mr. Greeley. Soon Mr. Bliss deliberately
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spoke, "Horace! " Instantly the pen was laid aside; Mr. Greeley knew the voice, he needed not to look in the face to know that an old friend was present. He arose from his chair, and with outstretched arms approached Mr. Bliss, and said: 'My dear friend! my benefactor! how glad I am to see you!' Oh, how Mr. Greeley and Mr. Bliss talked of old times at this interview. How the battle of life was discussed."
The suspension of the printing office in East Poultney, in June, 1830, was not caused by any diminution of the general business of that community, for this was on the increase rather than otherwise, during the seven and a half years in which the office was run. The Northern Spectator but shared the fate of many newspapers-especially country papers.
A foundry was built in East Poultney, in 1832, by Colonel Russel Hickok, which did much for that village. Simeon Mears soon became a partner in the concern, and the firm of Hickok & Mears did quite an extensive business for some ten years, in the manufacture of stoves, hollow ware, machinery, and articles usually made in foun ries. This establishment gave employment to some thirty workmen, and was an important part of the business then transacted in that then busy and thriving village. The foundry was located where Dewey & Dewey's carriage manufactory now stands. The proprietors were both active men, and their efforts in behalf of the public interests, whether appreciated or not, were effective in good results.
In looking back upon this village, until recently the business center of our town, many pleasing recollections are revived. We remember its many active business men; its general busi- ness prosperity ; its well sustained churches, and much else that will be brought out as we proceed in our work.
The Poultney Band was organized about 1834, and had an existence of some ten years. It was, in its time, one of the best, if not the best, in the State, and served to encourage the cultivation of music, and, on many occasions, to give an enliven- ing and cheering influence. That Band was constituted as follows:
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R. H. Green, Leader, Bugle,
G. W. Sprague,
W. T. Richards, Bass Horn,
Salmon Richards, Clarionet,
H. A. Crane, " Trombone, Paul M. Ross,
A. J. P. Martin,
Horace Gorham,
Wm. H. Thompson, Tenor "
J. Joslin, Bass Viol, Zebediah Dewey
Jackson Gorham, Cornet,
David C. Bessie, Piccolo,
Russel S. Wells,
F. A. Thompson,
B. F. Farwell,
What may be considered as remarkable, those persons named as composing that band, with the exception of P. M. Ross, Wm. H. Thompson, G. W. Sprague and R. S. Wells, are still living. In the period of time when this band was in existence, East Poultney had superior church choirs and glee clubs. In vocal, as well as instrumental music, this place, for several years, took the lead in this section of the State.
The causes of the growth of the west village in Poultney, and the consequent change of the business center of the town from the east to the west village, have been alluded to. We ascribe the causes mainly to locating the Troy Conference Academy and the Bank in this village, the building of the rail- road, and the springing up of the slate business. Towns, vil- lages and cities grow, and are built up under natural laws; but we can often find the origin of our institutions and business concerns which build up towns, in the enterprise and energy of a few individuals. In a former chapter we have spoken of the Poultney turnpike, and the line of stages. These enterprises seem to have been originated, by ti: e men of the west village, and in this village were the headquarters of those establish- ments while they existed.
When this or future generations look back for those who laid the foundation for the growth and prosperity of the west village (but we will not confine it to that-we will say of the town of Poultney), the name of Stanley will be found among the most prominent. John Stanley, who came to Poultney some years before the beginning of the present century, was from the first in active business; but for the first twenty years, or thereabouts, was not altogether successful in advancing his
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own interests. After Dr. David Dewey had invented his ma- chine for shearing cloth, Mr. Stanley, Daniel and Jesse Sprague and a Mr. Bulekley became joint owners in the patent with Mr. Dewey. Mr. Stanley soon bought out Jesse Sprague, and made arrangements with Daniel to make the shears at a stipulated price. Bulckley never did much, so that, in fact, Mr. Stanley became the owner of that part of the patent, sold by Dr. Dewey, which was a one-half interest. He commenced the manufacture of the machines in 1809. He made a few that year, and in 1810, a few more. His grinding fixtures were at Norton's mills, and at East Poultney. These were carried away by the flood of 1811. This flood, as elsewhere appears, laid bare the rocks, and developed a water-power, at what is now known as the Ruggles Foundry place. Mr. Stanley purchased this property of Jeremiah Adams, who then lived north of where the foundry is located, and on the south side of the Main street leading from West to East Poultney. Mr. Stanley moved the house, in which Mr. Adams had lived, down to the foundry premises, for a shop. It was the same building now standing between the blacksmith's shop and the brick tenant house. He contracted with Fay Hyde to build a dam, and as a compensation, gave him the privilege of building a saw mill on the south side of the same. Subsequently Mr. Stanley erected a two story building, and moved the machinery into the lower story. He then commenced the carding and cloth dressing business, in connection with the manufacture of shearing machines, occupying the old shop for cloth dressing, and the upper story of his new one for his carding machines, and adding another water-wheel for the extra power required. After a few years of successful operation in building the shear- ing machinery, he gave up that part of the business to his sons, Henry and Myron N., and himself continued the carding and cloth dressing business. Henry and Myron continued the machine making business for several years. Myron afterwards joining his brother John in business, in Baltimore, Henry Stanley continued the machine business, and added a foundry in 1828.
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A fire, in 1829, destroyed the whole works here, except the foundry. It ended the carding and cloth dressing business, and left Henry Stanley with little but his foundry. His tools and machinery for the manufacture of shearing machines were en- tirely destroyed. He then turned his attention wholly to the foundry business. Stoves were coming into general use, and he commenced the manufacture of a small stove called the Davy stove. He soon was manufacturing the Talmadge and Parker stove, then the leading cooking stove in the market. Mr. Stanley invented a stove for burning anthracite coal; this was patented in 1832. The success of this stove was great, and the business of Stanley's foundry became extensive, and his establishment, for awhile, was a leading one in the country. We shall go more in detail into Mr. Stanley's business in a biographical sketch-the purpose here being mainly to show the origin of a business which has had much to do with the destinies of Poultney.
Soon after 1830, we not only find Henry Stanley in a heavy business-a business that gave employment to a large number of men, and of itself was doing much for Poultney-but we then find him in the possession of means, and with a generous, enterprising public spirit, ready, when opportunity presented itself, to use his means or his influence for anything that would benefit his village or town.
As we proceed in our work, we shall find that Mr. Stanley's personal exertions and influence, co-operating with the efforts of other parties, brought into existence the Troy Conference Academy. We shall find that the establishment of the Academy, the large business of Mr. Stanley, with the interests created thereby, located the Poultney Bank. It is not surpris- ing, then, that the Rutland and Washington Railroad should have been located in the west part of the town.
In the endeavor to give the reasons for the more recent growth of the west village, and the consequent change of the business center of the town, we have intended to give only facts and reasonable conclusions therefor.
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CHAPTER XI.
ECCLESIASTICAL - BAPTIST, METHODIST, EPISCOPALIAN, ADVENT, AND ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
The Congregational Church .- On the 3d of March, A. D. 1867, the Rev. John G. Hale, then pastor of the Congregational Church in Poultney, preached a sermon to his congregation from the following text: Psalms XIV : 1 .- " We have heard with our ears, O God! our fathers have told us what work Thou didst in their days, in the times of old." In that sermon, Mr. Hale reviewed the history of the Congregational Church of Poultney, and much of what will appear in this sketch must be cacredited to his researches.
Mr. Hale says, in his introduction, that "it is greatly to be regretted that the earliest records of the church are lost. There are but two volumes of the records of this church known to be in existence. The older of these volumes is headed in an old- fashioned, large, clear hand: 'Poultney Church Records, Book 3.' Books No. 1 and 2," he says, " were undoubtedly small- very probably unbound books "-and that " the first records we have bear date, June 1, 1793."
The Rev. Dr. Goadby, the late pastor of the Baptist Church in Poultney, in a discourse delivered on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Baptist Church, April 8, 1852, says that Ithamar Hibbard, "who had been a Chaplain in the Army of the Revolution, was the first settled minister in the town, and, it is supposed, came with: an organized church from Bennington." That "an organized church came from Bennington," seems to rest on tradition, as the language of Dr. Goadby would seem to imply ; but there are good reasons to believe that such was the fact. The old people with whom we have conversed seem to have so understood it, and it is known, too, that Mr. Hibbard, before coming to Poultney, was
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for some years a resident of Bennington. IIe was there as early as 1772. A writer of the history of that town says: "Rev. Ithamar Hibbard resided in the west part of the town, and for a short time was minister of a congregation which assembled at his house. The site of his residence is well known as the Hib- bard lot." He further says, that "he is spoken of as an ortho- dox and sincere man, and of respectable attainments." Mr. Hibbard was a native of Connecticut.
Elisha Ashley, Esq., whose memory ran back to that date, says, " that about the year 1780, the Rev. Ithamar Hibbard, a Congregational minister, came among us to look after our spiritual welfare." The church, at a meeting held July 7, 1796, adopted a resolution, in which is a preamble: "Whereas, the Rev. Ithamar Hibbard was, in the year 1780, permanently settled over this church and congregation," etc. This leaves us in no doubt as to the year of his settlement, and there is no doubt either that a Congregational Church was established here at that time-let the question of its prior organization at Bennington be settled as it may.
The names of the members of the church at its organization, or establishment in Poultney, cannot now be given. This is to be regretted; but neither records or tradition can now furnish a complete list of those who founded the Congregational Church in Poultney. We have positive knowledge, or what is equiva- lent, that a church was founded in 1780, and that Ithamar Hib- bard was the first settled minister; but beyond that all must be left to conjecture, or at least to inference, so far as the organiz- ation is concerned, and who were the original members. The first records of the church, referred to by Mr. Hale, are evidently in the handwriting of Dea. Samuel Lee, who for many years was clerk, and in these records of 1793, we find the names of Silas Howe, Calvin-Mallary, Bezaleel Farnum, Joel Frisbie, Barnabus Richmond, Timothy Crittenden, and Oliver Strong, who are supposed then to have been members of the church. How many of them, if any, became members at the organization, we are unable to say. The first records relate to an "affair " or difficulty between Bro. Thompson and Bro. Bebee." It would
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seem from the records that this matter was pending in the church for a year or more, and finally disappears without any direct disposition of the same, except in this: Mr. Hibbard be- came implicated in the affair, and the question came up, "Whether he had done wrong in any instance from first to last in the course of the labor with Bro. Thompson." "Passed in the negative."
A discussion arose in the church, it is supposed as early as 1785 or 1786, in relation to the pastor. It was claimed by some that Mr. Hibbard was not strictly orthodox, and that there was some informality in his ordination. This division culminated in a withdrawal of a portion of the members, who were organized in a separate church, and erected another meeting-house, a little south of where the Baptist meeting-house in the east village now stands. A Mr. Thompson became the pastor of this church, and the two organizations sustained places of worship, and held meetings in their respective houses until some time in the year 1796. The entries in the records of 1796, as Mr. Hale well says, "are of some importance in the history of the church." The following are copied: "June 23d, 1796. Heard the result of the committee previously chosen to try for a union with the other church, known by the name of Mr. Thompson's Church."
It may be stated here, that after the separation, one of the organizations was known as Mr. Hibbard's, the other as Mr. Thompson's Church.
At an adjourned meeting, "took into consideration the re- quest of the Rev. Mr. Hibbard, which had been made previous to this meeting, for a dismission from the special charge of this church, as their pastor, and proceeded as follows:
" Whereas, The Rev. Mr. Ithamar Hibbard, in the year 1780, was permanently settled over this church and congregation, ac- cording to the striet Congregational order, and hath faithfully performed the several offices in his ministerial function, and now believing an Evangelical situation most rulable, he requests to be in that situation. Therefore, voted, that the church release him from the above obligation, and consider him in an evangel- ical situation.
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" Voted, To continue Mr. Hibbard with us in the ministry un- til the minds of the society be made known respecting his request."
The next record bears date October 3d, 1796, and shows the union of the two churches. It is as follows:
"At a church meeting of the Congregational Church, met at the meeting-house, and Rev. Ithamar Hibbard, Moderator, and opened the meeting with prayer. After concessions to each other: Voted, by Mr. Hibbard's Church, to accept the confes- - sion of faith and covenant of grace then read. Voted, by Mr. Hibbard's Church, to receive Mr. Thompson's Church into union and fellowship. Voted, by Mr. Thompson's Church, to receive Mr. Hibbard's Church into union and fellowship. Voted, by both Churches, to receive each other into union and fellowship as one body."
Thus the two became one, and afterwards so remained. Some effort has been made to learn the difference in the creed of these two organizations, or, more particularly, to learn wherein those who withdrew from Mr. Hibbard's Church differed from him and his followers. From all the information we have gained, we should judge there was a distinction without any substantial difference. It seems that Mr. Hibbard was settled over the Church "according to the strict Congregational order," and "faithfully performed his pastoral duties." But little is now known of Mr. Thompson. It does not appear that he was, or was not, of the "strict Congregational order." He officiated as pastor of the separatists for some seven years; but where he came from, where he lived, or what became of him after he ceased to be pastor, when the union was effected in 1796, is not now known to the writer.
After the year 1796, Mr. Hibbard's name does not appear in the church records. He preached some little time after the vote to dismiss him, and, in 1798, moved to Hubbardton, and died there March 2d, 1802.
In the historical sketch written by Mr. Ashley, in 1854, he says that after the breaking up of the Thompson Church, "most returned to the former church, and again their religious interests
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prospered under Mr. Hibbard's administration, until some began to think he was not sufficiently refined for Poultney, and suc- ceeded in getting a vote to dismiss him. This almost broke the old man's heart-having labored with his people so long, and with very little support-for he could almost say with Paul, "These hands have ministered to my necessities; I have not been chargeable to any of you." "Poor and disconsolate, he preached a few years to destitute churches in the vicinity, and was gathered to his fathers."
" Peace to his ashes."
At a meeting of the church, held in February, 1797, Deacon Oliver Strong was elected Moderator. This is the first mention on the records of a deacon in the church. Silas Howe is also named as deacon in the records soon after that date. When those gentlemen were elected to that office does not appear.
At a meeting held March 13, 1798, the church, by vote, ex- pressed a " desire " that "Mr. David Smith " settle with them in the work of the ministry. Mr. Hale says, " this call was un- doubtedly declined."
From the time Mr. Hibbard was dismissed, until the settle- ment of Mr. Leonard, in 1802, the church was without a pastor, but were supplied occasionally-doubtless for a time by the Mr. Smith to whom they gave a call-by Prince Jenney, in 1799, and by a Mr. Hawley, in 1800. How long they were sup- plied by each of these clergymen is not known-probably not long.
At a church meeting, held March 8, 1801, " Voted to choose a committee to confer with Middletown Church on the expediency of uniting for the support of the Gospel."
January 7th, 1802, " Voted unanimously to unite with the Middletown Church in procuring preaching," and " choose a committee of four to draw up articles of union with the Mid- dletown Church."
This is the last we see in the records of this matter of union with the Middletown Church. We have found no record or other evidence to show that the " union " was carried into effect, and we find that before the close of the year 1802, Mr. Leonard
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was settled over the Congregational Church in Poultney, and less than two years thereafter, the Rev. Henry Bigelow com- menced preaching at Middletown, and in a few months was ordained and settled over that church.
September 30, 1802, at church meeting, "Voted unanimously to give Rev. Mr. Leonard a call to preach on probation."
December 6th, of the same year (1802), "Cave a unanimous call to the Rev. Samuel Leonard to settle with them, and labor one half of the time for the present." Mr. Leonard's letter of acceptance bears the same date. The Congregationalists com- menced the erection of a house, or rather of getting out the timber, in the fall of 1802, and "on the sills of this house, be- fore the frame was up, Mr. Leonard was installed." The instal- lation took place, or is supposed to have taken place, May 18th, 1803. We find the simple record, " Agreed to install the Rev. Mr. Leonard May the 18th," and Dea, Silas Howe and Samuel Lee were appointed a committee, at a previous meeting, April 15th, " to make out letters of invitation to churches." No re- cord is found of his installation; but there is no doubt in regard to it, as persons are now living who attended the installation ex- ercises.
The meeting-house, commenced as above named, in the fall of 1802, was completed during the year 1803. The old house, built in 1782-3, in which the Baptists united in building, opposite the burying ground, was not totally demolished until 1812. It was not taken down at once, but a board or a stick of timber at a time was pulled off and carried away, until the destruction became complete. The Thompson House, so-called, was moved, and made into a dwelling house, and is the same now occupicd by Joseph Morse, in the east village.
The history of the pastors of a church do not make up its entire history, though usually a very important part of it. If we could bring up to view the faithful and arduous labors of the ยท laymen who assisted in founding and building up our religious institutions, we should have much worthy of record. Deacon Samuel Lee, if he did not become a member of the Congrega- tional Church at the time of its organization, was very early a
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member. As before appears, the earliest records preserved were in his handwriting, and he held the office until his death, which occurred April 9th, 1813. He and Seymour Crittenden were ordained as deacons, September 5, 1804. This office he also held until his decease. The old men and women all speak in high terms of his Christian character. The records show that he and Dea. Silas Howe were oftener on committees, and in re- sponsible positions, in the early history of the church, than any other members. Bezaleel Farnum, the father of the late Dea. William L. Farnum, as would appear from the records, was a working, and, apparently, an efficient member. "At a church meeting, holden March 9, 1804, voted that Bezaleel Farnum, Seymour Crittenden and Capt. Simeon Hickok shall be choristers." Mr. Farnum was the leading chorister in the Congregational Church for many years. Dea. Seymour Crittenden was also one of the active and working members of those early days. The names of Thaddeus Hickok, John Mears, David Thompson, Joseph Morse, Ebenezer Frisbie, Seth Gorham, Oliver Sanford, Elias Babcock, and Barnabas Richmond appear on the records as among the early members.
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