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 9
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Cases of discipline were frequent in the early history of the Congregational Church. It has been said that churches, in their early history, were severe and rigid in matters of discipline; but we must give them the credit of having been watchful over each other, and if they did go to an extreme in one direction, we can truly say our churches in later times have been loose and negligent in discipline.
In 1803, we find the Congregational Church with a new house of worship completed-the same house since occupied by that denomination-and with a second settled pastor. Mr. Leonard's pastorate continued for a period of eighteen years, and was, on the whole, a successful and pleasant one. At his own request, he was dismissed by an Ecclesiastical Council, held the first Wednesday in June, 1821. He removed from Poultney, and died in Chesterfield, Michigan, April 19, 1862, at the advanced age of 85 years. During Mr. Leonard's pastorate, the church grew in numbers, and was apparently prosperous.
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October 2, 1817, Moses Noyes and Calvin Hinman were ordained deacons of the church. In May, of the same year, Deacon Hinman was chosen clerk. Deacon Noyes held his office until May 19, 1835, when he resigned by reason of his age and infirmities.
At a meeting of the church, "October 1, 1821, chose Wm. L. Farnum, clerk pro tem. The church voted to give Rev. Ethan Smith a call to become our minister." The call was ac- cepted, and Mr. Smith was installed November 21, 1821. The relat ons of Mr. Smith and the church seem to have been amicable for about five years, but November 3d, 1826, a church meeting was held, at which Mr. Smith " stated as a well known fact, that a misunderstanding had arisen between one of the deacons and himself, which they were unable amicably to ad- just." A council was called, and he was dismissed.
Following the dismission of Mr. Smith, the church, for a time, was without a pastor. On the 1st of January, 1827, "a committee of supply was chosen." "September 3, 1827, church met, conversed upon the subject of giving Mr. Cochran a call. No vote taken."
"September 10, 1827, after some desultory remarks, church voted to give Rev. Sylvester Cochran a call to settle over them in the work of the Gospel ministry." The call was accepted, and Mr. Cochran was ordained and installed October 24th, 1827. Rev. Ebenezer Hibbard, then of Whitehall, a son of Ithamar Hibbard, the first settled pastor of the church, was present at the exercises of ordination and installation. Rev. Lemuel Haynes, the colored minister, made the ordaining prayer. Two or three years after the settlement of Mr. Coch- tan, the following record was made: "We record it to the honor and glory of God, and for the information of those who may come after us, that during the winter of 1829 and 1830, we enjoyed in all our churches in this town an unusual and glorious revival of religion. This revival extended to most parts of the town, and continued from November, 1829, till some time in the following year before it subsided. During
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this time nearly two hundred of all classes were hopefully con- verted to the Lord, and all the churches were refreshed and built up."
After what Mr. Hale says seemed to him " on the whole, the most successful pastorate the church has enjoyed," Mr. Coch- ran tendered his resignation October 5, 1834, giving as a reason that "a small minority in the church had expressed dis- satisfaction." A council was called, and Mr. Cochran, after about seven years service, was dismissed. When he was set- tled, in 1827, the church numbered 86. There were added during his ministry, by profession and by letter, 116. Thirty- nine were removed by death; some received letters to other churches, leaving, at the close of Mr. Cochran's pastorate, 163 members. After his dismissal, Mr. Cochran removed, with a colony of Vermonters, to Vermontville, Michigan, and died at Northfield, in that State, March 14th, 1860, in the sixty-fourth year of his age.
December 19th, 1834, by a vote of the church, Rev. Solomon Lyman received a call to the pastorate of this church. The call was accepted, and Mr. Lyman commenced his labors the first Sabbath in January, 1835, and was installed February 26th.
" May 19, 1835, the church elected, by ballot, Brother Wm. L. Farnum to officiate in place of Deacon Hooker, removed." At the same meeting, "the church, on motion, proceeded to elect, and did elect, William P. Noyes as deacon, in the place of his father," Deacon Moses Noyes, who resigned by reason of his age. Deacon Farnum held the office of deacon in this church from the date of his election to the time of his death, March 10th, 1873.
"June 6, 1836, it was voted that a protracted meeting be held." "Voted, that the Rev. J. Birchard be invited to con- duet the meeting." "June 19, 1836, protracted meeting closed to-day." On the day the meeting closed, the records show that seventeen united with the church.
"September 15, 1838, church met and elected Daniel Whit- comb and Rollin J. Watkins as deacons." "June 14, 1842, at a stated meeting of the church, Rev. S. Lyman requested a dis-
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missal." The request was laid over one week, when the church, by a strong negative vote, refused to accede to his request. Some months afterwards the request was renewed, and the church reluctantly consented to calling a council to consider the matter. The council was called, and severed the relation November 16, 1842. Mr. Lyman remained through the winter, and apparently acted as pastor until March, 6, 1843. Forty-two persons united with the church on that day-forty-one by pro- fession, and one by letter-"the largest' number," says Mr. Hale, " ever admitted to this church at one time." Soon after this Mr. Lyman removed to Easthampton, Mass., where he lived until he died, a few years since.
" 1843, March 25 .- This day, the Rev. Joseph Myers, of Whitehall, began his ministerial labors." This is the first record in the handwriting of William P. Noyes. He appears to have officiated as clerk until he resigned, in the summer of 1848, when James P. Harris was elected to fill his place. Mr. Myers was dismissed January 30, 1846, by reason of ill health. It is sup- posed that Mr. Myers is still living on Long Island. After Mr. Myers was dismissed, the church was supplied a few months by Rev. A. G. Pease. "July 26, 1847, the church voted to give a call to the Rev. Daniel C. Frost to settle over us in the Gospel ministry." Mr. Frost was dismissed July 6, 1848. The Rev. Cephus H. Kent served as a stated supply about two years and a-half, as we should judge by the records. February 1, 1850, Dı. Beaman, then of Troy, N. Y., was invited by a formal call " to settle with us in the ministry." This call was declined, but for some little time, Dr. Beaman supplied the pulpit of this church.
December 24, 1852, the Rev. Jacob E. Blakeley, who had for awhile supplied the pulpit, received a call, which was accepted, and Mr. Blakely was ordained March 9, 1853. His health soon failed, and he died at his father's, in Pawlet, May 6, 1854. After Mr. Blakely's illness commenced, Rev. Guy C. Strong supplied for awhile. October 15, 1855, Calvin N. Ransom received a call, and he was installed January 10, 1856. Mr. Ransom was dismissed January 6, 1859. Rev. N. P. Gilbert supplied for a
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few months, when Rev. John G. Hale took his place. Mr. Hale received a call from the church, and was installed April 18, 1860. His pastorate continued nearly nine years. He tendered his resignation January 31, 1869, and was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council February 23, 1869. In his historical ser- mon, he reports that, during his pastorate, "thirty-five have been added to the church by profession, and thirty-seven by letter. Seventeen members of the church have died; thirty- three dismissed to other churches, and eight excommunicated." Soon after Mr. Hale's dismission, he removed to Chester, Vt., became, and still remains, the pastor of the Congregational Church in that town.
After Mr. Hale removed, Rev. Ovid Miner suppled the church about twoyears. Rev. Calvin Granger removed from Hubbard- ton to East Poultney in the spring of 1872, and commenced his labors with this church the first Sabbath in June of that year. He still remains the acting and acceptable pastor of the Con- gregational Church in Poultney.
Marville Colvin for some years held the office of deacon in the church, but after removing to Pawlet, received a letter of recom- mendation to that church. A. B. Ripley was chosen deacon to fill his place, May 18, 1866. Charles A. Rann, Esq., was the clerk of the church for some years. He resigned April 13, 1873, and Charles F. Harris was elected to fill his place, and still holds this office. William L. Farnum and Joseph Mears were elected deacons, October 27, 1874. Mr. Farnum is a son of the late William Lee Farnum, so long a deacon of this church.
Sabbath Schools have been well sustained in this church since they became a part of religious effort, which will date as far back as 1825. The members of the church have generally realized their importance as a means of religious education. The late Deacon Farnum was an active man in this department, and for many years the superintendent. Many others might be named who gave special attention and valuable service to this cause.
There are few churches which have a better record for work in benevolent objects. We have not the space to go into the
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details of its history, in this regard, or hardly for a general notice of it. But we will say that the records show contribu- tions, year after year, to foreign and home missions, to Bible, education, tract societies, and to other benevolent objects which, at least, will compare favorably with other New England churches.
The report of the General Convention of Congregational Churches of Vermont, in 1873, shows that the Poultney Con- gregational Church then had a membership of ninty-three, eighteen of whom were reported absent. The present number will not vary much from the above.
Baptist Church.
On the 8th of April, 1852, Rev. John Goadby, D. D., then delivered a discourse at the Baptist Church, in East Poultney, on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Organization of the Church. Its historical value induced members of the church to vote a request of a copy for publication. The request was granted, the sermon published, a copy of which we have, and would be pleased to give it entire; but, for want of space, we can copy little more than that portion which is strictly historical. The following was the text: "I will remember the works of the Lord; I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings."-Psalms LXXVII: 11-12.
This church, whose fiftieth anniversary we now celebrate, has had its share of changes, but they have never been so fre- quent nor severe as many others have experienced in the same period. This may be attributed, in the Providence of God, to the character of its prominent members at its organization, and to the single-mindedness of its first pastor. Some of its mem- bers were men of rich and varied experience, in the full vigor of life, and admirably adapted for the commencement of an . enterprise requiring sound judgement, persevering effort, and unwavering trust in God. As we look back over fifty years, the vigorous and venerable forms of Ward and Webster, of Mar- shall and Sanford, of Pond and Ashley, seem to rise up before us; and the mothers in Israel, Lydia Marshall, Mary Mallory,
-
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and Sally Angevine, all of whom lived upwards of ninety years; and Mary Whitney, the last of the original members, who died in February, 1837. Under date of October 27, 1835, there is the following entry in the church records: "Died, Lydia Mar- shall, in the 93 year of her age. She came to the grave like a shock of corn fully ripe. She was the last, save one, of those who composed this church at its organization. She had lived in the town sixty-two years. She, and four who now survive, were heads of families in 1777, in this town, when the inhabitants were all driven from their homes by the enemy, in the War of the Revolution. She had reared a family of fourteen children, and there are known to be living, of her posterity, above 370, extending to the fifth generation."
The first Baptist who moved into town, was Isaac Ashley, in the Fall of 1771; William Ward was the next, 1774. They came from Canaan, Conn., where they were baptized on the same day, in 1770 or 1771, by Elder Dakins. Isaac Ashley died in April, 1777, leaving an infant son* about thirteen months old. Ile stands among us to-day, in vigorous old age, where he has stood, with the exception of a few months, for fifty years. May his presence be long continued, as an ornament and pillar in the house of our God.
The inhabitants fled from the town about the end of June, 1777; in the following year they returned, and the number of Baptists slowly increased. Mrs. Thomas Ashley and Mrs, Ichabod Marshall were baptized by Elder Joseph Cornell, and. are supposed to have been the first to whom the baptism of be- lievers was administered in Poultney. Shortly after, John Ashley, Ichabod Marshall, and some others, obeyed the Lord in Ilis ordinance, till the number was about twelve. In 1782, they met at Ichabod Marshall's, and formed themselves into a church, and choose William Ward their deacon. This little church, in its infancy, united with the Congregational Church in support- ing the Gospel, in worship, and in communion, under the
* The " infant son " was the late Elisha Ashley, who was living in 1852.
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pastoral care of Ithamar Hibbard, who had been a chaplain in the army of the Revolution. In 1782-3, both societies were engaged in building a meeting-house, opposite the burying- ground (east village). It was raised and covered by subscrip- tion, but finished by a town tax. About the year 1795, the Baptists, doubting the propriety of their course, withdrew from that communion, and united with the Baptist Church in Middle- town, under the pastoral care of Sylvanus Haynes, who was said to have produced the separation. They still continued in union with the Congregational Church, in the support of preach- ing, and in public worship.
In January, 1802, preliminary steps were taken for organizing two distinct societies; they were fully organized in February following. At the first meeting of the Baptist Society, held February 8th, after choosing officers, it was "voted to give Clark Kendrick a call to settle with said society in the Gospel ministry." On the 8th of April, thirty-four members were dis- missed from the Baptist Church in Middletown, and organized an independent body. The first meeting for business was held on the 7th of the same month; William Ward was chosen moderator, and Elijah D. Webster, clerk. It was then voted to call Mr. Kendrick to the pastoral office, and to call a council for his ordination, as requested by a vote of the society, on the same day. The council assembled May 19th, and the next day Mr. Kendrick was ordained. Soon after the ordination of Mr. Kendrick, the Congregationalists obtained a minister, and held separate meetings.
In 1805, the house in which we are assembled (Baptist house in east village) was built, at a cost of about $6000. In 1839, this audience room was prepared at an expense of $2000.
Mr. Kendrick held the pastoral office until his death, which occurred at midnight, February 29, 1824, in the forty-ninth year of his age. His funeral was attended on Thursday follow- ing, when Mr. Dellaway preached from " the prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended." His labors had been greatly blessed, and were continued to within three weeks of his death.
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He administered the Lord's Supper for the last time on the first day of February.
The first person who united with this church, was Lucy Broughton, by letter. The first baptism was May 9, 1802, when when Mr. Haynes administered the ordinance to Peleg Brunson, Ithiel Peck and Sally Finel. The church nearly doubled in numbers before the close of the year; the next year, and 1809, were seasons of great interest; but the latter part of 1816, and the whole of 1817, were one continued revival, in which 101 were added by baptism. The whole number added to the church from its organization, to the death of Mr. Kendrick, was 234-by baptism, 189; by letter, 45. The decrease was, dis- missed, 85; died, 10; and 22 fellowships had been withdrawn, leaving 151.
The death of their pastor was a heavy blow to the church, which had enjoyed his faithful labors and judicious counsels so long. In the Fall of the year, they secured the services of Mr. Pharellus Church, who had recently graduated at the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution. He was ordained June 23, 1825. Between the death of Mr. Kendrick and the ordin- ation of Mr. Church, 20 were received by baptism, and three by letter.
The labors of Mr. Church were acceptable and successful; but the period of his pastorate was short, extending only to October 21, 1828, when he removed to Providence. R. I. His resignation was regarded by many as unwarrantable, and even sinful. They had thought, in their simplicity, that the pastoral office was a permanent one. There were added, during his pastorate, by baptism, 33; by letter, 9; restored, 1. The church was destitute several months, and the desk occupied by several ministers.
August 23, 1829, Mr. Eli B. Smith entered upon the pastoral office, with cheering prospects of success. Through the follow- ing fall and winter, there was an extensive revival. His labors: were abundantly blessed, and much people were added to the Lord. He continued with the church until May 6, 1833, when he left to take charge of the New Hampton Institution. His removal was deeply felt. It was the second lesson of minis-
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terial fickleness, and produced very unhappy feelings among the church. Before his coming, two were added by letter, and while he was pastor, 104 were baptized, 14 united by letter, and 3 were restored.
Mr. John H. Ricket commenced preaching with the church, as a candidate, July 14, 1833. The church voted to request his ordination during the session of the Association, which met here in October. He was not ordained, and closed his labors on the 13th of the same month.
Negotiations were soon entered upon with Mr. Samuel C. Dilloway, of Granville, N. Y. He entered upon the pastoral office January 6, 1834, and continued until April 1, 1838, when he was dismissed, at his own request, in the midst of an inter- esting revival. He was subject to temporary aberations of mind, and under a consciousness of his infirmity, requested to be re- leased from the pastoral office. In the interim between the re- moval of Mr. Smith and the coming of Mr. Dilloway, six persons joined the church by letter. From this time to his dis- mission, 36 were baptized, 15 added by letter, and 2 restored.
In the fall of 1838, Mr. Velony R. Hotchkiss began his ministry here, and was ordained December 20, the same year. His labors were faithful and successful; he gained the affection , of the church, and the confidence of the community, but left, to the grief of many, May 8, 1842. Before his ordination, 12 were baptized and 5 added by letter. During his pastorate, 25 were baptized, 27 added by letter, and 3 were restored. Four others entered by letter before the coming of Mr. Joseph M. Driver, who was the next pastor. Mr. Driver entered upon his labors November 5, 1842. A work of great interest and power had commenced, and it was his privilege in the beginning to gather in the sheaves. He baptized 4 in number November 20th, 8 in December, 36 in February following, 30 in March, and 14 more before the end of July. During Mr. Driver's pastorate, he baptized 92, 14 were added by letter, and 1 re- stored. In the year 1843, the church attained its highest numerical point; in October it numbered 274 members, equal to
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one-seventh of the population of the town. Mr. Driver re- mained until April 5, 1845.
After his removal, the church was supplied by various indi- viduals, as in former times of destitution; but in all of them, one of its own members had supplied almost every vacancy. I refer to Elder Isaac Fuller, whom most of you know. He united with this church June 3, 1820, and died August 20, 1843, aged 72. In his death, the church lost a faithful, warm-hearted, sincere and devoted Christian, and a peace maker, who, by his visits, cousels and sympathies, accomplished much good in the church and in the town. He has left a name often remembered with pleasure, and uttered with respect by those who knew him.
One person only was added to the church between the dis- mission of Mr. Driver, and the settlement of Mr. Josiah Cannon, in February, 1846, whose pastoral relation to the church ceased May 28, 1848. In the meantime, 5 were added by baptism, 20 by letter, and 1 restored; before the close of the year, 1 was baptized and 1 added by letter.
Your present pastor (Dr. Goadby) entered upon his office January 21, 1849, since which time 10 have been baptized, and 16 added by letter.
. From the organization of the church until to day, there have been baptized 527; added by letter, 184; dismissed, 397; fellow- ship withdrawn from 75-of whom 11 have been restored; 14 have been dropped from the records; 114 have died, leaving 156 our present number. Total increase, 722; decrease, 600.
The deacons have been fourteen-
William Ward, appointed Aug. 19, 1020, died Aug. 13, 1819. Oliver Sanford Dec. 18, 1804, " Oct. 22, 1835,
Elijah D. Webster,
Feb. 12, 1812, " Jan. 17, 1823.
** ,John Jones, Sen., 65 May 17, 1818, Dis. May 4, 1823.
Caleb Brookins, 66 Oct. 21, 1823, Nov. 7,1827.
John Jones, Jr.,
May 15, 1827, May 1, 1831. Buzi Cramton,
Oct. 2, 1830, Dicd Oet. 4, 1839. Joseph Joslin, 66 July 6, 1835, Still in office.
$ Removed to State of Ohio, and died.
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Adin Kendrick, appointed July 6, 1835, Died
George Cutting,
Sept. 21, 1837, Dis. March 9, 1842.
Winslow Gardner,
Jan. 18, 1840, "
William Fifield,
Jan. 18, 1845,
Wm. L. Bosworth,
Dec. 16, 1849,
Aaron C. Broughton, . Mar. 1, 1868, Still in office.
The clerks of the church have been Elijah D. Webster, Luther Finel, Clark Kendrick, Elisha Ashley, Levi Kinney, Samuch Stewart, William Fifield, James R. Broughton, J. J. Joslin and W. W. Hibbard.
Two only of its members have been licensed to preach by this church, Ithiel Peck, who I suppose was ordained in Orwell, in October, 1835, and George N. Cutting, now pastor of the Baptist Church, Lyme, N. H. One who has long been a pastor in Georgia, Charles D. Mallary, was dismissed from this church in May, 1824; he had not then commenced preaching. One of our present number is among the heathen, Mrs. Mary Brayton.
The expenses attending the worship of God were defrayed by a tax on the grand list of the church and society, until 1829, since then by subscription, and sometimes by assessment on the members of the church, according to their ability. There has always been some interest felt towards the benevolent enterprises in which the denomination has engaged; but, with two excep- tions, no record has been kept of the amount raised for them. These are, 1840, in which the sum was $190; and 1847, when it was $210. For the last three years we have raised $644.64- 1849, $143.47; 1850, $256.17; in 1851, $245.
During the pastorate of Mr. E. B. Smith, and as nearly as I can learn, in 1829, a Sabbath School was commenced at his urgent request. It has been continued to the present time, with a few slight intermissions. It has included, in its classes, many of mature years, and has been found interesting and profitable. The superintendents have been Elisha Ashley, Levi Kinney, Simeon Mears, Joseph Joslin, and now, Lyman S. Clark.
Sunday Schools had existed for some years before this time, and had been carried on in various school districts, but I cannot learn that this church had fully engaged in them until 1829.
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Of the persons baptized into the fellowship of this church before the death of its first pastor, twenty are still members with us. Of these, Mrs. Sally Richards (formerly Finel) was baptized before Mr. Kendrick was ordained; three in 1809, two in 1815, five in 1816, eight in 1817, and one in 1821; also one who united by letter in 1820. These are all that remain with us from the first period of our history as a Church of Jesus Christ.
God has watched over us these fifty years; He has blessed us in basket and in store, and increased us on every side; though our wanderings have been many, and our unworthiness all be- fore Him, our Heavenly Father has not wholly withdrawn His Holy Spirit from us. A few mercy drops have fallen amidst the drought of years; should not these, and His continued for- bearance, convince us that when we are ready to receive His richer manifestations of favor, He will impart them.
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